AN: All conversations with Viktor, Poliakoff and Mr and Mrs Krum are in another language but because Bella is telling the tale and she understands what they are saying, I decided so should we so I have written them in English. That is the writing in Italics.
Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Harry Potter world except my OC Isabella Marie Black.
Chapter Three BPOV
Durmstrang
When I awoke, Moran's face was the only thing I could see. His face was directly over mine. He watched as he breathed a sigh of relief. I looked around and saw that I was lay on one of the benches in the changing rooms. The others were sat down on the benches around me. I saw that Viktor was also sitting with us.
"You gave us quite a scare there princess" commented Moran, as he helped me sit up. I was feeling ridiculously stiff and I obviously sat up too quickly as my head stated spinning. I started to drop back but I was suddenly grabbed, from behind me, by a pair of hands. "I've got you Bella, don't worry. It'll pass in a moment" Viktor.
I lay my head back onto his shoulder as I let my spinning head settle. When I was sure the spinning had stopped I lifted my head back up. "What time is it?" I asked to anybody who would answer.
"Seven in the morning. We had a mediwizard come and check on you. You did wake up but you looked so out of it that you probably can't remember it anyway, the mediwizard said to let you just sleep it off, so we let you sleep." Explained Lynch handing me a goblet of what I can only presume is pumpkin juice. I took a sip, yes it was. Yum.
"Do you know exactly what had happened?" I asked.
"Death eaters" was Moran's simple one word reply.
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. "Death eaters?"
They all nodded. My mind went into panic. Death eaters had been at the Quidditch World Cup and my family, Hermione and Harry had been sleeping in a tent nearby. Oh... Harry. Is he alright? Death eaters near Harry, never a good sign.
"Oh my god. What about the camp?" I asked.
"That was attacked after they left here. Though they believe nobody was killed, some were seriously hurt but nobody was killed, as far as anybody knows." Mullet explained.
I sighed in relief.
"I'm sure somebody will catch you up on details at some point, but for now, we've got to get you back to your home. I'm sure you aunt will be going mad with worry. Whatever mediwizad came in here told on you being hit by a spell. It's all over the papers and I'm pretty sure you've told me before that your aunt reads them every morning." Continued Lynch.
"I believe your 'international comradeship' is also mentioned in the papers quite a bit" said Moran with a smile on his face. He always knew how to lift the spirits in a room.
I smiled and I checked over my shoulder and saw that Viktor was smiling too.
"I have to go. Write to me. I'll be expecting you on the 27th, and hopefully not too bright and early" Viktor said as he stood.
I nodded and stood as well, which was exceptionally awkward with the stiffness. I quickly kissed Viktor's cheek and said, "Thank you, and I'll see you at eleven o'clock on the 27th"
He took my hand, lifted my knuckles to his lips, planting a kiss there before heading out of the room.
"Still going to say he's only a friend Princess?" asked Moran chuckled.
I blushed and mumbled "Shurrup Moran"
"Come on Black. We've got a Portkey set up to take us back to headquarters where you can floo back home." Said Lynch picking up the same fruit bowl we used to get here. We all took hold of the bowl and within minutes our feet left the ground only to return to the ground of our headquarters.
"Take care of yourself Bella" said Lynch giving me a hug.
Moran pulled me into a tighter hug. We may fight and tease each other but we both knew where we stood. We had a brother and sister relationship that you could only ever see at times like this. "Have fun with lover boy, and don't do anything I wouldn't do"
And that time had apparently ended.
"Well, that's not much" I laughed still stuck in his arms.
He grunted and let me go.
"See you later guys" I called to them all.
"Bye Black" came the simultaneous call back.
I grabbed some floo powder and flooed back to the Burrow.
I was immediately grabbed by hysterical Molly and Arthur. I didn't even get chance to see who was about, I had landed and immediately pulled into Molly. Though I would have to get out at some point because I was seriously lacking in air.
"Ma – can't – breathe" I gasped.
She immediately let me go. "Sorry dear, but I've been so worried about you. The papers say that death eaters had swarmed into Ireland's changing room and you had been hit by a curse, but they didn't say whether you were alright or not, just that you got hit."
"Well you wouldn't have much of a story if they did say whether I was okay or not. I was fine. The mediwizard just said to the team to let me sleep it off. It couldn't have been that bad is all they had to do was tell me to sleep" I snorted, just to add emphasis to my point.
Molly and Arthur smiled slightly. "Of course dear"
"Is everybody else alright? The team told me that the death eaters attacked the camp too." I asked.
Arthur and Molly both nodded, and then stepped aside to reveal the rest of the family, all waiting and all perfectly alright except from the odd cut or bruise. I was immediately tackled by two screaming girls – Ginny and Hermione. I may not have known Hermione very long but we had grown close in the time that we had spent together. Next was the twins, followed by Charlie, Bill and Ron. I even got hug from Percy. Harry was last, but his hug was the fiercest and the longest. I guess I could understand. Apart from Dad I was the only connection he had to his parents.
As the day drew on, I was told all the details about what happened. I was horrified when they told me that somebody had fired the dark mark into the air. And I was confused as to why a house-elf would do it, and I definitely felt sorry for little Winky.
I tried to enjoy the few days in-between the Quidditch World Cup and the 27th – the day I would go to Viktor's house for the rest of the summer. I had already gone to get my things including uniform, books, equipment and even a dress – I don't know why but it said on the requirement list that I needed a dress. However, it was hard to enjoy myself when I had to hear about the disaster as the Quidditch World cup every morning though the daily profit.
On Friday 26th, the Weasley threw me an early birthday party. This is what I enjoyed the most about having a birthday on the 2nd of September, it was close enough to the summer that we could have a birthday celebration before I go to school, or in this case Viktor's. Even though the party started without Percy and Arthur, it was still a blast. Presents were, of course saved for my actual birthday – they were shrunk and put in my trunk, but Molly, Ginny and Hermione had made me a lovely cake in the shape of a Quidditch pitch that had 'Happy Birthday Bella'. Underneath that was a picture of a Quaffle and a very accurate picture of the actual cup from the Quidditch World Cup. Seventeen candles were alight on the top. After the Weasley version on happy birthday was sung – Harry and Hermione were miming I think – I took a deep breath and blew out the candles wishing for a fun and adventurous year at Durmstrang this year.
I spent the evening with Hermione, Harry and Ron. Hermione and Harry were interested about what Durmstrang was like, and they had only just brought it up, so I tried to describe as much about it as I could to them. Ron, of course, had already heard this about a thousand times so he just sat quietly and listened. Both were shocked when I told them that, at Durmstrang, our headmaster, Karkaroff, taught us Dark Arts in the place of their Defence of the Dart Arts. It took several minutes to calm them down after I told them that Karkaroff was in actual fact an ex death eater. Though I did reassure them that even though we were taught curses it was forbidden to use them in and out of school unless it was in a duel or self defence.
The next morning, I was happy to see everybody had gotten up to see me off, even Bill, Charlie and Percy. I gave Percy and Arthur hugs first as they had to pop off to work. Percy's was a simple and sweet sibling hug, that had Percy blushing – he never was one for sibling affection. Arthur however pulled me into a hug that rivalled even Molly's infamous bone breaking hugs. Ginny beat everybody else to reach me.
"Have fun at Durmstrang, Bell" she said, using her own little nickname for me.
Bill was next, though he left me puzzled, "We may see each other earlier than you think kid"
Charlie was the same. "See you squirt. We'll see each other again soon, sooner than you think, I hope"
I frowned as he let go. Both of them had left me incredibly confused. I decided to ignore their very confusing comments and pulled the twins into a combined hug. Fred even had the guts to whisper in my ear "We've slipped a few of our products into your birthday present. Happy birthday Bell Bell"
I laughed as we broke the hug. "You guys are the best"
I pulled Ron into a hug next, I knew if it was up to him there would be a three metre high wall between him and any sibling affection – typical teenage boy. He remained quiet, though his cheeks had a pink tint to them as we pulled away from each other.
A bush of brown hair greeted me next, "Oh you must write to me all about Durmstrang Bella. It must be so great experiencing Durmstrang as well as Hogwarts. It would be very good to be able to compare them."
I nodded. "I'll get a few of my friends to help me take some photo's for you. I've just got to be careful, Durmstrang likes to keep its location secretive, unlike Hogwarts."
As we pulled out of the hug I added in "And make sure the boys stay out of trouble, I've heard of Harry's magnetic pull for danger."
"I'll try my best Bella" she replied.
I turned to Harry then. I opened my arms to him and said "Come on Prongslet". He hurried into my arms, hugging me with a fierceness that I didn't expect.
"Stay safe Prongslet. For once in your live, tell a professor and leave it to them" I told him.
He laughed, but nodded. "I'll try"
"I suppose that's the best I can ask for" I sighed pulling away.
He grinned and then stepped back to join Ron and Hermione.
Before I could say anything else Molly crushed me into a hug. I'm sure she actually broke a bone this time. "Oh, I hate sending you all the way to Durmstrang" she mumbled.
"Yes, but Ma would you really risk sending me back to Hogwarts or – dare I say it – Beauxbatons." I replied.
She sighed. "I suppose that's true dear. Now, don't miss your slot"
"Slot?" I think Harry had meant for only Ron and Hermione to hear that but unfortunately everybody did.
"International floo. If you want to travel by floo internationally you have to alert the ministry and they'll give you an half an hour slot where you're fireplace will be connected to the International floo network. Your destination is also added, but it's added for a lot longer because you never really know when you'll arrive at your destination." I explained to Harry. "My half an hour slot stated about fifteen minutes ago, so I should probably get going."
"Have a fun year dear, and don't you go getting into trouble" Molly said, patting my cheek like she does every year.
"Thank Ma. See you for Christmas guys" I called grabbing some floo powder. I threw it into the fireplace and stepped in, dragging my Durmstrang trunk behind me, shouting "Krum Household"
My trunk and I span uncontrollably through the floo network. Green spinning light swirled around. I kept my elbows tucked in and my eyes closed. I remembered the first time I travelled though the international floo, from England to Bulgaria, and when I arrived at Viktor house, the first thing I did was run to their downstairs bathroom and threw up all of my breakfast. Even since I've known to keep my eyes tightly closed.
After a long ten minutes of travelling by floo I shot out of the Krum's fireplace, coughing and spluttering. I, as usual didn't land on my feet, though thankfully I was caught before I hit the ground. I looked up to find the person who caught me was Krum Senior – Viktor's father.
I straightened myself up. "Good morning sir"
"Good Morning Isabella. It is good to see you again, and congratulations for your win at the World Cup. And Istella and I were relieved to hear you were alright after the attack" Mr Krum said. No matter how times I've told him otherwise, he always insists on calling me by my full name. At first glance you would presume Mr Krum to be cruel and strict but in actual fact he was the fun one. Ms Krum was the strict one, though she was also kind – she just didn't put up with bad behaviour.
"Thank you Sir. Is Viktor awake? I hope I didn't come too early" I replied to him.
"I think he's still in bed. And don't worry, you're not too early, he's just rubbish at waking up on time. You can go and wake him if you like. Leave your stuff here I'll have Tinker take up to you room" Mr Krum said, smiling mischievously and winking.
A mischievous smile graced my face to as I shot off out of the room towards Viktor's room. Viktor's room was on the very top floor of the left wing. When I reached his door, I stopped and listened. As I predicted, only soft snores could be heard, he was still asleep. I pulled my wand out of my clothes, and slowly and quietly opened Viktor's door. Viktor was sprawled across the bed, his quilt cover covering odd parts of him. Both arms were out of the cover, as was his left leg, which was dangling over to the left side of the bed – surely that is uncomfortable. I approached, his snores covering most of the noise I made by moving. I pointed my wand at his face.
"Aquimenti" I whispered. Tens of droplets of water shot out of my wand and onto Viktor soaking him and waking him up. I jumped under his bed as he jumped up with an very unmanly shout. His eyes were wide and his mouth was hanging open. I watched as best as I could from under the bed as his eyes scanned the room checking for his attacker. When he spotted nobody he swung his legs off the bed and stood up. He started to walk towards the door – probably thinking that I had ran back out of the room. I reached over the opposite side of the bed, my wand facing him and muttered "Tarantallegra".
I could help but laugh as Viktor started to uncontrollably dance. His eyes locked with mine, under the bed. He managed to close his door, while dancing, and danced his way over to where his wand was. Once he grabbed his wand he counter the spell I had on him, so I shot at him with another "Rictusempra". He started laughing uncontrollably as invisible hands started tickling him. In-between two fits of laughing he muttered the counter to it.
"Expelliarmus" he called to me. I quickly and awkwardly threw up a "protego" charm. I dashed out from under the bed and got into a duelling stance.
"Furnunculus" he called. It was spell that he had learnt last year. I threw up another "Protego" charm, before firing back with "Locomotor Mortis"
His legs locked together, and he fell forward. I managed to shout out "Expelliarmus" and his wand shot into my hand. I smiled, straightening back out from my duelling stance.
"Good morning Viktor" I said as I skipped to his side. I unlocked his legs and helped him to his feet, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"Note to self; to avoid a morning duel with a devil in disguise, wake up before Bella Black arrives" He replied with a large smile on his face.
"So, what do you think? Am I up to scratch?" I asked him.
"Well considering that I was asleep at the beginning, thus making it very unfair, I am impresed" he replied.
"Well, if you think about it, people in the real world aren't going to wait for you to wake up" I commented skipped back to his bed and sitting down on the end.
He smiled at me, before sitting down next to me. "Your right, as always."
"Was there anything funny about your requirements list this year? They put on mine that I had to bring a dress this year?" I asked him.
"Yes, I have typical Bulgarian dress robes. I asked mother and father about it but they are as clueless as I am" he replied.
I gasped, my eyes alight, "Maybe we're going to have a ball. Oh, that would be fantastic."
Viktor chuckled and it appear as though he was going to say something but another voice beat him to it, "I should have known that you'd arrived Bella, due to all the noise. Was it a wake up duel again? Who won?"
"Mother!" groaned Viktor as I said, "Good morning Mrs Krum, and I think I won. I was just continuing Viktor's lessons as to why you should always be prepared."
Mrs Krum smiled, "It's good to see you Bella, and congratulations at the world cup. You played very well"
"Thank you, though I think Viktor played better. Did you know Lynch was completely out of it until we reached the changing rooms?" I asked to both Mrs Krum and Viktor. Viktor smiled, probably impressed with himself, while Mrs Krum frowned a little, but the corners of her lips seemed to be twitching, itching to smile.
"Well, I'll leave the pair of you to it" Mrs Krum said, excusing herself from the room, and shutting the door behind her.
There was a silent moment until Viktor asked, "Have you finished all of your homework?"
I shook my head. "Thought I'd save it, so you could help me, after all you would have done all of it last year"
Viktor snorted, "And you'll still know more of the answers than me"
I laughed. "Possibly true"
We did eventually get out our homework and start working on it, though because Viktor was actually in the year above me we had different homework essays and tasks. I helped him with his and he helped me with mine.
The next four days were spent relaxing, finishing off homework and playing several matches of two man Quidditch. Usually we both played as chasers, and it was only when Viktor played as Chaser that you realise that he's good at playing Quidditch in general, not just seeking. Mr Krum would sometimes come and referee for us, as both of us had the habit of cheating when we're playing with just the two of us. Well mainly it wasn't cheating but distraction techniques – though according to Mr Krum that's cheating too.
It was on September 1st that Viktor and I changed into our Durmstrang gear and said goodbye to Viktor's parents for the year. I got a brief hug and a goodbye and good luck from both of them before they moved onto Viktor.
When the goodbye's were finished, Viktor and I flooed us and our trunks to the docking station. The docking station had the same sort of routine as platform nine and three quarters. It was a docking station at a normal boat docking but Muggles couldn't reach it as we had to pass through a blocked off gate to reach it. And just like Platform nine and three quarters you can choice whether to floo straight onto the platform, or to apparate somewhere close by and pass though the gate.
Viktor and I noticed that as we walked towards 'Alix', the Durmstrang ship, people were starring and pointing at the two of us, mostly the first years as the other yeas are probably used to us being ordinary students anyway. I tried to ignore all of the attention we were getting, so I instead thought about the ship we were about to get on. I always wondered why they called it 'Alix', all I know is that 'Alix' means 'to defend' in a language, can't quite remember which one though. Viktor allowed me to go up the ramp first, dragging my trunk behind me. Together we found the room where everybody ditch's their trunks for the journey, before reporting to the captain – the top two years at Durmstrang have to help sail 'Alix'. Viktor and I were placed to help with steering, probably because they didn't want Bulgaria's start seeker and Ireland's star chaser getting hurt by helping with the masts and stuff. 'Alix', unlike the Hogwarts Express, always makes several stops before making its way to Durmstrang.
The stop that Viktor and I always enter on, was always the first stop. It was actually because of this that Viktor and I met. It had been my first trip on the ship – after the Christmas holiday of second year, when I transferred – so I had no idea where to go and where to put my stuff. Thankfully I walked, head first, into Viktor's back and thankfully he could understand English, even if it was only a few words. He showed me where to put my stuff and then invited me to join him and his friends in their compartment.
The compartments in the ship were below the main deck. Inside each one there was at least four hammocks hanging from the ceiling, and then a bench that ran around the perimeter of the room, at least two feet above the floor. It wasn't the most comfortable way of travel but it suited Durmstrang's aura – it's all rough and tumble.
It wasn't until after the second stop that I realised why the captain needed the help from both Viktor and I, the grand wooden steering wheel was extremely hard to turn in the sea type waters. On one big turn we had to call one of our other friends, Poliakoff, to come and help us turn it.
Ager Poliakoff, was in Viktor's year. He would usually be found with Viktor and I outside of classes. Sometimes you could find him with just me, but only when Viktor is training. The same results when I'm training – Viktor and Poliakoff stick together.
After another two stops, we started on the final journey to Durmstrang. Of course Viktor, Poliakoff and I weren't informed as to where Durmstrang is located exactly, we knew briefly where but not exactly, so we were told the direction from the captain – well by directions I mean simple instructions like ten degrees clockwise ect.
"Geesh, now I know what you meant last year when we are arrived at Durmstrang" I shouted over to Krum, over the howling winds.
Both he and Poliakoff chuckled.
"Not quite Hogwarts standard is it darling" joked Poliakoff. Another thing about Poliakoff is his range of names for me including darling, sweet cheeks, your majesty ect... all because I attended Hogwarts – what he calls the school for wimps.
"The Hogwarts Express is definitely quieter and more relaxing than this" I yelled back.
"Always time to transfer back, sweet cheeks." He joked with a grin on his face. I noticed Viktor was grinning as well as we tried to keep the wheel from bearing right.
"Never" I shouted, adding extra effort to steady the wheel as it suddenly tugged itself right.
All three of us chuckled.
Eventually we were able to relax a little as we reached the point where we were out of muggle viewing, so we would enter the water. The three professors that monitor 'Alix' and the captain all moved onto the main deck performing what looked like an expert bubble charm, wrapped tightly around the ships exterior – making sure to leave room for the ship hands – meaning us students – to continue working.
The ship dropping into the water could barely be felt, but it was always a frightening sight to see the water rise around the ship. Though once you get past the water floating only feet from you, it is really a spectacular sight. You could see for miles under the water, it was just like looking through glass into a water wonderland, with reefs, fish, sea turtles and the odd shark. As we went deeper and deeper the fish we saw got more and more spectacular, but fewer and far between.
Eventually the three professors and the captain cast another charm making the water directly around us to swirl. I had never actually seen this first hand as before this year I've been below deck as this has been going on. It was a spectacular sight, all of the colours that formed the ocean were wrapping into one. I presumed that meant we were now travelling completely by magic. The captain was now even more instructive about the steering, calling another instruction every other minute or so, making Viktor, Poliakoff and I work twice as hard, and not allowing us much chance to talk and catch up.
Eventually, a trip a lot quicker than the one of Hogwarts, the professors and the captain counter acted the charm that made the water swirl into multiple colours, and I could feel our ascent back to the water's edge. As the ship emerged from the water, the bubble charm broke. The brisk and cold air hit us like a tonne of bricks. I shivered. I would never completely get used to the cold weather here. My mind wandered to Hogwarts – how I managed that I have no idea but I did – and the arrival at Hogwarts. I wondered whether Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and the twins were anywhere near Hogwarts yet.
"What time is it?" I asked Viktor.
"Four" Poliakoff replied before Viktor could.
Four o'clock, and Sweden – which is the country that Durmstrang is located in – is an hour in front of England, so that meant they would be about two or three hours away from reaching Hogwarts.
"What are you thinking about Bella?" asked Viktor.
Poliakoff cut in before I could reply, "Bella, thinking? I might want to quit it, you might cause some permanent damage"
I scowled at Poliakoff before answering Viktor's question. "About my cousins and their friends. They'd still have two or three hours sitting on that boring train. Though they do have the trolley lady come around with sweets half way through the day, I definitely miss that. I am absolutely starving"
"Maybe, but this makes the feast seem even grander" replied Viktor.
He did have a point.
Finally we could see Durmstrang castle. Another pro about Durmstrang we don't have to go across a lake on rickety little boats that look like they are about to fall apart any second or in carriages drawn by Thestrals. We helped steer 'Alix' into docking. Viktor, Poliakoff and I waited till last to go down the ramp to get to the school. Once off the ramp we followed the crowd of our fellow students across the snowy ground, and into the castle. The first room you came to was the foyer, and straight across from the entrance was the great hall. Us returning students filtered in first. The tables here were different to those at Hogwarts, instead of four tables, each one belonging to a certain house we have one long 'u' shaped table. Students sat on both sides of the table. The professors and the headmaster sit on the bottom of the u, farthest away from the entrance. The student body president – the Durmstrang equivalent of head boy/girl – sits opposite the headmaster, and then favoured students sit opposite the professors. The rest of the student body then sits along the two arms of the 'u', the eldest by the professors, the youngest on the edge. In the center of the u was a fire pit – there were invisible protective barriers to stop people from falling in, of course. The sills of windows around the great hall also had fire placed on them. Unlike Hogwarts were the fire in the hall was for light, at Durmstrang it is for both light and heat.
Poliakoff was the student body president this year, by the professor's demand, so he was to sit opposite Karkaroff. Viktor and I were about to take out seats on one of the arms, when we were both shouted by Karkaroff himself "Krum! Black! Take a seat up here!"
Viktor sat next to Poliakoff, and I then sat next to him. A very talented lad in Victors year was sat on the other side of me. When everybody was seated you could see that Durmstrang is a mostly male orientated school. In fact they had only started to allow female students in the year that I started here, meaning as I was the only transfer student to ever transfer to Durmstrang, I was the only female in my year, which can be slightly awkward.
Karkaroff stood from his chair and the chattering of students immediately fell silent, like a knife had plunged though the talking, cutting it abruptly. Karkaroff ran his eyes over the students of both arms and those that were sat opposite him before finally breaking the silence. "As tradition, we welcome those who have returned to us, and those that are new, we know you will be your best, you will become the adults we expect of you, you will succeed in what you do... Out of tradition I have a few extra words about an event taking place this year, however that will wait. For now, we can eat"
A selection of food appeared on the tables and we immediately started. This is one of those times when I am glad that I was at Durmstrang and not Beauxbatons, I knew Beauxbatons would make us eat delicately and precisely, but thankfully they do not here because I was officially starving. And, I'm thankful that it is Viktor that is sat next to Poliakoff. He may be nice and have good grades and popular with the professors but he eats like a boar that hasn't touched food for a century. Karkaroff must have been thinking the same as he was screwing up his nose in a way of disgust as he caught sight of Poliakoff.
I sighed, Poliakoff was going to get a food stain down his uniform. I pulled my wand from its holder and transfigured the extra fork on my plate into handkerchief. I then stood and walk to just behind Poliakoff. I tapped his shoulder and he turned to face me. I was relieved to see that he had yet to spill anything. I reached to him and tucked the handkerchief into his collar before straightening the collar out. He nodded in appreciation, his mouth too full of food to talk ,and turned back to his food. I took my seat and saw Karkaroff also nod in appreciation to me probably thinking along the same lines as me – "at least save the uniform".
When the food, which most definitely beats the food at Hogwarts, disappeared Karkaroff stood again, demanding silence. "Like I said this year there will be a legendry event. This year Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be hosting the legendry Twi-wizard Tournament –"
The hall broke into uncharacteristic chatter. Karkaroff, obviously not finished slammed his hand down on the table causing an immediate silence. "Though I know most of you do, for those of you who don't know the Twi-wizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang."
"A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities -until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."
"There have been several attempts over the centuries to reinstate the tournament, none of which has been very successful. However, the British departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have decided the time is ripe for another attempt. They have worked hard over the summer to ensure that this time, no champion will find himself or herself in mortal danger."
"We will be travelling to Hogwarts with our short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money. Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Triwizard Cup to Durmstrang, the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year."
"Only students who are of age - that is to say, seventeen years or older - will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration. This is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. Those who will be of age by the 25th October may enter their names into the box in the hall. Anybody who wishes to be considered must enter their names by the 25th of October, the shortlist of students we shall be taking to Hogwarts will then be dawn the next day. Now I am sure all of us are tired and so I shall end there. Be wide awake for tomorrow, the first day of classes, and good night"
Karkaroff sat back down as the students started to flee from the room, towards the dorm rooms. The dorm rooms are split by years then genders. First, second, third and fourth years dorm together, fifth, six and seventh dorm together. Thankfully as I am in sixth year, it mean that the girls in fifth will be sharing a dorm with me. Last year I was only girl in my dorm, which was definitely awkward. Victor, Poliakoff and I started on our way to the dorm room on the right wing of the castle.
"So, are Durmstrang's two Quidditch stars going to put their name in for the tournament?" asked Poliakoff, while we were walking.
"Maybe" Viktor answered at the same time as me "Definitely". And surprisingly it was him that said Maybe. We shared a glance.
"You're putting your name in?" Viktor asked.
"Of course, it's the perfect way to regain the Black honour. I know the Blacks haven't lost that honour here, but at Hogwarts they have and this is the perfect chance to return the honour to the name that deserves it. And I'll get to see my cousins and company" I replied. "Are you not going to put your name in?"
"Well, I can't have you going to Hogwarts alone, I'll be putting my name in, and I'd like to finally meet these cousins that you never seem to shut up about" Viktor told me. We smiled at each other as he placed an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into a side hug, while still walking.
"What about you Poliakoff?" I asked him. And yes he likes to be referred to as his last name – he hates his first name.
"I'd be a pretty poor example if I don't. Imagine that – the student body president not entering their name. Not going to happen" he replied with a smirk on his face.
"Well, I'm tired, so let's hurry up so I can get to bed" I said grabbing both Poliakoff and Viktor's hands and dragging them in the direction of the dorms. I entered the common room of this dorm with the boys following behind me. I turned, gave Viktor a kiss on the cheek and said a quick 'goodnight' to both of them before heading down the stairs to the girls dorm.
In the year below me there was exactly seven female in the entire year, so it was me and these seven that were sharing this room. The room had four bunk beds. Coming from a house with low ceilings, bunk beds were out of option, so to keep the reminder of home I always picked a bottom bunk. Thankfully the fifth year girls seemed to have the opposite ideas, as they took all of the top bunks and three of the bottom. My trunk was placed at the end of the bed. The girl who would be on top bunk had her trunk attached to the top bunk. The fifth year girls obviously don't understand the meaning of sleep as they decided to stay up and chat. Me, having spent most of my energy helping to steer 'Alix', only wanted to sleep, so I shut the curtains around the bed and put up a silencing charm. In this peaceful little area, I was able to fall into a deep dreamless sleep.