Alastor Moody seemed to suffer from wild mood swings, at least where Draco Malfoy was concerned. At some points, he'd seem begrudgingly admiring of the boy - and at others, he'd treat him like he was Mordred's own son.
Honestly, that comparison wasn't that far from the truth. Secrets and lies and Luna Lovegood were all that Draco Malfoy had, anymore.
Well, that and responsibilities - some in the form of his adoptive sister.
At least she could take care of herself. Pansy felt like she had to help her sister, and that hadn't gone over well. Pansy wasn't the person you dialed in for the small stuff - she wasn't a people person. She saw the larger picture, and knew how to kowtow to her parents. But other than that... Pansy had a wicked sense of humor.
Which was probably not what you wanted when taking on House Hufflepuff. Oh, sure, they had a sense of humor - but it was pointed at themselves, not other people. Poke them, and you'd get teeth.
Draco would have to deal with that... eventually.
For now, he needed to network.
It was expected.
And two Great Schools of Europe were visiting, for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Draco Malfoy wouldn't have wanted to participate, left on his lonesome. But... but now, he badly wanted to win. And, if possible, to grind Potter's face into the dirt while doing so. It would be safer for everyone, but it would also be flights of fun and fancy.
The Great Ship from Durmstrang appeared and floated to the surface of the lake. Draco craned his neck, as the notoriously Pureblooded Durmstrang young men (and the few scattered girls, some Russian-willowy, others Polish-stout) stomped down the gangplank. Draco had been drilled in the lineage of many nations, so he recognized most of them. It was a stern crew that did not smile, but had keen eyes.
Draco was cautiously pleased with them.
Beauxbatons came next, in a flying carriage that Draco knew was outlawed in England (international cameraderie was probably the reason why it had been relaxed). They emerged in hoops and trousers. It was scandalous - both the approach towards Muggle wear, and how enamored they were with the palest of blues. Oh, certainly, Draco would look fine in it. The southern french and spaniards? Not to mention the Sicilians? Not so much.
The Durmstrang young men sat with the Slytherins, and Draco got a fine tutorial in why it was best to learn your second languages well. The accents were atrocious - so thick it was hard to understand them. And the Russians clearly didn't understand the concept of an article.
[a/n: Reviews? Sorry this was taking so long...]