A.N.: Top 10 overall?!
Damn, didn't know we had so many readers. I trust we'll reach 500 soon, let's keep going! Here is the chapter!
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"Lucas Castillin. From Beauxbatons."
Lucas felt another magical binding settle over him, this one feeling more… fiery… and old. He was surprised to find that it was actually more powerful than the contract he had signed with Aurora.
'The chosen champions are bound through a magical contract, and are required to participate in the tournament.' The words from the books surfaced in his mind.
Silence
For a moment, no one even spoke a letter.
"It's you!" But then Gabrielle cheered, shaking him excitedly.
Then Fleur started to clap, her head swivelling to find him, her face showing a delighted expression that seemed to suggest that Christmas might have come early.
Sabrine and Ilona also cheered, also very excited. Ariana Dumbledore finally gave a signatory applause and the rest of the crowd, although a bit sluggish, still followed.
Flashes and shutter sounds intensified as if the cameramen seemed to find this situation very exciting, almost as much as Fleur.
Lucas slowly left his seat. He saw Ron's mouth still wide open wide enough to fit an egg, saw the worried and surprised looks on the faces of Hermione and Adeline, and he saw Harry's face that had not yet lost the smile from his successful prank, slowly transitioning into confusion.
'I guess this is happening.'
He gave the Golden Quartet a smile with raised eyebrows, shrugging his shoulders.
Then, amidst the sparse applause, he stalked through the aisle, the heads of the Hogwarts students turning one by one as he passed by, trying to get a good look at the first selected champion of the Tri-wizard Cup.
He looked at the Professor's table. Lily Potter had her eyes fixed on him, her brows showing more and more creases as she thought of the implications.
And beside her, he saw his mother. She was frowning at him, her eyes showing confusion and something else that he couldn't quite put a finger on.
But there was someone else whose presence was hard to ignore - Alaric Rosier. The man was glaring at Lucas like he had murdered his entire family.
Ariana stood next to the Goblet, her eyes fixed on him. And as Lucas approached her for the first time in his life, his gait almost faltered.
The air around Ariana was thick with magic, a dense, pressing field that someone with his sensitivity could not possibly ignore.
'What… what is this?'
He wasn't sure if it was simply the raw power radiating off of her or if it was some sort of magical spell, but he had never sensed magic so dense and pure before.
Controlling himself, he stepped forward and firmly shook her offered hand. It was warm, slender, and surprisingly delicate for someone over 100.
Ariana motioned him towards the antichamber behind the hall, and Lucas complied, entering through the opened door, not looking back.
Not long after, another name was announced in Ariana's ethereal voice.
Lucas finally relaxed when he found it was none other than Fleur.
Within a matter of seconds, he saw the tall veela emerge through the entrance, beelining for him.
Fleur was so excited that she actually hugged Lucas, mashing her bosom against his chest as she rained kisses on his face.
"You have no idea how relieved I am."
"I think I can see it," said Lucas, looking down at their tightly conjoined bodies.
Fleur pushed him away, shaking her head.
"What made you change your mind?" She asked.
Lucas shrugged. "Can't keep cowering from all opportunities."
When he saw Harry entering his name, and Lily scolding him, he had a profound realization.
Why was he not participating in the tournament? Why had he so easily given up on the chance to become an Apprentice of Ariana Dumbledore?
The rest of the reasons were just excuses. The main reason was - he was simply conditioned to do it.
Due to his previous life, he had made it a habit of dodging every opportunity and taking the easy way out.
Because with his physical condition, simply going for it was never an option.
But now - even after he has such a great body, magical powers, safety precautions set by Aurora and Lily, and healing magic that can bring people from the brink of death at his disposal - he was simply sitting out this amazing opportunity.
Lucas realized that he needed to break out of this mentality, or he would still never realize his full potential. That was the reason why he entered his name into the Goblet.
Of course, at that time he hadn't even dreamed that he could be hired into Aurora's lab within the next hour, neither had he thought he would actually be selected as a champion with only 2 months of spell-casting under his belt.
So, here he was. And so far, he was not regretting the decision.
They were soon joined by another champion.
Malachor Lestrange glided into the room, his steps not making any sound. When his gaze fell on them, a cold smile appear on his lips that did not reach his eyes.
Lucas frowned, suddenly feeling dark magic rippling through the air.
"Fleur Delacour. As beautiful as ever. Never thought a 'veela' descendent would be competing with me in the Tri-wizard Tournament," he remarked, approaching them. The corner of his lip curled in obvious disdain when he mentioned the word 'veela' .
"And you - how old even are you? It seems that Goblet can be cheated after all."
Fleur bristled, her hand jerking towards her wand. But Lucas put a hand on her shoulder, calming her down.
"We didn't expect we would compete with you either. Did you have your mum rig this one as well?" He asked.
Malachor's smile stiffened.
Another participant arrived at this moment.
It was the Durmstrang Headmaster's daughter: Sigrid Skuldsson. Now that she was so close, the first impression he had was - tall.
Lucas had entered a phase of rapid growth in these months, and his height had shot up to 5 '9, which is just shy of Fleur's impressive 5' 10 with her model-legs.
But this girl seems to far surpass them, standing at least 6 '2.
And while her frame was slender, she had obvious muscles - like a valkyrie - which could be observed even with the heavy cloak draped over her.
When she saw the three of in a deadlock, she frowned, making her way over in long, purposeful strides.
"Lestrange, you should not attack just about anything that moves."
"And you aren't supported to insert your ridiculously long leg in every matter that concerns me. People might get the wrong impression."
Fleur and Lucas exchanged glances. The Durmstrang Champions don't seem to get along very well.
"I honestly shouldn't bother," Sigrid said with a scoff, turning her attention to the moving paintings in the room.
"Wow, it looks like a funeral here."
At this moment, another person appeared at the doorway. Bright, sunny, handsome - it was actually Cedric Diggory.
For a moment, Lucas felt sorry for Harry.
Cedric approached them with an easy smile. "Well, this is familiar. Long time no see. Fleur - any confidence against Aiden this time?"
Fleur flicked her hair, looking nonchalant. "Sure."
"Malachor. It won't be so easy this time."
"Huh. I don't talk to cannon fodder."
"Sigrid - let's make a bet. If I win the tournament, you teach me that lightning magic," said Cedric, turning to Sigrid.
"That's… shameless. Your teammate is Aiden."
The tense atmosphere suddenly turned much lighter with Cedric's presence. As a former con-artist, Lucas could see that Cedric had excellent interpersonal communication skills. But more than that, it seems that all of these geniuses are already acquainted.
Lucas has found that Sports and Dueling is much more mainstream in this world, even having age groups like U-15 or U-19.
"Well, it's not confirmed who my teammate is yet-" Cedric's were drowned out as suddenly a very loud applause thundered throughout the room, the sheer vibrations even making the paintings move.
The Final Champion stood at the doorway.
Who else could it be but Aiden Dumbledore?
"Looks like everyone is here."
He nodded at everyone and flashed a handsome smile at Fleur. His gaze flicked towards Lucas. The smile remained on his face.
"My baby sister does not make ordinary friends after all."
Lucas shrugged, neither confirming nor denying. After all, Ron was pretty ordinary.
Aiden was followed shortly by the Judges and Organizers, led by Ariana. But... what was supposed to be a formal event suddenly turned chaotic as Alaric Rosier stormed over straight to Lucas.
"DID YOU CHEAT THE GOBLET? TELL ME! HOW DID YOU DO IT?!" He asked 'calmly', shaking Lucas's collar with both hands.
"Mr. Rosier, I request you to behave yourself," Aurora stepped forward, her eyes stormy.
There was a shift in the air and Lucas suddenly tasted metal. Even the other champions seemed to feel it, the magic that was beginning to stir. Rosier let go immediately, backing away.
But his anger had not subsided. "I demand a re-trial! This student has clearly cheated his way in. Beauxbatons stand no chance with only one cheater and one half-br– one champion."
"A re-trial is necessary," Madame Maxime agreed as well.
"We don't need a re-trial," said Ragnar Skuldsson, looking gloatingly at Rosier. "I trust the Goblet's judgment."
"Ragnar, you tra-"
"Rosier."
Ariana's low was heard.
Rosier suddenly stood still, as if frozen.
"There has been no tempering. Do you need me to call another judge in your stead, or shall we proceed?"
Rosier opened his mouth, but didn't seem to have the courage to speak. "Let's proceed," he said sullenly, backing away.
"Madame Maxime?" Ariana turned her gaze to the Half-Giantess who was towering over everyone.
"Headmistress Maxime, Lucas is better than Alec!" said Fleur in low french.
Olympe Maxime looked reluctant but still nodded. "I trust he must have some extraordinary qualities," she said finally, her gaze boring down on Lucas.
Lucas felt slightly guilty. Madame Maxime had been kind to him and the Delacours, first granting him admission and then even allowing him into the Delegation.
Obviously, till the first task, she is going to face some backlash over this.
"Barty." Ariana waved her hand.
Barty Crouch Senior stepped forward like an obedient dog.
"The Tournament will have three tasks, all three of which will require both of the Co-Champions of each school to work together as a team. You will be graded based on the performance of both the champions. So, solo completion will only get you half the points," he said, looking pointedly at Lucas and Fleur.
"The first task is designed to test your daring and your problem solving ability. So we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage and wit in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard.
"The first task will take place on November the twenty-sixth, in front of the other Students, the panel of judges, the spectators and the Media from three countries, and the Sponsors. So it will do you well to put up your best performance.
"The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands.
"They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from classes and end-of-year tests."
"Lastly, the Champions are advised to not lean too heavily into sponsorship, no matter the amount offered, and have a trustee lawyer present whenever signing any contracts. Hogwarts, or the Ministry will not be liable if you enter into something you did not sign up for."
"I suppose that would be it?" He asked, turning to Ariana, who nodded.
"The meeting is dismissed."
Madame Maxime appeared behind Fleur and Lucas and led them away first. Though everything seemed calmed on the surface, Lucas knew - a storm was brewing.
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STONES = EXTRA CHPS!!!
Edit: Here are the champions: Hogwarts: Cedric and Adrian, Beauxbatons: Lucas and Fleur, Durmstrang: Lestrange and Sigrid.