Disclaimer: Echo says according to the Fair Use Doctrine, we shouldn't need a disclaimer. But Kibou says we should follow FF's rules. Because we post on here. And because it has the largest traffic of any fanfic site. (E: And 'cuz she's a follower)

(Almost) all characters, settings, and events belong to JKR. (K: Ari belongs to us).

Chapter 2- Puppetry

Before she announced which of us could put our names into the Cup, Madame asked a question of all us would-be champions. Purely a formality, of course; the team had already been decided, but it seems traditions must be observed. Standing at a raised dais, watching her address each of my 'peers', I ought to have felt triumphant, knowing that not only I was guaranteed a bid at the Tournament, but I was almost certain to be the Beauxbatons Champion. Instead, I felt disgust welling in my throat, listening to the scripted answers of each student in line. Every one of them, like puppets on a stage, mouthed the same platitudes – answers that had always been looked upon favorably, repeated by Triwizard aspirants for centuries. Verbatim, textbook, ancient answers. For the honor of my name, for the honor of my House, for the honor of my country, for the honor of my school… I had meant to say the same, but the words lingered heavy and bitter on my tongue. With each repetition, the words seemed even hollower than before. I had no House, no great name, little enough pride in my schooling. And I had no interest in honor. I kept my hands folded and my eyes cast demurely to the floor.

"And you, Mademoiselle Delacour?" My turn to answer. "Why do you wish to compete?" Madame asked.

My gaze met hers. I glimpsed a steely flash of defiance in the reflection of her glasses. My voice cut clearly across the hall.

"To win."

I am no one's puppet – tradition least of all.

- Fleur

Mercedes let out a cry of dismay. "Ma foi, they cannot truly expect us to live in such a – a – " she struggled to find words to describe the dilapidated castle.

Fleur brushed past her, rolling her eyes in contempt. "Some of us have greater worries than housekeeping," she remarked coolly. "I, for example, will be occupied with the Tournament. But I'm sure the House Elves here will be delighted if you put your skills to use in their assistance."

The Catalan flushed, but had no reply. Shivering, Fleur drew up to her sister's side, scowl melting as Ariane's warm breeze washed over her.

"That was rather harsh," Ari murmured absently, her eyes roving the crowd.

"She'd been cruel the whole ride, you know. I though a slight rebuke was in order," The blonde surveyed the school. "Though she's not wrong. This place is… derelict."

"Ari nodded, clearly preoccupied. "I said harsh, not undeserved," she murmured. Her pupils flicked from person to person, surveying and dismissing them before moving on.

Fleur frowned. "Merle, surely you can wait a day before starting your political games."

Her sister looked up in surprise, and smiled. "Politics? For you, I'm sure I could. I was scouting out the competition." She waved vaguely at the crowd of Hogwarts students. "I recognized a few children we've met, but most aren't even old enough to compete. None of them will be chosen Champion, unless Hogwarts curriculum is disturbingly lacking. See those badges? I looked it up before we came, they signify Prefects. Those are your most likely challenges. There are eight in each of the higher years, but since they have to be eighteen to compete, only the sixth and seventh years should be able to. So far I've spotted five who might be old enough, but I'm not sure…" Fleur followed her gaze to each of them.

"That one looks too weak." Fleur said, discarding a Slytherin Prefect. "Exercise is obviously less important to him than food." She glared at a starstruck third-year who seemed about to trip over his robes. "And that one," she added derisively, indicating a handsome Prefect in Hufflepuff colors, "Good looking men rarely attempt to develop any sort of talent."

Ignoring the blonde's skepticism, Ari turned towards the arriving Durmstrang students. She raised an eyebrow. "Viktor Krum. Think he'll give you a run?"

Fleur's statuesque lips curled. "As I said, good looking men rarely attempt to develop any talent. He plays Quidditch well, which means his ability quota is entirely overstretched."

Shaking her head, Ariane walked into the castle. "In any case, they're nearly all male. So you've probably got an advantage there, when it gets to dueling. And as for Beauxbatons… Andre didn't have the nerve to enter, and Isabella wanted to graduate early, so you're nearly guaranteed the spot."

They stepped into the Great Hall. "Ah." Fleur said dryly, stopping short. "Merle, it's very disturbing to find myself in agreement with Mercedes."

Ari's lips twitched. "Well… it's not so terrible. I mean, there's… Well, maybe we'll get used to it?" She sighed in resignation. "It's not a big deal, Cheri. I'm sure the Champion will get to stay in Madame's carriage."

"Perhaps Beauxbatons ought to have hosted." Fleur sat down at a table of curious English, her sister slipping into the seat beside her.

"Perhaps. But don't you think you'll have more important things to worry about than the living arrangements?" The Headmaster began his speech. A group of older boys were staring at Fleur, dumbstruck. She scowled at them, swishing her hair as she turned away in contempt.

"… don't need his autograph, ma cherie. I'm going to have him ask me to that Ball they host." The whispers caught her ear. "Imagine, if we're both champions. Viktor Krum and I…"

Fleur laughed, a cold, ringing censure. "Mercedes, not only is your taste so bad as to be below comment, I think it unlikely you'll even get the autograph."

Mercedes' face hardened. "I plan to be Champion, Fleur, and the Tournament's no beauty pageant. Your… appeal won't have any effect on the Cup."

Seeing her sister color, Ari decided to cut in before someone's pretty hair got burnt to a crisp. Her face a mask of scorn, she curled her lips into a feral smile. "If you relied less on your own looks, you would realize she depends on other talents."

The Spanish witch opened her mouth to reply, but stopped short. Madame Maxine had fixed the three with a heavy scowl.

Ariane cast her eyes around the hall, listening vaguely as the Headmaster cautioned bidders, trying to place faces. She recognized several House children sitting all-across the hall, but the most powerful families seemed to be clustered at the table where Durmstrang sat – Slytherin house. Well, that was hardly surprising. Theodore Nott – was he the Heir? She couldn't quite remember. Daphne Greengrass – her House was on the rise. Draco Malfoy – well, that name needed no explanation. Her eyes focused on the two oversized goons across from him, before flickering on. They probably were from a powerful house, but from the glazed, uncomprehending looks they sported, she doubted they'd ever be forces in their own right.

With a flourish, the Headmaster concluded his speech, gesturing magnanimously towards suddenly filled tables.

"Do you see Boulbolliase?" her sister asked. Ari glanced around and pointed towards a table adorned by red and gold banners. She grinned, watching some Gryffindors face turn nearly the same shade as his copper colored hair as Fleur haughtily demanded her favorite soup. A bushy-headed brunette glared at the blonde as she glided away.

Ariane leaned toward her sister. "The accent is a bit overdone, don't you think?" she murmured.

Fleur raised an eyebrow.

"You speak perfect English."

"No need for them to know that, Merle."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. Seated in the Headmaster's office, he listened to the droning of visiting dignitaries. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had just arrived that evening- with their typical showiness. All their arrival spelled for him was tedious meetings and superfluous paperwork on top of his usual load of classes with the brats. He already had Headache Potions of various strengths brewing in his lab.

The Headmasters and their Deputies were meeting to arrange the details of the foreign students' stay in Hogwarts – and the Heads' presence was obligated.

"It is settled then," Madame Maxine said, with a light French accent. "Our seventh-forms will attend seminars with the Headmasters and one other class of their choice."

"Yes," Karkaroff smiled thinly, displaying his yellowed teeth. "It would do Viktor and the others good to learn from the best there is."

Dumbledore smiled benignly, "I'm sure our seventh-years will be delighted to learn from such accomplished luminaries. Would you like a lemon drop, Olympe, Igor, before we retire for the night?"

Maxine grimaced slightly and demurred. "But I'm afraid I do have one last thing to bring up."

"Oh? Pray tell." Severus sighed heavily. All he wanted was to return to his experiments, to see if using melanogaster flies instead of lacewing made the Polyjuice transformation less painful. Was that so much to ask?

She produced a stack of papers. "I have a student who will need to take her classes with your students at Hogwarts."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Really, Olympe? We had just decided your seventh-years would be following the arrangement we have just agreed upon."

The large Headmistress smiled and shook her head. "Ah, but Albus, she is not a seventh-form. Mademoiselle Delacour is sixteen."

McGonagall's lips pursed. "A fourth-year?"

Snape tapped his fingers impatiently. Dear Merlin. Just let her take the bloody classes and adjourn already. The flies can only stew for twenty hours exactly.

The Hogwarts Headmasters' eyes twinkled. "The dark-haired girl sitting with her sister, then? The daughters of your Foreign Minister, I believe."

Severus saw the Frenchwomen's eyes narrow slightly in irritation. He never does miss anything, he thought with grudging respect. Even if he acts crazy as a leprechaun on moonshine.

"Oui," Maxine replied warily. "We made an exception for her, as her sister is our favorite to win the Tournament. Her mother was the one to push approval for the Tournament in the Gallian Ministry, as well."

"Very well. What courses does Miss Delacour wish to enroll in?"

"Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Transfiguration." She paused, seeming slightly amused by something.

"Is there something I should be aware of?" the Transfiguration professor asked tersely.

"Non, non," Maxine replied. "It's only that I doubt Ariane will be your favorite student." She continued, "She will also be taking Herbology, Ancient Runes, History, and Arithmancy."

Dumbledore nodded. "Very well, I have no objections, though I'll need a copy of her transcript. Now, final arrangements for the opening ceremony…"

Ari and her sister heard a rapping knock on their door. Fleur flicked her wand towards the door, allowing Maxine to enter.

"Your papers, Ariane." Maxine nodded towards Ari before turning to her prospective champion.

"I presume the two of you have been discussing the competition?"

Fleur raised her eyebrows, answering demurely, "It would be premature to presume I'd be Beauxbatons champion, non, Madame?"

"I think we can dispense with the facades," Maxine said bluntly. "Have you been looking at tasks from the previous Tournaments? Karkaroff is pushing Krum rather heavily. That sly English coot is playing his cards close to the chest, but his students' rankings are listed in the library, it shouldn't be hard to deduce who has a real chance."

"Fleur needs to spend her time preparing. I'll look through the records," Ari volunteered.

Their Headmistress agreed. "Of course, I'm magically bound not tell you what Beauxbatons has suggested, but I assure you our task will play to your strengths."

Nodding slowly, Fleur added, "And Durmstrangs is almost guaranteed to be dark, they won't think we're prepared for it. Hogwarts will be unpredictable, I think… And the Goblet, of course - it usually picks one maze type, but the others are random. I'll need a dueling partner, as well. Ari's good, but she's not Triwizard level."

Ari looked thoughtful. "There are a couple decent duelers in our delegation, and you'll need to practice with different styles. David and Paul-Henri, maybe Claudia. But you're probably better than they are already, and Durmstrang's got a reputation for it. I'd say cut your losses and focus on the other tasks. Dueling only counts for half the points as the rest."

Fleur shot her sister a predatory grin. "Not a chance, Merle. Dueling's a crowd-pleaser, and I plan to make an impression."

"I can't assist you directly," Maxine frowned. "But I can arrange a portkey from the outskirts of school back to Beauxbatons. Professor Dubois spent some time on the circuit, I'm sure she could train you." She rose to leave.

"Ariane," she added, turning back. "I have not informed Professor Dumbledore of your abilities. I doubt they'll be much trouble, but perhaps it would be wiser - ,"

"I'll be discretion incarnate," Ari cut her off, voice dry. "I've hear it before, Madame."

"I know you have. Good night, Fleur, Ariane."

The two girls looked at each other as the door closed. "She wanted to be sure you were committed," Ari noted sardonically. "Wanted to make sure her bets were placed somewhere safe."

Her sister nodded, reaching for an advanced Charms guide. "Nowhere safer."

A/N:

As you can probably tell, we changed a few things. First of all, their ages: we added two years to everyone – first years are thirteen, second years are fourteen, etc.

And yes, we changed the number of tasks, it's more fun to write (and hopefully, read) this way. Since the way Tasks are chosen in the books isn't fully explained, we decided that… well, it'll be in the next chapter. :D

If you liked it, please review.

-Echo + Kibou