Daughter of Black

4.08

It was Thursday night. The night Dumbledore was choosing the Triwizard champions. The Great Hall was dark, not to the point where we couldn't see. There was a small dim light that allowed us all to see each other and the goblet. I sat next to the twins, smiling. Their beards and grey hair had finally disappeared, much to my approval. They were far too young to be looking that old. Classes today had been cancelled as this seemed to be the biggest priority for everyone. I could see the anxiousness written on some people's faces, including Cedric's. But he broke his frown to send me a smile. I smiled back at him but not before George wrapped an arm around my shoulder. He didn't say anything when I looked back at him. He just continued his conversation with Fred. I didn't have time to question his actions before Dumbledore walked into the room, standing near the goblet. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the goblet. "Sit down please." As the remaining students took their seats, we all turned to face Dumbledore. "And now the moment you've all been waiting for, the champions selection!" We were all quiet as Dumbledore dimmed the fires even more, the only source of light coming from the blue flame. When Dumbledore turns back to the goblet, the flame turns red and a name comes out. Dumbledore catches it, reading the name before turning back to all of us. "The Durmstrang champion is..." I turned to the boys, smiling. We had all placed our bets earlier in the day. I said Victor Krum would win. "Viktor Krum!" I smirked as they boys sighed, passing over their sickles. I winked at both of them, sliding the sickles into my pocket. The Durmstrang crowd cheer, patting Krum on his back as he stood up, heading towards the gates. That's where the champions were all meeting. Another name comes out. "The champion from Beauxbatons... Fleur Delacour." I sighed, looking back at Fred as he smirked at the two of us. Both George and I paid him his sickles. Fred nudged me, winking. I rolled my eyes at him. The Beauxbatons girls cheer as Fleur walks up. Another name comes out. "The Hogwarts champion... Cedric Diggory." George winked at us as we passed our money to him. He put both his arms around us.

"You can't out play the master." I chuckled, nudging my elbow into his side. He just ruffled my hair in response. We all cheer as Cedric walks away, going through the gates.

"Excellent! We now have our three champions!" The crowd settled back into their seats, some still talking as Dumbledore spoke loudly. "But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory the triwizard cup!" We all cheered as Dumbledore finished and the cup was revealed. But soon the cheering died down and all eyes were focusing back on the goblet as the fire spurted. Dumbeldore looked back at the fire, his face just as confused as the other teachers'. Even Snape looked bewildered. Just as he walked back to the goblet, the fire turned red again, though this time it was bigger and brighter. Two more pieces of parchment flew out from the goblet as Dumbledore grabbed both, looking back at us. I wasn't sure why, but I felt anxious. An overwhelming feeling of anxiousness as my foot started to bounce. Dumbledore looked up from the paper, his eyes wide. "Harry Potter." He muttered. My leg stopped bouncing as I looked over at Harry. No. "Harry Potter!" Dumbledore cried out a little louder. I saw Hermione urging him to stand up, pushing him towards Dumbledore. But before he even reached him, Dumbledore seemed to remember that he had two pieces of parchment in his hands. "Mirabella Black!" I felt all colour drain from my face as I looked back at Fred and George, no longer worried about Harry. Why was my name in there? I'm not special. I felt sick to my stomach as I stood, my legs shaking. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I walked slowly towards the gates. I felt a hand in mine and I saw Harry standing by my side, squeezing my hand lightly as we walked towards the gates. I could hear the whispers from behind us and I could see the confused faces on all the teachers. I didn't want this. Even Snape looked worried for us as we walked through the gates, heading down the stairs. I saw the rest of the champions standing in front of us as I squeezed Harry's hand tighter. How is this happening to me? I could feel everyone's eyes on me as the teachers made their way down the stairs, bickering the entire way down.

Harry and I turned around just in time for Dumbledore to grab him by the collar of his shirt and push him against a series of goblets. "Harry! Did you put your name in the goblet of fire?" Dumbledore yelled, glaring at him profusely.

"No sir." Harry responded, shaking a little.

"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?"

"No sir." Dumbledore turned back to me, the same glaring glance in his eyes. I felt myself shaking as I shook my head.

"I didn't do anything sir. You have to believe me." My voice shook as I pleaded with Dumbledore. McGonagall came up from behind me, putting her hand on my shoulder.

"Well of course they are lying." Madame Maxine spoke as she walked in the room, trying not to hit her head on the chandeliers.

"The hell they are. The goblet of fire is an exceptionally powerful magical object, only an exceptionally powerful Confundus Charm could have hoodwinked it. Magic way beyond the talents of a fourth year and a sixth year."

"You seem to have given this a fair bit of thought Mad-Eye." The Durmstrang Headmaster spoke, staring back at Moody.

"It was once my job to think as dark wizards do Karkaroff. Perhaps you remember?" I was still shaking as I stared back and forth at the professors.

"That doesn't help Alastor. Leave this to you Barty." Dumbledore spoke, walking towards Barty Crouch Senior, who had turned his back on us. Harry stood back at my side, as I played with my fingers. It was silent for a second, all the professors staring hopefully at Crouch.

"The rules are absolute. The goblet of fire constitutes a binding magical contract." I felt my heart drop as he turned around and looked at us. "Mr Potter and Ms Black have no choice. They are, as of tonight, a triwizards champion." All eyes were on us as I shook my head. This was not turning out to be the best school year.

🗲☽

As soon as the two of us walked back into the common room, there were a crowd of people standing at the doorway. All of them were whispering, though the whispering stopped when they saw Harry and I enter the room. Hermione was the first person at our sides but I didn't see Ron or the twins anywhere. "Are you two ok?" Hermione whispered. I didn't have the heart to tell her no and neither did Harry. I was just staring absentmindedly at the people staring back at me. I was sure they were all wondering how I did it, how I managed to get my name in the goblet of fire. They kept staring until I saw the two familiar faces of the twins walking down the stairs from the dormitories.

"Oi. All of you get to your rooms." George spoke, shoo-ing everyone out of the room.

"There's nothing to see here." Fred spoke up, pushing them out. He shot both me and Harry a smile as people started to disperse.

"Mind your own business." George said as he walked up to me. I took my hand away from Harry's as I latched my arms around George's neck, despite having to be on my tippy-toes to reach his neck. But he hugged me back, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Are you ok?" He whispered in my ear. I saw Harry walk away with Hermione and I shook my head, no. He sighed, shaking his head as he pulled away from me. Fred walked up to me, ruffling my hair. As the three of us moved to sit on the sofa, I curled up to George, letting him play with my hair.

"So Mira... how did you put your name in the goblet?" I looked over at Fred and he winked at me, telling me it was a joke, but I still kicked his leg, softly. "I'm only joking." I rolled my eyes, laughing softly for the first time since that afternoon started.

"I love you boys." I mumbled, smiling smally at the both of them.