Who am I? || DISCONTINUED

Chapter 15: The Champions

Reanna's P.O.V

We all sat down at our tables in the Great Hall, getting ready for the Halloween Feast. The plates in front of us, once again filled with food. Everyone didn't seem to be so keen on eating. You could see lots of students' heads looking up at Dumbledore, waiting to see if he had finished. Everyone just seemed to want to know the Champions.

At long last, the golden plates returned to their original spotless state; there was a sharp upswing in the level of noise within the Hall, which died away almost instantly as Dumbledore got to his feet. On either side of him, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked as tense and expectant as anyone. Ludo Bagman was beaming and winking at various students. Mr. Crouch, however, looked quite uninterested, almost bored.

"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."

He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging us into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall. Everyone watched, waiting...

The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it - the whole room gasped.

Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.

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

A storm of applause and cheering swept the Hall. Viktor Krum rose from the Slytherin table and slouched up toward Dumbledore; he turned right, walked along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.

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

"Well that wasn't a surprise." Sophia said, looking towards Prashu and I.

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!"

We all clapped for Fleur as she stood up from her spot at our table and made her way gracefully down the aisle between our table and Hufflepuff's table. Although, some girls were not so pleased with the result. Two girls were literally sobbing into their arms.

When Fleur Delacour too had vanished into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement I could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion was next...

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

I clapped so hard that my hands were red. Cedric made his way past us, grinning broadly. When he spotted me however, he gave me a quick wink before he headed off toward the chamber behind the teachers' table. I felt my face flush.

"Oooh! Look who's blushing!" Prashu cooed.

"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, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him.

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 were two pieces of parchment.

Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the pieces of parchment. He held them out and stared at the names written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slips in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out -

"Harry & Abi Potter."

Everyone turned to look at Harry & Abi, who were sitting opposite each other. I did too. We were all stunned. Neither Harry or Abi were even close to being of age. They were only 14. How could they have gotten past the age line? The aging potion wouldn't have worked. Fred and George had already tried that.

Up at the top table, Professor McGonagall had got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward her, frowning slightly. Professor Dumbledore had straightened up, nodding to Professor McGonagall.

"Harry & Abi Potter!" he called again. "Harry! Abi! Up here, if you please!"

Harry got to his feet, trod on the hem of his robes, and stumbled slightly. Abi got up from her spot as well. They set off the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. They made their way up to the teacher's table. Dumbledore said something to the both of them. He was not smiling. They walked past all the teachers before disappearing into a door behind the teacher's table.

Whispers filled the Great Hall. Everyone was wondering how Harry & Abi had entered themselves in the tournament. The twins were still staring up at the door where they had exited the Hall, in astonishment.

Dumbledore turned back to the rest of us. His lips were pursed. "Well it has been a rather long day. It is time for you all to rest. Off you go."

We all stood up and made our way to the doors of the Great Hall. Rumours were being spread, as to how they entered the Tournament.

'Do you think they bribed older students to enter their names?" "It is possible..."

Prashu and Sophia followed behind me as we exited the hall. We were all still very surprised by the news. Fred and George caught up to us.

"How do you think they entered?" George asked, astounded.

"Not sure." Sophia replied, thinking hard.

Prashu stayed quiet, avoiding the twins' eyes. Why was she so shy around them? I mentally reminded myself to ask her later.

We had to split ways soon. We said goodnight to the twins before making our way to our dorms in Ravenclaw Tower. We got ready for bed.

"Hey Prashu?" I asked while sliding under my covers.

"Yeah." She answered, pulling her pajama top over her head.

"Why are you so shy around the twins?" I asked, but then I added, "If it makes you uncomfortable you don't have to tell me."

She sighed. "It's fine. I knew you'd notice sooner or later. You're too smart to not notice."

Prashu turned around and gave me a small smile.

"I dated Fred last year. I was stupid and an idiot. I cheated on him. I had fallen out of love with him and I went to a party."

She bit her lip before continuing.

"You know what happens at parties. I got drunk and cheated on him with this random dude. Fred found out and well... we didn't part on the best of terms."

My mouth formed an 'O' shape.

Prashu turned to me. "Well aren't you going to tell me off? I mean they are your best friends."

I shook my head. "You already know you did something wrong. You've already learnt your lesson. But I have a favour to ask."

She slowly nodded, telling me to go on.

"Can you maybe become friends with the twins? I don't want there to be awkward tension between you guys."

"Alright, fine," Prashu gave me a sharp look. "I'm only doing this for you, you know."

We spent a little more time talking, though Sophia was already asleep.

Soon I was tucked underneath my covers in a deep slumber.