Sitting under emerald-colored banners was a situation that Roman Nott was more than acclimated to after his 6 completed years as a student in Hogwarts. Now in his seventh year, he was more than ready to be done with the place and off into the responsibilities that awaited him once he graduated. First, however, he was to leave a legacy behind and this year, an opportunity was presented to him like none other before.
There was a to be a tournament, the Headmistress had announced it only a few weeks prior, much like the Triwizard Tournaments of the past, but between the houses within Hogwarts instead. There were to be two students chosen to represent each house and Roman would be damned if he wasn’t going to be one of the two representing Slytherin. The rest of his house seemed to agree if the words of encouragement and advice that they had fed to him over the past few weeks after he submitted his name were of any indication.
Now, he simply sat back and waited as the formalities of such a ceremony were kept up. Roman only sat forward, his sharp amber eyes fixating on the repurposed cauldron that was to spew forth their names. As the order of the draw was random, any house and any person being popped out at the whim of the powerful magic around the cauldron, Roman felt nothing but apt apprehension though it was only his gaze that betrayed his eagerness. The entire Great Hall seemed to hold their breath as the cauldron’s contents bubbled, boiling slightly over and onto the floor as a name was spat into the air- emerald stars against the night sky that was the ceiling and it spelled out a name so familiar to him.
“Roman Nott! Our first contender!” The Headmistress called and even Roman couldn’t stop the razor-sharp smile that pulled at his lips as he rose to his feet, heading to the dais at the front of the hall as his housemates roared their approval behind him. That was one contender chosen, seven to go. Roman knew his father would be pleased he was chosen first as well. First in and the last standing is what they would say.