Magnus POV

The Great Hall erupted with a million conversations.

The Headmaster had just announced the rule change in the Triwizard Tournament, which allowed students fourteen and up to enter, a change that Magnus did not know or expect coming. Of course, he knew the tournament would be this year, how could he forget. Especially since he is old enough this year, and compared to most of the students in his year, he thought he had a pretty good chance of being the school champion. He had looked forward to this.

But now, with the rule change, he wasn't so sure he would be able to make it in. While most kids in his year didn't stand a chance, the students in the younger years proved to be quite the competition, especially that Herondale kid on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He didn't know much about the Chaser, other than the fact that he was basically the star of the team, ever since the kid's third year. Since then, Gryffindor hardly ever lost a match, and it angered Magnus, the Slytherin Keeper, whenever he saw Mr. Goldilocks fly away as the score went up.

"Hey, Magnus, guess I will get to enter," called Raphael, a 4th year student, who previously was pissed at the fact that the Triwizard Tournament would never be when he was old enough and still in school.

"Shut up, Santiago. It's not like you are going to be the champion anyway," replied a fourth year Slytherin from the other end of the table.

"Oh, and you will?"

"Have you seen me? I'm ripped!"

"Keep telling yourself that," Magnus replied. "You've got as much muscle as a piece of paper."

"Whatever," the kid said, and he turned back to his friend.

"No, but seriously Magnus, this is going to be the biggest year yet," Raphael said, the other Slytherin already forgotten.

Magnus looked over at him. "You bet, I just hope that Herondale kid doesn't become the school champion."

"Oh God, I forgot about him," Raphael replied, his face falling. "Now I know I have no chance. Magnus, you better be the champion, or at least some other student. I don't care who. Anyone would be better, even that Simon kid."

"Who?"

"Just some fifth year that hangs out in the library a lot."

"Well, I'd rather have him be the champion than Jace any day."

Magnus wasn't sure how, but he considered Raphael to be a really good friend. They spent a lot of time together and they always sat across from each other in the Great Hall. Somehow, the fourth year made it into Magnus's group of friends. Magnus didn't even know any of Raphael's friends that were his age or even if he had any. Still, most of the younger students tended to look up to and listen to Raphael. The rest hated him, probably out of jealousy of the fourth year who somehow hangs out with seventh year students.

"You boys don't stand a chance," said Camille.

Camille Belcourt, Magnus's on-and-off-girlfriend-slash-friend. At the moment, the two weren't dating but they somehow got along even when they weren't together. They would even hook each other up with other people. New students always found it weird but they soon realized that it was normal between the two.

Camille had tried to hook Magnus up with some guy (a Hufflepuff) on the train (it didn't work out; the guy had one passion and one passion only, gardening, and he would not shut up about it). Everyone at school was aware of Magnus's sexual orientation, and somehow everyone was okay with it, yet there were still some kids who didn't agree with a wizard or witch being in a relationship with a muggle. Nonetheless, more kids were feeling more comfortable with their sexual orientations (which was great for Magnus) since they learned that a previous headmaster had been gay. It made everyone at the school feel more welcome.

Camille and Raphael were currently arguing about who had a better chance of being the school champion. Camille was in the middle of saying "-scored higher in my OWLS than him-" when the Headmaster tapped his glass and the tables cleared.

"Now that we all have our bellies filled, I believe it's time we head off to bed," he said, his voice echoing through the room. "Prefects, please escort the first years to their beds, and the rest of you can follow after. Goodnight to you all, and get a nice, long sleep because tomorrow classes begin. Come on, off you go."

As the students filled out, Magnus fell into step between Camille and Raphael, who had continued their argument. "You guys, it doesn't matter who you think will make it through. The goblet will choose, so it's up to it to decide who is the worthiest." Magnus paused for a moment. "Besides, we all know it will be my name that gets shot out from the flames, so all your bickering is pointless."

"Oh, shut up, Bane," Camille said, shoving Magnus, who stumbled into Raphael. Raphael simply glared and pushed Magnus into Camille. Camille pushed Magnus again, and Magnus shoved both of them aside.

The three kept pushing and shoving each other and by the time they got to the dungeons they were all laughing. They bid each other goodnights and headed to their rooms. Magnus found his trunk on top of his bed, just like every year before. Right then, it really sunk in that this was his last year at Hogwarts. He just had his last welcome back feast and he was about to have his last first day of classes tomorrow. He felt a little sad that this year would be filled with a lot of lasts; his last Halloween feast, his last Christmas in the castle, his last day of classes, and his last ride on the Hogwarts express. He wouldn't even get to have another Quidditch match this year, what with the Triwizard Tournament and the other schools arriving. The last few years had been the best years of his life, especially since the years before had been a nightmare. He had been left at an orphanage by his father after his mother committed suicide when he was just a boy. He felt abandoned and he missed his mother. When he came to Hogwarts, he finally felt like he belonged. He made friends and everyone seemed to like him. He would miss the school, his friends here and all the memories they made together.

As Magnus lay in bed that night, trying to fall asleep, he promised that he would make this year worth remembering. He would make it better than every other year; he'd make it special. And, with that promise in mind, he eventually fell asleep.