A loud rumble erupted through the ground. Cheers filled the air. My head jolted up to see a pastel blue coach pulled by twelve Abraxan Flying horses. Just a few seconds later, the crowds' attention was turned to an enormous ship that arose out of the water. Another burst of cheers came from the students. I scowled. Durmstrang, I hated them. They don't approve of mud-bloods, which is so typical of them to say. Yet they come to our school to sit at our table, the Slytherin's table. The table that has (oh who would've guessed?) Mud bloods.

The Headmaster stood up to the podium. "Silence!" I turned to face the headmaster. "Yes, yes. Hogwarts has been chosen yet again to host this legendary event. The one and only Triwizard Tournament is upon us." A tournament. The Tournament. One where I can prove that I'm not just some stupid, lowly half-blood. "For those of you whom do not know," He continued, "the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools which compete in a series of magical challenges. There are a few Champions chosen to represent their school. However, this is a great risk to take, there are consequences to the ones who are not skilled enough." His gaze shifted towards the students, eyeing each and every one of us. "Yes, many consequences. But more of that later. Now, please join us, the lovely ladies of The Beauxbaton Academy of Magic and their headmistress!" A group of graceful woman entered into the hall, all having their charming features. At the end of the line was their headmistress, with two girls by her side doing flips and pirouettes. They curtsied again, blue paper birds circling the room. They have class, unlike Durmstrang. I clapped along with the others. After the headmistress took a seat, the headmaster continued, "Please welcome the sound sons of Durmstrang Academy, and their proud headmaster!" Thump! Thump! Thump! I turned my head to catch a glance of the students. They ran ahead to the headmaster's podium. No one clapped, everyone had fear plastered on their faces. See? Less class. They took a seat at our table. I stayed stiff as they shoved into our seats. Two girls took the seats next to me. I tilted my head, a habit I've always had. 

"Hi," one of them whispered to me. "I'm Kate. Kate Sky. You?"

 I leaned in, "Eleanor Sensibous. And don't constantly talk to me I don't have any intentions of making new friends. " 

"Hi Ellen!" She chirped. I couldn't help but stare at her hair, which was bright purple.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "It's Eleanor."

"Oh, sorry."

The other girl leaned back into the aisle. Her hair fell into her lap, which was a long ways from her head, and had eyes that made her look like a cat. "Hello. My name is Catherine Aires. I don't care who you are and you don't care who I am. Understood?

I nodded. Now this is the type of girl I like. 

"The prize is nothing like any other," the Headmaster continued, "Eternal glory, yes, indeed very valuable." He paused. "The Triwizard Cup!" A cloth flew off, uncovering a shimmering cup that lit up in the sun's light. 

My mind went frenzy. It was beautiful, so much glory just at its sight. I wanted in. Now. 

A scream came from the other end of the room. I saw a glimpse of a girl, who quickly covered her mouth. 

He continued by unveiling another cup, I instantly knew what it was. The Goblet of Fire. You write your name and school on a piece of parchment to enter. Legend says that  Fred and George Weasley attempted to bypass the Age Line by using an Ageing Potion but were repulsed by the Age Line and grew long white beards.

"Students have until the beginning of the Hallowe'en Feast the following day to enter your names. Good luck to you all!"

I froze. This was my chance. 

The feast continued, but with more chattering about the Tournament and rumors of who was going to enter. Helen Hoang was a rumored one. I knew just by the first time I talked to her that we were alike. We looked the same, talked the same. She was the most pessimistic person I had ever met. I asked her how she was doing the first day we met, and her response was that she was never fine because of Defense Against The Dark Arts was stressing her out and that one day some bad guy is going to ruin magic. I, of course, kept my mouth shut and just nodded. Her remark was reasonable.

I sighed as I made my way back to the Slytherin Common Room. The though of joining was still lingering in my head. I knew it was a huge risk, but the rewards were endless. After all, dying was something everyone would have to do. 

The school was abuzz with rumors and speculation over who would enter the Tournament. So far, all of the Durmstrang delegation entered, and so, presumably, did all the Beauxbatons students. As soon as I entered the dining hall, I saw the two girls that sat next to me slip their names into the fire. I scowled. My turn. The Hall was completely packed to the rim with eager students. I had to weave my way to get to the Goblet of Fire. I felt someone watching me.

"So, you gonna enter?"

Scarliz Silverwing, of course. She was smiling, as usual. Her hair was light blonde, and her eyes, well, they aren't one solid color. Currently, her eyes where a bright yellowish-brown. Happy. She had entered. 

I shrugged, but I knew my answer. My fingers tightened around the scroll that held my name. "How does it feel?" 

Her eyes changed to bright yellow with a hint blue. "Good, well, kinda scary. But overall pretty good."

"Are you scared?"

"Ha, no."

"Really?" Wrong. Bad thing to say. 

Her eyes flickered to red. "No. I. Am. Not. Scared."

I clutched the scroll. "Okay, well-"

"I'm not scared, okay?"

I nodded.

"Good." Scarliz turned towards the exit and marched away.

I sighed. The Goblet was free now. No one was surrounding it. 

The light blinded me for a second, but then faded away. I stared at the blue essence swirling above it, so majestic. My heart stopped for a split second, this was the biggest risk in my life. It's optional, you know? You don't have to do it. I shook my head, shoving all of my other thoughts away. No, it's not. I want to take on any challenge there is. I will not die, I can do this. I raised the paper to meet the edge of the cup. Before even thinking again, I let go. The essence sucked in my paper and spit out some remaining particles. Claps arose behind me. 

I stepped back and admired the cup one last time before turning away. 

I let out a breath of air. That was it. I'm going to die. My life is over. I'm done. It's over. Why? Why? Why? 

That night was the Hallowe'en Feast. Arrays of special foods and delicious goodies covered the tables. Everyone was in a good mood except for me, I couldn't stop chattering. The Headmaster tapped his wine glass and the conversations died down. "Thank you, everyone. It is time to choose the champions for each school." He slowly walked towards the Goblet of Fire, which was stirring faster than usual. The Headmaster paused beside it, "Remember, If chosen, you stand alone." The crowd nodded out of order; heads were bobbing up and down. He let out a long breath and nodded. A name spit out. Everyone gasped as he slowly picked it up and unfold it. The Headmaster's eyes scanned the paper, "Stephanie Mississipi Jackson of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" A cheer erupted in my table, she was a Slytherin. I looked at the direction all heads were turned to, that was her. Typical blondie, with blue eyes. Another slip fell to the ground. The Headmaster leaned down and picked it up, reading it in his actions. "Skyler Threat of Beauxbaton Academy of Magic!" More cheers, more applause. This repeated, over and over again. "Aria Columbine Amore of Beauxbaton Academy of Magic! Helen Hoang of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Kate Sky of Durmstrang Institute! Catherine Aires of Durmstrang Institute!" Catherine and Kate. Those were the two girls who sat next to me. "Scarliz Silverwing of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" Scarliz. "And finally, Eleanor Sensibous of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Congratulations to the Champions!" Everyone burst into screams of delight yet a hint of fright was hidden inside the laughs. Friends hoisted others up into the air chanting names of some champions. It was all a flash. I had no one beside me, though. I was friendless, which I never minded until now. Just then I wished I had someone there to catch me when I fell. 

"Champions, please proceed."