As those from Durmstrang sat down at the Slytherin table, those from the legion all nodded at each other. Their entrance was much more impressive and a bit more intimidating truth be told. It helped that they had weapons and elementals that could make various shapes and forms. Seeing a hellhound made of fire snarling at them, well Madam Pomphrey had recruited many of the cohort members to work on restocking her calming draughts. The other schools' introductions weren't bad, but they had ruined Hogwarts to flashy entrances.
"I welcome our friends from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang to Hogwarts and I'm glad that our friends from Camp Jupiter in the United States were also able to join us this year for such an auspicious event," Dumbledore started. "As you all know, Hogwarts has agreed to play host to the Tri-Wizard tournament where a champion from each school shall be selected to perform in three tasks that test their daring and magical knowledge to compete for a grand prize of a thousand galleons and the Tri-Wizard cup!" The crowd of developing magicals cheered as thoughts of glory and money danced in their heads. "Yes, yes quite exciting. For those of you who researched the past of this fabled tournament, you know that it was cancelled due to the high number of deaths, so the three ministries of our respective countries decided that no one under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to enter."
Another round of noise was issued, but this was many of those that would just miss the deadline, accusing their leaders of unfairness. While Crouch let the verbal onslaught affect him slightly, Dumbledore proved himself as a leader that demanded respect from everyone, "Silence!" He yelled barely amplifying his voice to calm everyone. "This has been discussed extensively by our three governments and will be followed. Now, we have an impartial judge to select the champion of each school," As he spoke two ministry employees hefted out a very large object that was covered by a cloth. "May I present to you, the Goblet of Fire."
The cloth was banished off, whether by Dumbledore or one of those in charge to add to theatrics no one knew, but everyone had to admit it was impressive. Even more so when the Goblet lit up and cast an eerie blue flame. One of the demigods, since they were more in tuned to magic, leaned over and asked Alyss about what he was seeing. "Yes, there's a bit of godly energy in the goblet. You have to remember that the gods were present in Europe quite a while before America so there's probably a few objects being used that have their presence."
Barty Crouch took over for Dumbledore to explain the process of selection. "An age line will be drawn around the cup by Headmaster Dumbledore to prevent those who are under aged from trying to enter the tournament. For those of you wanting to enter, you must enter your name on a slip of paper into the Goblet before October 31st. Thank you for your time."
"Thank you Mr. Crouch," Dumbledore stood up once again. "Now, we have a few more announcements of course, but those can wait as we have guests that have traveled, so let us eat."
As per custom, as soon as those from Camp Jupiter filled their plates, they moved to give their offerings in the brazier that Dumbledore had so graciously provided for them. The Hogwarts students had dealt with it for a little over a month so they barely batted an eye while many of the foreigners stared at them confusedly. There was only one soul who had any recognition in her eyes and she quickly made her way over from the Ravenclaw table to the Hufflepuff.
"Excuse me," The cultured French tones of Fleur Delacour broke into the Cohort's meal, "Sorry for my interruption, but did Headmaster Dumbledore say correctly, are you truly from Camp Jupiter?"
She had directed her question more to Alyss, but since she wasn't a magical, she didn't see why the beautiful blond in front of her would ask about the camp. "Yes, he did. Are you one of the legacy members?"
"Not exactly, but I do have a connection to the camp," Fleur smiled, giving enough information for those in the know to figure it out.
Harry was the first to light up in connection to what she said, "It's a pleasure to meet one of Lady Venus' blessed and you are always welcome at our table." At Harry's words, comprehension was seen on all of the legionnaire's faces. The reason Harry recognized what Fleur was so quickly compared to the rest of his company was because Veela's tended to stay in Europe and predominantly in France, so Harry knew a bit more than the rest.
"He speaks the truth," Alyss smiled at the young beauty, "It's not every day that you get to meet one of your race. Would you like to use our fire?"
"Thank you," Fleur said before gathering her plate and sacrificing a portion of her meal like those of the cohort had just done and then took a place next to Alan and Alyss. "I was worried that I would not be able to continue the sacrifices while I was at Hogwarts."
"Just remember that you can't tell anyone that's not in the know about our big secret, and you are welcome here for as long as you are at Hogwarts. Plus, all of us are immune to your allure, or should be at least," Alan said while shrugging. "The strongest of us are at least and no one is about to disrespect the legion and go through the punishment that would follow."
Fleur smiled as it looked like her year was already set to be a fun one and a lot better than she had originally anticipated. Maybe she could have her little sister visit that much sooner.
-Hail Praetor-
Normally, the grounds of Hogwarts were silent as the sun rose as no student would dare think about leaving their nice comfy beds for the early morning chill of October in Scotland. However, Hogwarts was host to many other individuals this year and an entire group was up and about already as they breathed in deep lungful's of the crisp morning air. "Come on you ninny's, pick up the pace! Don't tell me you've already grown soft since we aren't at camp!" Reyna yelled and her voice carried off the water. Reyna had been selected as leader for this month and she was rather intense when she was chosen to lead. Alan or Alyss could have led of course, but they were more supervisors on this trip and allowed the rest of them to set the activities.
"Hey Harry, did she used the word right?" Jason asked as the cohort continued around the Black Lake on their third lap.
"Define right," Harry answered while rolling his eyes. Being the only British individual in the legion, he was often asked for a translation even though they all spoke the same language. It was funny the first time, kind of, but the joke had been well overused since they arrived in the country. Of course, they were now picking up a few phrases from the various students at Hogwarts and he knew they were simply trying to aggravate him. He couldn't fault his friends, after all the marauder gene was strong in him and he would be doing the same, but after a few weeks it grew tiresome.
"Alright you lot," Reyna said as they cohort finished their fifth circuit of the lake. It was just under five miles long which was the average length they would complete when at Camp Jupiter. "Now that we've warmed up, let's grab our swords and shields and work on a few of our formations." Although no one said anything, all were internally groaning at the thought of formation drills. They were necessary of course, no one denied that, but they were also tedious and beyond tiring. Especially with a perfectionist like Reyna in charge.
Hefting his shield, Harry lined up next to Jason and by now, students of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons had made their way outside to catch a glimpse at just what the unknown group was doing. They knew that no one from this Camp Jupiter was going to compete in the tournament, but they were going to use every opportunity to learn something that may push them past their competition. As they went through their drills, Harry knew they looked impressive. The cohort wasn't the smoothest as it was full of legionnaires from different cohorts, but even if they weren't use to the one next to them, their training pushed them forward. To the untrained eye, they appeared to be a well-oiled machine and Harry could see the confusion that was on most faces as they watched Reyna stop them, frustration evident in her body, and make the cohort redo their steps again. Harry's arms were aching by the half hour mark and he was grateful that it was now time for breakfast. He liked his girlfriend, but even he knew she could be a bit of a perfectionist when it came to drills.
Wearily the legion filed into the Great Hall after everybody had had a quick wash and sat down heavily at the Hufflepuff table. Charles saw his brother come in and made his way over to the legion with Ron and Hermione close behind them. "You look horrible Harry," His brother stated bluntly as he took a seat next to him.
Harry shot his brother a dirty look, but sighed with a small grin when he couldn't keep it up. "Unlike the rest of the magical world, we don't rely on magic and the bare minimum of work to keep us looking good. Today just happened to be Reyna's day to lead us in our exercises and she's a bit of a perfectionist." He was quick to place a kiss on her cheek to show that he didn't mind it, he was just stating fact. It was hard for anyone to be mad at her when suffered from her perfectionism just as much as they did.
"I am perfectly happy with doing enough for Quidditch, thank you very much," Charles argued. "If you had had to deal with Wood, you would be too and I'm just glad he graduated before this year as he would have been unbearable about not having a season."
"I don't get that," Alan interjected, having kept half an ear on most conversations going on around him. "Why did you all just roll over if you really wanted to keep playing Quidditch?"
"Because Dumbledore said that it was cancelled," Ron answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world and he was speaking to a simpleton.
"He said that there will be no Quidditch cup this year. He said nothing about being forbidden from playing games. All you really need is your usual referee, a Madam Hooch was it, to agree to watch over the games and everything is fine. You won't get a bonus for the points of course, but you can still play. Hell, since noting is official this year, you can have more than one team per house and can have different students from different houses on the same team. I'm sure students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would love to play as well."
"Oui," Fleur interjected as she joined the table, "I know there are quite a few Quidditch players in our representatives and everyone knows the French are much better than the English in," She paused for a moment, "Everything."
"Why Miss Delacour, you wouldn't happen to be one of these Quidditch players would you?" Alyss asked with a grin on her face and was answered by Fleur's responding grin.
By then, their conversation had carried over to the two tables next to them and down the Hufflepuff table and was being quickly spread throughout the Great Hall. The teachers didn't seem to notice what was happening, but as Dumbledore looked out over all the students, his eyes were twinkling a bit brighter and those observant enough noticed it and as they heard about the plans to form an unofficial Quidditch league this year, a few of them connected the dots.
-Hail Praetor Potter-
It was different being taught by a parent in a formal setting, Harry decided as he sat in his mother's runes class. Those that could wield magic through their core and wands were welcome to join any class that they wanted as long as they cleared it with the teacher in question first. Not all the subjects were entered by those from Camp, Harry and the rest of them honestly believed that their wanded subjects were better, but things like runes and Arithmacy were in high demand as it was a subject with little interest or knowledge of at the camp. For a laugh, a few of them had signed up for Astronomy, mostly to hear what the stories the wizards believed about the constellations.
"Harry, can you please stay behind?" Lily asked as the bell rang to release the class. "So, how was it?" She asked with a smile once the last student had left the classroom.
"It was different," Harry said, "I'm not use to learning from you in a formal setting and it will take some getting used to. But, I did enjoy the lesson, Camp Jupiter isn't too big on Runes."
"Well I'm glad one of my sons took my class," Lily huffed and Harry was in agreement with her. Charles had decided on the easy way out and had chosen Care and Divination to fulfill his requirements and Harry thought he was an idiot. Sure, they had been surrounded by magic since they were born, but that was no reason to not even try to learn something new. This was why Europe was so far behind, Harry thought. "So why aren't Jason and Reyna here? I know you three are like Charles and his friends."
"They have different magic than us and none of us are sure if they could use runes. Jason has an affinity for lightning," Thanks to his dad, "And Reyna can affect emotions of those around her in high stressed situations. They're useful gifts to be sure, but limited in scope."
"Oh," Lily simply said, not knowing what else to say. They quickly moved on to the next thing and spent the time before Lily's next class simply talking.
A/N: So it's been awhile and I apologize for that. I know I promised a quicker update, but hopefully for the next few months I will have regular timely updates. This may not be the best chapter, but I had it almost completed before I stopped so yeah...
If you want to see anything happen feel free to leave a review and tell me. Until next time!