VISITORS AT HOGWARTS

Alex was sitting on the train, ready to go back to Hogwarts. Hermione was sitting next to her. Ron and Harry in front of them. An old woman was pushing the candy trolley and stopped at their compartment.

- Anything from the trolley, dears? – she asked. Ron and Harry got up, as Alex and Hermione talked about the events at the Quidditch World Cup.

- So, if it's his mark, that means they were his followers. That's clear… - Alex read the Daily Prophet Hermione had just passed her.

- I'm glad you're fine. When you let go of Fred and then we couldn't find you…well, we thought the worse.

- I'm fine, but it was close. One of them saw me and Draco hiding. But he told us to get out of there…

- That's weird…

- Tell me about it. – Alex placed the newspaper next to the window.

- How can the ministry not know who conjured it? – Hermione asked as Ron and Harry sat back down. – Isn't there any security or?

- Loads according to dad. – said Ron. – That's what worried them so much. Happened right under their noses.

- It's hurting again, isn't it? – Hermione saw Harry scratching his forehead.

- I'm fine.

- You know Sirius will want to hear about this. What you saw at the world cup, and the dream… - Hermione said. Harry nodded and looked at Alex, like he was waiting for her to allow him to write a letter.

- Write him, I don't mind. – she smiled at Harry. – I wrote to Remus about it the other day, after the incident. – Harry nodded again, and started writing the letter to Sirius. She didn't mind. She knew Harry was Sirius second chance to be an actual father, and she was happy about it. She was happy for both of them. As he was writing his letter, Fred showed up at the compartment.

- Hey, guys! Can I talk with you, Alex? – she nodded. It was weird when Fred called her by her name. He usually used her last name or nicknames like "little braids". They went to the corridor, where Fred hugged her tight. – Don't ever do that again. I thought something had happened to you…

- Fred, I'm fine… - she looked him in the eyes, smiling. – See? I'm totally fine!

- I thought I lost you. – there was hurt in his voice, and fear. He caressed her cheek. Shivers. "Oh, no…". She knew what that meant. She had felt it with Draco. And now with Fred? "Damn hormones".

- I'm fine! – she got away from his grip. – I have to go and find Neville, I haven't seen him in all summer, you know? – she turned and almost tripped over her own foot. Fred looked at her with a weird look. – I'll see you at Hogwarts! – she started fast walking away. She was lost on her thoughts when she bumped into Neville.

- Just the guy I was looking for! – she hugged him.

- I heard about what happened at the Quidditch World cup! Are you okay?

- Yes, I'm perfect! Actually, I have other issues, more important. And since you're my dearest friend, you have to help me. Let's go. – she pushed him inside a compartment where there were only the both of them.

- What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost.

- I think I like Fred. – they both stared at each other.

- That's…good, right? – Neville was confused. He also felt a bit awkward. He wasn't used to have this kind of conversations.

- No, it's not good!

- Why not?

- Cause…I think I also like Draco… - Neville face darkened.

- See, that's not so good…Malfoy is…not nice. – Neville wasn't sure about what to say. He knew Draco was very important for Alex, but truth be told. He wasn't nice to anyone but her, and she knew that.

- I know he's not nice to most of you… - Neville looked at her with his eyebrows up. – Okay, he's not nice to none of you. But that's not the problem. The problem is that I like both of them. Or something. – she placed her hands over her face and laid on her seat.

- Well, I don't know about Malfoy, but Fred likes you too, so… - Alex opened her eyes in surprise.

- What? Fred likes me?

- I think it's pretty obvious, Alex.

- Is it? I hadn't noticed… - Neville smiled lightly. The thing was, that didn't make things any better. Actually, Alex was more confused than at first.

When they arrived at Hogwarts, uniforms ready, they were notified that Hogwarts would be receiving some guests that year. Everyone gathered around the surroundings of the castle, waiting to see those mysterious guests arrive. Alex was next to Neville, and both Fred and George stood behind them. She tensed up. Neville noticed, and when he looked behind them, he understood and started laughing. Alex hit him lightly on the arm. Four flying horses appeared flying through the air, pulling a carriage coming in to land at Hogwarts. Everyone started cheering.

- There's something you don't see every day! – Fred said to everyone around them. He was right. It was amazing. Suddenly, a large ship emerged from under the water and approached as well.

- Where did they get from? That's a lake! – Alex wondered.

- This is Hogwarts, Alex. Did you forget? – Fred whispered in her ear. Shivers. She smiled at him.

They were sitting at the Great Hall. Alex was next to Draco, and they were surrounded by Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy. Her looks of hate had worsened with time. Alex thought it was because she kept spending a lot of time with Draco, but Pansy knew better. She saw the way Draco looked at Alex. She knew what it meant. And it drove her mad. Dumbledore started the feast with one of his usual speeches. This time, talking about their guests.

- Now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. There is, apparently, a rather nasty rumour flying about the school that Quidditch will not be played this year. That rumour, I'm here to tell you…is absolutely true. – people started screaming with indignation. – There is an explanation. This castle will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests as well. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen… - Filch appeared running through the hall. When he arrived to Dumbledore, he whispered something in his ear, and left running as well. – So, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Tri-Wizard tournament. Now for those of you who do not know, the tri-wizard tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school a single contestant is selected to compete. Now let me be clear, if chosen you stand alone. And trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint hearted, but more of that later. – people started chattering all around the Great Hall. - For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of magic and their headmistress Madam Maxime. – the doors of the Great Hall were opened, and a group of girls dressed in blue danced up the aisle. Every boy started clapping and smiling like they were monkeys. However, the girls felt a lot of shame for the boys' reaction, and also a bit of envy from all those girls. Alex face was a poem. Even Draco was looking at those girls with a grin on his face. Once they arrived at Dumbledore, they released butterflies into the air. The crowd, well, the male crowd, went crazy, applauding and whistling. For the first time in their life, Alex and Pansy looked at each other with the same weird look.

- What the hell did just happened? – Alex told her.

- I have no idea, but I think I hate them more than I hate you. And that's saying a lot. – Pansy looked with envy at all those girls.

- And now our friends from the north, please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and their high master Igor Karkaroff. – this time, it was a group of boys the ones who entered the great hall. They all were big and strong. It was the girls time to applaud, but they didn't, like they were nervous about it. Alex looked around her and started applauding and cheering like the boys had previously done. Everyone looked at her weirdly, but then, the rest of the girls followed her, smiling and laughing. When they got to Dumbledore, they breathed fire. Girls went crazy, following Alex with her cheers.

- I think that's enough. – Draco told her, with a serious face.

- You didn't say that when it was the girls walking by.

The feast began. Two more tables were placed for the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students, one next to the Ravenclaws, the other next to the Slytherins. Everyone started eating and talking about the tournament and their guests. It was exciting. Alex noticed that one of the Durmstrang's students was Viktor Krum, the seeker of the Bulgarian Quidditch team. A group of men walked in the great hall, led by Filch. They were carrying something. Dumbledore stood next to the structure and talked.

- Your attention please! I would like to say a few words. Eternal glory, that is what awaits the student who wins the tri-wizard tournament. But to do this that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks. For this reason, the ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this, we have the head of the department of international magic cooperation, Mister Bartimus Crouch. – as the man started to walk towards the front, thunder roared overhead. Rain started leaking through the roof and some people started screaming. Suddenly, a strange man who was standing in the doorway, casted some magic upwards and seal the roof.

- That's Alastor Moody… - said Alex looking at the strange man.

- The auror? – asked Draco.

- He was a catcher. Half the cells in Azkaban are full thanks to him. He's supposed to be mad as a hatter though these days… - he said hi to Dumbledore, and started drinking some kind of beverage from a little bottle. Bartimus Crouch went to the front, and started talking.

- After much deliberation the ministry has concluded that for their own safety no student under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to put forth their name for the tri-wizard tournament. This decision is final. – the crowd started shouting in disagreement.

- That's rubbish! – Fred and George said at the same time.

- Silence! – Dumbledore's voice was heard all over the place. He touched the structure next to him, which started melting, revealing a goblet with a blue fire. - The goblet of fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen there's no turning back. As from this moment the tri-wizard tournament has begun.

Every student headed to their common rooms. There were some rooms prepared for the Beauxbatons and the Durmstrang students. Alex walked next to Draco. She was tired. A lot of emotions in one day. She placed her head over his shoulder while walking. She felt good when she was around him. But so, she did when she was around Fred. She was very confused. She'd have to make up her mind sooner or later, but for now, Draco's warmth filled her heart.