Hello everyone! A new chapter on this one at least! I promise I'll try to take a look at my other stories as well, hehe

Please review after reading :D Pleeeaaaaaaase? (I thrive on reviews XD)

CHAPTER 2

Life at Hogwarts was quite normal over the following months. It got a bit tense for a few days two weeks into the school year when Cho and Mathilda got into a massive row. Aurora and I still couldn't really tell what it was about but it made everything awfully difficult, forcing me to hang out primarily with Mathilda and Aurora with Cho. Marietta Edgecombe only ever hung out with Cho anyway.

Also did Professor Moody turn out to be a bit mad. First we were very excited to be taught by someone who had so much practical knowledge but at the first class he showed us the Unforgivable Curses and in the following lessons he made us practise resisting the Imperius Curse, which made me wonder if any of the other teachers knew that he was cursing his students.

To top it all off did he transfigure Draco Malfoy into a ferret on the first day of school. Apparently did Malfoy attempt to shoot a curse at Harry Potter's back when he was turned and Professor Moody wouldn't stand for it. Fortunately Professor McGonagall was there to witness it and she transformed Malfoy right back and took Moody to the headmaster to talk about it. 'Honestly,' Cho said as we were walking with all the fifth year Ravenclaws to the Great Hall for dinner after Defense Against the Dark Arts 'how can Headmaster Dumbledore stand for this? It's illegal!' We all agreed with her, even Mathilda who was normally prone to disagree with anything Cho said. 'Dumbledore must've been really desperate for a new Defense teacher.' Eddie Carmichael said. I noticed that Marietta kept throwing him sideway glances. Aurora and I both suspected she had a bit of a crush on him.

In our double Potions class with the Slytherins Moody was the hot topic as well. 'Can he do that? I don't think he can!' Flora Carrow shrieked from the back of the class. Her twin sister Hestia agreed. 'Draco is bruised all over his body, that deranged Auror bounced him across the hallway.' She said. 'Is he alright?' Aurora asked from next to me and they shrugged uncertainly. 'Who does that to a fourteen year old, really?' Miles Bletchley, the Slytherin keeper, said. 'I hope Moody gets fired once Mr Malfoy gets wind of it.' Terence Higgs said earnestly. Flora Carrow shook her head. 'Draco is too proud to owl his father. He's so embarrassed that he won't even go to the Hospital Wing to get his bruises healed.' Once Professor Snape walked in all conversation hushed. Although all of us believed that someone had to do something about this, it didn't feel fair to use Draco Malfoy to do that and rat it out to Snape. If he didn't want to talk about it, it was hardly our place to drag him into it.

October rolled around soon enough though and the contestants from the other schools were due to arrive shortly. The school was buzzing with excitement and when there were only a few weeks left all the teachers were starting to get nervous as well, whipping us into shape every moment they could. During Tranfiguration McGonagall held a half hour tirade about how we represented the school and that we'd better not embarrass it after Andrew Kirke, one of the Gryffindors we shared the class with, had kept failing at a simple Doubling Charm.

One day we arrived at the Entrance Hall only to find it almost impossible to get to the Great Hall for breakfast due to the enormous amount of students all trying to read a poster on the notice board. We fought our way through to read it and it said:

TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT

THE DELEGATIONS FROM BEAUXBATONS AND DURMSTRANG WILL BE ARRIVING AT 6 O'CLOCK ON FRIDAY THE 30TH OF OCTOBER. LESSONS WILL END HALF AN HOUR EARLY. STUDENTS WILL RETURN THEIR BAGS AND BOOKS TO THEIR DORMITORIES AND ASSEMBLE IN FRONT OF THE CASTLE TO GREET OUR GUESTS BEFORE THE WELCOMING FEAST.

'Brilliant! It's Potions last thing on Friday! Snape won't have time to poison us all!' I heard Harry Potter shout to his friends. I turned to my own friends. 'That's only a week away. We have Moody for our last class that Friday.' I said. 'Good, he makes me so nervous.' Said Aurora. 'Everything makes you nervous.' Mathilda said with an eye roll.

In that week the castle went through a metamorphosis. All the portraits were scrubbed clean, the suits of armour were polished and their hinges got oiled and for the first time since I had come to Hogwarts I didn't hear them squeak with every movement.

On the morning of the 30th we came down for breakfast to see that the Great Hall was decorated with banners that represented the Hogwarts houses. Above our table there was a large silk blue banner with the bronze eagle. 'They're trying awfully hard aren't they?' Mathilda said as we sat down. Before anyone could answer the loud swooshing of wings interrupted and we looked up to see the storm of owls arriving. Mathilda got excited immediately because she had been expecting a package from home for a while already and Aurora and Marietta were happy to receive their letters as well. I didn't get a letter but I knew mum and dad were both really busy right now with work. Mum worked for the Daily Prophet and with the Triwizard Tournament happening any moment now, she hardly had a day off. Dad owned a bookshop on Diagon Alley and I knew that publishing season had just started so he was busy categorizing the new books. They had both promised to write me next week anyway.

I looked around for Cho to see if she had gotten a letter but I discovered her sitting at the Hufflepuff table next to Cedric Diggory. I knew she had liked him for a while already and last week he had finally asked her out. They had been nearly inseparable ever since. Mathilda only had annoyed comments to make about them but the rest of us were delighted for her. Marietta had flown her friend around the neck at the news and Aurora and I had cheered happily.

I looked back at my plate. Cho had such a fairy tale coming true for her right then. And I wished for the same. I secretly (or I thought I was secretive about it) glanced up from my plate to spy on Fred Weasley sitting two tables away from us. He was huddled together with his brother. They were discussing something and I could tell from his serious face that it was nothing fun. If he'd tell me, I'd be understanding, I could give solutions, I was sure of it. But why in Merlin's name would he ask for my help? He didn't know me at all, and I didn't know him either if I was being honest with myself. But I just so wished I did.

I was rudely awaken from daydreaming when Mathilda pushed me in my side. 'There's a letter for you Mrs Weasley.' She said knowingly and I'm certain that I flushed red. My surprise at getting a letter soon overtook my embarrassment though and I took the letter from her. I turned it over and saw that it was indeed addressed to me. I looked at the seal and nearly gasped. 'Oh Merlin, this can't be!' I hissed and I caught the attention of my dorm mates. 'What is it? Who wrote you?' Mathilda asked. I didn't answer but tore open the seal to read the letter inside.

Dear Ms Cecilia Wiggleswade,

This letter is to inform you that your application is being taken into consideration for the internship position in the summer of 1995. The decision will be made known to all applicants on March 20th. If there are any questions, please forward your letters to the Human Resources department.

Kind regards,

Abbey Kettledon

Assignment Officer

Department of Magical Education

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

This was incredible!

'It's the Ministry of Magic!' I said with excitement, showing them the letter. 'I didn't know you applied for an internship.' Marietta said, reading the letter over Aurora's shoulder. 'I had forgotten about it myself, I didn't think they'd even consider me because of my age. Normally they don't really want fifteen year old girls!' I said with a grin. Aurora looked up. 'Congratulations Cecil, this is amazing! We should celebrate!' She said and Mathilda, who sat next to me, pulled me closer. 'I can definitely get my hands on some firewhisky.' She said to me and I laughed. 'Let's not get carried away, I won't know if I'm picked until March so let's hold onto that celebration till then okay?' I said and Mathilda groaned, releasing her grip on me again. 'In the meantime I'll settle for a muffin.' I said happily, grabbing one from a basket a little down the table.

The rest of the day it was awfully hard to concentrate. I wasn't alone in that; most students and teachers were just passing time until they could go down and see the other schools arrive. The anticipation was killing them. Moody didn't even have to tell them to head out when the bell rang because they were already running up to the Ravenclaw Tower to drop off their bags and get their winter cloaks.

Down in the Entrance Hall the Heads of Houses were ordering everyone to stand in lines. 'First years to the front!' Flitwick said. I couldn't see him as he was too short but his high voice was well heard. I stood in between Mathilda and Aurora as we, in our respective lines, marched down the front steps to the large space outside the castle, the cold air biting in every little part of exposed skin.

'What do you think, will any of them be able to beat me?' Roger Davies voice said from behind us. I was about to turn around but he had already stuck his head in between me and Mathilda. 'Are you going to compete?' Mathilda asked. 'I didn't know you were of age yet.' She added. Roger shook his head. 'No, but I heard those Weasley twins are working on something so I was hoping to get in on that. I'll be seventeen in March anyway.' He said. 'Why do you want to compete so badly? It's supposed to be really dangerous.' Mathilda said, ignoring the fierce blush that had formed on my cheeks at the mere mention of Fred Weasley. 'A thousand galleons would do me good if I want to study to become a Healer. My parents can't afford it so it's either me competing in this thing and winning or taking a year off after Hogwarts and finding a job.' He shrugged. 'I figured I'd at least give it a try.'

Flitwick called us to order. 'Davies, stand with your fellow sixth years! Wiggleswade, Goodfellow, stop being so distracted!' He yelled from the front and we quickly did as he told us at the mention of our names.

We were just starting to look at our watches and towards where we knew the gates off the grounds were when Dumbledore called out; 'Aha! Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!' Everyone started looking around but it wasn't until some sixth year shouted 'There!' that everyone looked at the sky and saw something the size of a small house coming our way. It was carriage though, no matter how big, drawn by horses that were in proportion to the carriage. I never thought Hagrid could look small next to something else, but I bet that if he'd stand right next to them he'd seem normal sized almost.

When the door of the carriage opened and the headmistress of Beauxbatons stepped out the size of the horses and carriage was immediately explained. She was huge. The only other person her size I had ever met was Hagrid but because she was thinner she seemed to be even taller. She stepped into the light and I saw that she had a beautiful face with olive toned skin. Her black hair was drawn backwards in a bob that almost reached her shoulders. She was huddled in black satin, her fingers and neck bejewelled with opals. As she walked up to Dumbledore, the students got out too.

The students seemed to be freezing the moment they got out which wasn't surprising considering it was late October in Scotland and they weren't even wearing cloaks. What's more is that their light blue fine silk robes seemed to be thin, made for warm weather. Some of them had scarves wrapped around themselves.

The headmistress of Beauxbatons was talking to professor Dumbledore but I couldn't hear them talk from where I was standing. After a couple of exchanged pleasantries I assume, the line of students hurried inside. We were left to wait for the students from Durmstrang. A gust of wind blew against us and everyone grabbed at their pointy hats.

Someone among the Gryffindors suddenly shouted 'The lake! Look at the lake!' Everyone pointed their stares to the lake and we all saw that the once smooth surface of the grand lake was now bubbling. Someone rose out of the water. 'It's a ship!' Said Mathilda to me. She was right, it indeed was a ship. The ship floated to the top, finding itself afloat the water all of a sudden and it made its way to the banks of shore. We could hear the splash of the anchor and the bang of the plank being let down.

We could distinguish the figures of people leaving the ship and walking our way. They looked wide in stature but once they drew closer and I could see them better I realized they were just wearing big brown fur cloaks, silver clasps holding them together. The man at the front though, what I assumed to be the headmaster, was wearing a silver and sleek cloak, made of a very different fur. His hair was grey, almost silver like his cloak, and he had a curly goatee.

Suddenly a ripple of noise went through the Hogwarts students and at first I couldn't figure out why. But then the Durmstrang headmaster beckoned one of his students forward, putting a hand on his shoulder as he led him inside the school, the other students in his trail. 'Viktor Krum!?' Roger Davies exclaimed behind me. I turned to Mathilda. 'He's still in school?' I asked her and she shrugged at me as she stood at her toes to get a better look.

After the Durmstrang students had all walked in, the professors motioned for us to go in as well. 'In an orderly fashion please!' Flitwick called to us. He could've called out a thousand times but the students fighting over quills and lipsticks, hoping to get an autograph, didn't hear him.

As we went into the Great Hall we saw that the Beauxbatons students had already sat themselves down on the end of the Ravenclaw table. Roger Davies and a few others from the Quidditch team sat down next to them, extending their hands in greeting. The Beauxbatons students didn't seem to be very impressed by the grand hall they were in as they were clutching at their shawls and rubbing their hands together. 'Is it really that cold for them here? Even inside I mean?' Asked Aurora. We were all taking off our cloaks and blue and bronze scarves. 'They were poorly prepared if they thought that those silk numbers would keep them warm.' Responded Mathilda. We sat down. I looked around for the Durmstrang students and saw that they had just sat down at the Slyterhin table.

Unlike the Beauxbatons students were the Durmstrang students very fascinated by their surroundings. They were taking off their heavy thick fur cloaks and fur hats as they inspected the ceiling with amazement in their eyes and a couple of them were holding up the golden plates to hold them against the light. When they took off their cloaks they revealed to be wearing thick, woollen crimson robes underneath, although a darker colour than the Gryffindor red.

I looked at the foreign students at our own table. They were wearing delicate looking powder blue robes made out of a fine silk. The girls were wearing either pillbox hats or cloche hats in the same powder blue as the rest of their uniform, although they were as they were adjusting to the temperature slowly taking them off. Their skirts were flowing and reached till their knees. The boys wore hats as well although not in the school colour. A couple of boater hats I could spot and a lot of woollen Breton hats as well. Both girls and boys wore woollen berets too. They wore light grey pants and vests underneath their blue robes.

'They sure do have a lot of choice in headgear.' Aurora said accurately. Mathilda nodded, grabbing her own hat from her head. 'Our black pointy ones pale in comparison don't they?' She commented. We all agreed with her. 'The rest of their uniforms seem very uncomfortable though.' Mathilda added. 'Oh but they do look ever so stylish!' Exclaimed Aurora in a dreamy tone and both I and Mathilda laughed. 'Just look at their shoes though.' Muttered Mathilda and Aurora and I leaned back a bit so we could see a couple of feet stick out. They wore shiny patent leather shoes in various models, from dress shoes to Mary-Janes and loafers. 'They look uncomfortable. Just imagine having to wear them every day!' She said. She pulled her own leg from under the table, sitting at an odd angle in order to put her in beat up sneaker clad foot on the table. 'Mathilda!' cried out Aurora. 'I'm so glad I can wear these at Hogwarts!' Said Mathilda, taking no note from Aurora. Grant Page, the Ravenclaw keeper, threw a crumbled up piece of paper at Mathilda. 'You've got nice legs love but this is hardly the time to show them off!' He shouted with a grin. Mathilda just stuck out her tongue but she did stick her leg back under the table.

When everyone had gotten to their seats and the eyes of all the students were slowly turning to the professors' table at the head of the room, the staff came in through one of the corner doors. The moment the Beauxbatons headmistress came in, her students leapt to their feet. Some laughter went through the Great Hall but there was no embarrassment read on the faces of the Beauxbatons students and they did not sit down until their headmistress did, at the left hand side of professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore stayed stood up and started talking after the Great Hall fell silent.

'Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and - most particularly – guests, I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable.' He said. At the last part one of the Beauxbatons students huffed and let out a demeaning laugh. 'What the hell is that supposed to mean?' Muttered Mathilda.

Dumbledore didn't seem ruffled by the slight interruption at all and just went on with his before dinner speech. '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!' He said, spreading his arms at the tables magically filled themselves with food. Nobody needed to be told twice.

It was a grand feast. There were a larger variety of dishes than usual, lots of them being obviously foreign. More fish dishes, probably to appease the north-eastern Scandinavian based Durmstrang and there were a lot of Mediterranean dishes as well for the more southern European Beauxbatons. I ate more than I had in quite a while. I had prepared for this though because I had eaten very little all day so I could more now.

Sometime during desserts did Adrian Pucey yank the back of Mathilda's robe, leaning back across the pathway between the Ravenclaw and Slytherin table. Mathilda looked back annoyed but her features turned slightly more flirtatious when she saw who had interrupted her. 'What do you want Adrian?' She asked and he shrugged, one leg each over each side of the bench, leaning his elbow on the table as he looked at her. 'Just wanted to point out that you eat like a pig.' He said and Mathilda's smile widened a little. 'Take another look then.' She said and she turned back to her cherry pie, stuffing it in her face. Adrian laughed out loud. 'You're hopeless!' He called out, turning away from her, still laughing but striking up a conversation with his mate Cassius Warrington.

Aurora and I threw each other a pointed glance. 'Since when are you and Adrian Pucey such good friends?' asked Aurora. I talked very little most of the time anyway and if it came to bringing up delicate information even less so.

'Friends? Never!' Said Mathilda. 'But he and I almost snogged at a ministry party his mother threw.' She added and both Aurora and I shrieked and grabbed at her hands, startling Mathilda to such a degree she let a piece of pie drop out of her mouth. 'Ugh, gross.' She commented on herself but after a quick look around she shovelled the piece back into her mouth. 'You snogged?' Aurora whispered quite loudly.

Mathilda shushed her. 'No, we almost did. My dad works with his mother at the ministry so we were invited to the party and there were very little people our age and most of them were total swots. We stole a bottle of firewhisky from the bar, got sloshed and almost made out but both passed out before we could.' She explained swiftly. 'And you never cared to mention this why?' Asked Aurora. 'I told you all about my summer romance in Canada.' She added. Mathilda rolled her eyes as she licked her fingers clean. 'It was nothing.' She said, a bored look on her face. 'Especially next to your Tony from Vancouver.' She said with a wink to Aurora. Aurora blushed a little. 'Well, I don't need to see him ever again.' Aurora replied, easily distracted.

The rest of dessert we were subjected to Aurora's detailed recount of the happenings between her and Canadian Tony who had apparently dated at least three other girls that she knew off while she was there. We were almost relieved when Professor Dumbledore stood up from his seat and the Great Hall fell silent again.

'The moment has come.' said Dumbledore, smiling brightly. '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.' Said Dumbledore and my attention was turned to two men who sat on either sides of the foreign headmasters. At the mention of his name did Mr Crouch give a slight nod. He seemed to be a gloomy kind of fellow and a stickler for rules, his face grouchy.

Ludo Bagman however grinned and waved at the students receiving a much larger applause than his colleague. He used to be quite a legendary beater, even playing for the England team. His face seemed to be boyish and his light blonde hair and baby blue eyes accentuated that even more so. 'I didn't even notice them come in.' Said Aurora.

'Mr Bagman and Mr Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime,' – which I assumed where the headmasters of the other schools – 'on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts.' The moment the word "champions" was mentioned, the attentiveness of the students seemed to sharpen immediately and Dumbledore must've noticed because his smile widened and he said; 'The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch.'

Filch appeared out of nowhere carrying an old looking wooden chest set completely with different kinds of jewels that twinkled in the candle light. Filch was, in honour of the occasion, wearing a mouldy looking brown waistcoat.

Dumbledore explained the rules and the challenges ahead for the champions and it was undoubtedly all very interesting but I didn't listen. I was just staring dreamily at Fred Weasley as he and his twin were watching the front of the hall with invested gazes. Was he really planning on challenging as well, despite not being seventeen just yet? Roger Davies was not one to lie and it did seem like exactly the sort of thing the Weasley twins would attempt but they couldn't really think they'd be admitted, could they?

I was shaken out of my thoughts by Aurora who gave me a knowing smile as she blew me some mocking kisses but then pointed towards Dumbledore who had taken out a large cup made of wood from the casket. That was not the most notable part of it though as blue-white flames danced in the cup, completely filling it. 'Now, I think it is time for bed. Good night to you all.' Said Dumbledore, clearly finished with his speech. I blinked. 'What did I miss?' I asked Aurora and she laughed at me. 'Only everything.' She said.

She explained to me as we were waiting for Mathilda who was still talking with Oliver Quirke, a boy in our year. 'And what prevents someone underage from putting their name in the goblet?' I asked after she explained. 'Dumbledore will draw an age line.' Aurora replied. Then there was no way that Fred would be able to enter the tournament and that relieved me a little. These sorts of things were dangerous.

It took a moment before we were able to get out of the Great Hall as the students from Durmstrang and their headmaster, professor Karkaroff, were blocking the way. After a minute or two they moved along. 'What happened there?' Aurora wondered out loud. 'The people from Durmstrang encountered the great Harry Potter for the first time.' Said Blaise Zabini, a Slytherin boy one year under us. 'Oh, that makes sense.' Said Aurora to me.

We went up to the Ravenclaw Tower with the three of us and solved the riddle before we went in ('What is it that no man ever yet see, which never was, but always is to be?' and I Mathilda came up with the answer 'Tomorrow.') We found Cho and Marietta sitting with Roger Davies and Grant Page. 'Did you see her though!' Grant cried out. 'She was gorgeous!' and Roger nodded at that. 'She sure was mate. Must be part veela or something.' He said. 'Who?' Asked Mathilda as she sat in between him and Marietta on the couch.

'This Beauxbatons bird.' Said Roger. 'Didn't you see her? She's called Fleur, she was blonde. Cho sat next to her.' He tried to explain but all Mathilda heard from that was the name "Cho" and she airily said; 'I don't notice Cho much.' With a nasty undertone. Cho only rolled her eyes though. It was too late for arguments. 'I'm going to bed.' Said Grant and Roger followed suit. The common room seemed to be pretty empty already. There were a few people reading in the window sills but it was mostly empty. Mathilda sat on her knees excitedly. 'There were some handsome lads in that group of foreigners!' She said and Marietta, Aurora and I laughed. 'Not that they'll ever look your way.' Said Cho as payback for Mathilda's comment earlier. Mathilda didn't look at her though. 'What do you think of Viktor Krum? He looks taller than he does in the magazines!'

It wasn't long after that I made up an excuse to go upstairs to the dormitory. I was tired and didn't really wanted to be stuck in between a fight when Cho and Mathilda got too irritated at each other again. It was a wise decision because not much later did Marietta and Aurora come up as well. 'They're totally screaming at each other now.' Said Marietta as she put on her nightgown.

'Let them.' I murmured as I sunk into my pillow. 'They'll come up eventually when they've had enough.' Aurora agreed.

I had set my alarm despite tomorrow being Saturday. It was Halloween tomorrow and the Goblet of Fire would choose the Champions for the schools and I wanted to go down quick and see who would put their name in.

I sure hope Fred Weasley isn't stupid enough to try and put his name in, I thought to myself as I drifted off to sleep. But a small smile came onto my face. He probably was.

REVIEW PLEASE!