Fraises et chocolat (English version)

Chapter 6

Pov Jane

The tour finally ended and we were all free to rejoin our mates. Before leaving Malfoy started to approach me, but immediately retraced his steps as if he had changed his mind. Better, I didn't want to have anything to do with him for at least another 24 hours. During the last two expenses wandering around the castle I had had to suffer - and tried to elegantly avoid - the various ways that the Slytherin had used to annoy me, all while we were followed by the boys of the foreign delegations clearly confused by our very different and distant language. from them.
On Halloween night, emotion and excitement hovered over everyone's heads in the Hall accompanied by bats happily flitting from side to side to remind us what evening it was. Of all the events that have occurred in the last month, the Triwizard Tournament was certainly the one that received the most attention, which passed from mouth to mouth to every student. Rumors began to circulate about early tournament candidates, such as Hufflepuff's Cedric Diggory or Angelina Johnson, and those who, too small to participate, tried to find aging spells or potions made well enough to fool the impartial judges. as Dumbledore, which Fred and George had been trying to do for days now.
In the light of the ghostly twilight of the candles inside the pumpkins, we too at the Gryffindor table were discussing the tournament fervently but none of me, Harry, Ron and least of all Herm had really considered taking part, despite the prize up for grabs were a thousand. galleons, a figure not to be underestimated. The evening and the next morning passed faster than I had imagined, so that we found ourselves in the same Hall, even more anxious for the names that the Chalice would have chosen to represent the different schools. Even we, who could not take part in the race, were under pressure and the tension grew heavy between the candles suspended near the ceiling, reflecting the starry sky that was outside, and our heads. Finally Dumbledore got up and with exhausting calm headed for the Cup. In a tongue of fire the first name appeared.
"Durmstrang's champion is ..." Dumbledore said firmly "Viktor Krum". The boy stood up accompanied by the heavy applause of his companions and Hogwarts students and the shrill screams of his fans. The second name made its way through the air.
"The champion of Beauxbatons is ... Fleur Delacour" What a few nights before we had thought was a Veela rose elegantly and, followed by the applause and the fascinated gazes of the boys, reached Krum. The third and last name was spat out of the Chalice.
"The champion of Hogwarts is ..." The breath of thousands of boys, divided between the four parallel tables of the Hall, remained suspended. The concentrated faces of those who had applied stared intently at Dumbledore in hopes that the man would say their name. "Cedric Diggory"
The students of Hogwarts rose in a clatter of clapped hands and shouts of approval. The Hufflepuff rose smiling from his table, looking around in thanks to the roaring crowd. He also turned to the Gryffindor table and for a moment I met his electrified gaze. I smiled at him and so he did in response. I had never noticed it before, but I admit that in that soft light I thought he was a really nice guy. A handsome two-year-old older, and more importantly, who I didn't know except for last year's Quidditch match and World Cup. I did not have to daydream also because this was distracting me from the Goblet of Fire, which in the meantime had lit up a bright blue again.
A new piece of parchment was thrown into the air under the astonished gaze of those present. After a moment's hesitation Dumbledore took the paper and read the name.
"Harry Potter".
Silence. None of those present had the courage to move. There was confusion scattered among the faces but until the last among students, professors and even guests had understood what was happening.
"Harry Potter"
The headmaster's voice rang out like a bolt from the blue. We were all awakened from that momentary state of trance that had enveloped us and a thousand sharp glances landed on the boy. I looked at Harry, sitting stiffly in front of me as he stared at me with questioning, bewildered eyes. 'Go,' I mouthed to him in what must have been an unsuccessful act of encouragement. He got up and walked uncertainly and with a not very determined step towards the small room where the other champions were.
Whistles and screams rose in the fresh early November air. Gryffindors proud of their racing champion cheered and shouted Harry's name. The host schools did not agree, just like the other houses, they could not have been. I became estranged from my surroundings and judging by Ron and Hermione's blank expressions they too were doing the same. He couldn't have done it, he wouldn't have been able to, I told myself. It hadn't been Harry who had put his name in the Goblet of Fire, I was sure.
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Authors space
Hello everyone! We are back with the chapter, albeit a little late👀