SPARKS FLY | fred weasley x oc |

chapter 23 - four names

"Will you stop that?" I tapped Cedric's knee under the table. It was bouncing up and down, rattling the whole bench.

"Sorry." He said with a stern face.

"I thought you weren't nervous."

"I wasn't until I passed a group of Durmstrang boys talking about the tournament. One of them was talking about how their dad competed in the last one and lost his arm." I felt the blood drain from my face and my eyes widen. "Now you know how I feel." I was thankful for the loud conversations happening around us. Lots of people looked up to Cedric. He was Sprout and McGonagall's first pick for Head Boy next year, another accomplishment he'd been working toward. I still didn't fully understand his motive for entering. It was true what I said- his parents love him, especially his dad. I've never heard a parent boast more about their child. Amos seemed to think there was nothing Cedric couldn't do. Maybe that was it. I forced myself to admire the Halloween decorations around the hall. There were more than I remember from last year, but everything this year seemed to be treated special because of the tournament. The house elves had even done special dishes from France and Bulgaria for the visiting schools. I was grossed out when I saw a tray of snails, but quickly got over it when I watched Fred launch one down the Gryffindor table and hit Seamus in the forehead. After dessert was served Dumbledore stood, everyone watching intently.

"I hope our visitors enjoyed the special dishes from our dedicated kitchen staff." He glanced back to the other headmasters, both nodding with smiles. "But now, the reason we're all really here." The cup seemed to be listening to him, its blue flames puffing higher. He carefully traced his hand around the room, dimming the floating sconces, and then stepped down to the base of the goblet. His wrinkled hand ran over the equally ridgid gold surface. "May I remind each and every one of you who entered the seriousness of the tournament. Once the goblet has made its selection you are bound. No turning back." My peripheral vision caught Cedric's shoulders slumping. How am I supposed to comfort a friend in this situation? Not wanting to break the silence I go for a hand on the arm. Seemed to work as he turned his head and our eyes briefly met. Gasps from around the hall sounded as the goblet sent the first name shooting up. The singed paper floated down, gently landing in Dumbledore's outstretched hand. "From the Beauxbaton Academy - Fleur Delacour!" HIgh-pitched screams filled the air as the French girls cried out in celebration, pushing their champion to the front of the hall. She confidently stepped forward and stood beside her massive headmistress. I kept my laughter to myself as she dipped into an elegant curtsy, her head only reaching the giant's knee as she stood up. The goblet flashed again, releasing another name. "From Durmstrang - Victor Krum!" This time the screams were deeper, almost guttural, as the boys hoisted the quidditch player over their heads and carried him forward. He and his headmaster shared an intense embrace, lots of slapping on each other's backs. It quickly quieted down as we waited for the final champion to be chosen. The goblet churned, little sparkles leaving the top as the flame swirled. Blue fire rose once again and left the parchment flitting down, Dumbledore's hand waiting patiently for it to settle. "And lastly, the student from Hogwarts." Cedric gripped my hand tightly and I held my breath. "Cedric Digorry!" A gigantic smile broke onto his face as he turned to me.

"Congratulations!" I automatically said as he hugged me. We only embraced for a second before other students rushed to the table and paraded him forward. I felt the color drain from my face as the realization started to settle in. One of my closest friends was going to be in one of the most dangerous tournaments in the world at only seventeen years old. My consuming thoughts were loud enough to drown out the deafening cheers that filled the hall. I was jolted back to reality by Liv's hand clamping around my wrist. "Ow." I winced, but both her and Jess shushed me.

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore shouted, though the whole hall was silent, and held up another scrap of paper.

"What happened?" I asked them frantically.