Book #1: Loving You Is A Losing Game (Remastered)

The bell chimed signaling the time of the chosen champions had come. Everyone had gathered themselves back to the Great Hall waiting for Dumbledore to approach the goblet of fire. 

Nervous sweat clouded the two soulmates, their hearts raced at a fast pace together in harmony but for different reasons. One was out of fear and the other was for excitement.

From the distance, sitting on one of the benches, Tom observes the back of Aurora's figure. He knew that she was the only one from her school to write her name into the fire. Knew that there is nothing he can do to stop what was going to come. 

'It's my fault.' 

Anger swelled inside him as the devil on his shoulder whispered harshly at him.

'Idiot you let this happen!!'

Aurora can feel the heated gaze from behind but she ignores him. Allowing her focus to be targeted on the squeezing group hand from her friends. They whisper in encouragement telling her that she can do it, she can win, and she needs to believe in her abilities.

Aurora knew that the path before her was only going to get dangerous.

Clenching the key still hidden underneath her shirt with her free hand, she mentally says a prayer to the heavens above, to her parents that she knows are watching over her.

"The time has come for the three chosen champions to be selected!"

Albus' words carried strongly through the room.

Olivia closes her eyes now her center of attention was on the rapid beating of her heart that she can feel in her chest.

'This is it, no turning back now.'

"As you all know, one student from each school will participate to represent their school, and whoever wins first place, wins the Triwizard cup."

One of the Ministry officials pulls the cover on an object, to reveal the glamour blue trophy sitting ever so magically on the pedestal. Aurora was eyeing it. To determine to get her hands on it.

On the other side of the room, Tom was glaring at the object in hate knowing that his other half is going to want to win the competition no matter what to get it. This means she is going to have to be a bit more reckless than usual. The blue fire flicker signaling that the first champion is being chosen. A piece of paper flies out from the flame which is caught by Dumbledore.

"The first champion from Durmstrang, Agnar Mykle!!"

Cheers roared from that school as a boy with light-dark skin, tall broad posture, and buzz-cut hair smiled as his companions rooted and patted him on the back. He approached Dumbledore shaking his hand with confidence, taking the paper that has his name, and walked to the room where all the champions needed to go to be told of the rules.

The blue fire flickers again.

Tom's heart stops beating for a moment.

'Please no...'

Another parchment rises from the flames.

Grabbing the paper gently and turning it around Dumbledore announces the next champion, "Second champion from Hogwarts, Caleb Bradham."

Cheers blare throughout the room with different mixes of hollers and yells from the Hogwarts students.

A pale boy with blond hair rose from his seat. His uniform was the color blue indicating that he was from the house with the raven insignia. Aurora really does need to gain information on this school and its houses. Caleb was tall as well but he was leaner with slight muscles not as broad as the other competitor. Just like the previous boy, he made his way to his Headmaster, taking his parchment and shaking his hand proudly. Once he exists out of the room, the goblet of fire reacted again signaling the last competitor.

Tom's heart sunk down to his stomach in agony.

Breathing was becoming difficult for Olivia who felt like the world was spinning even though she maintained her stoic expression.

'Not her please..'

'Choose someone else...'

But it was all helpless anyways.

There were no prayers that could stop the next step.

Not when fate made it so that it all happens.

Everything happens for a reason.

The blue fire from the goblet rises uncontrollably.

As if it was being tampered with.

Dumbledore backs away, covering his face from the flame.

Gasps in awe and worry came from everyone.

Until there finally a parchment rises from the flames.

Its blue flames still burn the edges of the paper.

Dumbledore flinches, touching the paper and blowing at it so he may announce the next champion.

Everyone grows still.

Aurora exhales slowly and there she feels tension, feels a presence behind her, someone was watching her. She could have sworn she felt a hand gently squeezing her right shoulder, but looking in that direction there was no one there.

"Last champion from Beauxbaton, Aurora Belmont!"

Cheers and shoves of joy from her groups are what make her snap out of her trace. Rising from her spot she makes her way down the path in between tables.

Everyone's eyes were watching.

Some were in disbelief while others were disgusted.

Envy was coursing through their veins due to her beauty. 

Being part veela was a gift, but it's as well a curse to be enhanced in the sexual appeal of others. Aurora knew that was why many of the boys or men always eyed her from where ever she goes. She knew that ever since her appearance when she was ten years old.

How powerful it felt to be though, the center of attention. 

Even if it was all negative thoughts everyone had.

Finally, in front of Dumbledore, she smiles sweetly. Taking the piece of paper in her hands and followed down the same path her two competitors journeyed to.

Before entering the room, she turns around meeting the gaze of worried brown eyes. Even though she knows that she shouldn't. That it can cause them more harm than good. 

She gives him a true soft smile and a wave seeing how his eyes widen and just as quickly soften in her gaze.

Seeing the sudden change in his expression her heart fluttered painfully and she turns around allowing the doors to close behind her.

Walking down the long steps and stairs, there the other two champions were looking at the countless trophy won. They all gave each other a nod of acknowledgment and turned to look at the herd of footsteps heading to them. Their personal Headmasters were in the front, followed by the members of the Ministry.

The leader of the Ministry, Leonard Spencer-Moon approached them with a smile. He stood firm and tall. The energy he gave was of order and respect. There was a hint of mischief in his dark brown eyes, his eyes looked like he knew the secrets of everyone around him.

And maybe he did.

"Congratulations, young champions for being chosen!!" His voice was rich and deadly sweet.

"The first competition will begin next few weeks. As you all must know, no cheating is allowed at all in these games. You will enter with only your wits, knowledge, and bravery to survive through it..."

Aurora's palm began to sweat, but the adrenaline of excitement gave her the thrill of wanting to start the first task already.

"Although, that doesn't mean we will let you die," the minister continues, placing his hand to his chest, "I swear to you as the Prime Minister we will jump in to protect you all no matter the cost if neither of you can continue any further."

"Thank you, sir." The boy named Agnar responded. The other two followed expressing gratitude soon after.

"Now," Albus spoke giving them a smile, "You will receive word when the time or if something happens to please, in the meanwhile do get yourself prepared and well-rested. May Merlin be your side and don't forget, have fun!"

All of the champions got a pat on the shoulder and smiles of encouragement.

Each of the three champions follows their own Headmaster back to their own chambers. Silence of worried course between Olivia and Aurora. But they were different from each other. Aurora felt bad for last night's conversation. It was the first time they argued against each other. The first time she had ever spoken to her in that tone.

A part of her did feel disappointed in herself, but she knew that she couldn't back down and run away. Doing so will only bring her heartache, but so did this tension between them. She didn't like how far apart they are from each other despite being right next to each other. She sighs, swallowing down her nerves as she says,

"I'm sorry-"

"I'm sorry-"

 It appeared that Olivia had the same thought as her since they both said the same thing together and in doing so helped settle down the tension allowing them to chuckle and amuse by their similar thinking. Aurora decides to apologize first, feeling that it's only fair.

"I'm sorry, for how I spoke to you last time. It's just -" she sighs her shoulder lowers in defeat, "ever since we came here. I thought things were going to be easy, you know. But having the soulmate bond be muted again..." a single tear fell and her voice cracks, "...it hurts...it hurts more than the time I did it in the vault." She clenches the key and the front of her shirt as she tries to hold herself together.

They stopped walking now they were inside the empty dormitory main room where every student hangs out in. Olivia's eyes soften in sympathy as she reaches out grabbing onto the younger ones' form. Tightly pressing her closer to her own. "It's alright, my cygnet. I should be the one to apologize for not supporting your decisions and making it appear that I don't have faith in your abilities. I hope you may be able to forgive me?"

"Of course I do," Aurora responds through her tears hugging back tightly as she cries onto her godmother's outfit. Olivia shushes away the small hiccups of whimper pain that come from her goddaughter and just as she had once done when she was a child all those years ago.

She sang a piece of the lullaby.