While the school was waiting in anticipation for the arrival of the other schools. I stood there wondering about what Harry had just said to me before we parted ways. Is there any credibility to what Harry said? Can he just waltz into the Slytherin common room if he wishes to? Can the snakes that have been placed all over campus by Slytherin himself be controlled? Can Harry become the king of Slytherin? There are so many questions that I want to ask him yet I am afraid to know some of the answers.
Just thinking about Harry and me ruling Slytherin together intrigues me. We can do so much. We already know that Malfoy can't do shit in front of Harry though and with Malfoy neutralized there wont be much competition. I do hope that Harry has enough power to back up his knowledge, if he can then he can duel with any of the opposition that he faces with the senior years. It also helps that Harry has a good reputation in the house. The only question remains is if Harry is speaking the truth about the snakes.
I don't even want to acknowledge the fact that he may have powers that some of us can only imagine in our dreams. Could it be that the most influential person in wizarding Britain after Dumbledor is attending Hogwarts with us but is being overshadowed by the boy-who-lived. I have seen many sides of him in the past 2 months and I know that he has what it takes to yield such power and influence but I wonder what route he will take and how the people will react to him. Longbottom already seems to have labeled Harry as a Dark Lord in the making and if Longbottom does become the next leader of the light, what will it mean for Harry?
"Daphne look, flying steads over there." Tracy shouted with excitement. True to her words 12 massive Pegasus pulled a carriage that was as big as a house. The horses were white in color while the carriage was powder-blue. They seemed to glide through the air and landed right in front of the students at a tremendous speed. Looking around some of the first years seemed to have been frightened by the imposing horses.
"That should be the Beauxbaton delegation." I said, remembering Harry saying something about carriages for the Beauxbaton delegation. I really wasn't expecting them to be pulled by flying horses. At least they are giving us a show. I wonder if Drumstrang could pull a better performance. Most of the students broke out in applause as the half giant of a principle and the students made their way out of the carriages and to their living quarters.
"How do you think Drumstrang is going to arrive in?" Asked Millicent now that the Beauxbaton delegation had cleared out and we waited for the Drumstrang students.
"I don't know. I hope they put on a spectacular show as the Beauxbaton did. Its not usual for us to see a Pegasus in England."
"Everyone look at the lake," Lee Jordan yelled.
It wasn't as fast as the Beauxbaton. Slowly and steadily a ship started to rise from the water and glided to the bank. A few minutes later we heard the anchor drop and come to a halt. The students disembarked and made their way to the castle.
"Hey is that Igor Karkaroff," one of the elder students commented as the two headmasters greeted each other. "Seems to be having quite a luxurious life for an ex-death-eater."
"Daphne, Daphne," Tracy shouted into my ears with excitement. "Look Daphne, its Victor Krum. He's with the Beauxbaton delegation. Oh my god! We are going to spend a year with Victor Krum in the same school. Its like a dream come true. He was the last person I was expecting to be here and look here he is. Oh this is just fabulous. Hey Daphne do you think he'll give me an autograph?"
"Tracy calm down. Krum is going to be here throughout the year. You can ask his for an autograph whenever you want." I told her as I tried to calm her down. Tracy can be really hyper when she is excited. "Now its almost time for dinner so why don't we head to the great hall"
Dinner was a very excited affair with the Drumstrang students sitting with the Slytherins. It seemed that Longbottom and Weasley were not all that happy with how Malfoy and his gang was chumming up to Krum but they were smart enough to not do anything stupid. Well at least Granger was smart enough to hold them to their leash.
There were quite an outcry when Dumbledore announced that there is going to be an age limit for putting your name forward. I think it is a good idea though. This way the competitors would be in an equal footing and would be responsible for their actions. This way many of the younger students won't be making a fool of themselves either.
"What do you think Daphne?" Pansy asked me as Dumbledore finished his speech.
"Sorry what was that again?" I asked Pansy. She wasn't pleased that I was not paying attention to her. She was about to say something but Tracy spoke first.
"Well," Tracy picked up the conversation. "We were talking about who would be the three champions. I think its going to be Krum for Drumstrang."
"You say that just because you are a fan-girl." Pansy retorted. Clearly showing her distaste about being interrupted.
"You got a problem with that Parkinson. So what if I am a fan-girl. I acknowledge the fact that I am a fan. That way I don't need to hide who I am."
"Anyways" I interrupted before Tracy said something that she would regret later. "What do you guys think about the other schools?"
"I think Drumstrang's full of hunky guys. They look really beefed up and they have Krum with them too. Krum's going to win any of the flying tasks hands down if he becomes a champion. Even their principle seems to be rooting for Krum by the looks of it. Must be really demoralizing for the other competitors." Tracy said.
"Yah but the students seem to agree to the fact that Krum is superior to them. If they already acknowledge that then definitely Krum's going to get selected." Millicent added.
"How will a goblet know that Millie?" Pansy asked a little confused about what Millicent was talking about. For which Millicent just sighed. I don't think Pansy will get it even if we explained it.
"What about Beauxbaton?" I asked so that we avoided Pansy's question.
"I don't know really. Everyone of them seem to be more like dolls and princesses than competitors." Pansy said seeming a bit jealous of the French beauty and how the boys seemed to be staring at them. Well at least those that were not talking to Krum and the other Drumstrang Students.
"Yah well looking pretty hasn't stopped a witch from not being powerful." Tracy said to which all the girls in our table agreed. Just because a girl likes being pretty doesn't mean she wont get her hands dirty.
"Speaking of Beauxbaton, Potter seems to be really chummy with a girl who he just met." Millicent said to which all of us turned to the Ravenclaw table where Harry was talking to a really beautiful blonde girl from Beauxbaton. Many of the boys seem to be drooling at her while others seemed to be acting as if she was a veela but looking at Harry seemed to be unfazed by her beauty or charm. I guess that was the girl harry was talking about earlier.
"Astoria doesn't seem to like the French girl very much, does she?" Tracy whispered into my ears. When I looked over to Astoria, her displeasure was quite evident in her face. It seems like Astoria didn't like people taking away her Harry time. I wonder if she realizes that Harry might not always be with her in her life. I really hope, for her sake that she moves on from her childhood crush.
"No she doesn't." I agreed with Tracy.
"Man we should really ask Potter for tips," one of the senior boys said. "Yah he seems to be friends with all the hot girls in school and seems to be making friends quite fast with the Beauxbaton delegation too. I wonder if he might introduce us to some of the girls."
I just ignored the rest of the conversation. I really don't want to hear about boys talking about those stiff. Really why are these guys even sorted in Slytherin? They hardly have any cunningness or tact in them.
"Aren't you worried Daphne?" Tracy asked seeing the agitation in my face as Harry talked with the blonde French.
"What are you talking about Tracy" I asked a little confused with where she was going.
" Everyone knows you have the hots for Potter, Daphne. Just looking at how the two of you interact with each other shows it."
"I don't have the hots for Potter" Do I really show my agitation to them. I mean I cant stand the fact that my betrothed is acting all chummy with another girl that I don't know anything about. I mean which girl wont feel a little agitated about that.
"Oh please" Pansy snorted. "Why do you think non of the boys have asked you out yet. It seems that the whole Slytherin has established the fact that you and Potter are an item and that you are now labeled in the restricted section. Plus there is some news going around the pureblood circle that your father already signed a contract for you with a very powerful family yet no one knows who. There are only a few families that can yield such power and the blacks are one of them. Now seeing how the two of you have started acting all chummy to each other after the news of your contract. There isn't much room for speculation."
"How come I am getting to know this now?" I asked. Wow I wonder if they realize how correct they are with their speculation.
"Its just speculation Daphne. Plus nobody wanted to incur the wrath of the Ice Queen if the information was wrong."
"So is it true?" Tracy asked noticing how I had dodged the question.
"Well I am not aware of any contracts that my 'father' signed for my betrothed. If he has then he hasn't told me about it yet." That was a close one. With that the 4 of us start talking about the tournament and what speculating about what type of tasks the champions will have to face.