Outtake – To the brim
(During chapter 23)
The Beauxbaton carriage was gorgeous, and the winged Abraxan horses were mesmerizing, but they couldn't hold Charity Burbage's attention for long. Not when the legendary Durmstrang ship was rocked by the waves of the Hogwarts Black Lake.
She'd heard so much about her, and she truly was a majestic sea farer built to withstand storm and dragon attacks alike. Above the sails, the two-headed eagle spread its wings against a white background; from what Gellert had told her, the contrast between black and white represents pride and the choice of colours also displays benign intentions. This ship came with peace.
She had seen several of the foreign students spread throughout Hogwarts, chatting with the locals, more than once in German. She'd also spotted Potter and the Weasleys jointly setting up a 'WE WANT QUIDDITCH' sign right opposite the Goblet of Fire and knowing how Malfoy worked the Board of Governors, it was only a matter of time before the world-class Quidditch player Krum would be pressed into a match. Although, he didn't appear to need much encouragement in that direction, Charity had already spotted him with a broom, looking positively hungry at the sight of the pitch just outside the school. Durmstrang's weather didn't permit much sporting activity outside, she recalled.
She found the ramp of the majestic Durmstrang ship, and took a hesitant step upwards. If they didn't want visitors, they certainly would have warded their vessel, she mused, not noticing the bracelet warming up on her wrist. She'd been wearing it for almost two years now, it had started to feel like a part of her. With her eyes on the narrow gangway, she also missed the runes glowing brightly on the onyx and tiger-eye gems. She stepped aboard with a friendly smile and open curiosity, although in hindsight, Karkaroff's consternation should have warned her.
The dark-haired headmaster casting a reductor spell in her direction, however, did catch her attention. As she'd been drilled, she pulled her wand and cast a shield with the same motion.
The headmaster demanded to know who the hell she was, brandishing his wand all the while. The Muggle Studies teacher, she replied, and she only came up here because she didn't notice the wards. She asked if being thrown into the water would be the proper welcome, Karkaroff growled a warning that his next spell would be much more destructive.
Seeing how frustrated the wizard was, Charity could think about only one way to continue this discussion in a civilized manner. Focusing on the school kitchen she summoned two glasses and filled them with the muggle-made beer she'd bought for her seventh-year class.
Karkaroff grabbed his glass on reflex, his wand still trained on the intruder. Charity attacked.
Their duel lasted little more than twelve seconds, it took only this long for them to both spill the contents of their glasses on each other. Admitting defeat, she dried her own dress, then refilled both glasses and took duelling stance again.
Karkaroff stared at her while drying his own white coat. She was trained by a Durmstrang, he noted. And she'd been trained well, he added in a somewhat shaken voice.
"He told me to be ready to defend myself and my views," Charity smiled. "I've never been really good at fighting otherwise."
That much Karkaroff could see, he noted sarcastically as he straightened from the beer-soaked boards. He apologized for the hostility, but with the rising death eater activity and his past, he didn't like anyone intruding. Then he admitted no sane death eater would try and disguise themself as a Muggle Studies teacher, of all things.
"Being alert isn't bad," she replied with a benign smile. "Not being able to defend our drinks, however, is foreboding for us both."
This time it was Igor Karkaroff's turn to fill their jars. "So, what do you say?"
"To the brim!" she replied on reflex. The next moment, Karkaroff attacked.