The next day, at the Hallowe'en feast that evening, it was announced that the champions from each school would be selected. Daphne forced you to sit next to Draco, and you told her you would only do so if she sat next to Cedric. You let her borrow a cute yellow turtleneck and a matching plaid skirt.

In turn, Daphne gave you one of her outfits, a regular green blouse, which she made you tuck in, and a tight black miniskirt. You weren't exactly comfortable with the miniskirt, but she said it was a part of the deal, so you had to deal with it.

So here you were, sitting next to Draco, constantly pulling your skirt down, as you awaited the choosing of the Champions. You and Draco had your heads turned opposite each other, not making eye contact. Draco turns your way. "So, have you done the Potions assignment yet?" He asks. You turn to face him. "Yeah, I did. Do you need any help on it?"

Draco cracks a smile. "Yeah, actually." You raise your eyebrows. "The boy who's been here longer than me doesn't know how to complete a simple Potions assignment?" You ask, a little shocked. Draco shrugs. "What can I say? I lose all logic whenever I'm with you." He says softly. Damn, that was smooth. You bite your bottom lip, trying not to become flustered.

You clear your throat and make eye contact with him again. "The assignment is to explore antidotes, so which antidotes have you gone over so far?" You ask, pulling down your skirt once more. "Well, I've discovered that murtlap essence will cure most minor cuts and abrasions. Pepperup potion will cure the common cold or flu, and the obvious one, Skele-Gro. Phoenix tears and bezoar will heal most fatal ailments and poisons. I believe that's all." He finishes. 

You nod. "Okay, you've got a few to go, but that's good progress." You comment as Dumbledore steps to the front of the room. He waves his hand over the crowd and the small fires that provided lighting dimmed. Dumbledore steps toward the goblet of fire and places both of his hands on it. He leaves them there for a second before removing them and standing back. The blue fire turns red and it spits out a small piece of paper.

Dumbledore catches it as it floats down. "The Durmstrang Champion is," he glances down at the paper in his hand. "Viktor Krum!" The young men from Durmstrang cheer and congratuate Viktor. He stands and shakes Dumbledore's hand, who then directs him to the side. The fire glows a pink hue and a name flies out, written on a small, blue circular paper.

"The Champion for Beauxbatons," he starts, turning the paper over. "Is Fleur Delacour!" The girls clap and cheer as Fleur makes her way up. She shakes Dumbledore's hand and he leads her to stand next to Viktor. The next name flies out of the goblet. "The Hogwarts Champion is," he pauses, and you glance over at the Hufflepuffs, who are all huddled together. "Cedric Diggory!" Their table erupts in loud cheers and applause and you watch as he hugs Daphne and walks up to the front. Daphne makes eye contact with you and you could tell she was silently screaming. Dumbledore shakes his hand and pats his shoulder as he goes to stand with the rest of the Champions.

Dumbledore turns, facing the students. "Excellent! We now have our three Champions. But in the end, only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions. This vessel of victory. The Triwizard Cup!" He finishes dramatically, turning and pointing to the other side of the room as a cloth is removed, revealing a majestic, glowing, blue and silver trophy. You notice Professor Snape looking at something behind you. You turn to see what it is, and you see the goblet has streaks of blue fire coming out of it. You gently tap Draco's arm repeatedly. "What is it, Brennan?" He asks. You simply point towards the goblet. He turns and his eyebrows crease together.

Dumbledore steps toward the goblet as the fire glows red and spits out another name. Dumbledore says something quietly, unable for you to hear. He turns towards the students. "Harry Potter?" He asks. "How did he get in? He's not old enough." You whisper to Draco. "I have...no idea," He replies. "Harry Potter!" Dumbledore yells, louder this time. You flinch a little at his increase in volume.  

Harry steps forward slowly. You watch as Dumbledore hands him the paper and he walks through the tables of students. "He's a cheat!" One says. "He's not even seventeen years!" Shouts another. He walks towards the professors to where the other Champions were standing. A few minutes after that, you are all dismissed to your common rooms.

You meet up with Daphne in the Slytherin common room. She squeals excitedly and hugs you. "The Cedric Diggory hugged me! He hugged me!" She says rocking you back and forth. You laugh softly as she pulls away. "What's up with you and Draco?" She asks. "We talked." You say. "About...?" Daphne asks, motioning for you to continue. "Homework." You shrug. "Oh Merlin, Sarafina! You don't know the first thing about boys." Daphne comments.

Just then, Draco comes up to you. "May I borrow Sarafina for a second?" He asks Daphne. "Oh, you can have her all night!" You stare at Daphne and hit her arm. "Ow! What?" She asks you. You simply glare at her before following Draco to another part of the common room. He leans closer to you and whisper in your ear. "I may have put a slight Confundus charm on the boy's dormitory just so you could help me with Potions?" He half says, half asks. "Okay, but no smooth comments, I am not falling for that." You say strictly. "I can't make any promises," Draco says, holding his hands up.

You lift your wand slightly, preparing to apparate. The backs of your hands touch in the process. "I-" You start. "Sor-" Draco starts. You laugh a little before grabbing his forearm and apparating to the boy's dormitory.

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~♡ Miki