章 11: Choosing of Champions
The next day, most of the school's populace was lounging around the Great Hall to watch those who wanted to compete enter their names into the Goblet of Fire. An age line was drawn around it to prevent anyone underage from entering, and quite a few had already tried and failed to cross it.
"Who do you think will be chosen as Champion?" Ron asked Harry. The two of them, along with Erica were currently part of the group spectating, although Hermione had joined them originally, she'd gone off somewhere to look into something.
"Maybe Angelina, she seems like a pretty good pick."
They watched as more and more people submitted their names. "From what Susan's told me, Hufflepuff is riding their hopes on Cedric Diggory," Erica said.
"Ah, that bloke we met at the World Cup," Ron remembered. "No way it'll be a duffer."
Harry and Erica both rolled their eyes at that comment.
Their attention was drawn to the group of Beauxbatons students submitting their names, which included Fleur. The older girl noticed them and made her way over to the group, her eyes locked on Harry while Erica scoffed and Ron's eyes glazed over.
"You really think you can handle the tournament Delacour?" Erica questioned.
"Much better than you could. Oh, but it seems you're just a leetle girl unable to enter," Fleur shot back. Erica didn't seem to care though, a condescending smile on her face.
"And yet you're so busy trying to get the attention of that 'leetle girl's' boyfriend, who's younger than I am. Cougars shouldn't make comments about people's ages."
Fleur huffed. "I'm certain Monsieur Potter is plenty more mature than you are."
"Fleur," Harry said, his tone getting irritated. It was amusing at first, but at this point, he didn't feel like dealing with her bickering with Erica or insulting her. "Leave."
It was just two words, but his tone caused Fleur's eyes to widen before she quickly nodded her head. "Of course." She quickly made her exit and left to where the rest of her schoolmates had gone.
Harry was starting to understand why Doni acted differently with Mage Assocations compared to when Harry had met him. If you didn't act commanding then people would bug you constantly. Better to have them fear upsetting him and leave him alone instead of constantly trying to appeal to him.
"Bloody hell, why'd you send her away mate," Ron said, his eyes clearing up as Fleur left.
Erica meanwhile, gave him a sultry smile. "That was perfect..." she trailed off and leaned close so that only he could hear before she finished her sentence. "my king."
Harry's irritation vanished as Erica's words sent a shiver through him, and he quickly relaxed as she leaned into him, while his arm went around her.
"Hey, it's Fred and George." Ron's call brought their attention to the twins, who were making a big show about trying to cross the age line.
They took out aging potions and downed them and tried to step over the line. Unfortunately, it only worked for a moment before the line kicked them out and made them grow beards and white hair.
They joined everyone else in laughing at the two as the trio spent the rest of their day lounging around while waiting for the Halloween feast where the champions would be chosen.
----
The Goblet of Fire sat in front of the entire school. Dumbledore stood before it, prepared for the names to be spat out to choose which student would represent each school in the Triwizard Tournament. Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch, the two members of the Ministry here as part of the tournament, also stood in front of the school.
Harry had a bad feeling about the whole thing. It was like a sixth sense, something was going to go wrong with the choosing of the champions, and it put him on edge. Realistically, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. The cup couldn't choose him, so why did he still feel this way?
"Now, the champions will be chosen."
The Goblet turned blue and from the flames, a slip of paper was expelled.
"From Durmstrang, Viktor Krum."
Loud applause erupted from both Hogwarts and Durmstrang at the announcement. Krum's slew of fans were happy to have him chosen, while his own school felt that he was the best choice to be their champion.
Harry simply listened, his attention focused entirely on the Goblet. The next slip of paper was expelled, and Dumbledore once again announced the chosen champion.
"From Beauxbatons, Fleur Delacour."
The applause from the boys at the three schools was pronounced, while that of the girls was much more reserved. Fleur hadn't made many friends with the female populace of the schools, and the effect she had on their boyfriends served to form a level of resentment towards her.
Fleur herself didn't seem to care, simply standing up and striding forward confidently. She sent a proud look towards Erica and looked deeply at Harry for a moment before she recalled their earlier encounter and continued on her way into the backroom for champions.
The final name was chosen and landed in Dumbledore's hand, who paused as he read the name. He looked up, his gaze going towards Harry, but that didn't make sense. His magic resistance wouldn't allow something like the Goblet of Fire to bind him in the first place.
"From Hogwarts...Erica Blandelli."
There was silence for a long moment as everyone processed his words. Erica herself didn't seem to outwardly react, but Harry could read the surprise and confusion hidden behind her calm facade.
"Erica," Harry muttered, his hand grasping hers as she moved to stand.
Erica gave him a confident grin. "It'll be fine, we'll figure out what happened." In her pocket, Erica fiddled with a magical device her Uncle had provided for her long ago.
She then took confident strides from the Gryffindor table towards the backroom, a smattering of applause echoing in the Great Hall as everyone was confused about how someone underage was chosen.
That confusion was only exacerbated by the Goblet of Fire expelling a fourth name, only for it to land in Dumbledore's palm before it burst into flames and became ash.
At the same moment it was expelled, Harry could feel something try to attach to his magic before it was erased by his magic resistance. At the same time, Dumbledore had momentarily glanced at him, which caused Hermione who was next to him to furrow her brow.
"Simply the Goblet announcing the ending of the choosing of Champions," Dumbledore announced as an explanation.
The students were dismissed while Dumbledore, Ludo, Barty, and the other headmasters entered the backroom, Professors McGonagall, Moody, and Snape also trailing behind them. Everyone began to stand, whispers echoing in the room.
"How do you think she did it?"
"Maybe she learned how to bypass it from her uncle?"
All around them, people speculated on how Erica had managed to enter her name into the Goblet despite being underage. Harry was slow to stand, Hermione grabbing his arm to try to pull him out of his reverie.
"Harry, come on. We have to head up to the common room."
Harry shook his head, waving off her concern and Ron's questioning look. "Just go on without me, I'm going to wait here for her."
Hermione seemed to want to say something before she thought better of it and nodded her head. The two of them left with the rest of the students while Harry peeled off, staying concealed from the student body as he made his way back to stand outside the door to the backroom. His invisibility cloak activated, concealing him from sight as he stared at the door, his face growing dark.
----
Within the backroom, when Erica stepped through the door, both Viktor and Fleur looked at her in confusion.
"What are you doing back here Blandelli?" Fleur questioned.
Erica stood confidently, a sly grin on her face. "It seems that the Goblet doesn't think I'm such a 'leetle girl.'"
Before the two questioned that any further, a flurry of people entered the room.
"Truly spectacular, the niece of Paolo Blandelli participating in the tournament," Ludo said as he entered.
Dumbledore made his way over to Erica first and calmly questioned her.
"Did you enter your name in the Goblet of Fire?"
Erica shook her head. "No, I did not, nor did I have someone else try to do it for me."
"She's lying," Karkaroff said instantly in response.
"Quite the accusation to levy at the niece of Paolo Blandelli," Madam Maxime said, and the mention of that man caused Karkaroff to pale.
"My Uncle has already been informed and will be coming here shortly." The device she'd used was one that had been prepared to allow her quick contact with him. It could only end short messages, but she'd informed her Uncle of the situation, and had already gotten his response.
"OMW," was all it said.
Paolo Blandelli was someone with a reputation that ensured that his arrival would cause a stir. Even Dumbledore looked uncomfortable at the idea of the former Diavolo Rosso arriving.
"Someone has clearly entered the girl in the tournament to target her," Professor Moody suggested, and that comment made the room pensive. Paolo had plenty of enemies, but for someone here to target him through his daughter, at Hogwarts where she was supposed to be safe was quite the accusation.
"It does not matter, I will win this tournament either way," Erica said challengingly, which caused Fleur to scoff and Viktor to look intrigued.
From there, the champions received a vague explanation of how the tournament would proceed and the date of the First Task. Most of the people were about to vacate the room when the backdoor slammed open, and into the room stepped a tall man.
He was broad-shouldered and muscular, with short blonde hair. Wearing a dark red suit, Paolo Blandelli stepped into the room and drew all eyes towards him.
"Explain."
----
Outside of the room, Harry had watched as Paolo arrived and charged into the room. He'd considered exposing himself but wanted to wait until there were fewer people present. It was surprising Paolo could arrive so quickly, especially with his identity.
International portkeys were heavily monitored, and for someone of Paolo's caliber, his travel was strictly monitored due to his power. For him to arrive within a matter of minutes meant he had simply ignored every international travel law or guideline and strong-armed his way into a portkey straight here.
'He's as impressive as ever,' Harry thought, recalling his first meeting with the man. To everyone else, Paolo commanded attention and respect, but when he interacted with Harry he was nothing but respectful and different.
Harry quite liked him, and the fact that he was Erica's Uncle who'd raised her only served to increase the positive attitude he had towards Paolo.
After some time, people began to exit the room. Harry watched as the other champions, along with their respective headmasters, and the Ministry employees left. Next were the professors, until everyone besides Erica, Dumbledore, and Paolo had left.
Seeing this as the right time, Harry stepped into the room and closed the door behind him, deactivating his invisibility cloak and revealing his existence to those in the room.
"Harry," Erica called out and rushed forward, wrapping him in a tight hug.
"Lord Potter," Paolo said, bowing to Harry before he straightened his back. "I arrived as soon as Erica messaged me."
"Someone is targeting either you or me through her," Harry stated, and those in the room grimly agreed.
"More than likely they are targeting you. The fourth paper that came out of the Goblet had your name written with a fourth school, but it was destroyed as soon as it tried to bind you," Dumbledore explained.
"Then that decides it, I'm destroying the Goblet."
Harry reached out to grab the Goblet of Fire which had been transported into the room, his hand grasping the edge of the cup as he started to channel his [Pillar of Humanity] to crush it. Some stupid artifact wasn't allowed to bind someone he cared about, it overreached its authority when he was present.
"Harry wait," Erica called out quickly, halting his action before he crushed the Goblet. "We were just discussing how we could use this."
"I'm not using you as bait for whoever did that," Harry denied instantly.
"I am also leery of the idea, but Erica seems confident she can handle the tournament and I do have faith in her ability," Paolo said.
Erica turned his face to look at her. "Just like with Or-Gaule, I'm your knight. Trust in my ability."
Harry looked deeply at her before he shifted. His demeanor since he'd entered the room embodied a Campione, the authority of a Devil King on full display. The events of the night had fully activated his arrogant nature, the refusal for anyone to target those he cared about.
"I'll allow this farce of a tournament to continue, but I'm not leaving Erica bound to this contract." He activated [Eyes of the Lord], which allowed him to see the magic that composed the Goblet. It only took him a moment to find the magical contract that had bound Erica to it before he reached out with his hand within the center of the Goblet and grasped something invisible, crushing it between his fingers.
"I'm unworried. With you here Lord Potter, no one can harm my niece." Paolo turned to Dumbledore. "I believe we have much to discuss."
"Keep me informed," Harry said and Paolo nodded his head.
"Of course."
Erica and Harry made their way out of the room while Paolo and Dumbledore remained, Erica pausing to hug her uncle before they left.
As they walked through the halls, Harry couldn't help but remember the start of the term, when he'd left Dumbledore's office in a similar state of agitation after their meeting. Much like that time, Erica was the one who calmed down his anger.
"I promise, if it gets dangerous I'll bow out, but have faith in me. Do you really think I can't compete with Delacour or Krum?"
"No, I know you're more capable than they are. I just dislike someone targeting me through you. It's clearly Voldemort or his minions doing it, and I won't let him survive this year."
"Good," Erica said before she paused and pushed Harry into a nearby alcove. "Seeing you like this has got me feeling something."
She then leaned up and kissed him deeply, while Harry wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her close to him, furthering the kiss. They continued to make out until Erica began to run her hands up Harry's shirt, trailing along his abs.
Her hand continued to move until it trailed down his pant leg and traced his lower half with a light touch. Erica's finger moved up to the waistband of his pants and hooked into them teasingly. "Let me help you feel better, my king."
Harry nodded his head, allowing her to continue. Erica was inexperienced, but she learned quickly and Harry left that alcove much less stressed, his thoughts filled with his beautiful knight.
When the two made it into the Gryffindor Common Room, they found quite the crowd waiting for them. Erica had made sure that any evidence of their 'dalliance,' had vanished, so no one was any wiser to what they had been up to.
People crowded around Erica, asking her how she entered. She replied she hadn't intended to enter, and someone had done it to target her uncle to hide the true reason. People were inclined to believe her, Paolo's reputation was well known, so a lot of them were worried about someone younger having to compete, but Erica assuaged their worries.
"I am my uncle's nice after all. I intend to win."
From there, the Gryffindors excitedly discussed the tournament, while Harry found his own quiet corner to himself, still caught up in thoughts of what had happened earlier.
Hermione made her way over to him, a determined expression on her face.
"Hey 'Mione, what's up," Harry asked, seeing his friend come over.
"Harry...are you a Campione?" her voice hushed, barely above a whisper. It was completely inaudible to anyone else in the room, but him.
Harry stared at his friend. Hermione was smart, and he knew he wouldn't be able to hide it for long. Too many inconsistencies had added up, and Hermione had finally decided to confront him about it.
"We have a lot to talk about."
----
Author's Note:
So Erica is the Triwizard Champion. I always intended for her to take part in the tournament instead of Harry. The next chapter will show the reasoning for why they decided to target her. I also really wanted to have Paolo make an appearance, and we see Harry's Campione side shine through here. He's relaxed most of the time, but when someone threatens people he cares about he becomes a true Devil King.
Hermione also finally confronts him about his identity. She's kind of taken a backseat in the last few chapters, but she's going to become a bigger part again.
I also still haven't decided if I want to include lemons or fade to black like I did with this chapter. I like getting an idea of what you guys want, so I'll make it a poll to get an idea of which direction to go.
1. Include Lemons. They would be sparse, I'm not just filling this story with sex the plot and character dynamics are the focal point.
2. Just fade to black and say that something happened.
Let me know what you guys think.
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