Classes were over for the day. By now, everybody was in the Great Hall, enjoying the feast. The Goblet of Fire had since been moved from the entrance hall. It stood in front of Headmaster Dumbledore's empty chair at the High Table.

The atmosphere changed when the plates and goblets became clean. Before any student could speak up, Headmaster Dumbledore stood. All eyes were on him.

"I believe the goblet is nearly ready to make its decision," he said. "Before we start, I will say this...When the champions' names are called, I ask that they come to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber"—he indicated the door behind the High Table—"where they will receive their first instructions."

When he used his wand to make a sweeping motion with it, all the candles except for the ones inside pumpkins went out. The blue-white flames of the goblet now shone brightly.

Some students jumped when the flames turned red. Sparks flew, and a tongue of flame shot up into the air. Many gasped when a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it.

Headmaster Dumbledore caught it, holding it at arm's length. He read by the goblet's flames that had returned to blue-white.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "is Inasa Yoarashi."

Students and staff clapped for Inasa as he left the Slytherin table. The tanned young man was tall and well built. He had buzzed, dark brown hair and black eyes. He waved at everybody as he approached the High Table.

Katsuki knew he was hyperactive, bursting with energy. He was loud most of the time, but he was surprisingly polite and spoke formally.

"Bravo, Inasa!" Professor Karkaroff boomed.

When Inasa disappeared from the Hall, the clapping died down. Everybody returned their attention to the goblet.

"Any second now..." Izuku whispered.

It turned red, and a second piece of parchment shot out of it. Headmaster Dumbledore caught it, and read the ink. "The champion for Beauxbatons is Camie Utsushimi!"

Nearly all of the boys in the Hall clapped, some even whistled, as she rose from the Ravenclaw table. The young woman had a curvaceous figure and plump, glossy lips. Her straight fawn-brown hair parted down the middle and reached just below her shoulders. Her large eyes were dark brown.

Katsuki had encountered her once since her school arrived. She was laid back and talkative, using slang that confused nearly everybody. Overall, she couldn't help how bubbly she was.

Instead of watching Camie head for the High Table, crimson eyes remained on the other Beauxbatons students. Disappointed didn't cover the way they handled not being chosen. Three of the girls sobbed into their hands.

When Camie joined Inasa in the side chamber, silence fell over the Hall. The air was charged with anticipation. When the goblet turned red and spat out the last piece of parchment, everybody held their breath. Katsuki straightened his spine as Headmaster Dumbledore caught it.

"The Hogwarts champion"—his eyes scanned the Gryffindor table—"is Katsuki Bakugo!"

Katsuki stood as the Gryffindor table erupted with applause and shouts, drowning out the uproar from the Slytherin table.

From where he sat, Toshinori Yagi perked up with interest. It didn't go unnoticed by Katsuki as he strode up to the High Table.

"Go, Katsuki!" Eijiro cheered.

As he passed the staff table, Toshinori made eye contact with him and grinned. Professor Aizawa merely inclined his head at Katsuki. Crimson eyes looked forward as he left the Great Hall. The smaller room had paintings of witches and wizards. Opposite of him was a lit fireplace.

Inasa and Camie stood in front of the fire.

Katsuki stood before them. "Make no mistake about it. I'm gonna take first place."

The three champions were joined by the six judges. "Congratulations," Mr. Crouch said. "Represent your schools well during the monumental times ahead of you."

Mr. Bagman stepped forward to address the three. "No time like the present, yes? The first task is designed to test your daring. However, we won't reveal what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard."

Katsuki flexed his hands. The fact he was alive today proved he could face anything.

"The first task will take place on the twenty-third of November. The judges here and other students will watch." Mr. Bagman looked at Mr. Crouch. "Ah, care to tell them the rest? I didn't mean to get ahead of myself there."

Mr. Crouch looked at each champion before speaking. "Champions aren't permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete any of the three tasks. And speaking of the tasks, the first task will allow you to be armed only with your wands. Once the first task is over, you will receive information about the second task.

"Due to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests."

Mr. Crouch turned to look at Headmaster Dumbledore. "I believe that's all."

Everybody was dismissed, but before Katsuki could leave, Mr. Yagi approached him.

"Young Bakugo," he breathed.

Katsuki merely stared at him. Did it matter that this wasn't their first meeting?

"You've grown," Mr. Yagi commented.

"That happens with time," Katsuki said.

A small smile curved his lips. "I'm glad."

Katsuki could read between the lines. He played it cool, though. "Tch, I'm older and healthy. Did you expect something else?"

"I hoped nothing but the best for you and your future."

Katsuki's chest tightened. For the longest time, he blamed himself for Mr. Yagi's retirement. It took him ages to accept reality. "Well, you don't look so bad yourself."

That got a laugh at out of Mr. Yagi. "I suppose so. I'm still on my toes, though."

"Good."

"Ah, I suppose a congratulations from me is in order for your past accomplishment. Just recently, I noticed your name was added to a certain register."

Katsuki knew exactly what he meant.

An Animagus was a witch or wizard who could, at will, transform into an animal and back again. Unlike the hereditary skill of a Metamorphmagus, it was a learned skill. Professor McGonagall could transform into a cat, and first mentioned Animagi during Katsuki's third year. Under her guidance, it only took two years for him to become a registered Animagus. She had him swear to keep it a secret from the other students. As if he'd tell any of the extras his skill.

The Ministry of Magic kept tabs on Animagi. A register showed what animal they became, listing their markings as well. Some of the Hogwarts staff, like Professor Aizawa and Headmaster Dumbledore, knew about Katsuki.

"Yeah," Katsuki grunted.

Just from the look on his face and excitement in his eyes, he knew Mr. Yagi wanted to see. With ease, Katsuki transformed. He got lower to the ground, fur replacing skin and clothes. He now looked like a golden version of Luna with crimson eyes.

Mr. Yagi smiled softly. "A cat won't attract much attention."

Katsuki meowed in agreement and changed back. "Better than a lion in that case."

"Young Bakugo, you've come so far already."

"And I'm not done yet," he said.

"I suppose it's time I let you go. I'm sure your House is waiting to congratulate you. I won't keep you any longer."

They headed for the door. "I look forward to seeing your skills in the tournament," Mr. Yagi said earnestly.

"Better hold on to your cloak," Katsuki said.

The two discovered somebody waited for them in the empty Great Hall. Professor Aizawa stood upright, no longer leaning against the High Table. "Talk about a reunion," he mused.

Mr. Yagi's expression softened. "The times are better now."

"And they're gonna get better with the Triwizard Tournament," Katsuki said.

Professor Aizawa looked at Katsuki. "Congratulations on being chosen as a champion. I'm not surprised, though."

"Nor am I," Mr. Yagi admitted.

"All of Slytherin was," Katsuki joked.

"Show them all why you were chosen," Professor Aizawa said.

Katsuki curled his fingers into fists. "Oh, I bloody will."

xXx

When the Fat Lady's portrait swung forward, the blast of noise made Katsuki take a step back. He didn't have a chance to enter the common room on his own because hands grabbed him, pulling him inside. Gryffindor students all clapped, shouted, and whistled.

"Bloody well done, Katsuki!" Eijiro cheered.

"Did you use a spell to make sure the goblet picked you?" Hanta questioned.

"Tch, I told you all from the start I was gonna get chosen," Katsuki said.

"If it had to be someone in Gryffindor, it makes sense that it was Kacchan!" Izuku said, handing Katsuki a butterbeer.

Mina found a Gryffindor banner and draped it around Katsuki like a cloak. "Three cheers for Katsuki!"

"Cheer when I've fucking won the tournament, you bloody extras!" he shouted over everybody.

Ochako raised her butterbeer. "To Katsuki winning the Triwizard Tournament!"

Okay, he could drink to that. He clinked their bottles together and took a swig.

xXx

A/N: I'm pretending Inasa and Camie go to different schools in this au!