Potter's Shadow (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter 22

Thursday's dinner was a calm affair with tables scattered and the three schools intermingling although there remained the clear boundaries between some of the Hogwarts houses. 

I sat on one of the benches at the side alongside some of the Gryffindors. Ginny sat next to me as she whispered who she thought would be called from the goblet. Although she was insistent that none of the Beauxbaton girls really stood a chance. Fred and George flanked us on the bench behind, neither having left my side except for classes since I was released from the hospital wing late last night, where they had marched me up and had even attempted to take me up to my dorm and tuck me in. Thank god for the staircase that turned into a slide when the boys tried to reach the girls dorms. Although Madame Pomphrey had insisted she owl home, which I managed to convince her to send to Remus because I was planning to talk to McGonagall this weekend about changing him to my main guardian as far as Hogwarts was aware. I mean the Dursley's didn't care anyway. 

"Sit down, please." Dumbledore called to the hall as Harry, Hermione and Ron sunk to the bench the other side of Ginny. "And now the moment you've all been waiting for, the champions selection!" 

Dumbledore raised his hand as the lights lowered and moved his hand from light to light as the room grew dark, lit mainly by the blue light of the goblet. He stalked his way across to the flame placing his hand against the goblet before stepping back. The flame changed from the alluring blue to a dark red before spitting out a piece of burnt parchment, "The Durmstrang champion is... Viktor Krum!"

I turned to spot Krum, who was exchanging a handshake with Gregor, I guess they were friends and he was telling the truth. Krum stepped forwards and shook hands with Dumbledore, who pointed him in the direction of a side room. 

The flame flickered a pinkish red before spitting out another name, "The Champion for Beauxbatons is... Fleur Delacour."

A silky blonde haired witch rose from her seat and I recognised her as one of the ones Ginny and I had high bets on being part Veela. She repeated Krum's actions, shaking Dumbledore's hand before disappearing through a side door. 

The fire blazed red one last time before spitting out the last name, "The Hogwarts champion... Cedric Diggory." 

Hogwarts screamed, the Hufflepuff table the loudest as Cedric was pushed out of his seat by his friends. Dumbledore clapped him on the back as Seamus released a whistle from beside me that rattled my ears. 

"Excellent!" Dumbledore started his speech, "We now have our three champions. But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory, the tri-wizard cup!" Barty Crouch had just stepped away from placing the covered object on the pedestal before the cover flew off as Dumbledore pointed at it. It revealed a glowing blue cup, a type of chalice as promised. 

I clapped along with Ginny until she tugged my arm and pointed at the goblet. The blue fire was spinning and rising before turning red again, "This can't be good," I whispered to myself. Another piece of parchment flew out of the goblet. 

"Harry Potter?" Dumbledore called across the hall. 

I turned to Harry, "What did you do?" I whispered but he just shook his head at me as  his eyes widened in shock. 

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore called across the room. I could see Harry pushing himself back into his seat from the other side of Ginny. 

"Go on Harry." Hermione prompted him but he made no movements. "Harry for goodness sake." Hermione forced him to stand up and then pushed him forwards as he made no attempt to move himself. I grabbed Ginny's hand and squeezed it as we watched Harry make his way towards Dumbledore.