Disclaimer: I do not support Rowling's views. All Harry Potter characters and the Wizarding World, unfortunately, belong to she-who-must-not-be-named.
A/N: I couldn't help but do an A Very Potter Musical chapter title at one point
Lightning flashed across the sky as their carriage came to a halt in front of Hogwarts. Ophelia and the others jumped down from their carriage and dashed up the steps and inside. The large, torch-lit entrance hall was warm, they were returning home.
However, a large, red, water-filled balloon had dropped from out of the ceiling and dropped onto Draco's head, his usually styled hair sticking to his forehead. Blaise and Theo roared in laughter, but more water bombs came down and drenched them.
Draco grinned. "Karma's a bitch."
The boys grumbled, pissed that their rain-soaked uniforms were even worse.
Ophelia looked up and saw Peeves the Poltergeist floating above them.
"PEEVES!" yelled an angry voice. "Peeves, come down here at ONCE!" Professor McGonagall had come dashing out of the Great Hall; she skidded on the wet floor and grabbed Granger around the neck to stop her from falling. "Ouch - sorry, Miss Granger -"
"That's all right, Professor!" Granger gasped, massaging her throat.
"Peeves, get down here NOW!" barked Professor McGonagall.
"Not doing nothing!" cackled Peeves, lobbing a water bomb at several fifth-year girls, who screamed and dived into the Great Hall. "Already wet, aren't they? Little squirts! Wheeeeeeeeee!" And he aimed another bomb at a group of second-years who had just arrived.
"Peeves! Do I have to get the Bloody Baron?" Ophelia called to the Poltergeist. The Slytherin House ghost was the only person at Hogwarts who could really control Peeves.
If it was even possible, Peeves widened his eyes, "What a smart Slytherin!" Then he zoomed off up the marble staircase.
Professor McGonagall straightening her pointed hat and glaring upward through her square-rimmed spectacles, turned to Ophelia, "Sound judgment, Miss Warrington."
"Thank you, professor."
McGonagall left them, going to meet Hagrid and the first years.
"Classes haven't even started yet, and already on McGonagall's good side," Daphne giggled.
"I need to be! I failed the practical exam in Transfiguration last year. Stupid fear, when would we ever need to turn a fucking mouse into a snuffbox? What the hell is a snuffbox?" Ophelia huffed.
She inspected her drenched uniform, she pointed her wand to herself, and uttered the Hot Air Charm. A jet of hot air left her wand and completely dried her clothes.
Ophelia looked up, her friends gaping at her uniform.
"Lia, you're such a Granger sometimes," said Pansy.
"Well, this Granger was going to be nice and dry your clothes, but now she won't." Ophelia began walking away, but the Slytherins started to protest, promising her that they didn't mean it. She gave them a smug look and cast the charm. Once they were dry, they entered the Great Hall and took a seat at the Slytherin table together. Ophelia sat between Tracey and Daphne.
Ophelia faked a pout. "You guys just keep me around for my brain."
"Please, it's kinda sad how bad you are at Transfiguration," said Theo, sitting across from Daphne.
"Not to mention how she's even worse at Herbology," Draco added, seated next to Theo and opposite Ophelia.
She kicked his leg underneath the table, and Draco yelped from the pain.
"Merlin, Lia!" he complained.
Ophelia checked under the table. "Hm, I could've sworn a snake was slithering under there."
"There might be another kind of sna-"
"Zabini if you finish that sentence, your snake will never see the light of day again," Ophelia said pleasantly.
Blaise's brown eyes dilated and he quickly closed his mouth. He knew that the girl would somehow find a way to make her words come true.
"Ugh, I missed you, Ophelia," Tracey gave her a side hug. "There wasn't enough badass energy this summer!"
"Hey! What am I?" Pansy demanded.
Tracey kissed Pansy on the cheek, "My badass girlfriend," Pansy broke into a half-smile.
Ophelia and the others chuckled at the couple, used to their theatrics ever since Tracey and Pansy got together during the middle of their third year.
The doors of the Great Hall opened and silence fell. Professor McGonagall led a long line of first years up to the top of the Hall. The Sorting Hat sang its song, then the Sorting of the new students began.
Ophelia cheered when each new Slytherin was Sorted, but she was more excited about the eventual Tournament announcement.
Professor Dumbledore had gotten to his feet after the Sorting ended. He was smiling around at the students, his arms opened wide in welcome.
"I have only two words to say to you," he told them, his deep voice echoing around the Hall. "Tuck in."
The empty dishes in front of them were magically filled, and they happily enjoyed their first meal back at Hogwarts even though the rain was still drumming heavily above them.
Another clap of thunder shook the windows, and the stormy ceiling flashed, illuminating the golden plates as the remains of the first course vanished and were replaced, instantly, with puddings.
"Ha! Spotted dick, look!" Blaise pointed out.
Ophelia let out a dry laugh. "Terribly funny, Zabini. Two dick jokes in one night."
He pouted and returned to his treacle tart. "She never appreciates my jokes," he mumbled to Draco beside him.
"They're dreadful, mate," Draco gave his friend a commiserating pat on the shoulder.
When the puddings too had been demolished, Dumbledore got to his feet again. The buzz of chatter filling the Hall ceased almost at once so that only the howling wind and pounding rain could be heard.
"So!" said Dumbledore, smiling around at them all. "I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs."
The corners of Dumbledore's mouth twitched. He continued, "As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below the third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."
From down the table, Ophelia heard protests coming from Cassius and the other Slytherin Quidditch players. Dumbledore went on, "This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts -"
But at that moment, there was a deafening rumble of thunder and the doors of the Great Hall banged open.
A man stood in the doorway, leaning upon a long staff, and he walked up toward the teachers' table. He lowered his hood, revealing a scarred face and a large chunk of his nose was missing. But his eyes were what caught everyone's attention. The infamous blue eye was moving ceaselessly, without blinking. Then, it pointed into the back of the man's head, so that all they could see was whiteness.
"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" said Dumbledore brightly into the silence. "Professor Moody."
Moody seemed totally indifferent to his silent welcome. Ignoring the jug of pumpkin juice in front of him, he reached again into his traveling cloak, pulled out a hip flask, and took a long draught from it.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "As I was saying, we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."
"You're JOKING!" said Fred Weasley loudly.
The tension that had filled the Hall ever since Moody's arrival suddenly broke. Nearly everyone laughed, and Dumbledore chuckled appreciatively. "I am not joking, Mr. Weasley," he said, "though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar-"
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly. "Er - but maybe this is not the time, no," said Dumbledore, "Well, some of you will not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely."
"Hogwarts is at a disadvantage. Thalia told me that Beauxbatons gave a summer training regimen for those that wanted to be eligible for the tournament," said Ophelia.
"If Beauxbatons is taking it that seriously, then what about Durmstrang?" Blaise considered.
"Well, that makes sense though. I did some reading and Beauxbatons has nearly the same amount of wins as Hogwarts," Ophelia explained.
Pansy coughed and it vaguely sounded like Granger.
Ophelia glared at Pansy then continued. "Anyway, when we met Viktor Krum at the World Cup, I managed to get some info about him. He's going to be coming to Hogwarts as a Durmstrang representative."
"Merlin, I've been wanting to ask you about that! I saw the pictures in Witch Weekly," Daphne whispered vehemently.
Ophelia smirked, giving her a reassuring nod that they'll talk about it later.
"The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons' personal prize money. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!"
Dumbledore sat down again and turned to talk to Mad-Eye Moody. There was a great scraping and banging as all the students got to their feet and swarmed toward the double doors into the entrance hall.
Ophelia peered at her brother, a fire shone in his eyes. She rolled her eyes, she knew her brother's competitive spirit would drive him to enter the tournament. She and the others walked together to the Dungeons.
They reached the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room. "Lilium candidum," Ophelia said. The stone wall moved aside, revealing the common room.
She smiled at the familiarity of the common room, the large window at the back of the common area gave the room its signature green tinge. It reminded Ophelia of a Muggle aquarium, the view always gave her a sense of serenity and comfort.
They settled down at some sofas and chairs around one of the fireplaces. "I've always wondered why Snape sets that password on the first night back?" asked Daphne.
"Maybe because it's easy to remember," said Theo.
In her second year, Ophelia searched for the meaning behind the password. She discovered that it was the binomial name for a lily, but she hadn't yet connected the flower's significance to their Head of House. She was getting close to finding out whenever she had Legilimency and Occlumency lessons with Severus.
"Ophelia, do you think Cassius and the others are going to enter the tournament?" said Tracey.
Before she could respond, "Yes, Cassius is going to enter," said Cassius as he and his friends entered the common room. Adrian, Miles, and Graham took a seat and joined the Slytherin fourth years.
Cassius jumped over the sofa and plopped in the seat next to Ophelia. He threw an arm around his sister, "How does it feel to be related to Hogwarts' future champion?" he gave a cheeky grin.
She scoffed. "You have to be selected first, Cas. Are you lot entering?" asking Cassius's best friends.
"It's too much effort for just a thousand Galleons," said Adrian, shrugging his shoulders.
"Who cares about eternal glory? I don't," continued Graham, he then opened his book and began to read.
Cassius gasped. "Weren't you just encouraging me to enter?"
Graham looked up from his book. "Well, you are the only one other than Adrian who will be of age by the selection."
"Sorry, Cas, but you love shit like this. Just because we're cheering you on, doesn't mean that we would want to be in your place," Miles snorted.
He scowled at his best friends while they and the fourth years cracked up at his irritation.
Cassius suddenly stood up, "Alright, as your prefect, I believe it's past curfew," a satisfied look on his face due to the power that he held over them.
Ophelia and the other fourth years begrudgingly got up and began to leave the common area, heading for their dorms.
The last to leave, Ophelia declared. "I still can't believe you became a prefect. The second year in a row too. It honestly should've been Graham!"
"I can give you detention, Lia!" Cassius called after her.
"You know, I haven't spoken to Thalia in a while. Maybe I'll send her a letter about your fear of garden gnomes!"
She ran down the stairs, Cassius's voice trailing behind her, "I swear, Lia if you so much as send a let-"
Ophelia reached the bottom of the stairs and stood in the hallway. The left led to the boys' dorms and the right led to the girls'.
The hallway was one of her favorite things about the Slytherin dorms. The entire hall was a magically reinforced glass tunnel that ran through the Black Lake. Ophelia loved to just watch the Selkies, fish, and the lake's other inhabitants. If she was lucky, the giant squid would swim by. Being in that hallway was different from just observing the lake from the common room, it was as if she was living underwater with them.
She heard soft footsteps coming from her left, eventually stopping until she felt the warmth of a body standing beside her. Ophelia didn't have to check to see who it was, the boy next to her knew that she liked to hang around in the hallway late at night.
They stood there together, watching the aquatic animals coming to life at the late hour. The only sound was the gentle crash and swell of the water above them.
She looked up, the faint moonlight broke through the water and lit the hall with soft blue light. "I've missed this."
"So have I."
Ophelia glanced at Draco, he was already looking at her, a faint smile on his lips.
She slightly furrowed her brows, the intensity of the moment flustered her.
Instead of addressing it, Ophelia smiled at her friend. "Good night, Draco. See you in the morning."
"Good night, Ophelia," he said. She turned to the right and walked down to the girls' dorm.
Draco watched Ophelia walk away, and in a delicate whisper he said, "I like you."
A/N: Isn't that nice? :)
Next week: The first day of class! Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid is always a fun time, isn't it?
Contains content from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Chapter 12: Triwizard Tournament