It was Halloween at Hogwarts. The houses seemed even more tense than usual, arguing with each other about which house would represent Hogwarts in the Tournament. Even Ella and Lauren had interesting things to tell me over our parchment-conversation. For example, the Hufflepuff girls had a scuffle when Lauren told them that she and Ella were still friends with Von, Lucy, and me. Always the helpful one, Von whipped up a super-complex potion that puts you into a deep sleep. PJ McFleeble didn't wake up for two days.
Finally, it's midnight on Halloween. The Goblet illuminates the faces of all the students with a harsh blue light, accentuating everyone's uneasiness. Professor Stallonwick stands at the front of the hall, beside the Goblet. There's a sudden hush, and Stallonwick adresses the crowd.
"Tonight, our champions are chosen. Tonight, we discover who will compete for the glory of their school, at least until the next Tournament. The Goblet of Fire has made its decision."
All eyes are on the Goblet.
Suddenly, the flames turn red, and spit out a neat circle of paper. It floats almost directly to Stallonwick's hand.
"The Beauxbatons champions are Emilie Minough, George Sellette, Veronique Duchamps, Francois Liale, and Renee Arbrise!" Cheers.
A torn triangle of paper flew out of the red fire.
"The champions of Durmstrang are Venor Jansen, Nicholas Prednor, and Stephen Forrest!" More cheers.
We then have to wait five whole minutes for the Goblet to shoot red fire again. When it does, it ejects a ragged-edged rectangle of parchment. Lucy's face turns white.
"The champions from Hogwarts are Lucy Demille, Ella Nova, Siobhan Winsleigh, Lauren Gaston, Eliza Glasswater, and Your Mom." Stallonwick pauses. "I appreciate the joke, Miss Demille."
No one claps.
"Well, off you go."
Stiffly, the five of us get to our feet and follow the path that the other champions took, to a back room filled with complicated metal instruments. If I wasn't so shocked, they would have been interesting.
"Lucy," Von says quietly, "what have you gotten us into?"
The other two teams are sitting or standing near a large fireplace. All of the champions seem to be older than we are, maybe sixteen or seventeen. They're just as quiet as we are, but not from shock or fear. The silence seems to be....hostile, almost.
Stallonwick joins us, followed by the headmistress of Durmstrang and the headmaster of Beauxbatons, whose names I don't know.
"Ah, greetings, champions," Stallonwick begins. "Welcome to the Triwizard Tournament."
The walk back to the dormitory is punctuated by whispers of people that pass us, thinking that we can't hear them.
As I climb into bed, I think about the First Task, scheduled for the twenty-fourth of November. And how, by some crazy chance, my frineds and I will have to compete. It's a little disconcerting, so I try to stop thinking about it, and fall asleep.
That is, until I her a faint tapping (or drill-like noise) at the window beside my bed.
As I flip cautiously onto my side, I notice Stve the owl hovering next to the windowglass, a note tied to his tiny leg. I stick my arm out the window and grab the note. A messily written message from Lucy reads, Spare classroom on the fourth floor. Now.
Luckily, all of the girls are fast asleep. I tiptoe out of the dormitory in my blue bathrobe and slippers, wand in hand. I whisper, "Lumos."
The corridors are deserted. When I slip inside the spare classroom, the other girls are already there.
"I'll make this quick," Von whispers. "We've got gifts."
Hello wattpandas
I really, really love exams
not
-RedV
YOU ARE READING
The Other Witches
FanfictionTensions grow at Hogwarts as five girls struggle to keep their beloved school from falling apart. Harry Potter and its universe belongs to JK Rowling.
