The Goblet of Fire
Lily followed Severus through the throngs of people shuffling out of the banquet hall. "So, are you going to put in your name Lils?" Severus asked as they shuffled through the crowd. Lily chuckled.
"What? No, of course not. I don't want to risk dying. I wouldn't want to see anyone else from Hogwarts die either. Well... except maybe that impertinent git Malfoy." She spotted his long blonde hair in the crowd as he was amiably chatting up several Beauxbaton girls. Severus laughed.
"Geez Lily, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were sweet on him by the way you talk about him all warm and fuzzy like." He dodged her slap and chuckled at her menacing glare.
"Oh, shove off. And if your so concerned about me being sweet on him, why don't you put your name in Severus. Just to try and win me over from his wonderful charm and appeal." She snorted derisively. "Merlin, like any girl would fall for that show-offie jerk. It's guys like him that give Slytherin such a bad rep. Ugh, he is such a pompous pig! Look at him!"
"Hey now, he might be an asshole, but don't go insulting Slytherin on his behalf. There are plenty of others who give my house a bad name to." Severus said defensively. Lily shook her head.
"I don't see why you hang around him and his lot Severus. You're so much better than they are." Severus smiled sadly.
"Yeah, well, when your as unpopular as I am, sometimes they can make a guy like me look good." Lily smiled and rolled her eyes.
"You always look good Severus." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it lightly. "That's why your my best friend! I mean, come on, I can't possibly look this good on my own right?" Severus chuckled.
"No, you always look that good." He grasped tighter to her hand and they stopped walking. He turned to her. "Lily, I..."
"Hogwarts students eef you vill follow me please! Zhis way please!" Lily smiled and pulled Severus down the corridor. She didn't even seem phased by his change of attitude. It was as if she hadn't even noticed. Severus sighed and followed along behind her.
They were led out onto the chateau grounds. The head-lady leading them informed them that the dormitories were separate from the school. As they walked out onto the grounds a vast expanse of beautiful gardens that spanned in every direction, came into view. Fountains could be heard bubbling quietly some distance off. Low hedges skirted pathways while flowers bloomed on either side of others. Some paths were covered by a canopy of aspen leaves from the trees that grew on either side of the paths while others still stretched on through tunnels made of beautiful trellises full of roses. The entire site took Lily's breath away.
Lily felt someone move up behind her and touch her arm. She turned and smiled at Remus as he fell into stride beside her.
"Too bad that Mary couldn't be here to see this eh?" Lily smiled sadly.
"Yeah, I hope she's doing okay." Remus nodded.
"Me to. She'll be so jealous when she finds out she missed out on all this." He said and made a sweeping motion to the beautiful expanse of gardens surrounding them. Lily smiled as she breathed in deeply. The sweet scent of honeysuckle and dew filled her nose and she smiled.
"She would've really loved this place." Lily said with an edge of sadness in her voice. They walked in silence for a while, listening to the quiet conversations in French and English that surrounded them.
"So, I don't assume you're putting your name in?" Remus asked quietly.
"No. You aren't are you?"
"Nah, I'll just cheer on whoever gets picked, safely from on the sidelines." Lily chuckled lightly.
"Yeah, same here."
"You know James is planning on putting his name in right?" Lily frowned.
"I figured... a big part of me wishes he wouldn't. There are so few of us here... it would be so easy for him to get chosen." Remus remained silent but grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. She smiled at him and squeezed back.
"He'll be alright." Remus said reassuringly. Lily managed a smile.
"Yeah." She said, but her voice sounded filled with more confidence than she felt.
They finely reached a two story white stone building and the head-lady led them all inside. The inside of the building was lush with plush white couches against the walls, rich mahogany flooring, and creme fleur de lis wallpaper. A large crystal chandelier hung suspended by magic in the center of the room. The head-lady clapped her hands for attention.
"Attention please! Zhis is zhe main commons area of building Trois. All 'ogwarts guests will be staying 'ere. Zhe ladies dormitories are located up zhe stairs and to zhe left. Zhe boys, up the stairs and to zhe right. Classes will begin at nine o'clock tomorrow morning after breakfast at eight. If you need 'elp finding a class, any student will be more zhan 'appy to 'elp, all you need to do is ask. Zhere is no curfew of when you need to return to zhe dormitories, 'owever, I would suggest not staying out all night long as you will need your rest for attending classes. Eet is not permitted for students to enter the other dormitories for any reason unless you 'ave permission from an upperclassmen or Professor. You will find all of your belonging 'ave already been brought to your rooms. We do 'ope you enjoy your stay 'ere at Beauxbatons Academy and wish you zhe best of luck in zhe Triwizard Tournament. Now, I bid you all Goodnight." The girl bowed and then left the dormitory.
Lily smirked as she watched Remus and James exchange knowing devilish looks. She walked over to the both of them and placed her arms over their shoulders.
"Now, I know you two are going to go to bed at a reasonable time so that you can wake up perky for classes tomorrow, right boys?" They smiled innocently at her.
"Of course Lils." James said. Remus nodded.
"Yes, we wouldn't dream of staying out all night chasing after pretty French girls."
"No, not at all!" They exchanged smiles and both placed kisses on her cheeks and then dashed out the door to the dormitory. Lily laughed and shook her head. They could be such children sometimes. She sighed and wandered across the commons area, studying the pictures on the walls and the ornate molding around the ceiling. She spotted a bookshelf across the room and walked over to it. She picked up a book and flipped through the pages and frowned. Of course, it was all in French. Ugh, why had she not listened to her dad when he told her to study French over the summer? She huffed and re-shelved the book, picking up another titled Le Contes de Grimm: The Tales of Grimm. She flipped it open and was relieved to find English words written on its pages. She smiled and settled herself into a comfortable armchair to read for a while and pass the time.
Severus was walking around outside in the gardens alone. He had to admit that this school was truly gorgeous. But he still missed Hogwarts cold stone corridors lit by torches that glinted off of the enchanted suits of armor. He sighed and closed his eyes as the sweet scent of honeysuckle mingled with the acrid scent of cigarettes in the air. He turned the corner of a hedge and nearly fell over.
"Zut allor! Regarde ca! Tu et stupide?" Severus's eyes widened in alarm.
"Uh, I... I'm sorry. I'm from Hogwarts... I... uh, don't speak French." The tall boy glared at him but seemed to relax.
"So, you're one of zhe foreigners zhen? From, where ees eet you said?"
"Uh, Hogwarts." The boy nodded, pulling another cigarette from a pack in his pocket and lighting it. He extended the pack towards Severus. Severus shook his head.
"No thanks, I don't smoke. And, It's Hogwarts." He said. The boy nodded.
"I see. I'm Clement Morhange." The boy said, extending his hand. Severus nodded and shook his hand.
"Pleasure, I'm Severus Snape." Clement nodded.
"So, you came 'ere to enter into zhe tournament yes?" Severus shook his head.
"Nah, I've no interest in competing. It just a death-trap if you ask me." Clement nodded.
"I see. Well, I wasn't planning on entering my name either." Severus nodded. "It's rather sick, zhe whole glory and honor for zhe good of your school don't you zhink?" Severus smirked.
"Yeah, its complete rubbish I say." Clement smiled.
"I like your attitude Severus. 'ow do you feel about wagers?"
"Depends on the deal." Severus said bluntly making Clement smile.
"Lets say ten galleons, we both enter our names and I bet we don't get chosen and you bet we do? What do you say?"
"Sounds like a silly bet to me." Severus said dubiously. Clement smiled.
"But isn't zhat zhe fun of a bet. You take a risk for somezhing zhat is completely nonsensical, just like zhe whole point of this tournament. So what do you say?" Severus smirked and shook Clement's hand.
"You've got yourself a deal Clement."
"Alright! So, shall we go put our names in for zhe death zhen?" Severus chuckled.
"Why the bloody hell not. But, you get to show me how the hell to get back to the school. All of these gardens are bloody confusing." Clement laughed.
"I know, right? Took me a whole year to remember 'ow to get anywhere. Come on, the school ees this way." Severus followed Clement through the mazes of hedges. They turned after a while of walking and Clement stopped suddenly.
"Why'd we...?" Clement placed a hand over Severus's mouth and a finger against his own lips. He crouched down below view of the hedges and inched forward. A soft whimpering noise could be heard somewhere close by. It sounded almost like a woman crying. Clement inched forward further still and stopped as the whimper grew slightly louder. He gently parted the branches and peered through. He turned to Severus with a smirk and motioned for him to look. Severus scooted over and peered through the branches. His cheeks flushed crimson at the scene before him. It was definitely not a woman crying. He backed away from the bushes and began to move silently away. Clement followed close behind him and when they got around the corner, he stood, helping Severus to his feet.
Severus glared at him. "You knew what that was." He said accusingly. Clement smiled and shrugged.
"Yes, but its a pretty site, wouldn't you agree?" Severus shook his head.
"Isn't she afraid of getting caught? I mean, come on, outside of all places?" Clement shrugged.
"The gardens are very extensive and only zhe ghosts wander through zhem at night. And zhe ghosts don't say anything. So, students use it to zheir advantage. It works rather well considering its against zhe rules to enter another dormitory other zhan your own."
"But don't guys just go into the girls rooms and such?" Severus asked. Clement shook his head.
"No, zhere are spells in place to prevent zhose things." Severus nodded.
"I see. Well then, can we go to the school now." Clement laughed.
"Yes, come on, its zhis way. Zhat was the only direct route, zhat is why we took it. I honestly didn't plan on stumbling across a woman zhere. Most of zhe time, couples wait until much later before zhey go out." Severus shook his head. The French certainly were weird.
The school halls were quiet when Severus and Clement entered. A few students milled about the hallways but it was mostly deserted. Severus pushed open the large mahogany doors leading into the banquet hall and stared in awe at the glowing Goblet of Fire across the room. Clement smiled and pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket and tore it in half, handing the small slip to Severus. They walked forward towards the Goblet and the table sitting before it holding a black feathered quill. Severus picked up the quill and scrawled out his name and school. He waited as Clement did the same and they took a moment to stare at the blazing blue flames.
"Together?" Severus asked. Clement nodded and they both cast their parchment pieces into the flames. Severus watched his name burn to nothing within the flames. Clement smiled and faced him and extended his hand.
"My zhe best man win or not win at all, eh?"
"Yeah." Severus smiled and pumped his hand. They then turned in silence and walked out. Severus pushed open the heavy door again and jumped in surprise as Lucius was standing on the other side of it.
"Lucius, hey." Lucius eyed him curiously.
"You put your name in? Hm, I'm mildly surprised. Maybe your not as hopeless as I thought Severus." He gave a curt nod to Clement and then strode past them into the banquet hall.
"He sounds friendly." Clement commented. Severus shrugged.
"He's alright." They left the school and headed out into the vast gardens back towards the dorms.
"What dorm are you in?" Severus asked as they walked.
"Dormitory Deux. You're in Trois."
"So I guess I'll see you around in classes?" Clement smiled and nodded.
"If you're a fourth year then yes, you will. Can you find your way back from 'ere?" Severus glanced around and nodded.
"Alright, see you tomorrow for classes."
"Yeah, see you then." Clement disappeared into the dark garden and Severus smiled as he made his way back to the dormitories. He was actually looking forward to classes here because for once, he had someone other than Lily who understood him.