The Fifth Champion

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

All three schools crowded into the Great Hall. It was Halloween night, and the champions were to be selected very soon. "Who do you think will get it?" Charissa asked.

"Probably one of the Gryffindors." Cedric replied. "I saw a few of them enter."

"Just as long as it's not Warrington." Amber rolled her eyes. "Anything but a Slytherin champion will be fine."

"I estimate it just needs one more minute." Dumbledore said, referencing the Goblet. He gave instructions as to where the chosen champions were to go.

The blue flames suddenly began to glow red. A piece of paper jumped from their tips into Dumbledore's hand. He unfolded it. "The champion for Durmstrang is Viktor Krum!" He announced.

Amber groaned "Now we'll never get an autograph." She said. "There'll be too many other girls trying as well."

Another slip of paper shot from the Goblet. "The Beauxbatons champion is Fleur Delacour." Dumbledore said.

Everyone at the Hufflepuff table held their breath as Dumbledore unfolded the paper containing the name of Hogwarts' champion. "The Hogwarts champion," Dumbledore said. "Cedric Diggory!"

All at once Hufflepuff stood up, cheering and screaming. Cedric was grinning from ear to ear as he walked past the Hufflepuff crowd. The applause went on long after he had vanished.

"I'm certain I can count on you all to cheer on your champion." Dumbledore said. "Bye cheering them on, you're contributing in a very re-"

The Goblet had shot out two more pieces of paper. Dumbledore automatically unfolded it and stared at it for a second. If Charissa didn't know any better, she'd have said he was shocked.

"What's it say?" Someone from Slytherin shouted.
"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore said. "And Charissa Malfoy!"

Charissa, who was in the middle of taking a sip of pumpkin juice, froze. How could her name have been called? No one had entered her.

"Is Charissa here, or is she skipping dinner again?" Dumbledore called.

"I'm here." Charissa stood up, shaking. She headed back to where the other champions were, almost falling over faint several times.

"Charissa?" Cedric asked, confused as she walked in. It seemed the other champions were still hung up on Harry Potter's entrance to have noticed her. He came over and put an arm around her for support so she didn't fall over.

"I swear I didn't put my name in." She told him, looking quite terrified. "I don't know how it ended up in there, I swear."

"I believe you." Cedric said. The other champions finally noticed her as the Professors ran into the room.

"What eez she doing 'ere?" Fleur demanded.

"That's what we'd all like to know." Karkaroff growled.

"Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore asked Harry as Madam Pomfrey gave Charissa something to help calm her down. "Did you have an older student put your name in?"

Once he was satisfied with Harry's answers, he moved over to Charissa. "Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore asked kindly.

Charissa shook her head. "I swear I didn't." She said.

"Did you have an older student put your name in?" Dumbledore asked next. Charissa shook her head again.

"She is lying!" Karkaroff exclaimed.

"And how would you know that?" Dumbledore asked. "I trust her word."

"It's the word of a Malfoy." Karkaroff spat. "That alone should be enough evidence."

"Ms. Malfoy has never given me any reason to doubt her." Dumbledore said.

"Nor I." Cedric cut in. "If Charissa says she didn't put her name in, then she didn't.

"I hate to admit zees but Karkaroff ez right." Madam Maxime said. "How do you know she ez not lying, Dumblydorr?"

"It doesn't matter who's lying." Moody cut in. "What matters is how the names got in. It would take powerful magic to hoodwinked an object like the Goblet of Fire. Someone could have used a Confundus Charm and submitted their names under a different school." He suggested.

"You seem to have put a lot of thought into this, Mad-Eye." Karkaroff shot at him.

"It was my job to once think as Dark wizards did, Igor." Moody shot back.

"They should not be allowed to compete!" Maxime exclaimed. "They are too young!"

"It isn't fair if Hogwarts has three champions!" Karkaroff exclaimed, seeming to not care about their ages.

"I think," Cedric cut in suddenly. "That you're forgetting to ask them if they even want to compete."

"Of course they do!" Karkaroff snarled. "Why else would they have snuck their names into the Goblet?"

"Actually," Charissa said in a small voice. "I don't want to compete."

"Don't be silly, girl." Karkaroff snapped. "I can see right through your lies." He turned to Dumbledore. "They can't compete." He said simply.

"I think," Dumbledore said gravely. "That we will have to refer to the rules for this. Barty?"

Barty Crouch took a deep breath. "The rules are clear." He said. "Potter and Ms. Malfoy are bound to the tournament. They must compete."

"Well, that's that then." McGonagall said, coming over to help Cedric comfort Charissa, who had begun to panic again. "Now, if you have anything else to say, I suggest you move the conversation elsewhere. You're scaring the poor girl!"

"The first task is designed to test your daring, you we will not tell you what you will be facing. The task will take place on November the twenty fourth. You are not permitted to ask or accept help of any kind. You will face the first challenge armed only with your wand. Owing to the time-consuming nature of the Tournament, champions are exempt from end of year exams." Ludo Bagman quickly explained.

Maxime and Karkaroff grumbled a bit more over the situation, quickly ushering their Champions out. Harry followed. Cedric and McGonagall were trying still to calm Charissa, who was extremely panicked about the first task now.

"Are you sure there isn't any way to break the contract?" Dumbledore asked Crouch, looking worriedly at Charissa. Crouch had the same look on his face when he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Albus, but no."

Dumbledore turned to Snape. "Send an owl to the Malfoys," He said quietly. "Explaining what's happened. Make sure it arrives before the Daily Prophet gets ahold of this."

"Narcissa will not be happy." Snape replied, equally as quiet.

Dumbledore shook his head in agreement. "That's why I'm asking you to send the owl, Severus." Dumbledore said. "Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do at this point."

Charissa's tears had slowed. "I can manage from here." Cedric said to McGonagall in a low voice. He gently ushered Charissa forward, and she went willingly. "Have you ever been to the kitchens?" He asked gently. Charissa shook her head, slowly calming down. "I've always meant to take you there."

A few minutes later, they were sitting on old overturned crates in the kitchens drinking warm mugs of butterbeer. "Congratulations on being chosen as champion." Charissa smiled weakly.

"Thanks." Cedric said. "So, I know we're not supposed to get any help, but I was wondering if you'd like me to teach you anything. Y'know, more advanced magic, stuff like that."

"Thanks, Ced." Charissa said. "That'd be great."

"Good." Cedric replied. "Our goal right now is to get you through the first task."

"Then after that," Charissa said, finishing the last of her butterbeer. "The tournament."