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~lilyannsnape
The Triwizard Tournament
Harry pushed his trolley through Kings Cross Station, following the line of his red headed friends to platform nine and three quarters. He smiled to himself as he remembered his very first time traveling to the platform. He had been thoroughly confused, when he saw a red haired boy run right through the wall between platforms nine and ten. The Weasley's had shown him how to run through and get to the platform on the other end, and it was the beginning of Harry's very first friendship, with Ronald Weasley. He felt the same rush of relief he had his first three years as he ran through the barrier, each step bringing him closer to Hogwarts, and farther away from the Dursleys.
Ron was still wearing a now worn out clover pin, which whispered the names of all the members of the quidditch team.
"Really Ronald. Can't you take that stupid pin off? Its rather irritating" snapped Hermione.
Ron just shrugged and began discussing the match with Harry, even though they had just seen it together days ago. Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to her book, becoming instantly bored when the same match was being discussed yet again between the two boys.
They rode the train happily in this manner. After the boys had finally finished their discussion on quidditch, Hermione closed her book and leaned closer to the two boys, with a look of seriousness on her face.
"Harry have you heard anything from Sirius yet?"
Harry shook his head sadly. He was beginning to worry about his Godfather. "Its been weeks, but Hedwig hasn't returned yet."
Ron just shrugged "The man's on the run from the ministry. He's got to be far away. I'm sure you'll hear from him soon."
Harry nodded his head, but doubt still clouded his mind.
The three gryffindors got off the train, now dressed in their school robes. Harry smiled as he saw the lights illuminating his home, the lights piercing through the night sky. They were just ascending the stairs, when a smug faced blonde boy turned to greet them.
"Hello Potter" he nearly spat out the words, as if they tasted foul in his mouth.
He looked over at Harry's friends in disgust. "I see you still insist on keeping the lowest company possible" he jeered, causing his brainless companions Crabbe and Goyle to snicker.
"Bugger off Malfoy" Harry said, moving as if to pass the snide slytherin.
The boy watched Harry and his friends go, muttering a crude joke about mudbloods to his friends just loud enough for the three to hear. Ron spun around wand in hand, but Hermione pulled him back.
"Leave him be Ron" she said quietly, as the three resumed their walk to the great hall.
The opening ceremonies proceeded as usual. Dumbledore gave a big welcome speech, and the sorting began. Harry dutifully clapped whenever a first year was sorted into Gryffindor, and caught Snape looking distastefully at their table. Dumbledore arose, with a twinkle in his eye, and paused to wait for silence to invite him to speak.
"Now that everyone has been sorted, I have a rather exciting announcement to make. This year, Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament"
He paused for effect, and then hushed the students once more to continue.
"The Tournament was created hundreds of years ago between three of the Largest Wizarding Schools: Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons. From each school a champion is selected to compete in three tasks. While the tournament has long since been disbanded, we have all agreed to bring it back this year." he continued,
"Twenty students from both schools have been tested and selected to join us in our studies this year. We have arranged so that 5 students from both schools will be staying with each house, so please, make your guests feel at home"
Dumbledore looked over at Hagrid to confirm their guests had arrived, and he nodded his head. He turned back to the students.
"So let us give a warm welcome to our guests from the strong school of Durmstrang!"
The doors burst open, and sharp, fierce looking boys and girls marched into the hall, all adorned in black and red thick wool cloaks. Everyone clapped as the students took place at their designated house tables. Dumbledore waited for the students to quiet down again, before introducing the final school.
"And finally, we would like to welcome bright students of Beauxbatons!"
Twenty of the most gorgeous people Harry had ever seen fluttered into the room. With an even number of girls and boys, each one of them had been paired off, and the pairs gracefully made their way into the Great Hall. He noticed a head of deep red hair which stuck out of the crowed, and Harry twisted in his seat to get a better look at her. When he did he froze. She was the same girl he had seen at the World Cup. He couldn't peel his eyes away as he watched her take her seat at the Slytherin table. He couldn't shake the feeling that he knew her, and he was determined to find out why.
— — —
Severus was fairly bored. He hated the sorting ceremony, watching one by one as new and, undoubtedly lacking students were sorted into each house. He managed a snarl whenever a child had the unfortunate fate to be sorted into the house of Gryffindor. He wasn't even excited about the new announcement. Certainly this foolish competition would cause his students to be distracted in his classroom, and hand in poor quality work. He sighed as Dumbledore rambled on, clearly enjoying the looks of anticipation on the students faces. He was contemplating skipping dinner and heading straight to his quarters, when the students from Beauxbatons arrived in the Hall. The professor froze immediately when he saw her. It was HER. But it couldn't be. He looked closer at the girl, taking in her deep red hair, and emerald eyes. This girl looked very much like… he couldn't even bring himself to think the name. After years and years of suppressing the memories and forgetting, he just couldn't do it. It was hard enough having to look at Potter's eyes, and now some girl has to come and ruin everything he's worked towards. And then the question struck him. How is it that the two girls look so much alike? He felt Dumbledore's knowing eyes on him, and returned to meet his gaze. Evidently Dumbledore was thinking the same thing. In a very far off voice, Dumbledore announced that the feast was to begin.
Severus had begun to lead the Slytherins to the dungeon, one of his least favorite tasks as head of the house. He especially loathed it this year, now that he had to show that girl the common rooms, and explain the house rules to her. He decided almost immediately that he hated her. Two separate dorm rooms had been added to each of the houses for their guests to stay in. Severus showed them the rooms, and briefly explained the rules, refusing to even look at the girl. He promptly left, wishing to rid himself of her presence as quickly as possible.
The professor reached his personal quarters, and poured himself a glass of mead, settling down on his black leather couch. He pinched the bridge of his nose, dreading the girl with the green eyes. He had barely taken his first sip, when he heard a knock at his door. He waited for a moment, hoping that if he kept quiet long enough his visitor would go away. However the person at the door was quite persistent, and the knocking was beginning to give him a headache. Sighing, he got up to meet his unwanted guest.
"Hello Severus," the old man's cheerful voice cut through Severus' silent dorm, causing him to frown.
"Headmaster" he said, standing firm in front of the doorway. "To what do I owe this, pleasure" he sneered, obviously wishing to be alone.
The old man just smiled at him. "I wonder if I may trouble you with my presence for but a brief moment" he pushed past the cold man, inviting himself into his private dorm. "I believe we have some puzzling matters to discuss".
Snape growled and poured the headmaster a cup of mead and sat across from him on the couch. Dumbledore gratefully accepted the glass, and proceeded to drink. It wasn't until his glass was empty that he spoke to Severus. Looking into his almost black eyes, he said in a sweet sadness,
"She looks remarkably like her."
Severus stiffened, not wanting to discuss the very thing he'd tried so hard to forget.
"I do not see why this is of my concern, or a pressing enough manner to be discussed this late at night".
He desperately wanted the man to leave.
"Ah but she has been placed into the care of your house, so you are responsible for her during her time here"
Severus went to argue but Albus cut him off with the raising of his hand.
"Severus please just let me continue" and he begrudgingly shut his mouth.
"There is no denying that this girl looks almost exactly like Lily." Severus cringed at her name, "I need you to find out more about her. Make her feel at home, and find out her story. I have a strange feeling about her."
Dumbledore left no time for Severus to protest. He quickly got up to leave.
"Goodnight Severus. I trust that you will see this through," and with that he left.
He felt warm hands, reach to his. He heard her sweet voice as she spoke to him. He lifted his dark eyes to meet bright emerald ones. He brushed back a strand of her burning red hair, and she leaned into his hand. Her eyes slowly closed and she moved closer and closer- Severus awoke with a start. His heart was racing and he looked wildly about the room.
"Lily" he whispered to himself.
It had been years since he had uttered her name. He quickly arose from his bed and began pacing about the room. He needed to stop. He spent years trying to forget her memory, her touch, her sweet voice… no! He would not let himself fall into that weakened state once again. Not trusting himself to get back to bed, the professor decided to prepare for his day. Oh he would do the headmaster's bidding, but he would do it his own way.
— — —
Harry got up early, wanting to get down for breakfast as soon as possible. He woke Ron up for the third time.
"Come on Ron! If you don't get up I'm leaving without you!"
Ron sighed and rolled out of bed, clumsily getting dressed. Before Ron even finished putting on his shoes, Harry was out the door running downstairs. To his surprise, he saw Hermione sitting on the sofa, reading one of their textbooks. She looked up and smiled at them.
"You two are up rather early!"
She looked over at Ron, who's eyes were barely open, leaning against the wall.
"Well, someone isn't." at that Hermione and Harry laughed and they made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Harry looked around as the students began piling in. He saw no sign of her anywhere. Hermione was trying to discuss the day's agenda with the boys, but Ron was too busy stuffing his face, and Harry was looking around, staring at the Slytherin table, trying to find the mysterious girl.
"Ronald…Harry…" she sighed in frustration as neither boy answered, and took an aggressive bite from her toast.
She pulled out her textbook and began to read more, shaking her head at her two friends. Breakfast had ended, and Harry sighed when he had not seen her at all.
"Come on you two" said Hermione "It's time to head to The History of Magic".
The boys groaned in anticipation of Professor Binns unbearably boring lesson. Hermione smiled as she lead her two friends to class.
— — —
"Arielle!" Fleur shouted, pulling the blankets off her friend's bed. "You must 'urry! You've already missed breakfast."
Arielle rolled out of bed, hair sticking up in crazy places. She, was definitely not a morning person. Fleur giggled
"You look so silly. Come we must make you presentable".
Since they were the only two girls from their school staying in the Slytherin common rooms, they had the room to themselves. Fleur sat Arielle down in front of her mirror and began working on her hair. Their eyes met in the mirror and Arielle found herself smiling and thinking to herself that this year just might be a good one.
The two girls slipped into their seats barely on time. Marius was there waiting for them, surprising both of them with his punctuality. Arielle began pulling out her books, when the head of the Slytherin house walked briskly into the room.
"Turn to page thirteen in your advanced potions text books"
Arielle looked at Fleur and Marius in surprise. It was the first day of classes, and there was no speech about the class or what was to be expected. However, the three quickly pulled out their books and began to take notes.
In the second hour, the students were rushing to gather supplies for their potion. The professor is notorious for accepting nothing but perfection, and Arielle was up for the challenge. She quickly tied her hair back, and began giving Fleur instructions. Severus observed the girl from his desk. He was mesmerized by her movements. She seemed to have a laser focus, knowing exactly how to do it. This annoyed Severus thoroughly. She is very much akin to Lily. He stood up and began to observe all of the students working on their potions, a look of disdain on his face. All of these foolish adolescents showed no promise, and were certainly not going to successfully complete their potions. All except for her. He scowled as he passed her work station, giving the girl and her friends equally dark glares, then returned to his desk. At the end of the our, each pair brought their finished potion in a labeled flask to his desk. The girl and her friend were last in line, and the professor decided to take advantage of this opportunity. The girls came up to his desk, and Arielle was about to hand the professor their potion, when the blonde girl tripped, falling into other girl, knocking their perfectly made potion onto the floor, its contents sizzling against the stone floor.
"Oh Arielle I am so sorry! I 'ave ruined our potion"
Arielle didn't say anything, but began to clean up the mess that was made using an advanced cleaning spell. Severus stood up and growled
"Seeing as neither of you are competent enough to present me your assignment, you will both be receiving zeros"
At this Arielle stood up and looked him straight in the eye
"No we will not" he was surprised by her boldness, but let her continue "I made that potion perfectly once, and I can make it again."
The blonde girl stared with wide eyes at her friend, but didn't say a word. Severus smirked. She was making this far too easy.
"Now you've earned yourself two zeros. And detention. Tonight. Precisely at 7pm. You are to clean the entire potions room-" he then looked to her friend, and back to her "by yourself. You will stay as long as it will take you. You are dismissed".
Arielle coolly bowed her head slightly, still keeping the professor's eye.
"Come Fleur" she said, turning her back to the professor, and walked out the door.
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~lilyannsnape