Hogwarts is buzzing with the excitement of having two new schools reside within its grounds for the year. And both schools had been practising dramatic entrances into the great hall of Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry. It took a lot of effort for Hermione to have the same enthusiasm and excitement as the rest of the school did because she'd known about this since August, it is now the beginning of October.
She couldn't wait to see the Durmstrang boy's entrance, as she'd seen them practice through Viktor and they'd come to an agreement about something. She felt rather nervous about it. Draco noticed a change in his sister's mood and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"He attends Durmstrang doesn't he? Since being out here you seem a bit more bouncy." He told her, his arm around his twin shoulders.
"Yes, the pain of separation has dulled, you'll understand what I mean one day." She told him. Hermione had also told Draco about the pregnancy, once she realised Viktor had told his friend Vanz. It surprised her how close she and Draco have become, and she figured it was a twin thing. Viktor hadn't been able to escape since the first time about a week ago. Karkaroff had them working extra, and well into the night the last few nights, for perfection. He'd told his headmaster he was going to go public with his wife who is at Hogwarts because he can't be that close and not be with her. Karkaroff wasn't pleased but he also knew Viktor is a Veela and wouldn't do this if he wasn't serious.
A tap on her shoulder made her jump and she and Draco turned around to find Ginny Weasley by herself. They shared a look and Hermione nodded, he didn't go far though, and she walked a bit further to the front of the crowds to sit down on the grass. The two girls didn't say anything for a while and just stared at the picturesque black lake and finally Ginny let out a shaky breath.
"Ron and Harry and impossible. I don't know how you put up with them for all this time!" Hermione giggled.
"I think the three of us used each other in the beginning, then it developed into friendship. I can never forgive them for turning their backs on me after everything they've done Ginny, it's why I distanced myself from you. Because I didn't want you to feel trapped in the middle."
"I realised that, it's still weird seeing you like this and I still can't believe Dumbledore would do something like that. Harry is struggling to get his head around it, and Ron pretends like you don't even exist even though I know he and Harry both miss you. I also know Ron has always had a little crush on you too."
"I know, and that will never be anything, even if we were still all friends and there were feelings there. I know my family wouldn't approve of him. Draco most definitely won't, he stepped in a few times when Ron and Harry have been particularly nasty before going into lessons.
"Oh, look! The Black lake is moving." Ginny suddenly said as they turned to watch. She felt Draco sit down beside her and Ginny tensed but didn't say anything as they watched the Durmstrang ship and there he was on the top of the tall flag pole, her husband, as the old ship emerged from the water she couldn't take her eyes off him.
I love you! She said to him.
I love you more love, I can see where you are through you but not where you are from here. Are you ready?
I'm nervous, but yes. I'm more nervous about your fan club, to be honest with you.
Another reason for doing this, your Veela won't like it and we can't risk any casualties... because of our Veela's jealousy of others around us. Look up, love the Beauxbatons have arrived.
Hermione looked in time, to see flying horses and a carriage that didn't look big enough to hold the ten students and whoever else on board but she's learned in the magical world looks can be deceiving when it comes to spaces. She glanced back at the ship, to find Viktor climbing down the pole, and other guys coming out.
Professor McGonagall's magically enhanced voice suddenly broke over the excited chatter and called everyone into the great hall. Viktor filled her with confidence and love, evaporating her nerves.
"Are we okay?" Ginny asked her friend, she'd missed Hermione and hated her brother and Harry for making her choose but she decided to go against them because it wasn't fair what they are doing.
"Yes, I never had an issue with you, Ginny. I am still me, just a little different and sure of who I am." She watched her friend open her mouth to say something but Draco stopped her by pulling her into his side.
"Weaslette." And moved her friend away, she glared at the blonde-haired male but followed everyone else in.
The doors closed in the Great hall, the minister of Magic is there and surprisingly their father. Draco leaned in to whisper, something she'd completely forgotten about.
"He's head of the board of governors! As soon as Dumbledore retires he wants to apply for the role." Lucius walked over to his two children as they reached the end of the table and hugged them both.
"He is here, isn't he?" He asked his daughter, holding her at arm's length as he noticed her bright-eyed look.
"Yes," she leaned in to whisper in his ear, pulling Draco in with her so he could hear.
"He wants to go public with our relationship. Viktor's very protective and I don't think I'll like his fan club very much so it's just easier this way."
"Malfoy, it is time." The Prime Minister of Magic said, placing a hand on his shoulder. She watched her father's face harden and he pushed his hand off of him.
"I'm well aware of the timings Fudge. I have not seen my children for a while, my daughter was just telling me some information," he told the Minister of Magic.
"Daughter... oh! I'm still surprised you let Dumbledore walk away without a scratch." Is his response, as Fudge looked at her, then back at Lucius.
"Yes, well as I warned you, if anything else happens to my children by his hand, then I will be dragging him off to Azkaban myself, and I said that to his face."
"Very well. Mr and Miss Malfoy, I hope you enjoy this year. I need your father up here, so if you'll excuse us." They saw their father's hand twitch towards his wand, as he followed the prime minister to the staff table.
"Oh dear..." she said.
"There are only three people on this earth our father will tolerate being bossed around by or given orders from, and that is our mother, his father when Abraxas was alive and Lord Voldemort. That is partly because of how he was raised and the environment he grew up in." Suddenly the doors opened and the Beauxbatons girls arrived twirling and sighing with birds flying out of their hands, their uniforms are a pretty blue colour.
Dumbledore introduced them as the lovely ladies from the Beauxbatons academe, and the half-giant lady as their headmistress: Miss Olympe Maxime. They sat on the Ravenclaw side, and Hermione is thankful that nobody sat on her side, as the plan is for Viktor to sit next to her on the bench. Suddenly clanging noises could be heard after every one of Beauxbaton's girls was seated and Miss Maxime sat next to Hagrid on the end a head taller than him, he'd grown distant from her as well. Her father sat between Severus and the Minister who sat next to Dumbledore. He and Severus both seemed to straighten up at the sound of Durmstrang's magic golden walkers she'd seen in their bedroom at home.
Lucius watched from the corner of his eye as his daughter sat up a little straighter, and her eyes fixed on the great hall of Hogwarts entrance. Suddenly the first few lads of Durmstrang entered the hall at a controlled speed, the magic gold chunky walkers clanging away on the ground, the air around it rippling as it touched the stone floors, the lads all filed in doing some flips and tricky looking dance moves, as one of them then did a fire thing in front of Dumbledore who stood centre stage. He also noticed the Weasley boy glance at his precious baby a few times when he thought nobody was looking and didn't like it one bit. He'd have a word with Draco when Hermione wasn't within earshot. The boys stood aside in a row of five as the star of the show enters, with his hair tied back, Viktor Krum walks in looking fierce, his eye hard, as he stared straight ahead. He wore a thick fur coat and black uniform of polo jumper, trousers and dragon boots, he noticed the closer he came to the front. They all heard the Weasley boy say over the silence that fell.
"Blimey! It's him, that's Viktor Krum." In shock. Said lad gave no response keeping the same facial expression as he walked in front of Karkaroff, his daughter couldn't take her eye off of her mate. He's impressed at Krum's control, he has not looked at his wife once and maintained his facial expression until he gets closer to Dumbledore, a flash of hatred he can't hide flashes in his blue eyes. The lad is tall like Todor and clearly well-built.
Viktor Krum waits for Karkaroff standing in front of Dumbledore. Severus leaned in to whisper.
"The lad knows doesn't he?" He nodded as Karkaroff said something to him, Krum tensed but nodded. Making brief eye contact with him before guiding his group to the Slytherin benches. He watched as Viktor sat down next to his daughter, shook hands with Draco and whispered something in his daughter's ear, whilst Karkaroff and Dumbledore greeted each other being fake nice.
Lucius' eyes drifted over to the Gryffindor table to find shocked students staring at the Slytherin side. He glanced back to find Krum kissing his daughter. His wedding ring on full display as he held her face, her right hand holding his arm, and then when they finally stopped Krum put his arm around her shoulders, making it clear she is his as she held onto the hand over her shoulder, she leaned into him. His expression turned cold and distant, as he focused on the stone wall above their heads. Dumbledore cleared his throat as the Prime Minister moved around, Filch brought the cup up to the front of the podium they all sat on. Fudge and Dumbledore now stood centre stage.
"Welcome Durmstrang, and Beauxbaton students to a year at Hogwarts. Clearly, some already know one another Mr and Mrs Krum... however this year, is a special year for our schools have been chosen to take part in a rare Wizarding event, and before you, the Minister of Magic has brought the Tri-Wizard cup which will reside within the winning school, until whenever the next tournament will be held. Whilst you are here as our guests you are welcome to share our meal's in the Great Hall but otherwise, everything else will proceed as normal. The library is also available for use if you would like to. I must stress that only students who are in years five and above can enter the tournament. Our guests are all of age, if anyone from younger years enters... your name will be spat back out of the flames. Older students are invited to put their names in the cup after breakfast."
Dumbledore then showed off using wandless magic and dramatically removed the cover as the cup stood there in all its silver glory and fiery white and blue flames that danced in the orb-like shape. He glanced back at his children to find Krum resting his cheek on his daughter's head and she is now tucked under the furs of his coat from the arm that's around her shoulders.