hese days I and Draco have been stuck like glue,just as he promise.Moreover,I had told both Snape and McGonagall about my suspicions and plan,so they would help me with my alibi.At least...I hope it works...
Fast forward to the day when we find out the champions,I stay between Draco and Viktor and we chat lightly,-being too nervous and anxious-.

Me:I know you will be chosen,Viktor.You have the greatest potential anyways.You will be a champion.
Viktor:*small smile*Zhank yoo,Raven.
---
Dumbledore:And the champion from Durmstrang...will be Viktor Krum!

Everyone started cheering and applauding,Karkaroff was booming with pride,I and Draco patted him on his back and congratulated him with proud smiles on our faces.

Dumbledore:The champion from Beauxbatons...will be Fleur Delacour!

She was definitely excited,but many others were disappointed.Especially her house rivals,who started sobbing pitifully.

Me:*sighs*Such pity...
Draco:*snickers*Crybabies.
Me:If I hadn't known better,I thought you were talking about me~
Draco:Never will I dare speak ill of you,milady.
Me:Prince Charming.

...
Dumbledore:And the Hogwarts champion...will be Cedric Diggory!

Everyone,especially the Hufflepuffs,started cheering loudly for him,as he disappeared in the secret room.

Me:Better him than any Gryffindor.
Draco:Tell me about it...

Dumbledore: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 -

But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him.

The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it were two other piece of parchment.

Me:Great Salazar,I beg if you,don't make it be my name there!Please!

He was holding my hands,trying to reassure and soothe me,but I was far too spazzic to think.I was too scared to calm down.I knew what was about to happen.My doom was awaiting me.

Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchments. He held them out and stared at the names written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slips in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out -

"Harry Potter and Raven Black."

My jaw dropped and I could feel my eyes starting to water,as I was trembling and whimpering.A nightmare come true...

There was no applause. A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Harry as he sat, frozen, in his seat,and I,looking like a scared deer.

Up at the top table, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape had got to their feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward them, frowning slightly.

Me:Wh-why...Draco...why me...who did this....

At the top table, Professor Dumbledore had straightened up and nodded to the two Professors.

Dumbledore:Harry Potter!Raven Black!Harry,Raven! Up here, if you please!

Draco gave me a reassuring smile,telling me that Snape will solve this misunderstanding,and urged me to go through this Walk of Shame,to the headmaster.

On my feet,standing between the wall and the Slytherin table,I started walking what felt like an eternity. The buzzing grew louder and louder. After what seemed like an hour,I was right in front of Dumbledore, feeling the stares of all the teachers upon my shaking,pitiful figure.

Dumbledore:Well...through the door,you two.

Staring at Severus with pleading puffy eyes,I hold Harry's hand gingerly and we go through the door out of the Great Hall,in a smaller room, lined with paintings of witches and wizards. A handsome fire was roaring in the fireplace opposite of us.

Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, and Fleur Delacour were grouped around the fire. They looked strangely impressive, silhouetted against the flames. Krum, hunched-up and brooding, was leaning against the mantelpiece, slightly apart from the other two. Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the fire.
Viktor looked at me with concern showing in his eyes,as I hugged him,in my moments of despair and weakness,repeating again and again that I didn't want this to happen.
Fleur Delacour looked around when Harry walked in and threw back her sheet of long, silvery hair.

Fleur:Vhat is it?Do zey want us back in ze Hall?

She thought he had come to deliver a message.

There was a sound of scurrying feet behind him, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took Harry by the arm and led him forward.

Ludo:Extraordinary!Absolutely extraordinary!May I introduce - incredible though it may seem - the fourth Triwizard champion?And the fifth,huddled with Mr.Krum over there?

Viktor Krum straightened up. His surly face darkened as he surveyed Harry. Cedric looked nonplussed. He looked from Bagman to Harry and back again as though sure he must have misheard what Bagman had said. They didn't even look at me,however,as I was still trembling.
Fleur Delacour, however, tossed her hair, smiling, and said, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."

Ludo:Joke?No, no, not at all! Harry's and Raven's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!

Krum's thick eyebrows contracted slightly. Cedric was still looking politely bewildered. Fleur frowned.

Fleur:But evidently zair 'as been a mistake.E cannot compete. Zhey are too young.
Me:Listen to her,Ludo!I won't have anything to do with this!I'm NOT going to participate!You can't make me!
Ludo:Well...it is amazing.But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as their names' came out of the goblet...I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage....It's down in the rules, you're obliged...They will just have to do the best they-
Me:NO!I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!

The door behind US opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape. The buzzing of the hundreds of students could be heard on the other side of the wall, before Professor McGonagall closed the door
I ran to Snape and held his hands,shaking them frantically as I was trying to speak coherently and explain the situation.

Fleur:Madame Maxime!Zey are saying zat zees little boy and girl are to compete also!

Madame Maxime had drawn herself up to her full, and considerable, height. The top of her handsome head brushed the candle-filled chandelier, and her gigantic black-satin bosom swelled.

Madame Maxime:What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?
Karkaroff:I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore.Three Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed three champions - or have I not read the rules carefully enough?

He gave a short and nasty laugh.

Maxime:C'est impossible!'Ogwarts cannot 'ave three champions. It is most injust.
Me:Exactly!Listen to her
Karkaroff:We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore.Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools.

"It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff," said Snape softly as he put a hand on my head to calm me down.His black eyes were alight with malice. "Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here -"

"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore firmly, and Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair.

Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him, trying to discern the expression of the eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.

"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly.

"No," said Harry. He was very aware of everybody watching him closely. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.

Dumbledore:Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?

"No," said Harry vehemently.

Maxime:Ah, but of course 'e is lying!
McGonagall:He could not have crossed the Age Line.I am sure we are all agreed on that -
Maxime:Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line.
Dumbledore:It is possible, of course.
McGonagall:Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him.Neither him nor her,for the matter. I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!

She shot a very angry look at Professor Snape.

Karkaroff:Mr. Crouch...Mr. Bagman... you are our - er - objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular.
Crouch:We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament.
Ludo:Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front.
Karkaroff:I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students.You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has three champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore.
Ludo:But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that.The Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament-
Karkaroff:in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!
-?-:Empty threat, Karkaroff.You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?

Moody had just entered the room. He limped toward the fire, and with every right step he took, there was a loud clunk.

Karkaroff:Convenient?I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody.
Moody:Don't you?It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put their names in that goblet knowing zhey'd have to compete if it came out.
Maxime:Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts three bites at ze apple!
Karkaroff:I quite agree, Madame Maxime.I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -
Moody:If anyone's got reason to complain, it's them,but...funny thing...I don't hear him saying a word...her though..
Fleur:Why should zhey complain?Zhey 'ave ze chance to compete, 'avn't zhey? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for!
Moody:Maybe someone's hoping they are going to die for it.

Ludo:Moody, old man...what a thing to say!
me:But it's as he says!I've seen this happening in one of my visions!We tried to make the vision not come true,but it didn't work...
Karkaroff:We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime.Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons.And you,girl?Yet another "Seer"?
Moody:Imagining things, am I?Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that goblet...
Maxime:Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?

Moody:Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament....I'm guessing they submitted Potter's and Black's names under a fourth and fifth school, to make sure they were the only ones in their category....

Karkaroff:You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody,and a very ingenious theory it is - though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously...

Moody:There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage.It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff - as you ought to remember...
Dumbledore:Alastor!How this situation arose, we do not know.It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Cedric,Raven and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do....
Maxime:Ah, but Dumbly-dorr -

Dumbledore:My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it.

Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared. She wasn't the only one either. Snape looked furious; Karkaroff livid; Bagman, however, looked rather excited.

Dumbledore:Well, shall we crack on, then?Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?
Barty:Yes...Yes...the first task...The first task is designed to test your daring...so we are not going to be telling you what it is.
Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard...very important....The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges.
The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands.
They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests.
I think that's all, is it, Albus?
Dumbledore:I think so.Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?
Dumbledore:No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry.It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment....I've left young Weatherby in charge....Very enthusiastic...a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told...
Dumbledore:You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?
Ludo:Come on, Barry, I'm staying!It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!
Barty:I think not, Ludo.
Dumbledore:Professor Karkaroff - Madame Maxime - a nightcap?

But Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her swiftly out of the room. They talking very fast in French as they went off into the Great Hall. Karkaroff beckoned to Krum, and they, too, exited, though in silence.

Dumbledore:Harry, Cedric, I suggest you go up to bedI am sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise.Raven,may I have a word with you?
me:O-of course...

Just as he said that,Harry and Cedric had left to their common rooms.I,though,remained there,having the professors' eyes peering on me.

me:S-so...uhm...is there any chance...that I may be excused from competing?
Snape:Not likely.
Me:*sigh*Thought so...But...like...The visions...the staging of my name being put in the Goblet...Headmaster...why did you do that?I am quite sure that Harry could have been able to keep himself out of fatal trouble.So why...me as well...
Dumbledore:I believe you know the answer already,Miss Black.
me:Feared as much...
Snape:Dumbledore,just because she's my best student,doesn't mean you can use her for your everyday espionage mission.You know bloody well he is trying to recruit her.You're putting her directly in harm's way.
me:Well...The prophecy cannot be avoided...I shall do as I am commanded and shall succeed in my tasks,no matter the costs.
McGonagall:But,Dumbledore,the risks...think about it!We cannot endanger the life of a student!
me:It cannot be helped.I am the only one that can do it.Sacrifices must be made in order to achieve peace.However...Peace through war can never be achieved.But what does it matter,for I will not be remembered,but at least my sacrifice might benefit others...not that I cared,in the least...

As I said that,I made my leave and went to mine own Common Room.There,on the sofa in front of the fireplace,a worried Draco sat,munching on a Liqourice Wand and reading the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,looking very cozy in his black sleeping wear and a emerald green bathrobe.

me:I was not aware that this book existed in the Wizarding World as well.It is quite on of my favourites.How do you find it?
Draco:It's high time you arrived,Black.Might I say,for the love of this pointless conversation,it is one of my favourites as well,re-reading it.
me:That's wonderful,but a book discussion is never pointless.
Draco:It is,when there are other matters,far more important,to discuss.Quite like your absence.Care to explain?
me:I suppose you could say that...our plan worked.It's great playing on both sides,isn't it?Beneficial.Such a win-win situation.
Draco:I am glad this worked,but I must enquire about the purpose of this folly.
me:Not a folly,but a very well-prepared scheme.As I told you before,Voldemort will rise at the end of this year.And since someone used Potter's name for the Goblet,for sacrificial purposes,then it's clear I must somehow save his ass.
The prophecy states clearly "either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives".
So if Potter dies,Voldemort will take our freedom permanently,which will cause permanent damage.That's why I must make sure he is safe.On the other hand,Dumbledore too...I won't be his sacrificial experiment,as Potter is.Playing the innocent card with everyone puts me in a great light,you know?
Draco:*smirks*As expected of such a brilliant Slytherin like you.And I expect my second part in this is to make sure you won't be seen the same as Potter,correct?
me:Precisely.As much as I love mocking others,I couldn't possibly take it myself.And since I must focus on the tasks and fooling both sides of the war.
Draco:Consider it done,milday.
me:*smirk*I knew I could count on you,my lord.
Draco:Any suggestions?
me:Make sure he knows he's hated by most people.And that I am in a graceful light.He must stay in despair and know the struggle.
Draco:Potter stinks.
me:Make badges with that slogan,and you're my hero.
Draco:Your wish is my command~

With that,I smirked and kissed his cheek,going to my dormitory,preparing my plans to conquer the fame that I deserve.My Slytheirn Pride.

~~~~~~

The next day,contrary to what I believed,and opposite to how Harry was being treated,the members of my own House acted in a very protective way and made the Ravenclaws join our side in cheering.Also,Draco managed to make the Hufflepuffs think that Harry was stealing Cedric's fame and that I was a victim of this whole ordeal,since wherever Harry's name appears,I'm always dragged as well.On the subject of influence and manipulation,Draco is top.
It was clear that the rest of the school, just like the Gryffindors, thought Harry had entered himself for the tournament. Unlike the Gryffindors, however,nobody seemed impressed.

The Hufflepuffs, who were usually on excellent terms with the Gryffindors, had turned remarkably cold toward the whole lot of them. One Herbology lesson was enough to demonstrate this. It was plain that the Hufflepuffs felt that Harry had stolen their champion's glory; a feeling exacerbated, perhaps, by the fact that Hufflepuff House very rarely got any glory, and that Cedric was one of the few who had ever given them any, having beaten Gryffindor once at Quidditch. Even Professor Sprout seemed distant with him - but then, she was Head of Hufflepuff House.Not that I care,as long as I am not affected.

And now we have Care of Magical Creatures which meant seeing the Gryffindors too.So exciting~

Draco:Ah, look, boys, it's the champion!Got your autograph books? Better get a signature now, because I doubt he's going to be around much longer....Half the Triwizard champions have died...how long d'you reckon you're going to last, Potter? Ten minutes into the first task's my bet.

Crabbe and Goyle guffawed sycophantically, but Draco had to stop there, because Hagrid emerged from the back of his cabin balancing a teetering tower of crates, each containing a very large Blast-Ended Skrewt.

Draco:Take this thing for a walk?And where exactly are we supposed to fix the leash? Around the sting, the blasting end, or the sucker?
Hagrid:Roun' the middle.Er - yeh might want ter put on yer dragon-hide gloves, jus' as an extra precaution, like. Harry - you come here an' help me with this big one....
me:It's okay,Draco,this is easy.I will do it.

The class was widely scattered now, and all in great difficulty. The skrewts were now over three feet long, and extremely powerful. No longer shell-less and colorless, they had developed a kind of thick, grayish, shiny armor. They looked like a cross between giant scorpions and elongated crabs- but still without recognizable heads or eyes. They had become immensely strong and very hard to control.

me:So,tell me.What did you do to attract everyone on our side?
Draco:Easy,princess.Slytherins were always ours,to begin with.Ravenclaws always preferred us too,since we know how to appreciate hard-work and greatness.And the Hufflepuffs?Some boosting of Diggory,flattery,deprecating of Potter and saying how scared and vulnerable you are,because of him,and that's it.Simple.
me:Teach me,master~
Draco:Don't worry,Black.I'm sure you can actually do it,if you bothered.And if you would stop delegating.
me:*chuckles*Yeah...not likely.

Now though,we have Double Potions was always a great experience, but these days it was nothing short of perfect. Being shut in a dungeon for an hour and a half with Snape and the Slytherins, all of whom seemed determined to help me and punish Harry as much as possible for daring to become school champion, was about the most pleasant thing I could imagine.

When he and Hermione arrived at Snape's dungeon after lunch, they found the Slytherins waiting outside, each and every one of them wearing a large badge on the front of his or her robes. They all bore the same message, in luminous red letters that burnt brightly in the dimly lit underground passage:

SUPPORT CEDRIC DIGGORY-
THE REAL HOGWARTS CHAMPION!
"Like them, Potter?" said Draco loudly as Harry approached. "And this isn't all they do - look!"

He pressed his badge into his chest, and the message upon it vanished, to be replaced by another one,which glowed blue.
SUPPORT RAVEN BLACK-
THE PEACEFUL CHAMPION!

Pansy:We're lucky to have Raven compete for us as well,right?At least she didn't WANT to steal all the fame!She tried to convince the professors and the minister that she shouldn't compete and talk the rules out of them,but alas,she was destined to be a champion.All the best for us.You,on the other hand,Potter...

With that,Draco pressed the badge again and it glowed green:
POTTER STINKS!
The Slytherins howled with laughter. Each of them pressed their badges too, until the message POTTER STINKS was shining brightly all around Harry.

"Oh very funny," Hermione said sarcastically to Pansy Parkinson and her gang of Slytherin girls, who were laughing harder than anyone, "really witty."
"Want one, Granger?" said Malfoy, holding out a badge to Hermione. "I've got loads. But don't touch my hand, now. I've just washed it, you see; don't want a Mudblood sliming it up."
I gasped and nudged Draco in his ribs,telling him softly not to insult my friend,but he just smiled charmingly.
He had reached for his wand before he'd thought what he was doing. People all around them scrambled out of the way, backing down the corridor.Just as he did that,I got my wand out of my sleeve,went in front of Draco,and looked warningly at Harry.

me:Don't start a fight,Harry.
Hermione:Harry!
Draco:Go on, then, Potter.Moody's not here to look after you now - do it, if you've got the guts
Harry:Funnunculus!
me:Protego!
Draco:Densaugeo!

Jets of light shot from our wands, hit each other in midair, and ricocheted off at angles - Harry's hit Goyle in the face, and Draco's hit Hermione. Goyle bellowed and put his hands to his nose, where great ugly boils were springing up - Hermione, whimpering in panic, was clutching her mouth.

"Hermione!"

Ron had hurried forward to see what was wrong with her; Harry turned and saw Ron dragging Hermione's hand away from her face. It wasn't a pretty sight. Hermione's front teeth - already larger than average - were now growing at an alarming rate; she was looking more and more like a beaver as her teeth elongated, past her bottom lip, toward her chin - panic-stricken, she felt them and let out a terrified cry.I also went to her and since her teeth were still growing,I used the Finite Incantatem counter-spell on her,so they'd stop.However,she must go to the medic...

"And what is all this noise about?" said a soft, deadly voice.

Snape had arrived. The Slytherins clamored to give their explanations; Snape pointed a long yellow finger at me and said, "Explain."

me:Harry attacked us, sir -
Harry:We attacked each other at the same time!
Draco:- and he hit Goyle - look -

Snape examined Goyle, whose face now resembled something that would have been at home in a book on poisonous fungi.

Snape:Hospital wing, Goyle.
Ron:Malfoy got Hermione!Look!

He forced Hermione to show Snape her teeth - she was doing her best to hide them with her hands, though this was difficult as they had now grown down past her collar. Pansy Parkinson and the other Slytherin girls were doubled up with silent giggles, pointing at Hermione from behind Snape's back.

Snape looked coldly at Hermione, then said, "I see no difference."

Hermione let out a whimper; her eyes filled with tears, she turned on her heel and ran, ran all the way up the corridor and out of sight.
It was lucky, perhaps, that both Harry and Ron started shouting at Snape at the same time; lucky their voices echoed so much in the stone corridor, for in the confused din, it was impossible for him to hear exactly what they were calling him. He got the gist, however.

Snape:Let's see.Fifty points from Gryffindor and a detention each for Potter and Weasley. Now get inside, or it'll be a week's worth of detentions.

Going in the room,Draco and I sat down,as he turned his back on Snape and pressed his badge, smirking. POTTER STINKS flashed once more across the room.

Snape:Antidotes!You should all have prepared your recipes now. I want you to brew them carefully, and then, we will be selecting someone on whom to test one...

And then a knock on the dungeon door was heard.It was Colin Creevey; he edged into the room, beaming at Harry, and walked up to Snape's desk at the front of the room.

Snape:Yes?
Colin:Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter and Raven Black upstairs.
Snape:Potter and Black have another hour of Potions to complete.They will come upstairs when this class is finished.
Colin:Sir - sir, Mr. Bagman wants them...All the champions have got to go, I think they want to take photographs...
Snape:Very well, very well.Potter,Black, leave your things here, I want you back down here later to test your antidote.
Colin:Please, sir - he's got to take his things with him.All the champions...
Snape:Very well!Take your bag and get out of my sight!

I looked at Draco as I bit my lip to stop a smirk,passed him a vial with the antidote,and went to Snape to give him the other vial and left with a nod.Seer luck~
Harry swung his bag over his shoulder, got up, and headed for the door. As he walked through the Slytherin desks, POTTER STINKS flashed at him from every direction.

Colin:It's amazing, isn't it, Harry?Isn't it, though? You being champion?
Harry:Yeah, really amazing.What do they want photos for, Colin?
Colin:The Daily Prophet, I think!
me:W-wait...what?!Th-The Daily Prophet?!
Harry:What,don't tell me your Seer visions didn't tell you this much.
me:Of course I knew about the photo session...B-But..THE Daily Prophet?
Harry:*sighs*Just great...Exactly what I need. More publicity.
Colin:Good luck!

We were in a fairly small classroom; most of the desks had been pushed away to the back of the room, leaving a large space in the middle; three of them, however, had been placed end-to-end in front of the blackboard and covered with a long length of velvet. Six chairs had been set behind the velvet-covered desks, and Ludo Bagman was sitting in one of them, talking to a blonde witch who was wearing magenta robes.

Viktor Krum was standing moodily in a corner as usual and not talking to anybody. Cedric and Fleur were in conversation. Fleur kept throwing back her head so that her long silvery hair caught the light. A paunchy man, holding a large black camera that was smoking slightly, was watching Fleur out of the corner of his eye.
Bagman suddenly spotted Harry, got up quickly, and bounded forward.

Ludo:Ah, here they are! Champions number four and five! In you come, Raven,Harry, in you come...nothing to worry about, it's just the wand weighing ceremony, the rest of the judges will be here in a moment -
Harry:Wand weighing?
Ludo:We have to check that your wands are fully functional, no problems, you know, as they're your most important tools in the tasks ahead.The expert's upstairs now with Dumbledore. And then there's going to be a little photo shoot. This is Rita Skeeter.She's doing a small piece on the tournament for the Daily Prophet....
Rita:Maybe not that small, Ludo.

Her hair was set in elaborate and curiously rigid curls that contrasted oddly with her heavy-jawed face. She wore jeweled spectacles. The thick fingers clutching her crocodile-skin handbag ended in two-inch nails, painted crimson.

Rita:I wonder if I could have a little word with Raven before we start?The youngest champion?You know...to add a bit of color?
Ludo:Certainly!That is - if Raven has no objection?
me:Actually,Harry is younger than me.So if you'd be interested,I think he'd be a rather suitable subject of interest.
Harry:W-ait,wha--?
Rita:Lovely!Then so it shall be~We don't want to be in there with all that noise.Let's see...ah, yes, this is nice and cozy.

I started chatting with Viktor,with little difficulties regarding the language barrier,when suddenly we were startled by a loud aggravated shout from Harry and Dumbledore who came to his rescue.

Rita:Dumbledore!How are you?I hope you saw my piece over the summer about the International Confederation of Wizards' Conference?
Dumbledore:Enchantingly nasty.I particularly enjoyed your description of me as an obsolete dingbat.
Rita:I was just making the point that some of your ideas are a little old-fashioned, Dumbledore, and that many wizards in the street -
Rita:I will be delighted to hear the reasoning behind the rudeness, Rita,but I'm afraid we will have to discuss the matter later. The Weighing of the Wands is about to start, and it cannot take place if one of our champions is hidden in a broom cupboard.

He sat down quickly next to Cedric, hooking up at the velvet-covered table, where four of the five judges were now sitting - Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Mr. Crouch, and Ludo Bagman. Rita Skeeter settled herself down in a corner;as she slipped the parchment out of her bag again, spread it on her knee, suck the end of the Quick-Quotes Quill, and place it once more on the parchment.

Dumbledore:May I introduce Mr. Ollivander?He will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the tournament.
Ollivander:Mademoiselle Delacour, could we have you first, please?

Fleur Delacour swept over to Mr. Ollivander and handed him her wand.

Ollivander:Hmm...Yes,nine and a half inches...inflexible...rosewood...and containing...dear me...
Fleur:An 'air from ze 'ead of a veela.One of my grandmuzzer's.
Ollivander:Yes...yes, I've never used veela hair myself, of course. I find it makes for rather temperamental wands...however, to each his own, and if this suits you...Orchideous!and a bunch of flowers burst from the wand tip.Very well, very well, it's in fine working order.Mrs Black,if you please.

I got up from my sit and smiled at Fleur,as she went past me,smiling,and gave the wand to Ollivander.

Ollivander:Oh yes,one of my very best creations,I remember it very well.Thestral tail-hair,with Phoenix feather...ash wood...15".Quite the special one,just like Mr.Potter's.I see it's well taken care of,polished and clean regularly,impeccable state.Let's see...

me:May I?
Ollivander:*smiles*Yes,please!

I took the wand from his hand,and just as I have when I first received this wand,I I waved it around gracefully,and a warm dark shadow started blowing around me,glowing blue petals floating around the wind,and a black rose,with blood petal ends appeared in my hair,just as before.

Ollivander:Yes,perfect,perfect!Quite nostalgic,if I dare say.Mr. Diggory, you next.

I glided back to my seat, smiling at Cedric as I passed him.

Ollivander:Ah, now, this is one of mine as well, isn't it?Yes, I remember it well. Containing a single hair from the tail of a particularly fine male unicorn...must have been seventeen hands; nearly gored me with his horn after I plucked his tail. Twelve and a quarter inches...ash...pleasantly springy. It's in fine condition...You treat it regularly?
Cedric:*smiles*Polished it last night.

Mr. Ollivander sent a stream of silver smoke rings across the room from the tip of Cedric's wand, pronounced himself satisfied, and then said,

Ollivander:Mr. Krum, if you please.Hmm.this is a Gregorovitch creation, unless I'm much mistaken? A fine wand-maker, though the styling is never quite what I...however...Yes...hornbeam and dragon heartstring?Rather thicker than one usually sees...quite rigid...ten and a quarter inches...Avis!

The hornbeam wand let off a blast hike a gun, and a number of small, twittering birds flew out of the end and through the open window into the watery sunlight.

Ollivander:Good.Which leaves...Mr. Potter.Aaaah, yes.Yes, yes, yes. How well I remember.

Mr. Ollivander spent much longer examining Harry's wand than anyone else's. Eventually, however, he made a fountain of wine shoot out of it, and handed it back to Harry, announcing that it was still in perfect condition.

Dumbledore:Thank you all.You may go back to your lessons now - or perhaps it would be quicker just to go down to dinner, as they are about to end -
Ludo:Photos, Dumbledore, photos!All the judges and champions, what do you think, Rita?
Rita:Er - yes, let's do those first.And then perhaps some individual shots.

The photographs took a long time. Madame Maxime cast everyone else into shadow wherever she stood, and the photographer couldn't stand far enough back to get her into the frame; eventually she had to sit while everyone else stood around her. Karkaroff kept twirling his goatee around his finger to give it an extra curl; Krum,skulked, half-hidden, at the back of the group. The photographer seemed keenest to get Fleur and I at the front, but Rita Skeeter kept hurrying forward and dragging Harry into greater prominence. Then she insisted on separate shots of all the champions. At last, we were free to go.Thankfully...

Just as I went to dinner,I was greeted by a very excited Pansy,and a smirking Draco.

Pansy:How did the photo-shoot go?I bet you eclipsed everyone with your grace and beauty!
me:W-well...I don't know about that.Fleur had the best chance to do so.I mean...Look at her!She's gorgeous!
Draco:Her beauty pales in comparison to yours,Raven.Especially since you don't need Veela genes to charm and seduce anybody.
me:D-Draco,come on...Don't say such things...
Pansy:But he's right,Raven!Come on,you must be starving after such a busy day.
me:Yeah...you're right...

I sat down and started eating,feeling quite well after such an entertaining day-apart from when Hermione's teeth started growing- and then Emma and Jessie spotted m and sat in front of me,smirking mischievously.

me:Of course you can.Buddy~Emma:So?Did you manage to steal the spotlight?
me:Quite a bit,I believe.
Jessie:Well no wonder,with the unnatural colour of your eyes...Did you plan for it?
me:Wait,what?!
Draco:Your eyes are pink.Again.
me:N-no way..!
Draco:*smirks*Was it something I said?
Jessie:Must be it!
me:G-guys...s-stop embarrassing me!
Emma:But you're cute when you're embarrassed.
Draco:Back off,Perks.Only I'm allowed to say such things to her.
me:Stop that please!
Pansy:Leave her alone,she's a blushing mess...
Jessie:Say,Pug-face,since when do you like Raven so much?
Pansy:*looks away akwardly*I...well...realized that...I do not own Draco...and...that I should stop being so condescending...because it's just as you said.Our house is the most hated,and if we don't stick together...then we will fall.
Emma:You can't just expect to-
me:I'm glad I could help,Pansy.Friends?
Pansy:Can I really be friends with you?

She squeaked gleefully at me,much to the others rolling their eyes at her behaviour,and she sat next to me,engaging in a light conversation.
This shall be interesting...And the first task...Salazar Save Me...