Author's Note – I know, I know…it's been far too long. Sorry.
Shout Outs –
ForeverTeamEdward13 – Thank you! Sorry this took a minute.
paulaa90 – It's just like when he tries to keep things from Harry, he thinks that they'll be safer if they don't know. Molly Weasley will always be one of my favorite characters and you're right Dahlia really does need a woman's presence.
hyosohnn21 – When aren't things intense in my stories girl, lol, love you!
ImsebastianstanButter – Aw! Yay! I know I certainly wish I knew someone like him.
trinity16 – Thank you!
FluffcakesAndLemonade – You're awesome, keep it up!
As always please enjoy, read, and review!
The wizards walked into the hall facing the numerous students waiting to be sorted and the feast to begin. The energy in the room was on fire with excitement and nerves. Sirius forgot his worries looking at all the young and eager faces then he saw Dahlia, her face was absolutely joyful. A smile crept onto his dashing features watching her excitement build with each student that got sorted. She must have felt him staring at her as she motioned to him to sit beside her. Sirius took his seat but his blue eyes were glued to the Headmaster's niece which in turn received a rather loud throat clearing from Professor McGonagall. Sirius turned his gaze to the students nearly in hysterics that Ol' McGonagall could still discipline him which in turn made Dahlia snicker quietly at the exchange.
The Ravenclaw leaned over to him, "You certainly know how to get into trouble Mr. Black," her lips pressed lightly to his earlobe.
"If you continue I won't be the only one in trouble little love," he smiled wickedly at her before she leaned back into her seat returning his roguish smirk.
Barty Crouch was in attendance to announce the rules of the tournament; he nodded to Sirius and Dahlia but kept his nervous gaze on the students. Sirius had told Dahlia that Barty put his own son in Azkaban after it was found out he was a Death Eater and helped Bellatrix torture Neville's parents. Her pale blue eyes found Neville holding him in her eye line for a moment, hoping that one day he would see how much he had to offer. Albus rose to speak, no doubt to introduce the other schools and inform the students of the tournament before the feast began.
"Now we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well. You see Hogwarts has been chosen…"
Dumbledore was interrupted by Mr. Filch running in and whispered something to Albus before running back out of the hall. There were a few scattered giggles around the tables after he ran past. The doors closed again and the Headmaster continued.
"So Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event; the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Now for those of you who do not know the Tri-Wizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school a single contestant is selected to compete. Now let me be clear, if chosen you stand alone. And trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint hearted, but more on that later. For now please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and their headmistress Madame Maxine."
Dahlia straightened up waiting anxiously and a bit nervous to meet Madame Maxine and other partial Veela witches. The girls all otherworldly gorgeous creatures danced in releasing magical butterflies from their fingertips. Dress in French blue silk uniform dresses and matching hats. Madame Maxine walked down the aisle after her girls standing taller than Hagrid; she had to be a giantess. Dumbledore's niece looked on in awe and her jaw dropped looking at her almost headmistress. Maxine gave a pleasant smile and nodded to Dahlia who in turned smiled at the headmistress. She was stunning to say the least, chocolate hair in a sophisticated bob and wearing a beautiful mauve jacket with a fur collar and cuffs. Her face was kind and lovely. While Dahlia relished her time at Hogwarts with her uncle, it would have been an adventure to attend Beauxbatons; perhaps she still could in a professional aspect. Albus placed a kiss on her hand and the headmistress sat down at the head table.
"And now our friends from the north please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and the high master Igor Karkaroff."
The doors flew open again revealing young men in dark brown uniforms. All of the teenagers were strapping, strong faced lads and held themselves as such. The few in the lead made sparks with their staffs as they made their way into the great hall. Some tumbled to the rhythm being pounded out on the stone floor. Once the other students were through the doors that's when he arrived with Karkaroff, Viktor Krum! The Bulgarian seeker! Dahlia went slack jawed at him; he was here and surely would be chosen the Durmstrang Champion. The Ravenclaw then moved her shocked expression to Igor. He was a tall man; he may have been a hair taller than Remus. He looked intimidating with his silver streaked black hair worn wildly and pointed goatee. His face was just as pointed and he wore a severe expression of pride. He caught Dahlia's eyes holding her gaze while his mouth twitched into a smirk, then his dark eyes caught sight of Sirius Black. Sirius held a glare at the headmaster making him look away to Albus once more.
"Albus," his heavily accented voice rattled out joyfully embracing Dumbledore.
"Igor," Albus gave a cheerful greeting showing both Madame Maxine and Karkaroff to the head table.
Karkaroff took an uncomfortably close spot next to Dahlia by Snape and kept glancing at her much to the distaste of both Sirius and Severus. His brown eyes seemed glued to her, it made Dahlia shudder a few times causing Sirius to hold her close and give a responsive glare to the Durmstrang headmaster.
"You are in no danger with me around Dahlia," Sirius whispered still staring at Igor.
"Dahlia," an accented voice that flowed like music interrupted the protective moment.
The lilac haired witch turned to see Madame Maxine looking at the couple, "Headmistress."
"I was disappointed that you did not come to our school, but I am excited to meet you. Your uncle did not do you justice in describing you," she told the witch kindly.
"No hardly any words can capture her unique qualities Madame Maxine," Albus stated, "however I did try my best."
"Thank you both," she said quietly as a flush of pink ran over her cheeks turning into Sirius once again.
"Who is your handsome companion," the Headmistress asked.
"This is Sirius Black," Albus answered.
"Monsieur Black," she said thoughtfully, "it is a pleasure to meet you."
Sirius bowed his head, "You as well Madame."
The feast was winding down, dessert had been served. Albus once again stood at the podium to go over the rules of the tournament for all those in attendance.
"Your attention please! I would like to say a few words. Eternal glory," he paused standing near the housing for the Goblet of Fire, it was taller than Dumbledore made of gold and utterly resplendent, "that is what awaits the student who wins the Tri-Wizard Tournament. But to do this that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks. For this reason the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this we have the head of the Department of International Magic Cooperation Mister Bartimus Crouch."
Just as Albus finished speaking the enchanted ceiling above let out a crackle of thunder that shook the Hall and lightning spread across the sky causing the chandeliers to flicker. A red stream of light hit the ceiling making the room go black for a moment causing the students to panic and scream before the lights came back on revealing that Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody was now in attendance. Dahlia held back a laugh at the former Auror. Alastor limped over to Albus nodding to his niece and the ex-convict as he passed.
"My dear old friend," they shook hands, "thank you for coming."
"That stupid roof," he grumbled before standing in the back behind the head table. He took a swig of a flask somewhat discretely before stashing it again.
Barty went to the podium after all the chaos had settled, "After much deliberation the Ministry has concluded that for their own safety no student under the age of 17 shall be allowed to put forth their name for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. This decision is final," his stern and carrying voice was met with numerous disapprovals from the crowd.
Dahlia covered her ears for inevitable, "SILENCE!" from her uncle. His voice rattled around the stones quieting everyone. Albus then removed the gilded casing that held the Goblet of Fire, "The Goblet of Fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen there's no turning back. As from this moment the Tri-Wizard Tournament has begun."
There was a blue flame that erupted from the Goblet and smoldered. The feast was finished and all students were heading back to their dorms. There were a few stragglers that looked in awe at the Goblet's blue fire. Others were trying to get a glance at Sirius Black which made Dahlia laugh quietly. She ran over to Alastor to greet him but stopped before she got too close. There was an off feeling Moody was giving off, chills ran over her skin. She looked back at Sirius who was distracted by onlookers and Barty. The Ravenclaw turned and was face to face with Mad-Eye.
"Miss Dumbledore," his brogue startled her.
"Professor," she relaxed for a moment, "What time did you want me at the classroom?" He looked at her strangely, both magical and non magic eyes fixated on her face, studying it almost. It was like he was seeing her for the first time up close; he seemed fascinated and didn't answer her question. Dahlia looked away from his intense examination, "Professor?"
Moody cleared his throat, "First thing in the morning Dahlia." He limped off but looked at her once more before turning out of the Hall.
"That was…odd," she said quietly.
"What was," Sirius asked.
Dahlia shook her head, "Nothing I guess, they don't call him Mad-Eye for no good reason I suppose." Sirius was already tense at Igor's presence and the fact he kept staring at Dumbledore's niece, she didn't want to give him anything else to worry upon.
"You are quite correct little love," he looked at her, he hated to leave but as he wasn't a student or part of the faculty he needed to. "Walk me out?"
"Of course," her voice turned slightly sad.
Sirius pulled her under his arm and walked down to the gate where Aberforth was waiting with Remus. Dahlia perked up at the sight of Lupin, it was obvious that Aberforth had fed him before they trekked up to the castle. Good, he needed a few hundred good meals and that would definitely happen with her father.
"Remus, I didn't expect you," she said with a warm embrace for the former professor.
"This is all Sirius' doing, he thought perhaps you could use some advice about that unwanted change that happened," he looked at her slightly concerned. Dahlia half expected him to hand her a pip of chocolate. "How are you fairing?"
"Better now that I'm here, I'm glad you'll be staying close by," she hugged him again and then her father, "Thank you for letting them stay with you Daddy."
"No trouble at all," he smiled at her, "I could use a couple good barkeeps," he laughed with the trio joining in, "Now get some sleep, and we shall see each other shortly." He kissed her head turning with Remus so Sirius could say his goodbye.
Sirius kissed Dahlia deeply, picking up the petite witch slightly. When his lips broke from hers he held her face, "If anything seems amiss please send an owl and I'll be by your side quicker than lightning in a jar. I love you," he told her with another sweet and simple kiss on her lips.
"I love you," she whispered into his lips.
Sirius turned catching up to his friend and Dahlia's father. The lilac haired witch stood there for a moment watching them leave until they were out of sight. She heaved a sigh and then let out a small yelp when a hand clasped onto her shoulder.
"You should come back inside dear," Minerva told her, pulling the despondent witch under her caring arm walking her back to the castle. "He's a charming wizard," she casually remarked.
Dahlia smiled, "More than charming Professor."
"He was always a troublemaker, his godson takes after him."
"I have no doubt about it," she hugged McGonagall, "It's good to see you Minerva."
"Goodnight Dahlia," the Gryffindor head of house returned her embrace leaving her at the Ravenclaw dormitory entrance.
A pair of eyes from a hidden place watched the young witch enter the dorm marveling at her from a distance. He needed to get closer to achieve his task, it shouldn't be too hard, but Sirius was here, that complicated things. He needed to report this, but how? He took off as quickly as he could before he was discovered.
Thank you to all that read, reviewed, that have added this as a favorite or followed. I appreciate you all and I'm trying to get the chapters up when I can. I've been losing motivation to write anything recently I appreciate anything you all do, make my stats climb, a review, a follow or favorite is always appreciated. Love you guys!
