The whole school murmured in disbelief as the words left Karkaroffs mouth. A tournament at Hogwarts? In England? Karkaroff cleared his throat and the school once again became silent. "All of us here know that Durmstrang supplies a far more rigorous curriculum than the other two schools in the tri-wizard tournament, therefore I have decided that all students in the fourth year above will be given a test, any who pass it shall accompany me and be permitted to enter themselves for the tournament."

Now that they were allowed the school rumbled into life, everyone above the fourth year was making plans to succeed in the test and everyone else was guessing who the champion would be. The only one who was silent was a blonde boy sitting among his large group of friends. "Draco? Are you not excited to be going to England?" One of his friends interrupted his musings. "Harry Potter goes to school there, and you are from there, yes?" "Yeah, I nearly went there, I wonder what it's like" "I hear they have a huge castle, but they do have smaller grounds." "Mmmm yeah, my Dad went there, I wonder if we'll get sorted. I'd probably end up in Slytherin." Why, aren't you happy with us Astris'" His friend was only being kind but suddenly speaking German and facing the prospect of going home made him realise just how far from home he was. He decided to work very hard on passing that test and getting to Hogwarts to see what he was missing.

The work paid off. Only 32 students passed the test. Sixteen from the 6th year, 15 from the fifth year and only one fourth year. Draco received extra cheers because of his achievement and was rewarded with a rare smile from Karkaroff. They set off for Hogwarts later that week. Draco slumped miserably in his seat as they neared their destination. He was the only fourth year on the trip and one of only five from his house. The other four were sixth years and wanted nothing to do with him. He had no one to talk to and was seriously considering asking to return to school. The ship creaked ominously as they approached the surface of the lake, the lamps swung from the ceiling giving all the seated pupils a greenish cast. Draco felt suddenly ill.

The tall masted ship rose majestically out of the lake, Draco watched the crowd by the edge of the lake out of one of the portholes, it was all very surreal. He had never seen Hogwarts but he knew every inch from his Fathers endless tales of his schooldays. Professor Karkaroff began booming orders, Draco left all his luggage on his seat. The house elves that had travelled with them would see to it that the ship transfigured the way it was supposed to and would then lay out all his trunks in the right order. The night air bit at his cheeks as he descended shakily down the wooden ramp. He pulled his furs around him and listened as his headmaster and the head of Hogwarts made their introductions. Of course Krum was pulled forward and paraded like the performing monkey he was. Draco was freezing cold and getting more and more hungry every second. He was nothing short of amazed when he heard Karkaroff's booming voice call out his name. He shuffled forward as his headmaster told how he was the only fourth year to pass the test and that he was an example to all. Dumbledore beamed as he shook his hand and out of the corner of his eye he noticed a brown haired girl smiling at him from between two boys.

Hermione watched with the two boys as each of the students climbed off the ship. When Krum came off Harry and Ron went berserk and blocked her view for a few seconds. When they quieted down a small blonde figure in lumpy robes was walking unsteadily down the ramp. There was something odd about him and she stared in sudden fascination. When they boy was called forward as the only fourth year from his school to qualify she felt a sudden flush. She had to talk to him. "Draco Malfoy" she muttered storing the name for future reference. In her musings she had missed the look of dislike that had come over Ron's face at the mention of Draco's name. "Well there is one guy I don't wanna know, I bet he's a right swot," he said nastily glaring in Draco's direction. Hermione turned round at that comment. "What has he done to deserve that?" She asked testily. "None of your business" "Well if that's your attitude I am going to speak to him now" With that Hermione disappeared into the crowds of students.

Draco hung back till the crowds of students were a little ahead. He was a bit overwhelmed by the day's events and needed some time to think. He was very surprised to see the same girl who had been watching him appear out of the darkness and approach him. He was suddenly glad of the company and smiled in greeting. Before he could say hello she burst into fluent German. He was more accustomed to that language than English so he responded in kind. It was a long walk back up to the castle and Hermione was shivering by the time they reached halfway. "If you are cold you may borrow my furs, I have no need of them in this summery climate" Hermione smiled at the joke and accepted the furs with a smile. "If this is summery to you I would hate to see what winter is like" she grinned as they trudged through the thick mud back up to the castle.

They seemed to click instantly. He found he could talk easily to her and they chatted idly about friends and family until they reached the great hall. He was a little put out to discover that she was Muggle born, mudblood as his father would say. But that couldn't be helped and he didn't want to alienate himself from those his own age for a year. Besides all that he liked her, she was clever, funny and easy to talk to.

All of the other students from Durmstrang headed for the table over the far side of the room. Draco was unsure whether to follow them but decided in favour of continuing his talk with Hermione Granger. They made their way over to the Gryffindor table and he noticed that they were headed towards the red headed boy and his friend. "I am not sure if your red headed friend would welcome me," he said in slightly accented but perfect English. "Why ever not?" "There is a history between my father and his. I believe that he has been told I am a brat" A smile twitched at Hermione's lips. "Trust me, if he tries anything follow my lead, and remember you don't understand English" With a roguish wink he nervously followed her to the table.