"Anyone can be chosen, with enough wit."

"And a little help from one's brother."

The two ginger twins Aline comes to know as Fred and George Weasley high-five from across the table. She generally tries to sit away from them, fearing their wild ideas can lead to trouble, but she can't help but crack a smile when they're discussing ways to slip their names into the Goblet of Fire. Her sister Ellie is too young to know about the dangers of the Weasley boys' charming plans, and she giggled out loud.

That's what Aline fears.

Danger.

She doesn't need that right now.

Earlier that year, she had barely escaped the clutches of Greyback the werewolf and their bunch. Those were dark days. Ellie was just one when the werewolf kidnapped them out of their family home and dragged them to the forest. She was too young to be converted into a werewolf then, but Aline, who was five, was just of age. That's how she became a werewolf.

They never saw their real parents again.

Aline guesses Ellie barely remembers Mom and Dad.

They lived in the cold and hellish forest for years until the kindest werewolf she had known, Remus Lupin, saved them. He practically adopted her and Ellie. Ellie called him her dad, and Aline called him Remus because it felt wrong to pretend he was her real dad.

Remus placed the girls at Hogwarts under the protection of the most powerful wizard of all, Albus Dumbledore. They would be safe here.

That's why Aline quickly wiped the smile off her face and got back to her breakfast. She wasn't looking for trouble. She just wanted to grow in her powers and learn to control her werewolf urges so she could protect herself and Ellie from those like Greyback.

"You look like you're coming up with a plan yourself," Harry nudged her. He pushed his glasses up to the tip of her nose. "Think you'll be entering the tournament?"

"You know I won't be," Aline said, shoving a mouthful of eggs into her mouth.

Harry Potter, apparently the most famous wizard in the school, had always been kind to her. Even though she'd entered her fourth year as a new student, he didn't make her feel ridiculous for existing like others did. Aline decided it was because he knew what it was like to be different.

"You?"

"Nah." Harry shook his head.

"But if you did, you'd be double famous," added Ron Weasley, Harry's best friend.

"Don't even think about it, Ronald Weasley." This was Hermione Granger, the smartest witch in their grade. "You'll be the first to die, or worse, get expelled."

The next laugh came across the room from the Slytherin table. It was Draco Malfoy, blond and surrounded by his usual cronies. "Hear that, Weasley; your little girlfriend doesn't want to lose you." He made a baby noise and continued laughing. It struck a bone with Aline, as it always seemed Draco was too occupied with what Harry, Ron, and Hermione were doing at any given moment and felt it was necessary to comment.

"Let's go, Ellie," Aline mumbled, nudging her sister up. "We'll eat in the courtyard."

Ellie grumbled and fussed, but followed. Aline knew she loved to be with the Weasleys and the others, but the less they saw of Malfoy, the better. They ate their breakfast in the courtyard, surrounded by birds and squirrels.

When they finished, they headed up to the dorms. It would be quiet now. Aline threw a handful of powder into the flames and waited for Remus' friendly face to show up.

"My sweet girls," he laughed. "Ellie, have you grown bigger already?"

"Yep," Ellie boasted, jumping up and down.

"Why so early?" he asked Aline. "Should you girls be in the Great Hall making friends and getting ready for the tournament?"

Aline shook her head. "It was too loud in there; besides, we love the courtyard."

"I loved the Weasleys and Harry," Ellie interrupted. "You never let me stay!"

"That's because-" Aline paused. There was never a reason. She just didn't want to be surrounded by people she could potentially hurt. She didn't want to make friends. She didn't trust anyone, not really. Except for Remus and Ellie.

"When I said stay low," Remus began. "I didn't mean stay away from everyone. Harry, Hermione, and Ron are all wonderful. They'll make good companions."

"I don't know," Aline began.

"Just think about it. Please." Remus sighed. 'And you've been taking the Wolfsbane?"

"Yes. Professor Snape will keep a fresh batch brewed for me."

"Good, good. Just try not to stay in his way. You know what I mean. He's a wonderful professor, but he doesn't like werewolves all too much." Remus paused in recollection. "I've said too much. Have a wonderful time, girls, at the reaping. And remember what I said about friends?"

Aline sighed. "Try and make them."

Remus smiled. "Sharing chocolate helps in more than one way."

If only it were that easy.

-x-x-x-x-x

Everyone in Hogwarts was in the Great Hall. From what Aline understood, there were two other schools competing with them: Durstrang Institute of Strong Men and the Beauxbatons Academy of Striking Girls.

The children were all gathered in the dark room, the shadow of the looming atmosphere falling upon them. In the middle of the room was the Goblet of Fire, a magical goblet where only the oldest students (at least seventeen years old) were allowed to enter their names on paper slips. Aline watched as Fred and George, disguised with an aging charm, snuck over the glowing barrier, placed their names into the goblet, and were subsequently tossed out.

"Enough!"

The voice of Dumbledore boomed loud and clear, setting all the students into a deadly stupor. Even Draco had to shut his mouth as the headmaster glided towards the goblet in a mysterious fashion and waved his hands. "It is time to choose our champions."

He reached his hand over the goblet, and a slip, delicate and graceful, fell into his hand. "From Beauxbatons Academy, representing is... Fleur Delacour!"

Girls cheered and clapped as a lithe and pretty young girl skipped towards the goblet, bowed, and stood by Dumbledore.

"From Durmstrang Academy... Viktor Krum!"

Boys whooped and hollered as a strong slavic-type boy tumbled from the bleachers and joined Fleur.

"Finally, from Hogwarts School..." Dumbledore caught the flying paper in his hands. "Harry Potter?!"

The room was dead silent. Harry Potter? He was only fourteen; he couldn't compete!

"The Goblet is never wrong," Dumbledore whispered sourly.

Of course, Aline felt bad for Harry. He didn't deserve to be ostracized like that in front of everyone. It couldn't be his fault; he could never have entered his name alone. Could he?

But then Ellie pointed. "Look!"

Aline watched as the goblet spluttered and a fourth slip of paper flew up into the air. The time seemed to slow as Dumbeldore turned and had the slip fall into his hands. Slowly, he unraveled it, the color draining from his cheeks.

"It seems the Goblet has chosen a Lupin—an Eleanor Lupin—to represent Hogwarts as well."

Ellie blinked rapidly, but then a swarm of hands began to push her up to the front of the room. She screamed "ALINE!"

Aline's heartbeat drummed in an unsteady rhythm. As though something primal and animalistic woke inside her, she jumped from her seat and ran after Ellie, pulling her hands off of her.

"I VOLUNTEER!" She yelled.

The room erupted in whispers. Dumbledore turned to her. "I am sorry, child, but the goblet is never wrong."

"It can't be! She's only eleven!" Aline hugged Ellie. "She won't make it."

At least Harry was fourteen, and he had some spell knowledge behind him. Ellie was only eleven, and it was her first week at Hogwarts. She would never be able to make it through! She'd have to be a genius or a prodigy to learn that fast.

"You can't volunteer," snarled Draco. "That's not how it works, you idiot."

Aline's eyes glowed yellow. "If I cross the barrier line and it accepts me, then will I have a chance?"

She looked at Dumbledore and repeated the question a touch louder.

"Theoretically yes, but it's never been done."

Aline closed her eyes. She thought of her promise to Remus and to her sister. Keep her safe, and make Remus proud. She could do it. She had to do it. Taking slow and firm steps, she came to the barrier of the line, drew in a deep breath, and then stepped.

All she heard were the quiet gasps, and she felt a warm hand, a boy's hand, holding hers. She opened it and came face-to-face with Harry, who was dead silent and pale as parchment.

"It seems the Goblet has chosen," Dumbledore said slowly. He looked at the paper and handed it to Aline. Indeed, the name Ellie had magically changed to hers.

Aline Lupin.

In the Triwizard tournament.

She held Harry's hand and swallowed, facing the crowd. So much for laying low.