The Great Hall was filled with the low hum of voices, the clinking of goblets, and the chatter of hundreds of students. Sunlight streamed through the enchanted ceiling, which reflected a bright and cheerful autumn day outside. The long tables were loaded with platters of roasted chicken, steaming potatoes, pies, and pitchers of pumpkin juice.
Eira sat at the Slytherin table, her plate neatly filled with chicken, potatoes, and a roll. Tracey was sitting on her right, halfway into a debate with Daphne Greengrass about who had the best chance of becoming Hogwarts champion.
"I am telling you," Tracey insisted, stabbing her fork into a potato, "it has to be someone from our house. They will make a fuss until one of them gets it. Probably Gemma. She is older and clever. And she has nerves."
Daphne rolled her eyes. "Please. The Goblet is impartial. It is not about nerves. It is about talent. If you ask me, Cedric Diggory has the best shot. He is smart, he is skilled, and apparently half the school thinks he is handsome."
"Handsome does not win tournaments. So why are you cheering for a Hufflepuff idiot? Do not tell me you have a crush on him. Since when did the ice queen of Slytherin start melting over a boy?" Tracey said with a smirk.
Daphne shot her a frosty glare, pausing only long enough to finish her bite before replying. "First of all, I do not care about a pretty face. Second, what I said is the truth, and even most of the senior Slytherins agree with me."
Eira only smiled faintly at their back and forth, her fork spearing another bite of the roasted chicken. She enjoyed listening more than joining in, especially when her friends argued with such certainty over things they could not control.
Suddenly, a loud cheer erupted from the Hufflepuff table. Chairs scraped against the stone floor as half the table jumped to their feet. "Cedric! Cedric! Cedric!" they shouted in unison, the chant echoing off the enchanted ceiling.
Eira lifted her head and glanced over just in time to see the Hufflepuffs parting like a crowd before a hero. Rising from his place was Cedric Diggory, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair neat, his features striking enough to draw sighs even from Ravenclaw girls at the far table. His expression, however, was modest, almost shy, as though embarrassed by the attention.
His friends clapped him on the back and urged him forward. Cedric gave them a sheepish grin and made his way through the throng. The chant grew louder, and some younger students even stomped their feet in rhythm.
"Cedric the champion!" a boy cried from the Hufflepuff side.
"He is going to bring glory to Hogwarts!" another yelled.
Eira leaned her chin into her hand, amused by the display. Tracey elbowed her and whispered, "See? I told you. Hufflepuff has already chosen him to be their champion but I doubt he will become the champion."
As Cedric approached the Goblet of Fire, the blue flames flickered as if in greeting. He crossed the age line confidently, pulled a folded parchment from his pocket, and slipped it into the flames. The Goblet devoured it in an instant, sending sparks into the air.
When Cedric turned around, the hall erupted in laughter and cheers. "Diggory! Diggory! Diggory!" The chant rolled through the hall, filling the air with wild energy.
At the Gryffindor table, Fred and George Weasley wasted no time stirring up mischief. Fred cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed, "Hufflepuff hero! Save us, Cedric, save us from our cruel fate… too much homework!"
George leapt to his feet, clutching his chest as though lovestruck. "Oh, Cedric, you are so dreamy! Will you sign my robes?" He swayed dramatically, nearly tumbling onto the bench.
The Gryffindor table roared with laughter, and even a few Slytherins smirked.
Fred, grinning wickedly, added, "Forget that, I will brew Polyjuice Potion and turn into Cho Chang. Then I can finally be your girlfriend, Diggory!"
The table erupted again, whistles and cheers echoing across the hall. Cedric's ears went scarlet as he ducked his head and, almost against his will, glanced toward Cho.
Cho, seated at the Ravenclaw table, pretended to be very busy pouring pumpkin juice, though her shoulders shook with laughter. She gave a little shake of her head as if to say she would not dignify the twins with a reaction, though her smile betrayed her amusement.
George clasped his hands together, pitching his voice high. "Oh, Cedric, kiss me before I faint from your perfect cheekbones!" He pretended to swoon into Fred's arms, both of them collapsing in exaggerated fashion.
Cedric, red-eared but smiling, gave a polite nod to the crowd before heading back to his table. The Hufflepuffs swarmed him instantly, clapping his shoulders and crowing. "That is our champion!" "Hufflepuff pride!"
"Champion of modesty," Daphne murmured dryly beside Eira, watching Cedric blush under the twins' teasing.
Tracey smirked, nudging her. "And looks. Let us not forget half the school is in love with him."
Daphne arched a brow. "I only said he has the best chance. I did not say I was joining his fan club."
Tracey leaned closer, her grin widening. "Oh, come on. Admit it. You like the pretty face."
Daphne's lips curved into the faintest smile. "If I liked pretty faces, I would not be sitting with you."
Tracey gasped in mock offense, swatting her arm as Eira stifled a laugh.
Eira just smiled, watching Cedric accept the congratulations with gentle humility. She could not deny he carried himself with a quiet charm and humility.
Moments later, another stir swept through the Gryffindor table. Angelina Johnson rose from her seat, flanked by her friends Alicia and Katie, all of them laughing and whispering. The Gryffindors started an anticipatory cheer, louder with every step she took toward the Goblet.
"Oooohhhh," the hall chorused, voices rising in playful suspense.
"Go Angelina!" a Gryffindor boy shouted.
The Weasley twins leapt onto the bench for better view. George pointed dramatically. "There she is, our fearless Gryffindor goddess!"
Fred waved both arms. "Angelina, Angelina, champion of beauty, brains, and bludgers!"
Angelina glanced at them with a smirk and threw them a playful wink.
Fred clutched his chest and collapsed backward onto the bench, pretending to faint. "She winked at me!" he cried.
George caught him in his arms with exaggerated care. "Stay with me, brother! Do not go toward the light!"
The Gryffindors howled with laughter. Even some Ravenclaws giggled behind their hands.
Angelina strode confidently to the Goblet, stepped over the age line, and placed her name into the flames. As she turned back, the Gryffindor table erupted with deafening cheers. The twins darted forward, shoving other students aside until they reached her.
Fred leaned down with a grin. "So, Angelina, how does it feel to be the future champion of Hogwarts? Will you remember us little people when you are famous?"
George chimed in, "Yes, we would like our names on your victory banner. Fred and George, loyal fans since day one."
Angelina rolled her eyes but grinned at them. "Alright, alright—stop the bootlicking. When I win, I'll let you two touch my championship cup. Happy?"
Fred cupped his hands around his mouth. "Careful, Diggory, you hear that? She's already ordering your funeral wreath."
George grinned wickedly. "Maybe we'll send you off with a nice wooden spoon for finishing last. Suits you better than a champion's cup."
Cedric only raised an eyebrow, trying not to rise to the bait, but the twins were relentless.
"Honestly," Fred said, wagging his finger like a professor, "you're about as intimidating as a teapot, Cedric. Angelina here could duel circles around you blindfolded."
"Yes, you soya face boy," George added with a cackle.