Harry's Worst Fear (A Father and Son Fanfic) Book 4

Chapter 7: The 4 Champions, Rita Skeeter and Wand Weighing

Hermoine stops abruptly as she looks up at Hagrid. Hagrid, was wearing his hairy brown suit with a checked yellow and orange tie. His hair was different too. From what they could tell, it seemed that Hagrid used large amounts of axle grease to tame his hair, because his hair was slicked down into 2 parts. It looked as if he was trying to put his hair in a ponytail, but failed. Hermione clears her throat and said, "Um, where are the Skrewts?" Hagrid said, "Out by the pumpkin patch. They're getting massive. Must be nearly 3 feet long now. Only trouble is , they've started killing each other." Ron and Harry just stared in surprised at Hagrid's new look as all 3 enter the hut. Before Ron could say anything, Hermoine said, "Oh no, really?" Hagrid said, as he shuts the door, "Yeah, It's ok though. I've got them in separate boxes now. Still got about 20." Ron said sarcastically, "Well, that's lucky." They sat down while Hagrid made tea. They were soon talking about the Triwizard Tournament. Hagrid looked excited as they were, as he said, "You wait. You just wait. You're going to see some stuff you've never seen before. First task.... Ah, but I'm not supposed to say." Harry, Ron and Hermoine said, "Go on, Hagrid!" Hagrid grins as he said, "I don't want to spoil it for you, but it's going to be spectacular, I'll tell you that. Them champions are going to have their work cut out. Never thought I'd live to see the Triwizard Tournament played again!" After awhile, Hermione tried to get Hagrid to join S.P.E.W. when she showed him her badges, but he flatly refused. After talking with Hagrid for a little while longer, they went up to the castle for lunch. After lunch they went up to their common room in Gryffindor Tower. They did their homework as rain fell outside. When they finally finished their homework, it was after 5pm and it was also getting dark. It was almost time for the Halloween Feast. They head down to the great hall for the feast. They stop in the entrance hall to see Hagrid entering the great hall with Madame Maxime, with her students walking in behind them. Harry, Ron and Hermoine raise their eyebrows to each other but didn't say anything. Harry, Ron and Hermoine enter the great hall and see that the Goblet of Fire has been moved and placed in front of Dumbledore's empty chair at the staff table. Fred and George were sitting at the Gryffindor table as usual. They were now clean shaven. Harry, Ron and Hermoine sit down as Fred said, "I hope it's Angelina." Hermoine said, "So do I. Well, we'll know soon." Dumbledore arrives and starts the Halloween Feast, before sitting down to eat. The students felt that the feast was taking longer than normal to end. It seemed like most of the students wanted the feast to be over so that they could all find out who the champions were going to be. Finally the plates were cleared, looking as if they weren't served food to begin with. Students start to talk, but they soon went quiet as Dumbledore got to his feet. Dumbledore said, "The Goblet is almost ready to make its decision. 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 the door into the next chamber. Where they will be receiving their first instructions." Dumbledore takes out his wand and sweeps it over the hall. The floating candles instantly went out. The only light in the great hall were coming from the jack-o-lanterns floating near to the ceiling and the Goblet of Fire with its blue flames. The blue flames shown brightly in the darkened great hall. After a minute, the flames in the Goblet turned red. Sparks start to fly out of it. Then, a tongue of flame came flying out of the Goblet. Out of the flame came a charred piece of parchment. The piece of parchment floats in the air as the flames in the Goblet turns blue. Dumbledore takes the charred piece of parchment out of the air and starts to read it. He said, "The champion for Durmstrang.... Will be Viktor Krum." Everyone claps as Karkaroff said, "Bravo Viktor! Knew you had it in you!" Krum walk up to the staff table and heads to the door behind the table. He goes through the door as the clapping dies down. Everyone turns back to the Goblet, which has turned red once again. Another charred piece of parchment comes out of the Goblet. Dumbledore takes the parchment from the air and reads it as he said, "The champion for Beauxbatons.... Is Fleur Delacour!" Everyone claps again as the silvery blonde girl stands up and walks up to the staff table and goes through the door. Ron said, "That was the veela gir!" Everyone quiets down as the Goblet turned red once more. The 3rd charred piece of parchment comes out of the Goblet of Fire. Dumbledore takes the parchment and reads it as he said, "The Hogwarts' champion is.... Cedric Diggory!" Everyone claps again as Ron said, "No!" Cedric grins as he heads up to the staff table and goes through the door. Dumbledore said, "Excellent! Well, we now have our 3 champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real...." Dumbledore suddenly stops talking. They instantly knew why. The Goblet of Fire had turned red one last time. The final charred piece of parchment comes flying out of the Goblet. Everyone goes quiet as Dumbledore takes the parchment and stares at the name on the parchment for a couple of minutes. He finally reads it as he said, "Harry Snape." Harry sits there stunned as everyone looks at him. How did his name come out of the Goblet of Fire? He didn't enter. Not to mention, that it was impossible for him to enter the Tournament since he was 14 years old. No one clapped, but students were starting to talk angrily amongst themselves. Professor McGonagall got up from her seat and went to whisper to Dumbledore. Harry looks at everyone at the Gryffindor table, and saw that they were all looking at him in shocked with their mouths opened. Harry looks at his 2 friends Ron and Hermoine and said, "I didn't put my name in! You know I didn't!" Ron said, "I know, Harry." Hermoine said, "We both believe you." Harry looks back at the staf table to find Hagrid in shock. Harry finally look at his father, Snape. Snape was looking at him in complete and utter shock, his eyes wide open in shock and fear and his jaw dropping open, unable to utter a sound. Harry mouthed, 'I didn't put my name in the Goblet! I swear, dad!' Snape still in shock, put his finger to his lips, which Harry took to meaning, stay quiet for now. Dumbledore and McGonagall had finished talking. Dumbledore said, "Harry Snape! Harry! Up here if you please!" Hermoine nudges Harry to go as she whispers, "Go on." Harry slowly gets up and starts walking towards the staff table. He feels the eyes of everyone looking at him. Students were whispering angrily, their voices getting gradually louder. Harry reaches the staff table as Dumbledore said, "Well.... Through the door, Harry." Dumbledore wasn't angry but he wasn't smiling either. Harry looks at Snape, who nods in encouragement in return. Snape, now has a look of concern in his dark brown eyes. Harry walks towards the door behind the staff table and walks through it. On the other side of the door was a smaller room. There were painting of witches and wizards on the wall and a nice fireplace with a warm fire burning. Krum, Fleur and Diggory were standing around the fireplace, seemingly waiting. Fleur turns around and sees Harry. She said, "What is it? Do zey want us back in ze hall?" She thought he was there to bring a message. Harry didn't know how to answer her. So he just stood there, until the sounds of several feet walking quickly could be heard. Ludo Bagman was the first to reach them. He gently grabbed Harry by the arm and moved him forward. Bagman said, "Extraordinary! Absolutely Extraordinary!" Bagman has Harry stand by the fireplace as he continues, "Gentlemen, Lady. May I introduce, incredible though it may seem, the 4th Triwizard Champion?" Krum's eyebrows furrowed. Cedric looked from Harry to Bagman, thinking that he must have misheard him. Fleur said, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman." Bagman said, "Joke? No, no. Not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!" Fleur said, "But evidently zair 'as been a mistake. 'E cannot compete. 'E is too young." Bagman said, "Well, it's amazing. But as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come 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 will just have to do the best he...."