GOBLET OF FIRE CEREMONY - THE CHOOSING - OPEN

[charmian]

Charmian had been waiting for this goblet of fire ceremony since it was first announced at the start of term. She hoped it would prove to be as interesting as quidditch, and hoped that gryffindor would do well. When she arrived in the great hall she settled for a seat that was close enough to talk to both Aubrey and James, and knew that today no one would care if she was just a little bit too loud. She listened to the speech and ws eager to just skip all of it and find out who the champions were already.

Charmian hadn't entered herself, she knew she was no where as good as the others with the spells they would surely need. At least Charmian knew there was no chance of her brother entering. It would take too much time away from his studies. Looking around the great hall she wondered if anyone else she knew from the other houses had entered their name. Had Louis entered his name? Charmian knew that James had entered but she didn't know what other Gryffindors had. "Good luck James."

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[THERESA JAY KELSEY]

theia sighed, eyes trailing over the mostly full table before her as she attemtped to decide who she should sit with. she didn't sit beside just anyone these days, and her chocolate gaze swept over the faces around her, noting two she particulary did not wish to sit beside, and immediatly she started forward toward the other end, and sliding onto the bench next to scorpius, flashing a small smile at him. "hey. you alright?" she asked, glancing to him before sighing, she ran a hand through her thick glossy curls, pushing them over her shoulder so they spilled down her back. she glanced about her and accidently looked toward jacob and olivia, curling her lip slightly in distaste of them both, eyes narrowing slightly before she looked on, chocolate optics now flickering toward the fire of goblet.

she listened vaugely as kingsley spoke, not really bothering to pay much attention, her gaze was on the fire, wanting to know already who was chosen. well, who the chosen slytherin was. theia herself had entered of course, and she was eager to know if she would be the chosen slytherin or not. of course, she didn't show her eagerness - hiding it with her usual careful control and keeping the passive, almost bored look across her face.

[LUCIAN ILLIUM JAXON]

The werewolf's eyes gazed around the sea of faces with a disgusted look in his eyes. His lips twitched before turning into a scowl. Getting excited over a pathetic tournament, didn't anyone have anything better to do? Taking the seat at the very end of the Hufflepuff table, and closest to the door for a quick getaway, he cast his eyes down the table. Which one of them was going to get chosen, oh wait, he already knew that answer, him. Yes he was positive the goblet was going to pick him and if it didn’t, well the goblet was in for one hell of a werewolf lesson.

Folding his eyes over his chest, he glanced sideways, noticing someone from Slytherin having the same idea as him, taking the very end seat. He wetted his lips as he turned back to his own table. Why oh why did he have to put up with all these pathetic people, even the professors were the same. It all came down to the prejudice that stemmed from squibs. They were looked down upon, cast away from their families because they had very little magical talent. His mother was a squib and he found her to be the best person in the world. Of course he himself had been raised as a muggle until he got bitten. A soft deep growl emitted from his throat as he remember the weeks following the attack. His father up and left taking his dear beloved brother. Muggles they were weak and magical people were too self obsessed to see the true value of squibs.

His eyes were drawn to the fire in the goblet; his name was floating in there just waiting for the goblet to spew it out from its flames. He had entered for himself and to show just what werewolves were about. Deep down though, he wondered if he had entered because of his mother and brother as well.

[lorcan]

Even though Lor hadn’t entered his name into the goblet, he was still pretty excited about the ceremony, finding out the house champions. He couldn’t wait to watch the first task, actually he couldn’t wait to see all the tasks. They were still a mystery and doubted they'd know until the day before or even on the day.

Sliding into a seat he smiled mischievously at the girl next to him before turning away from her to listen to the headmaster. He hadn’t entered simply because he didn’t have the patience for it, and because it would take up valuable pranking time. He wasn’t serious enough for the tournament and resigned himself to be happy watching others getting injured and frustrated. Sounded almost like a good prank to him. Why was it that people always drew things out, trying to make it more suspenseful? Didn’t they know it just made things more painful in the end? He figured half of the room just wanted to find out the champions before eating dinner and he himself almost called out to the headmaster to hurry it up. He had his mouth parted and everything, until he remembered that the headmaster, no matter who he was, deserved more respect than that and quickly shut his mouth again.

[taylor]

striding through the double doors, heels clicking against the stone floor lightly, proffessor paxton swept into the great hall, drawing her robes around her as they swirled with each movement. she didn't hesitate in her confidence as the twenty-nine year old headed toward the slytherin table, a light, kind smile upon her face. she paused at the head of it, light gaze touching the faces of the students in her house as she inclined her head slightly in greeting and respect, expecting them to take notice of her immediatly of course. "good luck to those of you who entered the tournament. i hope you will all encourage whoever it is that is chosen, and bid them good luck in return." she said, voice kindly and yet with a slight steely undertone.

with taylor being the head of slytherin house, she knew some of the students would need a firm hand and a careful eye. they had a reputation, and tay did her best to keep her house in order, whilst at the same time, opening herself up to be friendly and all so that the students might perhaps like her. she didn't want them to hate her after all. besides, as a former slytherin herself she knew how things went in the house, and she was firm but with a kind hand... the only thing was, she knew something was going on in her house, and so for a while now she'd been being extra vigilant with keeping the students in line when it came to duels and cruel pranks. of course she didn't discourage high-spiriteness... all in good fun right? but something sinister was on the horrizon, she could feel it, and she didn't want any lack of control on her part right now.

still, with the tournament right on the precipise, taylor was detirmined to support whoever was chosen .. as well as trying to get the rest of the house to follow her example. she wouldn't push them - she knew slytherins and everything. so for now, she simply flashed her students a smile, lips pulling at the corners in an almost faint trace of a smirk (hey old habits die hard) before she passed them by in favour of a place with the other proffessors, taking her seat and politely focusing upon kingsley as he spoke.

[JAYCEN NATHANIEL TATE]

Finally. The last month had moved by agonizingly slow, though Jaycen usually thought that the days going by slowly at Hogwarts was a blessing. Finding out about the tournament had sent a thrill thought his veins. It was new. It was exciting. It was a step away from the norm of the school and that made it an event to look forward to every step of the way. Today it would officially begin, and he'd be lying if he said that he wasn't looking forward to finding out who was to be called 'the champion' for each house. He'd entered his name, but didn't expect to get chosen, really. It would be pretty damn cool if his name was called out for Ravenclaw, but there were tonnes of suitable candidates at his table. 'Sides, might it not be easier for him if his name wasn't called? This year he had tonnes of extra duties as head boy-

Oh sheet! he hissed to himself, sitting up on his bed and jumping off of it. Yeah, it was all fine and dandy to be one of the last into the great hall on any normal year, but as head boy shouldn't he be helping look after the younger students who, after a month in the school, might not yet know their way around? He glanced in a nearby mirror and tussled his hair so that it had that 'just woke up' look that he personally thought suited him quite nicely, and the next second he was racing down the stairs out of the Ravenclaw commons room.

There were a few stragglers here and there, but none that he could find that were first or second year and might need his help. Most of them were third or fourth years, waiting for their friends to catch up to them so that they could enter the great hall together. Jaycen walked right on by them, or rather speed walked as he didn't want to be one of the last to arrive in the great hall. As head-boy he should have a bit more sense than that. It wouldn't look good if he were late...

He mixed in with the crowd walking into the great hall, pleased to see that he was not the last to join the student assembled, and took his place down at the Ravenclaw table, near some other sixth and seventh years. He obviously wanted to be around people he was comfortable with, more than those many years younger than himself, when the names were called. After all, it would definitely be a fifth year or higher who was named the champion for the house. What fun would there be in sitting by first years, though he had nothing against them, when they might not even know who the champion was? After seven years at Hogwarts he knew who almost everyone was, and he'd prefer to be around kids who were the same way when the name was called so that he could hear their reactions instead of confused whispers of 'Who's that?'

The headmaster had already begun speaking, but Jaycen took a quick moment to whisper down the table to the older students he was nearby in his irish accent, "break a leg, to whoever's chosen! ...Well, not literally break a leg, 'cause then it'd be hard to compete in the challenges, but you know what I mean."

[CLAIRE LINDY GABLE]

Claire was nowhere to be found during the first few minutes, as students began to fill in the Great Hall. It was only after the Head Boy had passed by in the corridor that she decided to give up on the task at hand and head there too. What was she doing before that? None of your business, though it would be your character's business when the first issue of the Hogwarts Prophet went out in just a couple of days. So yeah, ok, it was your business.

Claire had spent the day snooping around. She wasn't very happy with the fact that she had been assigned to the gossip column, but since someone else had beat her to the advice column, she'd have to deal with it for now. Normally, she wasn't one to eavesdrop, but a girl had to do her job. Besides, who could it hurt? Not that it really matter to her if someone did end up getting hurt by it, but she'd never admit it.

Back to the ceremony! So Claire entered the Great Hall, her eyes wandering over to the Goblet of Fire in the center of all the commotion. She closed her eyes for a second and prayed to Merlin that bad luck would not get the best of her this time. Her feet kept moving and she soon found herself sitting next to Jayce and near Seizle and Vincent. She smile at them all, but hoped that she would come out victorious at the end. It's about time a girl took over this house.

[DUNSTABLE VERNON DURSLEY]

Dunstable had been waiting for this day. Of course pretty much everyone knew that he had entered his name into the Goblet of Fire. How could he not? He wanted to show his grandfather just how skilled he was and he was sure his grandfather would actually come to Hogwarts to see him if he were to become the Champion for Hufflepuff. Dunstable had woken up early that day, sure the ceremony wasn’t until the evening, but he wanted to make sure to get his homework done before he headed to the ceremony, after all, he didn’t want to be late.

Finally it was time to go to the ceremony, he got there after most of the Hufflepuffs had arrived and slid onto the bench for the Hufflepuff table right next to his best friend Nathaniel Greyback. “Hey,” he said with his usual goofy smile before he began to pile some food upon his plate. He noticed that no one else had started to, but he didn’t care. He was hungry and quite frankly if his name was called he couldn’t go up there on an empty stomach after all. He glanced down the table wondering how many other Hufflepuffs had entered their name into the Goblet. He knew that Nate did, and of course he would be happy if his best friend got chosen as champion instead of him. “Well here’s to all of us Hufflepuffs. I’m sure that whoever gets chosen will do well and show that Hufflepuff really is the best house,” he said with a smile as he raised his goblet for a toast.

[LUCY RAE SANGUINI]

Lucy shuffled from her room to the staircase, her mood really low. She was tired of being the butt of everyone's jokes. She wanted to prove to the Purebloods here that she really was someone to fear, someone who could mess you up. Back in Russia she was like a dark princess. She ruled over there with an iron fist, and people feared her! Yet here, she was ridiculed and tormented. Almost everyday she woke up to some new sort of punishment from her fellow Slytherin students. With a sigh, she left the dungeons and walked up the stairs to the Great Hall.

Many other students had also started to congregate here, and the halls were thick with students. She was being shuffled from one side to the next, being pulled towards the big open doors by the stream of kids. Lucy wasn't really excited to be here. She really was only here because they were supposed to be serving food, and she'd missed lunch. As if on cue, her stomach growled. She bumped into someone, her elbow flying towards his ribs as she muttered something rude and continued to walk. He was kind of cute looking, but Luce didn't stop for a second to think about it.

Sitting down at an empty space on her table, she noticed the other students backing away down the bench from her. If they wanted a show, then she'd give them a show. She hissed then, baring the fangs that she would never use on somebody. The first years shrieked and moved down while the upperclassman just shrugged her off. Running a hand through her thin blond hair, Luce waited for the speech. She could see fidgeting children everywhere. She looked to the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables, and saw all the Potter kids glancing nervously from the Goblet to the wood grains on the table. Great. It would most likely be one of them to get their name spewed from that thing.

Her eyes racked the faces of other students from the room. Seeing none that she knew, Luce went back to day dreaming. She saw the face of the boy she'd almost elbowed, She studied it for a moment. He really was quite handsome. He had freckles everywhere, and a build that suggested he was a Quidditch player. Not everyone had strong looking biceps. She continued to stare at him, even as Kingsley began his speech. It wasn't until the guy moved that she realized that he probably felt her eyes on him. Glancing down at the wood table, she traced her name in the grain.

[KINGSLEY AVIDORAS SHACKLEBOLT]

Kingsley saw a fair amount of students heading in already, and the ceremony had only just begun. As for the names being called, well it was really up to the Goblet of Fire to choose not him. Even in the time it took for everyone to get settled down, Kingsley was already starting to count the number of heads in the Great Hall. Making sure that the other students within Hogwarts had actually had a fair chance to get their name into the Goblet. Since there would obviously be no last-minute entries. One thing that Kingsley was against was the fact that the Goblet chose names randomly, but that was fair to everyone. In the end, he probably knew that one of these challengers would bring a great change along with them.

Raising his goblet up into the air, he soon spoke once more, this time with authoirty and making sure everyone was focused on him. It was obvious someone was about to be named as the Goblet itself started to roar up like a furnace. Even with it's colors changing from the glorious blue to the mysterious pinkish flame consuming the goblet now. Suddenly Kingsley was letting his lips move at tthis precise moment. "When I name the champion of each house, I want you to come up and go into the back room. It seems the goblet is ready to choose it's first champion," after finishing his speech, even though it was short-lived, he soon watched the flames spew up further. Suddenly a flash of flames spewed forth as a slip popped out of the Goblet of Fire.

Slowly twirling like a leaf in the wind down towards Kingsley's hands he soon held it up, and read the name. Paying no attention to the goblet as it seemed to be content with just that one name for now. Giving people a time to react was more or less consideration on Kingsley's part and he didn't want to be rude by actually holding up the ceremony further. So without further ado, he actually decided to spill the name after trying to remember which house she was in. "Our first champion is Claire Lindy Gable!!!!! If you would make your way to the back room please where all the other champions will meet as well," he looked around as he said the name. Waiting for her to stand up to claim her prize. Of course it really wasn't a prize.

Kingsley saw this as more of a test to a student's will than anything, and thought this should have been the first task. Of course he was only joking with himself but he'd mention that to some of the other teachers later he was sure. Kingsley remembered Claire being in Ravenclaw, but he didn't honestly know all of his students by name that well, so you could understand his frustration when people didn't stand up right away. Of course, he didn't mind, it would only make the ceremony more drawn out as he waited while the goblet spewed blue flames again instead of pink now after the name had been chosen.

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[JACOB CONWAY WARRINGTON]

Jacob was already sitting by Olivia, so he didn't know why she was beckoning him over, but he as merely intrigued by the feast itself. Even as the blue flames turned into the usual pink that he had heard about from so long ago. If they're plan actually came to fruition then the school would follow after. There was much to be planned, and as for being successful. James was just a little more than successful since he had returned unscathed and also ended up breaking a person's arm. He was incredibly happy about that for some reason, perhaps it was the fact that all the Weasleys were blood traitors only to be related to the Potters.

Sighing lightly as he heaved in a huge breath of air and then let it out. Suddenly the flames changing color on the goblet had caught his attention. Even when no one thought he had been standing there, he had been using a bedazzling hex watching that chalice at times. To see if any muggles tried entering, and would have easily slipped a hex or curse their way. It was fun to do that and to see the reaction on their faces as they realized someone else was there besides them. Of course, Jacob had to tell Olivia about everyone else who entered their name into the Goblet.

Then again, Jacob had considered entering his name within the Goblet of Fire just to perhaps get a reaction out of everyone from the Slytherin table. Finally deciding to speak up towards Olivia as she told him to hush about the Potters, it was obvious he wasn't too thrilled about that. Not keeping it to himself since she could just read his mind anyways and would eventually ask about it later. "I'm already sitting here Olivia, no need in moving, and the fact is, I did it. Now it's up to you Chun, I'm surprised neither of you entered your name, surely you would have wanted to show everyone Slytherin was the best house here. Then again we already know that one, so judging from that logic that's why "I" didn't put my name in," he smirked.

Looking up to the chalice that had brought misery once before as it had been used as a port key to transport students directly towards Lord Voldemort. Jacob was having a similar idea for when you would have to find it, however, he thought it would be a bad idea right now. So he just sat there patiently waiting for another name to be drawn.

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[LILY LUNA POTTER]

Lily, glancing up every few minutes towards the doors to the great hall, hoping to see Ivan, of course noticed her brother come in. She smiled at him, her eyes following him until he sat down nearby her. Of course he would have entered his name as well, she knew that. It wasn't in his nature to shy away from a challenge or event, especially not one as huge as this tournament was. It was in the Potter genes to throw themselves at every challenge that came their way. None of the Potters, really, were the type to huddle in the background. She suspected that Al had probably entered his name as well, and wished him the best of luck, too. And as for Gryffindor, on the bright side (or maybe the dark side? She couldn't decide what she wanted), with a candidate as good as James up for the Gryffindor champion, there was little chance that a tiny fifth year would be chosen, right?

"Well, duh," she managed a smile at her eldest brother as he spoke to her. "It's not as though you'll shun whoever is chosen, if it's not you, just because you weren't picked. There is a bit of house pride involved in these sorts of things," she teased. "And I'm pretty excited... I mean, this is the first year I'm eligible for these sorts of things, so I don't expect to get chosen, but its still really exciting."

She looked back towards the huge doors of the great hall just in time to see Ivan walk through them with a few other students, and her face immediately lit up with a smile. Just as she'd been hoping, and expecting, he sat down beside her for the ceremony. "Of course I did," she smiled at him.

Her attention was brought back to the front as the action began and a slip of paper flew out of the goblet to be caught in the headmaster's hand. Her breath caught in her throat as she awaited the name to be called, let out in one big rush when she realized that it wasn't her name, or even the name of anyone from her house. Then her voice joined those cheering for the Ravenclaw champion, who she admitted she didn't know very well. Her eyes glanced over to the Ravenclaw table, searching for her friend and the head boy, Jaycen Tate, who she knew had entered his name into the options. She hoped that he wasn't too disappointed that his name hadn't been called, but Jayce wasn't the type to hold grudges over things like this.

[EVANGELINA ALYSON LESEDI]

The excitement of the 'choosing ceremony' wasn't limited to affecting only the young students who had the potential to represent their house. Oh no. Evangelina was just as excited as any fifth year or first year or seventh year. She was among the first to arrive in the Great Hall, and promptly took her seat at the head table. She watched, with eager eyes, as the students filed in to take their places at their tables and chatter excitedly amongst eachother. She paid particular attention to the Ravenclaws that marched into the Great Hall. She knew each of them by name, it was her duty as the head of Ravenclaw to do so. She knew, for the most part, who had entered their name into the tournament with the hopes of being chosen, and she knew that all of them would do a fantastic job. Of course, there were the obvious choices to be picked, such as the head boy who obviously had what it took to represent his house. But she knew the goblet might not go in the direction of the obvious. That was much of the fun of this event; you never knew what to expect.

Once the Ravenclaw table was more full, Evangelina rose from her seat to walk down to it and greet her students. She stood behind Jaycen Tate, locking eyes with each of the students around him as she spoke. "Good luck to all of you. I know that whoever is chosen will represent our house well." Oh, she'd been given lots of trouble in the past for always referring to Ravenclaw as 'our house' when speaking to Ravenclaw students, though the trouble usually came from Slytherins. They didn't seem to think that she was suited to use the phrase when she had never been a Ravenclaw herself, or a Hogwarts student at all. But since she'd been made head of Ravenclaw many years ago it really had become her house, too. She was extremely proud of her students, she didn't have to be a born and raised Ravenclaw to feel that way.

Of course, she hoped that whoever the champion of her house was would know that she would help them however possible. Of course she couldn't let them know what the tasks were when they weren't supposed to be known or anything like that, but if they needed any help with a spell she'd be glad to give them a classroom to practice in or something of the sort. Mind you, Ravenclaws were usually quite bright and they likely wouldn't have much issues with any spells they wanted to learn.

She moved farther up the table and repeated the message to those who might not have heard her the first time, and then, giving a friendly smile to her entire table, she returned to her position at the head table as the ceremony began. Her eyes carefully watched the goblet and the paper that shot out of it as it was caught in Kingsley's hand and his voice boomed out the first name, which Evangelina recognized immediately. Her eyes found the girl at the Ravenclaw table, among the first group that Evangelina had been speaking to. She clapped loudly along with everyone else, smiling widely. It was a good choice.

[JAYCEN NATHANIEL TATE]

A hush seemed to fall over the students around Jaycen as the goblet spit out a small piece of paper among its flames. His brown eyes followed it as it trailed down through the air to Professor Kingsley's hand. He watched the professor's eyes for any advance indication of what the paper read, but luckily he didn't have to rely on that because the headmaster quickly read out the name. Claire.

Immediately he turned his eyes to her, she was sitting right next to him, and a grin filled his face. "Congratulations!" It was an entirely genuine response, though some might suspect that he was jealous. Sure, there was the slight tinge of disappointment that his name wasn't called, but he had enough on his plate this year, didn't he? It was his final year of school, maybe his time would be better spent chasing after good grades rather than victories at challenges that would mean next to nothing, but bragging rights, after this year was over. He had to work hard if he wanted to get to St. Mungo's. 'Sides, from what he knew of Claire she was entirely capable of representing their house well.

(OOC: -Twitch- It's so short...)

[adelina]

Adelina had been among the first students to file into the great hall for the ceremony. She, however, had not been so early because she wanted to save her seats for her best friends, or because she wanted to be there ahead of her crush. She wasn't one of those giggly girls who came early with their group of five 'BFFs' to reserve their places at their house table closest to the teachers, or farthest away. She came early pretty much because she had nothing else to do. Her homework for the day had been done the moment classes were out, like always, and since then she'd been walking aimlessly down the hallways, watching the happy couples and friends chit chat around her as she wandered on. Oh, boo hoo, let's all pity Addy. No, that was the last thing she wanted. Things had just become... different, this year. Her friendships had been slowly spiraling downwards since 'the accident' that took her little brother away from her, and apparently most of her friends had decided that her moodiness and sudden quiet nature were too much to put up with now. It was all right, really. She told herself that each day when she heard her friend's laughter echo through the halls, though she wasn't in on the joke. It was only a month into the school year. There was plenty of time for things to return to normal and for her to get out of this 'funk' she appeared to be in this year. She didn't know what was causing the extreme moodiness this year, especially. She just had this feeling... things weren't right at Hogwarts this year. It scared her.

She sat at the end of the Ravenclaw table, farthest away from the head table where the teachers sat, as students and teachers alike wandered into the Great Hall and took their places at their seats. She was silent, looking around, trying her best to look normal. Her hair was straightened and covered her face whenever she looked down, which was an asset she used quite often as the Great Hall began to fll. She did, however, see Jaycen Tate walk by her, close enough that she could have reached out and touched him, which sent a flutter through her chest. Stupid girly crushed... he probably didn't even know her name. When the hall was completely filled and the ceremony began she looked up to where the Headmaster, Professor Kingsley, was addressing the room.

She hadn't entered her name. Of course not. She was only in fifth year. She was pretty sure that she would have killed herself with a backfired hex if she were put into any of the challenges. She preferred to watch, just as in Quidditch. There was all of the thrill of the event with none of the 'omigod I'm going to die!' feeling. Still, when the first champion was called, a Ravenclaw, Adelina cheered loudly along with the rest of her table. She saw the champion sitting near Jaycen. Addy didn't know the girl on any personal level, but if she weren't going to be a good champion the goblet wouldn't have picked her, right?

[CLAIRE LINDY GABLE]

Claire, by this point, wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings. Her eyes were locked on the Slytherin table as she was sure their champion would be called first. Another reason was the fact that Olivia and Jacob kept whispering to each other and then there was the other boy that always hung around them. Chun was his name, she thought, though she wasn't too sure. She wasn't sure either if anything was going on because as she looked around the Slytherin table, most of them were in their own little cliques and whispering to each other.

However, her attention was caught by the Goblet of Fire as its flames began to change colors. The blue progressively changed to a deep pink and everyone, including Clair knew what was coming. Someone's life was about to change, at least for the rest of the year. She held her breath in and turned back to her housemates. She was surrounded mostly by boys she knew had put their name in. There was Seizel, who was a competitive, talented Quidditch player. Her was a great candidate. On her other side was Jaycen, Head Boy himself. If anyone had a higher chance of being called, it was him. So it shouldn't be surprising that Claire's gaze stayed on him as the Headmaster read the name to himself. Then the seconds seemed to drag on as everyone waited to hear who had been chosen. Her hand was about to go on Jaycen's back, as an early congratulations, but she froze in midair as she heard her name.

Everyone around her cheered, but she was so confused, she didn't know what to do. She looked at Jaycen, then at Seizel, then Vincent. She didn't know what to do or say and she stayed glue to her seat for what seemed to be hours, though it had only been some seconds. Her hand rested on Jaycen's shoulder as support as she began to get up. She could feel all eyes on her and the walk to the other room seemed miles long. She smiled, though, not wanting anyone to think that she couldn't even handle the walking distance. As she reached the door, her only regret was that she wouldn't be able to see who the other champions were until they joined her.

[patricia]

Patricia was running a little late to the ceremony, actually. She had decided it wasn't a huge deal. Why? Well, because she wasn't involved. It was true that she had wanted to enter her own name for the chance to be Gryffindor's champion, but her parents had forbade it. Generally, she really wouldn't have cared what her parents 'forbade' her to do. She usually broke all of their rules, because they broke the one rule as parents they had set upon themselves -to love all of their children. Tricia knew that they seemed to only love her elder brother. Still, the seriousness of her father's tone when he told her not to compete instilled fear throughout her veins. She had been eager and anxious to enter the tournament, and sadly did not do so. At first, because of this, she had decided not to even go to the ceremony. However, sitting alone in the Gryffindor common room was not going to cut it that night.

She simply fled from the tower and traveled down the spiraling staircases. Her dark locks flowed behind her as she walked after reaching the first floor at last. Patricia made her way toward the Great Hall, but stopped outside of the door. She could hear Shacklebolt beginning to speak, and decided it would be rude to interrupt the calling of Ravenclaw's champion. When Claire's name was announced, Tricia smiled. The girl was obviously intelligent enough to handle the tasks that were to come, but was she strong enough? Patricia knew that the tasks in the tournament were designed to challenge not only brains, but internal and physical strength, as well as heart. She couldn't say she knew the girl well enough to determine if Claire had all of those things or not, but she was sure that Claire was smart enough to know not to enter the tournament if she wasn't ready.

Patricia quietly moved into the hall as everyone was clapping for the first champion. She took a seat in one of the gaps at the Gryffindor table, squeezing between two others. She didn't even bother to check if she knew the people or not. Trish simply wanted to take a seat, trying to not gather as much attention to herself as possible. She ran a hand through her hair and tugged on her Gryffindor robe. She bit her lower lip as she looked around, trying to scout the table for people she actually knew. She licked her lips and looked down, wondering who the next champion would be.

[jez]

as jez's light blue eyes continued to scan the hall in vain hope for a sign of hugo, she knew it was pointless. something was telling her that he just wasn't there, and that had her heart constricting in worry - hugo wouldn't have wanted to miss this. he would have been here already, waiting on the edge of his seat to see what was going to happen, jez was sure he'd have been here. he couldn't have got held up - everyone else was here, what would there be to hold him up? the again, what could have happened? hogwarts was the safest place in the country right?

knawing her lower lip in worry, it was a moment after everyone else that jez realised a name had flown from the cups flames. she'd entered herself, but right then, despite the hours she'd spent hoping it would be her since she'd entered, she was crossing her fingers for anyone but her. she was more worried about hugo. jez held her breath as the name was spoken and breathed out in slight relief. not her. some girl a few years or so above her.

jez's gaze flickered to the chosen ravenclaw, not really recognising her but clapping all the same, sure that the chosen girl could do ravenclaw proud and all. but right now, jessamines thoughts were still focused on hugo. where the heck was he?!

[bradley]

usually he didn't make a terrible habit of being late, and on the one occassion that he wanted to be on time, it worked out that he was indeed just a little bit late. bradley had been doing some last minute essay for care of magical creatures and had completely lost track of time. fortunately the emptiness of the library clued him in on what he was missing. bradley arrived just as the headmaster was finishing up the speech and slid quitely into the empty seat near lyra. "good luck guys." he whispered so as not to draw too much attention to himself.

finally it came the time for the goblet of fire to choose the champions. he would have thought it would have put a gryffindor name first but suprisingly it called the name of a ravenclaw. he didn't know her well but he had seen her around a few times. as she walked up to where the champions were to meet he couldn't help but be anxious. he wanted to see who the rest of the champions were, and he'd support whoever was chosen for hufflepuff, even if it wasn't his name that came out.

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[ronan]

To say that Ronan was exciting about the choosing ceremony would be somewhat of an understatement. He had been ooking forward to it ever since the Tournament had been announced. It was like he was a chid again, waiting anxiousy on Christmas morning to open his presents. He wished he could be a part of it, feel the excitement and some of the butterflies that those students who had submitted their names would probably be feeling. The rush of adrenaine coupled with anxiety was a great mix, and one that he was very much accustomed to. He hadn’t been abe to concentrate for much of the day, his mind wandering to the chalice which would reveal the name of the chosen few. He had resorted to pacing around his office and checking the time every couple of minutes, essays and questions they unmarked in the middle of his untidy desk. His usually neat writing had changed into something almost illegible and scrawl like creation. He would need to start again later, but now, he couldn’t think of anything else but the ceremony and of course the food.

As the hour in question drew closer, his thoughts switched to what he was going to wear to the ceremony. Robes were a must and that was the root of the problem. He had never felt comfortable in his fancy robes as he called them. The much more familiar emerald joggers and t-shirt filled his coupboard, but they weren’t allowed tonight. After staring into his wardrobe for several minutes, he decided upon a plain white shirt and black trousers. All very boring and plain, but suitable for the occasion. Now the next issue. Which robes to wear. The traditional choice would have been plain black robes to go with the whole theme of his outfit, but he was swayed towards his favourite robes. Sadly he knew he couldn’t wear those today, as his fellow hufflepuffs wouldn’t appreciate him wearing emerald green. So he settled upon his newest robes, black with a collection of small gold stars on the front top right hand section of them. Hufflepuff colours and still smart. Good choice.

He gave the mirror one last quick glance before stepping out into the corridor and closing the door and locking it. He took off at a leasurely pace not wishing to be the first professor in the hall and have to sit at the front on his own. Within minutes he had reached the entrance hall and with it a croud of students all making their way into the hall. Everyone seemed on edge and he wasn’t surprised considering several of them had put their names in the goblet and volunteered themselves for selection. He dodged around a group of first years ,who waved to him cheerily, and fought his way through the crowd to the large wooden doors.

He made his way into the Great Hall which was filling up fast. He lingered by the Hufflepuff table chatting to various students and wishing luck to those who had submitted their names. He took care not to move around so much, as he was self-conscious of appearing almost bat-like in his robes. The robes felt too big for him, but he had been assured that they were a good fit. This didn’t stop Ronan thinking that everyone was staring at the crazy Irish bat-like professor and laughing at him behind his back. “Good luck Hufflepuff! I know whoever is chosen will do a great job and that the rest of you will support them to the best of your ability. Make Hufflepuff proud!”, he smiled, finally bidding them fairwell before making his way over to the head table and taking his seat.

As he took his usual seat, he serveyed the Great Hall as it gradually filled up with students. His watched the Hufflepuff table with particular interest, smiling or nodding to those who caught his eye. He tapped his fingers on the table in anticipation, whilst watching the chalice with interest. As the ceremony began, he watched the chalice closely and followed the paper’s progress through the air. He clapped loudly as the first name was announced, eager to know who the other champions were going to be.