Victory

Dinner was quick on Friday for both the students and the teachers. Everyone was severely on edge, even the people who hadn't entered their names seemed to be caught up in the, severely soured, school spirit. Throughout the week several students had been bad-mouthing each other in the hallways, causing an increase in students being sent to Madam Pomfrey.

The moment Dumbledore rose from his chair, the entire Great Hall fell silent. The doors opened and Professor McGonagall brought in the Goblet of Fire, placing it right in front of Dumbledore.

"The Goblet will choose four names," Dumbledore said. "Four names of four worthy champions. If your name is called, please stand up and walk to the Goblet."

Dumbledore swished his wand, and the fires in the room responded. One by one they slowly started dimming, until nothing in the room seemed to shine as brightly as the goblet in front of him.

As though it had been listening to Dumbledore talk, the fire only grew larger. The people at the front of the room moved backwards a little bit, until finally, when Beth thought her heart was going to burst out of her chest, one blue paper shot out.

"The Ravenclaw champion is," Though Beth could momentarily relax, the Ravenclaw table held its breath. "Cephas Hackett!"

Mixed reactions came from the Ravenclaw table. Some seemed upset that they weren't the Ravenclaw champion, while others thought him to be a worthy choice. Cephas got up from his table and moved to stand in front of the goblet. He was a seventh year with bright white hair and a rather lanky posture. He seemed incredibly happy to be chosen, even smiling and waving at the people watching him.

"Bit confident isn't he?" Celia whispered to Beth.

"He ended top of his year last year." A boy chimed in next to her. "Top O.W.L scores too, no doubt."

The fire lit up again. This time, a red paper came shooting out of it. Dumbledore caught it midair.

Was that a small smirk on his face? Beth thought it was. "Our Gryffindor champion is none other than Sirius Black." He revealed.

His friends seemed to think it was terribly funny, while Sirius just looked like he had been struck by lightning. James Potter had grabbed his shoulders and was cheering loudly, quickly accompanied by their fellow Gryffindors. Beth had to hand it to them, if there was ever a house to take a personal loss in stride, it seemed to be that one.

"Bloody hell." Someone said, a few seats away from Beth. It had been Regulus Black, Sirius' younger brother. Undoubtedly this would earn his older brother some favour points with the parents.

Sirius also made his way to the goblet, though it took a few pushes from his friends, and took place next to Cephas. Cephas immediately sized Sirius up, who was only in his fourth year and a whole lot smaller than Cephas. Sirius did not seem that impressed by Cephas though.

A yellow paper came flying out next. "Ah," Dumbledore said, as every single Hufflepuff breathlessly leaned in. "Our Hufflepuff Champion, Kaeley Frye."

All the Hufflepuffs started clapping. Beth had at least heard of Sirius Black and Cephas Hackett, she had never heard of Kaeley Frye. When she rose up from the Hufflepuff table, it became obvious why she hadn't heard of her before.

Kaeley was in her second year, and even though she was rather tall, she did not seem too sure about herself. She smiled a bit, but like most first and second years she must not have realized that she could be fighting against someone in their seventh year. Her hair was dark brown and curly, bouncing along as she practically skipped over to the goblet.

The final paper shot out, flying higher than any other had done. "And finally, our Slytherin champion," The paper slowly landed in Dumbledore's outstretched hand. Beth's ears were ringing, she wasn't sure if she would be able to hear him announce the name. She thought of the disappointment if it wasn't her, and of the fear that it would be her.

"Elisabeth Batley."

It seemed like every head at the table snapped towards Beth. None of them looked very happy. She was the one that had gotten in their way of eternal glory for their family. And she was only a third year.

Beth stood up from her seat and walked to the front with numb legs. She could not register one face she passed, or even the sounds she heard. Were they clapping for her as they had done for the other houses? She could not tell. She had been chosen. She was worthy. The fake Slytherin.

She seemed to blink and was suddenly in front of the headmaster. The room was quiet again, or maybe it had stayed quiet the entire time. Beth folded her hands in front of her, hoping that they would at least not visibly be shaking. what if she was just now chosen as a worthy champion, only to throw up in front of the entire school immediately after?

"Four champions stand before me," Dumbledore said, smiling towards each of them. "Four bright wizards and witches, each with talents and dreams." he paused, looking directly at Beth. "But, only one can win."

No, Beth was sure she wouldn't throw up. Fainting seemed much more probable.

"The first task will be on Halloween." He continued. "Tonight, six clues will be hidden in the castle. Without at least one, you cannot hope to win the first challenge. Should any of the students, not the champions, find it, then you are allowed to share the clue with your favourite champion."

He wished them a good night's rest and returned to the teacher's table. It seemed like it only took a few seconds for James Potter, closely followed by Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin to stand next to Sirius, hugging him and cheering.

"Knew you'd be the one." James said, hitting his friend on the back. Sirius himself seemed rather quiet, much like the other champions. They were all still very much in shock that they had been chosen. Beth glanced towards Sirius, and found him looking back at her. She had never even spoken to him before, but they had something in common. Both were pure bloods, both only entered because of their parents.

"Beth!" before Beth could even look up Celia already had her arms wrapped around her best friend. Luckily Beth quickly regained her balance and did not fall, though she had come rather close. "Tomorrow, we'll-"

"Champions," Dumbledore addressed them. "Though this is a competition, I would advise you against cheating. You are allowed to share the information, you are allowed to seek help from anyone who is willing to give it to you. However, you may not cause harm to each other in any way, shape or form. I expect good sportsmanship from you all. Good night."

"Well there goes that plan." James said as Dumbledore had turned his back and walked away. He looked particularly at Beth, the Gryffindor-Slytherin hatred was deeply embedded in all of them.

Cephas sulked away. Kaeley was pulled away by her friend, leaving only Sirius and Beth. Beth had been told to hate the Gryffindors by, well by everyone who was in Slytherin. However the sorting hat's words always came to mind: "A Gryffindor through and through."

She should have been placed in Gryffindor, but she had 'a role to play'. Maybe it was referring to this tournament? Perhaps it wanted Slytherin to win?

"Good luck." She eventually said to Sirius, unsure of what else to say.

He gave no reply and walked away.