Chapter 2

Kasi had this thing about Quidditch.

She got very bored when she watched it. It was always the same thing. Quaffle scores, Bludger to the torso, fell off the broom. It got boring quickly. Kasi liked playing Quidditch, something about the adrenaline and the rush of fear and danger made her feel alive. She wasn't on one of the teams in Durmstrang, but she did play with Victor and their friends in informal matches.

Kasi jolted when the Bludger struck Viktor in the nose, breaking it and giving him a bloody nose that gushed down his face. It matched his robes. Now she couldn't wait until it was over. She would never let him live this down.

Just as Kasi instructed, Viktor did not do a Nona. He waited until one of the Chasers, Kasi couldn't see which one, scored twice before he went for the snitch. He was neck to neck with Lynch, both going for it. They were going at a steep angle towards the ground.

"They're going to crash!"

"They're not!"

"Lynch is!"

Kasi smiled as she saw Viktor jut his broom up at the last moment, saving himself from hitting the ground, unlike Lynch. The poor man was run over by the angry Veela as they came over. The women turned back to beautiful creatures before they all cheered and made the crowd go drowsy with their allure.

"The Snitch, where's the Snitch?"

"He's got it — Krum's got it — it's all over!"

Even with his bloody nose, Viktor was proud as he held his head and hand with the Snitch up high.

The leaderboard changed to say: BULGARIA: 180, IRELAND: 170.

Bulgaria barely winning still made the team happy. They crowded around Viktor as he landed and refused treatment. They all remounted their brooms and did a victory lap.

"Ve did very vell," Minister Oblansk said in English, his accent thick on his tongue. He didn't speak English unless he needed to. He smiled, pleased with the results of the match.

"… And as the Bulgarian team performs a lap of honour, flanked by their beautiful mascots, the Quidditch World Cup itself is brought into the Top Box!" Bagman roared into his wand, making it echo across the stadium.

The Top Box was lit with bright lights and Kasi's eyes burned before they got used to the brightness. Two Wizards came in, marching with the golden cup to hand to Fudge.

"Let's have a really loud hand for the gallant losers — Ireland!"

The seven Irish players trod up the stairs, still disappointed by their defeat. They all shook hands and had their names called out, the crowd clapped for them. When the Bulgarian team came up, Kasi wrestled her way to stand next to Minister Oblansk. She gestured to Viktor's face, the older boy shook his head and grinned brightly, raising the Snitch in his hand.

After all of that, the team did another lap around the stadium before coming back to the Top Box. Kasi had stayed there, as did the Weasley family as some of them spoke with Bagman and Minister Fudge.

"Viktor, you look like an overgrown vulture who just had a meal! Let them fix your bloody face!" Kasi complained as soon as he stepped closer to her to hug her. "You are not touching me until you are fixed!"

"Spoilsport,"

"Bloody mess,"

"Cassiopeia!"

"You'd better go, I need to head home anyway. My brother only found out about me today," Kasi mumbled and Viktor nodded. After he mounted his broom and left for the tents, Kasi turned and squared her shoulders. "What is it?"

"Merlin, you know Viktor Krum?!" Ron Weasley gasped.

"Perhaps," Kasi brought her shoulders down and lifted her chin.

"So, Kasi, where've you been staying if not in England?"

"I'm from abroad, I've lived there all my life since '81. I don't have time to talk, I need to get home. You have to stay out of sight tonight, especially if you're Muggleborn," Kasi warned. She quickly tugged a charm on her bracelet and turned on the spot. Her navel tugged and she Portkey'd out of the country.

)(KP)(

The house was quiet as Kasi arrived in the parlour room with ease. She staggered as she landed but she caught herself. Charlus and Dorea had probably gone to bed by now, so Kasi simply charmed her shoes silent and climbed the stairs to her suite.

The room was mostly bare with a queen bed to one corner with a single bedside table. Through one door was the extensive closet that was almost overflowing with clothes, through another was the bathroom. A single wall was lined with ceiling-high windows with a small door to the middle that led out to the balcony. Her wide desk took over one of the corners, completely enveloping the space and using it for research.

The door to the bathroom opened before she got to it. She showered before dressing in a thin shirt for bed.

)(KP)(

The school year began with the gossip of the World Cup and the Death Eaters who caused havoc afterwards.

The Durmstrang castle only had four levels and it was never warm. The fires were only light for magical purposes, or if you were nice to the House-Elves as Kasi was, your dorm could be nice and toasty. No one had to share their dorm room at Durmstrang, everyone here was a son or daughter to a PureBlood in some shape or form. They wouldn't live in bad conditions or share with others.

For this, Kasi was grateful. Being a HalfBlood, many of the PureBloods tried to shun her but the Potter name still held some weight. It also helped that her mother was a MuggleBorn and not just a Muggle, but many people didn't care. Durmstrang didn't allow MuggleBorns.

Kasi had tried hard to keep a low profile at school but her name gave it away. She had so many questions when she first joined, she quickly became angry and bitter at everyone. She had met Viktor Krum when he was a Fourth-year and she was in her first. His friends did not like her because of her last name. When one of them bad mouthed her behind her back, she had enough and sucker-punched them when they had their wand out.

Viktor had been there with his friends, all of them howling with laughter at the friend who nursed a bruised jaw. Kasi might have been a whole foot shorter than them but she could pack a punch. She was fuming but the group decided to take her in, saying how adorable she looked and that made her punch another one of them again.

Right after an easy Ancient Runes class, Kasi was stopped by a squawking falcon. Everyone knew who this bird belonged to. The long yellow beak curved until it turned almost grey, the eyes of the bird were just as unforgiving as its master's. Her classmates snickered at her as they pulled their blood-red robes on and stalked down the stairs to the lunch hall. Kasi wasn't particularly close to anyone in her year, she never took any notice of their dislike for her.

Kasi snatched the note from the falcon's talons before it could slash at her for taking too long. It said a simple phrase.

Office, now.

Kasi sighed with an annoyed moan. If this took too long, she would miss lunch and she hated missing meals. She took a sharp turn down the High Master's hall and stalked forward until she reached the door at the end.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Kasi straightened her back as she stood before the desk. Karkaroff sat with his elbows on the wood table, resting his chin on his hands as he looked Kasi down. He remained silent and Kasi didn't move her gaze from looking at the Durmstrang insignia behind him.

"Relax, you are not in trouble,"

"Not this time, sir," Kasi sat down on the leather chair, hiking a foot onto it as she made herself comfortable. She clasped her hands together as she waited for Karkaroff to explain.

"Not this time," He snorted. "What do you know of the TriWizard Tournament?"

"That Viktor is going to participate, along with Marko, Nicola, Palmen, and Yan," Kasi shrugged, remembering who Viktor said would join him. All of them were in their seventh and final year at Durmstrang. "It's a test of skill, courage, and stamina. It got outlawed two centuries ago because of the high death toll that came with the eternal glory if you won."

"So you've read on it?"

"Since you announced that the seventh years may volunteer for it, I have," Kasi raised her eyebrows in question. "Why have you asked for me, sir?"

"You're an intelligent girl, Kasi." Karkaroff pushed forward a silver bowl of red laces towards her, he gestured to them as he said, "Why do you think so?"

Kasi rolled her eyes as she pulled a long string of strawberry flavoured laces from the offered bowl. "Viktor said you asked him to participate. You wouldn't ask me to participate because I legally can't because of the new age rule. Even if my existence is unknown in western Europe, I am still a Potter. You would want me to represent our school even if I cannot take part in the tournament. Am I correct?"

Karkaroff shoved the whole bowl to the edge of the desk and Kasi took them into her lap, happily beginning to eat them as he held a satisfied grin on his face.

"You'll be joining some of the seventh year students and myself to the tournament which will be held at Hogwarts…" He waited for her to process the information.

It didn't take long.

"WHAT?"

)(KP)(

October 30th.

Kasi hated the ship.

She hated this goddamn ship with all of her might.

High Master Karkaroff had promised that it would be dry and warm.

It was neither.

Kasi ducked below deck, hiding in her tiny room before she was called when the mast broke the waters' surface.

Being the only student taken from her Fourth year, Kasi didn't have to share and she was quite glad. There were a few students from the years above that came but wouldn't be able to be in the tournament, they were there to show off to the other schools.

When the cold autumn air decided to blow hard, Kasi clutched the front of her crimson cloak while grumbling about having nothing to do for the last few hours. Kasi did a warming charm before she could complain again, she did it several more times but each time it would wear off due to the resistance of the robe's material.

This cold was wet and moist and she hated it. She was used to the dry cold of Sweden, the type that didn't make your nose run.

She would die from boredom before the ship could dock at this supposed school of Wizardry and Witchcraft, this Hogwarts.

The weight of another cloak laid itself onto her shoulders, the warmth of a charm made itself known when it touched her own cloak. Kasi glanced over her shoulder to who laid it, smiling thanks to Viktor for conjuring another cloak. He smiled also, it reached his eyes and then he stopped, then he stopped when the ship docked.

The water of the lake gushed off the surface of the ship, the protective shield allowed no water onto the ship as it swam through the waters. The flags of Durmstrang dried, instantly they started to wave and flicker in the strong winds. All the students hurried, but with a certain sluggishness that travelling gave, to the side of the ship that held the docking board. They knew they would have to wait for Karkaroff, Victor, and Kasi, before they even thought of leaving the ship.

Her blue-black and maroon-pink hair didn't move from the base of her neck as she strutted to the docking board. The heeled boots clicked against the stone and wood deck, then started echoing on the board as she was the second to walk down the thin wood. Kasi was made to walk down second because she would have two people to catch her, if in the unlikely chance that she would trip or slip.

"When will we be at Hogwarts?" Kasi said with disdain in Bulgarian and then complained in English. "It is very wet and extremely unpleasant to be here in this weather. You know I hate the rain."

"My dear, we are there," Karkaroff gestured his hand out to the large castle before them. "This is Hogwarts."

"The famous Hogwarts," She stood and waited for the other students to disembark from the ship. "I still hate this weather."

"My Morgan!" Viktor laughed slightly, startling some students. "Vill you stop complaining about the vether before I..."

"Before you what, Viktor?" Kasi raised an eyebrow, challenging him before smiling in amusement. "I do not know, perhaps quieting down? Or will you continue to laugh so loudly, everyone in Scandinavia can hear you?"

He fell silent but smiled with amusement. Viktor could be a bastard at times, though his heart was in its correct place. Karkaroff waved them to follow him, and as they did, Viktor rubbed his temple and complained about a bad headache.

Karkaroff wore his cloak with smooth, silver furs and the rest of the students had their brown fur matted from extreme use. Viktor's had smooth brown, natural furs from skinned animals. Kasi had been picky about her furs, always making sure furs were taken humanely and yet she found the furs of beasts of Dark Magic for her crimson cloak perfect.

"How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?" Karkaroff asked an older man, Dumbledore as Kasi realised. This Dumbledore smiled, a faint glint of... Of something she could easily place, was in his eyes as he looked at her.

He turned back to Karkaroff, happy and cheerful. "Blooming, thank you, Professor Karkaroff."

"How good it is to be here… Viktor, Kasi, come along, into the warmth. You don't mind, Dumbledore? Viktor has a slight head cold and Kasi won't stop complaining about the cold." Karkaroff beckoned them forward, allowing access to the warmth of the castle. Dumbledore gestured to one side of the entrance hall, into a small room where they would wait. Kasi saw that the Beauxbaton Academy was on the opposite side, in a similar room.

The other school was called in first.

"Put your hat on properly, Anatas, or so help me, Morgan," Kasi threatened as the older boy's hat laid crookedly on his head. "You look like a deranged Hippogriff."

"Kinda like you,"

"I'm not a mirror, Anatas,"

"Why are you still wearing your cloak, Potter?" Palmen asked, quaking a smirk at her. His eyes flashed a side of mirth that he always had.

All of the Durmstrang students wore their dark brown travelling outfits. They all had vanished their crimson robes and hats because there was to be a small show of Magic as they went in.

"I'm walking in last, remember? Karkaroff said I had to walk in with him and Viktor," Kasi then mumbled. "Pride and joys of our school, my ass. He's just showing us off."

Palmen snorted deeply. "You're still a Potter."

"And you're not going in until you clasp that button," She pointed to the top button of his shirt. Palmen rolled his eyes and allowed her to do it for him.

"Mother hen," He said.

"Useless chick," She retorted.

"…Proud sons and daughters of Durmstrang, and their High Master, Igor Karkaroff…"

Karkaroff nodded stiffly and the doors opened. Kasi had a strong urge to roll her eyes as the several rows of people in front of her began the small show. The ends of staffs hit the stone floor, causing sparks before they tossed it to their other hand.

Kasi remembered when they were practising this for a good week before coming here on that dreaded ship. She had been spared because all she had to do was hold her chin up and strut like she owned the place. Lucky for everyone, Kasi did that whenever she walked anywhere. Being raised by a woman who was a Black by blood sure did help her confidence, as did the lessons she brought.

They began swirling and twirling the brass staffs, before they sprinted to the front and a boy began to do some tough gymnastic tricks. He did a flip and Karkaroff nodded again, making Viktor begin to walk. Kasi waited a moment before putting herself in an I'm better than you mindset, and began her way down the middle.

"Is that?"

"It can't be…"

"Viktor Krum!"

Her crimson cloak flourished stiffly behind her with each step, her eyes were lined in black and she wore a dash of light red lipstick to match. Kasi looked cold and menacing, even for a fourteen-year-old girl wearing a cloak that ate her alive. When she passed her brother whose face was white in shock, she couldn't help but allow a tiny, sly grin line her lips.

"Did you know that your sister attended Durmstrang?"

"No, I didn't…"

When the four of them, Safer was Karkaroff's aide that followed him, were three-quarters of the way there, the boy took a burning wand and blew on it. Instead of just simple fire, a burning Phoenix came out and flew a few inches before stopping before disintegrating in front of Dumbledore.

"Albus!"

"Igor."

Kasi hid her eye roll but remained stiff-backed beside Viktor and Safer, they hadn't been dismissed yet. The rest of their school had already settled at the table which wore green and silver. They left a gap for the remaining two students, waiting for them. As soon as Karkaroff went to the table, Safer joined him, and Kasi and Viktor went to join their school.

"Why, is all I can say," Kasi grumbled as she sat down on Viktor's left. She unclasped her cloak before taking her hat off and fixing her hair to sit straight. "I hate these hats."

"You hate a lot of things," Viktor said, watching the blond boy across from him lean forward. "Especially anything to do with the uniform."

"I hate our travelling cloaks, they're too hot for here," Kasi moaned and pulled at the high collar. One of the Hogwarts girls gave her a strange look. "What are you looking at?

The girl had her nose turned up at Kasi, making Kasi want to lash out at her already. "Your hair is strange. Aren't you too young to be in the tournament?"

"None of your business," Kasi said, turning her own nose up at her. "I don't even want to be here."

"We all know," Nona said beside her. The older girl took Kasi's cloak and hat, giving them a slight flurry and making them vanish back to Kasi's wardrobe. Kasi thanked her because Kasi wasn't able to do it herself yet. The Hogwarts students looked a bit surprised at that. "You've said it plenty now."

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and, most particularly, guests," The Hogwarts Headmaster began. "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. I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"

Now Kasi was happy.

Food appeared before them, a large variety appeared on the tables. Kasi piled plenty of food onto her plate, keeping away from the many meat and fish dishes as she couldn't stand them. After she finished the same amount of food that two grown men could eat, she pulled the strawberry soup towards her.

It was an eastern European dish she loved to dine on, especially for dessert. It was made of fresh strawberries that were mashed up gently, then you added milk and that turned it pinky. A dash of sugar and a little white bread, Kasi couldn't get enough of it.

After everyone was well fed, and Kasi polished off a few goblets of water instead of the disgusting pumpkin juice Hogwarts students favoured, the plates were cleared.

"The moment has come," Dumbledore began again. "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 that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and Mr Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."

"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 that will judge the champions' efforts." At the mention of champions, the attentiveness of the listening students seemed to sharpen. Perhaps Dumbledore had noticed their sudden stillness, for he smiled as he said, "The casket, then, if you please, Mr Filch."

"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr Crouch and Mr Bagman," Dumbledore said 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 danger.

"As you know, three champions compete in the tournament," Dumbledore went on calmly, "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."

Dumbledore tapped the casket three times and allowed the lid to open. He reached inside and pulled out a wooden cup filled with blue and white flames that danced. It was placed on top of the casket, letting everyone see it as Dumbledore continued.

"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…"

Kasi drowned him out. None of this applied to her anyway. She couldn't wait to get back to her room and sleep.

"...Now, I think it is time for bed. Good night to you all."

Kasi just wanted to go to sleep now. After that amount of food, all she needed was to go into a food coma until the morning. Karkaroff came straight to the table, standing just behind Viktor as the students stood.

"Back to the ship, then," He turned to Viktor. "Viktor, how are you feeling? Did you eat enough? Should I send for some mulled wine from the kitchens? And no, Kasi, you are not having any."

Kasi had not even opened her mouth to ask before he said that. She smiled, flushing slightly before pouting. During the dinner, Viktor had tried to swap their goblets but the one she got always had water.

"Professor, I vood like some vine," Poliakoff tried, hopeful for more drinks.

"I wasn't offering it to you, Poliakoff," Karkaroff snapped at him, glaring at the boy's stained robes. "I notice you have dribbled food all down the front of your robes again, disgusting boy."

Karkaroff began leading the Durmstrang students to the doors, they followed diligently and quickly fell in line behind him. Safer stood right beside Karkaroff as he walked, Kasi and Viktor right behind them. She watched her brother and his two friends, one in blue and one in yellow, try and allow them to pass.

"Thank you," Karkaroff didn't realise who he was until he looked at him. His eyes flickered back to Kasi for confirmation. She nodded with a blank face.

"Yes, that's Harry Potter."

Karkaroff turned aggressive and defensive as the retired Auror came forward to stand near Harry.

"You!" Karkaroff spat.

"Me," Mad-Eye said. "And unless you've got anything to say to Potter, Karkaroff, you might want to move. You're blocking the doorway."

"Come!" Karkaroff barked out at his students but none of them flinched, they were used to his sour moods. He marched them back to the ship, some of them complaining about the fast pace Karkaroff set.

"Nona! I just want to sleep!" Kasi complained when the older girl barged into her room for the year. Kasi slumped onto her bed like a child having a tantrum but she sat up eventually and just glared at Nona. "What do you want?"

"Nothing! Just wanted to annoy you. Night!"

Kasi groaned loudly as she finally got into the bed, taking off the travel uniform they always had to wear.

At least tomorrow she would be allowed to wear the proper uniform that was actually worn in and comfortable! Whatever the material was for the travel uniform, Kasi never wanted to wear it again. The students only ever wore that part of their uniform when they travelled to and from the school at the beginning and end of the year.