Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything associated with the franchise, I am only a teenager with what I hope is an enjoyable imagination and a decent knack for writing.

Authors Note 1:

Well, I know a lot of you guys have been looking forward to Harry/Gabrielle interactions, so, let the games begin.

Authors Note 2:

Sorry for the long delay on this chapter, it's been written for a while but life happens sometimes.

Authors Note 3:

Thank you to my betas James Marx and Mineng101 for their work on this chapter, and thank you to LambadOfTheDead for the help with the accents.

Review Responses

Bountyhunter1977: I appreciate your input, do not worry, what you speak of will happen eventually (though not soon) as for bringing people with him, you have to realize that Harry is far less trusting in this fic (as I actually chose to have the abuse affect him, unlike in cannon)

Gerry: Thank you for the kind words my friend, I really do appreciate it. I usually try to respond to those kind of reviews personally but it will not let me PM you so I figured I would do so here.

Lord N.G.G: You are definitely right about the bit about jumping week to week, it made sense when I wrote it, but sounded a bit repetitive once I read the chapter back after posting it. As for your bit about the room, I am saving that for flashbacks.

Tyler'sPrincess: Thank you for the constant support my friend, you have probably shown it on this story more than anyone else. Based on your constant enthusiasm for more interaction based chapters around Harry and Gabrielle, I think you will really enjoy this one. Let me know what you think in a review as you always do.

"Speech"

'Internal Dialogue'

French

Previously

Tall, slim, graceful and as devastatingly beautiful as he remembered with her silvery blonde hair fanning out behind her in the wind and her pale blue eyes shining with warmth as she looked at him was Gabrielle Delacour.

Chapter 11 Ghosts and Goblets.

Harry's mind was in a very content state as he looked up into the eyes of the older girl, finding his mind far too fuzzy to think as he became lost in the depths of her pale blue eyes.

From far away he heard Dumbledore's voice and his words brought him back to reality.

"If you two would follow Mr. Potter he will lead you to the great hall."

Harry snapped out of his trance and nodded towards the two girls before slowly making his way to the castle, gently shaking his head to clear it from the fog that seemed to have overtaken his brain.

They walked for a moment before Gabrielle quickened her stride to end up side by side with Harry, a soft smile on her lips.

"It is nice t-t s-see you again, 'Arry." She said through a shiver.

Harry stopped, forcing the other two girls to do the same and looked at both. They were both in what he assumed to be their school uniforms. Gabrielle's sister at least was wearing gloves and had a scarf wrapped around her head, Gabrielle had nothing of the sort.

Without even thinking about it Harry shed his cloak quickly, drawing a confused look from Gabrielle as he withdrew his wand, noting that the cloak would be too short for the taller girl.

"Engorgio." He muttered, forcing the cloak to grow to a more appropriate length before he held it out to Gabrielle who shook her head looking scandalized.

"But you will be cold." She stated simply.

Harry shook his head, trying not to shiver himself. "I'll live, I imagine I'm a fair bit more used to it than you are."

Gabrielle didn't seem to like the idea but she could evidently see that Harry would not take no for an answer because she just sighed and took the offered cloak, wrapping it around herself and sighing gratefully before smiling at him once more.

"Thank you." She said, her smile making it all worth it in Harry's eyes. He forced his thoughts to clear once more, why would he think that?

"Don't mention it." He said as they continued their path towards the front door of the school.

"It is nice seeing you again." Gabrielle reaffirmed.

Harry smiled. "Same to you, Gabrielle." He said as he pushed open the oak front door. "Welcome to Hogwarts." He added with a contented smile as they entered the castle proper.

Gabrielle's eyes seemed to dart around the entrance hall at breakneck speed, seeming to be trying to absorb every last detail and imprint it in her memory. Her sister seemed almost the opposite, indifferent as she looked around once before her eyes returned forwards.

"It seems much larger zan Beauxbatons." Gabrielle commented idly.

Harry just shrugged. "I know practically nothing about Beauxbatons aside from what you told me at the World Cup, so I couldn't tell you." He let his own eyes roam across the hall before sighing contentedly and speaking once more. "We should probably get into the Great Hall."

They had taken but a few steps when a voice rang out, causing Harry to freeze and growl in frustration, drawing confused looks from both Gabrielle and her sister, whom Harry could not remember the name of.

"You have been avoiding me, Harry."

"Hello, Nick." Harry said flatly without turning around. They had all come to a stop again to Harry's annoyance. If the other two would have kept walking he would have gladly joined them, but now that they had stopped he could hardly walk away.

"You have proven rather difficult to find." Said Nearly Headless Nick as he drifted ever closer, wearing a look of disapproval on his face.

"Excusez-moi," Cut in Gabrielle politely while her sister looked on in what was at the very leas t surprise, possibly even horror, though Harry could not be sure as her scarf obscured her face. "But who are you?" Gabrielle asked.

Nick surveyed her before inclining his head carefully with a smile. "My apologies, fair lady, I am Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, head ghost of the noble house of Gryffindor."

Gabrielle just quirked an eyebrow in question. "'ead ghost?"

"Yes yes, each of the four Hogwarts houses are represented by a ghost who was once a resident of the house. You know, provide the living with some extra wisdom and the like."

He then turned his gaze upon Harry. "Some people make that more difficult than others."

"And some people don't need your assistance." Said Harry sharply, his back still turned.

"And that is where you are wrong my young friend."

"If this is about him, you can float on away, I'm not interested." Said Harry bluntly, Nick had tried to broach the topic of Sirius earlier in the year and Harry would not have it, not now, likely not any time soon.

Nick sighed. "You're guilt is unwarranted, Harry." He tried in a soft voice.

Harry tensed, fury coursing through his veins like blood as he physically tried not to shake as his hand twitched towards his wand.

"Shut up." Harry hissed coldly.

His voice took the other three occupants of the hall aback as it was barely above a whisper but was filled with venom and fury. He turned to face the ghost and his anger was evident. It marred his features and his eyes, his emerald green eyes resembled the killing curse as they glowed with a sort of green fire that was being fuelled by the rage inside of him. How dare Nick bring up Sirius? How dare he make assumptions?

"There's a difference between providing wisdom and trying to be the voice of reason in things you don't understand and know nothing about."

Nick simply looked at him speculatively while Gabrielle looked confused, shooting Harry a questioning look which he did not answer.

"You are worse than I thought." Proclaimed the ghost sadly. "You blame yourself for things that were out of your control…"

"I said shut up!" His voice was still not loud, but was certainly a modicum louder then it had been earlier. "You know nothing! You have no idea what happened, you have no idea…"

He trailed off, though his voice did not betray him he had to stop talking for the emotion that had risen inside of him at the name of Sirius was threatening to leak through his voice.

"No?" Questioned the ghost. "I know nothing? Who are you trying to convince, me or yourself? There was nothing you could have done, quite frankly the results you achieved were spectacular, but you are too blind to realize the truth. You bottle it up, bottle up all of the emotions and they get the best of you, the guilt eats you alive even now as we stand here in the presence of our guests." He said, his voice harsh as he addressed the teen. "I would even hazard a guess that it is that same guilt that has driven you to do Merlin knows what in the dead of the night? Training in some manner I imagine, returning to the common room half dead, with not enough energy remaining to make it up the stairs?"

He simply shook his head. "I am right, but you are terrified. For all of your bravery, and you very well may be the bravest person I have ever met, but for all of your bravery you are scared to death of yourself, scared to death of your emotions, and scared to death of asking for help when you so desperately need it."

Harry's eyes shown with fury and the temperature in the room seemed to spike for a moment before he closed his eyes, fists clenched as he took a deep intake of breath before slowly letting it out and letting his eyes open.

When they did the fury was less prevalent though still there, in the place of much of the vanquished fury was stubbornness and defiance.

"You're wrong." His voice was flat yet so cold. "You're wrong about all of it, you understand nothing Nick, I was too slow in my actions, too complacent in my training and he paid for it. It will not happen again, I will do anything to make sure it never does, to anyone."

Harry spun on his heel and gestured for the two girls to follow him as he made his way towards the Great Hall, trying not to let the fury, guilt, and grief overwhelm him.

…..

Gabrielle was confused. Confusion was not something she was used to feeling. She was intelligent and she knew it. Very rarely (if ever) was she confused in classes, aside from potions. She was also very perceptive and observant. A combination of these three things meant that it was rather rare that she found herself confused, but now… confusion in her opinion was not a strong enough word.

In the last number of minutes she had arrived in a foreign country, met once again with the boy who had risked his life for her cause, shared a pleasant conversation with him, she had witnessed the obvious love he held for the castle, she had witnessed how his body had literally relaxed the second they entered the castle. And then she had been confused.

When Sir. Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington had made his introduction she had been surprised. There were no ghosts at Beauxbatons, and though she knew from reading that they existed at Hogwarts, she did not expect them to be so… social.

And then the conversation that followed.

As a Veela she was very good at sensing emotions, but now… they were so strong, stronger than any she had felt before. She did not know why this was, but she imagined it must just be the pure magnitude of them.

The contents of the conversation was confusing enough. Guilt? Why would Harry feel guilty? And it was evident that he did. She did not need to be attuned to emotions to know it, it was written in his eyes and face when he had turned to face the ghost. But the magnitude of it, it was so terribly strong. What could this boy have done to warrant such guilt?

And then there was the bit about half killing himself in the dead of night?

Gabrielle did not understand any of it, but she could feel that it was tearing him apart.

As Harry led them onwards towards the Great Hall, she could not help but feel sadness for him. She did not know why but feeling that emotion from him caused her so much pain, she just wished she knew more.

"This is the entrance to the Great Hall." His voice still carried no emotion, and it was clear that his mind was elsewhere.

He reached for the door but Gabrielle stopped him with a hand to his shoulder, the slight twitch away from her made her frown, but she figured she just scared him, seeing as he seemed so lost in thought.

"What was all zat about?" She asked him, looking into his eyes, willing him not to lie.

"Nothing of importance." He said, she could see the lie in his eyes but could also see the defiance, the unwillingness to speak. She just sighed.

"I know it was not nossing, but I understand you do not trust me wiss zat kind of information." She then smiled somewhat sadly, somewhat excitedly at him. "Now, lead on."

As he opened the door it happened again, a look of prideful contentedness crossed his face, and all of the tension from the previous conversation seemed to leave his body. He loved this place, it was so blatantly obvious, he loved the castle far more than any student would normally love a school, she found it peculiar but didn't dare ask.

Gabrielle looked on in wonderment at the sight before her, the sight of an elaborately decorated hall, with four, long, elegant tables, each (she assumed) representing one of the four famed houses of Hogwarts, with another table that she assumed was for staff members. Torches floated around the hall, looking like hundreds of overgrown fireflies. It was beautiful, one of the most beautiful places Gabrielle had ever seen, and in that moment she could understand why Harry Potter loved it so much.

…..

Harry quite literally felt himself relax the very second he entered the Great Hall, but it was even before that. He could not explain it, and he hadn't even noticed it at the time, but later when he would look back at it, he thought he had calmed down the moment Gabrielle had touched him.

It had just sent a warmth through his body, a kind of comfort, and though he had reflexively flinched away, he would later admit to himself that somehow, though it made no rhyme or reason, her mere touch had put him at ease.

Gabrielle seemed to be taking it all in, even her sister seemed grudgingly impressed as she nodded approvingly in the direction of the floating torches.

"Magnifique." Breathed Gabrielle. "It is beautiful." She said breathlessly as she turned to look at Harry, her eyes sparkling as she made eye contact with him, this time Harry did everything he could not to get lost in her pale blue orbs, and though he felt a similar warmth spread throughout his body, he managed to stay present. "You really love it don't you?"

The question was asked softly, though Harry did not miss the curiosity in her tone.

He smiled a warm smile despite himself and just nodded.

"More than almost anything." He admitted.

She nodded, seeming to have had her suspicions confirmed before she looked curiously around once again.

"Are ze tables each for a 'ogwarts 'ouse?" She asked.

"'ouse?" Asked her sister, speaking for the first time. "What about 'ouses?"

"Have you not read about 'ogwarts, Fleur?" Asked Gabrielle, sounding half excited half exasperated.

"Non." Replied Fleur with a shake of her head. "I do not spend my time reading about ozer schools."

"Not even once we knew about ze tournament?" Pressed Gabrielle.

Fleur shook her head. "It does not matter, but what were you saying about 'ouses?"

Gabrielle just sighed before looking at Harry instead of her sister as she bit her bottom lip, looking rather unsure about her next statement. "Zere are four 'ouses: Slysserin, 'ufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor." she gestured to the correct table as she announced each of the Hogwarts four.

"But what are zey? What is the point of zem?" Asked her sister.

Gabrielle looked uncertain before speaking. "Each 'ouse is based on your personality, so you are around like minded people. I believe Gryffindor is for zose of bravery, 'ufflepuff for loyalty, Ravenclaw for intelligence, and Slysserin for cunning?"

Though it was clearly meant to be an explanation it was clear that it was phrased as a question to Harry as she looked to him for confirmation.

Harry ran a hand through his hair as he pondered for a moment. "You're partly right. You're right on the four houses, and you're right about most of the qualities, but you're a bit off on how we are sorted."

Gabrielle frowned, looking rather disappointed in herself. "Enlighten me zen." She said, smiling at the end as she seemed to lean towards him. Harry smiled, being strongly reminded of a particular bushy haired friend of his.

"Well, you said we were sorted based on personality, that's not entirely wrong, and this isn't actually made clear, but I think we are sorted based more on our beliefs and values. As for the qualities, you were pretty much right, but you missed a few. Hufflepuff is the house of loyalty, yes, but also of fairness and hard workers. Ravenclaws do tend to be intelligent, but it's actually the pursuit of knowledge that they value. Slytherin certainly values cunning, but they also value ambition."

Fleur and Gabrielle could not help but notice that Harry didn't seem the biggest fan of Slytherin if his expression was anything to go by.

"And Gryffindor is the house of bravery and chivalry." He finished with a fond smile.

"Would it not make more sense to sort by personality zough?" Asked Fleur as if it was obvious.

Harry shook his head.

"Why not?" She asked sceptically.

"Fleur." Chastised Gabrielle, having picked up on her sisters tone.

Harry just sighed. "Because of people like me."

"Excusez-moi?" Asked Fleur, sounding confused.

"Do you know how we are sorted, as in the process, not the criteria?"

"Non." Replied Gabrielle.

At that moment though, an unearthly song filled the Great Hall, making Gabrielle draw her wand as Fleur spun, trying to locate the source of the noise.

Harry simply stood there, jaw hanging open as he recognized the ethereal song of a phoenix.

The very next moment there was a burst of fire right in front of the three teens, making Fleur scream and Gabrielle gasp and jump backwards. Harry didn't react beyond a slight step backwards in surprise.

Where the fire had been a split second earlier was a beautiful, breathtaking, all to familiar phoenix.

The phoenix let out a happy note before dropping what it was carrying. Harry caught it before it could hit the ground as Fawkes swooped around his head and landed gracefully on his shoulder, letting out another happy note as he rubbed his great head against Harry's cheek.

Harry felt any worries leave him at the mere contact and smiled contentedly as he gently raised a hand and stroked the great plumage of the bird.

"Hello there, old friend." Harry said softly.

"Is zat a phoenix?" Gabrielle's voice was barely above a whisper as she approached very hesitantly.

"In the flesh." Said Harry with a smile.

"And you're actually familiar wiss 'im?" Asked Fleur, evidently disbelieving.

"Of course 'e is." Answered Gabrielle. "it would not 'ave approached 'im if 'e wasn't, not a chance."

Harry just nodded. "Let's just say we have some history." He said, looking fondly at the creature on his shoulder which nodded its head, seemingly in agreement with Harry's statement.

"Can I touch it?" Asked Gabrielle hesitantly as she gently raised one hand, palm out.

Harry looked unsurely at the bird on his shoulder which simply nodded.

Gabrielle tentatively reached out a hand towards Fawkes who leaned forwards, rubbing his head up against her palm. Gabrielle smiled at the contact and began to gently stroke the bird in the same way Harry had done a second earlier.

Harry couldn't help but smile at the look of awe on the girl's face and tried to send a silent message to the bird.

Evidently Fawkes got it, as in a rush of wings he had went from Harry's shoulder to Gabrielle's. The girl gasped at the event but looked unbelievably pleased.

Fleur also approached hesitantly, and was also permitted contact by Fawkes.

"'e is beautiful." She admitted, with a content smile now on her face as well.

Harry just nodded.

After a moment, Fawkes flew up into the air and just hovered there before seemingly gesturing at the hat in Harry's hands before disappearing in another burst of fire.

Only then did Harry realize why the phoenix had come, for now he was holding the ancient sorting hat.

"Right," he said, seeming to come out of a trance. "This is the sorting hat, it sorts the first years into houses every year by looking into their minds after being put on their head."

"Ok…," spoke up Gabrielle, "but what waz zat bit about people like you being the reason it doesn't sort by personality?"

"Because, my dear," answered the voice of the hat, shocking all three as a rip near the brim opened wide. "People like young Mr. Potter are enigmas."

"'ow so?" Asked Gabrielle, now seeming to be beyond interested. Even Fleur, who had largely seemed uninterested, was now paying very close attention.

"Well, to use the example of Mr. Potter, he fit into all houses, if you go off of personality."

This caused both girls to look at Harry, Fleur with great curiosity and Gabrielle with a bit of that and another emotion Harry could not place.

"Mr. Potter had the ambition of a Slytherin, and yes, he was and I am sure he still is likely more ambitious than any in the house of serpents. I would dare to say he is the most ambitious student to pass through these halls in decades." Harry tried to protest but the hat cut him off. "He has a burning thirst for knowledge, and was beyond eager to learn the intricacies of magic, so he would have fit very well into Ravenclaw. His work ethic was extremely high, higher than most in Hufflepuff in fact, and he is loyal, oh yes. And as he is in Gryffindor he clearly exemplifies the traits of bravery and chivalry."

"So 'ow did you decide zen?" Asked Fleur curiously.

"Fleur." Gabrielle warned her for the personal question, as she had already realized harry was a rather private person.

"Without going into too much personal detail, Mr. Potter was correct in saying it was his assessment that I sorted based on values and beliefs. Though Mr. Potter valued knowledge, he did not, if you will forgive me Mr. Potter, have the confidence for Ravenclaw at the time, not by a long shot. Though he would have fit in well, it was not to be."

Harry made a face at the reminder, but inclined his head in acknowledgement as he could not deny the truth of that statement.

"What about the ozers?" Asked Fleur, not at all heeding her sisters earlier warning.

"Hufflepuff was easy," said the hat. "I can not reveal much on this, as I am sure Mr. Potter would not appreciate it, but though he valued loyalty greatly, it was not something he had the strongest connection with, so that option was out. So then there were two; Gryffindor and Slytherin." the hat paused for several moments before addressing Harry. "Have you come to terms with the fact that I was correct about Slytherin?"

"Maybe you were, but it wouldn't have been the right house for me."

"But it would have, things would have been very different than what you think, but I digress. Gryffindor it was, he personified the traits, and he wanted it beyond all, valued the house beyond all others, so there you have it."

Gabrielle nodded thoughtfully at the description, looking at Harry with the same look she had worn earlier. "So you are in Gryffindor?"

Harry nodded, a smile crossing his face again. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

She nodded.

At that moment a large amount of noise began to filter into the hall as the students were evidently making their entrance. In a flash of fire Fawkes was back, and just as quickly he was gone, taking the hat with him. Harry smiled, he had no idea why the phoenix was choosing to be so helpful, but he was hardly going to complain.

It was at that moment that the students of all three schools began to filter their way into the Great Hall. Harry inclined his head respectfully to Fleur Gabrielle before making his way into the crowd to find his friends. Little did he know that a set brilliant blue eyes never left his retreating figure, a very thoughtful expression upon her angelic features.

…..

"Harry, do you know who's here?"

That was the first thing Ron said when they met up again. This was followed by a session of hero worship over Viktor Krum. Harry had to admit that seeing Malfoy whisper in Krum's ear at the Slytherin table did make him feel sick.

The students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had finally seated themselves after a number of minutes. The students of Durmstrang at the Slytherin table, and the students of Beauxbatons seeking sanctuary with the Ravenclaws.

At that moment the heads of all three magical schools arrived, with Dumbledore in the middle and Maxime and the other man to his left and right respectively.

"I'm guessing that's the Durmstrang headmaster?" Harry asked his friends, having not been present for their arrival.

"Yeah, Karkaroff I think his name was." Said Ron in a whisper.

When their headmistress entered, the students of Beauxbatons stood respectfully, and did not retake their seats until she was seated to the left of Dumbledore with Karkaroff to his right. Dumbledore however remained standing and a silence fell over the Great Hall.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and most particularly, guests." Said Dumbledore, beaming around at the foreign students. "I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable."

One of the Beauxbatons girls gave what was unmistakably a derisive laugh, and Harry thought it was Fleur, though couldn't be sure through the sea of heads blocking his view.

"No one's making you stay." Hermione whispered, brisling at her.

"The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast, I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home."

He sat down and Harry saw Karkaroff lean forwards at once and engage Dumbledore in conversation.

The plates in front of them filled themselves with food as usual. The house elves in the kitchen seemed to have pulled out all the stops, there was a greater variety of dishes in front of them than Harry had ever seen, including several that were definitely foreign.

"What's that?" Asked Ron, pointing at a large dish of some sort of shellfish stew that stood beside a large steak and kidney pudding.

"Bouillabaisse." Said Hermione happily.

"Bless you." Said Ron.

"It's French" said Hermione rolling her eyes, "I had it on holiday the summer before last, it's very nice."

"I'll take your word for it." Said Ron, helping himself to black pudding.

The Great Hall somehow seemed much more crowded than usual even though there were not too many more additional students there. Perhaps it was because there differently coloured uniforms stood out so clearly against the black of the Hogwarts robes. Now that they had removed their furs, the Durmstrang students were revealed to be wearing robes of a deep blood red.

Hagrid sidled into the hall through a door behind the staff table twenty minutes after the start of the feast. He slid into his seat at the end and waved at Harry, Ron and Hermione with a very heavily bandaged hand.

"Skrewts doing alright, Hagrid?" Harry called.

"Thriven." Hagrid called back happily.

"Yeah, I'll just bet they are." Said Ron. "Looks like they've finally found a food they like doesn't it, Hagrid's fingers."

At that moment a soft, musical voice sounded out from not far from them.

"Excusez-moi, are you planning on eating any of ze Bouillabaisse?"

Harry looked up and met shocking blue eyes once more, again becoming a bit lost in their depths, though he pulled his mind back quickly. Ron on the other hand did not fare as well as Harry.

He stared up at her, but for a long moment seemed incapable of speaking, Harry could actually picture him start drooling. Deciding it was not worth the risk, he stepped in.

"You may have it." Said Harry.

"You are sure you are finished wiss it?" Asked Gabrielle.

"Yeah," said Ron dreamily. "Yeah it was excellent."

"Yes, thank you." Said Harry, drawing his wand in a flash and silently casting a levitation charm, hovering the stew into Gabrielle's hands.

She beamed at him. "Zat is rather impressive." She praised his silent casting and magical control before sending him one last smile and made her way back to join her fellow pupils at the Ravenclaw table.

The interaction seemed to bring Ron back to reality and out of wherever he had been moments earlier. "She's a Veela." He said hoarsely.

"Of course she isn't." Said Hermione tartly. "I don't see anyone else gaping at her like an idiot."

But she wasn't entirely right about that.

As Gabrielle crossed the hall, many boys heads turned and some of them seemed to become temporarily speechless just like Ron.

"I'm telling you that's not a normal girl." Said Ron, leaning sideways so he could keep a clear view of her. "They don't make them like that at Hogwarts."

"When you've both put your eyes back in" said Hermione briskly "you'll be able to see who's just arrived."

She was pointing up at the staff table, the two remaining empty seats had just been filled. Ludo Bagman was now sitting on Professor Karkaroff's other side, while Mr. Crouch (Percy's boss) was now sitting beside Madame Maxime.

"What are they doing here?" Said Harry in surprise.

"They organized the Triwizard Tournament, didn't they?" Said Hermione. "I suppose they wanted to be here to see it start."

When the second course arrived they noticed a number of unfamiliar puddings too. Ron attempted to tempt Gabrielle back over to their table to Harry's slight amusement, slight embarrassment, and slight disgust, but he was unsuccessful as the French girl seemed to have eaten her fill.

Once the golden plates had been wiped clean, Dumbledore stood up again. A pleasant sort of tension filled the hall now, Harry felt a slight thrill of excitement wondering what was coming, and a great deal of apprehension and nervousness as he would very soon find out whether he made any of the Hogwarts teams.

"The moment has come." Said Dumbledore, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start! I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket."

"The what?" Harry muttered, Ron shrugged.

"Just to clarify the procedure which we will be following this year, but firstly let me introduce for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation" there was a polite smattering of applause. "and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."

There was a much louder round of applause for Bagman than for Crouch, perhaps because of his fame as a beater, or simply because he looked so much more likeable, he acknowledged it with a jovial wave of his hand. Bartemius Crouch did not smile or wave when his name was announced. Remembering him in his neat suit from the Quidditch World Cup, Harry thought he looked strange in wizards robes. His toothbrush moustache and strange parting looked very odd next to Dumbledore's long white hair and beard.

"Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament" continued Dumbledore "and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel which will judge the champions' efforts."

At the mention of the word "champion" the attentiveness of the waiting students seemed to sharpen. Perhaps Dumbledore had noticed their sudden stillness for he smiled as he said.

"The casket then if you please, Mr. Filch."

Filch who had been lurking unnoticed in a far corner of the hall now approached Dumbledore carrying a great wooden chest encrusted with jewels, it looked very old. A murmur of excitement rose from the watching students, Dennis Creevey actually stood on his chair to see it properly, but being so tiny his head hardly rose above anyone else's.

"The instruction for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman." Said Dumbledore as Filch placed the box carefully on the table before him. "And they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks spaced throughout the school year and they will test the champions in many different ways. Their magical prowess, their daring, their powers of deduction and of course, their ability to cope with danger."

At this last word the hall was filled with a silence so absolute that nobody seemed to be breathing.

"As you know, three champions will compete in the tournament;" Dumbledore went on calmly, "one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the tournament tasks, and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector, the Goblet of Fire."

Dumbledore now took out his wand and tapped it three times on the casket, the lid creaked slowly open. Dumbledore reached inside it and pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been entirely unremarkable had it not been full to the rim with dancing white blue flames.

Dumbledore closed the casket and placed the goblet carefully on top of it, where it would be visible to everyone in the hall. "Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet." Said Dumbledore. "Aspiring champions have until October 31st to put their names forward, that gives you thirty days, four weeks and two days to declare yourselves as a potential champion. On Halloween night the goblet will return the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete. To ensure that no underage students yield to temptation I will be drawing an age line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall, nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line." He ignored the multiple jeers from the younger students.

"Finally, in regards to the selection of champions, I wish to impress upon all of you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding magical contract, there can be no change of heart once you become champion. Please be very sure therefore that you are wholeheartedly prepared to play before you drop your name into the goblet. Now, we have more business to discuss as this year the tournament itself will not be the only form of competition between the three schools."

The tension from the Hogwarts students grew palpable as Dumbledore said this, Harry himself felt his own heart creep into his throat and he suddenly felt rather ill.

"So, let us discuss the competitions for the other respective tournaments. We will begin with the academic tournament:" the tension lessened slightly, for those partaking in one of the other two categories sat back. "There will be several competitions held throughout the year, each on individual topics. At the end of this series of challenges, the two highest scoring overall schools will meet in a final that will focus on a wide variety of topics as opposed to a specific field. Now, we will announce the teams, Professor Karkaroff if you would like to begin."

The man stood without preamble.

"The four representatives of Durmstrang academy will be, Zergrat Ivanov, Dmitry Petrikov, Johanne Larson and Egor Volkanovski."

There was a roar of approval from the Durmstrang crowd as they stomped their feet loudly in support of their representatives.

Madame Maxime stood next. "Ze representatives of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic will be, Josephine Lafreniere, Sofia Dubois, Fleur Delacour and Gabrielle Delacour."

The Beauxbatons students applauded politely, and the four girls all took to their feet, including a very relieved looking Gabrielle, and all gave grateful curtsies before retaking their seats.

When Dumbledore stood the hall went dead quiet causing his lips to twitch upwards in a smile.

"The students tasked with carrying the honour of Hogwarts are, Lilian Leclare of Ravenclaw, Merita Edgecombe of Ravenclaw, Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff, and Hermione Granger of Gryffindor."

The three house tables represented burst into thunderous support of their representatives while even the Slytherins clapped politely.

"Brilliant Mione!" Harry called over the crowd, wrapping his arm around the very relieved girl who was also blushing furiously at the applause.

"Next up," Spoke Dumbledore over the crowd. "Quidditch!"

At this the hall went dead silent as Karkaroff stood once more, a terribly smug smirk on his features. "The Durmstrang Quidditch team will consist of, Evgeni Blakonov, Ilya Petranova, Dmitry Barkov, Ruslem Ivanova, Sergei Karaganov, Pavel Dimitrov, and our team captain, Viktor Krum."

Many in the hall gasped at the revelation of Krum playing for Durmstrang and Harry felt his heart skip a beat when he heard the name.

"Shit." He cursed under his breath.

"For Beauxbatons;" Harry had not even noticed Maxime had stood. "Alternate captain Joseph Bourdain, Captain Claude Bourdain, Francis Desharnais, Jonathan Giroux, Maurice Chiteau, Mathieu Leblanc, and our second alternate captain, Sophie Sinclair."

Just as the academics had a moment earlier, the Beauxbatons Quidditch team rose to their feet and curtsied. Harry recognized Gabrielle's three friends from the Quidditch World Cup, including the two boys who he had played against in the pick up game.

Dumbledore stood when Maxime had taken her seat and the tension could be cut with a knife, Harry was turning slightly green, he had not been this nervous since his sorting.

"At this moment, I would like to pass it over to our team coach, Madam Hooch who will announce her selections."

Harry actually groaned as Dumbledore prolonged the moment even longer.

Hooch stood and Harry felt like he would vomit at any moment.

"Representing the glory of Hogwarts we have; Herbert Fleet of Hufflepuff, Fred Weasley of Gryffindor," she was cut off by tumultuous applause from the Gryffindor table, the Puffs took this moment to show their own approval for the keeper that had been chosen to represent them. "George Weasley of Gryffindor," another thunderous round of celebration from the lions. "Alternate captain Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor," again, an eruption from the red and gold table. "Alternate captain Roger Davies of Ravenclaw," the Ravenclaws erupted and Harry felt a bit of shock rise inside of him, he was sure Angelina or Roger would have been captain and then a horrible realization struck him. Cedric had captained Hufflepuff last year, this meant she was going with Cedric over him and was going to make him captain. "Lillian Leclare of Ravenclaw" another burst of applause before the hall went dead quiet, knowing how much was riding on this next choice. "And the team captain, Harry Potter of Gryffindor."

"DAMN RIGHT!" Exclaimed the Weasley twins, lunging forward and crushing Harry in a double hug as all four tables burst into thunderous support for their team captain.

"Was there ever any doubt?" Asked George.

"Not in the slightest!" Screened Fred over the cheers.

"If Mr. Potter would please come forward to receive his captain badge." Said Hooch.

Harry made his way forward on shaky legs, trying and not completely succeeding to hide the joy and surprise he was feeling in the moment.

When he made his way to the front he shook hands with Hooch and then Dumbledore who was beaming at him with the twinkle on full display.

"Congratulations, Mr. Potter." Said Dumbledore with a warm smile, "I dare say we are in for quite the rivalry in the seeker position."

"Indeed." Said Hooch as she stepped forward and pinned the badge to his robes.

The badge was made out of pure gold, with the Hogwarts crest emblazoned upon the front, the crest however, was sitting inside of a large letter C.

Harry slowly made his way back to his seat, receiving a standing ovation from the Hogwarts students, even most of the Slytherins were joining in.

"Good show, mate!" Said Ron proudly as he clasped Harry on the shoulder.

"Amazing job, Harry!" Squealed Hermione as she bounced up and down in her seat.

"And finally..." broke in Dumbledore, his voice somehow managing to drown out the thunderous applause that Harry was still being showered with, "the combatants in the inter school duelling tournament; Professor Karkaroff if you would."

The man stood. "Ruslem Ivanova, Ilya Petranova, and Egor Volkanovski."

The Durmstrang students stomped loudly once more, sounding as if an army was marching through the hall.

"Beauxbatons will be proudly represented by;" began Maxime without delay "Sophie Sinclair, Claude Bourdain, and Gabrielle Delacour."

The Beauxbatons students did their seemingly routine acceptance and sat back down before Dumbledore stood.

"And, our Hogwarts representatives are; Abraham Montague of Slytherin, Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff, and Harry Potter of Gryffindor."

The three tables who were set to be represented erupted in an obvious show of their approval and Harry was hailed a hero once more. The Ravenclaws were less rowdy but still applauded nonetheless.

"And now," spoke up Dumbledore, "I believe a good night's rest is in order for all of us, our esteemed guests in particular. With that being said I bid you all a goodnight."

Harry was making his way out of the hall when he felt a hand on his arm, he tensed, not having expected the touch and spun quickly to face his assailant but stopped dead as he was met with a dazzling smile.

"Congratulations." Said Gabrielle softly, smiling broadly as she spoke. "Quidditch captain and only in fourss year? You must truly be magnifique on a broom."

Harry blushed and shrugged. "Madam Hooch seems to think so at least."

Gabrielle just smiled at him. "You are being modest again, be proud of what you 'ave achieved." She then smiled at him. "But do not worry, your modesty will be justified soon enouss, after all, we are combatants now." She said, referencing the duelling tournament.

Harry nodded, finally coming to mentally. "I suppose we are." He concluded, the thought not having crossed his mind until this moment, for some reason the idea of duelling Gabrielle was not at all appealing to him.

"May ze best sorcerer win." Said Gabrielle, a slightly cocky smile crossing over her angelic features before they became serious once more and she smiled at him kindly one again. "But seriously, whatever happens in eizer tournament, be proud of your accomplishments, 'arry, and congratulations."

With those parting words Gabrielle glided off after the rest of her Beauxbatons companions and Harry followed the rest of the students out of the Great Hall, allowing her words to sink in and for one of the first times in his life allowing a sense of pride to fill him.

…..

As Gabrielle made her way out of the hall she felt a sense of unrelated pride wash over her and thought back to her conversation with Harry with a fond smile.

And then she froze as a wave of realization crashed over her.

She had felt guilt when they were talking to the ghost, pride when they spoke of houses, relief and pride when his name had been announced for the school teams and now pride after they had a conversation about the very thing.

The realization was absolute and undisputable.

'I am bonded to Harry Potter.' Was Gabrielle's last thought before she allowed herself to be rushed out of the castle by the crowd around her.

…..

Authors Endnote:

This one turned out way longer than I was expecting but I didn't want to cut it short, so I hope you guys appreciated and enjoyed, it took a rather long time to finish but I know a lot of people were looking forward to more Harry/Gabrielle interactions, and even more of you were growing impatient that she had yet to figure it out so here you go and sorry, but I was taking my time with this one.

I had actually debated several ways of figuring it out, and for a long time I had planned on her doing so at the selection of the champions. However, I think this is suitable and she is far too intelligent to miss all of the signs in one night, so I hope you all enjoyed.

As always let me know how I did in a review or PM.

Also, one more, I know that in cannon the other schools didn't arrive until the 30th of October. I am simply changing it, I did not forget.

Next chapter: life goes on at Hogwarts, but some new faces insert themselves into what was previously considered the norm and Harry receives his first lesson from the greatest wizard since Merlin.