A Hogwarts Legend: Chaos Begins [4] (SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Five - "I'm already famous as fuck."

Mr Crouch moves forwards into the firelight. Close to, I can see he looks ill. There are dark shadows beneath his eyes, and a thin, papery look about his wrinkled skin that wasn't there at the Quidditch World Cup.

"The first task is designed to test your daring," he tells Harry, Cedric, Fleur, Krum and I, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard ... very important ...

"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges.

"The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the Tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the Tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests."

That may be the only plus side to this only Tournament.

I mean, there is the prize money and eternal glory...

I'm Emily Potter, I don't need eternal glory - I'm already famous as fuck. Point made.

Mr Crouch turns to look at Dumbledore. "I think that's all, is it, Albus?"

"I think so," says Dumbledore, who's looking at Mr Crouch with mild concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," says Mr Crouch. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment ... I've left young Weatherby in charge ... very enthusiastic ... a little over-enthusiastic, if truth be told ..."

"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" says Dumbledore.

"Come on, Barty, I'm staying!" says Bagman brightly. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"

"I think not, Ludo," says Crouch, with a touch of his old impatience.

"Professor Karkaroff - Madame Maxime - a nightcap?" says Dumbledore.

But Madame Maxime has already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders, and is leading her swiftly out of the room. I can hear them both talking very fast in French as they go off into the Great Hall. Karkaroff beckons to Krum, and they, too, exit, though in silence.

"Harry, Cedric, Emily, I suggest you go up to the bed," says Dumbledore, smiling at the three of us. "I am sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise."

Harry glances at Cedric, who nods, and we leave together.

The Great Hall is deserted now; the candles have burnt low, giving the jagged smiles of the pumpkins an eerie, flickering quality.

"So," says Cedric, with a slight smile. "We're playing against each other again!"

"I s'pose," says Harry.

"So ... tell me ..." says Cedric, as we reach the Entrance Hall, which is now lit only by torches in the absence of the Goblet of Fire. "How did you get your name in?"

"We didn't," I sat, staring at him. "We didn't put it in. We were telling the truth."

"Ah ... okay," says Cedric. I can tell Cedric doesn't believe us. "Well ... see you, then."

Instead of going up the marble staircase, Cedric heads for a door to its right. Harry and I stand listening to him going down the stone steps beyond it, then, slowly, starts to climb the marble ones.