6: The Goblet of Fire
Halloween morning; only a few hours until the Champions would be chosen.
Usually, students wouldn't wake up until later on a Saturday. However, with the prospect of the Goblet of Fire standing in the Entrance Hall, all the students seemed to be awake even earlier than usual, eager to see who'd be brave enough to put their name forwards.
Madeline was one of the last of the Slytherin girls to get out of bed. She rolled herself into an oversized brown and green knitted jumper, tucking the front into a pair of straight-legged light brown plaid trousers. She hadn't brought many clothes over from France, as her family tended to be very… Extravagant with their style, at least compared to what she'd noticed others wearing in Hogwarts. Slipping into whatever shoes she could find, she got herself ready and made her way down to breakfast.
Except, when she got there, it was even worse than she'd expected.
Clusters of students blocked the Great Hall entrance. Most were trying to sneak a peek at the Goblet, some were simply trying to spot Viktor Krum. Madeline rolled her eyes, turning on her heel. She'd have to wait a little longer for her breakfast.
She stopped in her tracks, however, when she spotted two familiar heads of ginger hair just around the corner from the Entrance Hall. With them, another Gryffindor who Madeline had yet to meet. The trio had vials of blue liquid in front of them, all excitedly clutching them as they whispered to each other quietly.
"On three, right?" the third boy asked, looking at the twins expectantly.
"You got it," one of the twins replied, Madeline couldn't be sure which one.
"One…"
"Two…"
"Three!"
They all brought the vials to their mouths, taking a few drops of the liquid into their mouths. The third boy grimaced, but the twins seemed far too content with themselves to care about the taste. Madeline made her way over, the curiosity far too strong to bare.
"What'cha doing?"
The twins spun around in surprise, one of them breaking into a face-splitting grin. He immediately pulled his arm around the Slytherin's shoulder, pulling her into the inner circle.
"My dear Maddy, you are the first to witness pure genius at work," Fred announced, holding his vial proudly, "This, young snake, is an Ageing Potion!"
Madeline rolled her eyes, "Do you really think this is going to work?"
"Totally," George Weasley confirmed, easily accepting Madeline's presence after a short nod from Fred.
"It's brilliant," the third boy confirmed, a matching grin on his face, "It'll definitely work."
Madeline sighed, shaking her head, "You know what? I want to see this."
The trio smirked at each other, Fred releasing his hold on the girl as the three raced each other to the Entrance Hall. Madeline shook her head fondly, completely missing the wink Fred threw at her over his shoulder, and George playfully shoving his brother. She followed the path the trio had taken into the hall, seating herself at the furthest bench to the left of the room.
"Anyone put their name in yet?" Madeline asked, climbing onto the highest point of the bench and seating herself next to Tracy Davis, a fifth-year Slytherin with a round face that eerily resembled Nevilles.
Tracy pulled herself away from her mug, shaking her head as she swallowed her tea, "No one from Hogwarts."
"The Durmstrang students put theirs in hours ago," Daphne chimed in, climbing onto the bench and perching herself on the edge, "They're running laps around the Quidditch field right now. Do you think they even feel the cold?"
Tracy leant forwards, nodding her head to the other side of the hall, "Looks like the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan are about to do it."
Daphne frowned when she spotted the three, animatedly talking to the Golden Trio, "They're not of age, are they?"
Madeline stayed silent, leaning back and crossing her arms. She watched as Hermione tried to dissuade them to no avail, mimicking Madeline's previous eye-roll almost perfectly. Fred stood on the edge of the age line with a small scrap of parchment in his hand, his feet bouncing in excitement.
Everyone's eyes were on the twins as Fred took a step, crossing the age line. Immediately, all the Gryffindors began cheering, George following suit and stepping through the age line not a moment later.
"They did it," Daphne mused, perching her head on her hand, somewhat impressed.
"Just wait," Madeline sighed.
Suddenly, a loud sizzling sound echoed in the hall. Before they knew what was happening, both the twins were hurled out of the circle, landing a painful ten feet away from the Goblet. The Slytherins were the first to laugh, the sound amplifying as the duo sprouted an identical set of long grey beards. Even Fred and George joined in with the laughter once the initial shock had worn off.
Lee Jordan howled with laughter, patting his best friends on the back, "I think you guys should go get seen by Madame Pomfrey."
Madeline shook her head fondly, chuckling a little. The twins were a piece of work, that was for sure. The three girls stayed in the Entrance Hall for a little while longer, waiting to see if anyone else would put their names forwards. Unfortunately, no one did.
"We should get breakfast," Daphne suggested eventually, the three girls hopping off the bench and making their way towards the Great Hall. Tracy began an exciting story about a new secret passageway she'd found on the fourth floor, Daphne a little too interested in the location.
Honestly, Tracy was probably one of the nicer Slytherins in the house. She was quite quiet, but she had always approached Madeline and the rest of the other fourth-years with kindness.
They'd barely made it through the doors, however, when they heard the shrill sound of Gryffindor contempt.
"There's a rumour going around that Warrington got up early and put his name in," Dean Thomas told his small group of Gryffindor boys, all standing by the entrance of the Great Hall in a huddle, "You know, that big bloke from Slytherin who looks like a sloth."
Seamus Finnigan shook his head in disgust, "We can't have a Slytherin champion, especially not that oaf!"
The three stopped in their tracks. Daphne and Madeline quickly turned to Tracy. Although it wasn't a secret in Slytherin that Tracy and Cassius Warrington were dating, Madeline assumed that the rest of the school probably didn't care enough to keep up with what their house did, unless it directly made them look like the bad guys.
Cassius had been on the Quidditch team the year before. He was relatively quiet, and kept to himself much like Tracy did. It didn't take long for Madeline to realise that he was extremely, extremely shy. Despite this, he was one of the best Transfigurations students Hogwarts had ever seen, and most definitely did not deserve to be called a sloth or an oaf, thank you very much.
Tracy looked upset, and within good reason. Daphne glared at the group of boys, drawing her wand. Madeline, however, put her arm out to stop her. She wasn't about to let her friend get detention.
"Not worth it," Madeline huffed, "Come on, lets-"
"And all the Hufflepuffs are talking about Diggory," continued Seamus contemptuously. "But I wouldn't have thought he'd have wanted to risk his good looks. All hair and no brain that one, I'm telling you."
Alright; now they'd done it.
"Nevermind. Greengrass, let's go."
Madeline and Daphne strode their way over to the boys, Daphne with far more fire in her eyes than Madeline had ever seen her with. Dean and Seamus instantly spun to meet the glares of the witches, shrinking into themselves instantly as they spotted the green ties.
"I'd like to see you have the balls to put your name in that Goblet, Seamus," Madeline barked, "Because you sure as hell wouldn't dare go near that thing even if you were of age."
"And you," Daphne continued, turning to glare at Dean, "Who exactly do you think you are to talk about Warrington like that? Because from what I remember, he kicked all of your asses in Quidditch last year. And the year before that."
Tracy watched the girls in awe, who'd now managed to create a small crowd of Hogwarts students around them. The two Gryffindor boys smirked, nudging their friends cockily. Seamus stepped forwards, "You really think two girls scare us?"
"We should, you misogynistic twat," Madeline snapped back, glancing at Daphne with a glint in her eyes, "You can find out what happens when you cross a Slytherin, or, you can apologise."
"I'll take my chances," Seamus replied smugly, pulling his wand out. By now, the vast majority of the Great Hall was watching them. 'Where are the teachers?' Madeline thought.
Theo had just walked through the door, spotting the two girls and groaning, rushing over to Tracy, "What the hell are they doing?"
"Seamus and his mates," Tracy replied simply. Theo rolled his eyes, stepping into the circle.
"Guys, seriously," Theo interrupted, stepping between Seamus and Madeline, the latter dangerously close to hexing the daylights out of the Gryffindor, "It's like 8am, at least save it for lunch."
"Ooh, got your little friend to protect you now have you Bisset?" Dean mocked, stepping up next to Seamus.
"Seriously, cut it out," Theo pressed.
"Don't get involved, Nott," Madeline interrupted, "These two twats can't seem to grasp the concept of common courtesy. We're giving them a refresher."
"Seriously, either you guys do it or-"
"And what is going on here?!"
All the students parted as Moody hobbled into the fight, everyone lowering their wands immediately. The Professor took one look at the four students before shaking his head, his magic eye fixated on the two Gryffindor boys.
"Professor," Tracy stepped forwards, "The boys were making nasty remarks about other students. The girls were just defending me."
Moody watched the girl steadily. He nodded, the silence coming from the Gryffindor boys being enough to confirm her story, "Mister Thomas and Mister Finnigan, I suggest you keep your comments to yourselves in the future. Ten points from Gryffindor."
"Yes Sir," the two boys mumbled.
"And ladies," Moody continued, sharply turning to them, "You should never threaten another student, no matter how much they deserve it. Ten points from Slytherin."
"Yes Professor," Daphne nodded solemnly.
"I would have you all in detention, but Dumbledore seems to think I should be easier on you lot," Moody gave each of them one long look, turning to the rest of the students who'd gathered around them, "What are you lot standing around for? Get to breakfast, all of you!"
Immediately, students began dispersing, Moody hobbling his way over to the teachers table. He stared at Madeline for a few seconds longer, his magic eye transfixed creepily. Madeline turned to walk to her own house table, but not without turning and glaring at Seamus one last time. She hooked her arm around Daphne's, walking to her table with her head held high.
"I swear, I can't leave you two alone for a moment," Theo grumbled lightheartedly, "What did they say anyway?"
"Warrington put his name in the Goblet, and they were poking fun at him," Daphne explained shortly, turning to the fourth member of their breakfast gang, "Sorry, Tracy."
Tracy shook her head, "You guys shouldn't apologise. They were being right gits. Thanks for sticking him for him, he'd appreciate it."
"Yeah, well, hopefully that'll teach them," Madeline sighed, the four seating themselves down at their table, "I've yet to land in detention, and I definitely want to keep that lucky streak going."
Breakfast passed by without any further surprises. There was a rumour circling that Cedric had, in fact, ended up putting his name in the Goblet, and so had Angelina Johnson, a Gryffindor. Daphne had voiced, quite loudly, that she hoped Warrington would be the Hogwarts champion, while Theo just hoped the whole ordeal would be over and done with soon, eventually leaving the group in favour of his Transfigurations homework.
"So, Greengrass," Tracy leant in towards Daphne, "What's this I hear about Terence Higgs?"
Daphne nearly spat her juice out, her eyes bulging out of their sockets. She looked at Madeline helplessly.
"Daphne has a big fat crush on Viktor Krum see," Madeline explained casually, "It would be a shame to lead Higgs on like that, in my opinion-"
"Shut it Bisset," Daphne hissed, turning to Tracy, "I haven't made my mind up yet. He's nice, but he's also Terence Higgs, you know?"
Tracy nodded, turning to Madeline, "What about you? Any boys catching your eye? Or do you prefer girls? Either ways fine. Or both! No judgement here."
"Nope. I can't do this again," Madeline announced, pushing herself away from the table dramatically, "I had enough of this with Daphne and Theo, I'm not sitting through breakfast on halloween talking about boys. I'm going to the library."
Tracy laughed as the girl stood up, "Catch you later, Bisset."
Four essays and a full day in the library later, Madeline found Cedric lazing on one of the benches in the west courtyard, receiving rounds of congratulations from different Hufflepuffs. Madeline huffed, rolling her sleeves up. Oh, he was in for it.
"Cedric Diggory!" she called dramatically, striding across the courtyard, "Please, please tell me you didn't put your name in the Goblet of Fire."
The Hufflepuff students who'd been surrounding the boy quickly dispersed, already having heard word of Madeline's temper, especially after her morning stunt with the Gryffindor boys. Cedric, however, grinned charmingly.
"The deed is done Bisset," Cedric announced cheekily, "My name is in the- Ow! What was that for?!"
Madeline rolled her eyes, "I punched your shoulder because you're an idiot, and you're lucky that wasn't your face."
"You can't solve your problems with violence," Cedric teased, the Slytherin girl taking a seat next to him on the bench, "But, seriously? I'll be fine. It's not like I'll get picked anyway. Dozens of people put their names in the Goblet."
"Yeah, and most of them are Gryffindors who want to see themselves as heroes," Madeline snorted, "If the Goblet is like the Sorting Hat, it'll pick you. I'm sure of it."
"Awh, it's nearly as if you care," Cedric teased, nudging her playfully. Madeline swatted his hand away, huffing.
"I'm not coming to your funeral if you die in this thing," Madeline announced dramatically, sticking her nose in the air and crossing her arms.
Cedric laughed, shaking his head, "Alright then Bisset, guess I'll have to haunt you from the afterlife."
"You'd like that."
"And what's this I hear about you starting a fight in the Entrance Hall this morning?" Cedric asked, "I would've never spoken to you had I known you were a criminal-"
"Some Gryffindor assholes were being assholes," Madeline shrugged, "Nothing happened; Moody stopped it."
"Disappointing," Cedric tutted.
"I can hardly believe you, a Hufflepuff, is encouraging violence on school grounds," Madeline gasped dramatically.
"Hufflepuffs aren't spineless creatures, you know?" Cedric replied, "Kind of like how not all Slytherins are pure-blood supremacists. Or at least, I hope."
"We're not, although the topic doesn't really come up in conversation in the common room," Madeline continued, "At least, I'd hope it wasn't the case either."
"You're from a pure-blood family, right?" Cedric asked, the tone turning much more serious from their playful banter, "Aren't your family, you know, strict on all of that?"
"My grandparents? Sure. My mother? I don't think she could care less," Madeline replied honestly, "She wants me to marry into a good family, but she'd much rather see me with a Muggle than a Death Eater."
"And what about you? What do you think about it all?"
Madeline paused. "Can I be honest?"
Cedric nodded.
"I don't think about blood purity much, because I know I don't personally care for it," Madeline explained, "Like; to me, it makes no difference if someone is muggle-born or pure-blood. We're still all in the same place, are we not? But If I were to say that in my house, in front of my grandmother, she'd probably have me sent to scrub the kitchens."
"You shouldn't be afraid to be who you are around family," Cedric replied softly, "Did your grandmother send you here?"
Madeline opened her mouth, ready to reply. But she froze, because she'd just revealed a big chunk of her personal life to none other than Cedric Diggory. She hadn't even talked about this to Daphne or Theo. She supposed that, in a way, she was slowly becoming… Friends with the boy.
However, she was interrupted when she spotted a familiar flash of blue silk passing through the walkway on the other side of the courtyard. She stood up speedily, eager to get herself out of her musing about what kind of friendships she'd accidentally started forming.
"I have to go do something," Madeline said hastily, "Speak to you later, yeah?"
"Sure," Cedric shrugged, Madeline already walking away from the Hufflepuff, "Oi! Wish me luck will you?!"
"Never!" Madeline called back over her shoulder, picking up her pace.
She jogged across the courtyard, ducking under one of the arches leading to the covered stone walkway. She rushed past numerous classrooms, her eyes darting past students until they finally landed on the blue silk robes. Her face broke out in a massive smile.
"Fleur!" she called excitedly, nearing the small gaggle of girls, "Fleur!"
The girls turned around, watching Madeline curiously as she slowed down in front of them. A girl with long blonde hair furrowed her eyebrows, her eyes eventually widening in realisation as a smile broke out on her face.
"Madeline!" she laughed, rushing over to the girl and taking her in a warm hug, "I can't believe you're here!"
"I can't believe you're here," Madeline laughed as the two broke away. They began to converse in French, much to the confusion of the many Hogwarts students roaming around them, "How are you?!"
"I'm fantastic, but you!" Fleur said, throwing her hands up in the air, "How are you at Hogwarts of all places? I thought your mother tutored you. Couldn't you have come to Beauxbatons?"
"It's a long story," Madeline replied, "But tell me, how are things in Carcassonne?"
Fleur rolled her eyes playfully, "Oh, you know how it is; quiet, as always. You should come visit on your break."
"I will," Madeline promised, the distinct sound of Fleur's friends clearing their throat interrupting them.
"I should get back to the others; Madame Maxime wants to make sure we've all put our names in the Goblet," Fleur smiled apologetically, "I'll speak to you later?"
"Absolutely," Madeline smiled, giving her one last brief hug before the two parted ways, "See you later!"
The Halloween feast was magnificent. Pumpkin stew was handed out liberally, with delicious spiced breads and rich puddings. A tall pitcher of blackcurrant squash was passed between the three Slytherin friends as the laughed and chatted animatedly, enchanted bats flying above them, disappearing and reappearing into the charmed night sky. Further along the table, a group of older Slytherins were showing the younger years how to decorate gingerbread biscuits, handing them down to the rest of the table in glee. It was almost like Christmas had come early.
Madeline had been eating a cheekily-decorated ghost biscuit (which Peeves found very, very amusing) when Dumbledore stood, the entire room falling silent in anticipation. The plates were cleared instantly, save for the single biscuit Madeline still held in her hand. The Goblet of Fire stood proudly at the front of the hall, where Dumbledore's podium could usually be found. It was time, it seemed.
"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," announced Dumbledore, tension rising in the room, "Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to 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."
"The Trophy Room," Theo commented quietly, "How fitting."
"Poetic," Daphne mused sarcastically.
Dumbledore waved his wand, and suddenly, all the candles in the room dimmed, casting the Great Hall in a semi-darkness only akin to dusk. The Goblet shone brightly, it's blue flames casting shadows on Dumbledore's face. Everyone's eyes were fixated on those flames, even Madeline finding herself a little transfixed.
Suddenly, the flames turned red. They grew larger for a few moments, shrinking only after they'd spat a small, charred piece of parchment. Dumbledore caught the parchment, peering at it through his half-moon spectacles.
"The champion for Durmstrang," he read as the flames returned to blue, "Will be… Viktor Krum!"
Applause swept the hall, some students even standing up. Krum stood up, his classmates and even some of the Slytherins clapping him on the back, celebrating him. Of course, some Durmstrang students seemed disappointed, but a large margin seemed more relieved than anything.
"I knew it!" Daphne hissed, applauding frantically and ignoring Theo's pointed glare.
Krum made his way to the teachers table, shaking hands with the three Headmasters before making his way into the Trophy Room. Silence fell upon the hall again as the door closed behind him.
The Goblet's flames turned red almost immediately, spitting another piece of charred parchment. Dumbledore read this one much faster.
"The champion for Beauxbatons," boomed Dumbledore, "Will be Fleur Delacour!"
Everyone in the hall clapped politely as Fleur stood from the Ravenclaw table, confidently marching her way up to the Headmasters.
Although Madeline most definitely didn't endorse the competition, it was also definitely not fair that Fleur wasn't getting the same applause Krum had. So, with a boatload of confidence and very little care for the world, Madeline stood up.
"LET'S GO, DELACOUR!" Madeline yelled, and although she did attract some curious stares, it did cause the hall to implode in more applause and whistles, the Ravenclaws following suit and standing too. Fleur gave Madeline an elegant yet cheery wave of gratitude as she stood by the teachers table.
"You know her?" Daphne asked as Madeline sat back down.
"Family friends," Madeline nodded vaguely, the hall turning back to silence as Fleur stepped into the Trophy Room.
The room felt even more tense than it had before as the Goblet once again shot red flames high into the air. The final name emerged, Dumbledore grabbing the parchment easily. Everyone held their breaths, even Madeline, as he spoke aloud;
"The Hogwarts champion is…"
"Oh out with it already!" Daphne whispered impatiently.
"Cedric Diggory!"
Every Hufflepuff in the room began roaring and cheering, jumping to their feet, some even on the benches themselves. Madeline noticed a small commotion happen at the Gryffindor table, but she was far busier watching Cedric walk towards Dumbledore. She felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, but shook herself out of it, standing and cheering just as loudly as the Hufflepuffs had.
"Can't believe Pretty Boy is the Hogwarts champion, he's going to get eaten alive," Malfoy grumbled, but Madeline pointedly ignored him, cheering louder just to drown him out.
"Excellent!" Dumbledore continued once everyone had quietened down, "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-"
"Wait, what's going on?" Theodore asked loudly, the entire Slytherin table following his gaze.
Dumbledore had been interrupted by the Goblet. It's flames had turned red again, sprouting higher than they'd ever done before. Everyone held their breaths as Dumbledore, too, looked surprised. Finally, one final slip of parchment fluttered down into Dumbledore's hands.
Another champion.
A long pause followed, only interrupted by Dumbledore clearing his throat.
"Harry Potter."
Silence.
Every single head in the Great Hall turned to look at the boy. Some in awe, some in anger. Madeline, however, was confused. There was absolutely no way Harry Potter, the scrawny boy he was, had managed to put his name in the Goblet of Fire.
No applause followed as Hermione pushed Harry to stand, every student in the hall murmuring lowly. He stood still, until Dumbledore shook himself out of his own stupor.
"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore called once more, "Up here, if you please!"
"What the hell?" Daphne whispered, "How'd he manage that?!"
"He didn't put his name in, he couldn't have," Madeline shook her head in disbelief. Could he?
The room felt charged with energy, but it didn't feel good. It felt angry, angry that Harry Potter would be taking all the praise and glory once more. But watching Harry as he awkwardly shuffled to the front of the room and then to the other chamber… It didn't look like the walk of a prideful hero. Hell, he didn't look like he wanted to be there.
Harry Potter was not about to have a quiet year, that's for sure.
Chapter reviewed and updated 30/10/22