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When the Prancers entered the candlelit Great Hall, it was almost full. The Goblet of Fire had been moved; it was now standing in front of Dumbledore's empty chair at the teachers' table. Fred and George — clean-shaven again — seemed to have taken their disappointment fairly well.

Fred smiled as he waved at Blair, Neville, Dean and Seamus who sat down in front of Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Hey, Little B. I hope it's Angelina."

"So do I!" said Hermione breathlessly. "Well, we'll soon know!"

The Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual. Perhaps because it was their second feast in two days. However, there was one certain Chaser who couldn't focus on her meal with her lips in a pout and her eyes continually flicking towards the Brightest Witch of their Age.

Hermione felt her stares and raised an eyebrow while turning to look at Blair. "What is it, Wood?"

"Nothing." Blair crossed her arms and looked towards the Goblet, trying to calm herself down from how attractive Hermione looked with that raised eyebrow. Damn herself and how down bad she was for Granger.

Hermione, surprised at her reaction, turned to Neville and whispered. "What's wrong with her?"

Neville hesitated before whispering in a louder than intended voice. "She'd like to know if you fancy Diggory."

"Gramen!" Blair looked at him with a look of betrayal while Seamus, Dean, Harry, and Ron burst into laughter, and Neville smiled apologetically.

"Well, I get it. He is handsome, Blair. Very fit, a great Quidditch player at that." Harry joined in on the teasing, making Blair pout even more as she groaned and rested her head on the table.

"I don't fancy Diggory, Wood." Hermione let out a laugh. "Where'd you even get that?"

Blair lifted her head from the table and looked at her with hopeful eyes. "Really?"

"Yes." Hermione's laughter subsided into a soft smile as she amusedly shook her head. "Only you would think that out of nowhere, Wood. Only you."

Then, a smirk made its way onto Blair's face. "How 'bout me, Granger? Do you fancy me?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I fancy you as much as I fancy marrying a slug."

"Can't believe I'm losing to a slug." Blair let out a sigh of defeat, which earned her a roll of the eyes from Hermione.

At long last, the golden plates returned to their original spotless state; there was a sharp upswing in the level of noise within the Hall, which died away almost instantly as Dumbledore got to his feet. On either side of him, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked as tense and expectant as anyone. Ludo Bagman was beaming and winking at various students. Mr. Crouch, however, looked quite uninterested, almost bored.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber" — he indicated the door behind the staff table — "where they will be receiving their first instructions."

He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting... A few people kept checking their watches...

"Okay, this goblet's taking too long." Seamus complained.

"Patience, Ignis." Dean gave him a nudge.

The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it — the whole room gasped.

Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

"No surprises there!" yelled Ron as a storm of applause and cheering swept the Hall.

Blair clapped along and saw Viktor Krum rise from the Slytherin table and slouch up toward Dumbledore; he turned right, walked along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.

"Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!"

The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!"

"It's her, Blair!" Harry whispered as the girl who Blair helped got gracefully to her feet, shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair, and swept up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables, but not before sending a smile to Blair.

"Oh look, they're all disappointed," Hermione said over the noise, nodding toward the remainder of the Beauxbatons party. Two of the girls who had not been selected had dissolved into tears and were sobbing with their heads on their arms.

When Fleur Delacour too had vanished into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion next...

And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion," he suddenly stopped and stared at the name before clearing his throat, "Harry Potter."

The applause died down, and everybody looked at Harry with surprise on their faces. Harry himself looked stunned as well. The Prancers could only exchange glances. Hermione smiled awkwardly before pushing him slightly while Ron... Ron had a seemingly sour expression on his face. No choice left, Harry got up and went down the chamber.

After he left, whispers and chatter rose in the hall, but then all attention turned to the Goblet of Fire as it turned red once more. Dumbledore had his eyes wide open before he reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name with surprise, clearly written on his face. Blair was taken aback when Dumbledore stared at her for a few moments. But then, the words that came out of his mouth made Blair pale.

"Blair Wood."

It didn't register in Blair's mind. Not even when all heads turned to her. Not even when Ron stared at her in disbelief, not even when she felt the shaking of Neville's shoulders, not even when she heard Dean mutter "no", not even when she felt Seamus grip her hand tight. Not even when she felt Hermione's burning gaze on her across the table. It did not register in her mind that of all the people in Hogwarts, she was chosen to be the fourth champion.

Although she usually didn't mind the attention, now she did. Uneasy with everyone's glances, Blair whispered to Seamus. "Hey, Ignis? D-Did he just call my name?"

Seamus looked at her with shock. "Y-Yes, Caelum, your name... the Goblet."

"W-What? But I didn't put my name in, you know I-"

"Blair Wood!" Dumbledore called again.

"Go on, Caelum." Neville said softly.

Dean squeezed her shoulder before giving her a push as Hermione did to Harry. Blair stumbled lightly and felt the hundreds of eyes upon her, only looking back once to see the bewilderment on Hermione, Seamus, Neville, Dean, and Ron's faces. She was just as lost as they were. Prankster she may be, but she did not ever try to put her name in the Goblet of Fire.

Blair started defending herself once she reached Dumbledore. "Professor, it wasn't me – "

"Through the door, Blair." Dumbledore cut her off with a grave tone. Blair shut up and frowned as all the teachers, even Minnie, looked completely astonished at Blair.

Blair went through the door and found Viktor Krum, Fleur Delacour and Harry around the fire. Krum was leaning against the mantelpiece, Fleur was looking around, and Harry was pacing and thinking of ways as to how his name could've gotten in.

When Blair walked in, Fleur looked surprised to see her but smiled at her gently. "What is it?" she said. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"

Desperate for someone to believe him, Harry ran to Blair and squeezed her hand tight. "Blair, you know I didn't do it, right? I didn't put my name in."

"H-Harry-"

Blair was cut off as there was a sound of scurrying feet behind her, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took Blair by the arm and led her forward.

"Extraordinary!" he muttered, squeezing Blair's arm. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen... lady," he added, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. "May I introduce —incredible though it may seem — the fourth Triwizard champion?"

Viktor Krum straightened up. Fleur looked at her with confusion. Harry looked at Blair with wide eyes, wondering why there were four champions, why two underage wizards were selected as Hogwarts' Triwizard champions, and why Blair... of all people, why Blair?

Fleur let out a laugh after a few moments of silence, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."

"Joke?" Bagman repeated, bewildered. "No, no, not at all! Blair's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"

Krum's thick eyebrows contracted slightly. Fleur frowned, and Harry still looked bewildered. He knew none of them put their names in, judging from the look on Blair's face and remembering their past conversations about the championship. None of them wanted this.

"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake," Fleur said contemptuously to Bagman. " 'Zey cannot compete. 'Zey are too young."

"Well... it is amazing," said Bagman, rubbing his smooth chin and smiling down at Blair and Harry. "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as their names came out of the goblet... I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage... It's down in the rules, you're obliged. Harry and Blair will just have to do the best they —"

The door behind them opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape. Blair heard the buzzing of the hundreds of students on the other side of the wall, before Professor McGonagall closed the door.

"Madame Maxime!" said Fleur at once, striding over to her headmistress. "Zey are saying zat zis little boy and zis little girl are to compete also!"

That made Blair glare at the veela. Little girl? Who was she to call Blair little when Blair was 3 inches taller than her?

Madame Maxime had drawn herself up to her full, and considerable, height. "What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?"

"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," said Professor Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions — or have I not read the rules carefully enough?" He gave a short and nasty laugh.

"C'est impossible," said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many superb opals was resting upon Fleur's shoulder. " 'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most injust."

"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place, though his eyes were colder than ever. "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."

"It's no one's fault but Potter and Wood's, Karkaroff," said Snape softly. His black eyes were alight with malice. "Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. And don't me get started on Wood, the mischief she's been making. They have been crossing lines ever since they arrived here —"

"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore firmly, and Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair. Blair glared back at him, knowing he just wanted to get her and Harry in trouble even if he knew that they did not put their names in.

Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him. "Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly.

"No," said Harry.

Dumbledore then turned to Blair. "How about you, Blair?"

"No, Professor." Blair shook her head and let out a sigh. "I mean you saw George and Fred's beards. Not my look."

Her comment got a smile out of Professor Dumbledore before he continued asking them. "Did any of you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?"

"No," said Harry and Blair in unison.

"Ah, but of course 'zey are lying!" cried Madame Maxime. Snape was now shaking his head, his lip curling.

"They could not have crossed the Age Line," said Professor McGonagall sharply. "I am sure we are all agreed on that —"

"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," said Madame Maxime, shrugging.

"It is possible, of course," said Dumbledore politely.

"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" said Professor McGonagall angrily. "Really, what nonsense! Harry and Blair could not have crossed the line themselves, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that they did not persuade an older student to do it for them, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!" She shot a very angry look at Professor Snape.

Blair couldn't stop herself from winking at Minnie who had to hold back her smile at the Wood's way of making things light no matter how grave the situation is. Thank Merlin above Minnie was there to save them and defend their names.

"Mr. Crouch... Mr. Bagman," said Karkaroff, his voice unctuous once more, "you are our — er — objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"

Bagman wiped his round, boyish face with his handkerchief and looked at Mr. Crouch, who spoke in his usual curt voice. "We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."

"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," said Bagman, beaming and turning back to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.

"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," said Karkaroff. He had dropped his unctuous tone and his smile now. His face wore a very ugly look indeed. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore."

"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," said Bagman. "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out — it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament —"

"— in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" exploded Karkaroff. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"

"Empty threat, Karkaroff," growled a voice from near the door. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?"

Moody had just entered the room. He limped toward the fire, and with every right step he took, there was a loud clunk. He sent a smile to Blair, who grinned at him. There's another one on their side.

"Convenient?" said Karkaroff, his hands balled into fists. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody."

"Don't you?" said Moody quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter and Wood's name in that goblet knowing they'd have to compete if it came out."

"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" said Madame Maxime.

"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," said Karkaroff, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards —"

"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Potter and Wood," growled Moody, "but funny thing... I don't hear them saying a word."

"Why should 'zey complain?" burst out Fleur Delacour, stamping her foot. " 'Zey 'ave ze chance to compete, 'aven't 'zey? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money — zis is a chance many would die for!"

"I've got a lot of honor and money for myself, thank you very much." Blair whispered to Harry, who couldn't help but laugh. "Don't really want to go down as Blair Wood who died for a thousand Galleons."

"Maybe someone's hoping Potter and Wood are going to die for it, after all, they've been through tons of trouble, haven't they?" said Moody, with the merest trace of a growl. An extremely tense silence followed these words.

Blair glanced at Harry who was staring blankly at the ground. She took his hand and gave it a squeeze, making Harry turn his gaze to her instead. "Hey, I'm not going to let you die. Granger will have my head if something happens to you."

"Thanks, Blair." Harry grinned and squeezed her hand back. Well, if anything, he was glad that it was Blair he got to do this with.

Ludo Bagman, who was looking very anxious indeed, bounced nervously up and down on his feet and said, "Moody, old man... what a thing to say!"

"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime," said Karkaroff loudly. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons."

"Imagining things, am I?" growled Moody. "Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put their names in that goblet..."

"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" said Madame Maxime, throwing up her huge hands.

"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" said Moody. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament... I'm guessing they submitted Potter or Wood's name under a fourth school, to make sure they was the only one in their category. Then, made it so the Hogwarts Champion would be forced to be one of them."

"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody," said Karkaroff coldly, "and a very ingenious theory it is — though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously..."

"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody retorted in a menacing voice. "It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff — as you ought to remember..."

"Alastor!" said Dumbledore warningly. Moody fell silent, though still surveying Karkaroff with satisfaction — Karkaroff's face was burning.

"How this situation arose, we do not know," said Dumbledore, speaking to everyone gathered in the room. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Blair and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do..."

"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr —"

"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it." Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared. She wasn't the only one either. Snape looked furious; Karkaroff livid;

Bagman, however, looked rather excited. "Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"

Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie. "Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes... the first task..."

Crouch moved forward into the firelight, looking rather ill. "The first task is designed to test your daring," he told Blair, Harry, Fleur, and Viktor, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard... very important...

"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament.

"The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests."

Mr. Crouch turned to look at Dumbledore. "I think that's all, is it, Albus?"

"I think so," said Dumbledore, who was looking at Mr. Crouch with mild concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," said Mr. Crouch. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment... I've left young Weatherby in charge... Very enthusiastic... a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told..."

"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" said Dumbledore.

"Come on, Barty, I'm staying!" said Bagman brightly. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting her than at the office!"

"I think not, Ludo," said Crouch with a touch of his old impatience.

"Professor Karkaroff — Madame Maxime — a nightcap?" said Dumbledore.

But Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her swiftly out of the room. Blair could hear them both talking very fast in French as they went off into the Great Hall. Blair saw Fleur look at her with an unreadable gaze before she continued on her way. Karkaroff beckoned to Krum, and they, too, exited, though in silence.

"Harry, Blair, I suggest you go up to bed," said Dumbledore, smiling at both of them. "I am sure the Gryffindors are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise."

"Good night, Professor." Blair and Harry greeted together before they left. The Great Hall was deserted now; the candles had burned low, giving the jagged smiles of the pumpkins an eerie, flickering quality.

"Merlin, Harry, you really can't have a quiet year, can you?" Blair nudged Harry teasingly as they started their walk towards the common room.

"You're one to talk, Blair." Harry nudged her back, a laugh escaping his lips. "With everything you Prancers get into."

"Well, in my defense, we were supposed to be prim and proper this year around." Blair gave a faux snooty look, which made both of them laugh again. Then, the Wood smiled at her brother figure and clapped him on the back. "Hey, no matter what happens, we're in this together. You and me.

"Me and you, Blair." Harry grinned back, definitely glad that Blair was the one there with him. Ron may have been his best friend, but Blair was someone he considered his sister in all but blood. Speaking of... "Hey, what do you think Aunt Liv and Uncle Blay would say when they find out you and I are in the tournament?

"Ummm... that is a problem for tomorrow!" Blair immediately changed the subject, not wanting to think of how her parents would react once they found out about her being a Champion. "Let's deal with our friends first, shall we?"

"Yeah..." Harry went silent for a while before speaking up again. "Do you think they believe us?"

Blair thought of the looks on Hermione, Ron, Seamus, Neville and Dean's faces, all of them as bewildered as she and Harry were. Oh no, Hermione... Her promise. She'd have to explain it to her as soon as possible. The Wood could only hope that they would believe them, her and Harry. But Blair didn't feel too worried, she trusted their friends as much as they trusted her.

"They're our friends, Harry." Blair smiled reassuringly. "They're the ones who would stay by our sides even when the whole world is against us."

"You're right." Harry relaxed a bit, and they soon came face to face with the Fat Lady.

"Well, well, well," said the Fat Lady, "Violet's just told me everything. Who's just been chosen as school champions, then?"

"Balderdash," said Harry dully.

"It most certainly isn't!" said the pale witch indignantly.

"No, no, Vi, it's the password," said the Fat Lady soothingly, and she swung forward on her hinges to let Harry and Blair into the common room.

The blast of noise that met Blair's ears when the portrait opened almost knocked her backward. Next thing she knew, she was being wrenched inside the common room by about a dozen pairs of hands, and was facing the whole of Gryffindor House, all of whom were screaming, applauding, and whistling.

"You should've told us you'd entered, Little B! We could've gotten in together." bellowed Fred; he looked half annoyed, half deeply impressed.

"How did you do it without getting a beard, Harry, Blair? Brilliant!" roared George.

Harry frowned at them. "We didn't do it. we don't-"

But Angelina had now swooped down upon them; "Oh if it couldn't be me, at least there are 2 Gryffindors —"

"We've got food, Harry, Blair, come and have some —"

"I'm not hungry, I had enough at the feast —"

But nobody wanted to hear that they weren't hungry; nobody wanted to hear that they hadn't put their name in the goblet; not one single person seemed to have noticed that they weren't at all in the mood to celebrate...

Lee had unearthed a Gryffindor banner from somewhere, and he insisted on draping it around Harry like a cloak. Blair was able to move away before he could get the other one on her. Then, she frowned as she couldn't see Neville, Dean, Seamus, Ron or Hermione in the common room. She just wanted to be with her friends. She wanted to be with Hermione. Then, Blair noticed how Harry was getting annoyed as he couldn't get away from everyone.

"Hey, guys!" Blair called attention to her, an easy grin on her face. "I'm glad you're all happy about this, and we're grateful for the support. But listen, we're kinda tired, and we really want to go to bed for now, alright? Rest assured, we've got the spirit of Gryffindor in our hearts through this entire tournament. For now, good night!"

Blair's speech was met with cheers and good nights as she took Harry's hand and pulled him along.

"No wonder people like you." Harry commented with a grin that only made Blair laugh. Well, it was not their affection she wanted.

"You go on first, Harry, I'll just... talk to Granger real quick." Blair let out a sigh, her heart worried at the thought of Hermione not believing her.

"See you upstairs, Blair." Harry wiggled his eyebrows teasingly, earning him a light shove from Blair.

The two went their separate ways, and Blair hesitated as she arrived at the door to her shared dorm room with Hermione. Now that she was there, a door, 3 meters away from Hermione, she found herself at a loss. At a loss at what to do, what to say. At a loss about what Hermione felt about the entire thing. As much as Blair was confident in talking to anyone else, Hermione literally had the power to render her speechless.

Just as she was about to turn back and go to the boys' dorm, the door suddenly swung open and revealed a sleepy Hermione whose hair was more messed up than usual. It didn't help Blair's heart that the moonlight shone through the window and struck Hermione's face in a way that made her look... ethereal. Godric Gryffindor, this woman... Blair wanted nothing more than to comb her fingers through her hair, wrap her arms around her, and give her a –

"Wood?" All sleep went out of Hermione's body at the sight of Blair there, her eyes suddenly alert and her cheeks flushed as she tried to pat down her hair. "W-What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be down there, celebrating?"

"How can I celebrate when you aren't there, Granger?" Blair smirked handsomely, earning a roll of the eyes from Hermione, before letting it morph into a soft smile. "I wanted... no, I needed to explain to you. I didn't put my name in the Goblet, Granger. You have to believe me. I've always kept my promises to you."

Hermione's features turned into a soft smile and gentle gaze as she let out a sigh, crossing her arms and leaning on the wall beside the door to their dorm room. Her heart couldn't help but skip a beat at the thought of Blair choosing to look for her and explain things over celebrating or talking with the Prancers first. She chose Hermione over everyone.

"I know, Wood. I trust you." Hermione spoke in a whisper, as if this moment was only theirs. A moment as special as the bond they had. Blair and Hermione. Wood and Granger. A dynamic only the two of them understood. How Blair loved Hermione so deeply she would do anything and everything for her, how Hermione cared for Blair so deeply that she would do everything she could to ensure Blair was alright.

"I'm just... scared for you." Hermione couldn't help herself from leaning her forehead onto Blair's shoulder, and frozen as she was, the Chaser finally noticed how Hermione was shaking this entire time. How Hermione was trying to hold back her own fear to convince both herself and Blair that it was going to be okay. "Of all people, why does it have to be you?"

Blair smiled softly and wrapped her arms around Hermione carefully as if Hermione was a precious treasure that should be held with care and gentleness. And she was. "Well, it seems I have a magnet for danger, Granger. Hey, that rhymes!"

"Be serious for once, Wood." Though Blair couldn't exactly see her from that angle, she knew Hermione just rolled her eyes. Then, after moments in that hug, Hermione finally pulled away and looked Blair straight in the eyes with a solemn look. "I will help you through this, do you understand? You will get out of this alive, promise me."

"Word of the Wood, Granger." Blair raised her right hand in promise. "And thank you... for believing me, trusting me, being there."

"You will always have me, Wood." Hermione patted Blair on the shoulder before letting out a yawn. "Well, I have to go turn in for the night. I was only going to see if you returned already – "

"Hold up, you were going to see... me?" Blair's eyes twinkled with delight.

"W-W-Well... I was just concerned, okay?! Good night! " Hermione crossed her arms and turned towards the door, entering the dorm room and slamming the door on Blair. She rested her back on the door, trying to calm herself down.

Parvati, who was still awake, noticed Hermione so flustered and worriedly asked her. "Hermione, you okay? Who were you talking to? Why are you so flushed – "

"Good night." Hermione dismissed immediately and went to bed, covering herself with her blanket as soon as she laid down on it.

"Good night, Granger." Blair whispered with a lopsided grin on her face, her heart never having been so alive as it always was with Hermione Granger. The smile on her face couldn't be erased even as she went into the boys' dorm where she was unexpectedly met with –

"I didn't put my name in that goblet, Ron!" said Harry angrily.

"Yeah, okay," said Ron, in a skeptical tone, glaring at Harry. "Only you said this morning you'd have done it last night, and no one would've seen you... I'm not stupid, you know."

"You're doing a really good impression of it," Harry snapped.

"Hey." Blair moved immediately to the far side of the room where Seamus, Neville, and Dean were.

"Caelum." The three boys whispered in unison and hugged her tightly.

"Ignis, Tranqs, Gramen." Blair let herself melt into the embrace of her best friends before pulling away and starting to explain. "I didn't enter my name in."

"We believe you, we know you never had any plans to enter this tournament." Dean said immediately.

"We will stand by you and help you get through this, Caelum. You hear me?" Seamus squeezed Blair's hand tight. "You will get through this, we will get through this."

"With the four of us, there is nothing we can't do." Neville smiled optimistically, which Dean and Seamus agreed with enthusiastically. "Whatever danger they throw your way, we'll prance around it."

"Thank you, my brothers." Blair smiled, letting out a sigh of relief. Not that she had any doubt, but she knew that she could always count on her fellow Prancers no matter what happened.

However, that didn't seem to be the case with Ron and Harry. Blair pointed towards the pair who were still having a row with one another. "What's going on with them?"

"Ron thinks Harry put his name in the Goblet." Dean answered with a frown.

"What? Okay, this is absurd." Blair finally stood up and went towards the two who were still shouting at one another like a couple in a quarrel. "Hey, hey, what's going on?"

"Blair, he put his name in the Goblet! Couldn't get enough of fame and glory." Ron sputtered out. "How did you do it, huh? Asked one of the older years to do it for you? Asked a Professor?"

"You want fame and glory? Then, you go enter this tournament in my place!" Harry yelled back at Ron. "I've had enough of risking my life. I only want to live in peace!"

"You say that, but let's be honest. You really enjoy it. Must be nice to be rich and famous – "

"Are you hearing yourself right now? Let's – "

"Alright, that's enough." Blair intervened once again, pushing the two away from each other. "Harry, walk away now."

"But Blair – "

"Just do it, Harry, you need to rest after today." Blair sent a reassuring smile at the Potter who gave Ron another glare before grumbling a good night and going to his own bed.

"Okay, Ronniekins, come on." Blair motioned the redhead to sit with her on his bed. "He's your best friend, why don't you believe him? And why aren't you mad at me like how you are mad at him?"

"That's the point, Blair, he's my best friend." Ron looked into Blair's eyes with pain.

Blair realized that this was not about entering the tournament itself. If it was, he would've been mad at Blair too. It was because he was Harry's best friend. He thought that Harry had betrayed him. This is the first time Harry was taking on an adventure (albeit not his choice) without Ron, and Ron felt left behind. At the same time, that was it. He was Harry's best friend. It was all others saw in him, and sometimes, it was all he saw in himself. Always the sidekick, never the hero.

"Oh, Ronniekins." Blair sighed and gave him a tight hug, which he melted into. "You do realize there was a better way of telling him this, don't you?"

"...Yes." Ron mumbled.

"Then, do so. When you're ready." Blair squeezed his hand. "But I hope you know, Ronniekins, that you are more than anyone's friend, anyone's son, anyone's brother. You are Ronald Bilius Weasley, and I will tell my future kids and anyone who would listen about my redhead childhood friend who is amazing at Wizard's Chess, a great Quidditch flier, and one of the bravest men I ever met."

"Thank you, Blair Bear." Ron could only say while holding onto Blair a little tighter and blinking his tears away. Blair always had a way of seeing him and understanding him when no one else could.

"Now, rest well, Ronniekins, good night."

"Good night, Blair Bear."

And so, Blair went back to the Prancers who were already waiting for her with smiles on their faces, laying down on their beds that were rearranged once more to make one big bed that would fit the four of them. Her heart warmed at the thought that they already knew what she needed without her asking for it.

"Come on, Caelum." Seamus patted the spot in the middle, the one beside him. "We warmed it all up just for you."

"Don't tell me you farted on it, Ignis." Blair teased him.

"How dare you accuse me of such a thing?" Seamus let out an indignant scoff.

"Actually, he did. Three times."

"Gramen!"

"I accept your farts and the warmth of my spot on the bed with all gratitude, Ignis. Now, brace yourselves!" Blair gave a bow before jumping into the bed, earning oof's from the other Prancers.

"Oh, dear." Dean only uttered out, knowing what was about to come.

"Ouch, that was my kidney, Caelum!"

"Your kidney? You don't even know where your kidney is, Ignis!"

"Ignis... C-Can't breathe."

"Are you calling me fat, Gramen?"

"Y-You're sitting on me."

"Oh, sorry – Ow, Caelum! What the hell are you poking around there for?"

"Looking for your kidney."

"I'll take out your kidney, watch me."

"Enough! No more jumping on the beds, sitting on each other, and poking around for each other's kidneys. Sleep!"

"...Yes, Mum."

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