Wicked

Chapter Eleven: Tensions Run High

You don't see much of anyone for the rest of the afternoon, until early evening when you all bundle into the great hall to see the announcement, who had made the cut for the tournament. Everyone is sat in random groups around the room to make way for the other schools, you're say between the twins and Cedric and the rest. of your Hufflepuff friends. 

"Sit down please" Dumbledore announces, getting everyones attention  "and now the moment you've all been waiting for, the champions selection!" You all go quiet with anticipation as Dumbledore approaches the blue flame. After a moment it suddenly glows red, spitting a name out of the fire. "The Durmstrang champion is . . . Viktor Krum!" The head master announces loudly, firmly.  Every other student and teacher doing the Durmstrang students who cheer excitedly at their champion but looks are exchanged as if to say 'would it really be anyone else'. The clapping subsides as another name comes out of the angry flame. "The champion from Beauxbatons... Fleur Delacour!" The Beauxbatons girls cheer as Fleur walks up, being congratulated before she is then ushered out the room to where the other champions will gather. Again the clapping dies down as the last name comes shooting out the flames, "the Hogwarts champion... is Cedric Diggory!" You all cheer loudly as excitement amongst all the Hogwarts students erupts. Cedric hugs you tightly as you congratulate him wishing him luck before Cedric takes the stage to shake the headmasters hand and then disappears to the champions room. Fred frowning at the exchange but clapping non the less. "Excellent! we now have our three champions! But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory the tri-wizard cup!" 

As you all cheer, thinking it was over, the goblet starts glows red once more, angrily, forcefully as it spits out another name. The room goes silent as this unprecedented event unfolds, teachers faces clouding with concern.  Dumbledore takes the still smoking piece of parchment and reads it, first quietly and then shouting into the stunned hall. "Harry Potter. Harry Potter?!"

"No. . . No." Hagrid mumbles, you too feel a shudder as you tare your eyes away from Dumbledore to look at Harry, his face a picture of fear and confusion.

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore hollers across the hall again. Harry unmoving and in utter dismay, the entire school looking at him.

"Go on Harry. Harry for goodness sake." Hermione shoves him forward, you notice Ron's face glaze over in fury and betrayal as Harry slowly walks up past a hall full of suspicious  whispering students. 

"How the hell did he manage that?" You whisper to George who shrugs. 

"I thought he had no intention of doing it" George says back just as baffled. 

"He didn't. . ." You say slowly as you turn back to watch him being sent off to a chorus of 'he's a cheat! He's not even seventeen!' Later that night you all agree to meet in the Gryffindor common room, you and Jade sneak in as always. You're about to announce yourselves when the twins hold you both back hidden as they motion to the shouting in the middle of the common room. 

"How did you do it?" Ron says angrily, Harry stands there silent, looking for words. "Never mind. Doesn't matter. You could have let your best friend know though." He spat grumpily.

"Let you know what?" Harry threw his arms out in frustration. 

"You know bloody well what." Ron begins to slunk away.

"I didn't ask for this to happen Ron. Okay? You're being stupid." 

"Yeah that's me, Ron Weasley. . . Harry Potter's stupid friend." He grunts as he goes to walk away.