Part 3
"Are we ready to go?"
Harry Potter cast one last glance at the contents of his packed trunk before locking it with an advanced locking spell that will ensure that no one, except him, can go anywhere near it. Then, it was followed by a feather-light charm for easy transportation. When that was all done, he sat back down on his dorm bed and watched as Francois did his own locking process.
"Yeah," Francois grunted, having a little difficulty fitting everything in properly. "Just a minute."
"Are you two still in here?" Adrien walked in, took note of Francois' pained expression and burst out in to delighted laughter.
"It's not funny," hissed the other young man.
"It is a little funny," Adrien said before turning to Harry.
"Your carriage awaits your majesty."
Harry rolled his eyes and got up, his trunk floating after him curtsey of a wordless and wandless floating charm.
"Don't be cheeky Adrien," he chided. "And you, Francois, why don't you just shrink everything instead of trying to fit it all in."
"Francois is very particular about his clothing," Adrien told him conspiratorially, "He only buys the best brands and they tend to come with an anti-shrinking warning."
"Now that's just not practical," Harry chuckled, ignoring the glare Francois threw at Adrien.
"You guys are hilarious," the boy grunted, finally straightening up. "Hey Harry, are you the only candidate for Hortholt or did the Headmaster decide to send someone else as well."
"I think he wants you to put your name in," Harry admitted and watched in interest as Francois' face lost all his color.
"You got to be kidding me," he nearly shrieked, "I don't want anywhere near that thing. Do you know the death toll? It's not good."
"And you're not worried about me?" Harry joked, trying for hurt.
Francois waved his words away with one dismissive gesture.
"I'm not worried about you because I know you," he said, "You are not one of the top students of the Academy for nothing. This tournament will be a piece of cake. As for me, I may be in the same House as you, I am no where near your level."
"Don't sell yourself short," Harry admonished him, "You can be very resourceful if your put your mind to it."
"But it will hurt his tiny brain," Adrien said in all seriousness and didn't even try to dodge the punch Francois threw his way.
"It's too bad you're not coming," Harry interrupted before Francois could maim Adrien.
"I'm a little disappointed," Adrien admitted, "I wanted to be part of all the excitement, but someone has to stay here and be the leader."
"Now, now Adrien," Harry warned, "With great power comes great responsibility."
"Yeah I know," the boy sighed, "I've seen the paperwork I will have to do. Hadrian, if ever I tell you again that I envy your position, remind me of this moment."
"Well do," Hadrian laughed.
After 10 more minutes of manoeuvring, Francois was finally ready to go so he and Hadrian made their way to the Entrance Hall where the rest of the little group heading to Hogwarts were waiting.
"Master Potter, Master Gilbeault," a fifth year student greeted them as they came near. He bowed as did everyone around him.
"Kell," Harry acknowledged him, noting in amusement that uttering the boy's name made him blush, "Where is the Headmaster?"
"He's coming sir," Kell said, "He told us to go wait on the plane."
Harry nodded and followed Kell out of the school and towards a private jet Northolt always kept for far away travels. The exterior of the jet was pretty small but the interior had been magically expanded to give it the size of a plane 10 times its size. The décor was simple yet elegant; the Headmaster always had a wonderful eye for these sort of things.
Harry took a seat next to a window and was soon approached by a waiter dressed in the traditional black and white garbs of all people in his profession. He was young, pretty cute, with luminous brown eyes and an easy smile. He introduced himself as David.
"Would you like a drink, sir?" he asked, standing a little too close to Harry. But the young man in question didn't mind.
"Just a cup of tea," he said, returning the waiter's smile, "I'll call you if I need anything else."
"Of course sir," David replied, voice lower then normal, "I'll here to serve."
"Geez," Francois grumbled once David was gone, "What is with you and barely legal twinks? You're like catnip to him."
"Are you jealous?" Harry asked, knowing the answer already.
"Of course not," Francois huffed, crossing his arms over his chest in a defensive gesture, "I have nothing to be jealous about."
Harry's eyes narrowed a bit before he sighed and leant back.
5 minutes later, the rest of the group arrived with the Headmaster and the plane took off right on schedule.
"Hogwarts, here we come," Francois sighed and Harry smiled.
"Are you a little cold Mrs. Granger?"
Hermione Granger smiled a little at the concern in Headmaster Dumbledore's voice and shook her head. She was a little cold actually but she wasn't about to complain when it was her duty to be here as Head Girl to welcome the new arrivals. The group from Durmstrang had already arrived 20 minutes ago and were warming themselves up inside. Northholt was set to arrive in about 5 minutes. She could wait that long. Besides, if things got worse, she'll just have to reapply the warming charm.
"Why couldn't they time their arrival at the same time as Durmstrang?" Ron Weasley grumbled in annoyance. As one of the Gryffindor Prefects for that year, he too had the duty to be here but wasn't accepting it as graciously as Hermione. The girl wasn't surprised; Ron had never been particularly mature or responsible for that matter.
"Because Ronald," Hermione sighed, wanting nothing more then to hit him over the head. She couldn't believe they were actually in the same House and in the same year. "It's to make it easier for security purposes."
"Don't call me Ronald," Ron grumbled while Dumbledore pretended that they weren't there.
Luckily for everyone's nerves, 5 minutes later saw the shimmering of the ward surrounding Hogwarts before a plane appeared.
"What in Merlin's name is that thing?" Ron gaped unattractively.
"It's a jet," Hermione reply with some awe. She hadn't expected a magic school to be using a muggle jet to travel. Sure she knew some wizards liked muggle things and even used them – Mr. Weasley for example – but she had the distinct impression that most wizards stayed away from them.
"Ah yes," Dumbledore smiled, "Northolt also differs from other magic schools for its stance on muggle technology. Students are encouraged to bring their muggle devices to school for educational purposes. The school even offer muggle wireless."
"Northolt has Wi-FI!" Hermione nearly shrieked. Oh Merlin, how unfair was that?
Dumbledore just gave her a look before turning his attention back to the plane. While he was talking, the gigantic piece of machinery had landed on Hogwarts' grounds with barely a sound. Hermione suspected that magic was involved in that one because the few times she had taken a plane to go somewhere, the sound had been deafening.
Magic to improve muggle technology, what a wonderful thought.
The door opened and a set of stairs appeared allowing the people inside to get out.
The first person to exit was a man with a beard that could even rival Dumbledore. Following him were two students wearing form fitting robes and matching blank expression. They were both very good looking but in Hermione's opinion, they looked more like seasoned soldiers then students.
A group of 10 other students followed before the door closed behind him.
"Headmaster Adler," Dumbledore greeted him, "How delightful. How was your trip?"
"It was uneventful," Adler laughed and shook Dumbledore's hand, "Ah, may I present my two candidates for the tournament? This is Francois Gilbeaut and Harry Potter."
Silence.
Hermione watched as Dumbledore's whole face changed, his expression turning in to one of shock as he took in the young man in question. It was the black haired one with the gorgeous green eyes. His expression didn't flicker in face of Dumbledore's.
"Harry Potter," he said almost dazedly.
Hermione was taken aback as well.
Harry Potter; the boy-who-lived; the boy who shocked the entire British Wizarding world when he did not show up along with the other first years.
"Harry Potter," Adler confirmed. He looked amused.
Hermione bit her lip.
This tournament, she thought, was going to be interesting.