OPENING CEREMONY (all students and staff)

[Albus Dumbledore]

Dumbledore stood in front of the podium again and raised his arms in the air dramatically. It was quite clear to everyone observing that the headmaster was greatly enjoying the pomp and circumstance of the entire presentation.

"And now, Goblet of Fire, please reveal the name of the Ravenclaw Champion!"

[Goblet of Fire]

This time the Goblet didn't react immediately, as if it was still deliberating. Instead of flaring brightly as before, the blue flames seemed to shrink down and become almost non-existent. Then slowly, they built up again, slowly rising higher and higher. Then, with another brilliant flash, it spit out another tiny piece of charred parchment.

[Albus Dumbledore]

Dumbledore again snatched the paper out of the air and adjusted his half-moon spectacles. Looking down at the piece of paper, he smiled.

"The Ravenclaw Champion will be Regina Curry!"

[Amadora Macrae]

Amadora brought her hands up from under the table to clap. She was too graceful and mannered to stand and hoot and hollar.. but she was doing it on the inside. She recognised the girl who was very intelligent though a bit awkward socially. The girl was in the library quite often and she clapped happy to see the Goblet pull out a Ravenclaw for her wit and intelligance rather than just because she would have been a 'favorite'. Regina would likely be the underdog of the competition, the least likely to win.. but regardless Amadora had faith in the girl.

[Regina Curry]

Regina sat in her seat with her hands clasped together. She was nervous beyond reason. She had put her name in the Goblet and didn't tell Hallie about it. Hallie never asked, so she never said anything. Regina just barely heard her name. She was in shock to say the least. The Goblet of Fire had thrown out her name.

Reminding herself to move, she gave one look at Hallie. It was a mixture of happiness and sorrowful. From the look on Hallie's face, she had also put her name in the Goblet. Regina immediately felt horrible for putting her name in, but nevertheless, she stood up and carefully, very carefully walked up to the front of the Great Hall.

A smile spread over her face as she continued her way without tripping. She smiled towards Dumbledore and preceded to walk towards the door that the other champions walked through. Regina nearly tripped as she reached the door, but regained her balance before her face met the floor.

[Hallie Monroe]

When Regina's name was called instead of hers, Hallie was crushed. Of course, she had known that there was no way the Goblet would choose her--skinny, clumsy, scattered Hallie Monroe. Never mind that Regina wasn't much more graceful than she was. She's still be better than Hallie.

When Regina looked toward her, Hallie couldn't quite meet her eyes. She managed a weak smile, but really, she wanted to cry. How was she ever to prove she was worth anything if she was never given a chance?

Regina walked up to the platform without tripping, already proving herself superior to Hallie. She never would have been able to do that. She probably would have fallen at least three times.

She clapped as Regina was presented, but she couldn't quite manage a smile.

[Leo Agathon]

Leo had been holding hands with Rori during the ceremony, but he let go to clap his hands for Regina as she was announced the Ravenclaw Champion. He didn't know her very well, or even at all, really. But he was sure that she would do a great job, if the Goblet had chosen her.

[Natalie St. Clare]

Natalie had been watching the festivities without much interest. There were a lot of crazy, conflicting emotions flooding through the room and it was hard for her to process them all. There was excitement and happiness, jealousy, disappointment, curiosity, and pain. With so many in the room, it was hard to focus on one emotion or pinpoint who was feeling what emotions. The only one that was clear to her was that of the Herbology teacher; but then, you didn't need to be an Empath to know what she was feeling. It was written all over her face.

When the Ravenclaw champion was announced, Natalie clapped dutifully. She hoped the girl would do well, at least for her sake.

[Kyle Atkins]

Kyle heard Regina's named called as the Ravenclaw Champion. He was sitting next to Hallie, but he was sure that she didn't pay him any attention. Of course, he had clapped for Regina, just like the other Ravenclaws had to show his support. However, his attention wasn't on Dumbledore, it was on Hallie. She seemed to be upset, and he understood. Her friend was choosen by the Goblet instead of her. He was thinking about saying something to her, but decided to keep quiet for the time being.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Last one, Sam thought as she bit back her anxiety again, Slytherin would be called next, *she* would be called next and then the games would begin. She studied Regina objectively letting the girl's impression wash over her. She wasn't worried, she didn't know Regina, no her only worry stemmed from Alice and Maxi, people could be very foolish when they were in love. She thought ironically as she felt someone watching her again.

[Albus Dumbledore]

Dumbledore once again waited until the applause had died down. Then he cleared his throat and looked around the room for a moment, before announcing, "And finally, to announce the Slytherin Champion!"

He expected a lot of noise from the Slytherin table, so he waited in silence for another moment.

[Rayne DiCostas]

Rayne was applauding for all of the champions, not really paying a lot of attention to much else.

She wasn't quite sure she heard Nate. My hair smells like apples? She repeated in her head, and it took her a minute to turn to him. By the time he eyes were on him, the Slytherin table had erupted into noise, and she wouldn't bother to speak to him over the sound.

When it had died down a little, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

[nate]

"um.. I said that you look nice tonight." Nate said changing his story, apples? it'd been a stupid thing to say. If she hadn't heard it the first time then he was off the hook, and she hadn't noticed his stupidity. He really needed to work on his internal monologue more and less on opening his big dumb mouth when he was around her.

Nate looked at her, he didn't blush.. he barely ever blushed but.. he was blushing on the inside. He just wished she'd give him a chance to get to know her better, let him into her invisible wall. But he was just some guy and knew he wouldn't get that chance. He wasn't going to hold his breath for this fiery goddess to ever let him close enough. He'd just have to keep admiring her from afar. Sadly he was not usually a bumbling idiot... and it'd only been recently since he'd really started noticing Rayne and that new little personality development had reared it's head.

[Rayne DiCostas]

Rayne raised an eyebrow at him. Nothing about that sounded like "apples." Had she really misheard him? And it was okay if her hair smelled like apples... it was ust unexpected to hear from him.

"Thank you..." she said, and then smiled. That was also kind of random. She looked like she always did. "You too?" She sort of laughed here. What else was she suposed to say?

[nate]

"You're welcome" he said simply. She hadn't pushed him away and that gave him enough of a bit of confidence. But then she looked a bit lost when she spoke again with a laugh. He wasn't really worried about her laughing, laughter was an emotion he was familiar with and his response was to grin and.. "well I'd rather be called handsome or cute or sexy or something more manly but... can't say I've been called beautiful before." He winked at her then and chuckled teasing her. Then he turned his attention back to Dumbledore.

[Rayne DiCostas]

Rayne's smile dropped instantly, but he was already looking at Dumbledore again.

Nate had not called her beautiful. He had said she looked nice, and there was a huge difference. She watched him for a moment more, and then decided, for once, to keep her mouth shut. Perhaps this was not something she should bring to his attention.

She did become very suddenly very quiet, and turned her attention back to Dumbledore, though she didn't even care about the last champion now.

[Leilani Evetts]

Lani looked up and down the Slytherin table. She would have wagered on Rabastan or maybe Rystain. Possibly Dorian, but now she was reconsidering this. The other three champions had all been girls. Who did that leave?

She eyes each of the girls at the table. Lyra, maybe. Was Sam too new?

She cheered all the same when the table started calling out and clapping for their house... barbaric, she thought, even though she participated. Was barbaric the right word? Oh well, even if it wasn't, she was sure it fit the situation. They didn't even know who their champion was yet, and they were already making a ruckus.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Rabastan was probably the only Slytherin who did not join in the chorus of misdirected cat calls. He was too busy watching the place where Andromeda had disappeared.

She was going to be fine, he told himself. And Merlin above, why did he care at all? She was a means to an end, and that's all. He'd already had his fill of her. This was just another game. He had to look at her like she was just another one of his deals... because she was. She was even making him celibate for this!

He finally shook his head, feeling eyes burning into him, and he could only assume it was anyone who knew he had been with Andromeda earlier this afternoon.

He sighed. He cared about their champion. He hoped it was someone excellent. He just needed to clear his head.

[Dorian Knight]

Ryan had that apathetic, bored look in his eyes, and he only half heartedly clapped. The sooner this ridiculous ceremony was over, the better. He had better things to be doing.

He couldn't think of what, naturally, but he was sure there was something. some homework to be avoided or some girls to flirt with... something.

[Rystain Quandry]

Rystain clapped but but he wasn't about to hoot and hollar like some of the younger slytherins who were doing all the work for them. He was more interested in hearing the name, if Dumbledore would just get to it.