Arielle: The Girl Who Changed

Chapter 17

At her usual spot at the Hufflepuff House table, Arielle was asked questions immediately when she sat down, as expected. They were all about George and herself being the last ones to walk in and join in on the feast and sorting a bit late. Cedric said, "Wouldn't surprise me if the pair were together and just didn't want to tell us," and turned and smirked at Arielle.

Arielle just rolled her eyes and shook her head, she hated keeping such a secret especially when it was from people she trusted to much who were like her family.

Dumbledore spoke after a bit, "Well, now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests as well. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen-" he stopped, for the caretaker Mr. Filch had oddly ran in to say something to the Headmaster. The caretaker ran back out and Professor Dumbledore continued, "So, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event! The Triwizard Tournament." There was excited mumbling all around the tables, "Now for those of you who do not know, the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school a single student is selected to compete."

The professor kept talking but Arielle's mind was too busy buzzing with excitement to hear some of what he was saying. She wanted to bring some glory to Hufflepuff House, to be the Hogwarts Champion. All of a sudden there was girls dancing in, from the partial reaction of the males Arielle assumed they were at least part Veela. Then after they were sat down, the boys of Dumstrang were introduced, marching in doing some incredible acrobatics. When both the amazing routines were finished, the Hogwarts students were told to stand and they all sang the school song, it not being as amazing as the other schools but it was a homely anthem to Arielle.

They ate for a bit before being all called to attention again. Dumbledore spoke and talked about the dangerous tasks and introduced Barty Crouch to all of them to talk about the new rules. He said that the Ministry concluded that no one under the age of 17 would be allowed to participate in the Tournament. From beside her Cedric straightened up. His birthday had passed just that day and he was old enough to enter his name. The hope she had lost of bringing glory to Hufflepuff House was then back, Cedric could do it! When Arielle began listening, Dumbledore said, "As of this moment...the Triwizard Tournament has begun."

"Are you going to put your name in the Goblet?" Arielle asked Cedric as everyone slowly started to get up from the tables, people talking with friends and greeting teachers as well as ghosts.

"For sure. Someone's got to try and get Hufflepuff some glory," he laughed.

"I wish I could...but I know if anyone can do it, it's you Ced," she replied while Cedric stood up along with Katy and Crystal.

Arielle stayed sitting having caught George's eye. Crystal asked her, "You coming with?"

"Oh, I'll be there in a minute," Arielle replied and the group walked off, Cedric saying something like to not get into any funny business and laughing. Arielle rolled her eyes and when they were a safe distance away and there was just a few people left in the Great Hall, she ran to George's side and not seeing Fred there, she stood on her tip toes and kissed him, not caring about the few people and professors in the room.

"Well hello there Arielle," George laughed, "Thought we agreed we were going to be a secret."

"Oh hush, there's like three people in here," Arielle said looking around where in fact there was almost ten people but that didn't matter, none of them were Gryffindor or Hufflepuff students, "Where's Fred?"

"Oh I sent him off just now to go look at what is protecting that cup from us getting our names in it. Shouldn't be back for a few more minutes," he replied and kissed Arielle quickly again, "You know, I'll never get tired of that."