𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝑋𝑋𝑉𝐼𝐼𝐼.

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𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮-𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩

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ON THURSDAY NIGHT, all the students from all three schools gathered in the Great Hall, where the Goblet of Fire would reveal the Triwizard Champions. Caroline sat with her friends, in between Harry and Dean when Dumbledore instructed everyone to sit down. "Now the moment you've all been waiting for: The champion selection," Dumbledore waved his hand, and the lights in the Great Hall began to dim, and Dumbledore approached the Goblet. The flames turned red, a piece of parchment flew out into Dumbledore's hand. "The Durmstrang champion is Viktor Krum."

People started cheering for Krum as he stood up and walked over to Dumbledore, shaking his hand, and walking over to the side where he was directed. The flames turned red again, and a second piece of parchment flew from the Goblet. "The champion for Beauxbatons... is Fleur Delacour." Fleur stood and shook Dumbledore's hand, moving to stand with Krum.

The third and final piece of parchment flew from the Goblet as Caroline leant her head on Harry's shoulder. "The Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory." the cheering was the loudest for Cedric, and Caroline caught his eye from Harry's shoulder. He winked at her as he shook Dumbledore's hand, and she gave him a light smile.

"You know Cedric well, then?" Harry asked, glancing down at the girl on his shoulder.

"He's an acquaintance." Caroline said, meeting his eyes, before turning back to Dumbledore.

"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 victories... the Triwizard Cup!" Dumbledore said. Mr. Crouch lifted up a sheet, and a blue trophy cup was revealed. Caroline thought it was beautiful. But then she saw what Professor Snape was looking at, and her gaze went to the Goblet, which was turning red. Out flew a fourth piece of parchment.

When Dumbledore read it, Caroline's heart stopped. "Harry Potter. Harry Potter?" Caroline lifted her head from Harry's shoulder as all eyes landed on him. Harry tried to hide behind her. "Harry Potter!"

"Go on, Harry." Hermione said, pushing him forward.

He wasn't moving. "Harry, you have to." Caroline said, grabbing his shoulders, gently pushing him off the benches they sat on. She gave him another push forward, and he began moving towards Dumbledore, slowly.

Everyone watched as Harry approached Dumbledore, taking the parchment from his extended hand. Harry began to walk to the other champions. "He's a cheat!" said a boy.

"He's not even seventeen yet." said another.

Harry walked up the steps towards the teachers table. Snape stared him down, Professor Mcgonagall placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. No one felt like celebrating anymore. Professor Mcgonagall dismissed everyone to bed, and all anyone could talk about was the cheater Harry Potter.

Caroline and Hermione tuned it out, and Caroline pretended she wasn't feeling sick with worry when she intercepted Jacob. Her and Hermione didn't talk much that night. Neither felt like it. She could only imagine how Harry was feeling. Caroline of course couldn't sleep, and she spent the evening pacing the length of the common room, trying to wear herself out.

When Harry returned from Dumbledore's office, Caroline's fists hit his chest. "Ow, Carol! What's that for?" Harry asked, deflecting her attacks.

"Did you do it? Put your name in somehow?" Caroline asked, Harry holding her hands still.

"No!" Harry shouted, far too loudly. "No, I swear I didn't." he said, his dark hair hanging in his eyes.

Caroline sighed, just now realizing that she was wearing her silk cap to protect her thick, curly hair. She tried to hide her embarrassment from Harry. "They're not making you compete, are they?" Caroline asked, her and Harry moving to the couch in front of the fire.

Harry nodded, fear clearly embedded in his emerald eyes. Caroline sighed, moving towards Harry and gingerly wrapped her arms around her neck. "I'll be fine, Carol. Don't worry about me." Harry said, holding Caroline tightly.

"I always worry about you." Caroline said, the light of the fire illuminating her features.

When they pulled away, the awkwardness was there, and Harry patted Caroline's shoulder. "Will you help me? I don't think I can do this alone." Harry asked as Caroline stood up, folding a blanket.

She looked over at him. "Is that even a question?" Harry smiled, and Caroline went up to her bed, spending a restless night with her cat. This wasn't what she wanted the year to be like.

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