Hey guys it has been a long time, for that I apologize. I could make up a ton of excuses and you guys would either believe me or not. Regardless, I am back, with the hopes to finally finishing this story. This story still has many more chapters to go, and I hope you all can join me for the rest of this ride. I will try my hardest to update, for all of you that continue to follow me thus far.
I hope you enjoy this, as always its great to be back.
Chapter 12: A long ways from home
"Confringo!"
A dodge.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
An evade.
"Locomotor Mortis!"
"Exacuere Vade!"
A parry.
"Enough!" the strong baritone voice of Rudolphus boomed as the two women halted their duel.
"Hermione, you need more… ferocity," Rudolphus calmly instructed as he approached his out of breath daughter.
"I'll try harder, father," the simple reply as the girl straightened her posture.
"You had a good start with that confringo, you just have to mean it" Bellatrix stated as she walked over to her husband and child.
"Of course mother," Hermione's reply as she looked between both of her parents, uncertainty written in her features.
"Hermione Bella," Rodolphus' stern voice spoke, as he set his hand on his daughter's shoulder, gently turning her to face him, "You have to mean it poppet, there are people out there who would wish to do you harm. And who would wish to do your mother and I harm by harming you," a gentle change of tone.
"I didn't want to hurt mother," Hermione excused as she looked down, refusing to meet eye contact with either of her parents.
"Which is all well and good darling, but we have potions to heal nasty injuries for practice duels such as this," Rudolphs' ensures as he cups his daughter's face, giving her a gentle smile to help put her at ease.
"It won't happen again," Hermione's slightly unsteady tone spoke in an attempt to convince both of her parents.
"You'll be wed to the French once the Dark Lord prevails," Bellatrix states placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"I'd have you prepared for anything that comes your way my lovely," Bellatrix states resolutely meeting her daughter's gaze.
"Are we not allies?" Hermione questions.
"I wish it were that simple. In this country we wish to shape we must be prepared for anything. Trust yourself, trust your family, but most importantly trust the Dark Lord, he will guide this country into the future," Bellatrix assures as she gives her daughter a small smile.
"I understand mother," Hermione nods, a firm resolution instilling within her.
"Good," Bellatrix responds as she gently squeezes her daughter's shoulder.
"Well, if you ladies are up for another round, I say we pick up where we left off," Rudolphus suggests as he looks at his wife and daughter, both nodding in confirmation and going back to their previous places.
"Whenever you're ready Hermione," Bellatrix instructs as she gets into position, her daughter mirroring her stance.
"Sectum sempra!"
—- -x x—- xx-
"You'll never guess who paid me a visit this evening," a man says as he looks between two other men in his parlor.
"It better have been good for you to have called us at this late hour Walden," Lucius snidely remarks as his companion grunts in agreement.
"Peter Pettigrew," Walden McNair informs as both men look at him in mild surprise.
"Didn't Black kill him?" Lucius questions as he looks at his companion for confirmation.
"Sirius went to Azkaban for it," Rudolphus confirms, remembering the young man he used to consider a brother.
"He's an animagus, the bastard cut off his own finger and changed into a rat so we'd all think he'd been killed," McNair clarifies.
"Well that aside, what did Pettigrew want?" Rudolphus asks, arms folded.
"A chance at redemption," McNair responds.
"Well if it's redemption he's looking for….then we might have a use for him," Lucius calculatingly states, both men turning to look at him.
"What do you mean?" McNair inquires.
"It would seem our dear friend Barty is alive and well," Lucius informs, earning him a look of surprise from McNair and a smirk from Rodolphus.
"That's not possible….he…he died in Azkaban," McNair stammers.
"I'm afraid not, his mother could not bear the thought of her beloved son perishing at the hands of the dementors and switched places with him via polyjuice potion, his father helped orchestrate it," Lucius informs, hands clasped behind his back.
"I'll be," the shocked tone of McNair.
"I've taken the liberty of paying a visit to our old friend, he's anxious and ready to serve the Dark Lord once more," Lucius informs.
"Good, we need good men," Rudolphus states.
"Quite right," Lucius agrees.
"And Pettigrew?" McNair asks.
"Will be put to good use, until he's served his purpose,"
- - - x - - - - - -
"Must you be so defiant," A portly looking man states in frustration at a young lady.
"Must you be a cheating bastard," the young lady retorts looking back at the man, anger written across her features. The man responds with a resounding slap.
"You would do to remember that I am still your father!" the man angrily states looking at his now glaring child.
"And you would do to remember that you lost the right to my respect when you cheated on my mother!" the defiant response from the young lady.
"Suzette that is enough!" a stern reprimand from an older woman approaching the pair.
"But mother!" the simple protest.
"He is still your father, even if you don't agree with his… life choices," the older woman responds.
"But mother!" the girl protests again.
"Enough Suzette,… see to your brother while I have a talk with your father," the older woman sternly dictates, giving her daughter a strong look, Suzette nodding in reluctance and leaving the room.
"That girl needs to remember her manners," Sinclair Évreuxs states in a huff.
"Maybe if you'd bothered to set the proper example she'd remember too," the retort from Roesia Évreuxs.
"Does no one in this family respect me? I am the patriarch of the house of Évreuxs, your husband!" the man angrily demands.
"You are acting like a child dear husband, in order to demand respect we must first earn respect," Roesia calmly responds.
"I don't know why you bothered requesting I come pay you a visit if all you're doing is continuing to show me disrespect," the man bites back.
"I called you to your home to discuss our daughter," Roesia clarifies.
"What about Suzette? She seems perfectly fine to me…aside from her venomous tongue," Sinclair retorts.
"Suzette will be going into her final year," Roesia begins.
"That can't be right, she's only 15." the man exclaims.
"She'll be 17 in a month dear," the woman angrily retorts.
"Regardless, what is the big deal?" Sinclair questions.
"The headmistress Olympe Maxime has informed me that this year will be different," Roesia continues.
"I don't see how this would be any different from the year prior, they're only going from 6th to 7th year," Sinclair questions arms folded.
"A joint coalition between the three most prominent schools in the wizarding world have decided to bring back the TriWizard Tournament," Roesia finishes. Her husband looking on at her in stunned silence.
"That's madness," Sinclair states, stunned at this bit of news.
"Madame Maxine assures me that while dangerous, this could bring honor and glory to the victor," Roesia informs.
"I see," Sinclair says calculatingly.
"You've nothing to say besides two word answers?" Roesia snidely comments.
"I see both the madness and the brilliance," Sinclair retorts.
"Brilliance how?" Roesia questions.
"Well, am I correct in assuming the the eldest Delacour girl is to enter her name in contention for this tournament?" Sinclair inquires.
"That is a possibility,"
"She'll gain the nomination, mark my words that that cup will choose her as the Beauxbatons Champion," Sinclair states.
"What does this have to do with our daughter? I called you here to tell you that you must demand a stop to this, our daughter will not compete!" Roesia desperately exclaims.
"In olden days my house served as Protectors to the Delacours. As time has passed we have moved from the more archaic way of life, but we have not forgotten our vows. I swore them when I was confirmed as the head of house Évreuxs," Sinclair informs.
"Sinclair you can't be seriously considering allowing our daughter to compete, my daughter will not! Do you hear me!? She will not!" Roesia exclaims, stomping her foot for emphasis.
"She's my daughter! And I say she will!" Sinclair harshly proclaims.
"I won't allow it!" Roesia retorts.
"We shall see about that,"
"She'll never let you," Roesia defends.
"No my dear she will never let you…. how do you think our daughter will react when she finds out you're trying to prohibit her from joining her closest friend on this adventure of a lifetime?," Sinclair smugly states earning a glare from his wife.
- - - - - x - - - - - -
"You're getting married?" the incredulous tone of Pansy Parkinson exclaims as she sits across from her brunette haired friend.
"No Pansy she's betrothed," Daphne clarifies, looking between both friends.
Both girls had been invited for afternoon tea at the Lestrange Manor, they'd been due for a visit since the end of year and had missed each other greatly.
"As Daphne said, I have been promised to the Heir of the Delacour family," Hermione informs.
"I've heard of the Delacours, they're the most prominent family in France," Pansy states, "But they don't have a son-" Pansy trails off as a look of both shock and glee run across her features.
"Hermione! You clever witch!" Pansy exclaims giving her friend a wide smile.
"You're to be married to the eldest daughter of the Delacour family?" Daphne inquires already knowing the answer.
"It would seem so," Hermione confirms taking a sip of tea.
"Is that why yours and Draco's family vacationed in France after the end of year?" Daphne asks, earning a nod from her friend.
"It may have been," Hermione replies with a smile.
"Well it would seem our dear friend has gotten a leg up on us, we must do our best to catch up Pansy," Daphne says earning a light chuckle from her dark haired friend.
"I'm working on that," Pansy replies, looking at Hermione.
"I'll let Draco know you asked about him," Hermione says with a smile.
"I'd be grateful if you did," Pansy replies.
"You two are incorrigible," Daphne says with a smile, earning a chuckle from both girls.
"There is another reason why I invited you two for afternoon tea," Hermione states after a moment of silence.
"Do tell,"
"My father has secured tickets to the Quidditch World Cup," Hermione begins to explain.
"I'm assuming he's asked you to join him?" Daphne asks.
"You would be correct, however he has allowed me to invite two friends and I'd like to invite the two of you," Hermione clarifies.
"I never took you for a quidditch fan?" Pansy asks.
"I'm impartial, but it would mean the world to my father if I accompanied him and I'd like it if the two of you joined me," Hermione answers.
"I don't know," Pansy replies.
"Draco and his father will be joining us," Hermione further clarifies.
"We'd be delighted to accept your invitation," Pansy immediately changes her previous answer.
"Sounds like fun," Daphne answers with a small chuckle at her friend's immediate change of heart.
"I'll let my father know," Hermione says a small smile gracing her features.
- - - - x - - - - - -
August 24th, 1994
"Thank you for inviting us to join you Mr. Lestrange," Daphne and Pansy thanked as they gave a slight courtesy to the Lestrange Patriarch.
"Think nothing of it ladies," Rudolphus replied with a chuckle as he acknowledged his daughter's friends.
They were to travel via apparition to the Quidditch World Cup, meeting up with Lucius and Draco immediately upon arriving. Lucius had been invited to watch the match in the Minister's Box by the Minister of Magic himself, the invitation had of course been extended to Rudolphus and his party. Both he and Lucius had of course donated a generous sum of galleons to the current Minister's election campaign.
"If you ladies would of course," Rudolphus politely says extending his arms out for the three girl's to take a hold of for the apparition.
- - - - x - - - -
"I almost thought you wouldn't be joining us," Lucius remarks as he and Rodolphus lead their respective children and their friends up the set of stairs leading to the Minister's Box.
"I wouldn't miss this," Rudolphus replies.
"Bulgaria will be taking the Cup this year," Draco's voice grabs the attention of the men.
"You're quite sure of yourself Draco," Lucius asks, looking at his son with a smile.
"I am father, Viktor Krum is their seeker after all, Ireland doesn't stand a chance," Draco replies with confidence.
"Blimey dad! How far up are we!" the voice of an excited young man shouted, grabbing their attention.
"Weasley," Draco quietly sneered, the girls at his side looking in the direction of the loud voice.
"Well put it this way….if it rains….you'll be the first to know," Lucius Malfoy sneers looking up at the boy in question, Draco smiling beside his father.
"We're in the minister's box, by personal invitation of Cornelius Fudge himself!" Draco boosts.
Having looked up to look at the boisterous Weasley boy, Hermione was met with the ever familiar glare of Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley and the solemn look of Harry Potter.
After the previous year of "excitement" she'd like to think that they'd at least be civil towards each other going into the new school year. Of course they'd never really had an issue being civil, the issue had always pertained to the boy's friends.
"Like showing off for your slags do you Malfoy!" Ron Weasley's retort at having been made fun of by the boy's father.
"Ron!" the immediate reprimand from the boy's father Weasley Senior.
"I'll trust you to better educate your son about how he treats ladies," the stern collected tone of Rudolphus spoke out staring hard at the young man. The young man in question, deflating from his previous riled up state at the hard glare from the Elder Lestrange.
"Like how you treated my parents," the input from Neville Longbottom as the elder Lestrange turned his glare to the young man.
An air of heavy silence stilling both parties, both staring the other down. Or rather attempting too.
"You'll do better to show your manners and not throw around such false accusations, especially when in the presence of a a fellow Pureblood of much higher status," Rudolphus calmly replies turning away from the young man and ushering his daughter, nephew and their friends away from the opposing party.
"There's no need to continue wasting our time with these people," Lucius comments and then reaches out his cane to grab onto Harry Potter's jacket.
"Do enjoy yourself,….while you can," he finishes, turning around and following his family to the Minister's Box.
- - - - - x - - - - - -
"Can you believe the nerve, Weasley had to say such foul things," Daphne comments as they sit around the parlor of the Lestrange Estate, having been apparated away from the Quidditch World Cup Stadium. Draco and Hermione's fathers having respectfully excused themselves and left the young teens to their own devices.
"Show's his upbringing, not much to go on after all," Draco replies from his seated position next to Hermione.
"Longbottom on the other hand better watch his back this year," Pansy comments earning a smile from Draco.
"Too true," Draco agrees.
- - - - - x - - - - - -
TERROR AT THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP
"it can't be," the tremor filled voice of Fleur Delacour spoke out as she tightly gripped the newspaper article, hurriedly reading over every word for any casualties.
"Dark Mark Ignites, Unprecedented Wizard Panic"
"Mon dieu,"
- - - - - - x - - - - -
"As always, I would like to remind you that the Forest in the grounds is out of bounds to the students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year," the booming voice of Headmaster Dumbledore spoke out as the new and returns Hogwarts students finished tucking into their meals.
The new school year had begun and they were all excited to be back, some more than other's. As could be noted on the excited look on Harry Potter's face.
"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not take place this year," Dumbledore continued, "This is due to an event that will be starting in October and continuing through out the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy, but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts -" Headmaster Dumbledore was abruptly interrupted by the doors of the Great Hall banging open. A man walking forward after a brief pause.
"Who do you figure's that?" Draco muttered to his cousin as they watched the man stumble his way towards the Headmaster.
"New Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor?" Hermione's snide remark, a joke on her part, this bumbling fool could never be a Professor at Hogwarts.
"May I introduce our new Defense against the Dark Arts Teacher," Dumbledore stated jovially, "Professor Moody"
A deafening silence filled the Great Hall as both students and Professors alike stared on in stunned silence, a mixture of surprise and repulsion on many a face.
Clearing his throat the Headmaster spoke once more "As I was saying, we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event which has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this school year,"
"No WAY!" the loud excited voice of a Weasley spoke out as the Great Hall erupted into laughter.
"I am not joking Mr. Weasley, as some of you will already know this tournament is meant as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry; Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion will be selected to represent each school and will compete in a series of three tasks to decide the winner,"
"However I will warn you, this tournament is not to be taken lightly, as this tournament was discontinued when the death toll mounted too high," the Headmaster warned as the students looked on in both aww and excitement.
"There have been several attempts over the centures to re-insate the Tournament, none of which have been very successful. However, our very own Department of Internation Magical Co-Operation and Magical Games and Sports, have decided that the time is ripe for another attempt. They have worked hard over the summer to ensure that this time, no champion will find himself or herself in mortal danger," the Headmaster continued.
"Will you compete Draco?" Blaise whispered to his friend as the blonde boy in question gave him a simple smirk in reply.
"The Heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving any day now and on Halloween we will be having the Champion Selections," The Headmaster informed much to the delight of all the students. A few in particular smiling knowingly, more particularly smiling knowingly in the direction of a Slytherin Pure-blooded witch.
"Will Fleur be joining us?" Pansy whispered over towards her friend, the young witch in question mouthing back "We'll see,"
Hermione herself had been keeping in constant communication with the older French witch, they were of course betrothed and a regular correspondence was not unheard of between betroths. A more recent correspondence with Fleur had the french witch injuring if she and her family were safe from the recent attack at the Quidditch World Cup. She had had to reassure Fleur that she and her family were perfectly safe and that the attack had occurred after they had safely gotten back to their manor. Much to the french witch's relief. Their last correspondence however had informed Hermione that Fleur would be coming this school year as a chosen representative for her school to potentially compete. This frightened and excited the young witch at the same time. The excitement that her promised could be given the honor of representing her school and could potentially win the tournament, and the fear that she could perish during one of the tasks.
- - - - x - - - - - -
Hello everyone, it has been quite a long time hasn't it, for that I do apologize. I feel like that is all I can do apologize for having delayed the publishing of this chapter for so long. A lot has happened in my absence, I am a full fledged adult now, working a full time job and saving up to buy a house in the next year all good things willing. But enough of trivial matters, I will try my hardest to keep a steady pace this time with this fic. we are getting into the thick of things now, more Fleurmione interactions to come. Some drama, some action, some fluff if you squint but most importantly more chapters to come. As always thank you all for sticking with me. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter is already in progress!
As always till next time!
Catsnidget009-HP
