A/N: It is 4:31 in the morning. You're welcome.
I just broke a week of writer's block by pounding out 2500 words from 1 am to 4 am. YOU'RE WELCOME
Oh really quick, thank you everyone who reviewed recently, I'm sorry I haven't said so the last few times, but your reviews are suuuper motivation and get me off my butt. (Well onto it because I usually write while sitting down- You know what that doesn't matter.)
elenora-00, I had no designs on Nathaniel being He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, though that probably would have been easier than what I'm doing. Ugh what is life. Anyways.
DarkBluePappilon: No it's not Kim either. Imma be honest with you all at the present moment it's an OC, purely because I can't really associate anyone in the class with.. What was attempted. (Well I can, but that's because of other fics I've read but let's not go there) Anyway here's your chapter.
Guest whose name is 'Oh Wow' for some reason: I'm so glad you like it! :D I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.
LYD: Ask and ye shall recieve
Anja: Thank you! :D
AubreyAnne (from Ch 8): It's possible ;) But that would be telling wouldn't it. And I abhor spoilers.
Now everybody chant it with me.
Adrinette. Adrinette. Adrinette ADRINETTE ADRINETTE ADRINETTEADRINETTEADRINETTEADRINETTEADRINETTE
Chapter 11: A Familiar Face
Despite the encroaching arrival of the two other international schools, Headmaster Fu had foolishly decided that classes would still be held. He had not accounted for the fact that nobody, including the other professor's, was able to focus.
Classes were nothing more than a gossip fest, discussing who would be trying to compete, as well as what very little they knew about previous tournaments. Marinette was actually slightly disappointed she didn't have History of Magic today, because she could have pressed Professor Kubdel on the subject.
During her final class, Professor Fu amplified his voice, allowing it to reverberate through the school The headmaster had stood and announced that Durmstrang had just passed the wards. He was not expecting the school to empty out in a matter of minutes, as every single student immediately bolted for the doors and out towards the grounds, hoping to catch a glimpse of the other school. A large crowd had formed by the time Marinette found her way outside, and she was forced to clamber up a wall in order to get a decent viewpoint. She was disappointed at first, seeing no sign of anyone.
"The lake!" Somebody shouted. Everyone's heads swiveled as one so they could see. The center of the lake was bubbling, almost as if it were boiling. Slowly, magnificently, a ship rose out of the water, shining in the early afternoon sun. It had a strangely skeletal look about it, as though it were a resurrected wreck, and the dim, misty lights shimmering at its portholes looked like ghostly eyes. Finally, with a great sloshing noise, the ship emerged entirely, bobbing on the turbulent water, and began to glide toward the bank.
It halted just a few feet away from the shallows. A hooded wizard was clearly visible, hanging off the side of the ship, where he began to wave his wand. A large wooden bridge began to unfurl itself from the center of the ship, and it embedded itself seamlessly into the banks of the lake. The wizard slid down a rope and landed gracefully on the bridge, facing the Hogwarts students, who stared. The wizard lowered his hood, revealing a grizzled man with long black hair. He had a scar that stretched from his cheekbone to just next to his left eye. His hair was up in a ponytail, and his eyes were a startling blue, which contrasted sharply with the rest of his appearance. His eyes scoured the crowd before him, searching for the headmaster. His eyes briefly flickered to where Marinette was, but they slid on without pause.
Headmaster Fu strode to the front of the students, a bizarre lack of emotion displayed on his face. "Headmaster Kohler." He greeted stiffly.
"Headmaster Fu." Kohler returned. The two stared at each other for a few moments, and the Hogwarts students felt there was a history between the two headmasters. Suddenly both headmasters grinned and Kohler stooped to give Fu a hug, which the headmaster returned. "It's good to see you my old friend." Kohler said.
"You as well, Erwin." Fu chuckled. The watching students relaxed, breathing a collective sigh of relief.
"Still rattling around this old castle I see." Kohler said, cocking an eyebrow.
Fu chuckled. "Well you're running that gloomy place you call a school, so I guess we'll call it even. Are you students coming out?" He asked, glancing at the ship, which still had water streaming off the sides.
The Durmstrang headmaster followed Fu's gaze and crossed his arms. "They're coming." He said shortly. And sure enough, students clad in red and black cloaks began to emerge from the ship, walking two by two. They halted just behind their headmaster, and began to file out, forming two long rows. They snapped to attention and bowed towards the Hogwarts students.
Marinette noticed that there were far more boys than girls representing the school.
"Welcome!" Professor Fu greeted warmly. "Please, socialize amongst each other, I need to speak to your headmaster."
A rather hefty figure near the middle of the group glanced at his headmaster who nodded once. He stomped his foot and the Durmstrang students immediately relaxed. They paired off into groups of two and began to introduce themselves to the Hogwarts students. Marinette was tempted to join in, but hesitated, watching as the two headmasters departed, walking along the banks of the now still black lake.
Being friends with Alya had unexpected consequences. The girl had passed on many of her habits, and this was one of them. Not eavesdropping, just having a knack for knowing when something important was happening and that if she were to listen, she would probably suddenly know a lot more than she should. Marinette looked around, realizing something. Where was Alya?
A flicker of movement caught her eye, and she sighed. There she was. Hiding and eavesdropping on the two headmasters. Marinette weighed her options, watching as the students intermingled, chatting amiably.
She decided to follow them. She slid down the wall and pursued the two, already cursing herself as she went. What the hell am I doing? She thought to herself, already regretting her decision. It was times like these where she resented having met Alya. She quickly caught up to her best friend and tapped her on the shoulder. Alya whipped around, eyes wide, but quickly relaxed when she saw who it was.
"You are an idiot." Marinette hissed.
Alya glanced back at the two headmasters. "You love me. Now hush. They're starting."
"I have to offer my condolences Headmaster." Kohler stated.
"About what?" Fu asked, looking genuinely confused.
Kohler grinned. "Why the Quidditch World Cup of course."
Fu groaned. "Must you rub that in my face? Just take the galleons and never speak of it again." He pleaded.
The Durmstrang headmaster took the money, smirking all the while. "Germany 400, China 60." he said, sighing contentedly. "That was a good day."
Headmaster Fu suddenly got a sly look on his face. "Yes.. Remind me how the semifinal went again? You lost to the 'Agreste Revolution', as the press coined it." Kohler's smile disappeared without a trace. Marinette and Alya stared at each other in disbelief. The two headmasters were acting like schoolchildren.
Kohler quickly became serious again though, snapping both professor's out of their casual banter. "Speaking of the French, when does Beauxbatons get here?"
"Within the hour." Fu replied, glancing at the sky, as though he expected them to drop out of it at any time. "Now I have to ask Erwin, have you given my proposal any thought?"
Kohler sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I have, and I find myself with several questions."
"Of course you do." Fu replied, eyes twinkling.
"You seem to be preparing, but you haven't said for what." Kohler began, staring out at the lake. "So what is it you seem so intent on stopping?"
Fu hummed thoughtfully. "Many things my old friend." He said sagely. "But this sudden surge of The Following has been.. More than a bit stressful."
Kohler sighed. "What you're asking me to do.. It's not exactly legal." Alya gasped, and Marinette elbowed her.
"I'm aware." Fu said grimly. "But there's nobody else who is as good."
Kohler seemed to hesitate. "There is." He admitted.
Fu narrowed his eyes. "And who is that?" He asked.
"I can't tell you that yet." Kohler said, glancing around. "Not here."
Fu nodded hesitantly. "Very well. What of the other thing I asked?"
Kohler was already waving him off. "I was starting that already." He informed the much shorter man. "I'll keep you updated."
Fu visibly relaxed. "Thank you, Erwin." He said gratefully. The two continued their walk, and despite Alya's protests, Marinette convinced her to come back with her and meet some Durmstrang students.
"But Marinette, that was crazy!" Alya breathed. "Fu was asking him to do something illegal."
Marinette looked around nervously. "Yeah, maybe not a good idea to just shout that information to the world?" She asked.
Alya looked distressed. "Looks like even Fu has some stuff he has to hide from the world."
"Of course he does." A voice said from behind them. The girls whirled around and found themselves face to face with a Durmstrang student. It was the boy who seemed to be the leader of the group when the Headmaster had dismissed them.
"What do you mean by that?" Alya asked curiously.
"It's simple." The boy replied, with the barest hint of a Russian accent. "You don't defeat the man who brought half of the wizarding world to its knees without bending and breaking a few laws. There are things our governments want us to forget about that war. Everyone has their secrets."
Marinette was nodding in agreement, while Alya was mulling the boys words over. "I don't disagree necessarily," Alya said, "but in this case I feel that the ends justify the means."
The boy shrugged. "We shall see." He suddenly extended a hand. "My name is Ivan Bruel."
Alya shook it first. "Alya Cesaire."
Marinette also extended hers, and Ivan took it. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
"Pleasure to meet you both." Ivan said. Ivan soon broke off from the two, aiming to introduce himself to other Hogwarts students.
Alya and Marinette proceeded to mill around, meeting a few other Durmstrang students, when suddenly the two headmasters returned.
"Beauxbatons is arriving!" Fu called. Immediately, the large crowd of students began searching anywhere the French School could be arriving from.
"The sky!" Somebody shouted. Everyone's attention was immediately shifted upwards, and sure enough, a black dot was visible in the otherwise blue sky. The black dot began to grow, in size, and soon Marinette was able to make out a carriage being pulled by several winged horses, all of which were a beautiful white. It landed smoothly on the grounds of Hogwarts. The carriage itself was monstrous, and it soon became apparent that the horses were also much larger than they had first appeared. This was confirmed when the door to the carriage opened and a woman with navy blue hair stepped out of the carriage, and was dwarfed by the horse she was standing next to.
The woman strode up the hill confidently, hair and cloak billowing out behind her as she walked up to the two headmasters. She halted in front of them, face void of any discernible emotion.
"Headmaster Fu. Headmaster Kohler." She greeted.
"Madame Rajas." Professor Fu greeted politely, giving the woman a kiss on her hand. Kohler did the same, and the Beauxbatons headmaster nodded approvingly.
"I see the fraternization has already begun." She commented, eyeing the students behind the two men before her.
"Of course!" Fu told her cheerfully. "Your students are welcome to join as well, though dinner will be starting soon, and perhaps they would like to enter together at first?"
Rajas eyed the old professor, before nodding. "We will see you for dinner then." She said, before turning on her heel and striding off towards the carriage.
"Lovely woman." Alya muttered. Marinette elbowed her again. "What did I do?" Alya demanded, rubbing her arm.
"Your bad habit of eavesdropping is wearing off on me." Marinette said plainly. Alya didn't protest again.
"Come!" Fu shouted, clapping his hands together. "Let us all move into the great hall!" The students slowly began to head back up towards the castle, chatting amongst themselves, many Hogwarts students offering Durmstrang students tours, which they were very happy to accept. Marinette walked into the hall, reluctantly going the opposite direction of Alya, and settled in at the Slytherin table. There were quite a few spaces left available at all the tables, so as to give Beauxbatons students room.
Conversation continued as the two schools waited for Beauxbatons to enter the hall, everyone occasionally shooting a glance towards the door of the hall, wondering when they would appear. They did not have long to wait, for a few minutes later, the Beauxbatons students entered. They seemed to hesitate when they noticed the various seats available, but eventually, they all began to split up and take their seats.
Marinette was eyeing the Beauxbatons students. The girls were wearing periwinkle blue robes, while the boys were wearing navy blue. Marinette glanced at the door just in time to see Madame Rajas enter the hall, followed by one last student, who was wearing a black robe. Marinette, who had been completely relaxed up to this point, suddenly found herself sitting rigidly, all of her attention focused on the green eyed blonde walking down the center of the Great Hall who was seemingly oblivious to the ever increasing number of eyes that followed him as he walked.
Adrien Agreste reached the front of the hall and stopped next to Madame Rajas, who gestured to go left. Marinette watched, still in shock, as Adrien began to walk towards the Slytherin table. His green eyes roamed the table, and he found an extra seat across from one of his Beauxbatons counterparts. Marinette also realized who he was sitting next to. Lila Rossi and Chloe Bourgeois. She felt a pang of disappointment ring through her, and turned away from the scene, uncomfortable with how jealous she suddenly felt.
Fu got the attention of the Great Hall with some sparks for his wand, and he began to speak. "Welcome to Hogwarts, one and all! Thank you to Durmstrang and Beauxbatons for travelling all this way to come partake in this legendary tournament! I assure you, we will soon be going over that. In fact, it will be tomorrow! But for now, feast!" He clapped his hands and the platters before them immediately filled with food. Marinette glanced over at Adrien, considering trying to get his attention, but fought it away and filled her plate with food.
Alexandra, who had sat next to her a few minutes prior, leaned over. "That's the one you have a crush on yeah?" She asked softly.
"It might be." Marinette admitted grudgingly, eyes flicking back to the blonde wistfully.
Alexandra whistled. "Damn he's pretty." Marinette gave her a look, and the younger girl chuckled, before shooting her a wink. "Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I can't appreciate a work of art."
Marinette grinned, shaking her head fondly. "You're ridiculous."
"It's part of my charm." Alexandra said dramatically, practically draping herself on Marinette, who began laughing at her friends antics. Marinette extracted herself from Alexandra eventually and began to dig into her food. She was rather hungry.
"Seriously though." Alexandra said a few minutes later. "What's the worst that happens if you go talk to him?"
"I could get ignored." Marinette grumbled.
"Then he isn't worth your time." Alexandra said firmly. "The end."
Marinette smiled gratefully at her friend. "You know that's what Alya said."
Alexandra blinked. "I never thought I'd say this but Alya is correct." Marinette laughed again, and chanced another look at the blonde in question, but when she looked over to where he was, he was gone. Marinette was surprised. The rest of Beauxbatons was still here.
Marinette sighed and took a long drink of her juice.
"Fancy seeing you here." A voice said from over her shoulder. Marinette jumped and almost dropped her cup. She whipped around and found the blonde who had been occupying her thoughts for the past three months.
"A-Adrien?!" She shrieked.
The blonde gave her a grin. "May I sit?" He asked politely.
A glance to her right showed an open-mouthed Alexandra, confirming that this was in fact reality. "Uhmm… Yes please. I mean.. Yes. Sure. Go ahead." Adrien chuckled and slid onto the bench on her left. Mari glanced around the hall. People were staring. Chloe and Sabrina were glaring. Lila looked livid.
"I'm happy to see you." Adrien said cheerfully, either not noticing the stares or ignoring them.
"You are?" Mari asked, her heart going a million miles per second.
"Very. For starters, if you weren't here, I'd have been forced to sit next to miss high and mighty for the next half hour."
Marinette, who had picked up her cup, snorted and almost spilled it again. "Always a plus." She agreed, returning his smile.
Adrien nodded sagely. "I think so. Also, I'm glad I actually get a chance to talk to you. I didn't know how to get a message to you. You only told me your first name. I was tempted to send an owl but there was the name problem and also there was the problem that I had no idea what to say."
"What to say?" Marinette asked, completely unaware of the freaking out that Alexandra was doing behind her.
"Well yeah." He said. To Marinette's shock, he suddenly looked shy, and he cleared his throat. "Hello Marinette! Remember me? The random boy who you spent like fifteen minutes with before we were attacked and then fought terrorists with? Hi!"
Marinette laughed. "You have a point. I actually almost sent you a letter on several occasions. But I figured you didn't want to be bothered so… Plus I wasn't even sure you'd remember me."
Adrien snorted. "Right, like I'd forget the beautiful, sassy, raven haired girl fate just plopped in front of me with no warning." Marinette's breath caught in her throat. Adrien Agreste, professional quidditch player and model had just called her beautiful. Adrien was not done with her yet though. "Also, bother me any time you want." he said warmly. "Any time you want. I'll respond."
Marinette felt absolutely giddy, but managed to keep that expression off of her face, settling for a grin. "I may take you up on that Mr. Agreste." Adrien's smile grew, and he snatched a piece of turkey off her plate. "Rude!" She gasped, putting a hand to her chest before batting his hand away. He laughed and ate it before she could get it back. "So why else are you sitting with me?" She asked.
"Well. You looked sad."
"So this is a pity party for me?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow.
He laughed. "No. It's just I know the feeling, and people keep giving you resentful looks. Oh that reminds me." He leaned forward and got Alexandra's attention. "Adrien Agreste."
"Alexandra Martens." Her friend replied. "Nice to meet you."
"You as well." Adrien said cheerfully.
"If you hurt Marinette they will never find your body." Alexandra informed him. Marinette had never wanted to punch somebody as much as she did At that moment.
Adrien looked baffled for a split second before grinning. "Noted. Anyone else I have to watch out for?"
Alexandra pointed across the hall. "Alya Cesaire over there."
Adrien followed her finger and nodded. "Thank you Alexandra." He stared at Alya for a few moments before smiling. "She seems very interested in us." He commented.
"Well she's probably confused." Marinette said, trying not to look at the Gryffindor table. She knew that if she looked at Alya, the girl would start trying to communicate. "I never did tell her that we met." She explained.
Adrien looked surprised. "Really?" When she nodded, he looked bemused. "Thank you." He said earnestly. "I appreciate that."
"You two met?" Alexandra demanded. This question turned a few heads, but nobody seemed to realize all that it could imply, and Adrien seemed unphased regardless.
Marinette shrugged, hoping her nervousness wasn't showing. "I don't make promises I don't intend to keep."
"Any chance of me getting you to promise you won't enter the tournament?" Adrien asked hopefully.
Marinette nodded emphatically. "Hell yes you can. I'm avoiding that thing at all costs."
"Oh good." Adrien said, relaxing.
Marinette speared a piece of turkey with her fork. "Are you entering?" Marinette asked, shooting him a glance.
He hesitated, then sighed. "I am." He admitted.
"You don't seem thrilled." Marinette said appraisingly.
Adrien shrugged. "Don't really have a choice. I'm expected to. Besides, I'm extremely competitive." He snaked a hand towards her plate again, but she intercepted him and successfully denied him access.
"So am I." She said with a smirk. "Get your own food." Adrien grinned and conjured a plate before adding food to it.
They chatted for the rest of dinner before Madame Indigo beckoned for her students to come with her. Marinette sighed, slightly disappointed that their time was over. Adrien also looked disappointed but before he stood, he tapped her shoulder. She looked at him, hardly daring to hope.
"See you tomorrow?" He asked.
Marinette felt a surge of relief and excitement flood through her. "Sure thing." She grinned. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in for a quick hug before getting up and following his headmaster out of the great hall. Marinette smiled as he walked towards the Hufflepuff table and to her surprise, stopped at Nino. He whispered something to him and Nino turned beet red before Adrien, who was now cackling to himself, walked out of the hall.
Alexandra was gripping her arm so tightly that Marinette could swear she could feel her bones creaking. "Marinette. You're so in." She whispered. Before Marinette could reply, Alexandra was swept off by several of her 4th year friends who had apparently promised a few Durmstrang Students a tour.
Marinette glanced around the slowly emptying Great Hall again. Chloe looked furious. Lila was now purple, which gave Marinette great satisfaction. Professor Bustier looked like she was on the verge of laughing, and she saw Professor Fu raised his glass in her direction, eyes twinkling. As for Alya, even from across the hall, Marinette could feel her best friend staring at her. She knew there would be a lot of questions she would have to answer, and sure enough, the instant she walked out of the Great Hall, Alya grabbed her wrist and dragged her off to the nearest bathroom, where she promptly slammed the door shut behind them and locked it.
Alya took a deep breath and turned around to face a very nervous Marinette. "Explain." She said calmly.
"Er… He was being friendly?" Marinette suggested.
"He gave you a hug!" Alya shrieked.
"He's French. Maybe that's how he says goodbye." Marinette said, grasping at straws.
Alya crossed her arms and scrutinized her. "What the hell does him being French have to do with him immediately leaving Chloe the millisecond he saw you and sitting down next to you before casually talking with you for the next half hour?"
Marinette sighed. "Alya… It was just a hug for Merlin's sake we hug all the time."
"But you two don't know each other!" Alya exploded. Marinette flinched. She'd been hoping Alya would miss that point. "And he looked ecstatic to see you. It was like he'd been told Christmas was coming early."
Marinette blushed, having not seen this reaction. She cleared her throat, and looked at her best friend guiltily. "Yeah… About that. I met him after the attack at the World Cup."
Alya's mouth dropped. "MARINETTE DUPAIN-CHENG!" she roared.
"He asked me to keep it a secret!" Mari squeaked out. Alya could be terrifying when she wanted to be. "He said I could talk about it now though."
Alya took a deep breath and rubbed her forehead. "Fine. Fine. So what really happened that night?" Marinette took a breath to settle her nerves and began recounting the events of three months ago. They were there for a long time.
I have no idea when the next chapter will be up. It hasn't even really been started yet lmao. I have stuff written for like.. ten chapters from now, but chapter 12? Lol nope.
I hope you enjoyed! I did like writing it, somehow, even though I finished at 4:30. (I"M NOT KIDDING BY THE WAY THIS IS SERIOUS)
Anyways love you all, Sweet dreams.
Until Next Time!
~Sleepy Nebilas~