A Chance Encounter II
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Obligatory Disclaimer:
I make no money off any of these Fanfiction pieces, but solely as a hobby for my, and hopefully the readers' entertainment. I take no ownership in the Harry Potter works, and I only thank JK Rowling for a wonderful series of which I can write my fanfiction on.
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A/N Hey, I've looked at my outline for the plot of the story, and I've made some revisitations of plot in the story, I've remodified the previous chapter to changes this, but I'll save you the time and sum it up, basically, Harry is the chosen one, and I don't think having a brother adds to the plot.
"Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly."
- John F. Kennedy
oOo
Present Day (4th year)
Harry's P.O.V
"I'll leave you here boy, you and your freakishness-" his uncle began, before beginning to unleash into his long tirades, Harry cut him short.
"Maybe you mind getting acquainted with my godfather? He's been wanting to meet you for so long now," Mentioning his godfather normally worked, he didn't need to see his uncle, his normally passive face was always replaced with a look of fear. Of course, he looked anyway.
He scurried off quickly after that, to leave Harry smirking, before heading into the train compartments where he was hoping to be arriving to the grins of his friends.
Arriving in the compartment, he-
"What are you doing here?" the small blonde girl said, with an impatient voice, "You're in our compartment, " glaring at him before she continued "Are you going to leave or just stand there like an idiot?"
"Um, sorry, I thought this was empty, " Harry stuttered, pink rose to his cheeks, this wasn't his idea for first impressions with these two.
"And you are?" trying to save some face. He had clearly made a fool of himself and just wanted to depart without making a fuss.
The Slytherin girl just rolled her eyes, "I'm Tracey, and this beauty, is Daphne Greengrass," Tracy winked at Daphne before continuing, "You can leave now,"
This boy was clearly nervous, and she had some fun doing this to him, it was her thing, making boys uncomfortable. Kissing them also, that was her thing too.
"Just leave it Tracy," Daphne said, absentmindedly as she stared at her father, who was leading Astoria to the train, it was her first year, and Astoria seemed very excited about it all.
"You're no fun, you know that," Tracy pouted, before continuing "You know him?".
Daphne just raised her eyebrows in thought. "Aside from him saving the wizarding world? not much," she agreed quietly, not looking Tracy in the eye before resuming to staring out of the window compartment. Thankfully, the train started before she had to speak further, and Tracy had left her in favour of teasing some other boys.
Before leaving, Tracey cast Daphne a sympathising look, Daphne was just staring out of the window, as if having lost touch with reality. A few more friends would do her good she mused. Maybe even a boyfriend, smiling at the thought. Daphne just needed some subtle prodding in the right direction and it would be perfect. She truly was evil.
Harry, with his cheeks slowly receding in colour, found the right compartment further along down the train, that was accompanied by his two friends.
He had barely entered before Hermione grabbed hold of him, taking him in a large hug. He wasn't one for hugging, but when it was Hermione he made his allowances.
"Harry, oh my god look at how much taller you are, did you do something to your hair because it looks much different. Anything interesting happen? I've got loads to tell you. Did you study? You should you know. It's OWL's next year. Mum took me shopping for studying material. I got so many books and I- " she continued in her ramblings.
"Woah. Take a breath, you're going to run out of air." Harry cut in at the chance. He was right, as soon followed was hermione's deep breaths.
"Good idea" she said in between gasps.
She had a slight blush in her cheeks, and Ron quickly spoke in edge ways before she continued on her ramblings.
"What took you so long mate? We thought you'd missed it, thought maybe you'd have to take dad's car again," he grinned, alluding to their second year.
Hermione just rolled her eyes at this, "Seriously Ron, I'd have thought you would have been out of this childishness by now," she continued,"It's OWL's next year, and I'm certainly studying for it".
Harry and Ron groaned in sync. Neither of them wanted to start studying for Owl's now. That was a long way away right? Hermione had started to show off her homework and study planners, and her new colour coordinated notepads.
The train ride continued like this, and even Malfoy hadn't interrupted them, which was a first, although welcome which had contributed to an uneventful train ride.
Later on, and as usual, as they rowed in, and the castle came into view, Hogwarts continued to astound, and he could hear the first years "Oohs" and "Aahs" as it came into view.
It was universal across all people of all origins, the appreciation of beauty, because what a sight it was to behold. The castle, so grand in its ministrations and yet cast away from prying eyes.
The moment was disrupted by a particular teacher.
"Right, first years, you'll be following me in the back entrance to be sorted into your houses," Mcgonnagal barked, and then looked to the older students and continued "Second years and up, please follow the prefects and Hagrid to the feast,"
At the mention of his name, Hagrid sprung up to action, "Ight, you'll be following me then," before leading them into the castle. Of course, not before even getting to school, Malfoy had tried to pick up a fight with someone.
"Weasley, picking friends with muggleborns are we?" Sneering at the name while looking at the redhead, "Look at the state of those rags, are those hand me downs? No wonder, you weasleys breed like rabbits".
The Weasley blushed slightly, before clenching his jaw, "Well at least my father didn't need to whore himself for the ministry after you-know-who, bet it took a lot of galleons to get your father out of that one" he shot back. A small swell of pride at his insult.
Harry just shook his head, Ron wasn't exactly one for subtlety.
A few snickers from the crowds that had circled them, a few sickles changing hands in anticipation for a fight.
"That's it," Malfoy said, his pride tarnished, before charging at Weasley, "No one insults my father".
"Leave it Malfoy, " spoke Harry, jumping between the two, before looking to Ron.
"Ron, come on, he's not worth it," he said pleadingly, "it's what he wants."
After they tried to depart the crowd, and turned their backs to Malfoy, which was a mistake. Spotting the chance, and obviously not giving it much thought, malfoy drew his wand, and shouted at the pair, "Immobu-". Malfoy, seemed to freeze, before falling over, someone had stunned him before he could finish the curse.
The crowd gasped, there was no clear attacker, and the Scion of Malfoy, indignantly lay on the floor, frozen. Before anyone could notice, McGonagall had noticed the commotion, she certainly didn't look happy.
With long strides, she dispersed the crowd with ease, before speaking softly, "What is the meaning of this?" She glowered at the crowd, before speaking the counter curse on Malfoy. Malfoy, jumped at the opportunity, "It was Ron, miss, he cursed me" McGonagall clearly didn't believe him, but arched an eyebrow at Ron. "Is this true Weasley?"
"It's not," Ron, spoke truthfully, McGonagall looked at both of them, and made her decision wanting to get this over with, "Any more funny business, and you'll be on the first train back, agreed?"
"Agreed" chimed both Ron and Draco, glaring at each other, with clear venom laced in their words.
Daphne quietly withdrew her wand into her holster, and grinned slightly at her non verbal incantation. Unknown to her, Harry had taken notice, and maybe started a bit longer than he should have, and had certainly raised an eyebrow. For lack of a better word, he was impressed.
oOo
Astoria P.O.V
She couldn't keep still, just so much energy that she had kept pent up. She had had a talk with her sister earlier, which had soothed her nerves very little. The sorting of houses was a grandiose moment for everyone. She had so wanted to be with her sister. God knows Daphne needed the support.
One by one the first years were called out, and she heard the cheers of the houses as McGonagall called them out one by one.
She looked around, she wasn't the only one that was nervous, many muggleborns had closed their eyes praying, and a few just seemed disinterested with the entire process. Her last name, "G" would be relatively close to the start, she must be soon. She had to be slytherin, she had to be. She couldn't imagine the face on her sister if she wasn't. She had to be.
"Milda Eves" McGonagall called, a small girl, with blond pigtails and a nervous look. Muggleborn, Astoria thought. She hadn't heard Eves in any of her pureblood gatherings, "HUFFLEPUFF" the hat called soon later, she tensed herself.
"Astoria Greengrass" called McGonagall, she cast a sympathetic look on her.
It was terrifying as she approached, all eyes on her as she approached the hat, she really didn't want to make a fool of herself. She cast her eyes at the Slytherin table, hoping for some comfort in her sister but couldn't find her through the crowds. She sat down and hoisted the hat on her head.
"Oh, a mind this one" it echoed in her head. "Interesting, very interesting indeed."
Was the hat thinking?
"Yes, I am thank you," The hat responded before continuing, "Poor dear, sorry about your mother, and your sister, she's very-" The hat didn't finish. It seemed it had found the memories about her sister, and it didn't seem like it was one of the kind ones.
"I see ambition, but I also see courage, tough, very tough. Bravery, I see. It seems like you want to be Slytherin, trust me dear, you'll be much better fit here unlike your sister. I think that settles it."
"GRYFFINDOR" it shouted, the Gryffindor table burst with applause. She found Daphne, and as she imagined, a crestfallen look on her face. Man that hurt, she hated that look, but a more pressing issue was raised. What would her father say about this?"
Her father had never explicitly encouraged house rivalry, but the Greengrass family had been Slytherins for generations. It had been like that for ages, her father didn't even think about the fact that she might be sorted in another house, much worse, Gryfindor.
"Bravery is just a nicer word for stupidity" her sister had often remarked about the house, whenever she shared stories about Gryffindor exploits or the like when Daphne came home for the summer.
Harry P.O.V
The feast had been going fairly well, although standards of 'well' were quite low, as long as no trolls or anything like that, it was good. Throughout the feast, he was snatching the occasional glances at Daphne on the Slytherin table, wary of the enigma.
It was interesting, at the least, as he had no reason to believe that she had any quarrel with the Malfoy, and yet had come to their aid. It might have been for personal gain, but yet had made no attempt to even mention doing so to him. It annoyed him to no end, and of course, staring at her was definitely no chore.
"Astoria Greengrass"
Harry looked up in surprise at the name Greengrass, he was pretty sure that was Daphne's sister. He only needed one look before confirming his assumption, she shared the same hair colour, blonde, and eye colour, which was a light blue. He smiled softly, this was going to be interesting at least.
It had been a few moments before the hat screamed, "GRYFFINDOR".
Certainly surprised at this, he had thought she would be Slytherin, like her sister. The claps died down quickly and the rest of the feast was a blur.
Dumbledore stood up on the podium, and with just a few chimes from his glass, he had captured the hall. Harry admired that kind of ability, as the only one who could command that kind of silence was Snape, and for the entirely wrong reasons.
Harry had largely ignored a large proportion of his speech, he sat, absentmindedly, before a tidbit of information captured his attention.
"I say, with great regret, that due to certain events in the near future, Quidditch has been
cancelled for the school year," Dumbledore only had to say quidditch and the hall was paying attention to his every word. Quidditch cancelled? it certainly didn't go down with any of the houses, with some complaining, rather loudly, among them, the Weasley twins, although this complaining was fairly unanimous.
Amongst the complaints Dumbleore continued, "I know, I know, but I have a feeling that this year might be even more fun," He continued, a twinkle in his eye, "and Hogwarts, ladies and gentlemen, will be the home for the first Triwizard tournament".
Silence. The entire great hall was on the cusp of an outbreak of noise, yet no one dared to break it. Then broke the whispers, and soon the shouting. Not many had heard of the "Triwizard tournament", Harry had only heard of it in his books, and even then the information was limited, with only a small paragraph dedicated to the topic.
From what he knew, it was certainly nothing to laugh at as people had died before, and he wondered what Dumbledore was playing at.
Seeing the silence, Dumbledore probably thought some explanation would be best. "The Triwizard tournament is a magical contest, of cunning, bravery, friendship, and ability," referencing the four houses before going on.
"The three largest magical schools in Europe will partake, Beauxbatons academy of magic and Durmstrang institute will be represented by one champion per school. These champions will contest in three challenges, picked from the goblet of fire, and the winner will win the Triwizard cup, a glory unbeheld since the 13th century, and 1000 galleons of prize money.
1000 galleons? That was a lot of money, and certainly enough to turn the tide on whether the tournament was a good thing and even Draco's eyes gleamed at the prospect.
Dumbledore continued. "One of the stipulations for the cup, as it is reserved for 7th years only."
The entire great hall groaned at that. No chance for the galleons after all.
Then Dumbledore did something rather unexpected. He clicked his fingers, and the halls candles went dark, but only for a second. He clicked again, and the lights back on, with one rather large change.
"The Goblet of fire" Dumbledore announced.
Harry just nodded. Dumbledore always had a flair for the dramatic. Of course, to be fair the goblet was quite dramatic, with wisps of blue flame landing on the floor nearby.
"Anyone who wishes to enter, and is of the required age, please enter your name before the 27th, and please, for those youngsters interested in joining, please be aware that I have made, some… modifications to the goblet." he said, with the patented twinkle in his eyes.
McGonnogal, quietly stood up and referenced Dumbledore to take a seat, "Right," composing herself, "That's enough excitement for one day. Hogwarts dismissed, please return to your dormitories in an orderly fashion, first years, find your nearest house perfect and follow them to the dormitories."
Harry quickly departed with Hermione to the dormitories, muttering the password they had overheard from some prefects and entered. As he glimpsed at Astoria coming in, part of Harry wanted to comfort her, and tell her it would be all right. That was a lie. Tensions between houses had never been higher, and knowing she came from a family of snakes wasn't exactly in her favour.
He shook his head, family shouldn't decide who you are, he was proof of that, and as Harry's slightly more contemptuous housemates walked by, most just gave Astoria a glare and some even had the audacity to hiss when they were walking by.
Harry seethed with anger, "What pompous brats," unfortunately for him, he realised he said that aloud, garnering the attention of his classmates, who simply just raised an eyebrow.
oOo
Before going to breakfast, hell even before anyone woke up, he went to the library. Hermione would be proud. He had sat all night, restless with the tournament, he couldn't just wait for it to happen.
As he entered the library, scouring the bookshelves for the book he was looking for, he heard an unlikely voice behind him.
"Fancy seeing you here potter," said an emotionless voice behind him, a quite pretty voice he thought. He looked up, only to see Daphne Greengrass. He was surprised by her appearance, he thought he had been alone. His face frowned in his distaste at the formalities, to be fair, they hardly interacted with each other, besides a few conversations if that.
Any friendship between Slytherin and Gryffindor was largely impossible on house rivalries, there was just too much history between them. Daphne had a reputation of being the Ice Queen, and of being very pretty, flocked by an entourage of boys, whom she often turned down. She had very few real friends like him, and he realised he'd been silent for the last few seconds and she was adamantly waiting for a response, looking at Harry.
"Um, Just looking for books on the Triwizard tournament, know any?" he asked.
"Sorry to disappoint Potter, I'm here for the same thing" she spoke quietly, which Harry found slightly odd as there was no one in the near vicinity, and yet kept what attention she got limited.
Maybe she was more like him than he thought.
"I mean, I guess, I should. Thank you for earlier," he said.
She raised her eyebrows, as if letting him finish.
"I mean Malfoy, I'm just surprised you did it and all," he mumbled quickly.
"Oh. You caught on then. That was nothing, I had to stop him before he made a greater fool than he was already, and worse, to our house."
Harry looked confused.
"I mean," Daphne said, "We know about what he does, him and his gang. It's amazing he's in Slytherin at all, no cunning, and the way he goes about things he should be in Gryffindor."
Harry didn't want to think about that whatsoever,
"I'd have thought that Slytherin would be behind him and all."
"Well, what do you know about me Potter?," she said, coming out slightly harsher than she intended.
Harry winced slightly, "Well, maybe we can change that, take down house rivalries. How about it?" He offered his hand.
He had absolutely no idea what had come over him to do that, he didn't even know this person, and yet he felt compelled to do so.
She cocked her head, she hadn't seen the conversation going this way, but to her surprise, and to his,
she took it.
A/N Hello fellow reader, review if you want, I know I'm not that good, but it's worth a try. I have a school thing, end of middle school and all of that so that's why I didn't post for a bit. Good day!