Chapter 7: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang

The 30th of October arrived, and the students stood outside watching for the arrival of their foreign guests. The Beauxbaton students arrived by a flying carriage being pulled by a dozen winged horses, each the size of elephants. The students gasped out their magnificent beauty, "Freddie, I want one," Hallie teased.

His arms wrapped around her as they watched the carriage come in for a landing, "Anything for you my darling. I would give you anything your heart desires to keep that smile upon your face," he placed a kiss on her cheek. She smiled leaning more into him.

"As long as I have you the smile will remain," she placed a small kiss on his lips.

"You two are disgusting," Ron commented turning his attention back to the carriage.

Hallie was going to make a comment back to him, till she noticed a boy in pale blue robes jump down from the carriage. She watched as he fumbled with something upon the carriage, then a set of golden steps unfolded from it. He stepped back in respect. She spotted a shining, high-heeled black shoe emerge from the carriage, she was positive she had a pair similar. Smaller in size but indeed similar, the shoe was nearly the size of a child's sled. The woman stepped out, this was by far the largest person she had ever seen and she assumed Hagrid was tall. This woman made him appear normal height. The woman greeted Dumbledore, but their words could not be heard and she was too short to read their lips due to everyone standing in front of her now.

Fred looked down at her noticing she could not see, "Excuse us," he said pushing their way to the front, "There you go."

Madame Maxine turned from her discussion with Dumbledore and informed those left inside the carriage to exit. The first to exit was actually Remus Lupin, "Remus?" Harry, Ron, and Hermione questioned. Seeing him exit followed by the students left her classmates confused.

"Professor Moody did say he went to France to visit his godchildren…" Holly began.

"It does not explain why he is here," Hermione added.

They watched as the students dressed in pale blue followed Remus and Madame Maxine into the school to warm up. The weather began to chill as they continued waiting for the Durmstrang students, "The Lake!" Lee shouted, pointing at a whirlpool forming.

Slowly appearing from the heart of the whirlpool was a long, black pole. The ship rose up magnificent out of the water, gleaming against the moonlight. It had a skeltical-like figure to it. The misty lights shimmering from the portholes give a ghostly effect. It anchored down followed by its headmaster and students disembarking. The headmaster greeted Dumbledore, then brought forward Krum to meet Dumbledore.

"Krum!" she heard Ron hiss.

They made their way inside for dinner and the official introductions of the schools, everyone seated at their respected house tables. "Now that everyone is settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement," Dumbledore started, "This castle will no longer be only your home this year, but home to some very special guests this year as well." As he spoke Cassie took a few steps forward, "I will allow Ms. Banks to give the further introduction," he stepped to the side allowing her to step up to the podium to give the rest of the speech.

She cleared her throat slightly, "I mentioned this back at the beginning of September when everyone first arrived. Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Triwizard Tournament. For those of you who do not know the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. A single student is selected from each school to compete. If you are chosen you will stand alone, these contests are not for the faint-hearted. Believe me, I have been there to hand pick these contests," she paused observing the students, "For now please help me in welcoming the enchanting students from Beauxbaton Academy of Magic," the doors flew open, "And their headmistress Madame Maxine, accompanied by Mr. Lupin."

The students all turned to watch the stunning young ladies enter followed behind them by handsome young men, thinner in appearance than the Durmstrang students that they had caught a glimpse of when they arrived. The Beauxbaton male students gave off the appearance of being the picture of a prince. Harry's eyes drifted from the ladies to one of the males closest to the ladies, he looked quite familiar. His hair was dark and curly, his eyes grey. "Do we know him?" he asked Hermione and Ron.

Ron shook his head, "No…but he looks like…" Hermione paused.

"Who?" Harry questioned some students listening to her while watching the students pass them.

"Sirius Black," she whispered.

Harry turned back to the students as they reached the front, "Remus' godson…but Professor Moody said godchildren."

"Her," George said pointing at a young witch standing closest to Remus with the young boy now coming close to stand nearest to her, "Godchildren. They are brother and sister. She appears to be older…perhaps the same age as you three."

Everyone watched as Dumbledore and Cassie greeted Madame Maxine and Remus, they gave what to appeared to be a slight bow to the siblings. Just as they finished their greetings, Cassie returned to the podium, "Now our friends from the North. Please greet the proud children of Durmstrang and their headmaster Igor Karkaroff."

The Durmstrang students all ran in doing acrobatic moves, making the students rise to their feet. The female students were heavily attracted to the muscular male students, Fred caught Hallie's view staring at Viktor Krum as he entered beside Karkaroff. His face turned a shade of red, "Ooo someone jealous," George teased.

"Shove off, Georgie," he gave a gentle push.

The students and Karkaroff reached the front where they greeted Dumbledore and Cassie as the Beauxbaton students had before them. Dumbledore moved to the front, "Hogwarts! Lets entertain our friends in the best way we can. All stand!" Everyone rose to a stand where the students sang the Hogwarts song, this was far more embarrassing Hallie thought than what the other houses had done. The Beauxbaton students released butterflies from their cloaks and the Durmstranf students performed as if it were a circus, far more entertaining than this silly song. Thankfully she had been asked by Mr. Crouch and Cassie to perform a muggle song to become a figure of being welcoming as she was a transfer student to Hogwarts. She managed to drag Peri and Holly into the song as well, much to their disapproval.

Once the song ended, Cassie switched places with Dumbledore, "The Ministry of Magic has also welcomed a treat of entertainment for all you," she performed a spell allowing the music to start. The students from muggle backgrounds recognized the song as "We are the Champions" by Queen getting the students excited, even the students with no knowledge of muggle music seemed to already be enjoying the tune.

[Hallie]

I've paid my dues time after time

She rose from her seat as she sang all eyes turning towards her, as she glanced over at Peri to begin her verse. She started her verse, rising from her seat.

[Peri]

I've done my sentence But committed no crime

And bad mistakes, I've made a few

[Hallie]

I've had my share of sand kicked in my face, but I've come through

Holly joined in as the three walked the aisles of tables towards the front.

[Hallie, Holly, and Peri]

And we mean to go on and on and on and on

[Peri]

We are the champions, my friends

[Hallie]

And we'll keep on fighting till the end

[Hallie, Holly, and Peri ]

We are the champions, we are the champions

[Hallie]

No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions

[Peri]

Of the world

[Holly]

I've taken my bows and my curtain calls

You brought me fame and fortune, everything that goes with it, I thank you all

But it's been no bed of roses, no pleasure cruise

[Hallie]

I consider it a challenge before the whole human race, and I ain't gonna lose

[Hallie, Holly, and Peri]

And we mean to go on and on and on and on

[Peri]

We are the champions, my friends

[Hallie]

And we'll keep on fighting till the end

[Hallie, Holly, and Peri]

We are the champions, we are the champions

[Hallie]

No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions

[Hallie and Holly]

Of the world

[Peri]

We are the champions, my friends

[Hallie and Peri]

And we'll keep on fighting till the end

[Hallie, Holly, and Peri]

We are the champions, we are the champions

No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions of the world

We are the champions of the world

The trio reached the front taking a bow once finished, the entire room filled with applause. Hallie smiled hearing the cheers, Cassie came over to her daughters wrapping them in a hug and smiling at them, "You three did amazing," she whispered to them then let them meet the students.

"Hi," Hallie greeted the dark-haired Beauxbaton girl, "I'm Hallie Porter, these are my sisters Holly and Peri."

The girl shook her hand, "Lady Cressida Noir, but everyone calls me Ida. This is my brother Lord Remulus…but we do not care for the titles, we were born with it."

"Remy," he corrected, "But my sister is right, we do not care for our titles. She chooses to use them when we meet someone new though."

The girls nodded, "Come sit at my table," she said motioning for the Beauxbaton students to follow her to the Ravenclaw table. Peri brought the Durmstrang students to her table, Holly remained at the front for a moment before walking alone to her own table.

After the welcome feast, Fred caught up to Hallie who was walking with Ida and Remy, he was followed by George, Lee, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, "Hi…" Hallie questioned seeing the group of people, "This is Ida and Remulus Noir…forgive Remy."

"Noir?" Hermione questioned

No one noticed Remus approached just then, "The French word for Black," he said confirming the questions they had within their heads.

"You mean?" Harry questioned

Remus did not speak a single word, but gave a simple nod, "I was living in the French countryside with them and their mother, while their father…you know."

"Father came to…" Remy began, but Remus gave him a look before looking back at the group before them.

"I came to Hogwarts last year to teach by Dumbledore's request and with Ida and Remy in school, I took the chance. Now I am back as their escort. If you did not catch it from their introductions they are attached to the royal courts, therefore they need protection. I got permission to be that escort."

"It is getting late, Uncle Remus," Ida said, "Shall we?"

He nodded and they gave their goodbyes before leaving the group. The others left as well leaving Hallie and Fred together, "You did amazing, my love."

"I love music what can I say."

He kissed her, "And I love you."

"I love you, too. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

The two shared another gentle kiss before parting ways for the evening.