October 29th, 1994. Thursday.
Selena watched as some of the students' heads slumped down and hit their desks. History of Magic was by far the worst class.
"So, then in 1289 - during the reign of the Muggle king, Edward the First - the International Warlock Convention met," Professor Binns said, the ghost floating by the chalkboard.
Selena watched as the little hands on Tess' watch ticked by. 3 seconds... she thought to herself.
"Now, the sorcerers from Sardinia-" Professor Binns intoned just as they school bell rang, thirty minutes sooner than every other day.
Selena grinned and hopped up from her seat. Ripping her messenger bag up from her chair, she made her way to the door, letting Renee and Tess catch up to her. It was evening already, but classes were dismissed early due to Durmstrang and Beauxbatons arriving. Most of the school was exploding with excitement, but some (like Maryana Callahan) couldn't care less.
The Triwizard Tournament was all that anyone had talked about for the past week. Talk of the other schools, gossip about those who were entering the competition, and all the fret the teachers were making. The school had been cleaned until it shone. Teachers had gotten more strict.
But it seemed worth it now. Selena beamed at her friends, the corridors filling with students.
"I can't wait to see how they're going to get here!" Renee gushed. "Maybe in a sparkly train... Or! Maybe they'll get here on unicorns! They're so pretty..."
Tess grinned. "I know."
Renee looked at her. "Know about what? That unicorns are pretty?"
5:46
All of the students filed out in front of Hogwarts and were lined up in rows, looking like black-clad stripes. The Heads of Houses had led their respective students out of Hogwarts and down the steps, all the pupils standing on the lawn, separated by year. The Second Years were in the second row back, which gave Selena a good view.
She pulled her cloak tighter. The Hogwarts students had returned to their Common Rooms to drop off their books ad retrieve their cloaks. Already it was almost dusk, the moon faintly shining amongst a sea of stars, the Forbidden Forest looking particularly dark beneath them. The sky, otherwise, was washed with purples and blues, oranges melting towards the Black Lake. Firelight flickered in the windows of Hogwarts, the school shimmering, light spilling onto everyone.
"Do you see anything?" some students whispered. Ripples of answers sweeping through the crowd followed. Selena kept her eyes on the forest and lake. She shuddered from the cold, glancing over at her friends. All of them were watching curiously too, Alisson whispering with Tess.
"D'you think they might come here on dragons?" Renee muttered to no one in particular. Her cheeks were turning pink from the cold. "They have the Norwegian Ridgeback in Scandinavia. My dad once came across one when he was traveling."
"Maybe," Elizabeth replied from Renee's left. She breathed, her breath pluming out.
Selena, to Renee's right, couldn't even imagine how they would be getting to Hogwarts. Apparating wasn't allowed within the school bounds, so that couldn't be it.
"I hear they're getting here on a sea serpent!" one boy in the front ahead said.
"There isn't an ocean around here, stupid!" was the reply.
Elizabeth shook her head as though she had lost hope in education.
Other students' theories seemed plausible, but some were outrageous. Rumors had been flying around Hogwarts like wildfire, but Selena had told herself not believe any of them. They could all be fake, and most weren't even realistic.
"Aha!" a warm, deep voice behind them said. Without even turning, Selena knew it was Professor Dumbledore. "Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!"
Renee gasped excitedly.
"Where? What're they talking about?" Selena heard Alisson say, the girl gazing around. Selena peered around herself, her heart thrumming excitedly.
"There!" someone from a row further back called.
Suddenly fingers were pointed into the air with shouts of "look, look!" Selena's head whipped up and she saw what they were all pointing at. A dark, boxy-looking object was flying over the Forbidden Forest. Selena watched as it got closer, wondering what in the world the French students could be traveling in. Then the firelight shone on the object, revealing a beautiful carriage pulled by a dozen horses with wings.
Selena gasped and couldn't help the large smile spreading across her face.
The powder-blue carriage soon landed with a giant crash, making the students all jump. The carriage was massive enough to live in, each of the palomino horses much, much larger than a normal horse. The door opened, a boy with pale blond hair getting out. His robes were a lovely blue silk, the hue matching the carriage. He messed with something below the door before pulling down some steps, shining gold. Quickly, he moved aside.
Not a moment later, a colossal, shiny-black high-heel stepped out. A woman followed, standing up taller and taller. Selena's mouth dropped open. Renee gasped again. The woman seemed just as tall as Professor Hagrid. She stepped down, walking closer so that she was washed in firelight. Black satin hung off her tall frame, an opal necklace and matching rings sparkling, dark hair back in a low bun.
Back with the teacher's row, Dumbledore clapped happily, the Hogwarts students follow suit. Selena applauded along with her friends, presuming this woman to be the Headmistress of Beauxbatons.
The woman walked gracefully towards Dumbledore, Selena noticing she was quite pretty with olive skin and dark eyes. Dumbledore beamed as she held out her hand, which he kissed.
"My dear Madam Maxime," the headmaster said. "Welcome to Hogwarts."
"Dumbly-dort. I 'ope I find you well?" Madam Maxime replied in a deep voice, her French accent lilting.
Dumbledore clasped his hands, smiling back. "In excellent form, I thank you."
"My pupils," Madam Maxime said, turning and sweeping a glittering, opal-adorned hand half-heartedly towards the carriage.
The Hogwarts students turned, glancing at the crowd of Beauxbatons students who stood outside the carriage, shivering. Some of them were wearing their shawls or scarves around their heads, clearly not dressed for the Scottish weather.
"Did they think they were going to the Italian coast?" Alisson said sarcastically under her breath.
Tess elbowed her gently.
Selena peered closer at the French students. They all seemed to be sixth or seventh years by the looks of it, glancing up at Hogwarts with tentative expressions on their faces.
"'As Karkaroff arrived yet?" Madam Maxime inquired, staring down at Dumbledore.
"Who?" Renee whispered harshly.
"The headmaster for Durmstrang," Elizabeth muttered back, not looking away from the tall headmistress and their own headmaster.
"He should be here any moment," Dumbledore replied kindly. "Would you like to wait here and greet him or would you prefer to step inside and warm up a trifle?"
"Warm up, I think," Madam Maxime replied, looking unfazed by the cold herself. "But ze' 'orses-"
"Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be delighted to take care of them," Dumbledore replied, "the moment he has returned from dealing with a slight situation that has arisen with some of his other - er - charges."
"My steeds require - er - forceful 'andling," said Madame Maxime doubtfully. "Zey are very strong..."
"I assure you that Hagrid will be well up to the job." Dumbledore smiled kindly.
Madam Maxime gave a small bow. "Very well. Will you please inform zis 'Agrid zat ze 'orses drink only single-malt whiskey?"
Dumbledore bowed back. "It will be attended to."
Madam Maxime turned to her students. "Come." The Beauxbatons lot moved, following their headmistress, the Hogwarts students parting, watching them go up the steps to the Entrance Hall.
"Woah..." Selena whispered and Alisson nodded.
"She was like eleven feet tall!" Renee said, eyes wide.
"How is Durmstrang going to top that?" Tess asked, glancing over to the elephantine horses. They were currently flapping their wings, stomping on the ground with their hooves.
Selena gazed up at the sky, a navy by now. Night was falling fast. When would Durmstrang arrive?
The students waited quietly for minutes, listening to the horses snorting. Selena kept her cloak wrapped tightly, wishing she'd thought to bring her dragon-hide gloves.
And then she heard something. It was a low rumble, moving along somewhere at the edge of the Black Lake near where the river flowed in.
"The lake!" a boy called. "Look at the lake!"
Being near the front, Selena was easily able to glance down the sloping lawn at the Black Lake, the stars glittering in the surface. Waves washed up onto the rocky shore, disturbing the star's reflections. The middle of the lake bubbled, the waves crashing. A whirlpool suddenly formed, swirling around and around.
Then another thing made all the students squeal. A large pole was rising up from the whirlpool's center.
Selena breathed out in awe as a sailing ship rose from the water, the rigging unfurling. The ship didn't look new - quite the opposite, it looked like an old pirate ship that had seen better days. Some kind of light shone out of the portholes, making it look like a ghost ship. The moonlight glinted off the ship, water pouring from the deck as the vessel started to sail across the lake and towards the shore.
There was a splash, and then the thud of wood. A plank had been laid down, students already walking down to the mud-covered shore. They all looked hulking, Selena thought, watching them walk up the shore. They soon trekked up the hill, stepping into the light from the castle.
A tall man - nowhere near as tall as Madam Maxime, of course - was in front, blue eyes unsmiling. He had white hair and a curled goatee, but a bit in the way of fanciful clothing, Selena noted. His cloaks were silver fur. She assumed him to be Headmaster Karkaroff.
Selena glanced at the teenagers behind him, all wearing fur cloaks as well, giving them their hulking illusion. However, their furs were more shaggy, not at all as smooth and fine as the man's cloak.
"Dumbledore!" the man called, his accent fainter than Madam Maxime's, but his tone was far more smug and happy. He crested the hill, walking towards the Hogwarts headmaster. "How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?"
"Blooming, thank you, Professor Karkaroff," Dumbledore answered. Karkaroff reached him, the two shaking hands.
"My dear old Hogwarts," Karkaroff said fondly, glancing up at the castle, smiling emptily. "How good it is to be here, how good... Viktor, come along, into the warmth... you don't mind, Dumbledore? Viktor has a a slight head cold..."
The headmaster motioned towards a student, the boy moving away from his classmates and into the light.
Alisson tensed, Tess whispering something to her.
"Please," Dumbledore said loudly, gathering everyone's attention. "Now that we're all together, let us go inside. A feast has been prepared in honor of our guests."
The Durmstrang students moved first, Karkaroff leading the boy - Viktor - as the school went up the steps. The Hogwarts teachers and students followed, the kids chattering away. They all entered the Entrance Hall, Selena sighing in relief to finally be out of the cold.
The Great Hall looked magnificent, having been decorated that morning at breakfast as well. Banners had been hung about the hall, one for each House. Selena most proudly glanced at the scarlet banner with a gold lion. Up behind the Teacher's Table, there was a black banner with the Hogwarts crest on it. Overhead, the enchanted ceiling shimmered with stars.
Selena sat down at the Gryffindor Table, watching as the Beauxbatons students sat down at the Ravenclaw Table. They still seemed cold, looking around the Great Hall with unimpressed expressions. The Durmstrang students were walking over the Slytherin Table, taking off their fur cloaks. Beneath, their school clothes were a dark sanguine.
"Is Gryffindor not good enough for them?" Alisson asked, glancing over at the other students. "Or Hufflepuff? I mean, really - the Slytheridiots?"
"Liss," Elizabeth sighed, giving her a look.
Alisson shrugged, blinking her eyes innocently. "I'm just asking, Lizzie."
The teachers all walked into the hall, accompanied by Madam Maxime and Professor Karkaroff.
The Beauxbatons students immediately stood, watching as Madam Maxime walked up to the Teacher's Table and took one of the extra chairs, to the left of Dumbledore, before they sat again. Dumbledore didn't sit, gazing out at the Great Hall.
He smiled happily. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and - most particularly - guests. I have the great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable."
There was a sarcastic laugh from a Beauxbatons girl.
Dumbledore continued. "The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast. I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"
He sat down, Karkaroff beginning to talk with him.
Magically, food appeared on the golden platters lining the tables. The Hogwarts students began to fill their plates, the dinner chatter filling the hall.
"Can you believe it? Viktor Krum... Here!" Sasha squealed from a few seats down. She scooped some black pudding onto her gold plate.
Wendy rolled her brown eyes. "You're serious? You think he's handsome too?"
"He's alright," Sasha replied, tearing open a roll. "But, he's the best Seeker in the world!"
"Oh, that's a bit exaggerated."
"Who's Viktor Krum?" Tess asked, getting some dish Selena didn't recognize.
Both Wendy and Sasha looked at her, sharing a look of bewilderment. "What?"
Tess repeated her question.
Selena gasped, setting down her goblet of pumpkin juice. She recalled the boy Karkaroff had called over. "No way! That was Viktor Krum?"
Sasha nodded excitedly, black curls bouncing. "Yep! Here! At Hogwarts!"
"Who is he?" Tess asked, clearly frustrated, looking between them all.
"He's the Seeker for the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team," Sasha replied. "And he's here at Hogwarts with Durmstrang."
Selena leaned towards Tess. "He's the reason the Bulgarians almost won the Quidditch Cup this year." Her smile turned slightly smug. "But, of course, the Irish beat them."
Wendy smiled. "He lost. So, I guess not the best Seeker in the world."
Sasha scowled. "His Wronski Feint is unparalleled."
"Too bad Quidditch isn't happening this year," Alisson sighed. "It would've been amazing to see Krum practicing."
"It's all the other schools' fault," Wendy sighed, shaking her head. "We just had to have the Tournament this year."
"Don't sound so ungrateful," Elizabeth chastised. "This is an amazing opportunity! You were excited about it before."
Wendy nodded, leaning her elbows on the wooden table. "Before. But look at them. The Beauxbatons clearly hate our school and the Durmstrangs have sided with Slytherin."
"They're just sitting at their table, Dee," Tess sighed. "You make it sound like they're plotting."
"Durmstrang doesn't allow Muggle-borns," Wendy piped up, glancing at her friends. "Did you all know that?
Selena exchanged a look with Renee before glancing at Tess. She looked dejected, small lips slightly parted, brow knit in confusion.
"B-but why not?" she asked, blinking at Wendy.
The fifteen-year-old shrugged. "They teach dark magic at their school too."
"Where did you hear that?" Sasha asked her, frowning.
"One of my brothers told me, I got the letter the other day," Wendy answered. She shook her head. "I'm the only wizard in my family. To think there's someone like me - like us," she said with a nod to Tess, "who lives in Scandinavia or Bulgaria or wherever they accept students from who can't go because they happen to Muggle-born." She leveled a glare at Karkaroff sitting at the Teacher's Table. "He could change the rule if he wanted. He could. But he doesn't. Guess what else?"
"Oh boy," Sasha sighed, turning to focus on the dinner roast.
Wendy's eyes gleamed. "Karkaroff," she said, spitting his name, "was a Death Eater."
Sasha froze, glancing up. Selena held her breath, wishing Wendy would stop talking. She didn't know what to do. Wendy would get on her rants sometimes, and this seemed like one of them. But Sasha had been there at the Quidditch World Cup, she'd been chased out by the Death Eaters.
"He still has that mark on his arm, I'm telling you. He was even at Azkaban once." It was as if Wendy had read Selena's mind as she tilted her head up. "Maybe he was at the Quidditch World Cup. Or maybe he was happy his old friends were there, lighting fires and-"
"That's enough Wendy," Selena snapped without thinking.
Wendy glanced at her, seeming surprised.
Selena cleared her throat awkwardly, feeling her friends' stares on her. "He was a... a Death Eater. But he did his time in Azkaban. C'mon, let's just enjoy the feast. Let's talk about something else."
Alisson quickly jumped in. "So about no Quidditch this year. Would I be mad to try out for the team next year?"
Selena was grateful to her friend as Sasha's eyes lit up. "You totally should!"
Wendy shrugged. "I guess no more kicking Slytherin's butt this year, right?"
The tension at the table melted, Selena relaxing. Elizabeth and Tess gave her quick smiles, which she returned.
The second course came and went, Selena eating so much pudding she felt queasy. Eventually, the plates cleaned themselves and Dumbledore stood, hushing the crowd. Selena had to bite back a smile of anticipation.
Dumbledore began to speak. "The moment has come. 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 and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."
There was light applause when Mr. Crouch was announced, and more enthusiastic claps for Mr. Bagman.
"That's Ludovic Bagman from the English Quidditch Team," Sasha breathed, applauding louder.
Bagman waved happily to the students.
The applause faded to allow Dumbledore to continue his speech. "Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament, and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts."
Selena exchanged an excited grin with Renee. The competition was about to start!
"The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch," Dumbledore said with a smile.
Mr. Filch - wearing a worn tailcoat - emerged with an ancient-looking chest covered with sparkling gemstones.
Sasha and Alisson began muttering to one another very quickly, Selena craning her neck to watch as Mr. Filch walked up to the Teacher's Table.
"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year has already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman-" Mr. Filch set the wooden chest on the table - "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."
The Great Hall became so quiet, Selena could've heard a pin drop. Danger. Selena barely breathed, trying to imagine what tasks they could face.
Dumbledore remained serene. "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."
He took out his wand and tapped it on the wooden chest one, two, three times. The lid magically opened, the old wood creaking. Reaching in, he pulled out a wooden goblet. It shone with blue-and-white fire.
Selena's eyes widened in amazement.
Dumbledore shut the casket, setting the Goblet of Fire atop it.
"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," Dumbledore said. "Aspiring champions have six days in which to put their names forward. The night of November the fourth, 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, 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.
Sasha gave an incredulous, faint cry.
Dumbledore stood in front of the students, half-moon spectacles shining with blue firelight. "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."
Selena smiled, standing up with her friends. She couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen with the Triwizard Tournament and the other students there. She knew one thing though. This year was going to be very interesting.
Okay, so I had made this chapter UBER long, but then the computer deleted the file. So, I'm sorry if this chapter was boring. The ending was supposed to have all of the Drama in it, but now it's going to be next chapter. But, do not worry! That shall be posted on Friday. 7:00, sharp! ;D
Anyway, I hope you all liked it and expect Damon, The Dark Mark, Iceyeyes & Erebus, Moody, Annabeth, and MORE next chapter! Any guesses on how those things play together? Here's a little snippit:
What a weird tatoo... Selena thought as she looked at the girls arm. A skull that appeared to have a snake coming out of it's mouth. But she had seen it before. She pushed the thought away as she and Hazel walked to Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Hm? Any thoughts?
Well, thanks for reading! *Review?*
~Meghan
2/18/18: In the books, this took place on the 30th of October, a Friday. I have changed the date for my story to make my original writing work. I also made this chapter much longer than it originally was.