On the evening of the thirtieth of October, all of us were permitted to leave lessons half an hour early in order to return our bags and books to our dorms, smarten ourselves up and prepare to meet the delegations from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. McGonagall had taken Lee, Fred, George and I aside in order to warn us that if we did anything remotely against the school rules, caused mayhem or chaos, we would find ourselves in detention every day for the rest of our school careers and that she would personally see to it that we would suffer dire consequences. I think she's on edge.
"Blimey, it's like she thinks we're some kind of troublemakers." George grumbled as we all trudged away from our rather explicit warning.
"Can't think why she'd imagine such a thing. We're model students." Fred agreed as I yawned.
"Shame. I guess that means we're not going ahead with the firework display? Too bad. I was looking forward to seeing the Beauxbatons dancing around with fire crackers at their feet. I hear they're a bunch of prissy snobs. I hope they don't put them with us, I doubt they'd last five seconds as honorary Gryffindors." I mused as we continued up to the common room, tossing our bags into our rooms then returning as I tried to neaten up the thick curls that tumbled across my shoulders, trying to get a ribbon around them so at the very least they looked somewhat tamed.
"Durmstrang will probably go with Slytherin. I hear they learn real Dark Arts over there, no defence." Lee mentioned which made me look up with interest, still struggling with the ribbon. "Expect they'll stay with them since they'll get along so well." Wonderful, just what we needed. More of those insufferable pricks. Growling to myself as the stupid ribbon refused to tie and hold back my hair, Fred laughed and plucked it from me.
"Here, let me." So we paused on the stairs so that Fred could pull his fingers through my hair then rather neatly wove them together, even managing a wonky bow which was more than I had managed to do. "There, now we can see more of that unpleasant face of yours."
"You little-"
"Enough dawdling you four! Come along now!" Any retort or insults I was planning to throw at Fred as he grinned at me were cut off by McGonagall who was organising us all into our year groups in front of the Great Hall in order to prepare us. She studiously inspected every single Gryffindor student, barking out orders to tidy up if she wasn't satisfied with something. Then we were marched outside to stand in the chilly evening in order to wait. Fred and George were whispering together but loud enough for me to hear, talking about Bagman again but my mind was wandering.
I'd received a reply from dad not long ago, telling me to go for the tournament and that we'd talk about it when he got here. He was still moving north, taking it slow and steady as not to get himself noticed so I didn't expect him for a while. He'd said he was missing me and couldn't wait to be here and that he was sorry to miss my birthday, finishing with a note to keep an eye on Harry for him and saying that he loved me. It had made me smile and I'd carried the letter around for a while just to read it again and again, though George had almost spotted it at one point and I'd had to discreetly hide it.
They didn't know about dad as I wasn't exactly sure how to tell them. I wanted to be honest and tell them the truth but without the evidence of Wormtail's confession, how could I be sure they would believe me? In any case, the fewer people who knew about my dad the better, it was safer for him since the ministry were still searching for him everywhere. I shivered as a breeze blew through me, fisting my hands into my cloak as Fred looked at me. "Are you cold?"
"Why couldn't we have waited inside to meet these people? They better be on time, it's damn rude to make people wait." Chuckling softly, Fred put his arm around me to share his cloak with me as well, which was considerably warmer after huddling underneath it for a while. George sent me a mischievous grin so I stuck my tongue out at him, having no clever quip or retort to hand. It was a while before anything came into view, and almost at precisely six 'o clock a shadow was seen moving towards us over the forest, spotted first by Dumbledore.
For a while no one could figure out what it was, until a first year shouted that it was a flying house. In actual fact, it was a massive horse drawn carriage pulled by pegasi, winged horses of bright gold with eyes like rubies once they were close enough to get a good look at. The carriage itself was heavily ornate, a soft blue shade with solid gold accents and an emblem on the front of crossed wands and three stars signifying that it was the Beauxbatons transport. "Well, I was right about prissy." I muttered under my breath as everyone else whispered and craned their necks to see.
When the carriage door opened, a boy dressed in blue silk robes almost identical to the colour of the carriage hopped out, unfolding golden steps before a massive woman stepped out. "Does Hagrid have a sister?" George whispered and I couldn't help but snort slightly. She really was a tall woman, taller than anyone else here, but as tall as she was, this woman was also rather handsome too, and once she stepped free from the carriage, which could have only fitted her inside due to magic, Dumbledore began to clap.
Everyone else followed suit as the woman smiled before walking down the carpeted aisle that had been set up for our new arrivals, extending a heavily ringed hand towards our headmaster who greeted her warmly. "Madame Maxime, welcome to Hogwarts."
"Dumbly-dorr, I 'ope I find you well?" Heavily accented, I smiled again at the address of 'Dumbly-dorr', thinking it rather funny but managed to hold my tongue as McGonagall was looking our way. After their brief greeting, the giantess – Madame Maxime – extended her opal ringed hand back towards the carriage in order to present her students, all of them wearing the same silk blue robes which left them shivering from the cold and suddenly, I was very grateful for mine and Fred's cloaks. I no longer had any interest in the pupils or their headmistress, focusing instead on the horses and wondering if Hagrid would let me study them as I overheard Dumbledore assuring Madame Maxime that he would surely take care of them.
After the flutter of excitement from the arrival of Beauxbatons, everyone fell quiet once more. I was starting to feel a little disappointed. I had expected a flowery show to announce themselves. Ribbons, fairies, flouncy things which would at the very least be entertaining to watch and give us a good subject to mock later. But no, other than the horses and the giantess, it had been rather boring. Thankfully we didn't have to wait much longer for Durmstrang, as Lee suddenly grabbed my arm and pointed. "The lake! Look at the lake!"
"Ouch! Lee, let go!" I hissed at him as in his excitement, he'd practically snapped my arm with his grip. Apologising quickly but only half listening, we were now all staring at the lake where a mass froth of bubbles were brewing like a cauldron until the water started to spiral, and out from the centre rose a tall, dark mast. "It's a ship." I recognised as the rigging followed, the massive vessel so large even we could see it clearly from here. It glided all the way to the harbour where the first year boats used to dock in order to weigh anchor, a dim gloom of pale green shining from portholes and around the rigging.
They all disembarked and began the climb up from the harbour to the front gates where we were waiting for them. Standing on my toes in order to get a better look at them, they all seemed rather stern faced and tense, their bulking masses due to an excessive amount of fur from their uniforms. Their headmaster, clear because he was older and dressed in richer looking furs and cloak, was the only cheerful one of the lot as he strode up and opened up his arms. "Dumbledore! How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?"
"Blooming, thank you Professor Karkaroff." Dumbledore responded pleasantly, waiting until they were face to face before shaking hands. Karkaroff beamed, his ingratiating voice carrying as he then stepped back to admire the castle.
"Dear old Hogwarts. 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…" Fussing over one of his students who slouched forwards, I arched an eyebrow as we saw the top of his head pass, not immediately recognising who he was.
"Easy to tell who's the favourite then I guess." The twins smirked in reply. We were eventually allowed back into the warmth of the Great Hall in order to take our seats, where Ron was fervently whispering about the student from before, as it turned out to be none other than Viktor Krum with whom Ron had a slight obsession. I expect he'll be professing his love soon. Lee was trying to jump in order to get a better look at Krum whilst a great number of girls were searching for a means to secure his autograph. I merely rolled my eyes.
"Not your type then, Mia?" George asked me quietly as we eventually managed to sit down, finding myself as usual sat between the twins.
"The poor guy probably gets ogled enough on a day to day basis. I'll save my dreamy eyed gazing for a more private and discreet location." I drawled and the twins laughed cheerfully, seemingly pleased with my reply though I thought nothing of it. Boys and their jealousy. I suppose now there will be a great deal more drama now that there are extra pickings in students all cramming into Hogwarts this year. I couldn't quite decide if that made me feel anticipative or apprehensive. The Beauxbatons students had already seated themselves at the Ravenclaw table, much to my relief, but the Durmstrang students loitered in the doorway and Ron was eagerly trying to make room so that they could sit at our table, but was disappointed when they chose to sit with Slytherin. Ron was not happy about this, especially when Krum happened to sit close enough to Malfoy for the boy to smirk gleefully at the boys before turning to talk to him privately.
"Yeah that's right, smarm up to him, Malfoy." Ron muttered bitterly, now flushing pink at the ears. "I bet Krum can see right through him, though…bet he gets people fawning over him all the time…where d'you reckon they're going to sleep? We could offer him a space in our dormitory, Harry, I wouldn't mind giving him my bed, I could kip out on a camp bed." Smiling at Ron's eagerness as Ginny came and sat near us, I tossed her a smile as I quickly doused Ron's hopes and dreams like the loving friend I was.
"They'll probably sleep on their ship, Ronald. Where do you think they've been sleeping on the journey over?" His ears went even pinker. Glancing over Ginny's shoulder I noticed that the Beauxbatons students were still shivering, so I sneaked my wand out from up my sleeve, cast a few spells from under the table and made several bright rounded orbs appear in front of them, fire billowing within and put out a great deal of heat. They started in surprise but quickly began holding their hands close to the flames as I rolled my eyes. "You'd think they'd use magic themselves to warm up rather than just sit there shivering like a bunch of femme-fatales."
"They don't look like much, why would they even agree to joining a dangerous tournament if they look like they wouldn't even touch a flobberworm?" Ginny wondered and I had to agree with a vague hum. We waited whilst seated until all the teachers filled the top table, though there appeared to be two spaces extra which, for the moment, were empty. Dumbledore remained standing of all the teachers in order to address us, so I wriggled in anticipation to hear more news on the tournament.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and – most particularly – guests. I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable." A small, derisive laugh was heard from the Beauxbatons so Hermione, Ginny and I all glared in that direction as Hermione huffed with the point that no one was making any of them stay. If Dumbledore had heard it, he gave no indication of being offended as he continued. "The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast. I now invite you all to eat, drink and make yourselves at home!"
Disappointed that there wasn't any more news as of yet on the tournament, I decided that a fully belly was a good way to distract myself. There was a great deal more variety in dishes this time around, which shouldn't have surprised me really, so I tried a few out of interest. "So, are you going to do it? Are you going to enter?" George was asking me quietly as we all started to eat. "You're the only one of us who's actually of age."
"Miss out on a chance for fortune and glory? Not likely! I'm entering the first chance I get. What about you two? Are you really going to try and use an aging potion to fool Dumbledore? I can pretty much guarantee it won't work."
"Of course it will, no harm in trying is there?" Fred responded so I just shrugged and asked him to pass the potatoes. Ginny and I talked from then on, as the boys were mostly distracted by a girl who had come over for the bouillabaisse, particularly affecting Ron who insisted that she was a veela the moment she was out of earshot. Hermione looked rather indignant at the suggestion, as Ron had also said that they didn't have girls as pretty as her at Hogwarts, to which I had taken genuine offence to as I considered myself a rare and genuine dark haired beauty and one of the best looking girls in the school.
Since Fred and George were also distracted by the Beauxbatons girl, they hadn't noticed the two new arrivals until I'd elbowed them both in the guts and nodded to the head table. Ludo Bagman had arrived, as well as Mr Crouch. "Looks like you'll be able to confront him face to face after all." I murmured to them and they looked at one another quickly. "Just let me know if you need anyone kidnapped."
"What would we do without you Mia?"
"Get in trouble for being caught. Is that apple crumble by you George? Pass it over." Since we'd now moved onto dessert, I happily made my way through a small portion of three different puddings until I was satisfied, though I did consider vanishing the food in my stomach so I could eat more, but I decided against it. Something like that could go horribly wrong. In any case, the moment dessert vanished and Dumbledore stood, an intense silence fell over the hall in order to listen to him speak, no one wanting to miss a single word.
"The moment has come. 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." He began, making more than a few students frown at the mention of a casket. Was somebody dead? "But firstly, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation…" Dumbledore paused to allow an applause before then introducing the latter. "And Mr Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports." I scowled and refused to clap despite everyone else cheering loudly.
"I can get him from here, the angle's good. Just say the word."
"For the last time, Mia, we want him to actually pay us. Don't curse him before he has the chance." Although sounding exasperated, I could still hear the laughter in George's tone as we spoke underneath the noise of the applause until it died away and everyone returned to the same focused silence of before.
"Mr Bagman and Mr Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament, and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime on the panel which will judge the champions' efforts."
"Well that's good, that means there will be more judges in Hogwarts' favour." Ginny whispered to us and I nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, but you can bet the other two will favour their own students all the more to make up the difference. It's hardly going to be fair either way, they should have invited impartial judges across the board to make things really fair." She shrugged and we both turned back to Dumbledore who had requested Filch to bring in the casket. Immediately we all looked to see him carrying a large wooden chest to the front of the hall, covered with sparkling jewels which flickered like coloured flames as they caught the candlelight. Already I was gripping Fred and George's hands, watching closely as it slowly made its way past our table and all the way to Dumbledore.
"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr Crouch and Mr Bagman, and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways. Their magical prowess…their daring…their powers of deduction, and of course, their ability to cope with danger."
"This tournament was made for you, Mia!" Lee whispered and I beamed back at him. I was desperate to enter, let's just get to that point already. I wonder if there's a way to ensure that I get picked? Could I get away with it? Would I get banned if I'm caught cheating? This was so exciting, I had no idea life at Hogwarts could be so thrilling, and here I was thinking that I'd never top fighting a basilisk and duelling Voldemort's memory.
"As you know, three champions compete in the tournament, one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector…the Goblet of Fire." With a swish of his wand and three taps on the casket that Filch had almost reverently placed at Dumbledore's feet, the lid opened up with a loud crack of sound.
Reaching inside, Dumbledore retrieved a plain looking cup which would have been a sore disappointment had it not been for the dancing white flames which burned constantly from within the bowl of the cup. "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. 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."
"That's it? That's the judge?" I blinked in surprise as the twins both agreed that fooling the thing was going to be easy.
"To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation, I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the Entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line." Dumbledore emphasise and for a moment, I felt like his gaze flickered once again to the twins. "Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the Goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become champion. Please be very sure, therefore, that you are whole-heartedly prepared to play, before you drop your name into the Goblet. Now, I think it is time for bed. Goodnight to you all!"
And with that, we were all dismissed. Dumbledore's warning only impressed on me further that I wanted to enter. It would be the challenge of a lifetime, and I wanted in on it. I could only imagine how proud dad would be, I have no doubt he'd have done the exact same thing were he still at school, and I prided myself on our similarities. Fred and George were buzzing with enthusiasm, talking about their aging potion though Hermione believed that they would be wasting their time. I didn't bother trying to tell them it wouldn't work, they'd soon find out for themselves.
Ron was already trying to catch another look at Krum as my thoughts lingered on the Goblet, and only realised that there was congestion at the door when I bumped into Fred's back. "What's the hold up?" I grunted, rubbing my nose then looked around him to see Karkaroff staring at Harry. What's his problem? Slipping forwards, I quickly put myself in front of Harry as all of Durmstrang were now staring at him too. "Problem, professor?" His eyes narrowed at me, staring over that hooked nose which gave him the impression of a hawk but before anything else could be said, the rhythmic thumping of a certain one legged teacher came towards us.
"Yeah, that's Harry Potter." Moody growled and Karkaroff quickly turned his head, growing paler as an expression of recognition and a touch of dread came to light, exclaiming loudly probably without meaning to. "Me." Agreeing gruffly as Moody finally reached us, he scowled as his magical eye zoomed around, constantly surveying the surroundings. "And unless you've got anything to say to Potter, Karkaroff, you might want to move. You're blocking the doorway." Unable to help it, I smirked a little as I glanced at Moody and pointedly stood my ground so that Harry was hidden behind me, out of sight.
Raising his chin indignantly, I caught a crisp click of his tongue before Karkaroff hurriedly left with his students following, allowing everyone else to follow. "Alright Harry?"
"I'm fine, you didn't have to jump in or anything Mia, I can handle the stares."
"Maybe you can, but I find it irritating that you're getting all of the attention." I said to him, joining the others as we all made our way back to the common room. "I mean, with such beauty and gloriousness as myself around, people really should be staring at me rather than you. You're so selfish, Harry. You should be ashamed of yourself." Now grinning at me, even Ron and Hermione were smiling as I saw them to the stairs then turned to yell at a bunch of third year girls who were trying to follow the Durmstrang students. "Oy! Don't even think about it! Get back here or I'll set your hair on fire!"
"Miss Black!" McGonagall scolded briskly so I groaned. Just typical.
