Secrets and Misery

EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER 18

The next few weeks were filled with people murmuring about who would be elected for the Triwizard cup. Fred and George had failed miserably a few days ago, leaving them in the care of madam Promfey after aging themselves. When George told me about their plan, against Fred's will, I told him it would be a disaster, but of course he didn't believe me. That was until it actually ended in disaster.

To everyone's relief, tonight the three champions would be chosen. I was excited and nervous. In the same day that the twins tried their best to be part of this, Cedric and Angelina had placed their name in the goblet. I knew how much Angie wanted this and Cedric had told me not soon after how much he wanted this, so some part of me wanted one of them to get chosen. But at the same time I was scared for him. I didn't know exactly what could happen and that was exactly what scared me.

I was sat next to Angie and Alicia in the Great Hall. The room was full of chatter and I couldn't stay still. Suddenly Dumbledore stood up and everyone stayed quiet. Immediately I was as still as a statue, however my eyes were still wondering t around the room. From the goblet to Cedric to Dumbledore to Angie to Fred back to Cedric. Wait. Did I just unconsciously looked over to Fred? I must be loosing my mind, the stress is real.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. 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 Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall. Everyone watched, waiting.

"Any second." Lee Jordan whispered.

The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, flames shot into the air, a piece of parchment fluttered out of it, everyone was astonished. Angie grabbed my hand and squealed in excitement.
Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and used the lights of the flames to read what was on it.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

"No surprises there!" yelled Ron from a few sits down the table. Everyone was clapping for him including myself. Ron was right, it was clear that Viktor was the clear choice for this event.

"Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!

The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!"

When Fleur Delacour too had gone into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion was next, I was nervous, so nervous. I looked over at Angie who had her eyes closed. After I looked over at the hufflepuff table and searched for Cedric.

The Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion," he called, "is Cedric Diggory!"

Every single Hufflepuff had jumped to his or her feet, screaming and stamping, as Cedric made his way past them, grinning broadly, and headed off toward the chamber behind the teachers' table.

I was certainly happy for him, because I knew what this meant to him and the joy he felt at this moment. At the same time I couldn't help but help to feel a weird sensation, maybe it was fear but I couldn't really pinpoint it.

The applause for Cedric went on so long that it was some time before Dumbledore could make himself heard again.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily as at last the tumult died 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 —"

But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, at first I didn't understand why but Alicia made it clear to me by nudging me and making me put focus of the goblet of fire once again.

The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment. I was pretty sure this wasn't supposed to happen, right?

Automatically Dumbledore reached his hand and grabbed the fourth parchment paper. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumble-dore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. I felt so long, I could swear I minute passed before he spoke again. Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out. "Harry Potter."