Goblet Of Fire
It’s year four.
Dumbledore has reclaimed his position as Headmaster and there is a peacock strutting around the hallways, the school dog on its back. The students are not surprised to learn that the dog needed an emotional support animal.
(Multiple students have complained of having feral dog-ridden nightmares.)
He seems less rabid this year.
Everyone knows that Moody is secretly a Death Eater in disguise, Draco having been mailed a warning from his father. He in fact, did not keep the cat in the bag.
They’re all politely ignoring it, not telling the teachers, simply seeing how far they can take it.
On the very first day of defense class when Barty took to the stands, Harry Potter presented himself as overeager to learn about the Unforgivables. He played the role of teachers pet, quickly gaining his favor and being allowed to participate.
Needless to say, it was a disaster.
Harry invited Hedwig on in, and killed her repeatedly. Now, while the teacher did say to use the Killing Curse, no part of him expected the golden Boy-Who-Lived to go for it, especially with such a gleeful expression on his face.
Harry and his posse put on a show. Having gotten his entire class onboard beforehand, both the Slytherins and Gryffindors shoot out killing curses left and right.
Barty is speechless.
But who wouldn’t take advantage of the chance to use the killing curse with no repercussions?
They stand around her in one big circle. Each word is overlapped with another, the air filled with endless “Avada Kedavras.”
It’s like an out-of-tune choir.
Everyone tries their best to knock down the invincible bird, each student eager to end Hedwig.
Testing theories, students try to hit her from different angles, running around the classroom and tripping the other students. Some were knocked back by the spell they were trying to cast. Others’ wands slipped from their hands. Their voices grew louder, because maybe if you screamed it, it would work better?
Everything is just a blur of green flashes. The teacher is unable to contain the scene.
Neville aims for Barty.
Each class continues with a similar pattern, Barty debating if his lord is really worth it.
——
Kreacher has become an elf of Hogwarts. They took away his rag.
Mistress would cry if she could see him now.
——
The Goblet.
Hedwig and Harry are feeling mischievous.
——
Snape can’t help but feel weary.
Dumbledore is waiting with bated breath, unable to contain his patience.
Hedwig is able to pass through the line.
——
On the day of the ceremony, each school has a single champion. Snape can feel his stomach unclench.
Just when the teachers breathe again, the Goblet smokes. Dumbledore’s spine shivers, hands clasping together.
He reaches his out his hand to pick up the extra paper that should not have been spit out.
“Harry Potter, School of Dobby?”
The hall quiets. Another paper is spit out.
“Draco Malfoy, Drakon Nursery.”
A gust of papers appear.
“Ron Weasley, Can’t Afford School School. Hermione Granger, Harvard. Neville Longbottom, Crack Brewers.”
They keep appearing.
“Pansy Parkinson, School of Snobs. Crabbe Goyle, Nonexistent. …Dennis… Creevy..?”
Harry Potter and Hedwig have entered over two-hundred people into the competition. Everyone Harry has ever had an issue with? Entered. Pissed him off? Entered.
“Sirius Black??”
“Severus Snape?”
“The Minister!?”
Dumbledore leans closer to Snape, a public outburst going on. His eyes pause on the words “Tom Riddle.”
“I think we might need more dragons.”