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Chapter 6

Harry wandered the streets of Hogsmeade, various schoolmates keeping a watch over him. He supposed that was nice of them, keeping the public at a distance, Viktor was even being more visible than normal to try and take attention from Harry. He would just be glad when it was all over and he could go home though he just knew Hades was going to laugh at him over all this.

Skeeter kept printing articles because of what he'd said to her at the ceremony but he didn't care and he knew his Mother had payback planned that would put the annoying woman in her place. She'd written to him about keeping out of the woman's way till she had everything in place and Diablo had seemed rather happy so he almost pitied the reporter…almost. She'd brought whatever retribution his Mother gave on herself after all.

The village was quaint enough he supposed, though he didn't see what all the fuss was about. It was like any other village on any World, he may not have been to any but he had seen images in books. If anything, Hogsmeade seemed…dirtier, which was strange considering they all had magic to clean with. Hollow Bastion may be rather broken but at least it was clean, you could eat off the floor if you wanted to, not that Harry would ever want to. Still the village had its charms, though he avoided all the pubs because of the likely crowds, the candy store was nice and had some very Earth magical unique treats.

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Luna walked across the grounds to her favourite place to sit and write. She was surprised to find the hollow already occupied but recognised the person rather quickly due to the uniform and hair. He looked up and she saw the flecks of yellow in green eyes, something about those flecks made a strange shiver go up her spine but she wouldn't let that stop her. "Hello Harry Kakós," she greeted, using the name he was registered at school under, seeing the flicker of surprise.

"Hello," he offered in return, obviously wary of her intentions.

"You found my writing spot, did the Blibbering Humdingers show you the way?"

"The…what?"

She smiled at him and sat down, pulling out her parchment and quill. "Oh, I'm Luna Lovegood, third year Ravenclaw. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," he nodded politely.

"It's okay, everyone thinks I'm odd, that's why they call me Loony."

"Well that's not very nice," he frowned, and she shrugged.

"It's just a name."

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"But your friends don't call you that, do they?" Harry asked. At first when she'd appeared he'd been ready to move on, not wanting to deal with either a fan or someone wanting to give him their opinion on his actions and how he was bringing shame to the Potter name. Instead, she had used the name his Mother had given him for school and had just sat down quietly with parchment. Calling her Loony didn't sound very nice to him, but maybe it wasn't meant to be mean?

"I don't spend much time with Ginny anymore, we're in different Houses and she has new friends."

"But you have friends in your House, don't you?" he asked, even he had friends of a sort, not exactly close but people he could spend time with after class. Her silence was answer enough. "I don't have any close friends," he found himself admitting.

"Not yet, but you will. You'll find your Light soon," she looked up, smiling, and all he could do was stare at her. What? "You'll meet his friend first and you'll be good friends when his mind and heart are his own."

Harry's eyes widened at her words. Was it possible…she was a seer of some type? His Light and a friend? Was she suggesting that he would soon meet someone…to love? That was crazy, wasn't it? Who would love the 'Prince of Darkness' as Hades liked to joking call him. Did he even want something like that? He shook his head; it wasn't worth wasting time considering. A friend might be nice, though her warning on that persons mind and heart was concerning. It suggested things beyond what his Mother would do, she might make suggestions, make someone vulnerable to listening, but Luna's warning seemed to be of something stronger than that.

He nearly jumped when a delicate hand touched his, looking up to find Luna smiling gently.

"Don't worry, you won't meet this school year, not until you've returned home." And then she giggled. "Is it fun living in such a big castle?"

Definitely some kind of seer but…he liked her better than any other girl he'd met in the magical world. How did you ask someone to be your friend? But then she smiled and he realised he didn't actually need to ask, handy gift that.

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Sora rolled onto his back, soaking up the sun, smiling when he felt the sand shift as Riku somehow managed to flop elegantly down beside him. How did he make everything look so easy and cool? It wasn't fair.

"You're pouting," Riku teased, smirking at him.

"Am not."

"Are too," Riku shot back but then he just watched him. "Sora, what's wrong?" his tone was serious now. he shifted onto his side, leaning up on his elbow, and Sora looked away, shifting nervously. "

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"Hey, are you okay?" Riku was moving from concerned to alarmed now, it wasn't like Sora to act like he was.

Had something happened? He'd seen Sora's Mum that morning so he knew she was okay. Had someone hurt Sora? Surely he'd taught all those bullies not to go near Sora months ago, had some of them thought it safe to try again? Or…had he done something? He couldn't think of anything but it'd explain Sora's unwillingness to say anything.

"Sora come on, please talk to me," he even said please! He reached out with the hand not supporting his weight, touching Sora's shoulder and thankfully he didn't flinch or anything. As much as they were rivals, there were still best friends, right?

Sora glanced at him, chewing at his bottom lip, and Riku made himself wait patiently. Sora sat up, hugging his knees to his chest, so Riku sat up as well, shifting so their shoulders were touching. "Selphie kissed me," Sora finally said, and Riku blinked, what? "She didn't even ask!" he grumbled.

"Did you like it?" Riku asked, he'd thought Sora liked Kairi?

Sora shook his head. "It was…yuk, awkward…wet. I don't get it."

"Wanted it to be Kairi?" Riku asked, feeling something he didn't like at the thought.

It was a shock when Sora shrugged. "I…I don't know. I thought so but…" he shook his head.

So maybe he didn't want Kairi to kiss him? That…that was good, right?

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Cedric struggled to keep from pacing the tent, glancing at the others. Fleur was sitting in the corner, looking pale and clammy. Krum and Potter were standing a few feet apart at the other side of the tent, weirdly the youngest champion seemed the calmest. The two of them wore contrasting crimson and black uniforms to show that while they were students at the same school, they were participating individually. He's seen the back of Potter's uniform and he knew that it would not make people happy, in large letters was the name Kakós, not Potter. He guessed it made sense, he was obviously more comfortable with his adopted name than his birth one. He supposed they were lucky the younger boy knew it at all , if he hadn't…well, today would have gone very badly for him. Then again, they were facing nesting mother dragons so it still could end very badly for any of them.

He half tuned the officials out as they began going on and on. When the bag was held out, he was happy for Fleur to go first, but then it was passed to him. He pulled out the blueish-grey Swedish Short-Snout, the number one tied around its neck. It was a relief but he also felt sick when Krum pulled out the Chinese Fireball for number three, seeing the knowledge in his eyes as he did so. That left only one for Po… Kakós, the Hungarian Horntail, the most dangerous and cranky of the lot.

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Hermione was surprised to find Luna Lovegood sitting beside her in the stands. The younger girl smiled airily at her, as if they weren't sitting in massive stands full of people ready to cheer on the possible deaths of children. The whole idea of the Tournament felt like something that belonged in ancient Rome not the modern world and it was sickening, but attendance at the events was mandatory. She bit her lip as the first dragon plus its eggs were forced into the arena, nesting mothers! Were they insane?

"Don't worry, they all have their plans for dealing with the dragons," Luna spoke up, and Hermione glanced at her. "Harry's Mother is scarier."

Okay then…

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Harry closed his eyes, listening to the commentary on the others, wincing when he heard Viktor had caused his dragon to trample her own eggs, able to feel his Mother's displeasure at that from where she was in the stands. He might not be competing in the Tournament for the sake of winning, but it was still nice to know she was there to watch him compete. As applause filled the air, Harry took a deep breath and moved from where he'd been sitting towards the entrance.

As the whistle blew, he walked out through the entrance of the tent, past the trees, through a gap in the enclosure fence. For a second, he felt a surge of panic…there were so many people! But he pushed it down even as he spotted the Hungarian Horntail waiting for him…she did not look happy at all.

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She watched her son approach the dragon he was to steal from, seeing the brief moment of panic as he took in the crowds. That was something she had failed to consider. While the school was far from small, he had never been faced with crowds such as these, all focused on him. Hopefully, the Tournament would be enough for him to become used to such things because she wasn't sure how else to expose him to them.

It was amusing to see the humans so frightened of those dragons, they would never be able to face her. Harry had never been scared of her dragon form so that would be the easiest part of this task for him. The question was, how would he complete the task before him?

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Kairi walked beside Selphie, listening to her chatter on about anything and everything. "Wait…what?"

"I kissed Sora," Selphie grinned.

"Really?"

"Yep," Selphie giggled. "He was so cutely confused! He's just so sweet."

"So you're dating now?" Kairi asked, she'd never even suspected Sora liked Selphie like that.

She guessed it made things easier on her since she'd never been able to choose between them. Honestly, she thought she liked Riku more anyway, definitely his looks but he was also calmer, better at just sitting and listening. Sora's energy could be exhausting…but so could Selphie's so maybe they'd work well together.

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Albus sat back and watched as Boy-Who-Lived approached the most dangerous of the days dragons, wondering how he would face it. Would he choose a method similar to Krum's since they went to the same school? Hopefully, he would use a lighter method, what would they do if the child of prophecy used dark magic?

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Harry walked towards the dragon at a slow, steady, pace, completely unafraid. The dragon in return watched him warily, a few warning flashes of flame coming from her snout. He stopped at a distance that had people talking, worried since he was within range of her flames, and then he bowed to her slightly. He knew these dragons weren't like his Mother who had her full faculties in either form, they were more animalistic but also smarter than many animals.

Harry was years, maybe even decades, off being able to transform like his Mother but that didn't matter since two dragons brawling would be far too dangerous. He took a deep breath, drawing in his magic, and then reached out to the dragon. He knew dragons in a way most didn't, had studied them for years because of his Mother, she'd even let him try bits of magic on her form. He used all of that to touch the dragons' magic, firmly but gently, and it stared at him before slowly settling down. She curled around the nest, checking each egg before pushing the golden one out with her snout and towards Harry. He accepted the egg, bowed again, and then walked out of the arena to dead silence.

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Ron stared at Potter's back as he walked from the arena with his egg. What had he done? He'd just stared at the dragon and then it had given him the egg. He went to Durmstrang so maybe….it was dark magic? He scowled; how dare he spit on the memory of his parents like that!

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Maleficent nodded and stood, walking from the stands, proud of her son. Better his combat skills remain hidden for now, until Riddle showed his face. Once she was away from the arena Diablo flew down to rest on her shoulder before they vanished in a flash of green fire.

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Hades smirked, the image fading from the pool before him, the kid had made the older competitors look incompetent. It was rare for him to pay personal attention to another World, even one that still spoke of them, but for this so-called Dark Lord, he would. That pathetic wizard had named himself for running from him after all, Riddle would soon find out no one could run from him forever. Hades knew the kid would win the fight between them, even if he had to play dirty to ensure it. Too much was becoming tied to the little prince to risk him dying.

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The start of December brought wind and sleet to Hogwarts. The ship pitched in the high winds, black sails billowing against the dark skies, it made life interesting but thankfully it was kept warm and dry inside by magic. Surprisingly, Hogwarts was drafty though the castle, despite its fires and thick walls. Though he had to admit the decorations were very good; everlasting icicles had been attached to the banisters of the marble staircase, the twelve Christmas trees in the Great Hall were bedecked with everything from luminous holly berries to real, hooting, golden owls, and the suits of armour had all been bewitched to sing carols whenever anyone passed them. He thought the Beauxbatons caravan looked to be pretty chilly too, hopefully it had the same magical heating as the ship and not the same heating as Hogwarts.

He felt really bad for the Hogwarts Care of Magical Creatures class being out in the weather but more for having to deal with those strange creatures, they definitely weren't on Durmstrang's curriculum. Whatever they were, they didn't feel quite right either. Harry had seen Skeeter headed for the teacher one day and had quickly dealt with her, sending her running without any proof it had been him since he'd been sitting in a tree nearby.

He wasn't looking forward to the Yule ball at all, he knew how to dance, Mother would never let him get away with not knowing something so important. He'd still never attended a ball before and he'd be one of the main people there. What was worse…he was expected to have a partner. He supposed he could ask one of the girls from school but he didn't really know any of them. It didn't help that since it had been announced to the Hogwarts students, he'd spotted groups of giggling girls following him and Viktor.

When he spotted Luna wandering alone across the grounds, happily kicking at snow drifts, he had an idea.

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Hermione looked up as Luna joined her, not surprised since the younger girl had spent time with her studying since the first task. She didn't mind since Luna didn't disturb her work, even if the girl did believe in silly things. She'd seen a few things that had her willing to let her escape to her, had even tried to intervene a few times but the culprits were mainly older students and ignored her words. Bullying was never acceptable and yet far too many got away with it at Hogwarts, a lot of the times their actions were enough to get them suspended at a muggle school, even expelled, and yet half the time they didn't even get points taken.

"Do you have a date for the ball?" Luna asked, surprising her.

"Pardon?"

"Someone to go with?" Luna asked again with a smile.

"I wasn't really planning to dance or anything."

"Well I know someone who would like to ask you."

"Oh?" she asked warily. "Why me?"

"Because you don't follow him around giggling. Did you know he's watched you sometimes?"

Someone had been watching her? "Who?"

"Viktor Krum," Luna smirked.

"Luna…"

"Harry asked me if I'd go with him, not as a date, we're not meant for each other at all. And he mentioned Viktor was having the same trouble. I mentioned you and apparently Viktor is interested. So?"

Hermione stared at her; she knew Potter well enough to call him by his first name? How had they even met? Viktor Krum wanted to go to the ball with her? It was a lot to take in. Surely there were other, prettier, girls who didn't follow him around? "I…I'll talk to him," she finally said, and Luna nodded, smiling, as they got back to work.

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Sora stared at Kairi in confusion. "What?"

"Congratulations on getting with Selphie," she said again, though now frowning slightly. "Sora?"

"Kairi, what are you talking about?" he asked. Was Selphie really telling people they were together. She'd kissed him but there had been no asking if he liked it or if he wanted to date her.

"Selphie said you guys kissed a few weeks back."

"She kissed me!" he groaned in annoyance. "I didn't ask her to or anything and she never asked if I'd date her. I…I didn't like it."

"Oh," Kairi blinked and then winced. "She's ah…told a few people Sora, I'm surprised no one's said anything. I kept meaning to but we've all been busy with exams."

"Great."

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Ginny glared at her brother as she took Neville's arm, walking to the great hall with him. He didn't like that she was going, or that her dress robes were new unlike his own, or that she was going with Neville and that Granger insisted she had a date but wouldn't tell who it was since Ron had tried to ask her as a last option. Honestly, Neville was far from her first pick at a date, but at least he was decent and wouldn't try anything. Her robes weren't exactly fashionable but they'd only been worn once, by a very distant cousin so it wasn't obvious they were second hand, not exactly what she wanted to be wearing to meet him but better than what dear Ron was stuck with.

She'd been trying to meet him all year, to get close, but he was only ever present at meals with the others from that horrible school. Harry Potter was meant to be at Hogwarts, a Gryffindor just like his parents. Her whole life she'd heard the stories about him, had been told she looked like Lily, that she could be the next Lady Potter…and that had all been ruined when he never showed up for school. To think he'd been at Durmstrang the last four years…the secretive school that taught the Dark Arts! No, he needed a reason to return to Britain, where he belonged, and what better way to do so than because of love?

Ron practically stomped down the stairs to join them and Ginny made herself keep smiling despite his expression. He stared over the heads of the crowd. "Where is Hermione?" he asked for the millionth time.

A group of Slytherins walked up the steps from their dungeon common room before anyone could answer him. Malfoy was in front, wearing dress robes of black velvet with a high collar, which honestly looked very restricting and uncomfortable. Pansy Parkinson was in very frilly robes of pale pink, clutching Malfoy's arm. That colour did absolutely nothing for her. Crabbe and Goyle were both wearing green; they resembled moss-coloured boulders, and neither of them, she was amused to see, had managed to find a partner.

The oak front doors opened, and everyone turned to look as the Durmstrang students entered with Professor Karkaroff. Krum was at the front of the party, accompanied by a pretty girl in blue robes Ginny didn't recognise. Over their heads she saw that an area of lawn right in front of the castle had been transformed into a sort of grotto full of fairy lights, meaning hundreds of actual living fairies were sitting in the rosebushes that had been conjured there, and fluttering over the statues of what seemed to be Father Christmas and his reindeer.

For some ridiculous reason, Harry was behind Krum. He was dressed in the same smart bright red tunic, a matching fur lined cape attached to a leather strap over one shoulder, a black leather belt with the Durmstrang crest on the belt buckle, brown breeches, and black leather boots. Personally, she thought they'd look better if the pants were black too but it wasn't a bad look at all. They weren't really robes though, maybe some places in Europe weren't so traditional?

Then Professor McGonagall's voice called, "Champions over here, please!"

As they passed she got a look at Harry's partner and her blood boiled as she recognised the blond on his arm. Luna! How could she?

TBC….