Chapter 3

A/N

Thanks for all the support, love you for reviewing!

But, please, remember …

I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER!

Sorry I haven't updated recently, xmas for us is … hectic, a late merry xmas and a happy new year!

I've decided that at the end of each chapter I'm gonna ask you a question and the people who get it correct (within the time it takes me to update again) will be mentioned in my next a/n and will get to add 1 line, however odd, to my next chapter. To answer just put your answer and what you would like me to put, where you review.

Also there is French accents in this.

Right, that's it … on with the story…

The truth is out

Lessons began the following day although all focus was on the goblet in which people were submitting their names. All week young men and women from all three schools would place in slips of paper into the cup. A magical boundary surrounded it, not permitting anyone under sixteen (had to change the age to fit the storyline, soz) as much as approach it. Even though they had been forewarned, first years would try to enter themselves, bravely, into the tournament; only to be punished, severely in whichever way the cup saw fit. James' stuck up cousin, Giffard Potter in second year, attempted an ageing spell to avoid the goblet's wrath yet still got humiliated by being turned into a very old, very wrinkly, man – with a high pitched voice that James claimed to sound like his Aunt Dorea. All other first, second, third, fourth and fifth years shied away from the cup, clear worry on their faces. This continued through the week, leading up to the feast – on Sunday – at which the competitors would be announced. Going into the Great Hall, however, all head were turned towards a particular red-head and black haired pair who were staring daggers at one and other. But the argument did not go as the audience expected.

James Potter and Lily Evans' first argument was watched throughout the school and by residents, visitors, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh years in equal interest. For this happed a lot but always differed in location and extremity. It all started with the defense of a friend:

"Potter, where's Lupin?"

"Ill."

"Potter, he missed last night's patrol with the feeble excuse of: I can't. So James Potter, you have a LOT of explaining to do."

"He's in the hospital wing."

"Why?"

"None of your business, Evans, he's ill. All the explanation you need. So could you please let me," he pointed at himself, "and Sirius," he pointed at Sirius, "and Peter," he pointed at Peter, "into the Great Hall," he pointed at the Great Hall, then lowering his voice he added a word that made Lily narrow her eyes: "Please?"

Suddenly Lily waved her arms and the world around her and James went silent. James' eyes widened and asked in a hushed tone: "Wandless magic?"

"Never," she replied sarcastically – annoyed that he was just saying the obvious – then she continued on a more serious note: "I know Remus is a werewolf."

"As if…" replied James, uncertain.

"Out every full moon. Ill around them. He's a werewolf."

"Right, then why would he be here?"

"Dumbledore is protecting him."

"Why would he do that?"

"Because he's your uncle."

James' mouth hung open in shock, "How do you … I mean … what do you … I mean … Fuck it!"

"Language, Potter, and it was pretty obvious."

"How?" James' eyes narrowed.

"Potter, I'm a prefect and I've been sent to Dumbledore's office numerous times. He keeps a family tree in the top draw of his desk. I found it when he told me to retrieve …"

"… Hehe, Golden Retriever, sorry, muggle dog."

"I know, I have one … anyway, he told me to get, seeing as you are incapable of learning big words without giggling like a fourth year, a piece of blank parchment, so he could note down the timetable. I don't know why, because he could have summoned it, but maybe he wanted me to see it?!"

James' brow furrowed and his jaw set in a straight line, "When did you find this out – not that it's true – but, when?"

"Potter, it's true."

"Isn't."

"Potter admit that it is and I'll tell you when I found out."

"Maybe."

"Potter …" Lily warned.

"A possibility."

"I mean it, Potter ..."

"Fine," James sighed, "It's true. You're very stubborn, like me," he grinned, "Another thing we have in common darling, another reason to …"

"Shut it, Potter," Lily interrupted through clenched teeth. After unclenching them, she announced, with a sly grin, "I worked out that Remus was a werewolf in … fifth year, I had my suspicions in third year but your friend, Black …"

"… Sirius Black." James interrupted with a grin, "Like: Bond, James Bond and ummm … Potter, James Potter and …"

"Oh, for Merlin's sake! Shut up! No more interruptions," and with that she took out her wand and cast a silencing charm and summoned his wand so he could not undo it. This caused the people observing to laugh and the other Marauders to fall onto the floor shouting: "Whipped! Whipped!" Lilly rolled her eyes at the crowd, for she could see they were gathering a big one. She continued at a quicker pace – as to confuse those who could lip-read. "Your friend Black pranked Severus into nearly being eaten. Apparently you 'saved' him."

James' expression, however, had soured considerably as he remembered and he nodded, scowling.

"Potter, were you involved in planning the prank?"

James shook him head.

"Good." There was a moment of silence before she continued, "Potter, what has Severus ever done to you to make you hate him?" she asked sincerely, as James attempted to reply Lily held up her hand, "No, it was a rhetorical question because I know the answer is nothing. Severus is a Slytherin. You only hate him because of the company he keeps."

James shook his head, annoyed. He turned on his heel and with a flick of his wrist he summoned his wand and began undoing the muffliato charm as well as the silencing charm around him. Lily watched as he casually waved his wand and as the crowd began to disperse, seeing that there wasn't going to be a fight. Suddenly she said slowly and carefully: "You know what, you're not as bad as I thought. I still hate you but … you're not as bad as I thought.

James smiled to himself and walked away.

A Boy and An Announcement

The Ravenclaw sixth years were too busy bickering about whether You Know Who was smart enough to pass a riddle and enter their common room to see a petite blonde girl in blue uniform sit down beside them. That was until she asked, quite sincerely and in a heavy French accent, "Oo eez se boy with se b'ack 'air?" and pointed towards the Gryffindor table.

Caroline laughed and smiled at the new arrival. Slowly she extended her hand, in greeting, and said, "Hello, to you too. Before we broadcast that information we would like to ask you 2 questions: firstly, what is your name?" she nodded, prompting the arrival to speak.

"Apolline Jean and se second kwesteeon?" replied Apolline with a polite smile.

"Do you think Volde…" at the gasps she rolled her eyes and muttered about the fear of a name worsening the fear itself but still corrected herself, "You-Know-Who, would be able to pass the Ravenclaw riddle and be allowed into our common room?"

"Eet depends 'n v'ether se reedle eez 'ard enough. Vhat eez se reedle leek?" Apolline replied, earnestly.

The Ravenclaws, offended by the fact she had insulted the difficulty of their riddles, began to murmur between themselves, until a girl with waist-length, dirty blonde hair, very pale eyebrows, and protuberant eyes that gave her a permanently surprised look spoke up: "Forward I am heavy, backwards I am not. What am I? That one's easy-peasy and as obvious as a Crumple-Horned Snorkack's horn."

Caroline rolled her eyes and patted her best friend on her shoulder, "Christina, how many times, Xenophilius Lovegood might be your boyfriend but that does NOT mean he is ALWAYS right. I'm not TOO sure about the existence of the," she paused, frowning, "Crumply-Horny-Knack-Knack …"

"… Crumple-Horned Snorkack," corrected Christina.

"… Right, yeah … ummm … anyway," she turned towards Apolline, who was observing with a raised eyebrow, "that's Chrissie for you …" then she cleared her throat and began once again: "The riddles are so people can gain access to our common room but they are difficult enough to prevent any average Slytherin, Gryffindor or Hufflepuff from entering."

Apolline nodded, "And Vhat 'ouse waz 'oo Know 'oo een?"

Caroline took a second to understand what Apolline had said then replied, "Slytherin."

"Vell, 'e must 'ave been 'igher fan afferage 'oo be zo good at Dark Magic, zurely? Zo, ee vould zay eet matters vhat reedle 'e eez presented wiff. And ze answer too my kwestion?"

Caroline nodded and replied: "He is James Potter."

"Vhat eez 'e leek?"

Caroline smiled, "Well, how to describe James Potter in two words, I'd say loyal and hmm… arrogant. Loyal to his friends; arrogant to anyone else. I, personally, am of his friends – Merlin knows why, sometimes. What do you think Chrissie"

"Mean and umm… umm… respectful. He is mean about my views, when he is with the Marauders, and respectful of them when he is with you. But Zoë, my twin sister, says he is a Man Slag."

"Vy?" interrupted Apolline.

Caroline replied to this, "Zoë is crazy – in a different way to Chrissie, here. She HATES everyone…"

"… Except me and Lily … and MAYBE Caroline …"

Caroline stuck her tongue out and Chrissie grinned, mischievously. The brunette then continued, pointing towards a girl with spiky, black hair and hoop earrings, who was clearly swearing … again; "Zoë likes to keep to herself and she hates anyone who openly insults or embarrasses either Lily Evans or Chrissie … so yeah … James ticks both of those boxes but if you get on the right side of him – which is quite hard – he is a brilliant friend or, as you are interested in him being, boyfriend." She smiled, knowingly and began to turn towards her food but a delicate, manicured hand grabbed shoulder.

"Sank you for… not being… vell… 'ostile." Caroline nodded and smiled, "And …" Apolline began, but the Great Hall fell silent as Dumbledore stood to speak.

"Students of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang; I would like to take this chance – before I announce the champions – to say that Filch would like to see Marauders for turning the bathrooms pink… again…" everyone laughed and the Marauders took this as a chance to stand and bow, "Anyway, onto the formalities. I will announce the champions from each school. The champions should go through the doorway behind me, where they will be interviewed by the Daily Prophet's esteemed journalist, Miss Rita Skeeter." There was a light applause but most people did not care for the woman who rose, nervously. "Right then, onto the announcement. Firstly, the champion for Durmstrang Institute is …"

There was a drumroll as Dumbledore summoned a slip of paper.

"… Maximilian Krum!" Cheers went around the hall as a tall, muscled boy stood up and approached the front of the Hall. He turned and waved as he entered the door behind Dumbledore.

"Congratulations, Maximilian. We all wish you a … oh, he's gone … well that's rude!" exclaimed a disgruntled Dumbledore, causing even the professors to laugh at him. When the hall fell silent, again, he continued: "And for the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic…"

There was another drumroll as Dumbledore summoned another slip of paper.

"… Apolline Jean!"

There was a gasp from the Ravenclaw sixth years as the Beauxbatons champion hugged a blushing Caroline and whispered into her ear: "Can ve be freendz?" At Caroline's wide-eyed nod she smirked and sauntered away to wolf whistles and cheers. Suddenly a small girl, of about twelve, leapt up screaming: "Ma sœur! Ma sœur!" and ran towards Apolline beaming. Apolline grabbed her sister and spun her around laughing. She then remembered where she was, put her down and whispered into her ear, grinning. The younger girl nodded and skipped back to where she was sitting, still a ray of sunshine.

Dumbledore smiled and announced, his voice magnified and a wicked gleam in his eye, "I suppose now is a good time to announce the Hogwarts champion?" he questioned, smirking. The Hall fell silent in anticipation.

"The Hogwarts Champion is …"

The place was silent.

You could hear a pin drop.

As Dumbledore announced …

"… James Potter!"

Q: OotP or DHp1 or DHp2