My PotterInk IV Entries

Round 3: Tea Party, Mermaid Style

“Phoenix!” Lillianna came running up to me, her hair flying around her face. Joey wasn't with her, she was currently in detention. That's what she got when she set off a Muggle firework in DADA class.

“Lil, slow down!” I had to catch her as she stumbled and nearly fell.

“I just heard something. Headmaster is going to announce it at dinner tonight. But McGonagall told me while I was doing some extra credit work.”

I waited for her to continue but she didn't, she just stared at me with a breathless smile on her face.

“Are you going to tell me or not?” I asked her, rolling my eyes at her.

“Oh, right! They once held the Triwizard Tournament here. One of the challenges was in the Black Lake, they had to save something dear to them. The Professors think that something like that will help us, so they're going to recreate it!”

“Really? I've read about that once. But isn't it dangerous? Someone was attacked by Grindylows, and the Mermaids aren't always nice.”

“Not really, no one died in that challenge, the Professors wouldn't let anything bad happen to us. But they're going to use the same rules. You have one hour to save what they took from you, if you don't succeed then its gone forever.”

“Everyone is going to do this? What about the first years, they won't be able to do any spells that can let them breath underwater for that long.”

“Nope, they are going to draw names from the Goblet of Fire, like they did in the actual Tournament. Only sixteen will be allowed to participate in the event. I really hope I'm one of them.” She kept talking about it as we walked towards the Great Hall, she wanted to be there early.

The whole hall was crowded with people already, each of them talking excitedly about the announcement that the Headmaster was about ready to give us. But none of them knew exactly what was going to be said.

Suddenly the room went quiet. The Headmaster stood at his podium and raised his hands. “I know that some of you have heard word of an announcement. What you are about to hear may excite you, but be warned this is not child's play, what some of you will partake in may be dangerous even fatal.”

A hushed silence fell over the room, no one dared to speak. No one was even moving, all their eyes transfixed on the Headmaster.

“Sixteen of you will be participating in the recreation of the second challenge of the Triwizard Tournament Four from each House, all in their fourth year or above.”

There was some groans and sighs from among the younger kids, mostly third years who thought it was unfair for them at least.

“All your names have been entered into the Goblet and will be drawn momentarily.”

There was more chatter now, the eligible ones were either hoping it was them, or that they wouldn't be chosen. I'm not quite sure which one I wanted to be.

“First, Slytherin.”

A name shot out of the Goblet and into the air, and the Headmaster unfolded it.

“Scarlett Mackentosh.” A girl came from the Slytherin table, where cheers were erupting for her.

“Cyrus Hunt.” A boy came from the table, but some of the Slytherins looked worried, apparently they wanted to be part of this competition.

“Avery Addams.” A girl with ebony black hair, that seemed to change color walked up from the table, and then one finally name from the Slytherins was called.

“Riley Lynx.”

Next was Hufflepuff, the table full of people in yellow looked nervous. After all the only person who died in the Tournament was from that House, I'd be nervous too.