Chapter 2: Tryouts and Selection

Lessons were fast pased and hard. We were learning new things everyday, they got harder everyday. We were given loads of homework as well. Most of the seventh years were compleatly swamped. So much that I had to start a group homework session for my quiddich team.

I was very proud of my team this year. I of course was seeker, Serious out flew everyone but Albus in tryouts, they are two of the Chasers, along with Edward Knott, Gregory Crabb and Lucas Keen were my beeters and keeper was Elizabith who outsaved everyone including Scorpius.

We had two or three pracitices a week, all three hours long, my entire team excluding myself and Elizabith was 5'12 or taller. I also had a backup team, who were on call if we needed anyone to help with practice, or if someone was inable to play. Griffindor seemed to be practicing just as hard under James. There were quite a few Weasleys on the team, they all had to try out, there was no "your family so your on the team" buisness.

Time passes fast here, with Quiddich, and homework and classes and Partol four times a week with James. I hardly had anytime for anything, and any time I had it was usually spent in the library studying or outside on the grounds studying.

Soon October twenty eighth rolled around, the last practice before the first match. We had just finished our practice when I told them we would be playing..

"Team, I have some news. We will be playing Griffindor tomorow night" Everyone groaned.

"I know i know, i waited to tell you because the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be here and watching. Our openeing match is like a welcome show."

"Well thats lovely, we get to show off for the other schools, show them which house is the best" Lucas said cheerfully. Everyone else cheered brightly at the chance to show off.

"We will get the afternoon off, they arive at Lunch and at two is the match"

"See you" They called as they left in twos.

When I finaly left I realised how late I was for my rounds. James was waiting in the entrance hall.

"Im so sorry, practice ran late. Can you give me five minuites?"

"Sure" He smirked, his blue eyes flashed. I hurried to the dungons. I quickly changed into jeans and grabbed my wand from the table becide my bed.

James was still in the entrance hall when I returned.

"How was practice?" He asked as we began the grueling task of walking the entire school over twice.

"Good, im happy with my team this year. Hows your team?"

"They are good. Ive got four Weasleys"

"Which ones?"

"Hugo, Fred, Arthur and Roxanne"

"Wow, Wait Fred is George oldest, Arthur is Charlies and Roxanne is Georges youngest"

"Yes, there is so many of us. Mum says that she was the youngest and the only girl so I should be grateful that im not"

"Im the oldest and only girl"

"You have three younger brothers? Serious, Scorpious, and Xavier?"

"Yes, and Sebastian, hes here next year"

"You dont get a lot of attetion do you?"

"Not really, the boys are younger and need more dealing with"

"Thats why your Head girl, and top of our class, and Quiddich captin.." He looked at me. I had grown to like James qite a bit in the last two months, he wasnt as annoing and had stopped asking me out. "And thats why your submiting your name in the goblet?"

"How did you know I was thinking of doing that?"

"I just figured you wanted the chance to prove yourself, why not this."

"Hmm, fair. Are you going to sumbit your name?" I looked at him, he was looking at his feet.

"My father doesnt want me to"

"Neather does mine, but thats not going to stop me. He said that its too dangerous and that I cant get out of it. That a boy died last time"

"My father compeated,he was sumbited in as a ploy to get him to the graveyard where Voldemort was being reborn. He chouls have died, and Krum was used to hurt Aunt Fleur... Are you sure you want to enter?"

"Yes"

"You are the smartest student in the school, from what I hear from Albus you are amazing at magic, and potions and spells. I wouldnt be suprised if you were picked"

"Im not the smartest. You do just as good and me, and your just as good at Magic"

"Maybe, im outting my name in. As are a bunch of others, but do me a favour and discourage Albus from sumbiting his. He turned 17 last week like you know. Mum wouldnt be able to stand it if both of us were sumbited"

"Of course, Serious and Scorp are to young for that thankfuly. I think your cousin Dominique will sumbit her name, with her mother being a former champion"

"Yes, I think Fred might as well, I know Gabrelle's children will sumbit, she had triplets, they just turned seventeen. Shes got one at each school"

"Why, and isnt there a young one at Hogwarts?"

"Yes, Leanne is her youngest. Her husband went to Durmstrang so they have a son there Stephen, a girl at Beauxbatons Callie, and an older girl here, shes in Ravenclaw Maya."

"Yes, I know Maya, I didnt know she had siblings. Isnt Gabrielle a bit young to have all those kids so old?"

"She had the triplets when she was 18 or 19. She was married young, and had her kids young as well. But they will be compeating for a spot in the cup. I just know it"

"So much of your family will be in the goblet, are you worried?"

"Stephen and Callie know what they are getting into. Im more worried about you" We were almost back to the Entrance hall now.

"Why?"

"Those challanges are dangerous and your just so small I guess" He refused to meet my eyes.

"Dont worry about me James, just worry about your family. I will be fine, I know what im getting into"

"Are you sure, just because your parents dont notice you as much as they should, dosnt meen that others dont" He finaly looked up and met my eyes. "Night Malfoy" He smiled sadly then started up the stairs.

"Goodnight James" He looked back.

Could I like James Potter, my first answer No. But the second thought that followed that no was way I could not. He obviously guessed more about me then even my brothers had. HE was worried about me entering the Triwizard torniment. He had been looking into me. Maybe it was time I give James Potter a chance...

I sighed. Elizabith was waiting for me in our dormroom, she was verry pretty. She short extreamly curly black hair and big green eyes. She was only 5'1.

"How was your rounds?" She asked as I changed into pajymas.

"Not bad, nothing out of place"

"So have you decided that you like him yet?" She asked casualy

I sat down on my bed, it was warm. "No comment," I layed down.

"Nice to know," I could hear the smile in her voice.

"Goodnight Elizabith" I rolled over and flicked my wand so my cutans closed.

I heard her laughter, she knew me all to well. Sleep came fast, thankfuly this time no dreams kept me from getting a good sleep.

"Morning sunshine" Elizabith said when I came downstairs ready for breakfast. She was sitting with Albus.

"Ready for breakfast?" She asked me

"Yep" Albus went upstairs to get Serious and Scorpius.

"Albus is funny" Elizabith said as we made our way to the great hall.

"Oh really, last year you couldnt stand him"

"He seems to have grown up," She shrugged and I noticed that she was blushing.

"You like Albus... You like Albus Potter"

"Shushhhhhh," She turned around to make sure nobody heard.

"And I will take that as a yes" I smiled at her and skippped forward so she couldnt hit me. I looked back and walked stright into someone.

"I am so sorry" I said, I stood up and looked at the boy spraled on the floor. He looked amused.

"Goodmorning to you to Alendra" I pulled hm to his feet.

"I am so sorry" I could tell my face was bright red.

"Its alright, see you in class" He winked then strode over to his table, where he sat down and wispered something to best friend Sebastian, they both started to laugh.

I turned to Elizabith who was laughing. "So. Funny"

I walked over to my table as poured some cerieal into a bowl. Elizabith followed, still giggling. "Oh shove a sock in it" I muttered.

"Someones testy this morning" Serious said. "Yeah, who put dung in your pumpkin juice?" Scorpius asked.

"Oh shut up" I looked past my brothers to see James was looking at me with an amused expression on his face. I turned my glare to my bowl. Albus joined us. He had just sat down when a whold bunch of owls flew in. One gave me a letter (after landing in my cerial)

Dear Alandra

Well hello, I trust you now know of the Triwizard Torniment? If not you do now! I want you to know that you dont have to enter to prove youreslf. We are imensly proud of you, remember that. So dont do anything rash, alright darling? Be careful, and if you do enter keep your friends close, they will keep you sane. Trust your instincs and for the love of all that is good do not let your brothers do anything to enter whatsoever. No potions, spells, charms nothing. I love you and will be seeing you soon

Love Dad

P.S: Good luck in Quiddich, catch the snitch for me and mum.

"You little git"

"What?" Serious looked at me over his toast.

"You worte dad and told him that I was entering because I wasnt getting enough attetion at home. Why would you ever do that? Im not entring because of that, im entering because I can and because I want to. So dont go telling our perents things that are untrue" I stood up "Save it" I snarled when he opened his mouth to say something.

I salked from the great hall, eyes were on me, but I didnt care. I didnt have a lesson first thing so I went left the building. I went and sat under one of the big trees planted in memory of those who had fallen in the battle of Hogwarts.

"What was that about?" James asked, he stood in front of me.

"Serious wrote my father and told him I was only putting my name in the goblet because I wanted to show them up."

"I take it thats not true?"

"Of course its not, I would only do some life threatning for my own entertainment"

"Why would Serious do that?"

"He has his head so far stuck my father..."

"Hey hey hey, okay. Dont you have a class?" JAmes sat down becide me.

"No, dont you?"

"Nope" He looked up at the branches as they swayed lazyly in the wind.

"Well look at this, its Perfect Alendra Malfoy with Potter. Why are you stooping so low Allie?" Jennifer Goyle said.

"What do you want?"

"You think your so good. Little miss head girl, who has to be the quiddich captin. You are nothing but the ugly daughter of former death eaters"

"And your father was what exactly? A saintly D.A member? No, My mother was a spy and my father turned against him."

"Liar, you are just a stupid girl whos father is to powerful for his own good."

James and I stood up at the same time, "I cant stand you, or your little Chosen one wannabe boyfriend"

"Good" James said.

"Did I say you should speek, you lousy blood trator" I knew what she was going to do as soon as she said blood trator. She whipped out her want and said the words that I never wanted to hear again in my life "Crucio" She hissed.

James fell to the ground in pain. I took out my wand, it was all my willpower not to use an unforgiveable curse on her. She was thrown ten feet back, unconcious.

"James... James. Open your eyes" His eyes were closed tightly.

"Allie... Nurse..."

I ran as fast As I could back to the castle, I pushed throught the people going to classes, people yelped as I pushed them. I herd people calling my name but I ignored them and ran to the hospital wing.

"Professor Shackbolt... Madame Lere, Jenifer she used the crusiatas curse on James. COme one" I shouted before running back.

I heard them following, but didnt wait. They would find me. When I reached James he was still laying still on the grass.

"James, Its Alendra, I need you to open your eyes"

Professor Shackbolt droped to his knees becide James well Madame Lere went to attend to Jennifer.

"She used the Crusiatias Curse?"Kingsly asked.

"Yes"

I took James hand, his eyes started to flutter.

"Dear god... James?"

"Hey Allie... Are you okay?" He sat up and looked at me seriously.

"She just used an unforgivable curse on you and your asking if Im okay?"

"Yes, I was unconcious so unable to tell if she had harmed youu in any way shape or fourm?"

"James Potter... Just like you Daddy and Grandafther. Dont let that one go, I thought she was going to curse us down here." KIngsly shot a look at me "He will be fine and able to play tonight. Just watch him"

"Of course" With that Kingsly got up and helped Madame Lere with Jennifer who was still unconcious.

I was still holding onto his hand tightly. His eyes were on me. I dont understand why I felt do distressed when he was hurt.

"Are you sure your okay?" He asked me

"Yes, why?"

"In third year you said you would never so much as hold my hand" His gaze trailed to our intertwined fingers.

"People change Potter" I said wearly, maybe he didnt like me anymore.

"Well I think I like this change. Thanks for not abandoning me Malfoy"

"I would do no such thing. I think I hurt her though"

"Good" He looked at me "We should head to potions" I allowed James to lead us, fingers still intertwined to the dungions for Potions.

Elizabith and Sebastian were waiting outside the potions room. They both looked up when they heard me laughing at James.

"What happened?" They asked at the same time.

"Well James came to find me when I left the Great Hall, Jennifer Goyle came out and filpped at me and James, she used the Crusitias curse on James and I... I hit her with a curse."

"And that?" Elizabith asked pointing to our intertwined fingers.

"No idea, I woke up and heard Allie pleeding for me to wake up and she was holding my hand, she has yet to let go, and I certanly am not forcing her to" I laughed.

Sebastian and Elizabith sat on eather side of James and I. Professor Kreel was writing something on the board. He set our assignment for the day and we got to work.

"So what is this?" James asked when we were about halfway though the lesson.

"No idea" I smiled at him. He shoock his head and went back to his parchment. There was a knock on the door.

"Yes?" Professor Kreel asked

"Headmaster Knight wishes to see Alendra Malfoy"

"Okay. Alendra go, that parchment is due next potions"

"Okay" I looked at James before leaving the room. I hurried to the headmasters study.

"Licorish Wisps" I said to the stone gargoile that moved so I sould enter the spirial staircase.

I knocked on the door. "Enter"

"You wanted to see me Professor"

"Take a seat Miss Malfoy" I sat infront of his bog oak desk. There was a bunch of silvery objects on the desk on other tables. The portraits on the wall survayed me.

"Miss Malfoy, I knew your father, but I want to ask you about what happened ouside" Professor Knight survayed me. He had greying brown hair and slate grey eyes. He looked young, not young, but younger then most of the poritrats.

"Well, James came to comfort me after I had a fight with Serious and Elizabith. We were talking under the Dumbledore memoral tree, when Jennifer Goyle came and started to freak out at us. We stood up, she called James a lousy blood trator then used the Crutias curse on him."

"Does Jennifer often loose her temper?"

"She has an awful temper, we can usual get her calmed down. Alexandra and Cassandra have it the worst"

"Okay, well she will be expelled when she comes to, you did a number on her. You are very powerful Alendra"

The protrait of Albus Dumbledore chuckled. "Of course she is Meeka, she is the daughter of my strongest Spy"

"Hey! What am I?" The portrate of Severas Snape asked.

"Severas, you know that you were an amazing spy, lets not get into this. Alendra has to go watch the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons arive. Good luck Alendra" Dumbledore smiled airly at me and began to hum. Professor Knight, shot me a 'tell me about it' look and smiled.

"I need to ask a favour of you"

"Anything"

"There are twenty students coming. Ten from Durmstrang Ten from Beaxbatons. Would you and James show them around, tell them anything they want to know. When the champions are selected make sure they are caterted too. If you dont mind?"

"It would be an honnor Sir"

"Okay, let James know. You wouldnt want to be late" Professor KNight made a dismissing gesture and I hurried down to the dungons just in time to run into Elizabith Sebastian and James.

"What did Knight want?" We made our was outsiide, to the main courtyard.

"He wanted to know what happened and if James and I would play tour guides to the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, I told him that we would"

"And you didnt ask me?"

"You were in class and if you dont want to then you dont have to, ill get another prefect to come with me"

"No, No, No. Ill go with you" James said quickly.

Just then smeone gasped. A powdery blue flying horse drawn carrage flew down. Yes flew down. It landed just in front of Hagrids cabbin. Weatherwings jumped back in fright.

The mast of a giant ship poped out of the black lake. The squid was waching it wearly. I looked at James, who was staring at the giant ship and coach with excitment.

The students began to fine out. I took a deep breath. "Let the Triwizard tournament begin" I wispered in James ear. He looked at me, he looked scared to death.