The Great Hall

Ciaran nodded. "I suppose I would be." he chuckled. "If you'll be having me. Me dance steps are a bit of the slow side, hurt me leg three years ago."

Kiara smiled "I would be honored to, and not don't like danceing very fast anyway, bad for my health" she said.

"Indeed it is, lassie." he stated seriously. "Now with under me hat, I'll be off home to gather about a few changes." He bowed slightly. "Good day to you."

Kiara nodded "You to as well Ran, I hope to see later then" she said with a smile.

Ciaran chuckled. "I as well." And with another slight bow he turned and left the room.

Kiara waved her hand in the middle of the great hall and the goblet of fire appeared. The Naming ceremony of the tournament was about to start and she as nervous as hell.

She had a bad feeling about it.

"Be nice..." she said to it.

As she waited for students and the staff to gather.

Sevastyan strode into the Great Hall wearing navy blue robes, Ethan Addams in mint green ones and right on his heels. They were in a hurry, which really was not conducive to chit-chat. Odd enough as it was, Ethan remained silent. While Ethan decided to sit at the staff table, Sevastyan chose instead to stand a few feet away from and behind Kiara.

"Good Evening, Kiara," Sevastyan greeted her quietly. There was no need to raise his voice, and he didn't really want to get Ethan started.

"Where is everyone?!" Ethan called from his seat. "You'd think the sprouts'd all be cluttering about, pushing and shoving... guess I shouldn't count me chickens up before they hatch, eh?"

Sevastyan slowly closed his eyes and opened them again, muttering the numbers one through ten in English, Russian, and German while praying to Merlin for patience in dealing with the slightly older Professor.

- - - -

Michael Blackwood entered the Great Hall, surveying who all was there. Seemed like the crowd was just beginning to gather. He took note of the new professor at the table, the Defense Professor, and the Headmistress before sitting down at his House's table. Thoughts of whom would be picked for Hogwarts Champion ran through his head. He still didn't know too many people here - especially his seniors!

Kiara took her nervous eyes off the Goblet and turned her head to Sevastyan and Ethan.

"Good Evening Sevastyan" she nodded.

Kiara laughed at Ethan's comment "Everyone will be here soon, I am a little early anyway"

Kiara's smile grew larger as she heard Sevastyan mutter, obviously the energy of the Herbology professor, clashed with the reserved nature of Sevastyan. It was just funny that Ethan was oblivious to it.

"You may need to count to 20 if counting helps" she whispered to Sevastyan though the amusement never left her voice.

((lol the suspense!!!))

Darien sat down at the Slytherin bench, noticing Ana seemed a bit on edge.
But he was too busy worrying. What if Diana was disappointed? What if she competed?
He wasn't sure he could handle the stress.

Ana bit her lip slightly. She'd forgotten to tell Darien about her evil cunning plan.
If she wasn't chosen, only Bella would know.
If she was...Darien would probably kill her...or just worry himself to death.
Like he was doing right now.
"Darien chill."
He ignored her. Big surprise.

Sevastyan laughed softly. "Votever vould give you that idea?" he returned jokingly, though made sure his voice didn't exceed the required decibels to be heard from too grand a distance. "And in most cases, it does help... though I do not recall a time ven I've had to use all three langvages I am fluent in." Amused at her teasing? Yes; the Russian was. Offended? Not at all.
- - - -

Ethan was animatedly muttering to himself about the concept of time and how much of a headache it would be to really use a time-turner for this, that, and the other thing...

- - - -
Just then the doors to the Great Hall swung open as Headmaster Kazimir Orlov and his students entered. The entirety of Nicolas Casillas and Boris Kaminski's clique - the Conquistadors - were there, and each of the five remaining members (they still had to find a decent replacement for Nicolas and Jake, who was also known as Gleb) taking a moment to discreetly razzle Darien Vaight in some way on their way through.

- - - -
With a rigid gesture from their Headmaster on where to be seated, the Durmstrang students formed an organized, almost militarily-formatted company formation. Boris was at the most prominent point of this shape, looking rather self-satisfied. The moment of judgment awaited, and he was now here to face it. Would he be selected as Durmstrang's Champion?

Horatio entered the Great Hall, not long after the Durmstrang students had entered. He was humming a cheerful tune from the muggle movie Mary Poppins and practically skipped up to the Head Table. "Lovely morning, Kiara, Sevastyan, Ethan." He greeted, seating himself beside Ethan. "No one minds smoke eh?" he asked, not remembering if the Russian professor had anything against it. Of course, he always contained the smoke to spare Kiara any pain, but some people disliked watching smoke creatures dance or float around.

****

Almost as soon as Horatio had taken his seat; Madame Genevieve Lasharna glided into the Hall with her students neatly arranged behind her. Despite the fact that she towered over them, her slender frame easily blended with her girls' and their matching light blue uniforms.

****

Almost unknown to most assembled, Ciaran McConn slipped into the room and went to stand off in a deserted corner. He rose a hand briefly to catch Kiara's attention and winked at her, hoping to offer some small measure of encouragement. It was after all a grand occasion.

****

About ten minutes after the Bauxbatons students had entered and arranged themselves in the Great Hall, a small troupe of Gryffindors hurried in to take their seats. Behind them, like some faithful shepherd, was Professor DeLanquar. A rather unhappy looking puppy-less Edwin was being more or less dragged along by his mother.
Settling her wheelchair in at the staff table, Eglantine sighed deeply and pulled her son into her lap.
"Why couwn't we bring Towiver?" Edwin whined, leaning back against his mother. "He would obey!" His mother ignored him, gently covering his mouth for a moment till he was silent.

Diana was seated with Nicolas and Helena on either side.

"You're pale Diana," Helena observed.

"Hmm?" She said.

"I said you're pale." Helena repeated.

"Oh... I'm just nervous I guess." Diana confessed.

"Don't worry so much," Nicolas said. "You're a Casillas, you'll make it for sure."

"Sometimes, I wish I had your confidence Nicolas." Diana sighed.

"What no insults?" He said smiling.

"Shh! The ceremony's about to begin," Helena sushed them both.

Kiara put on a smile as the great fulled up to its capacity she still couldn't shake the bad feeling something wrong was going to happen. In the back corner she saw Ciaran and gave him a small real smile before pasteing the fake one back on as she stood up to start the ceremony.

To comply with tradition she waved her hand and dimmed all the lights so the only light in the room was the fire in the goblet.

Kiara then stood in front of the Goblet so she could be seen clearly by everyone.

"This is the final word of warning, the contests in this tournentment are not to be taken lighly. If you are choosen you must compete, as it is a binding magical contract there is nothing I or any of the other staff can do...."

Kiara let her last warning hang for a moment as if to put pressure on anyone who managed to break the rules.

"Alright our first Champion is..." Kiara held out her hand to the goblet, near touching the flames. not that they would burn her anyways.

A peice of paper flashed out of the goblet and she read the name.

"The drumstrange Champion is Boris Kaminski" Kiara called out, and floated the sinnged piece of paratchment over to the teen.

After the appluse died down Kiara moved to the goblet again and raised her hand to it again nearly touching the flames.

In a burst of flame the another peice of paper floated out and caught it in midair.

Reading the name she yelled "The Hogwarts Champion is Diana Casillas!" she then floated the piece of paper over to her.

"Now for ower third and final Champion" Kiara said as the applause from the hall died down.

In a burst of light the last name flew out. Grabing it she read the name "The Bauxbatons Champion is Eleonore Lasharna!" she said as she floated the Paratchment to the french teenager.

Turning around she Spoke to the entire hall again "Here are owner 3 champions that will compete in the contests...."

Kiara haulted when the Goblet simply flashed out another peiace of paratchment. She cought it and read the name. She paled as she looked at it "What" she whispered. Though as the hall was totally silent her whisper was heard loud and clear.

Kiara turned her gaze to Slytherin table "Ana Vaight!!" she called.

With a shaky hand she floated the paratchment over to the young Slytherin.

Kiara swallowed "How could... why?"

She look nervously around the hall preparing for chaos that was bound to ensue at any moment.

"Alright," Nicolas cheered. "You and Boris are in!" He gave Diana a hug.

Diana felt elated. She was a Hogwarts Champion.

However, the Goblet spluttered out another name.

"What?" Nicolas glared. "Ana Vaight? Vaight? But she's underage!"

"Who cares Nick?" Helena said. "We have two Champions! And Diana's one of them!"

Darien's anger was evident on his face.
"What. Did. You. Do?!"
Ana rolled her eyes. I took Polyjuice potion and pretended I was you. Then I just wrote the surname, but the goblet filled in my first name too. If you hadn't been so 'busy' lately, I would've warned you.
Now everyone's going to know you cheated!
I am a Slytherin and a Vaight. What's the problem.
You! You are the problem!
Oh stop being such a drama king, brother.
Ana glanced across at the twins, and looked around for Bella, who she knew was forewarned.

Madame Lasharna beamed proudly as her daughter's name was announced as the Beauxbaton's champion. Of course, her precious cherie would win.


"Wha is da, Mama?" Edwin asked fairly loudly, pointing at the Goblet, which he had just noticed. Horatio chuckled, leaning over to whisper something to the curious toddler. Whatever he said had the right effect as Edwin gasped and smiled from ear to ear.

Bella slipped from her seat at the Slytherin table to move to where her friend, Ana, sat. "Told you you'd win, Ana." she smiled, seating herself beside her friend.

Darien was still glaring at his sister. "You should have told me."
Ana ignored him. She smiled at Bella. "
Hm...Two Hogwarts champions...that goblet's going senile or something. But I guess I'll just have to put up with Casillas...however the other schools are another matter." She smirked.
Darien was still glaring, although he did smile slightly at the prospect of Ana going against Boris... He shook his head slightly.
"You're underage. Pull out. That way the Headmistress may not kill you."
Ana rolled her eyes. "Only two years underage."
"Two whole years! Just say you can't do it anymore."
Ana raised an eyebrow. "What part of binding magical contract did you not understand?"
Darien fell silent, and his eyes flickered to Diana.
Ana turned back to Bella. "Ugh, I hope I don't get the whole shame-on-you talk..."

Sevastyan and Ethan both shook their heads at Horatio's question: neither of them minded smoke.

The moment Boris's name was announced, Sevastyan glanced in the direction of his second cousin. Perhaps now you'll learn to be a man instead of an impudent boy... my cousin, the Russian mused, observing the applause with the faintest hint of a smile. It was approving, for a change.

- - - -
There was general merriment amongst the Durmstrang students at the fact that Boris had been chosen, even though some would have clearly wanted the glory for themselves. Kazimir, too, looked quite pleased at the fact that his favored student had been selected. Boris caught the parchment that had floated over to him with ease, though with all the slaps to the back and shoulders he was practically forced out of his seat. That was about the same time when he noticed the look on his cousin's face...

- - - -
At the naming of two Hogwarts Champions, Kazimir looked rather livid. How could the goblet have arranged to select two Hogwarts Champions but not two from the other schools? He had inspected the Goblet himself, and found nothing wrong with it. Immediately the Russian Headmaster glanced in the direction of Headmistress Lasharna. Breaking away from the excited huddle of Durmstrangs and signaling to Boris to do the same, Kazimir approached the Headmistress. Before actually speaking, the aged wizard glanced at Sevastyan as though trying to determine what he would do. "I believe ve should all have a vord. In private," he practically hissed, looking none too pleased at having witnessed a repeat occurrence of the Tournament of 1994. Kazimir, for one, wasn't going to just allow Hogwarts to declare two champions without making sure another of his students was also chosen to even up the odds!

- - - -
Ethan had applauded in response to each of the Champions being selected. However, when a second Hogwarts Champion was selected, the wizard was left completely and utterly speechless.....

.... probably for the first time since he'd arrived.

Bella smirked. "Casillas will hardly be a problem." She muttered, glaring at Darien. "You should be thrilled, Vaight." She hissed, eyes narrowing and arms folding over her chest. "Or did you just want your precious girlfriend to win for Hogwarts?"

****

Madame Lasharna nodded at Kazimir and glared neatly at Kiara. The full realization that two Hogwarts Champions had been "oh-so-conveniently" picked was beginning to hit her. And it hardly boded well. No doubt the Headmistress thought she would be more popular or something if she had two champions as Dumbledore had. "A zord in private sound good, Heamistress." she agreed, her dark eyes never leaving Kiara.

****

Eglantine sighed, wishing for the millionth time that something at Hogwarts could go the way it was suppose to go. At least muggles never had these problems...at least not magical problems of binding and unbinding... Edwin had already made it perfectly clear that he wanted to explore the room, and it took most of her strength and no small amount of magic to keep him still. Finally, while she was briefly distracted by the Durmstang's Headmaster, Edwin broke free and dove under the table.
Muttering several choice Gaelic pleasantries, Eglantine sighed and hoped he would return. She didn't have the energy nor the time to chase him down.

Edwin crawled under the table until he was a pair of legs down from his mother and then popped up to shout "Boo!" at a blonde wizard with strange clothes on.

Darien scowled. "Ana isn't old enough to compete. At least Diana is."
"I passed the test!" Ana was outraged. "You make it sound like I am a child! I'm fourteen Darien, fourteen!"
"Which is two years younger than the other competitors! You can't honestly think you stand a chance?!"

Kiara caught the eyes of the other heads and sighed in defeat, after all she had done to prevent this from happening it still happened. The cursed cup that she hated to much had runined things again.

She failed.

She did everything by the book and then some......... squeezing fists together she she looked up at Kazimir and Lashanra. Willing to accept what ever insults they through at her.

She didn't want the 4th champion anymore then they did.

Ethan started at having been surprised by the youngster and looked down, finding a young boy of around three or four ((how old is Edwin again?)). "Ah - a sprout from the ever-mischievous Spooking Scalawag! Who might you be, lad?" Ethan inquired quietly so as not to disturb the goings on. Yes, he was aware that there was no such plant by that name. He was merely entertaining the boy.

* * * *

"Perhaps ve should take this somevhere else for a moment? I vould hate for this discussion to... embarrass ourselves, in front of our students," Kazimir suggested, glancing at the other two Heads in order to gauge their reactions. Subconsciously, the Russian wizard leaned heavily upon his staff. Was it a guise, or legitimate?

* * * *

Sevastyan felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end the moment Kazimir approached Kiara, not liking at all what this could possibly imply. True, the fourth Champion was unexpected. But from the boastful declarations Boris had made about the test, and coming to his own conclusions, Sevastyan saw no problem with Miss Vaight's competing provided she had the knowledge and skills.

He decided to approach the Heads. "Vith your permission, Headmistress Kiara, I vould like to attend this meeting. As the Defense Professor, I feel it necessary that I should accompany you," Sevastyan requested formally. He knew Kazimir was up to something and didn't want to give him any ideas.

* * * *

Kazimir glanced at Sevastyan with the deepest loathing. "Yes, let the traitor come vith us! Perhaps he vos the vone that 'mysteriously' arranged a second Champion for Hogvarts," the older wizard agreed sourly. He didn't like supporting the requests of "traitors".

Candii walked to the Great Hall to see if she could make any friends or to see if her parents wrote to her. on the corner of her eye she caught some teachers talking and was curious of what they had to say. Candii walked up to them without them knowing and easedropped on them grinning childishly.

Kiara nodded to Kazimir, other then rant at her there was little he could do, besides she deseved it,

When Sevastyan walked up beside her and asked join the she nodded, but shot Kazimir a glare for his comment.

"Keep whatever resentment you have to Professor Kaminski to yourself Kazimir, he is not to blame for this" she hissed

((He's three...))

Edwin giggled, climbing fully onto the man's lap. "Wha a Scalery bag?" He asked, eyes wide. His Aunt Esis had strange friends like him that would coo over him and give him candy. Of course they only spoke French and usually looked as if they had jumped out of a trash can...

****

Madame Lasharna agreed. "Prizacy zos be good." she nodded. Her eyes turned momentarily to catch if Eglantine was as well upset about the situation. The Transfiguration professor, however, looked fairly indifferent.