This chapter has taken me a very long time to write but it is a very exciting one - hopefully, it's worth the wait. Please R&R and I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 9
The Delegation's Arrival
"BOOM!" a purple mushroom of smoke plumed into the air as James's roommate Owen Mallory's cauldron exploded.
"Oh dear, oh dear, Malloy…" Fussed Professor Ebullio.
"Sorry Professor." Muttered the bashful Owen.
"I know today is a big day but if we could just try to stay focussed for a few minutes…"
Ebullio was fighting a losing battle. The class was totally distracted, counting down the minutes till they would be allowed to leave and gather to see the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive.
Even Ebullio was more distracted than usual and it wasn't hard to see why, as copies of the Daily Prophet circulated around between the brewing cauldrons.
"Here-" Whispered Rory passing the paper back to James as Ebullio assessed the damage.
James took it gladly and Alex and Blue craned their necks over his shoulder to see. Alex let out a tutting noise as James muttered the front-page headline aloud,
"Anti-Werewolf Sentiment Could Delay Durmstrang Arrival"
"What nonsense." Murmured Blue.
"Ministry Official, Edward Buchanan, calls out radical werewolf groups behind an apparent assassination attempt this summer." James continued to read, "Mr Buchanan claims that werewolf radicals planted a fire-starting device in a room where he was staying over the summer. He also claims the attack was hushed up by 'conspirators' within the Ministry itself in anticipation of the arrival of world-famous werewolf activist and school Headmaster, Valko Lockshire…"
James put down the paper,
"Conspirators? Uh oh, Dad is not going to like that."
Blue shook his head, "There aren't any radical werewolf groups in Britain." He complained, "But there will be if the Prophet starts hyping up panic and hate like this."
"How much do you think Buchanan paid them to print it?" James asked him with a sideways glance.
Blue merely shook his head again.
"You don't think Lockshire will refuse to come now, do you? They can hardly postpone the tournament." Alex asked nervously.
"No." Said Blue with confidence, "That would be letting Buchanan have his way. It's total fiction. Besides, McGonagall and Lockshire respect one another, he'll know he's welcome at Hogwarts."
Finally Ebullio signalled the end of class, half an hour early. They were to leave their bags in the dorms and gather outside. James, Alex, Blue were first out the door. The corridors were chock-full and the air was full of excited chattering.
"So James, is it true?" Owen asked as himself and Rory caught up with them.
"Of course not." Scoffed James.
"About the assassination attempt?"
"Oh… well yes." James muttered, "But I doubt werewolves had much to do with it and even if they did I'm pretty sure Buchanan's been asking for it. But Lockshire is still coming to Hogwarts – that second part was totally unfounded."
Owen continued to look very uncomfortable,
"If Lockshire's coming here, what if the radical werewolf groups come to rally around him?"
Blue sighed and turned to him,
"Owen, there are no radical werewolf groups in Britain." He assured him.
"But how do you know?" Owen quizzed wide-eyed.
"I know." Blue retorted.
"Besides, if there were, they'd be in prison." James added, "Now hurry up."
The five Gryffindors took all the shortcuts up to the tower, dumped their school bags unceremoniously on their respective beds, pulled on their formal cloaks and raced down to the Entrance Hall where the Heads of Houses were trying desperately to organise their students.
"Over here Gryffindors," Called a flushed Professor Longbottom, "In your year groups please. First years over here."
The Hall was crowded, James saw Sapphire and Evie being jostled around in the throngs with the other first years as he wound his way through to the rest of his year. The third years, including Albus were right in front of them.
"See the paper?" Rose asked Blue with a serious look.
Blue nodded solemnly, "It's just the papers trying to be dramatic."
"You sure about that, Finch?" Came Tybalt's voice as he shoved past them, flashing teeth embellished with a set of fake fangs.
No one had a chance to retort as McGonagall appeared next to them.
"Tyne – get that ridiculous thing out of your mouth." She snapped.
Tyne immediately did as he was told and dashed off toward the other Slytherins. McGonagall looked at them and sighed, "Potter, please try to do something with that hair…"
With that, she glided on through the crowd until she reached the oak doors and pushed them open, allowing the low October sun to stream in.
Immediately the students surged forward into the crisp Autumn air. Eyes darting all around, every student hoping to be the first to glimpse the arrival.
"How are the students actually arriving?" Philip pondered after several minutes of anxious anticipation.
Just then, as the sun sank behind the Forbidden Forrest, something appeared on the horizon, like a blip on the Hogwarts students' collective radar.
"There! What is it? Is it them?" Came cries from the crowd.
The dot on the horizon, whatever it was, was growing closer and closer, larger and larger and then, out of the lake, interrupting the scene and causing everybody to gasp there was an eruption.
The mast of a ship soared up out of the water, followed by a huge ship, sending gigantic waves lapping out to all sides of the shore.
"Whoa…" Came the communal response from the Hogwarts students, followed by, "Whoa!" as the tiny dot, now not so tiny, continued to hurtle towards them and was revealed to be a carriage, pulled by a dozen bright, white winged-horses.
"They're going to crash!" Cried one alarmed student.
"No they're not." Thought James, though for a second as the carriage arched over the lake, he wasn't so sure.
The golden wheels of the carriage missed the ship's rigging by a matter of feet.
The horses were larger than any horses James had ever imagined. At least three meters tall, they galloped through the air, angelic wings beat with such force they created their own rhythmic breeze.
The carriage, equally oversized, connected with the ground with a thunderous crash and the Hogwarts students took a collective step back as the horses skidded to a halt.
The ship, now fully merged, slid across the glassy surface of the lake, bow slicing through the cool air until it came to a halt near the closest shoreline. The wind whipped at its dark red sales, as it stood, proud and impressive in the growing darkness. And that was when James spotted the man, standing at the helm, dark cloak dancing in the breeze. Even from this distance, James could tell he struck a formidable figure – but he was distracted from the action on the ship by the opening of the powder blue carriage door.
A set of steps slithered down to the ground from the carriage and out stepped a stuffy-looking man in tailored pale blue robes. He had an air of importance about him that told James immediately that this was the Beauxbatons Headmaster.
He had round glasses and an unimpressed expression and he walked with the pomp and assuredness of an old-fashioned gentleman.
"Headmistress McGonagall, allow me to introduce my students." He announced as McGonagall stepped forward to greet him.
The Beauxbatons students came filing out of the carriage in single form. At least a dozen of them in their silky, pale blue robes. The boys clean-shaven and standing smartly to one side and on the other, girls with their hair tied neatly back from their faces. The Headmaster presented his students proudly.
"It's a pleasure to have you here, Monsieur Hauteville." Smiled McGonagall as the Hogwarts students strained to get a good look at their first set of visitors, "We hope you'll all be very happy at Hogwarts, please, come in and get warmed up."
"Thank you." Said Hauteville curtly and the Hogwarts students parted to allow their guests to enter the castle.
Alex gave a low whistle,
"French girls, I'm telling you… what is it about French girls?"
Rory shook his head in agreement.
"They're all seventeen." Pointed out Blue, looking at Alex incredulously.
"So what? I'm just looking." Quipped Alex, "Now that one – wow, she's something else."
Alex nudged him and James followed his gaze to a girl with pale green eyes and snow-white hair. She was dressed identically to the other girls in silky, blue robes yet something made her stand out. James couldn't help but concur with Alex.
"What's so special about her?" Interjected April, who was standing with the Hufflepuffs next to them, "And what's with her hair? She looks like an old lady."
Her friends giggled as the girl, along with the rest of the Beauxbatons students walked by. They all looked very elegant. James wondered what the Durmstrang students would be like. They didn't have to wait long to find out.
As the Beauxbatons students had been filing into the castle, the Durmstrang students had disembarked from their ship and congregated on the shores of the Great Lake. Now, they traipsed up to the castle entryway, led by Lockshire himself.
Far from the flowing robes of the Beauxbatons students, the Durmstrang delegation were dressed in dark red robes and fur cloaks. It was immediately obvious that they came from the Northeast, from Scandinavia.
Valko Lockshire reached McGonagall and greeted her warmly.
"Minerva, it's a pleasure to be here." He said clasping her hand in a firm handshake.
"Pleasure to have you." Smiled McGonagall gently, "I hope you had a pleasant trip."
"Indeed." Said Lockshire, lowering his head.
Seeing him in person, finally, James was shocked by how young and strong he looked. In no way was he what James expected in a school headmaster. His hair was shoulder-length and shaggy, his eyes wild and there were sharp, metal blades on his boots for walking on ice. James had no trouble believing that the fierce-looking man was, indeed, a werewolf.
Yet, as watched McGonagall smiling, he felt sure that there were no harsh relations between them, even after the Prophet's article that morning.
As with the Beauxbatons students, McGonagall welcomed the Durmstrang delegations into the castle. And once again, the Hogwarts students parted to allow them access but one student broke apart from the rest and nudged his way through the throngs over to the Gryffindors.
"Molly!" Called the Durmstrang student.
"CJ!" Cried Molly as the student reached her. James turned and watched his cousin CJ and Molly embrace.
"It's so good to see you." Thrilled Molly.
"It's good to see you! Rose! James!" CJ said spotting them.
"Hey CJ." Grinned James as his cousin thumped him on the back.
The rest of the Weasleys gathered around, along with Albus and Lily, reunited with their Romanian relative.
"How's Uncle Charlie? Aunt Tatiana?" Gushed Molly, "How's Ellen?"
"Good, good, they're all good." CJ assured them smiling broadly, "Lily, look at you – finally a Hogwarts student, eh?"
Lily grinned.
Surrounded by his family, CJ looked completely at home, his freckles and flaming red hair testified to his Weasley blood.
"Excuse me." Came a voice from behind James, who spun around to spot Professor McGonagall standing behind him, "But your headmaster is waiting for you."
"My apologies Professor." CJ said hastily.
"No need." McGonagall smiled, "I'm sure you must be excited to see your cousins but do not worry, we will be joining you in the Great Hall momentarily." She assured him as he smiled, gave a quick bow and hurried inside.
McGonagall repositioned herself in front of the school.
"Please proceed into the Great Hall where our feast will commence shortly." McGonagall announced, "I trust you will make our guests feel most welcome."
The Hogwarts students dissolved back into excited chatter.
"Chop chop." McGonagall added, clapping her hands and shepherding her students toward the Great Hall.
Once inside, the Gryffindors took their usual seats. The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were warming themselves in a side chamber, where a magnificent fire roared. As they re-entered the Hall, they looked around for places to sit. Most of the Durmstrang students took their places at the top of the Slytherin table, where there was some extra space. CJ however made a beeline for his cousins once again and sat down between Molly and Freddy.
"Man, it's good to be back in Britain." He mumbled, smiling to himself, "I always forget how damp it gets here in the wintertime."
"And that's something you miss?" Molly questioned him skeptically.
CJ laughed, "Not really, no. Just brings back a lot of memories."
James felt warmed by CJ's presence, there was something contagious about his smile and his laugh that seemed always to put people at ease.
"It's been a long time since you came to visit." Freddy remarked.
"Three years at least." CJ replied, "Dad's been so busy, dragons, eh?"
He smiled and shook his head fondly.
"Your Dad works with dragons?" Rangi jumped in from where he sat opposite Molly.
"Yeah. Breeds them, cares for them, trains them," CJ listed off, "No small task."
"Wicked!" Rangi said impressed.
"This is Rangi by the way," Molly told CJ and the two shook hands, "And that's Oswin."
Oswin shook CJ's hand too as Molly continued,
"Granny will be disgusted that she can't come and visit."
"I know." Smiled CJ, "She's sent me a dozen letters since September. It's exciting to finally get to come and see Hogwarts though." He stared around in awe at the Great Hall taking in everything from its floating candles to its enchanted ceiling, "I've heard so much about this place but never been able to see it till now-"
With that, their conversation was suddenly interrupted by McGonagall once again. This time she stood proudly at the carved podium at the top of the Hall in front of the High Table from which the teachers surveyed their charge.
"Good evening and welcome to Hogwarts!" She called, voice ringing through the cavernous room, "Tonight we commence the Triwizard Tournament but before we begin, I invite you all to dine with us here in the Hogwarts Great Hall – and remember, we have been given the opportunity to come together - from the three oldest and most renowned wizarding schools in Europe. Let us therefore take this opportunity to welcome our international guests. We hope you will make yourselves at home here at Hogwarts, we are very happy to have you. And with that, let us begin!"
On her final words to gold plates and serving dishes that lines the tables filled with glorious food of every food group and colour. James spotted several French dishes that he recognised and dishes from further afield; stroganoff, goulash, soups and stews, salads and stuffed pastries. Everything looked delicious and James wanted to try it all, he piled his plate high and dug in happily
CJ was a big hit at the Gryffindor table. His friendly attitude and good manners gave him a natural charm and his good sense of humour and wide knowledge on an array of subjects made it easy for him to slot into any and every conversation. James wondered at how different he was to the same-aged Molly and smiled to himself. They were like chalk and cheese – and yet, as unalike as the two cousins were, they remained incredibly close.
"Hold on a second," CJ said finishing a plateful of food and putting down his napkin, "There's someone I'd like to introduce you to."
With that, he stood up and crossed the Hall. Nobody paid the slightest attention, their focus still firmly on their food.
So was James's as helped himself to a third portion of, what Blue informed him was called, Tartiflette. He was so distracted that he didn't look up immediately when CJ returned, it was only when his cousin began to speak that he dragged his eyes away from his meal.
"Everybody, this is Odette." CJ told them.
Standing next to him was the girl Alex had pointed out earlier, the one with the snow-white hair. James caught his friend's eye but said nothing.
"Odette, these are my cousins and some of their friends." CJ said motioning around.
"Pleased to meet you." Odette said politely, "My apologies, I had better return to my classmates but I am sure I will see you around 'ogwarts."
The girl smiled quickly at the Gryffindors and then at CJ for a moment longer. James wondered if she was being time-conscious or just shy.
"Odette is here with the Beauxbatons delegation," CJ informed them reclaiming his place at the table, "I met her this summer while traveling through Europe."
"Seems nice." Molly said with a smile, James knew to be one of disinterest but CJ seemed oblivious.
Odette, however, was right to be mindful of the time as a moment later McGonagall stood up and the tables cleared.
"Your attention please." She called out across the Hall, "The Triwizard Tournament is an age-old contest designed to test the strength, courage and ability of the representatives from each of Europe's largest schools of wizardry. Essential to this also is the strength and spirit of the rest of the schools. It is important that students give their full support to their representing Champion, for the tournament will be far more challenging than any other task a student will be faced with during their magical education."
"Clearly she's never had to escape the acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest." Muttered Alex.
James laughed, remembering their second year exploits and then quickly hushed as McGonagall continued.
"For impartiality, the Champions will be selected by the Goblet of Fire – anyone who wishes to compete must simply write their name and the name of their institution on a piece of parchment and drop it into the casket." McGonagall's eyes roamed around the hall of silent students, "As I am sure you are all well-aware by now, you must be of age to enter, that is seventeen years or over. Those are the rules. In addition to this, there is no backing out, once your name has been submitted to the Goblet of Fire you will be obliged to compete. Please do not submit your name lightly, the Triwizard Tournament is a commitment – a dangerous one."
Oswin gulped, but Molly, Rangi and CJ looked eager and unfazed.
A large chest had appeared in the center of the High Table, with three taps of McGonagall's wand the lid opened slowly. The Headmistress reached inside and lifted out a wooden cup full of flickering blue flames. With a swish of her wand the chest vanished once again and McGonagall placed the goblet atop the table.
"Tomorrow night three names will be selected at the Halloween feast, the students selected will be those that the Goblet has judged to be most worthy of the challenge. Until then, the Goblet will remain in the Entrance Hall and will be surrounded by an age line to prevent anyone under seventeen from entering the Tournament. Once again let me remind you that these regulations are in place for your own protection – and with that, let me wish you all pleasant dreams."
The Hall erupted in excited yabbering.
"I'd better head off back to the Durmstrang ship." CJ smiled at them, "I'll see you tomorrow." He added, eyes glimmering with excitement.
"Tomorrow night, we'll have our champion." Murmured Rangi, "I don't think I could sleep a wink."
"Me neither." Agreed Molly.
The Gryffindors scurried back to their tower. For once it wasn't Alex keeping them all awake. Half of Gryffindor stayed up discussing the tournament and different theories on what would be involved. In the end it took a visit from House Head, Longbottom, to clear the common room and send them all to bed.
James lay on his back wide awake, with his snake, Valkyrie, curled up on his chest. He ran through everything in his head, the Goblet of Fire, the feast, the arrival of the delegations. Eventually, as the evening's memories ran through his head, Odette's soft French accent turned to that of another girl. A sad girl who whispered to him her hopes and fears. Then a second girl appeared, with sharp gray eyes that looked at James with an intensity that jolted him back to the land of the living. Somehow, though it felt as if he had only slept ten minutes, morning light shone beyond the curtains of his four-poster.
It was Halloween.
