A.N.- Sorry about the late updates, I have been getting ready for college for the coming fall. Been seeing notices about how anal fanfiction has become, what's the deal with that? Can't a person just write without fear of their stories being deleted? Some really good stories which I have been tracking just disappear into thin air. Hope things turn around soon.
Chapter 21: Lovers Reunited
Harry moved slightly in his bed as the birds chirped and rays of sunlight made his eyes uncomfortable, with half opened eyes the dark haired boy checked his alarm clock on his bedside table. It read six thirty a.m.
Groaning, he got up from bed and changed into his black tracksuit for his daily routine run. School had been the same except the fact that it seemed much longer for each day to end, Snape was still the slimy hairball who would glared at him at every turn but all seemed well. As he finished his second lap, he could see three figures coming down from the castle.
"Morning Harry!" Cedric shouted as he, Elan and Roger joined his run. Being famed sports stars meant that keeping in shape was the number one priority.
"You excited? The students from the two other schools are arriving today." Roger asked to no one in particular.
"Only Ickle Harrikens here will be excited." Elan said in a child-like voice then subsequently made kissing sounds. Harry merely ignored the Malfoy heir and accelerated, leaving his three friends to eat dust.
Through their letters delivered via Rina, who was at first a little miffed at being used like a common bird, Harry had found out that Fleur would be one of the few students coming to Hogwarts representing Beauxbatons.
Needless to say, his friends never stopped teasing him at every turn after they found out about said information. As they finished their cardio workout, the four Hogwarts students laid down on the grass panting.
"Your dedication and stupidity never ceases to amaze me." A feminine voice said sarcastically.
"Hey babe, how's it going?" Elan greeted.
Anna Zabini narrowed her eyes, "Elan I like you a lot but call me babe again and I'm afraid I'll have to hurt you."
Feeling adventurous, Elan ran a hand over his pale blonde hair and grinned, "You and what army?"
"The Slytherin Seventh year girls…." Was the reply and Elan became pale as a ghost.
"Point conceded..." He said as he pouted to which his girlfriend just smirked at. Anna saw Harry, Cedric and Roger were sitting on chairs watching their exchange and eating an unfamiliar white fluffy thing from a bag.
"Awwwh…so anticlimactic." Roger whined.
"Agreed, I thought Malfoy was going to have his arse handed to him again." Cedric concurred.
"What the hell are you three doing?" Elan asked loudly.
"Something called live theater." Harry answered and threw one of the odd white cloud like food to his blonde haired friend.
"What is this?" Elan asked with suspicious, pinching the marshmallow in his hand examining it like a paleontologist would examine a newly discovered fossil.
"It's only a marshmallow, the greatest human invention since sliced bread." Roger with a mock tone of a know-it-all.
"You sure you haven't laced these with anything else?" Elan questioned the three gentlemen in front of him.
"No, no, give us some credit. We haven't done any actual pranking for a while now." Cedric responded. Popping the marshmallow into his mouth, Elan's eyes widened as he quickly snatched another one and stuffed it into his mouth. "This stuff is amazing. It's like eating a cloud."
Anna rolled her eyes at her betroth's antics. They were all grateful when she provided them with four bottles of water.
"Excited Potter?" She asked with a mischievous smile which only grew wider when Harry groaned. "Not you too?"
"A lot of witches, to be put mildly are incredibly upset that you are no longer eligible as the top bachelor in Teen Witch Weekly. I'd suggest you take heed before you drink anything that's given to you….I heard from Amanda Moon that there are girls who are attempting to brew Amortentia." Anna warned as she idly twirl her golden blonde hair.
"Why does Harry always get the chicks?" Cedric grumbled.
"Careful not to let Chang hear that…crazy that one is." Elan retorted, causing everyone to laugh at the Hufflepuff.
"To answer your question Diggory, because Harry is the perfect gentlemen who doesn't have an aggressive girlfriend such as yours and unlike Davies here," Anna glared at Roger who looked at her with confusion, "is not a pervert."
"What? I'm not a pervert…"
"Says the man with the biggest collection of Playwitch." Elan said with a cough.
Cedric burst out laughing, "You're such a dog Roger…"
"And how would you know that, babe?" Anna's voice was ice cold and unforgiving.
Tugging the collar of his training jersey nervously, Elan gulped. "He was bragging to me."
"I have been betrayed, traitors…the lot of you." Roger shook his head and clutched his heart dramatically. Harry laughed along with his friends, moments like these were his favorite, being able to forget everything around you and only focus on the present.
"So any of you going to have a go at the tournament?" Cedric asked as they went back up towards the castle as a group.
"Why would I want one thousand galleons when I already have billions?" Elan said in a haughty tone, causing all his friends to laugh.
"Well, I am under contract with the Vultures, it won't look good if I hurt myself granted there is nothing that prevents me from participating." Harry said with a shrug.
Cedric looked at Roger who tilted his head, "I simply don't care…"
"Yeah because we all know he'll probably die thus not being able to enjoy Playwitch anymore." Elan snorted and elegantly dodged the punch aimed at his face.
"I don't care how you do it Barty….Harry Potter must become champion…" 'Moody' nodded, his scarred face very pale as he looked into a small hand held mirror.
"What about that brother of his?" He asked timidly.
"He is of no consequence…the elder brother is the one that destroyed me…" The voice hissed, very much like a snake.
"It shall be done, milord." 'Moody' responded.
"Good…good…Wormtail, milk Nagini and fetch Quirinus, it is almost time."
Breakfast was a joyous occasion, filled with laughter and jokes as Harry and company sat down at the Ravenclaw table. Before they arrived, students mainly sat at their own tables for all meals but there was not a rule that said forbid mixing and since people from all houses have been scattered throughout the four tables, even Slytherin. Cho and Elena joined them shortly as students began to pour in for breakfast.
"Hey Harry." Harry turned his head and saw one Hermione Granger, only that she had sleeker hair that came down to her shoulders and flashed him a perfect white smile.
"Hermione?" Hermione nodded, oblivious to all the outraged looks from all the female students around.
"Oh honey, I like the new look!" Hermione blushed bright red as Anna, Cho and Elena pulled the fourth year Gryffindor into a seat with them and began to talk about things that made question marks appear in all the minds of their male friends.
"What are the talking about?" Elan asked.
"I don't know but its best we ignore them, that's what my dad does." Roger warned and returned to eating his scrambled eggs.
"You notice something weird?" Harry remarked out of the blue. Three faces turned to him, "Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence Moody drinks every hour and in class too?" Harry tossed his question out in the open.
"Eh? I just thought maybe he couldn't handle the stress we 'brats' give him?" Cedric replied.
"Maybe so but the Moody I know would never teach in a drunken state...unless he is drinking something other than alcohol." Harry said.
"You know, he insulted me the other day commenting how different me and my father was compared to other pureblood families, and I think not in a positive way…weird he did that for one of the best dark-wizard catchers in his era." Elan commented.
"I think we should keep a wary eye on him…there's nothing not right here." Harry's three friends nodded.
"On another topic, they still haven't found Bertha Jorkins yet…" Elan drawled as his owl dropped a copy of The Daily Prophet into his hands.
"Sirius pulled some strings with the Auror Department for information, they haven't even sent a search team in yet." Harry added.
"Where did she disappear anyways?" Roger questioned.
"Near Albania, I hear." Harry replied.
"Isn't that where…"
"Yeah, that's where dear old Quirrell had Snake-Face infested into the back of his head." Harry nodded and to his surprise, he saw Hermione dragging his brother Eric who had a Transfiguration book open in his arms and he could tell they were talking. His brother looked different now, having lost all his baby fat and slightly, dare he say it, slightly buffed up. The younger Potter now even lost his glasses, making him look a lot like Harry did in fourth year, which made him feel lost leaving him with confused feelings. His brother had sent him a congratulating letter, which he'd only give a fleeting glance.
With his mind swimming in countless of thoughts, he finished his breakfast and returned to Ravenclaw Tower to take a shower and change back into his school attire.
"Nicely done, Mr. Potter, twenty points to Ravenclaw." Professor McGonagall remarked with a rare smile as she saw the small cute kitten sitting on the desk in front of Harry who simply had an emotionless mask plastered on his face.
"Thank you, Professor…" He replied and smiled when Roger completed his task, earning Ravenclaw House another ten points and blushed when McGonagall told him to keep it up.
"Mr. Potter would you stay behind please?" The Transfiguration teacher announced as Harry packed his school bag.
"Yes Professor?" Harry asked as his teacher gestured for him to take a seat. To his surprise and amusement, McGonagall pulled out a plate of chocolate cookies and offered him one.
"I assume you would continue your Quidditch career after the year is over?" The Transfiguration teacher started.
"That is correct, Professor, as I have told Professor Flitwick in fifth year, my goal is to win the European Cup and World Cup one day…which might seem a rather small goal now that I have completed one of two goals." McGonagall smiled at his attempt at sarcasm.
"The team is certainly promising, I expect many great things from you in the future."
"Yes M'am!" Harry said with a mock salute and was shocked when McGonagall held out a moving photo of Cedric, Elan, Roger and himself celebrating with the World Cup in their hands and a quill.
Smiling at the unexpected gesture, Harry took the quill and signed his name and returned both to his teacher. McGonagall then pulled out an envelope from her robe pocket and handed it to him.
Seeing her student's confused look, she explained, "Listen Harry…I visited your mother not long ago and I saw her writing this…" Harry took the envelope, opened it and fished out the parchment.
Harry,
Words cannot explain how proud I felt when you lifted that trophy into the air. I know you think the worse of me and I know I deserve it, I was not the good mother you deserved to have. After the way I treated you and nothing I say will change your mind likewise. Yet I am happy of what you have become, a bright, caring young man. I approve of your relationship with that girl, Fleur Delacour. You two look very much in love and well matched, don't let go of her though I believe you won't. Although I know it is too much to ask but I would like to meet her someday and perhaps maybe even grandchildren if you might be willing. Okay I have to go now, Rosy is asking for cookies….despite your contempt, I must say it…I love you Harry, I made the mistake of not saying it when you needed it the most, when I should have said it but now I will say it everyday, even if it is not reciprocated.
Love,
Lily
Harry lowered the note, an unreadable expression on his face. "I thought you should know…Lily stuffed her drawer filled with letters that were never sent, all of them addressed to you." Professor McGonagall said softly.
"May I be excused Professor? I'm afraid I'm going to be late for History of Magic." Harry replied quietly and after a nod from the Gryffindor Head of House, took a tardy slip from her and walked out the classroom, his robes billowing behind him.
Normally in History, whilst boring, he could still focus but he found his mind wandering for the first time in his student career, he was never good at managing his feelings, which were mixed right now.
He then looked at the empty blank page in his notebook, another record broken. He grumbled and scratched the back of his head fast then looked at Roger who was drooling on his textbook mumbling a bunch of feminine names in the seat next to his. After looking around at his classmates, all of them asleep, procrastinating homework for the next class or doing something else, fell forward and closed his eyes, his last thought being "That's three records broken…I should mark this date."
He was grateful when the bell rang, needing some clear air to breathe in. After devouring several slices of roast beef, grilled chicken and vegetables, he decided to go take a stroll seeing that he had arrived early and finished early. He went down the steps and mentally gave his back a pat as he wrapped his blue scarf with bronze strips tightly around his neck. Like a puppet, he found himself walking alongside the Black Lake, staring back at his own reflection and his own puzzled expression.
"Odd, you have the largest nargles infestation that I have ever seen before…" A dreamy voice made him turn from the lake and he saw Luna Lovegood looking at him with her huge, distant blue eyes.
"Hello Luna, how have classes been treating you?" Harry asked.
"They've been okay, the Wrackspurts have been leaving me alone this year…" Luna replied in her dreamy tone. Harry could only blink owlishly at the pale skinned dirty blonde girl.
"What's that you're holding?" Harry asked, attempting to break the extremely awkward silence between them.
Luna was holding a bucket of what seemed to be freshly cut steaks, "You planning on barbequing all that?" He pointed out and explained the concept of barbequing to the oddly confused girl when she asked.
"Oh no, silly, I brought this for them." Harry looked at where Luna was pointing and could briefly see a black winged horse with a skeletal body, a face with reptilian features and wide, leathery wings that resemble a bat's.
He'd read about such creatures before, Thestrals were very rare and undeservedly considered dangerous by many due to the belief that they were known as bad omens of misfortune because they are visible only to those who have witnessed death and have fully accepted the concept.
"You can see them too?" He asked Luna as they made their way into the forest.
Luna nodded, "My mother was quite the brilliant witch and often experimented with spells, she passed on when I was nine after an accident."
"I'm sorry…" Harry didn't really know what else he could say.
"It's alright," Luna piped as she knelt down and stroked a baby Thestral that was obviously curious of the two humans, "because I know she'll always be here with me, the people we lose are never truly gone." Harry pondered this while Luna added, "I still have daddy. Don't wait too long Harry…"
Harry nodded despite not having a clear idea what his housemate was talking about, time flew past as a large herd of Thestrals gathered around them, obviously drawn by the scent of blood.
Together, Harry and Luna fed and played with them, the herd was rather sad when the two humans left the forest. The little ones attempted to follow them but were foiled by their parents as they were picked up and retreated deeper into the forest.
After using cleaning charms on their hands, Harry and Luna returned back to the castle, almost being tardy for their next classes. The afternoon flew pass faster than the morning, which Harry was grateful for though his focus was back, a side effect from having conversations with Luna. That girl was just the very definition of surprise.
As Professor Vector dismissed them after the bell rang, Harry stood up to stretch and was given a light punch to the shoulder from a smiling Elena Turpin.
"Hey." Harry smiled.
"Long day?" The blonde haired girl asked.
"You don't know the half of it, I actually fell asleep in Binns' class today." Harry admitted while Elena attempted to cover her giggling. The two returned to Ravenclaw Tower, as the Delegates from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were arriving at dusk.
"Harry Potter falls asleep in class, Armageddon's arriving." Elena said in a mock-dramatic voice and squeaked when Harry poked her on the ribs.
"I know right, I'm that good." Harry retorted.
"You arse." Elena laughed. The two Ravenclaws deposited their bags and books in their respective dormitories, pulled on their cloaks and rushed back downstairs into the Entrance Hall.
The Heads of houses were ordering their students into lines.
"Mr. Carmichael, tuck in your shirt," Professor Flitwick squeaked, "Miss Turpin, remove that thing from your hair please."
Elena giggled and sent a smile at Harry when she heard her sister getting told off by small Flitwick.
"You're such a mean sister…"He shook his head.
"And I'm proud of it." She stuck out her tongue.
"Mr. Potter please straighten your tie…" Flitwick said as he examined Harry like a vet examining a dog.
"I think its fine Professor." Harry replied with a grin. Flitwick pinched the bridge of his nose, he was extremely proud of his star student but it was these banters that he didn't really like participating in.
"Now, Mr. Potter we are definitely not playing that deny game you like so much which lasts forever." He said and chuckled when Elena rolled her eyes beside Harry, grabbed him on both shoulders and re-did his tie.
"I didn't think you were into sexually strangling Turpin," He teased good-naturedly and gulped when Elena narrowed her eyes and tightened the top a bit more than necessary. "That's what you get." The blonde leant close to his ear and whispered with a big smile as she withdrew.
Harry simply laughed at his closest friend, oblivious that they were very much the center of attention to those around them. That was until, they heard Flitwick squeak loudly, "Mr. Davies, this is not leisure time, please put that magazine away."
Roger grumbled as he reduced the size of his copy of Maxim and placed it into his pants pocket. He grinned and did a victory sign in front of his eye when he saw Harry facepalm and Elena's disgusted look.
"Alright, please follow me," said Professor Flitwick as the Ravenclaws, first years in front strolled passed the Gryffindors and down the front steps and lined up in front of the castle. Harry smiled as he saw Hermione waving wildly at him as he walked passed her and returned it. He could only stare back as his brother looked at him, eyes filled with self-loathing and shame.
As they were seventh years, Harry, Elena and Roger found themselves at the back, which suited Harry just fine. Roger prodded Harry on the arm and snickered as he pointed to the back row of the Slytherin group, Anna Zabini was resting her head on Elan's shoulder and when the Malfoy heir saw his friends looking at him, mouthed "This is boring as hell."
"Nearly six," Roger informed as he glanced at his watch, "Must be a pretty dramatic entrance." Harry and Elena agreed with their brunette friend.
And then Dumbledore called out from the back row where he stood with the other teachers - "Aha! Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!"
"Where?" said many students eagerly, all looking in different directions.
"There!" yelled a sixth-year, pointing over the Forest. Something large, much larger than a broomstick – or, indeed a hundred broomsticks – was hurtling across the deep blue sky towards the castle, growing larger all the time.
"It's a dragon!" shrieked a first-year, losing her head completely.
"Don't be stupid…it's a flying house!" said a Gryffindor first year. It was a more accurate description as the gigantic black shape skimmed over the treetops of the Forbidden Forrest and the lights shining from the castle windows hit it, they saw a gigantic, powder-blue, horse-drawn carriage, the size of a large house, soaring towards them, pulled through the air by a dozen winged horses, all palominos and each the size of an elephant. The front three rows of students drew backwards as the carriage hurtled ever lower, coming in to land at a tremendous speed – then, with an almighty crash, the horses' hooves, larger than dinner plates, hit the ground. A second later, the carriage landed too, bouncing upon its vast wheels while the golden horses tossed their enormous heads and rolled large, fiery red eyes.
"Abraxans!" Elena exclaimed with excitement to Harry.
"Yep, Hagrid's gonna have a field day with that…" He replied. Then the carriage door opened, golden steps unfolded by themselves and the largest woman anyone had ever seen walked out. Her shoes were the size of a child's sled, as she stepped into the light flooding from the Entrance Hall, she was revealed to have a handsome, olive- skinned face, large, black, liquid-looking eyes and a rather beaky nose. Her hair was drawn back in a shining knob at the base of her neck. She was dressed from head to foot in black satin and many magnificent opals gleamed at her throat and on her thick fingers.
"Well I guess Hagrid'll have one more reason to be happy…" Roger whispered to Harry and Elena, which resulted with Elena shooting him a disgusted glare and Harry laughing.
Dumbledore started to clap, the students, following his lead, broke into applause too, many of them standing on tiptoe, the better to look at this woman. Her face relaxed into a gracious smile, and she walked forwards towards Dumbledore, extending a glittering hand. Dumbledore, though tall himself, had barely to bend to kiss it.
"My dear Madame Maxime," he said. "Welcome to Hogwarts."
"Dumby-dorr," said Madame Maxime, in a deep voice. "I 'ope I find you well?"
"On excellent form, I thank you," said Dumbledore.
"My pupils," said Madame Maxine, waving one of her enormous hands carelessly behind her. At least two dozens of girls – all, by the look of them, were in their late teens – had emerged from the carriage and were now standing behind Madame Maxime.
They were shivering, which was unsurprising, given that their tops and skirts and black stocking seemed to be made of fine silk, and none of them were wearing cloaks. All of them wore matching feminine, baby blue hats, a few of them had wrapped scarves around their necks as they stared apprehensively at Hogwarts. Harry scanned the crowd as he searched for Fleur, while Roger teased him.
" 'As Karkaroff arrived yet?" Madame Maxine asked.
"He should be here any moment," said Dumbledore. "Would you like to wait here and greet him or would you prefer to step inside and warm up a trifle?"
"Warm up, I zink," said Madame Maxime, "But ze 'orses-"
"Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be delighted to take care of them," said Dumbledore, "the moment he has returned from dealing with a slight situation which has arisen with some of his other, er, charges."
Harry had heard about it from Draco and Hermione when he and Elan ran into them in between class, something to do with a Blast-Ended Skrewt, which he had never heard about. Draco, ever eloquent, quoted that they were a type of deformed lobster, enough said indeed.
Hagrid was a kind person albeit a little loose in the mouth but as a Professor, Harry didn't know, the half giant had a rather unique perspective when it came to magical creatures and dangerous magical creatures.
"My steeds require, er, forceful 'andling," said Madame Maxime, looking as though she doubted whether any Care of Magical Creatures teacher at Hogwarts could be up to the job.
"Zey are very strong…"
"I assure you that Hagrid will be well up to the job," said Dumbledore, smiling.
"Very well," Madame Maxime smiled back, bowing slightly, "will you please inform zis 'Agrid zat ze 'orses drink only single- malt whisky?"
"It will be attended to," said Dumbledore, also bowing.
"Come," said Madame Maxime imperiously to her students and the Hogwarts crowd parted to allow her and her students to pass up the stone steps. Harry felt slightly annoyed when the girls passed him as he folded his arms across his chest, giggling at him and whispering at each other. Roger meanwhile, relished the chance and sent flirtatious gestures back.
Then Harry saw her, the woman who held his heart, their eyes met and she began to quicken her steps, which was no easy task on high heels and flung herself into his open embrace. Fleur laughed as he spun her around with his strong arms around her waist and snuggled her face into his neck.
"I've missed you so much 'Arry…" Fleur whispered in French and stared into the green eyes she loved so much.
"Not as much as I've missed you." Harry softly replied.
"Really?" Fleur asked, at Harry's nod, she mischievously added, "Show me."
Before she finished her sentence, Harry's lips were upon hers, leading to a hot, full blown snog that if placed on the cover of any romance novel would instantly become a bestseller.
Neither Harry nor Fleur cared about the staring, whispering directed towards them, to them, nothing else mattered in the world at the moment but the person standing in front of them as their tongues dueled furiously. They were, however, forced to stop when they heard a throat clearing. Resting her forehead on Harry's, both of them reddened slightly when they saw Madame Maxime's half amused, half annoyed facial expression.
"Seems like you are needed elsewhere milady." Harry mused while stroking Fleur's smooth silver hair.
Fleur sighed with resignation, she was obviously displeased but suddenly yanked his tie towards her and gave him one last kiss before walking towards her headmistress who nodded at Harry with what seemed to be acceptance and with a giant hand on Fleur's back led her up the stone stairs to the castle.
Harry stood in a daze, hair messier until Roger slapped him on the back with a large grin on his face.
"My my, aren't you a big scene maker." He grinned to which Harry just smiled back in retort. He noticed how many girls were throwing jealous glares towards the retreating figure of Fleur as well as how many boys were giving him envious and awed looks, shaking his head, he went back to his position in his row, not noticing Elena who was looking down at the floor.
They stood, shivering slightly now, waiting for the Durmstrang party to arrive. Most people were gazing hopefully up at the sky. For a few minutes, the silence was broken only by Madame Maxime's huge horses snorting and stamping.
But then- "Can you hear something?" Roger said suddenly. Harry listened; a loud and oddly eerie noise was drifting towards them from out of the darkness; a muffled rumbling and sucking sound, as though an immense vacuum cleaner was moving along a river-bed…
"The lake!" yelled Residential Quidditch Commentator Lee Jordan, pointing down at it. "Look at the lake!"
From their position at the top of the lawns overlooking the grounds, they had a clear view of the smooth black surface of the water – except that the surface was suddenly not smooth at all. Some disturbance was taking place deep in the centre; great bubbles were forming on the surface, waves were now washing over the muddy banks – and then, out in the very middle of the lake, a whirlpool appeared, as if a giant plug had just been pulled out of the lake's floor… What seemed to be a long, black pole began to rise slowly out of the heart of the whirlpool… and then Harry saw the rigging…
"A mast…how interesting." He muttered to Roger. Slowly, magnificently, the ship rose out of the water, gleaming in the moonlight. It had a strangely skeletal look about it, as though it was a resurrected wreck, and the dim, misty lights shimmering at its portholes looked like ghostly eyes. Finally, with a great sloshing noise, the ship emerged entirely, bobbing on the turbulent water, and began to glide towards the bank. A few moments later, they heard the splash of an anchor being thrown down in the shallows, and the thud of a plank being lowered onto the bank. People were disembarking; they could see their silhouettes passing the lights in the ship's portholes.
All of them, Harry noticed, seemed to be built like tanks, but as they drew nearer, walking up the lawns into the light streaming from the Entrance Hall, Harry realized it was all an illusion as they were wearing cloaks of some kind of shaggy, matted fur. But the man who was leading them up to the castle was wearing furs of a different sort; sleek and silver, like his hair.
"Albus!" He called heartily in a thick accent, as he walked up the slope.
"Igor." Dumbledore replied with a slight smile as they shared a man embrace. Karkaroff had a fruity, unctuous voice; when he stepped into the light pouring from the front doors of the castle, they saw that he was tall and thin like Dumbledore, but his white hair was short, and his goatee (finishing in a small curl) did not entirely hide his rather weak chin.
Little did people know that this man was a Death Eater who had only managed to stay out of Azkaban only because he gave out names of his associates, Harry had found out only from Elan, where his friend had acquired that piece of information, Harry honestly had no idea.
He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the Headmaster of Durmstrang, "How good it is to be here, how good…Viktor, come along, into the warmth…you don't mind Dumbledore? Viktor has a slight head cold…" Karkaroff beckoned forwards one of his students. Harry could only smile as he saw the prominent, curved nose and thick black eyebrows.
"Seems like it'll be an interesting school term after all." He muttered to himself.
Purposely casting a not-notice-me charm on himself, Harry seemingly blended in with the rest of his fellow peers. As he recrossed the Entrance Hall with the rest of the Hogwarts students, heading for the Great Hall, Harry saw a lot of students jumping up and down on the soles of his feet to get a better look at the back of Krum's head.
Shaking his head, he passed several sixth-year girls who were frantically searching their pockets as they walked,
"Oh, I don't believe it, I haven't got a single quill on me"
"D'you think he'd sign my hat in lipstick?"
It was already bad enough that Hogwarts had four residential Quidditch Superstars, now everything seemed to have passed breaking point with Krum's arrival. He arrived at the entrance of the Great Hall and saw people massing up, determine to find the reason, he switched off his not-notice-me charm noting that people immediately stepped out of his path. He mentally groaned when he saw Krum and Cedric staring at each other.
"Next time I assure you vould not vin so easily." The Bulgarian said in a serious tone.
"Get better Chasers, then we'll talk." Cedric replied, just as serious. Since England's return to being World Champions, a lot of Quidditch pundits, critics and analysts now suggested that the seeker role is a lot more insignificant role when the opposition has super trio of Chasers like that of England and Ireland.
Seeing that it would soon come to blows if he didn't interfere, Harry stepped forward. "Then I look forward when our teams meet again."
Krum turned towards Harry. "Harry, my friend, good to see you again." Krum said in a heavy accent.
"How has your country treated your loss?" Harry asked. "Surprisingly our defeat vas vell received, becos you had the better team. Your performance against us and the Irish will be useful when we defend our European Cup title." Krum grunted. They shook hands and Harry watched as he stalked off towards the Slytherin table.
"Nothing to see here people." Harry stated as people began to file into the Great Hall at once after they recovered from staring at him.
Harry glared at Cedric who protested quietly, "I didn't start it!"
Shrugging aside the fact that his friend sounded like a five year old arguing against its parent, Harry placed his Team Captain mask on. "No, but Viktor just got to your head by what he said. You're better than that, leave all that childishness on the field." With that, Harry Potter walked towards the Ravenclaw Table.
"Is everything okay?" Fleur asked, taking his hand into hers as he slid into the empty seat next to her.
"I'm fine, just had to fulfill my Captain duties." He replied, flashed a small smile at her and kissed the back of her hand.
"Awwh, you two are even cuter than I imagined…" Both Harry and Fleur stiffened at the voice, rolling her eyes Fleur introduced her boyfriend to her best friend Marie Clément.
"He looks even tastier in real life, you sure you can't share him with me?" Marie said with a pout, oblivious to her friend's intense glare.
"Nice to meet you Marie but sorry there's only one lady I want and she's sitting next to me." Harry asked with a smile.
"Ignore her, she's always like this." Fleur replied, rolling her eyes when Marie stuck her tongue at her.
"Sweet, dedicating and hot…don't ever let him go." Said Marie to Fleur as she wiped an imaginary tear from her eye.
"Thanks?" Harry said with uncertainty.
"Marie is a drama queen but I have no intention of ever letting you go Harry." Fleur whispered into his ear, her tone seductive as she mentioned his name.
"Glad we're on the same page then." Harry smiled, took out his thick, wooly scarf when he saw his girlfriend shiver and wrapped it comfortably around her neck.
Fleur squeezed his hand, ignoring to all the outraged glares given by the female students around her. Both Harry and Fleur directed their attention towards the Head Table as Dumbledore stood up 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…The Tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast," Dumbledore continued. "I now invite you all to eat, drink and make yourselves at home!" He sat down and engaged Karkaroff in a conversation.
The dishes in front of them filled with food as usual, there was a greater variety of dishes in front of them than Harry had ever seen, including several that were definitely foreign. Harry could tell that Fleur was relieved, she had told him that she prefer lighter food and to her surprise, he did too.
"The Bouillabaisse is surprisingly good." Fleur commented as she helped herself to the shellfish stew.
"I must say, it is refreshing to see some variety around here." Cho agreed, smiling at her friend. "By the way, the pictures of you and Harry are soooo cute in Teen Witch Weekly." The pretty Asian girl added and smirked when Fleur flushed pink. Harry wisely stayed out of the conversation as Fleur and Cho began an endless talk on fashion.
"What are they doing here?" Roger whispered to Harry nodding at the Head Table. Harry's eyes narrowed as he saw Barty Crouch and Ludo Bagman.
"If what I heard is correct then they were the ones who organized this tournament. Should be normal for them wanting to be here when it starts." Harry replied as he forked some salad into his mouth.
Once the golden plates had been wiped clean, Dumbledore stood up again. A pleasant sort of tension seemed to fill the Hall now.
"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 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 Co-operation" There was a smattering of polite 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. "Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament," Dumbledore continued, "and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime on the panel which will judge the champions' efforts."
The attentiveness of the listening students seemed to sharpen at the word "champions" Harry watched as Filch carried a great wooden chest, encrusted with jewels. It looked extremely old. A murmur of excited interest rose from the watching students.
"The instructions 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 chest 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 dange." At this last word, the Hall was filled with a silence so absolute that nobody seemed to be breathing.
"As you know, three champions compete in the Tournament," Dumbledore went on calmly, as if he were talking about the weather, "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. An impartial selector will choose the champions… the Goblet of Fire." Dumbledore now took out his wand, and tapped three times upon the top of the casket.
The lid creaked slowly open. Dumbledore reached inside it, and pulled out a large, roughly hew wooden cup. It would have been entirely unremarkable, had it not been full to the brim with dancing, blue-white flames. Dumbledore closed the casket and placed the Goblet carefully on top of it, where it would be clearly 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 twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the Goblet will return the names of 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 student yields to temptation," said Dumbledore, looking at the Weasley Twins who were acting innocent, '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."
A lot of faces fell to this statement. "For those who wish to compete, I must warn you that there is no turning back if you are chosen, do not submit yourselves lightly…Now off to bed, goodnight to you all." Dumbledore warned.
Harry and Fleur were in no rush to leave as they remain sitting, with Fleur resting her head on Harry's shoulder and their hands entwined. Harry looked on with a calculating face as he saw the slight altercation between Karkaroff and Moody, the look on "Moody's" face was one of intense hatred, as if Karkaroff had ruined his life.
"Are you going to compete?" Harry asked his girlfriend as they slowly walked out of the Great Hall.
"I don't know…a part of me wants to prove that I am more of a pretty face but the other part of me is content in just being with you." Fleur replied softly, avoiding Harry's gaze.
"Hello Mr. Potter…" Harry froze as he heard the familiar, seductive female voice.
"Please don't let it be her…" He thought desperately and slowly turned towards the voice. But alas, fortune did not smile upon him this time as he saw the long silky, shiny black hair, tanned skin, red lips, perfect nose and cold blue eyes.
"Ms. Taylor, what an unforeseeable surprise." Harry replied, withdrawing as much emotion as possible. Fleur's grip on Harry's hand tightened as she struggled to stop herself from burning this bitch into a crisp as she sauntered towards them, hips swaying on purpose. The quarter-Veela quickly calmed down as Harry squeezed her hand.
"Congratulations on your World Cup success, I wanted to do so earlier but your friends have informed me that you weren't planning to attend the celebration party." The fashion model said in her sultry tone while tossing her flawless dark hair.
"My apologies, I prefer to stay out of the spot lights as much as possible." Harry replied cordially.
"Well, let me know when you want someone to chat with…" Ashley replied, winking flirtatiously at him and followed her Headmistress, who was walking towards the Entrance Hall.
"It's okay, Fleur, you're all I will ever want." Harry said softly as he slowly gathered the girl he loved into his arms, Fleur returned it tightly, there was nowhere safer to be than in her Harry's arms.
"I know Harry, even if I am sorely tempted to burn that bitch into nothing." She mumbled into his neck.
"You know, you sound really hot when you're mad." Fleur's head snapped up immediately but smiled when Harry added, "when its not at me, that is…"
Cupping her face in his hands, Harry stared deeply into the ocean blue eyes that seemed to be ethereal and softly said, "Regarding to your decision on competing in this Tournament. Know that whatever you chose to do Fleur, I'll be 100% behind you." Fleur smiled into his neck when she heard his response, she thanked whatever deity out there for allowing her to meet someone as special as Harry.
They walked in silence, hand in hand as Harry escorted his girlfriend back to her carriage, they had purposely slowed their steps. The moon was visible tonight and made Fleur's already perfect skin glow radiantly.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning?" Harry said softly as he let go of her hand. Fleur did not look too happy at having to be separated again since she had gotten use to sleeping on top of Harry who had provided her with the best pillow in the world. Harry was pleasantly shocked when Fleur grasped his face, kissing him hard and passionately.
Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her waist and thought he had ascended into heaven as he felt her cherry red lips moved frantically over his own, "Merlin, the things this woman does to me…" He thought as he felt Fleur pulling them even closer together leaving no space between them.
Sucking on her bottom lip and tasting the cherry flavored lip gloss she had on, Harry smirked as Fleur moaned loudly and kissed her back just with the same amount of passion she had. It was until air became a problem did Harry pull away, both of them gasping for air.
"One more…" Before Harry's brain could register the words, his mouth was assaulted once more, Harry could only smile as the woman he loved kissed him. One more became several more as both teens lost track of time and finally with great difficulty, Harry walked back towards the castle alone after one final kiss.
He was still in a half entranced state as he arrived at his own Common Room, Roger and all the guys whistled, cat called and howled as he walked up to the Male Dormitory. Harry smiled as he observed himself in his fully body mirror, his tie was on the verge of falling down, the top two buttons of his shirt torn, a trail of hickeys from his neck leading all the way to his exposed chest, the tension of not having been able to be with Fleur seemed to have accumulated resulting to his current state.
"It would seem the blonde hair female has missed you more than you realize." Rina teased through their mental link on her perch near his bed.
"You jealous?" Harry replied cheekily.
"What nonsense is this? I am a majestic creature unlike you two legged ones who seem to revel in carnal pleasure all the time." The flaming bird snorted.
"It was Sirius again, wasn't it." Harry asked rhetorically and palmed his face as he fell backwards into his bed.
As the next day was Saturday, most students would normally have breakfast late. Harry, as usual, woke up at first light and began his daily run however, this time he was alone as he in contrast with his teammates, was much harsher on himself regarding to fitness and trained everyday. Since electronics did not work on the grounds of Hogwarts, Rina accompanied her bonded whenever he ran alone to provide him with her peaceful singing.
He smiled as he passed the Beauxbatons Carriage, while Fleur was no slouch, he had discover that she loved to sleep in often, that included holding him in a death grip to prevent him from leaving the bed.
After he had finished the rigorous routine training, he'd notice that students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons had finally decided to wake up for breakfast.
"Go back to the dorm, I don't want people seeing you…they'll go nuts." Harry said to his familiar through their link and with an affectionate peck to his cheek, Rina disappeared with a burst of flames. With that, he walked up the stone stairs, with a towel over his head and drank deeply from his water bottle. Taking a seat in the Ravenclaw Table, he slowly filled his plate with eggs, ham, sausage and bacon. Removing the towel from his head, he started to devour his breakfast. The feeling of a good meal after an arduous training session was simply incomparable.
"Morning Harry." Roger greeted as he took the seat across from the black tracksuit clad teenager and began to pile French Toast on his plate with a copious supply of maple syrup.
"Right back at you, slacker." Harry replied cordially as he sipped his cup of black tea, reveling in its scent.
"Hey now that's-" Roger protested but was cut off as Harry ignored him as Fleur and her friend Marie walked into the Great Hall.
"Bonjour mon 'Arry." Fleur whispered and without any warning, kissed Harry on the lips short and sweet. Then she sat down next to him and began to help herself with food.
"You two are so sweet, you should have seen Fleur's face last night, she had this big smile that wouldn't go away…" Marie teased, smirking as Fleur blushed and threw her a glare.
"I'm sure it was very beautiful too." Harry said softly and chuckled as Fleur ducked her head.
As they finished breakfast, Harry shook his head as Fred and George Weasley were forcefully ejected by Dumbledore's Age Line and were now sprouting identical, long white beards. Apparently they weren't the first to try fooling the Goblet with an ageing potion, according to an amused Dumbledore. As many Beauxbatons students stood up and walked straightly behind their Headmistress towards the Goblet of Fire, Harry gazed at Fleur who held his hand in a death grip and seemed to be in deep thought, in her other hand was a slip of parchment with her name written on it.
"Go on…" He said with a smile, lifting her chin with his finger. Fleur was nearly in tears but nodded and joined the line of her fellow schoolmates who were planning to participate.
"Are you not planning to compete?" Marie questioned Harry as he gazed at Fleur.
"No, I'm not…I plan to have an enjoyable, quiet, peaceful year for once." Harry responded and sipped his tea before standing up, placing his towel around his neck and walked out of the Great Hall after grabbing his water bottle. He didn't know what had gotten into him as he walked back towards Ravenclaw Tower for a refreshing shower, he should be happy for his girlfriend but he found himself brooding for once.
"I suppose I did tell her that I'll back her no matter what…" He thought bitterly to himself as he dried himself and changed into his new set of freshly ironed school uniform.
"Where iz 'Arry?" Fleur asked Roger and Marie nervously.
"Er…I suppose he went back up towards Ravenclaw Tower." Roger answered, rubbing his neck.
"It would seem that he is rather upset at you Delacour…perhaps he'd decided that you're not the right one for him anymore." Ashley Taylor said with a look of dislike at Fleur as she past by. Fleur resisted herself from flaming the arrogant bimbo, and the sudden confused tears of insecurity as she sat down.
Marie clasped her hand in support, "I'm sure Harry is just worried for you…"
"Then why did he leave?"
"Umm…if I may?" The two French Students turned to look at Cho who was fidgeting with the edges of her robe. "Harry does support you Fleur, I can see it from his eyes…but he's still worried, because he won't be participating and he cares about you."
"Where can I find 'im?" Fleur asked.
"Try the Quidditch Pitch…he's always there when he broods." Roger replied and shot Cho an amused look as the quarter-Veela immediately walked out of the Great Hall.
Harry sat alone in the empty Quidditch Pitch, he really did not feel like talking to anyone.
"Is this seat taken?" A soft, feminine voice interrupted his thoughts. Looking up, he saw Elena smiling at him.
"Knock yourself out." He replied with a wave of his hand and the blonde sat down next to him.
"Are you feeling alright Harry?" Elena asked cautiously.
"I'm good." Harry replied as he stared at the three hoops before him.
"It bothers you a lot does it, with Fleur wanting to participate in the Tournament." His best and oldest friend commented quietly from beside him.
"I don't know, maybe a little…I just have an odd feeling that something bad will happen." Harry replied. The two continued to talk, with Elena bringing back a true smile on her friend's face as they reminisced about memories they have shared together as children.
"Don't remind me, I thought your dad would murder me right there…" Harry laughed as Elena recounted on giving him a peck on the cheek and her father had walked in on the two of them.
"That was never going to happen since my dad approves of you...maybe intimidate you a little but he's not going to go that far...if I have anything to say about it." Elena chuckled.
"Thanks Elena…" Harry said quietly.
"For what?" Elena whispered, looking deeply into the eyes of her dearest friend.
Smiling, Harry took her hand and squeezed once, "For being there for me."
The two started to walk back towards the castle when they saw Fleur walking towards them, an unreadable expression on her face.
"I'll see you…" Harry smiled as Elena patted his shoulder and walked on.
"Don't hurt him…" Elena said in a soft voice as she passed the beautiful silver haired girl.
Fleur had mixed feelings seeing this particular girl with Harry, she had heard that they were inseparable and close friends since their first year. Maybe it was just her Veela nature but she felt real competition with the Turpin heiress.
"I'm sorry if I missed you putting your name into the goblet…I don't have any excuses for that." Harry apologized, breaking the ice.
Wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her face on his neck, Fleur murmured, "You silly thing, I forgive you Harry…" With that, her lips met his.
"I hope you will be happy Harry." Elena thought, a single tear trailing down her cheek as she entered the Entrance Hall.
It was not until at dusk, did Harry and Fleur both return back to the Great Hall before rain started to pour down hard. As they walked into the Great Hall, it was almost full, the Goblet of Fire had been moved, it was now standing in front of Dumbledore's empty chair at the teacher's table.
The Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual, but Harry didn't have much appetite despite the extravagant food that was before him due to an impending gut-sinking feeling.
At long last, the golden plates returned to their original spotless state, and the noise of conversation died away instantly as Dumbledore stood up.
"Well, the Goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore.
"I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber." He indicated the door behind the staff table, "where they will be receiving their first instructions."
He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them all into a state of semi-darkness.
The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting…a few people kept checking their watches.
The flames inside the Goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it – the whole room gasped. Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue white.
"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum." A storm of applause and cheering swept the Hall as Krum rose from the Slytherin table and slouch up towards Dumbledore; he turned right, walked along the staff table and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.
"Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!" The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the Goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.
"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!"
Fleur rose gracefully from her seat next to Harry and shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair and swept up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. Marie was snickering as she saw two of her classmates bursting into tears of sadness and Ashley's indignant scowl.
After Fleur had vanished into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion next… And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.
"The Hogwarts Champion," he called, "is Harry Potter!"
Harry gave a start, eyes widening as loud applause, screaming and stamping from his housemates rose rapidly.
"This can't be…this can't be happening." Was the thought that repeated itself in his mind as Roger clapped his shoulder and pushed him towards where Dumbledore was standing with a smile. He headed off towards the chamber behind the teacher's table, with the deafening applause still ringing in his ears.
Read & Review, suggestions for next chapter is always welcomed.