AN: Thought I'd finish this one up tonight in honor of Robbie Coltrane. thank you so much for Introducing me, and many others, to the Wonders of the Wizarding World, as Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies. May you rest in peace!
Chapter 43: The Third Trial
There was no break day after the trial for Kiba, as he immediately had a charms session with Flitwick and later practice with Lupin. But luckily he had a quiet afternoon on his birthday, or so he hoped. Almost the entire school was congratulating him whenever he passed anyone in the hall. Unfortunately even Rita Skeeter had decided to visit Hogwarts for the birthday of the champion, attempting to get another interview with Kiba. The young Wizard decided to head to the Owlery for some quiet time but was surprised with a letter from the post office in Hogsmeade.
'I don't know when this'll Reach you. But I wish you a Happy Birthday! I'm working on a big present for you, that I'll give you personally on Christmas. Well, if you can still make it at least..
How's the tournament going? I'd really like to hear more.
Much love, Faye'
Kiba smiled as he read the letter. He put it back in the envelope and started thinking of a response as he walked back towards the castle. He was however interrupted when he reached the stone circle just before the bridge. It was Hermione, a giddy expression covering her face and a small package in her hand. "for you" she said holding out to him "Happy Birthday!"
"Thank you" Kiba replied hugging the girl tightly first before opening the package. Inside he found another smaller box which contained a bracelet. The bracelet was a dark black rope around which the silver body of a Zouwu coiled, it's mouth seemingly devouring the rope. Kiba put it on immediately with a bright smile.
"you like it?" Hermione asked biting her bottom lip nervously
"I love it" Kiba replied looking back at her with a bright smile. They hugged again, longer this time.
"Happy birthday, Kiba" Hermione whispered planting a kiss on the boys cheek. The two admired the bracelet on Kiba's wrist for just a moment, when they were suddenly disturbed.
"Young Love! How.. mhhm, Stirring" Rita said as her quill scribbled beside her. "With how popular you are Mister Scamander, you two may even make the front page" she continued walking passing over the bridge back to the Hogwarts grounds.
"Was she just coming from Hagrid's hut?" Hermione asked
"must be, I just came from the Owlery" Kiba replied
"that snake, have you read what she wrote about you?" Hermione asked, Kiba looked at her, completely dumbfounded by the question. "we should have a copy in the common room" the two headed that way immediately. They found the newspaper and Hermione laid it out in front of the Hogwarts Champion.
'Kiba Rolf Scamander, a boy of merely fourteen and now Chosen to represent the entirety of Hogwarts school in a deadly tournament. He himself of course, claims to not have submitted his name for the picking but rather took on the mantle when his equally reckless classmate Harry Potter was originally selected.
Was this an act of friendship, bravery, stupidity out perhaps even Love? Weather for his classmate or the admiration of the female students of the school. "it's sort of cool, I guess, competing for your school. I can't help but cheer him on" said fellow Gryffindor Fay Dunbar
"I can't be bothered with him, he is cute, I'll admit it, but Viktor Krum will beat him no doubt" said a Slytherin girl
"him? No. Everyone hates him" was the answer of Slytherin Draco Malfoy
While many have their own opinions, it does seem that the competition has already attracted some attention to the young Wizard. Fellow Gryffindor and friend, Hermione Granger seems to have developed a new appreciation for the friendship they share.
We will monitor the tournament further, and report on any new developments' Kiba sighed as he closed the page "at least that's all it is, just blind speculation" he said
"she's going after details on your personal affairs, that-"
"it's press, Hermione, it's what people want to read"
"she should be writing about the discrimination of house Elves" Hermione replied angrily "that's real, that's important!"
"maybe you should move to America, Hermione" Kiba said "I'm sure you'd like it there"
"what makes you say that?"
"well, Elves live allot better there. they're not enslaved, they have jobs like any other. Alex says some even work in the Ministry itself"
"Now that's what our ministry should strive to be like.." she replied with a renewed determination on her face "elves, as ministry Employees. But anyways, Kiba, what about the next trial?" Kiba, who was working on his letter to Faye, looked up.
"I hadn't thought about it yet.." he replied. While he did train vigorously, the actual perpetration for the trial had seemingly slipped his mind.
"the trial is likely going to be something swimming related" Hermione said thoughtfully
"so you think I'll have to swim somewhere?" Kiba asked
"what if you have to dive to the bottom, and collect a special item?" Ron chimed in
"he's not to far off, I think" Hermione replied "I'll go look for anything in my books, a charm or something that'll help you breathe underwater"
"Thanks," Kiba days to her as he continued to scribble on his parchment "you too Ron" he added
"Least I could do" he added before leaving Kiba to his business.
The days came and went with the usual classes, and homework. Until one day, a Saturday, all the Gryffindor's were called into a mostly unused room of the castle. McGonagall was waiting for them all to arrive, from first- to seventh-year students. "the Yule ball. during the time of the Triwizard tournament, on Christmas evening all the competing schools would come together for a night of well mannered frivolity" she explained as the boys and girls divided themselves to either side of the room where the benches were placed "with this year's inception of the Teen Wizard Tournament, this should be continued with the Celestial Ball. This ball, of course, is first and foremost a dance" she explained. "The name of Godric Gryffindor has demanded the respect of the wizarding world for nearly ten centuries, I will not have you in a single evening besmirch that name by behaving like a Babling, bumbling band of Baboons" there was some snickering among the boys which was quickly silenced with a single Glance.
"oi, imagine what this is like for the Slytherin's" Ron whispered to Harry who tried his best to contain the laughter from the mental image.
"Mister Weasley, will you join me please?" McGonagall asked, well.. demanded. Harry and Kiba simultaneously nudged the Ginger forward and he proceeded to be McGonagall's demonstration dummy for the dances. As all the students watched McGonagall dance with Ron, Kiba began imagining. He imagined himself, dancing with Hermione at the ball. And it was a good thought, a happy one, a thought he quite liked. But even so, Kiba wasn't going to attend the ball, he had plans to visit Faye, so he could dance with her instead which was also a thought he liked. Yet now his mind did nothing but confuse him, so much so in fact that only when Neville got up to dance with a girl, so did he, swiftly asking Hermione as to avoid any awkward pairing for himself.
And so the month dragged on, with classes, extra lessons and Dancing until the last sun of November had shun it's rays over the castle. Kiba was, once again, waiting by the entrance of Hogwarts when the lake began moving. From the corner of his eye Kiba thought it was the giant squid but no, magnificent sails rose from the waves and glistened in the sunlight as the rest of the large ship surfaced as well. Then from the ship itself launched a small raft, Kiba and Dumbledore headed down to the boathouse together, arriving there just before the Durmstrang Raft did. Igor Karkaroff stepped out first and hugged Dumbledore tightly, and then came Viktor. He was dressed in a thick coat whilst Kiba only wore his thin jacket.
Kiba and Viktor simultaneously smacked together their heels together before bowing to each other. Kiba held out his hand afterwards, as McGonagall had instructed, and Viktor gripped it tightly shaking it as he did. Viktor and Kiba returned to the Raft. Much like the Hogwarts boats that Kiba had been on during his first arrival at Hogwarts the boat moved on it's own, gently moving through the water and towards the ship. Kiba was once again the last student to be collected, and apparently all the other students had been told about the Celestial Ball as well as it had quickly become the single topic for the trip.
They had arrived towards the evening of the day at the school. Much like Hogwarts, the castle was atop a hill by a lake, which is where the boat surfaced. They all rode on four separate rafts towards the shore where a carriage was waiting to take them to the school. Kiba looked back to the lake and saw three large towers by the shore itself, and quickly assumed that that was were they would have to begin the trial. Hermione was fairly certain that it was going to be, however there was still a problem nagging at the boys mind.. how was he going to breathe underwater?
Dinner was very similar to that of Hogwarts, as food appeared along the many tables that were set up through the dining hall. There was however a wide selection of meat and vegetables unlike any other school. Afterwards Viktor brought them to their room. It was simply a long hall with eight separate rooms and a single bathroom at the end. They were all labeled with their names and as Kiba entered he saw his belongings by the bed, as well as a red shirt and orange-golden swim-trunks. He looked on the back, and it said 'Scamander 8' on the back. The uniform confirmed that he was going to go in the cold lake behind the school. He also found a leather strap which could fit a single wand. Kiba tried to find sleep quickly, which had been difficult before every task so far and got up early the next morning to join Raya in her morning run as he had done when they were at Uagadou. The following morning was the day off the trial. There was no morning run, because the trial was going to be exhausting enough. Kiba met up with Hermione as they all walked down to the lake.
"Hermione, I still can't breathe underwater" he said
"I know, I was brainstorming with the others and actually Neville came up with something"
"Neville?" Kiba echoed. The boy stepped towards him and held out some something green plants "what is it?"
"Gillyweed" he replied "they're supposed to give you gills, so you can breathe underwater"
"are you sure?" Kiba asked
"yes," he said "though there is some debate among Herbologists about the effects-"
"you'll be alright," Hermione said "even if something goes wrong, Madam Pomfrey will fix you in a jiffy" Kiba took the Gillyweed and followed the other champions to the bottom platform of the middle tower as his friends ascended the spectator tower to the top. Moody was with them on the champions platform, standing next to Kiba.
"Welcome to the Third Trial," Bagman announced "the objective is simple. Find, and return your treasure" the champions were all handed a photograph of a single object they were to find and bring to the surface. "but it is easier said then done. With dark and freezing cold water and all manner of creatures in the water, who knows what sort of dangers they'll face!" Kiba analyzed his photograph. His objective was a serpentine dagger, a black snake coiled around a handle with emerald green eyes, it's jaws clenched around a sharp blade. His photograph was taken away again and Moody stepped closer to him and nudged his arm.
"put that in your mouth" he hissed, and quickly Kiba put the Gillyweed in his mouth trying his best to resist the urge to throw it up immediately. He checked his wand strap around his left arm, to ensure he wouldn't lose his wand when he dove in.
"you have one hour to find your treasure, you may begin at the sound of the Cannon" Igor Karkaroff said and just a few moments later the signal fired. The champions all dove in like a synchronized group and dispersed in different directions. Kiba had to wait for a moment, as something tore his throat in a sharp pain. He touched the area and found that the Gillyweed had worked, he had formed gills and could breathe normally, but was caught by surprise again when he found webbing between his fingers and toes, the latter of which had grown incredibly long. But when he decided to do his first swimming stroke he shot forward at incredible speed. Kiba chuckled to himself and pushed through the water with ease looking out for any shimmer in the Sandy floor of the Lake which was largely covered by plantlife.
The image he was shown was still clear in his mind and he internally scanned it looking for any clue. Perhaps his item was where you'd expect it to be, or so out of place that finding it would be pure luck. Kiba had been swimming for nearly twenty minutes, through the various plant life when he came to a cliff. The floor dropped down into the dark, and even ahead he couldn't see the ground anymore, there was only one way to go, down. He grabbed his wand from the leather strap on his left arm and dove down letting the tip of his wand shine brightly into the dark. It wasn't long before something came into view, but it wasn't the ground. It was a magnificent ship, covered in plant life and creatures that swam around.
'if I'm to find a Dagger, it must be in here' he thought to himself as he entered the ships captains quarters. He began looking through all the furniture, scanning every inch of the ship. He opened the final latch, leading to the deepest point if the ship. It appeared to be a sort of storage room. He didn't have much time, no more then ten minutes to return to the stands with his item. He opened a large chest first and rummaged through it without luck, when the light of his wand caught his attention. "Accio Dagger" he said waving the wand Infront of him, and to him came a glass bottle, it was filled halfway with some sort of dark liquid and sealed at the top. Trying to open it wouldn't work, so a quick jinx cracked the glass and released the liquid and the Dagger. But now Kiba realized that it wasn't liquid at all, it was alive and quickly moved to block off any exits. Kiba checked his watch, he had five minutes to go. With a quick use of Bombarda he blasted a hole into the hull of the ship and swam out.
Now, how was he going to make it back to the stands? He was caught off guard by a massive green creature.
"a Kelpie?" he reached out and grabbed onto the water horse instantly dragging along before swimming the rest of the way to the surface. He climbed out of the freezing water and was immediately met by Harry and Hermione who wrapped him in towels.
"how'd the others do?" he quickly asked
"Krum arrived here first," Harry replied "he probably knew exactly where his skull was hidden.." he added
"You're third!" Hermione said hugging him tightly "Raya came back just before you" the time window soon came to an end, and the others all returned to the surface one by one, some without their items.
"well done Champions! Let's not stay in the cold to long, everyone may return to the school and enjoy the Durmstrang festivities. Champions please with me" Bagman announced loudly. Kiba and the other champions followed the Headmaster to a separate room as they were given thick red cloaks covered in a warming fur.
"Our top three today, Viktor Krum, Raya Kravchenko and Kiba Scamander. But well done to all of you, You have survived another trial" Karkaroff spoke.
"But danger is closer then you think!" Enzo Damião intervened, the Headmaster of Castelobruxo institute in south America "the fourth trial is near, but this will require much more then just endurance and Wit. Safe to say this will be the most dangerous trial yet" he said before they were all dismissed. They were lead by Viktor to the main hall, but as they walked Raya approached Kiba.
"so, congratulations" she said
"you too," the boy replied
"I'm curious, have you found a date to the ball yet?" she asked tugging her arms behind her back, this reminded Kiba eerily of Faye.
"Oh, no. Uhmm" Kiba began "actually, I wasn't going to attend at all"
"What? But you're a champion, we have to attend" Raya replied
"I was going to spend Christmas with a friend back in London" Kiba replied "I promised her"
"A friend? Or more?" she asked. Kiba didn't respond, but his cheeks turning red revealed the answer anyways "you have to attend, your friend is going to have to wait. So, who are you going to ask?"
"oh, uhm. I don't think there's anyone" Kiba replied
"what about that bushy hair girl you hang around?" Raya asked cheekily
"Hermione? Don't get me wrong, she's my best friend. But I'd think she would ask someone she likes differently" Kiba said
"just ask her," Raya said
"Alright, I'm going to. But who are you going with then?"
"no one," Raya said bluntly "I'm already engaged"
"oh, wait what?"
"Well, my father, he's a important man, and he's having me marry a boy of similar status as soon as I'm graduating" Raya replied "I'll probably just ask someone to go as friends, and leave after the initial dance" she sighed
"you don't like it, do you?" Kiba asked "having to do what your father wants you to do?"
"Let's just say, he never had time for me as a kid, but now he sticks his head in and decides who I marry" she replied "so no, I don't like it"
"that's why you entered the tournament, right?" Kiba asked looking at her with a worried expression "you're trying to impress him right? To show your father that you're strong?"
"in a way.." she sighed again. They arrived at the hall and Raya quickly split away from Kiba to get some food, he did the same whilst building up the courage to ask Hermione to the ball.. he was actually quite nervous, which surprised him. He couldn't do it here, had to do it back at Hogwarts, maybe after they return?
"Kiba! Kiba" Hermione came rushing over to the boy, her cheeks rosey and a big smile across her face.
"Hermione! I was looking for you" the boy replied
"Really? What's up?"
"you first" the boy said, Hermione grabbed him by the hand and pulled him away from the masses
"guess what just happened" she says, her voice going down to a quiet whisper. Kiba shrugged "Viktor Krum just asked me to the Celestial Ball" she squealed
"that's- that's great" Kiba said, his heart dropping internally "I assume you said yes?" he added doing his best to seem excited for his friend
"I did. But don't tell anyone, please" she replied "what's on your mind?"
"oh, i-" Kiba stammered, he couldn't ask her anymore "I, ahem" Hermione looked at the boy curiously "I wanted to go visit my friend, Faye, a day or two before the ball. I wanted to ask you if you could cover for me if anyone asks where I am"
"Totally," Hermione answered, a giant smile fading to a weak one. "ask anyone to the ball yet?"
"no.." the boy hummed "Still figuring out who" he replied
"you should ask Fay, she'd say yes in a heartbeat"
"I know, that's why I can't. I have to dance, it's supposed to be tradition, but I just want to go to the ball as friends.."
"because of Faye, back in London?"
"Yeah, for the most part" he muttered as a thought ran through his head 'as friends' his eyes lit up "I know. Sorry Hermione, I'm starving, I need some food" he quickly dashed away grabbed some food and ate, going that he could catch her just before everyone had to leave. He caught up to her just in time as they were leaving the castle. "Raya!" The girl separated herself from her group and waited for Kiba to stop by her.
"What's going on?" she asked
"I wanted to know if you'd go to the ball with me, the Celestial Ball.. as friends" Kiba said trying his best to catch his breath.
"she said no?" Raya questioned the boy. Kiba shook his head
"she's already been asked"
"Sure, I'd love to go with you. See you then" she said waving as she returned to her group
"Alright, see you Raya" Kiba smiled as he returned her wave before he headed back to his as well. He hadn't even considered what it would mean to attend the ball with another champion, well, he wasn't expecting any dull moments this year. Certainly not now.
