His Greatest Challenge

He exited the ship, walking in stride with Karkaroff when he glanced at the cabin where Hermione had gone and noticed that she and her friends were stepping out. Viktor suddenly whipped his head around and stared straight forward; he was suddenly feeling a little queasy.

Vlad hissed, "Viktor, behind you, psst...Viktor." Viktor pretended to ignore him as he slouched through the doors to the castle. He walked to the end of the table he had sat at the night before and placed his palms on his forehead. "She was right behind you," Vlad declared giving Viktor a look of complete confusion.

"I know, I know," Viktor said into his arms. Idiot, Idiot, Idiot, he berated himself. He looked blankly at the plate in front of him that glistened his reflection and he wished more than anything that he could sink through the bench and the stone ground underneath.

Soon the table he was sitting at was filled with many delectable foods, yet Viktor felt too sick to enjoy any of it. Next to him, Vlad sat talking with his mouth full. "You know you're just being ridiculous, you really should just go talk to her."

"I know." But that was all Viktor could say. He knew he should just suck it up and talk to Hermione, but he was just too nervous. This wasn't Quidditch, there were no simple rules one had to follow and there was no way to practice your approach.

He sat docilely as he watched Hermione and some of her fellow students talk at the other end of the room. He wished more than ever that he had not listened to Karkaroff and had gone to the table where she now sat.

Before he knew it, the plates had cleaned themselves and Dumbledore stood in front of the assembly. Dumbledore stated that if one's name was called they were supposed to head to the front and enter a door on the right. Viktor looked over at Karkaroff who gave a large smile and winked.

Dumbledore swept his wand and in one fluid motion every candle extinguished. The darkness made things seem so real, nerves tightened in his stomach. The only light in the room came from the Goblet of Fire, which flames suddenly turned red and sparks shot out. A large flame shot out carrying a piece of parchment.

Dumbledore plucked the parchment from the flames and held it out so he could read it better. "The champion from Durmstang will be Viktor Krum." Viktor stood up and wanted to drop back down into his seat. He strolled forward and turned to the right. He could hear the dull roar of people talking around him and Karkaroff shouted something that was probably encouraging.

He slid through the door and heaved a great sigh, why did I ever sign up for this, I'm such a fool.

There was eruption outside and soon a beautiful blonde girl from Beauxbatons entered the room. She seemed to be slightly shaken up, "It is very unnerving, no?"

Viktor nodded his head in agreement and walked over to the fireplace. Oh, how he longed to jump into those flames and disappear. There was another roar and a handsome boy walked in looking as if his legs were going to come out from underneath him. He laughed nervously and moved slightly closer to the fire. Viktor moved so that he was standing next to the mantelpiece.

They all stood in silence when Harry Potter stepped through the doors, he looked completely terrified. The girl from Beauxbatons turned to him, "What is it? Do zey want us in ze Hall?"

Before he could answer Bagman entered the room and took Harry into his arms. "Extraordinary! Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen...lady, may I introduce - incredible though it may seem - the fourth Triwizard champion."

Viktor looked up and saw that Bagman was not joking. Part of his heart dropped; there was no chance he would be able to win against the Boy-Who-Lived. The girl from Beauxbatons said something but Viktor didn't hear her. For the first time since he came to Hogwarts he was actually worried about winning the Triwizard Tournament.