The day has finally come. Tonight they would finally find out who the champions will be. Most of the students have waited for this since the term started. Most of them were excited. Some of them didn't care about it and just thought of it as some sort of entertainment throughout the year. There was only one student that was different.
Corvus Regulus Black was restless. He knew that something would happen today, he felt it. There was something in the air and it wasn't anything good. But that was not the only thing that unsettled him. His time was slowly running out and he was still looking for a way to repay the Life-Debt to Potter. Knowing that there is also a full moon soon it was a very bad day.
It was especially bad, because his emotions were stronger than usual, due to the approaching full moon. If his Occlumency wasn't as strong as it was he would be an emotional wreck.
The boy was currently at the library looking for a way to negate the Life-Debt he owed. He was sitting there the whole time until he would have to be at the Great Hall for the champions to be chosen. His usually cold eyes were burning with a fire they rarely had.
He was already at his sixth or seventh book when he finally looked up. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his raging thoughts. 'If i don't find something soon it will kill me! Why did that idiot even safe me? He could have just left me alone and everything would have been fine.' He tried to tell himself.
He knew it was a lie but he didn't care. For a Life-Debt to be owed you have to be safed by someone who doesn't expect something in return. But what most didn't know is that magic itself has to recognize the danger you're in as lethal. He knew exactly that he could have died but now he is running out of time!
Still deep in thought he didn't notice someone approaching him. ''Corvus?'' That was all it took to catch his attention. Not because of the name itself or anything like that but because of the voice that said it. Because the voice belonged to the person he trusted the most.
When he turned towards the source of the voice he saw his best friend. ''What can i help you with Neville?'' The boy was seemingly upset.
''Corvus is everything okay? You seem tired and you have been here reading books like a maniac for the last two weeks. You know that you can ask me if you need help right?''
'Of course' he wanted to say but how could he? If he asked Neville for help he would have to tell him why he needed to find a way. He would have to tell him what he was and why the Life-Debt was about to kill him.
''I know Neville. It's... It's nothing. I am just researching something important. I can't talk about it because... It's family related. Do you understand?''
The Gryffindor looked at him wide eyed but nodded determined. It hurt Corvus to see that he could lie to his best friend convincing enough for it to turn out this way. Corvus cast a quick tempus to find out how late it is and looked back up to his friend.
''We have to be at the Great Hall in about 20 minutes so you should go now. I will make my way soon. I just have to put the books back and maybe look up a term i just read about that could maybe help me.''
He quickly stood up and picked up the books. Without a second glance he vanished between the bookshelfs and put them back into the shelfs he picked them from.
Neville on the other hand looked at his direction for a second and thought about something. With a short worried look he turned around and made his way towards the great hall.
While the Longbottom Heir left Corvus thought of more sources of information, especially on ancient magic like Life-Debts. 'Maybe there is something in the Chamber... Salazar probably has probably left some books about ancient magic in his study! Why didn't i think about that?'
Startled about his own lack of wisdom, his emotions lashed out for a second before he pulled up his Occlumency again. If he would have thought about the study inside the Chamber earlier he wouldn't have wasted his time inside the public library of Hogwarts.
Slowly calming down again he pressed his back against the wall, after he put the last book back. How much he hated his uncontrollable emotions when a full moon was approaching. Of course it was better than last year but it was still straining to rein his emotions in. Especially his anger.
After some deep breaths he left the library and walked along the hallways. He would have to be at the Great Hall soon... The dreading feeling got stronger the later it got, so he was sure that, whatever happened, would happen at the Great Hall. How much he hated not knowing what was happening.
If he would remember the books he would be prepared, but it hasn't changed since the day he arrived in this world.
With a deep sigh because of the inner argument he probably had for the 100th time he entered the Entrance Hall. Arriving there he saw a few people entering a pretty filled Great Hall. It seems like he was one of the last people to enter, but wasn't too late.
Hoping to cheer himself up he just thought something along the lines of 'Probably the Goblet spits out Potters name!' With a low chuckle he enters the Great Hall but nearly came to a halt. What if the Goblet of Fire would really spit out Potter's name? It would fit, with him being the main character and all. He probably changed the timeline so much already, if it happened in the original series would it really happen again?
Without himself noticing it he walked towards the Slytherin table and sat down. With a light shake of his head he tried to shake these thoughts of but they wouldn't leave. At first it felt absurd but after a few minutes he thought it was pretty probable.
He fell so deep into his thoughts that he didn't even realize that the feast already started. He only fell out of his thoughts when some other Slytherin student nudged his arm. ''You alright?'' Came the hushed voice of Blaise Zabini. With a nod he turned his attention to the Headmaster that stood in front of the goblet that he has only seen at the start of the year feast before.
He had just caught a piece of paper that flew out of the goblet. With a booming voice he read the name that was on the paper. ''Victor Krum!''
Most of the Slytherin table cheered while the rest of the hall was applauding politely. He knew it would be Krum, because he heard how Karkaroff told the Durmstrang students that only Krum was allowed tu put his name in, so he didn't really care.
When the hall calmed down again and Krum had left into the room were the champions would talk with the people responsible for the tournament the Headmaster looked at the Goblet of Fire. ''The Champion of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic....''
''Fleur Delacour!''
The champion stood up gracefully and left the hall. There was some applause, especially from the male population of Hogwarts, but most of the female students, especially of Beauxbaton itself, were looking pretty pissed. 'Jealous of the Veela... Interesting'
That was also something Corvus expected. She was powerful and seeked attention for her talents instead of her beauty or allure. She fit to be a champion but was nothing special. What he really wanted to know was the identity if the Hogwarts champion.
After the champion left and the hall calmed down again the flames of the goblet became blue for the third time this night. Another piece of paper flew out of the fire and landed in Dumbledores hand. ''The Champion selected for Hogwarts...''
''Is Cedric Diggory!!''
The hall exploded in booming cheers. Very few people expected a 'Puff to become the champion but nobody was disappionted. Cedric was well-liked and known to be intellegent and capable. He wasn't the next Dumbledore but in a few years he could become better them most Aurors.
When Diggory also left the Great Hall and the other students became quiet again, the HEadmaster wanted to say something. The important people of the tournament like Bagman or Karkaroff got ready to join the champions when it happened.
The moment the fire changed it's colour to blue again everything became quiet and Corvus had one thought. 'I knew it! Why am i always right?'
The note flew out and landed in Dumbledore's hand. Everyone was quiet and the Headmaster looked confused. As soon as the old man laid eyes on the name it changed to shocked. ''Harry Potter... HARRY POTTER''
With that everyone looked at the Gryffindor fourth year that also seemed shocked. Just as he stood up and was about to walk towards Dumbledore a voice was heard by everyone in the hall.
'Fuck it' ''Potter!'' Corvus stood up and called the other boy. Potter turned to the Slytherin table and looked at him for a second. ''Did you plan to take part in the tournament?'' Everybody looked at him and Dumbledore seemed to want to say something but couldn't.
The hall became loud again but Corvus just looked at the Potter heir who shook his head. ''BE QUIET! Potter! If you don't want to participate just do what i say. Swear a Magical Oath that you didn't put your name in it and you also didn't ask somebody to put your name in it and i can help you.''
Some of the people in the hall were stunned while others were shocked. The only person who said something was Dumbledore. ''Mr.Black what are doing? I forbid you...''
''Dumbledore shut up! This is an important matter between two Head of Houses of two Most Ancient and Noble Houses so if you interfere i will drag you before the Wizengamot and try to get you thrown through the Veil!''
The hall was shocked again. Not only that this was now said to be buisness between two Head of Houses but also that a student just threatened THE Albus Dumbledore. After a few seconds of silence though a particular voice broke it.
''I, Harry James Potter, Head of House Potter swear on my magic and on my life that i havent put my name into the Goblet of Fire and haven't asked an older student to do it for me. As i say it so let it be written. So mote it be!''
Before anyone could react to this Corvus talked again. ''I, Corvus Regulus Black, Head of House Black beg to magic to take the place of Harry James Potter, Head of House Potter, as a Tri-Wizard Champion. I take this claim to repay House Potter the Life-Debt i owe Harry James Potter.''
During the oath and the plea to magic itself small silver lines appeared between the two students. Everybody was shocked once again. Life-Debt? Magical Oaths? What just happened.
After Corvus finished his magical plea to repay the Life-Debt he looked around and silently left the Great Hall, leaveing behind a silent and shocked crowd.
Taking deep breaths Corvus woke up in his bed. Right this is the second day since he came to this world... But what was this dream? Was this the future or was this just a dream? But he can't even remember most of it... What did just happen?