The Four Champions

October 1994

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

It was the night of the selection of the champions. Harry was seating at one end of the Gryffindor table and was enjoying the feast.

The previous day head been extremely exciting for the students of Hogwarts. Everyone was buzzing from excitement wondering who could be the Hogwarts champion.

The list of students who had put their name in the goblet was definitely not small.

Cedric Diggory was among the most talked student. He was the one of the best students of Hogwarts. He was also the seeker for the Hufflepuff and the person who had defeated Harry in catching the snitch the previous year. He was also the current head boy of Hogwarts.

Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor chaser was also among the list of students to put their name in the goblet.

Neither was the list small of students who were younger than 17 years and had tried to bypass the age line and failed. Most iconic among the Weasley twins.

The age line evicted them with white beards almost equal in size to the beard of Dumbledore growing on their face.

Though not as excited as the whole of Hogwarts, Harry was also in a bit of anticipation and eagerness to see how the Triwizard tournament would unfold.

He also felt quite relieved by the fact that, for first time in 4 years, he would be away from all the limelight and he can continue his simple life. The tournament would keep Dumbledore busy and away from interfering in his life.

He would have all the time he needed to build back the alliance and try to work out a solution to Sirius's problem.

The feast was over and the time for the announcement of the champion was approaching. Every student was checking the time continuously.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "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" — he indicated the door behind the staff table — "where they will be receiving their first instructions."

Dumbledore took out his wand and with a sweeping motion from it, most of the candles in the Great Hall extinguished, plunging them all in semidarkness.

The flames inside the Goblet seemed to shine more brightly in the darkness. Everyone waited eagerly for the announcement.

The flames inside the Goblet suddenly turned red. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it — the whole room gasped.

Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

There was a big round of applause inside the hall. Ron shot to his feet, cheering loudly as if he himself was selected.

Victor Krum was almost expressionless. He nodded to his headmaster and walked towards the staff table and then inside the room as instructed by Dumbledore.

Karkaroff also boomed loudly, cheering for his students.

The clapping gradually died down and everyone's attention was again focused on the Goblet.

The flame inside the Goblet turned red again and another piece of parchment flew out of it.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour."

The same girl who had asked Ron for the French dish previous night and whom Harry had recognised as a half veela was the one to respond.

The face of the remaining student from Beauxbatons turned into that of disappointment, though disappointment was an understatement as two girls had started to sob.

When Fleur Delacour too had vanished into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion next . . .

And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion," he called, "is Cedric Diggory!"

The whole of Hogwarts erupted into cheers and without any doubt the cheer was the loudest from Hufflepuff table.

Dumbledore began his little speech about cheering for the three champions when he was interrupted mid way.

The fire in the goblet turned red again and another piece of parchment flew from the goblet which Dumbledore caught instinctively.

Dumbledore stared at the parchment and all the students stared at Dumbledore. It was a long pause of silence from Dumbledore. He then cleared his throat and read the name on the parchment, "Harry Potter."

The entire hall was plunged into pin drop silence. Everyone was staring at him.

Harry was stunned. He was in daze. He was shocked beyond belief. It took some moment for him to understand what was happening. And when he did understand, anger and rage took over him.

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore called again. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

Harry stood on his feet with clenched fist and gritted teeth. At this moment, Harry lost control over all his magic and a suffocating feeling started to spread around with Harry as centre.

Students sitting close to Harry subconsciously felt fear and tried to shift as far as away from him. They could vividly recall the memory of what Harry had done to the 4 students.

"I did not put my name into," declared Harry. His voice carrying all the anger and aggression he was feeling.

"Well . . . through the door, Harry," said Dumbledore. He completely ignored what Harry said.

Harry took control over his emotions and let out a sigh. He then walked towards the staff table and then inside the room.

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