Disclaimer: All copyrights go to their respective owners but the plot. The plot is mine! ;)

Chapter One

"They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for."
― Tom Bodett

Echoes of unsaid thoughts and planted memories flowed through her mind as electric blue eyes stared tiredly at a page of a book. Silence ruled the air around her. Not one soul walked the common room at this hour. Yes, it was wee hours in the morning, so only she was awake. She sat on a wide green leather sofa near the fireplace with two books in her lap. The illumination from the flames was her only source of light. It wasn't much but it was still good enough for her to read. Since it gets pretty chilly at night, the flames provided extra warmth for her. It wasn't too hot, it wasn't too cold. It was at the right temperature.

Closing her Herbology text book, she mentally praised herself. She was done reading both books, Herbology and Magical Drafts and Potions, for her herb and defense against the dark arts class.

She was in her green and silver pajamas with an oversized white coat that bared the Slytherin symbol on the back, covering her body. Her hair flowed freely behind her. Her left hand traced the edge of the potions book while the other (right) hugged her waist.

A soft sigh escaped her pale lips. She's been having trouble sleeping…again. This time, it's worse than before. The last time was when Inuyasha left her for Kikyo. Shippo detached himself and Sango and Miroku left to probably start on their new lives or fix Sango's village. They left without even saying a word to her. For the wolf-demon, the last time she saw him was when he stormed back to the eastern kingdom after he had lost control of his demon side. She never saw Kouga again. After Naraku died, Lord Sesshoumaru went on his merry way. He, after all, had a kingdom to rule. So he didn't have a reason to stay. Everyone had managed to move on from the scarred past. For her, she had to move on with the thought that they're doing good; that that new life was everything they had hoped it would be after Naraku, even though if that new life would be without her in it.

It was hard.

It was really hard moving on by herself after the fall of Naraku. She had hoped that her place would be firmly intact with them; that one day all that 'hoping' would bring great things such as Inuyasha asking her to be his forever and to bear his child. Shippo growing up and finding a mate of his own; Sango and Miroku growing old with plenty of children around them. She pictured herself taking care of those little cuties. But these things, these dreams that gave her hope, after all these agonizing years, never happened.

However, as time went on, she learned one important thing. It was hard to hope. It was really hard to hope for something good to come into her life.

A calm, cool breeze suddenly blew through the common room. The breeze almost seemed to wrap itself around her, telling her that everything will be okay. She slowly closed her eyes and invited the feeling in. She needed those once in a while. For sure, it was calming.

Glancing down at the two books, she mentally sighed. She lost count of how many times she had managed to read all of the required textbooks for her classes. And, unbelievingly, at least half of them she read in the middle of the night! 'Well, at least, I got a head start on all my classes.' she thought amusingly. She won't complain. After her failed attempts at muggle schools, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was her second chance. This was her second chance to excel at everything and honestly, demons and magic were preferably her thing. Ironic, isn't it?

As if just remembering something not important, she muttered indifferently. "Oh yes, I forgot. Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard tournament this year. Greaaaattttttt." she held her books against her chest with one hand as she stood up. She stretched out her body, feeling her muscles relax at the pull. How long has she been sitting there, anyways? She dare not answer that.

She quickly but quietly went upstairs to the girls chambers to get ready for what she was expecting to be a long day. Apparently, the only thing that everyone, preferably almost every female in Hogwarts, talked about was a guy named Viktor Krum, while every male talked about the girls from Beauxbatons.

'Oh, how irritating.' was her last thought before she entered the girls dorm.

"Get up! Everyone get up!"

Igor Karakoff, their headmaster, demanded as he stared intently at the players. He knew his players needed rest. Hell, they deserved every bit of it! But this wasn't the time to be relaxing. They were in competition with two of the most prestigious magical schools and he needed them to be on top of their game.

Krum groaned in irritation before he sat up. Were they there already? He yawned as he looked around the wooden room. His teammates, who were passed out on the floor, were slowly coming back to reality and with it a huge migraine. He chuckled as he removed his blanket, revealing his muscular toned body. He wore no shirt, only his Bulgarian shorts. None of them had ever been inside Hogwarts grounds so parts of them were excited to finally be able to see what the fuss was all about. Back at home, all they heard was how prestige and enormous Hogwarts grounds was. Krum dismissed it, of course. He had pride in his school so it was natural to do so. With this chance, he would finally be able to dismiss those ridiculous rumors.

He stood up, shaking his head. "Get up. I assume 've have arrived at Hogwarts. So get dressed and ready." As he said that, his teammate immediately collected themselves and got dressed.

"I hope there are hot girls here at Hogwarts. It 'vould be a disappoint if there 'vere none." said one Bulgarian mate.

"Don't vorry, vith Viktor there, right beside us, ve vould not have a problem at all! Girls vill crawl at our feet!" replied a mate, shouting excitedly as he pointed to Krum.

Krum chuckled as he strapped on the finishing touches to his suit. He grabbed his Bulgarian hat and placed it on top of his head. Inwardly, he tried to prepare himself for the fan attacks from girls and boys. His lips arched downward at the thought of 'boys.' He certainly didn't want to think about that right now. However, as many times as he tried to prepare himself, it seemed that there will be never a time where he can actually be ready. He just has to be.

He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Igor officially announce the arrival. "Stay focused. Remember, ve are here to win this tournament! Ve shall take the Triwizard cup away from these fools!" Igor pumped his fist into air, followed by a loud shout of victory. Cheers immediately erupted around the room. Krum couldn't help but nod in approval.

Winning this Triwizard tournament was his main priority right now. Nothing or no one shall stand in his way to bring glory to the name of the Drumstrang Institute.