Chapter 10: Unsteady

The first week of classes seemed to fly by quicker than any Athena had ever experienced. Despite a few hiccups, like getting lost for the first few days, everything was going smoothly. She was right on track in Transfiguration and Ancient Runes and ahead in the curriculum for Charms and History of Magic, the latter of which she and Cedric Diggory were the only N.E.W.T. students, and she understood why. The professor was a ghost called Professor Binns, and the story goes that he died while teaching back in the 1970s but was so oblivious, that he didn't realize he'd died and just kept on lecturing. In any case, it allowed Cedric and Athena to get more acquainted and catch up on other things.

Defense Against the Dark Arts was unlike anything she could have imagined. Moody was a psychopath and she wasn't sure whether he should get admitted to St. Mungos or held in Akzaban. Their first day of class was a practical lesson on the three Unforgivable Curses, which most of the N.E.W.T. students were aware of, but had never seen in person. Athena felt bad for the spider Moody chose to use the curses on by means of example. No living creature should ever have to endure such suffering, and that's why the curses were Unforgivable – for Merlin's sake!

Other than Moody's class, Athena had been enjoying her first week at Hogwarts. The morning of Thursday, the 8th of September, began like every other morning. Athena got up and got ready with Amelia, the two would walk down to breakfast together, and join their housemates. Owls would come through periodically and drop letters or newspapers for various students. This morning was different because a brown Great Horned Owl dropped a very thick envelope right into Athena's lap as she was enjoying her toast.

Putting down her toast she lifted the envelope which read ATHENA MAYALL in slanted scrawl. She wondered who it could be from while she carefully opened the envelope. She pulled out a piece of paper and a small pouch fell out with it. Placing the pouch on the table she unfolded the paper to read its contents.

Dear Athena,

Happy 18th birthday! You didn't think I'd forget, did you? I know how hard it must be to be celebrating without your family this year, so I wanted to make sure you knew you were being thought of and that someone is wishing you well.Enough about that, though, I want to hear about your first week at Hogwarts!

Congrats on Gryffindor! (Ginny told Mum, who told me – sorry) Welcome to the best house at Hogwarts! Tell me everything. How are classes? Anything interesting happening? Make any friends besides my weird brothers and sister?

Your Friend,

Charlie Weasley

P.S. I hope you like the gift. A friend of mine studying in Africa sent it to me. It's from a Rwandan Rainbow Scale. Hope to hear from you soon!

She ignored the pinch in her throat seeing the way he'd signed the letter, "Your Friend." She remembered what she told herself on the train and gave herself a little reality check.

With a deep sigh, Athena put down the letter and noticed the little pouch that she placed on the table was missing. She didn't have to look very far as Amelia was turning the contents out in her hands. Amelia let out an audible gasp and turned to Athena gushing, "this is gorgeous, who sent it to you?!"

Dangling from a simple silver chain in Amelia's hands was a remarkable shimmering dragon scale which hung like a pendant. It's many colors shifted and shimmered in the light as if looking through a prism or a kaleidoscope. It truly was a beautiful object and it caught the attention of those sitting around her in the Hall.

"Amelia, may I please have that?" Athena whispered urgently as others began to gather around too catch a glimpse of the necklace. "It's a birthday present."

The other girl handed over the necklace without realizing what Athena said. It wasn't until the unmistakable voice of their Irish friend Cal rang out, "it's yer birthday, lass?!" that Amelia turned to stare at Athena open mouthed.

"You didn't say anything!" she cried offended.

Athena just shrugged, "it's not a big deal." To which she received an unimpressed huff from Amelia.

"Friends tell friends these things," Amelia instructed very seriously. Athena's heart warmed genuinely when the Gryffindor girl called her 'friend.' It had only been a week, but Amelia treated her as though they'd known each other for years.

"We will celebrate this weekend," Amelia decided, "we'll throw a little shindig in Gryffindor tower and we'll really get to know each other better, right guys?!" Amelia looked expectantly at the Gryffindors in the immediate vicinity, anticipating approval.

Amelia then got to organizing the little party, something she expressed great interest in, and even told the Weasley twins she would turn a blind eye the next time they were late for curfew if they could arrange snacks and drinks in the mysterious way they did. Amelia suspected they'd found the kitchens years ago, but they'd had an understanding that in return for snacks, she wouldn't rat out the twins to Professor McGonagall.

When Amelia and most of the other older Gryffindors got up from their table to head off to Potions, Athena remained seated, unsure of how to kill the time between now and History of Magic. She wasn't bored for very long because Hermione Granger sat down across from her. Athena smiled at the younger girl.

"Happy birthday, Athena. Couldn't help but overhear Amelia."

"Thanks, 'Mione. Where are Harry and Ron?"

The younger Gryffindor seemed out of place without the other two members of her friend group nearby. Hermione responded with a groan, gesturing with a thumb further down the table where the boys in question were hunched over discussing something intensely. As if he knew they were being watched, Harry's eyes shifted to meet her own then narrowed. What the hell was his problem?

"Hermione?" Athena asked in a sickly-sweet voice. "Mind telling me why your friend has been giving me the stink eye since the welcome feast?" Nodding in Harry's direction.

Hermione let out a deep sigh shaking her head. Athena muttered, "he's about as subtle as a herd of buffalo," causing the younger girl to laugh.

"He's been a little on edge since the World Cup, and he thinks you're being here isn't a coincidence," she admitted.

Athena's eyes widened in realization. Harry thought she had something to do with the Dark Mark. She understood why: she was foreign, barely any family, brought into his life with little-to-no explanation at all. The boy had suffered his entire life from people hell-bent on killing him in different ways, but she definitely wasn't one of them. It's not like she could explain herself though. She promised Dumbledore she wouldn't tell anyone about it. She couldn't tell anyone, especially Harry. She hadn't been listening to what Hermione was saying and was too busy thinking of a plan to make Harry less suspicious of her.

"Athena?" the familiar drawl of Cedric Diggory hummed from behind her. She turned in her seat to see the Hufflepuff, bag slung over his shoulder, looking down at her curiously.

"Cedric," she breathed in relief, "that time already?"

He gave her a half-smile and nodded his head once toward Hermione. "Morning Granger, sorry I'll have to take her away. Professor Binns waits for no one."

Athena laughed at that because it was true. The ghost conducted lessons regardless if anyone was in the room. It was no wonder he died whilst lecturing. The man – now ghost – couldn't be stopped if they tried. Grabbing her bag, Athena stuffed the letter and necklace from Charlie inside before shouting a hurried goodbye to Hermione as she jogged to catch up with Cedric.

Thankfully, the lecture today was about spell-development legislation, something she'd studied before at Ilvermorny, so she felt alright zoning out and doing other things while Binns droned on. She kept a notebook open on her desk, making notes of important dates just in case they'd come in handy for an essay or exam, but spent most of the lesson bent over a piece of paper attempting to write a reply to Charlie.

Hey Charlie,

Thank you for the beautiful birthday present, you really shouldn't have, but seeing how beautiful it is, I can't find it in my heart to return it to you. I guess I'll just have to wear it.Classes have been going well so far, nothing that I didn't already expect – except for History of Magic (which I'm in now as I write this letter) - Binns is so darn boring.

Luckily, I've gone over most of the material in his class before at Ilvermorny, so I think I'll be okay. Cedric Diggory is the only other person in this class with me, and he's been keeping me focused when Binns' droning gets to be too much.

Other than that, I'm upset that quidditch has been canceled this year for the silly Triwizard Tournament. Only idiots with a death wish will be stupid enough to put their name in for it. Not me, there is too much I want to do in this world that requires me being alive to do it. In any case, it should be interesting to watch.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Athena

As Athena finished the final flourish on the last 'a', she saw a small piece of parchment folded on top of the open notebook she'd been ignoring. She looked at Cedric, the only plausible culprit, who appeared to be listening intently to the ghost-professor, but had a mischievous smirk gracing his lips. She unfolded the parchment which had only two words written on it in Cedric's neat cursive, love letter?

Athena took a moment before crafting her reply, Nope. Thank you note. Then, she slid the paper back over to the Hufflepuff. The two went back and forth for the remainder of the period.

Ah, I see. For something good?

Birthday present.

Happy Birthday, Athena

Thanks

So, you think I'm an idiot with a death wish?

Shit. He'd been reading the letter she wrote to Charlie over her shoulder. What a snoop! She was more embarrassed that he thought she'd referred to him as an idiot.

Sorry. I'll take it you're planning to enter the Tournament?

Yeah, I figure I'm smart enough not to get myself killed. She gave the Hufflepuff a dirty look, which he returned with a wink.

She didn't get a chance to write another response before the bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson. Cedric quickly packed his things and left the room, leaving Athena to once again jog to catch up with him.

"Cedric!" she called out to the tall boy with unfairly long legs. "Please wait! I didn't mean it like that!"

He paused, allowing her to catch up. "How did you mean it?"

"I'm just a little bitter that I can't compete," she told him the truth. "Dumbledore's orders."

She hung her head in disappointment, she couldn't tell him the real reason why he'd ordered that, but she didn't feel comfortable weaving even more lies into this life she now had. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked into his caramel eyes which were swimming with sympathy and understanding.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, "that isn't fair."

Feeling the need to change the subject she joked, "well imagine how the students would feel if an American got chosen to represent Hogwarts. I'd imagine they'd call for my expulsion!"

He chuckled and relaxed his shoulders, he'd forgiven the insult. "If it means anything," he said nervously bringing a hand to the back of his head to run it through his hair, "I've only known you a week, but I think you'd make a brilliant champion."

Her heart fluttered a little at the compliment, noticing the way his cheeks turned pink ever so slightly. Cedric really was a sweet guy, and he'd been nothing but nice to her ever since she arrived at Hogwarts, even offering to study with her for their first Transfiguration practical exam at the end of the month. She gave the Hufflepuff a bright smile and thanked him, while he waved it off as nothing.

They continued talking and walked together towards the Entrance Hall where Cedric was swept away by some of his friends, who invited her to join them for lunch. Athena politely declined, wanting to send her reply to Charlie before it got too late in the day and she'd be overrun with homework, but she'd promised the small gaggle of Hufflepuffs she'd join them another time before heading to the Owlery.

September quickly faded into October and the weeks were blending together as Athena began to feel more at home at Hogwarts. She became closer with the seventh-year Gryffindors following her birthday celebration and Cedric as her only History of Magic companion. He explained his desire to be a teacher required him to take the class at N.E.W.T. level, and Athena was glad for it. He made the dullness of Binns tolerable and shared a passion for Athena's favorite subject.

Harry Potter continued to keep Athena at an arms-length, which hurt because he'd been so welcoming at the Burrow just before term. As much as she wanted to assure the troubled teenager that she wasn't there to hurt him, she knew she couldn't in a way that wouldn't reveal her complicated origins. She'd met with Dumbledore again in late October, taking the same path down to the lake as they had only a month ago. A bitter chill settled into the early autumn morning and Athena made sure to clutch her robes close to her.

She told Dumbledore about Harry's treatment of her, but he only repeated his warning of keeping her secret. With the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang delegations' presence came more potential complications with her knowledge. Dumbledore praised her ability to maintain a sense of normalcy despite having to shield a huge part of herself. How dare he say that? How dare he pretend like he knew what if felt like to feel out of place and out of time with the people she'd only read about in books. It was like falling into a novel knowing the ending, but having your favorite characters hate you and not knowing whether you might be able to change the outcome.

She found herself taking extra time to make her way back to the castle that morning after her chat with Dumbledore. It was Sunday, so many people were still in bed sleeping off the rest of their weekend before the welcome feast for the foreign schools. Athena was kicking around freshly fallen leaved of red and orange which covered the grounds. It wouldn't be long before snow would replace the autumn scene before her, and she was trying to enjoy being outside as much as she could before it arrived.

Moments like this reminded her of home. Fall in New England was unlike anything else in the world. Every tree burned bright with the colors of fall, like a smoldering fire of oranges, yellows, and the deepest reds. She remembered playing in the leaves with her sister when she was young, jumping into the neat piles their parents had just raked. She could almost smell the warm apple cider as if it were just within reach, and she could her mother telling her just how proud she was of her...

Hot tears burned her cheeks as she remembered these moments and wondered if and when she would ever see her family again. She came to one of her favorite spots at Hogwarts, the hill beside the Whomping Willow, where she took a seat and watched the enchanted tree sway slightly, still sleeping. The first time she saw the willow, she witnessed in wonder as it violently thrashed and swung its branches. She wished for a moment she could be the willow and let out all the frustration she felt since arriving in 1994.

Fortunately, as the sun broke through the cloudy autumn sky, it warmed her skin and the earth around her. It didn't feel very long, but she must have been sitting in that spot for hours. Her meditation was interrupted by a series of shouts coming from the castle. Looking to the source of the noise she caught a flying object approaching the castle like a comet. Athena stood from her spot and jogged over to the courtyard where students were gathered.

The flying object inched closer, and Athena was able to determine that it was an oversized carriage being pulled by winged horses. Where are pegasus even found in the wild? Moreover, how did whoever found them manage to wrangle six of them?!

"Athena! Where have you been?!" she heard Amelia before she saw the Gryffindor, and when she did the other girl latched on to her in a tight hug.

"I looked everywhere for you! You weren't in the dorm, not in the library, nor the Great Hall. Where in Morgana's name have you been hiding?!"

Athena liked her friend, but the helicoptering nature of Amelia's friendship was grinding her patience extremely thin. Taking a deep breath, Athena calmed herself before addressing her roommate.

"I went for a walk this morning and lost track of time, no need to worry," she explained. Amelia's shoulders visibly relaxed.

"Good timing though, Beauxbatons just arrived," the prefect informed her as the carriage came to a halt. Seemingly out of nowhere, Professor Dumbledore swept through the crowd to greet the passengers of the just-landed carriage. An extremely tall woman, approximately eight – eight and a half, maybe – feet tall, exited the carriage followed by approximately thirty female students dressed in delicate blue silk uniforms. As soon as they stepped into the Scottish air, they began shivering.

Noticing Hermione nearby, Athena made her way over to the younger girl, who she'd become rather close with and remarked, "I suppose zey deed not prepare for ze cold, eh?"

As the Beauxbatons ladies were being ushered indoors, Ron who'd been standing on Hermione's other side let out a snort and even Harry tried to suppress a smile once he realized who had made the remark. Athena wished she could be honest with him, if only to reassure the poor boy that she wasn't there to kill him.

"The lake! Look at the lake!" cried Lee Jordan, one of the twins' friends.

Athena looked at what seemed like a small dingy, but with every second it traveled closer to the shore it rose from the water producing a large wooden ship sporting a black flag with some red detail she couldn't make out. It resembled pirate ships she'd read about in muggle history books. A part of her hoped whoever captained the ship looked like Jack Sparrow. That would certainly make their arrival spectacular, and fulfill one of Athena's teenage fantasies.

She couldn't help but sing an old tune under her breath, "we're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs, drink up me hearties, yo ho..."

Athena was so distracted by the possibility of handsome, yet fictional, pirates that she didn't notice the odd look Hermione gave her. Athena's eyes focused on the two lines of men who marched off the ship and up the path to the castle. No pirates, only Eastern European boys. Not all dreams come true, she thought.

Later that evening, the schools gathered in the Great Hall for a feast to welcome Durmstrang who sat with the Slytherins and Beauxbatons who sat at the end of the Ravenclaw table. Platters of different cuisines from the different schools' home countries appeared for dinner. Bouillabaisse, pierogies, sauerkraut and sausages, coq au vin, and escargot were some of the things Athena indulged in that evening. She loved food and she loved trying the foods of different cultures. She was enjoying herself despite the emotional day she had.

After dinner Dumbledore introduced the Heads of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, Igor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime respectively. Additionally, the headmaster identified two men, Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch, who helped organize the tournament and would also serve as judges for each task. Each briefly spoke about the Ministry Departments of International Co-operation's and Games and Sports's role in the tournament. During the speeches, Mr. Filch, who Athena came to know and loathe, was wheeling in a large wooden case. Dumbledore reminded the students that a champion would be chosen from each of the schools by an impartial judge, then pointed his wand at the wooden case. The paneling on the outside fell away to reveal a large stone chalice which held a brilliant blue flame.

"The Goblet of Fire," the Headmaster's voice thundered through the Great Hall. "Students wishing to enter must drop their names into the Goblet, and tomorrow evening the worthiest entrants shall be chosen to compete as Triwizard Champions."

Dumbledore then reminded the Hogwarts students that no student under the age of seventeen was allowed to enter and drew an age line around the enchanted artefact. He wished the students a good night and good luck to those wishing to enter the tournament. The Hall erupted into excited chatter about the upcoming Triwizard Tournament's official beginning as students began to make their way to their respective dormitories.

Athena couldn't help but overhear some of the conversations. Fred and George discussing an aging potion with their friend Lee, while the sixth-year, Angelina Johnson, bragged that she turned seventeen just last week and would be entering. Ryan and Kenneth were encouraging Cal to put his name in for consideration, and Amelia was rambling about what she'd do with the winnings. She'd made it clear to her friends over the last two months that she was too focused on doing well in her classes to worry about the tournament, but promised to be supportive if any of them were chosen.

When she finally made it to bed that evening a horrible sense of anxiety settled in her stomach and the blurry memory of Professor Bartlett's class kept replaying over and over in her head. She had been desperately trying to remember the missing piece of the memory, but every time she was unsuccessful. She lay awake all night, unable to shake the feeling of worry that consumed her. Something was going to happen in the Triwizard Tournament – something big.