"Viktor Krum!"
Thunderous cheers and applause erupted from the Slytherin table.
Draco Malfoy sprang from his seat, his face so full of excitement and pride that he might have been the one chosen.
Krum stood up, his burly figure like a silent statue in the dim light.
Expressionless, he passed the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables.
He headed toward the room Dumbledore had indicated.
"Wonderful, Viktor!"
Karkaroff's voice was filled with irrepressible ecstasy.
He seized Krum's arm and shook it vigorously, tears glistening in his eyes.
Krum merely nodded, pulled free of his grip, and disappeared behind the door.
The flames in the Goblet of Fire turned red again.
A second piece of parchment shot out.
"The champion for Beauxbatons is-"
Dumbledore read.
"Fleur Delacour!"
"Ah!"
Ron let out a heartbroken groan, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
The Veela girl with long, silvery hair cascading like a waterfall stood up.
She gave her long hair a gentle toss, a triumphant yet restrained smile on her face.
The two Beauxbatons girls beside her, who had not been chosen, immediately burst into loud sobs.
Pheobe paid them no attention.
Like a proud swan, she glided between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables and disappeared behind that door as well.
Now, only Hogwarts remained.
It was as though all the air had been sucked out of the Great Hall.
Harry felt his palms slick with cold sweat.
Everyone around him held their breath, their bodies as taut as fully drawn bowstrings.
For the third time, flames shot from the Goblet of Fire.
Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment.
A brilliant smile spread across his face.
"The champion for Hogwarts-"
He announced loudly.
"Is Cedric Diggory!"
"No!"
Ron let out a despairing wail and buried his face in his arms.
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