Redamancy (d.m)

Chapter thirty-famous and good looking

No one seemed to be interested in the vast display of dinner food in front of them, even the teachers impatiently shifted in their seats, all eyes were on the goblet of fire.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision" Dumbledore's announced to excited whispering, "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber where they will be receiving their first instructions"

With a swift flick of his wands, every floating candle in the great hall was extinguished, leaving the only light source the ball of fire in the middle of the room. It was so quiet you could heard a feather drop. No one dared to breath, waiting in painful tension. Suddenly, a ball of flames shot up from the cup of red fire, revealing a small folded bit of parchment that Professor Dumbledore caught in his hands as it floated down slowly.

"The champion for Durmstrang" he said loudly, pausing for dramatic effect, "will be Viktor Krum!"

The entire Durmstrang crowd roared in celebration, giving him pats on the back as he made his way up to the chamber. The chatter slowly died down, replaced one again with silent foreboding. The blue light turned red again and a burst of light shot out, revealing a piece of baby blue parchment

"The champion for Beauxbatons...is Fleur Delacour!"

I screamed with glee, cheering on my friend as she waltzed up towards the chamber. For the last time, the crowd settled, anxious for the hogwarts champion. Cedric shoot me a nervous look, and I smiled reassuringly, though my stomach was a tangle of miscellaneous emotions. When Professor Dumbledore opened the last piece of paper, I had to remind myself how to breathe

"The hogwarts champion...is Cedric Diggory"

The air returned to my lungs. My face hurt from how wide I was smiling, pushing aside my immediate fear and replacing it with immense pride. Cedric reached the door of the chamber, and caught my eye. He beamed down at me and I grinned back, mouthing for him to go through.

Dumbledore's waited patiently for the roaring storm of applause to calm down, before saying

"Excellent! Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real-"

He was cut off by the sudden red glow of the room. The blue flames in the goblet of fire had changed its colour once again. To everyone's surprise, another piece of paper flew out of the goblet, and Professor Dumbledore snatched it out of the air, unfolding it with shaking hands. A few seconds passed in which he stared unmoving at the piece of paper. Finally, he looked up slowly, clearing his throat, and said

"Harry Potter"

This kid literally cannot catch a break.

"I didn't put my name in" he said stunned, aware that every head was turned to him, "you know I didn't"

We were at a loss for words.

"Harry Potter" Dumbledore repeated, "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

Harry seemed lifeless as he walked stiffly up to the Professor, who presented him with a charred parchment square with the words Harry Potter-Hogwarts written neatly in cursive handwriting...

In my cursive handwriting

My throat closed up and ran dry, my hands starting to shake uncontrollably.  I had only gotten a glimpse, but it was undeniably my writing. I curved the hook of my "y"s and "g"s the same way, but I had never written such a thing.

"And you're sure you didn't put Harry's name in?" Hermione pressed as I stared in numb shock into the gryffindor common room awaiting Harry's return along with the rest of 5e party goers
"I think I would've remembered putting my best friend in potential mortal danger" I snapped irritably
"Of course you would, you don't remember because you didn't do it" Ron said, wringing his hands with anger, "how the bloody hell did he get past the age line? Even Fred and George couldn't do it!"
"Ron...you don't really think Harry put his name in?" Hermione said nervously
"Why not? He's always loved the spotlight"
"Ron, he can't choose what happens to him"
"Whatever" Ron scoffed, retreating to his dorm.

My head darted up suddenly as the roar of celebration. Harry entered the common room looking extremely worn-out. No one else seemed to register his lack of energy, rushing up to him in congratulation. I stood up, pushing through the crowd and marching up to him, grabbing him harshly by the arm and pulling him away from the crowd up to my dorm, the only private one in the whole of Gryffindor house.

"Thanks" Harry panted, "I didn't think I'd ever get away-" he stopped when he saw my eyes glisten under the light of the candle, "(y/n)...what's wrong?"

He rushed forward wiping away my tears with the backs of his hands, but I swatted them away frantically, sitting on my bed and tugging at my hair. When I felt him sit down next to me gently, I finally spoke, my breath uneven

"Harry...the parchment...the writing...it's mine"

I was suprised to see that he had not flinched, or given an indication of surprise

"I know it was, I copy off your homework all the time"

I looked up at him, terrified at what he thought, but he offered up a weak smile, and said

"I don't think you put my name in"

My throat loosened, and I breathed a sigh of relief

"Thank god" I whispered, propping my head onto his shoulder, "I was so scared you'd think I had something to do with it"
"I cant lie, the thought did cross my mind, but I remembered how surprised you were when my name shot out"
"Well I might not have done it, but someone sure tried to make it look like I did" I said, "why would someone want you to participate?"
" I have no idea, but we'll work that out tomorrow" he responded, getting up and kissing my forehead, "we both are in desperate need of sleep"
"Oh, I would be careful, Ronald's in a right state" I warned, "he thinks you put your name in"
"You're joking" Harry said, and I shook my head
"Try not to kill each other, Harry"
"No promises"

"There he is"I said, walking up to Cedric the next morning, "the hogwarts champion"
"One of them" Cedric pointed out, leaning forward and kissing me gently, "Aren't you staying?" He added, disappointed as he noticed me tossing  pieces of toast onto a large napkin before folding it up.
"Can't, I'm going on a walk"
"With who" he asked suspiciously
"Harry"
"You spend an awful lot of time with him" he said, clearly disgruntled
"And you don't spend time with your friends?"
"You can spend an awful lot of time with Hermione"
"I can spend an awful lot of time with all of my friends" I said, ending the conversation and placing a deep kiss on his pouting mouth, "because none of them are you"

"Have you seen Ron?" Harry asked with a mouth full of toast as we walked outside Hogwarts
"He was up early at breakfast" I replied, tying my scarf tighter against the cold wind, "presumably to avoid you"
"Does he still think I entered myself?"
"Wouldn't put it past him"
"What's that mean?"
"Well...isn't it obvious?" I asked, looking back at his blank expression, "Harry, he's jealous"
"Jealous?" Harry said incredulously, "of what? He wants to make a prat of himself in front of the whole school, does he?"
"Look, it's alway you who gets the attention. I know you don't ask for it or want it" I added quickly as he opened his mouth, "but it doesn't change the fact that you're famous and good looking"
"You're famous and good looking" Harry argued, "Ron's not looking at you like a piece of gum on his shoe"
"Harry, that's different" I explained, "I'm a girl, Ron doesn't care about the attention I receive. You're his best mate, he feels a sort of competition towards you, one that you always end up unknowingly winning"
"Great. You tell him that we can switch places whenever he wants"
"I'm not running around after you two like some messenger owl" I scoffed, "you two are teenagers. Stop acting like you just popped out of a vagina"