Chapter 12: Champions Chosen

Harry awoke late the next morning and made his way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Unsurprisingly Fleur, Hermione and Krum were already midway through their meal so he plopped down between Viktor and Fleur.

"Rough night?" Hermione teased from beside Fleur.

"Yeah someone kept me up way past my bedtime," he replied eyeing Fleur.

"Oh please, I offered to leave," she pointed out.

"Oh well then maybe it was all that extra work I was doing."

"Don't even bother," Hermione said laughing.

"So since my students just got here I do not have anything I need to mark which means I have a rare day free," Krum stated. "What is everyone doing today?"

"Well Hermione and Fleur are going to Hogsmeade for lunch but apparently I'm not invited," Harry remarked.

"Hey, we've spent nearly every minute together in this castle since I got hired," Hermione remarked. "Excuse me for wanting a little girl time."

"I never heard you complaining," Harry said grinning at her.

"I don't think you will," Fleur teased.

"Oh stop it," Hermione said blushing.

"Well then perhaps we should do as men do," Viktor said in a sarcastic macho voice. "Do you still fly Harry?" he asked.

"Well I'll never be in your league but yeah, I still get out on the pitch when I can," he replied.

"Well I know a certain dragon who may say otherwise," Krum remarked. "Meet me on the pitch after lunch?"

"Are you asking me on a date?" Harry joked.

"Well it is cold in the dungeon, one could use some warmth," he jested to Harry though casually eyeing Hermione.

The four of them laughed, "Sounds good," Harry replied. "Just promise to take it easy on me."

A few hours later Harry was in the midst of showing a few other than the dragon that he could still fly with the best of them. He and Krum repeatedly released the snitch and waited a few minutes before going after it. They weaved in and out the stands, flew past each other and break-neck speeds and dove to within centimeters of the lawn neither giving an inch. Before long word had spread to the castle that there was some world class flying going on the stands began to fill up. By the time Fleur and Hermione returned from Hogsmeade students were flooding in the direction of the pitch so they made their way over there to see what all the fuss was about.

While they waited for the snitch to get a head start Harry and Viktor sat on their broomsticks laughing and joking together but the second one of them said go it was all business. The fact that they now had an audience was not lost on either of them. Krum had his reputation as still one of the best seekers in the world, (he had finally led Bulgaria to the cup two years ago) to maintain while Harry desperately did not want to embarrass himself in front of his students.

"I didn't know Harry still played," Fleur mentioned to Hermione when they got within view and figured out what was going on.

"As far as I know he hasn't played in a game since our sixth year but he's out on his broom a couple times a week and he referees most of the school Quidditch matches. He says it's where he does his best thinking."

"Well he's quite good."

"Yeah, I'll never really understand the game but I still like to watch him fly. Lord knows he's lived with enough burdens in his life. I think when he's flying is the only time he can really forget about it all."

"He tells me you've been quite helpful to those burdens as well," Fleur remarked.

"Yeah well we've been through a lot together," she replied blushing. "We've sort of gotten to the point where we know what the other is thinking without having to say it so it makes it easier for me to know when he needs a little help."

"You are good friend Hermione."

"Well it's the least I could do based on the number of times he saved my life. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."

"Yes, I don't suppose any of us would be," Fleur conceited looking up at Harry admiringly.

"Too right," Hermione said and they continued to watch the action.

Finally after another hour or so of watching them fly Hermione got their attention, "Hey boys, don't you think we should all probably go get ready for the feast tonight?"

There was an audible groan not just from Harry and Viktor but several of the students as well. "Ah come on mom, just a few more minutes," Harry teased.

"Oh stop it Headmaster," she said shaking her head and smiling but just the use of the word headmaster made Harry sure she meant it.

"Okay fine," he said and he and Krum flew down to the locker room and the students and Hermione and Fleur filled back to the castle. Everyone was already back inside when Harry and Krum reemerged, "That was fun," Harry said as they made their way back to the castle.

"Yes it is exceedingly rare that I find someone who can keep up with me on a broom," Krum replied. "Tell me why did you never play professionally? You could fly circles around the English team's current seeker."

"The last thing I need in my life is another spotlight on me," Harry replied. "Besides, nothing could ever compare to competing for my house here. I prefer to be able to say I went out on top."

Krum laughed, "Well I can't argue with that."

A while later after everyone had had their fill Harry again found himself the center of attention as all eyes watched him eagerly. Kingsley was now sitting beside him as he took his last few bites of his cauldron cake smiling knowingly at the students before slowly getting to his feet, "Well now that we've all finished eating I suggest you all return to your dormitories to finish your homework." As the students all protested at once Harry laughed before continuing, "Oh right the minister's here. Surely there must be something I'm forgetting," he said and Kingsley chuckled beside him. "Okay I suppose there is a little matter we do need to discuss first." He waved his hand and the blue flames of the goblet of fire roared in the back of the room, its flames reaching even higher. All eyes watched it with anticipation before finally the flames turned red and a piece of parchment flew out of it and straight into Harry's hand.

He unfurled it and looked down, "The Durmstrang Champion is Dragomir Markov," he boomed and the hall, especially the Durmstrang section, erupted with cheers. The hulking brown haired boy got to his feet and confidently marched up to the head table.

Krum stood up and looked down at him and asked, "Dragomir, do you accept the invitation to be the Durmstrang Champion?"

"I do," he replied.

"I hoped you would," Krum stated and he reached out and shook the boys hand before directing away to the Trophy Chamber to wait.

The crowd turned their attention back to the goblet and Harry stuck his hand out again. A few moments later the flames turned red again and out flew the parchment. Harry looked down and grinned, "Oh great," he said softly so only Krum and Fleur could here. Fleur squealed softly before Harry even cried out, "The Beauxbatons Champion is Gabrielle Delacour."

Again the hall roared and Gabrielle excitedly skipped to the head table. Fleur stood up and wiped a quick tear from her eye before asking, "Gabrielle, do you accept the invitation to be the Beauxbatons Champion."

"I do," she said smiling.

"I'm so proud of you," Fleur exclaimed as she leaned across the table to hug her sister.

After Gabrielle had gone to the Trophy Chamber as well all eyes again found the goblet. One last time it roared to life and its flames turned red and shot out another piece of parchment. Just as Harry caught it the flames in the goblet extinguished themselves and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He looked down at the parchment and cried out, "The Hogwarts Champion is Lizzie Chambers. One final time the hall, especially the Gryffindor table burst into applause as the tall brunette blushed, got to her feet and walked towards the head table. "Lizzie," Harry began. "Do you accept the invitation to be the Hogwarts Champion?"

"I guess," she said with a confidence that sang a different tune.

"Good, at least we have a chance now," Harry said grinning and reached out and shook her hand and ushered her towards the Trophy Chamber. He, Kingsley, Fleur, Krum and Hermione all followed her inside and closed the door behind them.

The three pairs of eyes watched them and Kingsley spoke, "Congratulations you three, this is a tremendous honor for all of you. I don't need to tell you there are hundreds on the other side of that door that would gladly take your place so please do not take this position lightly," he said nodding at each of them in turn. "Now onto some housekeeping. As champions you will be exempt from the end of the year examinations though you will still be required to attend classes just in case you choose or are forced to drop out of the tournament. There will be three tasks, if you choose not to or are unable to complete any of them you will be eliminated from the competition. The first task will take place on Halloween giving you nearly two months to prepare. Your judges will be your heads of schooling, myself and Amos Diggory, Cedric's father. Professor Granger will also score the tasks and in the event that one judges score is different from all the others by more than three point then her score will be substituted to prevent any favoritism. Is there anything else any of you care to add?" he asked looking to the other adults in the room.

"Yes," Harry replied. "Look we'll just get it out in the open, in the bylaws of the tournament it says you aren't supposed to ask for help. We all know you're going to so I just recommend you make sure you're only asking people you trust."

Fleur and Krum nodded in agreement, "I will formally just pretend I didn't hear that," Kingsley said smiling and Harry chuckled. "Any questions from you three?" he then asked looking at the three teens. They all shook their heads. "Very well you all may return to your dormitories, I daresay there is a party waiting there for each of you." They all smiled and ran out of the room.

"Well done Kingsley, you're pretty good at that whole speech thing," Harry commented. "You should really consider a career in politics."

"Oh no, he's much too honest to be a politician," Fleur teased.

Kingsley chuckled, "I'm glad to have you back in Britain for a while Miss Delacour," he said smiling at Fleur.

"It's good to be here," she replied.

"Anyone interested in a pint at The Hogs Head?" Harry asked. "I know a shortcut," he said laughing.

"Don't mind if I do actually," Kingsley replied and the five of them all headed off for the Room of Requirement.