I do not own…
Chapter Forty-Eight: Five Champions
Before Vanessa had left for the Common Room with her friends she was stopped by a foreign voice.
"Vanessa."
It was Viktor Krum. Angelina, Katie and Uma smirked and giggled at the sight of him. Vanessa just rolled her eyes and told them to hush as she didn't see why they had to gush like that. Unlike Ron and everyone else, Vanessa only saw Viktor as the same nice boy she met years ago.
"Viktor. It's good to see you again." Vanessa said
The two hug.
"I saw the game, you were really good." She said
"Thank you. I just vanted to come by and zay itz good to zee you again." He said
"It's good to see you again too." She said before gesturing to the girls. "These are some of my friends: Uma, Angelina and Katie."
"Hello." He said
"Hi." The girls smiled and waved at him.
Suddenly Jay and Malcome appeared and stood in the middle of her and Viktor. They stood in front of him with their arms crossed and tried to look imitated. Vanessa glared at this and wondered if Hunter put them up to this.
"Hi, names Jay." Jay said
"I'm Malcome." Malcolm said
"Don't mind these two, they're just leaving." Vanessa said "Right, guys."
She pulled on their ears so hard that it made them wince. Before Viktor could say anything his Headmaster Karkaroff had called for him as he and his fellow schoolmates were heading back to the ship.
"It was nice to see you again, Viktor. We should talk again sometime." She said "Good night."
"Goodnight, Vanessa." Viktor said
He bowed his head and head off to follow his fellow schoolmates.
"If Hunter put you two up to this, I'm gonna have to hurt you two." She said as she pulled their ears one last time.
They swore that Hunter didn't and was just trying to protect their friend as they thought he was trying to hit on her. Vanessa just glared at them and walked towards the Gryffindor Common Room with her friends. Uma looked back at them with a smirk as she gestured her thumb to her neck and mouthed 'Your Dead.'
The next day Vanessa and her friends were all sitting on the bench in the hall where the Goblet of Fire was being held. They were just sitting down as they watched anyone that's 17 or 18 years old putting their names in the cup. Hunter, Jay, Maggie, Maruis, and Angelina had already placed their names in as they were seventeen. Uma and Mal were pouting as their birthdays were either two and three months away so they couldn't compete.
"Is it me or does it look like not many people are putting in their names." Vanessa asked
She was sitting on Hunter's lap as he wrapped his arms around her waist and nudged his face into her neck.
"I bet most of them put their names in last night after we'd all gone to bed." Hunter replied
Suddenly a big group of older Hufflepuff students came running in and they were all pushing Cedric Diggory to the front.
"C'mon Cedric, put it in!"
Cedric smiled for a moment before looking at the Goblet with a serious look. He took one step and placed a piece of parchment with his name on it in the Goblet.
"So there's Jay, Maggie, Maruis, Angelina and now Cedric. Anyone else that we know that's competing?" Rain asked
"Well before I put my name in, Lucas placed his name in too. Not surprising as we both have the same birthday. And I heard that Warrington put his name in." Hunter said
"That sloth looking Slytherin on the Quidditch team." Vanessa asked
"That's the one." Marius said
Another round of cheering broke through the hall when Fred and George came running in the room.
"Yes! Well, lads, we've done it!" Fred said
"Cooked it up just this morning." George said "Vanessa! You sure you don't want to join in."
"I'm good, you two." Vanessa said
"You're lost then." Fred said
"It's not going to wo-rk." Hermione sings in amusement.
The twins turned towards her and sat on both her sides.
"Oh yeah?" Fred remarked
"And why's that, Ganger?" George challenged
"You see this? This is the Age line Dumbledore talked about. He drew it himself." Hermione said
"So?" Fred said
"So a genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled…by something as pathetically dimwitted as an Aging Potion." She explained
"Ah, but that's why it's so brilliant." Fred said
"Because it's so pathetically dimwitted." George smirked
"Oh this will be interesting." Malcome muttered
The twins stood up on the benches as they shook the potion vials in their hands.
"Ready, Fred?"
"Ready, George."
"Bottoms up." They said together.
The two drank the potion and jumped over the Age Line. Nothing happened for a moment until they placed their names in the Goblet. Blue flames spinned out of the Goblet and hit the twins out of the circle. When the flames were gone the twins ended up with long grey-white hair and beards. Everyone in the room started laughing once they saw them.
"You said!" They glared at each other and they started wrestling on the floor.
Some of the students have gathered and cheered on the fight. Harry and Ron had gathered with the group and cheered on as well, while Hermione just sat back on the bench and read her book. Vanessa just shook her head in amusement at the scene.
"Boys will be boys." Rain sighed as she braided Dawn's hair.
"So true." Dawn said
The room suddenly gone quiet when a few members of Durmstrang came in. In the lead was Viktor Krum. He put his name in the Goblet before over at Hermione and smiled at her a little. Then he looked over where Vanessa was and waved hello. Hunter let out a little growl when Vanessa waved back. She ended up slapping his shoulder to silence him.
"Oh calm down, you." Mal whispered to Hunter.
"Yeah, you're one to talk as you have dated…how many girlfriends before Vanessa." Evie said
Hunter tensed a little when Vanessa gave him a look as she agreed with them and to say something.
"Besides, he's just a pen pal now." Vanessa said "Nothing more. And if you continue this way, all this…" She gestures to her body. "Will be on locked down for a month."
Hunter nearly whimpered at the sound of that. Jay made a whipping sound as a gesture that Hunter was whipped. Hunter just slapped him upside of Jays' head as he was near. He did trust Vanessa, he just didn't trust Viktor as he didn't know if this guy still had feelings for her.
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The decorations in the Great Hall had changed this morning. As it was Halloween, a cloud of live bats was fluttering around the enchanted ceiling, while hundreds of carved pumpkins leered from every corner. The Goblet of Fire had been moved: it was now standing in front of Dumbledore's empty chair at the teachers' table. Fred and George -who no longer had grey hair and shaved- seemed to have taken their disappointment fairly well.
"Hope, it's Angelina." Fred said
"Same here." Hermione said "Well, we'll soon know."
The Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual. But nobody was paying attention to the second feast. They were all waiting for the announcement of the champions. Everyone looked over at Dumbledore, waiting for him to finish his desserts. It wasn't long till everything was cleared and Dumbledore got up from his seat.
"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision." Dumbledore said "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them to please come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber…" He indicated the door behind the staff table. "Where they will be receiving their first instructions."
With a wave of his wand all the candles were extinguished, except the ones inside the carved pumpkins. The Goblet of Fire was shining more brightly than anything in the whole Hall. Everyone watched, and waited. Seconds later the flames inside the goblet turned red. Sparks began to fly from it before some flames shot into the air, and a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it. Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length before reading it.
"The champion for Durmstrang." He read "Will be Viktor Krum."
All the Durmstrang cheered at this as he got up and walked over towards the doors. Their Headmaster cheered for him the most. When he left the clapping and cheering died down as they waited for the next champion. Then seconds later it turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.
"The champion for Beauxbatons." Dumbledore said "Is Fleur Delacour!"
The girl happened to be the one Ron was crushing on since the feast yesterday. She got up from the Ravenclaw table, shook her silvery blonde hair and walked towards the door.
"They don't seem happy for her." Uma said to Vanessa.
They looked over at the table and saw that most of them were pouting and had disappointed looks. Two Beauxbatons girls were actually crying for not being picked.
When Fleur was gone silence fell again, but there was a mix of excitement as the next champion was Hogwarts. The Goblet of Fire turned red once more, Dumbledore caught the third piece of parchment.
"The Hogwarts champion…" He called "Is Hunter Hades!"
Every single Slytherin had jumped to their feet and roared in excitement. They all patted Hunter in congratulations when he got up and followed after the champions. Ron and some of the other Gryffindors didn't take it well.
"I'm not a bit surprised by the choosing." Uma whispered to Vanessa. "Knowing who his father is and who his ancestors are."
Vanessa nodded and knew the Goblet must have had a hard choice picking between Lucas and Hunter. She then saw Hermione over at them with a curious look. The witch princess wouldn't be surprised if Hermione had already figured out who Hunter's father is. She just hoped that she wouldn't tell anyone.
"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real…"
Dumbledore had to stop talking when he noticed the goblet was turning red again. A long flame shot out in the air and another piece of parchment appeared. Dumbledore caught it and looked at the name on the piece of paper before reading it out.
"Vanessa Potter."
Vanessa's mouth dropped when she heard this but didn't move. No one applauded or cheered. Dumbledore had called Vanessa again. When she didn't move Fred and Uma had to give her a slight push to make her move. She got up from her seat and walked down the hallway without giving the other students a glance. She kept a stone face and walked over towards Dumbledore.
"Well..through the door, Vanessa." Dumbledore said
Vanessa nodded and left towards where the other champions had gone. When she entered the room she saw Viktor, Hunter and Fleur grouped around the fire. They all looked at her with a confused look. Before anyone could say anything the door opened again and not surprisingly it was Harry.
"Please, don't tell me…" She said
"My name came out of the goblet a minute after yours." He said
Vanessa cursed in Romania before more noise was heard from behind the door. The first one that came in was Ludo Bagman who was looking at them with fascination.
"Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen…Lady." Ludo said "May I introduce…incredible though it may seem…the fourth and fifth Triwizard Champion?"
The other champions didn't believe him at all.
"What?" Hunter said, and looked over at Vanessa with concern.
"Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman." Fleur said as she tossed her hair again.
"Joke?" Bagman said "No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"
This seemed to have them take him seriously.
"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake." Fleur said "Zey cannot compete. She is still not of age and E is too young."
"Well…it is amazing." Bagman said "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as their name's come out of the goblet…I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage…It's down in the rules, you're obliged…Vanessa and Harry will just have to do the best they…"
He stopped when the door opened again and more people came in. It was Professor Dumbledore, Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape. Vanessa saw that some of the other students were following them but stopped when Professor McGonagall closed the door.
"Madame Maxime!" Fleur said, striding over to her headmistress. "Zey are saying zat zhis two are to compete also!"
Vanessa was getting a headache from her complaining. The argument between them continued on until Dumbledore silenced them and walked over to the Potters.
"Vanessa. Harry. Did you two put your names into the Goblet of Fire." He asked
"No." Vanessa and Harry said
"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for either of you?" Dumbledore asked
"Of course not, sir. Neither of us have death wishes. We've had enough close calls as it is in the last few years." Vanessa said
Once again none of the other Headmasters believed her and continued on arguing. While the two Headmasters were blaming them Professor Snape believed that it was Harry that did this, like always, and had decided to drag Vanessa along with him. Professor McGonagall just glared at him as she knew this wasn't true. She knew neither of the two would do such a thing. It came to a point where Professor Karkaroff asked Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman to back them up with their agreement. Bagman wasn't sure what to say and looked over at Mr. Crouch, who has been silent and a little sickly.
"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament." Mr. Crouch said " So neither Mr and Ms. Potter have a choice. They are, as of tonight, Triwizard champions."
"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front." Bagman said
This made Karkaroff want to set up the Goblet of Fire again so their school can have three champions so it could be fair. Bagman informed him that that's not how the Goblet of Fire works. The Goblet had just gone out and that it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament. This made Karkaroff mad and threatened that Durmstrang will not be competing and leave. That's when Professor Moody had come in and told him that Viktor couldn't leave as he is binded by a magical contract. Moody was the one that believed whoever places Vanessas' and Harrys' name in the Goblet knew they would have to compete and hoped they would get killed in the process. Karkaroff brushed this off as everyone knew how paranoid Mad-Eye can be and believes now he's trying to pass his paranoia to his students.
"Imagining things, am I? Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put their names in that goblet." Moody said
"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" Madame Maxime scoffed
"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" Moody said "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament…I'm guessing they submitted Mr., Ms, Potter's name under a fourth and fifth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category…"
Once again Karkaroff didn't believe him and Moody went to threaten him but Dumdbledore stopped him before it could get worse.
"How this situation arose, we do not know." Dumbldedore said "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Hunter, Vanessa and Harry have been chosen to compete in the tournament. This, therefore, they will do…
"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr…"
"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it." Dumbledore said
She had nothing and just glared.
"Well, shall we crack on, then?" Bagman said, rubbing his hands together and smiled. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"
Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie.
"Yes, instructions." Mr Crouch said "Yes…the first task…" He stepped up and looked at the five champions. "The first task is designed to test your daring. So we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard…very important. The first task will take place on November the 24th, in front of the other students and the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests." He looked over at Dumbledore. "I think that's all, is it, Albuse?"
Dumbledore nodded in agreement but looked at Mr. Crouch with a mild concern. With that said everyone started leaving one by one. Harry, Vanessa and Hunter were the last ones to leave.
"This can't be good if both of you have been placed in this tournament." Hunter said
"So you believe us?" Harry said
"I may be one of the few that does. I know you guys wouldn't do something like this." Hunter said "I'll write to my dad and see if there's any loopholes to the magical contract."
He kissed Vanessa goodnight and left as he reached the halls towards the dungeons.
"Well that's one that's on our side. I'm pretty sure everyone else thinks we placed our names in for sure." Vanessa said as they headed to Gryffindor tower.
"Why would they believe that we did?" Harry asked
"Because they are not thinking about how dangerous the trails are. It's' only the glory and fame it will give us and our house that they're focusing on." Vanessa said "And because of who we are, people are just gonna think we want more glory."
Harry wasn't sure but did hope that Ron and Hermione would believe him. They made it to the Fat Lady portrait who was talking to her friend Violet the Witch. Looks like she had told the Fat Lady and every other Portrait in the castle. When they entered the Common Room there was a huge party. Looks like the Gryfinndors didn't mind them being champions as long as they beat Slytherin. The twins, Jay and Angelina didn't hold a grudge towards Vanessa but did believe that she and Harry somehow put their names in the goblet. She didn't know about Harry, as he got ambushed by a group of third years, but she made it to her room. Inside was Uma and the two started talking. Thankfully, Uma believed that Vanessa didn't place her name in the goblet.
"Thank goodness! Someone thats', not my boyfriend, believes me." Vanessa said
"Come on, I know you would have told any of us if you had found a way to get passed that Age Line." Uma said "Then the twins would have nagged you to tell them how you did it."
"Thank you." Vanessa said and lay down on her bed. "What do the others think?"
"Don't worry we all know you wouldn't have done it." Uma said
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A/N: Yes…Cedric is not a champion. I hope you guys enjoy it.