A/N: I have no idea why this chapter took so damn long to write. I guess despite having an outline for it, I couldn't quite seem to like any of the words I had. So, this took a couple of rewrites. Sorry for the wait.
Dawn slowly rose over the fjord basking the frigid water with rays of glorious morning light. Rising higher into the sky, the warm beams of light crept through the curtains over several worn out, snoozing students. Some were still clutching empty candy wrappers. Near the middle of the room Anna slept soundly. A shadow emerged covering up half of the bed. A devious smile gleamed in the little sunlight had reached that space. "Anna get yer arse up!" Merida yelled, into the sleeping girl's ear.
Still exhausted from both the party and staying up later than usual, Anna rolled over groaning, "Too early."
"If ye don't wake up ye'll miss the meeting, champion," she added, shouting the last part.
The word 'champion' resonated in Anna's brain. Everything from last night flooded to the forefront of her mind. She honestly thought the whole ordeal was nothing more than a mere dream making today the day the real one where the Triwizard Champions were chosen. Shooting up from her bed, flinging off the sheets, she jumped up onto the top of the bed wearing her pants decorated with tiny yellow ducklings, and long shelve green shirt to combat the cold night air. "I'm a Triwizard Champion," she gasped in a moment of excitement. "I'm a Triwizard Champion," she said once more only to fully realize the weight of those spoken words. Ignoring the drop in the stomach, she asked, "What time is it?"
Glancing outside, Astrid answered, "Quarter till eight."
Anna frowned, "What? Why didn't anyone wake me up sooner?" The pair met eyes exchanging looks of disbelief. "My first day as a champion and I'm already running late," she panicked. Jumping off the bed, she started to rummage through her trunk. Putting on some clothes thinking it would be best to represent her school. Quickly changing from her duckling pajamas to a black shirt with the Durmstrang crest above her left breast, burgundy pants, black boots, and finally the cloak. Unsure what to do with her half brushed hair, she looked her friends for some advice. "Do you guys think I should go with pigtails or not?"
They both shook their head, Media replied first, "Put on yer best serious face and let'em know Anna Eriksson is 'ere ta win."
Anna started to play with the ends of her hair, "Winning isn't everything, and besides . . ." The clock on the mantel caught her eyes, seeing it read ten till she headed for the door, "Gah, I'm so going to be late. See you later guys."
Once she was gone, Astrid said, "Sometimes, it's hard to forget how innocent Anna truly is."
"That's Anna for ye. Innocent as a wee lamb born in spring."
Racing down the hall towards the classroom, Anna's mind began to think back to last night. She learned Hans was nothing more than a fake with awful sideburns. She paused, remembering something else that happened and it was pleasant a little cold, but delight not the less.
After her name was called there was stunned silence for a moment, until the table started to slowly applaud and cheer. They fell deaf upon her ears, though, since Anna wasn't sure if she heard right. Someone picked her up by the collar of her shirt. They whispered, "Get going, champion." Nodding, in a daze, Anna walked down the aisle, past the Goblet of Fire, and the table where the teachers sat. Reaching the door to the room, her hand shaking, turned the knob.
Entering the room further, she spotted Elsa in a corner. She saw Hans fixing his hair in a mirror. "You know Elsa you should be thankful that I am one of your rivals in this pathetic tournament. You actually seem like someone who might present me with a challenge. Of course, don't expect to win."
Elsa rolled her eyes and sighed, an icy mist forming in front of her.
Wow, and to think I actually kind of liked of him.
He spotted Anna's reflection, he turned giving her a fake smile. "Anna, what brings you here?"
Elsa's attention turned to the girl, ice formed on her palms as she realized why Anna stood there nervously. She saw the potential Anna had during their time together over the last couple of days, but she didn't expect to see the redhead to be standing in this very room to participate in the dangerous tournament. She wanted to express some form of congrats to the girl, but just thinking about what horrors may lie ahead of them made her anxiety invade her thoughts. Words failing her, Elsa looked away without uttering a word.
Hans faux smile turned to an insidious grin as it too dawned on him. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me, right? I can't believe you of all people are the Durmstrang Champion. This is wonderful! Triwizard Cup here I come," he laughed mockingly.
"I wouldn't celebrate yet, dearie," Cruella stated flicking embers onto the floor. "My Elsa is quite well-endowed in both magical charm, and this splendid, curvaceous body. I'm sure the crowd will eat up all this sexy innocence."
Elsa grew flustered at the Cruella's words. Unsure whether to take her words as a compliment or an insult, Elsa simply replied shyly, "U-Um, thank you, headmistress."
"No problem, my dear faithful, and most brilliant student," she said praised, flicking more ash, which landed upon Hans clean black shoes.
Hans glanced down scoffing at the gray ash. "Yes, yes, I concur," Merlin appeared in a flash of blue smoke. "Don't start counting your chickens before they hatch, boy. Do I need to turn you into a bird again?" He tapped his wand, causing Hans to blush slightly and mumbled under his breath.
Wouldn't mind seeing him coughing up feathers or chased by cat, Anna mused enjoying the imagine.
Entering the room last, Valka gave the three of them a weary smile. "Champions, Headm – Cruella, can you please, not smoke in the castle," Valka sighed. "This is an institution, not a bar. Anyway, I want to wish the three of you luck. I will inform you three starting tomorrow everything you do will be put under a microscope so be careful. The tasks are not the only things that will test you. Especially, since I want you all here bright and early to have your wands checked. Now, I'm sure you three will want to head back to the dorms. I'm sure your fellow classmates will want to celebrate this high honor you all have received."
Anna noticed Elsa leave by slipping by everyone using the shadows cover. She decided to follow her, hoping to get at least a second to talk. Outside in the empty Grand Hall, Anna called, "Hey Elsa, can you wait a second?"
The blonde-haired witch turned around, "Y-Yes, what do you need?"
Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, Anna began, "So, um, it looks like we're going to be competing against it each other."
Saddened by the reality of her words Elsa's eyes downcast to the floor. "It seems that way."
"Do you think we can still be friends, though?"
Caught off guard, Elsa glanced up only seeing sincerity in the girls teal eyes. She doesn't care that as of now we're considered rivals. Anna, you're so unorthodox, but there's just something about you that won't allow me to say no. "I-I don't see why not."
It happened so quickly that Elsa didn't have a chance to protest. As soon as the sentence had left her mouth, Anna had run over so fast it was like she flew or apparited for the next second Elsa felt a pair of arms wrap around her. There was a warmth radiating off of her, and Anna seemed to be melting the icy barrier around her heart. It was a sensation she had felt for a long time. She hated to admit it to herself, but she enjoyed a bit. Realizing this Elsa sort of panicked, knowing the last time she allowed someone to get this close to her they wound up hurting her. Slowly, she pushed Anna away from her. Anna cringed forgetting about much Elsa prefers her personal space. "Sorry," she replied, toying with her hair.
"It's fine. You're fine, it was just unexpected." A beat of silence ticked by. "See you tomorrow."
"You bet, Elsa." Leaving the hall the two once more parted ways. Elsa still a little miffed about how she felt about Anna, and if she should let her walls down further.
Finally, arriving in the room all eyes were on her. "You're late Ms. Eriksson," her headmistress stated.
Bowing her head a light blush coating her cheeks. "Sorry, I lost track of time."
"Well, you're not as tardy as a certain Department of International Magical Co-operation, who should have been here last night."
A man stepped out of the shadows. He was hunched over at the shoulders, he tapped his fingers together rather menacingly. Anna titled her head, noticing how much like a rat he reminded her. He has small beady eyes, a long pointy nose that he twitched often. Wearing a suit and tie, he bowed, "Oh, terribly sorry, Headmistress Valka, the carriages simply couldn't carry all the things I required for this trip." At his words two smaller men came in carrying a large trunk upon their strained backs.
"I see, well then if you're ready shall we proceed?"
"Of course, being the headmistress of the hosting school, I am merely a guest here."
"Champions, may I present to you Mr. Francis Ratigan." Upon hearing his name a snicker escaped Anna's lips. Anna briefly met Elsa's gaze, who covered her mouth using her hand, but Anna knew there was a small smile underneath. Attention returned to Valka, and she finished her statement. "the head of the Department of International Magical Co-operation. He will make sure you all abide by the rules of the tournament."
The door opened once more, a man in a dark blue robe like Merlin's, a long dark gray bread, and stern gaze. He walked towards the group slowly, hands hidden in the over-sized sleeves. "I'm here to examine the champions wands," he spoke his voice deep, but mysterious.
"Right on time, we'll let you take care of it Mr. Yen Sid," Merlin said delightedly. The brown owl still slept on his shoulder uninterested in anything going on in the room.
The heads of their school left, leaving the three and Mr. Ratigan under the watchful eye of the strict, steely-eyed man. Removing his hands from his robes, he looked at each of the champions. Stroking his bread, he called one, "Let's see, Miss. Kingston, your wand, please."
Elsa left her corner hesitantly, she withdrew her wand and handed it over to the man. He held it into the air, and in an ominous tone Yen Sid spoke, "Eleven in a half inches, made from the hawthron tree, dragon heartstring core, and quite flexible, an interesting wand for a riveting person, just like yourself, Miss. Kingston."
Slipping her wand back into the interior pocket of her robes, she whispered, "Thank you, sir."
The older wizard nodded, noting the ice on the girls palm. His gazed landed upon Hans, who smiled gleefully. "You're next Mr. Westergaurd."
Hans happily passed his wand over, "Here you are, sir, I'm sure you'll enjoy revealing how great my wand is."
Anna and Elsa simultaneously rolled their eyes. Yen Sid took the wand, "I sense you did not receive this from the traditional vendor in Diagon Alley. For this particular wand is passed down from one wizard to another throughout the bloodline. Twelve and three quarters, made from the blackthorn tree, a dragon heartstring core as well, and very unyielding."
"That's right, sir, my descendants were very formidable just like this wand here. It's required to have something equally impressive coming from a long line of royals we must be resilient and cunning."
His eyes met, Anna's, she started to approach wand at the ready. "Finally, Miss. Eriksson." Taking it, like the other two it whispered to him. "Hmmm," he hummed, "Nine inches, made from a hornbeam tree, slightly bendy, and . . . interesting, a phoenix core, a rare one indeed."
Becoming nervous, she bowed her head, "Um, yes, the wand-maker and shop keeper informed me of this, I've never really told anyone unsure of how they would take it."
"What makes a wand is nothing to be ashamed of Anna. They are just as unique as the welder themselves." He handed it back to Anna, "Just remember a wand is only part of a wizard's or witches studies and journey, it's up to you to decide how far you'll go."
"Again, thank you, sir." Taking her wand back she began head back to her spot when a flash blinded her.
Her vision cleared as she spotted a short woman with black hair, a wicked smile upon her face. Anna recognized her as a reporter from several high end magical newspapers. The notorious and sometimes eccentric Edna Mode. A camera floated behind her as well as a quill and a piece of parchment. The quill moved on its own scribble down things. "Ah, darlings, I can tell that this is going to be a fabulous tournament. I can see it now, The Ice Queen, The Descendant, and The Underdog. Action, drama, romance, maybe a bit of bloodshed, but that happens. So, the question which one of these lovely champions will I interview first?"
Hans' green eyes light up, "Ma'am, I would like volunteer to go first."
"No, this is art, I'm simply not ready yet to talk to you, boy. No, the first one needs to be on the spot, unprepared, someone, who. . ." Edna lips curved wickedly as her eyes landed upon Anna. The redheaded witch gulped. "Come on dear, don't be shy, I promise I won't bite." Anna once again met Elsa sympathetic gaze, and mouthed pleading for help.
Elsa started to head over, but Edna beat her to the punch as she started to shove Anna out of the room. "Let's take our discussion somewhere else, darling. Don't want anyone to taint your answers." They entered the teachers office, Anna recognized it as her Charms Teacher's. An hourglass sat on the desk. Anna watched the sand spiral backwards towards to the top until it began to flow back to the bottom in an endless magical stream. The short reporter took a seat, Anna could barely see the top of her head. Chocking back a chuckle her eyes focused on the still moving quill making her wonder and worry what the enchanted object was already scrawling down about her.
"Now, dear, let's get started, shall we?"
Anna shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Biting her bottom lip, she told herself, This is not a time to start rambling like a complete idiot, and whatever you do, don't let this sly fox know how you really feel about Elsa. That's a scandal that will surly make the front page. "I-I guess so, yeah, let's begin."
"We'll start off with something easy. Tell me darling, how did it make you feel to be chosen as your school's champion out of the countless more suitable and far more qualified students?"
Anger flashed through Anna's teal eyes, What does she mean? Does this woman think I'm not up to the challenge. Sure, I'm still not completely confident if I'm going to do a decent job for the sake of my school's honor. Anna, focus, interview going on. "It was unexpected, but in a good way."
Anna watched the quill move faster still writing even after finishing a short sentence. She grew puzzled and a bit worried about what it was truly doing to her words. "I see, and what do you think of your competitors, Elsa and Hans?"
"I don't know yet. Elsa seems really nice, and Hans . . ." she trailed off knowing she had to pick and chose and her words correctly. A pig, a jerk, someone who I would love to punch in his smug face. "A decent g-gentlemen." She cringed hearing the hesitation and betrayal in her own voice. The devious smile curving Edna's lips told her, she had heard it too.
She leaned back into the chair, causing it to creak, crossing one leg over the over, Edna was brimming with confidence, the reporter said, "Yes, I can understand where your lack of trust for the boy steams from. He is a crafty one." The quill stopped, "Scratch that, will you?" Moving once more Anna listened, hearing the tip striking out sentences, what was previously written. "So, then tell me darling, apart from Miss. Kingston seeming really nice, is there anything else that strikes you about her?" she asked purring.
Biting her lip once more, Anna had a feeling this 'interview' was not going to end her favor. Seeing the fire in Edna's eyes, the redhead tugged at the tight collar hoping to stall to collect her rampant and scattered thoughts. She swallowed hard, feeling her throat parched. I'm doomed for sure, now. I just hope whatever comes out this doesn't put me in a bad spot.
The weight of both the day and becoming a champion for her school was starting to get to Anna a bit. She needed some space and air to breathe after the embarrassing conversation she had with Edna. Anna was slightly worried about what exactly the quill had written down, she knew the reporter was infamous for putting words into people's mouth. Any piece of gossip would do just for the sake of a good article. Even if it meant completely ruining a person's credibility or dignity.
Passing by the fjord, she entered the forest trekking deeper and deeper in this the thick woods. Unknown to her surrounding after ten minutes of hiking. Anna started for a path, wandering if it would lead her out and back to somewhere familiar. She heard shouting in the distance and saw smoke rising above the trees. She cautiously moved with what little sleuth she had over, ducking behind every possible hiding place until she got close enough to hear and see some of what was happening. "Damn dragons, they get harder and harder to capture every time this tournament comes," a voice barked. "Still can't believe they managed to find something more dangerous than Hungarian Horntail.
"I feel really sorry for the poor kid who ends up with that deadly Night Fury or formidable Snow Wraith," another grumbled.
"Well, hell, that Monstrous Nightmare beast keeps catching itself on fire."
N-Night Fury, Anna breathed amazed. So the first task is dragons. She craned her neck peeking around the rock seeing a cage, and a dark shadow stalking the area.
The Night Fury's ears perked up sensing another presences. He looked over spotting red in its thermal vision. Lowering into a defensive posture, the dragon growled, a blue ball of energy formed in the back of its mouth. Launching the ball, the blast of light flew through the bars, Anna ducked down just in time as it hit several trees behind her. "Fire," she heard someone yell.
Anna left her spot, and raced off soon finding herself near the back of Durmstrang. Catching her breath, allowing her mind to fully wrapped around what she just saw and how it was going to effect her and the other champions. "Whoa," she gasped. "I have to tell Elsa. She can't afford not to know about what the first task is."
Sprinting off towards the castle to seek Elsa, she was unaware that she was being watched ever since she exited the woods. "I told ya, our girl would find the dragons first. She's smart and has a feisty spirit," Oaken chuckled, patting Valka's shoulder.
The headmistress agreed, "Anna is smart, as long as she stays focused she will survive."
"Ya, don't think she will win?"
Yes, she has the same opportunity to win just as Miss. Kingston, and Mr. Westergaurd, but sometimes winning isn't as important as living to the next day."
"Yer, not worried 'bout her telling a certain competitor 'about'em dragons, are ya?" He knew of the relationship and Anna and Elsa had formed, they had become an interesting and rather adorable pair of friends, but Elsa tended to distance herself just enough to not allow anything further to happen.
Valka smirked, "Hardly, that's just part of the tournament. Besides, it's not against the rules to ask for help or to offer it." A frown formed on her face. Behind the mask she kept on while performing the tasks required as the headmistress there was a flicker of worry for her students' sake knowing of the dangers that were ahead for Anna. I would just prefer it if she survives with everything still intact.
A/N: Alright, so a few things, first off this might be my author self consciousness talking, but sorry if the characterizations, and Merida's Scottish accent. Second with the holidays coming up I'm hoping to get back to updating things. Plus, I have some much needed vacation time coming up soon.