Ch. 8

As October approached, their schoolwork doubled. None of their professors wanted the other schools to think of them as slackers. However, it wasn't schoolwork that had Harry worried. He had received a letter from Sirius, telling him that he was coming back north, to Hogwarts.

"Why? I told him everything was OK!" Harry huffed. "I'm not going to be the one responsible for his being captured."

Sloane, who was sitting next to Harry in the library, took the note. "I didn't know you told him about your scar."

"I only did because Hermione and Ron were getting on my case. It was either him or Dumbledore." Harry said.

Sloane sighed. "Harry, you cave under peer pressure like a pack of cheep cards."

Harry snorted. "What am I going to do?"

"Write him and tell him that everything is OK. You already have people looking into the whole cursed scar angle and you're feeling better." Sloane suggested and picked up his potions book. Professor Snape had hinted that since they were studying antidotes that he was going to poison one of them. Sloane had offered to tutor Harry, though it was just a front. The real reason was so that they could spend time together and talk about family business.

"Now, Harry, before we go over yesterday's antidote, what is this that I hear about Hermione's newest project?" Sloane said.

Harry sighed. "She's going gung-ho for House Elves. She was upset over how Crounch treated Winky and even more horrified to find out that House Elves aren't paid for their work. She plans on freeing all of them."

Sloane groaned. "It's a nice thought, but she should just leave it alone. Don't get me wrong, Harry, you know that I like Hermione and that I think she's smart, but this is just insane!"

"I agree. She got Ron and me to join her campaign, but that was just to shut her up. If I hear any more about House Elf rights, I'm taking a long walk off the Astronomy Tower."

"Don't let Draco hear you say that. He'll become the spokesman for House Elf rights." Sloane chuckled. Harry grinned, picturing Draco Malfoy as a member of S.P.E.W. Hermione would drop dead if Draco ever approached her to join.

On the thirtieth of October, everyone waited for the arrival of the other schools. Sloane stood proudly with the Slytherians. His house had received a stern talking-to from Professor Snape over how he expected his House to behave. If they embarrassed him, it would be the last thing they did.

Sloane and Draco smiled as McGonagall's voice drifted over from the Gryffindor line. "Weasley, straighten your hat! Miss Patil, take that ridiculous thing out of your hair!"

It wasn't until after six when the first of the delegations arrived. Beauxbatons arrived in a large flying carriage. Their headmistress, Madam Maxine, was a huge woman and looked like she was about as tall and wide as Hagrid. The students from Beauxbatons were all dressed in pale blue silk robes.

Minutes later, Durmstrang arrived in a large ship that appeared in the middle of the lake. Headmaster Karkaroff was a sleek man with silver hair and a curling goatee and a loud cheery voice. The students of Durmstrang were covered in head to toe with furs, but that didn't stop Ron from recognizing his idol, Victor Krum.

Ron gushed about the chance to meet the famous Quidditch player, but was disappointed when Durmstrang opted to sit with the Slytherians. Harry noted that Draco seemed to look smug about this and immediately started a conversation with Krum, his cold gray eyes on Gryffindor table.

"Excuse me, Victor Krum?" Sloane said, leaning closer to the older boy. "I was wondering if I could bother you for an autograph?"

Krum seemed to have expected it. "Of course. Vat is your name?"

Sloane smiled. "It's not for me. I would like one for my cousin Roger. He's a huge Quidditch fan, though he normally roots for our home team, the American Eagles. And, if it is not too much trouble, one for my brother, Harry."

Krum nodded. "Alvays a pleasure. But I still do not know your name." Krum signed the sheets of parchment in front of him.

"I'm Sloane Mars."

Krum suddenly looked up. "You are related to Tori Mars, right?"

Sloane nodded. "She's my mother."

Krum looked thoughtful. "Our Headmaster has her picture in his office. She is a very beautiful woman."

Sloane frowned. He had never heard of Karkaroff, and wondered why he would have a picture of his mom. He would have to ask in his next letter.

"Does your brother go to school here?" Krum asked suddenly.

"Yes. Harry is in Gryffindor." Sloane said, pointing to his brother. "He's the dark haired boy next to the girl with the bushy hair."

"Vot is her name?" Krum asked.

"Hermione Granger."

It was then that Dumbledore welcomed the delegations to Hogwarts. After his rather short speech, the food appeared. Sloane had never seen such a variety. The House Elves in the kitchens had gone all out for the feast that night. Food from other lands mingled with the usual fare.

After dinner and dessert, Dumbledore had the "impartial judge" brought forth. It was a magical device called the Goblet of Fire. It would read the names of those submitted by dinner tomorrow and pick the best of each school. Dumbledore created an age line to keep any student under seventeen from entering.

Harry couldn't wait for the choosing to be over. Fred and George were still bothering him to put his name in. No doubt, if he were chosen, he'd win. However, Harry had a promise to keep. He vowed to stay away from the Great Hall as much as he could tomorrow, and only enter it if someone else was with him. He had sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that Fate and Misfortune were plotting against him again.

Harry got stuck at the doors of the Great Hall as the Slytherian table and the Durmstrang students tried to leave at the same time. Karkaroff was hovering over Krum, asking if he had eaten enough and if he'd like some mulled wine.

"I vood like some mulled vine," a Durmstrang boy said hopefully.

"I wasn't offering it to you, Poliakoff," snapped Karkaroff. Harry's eyes sought out Sloane's and saw that his brother's face was guarded. Something was bothering him, and it wasn't just the Jekyle and Hyde attitude of Karkaroff towards his students and Krum. "I notice you have dribbled food down the front of your robes again, disgusting boy."

Karkaroff reached the doors just as Harry did. Harry politely stepped aside to let the guests go first, but Karkaroff stopped. His gray eyes were practically glued to Harry's scar as he just stood there, staring, as if he couldn't believe his eyes. Harry could feel himself starting to blush under that gaze.

A few of Karkaroff's students were now staring at Harry. One boy pointed openly at his scar and nudged the girl next to him.

"Yes, that's Harry Potter. Now, move along. You're blocking the door, Karkaroff." Moody growled, standing behind Karkaroff. The blood drained from his face as he stared at the ex-Auror, then fury mingled with the fear.

"You!"

"Yes, me. Now move!"

Karkaroff gave a strangled sound before he turned and swept out of the Great Hall. Moody watched them go and Harry could tell that the ex-Auror didn't like Karkaroff. The feeling was mutual. It made Harry wonder what skeletons Karkaroff had hidden in his closet.