The Girl Who Hid: Cedric Diggory

Chapter 1: Back to Hogwarts

"Ah well. See you around then, Charity?" He asks, and I nod. Smiling, he gets swept up into the crowd, leaving me to fend for myself once again.

***

I'm one of the first people in the Great Hall, and I choose a seat right in front of the reserved area for first years, as I always enjoyed being the first to congratulate them.

Soon after all of the new students are sorted-ten new members for Ravenclaw this year-Dumbledore stands to make a speech,

"Now that we're all settled and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year, but home to some special guests as well," He begins, and I hear hushed murmuring all around me. I straighten up a bit in my seat, trying to catch bits of conversation, but ultimately fail and slump back down,

"Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Tri-Wizard Tournament. Now for those of you who do not know, the tri-wizard tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school two contestants are selected to compete. Not as partners however, as the competition shall be against strangers and friends."

A large majority of the students gasp, surprised that anyone would even think of returning the tournament to the schools, as it was such a dangerous event. People have died, but admittedly, it could be a good oppurtunity for the student who wins. I would never think to enter though. I would probably have the magical aspects down, I'm not exactly the most athletic student. So any physical feats would destroy me. Dumbledore clears his throat to recollect the attention of the students.

"For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and their Headmistress Madam Maxime."

A group of girls dressed completely in light blue enter the Great Hall. They dance up the aisle and make butterflies flutter into the air. All of the male students stare at them with gawking expressions. Pretty and all, but if attracting boys was their greatest talent, the girls didn't seem like the biggest threat in the world,

"And now our friends from the North. Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang, and their headmaster Igor Karkaroff." Dumbledore announces, and next a series of boys (who looked far too old to be in their teens, but nobody protested) enter the hall, stabbing staffs into the ground in what is probably meant to be intimidating manner. I snort as Viktor Krum, star Quidditch player, enters alongside the headmaster.

"Blimey! It's him, Vikor Krum!" I hear someone scream, and turn to the Gryffindor table to see Ron Weasley looking prepared to faint. I roll my eyes as everyone converses avidly about the new guests,

"Your attention please!" Dumbledore shouts, and everyone turns to face him, "I would like to say a few words. Eternal glory, that is what awaits the student who wins the tri-wizard tournament. But to do this that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks."

"Wicked." mumbles The Weasley twins.

"For this reason the ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explainall this we have the head of the department of international magic cooperation Mister Bartimus Crouch." Thunder crashes overhead, and rain begins leaking through the ceiling. Everyone looks to the door, where none other than Mad-Eye Moody is standing, and shoots a spell up at the roof and everything calms.

Everyone watches in silence as the man walks up to Dumbledore. I didn't know what it was exactly, but there was something about him that made my hair stand on end.

"After much deliberation the ministry has concluded that for their own safety no student under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to put forth their name for the tri-wizard tournament. This decision is final." He announces, and I see most of the younger students lose interest. I could see where the ministry was coming from though, I wouldn't want anyone younger than a sixth year competing, either. It was far too dangerous.

"That's rubbish! You don't know what your doing!" George Weasley shouts in protest, but I could already spot a plan brewing behind his and his twin's eyes. I don't know what it is, but it definitely won't end well.

"Silence!" Dumbledore orders, as two men carry in a large box. He casts a spell over it, and the box melds into a giant goblet,

"The Goblet of Fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen there's no turning back. As from this moment the tri-wizard tournament has begun." For some odd reason, my heart beats a little faster at the sight of the goblet, and I almost feel slightly drawn to it.

Shaking my head, I stand and begin rounding up the first years to help them to their dorms.

"Hi everyone and congratulations on making Ravenclaw! I'm Charity Levine-Longbottom, and I'm a sixth year prefect. We're coming now to the common room, where you'll be spending a lot of your time-most of it asleep!" I explain, smiling encouragingly at the overwhelmed new students.

As we reach the common room, I pause in front of the great door knocker.

"In order to enter the Common Room, you have to answer a riddle that it will give to you. Don't worry-most of them are easy." I assure them, and the knocker lets out a snort of indignation before saying the riddle.

"I run and run but never tire, down and down but never up." It says in a ghostly voice.

"Anyone know?" I prompt, and they all shake their heads. "A river." The door swings open and a chorus of 'oh's travel through the small crowd. I point them to the dorms before deciding to head to the Prefects' Bathroom.