18. THE GOBLET MAKES IT'S CHOICE

The next day was Saturday, and Elara was grateful because she could sleep in. She stayed in bed with Theodore until midday, and then they headed to the kitchens for something quick to eat before walking outside and sitting down near their tree.

When it began raining, they packed up their things and walked back into the school, hands linked. They decided to sit in the Great Hall, where there was a large fire crackling, and the ceiling made it look cozy. There were several others sat there too, some from Hogwarts, and some from the other two schools.

Theodore and Elara sat at the Slytherin table, and Krum approached them. "Elara."

"Viktor." She turned and greeted him.

"Not putting your name in?"

"I wish I could. I'm not old enough too, I turn 17 in a few months." She smiled sadly. "Are you?" When he nodded, she grinned at him. "Good luck."

He thanked her and left. She turned back to her boyfriend. "Oh my fucking god, I just had a casual conversation with Viktor Krum. Holy shit, holy shit." Theodore just laughed, and then another person approached them.

"Excuse me?" She spoke up. Elara ran a hand through her hair, and turned around, flashing the girl a smile. She had long, silvery hair, and blue eyes. Veela, Elara assumed.

"Hi."

"I was just curious. Are you a Veela? Because I thought I felt some of it from you, but I wanted to ask."

Elara began explaining. "Hi, it's nice to meet you, my name is Elara Black. In my family, there has always been traced of Veela blood that appear in some of us. My aunt Narcissa had some, and her son, Draco, he has some too. I have Veela blood too, but not strong enough to make people turn and stare. But yes, you are correct."

"That is... fascinating. My name is Fleur. Fleur Delacour." She held out a hand, and Elara shook it.

"That's a beautiful name, it means flower of the court, correct?"

"Yes, that is correct. You speak French?"

"My father spent the summer teaching me. It was lovely talking to you, and good luck with the selection."

"Thank you, and you too!" Fleur waved as she started to leave.

"I'm not old enough for it, but thank you anyways."

When the girl walked away, Elara turned to Theodore with an incredulous look on her face. "Am I really that approachable?"

"I guess so."

"Not sure I want more people coming up to me, especially if they keep asking about the goblet. I'll probably cry if one more person asks about it."

Just as she said that, she felt two people slide into the seats beside her. "Hey El."

"Freddie. Georgie."

"Didn't put your name in?" Fred asked. As soon as he said that, Elara dropped her head onto the table, making a loud sound, and she whined.

The twins turn to Theodore with questioning looks. He sighed and explained. "She's not 17 yet, and people keep asking her if she's put her name in, and it makes her sad because she wants to and she can't."

"We're sorry El." They said in sync. Elara lifted her head.

"That's alright." They both swooped in and kissed her cheeks before heading off.

Later, in the evening, everyone flooded into the Great Hall and took their seats at their respected tables. They dug into the extravagant feast, and when the golden plates disappeared, everyone seemed to be on edge, and quivering with excitement and anticipation.

Dumbledore stood. "Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision. 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." He pointed to a door behind the staff table.

Then, with a sweeping wave of his wand, all the candles extinguished, except those in the pumpkins. The Goblet shone brightly, and everyone seemed tense, awaiting the time.

Suddenly, the flames in the goblet turned red. Sparks began to fly from it. then, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it and the whole room gasped. Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it out, so he could read it by the light of the flames, that had turned blue again.

"The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum." And a storm of applause and cheering swept the hall. Elara stood and cheered for her newfound acquaintance as he stood and made his way into the chamber.

Karkaroff made sure everyone heard him as he loudly said "Bravo, Viktor! Knew you had it in you!"

When the hall calmed again, everyone turned back to the goblet, which turned read again and spat out another piece of parchment which Dumbledore caught. "The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!"

Elara stood once more, cheering and clapping for the girl that she had met earlier that day. Silence fell once more, but this time, it was stiff with excitement. The Hogwarts champion was next. The goblet turned red once more and Dumbledore caught the third piece of parchment. "The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory."

Every single Hufflepuff in the school was on their feet, screaming and stamping as Cedric stood. The rest of Hogwarts was also cheering and clapping, but not as loud as Hufflepuff. The applause went on for way longer after the boy had passed into the chamber.

"Excellent." Dumbledore said happily, once everyone had quieted. "Well, now we 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-" and then he stopped talking.

The goblet had turned red once more, and sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot into the air, and Dumbledore caught the parchment, cleared his throat and said with a grave look on his face.

"Harry Potter."