Call Me Em

Champions

Chapter Nine: Champions
***Embry's POV***

No one really talked during dinner Friday night. Everyone seemed nervous about who the Goblet would choose as the Champions, even the lower year students seemed to be shaking in anticipation. All throughout the meal I found myself continually glancing over at the Hufflepuff table to see Cedric eating and occasionally talking with his friends but I could tell he was nervous too. Finally the meal ended and the lights were dimmed at Dumbledore stood next to the Goblet that was in front of the staff table. He gave a little speech, telling us all how once the names were pulled that the champion would make their way into the trophy room to speak with Crouch and some other people. With that everyone watched the Goblet as the flames turned from blue to red and spit out a piece of paper that Dumbledore caught.

"The champion for Durmstrong is...Viktor Krum!" Dumbledore read out as the Durmstrong students erupted into cheers as Viktor made his way to the front.

"Good job Viktor! I knew you could do it!" His headmaster, Karkaroff cheered as Viktor went into the trophy room. Everyone went quiet and watched the Goblet again as the blue flames turned red again and spat out another paper. This one look fancier than a normal piece of parchment though and I instantly knew it was Beaubuxtons.

"The champion for Beaubuxtons is...Fleur Delacour!" Dumbledore's words brought an eruption of cheers and pouting from the Ravenclaw table as Fleur stood up and made her way to the front. I applauded for her too and couldn't help but smile as my new friend got what she'd wanted. She too disappeared into the trophy room after shaking hands with some of the teachers and her headmistress. Everyone quieted down once again and we all looked towards the Goblet in anticipation to figure out who the Hogwarts champion was. The red flames spat out a third paper that Dumbledore caught like with the other two. People were on the edge of their seats.

"The Hogwarts champion is...Cedric Diggory!" Dumbledore announced. The Hufflepuff table erupted with cheers as Cedric stood up and made his way to the front. Ginny and I were on our feet applauding just as heavily for him and he looked over at us and smiled. I was happy that he'd gotten what he'd wanted, now I just hoped that he wouldn't end up hurt.

"Lucky bloke." Ron muttered under his breath, gaining a slap upside the head from Hermione. Dumbledore started to give a short speech before going to join the champions but was cut off by the Goblet's flames going red again and everyone looked at it in confusion. There were only supposed to be three champions. We all watched as a fourth paper came flying out and hit the floor. Dumbledore reached down and picked it up, as he read the name his eyes went wide.

"Harry Potter," he whispered the name but I could still hear it as his voice echoed through the hall. He looked around the Gryffindor table but Harry had slouched down, trying to disappear. "Harry Potter! HARRY POTTER!"

"Go on Harry," Hermione nudged him and I watched as he got up and slowly made his way towards the front of the hall.

"He's a cheat!" Someone shouted.

"He's not even seventeen!" I recognized Ernie's voice from the Hufflepuff table. Others yelled out similar things as Harry made his way into the trophy room. I looked at all of my friends to see that most of them looked just as confused as I did, except for Ron who's face was red in anger.

"Silence!" Dumbledore yelled at all of us. "Please make your way back to your dormitories for the night."

"How the bloody hell did he do it?" Ron muttered as we all started to make our way out of the Hall and towards Gryffindor Tower.

"You don't think he actually did?" I looked at my friend as if he were crazy.

"There's no way he could have, Dumbledore drew the Age Line himself. It couldn't have been fooled." Hermione shook her head as they started the climb the stairs but I hesitated at the bottom and they seemed to notice.

"Aren't you coming Lu?" Seamus asked.

"I'm going to hand back and congratulate Cedric." I shook my head.

"I'll see you up there then." Hermione gave me a small smile before they all continued upstairs while I headed down the hall and his behind one of the many statues so none of the teachers would see me if they came by. I was probably hiding there for twenty minutes or so before I saw four figures making their way out of the Great Hall and I stepped out of my hiding place.

"Lu!" Fleur was the first to notice me and hurried over and pulled me into a hug.

"I wanted to congratulate all of you," I told them as she released me and the others made their way over to us.

"Merci! I'm so excited!" Fleur smiled brightly at me but I could see her nervousness in her eyes.

"Who are you?" Viktor looked at me wearily as Cedric and Harry each gave me a hug.

"Lu," I introduced myself to him as Cedric put an arm around me. "Congrats on being chosen Viktor, I'm sure you'll do great."

"I plan too." He gave me a small smile. "It vas nice to veet you but I vust be off to bed."

"Goodnight." I waved goodbye to him as he headed out the castle doors to return to the Durmstrong ship.

"I should go too," Fleur sighed as she gave me another hug and kissed me on each cheek. "I 'ope to see you tomorrow?"

"Of course," I agreed before she hurried out the doors too and I turned back to Cedric and Harry. "Congrats to both of you boys. I'm sure you both will kick butt."

"Thank you," Cedric smiled at me. "I should get back to my common room. I'm sure Ernie has something planned for me once I get there."

"Have fun," I gave him another hug and he gave me a quick kiss on the lips before hurrying off towards his dormitory while Harry and I headed up the stairs towards Gryffindor Tower.

"What did the others say?" Harry asked me when we reached the portrait.

"They were confused," I tried to find a nice way to describe Ron. "Hermione seemed to be a little worried about you."

"What about Ron?" He seemed to already know the answer.

"Just ignore Ron, he's taking after his brother's stupidity right now." I gave the password to the portrait before it swung open and Harry followed me inside. As soon as we were through the portrait people came over to congratulate Harry and I saw Fred and George making their way over so I quickly slipped away. I didn't feel like getting into a fight.

I made my way up the stairs leading to the girl's dormitory and threw myself onto my bed as thoughts flew through my mind. How had Harry's name made its way into the Goblet when I was for sure that Harry wouldn't have put it in himself? I knew that something wasn't right about this which made me worry slightly for my friends and Cedric. I didn't want any of them getting hurt but now it seemed like that was more than possible.

What was going on?