A.N. I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to review my story, i greatly appreciate it. And for those of you who don't, well, theres a special circle of hell for people who read and dont review
Any way... Read and report!
Chapter 2: the Goblet of fire
The goblet was beautiful, made of a dull brown wood; it seemed to pulse as the numerous ward stones on its sides glowed in the poorly lit hall, there were blue tongues of flames forking out of it and heading towards the ceiling. There was a hushed silence before Dumbledore continued,
"Due to the dangerous nature of the tasks, contestants will have to magically vow that they will not try to seek legal action if they are injured, and if any fighting tasks should arise, then under no circumstances are lethal curses allowed." Dumbledore smiled and finally bid them all good night.
"Are you sleeping on the carriage, or in a wing?" asked Cho,
"Well that's a bit personal on the first day we've met our esteemed guests!" called a large handsome boy from a few chairs down, Cho blushed and Harry grinned,
"Cedric Diggory, pleasure to meet you!" the boy leant over and held his hand out, Harry shook
"Harry Potter thanks for saving me from that, I don't like rejecting people to early!" Cho blushed even more.
"Sure, sure, well, it was great to meet you, good luck in the tournament." Harry nodded and they shook hands again, before standing up and making their way over to the doors to the grounds. They found a small hold up, and the girls around Harry sighed, unable to see over the large crowd of Durmstrang students. Harry craned his neck and saw Karkaroff, the headmaster of Durmstrang, standing in the door
"Neville Longbottom, what a pleasure." Came the man's accent
"Good to meet you to sir," came a rather pompous voice from the door. The crowd around Harry were getting rather bored waiting and a small ginger girl called
"What is happening? I want to go to bed." a black boy who was near her responded
"Well Ginns, It's like this, the Durmstrang massive is blocking the door, as they is hating on the Potter gang, it is going down and this shit's about to get grimey, I don't think Krum has the G to take on The P-Dog, they is going pop some cap's in some black asses..." the ginger turned disparagingly to look on the dark skinned 6th year
"Lee, for god's sake, you not ghetto, you were born in Buckinghamshire, your dad is a financial advisor, the only reason your even speaking right now is that you're the token black guy..."
Lee looked down upset, and by the time this was finished, they were moving again, soon making their way across the moist grass back to the carriage. He climbed the steps and entered the carriage, stripping of his jacket and tie. He rubbed his eyes wearily. "I, my girls, am tired." They laughed, before he fell onto a seat and drew his wand. It was an elegant,
11 inches, with a very rare core, a piece of Unicorn horn, suspended in dragon blood, excellent for offensive magic and charms, but rather weak for defence. he rolled it around his fingers for a while before transfiguring a cushion into a a porcupine, right where Gabrielle was about to sit.
"Ass hole." She shouted banishing the animal at him, he grinned before transfiguring the animal into a cushion again. It hit him in the face and he laughed, before throwing it back. the corners of her lips twitched, before she turned away from him.
"You know, it's quite amusing watching you both pretend you hate each other." Alice whispered into his ear, having straddled his lap.
"Oh, I assure you, it's no pretence." He whispered, very close to her ear, she sighed and leaned into his face. He claimed her lips with his in a light kiss, before being interrupted by one of the House elves who had accompanied them on the trip,
"Master Harry sir," he called, "There is a English man to be seeing you sir," Harry slowly trailed his mouth down her jaw.
"Tell him I'll be with him in a minute." He called, before kissing Alice once more and gently lifting her off of him. He put his wand away in its holster before standing up, stretching and waling lazily over to the door. He pulled it aside to reveal the Hogwarts headmaster.
"Monsieur." He said respectfully.
"Mr. Potter, I hope I didn't interrupt anything?" he asked. Harry smirked
"Nothing that can't wait"
"Good, I have with me someone who I think you ought to meet." The old man said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Who?"
"An old friend of mine." Dumbledore stepped aside, revealing a man, who had a familiar face.
"Re- Remus?" Harry asked. The man smiled and Harry blinked, before walking over to the man and hugging him. He seemed surprised and slowly hugged him back.
"I missed you boyo, one hell of a lot, Sirius too. He's coming tomorrow." Harry remembered Sirius. He grinned and began to talk with Remus, until late that night.
"I should go Harry, it's late. Goodnight." Harry watched the retreating figure before heading back inside. It was deserted, and he quietly made his way over to the dorm, the air was filled with the sounds of light breathing, he turned to his bed and quickly changed into a form fitting white T-shirt and boxers. He was about to get into bed when he saw Gabrielle staring at him. He smiled and stroked some hair out of her face as she pretended to be asleep,
"Night..." he whispered. She didn't respond. He slipped into bed, and pulled up the sheets, grateful for the duvet, which was all that protected him from the chill of the Scottish night.
He woke to the sound of squealing. Harry opened his eyes and looked around, seeing that several girls had been attempting to sneak up on him. When they saw he was awake, they giggled before flopping down onto his legs.
"Hi Harry" called Marie. He nodded, and swung his feet over the edge of the bed. "We don't have to do anything today until dinner. Madam Maxine wants us to spend the time working!" Harry laughed
"is she going to be watching us?" Harry asked.
"No, I doubt it." Harry nodded at this
"Well then, I challenge you, Alice Ducrest to a duel, for numerous insults against my person."
"Oh really, and what were these?" Alice asked sceptically.
"You didn't wait for me last night." Harry laughed. She grinned, before agreeing
"Whatever honey, give me 10 minutes to change, I take it this is proper practice, and we want proper equipment?" Harry nodded, and she smiled. Before the whole group, Harry, Alice, Marie and Cristina went off to change.
Harry was very proud of his duelling and Battle armour, it had been given to him after he had won a national duelling championship in France. It was very similar in design to the Roman Lorica Segmentata, except that instead of being made of iron, it was magically reinforced steel, with thick black dragon hide covering each piece. It would stop most curses and physical attacks. He strapped it on and slung on a black Dragon hide cross belt. On one strap was a sword, in style similar to that favoured by Japanese Muggle Samurai's. The hilt of which was protruding over his left shoulder. On the other was his wand holster, it was at the bottom of his back, on the left side.
He stepped out of the carriage, admiring the castle in the bright autumn sun, it was warm, and he was basking in the pleasant caresses of the sun. The others followed behind, wearing rather revealing black armour. Harry turned around to Alice and they paced away from each other, Harry bowed and waited, he could beat Alice very easily.
She drew her wand, Harry tensed, his wand still undrawn.
"Pedibus!" Alice yelled, the brown spell flew towards Harry. He dodged imperceptibly to the left, and the spell passed harmlessly by.
"Stupify" she called, again he dodged it. "Confringo!" another dodge. This carried on for a while, before harry suddenly drew his wand, cast a silent stunner, she was surprised and just got her shield up in time, Harry was already running towards her, his wand firing a variety of bizarre hexes and jinxes, about two metres away, Harry drew his sword, swung it and stopped moving, the razor sharp edge inches from her exposed throat.
"My turn!" called a voice, Harry looked over to see Gabrielle walking towards him. Harry grinned, Gabrielle was the second best duellist and had no problem trying to hurt him.
"Ah you sure you won't get hurt playing with the big boys?" Harry asked, Gabrielle scoffed,
"Please, when were through, the only way you'll be able to see you testicles is in a jar beside your bed!" she called, Harry laughed, and sheathed his sword, before turning to face her.
"I believe we bow now Madame!" he called, she nodded her head, and he did the same.
"We have a crowd!" he called; she looked around at the dozens of Hogwarts students who were enjoying the sun, as well as several professors and Durmstrang students. Harry spotted Remus, and beside him a man who must be Sirius.
She turned back to him. "Ready Potter?" she drew her wand, he nodded.
"Missa!" she yelled, the spell was travelling fast and he just dodged it, before firing off a medley of jinxes and minor curses. "stupefy, bombarda maxima, Somnus, Ictus Malo!" the medley hit a shield, and were easily stopped.
"Hastis Glacia!" Harry yelled, and a spear of solid ice shot towards her, she dodged, and sent a return kinx with a shouted
"Fractra Vitrea" he barely had time to shield against the dozens of shards of broken glass headed his way, and one of them cut his thigh.
"Bitch, that's my thigh, dangerously close to..." he didn't have time to continue as she sent another stunner at him.
"Frange Scutum" Harry yelled, followed almost instantly by "Levis Incide!" the first spell was specifically designed to destroy the oppositions shield, whilst the second, a low powered cutting curse, was able to then catch her on the left arm. She grimaced at the large gash on her pristine skin.
"Venti Maxima" Harry silently thought, and a great blast of wind knocked her off of her feet. She struggled to get up, and Harry sent spells into the ground around her, causing roots to shoot up and grip her down forcibly. She struggled, but the thick vines held her in place. She glared as Harry sauntered over, and drawing his sword struck it in the ground by her head.
"I win Delacour." He picked up her wand and created a single rose. Dropped it on her chest, picked up his sword, and walked away, finally he released her.
"Hey Potter, that's my wand." She called, he grinned and then levitated it to her hand, and she then walked off. He slowly meandered his way back his friends, but on the way felt a hand on his shoulder,
"Harry, that was some spectacular duelling, how did you do it?" Lupin asked,
"I don't know, I just pick up spells really fast, I learnt my favourite, the ice spear spell in 40 minutes." Lupin looked amazed
"That's uh... well that is something," Harry smiled at the praise, "Harry, this is Sirius, do you remember him?" Harry nodded, and gave Sirius a hug,
"Long time old man, you look good!" Sirius, grinned, shaking his head at his long lost godson,
"Well, you know, Hogwarts quidditch instructor keeps me active, how about you? How've you been?" Harry smiled almost sadly,
"I've missed you guys, a lot, don't get me wrong, I love France, but, I never forgot you." Lupin smiled,
"I would have written, but my post is being monitored and they could have taken you back here..." Harry shook his head,
"Look, I have to go, I need to change, and shower and you know, other stuff." They both looked rather upset, "look, I'll talk later, but now I need to go."
Harry had almost made it to the carriage when a pompous voice called his name, he sighed and turned, A Hogwarts student was walking over, he was fairly tall, with light brown hair and a rather podgy face. His was flanked by two others, a bushy haired girl with enormous front teeth, and a tall gangly ginger. They looked around 14,
"Hello, I am Neville, Neville Longbottom, the boy-who-lived." Hairy snorted, this guy was an idiot.
"Bonjour, I'm Harry." he stuck out a hand, and Neville shook, he resisted the urge to shudder, the boy's hand was clammy, damp and felt like a dead fish.
"Listen, Harry, I was very impressed by your duelling. I was wondering if you would like to show me some spells." Harry was surprised; maybe he'd been wrong about the boy,
"Sorry, but I don't really have time to help you." Neville spluttered, it was clearly rare for someone to turn him down,
"I saved the world, could you not fit one hour a day or something into your schedule, you can't be that busy?" Harry groaned,
"Look Longbottom, leave me alone, I have some things to take care of." With that he left, leaving the two angry students behind.
When the evening finally arrived, Harry made his way into the great hall and sat down next to Gabrielle, she looked at him, then at her plate. He sampled a few of the dishes that were around, and made conversation, but inside he was nervous, and when the food vanished, and the headmaster stood up.
"The time has come, for the champions to be chosen, so, without further ado, the first champion." The flames from the goblet turned bright orange, and a piece of parchment flew out. "For Durmstrang, Mr. Viktor Krum!" There were loud cheers, Krum Stood up, and walked over to the door through the hall.
"The second champion, for Beauxbatons academy of Magic is Harry Potter!" Harry grinned as the girls around him cheered wildly, he got several pecks on the cheek, whilst Gabrielle just looked upset, he stood, and made his way into the room, following Krum.
He found himself standing in a small, well lit room, with a crackling, fire, he nodded to Krum, before sitting down in a comfy looking armchair, and resting his feet on a footstool. He had just made himself comfortable when the door opened again,
"Cedric!" he called at the sight of his new friend, "congratulations on getting through!"
"Thanks you too, looking forward to the tasks?" he asked with a grin,
"Oh yeah, I forgot about them!" he grinned; "When I beat you, maybe I'll..." he cut off abruptly as the door opened again. He turned, expecting to see teachers,
"You!" he asked, "What are you doing here?" the once proud looking Neville Longbottom looked in a state of shock, "I... my name... I don't know" he finished lamely.
The door opened again and several teachers filed in. They began interrogating Longbottom, before eventually coming to a consensus that the other schools should be able to also get another champion to keep things fair. Madam Maxine walked over to Harry,
"Well, who do you want Harry, if it were up to me, I would advise either Gabrielle or Christina." Harry nodded, and she continued. "Harry, it's your choice, I will agree on whatever you say."
"Oui Madame, may I suggest, Gabrielle, I think she is more intuitive than Christina, however they are both very capable witches." Maxine nodded, before walking back into the hall to collect Gabrielle. When she returned, leading a confused Half Veela behind her,
"Harry? What is happening?" Harry grinned and pointed to Neville,
"This boy is also a champion, and so I got to choose another Beauxbatons student to join me." He spoke rapidly in French, and Neville was looking at them confused. Gabrielle smiled at him,
"You chose me?" she asked, a small smile on her face, Harry nodded, and she leapt into his arms, he grinned and hugged her back, before whispering
"I thought you hated me?" the effect was immediate, she jumped away from him, as though stung, and he had to grab her wrist as she nearly fell over a chair.
"I do, that is to say, I am impartial to you." He grinned and opened his mouth to speak when Bagman called the attention.
"Ladies, Gentlemen, congratulations to Mr. Diggory and Mr. Longbottom for Hogwarts, Mr. Potter and Miss Delacour for Beauxbatons and Mr. Krum and Mr. Volsk for Durmstrang. You have been chosen to represent your schools. The first task is in exactly one month. It is a test of how you react to your surroundings. You shall not know what you are to do until the day. Any questions?" There was silence.
"Good. However, before this, there will be another challenge. Not a task, but it will count for points. 2 weeks from now, there will be a duel between each champion. There will be two challenges, the second shall be after the second task and you will get more information closer to the time."
Good, in which case I bid you all good night, and good luck."
Anyway... that was that... what do you think?
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