Chapter 10: Selection
Authors Note: Edited
"HARRY WAKE UP," yelled Hermione as she frantically shook Harry who was asleep in the Library over a potions book with his parchment wrinkled up.
"What do you want Hermione?" groaned Harry as his eyes opened and saw Hermione's form clear up with her curly brown hair and carrying 8 book. She looked frantic as she here eyes darted left and right as if looking for something that couldn't be seen.
"The Representatives from the other two schools are arriving soon, and all students are required to assemble in the field!" as she dragged Harry away from the candlelit table. He just had enough time to stuff his work into his book bag and grab it with him.
"Alright, Alright, I can walk on my own Hermione!" said Harry as he stopped a jolting Hermione who was speed walking with a purpose. He shook his wrist, which had her hand, locked around.
"Well you should have been in the front of the school already, your fault for falling asleep on homework that's due tomorrow." Said Hermione in a bossy like tone as she let go and kept walking.
Unsurprised at Hermione's reaction and logic, Harry just smiled and kept walking with Hermione. The soon arrived at the entrance to Hogwarts who's large gate opened showing a limitless expanse of nature. The night sky could be seen peaking just over the mountain and the silent chatter of the students could be heard on the field.
"Excuse me, Excuse me," said both Harry and Hermione as they pushed to the front of the large crow gathered to stand find Ron who was in the front of the pack of students. His long red wavy red hair and dragon teeth earrings could be seen as he had on a simple Hogwarts shirt with a black leather jacket on.
'What are you so dressed up for?" asked Harry came up next to him with Hermione close behind there wrist constantly touching as the students crowded around them. Hermione looked over to him as he looked at her, her head was right where his chest is. Her baby fat had vanished as her cheekbones were refined and her eyes still glowed with determination and hope as it did since first year. Even her hair seemed to be managed more as it didn't blow up everywhere but flowed down in a simple yet elegant manner.
"The Beauxbaton girls," winked Ron as he fixed his jacket and smoothed his hair. Ron's change had surprised him the most ever since 4th year. He was no longer that idiot red haired boy was constantly ignorant and loud, well sometimes he still was. Ever since he found quidditch and Charlie took him to the dragon reserves Ron began to change. His failures in the past seemed to fuel him to change and be the best he could be. Looking at him now they were about the same height, his face was sharp and now showed a sense of maturity. "He's come far," thought Harry
"Wow," was all Harry said as he finished studying his friends and looked up at the great lake, the giant squid lazily swimming around and distant lights of Hogsmeade. Reminiscing about the past, harry realized how much had time has passed and they were all older so much older. With a sad Smile harry turned to Hermione and asked her about her classes and off she went… Harry simply smiled and gave feedback.
"Hey look there's something in the waters!" cried the voice of Seamus Finnegan pointing to the sky. A mass of head turned towards the lake as a giant ripple of waves could be seen. Something was clearly rising from the depths of the lake. Suddenly a gigantic ship burst out of the ocean causing a giant splash and water to rise almost to the tip of the mountains. The ship seemed to be made fully out of wood and was as big as a cruise liner. The inside couldn't be seen but looked like a plain Victorian era ship.
"That's one giant boat," muttered Harry who had never seen a boat that big or like that except in history textbooks. "It looks just like the one's used by the Europeans during the middle passage era. "Well it's clearly not a slave ship," joked Harry as the ramp on the ship slid down.
A group of students filed out all wrapped in thick furs and looked much older than they probably are. Most of the students seemed to be from Eastern Europe as there skin seemed to be darker and dark bags could be seen under their eyes. Harry watched as a short man with a tall sulking teen next to him approach Dumbledore
"AH DUMBLEDORE MY BROTHER!" boomed the short man's voice as he embraced Dumbledore in a strong hug clapping his back.
"Igor my friend, it has been much too long," clapping the man's bag and lifting his wrist up towards the crowd of Hogwarts students.
"PROFESSOR KARKAROFF FROM DUMSTRANG," yelled Dumbledore to the mass of student's dressed in black with different crests on their chest. A roar of cheers and clapping occurred and slowly as the last clap faded with the wind.
Out of nowhere a giant carriage appeared out of the sky pulled by two large horses that resembled giant Pegasus's. When Harry saw the carriage he heard Hermione mummer something about "Cinderella."
*Flashback
Harry recalled back when he went to Muggle School sitting in the empty classroom while everybody was outside playing. Little Harry sat alone in the dark as a ray of sunshine shined through the blinds. Eye's red and tears streamed down the young man's face. "Why does this happen to me? How come I'm constantly beat? Why does my family hate me?" as the hurt stabbed in young Harrys heart threatening to consume his entire being.
"vhy are u ere alone?" said a young girls voice
"Whu.. what?" murmured Harry as he quickly wiped the tears from his face
"vhy aren't you outside playing?" repeated the girl
" They all hate me, thanks to Dudley." Whispered harry with scorn in his voice anger and hurt mixed together.
"I don't hate you," smiled the girl as she sat down next to him and gave him a bright smile.
"Really? Did Dudley put you up to this?" said Harry as he looked up into the girl's eyes.
"Sapphire," thought Harry
"Who iz Dudley? Questioned the girl with a curious expression shown as her forehead creased. Before she shook her head "No matter, we're friends now," said the girl smiling as she handed a book to Harry
"Read to me!" said the girl as she laid her head on Harry's lap
"Um, okay?" said harry questionably as he opened the book, excitement in his heart as he finally made a friend.
"Once upon a time…" –End flashback
"HARRY!" cried Hermione as she smacked his shoulder
"Yes?" said Harry as he snapped out of his reminiscing
"What were you thinking about? Don't tell me your dumbstruck like every boy in Hogwarts!" cried Hermione as she turned Harry around to Ron
Harry looked at Ron and everybody around him, the boys seemed to be dazed and caught in excited whispers. Suddenly Harry felt someone staring at him and turned around.
At the entrance of the carriage students began to slowly emerge out of the Cinderella shaped carriage dressed in a baby blue color. The girls dressed in light skirts and a simple blue blouse with a light blue scarf wrapped around their necks. The boys were dressed in blue slacks and blue polos. Harry was surprised at their choice of dress in this cold autumn weather.
"Blood hell, I'm in heaven!" exclaimed Ron as he eyed the Beauxbaton girls and began to straighten his clothes some more.
"Really, Ron," chided Hermione as she shook her head and locked her arms around Harry and placed her head on his shoulder.
Harry could feel her constant shivering as in her rush to get Harry out on time she forgot to bring her jacket.
"Here take my sweatshirt." Said Harry as he took it off and shoved it over Hermione before she could complain.
"Harry! You'll freeze to death!" cried Hermione as Harry stood there in a black t-shirt.
"It's alright, I'm used to the cold," laughed Harry as he tried to stop Hermione from taking the sweatshirt off.
"MADAME MAXIME EVERYONE HEADMISTRESS OF BEAUXBATON!" yelled Dumbledore who looked like a dwarf next to the giant headmistress.
"Vhy Dank you Dumblydore," smiled Madame Maxime as she let Dumbledore kiss her hand.
"Let us all adjourn into the Great Hall for dinner, I'm sure our guests are extremely famished!" chuckled Dumbledore as he began to head inside.
With a wave from Maxime and Karkaroff all the students began to head inside for dinner.
The Great Hall was soon filled with students as the Hogwarts student resumed to their usual dinner activities. The other two academies began to disperse and sat wherever they wanted to.
"HARRY!" Cried a girls voice as someone hugged him from behind her hair covering his eyes and the smell of fresh pine could be smelled.
"Aveline?" asked Harry as he turned around to a cute smiling girl looking at him
"Who else would it be?" silly said Aveline as she sat down between him and Hermione
"Hi, you must be Hermione!" said Aveline as she shook Hermione's hand and gave her hug, leaving a surprised Hermione as she awkwardly embraced her back.
As the food appeared on the table everyone began to dig in and engage in small talk. Harry noticed the efforts the house elfs put into putting different foods for the foreign guests.
"Hogwarts is amazing," muttered Aveline as she looked up at the ceiling in the great hall. It was a clear night sky where all the stars could be seen, a peaceful night that fills one with inspiration as they look up.
"Wait until you've seen the rest of the castle, I'll show you around tomorrow," said Hermione with a smile. "Did you know that the great hall was built centuries ago and enchanted by Rowena Ravenclaw?" said Hermione as she began to ramble on facts from "Hogwarts a History."
But instead of looking irritated or bored, Aveline was wide eyed and seemed to hang on every word the brown haired girl would say. This surprised Harry, as even he would sometimes lose focus when Hermione rambled on about facts.
"Excuse moi, are you done with the bouillabaisse?" said a voice of a girl behind Harry.
"Yeah, take it," said Harry flashing a kind smile as he turned around. He saw a beautiful blonde haired girl. Her hair flowing perfectly downs her angular face as it stopped at just the right length. Her eyes a brilliant blue that showed kindness but an icy edge laid behind it. Almost as if she was forcing herself somehow as she grimaced at him and took the bowl and walked off.
"Already another insolent fool," thought Fleur as she walked back to the Ravenclaw table as her best friend was busy catching up with someone. "I wish I could make friends as easily as her," sighed Fleur in her thoughts.
Confused and intrigued at girl's reaction to a simple smile Harry went back to his food. "Strange, I seem to have offended her, I wonder who she is?" thought Harry with mirth as he bit into some chicken.
After everyone was done with desert and the food disappeared, the crowd of student's view turned to the teacher's table, as Dumbledore slowly stood up.
"Now that everyone is full and ready for a good night sleep I will keep my announcements short." Said Dumbledore with his arms open wide towards the mass of students below.
"First off, anyone hoping to participate in the Triwizard tournament will have 24 hours to submit their names starting now." Said Dumbledore and with a wave of his wand a podium stood in the front of the teacher table and students. On it laid a silver goblet with blue flames rising methodically out of the cup, with a slight mist around it.
"An age line is erected around the goblet of fire, so I implore the underage not attempt to submit their names or consequences will be adequately dealt. " smiled Dumbledore as he waved his wand again and a circle erupted from the ground leaving a glow around the podium.
"Also I would like to introduce our ministry sponsors Mr. Crouch who is Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcements." In which a stout man rose up from his seat and gave a polite wave to the clapping crowd.
"And also retired quidditch legend Mr. Ludo Bagman!" Cheers erupted around the school as a tall semi-athletic man rose and bowed to the crowd. He reminded Harry a little of Lockhart.
"They shall be with us at every event in the Triwizard tournament, so please welcome them as if they were still our own," said Dumbledore with a smile
"You all have had time to decide upon your options for sometime now and your future is in your hands," said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eyes. "And with that I bid you all goodnight!
Soon students began to file out to retire to their common rooms. Harry and Hermione said goodbye to Aveline as she headed back to the carriage, promising to meet tomorrow morning.
"I wonder how they all fit into that carriage,' mused Harry as he saw the group of students seemingly filing back into the carriage.
"It's probably bigger inside, like wizarding tents," said Hermione in a matter of fact tone. "Have you seen Ron anywhere?"
"I think he was over at the Ravenclaw table talking to some Beauxbaton students," said Harry
"That Prat! Ugh I don't even want to deal with him anymore, I'll see you tomorrow Harry." Huffed Hermione as she gave Harry a quick hug and headed into the common room.
"Harry cleaned himself up and sunk into the soft bed and pillows, fully prepared to fall into the world of his dreams."
1:00 Am
Alone, always alone… Little Harry walked through the halls of Hogwarts by himself, "everyone hates me, even here where I thought I would finally be accepted." Thought Harry as he sat on the wall protruding underneath the window. "First they welcome me as if I'm a hero, and now I'm a villain." Harry felt alone again just like he had all the years previously.
Where did they go? Why did they change? Her mother had warned her about the changes that come with Veelas maturing. Nobody wanted to talk to her anymore, everyone hated her. "One minute where all friends, an now the girls hate me and the guys lust after me." Thought Fleur as she silently sat under a tree by herself, watching her old friends play together. Fleur felt alone for the first time in her life.
Harry and Fleur both snapped their eyes open as they began to put more clothes on and head out of their rooms. They both scrawled a quick note and pocketed it and exited.
" I can do this, I just know it," thought Harry as he walked towards the Great Hall, resolve showing in every step he took.
" It's fate," thought Fleur as she entered the open gate of the entrance hall to Hogwarts. Where she saw a boy walking down the stairs with a purpose. He looked up after hearing the door creak.
Sapphire eyes met emerald green both shining with determination as the approached closer to each other.
"It's late, you know," said Harry as he continued walking towards the great hall
"Vat? Mademoiselle shouldn't be out this late? Iz it too dangerouz?" spit Fleur with venom as her previous anger towards the boy resurfaced.
"If your out this late, your either a fool, or confident in your abilities to protect yourself." Said Harry without looking back, missing the look of surprise on Fleur's face.
"So vat are you?" asked Fleur curiously as she stood behind the boy who just stood there staring at the goblet.
"A fool, seeking eternal glory to fulfill his self consciousness," chuckled Harry as he turned around to look her in the eyes once again. "How about you?"
"I guess I am ze fool too as I zeek eternal glory to show I am not just a preety face," said Fleur as she looked down and hugged her shoulder. " I am a fool…. A beautiful fool," whispered Fleur
"Aren't we all, it's the best anyone can be in this world," chuckled Harry once again "But what's important is your purpose and to know what you want in life," said Harry as he looked into the girl's eyes with a renewed fire. And turned around and dropped the paper into the goblet.
Watching the fire in the boy's emerald eyes as he looked at her, it was awe-inspiring. It wasn't the fire of lust but the fire of determination, promising her that everything would be done. Fleur smiled and real smile and walked up to the Goblet throwing her name in.
She turned to leave to find that the boy was already gone, as she was unable to find him in the entrance hall either. Fleur shivered as the cold winds blew through her thin nightgown. But as she walked up to the door, she found a jacket hooked onto one of the doorknockers. Smiling Fleur put it on and zipped back to her carriage where she quickly drifted to sleep, forgetting to take the jacket off.
Both Harry and Fleur didn't wake up until later afternoon and everyone knew that waking them would mean certain death. So Hermione spent the morning with Aveline while Ron was busy running the Gryffindor quidditch practice. When Harry woke he looked outside the window and decided to take stroll around Hogsmeade.
Fleur on the other hand chose to stay in her dormitory and study her transfiguration notes and books. She was so close to finding her animagus form, as she needed only on missing piece.
Soon it was night and it was time for dinner but more importantly the champion selection. Both Harry and Fleur sat at their own tables and could barely eat anything due to nerves. After what seemed like forever the tables where pushed apart and the students gathered to both sides of the goblet.
Dumbledore appeared next to the goblet and turned towards the crowds
"And so it begins, the selection of the Triwizard champions, one from each school to represent their schools on the quest for eternal glory."
Right as Dumbledore finished his sentence the fire in the goblet spurred high in the air and a piece of paper flew out.
" The champion for Durmstrang is… Viktor Krum!" roared Dumbledore as cheers and claps rose around the Great Hall. Krum walked up and shook Dumbledore's hand looking surly but his eyes showed that he was pleased. He then followed Dumbledore's directions and headed into the trophy room.
"For Beauxbaton, their champion is…." Fleur caught her breath as her heart pounded heavily and her thoughts mixing. "FLEUR DELACOUR!" roared Dumbledore to cheers and applause again. With a wide smile Fleur practically skipped to shake the headmaster's hand and headed to the trophy room.
"Now for our final champion, who will represent Hogwarts?" Asked Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eyes as he caught the paper." HARRY POTTER!"
Authors Note: And that's the selection! Let me know what you guys thought! And again I'm sorry for taking so long.