The New Marauders

The Three Champions

The Great Hall was filled with an electric tension as every student gathered for the highly anticipated moment: the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament champions. Banners from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang hung alongside the Hogwarts crest, and the hall buzzed with excitement. Whispers flew across the tables as students speculated about who might be chosen to represent Hogwarts. The Goblet of Fire stood at the front of the hall, the blue flames flickering brighter than ever.

James sat with his fellow Marauders at the Gryffindor table, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn’t eligible to enter, of course, but the excitement in the air was contagious. Next to him, Edward was practically bouncing in his seat, while Nate, Sam, and Luke were still dealing with their newfound fame from their failed attempt to enter the tournament with aging potions. Across the table, Albus sat with Rose, both second-years watching with wide eyes.

Suddenly, the room fell silent as Professor McGonagall stood up at the head of the hall, her sharp gaze sweeping over the students. She nodded toward the Goblet, which flared suddenly, the flames turning a deep red.

“It’s time,” she announced, her voice commanding the attention of everyone in the room. “The champions for the Triwizard Tournament will now be revealed.”

All eyes turned to the Goblet, the air so thick with anticipation you could feel it. The fire in the Goblet roared and shot up, spitting out a single piece of parchment. It fluttered through the air before landing gently in Professor McGonagall’s hand.

She adjusted her spectacles and read aloud, “The Durmstrang champion… Viktor Grigory!”

The students at the Durmstrang table erupted into cheers as a tall, athletic boy with sharp features stood up. Viktor Grigory, a seventeen-year-old with intense dark eyes and an air of quiet confidence, strode to the front of the room. His schoolmates pounded their fists on the table, cheering loudly as Viktor gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment.

“That guy looks like he’s already won,” Edward muttered to James, eyeing Viktor’s stoic expression.

James smirked. “No kidding. He’s probably been training for this his whole life.”

Before they could speculate further, the Goblet flared red again. A second piece of parchment flew out, and McGonagall caught it effortlessly.

“The Beauxbatons champion…” she began, “Amélie Dubois!”

A wave of excitement washed over the Beauxbatons students as a girl with sleek blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a graceful poise stood from her table. Amélie, dressed in the soft blue robes of Beauxbatons, moved with an elegant confidence toward the front. The cheers from her schoolmates were accompanied by smiles and nods of approval, as if this selection had been a foregone conclusion.

“She looks like she could be a Veela,” Nate whispered with awe, earning a nudge from Sam.

“Don’t even think about it,” Sam said with a smirk. “She’s way out of your league.”

The Goblet flared once more, and the entire hall went dead silent. This was it—the Hogwarts champion. Everyone leaned forward, eyes glued to the front as the third piece of parchment slowly descended into McGonagall’s hands.

“The Hogwarts champion is…” McGonagall’s voice rang out, “Ethan Carter!”

A roar of approval rose from the Gryffindor table as a tall, broad-shouldered sixth-year boy stood up. Ethan Carter, a well-liked and skilled Quidditch player, grinned as his housemates clapped him on the back and cheered him on. He had the look of someone destined for greatness, with messy brown hair and an infectious smile that made him instantly popular with everyone he met.

“Ethan? Of course it’s him,” James muttered to Edward, impressed but unsurprised. “He’s one of the best in our house.”

Edward nodded, watching as Ethan strode confidently toward the front of the hall. “He’s good, no doubt about it.”

As the three champions—Viktor from Durmstrang, Amélie from Beauxbatons, and Ethan from Hogwarts—stood before the school, McGonagall smiled proudly.

“These are your champions!” she announced, and the Great Hall erupted into applause once more.

James and the others clapped along with the rest of the students, but there was a lingering air of excitement in the room. The Triwizard Tournament was about to begin, and with these three formidable champions, it was clear that this year’s tournament was going to be one for the ages.

James leaned back in his seat, glancing at his fellow Marauders. “Well, it’s official. This is going to be one wild year.”

Nate grinned. “Yeah, and we’ll be right in the middle of it.”

Edward smiled as the applause began to die down. “Let’s just hope no one tries to grow a beard this time.”

The group laughed, but the excitement in the air was palpable. The Triwizard Tournament was about to kick off, and even though they weren’t competing, they all knew that this was going to be a year unlike any other.