TRI-WIZARD CHAMPIONS SELECTION: ALMOST PERFECT
Yesterday evening, the Great Hall fell into a stunned silence last night as soon as the Goblet of Fire - tasked with selecting two champions from each of the three premier European wizarding schools - spat out an unexpected name as its very first champion: Lucas Castillin, a fourth year student from Beauxbatons.
In case you did not recognize that name - that is exactly why this has become a cause for controversy. While the other five champions were met with an enthusiastic applause and nods of approval, Lucas was a completely unexpected wild card whose selection was met with disbelief even from his own Headmistress.
Here are the names of the other Champions:
The Heavyweights - A Field of Titans
Lucas skipped the names and info of the other champions, continuing the read the rest of the article.
The Castillin Conundrum
The problem with Lucas Castillin does not stop at his young age. While the other Champions boast trophies and international rankings, having gained international recognition at an early age, Castillin's record is… non-existent - in the most literal sense.
According to our sources, there was no student named Lucas Castillin at Beauxbatons until last month. The boy has only been at Beauxbatons for a month, after which he was given the coveted chance to join the Beauxbatons delegation 'as a member of outside activity group' - meaning he was not among the candidates who came as potential champions.
"He's here based on his connections with the Delacours. I get that everyone wants to try their luck, but you need to at least have the bare minimum of qualifications. Because of him, that apprenticeship is gone for all Beauxbaton candidates," a very frustrated anonymous French student commented on his way out.
"To place a student who hasn't even received mandatory education against the likes of Lestrange and Dumbledore - we have lost before the tournament even began. Apprenticeship under Ariana Dumbledore - I was willing to risk it all for that,' commented a potential Beauxbatons Champion.
"The Goblet's Choice is binding. Regardless of the qualification, the boy must compete." – Barty Crouch Sr, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation.
As we can see, everyone is coveting the chance to be an Apprentice of the Most Powerful Sorceress, which makes the outrage of Beauxbatons students completely understandable when a person who got on through connections with the Delacours was selected.
House Delacour holds significant power at the French Ministry. Not much is currently known about Lucas's origins but we will keep you updated. . .
Lucas skipped the rest of the article that went into detail of just how dangerous the tournament was for a fourth year student.
"This is just the beginning," he said as he stopped his French translation for the veelas. "Are you sure you can handle the backlash?" He asked Fleur.
The Beauxbatons Champion flicked her hair, unbothered. "It's a small price to pay for avoiding Rosier. I'm sure it'll go away after the first task."
"Well, I'll be off then," said Lucas, putting down the newspaper. He opened his connecting mirror and started writing on the screen.
'Meet me outside the Great Hall. It's urgent.'
Not far away from him, at the Gryffindor table, Adeline and Hermione looked down at their storage pouches one after another.
This was the prototype of the Magi-mirror made by integrating the messaging feature. Lucas and the girls were testing them out, which had led to them talking a lot over the past few days.
With everyone's attention still focused on him, Lucas trudged through the aisle filled with students to exit the Great Hall. On his way, he had to dodge several legs that tried to trip him up.
"Nepotistic bastard…"
"I wonder how he plans to not die now."
"Hey Castillin, you dropped something. Oh, its your brain!" This one came all the way from the Slytherin table.
Lucas glanced back just in time to catch Adeline and Hermione trading a look before they too left their seats.
"What happened?!" "Is it about the newspaper?" The girls asked as soon as they arrived.
"No, of course not. Let's head to the lab. I'll tell everyone at once."
With brows still furrowed, the girls followed.
"So… how are you holding up?" asked Hermione, quickening her steps to match his long strides. "The daily prophet is too much sometimes."
"Oh, that's nothing. It doesn't affect me one bit."
"That's a good mentality to have. Also... about last night - I'm so sorry about Ron and Harry's behavior…"
"Don't be. Since they don't want me there, I'll leave. After all, they've been friends with you much longer."
"No, I'm sure they didn't mean any of it!" said Hermione hastily, trying to be diplomatic.
"They were just being morons due to petty jealousy," said Adeline, being more blunt. "They turned against you at a time like this - and they call Slytherins the backstabbers."
That got a chuckle out of Lucas. "But it's the truth that they don't like me. To be honest, it's not their fault since the feeling is mutual. I'm friends with you two, not them. In order to hang out with you, I have to tolerate them. It's the same the other way around. So since they're not my friends, why should they help me?"
Hermione lowered her head, biting her lips. "It doesn't have to be this way. Can't we all be friends?"
"Well, can you tell if I have anything in common with them?"
"Of course you do -" Hermione paused, her brows scrunching up in thought. But she couldn't list out any similarities.
"You are completely different. Even compared to other Gryffindor boys our age." Adeline observed. "Sometimes you sound so much older - It's like talking to my older brother."
"Exactly. And you two are like that as well. On the other hand, Harry is sometimes mature enough, but I can't comprehend why someone of your level even bothers with a weirdo like Ron. I mean you can't say one intellectual sentence without him trying to belittle you."
"Don't say that… and Ron is not always wrong… And I'm plenty weird myself," said Hermione, glancing down at her SPEW badge. (Society for Promotion of Elvish Welfare)
"Hold on - what's wrong with fighting for House-elf rights? I don't see anything weird here," said Lucas, touching Hermione's badge.
"R-Really?" Hermione blushed, beaming at Lucas before glancing back at Adeline. "See? I'm not the only one who thinks so."
Adeline held up a hand in defense. "Hey, don't make me out to be the villain. I don't like it either, but we have to be realistic. House-elves actually like working. Trying to free them would only end up hurting them."
Lucas sighed. "I have no problem with them having to work. Even humans have to work, too. But when you work for free and follow every order of your employer - they stop treating you like a being with emotions. This is absolutely wrong."
"Yes - That's it! That's what I've been trying to say!"
Adeline glanced at him with raised eyebrows. "I didn't think you felt so strongly about this. You know, I always pegged you as the indifferent type."
Lucas shrugged. "I might be indifferent, but this is personal."
They walked leisurely amidst natural conversation, the awkwardness of yesterday already gone. But when they finally reached the destination, Lucas's demeanor shifted.
The girls sensed the change, which only seemed to increase their curiosity - what was this urgent matter?
Inside the lab, Lily and Aurora were hunched over a large piece of parchment that seemed to contain detailed blueprints.
As they entered, Lily's gaze snapped back at them, specifically, at Lucas as she dropped her quill at the table.
"Lucas... I've been meaning to have a word with you - Young man... why did you enter your name?! I expected so much better from you."
Aurora finally turned her head.
"You should know better than to put your life at risk for meaningless fame without us having to tell you," she added.
Lucas lowered his head, accepting the reprimand of the ladies. "That's why I'm here, actually. There was a reason why I thought it would be best to enter my name."
"Why?"
He brought his wand to his temple and drew a silvery white threat, which floated along his wand.
"Where was the pensieve?" He asked to the astonished women. "This is better to be shown than told."
This was…. the memory of his first night at Hogwarts: Floating over the black lake while invisible - encountering two figures at the bank - and their conversation.
….
When everyone exited the memory, Aurora and Lily exchanged glances, their expressions severe, but not surprised.
"This is bad… They… They're targeting Aiden!" Hermione was already shaking, completely flustered by the revelation.
"They're dreaming. My brother would never let his body be taken over." Adeline appeared deathly calm, but her eyes burned with cold fury.
Lucas could sense dense magical fluctuations in the air. It felt almost as if Adeline could smite anyone wandlessly - if she willed so.
"Lucas, I'm really thankful you shared this with us," said Aurora, standing up. "But… you should not have involved yourself in this mess. It is far too dangerous."
Lucas sighed. "I'm obviously not stupid enough to think I can actually stop this. But when I found that the Rosier family had completely blocked any other competent participant from entering their names, I thought - if I get selected instead of Alec Rosier - at least Aiden would have one less Voldemort supporter to deal with."
"That… is indeed a great help, Lucas. I don't know what to say," said Lily. Lucas noticed that her tone and gazes had softened several notches - close to what she had reserved for Harry.
"So… this is the real reason why you chose to participate…? Why?" Adeline murmured, her eyes searching Lucas, looking moved and confused at the same time.
Obviously, Lucas was taking an even bigger risk by entering after knowing that there was such a huge conspiracy at play.
"Well, it's not exactly for saving Aiden. But if Voldemort regains his peak it wouldn't be good for my home country either. Things have just started to look up for me… and I don't want it all to go away due to my inaction."
Everyone was silent for a while, moved by his words.
"And Harry and Ron - those morons - still resent you for getting selected," Hermione spat in distaste.
"What? That little terror actually dared? It seems that I have spoiled him too much," Lily fumed.
Aurora sighed. "Since you have gotten into this mess, the least we can do is help you."
And that was it.
"Help?" Lucas blinked, looking innocent. But inwardly, he was already celebrating. The girls and Harry's mother: Team Lucas.
'Ron and Harry… you forced me to do this.'
Lily nodded. "Yes, Help. We're oathbound from helping the Champions, something the ministries of other schools must have ensured for fair play when giving Hogwarts the hosting rights. But… there are ways around it, through which we can at least ensure you are fully prepared."
'That is more than enough.'
Lucas never really wanted to outright cheat. All he needed was just a little heads up so he could make up for his lack of Wizarding Education through some pre-prep.
After all, his main aim for revealing the memory was ensuring his survival in the tournament without any permanent damage.
If he actually won with pure cheating - Headmistress Ariana would also know it. This would greatly impact his image in her eyes, thereby also impacting how well she treats him once he becomes her apprentice.
"But this… does not seem right?" Of course, Lucas still pretended to look hesitant.
"What's wrong with it? The other champions would also be doing the same thing. This is also an unspoken part of the competition."
….
He returned to the training room that Madame Maxime had requisitioned for them.
BOOM
Fleur had already started to train, punishing the training dummy for all its worth.
"So, where did you go?"
"To gather intel."
"Oh? Any luck?"
"Jackpot, actually. Lily Potter and Aurora have kindly agreed to personally make sure we're prepared."
Fleur almost dropped her wand. "....What?"
Lucas told her the whole thing.
Fleur's grip on her wand tightened. She waved her wand in a throwing motion towards the training dummy, which increased the traveling speed of her spell, sending the dummy tumbling backward.
"I knew something was up with this abnormally high work the Rosiers put in to get that git Alec selected."
"Yup, and no wonder they looked pissed when I got selected instead."
"Well, it's a good thing you found the information and used it this way. So. What exactly is the help we're getting? I thought they weren't allowed to do that."
"Well, they can find a way around letting us know what to expect so we can do targeted training to face it. But that's not the important part. Any research or any targeted spells we need, we can get from them. Even if they don't know the spells - they can actually make them."
"... Really?"
"That… is amazing!" Fleur exclaimed excitedly, jumping on him, which squished his face into her chest.
…..
"So, did you find anything at all?" Senior Reporter Rita Skeeter asked her assistant.
Life as a sadistic reporter was tough when you can't write anything negative about the ruling power of Britain - the Dumbledores.
But ever since last night, Rita felt like Christmas had come early when she saw a controversy that did not involve the Dumbledores - yet interesting enough that you want to sink your teeth right into it.
One underqualified handsome boy, with unknown connections with multiple veelas - selected for the Triwizard Tournament.
Who exactly was Lucas Castillin? What exactly made the Goblet choose him? Where has he been for the past 4 years?
"No past appearances, no eye-witnesses, nothing. It's like he popped out of nowhere," said Rita in frustration.
"We have gotten some additional info, but you won't like it," replied the assistant, who had been rifting through the letters. "Lucas Castillin seems to have performed above average in all classes at Beauxbaton and Hogwarts over the past month. Apparently the kid is really good at Herbology and Potions."
"Completely useless," Rita spat. "And those two subjects aren't even related to the tournament. We can neither spin him as a genius nor a complete failure."
Rita droned on and on about various ways they could spin the existing info into something scandalous but her assistant had already stopped listening - his hands frozen.
"Miss Skeeter… you need to see this," the assistant interjected, looking down at the letter.
"To the Daily Prophet,
We assume that you have not found anything substantial about Lucas Castillin. And its not your fault you didn't, because the boy has been always been a mere servant at the Delacour household, treated like a house elf.
We have more information, along with proof. In case you are interested, please consider the prices quoted in the attachment along with some of proof.
Looking forward to our cooperation
R & V"
"This... This is it," Rita whispered, a chuckle escaping her lips, before it turned into a full blown laugh. "Oh... Merlin's juicy schlong - this is going to be so much fun!'
The assistant wasn't so enthusiastic, though. "Have you looked at the price? We won't be able to get it approved before tomorrow's release."
"Tomorrow?" Rita sounded offended. "Have you learnt nothing yet? Lucas doesn't have enough value for this release yet. We have to wait at least till the first task. Then whether he survives, or dies, we will swim in galleons!"
….