Chapter 10: A Family Reunion

Edmond's clue as to how they would get to Hogwarts was soon witnessed by the amazed students. He owled me about "Durmstrang making a splash in their arrival". Nikki was excited to meet my cousin as much as I was with seeing Edmond and Viktor again. Not many knew that Viktor Krum is still in school so I guess it would be quite a shock especially for those who watched the Quidditch World Cup. Our House would be the host for the other wizarding school Beauxbatons, while Durmstrang students will sit in the Slytherin table (I wonder what kind of torture Edmond would do to Draco).

The giant oak doors opened for the students of Durmstrang. Nikki gasped as she saw a pale tall but muscular male student wink at Ianthé. Ianthé waved a small hello at the boy.

"So that's your cousin?"

Ianthé nodded.

"Gee, I wouldn't ask why Draco whimpered everytime you mention Edmond."

Ianthé smiled, "I'm glad I'm in my cousin's good graces. I stuck to him like glue before coming here to Hogwarts. He loves to play the 'overprotective almost-brother' role. He's not the one you would be glad to cross."

"Look at Krum. Is he that surly?"

"He just doesn't like the attention."

"Oh…. Anyways, I have just received something top secret from Dad."

Ianthé looked quizzically at her.

"Apparently, our country is importing a few dragons from Romania. All are owned by Dad, and he said although it is good business, it took tons of paperwork. The Ministry even notified the Muggle prime minister about the situation."

"Do you think it's for the tournament?"

"There's a large chance. I mean, what kind of fool would import three dragons, nesting dragons at that?"

Ianthé covertly pointed towards the headmaster, "That fool?"

Nikki winked at her, "You never heard anything from me…"

They moved to the right to let the Beauxbaton congregation have space to sit down.

"Bonsoir," Nikki greeted the girl beside her, "Je m'appele Nikki (My name is Nikki.)."

The girl smiled, " C'est mon plaisir (Pleasure to meet you). I can speak English, you know…"

Nikki offered her hand, "This is my friend Ianthé. And you are?"

The girl took both their hands and shook it, "Amandine."

"Hello. It's good that you can speak English with just a hint of French accent…"

"Actually, I'm not really French. I just went to school there. I just added the French accent to sound sexy," the three of them giggled, "By the way, you look extremely familiar…" adderessing Ianthé.

"So do you… Wait a minute…. Don't tell me you're Amandine Dreyfuss… as in Jelly Andy?"

"Ianthé Morgaine Herze? This can't be! I thought Uncle Alex shipped you to Durmstrang?"

"Papa wouldn't bear to lose his little girl…"

"Wait wait wait……" Nikki interrupted, "You two knew each other?"

"Andy here is my cousin from my mother's side."

"You mean to tell me that, aside from Edmond, you have a cousin from the other school as well? This is pretty weird…"

"Edmond's here?"

"Yep. Durmstrang." Ianthé pointed out to the Slytherin table where her cousin was seated.

"Excellent…." Amandine rubbed her palms together.

Nikki looked at Ianthé questioningly.

"Oh… that… They have a score to settle. Amandine used to visit a lot to play with me and Edmond. Their last meeting was… Let's just say even with Edmond's physique, he would tremble in fear and hide behind me once he learns Amandine's here…"

Amandine leaned onto Nikki's side, "I accidentally turned his arms and legs to jelly when he refused to give back my toy cauldron."

"Hence, the name Jelly Andy," Ianthé explained.

"So, it's one big family reunion then?"

Amandine laughed, "Whoever said I'm related to that toad? Edmond is Ianthé's cousin on her father's side. I'm in her mother's side."

The headmaster began to speak, and the Great Hall quieted down. When he came to the part of having to be seventeen to qualify for the Triwizard tournament, many objections from the four tables were heard.

Edmond met up with us after dinner. He, too, was shocked to find Amandine in the Beauxbatons group. He told me Viktor couldn't come with him because of the girls that were now hounding him.

"That's why he's scowling all night. He knew this would happen," Edmond explained.

Ianthé smiled sadly I had been hoping to talk to him!, "He must be that popular, huh?"

"You should see him now… He thinks he would have to resort to hiding in the library just to avoid those girls…" Edmond looked at Amandine, "You, however, are another thing. Guess you really belong to Beauxbaton…"

"Don't give me that dung, Eddie…" Amandine said while putting emphasis on the name.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that! It's revolting!" Edmond scowled.

Ianthé whispered to Nikki, "Andy's the only one who can get away with using that nickname on Edmond…"

"Do they bicker like that back then?"

"Much more worse… Usually, I'm caught in the crossfire of having to choose between them. The only thing I could do to make them up was to cry."

Okay, Edmond and Amandine ended up bickering all the way out of the Great Hall. I promise, those two will end up together!

Amandine, although older than us, became the big sister image for me and Nikki. She and Edmond continued to bicker when they placed their names in the Goblet of Fire. I still can't get to talk to Viktor, being the celebrity that he is, was being followed by hordes of girls. What he could only do was write a letter apologizing that he cannot talk to me at the moment. What happened next further distressed our friendship.