The Great Hall buzzed with excitement, the low hum of conversations and occasional bursts of laughter creating a lively backdrop. I sat at the Slytherin table, perched between Draco and Daphne, who were both leaning forward eagerly, their eyes fixed on the Goblet of Fire at the center of the room.
"It's ridiculous, really," Draco muttered, folding his arms. "An age line? As if a bit of charm work would stop anyone clever enough from trying."
"You think you're clever enough, Malfoy?" Blaise Zabini teased from across the table.
"More clever than Fred and George Weasley," Draco retorted, smirking. "Not that it's a high bar."
I rolled my eyes but didn't comment. The truth was, I didn't entirely disagree. The idea of an age line was a bit... underwhelming for something as grand as the Triwizard Tournament. My gaze drifted to the Goblet, the blue flames flickering hypnotically as a Hufflepuff boy stepped nervously over the line and dropped his name into the fire.
"Do you think anyone from Hogwarts will actually stand a chance?" Daphne asked, breaking the silence.
"Of course," Pansy Parkinson said haughtily, flipping her hair. "A Slytherin will. The others hardly count as competition."
I snorted softly, but before I could respond, a sudden cheer erupted from the Gryffindor table. Heads turned just in time to catch Fred and George Weasley walking over to the age line, both grinning like mischievous cats.
"Oh, this'll be good," Daphne murmured, leaning closer.
The twins held up a vial of what looked suspiciously like Aging Potion, clinked the glasses together like they were celebrating, and downed it in one gulp.
"Idiots," Draco muttered, though his tone betrayed amusement.
With exaggerated movements, Fred and George strutted to the Goblet, basking in the crowd's laughter and cheers. They placed their names into the flames with a flourish, exchanged a triumphant high-five, and then—
Boom!
The fire roared up like it had been waiting for this moment, and the twins were flung backward through the air. They landed unceremoniously on the stone floor, groaning in protest. When they scrambled to their feet, the entire Hall erupted in laughter. Both of them now sported thick grey beards and matching hair to boot, making them look like a pair of disgruntled old men.
"Good look for them," Daphne said with a smirk.
I couldn't help but laugh. Even Draco's lips twitched, though he quickly masked it with a disdainful sneer.
The laughter died down as Fred and George started wrestling each other on the floor, no doubt blaming the other for their failed plan. But the room fell silent—not gradually, but all at once.
I turned, following everyone's gaze, and felt a ripple of awe sweep through the Hall. Viktor Krum had entered.
The Durmstrang student moved with an air of quiet confidence, his broad shoulders cutting through the crowd as he approached the Goblet of Fire. He didn't pause or hesitate. He simply stepped over the line, reached into his robes, and dropped his name into the flames.
The blue fire flared momentarily, then settled back into its steady glow as Krum turned and strode out, leaving a heavy, impressed silence in his wake.
Draco leaned closer, his voice a low murmur. "Now that's who you should be watching. A real champion, not some silly Gryffindor pranksters."
I didn't respond, still watching the flames flicker.
The Great Hall was alive with an electric sort of tension, the kind that made the air feel heavier, charged. Tonight, the Goblet of Fire would choose the champions, and it seemed like every single student was on the edge of their seat, waiting to see who would represent their school.
YOU ARE READING
human again / hp.
Fanfiction"I already forgave you, so why can't you forgive yourself?" She's a Malfoy. He's a Potter. Celeste Malfoy has always walked a fine line between the world she was born into and the one she chose for herself. At Hogwarts, nothing is simple. Not friend...
