Chapter 3
Chapter 3 – Reactions
Gryffindor
While the teachers and the Champions were in the antechamber, the Gryffindor students were having a House-wide discussion/ debate in their Common Room.
“I’m telling you, there is no way Aurelia could’ve put her name in the Goblet! It is completely impossible.” Hermione insisted from where she was sitting on one of the tables.
“Then how’d her name get in there?” Cormac McLaggen, a fifth- year, demanded arrogantly. “She is incredibly powerful, especially after her second year. She could’ve gotten past the Age Line.”
There were a few scattered nods and comprehending looks from some of them.
“Tell me, Cormac, where was Aurelia since dinner last night?” Ginny demanded, in a low tone that had her brothers looking for places to hide, as she stood up and faced the rest of the House.
The students that were ready to accuse Aurelia of cheating suddenly deflated as they realized what the furious red-head was saying.
“She was in the Infirmary, surrounded by wards so we don’t hear her pain-filled screams like we did last year.” Colin pipped up helpfully, when no one responded to the question, reminding everyone what the girl they were accusing was going through.
“Exactly! And ever since we learned about this Tournament at the beginning of the year, Aurelia has been saying that she was looking forward to a quiet year without the possibility of a psychopath trying to kill her! Aurelia is probably scared out of her wits right now trying to figure out who put her name in the bloody thing, along with still being in incredible pain. Or have you forgotten that it is still All Hallows Eve?” Hermione put in, looking just as dangerous.
At the question, everyone shuffled their feet and hung their heads in shame. They remembered just how much pain Aurelia was in on this day the year before, and the horror they all felt at hearing her screams.
“And let me get one thing clear to all of you.” Ginny said, looking at each of them with a terrifying look of her face. “The stress of tonight hasn’t helped at all. If I get wind of even one of you giving her grief about her name in the Goblet, I will Bat-Bogey you so badly, your descendants will still be feeling it long after you’re all dead and gone.”
Silence fell as Ginny finished her threat.
“You’re right Ginny.” Angelina said, “We had all gone to visit her at different times today. We all saw just how weak she was, and in how much pain. She didn’t even bother trying to say that she was fine whenever anyone asked her during dinner. And we all know that she’s the kind of person that will say she’s fine even if she’s missing a limb and bleeding profusely.”
“I think it’s best if we don’t mention it unless she brings it up, aside from telling her that we stand by her side.” Katie Bell, another sixth-year, added. “And besides, remember how wrong we were the last time we didn’t believe her when she was being accused of something? She’s going to need us to stand by her side, especially if everyone else doesn’t.”
With that, they effectively wrapped up the discussion, and turned to speculating what the tasks were going to be and how they could help Aurelia.
Several hours later, Professor McGonagall came in to informed everyone that Aurelia was staying in the Infirmary and send them to bed. Before turning in, Angelina spoke up, her voice halting those that had already begun making their way to the dormitories.
“Professor, please tell Aurelia that we are on her side, and that we will do whatever we can to help her.”
McGonagall smiled and said, “Twenty points to Gryffindor for standing by a House-mates’ side when they need it the most.”
“Professor?” Ron asked, a worried tone in his voice.
“Yes, Mr. Weasley.”
“Is there any way for Aurelia to get out of this Tournament?” he asked, making the everyone stop and look between their Head of House and their House-mate.
“I’m sorry Mr. Weasley.” McGonagall replied sadly, “The Goblet binds the Champions with a magically binding oath. To break it in any way would result in either death or the loss of one’s magic.”
“But if Aurelia were to lose her magic, it would kill her!” Hermione exclaimed, her worry rapidly escalating to panic.
The resident bookworm’s exclamation open the floodgates to a hoard of questions and cries of worry and fear. Ginny whistled, getting their attention.
“Hermione, what do you mean that Aurelia would die if she lost her magic?” Ginny asked, turning to her friend as there were nods all around them.
“As a Star, Aurelia is a completely magical being.” Hermione began, “And she’s incredibly powerful. Especially after her battle with the Basilisk when all the powers and abilities of her bloodline were activated.”
“Oh, my god.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“This is crazy.”
The sounds of shock and horror were echoed throughout the Common Room.
“Are you saying that if she were to back out,” Fred started, horror on his face.
“Aurelia will die either way?” George finished, his face a mirror of his twin’s.
The same expression was on the faces of every other person in the Room.
“That is precisely what Miss. Granger is saying Mr. Weasley.” McGonagall said curtly, though they could all see the pain in the older woman's eyes at the thought. “However, Miss. Potter-Black is going to compete, as there is no way out. She is currently resting in the Infirmary and you may see her tomorrow. Now, off to bed please, all of you.”
With a few grumbles and yawns, her lions did as asked and made their way up to their dormitory rooms. With a small smile, she turned and left the Common Room, going back to the Infirmary where she stayed the night. She was proud of her lions for the loyalty and friendship they showed to her beloved niece.
Hufflepuff
When Cedric returned to his Common Room after leaving the antechamber, he was met with a mix of cheers and questions. Smiling and accepting the congratulations, he went to the middle of the Room and stood on one of the tables, waiting for everyone to calm down so that he could explain what had happened.
Slowly, the noise went down as they all took seats around him.
“So, what happened?” Zacharias Smith, a fourth-year, asked. “What is Dumbledore doing about Potter-Black putting her name in the Goblet?”
“She didn’t put her name in the Goblet, nor did she ask anyone to do it for her!” Cedric said with a frown.
At his statement, everyone erupted in whispers, some shouting about the unfairness among other things.
“She’s been in the Infirmary the entire day, behind wards. How could she have told anyone? And you all saw her at dinner. She was barely shining because of the amount of pain she was in. And you all know how terrible she is at lying.” Cedric snapped angrily, silencing everyone. “Some of us went to see her today in the Infirmary, remember how weak she was? She was barely able to breathe. Tell me how she could’ve possibly told anyone to put her name in the Goblet or do it herself.”
There was no reply from the now silent Common Room as they stared at the one person who had the right to be upset and angry, yet was defending the person who had essentially stolen his spotlight. It was to this silence that Madam Sprout entered the Common Room.
Seeing his Head of House, Cedric turned to her and asked, “How is Aurelia doing, Professor? She was incredibly weak and tired while we were in the antechamber after the selections. Not to mention terrified at the prospect of having to compete.”
This question, combined with the pure worry for his friend on his face and in his voice, took the elderly woman by surprise. She had honestly believed that he would be upset over not being the only Hogwarts Champion, regardless of his friendship with the young Star.
“Miss. Potter-Black is resting in the Infirmary.” She replied, looking at her student with pride. Regardless of her thoughts, Cedric showed true Hufflepuff spirit - loyalty to a friend above all else.
Magic School
When Wyatt entered the classroom, his parents taking their time so the teens could have a chance to bee teenagers without adult supervision, that was being used by them for their celebration, he was met with a flurry of questions from all his schoolmates, making it impossible to understand who was saying what. Unable to understand, he simply walked towards one of the tables that lined the walls and hopped on top, waiting for everyone to get the questions out of their systems before he could begin replying.
Once the noise level went down, he spoke.
“I know everyone has questions, but I want to get one thing straight.” The young king looked at each of his school-mates in the eye, letting some of his magic shine through the blue orbs. “Aurelia Potter-Black did not put her name in the Goblet of Fire.”
Before he could go any further to justify his declaration, he was interrupted by his brother.
“We know that Wy.” Chris waved his hand dismissively. “We aren’t that clueless, not to mention we have enough Empaths here who were able to feel her emotions throughout dinner and when her name was called. She had been in pain and when her name was called she was terrified, barely able to make her way to the antechamber. What we want to know is, is there any way for her to get out of it? Or at least for her to get help during the Tournament, at least to even up the playing field because of how young she is?”
Wyatt nodded his understanding of what his brother was saying. The younger white-lighter was right. There were enough Empaths in their group, not to mention those that weren’t, were able to read emotions well enough for them to decipher the truth of the situation.
“There isn’t a way for her to get out of it.” Wyatt told his group regretfully. Before they could voice their displeasure at the statement, he continued, “I found out that she’s a Star. With the Tournament being magically binding, even if there was a way for her to be removed from the Tournament without taking part, she would lose her magic.”
This statement received a flurry of horror-filled cries. Even though Wiccans used their surroundings for their spells and as the focus for their magic, and they were able to bind their magic if needed, they were still taught what could happen if they lost their magic due to a magically binding contract. For a purely magical being like a Star to lose their magic would mean a fate worse than death; the Star would die, but their spirit would be trapped on Earth, unable to reach the Heavens and unable to shine for all time.
“What about a way to level the playing field?” Oliver Martins, a brown haired hazel eyed teen asked. At his question, the students turned to look at him with open mouths. The shocked reaction was due to the fact that he never was one to particularly care about those outside of his circle of friends, or his school mates in this case. There was also the fact that he hadn’t been very keen on the idea of coming all the way to England for ‘a stupid Tournament’ as he had put it when the announcement had been made. “Come on. Just because I don’t particularly care about being here, doesn’t mean I’m completely heartless.” He said defensively when he saw the looks aimed at him. “I saw her shock and fear when her name came up. And I noticed the pain she was in yesterday.”
“Fair point.” Wyatt commented before turning to everyone. “I don’t really know if there is a way to even things out. I’m sure her House-mates will help her, even if the rest of the school doesn’t. Other than that, there isn’t much we can do.”
“Wyatt is right.” A voice came from the door, making the students jump. They turned to see Mrs. Piper at the door followed by Mr. Leo. The couple came in, standing by their eldest son, within touching distance but not going for the customary ‘embarrass my kid in front of his classmates’ that they usually go for, knowing this was not the time for it. “As much as I would like to kick Karkaroff in the ass-.”
“Piper!” Leo cried out.
“There is really nothing we can do,” Piper continued, ignoring her husband’s scandalized look. She was well aware of the fact that his reaction was from her swearing in front of the teens rather than the fact that she was essentially bad-mouthing a fellow teacher.
“What did Karkaroff do that pissed you off Mom?” Melinda asked from her perch on one of the desks so she could see what was going on. She was still only 13-years-old and hadn’t quite hit her growth spurt yet.
“Nothing in particular.” Piper admitted. “He just rubs me the wrong way. Regardless, I want all of you on your best behavior.” She looked at all the students with a stern eye. “I know you all believe that Miss. Potter-Black didn’t put her name in the Goblet and I am very proud of you for forming your own opinions. However, that doesn’t mean you will be allowed to pick fights with those that do not believe her. It is entirely likely that there will be those who don’t believe her and will try to make life difficult for her, because let’s face it, this is high school.” Piper paused for a moment before adding, “Sort of.”
Her comment received a scattering of laughs, breaking the tension that had been building. Without even realizing it, the American students all quietly decided that when they get the chance, they were going to tell Aurelia that they believed that she didn’t put her name in the Goblet.
“Mom do you know how she’s doing?” Wyatt asked his mother, turning to her.
“No sweetie, I don’t.” she replied sadly. “All I know is that she’ll be spending the night in the Hospital Wing.” She squeezed his shoulder, knowing just how hard it was for her son to let go when he saw people in pain.
“Mom, Wyatt, what do you mean?” Melinda asked, confusion marring her face, along with a hint of worry.
“Aurelia.” Leo replied, looking at his daughter knowing the students were listening. “She had been incredibly exhausted by the time we adjourned, and had to be carried out of the antechamber by her father. They didn’t seem worried, in the sense that they weren’t panicking, but she is going to be staying in the Hospital Wing like your mother said.” He turned to the whole group. “There isn’t much we can do about it right now. If you want to celebrate, than by all means, go ahead but curfew is 1 am. Those that aren’t interested in partying, Piper and I are headed to our Tower. You can spend the night with us so you wouldn’t be disrupting those that have already fallen asleep in your selected dormitories. Those that are staying, Piper and I will wait for you to let you in, so 1 am. Please return to the Tower in time.”
The students looked around at each other, many were already yawning as the excitement and panic slowly faded, leaving behind the jet lag from the 8 – 9 hour time difference.
“I think we’re all ready to just sleep Leo.” Olivia Martins, a brown haired hazel eyed girl – Oliver’s twin sister, said with a small yawn.
“All right.” Piper said with a smile. Wyatt moved to put his back to his sister, who need no encouragement to jump on. Wyatt tightened his grip on his sisters’ thighs to keep her from falling as she buried her head in the crook of his neck. As a group, they left the classroom and made their way to the Tower where Piper and Leo would be staying for the duration of their visit, along with the occasional student or their kids.
It was a quiet trek to the designated Tower and within moments of entering and getting their bedding ready, the students were all fast asleep in various places around the large room that was supposed to be the Towers Sitting/ Family Room that had been turned into sleeping quarters for the large group of teens. With a shake of their heads, Piper and Leo left the teens to sleep and went to their own room, following the kids into sleep moments later.