I unfortunately do not own the world of Harry Potter. That honor belongs to J. K. Rowling.

I would just like to say a quick thanks to narniagirl19, Loonynamelass, meandthedoctor, MoonRiderXXX, Allen Pitt, AnonymousMSQ, Forest Grrl, Spontaneous. Combustion99, PrimiGrl, Lrose000, AmayaRiddle, panneler-san, Karou WindStalker, Quinstar, and water goddess 19.

This is my first fan-fic. Hope you like it! (And if you haven't guessed by now, reviews are greatly appreciated!)

I am writing 5 other fan-fics at this time as well. If you could please check out my profile and check them out, I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks! :)

Chapter 40:

The Foreign Schools Arrive

The day that the other schools were coming to Hogwarts had finally arrived. As everyone rushed to the bridge, Ariella lagged behind. What would these other students be like? she thought. She hoped they were nice enough, but knew she would just have to wait and see. And suddenly, there was a lot of pointing, and a rush of wings, and from the sky came a large carriage pulled by huge white pegasi. The whole scene was a very pretty sight, what with the sun setting behind the white carriage. The Beauxbatons guests had arrived.

Once it landed, out stepped many petite boys and girls, all dressed in short blue dresses with shawls over their shoulders. Though apparently, it was warmer in France then in Scotland. It was then that their headmistress, (who's name she later learned was Madame Maxime) stepped out of the carriage. She was the largest woman Ariella had ever seen! She even towered over Hagrid, which was saying something.

Moments after the Beauxbatons students were usered inside, a large, intimidating ship arose from the Great Lake. The Durmstrange students had arrived. They all stepped out onto a wooden plank that connected the ship to land. They wore warm clothing and fur coats, suggesting that they resided somewhere considerably colder than Scotland.

All three schools then proceeded to enter the Great Hall. The Beauxbatons students sat with the Ravenclaws, while the Durmstrange students came over to the Slytherin table, among them was the famous Viktor Krum. Ariella noticed Draco smirking, and from across the hall, Ron Weasley gaping. She shook her head slightly, and leaned to her side to whisper her thoughts to her new friend.

"Why everyone is so taken with him, Iwill never know. Sure, he's a good Seeker, but if you ask me, (and I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but that's really all the guy's got going for him." Theo looked mildly surprised.

"So you're not interested in him, I take it." he replied.

"No," she said, shaking her head, "And besides, do you see how much more arrogant Draco just got justbecause they decided to sit with us?" Nott chuckled, and shook his head, but didn't respond as Dumbledore had chosen then to stand and make his speech.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and - most particularly - guests," said Dumbledore, beaming around at the foreign students. "I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable."

One of the Beauxbatons girls still clutching a muffler around her head gave what was unmistakably a derisive laugh. Everyone looked at her, most annoyed.

"The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast," said Dumbledore, ignoring the interruption. "I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"

As the food appeared, Ariella noted that their were many foreign dishes in addition to the usual ones served at Hogwarts, in order to make their guests feel welcome. As everyone was eating, she noticed two more people had joined the Professors at the head table. Ludo Bagman and Mr. Crouch. Those must be the other two judges. she realized.

Once the golden plates had been wiped clean, Dumbledore stood up again. A pleasant sort of tension seemed to fill the Hall now.

"The moment has come," said Dumbledore, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "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" - there was a smattering of polite applause - "and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports.

Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament," Dumbledore continued, "and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts." So I was right!

At the mention of the word "champions," the attentiveness of the listening students seemed to sharpen.

Perhaps Dumbledore had noticed their sudden stillness, for he smiled as he said, "The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch."

Filch, who had been lurking unnoticed in a far corner of the Hall, now approached Dumbledore carrying a great wooden chest encrusted with jewels. It looked extremely old. A murmur of excited interest rose from the watching students.

"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman," said Dumbledore as Filch placed the chest carefully on the table before him, "and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways… their magical prowess - their daring - their powers of deduction - and, of course, their ability to cope with danger."

"So how much you want to bet that Potter gets in somehow anyway?" Theo whispered to her.

"I hope not. It sounds really dangerous. Meaning that the likely hood of Harry getting in is very high, unfortunately." she repsonded, now worried.

"As you know, three champions compete in the tournament," Dumbledore went on calmly, "one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire."

Dumbledore now took out his wand and tapped three times upon the top of the casket. The lid creaked slowly open. Dumbledore reached inside it and pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been entirely unremarkable had it not been full to the brim with dancing blue-white flames. Dumbledore closed the casket and placed the goblet carefully on top of it, where it would be clearly visible to everyone in the Hall.

"Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet," said Dumbledore. "Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.

To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation," said Dumbledore, "I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line.

Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion. Please be very sure, therefore, that you are wholeheartedly prepared to play before you drop your name into the goblet. Now, I think it is time for bed. Good night to you all."

With that, all rose from their seats and made their way back to their respective sleeping quarters, but not before Ariella could glance a look at her Gryffindor classmate. He looked so calm now. Suddenly, she felt a gaze on her, but when she turned, she saw no one staring at her...but she did spot Professor Moody gazing at Harry with intense concentration. Something wasn't right there...she just didn't know what. But what she did know was that is was going to be a long year if she had to put up with those stuck up Beauxbatons kids, and girls fawning over Viktor Krum...as if she would actually be able to navigate the halls now that he was there. She groaned. Why couldn't life ever be simple?

Anything you recognize is from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Thanks to all who are reading, and liking it. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please feel free to review/private message me. Also, if you have any ideas at all, or would like to see something happen, let me know, and I'll consider putting them into a chapter. Thanks! ~ Leanora