Harry Potter : Bloodraven-Chapter 289: Those Deemed Worthy (V) (CH - 308)

On Halloween Eve at Hogwarts, the sweet scent of roasted pumpkin had already woven itself through the castle. White smoke, tinged with a faint hint of char, rose steadily from the kitchen chimneys, its warmth carried along corridor vents and slipping through the narrow cracks of classroom windows. Even the gaps between ancient suits of armor seemed to cradle that lingering heat, as though the castle itself were sharing in the season’s anticipation.

The feast was as fantastical as it had ever been, perhaps even surpassing previous years, yet the plates were cleared far sooner than usual. The poor house-elves had worked just as tirelessly, but few students seemed inclined to savor the results.

Their attention was drawn elsewhere, their gazes repeatedly drifting over half-finished plates toward the enchanted goblet standing upon its pedestal at the very center of the Great Hall.

As the final empty plate disappeared with a soft pop and the long tables shone spotless once again, a quiet anticipation swept the great hall, rolling outward until the Great Hall lay in complete silence.

Thousands of eyes turned toward the staff table in unison, and even the professors, who had been murmuring quietly among themselves, ceased their conversations and looked to Dumbledore.

And Dumbledore, sensing the anticipation bubbling through the room, rose at last without haste, calm and composed. He straightened the hem of his robes, then moved around the staff table and descended the steps of the raised platform, his measured footsteps carrying him toward the Goblet of Fire.

"I imagine many of you are growing impatient," he said warmly, his smile gentle even as his voice carried clearly to the farthest corners of the hall. "That is quite understandable, though I would ask for just a moment more of your attention."

He continued, his tone calm and reassuring. "First, when a candidate’s name is called, I ask that they step forward, walk along the staff table, and proceed into the chamber beyond." He gestured lightly toward the curtained doorway behind the staff table. "There, you will receive further instructions and wait while the remaining names are announced."

His expression grew slightly more serious, though it lost none of its kindness, as he continued, "I must emphasize once again that unless a school has only two names selected, those chosen tonight are candidates only and not yet champions."

He paused briefly, allowing the words to settle, before continuing in the same measured tone. "That said, the three heads of school have discussed the matter carefully and reached an agreement. Champions will be decided this very evening. Should the Goblet of Fire select more than two candidates for any school, those candidates will take part in a trial tonight to determine which two will represent their school."

A small, knowing smile touched his face as he went on. "Some of you may feel this is rather sudden, or that it leaves little time to prepare, and that feeling is perfectly understandable. It would be so, at least, if this were an ordinary tournament."

His gaze swept gently across the hall as he continued. "Do remember that a true champion must be able to think clearly and act decisively, even when faced with the unexpected. This, we believe, is a fitting way to test that quality in those who have put their names forward."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the hall, but they quieted just as quickly when Dumbledore raised his hand in a gentle gesture for silence.

And with that, the old wizard drew the Elder Wand and made a slow, sweeping motion. At once, the chandeliers overhead dimmed, followed by every candle in the hall, save for those nestled within the carved pumpkins lining the walls.

A unified gasp rose from the students and echoed through the hall as the Great Hall sank into semidarkness. Against the deepened shadows, the Goblet of Fire burned brighter than anything else, its blue-white flames alive with a captivating brilliance that held every gaze.

A heartbeat later, the goblet’s flames surged violently, washing the hall in brilliant light and drawing a second ripple of astonished gasps. Then, before the eyes of everyone, the blue flames gradually transformed into a deep, blazing red, and from within them three strips of parchment burst forth, their edges blackened and trailing wisps of smoke.

"The candidates," Dumbledore said evenly, a flicker of amusement touching his eyes as he raised his hand and caught all three with practiced ease.

The flames settled once more into their steady blue and white glow as Dumbledore unfolded the first parchment, reading by the goblet’s light.

"Well now... unless I am very much mistaken, these candidates hail from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic."

The hall was in complete stillness when he announced the names, each one separated by a dramatic pause that stretched the tension.

"Fleur Delacour..."

"Élodie Marchand..."

"Auréline Beaumont..."

The three young witches rose together in perfect unison as the final name was spoken, and the hall erupted into thunderous applause. Side by side, moving with almost practiced grace, they crossed the hall as Dumbledore had instructed, then drew back the velvet curtain and disappeared into the waiting chamber beyond.

No sooner had they gone than the Goblet of Fire dimmed again, its flames pulsing before spitting out three more parchments in quick succession, like a scatter of burning leaves. Once more, silence settled over the hall.

Dumbledore gathered the parchments into his palm and smiled faintly. "It appears we have a trio from the same school for a second time... a most remarkable coincidence, indeed."

With that, he let his gaze sweep across the hall, then read the names aloud in a clear, steady voice. "From Durmstrang Institute of Magic... Viktor Krum..."

"Anya Petrova..."

"Aleksandr Morozov..."

Immediately, the Durmstrang tables erupted in deep, rhythmic thuds as students beat their chests in approval, and the hall answered with roaring cheers and applause, loudest of all from those who idolized the Quidditch star whose name had been spoken first.

"I’m not surprised!" Ron shouted over the noise, elbowing Harry as he looked on enviously at Viktor Krum, who rose from his seat accompanied by a boy and a girl from the same table.

"Bravo... Bravo!" boomed Karkaroff, clapping fervently from the teachers’ table as the three moved forward in deliberate, marching steps. Just like the trio before them, they also passed Dumbledore without pause and disappeared behind the curtained doorway.

When the three Beauxbatons candidates were called, their headmistress also followed them through the doorway, and likewise, once the Durmstrang trio had vanished inside, Karkaroff also pushed back his chair and went after them.

Selecting each school’s champions from among the candidates was their responsibility, and as Dumbledore had remarked earlier, the arrangements for the trial were to begin immediately.

Meanwhile, silence fell over the hall once more, though this time it was thick with anticipation, so taut it seemed almost tangible.

Dumbledore waited until the last echoes faded, then spoke again, his smile returning, anticipation glinting behind his eyes. "And now, I believe we come to the Hogwarts candidates."

The Hogwarts students leaned forward without realizing it, some clasping their hands together while others held their breath, all eyes fixed on the goblet as it burned in steady blue and white flames.

Then, almost the instant Dumbledore finished speaking, the Goblet of Fire gave a soft poof, and not one, nor two, nor even three, but five pieces of parchment shot forth together, landing neatly in his waiting hand.

The tension in the Great Hall thickened to the point that not a single gasp escaped the students’ lungs, despite the unexpected number, so starkly different from the other schools. Every gaze remained fixed, every breath held, as though the hall itself were afraid to move.

"Interesting," Dumbledore murmured, a faint smile touching his lips as he unfolded the first parchment. He turned slightly, his eyes settling with quiet awareness upon a particular witch seated among the students.

"Miss Jean Gray," he said gently, not as an announcement, but rather, almost as an invitation.

And a little farther back, the girl in question widened her eyes in disbelief as her name echoed through the hall, and in an instant, a thousand pairs of eyes turned toward her. Murmurs stirred, confusion and disbelief rippling through the Hogwarts tables, after all, she was only a second-year, barely twelve years old.

"Go on," Hermione whispered beside her, giving her a small, encouraging nudge.

Jean rose unsteadily and began to walk forward, her steps slow and hesitant as she crossed the hall under the weight of so many stares. Shock colored most faces she passed, for no one could quite reconcile her age with what they had just witnessed.

When she reached him, Dumbledore regarded her calmly, his expression kind and thoughtful as ever.

"My dear," he asked calmly, "did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire?"

Clutching the hem of her skirts, her head bowed, she nodded nervously. "Yes, Headmaster."

She did not know why she felt so anxious. She had put her name into the goblet of her own choosing, because she wanted to participate. Besides, had the Headmaster not said that anyone could put their name forward?

Dumbledore regarded her for another quiet moment, and then his gaze softened. "Then lift your head, my dear," he said gently.

With a light touch on her shoulder, he turned her just enough to face the assembled students, his manner calm and reassuring, as though steadying her against the weight of so many eyes.

This time, when he spoke, his voice carried clearly through the hall, no longer a question but a formal declaration. "The candidates for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are," he announced, allowing a brief pause to settle before continuing, "Jean Gray of Gryffindor... Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff... Adrian Pucey of Slytherin... Roger Davies of Ravenclaw..."

He paused once more, and his smile widened just slightly as he read the final name. "And Harry Potter... Gryffindor!"

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