The Triwizard Tournament
Destiny buffeted between Fred and George as the Weasley party herded towards Platform 9 ¾. The two weeks following the World Cup had been nothing special save for the inner battle that raged every night in her mind.
While everyone was up, Destiny had been able to keep her mind off of Draco and how he was doing by playing Quidditch with the boys, gossiping with Ginny, or reading with Hermione. But, once night fell and all the distractions had gone to bed, Destiny was left to worry about her friend.
She knew that she had most likely caused him a lot of trouble by trying to defend him at the match, and she shuddered to think what his father had done to him for saving her. The image of Mr. Malfoy raising his wand in an attempt to kill her still haunted her mind, and she could only hope that Draco had been right in saying that he could hide out the rest of the summer. Early on, she had considered writing to him, but she had abandoned that plan when she thought of how much more trouble he would be in if his father found out.
Once the Weasley party reached the barrier in King's Cross, Destiny could wait no longer. "Race you!" she called to Fred and George before running head on at the wall. She could hear the twins right behind her, and she only hoped that Mrs. Weasley would not take offense that she had gone before she was told.
Destiny bolted through the wall and pulled her cart to a halt on the other side. She stood and peered around at all the faces she could see, hoping to find Draco quickly, but…
"Oi watch it!" Fred cried as he plowed into her from behind.
Destiny and Fred tumbled to the ground just in time for George to come through the barrier and fall on top of both of them.
"Bloody Hell…" George groaned. "What'd you stop for, Fred?"
"Don't blame me," Fred laughed. "She stopped first."
"You knew we were right behind you," George reminded her as he pulled himself free of the pile before hauling his twin to his feet.
"Sorry…" Destiny muttered as Fred helped her up.
"Aren't you a bit old to be caught off guard looking at the train?" Fred teased.
"I wasn't looking at the train!" Destiny defended. "I was looking for…someone," she finished evasively.
"Oh really?" George asked with a raised eyebrow.
"And who might that be?" Fred added with a look to match his twin.
"Oh it's just this guy called 'None-of-your-business'!" Destiny cried triumphantly, sticking her tongue out and strutting away with her cart.
"So it's a boy then…interesting…" George grinned.
"Do we know him?" Fred asked brightly.
"Oh will you give it a rest, you vultures?" Destiny cried in exasperation. "Why don't you go bother your chaser friends or something?"
"'Bother'?" Fred replied indignantly. "We've never bothered a woman!"
"Well…except for Mum," George reasoned.
"Fair enough," Fred conceded.
As the twins continued to exchange back and forth, Destiny slid away with her cart across the platform in search of Draco.
"Mum, I'm fine!" Draco insisted. "Honestly."
"Just promise me you'll be careful this year," his mother whispered. "The way your father was talking…"
"I know, Mum," Draco assured her. "I'll be fine."
His mother nodded and hugged him once more. "Send me an owl when you get there, alright?"
"I always do, Mum," he smiled. "You be careful too."
"Oh don't worry about me, love. I'll be just fine," his mother assured him with a wry smile.
Draco laughed and loaded his trunk onto the train. He waved to his mum one final time before boarding the train and beginning the search for his friends. As he passed a door to the platform, he heard a loud thump followed by a hissed string of curses.
"Stupid trunk!" the voice muttered.
Draco rounded the corner and smiled when he saw Destiny trying valiantly to drag her trunk onboard but failing miserably. "Want some help?" he asked with a smirk.
Destiny whirled around and smiled when she saw him only to curse again as her trunk slid back to the platform. "If you don't mind," she sighed in obvious frustration.
Draco laughed and helped her pull the trunk up and into a compartment. "Now," he sighed. "How have you-"
He was interrupted when Destiny suddenly slid her arms around his middle and hugged him tightly. Completely startled, Draco took a moment before he reciprocated the hug.
"I was so worried about you," Destiny whispered into his chest. "I couldn't stop wondering if…"
"If what, Des?" Draco asked gently, stroking her hair almost absentmindedly.
"If you were alive," she admitted softly. "I was afraid your father…you know…because of me."
Draco gently pushed her away from him just far enough to look into her eyes that were currently shinning with guilt. "You listen to me," Draco began firmly but soothingly. "Don't you blame yourself for anything Father does to me. I love that you were brave enough to stand up for me, and I was not going to let him hurt you to save myself. What are you laughing at?" he asked, slightly affronted as she started to laugh.
"You sound like a Gryffindor," she giggled.
"I do not!" Draco cried. "I am Slytherin through and through."
"I know, Draco," Destiny soothed him. "I just mean…saving me like that was very brave of you."
"Well, thank you," Draco replied with a small smile. "But, please promise me you'll never blame yourself for what my father does, alright?"
"Fine, I promise," Destiny sighed. "But, I hate to say this, you should probably go. The last thing we need is for the trio of prejudice to find us together."
Draco nodded. He wasn't happy about it, but he saw her point. Without really thinking, he leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek before sliding out of her compartment with a wink.
"I have an announcement before you all begin your feast," Professor Dumbledore called over the chatter of the students. The rain outside pounded against the large windows, and thunder shook the Great Hall as lightning flashed across the ceiling. Destiny grudgingly turned her attention from her empty plate to her headmaster, mentally urging him to get on with his speech so she could eat.
"I am pleased to announce that Hogwarts will not only be your home this year, but home to some very honored guests," Dumbledore continued. A chorus of confused muttering met these words as most of the students bent their heads together to discuss the possible meaning of his statement. "You see, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event," he said, and the hall fell silent once more. "This year, we will be hosting The Triwizard Tournament."
"Wicked!" Fred and George breathed from either side of Destiny.
"They can't be serious!" Hermione squeaked. "I read about this tournament, and people have died doing it!"
"So that's the top secret event Percy's been talking about," Fred continued as though Hermione hadn't spoken.
"I wonder who they've got to compete," Destiny whispered as Filch gave some sort of signal to Dumbledore from the doors to the Great Hall.
"We're about to find out I reckon," Ron replied.
"And now, please help me in welcoming the lovely ladies from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and their Headmistress Madame Maxime!" Dumbledore cried as the doors opened.
Filing into the Great Hall were several lines of girls, all dressed in the same periwinkle skirt and jacket with a pointed hat to match. Peeked out from the hats were matching side ponytails. Each girl walked with a strong purpose and confidence that clearly said they knew the effect they had on the Hogwarts students…especially the boys.
While unimpressed herself, Destiny clearly saw Harry and Ron gawking at the new comers while Fred and George were quickly whispering to each other in a running commentary about which girl was the most beautiful. Casting a glance around the rest of the hall, Destiny noted that the other houses seemed to be in similar situations – the younger boys looked star-struck while the older ones seemed to be making a mental list of which ones they liked the most.
Destiny felt an odd twinge in her stomach when she noticed that even Draco seemed to be eying the girls with interest…although she didn't like to think of why.
When the last of the girls had made their entrance and the applause had died down, Dumbledore retook his place in front of the teacher's table and gestured for quiet once again. "And now let's welcome our friends from the north: the proud sons of Durmstrang and their Highmaster Igor Karkaroff!"
Everyone's heads whipped back to the doors as lines of men began filing into the hall. Each man was equipped with some sort of staff that sent of sparks as they were pounded against the floor in perfect time. Now it was the girls' turn to stare as the devilishly handsome men swarmed the Great Hall.
Destiny stared open-mouthed as more and more of the Durmstrang students filled the hall until everyone gasped as a famous face walked in.
"Blimey it's him!" Ron squeaked excitedly. "Viktor Krum!"
After everyone had settled once again, Dumbledore rose to address the students once more. "Now, I hope that you all enjoy your dinner, and I will explain more when we are all fed! Tuck in!"
"Finally!" Destiny cried as the plates filled.
An hour later, Dumbledore stood, and the hall fell instantly quiet in anticipation. "For the Triwizard Tournament, one student will be chosen from each school as a representative, but let me impress upon you the seriousness of this honor. If chosen, there is no way out, and you will stand alone. To explain some of the new changes imposed by the Ministry, please welcome Mr. Barty Crouch."
"After due consideration," Mr. Crouch began in a professional tone, "the Ministry has concluded that no student under the age of seventeen will be allowed to put forth their name for consideration in the tournament."
"THAT'S RUBISH!" Fred and George shouted at the same time.
"Aw come on!" Destiny called in anger. "That's not fair!"
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore shouted over the outrage. He tapped his wand on the top of an ornate case to reveal an old goblet that, other than its unusually large size, was nothing to be gawked at. Suddenly, a blue flame erupted from the depths of the cup, and the student body gasped.
"Anyone wishing to submit their name for consideration need only write their name and school upon a piece of parchment and place it in the Goblet before the feast on Halloween night," Dumbledore explained. "As of now, the Triwizard Tournament has begun. And now-"
Suddenly, a huge bolt of lightning shot across the ceiling and illuminated another figure standing at the doors to the hall. A large man began to stride across the hall, every other step echoing with a thump of wood on wood as a cane added a slightly higher clang. No other sound could be heard as the new comer walked purposefully towards Dumbledore.
"Blimey…it's Mad Eye Moody," Ron whispered.
"You mean Alastor Moody?" Neville muttered.
"Must be," Fred breathed. "But what's he doing here?"
"Wasn't he an Auror?" Seamus asked nervously.
"What's an Auror?" Harry whispered.
"A dark wizard catcher, basically," Destiny replied. "I heard he's mental."
"So they say," George agreed. "But half the cells in Azkaban are filled thanks to him."
"Ah, everyone I would like to introduce you to your new Defense the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody," Dumbledore smiled.
"Well, this should be interesting," Destiny muttered. "A nut teaching us how to protect ourselves…what could possibly go wrong there?"
Fred and George snorted with laughter as Dumbledore dismissed them for bed. "So about the tournament…" Fred whispered.
"Yeah," George replied. "We've gotta get in!"
"Hey don't leave me out!" Destiny muttered. "I want to do it too."
"How about you, Harry?" Fred asked eagerly. "Want in?"
"Nah," Harry replied with a smile. "I'll sit this one out, thanks. I've done enough crazy stuff to last a lifetime."
"Suit yourself," George shrugged.
"Better chance for the rest of us to finally get some fame," Destiny muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
On the other side of the hall, Draco was trying to keep himself from having a fit in the middle of the hall. The very idea of ex-Auror Mad Eye Moody being in the same building as him was enough to make him want to run as fast as he could, but he refused to draw attention to himself.
"Hey, have you seen Blaise?" Pansy asked, shaking him from his panic. "I haven't seen him all day."
"Come to think of it, I haven't either," Draco replied.
"Hey guys," Blaise whispered as if on cue. "I'm just here to grab a few things."
"Where have you been?" Pansy demanded. "I've been worried sick!"
"Sorry, but I have to take care of Alexis first," Blaise replied.
Pansy nodded in understanding, but Draco asked, "What happened to her?"
"Didn't you hear?" Pansy whispered in shock. "It was all over the papers after the World Cup."
"I hardly left my room after the cup," Draco replied tightly. "And when I did, I certainly didn't have access to a paper. Now, what happened, Blaise?"
"Her parents were killed in the rampage," Blaise replied in a monotone. "I took her with me to Italy for the rest of the summer, but she's still having a rough time of it. She didn't feel like eating in here tonight with everyone talking about what happened."
"Oh Merlin…" Draco breathed, his eyes filling with sympathy. "I'm sorry, mate. I didn't know."
"I know, it's ok," Blaise replied. "I just hate seeing her this way, you know?"
Pansy put a hand on his shoulder. "You're doing such a good job with her, Blaise. She's really lucky to have you."
"Thanks Pans," Blaise grinned. "I just wish…"
"You have no proof it was him," Pansy snapped. "So don't even start thinking like that!"
"What, you think your father killed them?" Draco asked. "You know, it could just as easily have been mine, mate. We can't kick ourselves for our fathers' insanity."
"I know, but I just…" Blaise trailed off angrily. "I just feel so awful because it could have been him, and, frankly, I'm scared of what she'll say if it was!"
"She wouldn't let it affect the way she feels about you," Pansy assured him. "She's not that kind of girl."
"Pansy's right," Draco agreed. "She and Destiny seem to forgive us our lousy father figures."
"Lucky us," Blaise muttered. "Well, I better go. I don't like leaving her alone for too long just in case…well, you know."
Pansy and Draco nodded and waved as Blaise hurried out of the hall, fighting the crowd as he went.
"Speaking of Destiny," Pansy said suddenly. "You better get a move on if you want her!"
"What do you-" Draco began, fighting vainly to keep the red from his neck.
"I saw at least three Durmstrang boys look at her tonight," Pansy explained, "not to mention the number of Hogwarts boys that stare at her on a regular basis. If you want her, Draco, you better find the guts to tell her before someone else does. Good night!"
Without waiting for a reply, Pansy headed off through the crowd, leaving Draco to ponder her words. As if he needed any more pressure this year with Moody being around, but he had to admit that Pansy had a point. Destiny was beginning to attract attention from many of the male population, and he knew that he would have to do something soon if he wanted to do anything at all. He knew he certainly wasn't going to let the likes of Ronald Weaselbee get his hands on her, not if he could help it.
He sighed as he pushed himself into the crowd at the door and hurried off for the dungeons. He wanted to get a decent night's sleep for a change, especially since it was promising to be an eventful term to say the least.
Ok, I know not a lot happened in this chapter, but it was necessary to set everything up. One of the parts I have been most looking forward to writing is coming up, so I can almost guarantee a quick update. Thank you for everyone who is reviewing – it really makes me happy to see such a positive response to this story!
I should be back soon with an update, but until then, please leave a review! Thanks everyone!