~The Big Five at Hogwarts: The Triwizard Tournament~ *Sequel*

Chapter 4

Elsa

"I should have known you'd do something stupid and reckless!" I drag Jack out into the hallway by his arm.

"What do you mean?" He pulls angrily out of my grasp.

"You're entering the tournament! Do you know how dangerous that is?" I feel my fists clench at my sides.

"Relax, Elsa. Didn't you hear the Minister? It's supposed to be a lot safer. It could be fun." Frustration rises within me.

"Fun? Are you listening to yourself? You're really trusting those government officials with your life? Even Merida isn't doing this!"

"Look Elsa, I know you're worried, but--"

"Worried?" I feel my face grow hot as I turn it away. "I'm not worried about you! Not particularly anyway. I just...um...don't wish for--"

"Me to die?" He's smiling now. It makes it a lot harder to be mad.

"Ugh! No!" I insist.

"Can you just talk to me for one second?" He throws his hands up in the air. "I mean really talk. Without the stress, without anything." I pause for a moment. I want to do just that, but I can't bring itself to open my mouth. I curse myself silently. And his face falls when I keep silent.

"You sure you can't do anything about it?" He only offers a disappointed shrug as an answer. I nod hopelessly before stepping away, suddenly realizing how close the two of us are.

"Maybe I won't even be chosen," he tells me on his way down the hall. "I'm not exactly the most worthy."

"But you're more worthy than anyone," I mutter, "That's what worries me." He's already too far down the corridor to hear.

I know I'm not being rational, but I can't shake the feeling that Jack's entering won't bode well. The feeling doesn't leave me; not when I tiptoe past whispering paintings in the hallway, not when I try to study for my N.E.W.T.s, and not when I close the books and fall asleep.

* * *

The following afternoon, all three schools meet in the Great Hall so that the Champions' names can be pulled from the Cup. On my rushed way inside, I run right into the girl Jack couldn't keep his eyes off of before.

"Oh, sorry." I try not to let my voice sound irritated.

"No, it's fine," the girl mutters back cheerfully. I try to keep my head down to move on, but she doesn't let me. "Aren't you the girl who pulled Jack out last night? Not for anything serious I hope?" I turn towards her to reply. She has shining violet eyes, long eyelashes, and a pair of colorful feather earrings.

"Yes," I sigh. "Why do you care?" My tone is more accusatory than I mean it to sound. So I add a, "If you don't mind my asking."
"I just met Jack, and he seems really cool. I'd just hate for trouble to follow him," she giggles.

"I'm pretty sure Jack's the one who attracts trouble." I find myself laughing along with her.

"You must be Elsa. Jack told me. I'm Toothiana, but I prefer Tooth."

"Yeah. Good to meet you." I greet cautiously, warming up slightly.

Until McGonagall clears her throat rather loudly. I realize that everyone has already quieted down and is sitting at their tables.

Our defeat of Cribrune earlier in the year has gotten us some recognition, but I still try to lay low whenever I'm noticed. So I slowly slink over to a Ravenclaw seat next to a girl named Rose, breaking the tension only by making eye contact with Tooth to giggle.

"10 points from Ravenclaw," I hear the head of House call.

After a few minutes of silence, the Headmistress points to the Goblet of Fire with a flourish.

"It is time for the Goblet to choose our worthy Champions." Every student in the room seems to hold their breath as the blue flames lick the air and spit out a single burnt parchment scrap.

"From Beauxbatons...," her cold eyes betray nothing. "Fa Mulan!" I glimpse an Asian girl with an athletic build and the familiar blue skirt sprint up the aisle.

Next is Durmstrang.

"Flynn Rider?" There's no masking the question in McGonagall's voice. Then her eyebrow arches. "Mr. Eugene Fitzherbert, you're not fooling anyone, now come up here." A chorus of cheers turn to guffaws from the Durmstrang table. They follow a muscular brunette guy who is jostled to the front.

Finally, it's time for our champion. I fidget and hold my breath. When she holds up a corner of powder blue notebook parchment, I know.

It's the parchment I always use, which Jack often steals.

"Jack Frost." Sure enough.