The week moved by quickly and before I knew it, it was Friday. I was on my one hour break, after History of Magic, working on my Magical Creatures homework for Monday. My task was to write a 2 foot paper on the creatures called Naga. So far all I had written was that the name was Sanskrit for serpent and that they were deathly afraid of fire. I shook my head, I was hopeless. As I sat trying to think of what to write next, there was a knock at my door.
"Come in!" I shouted.
"Hey there Red," Malfoy said with a sly smirk sitting on my desk.
"Hey there yourself Blondie," I said ruffling his hair.
"Don't touch the hair," he said warningly.
Feeling like pushing his buttons, I replied, "Or what?"
He paused as though thinking about it for a moment, "Or…I might…START TICKLING YOU!"
He grabbed me round my waist and started tickling me ferociously. As we had no other friends here, Malfoy and I had gotten somewhat close. When we weren't in class, we were together, so as not to have to be alone. Over the course of the week we had tried various Bulgarian dishes and laughed at the accents of most of our teachers. Somewhere in that time he had found my weakness; I am very ticklish.
"Okay, okay! I give up! You win; I won't touch your hair," I said sitting back in my seat.
"Glad you have come to that conclusion Red," Malfoy said sitting on my desk again.
"Although I would greatly appreciate it, if you could get your fat arse off of my desk," I said laughing.
"My arse is not fat!" He protested standing up.
I rolled my eyes laughing at his antics, "Well that is up for debate, but anyway I need your help O wise one."
I handed him my half written paper. While it killed me to ask for help, I knew that he would know everything there is to know about these creatures called Naga, seeing as he always managed to know everything else.
"Well this is terrible Potter," he said grimacing.
"Ugh! Then help me! You talk, I'll write," I said snatching my paper back.
"Well what do I get for helping you?" He said smirking at me.
I rolled my eyes, "my everlasting gratitude Malfoy, now start talking."
He poked me in my side and I laughed as he began giving me the information for my paper.
"The Naga are a member of a class of semi-divine beings, half human and half serpentine. They are considered to be a very strong race of serpent princesses and are usually very beautiful. They are human to their waist and have the body and tail of a cobra from the waist down. Nonetheless, they have lovely faces and beautiful eyes. It is common to hear of a mortal man being lured in.
They are regarded as being potentially dangerous but in some ways are superior to humans. Naga is dangerous when angered, and even when not angry its breath can blind a human being as it is so hot. They are always associated with having strong magical powers, a vast esoteric knowledge and a capricious character, which can quickly change from friendly and helpful to angry and malicious.
Like humans, Nagas show wisdom and concern for others but also cowardice and injustice. Nagas are immortal. Some are demons; others seem friendly and are worshiped as gods. Nagas also serve as protectors and guardians of treasure—both material riches and spiritual wealth. The Nagas live at the bottom of deep rivers, seas and oceans and in the bowels of the earth and they also live in wells and lakes."
I finished writing the notes for my paper when there was a second knock at my door. Standing there was a red clad Bulgarian boy who looked to be all of thirteen.
"I have a note for each of you, from the headmaster," he said handing us two rolled pieces of parchment and promptly existing, shutting the door behind him.
I looked at Malfoy who shrugged nonchalantly and began unrolling his parchment. I opened mine as well and began to read:
Dear Tri-Wizard Champions,
This will be a busy day for you all. Today the Weighing of the Wands Ceremony will commence at 12:00pm in the café hall. The wand weighing ceremony is a traditional part of the Tri-wizard Tournament, designed to ensure that all champions' wands are in perfect functioning condition for the three Tasks ahead. At this time you will also be introduced to the five judges who will be presiding over the tournament. Before the ceremony, you will be interviewed by Janice Jones, who is covering the entire tournament. You will each be excused from your classes for the rest of the day; your teachers have been informed of this. It is your responsibility to make up any missed work. Arrive promptly at 11:00am, as you will be made up and then photographed.
-Headmaster Krum
I finished my letter feeling extremely annoyed. I was just getting comfortable here when they had to go and remind me of what I was actually here for…to die in this stupid tournament I never belonged in, in the first place. I looked up at Malfoy, only to find he was watching me.
"You look worried," he said brows furrowed in what looked like concern.
I raised my eyebrow at him sharply, "Aren't you?"
"Not really. This is all just a part of the process," he said calm as ever.
I sighed heavily, "I know, it's also a boorish part of the process. I mean Janice Jones? Really? How did that puffed up pop tart get this gig? She is going to be an absolute nightmare!"
He laughed loudly showing off rows of pearly white teeth, "She is quite interesting to say the least."
I looked at him incredulously, "Interesting? She's interesting? She looks like Barbie gone way wrong and she loves to create drama. She is going to have a field day with this."
I put my head in my hands and proceeded to breathe in and out trying to calm myself. Suddenly there were hands on my shoulders pushing away the knots and tension.
"You worry too much," Malfoy whispered next to my ear as he continued massaging my shoulders.
When his warm breath fanned out across my cheek I felt an unfamiliar feeling deep in my gut. My face flushed red hot and I suddenly felt very squirmish.
"It's ten to eleven, we should probably go," I said quickly moving out of his grasp.
He shook his head looking slightly dazed, "Yes, let's get going."
We walked quietly to the café hall. When we arrived we were immediately taken to separate rooms off of the hall.
The room I was taken to was filled with people, but of course, only one other champion. Amѐliѐ LaRoux sat in a chair getting her hair and makeup done. I was quickly sat in a chair as well and they began taking off all my makeup and taking down my hair from my signature bun. As I was picked and pulled left and right I caught only snippets of the conversation.
"-show a different, more innocent side."
"-Lighten up this makeup-"
"-Loose ponytail with soft curls framing face-"
"-soft peach on the cheeks-"
"-white silk dress and tan shoes-"
They pulled and painted for what felt like forever when I heard a deep feminine voice speaking quickly with LaRoux. I recognized that voice as the voice of gossip journalist Janice Jones.
"So Amѐliѐ, love the name by the way, how do feel about being one of two women in the competition?"
There was a slight pause before she responded in her smooth cool tone, "Well I feel that I am on par with any of the men, though I don't know I can say the same for the other female contestant."
Janice snickered gleefully at the negative comment, "So you are saying that you don't feel the other female contestant, to be clear Lily Potter, is as talented as the rest of you?"
Again there was a slight pause before she responded, "I don't know how talented she is. I mean, no one ever talks about the other Potter. I do believe however, that she just doesn't have the guts. I mean you've seen her. She looks like she's going to a beauty pageant, not someone I would be afraid of."
I didn't hear anything she said after that. My eyes filled with unshed tears and I began to wish I could have stuck with Malfoy. This girl didn't even know me, and yet she had come to the same conclusion that everyone always did; that I wasn't capable.
I quickly dressed in my long sleeve wrap dress and pearls. They tried to take my diamond studs but I refused that. I sat back in the chair so they could put the finishing touches on my hair, when Janice Jones herself walked up to me.
She was one of the tallest women I had ever seen. At 6'8 with 4 inch heels on, she towered over everyone in the room. Her long blond wig was teased, and her bright pink lips spread thin across wide crocodile teeth. She summoned a chair and sat in front of me, smoothing down her pink skin tight dress suit that stretched over very large fake breasts.
"Lily Potter. What a pleasure to meet you. Janice Jones." She stuck her hand out and I shook it politely.
"Well, today you are the last, of course not least, champion I will be interviewing," She said smiling much too wide for my liking.
As she talked, her hot pink quick quill 2.0 was writing at quick speed. I simply nodded my head not wanting to give her too much ammo.
"So Lily, as the youngest daughter of Harry Potter, the head of the Auror Department and TriWizard winner in 1995, what made you decide to enter this competition?"
I paused for a moment, trying to think how much of the truth I should tell her. Either way she was probably going to misconstrue my words so I figured I might as well go with the truth.
"I wanted to prove to the world that I was more than just the youngest Potter." I said sitting straight and looking her dead in the eye.
She paused for a moment looking stunned before that crocodile smile returned, "Oh well I can respect a woman who wants to stand on her own two feet. So with that in mind, how do you feel about the comments made by Ms. LaRoux that you were not up to standard with the rest of the group? That must have hit right at home for you."
I paused again trying to reign in my anger and hurt, not wanting to show what I was really feeling, "Personally I'm not very concerned with Ms…what's her name again?"
Janice laughed loudly, "LaRoux."
"Oh yes. I'm not really concerned about 's feelings about me in this competition. It's clear that her information of me strictly comes from things she's read about me in the papers, and seeing as I've never seen her name anywhere, I don't have much to say on that subject." I finished smirking slightly in her direction where she was fuming at my comments.
Janice Jones laughed some more looking positively gleeful at all the unfolding drama, "Ms. Potter you are quite the firecracker. It looks like you were definitely sorted into your house of Slytherin for a reason. Speaking of that, how do you feel about your Slytherin classmate, the very handsome Scorpius Malfoy, who is also a champion?"
Ahhh trying to drum up a love story I see, I thought to myself.
"Well we aren't very close. We just happen to both be here together," I said shrugging it off.
She looked at me like the cat that caught the canary when she next stated, "Well, just to let you know, since we are mates and all, rumors have been flying around that you and are…intimate. There have been many reports that you spend all your time together and can often be found in each other's rooms."
I blushed scarlet at the blatant accusation.
"Of course not, even if he weren't the son of my father's enemy, or the enemy of my brothers, or even the best friend of my own enemy, we would never be together. Besides, I happen to be in a relationship," I smiled lightly at that.
Janice Jones didn't look convinced for a moment but she looked like she had one more thing up her sleeve before she was finished, "Well , speaking of your father we heard when he found out you were in this tournament he went completely berserk, and that you two had a huge blow up. When was the last time you spoke to your father and how does it feel knowing that you brought up all these demons from his past?"
I felt like I had just taken a bludger to the gut. I haven't spoken to my parents since our last conversation and I still hadn't heard back from my brothers. The rejection felt heavy on my heart and I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe.
"I think that will be it for today ," a familiar voice spoke. I turned to see the bushy ponytail and wide smile of my Aunt Hermione.
Tears sprang to my eyes as I engulfed her in a tight hug, "Aunt Hermione! What are you doing here?"
She wiped my tears and held both sides of my face, "Don't cry princess, you are much too pretty for tears."
"I am just so happy to see you. I miss you all so much," I cried some more as she hugged me close.
"I know honey, I know. I am actually one of the tournament judges," she smiled happily at me.
I looked at her surprised, "Are you really?"
She laughed putting her arms around my shoulders, "Yes really, now come on. The weighing of the wands is about to start, and I have a surprise for you."
We walked into the café hall followed by Janice Jones and Amѐliѐ LaRoux. All the tables were moved away and in the middle sat two chairs. They positioned it so that LaRoux and I were sitting in the two chairs and the boys stood behind us as they took photos. Then we took individual photos and then photos with each two school champions. Just then the last person I expected to see came walking into the room.
"Teddy!" I shouted jumping into his large arms.
He spun me around laughing along with me, "My flower!"
He put me down and I looked around, suddenly very conscious that everyone was watching. Janice Jones stood muttering to her notepad as it scribbled away.
"What are you doing here teddy bear?" I asked using my childhood nickname for him.
He smiled his handsome rugged smile at me, "Well the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports is normally picked to be a judge."
"What? When did you become the head?" I asked not believing I didn't already know this information.
"While you were away at the muggle bending camp this summer," he said with a grimace.
I rolled my eyes laughing, "It was gymnastics, not bending."
"Whatever you say flower," he said shaking his head smiling.
Headmaster Krum walked in then and introduced the other judges who included himself of course, the other two headmasters, and my aunt Hermione. After that we were escorted to where a very frail, very old Ollivander sat. One by one we walked up saying our name and age and handed him our wand.
Desislav Svetkova, 18; 9¼inch chestnut wood, with a dragon heartstring core
Nikolai Kodjoe, 17; 11inch elm wood, dragon heartstring core
Jacquѐs Bellamy, 16; 7¼inch oak wood, unicorn hair core
Amѐliѐ LaRoux, 17; 10¾inch hornbeam wood, with a dragon heartstring core
I had zoned out and hadn't heard his verdict on each of the wands. Then Malfoy stepped up and handed over his wand. I couldn't help but to be curious about what his wand said about him.
"Scorpius Malfoy, 16; my wand is 12¼". It was made from ash wood, with its core being a hair from the tail of a unicorn."
Ollivander looked over the wand and performed a few spells.
"Yes, I remember this wand. The ash wand symbolizes adaptability, prudence, modesty, sacrifice, and sensitivity. The Unicorn hair represents purity, innocence, loyalty, and moral virtue. Unicorns are often seen as guardians. This wand is very springy; perfect condition ."
Malfoy nodded his head and went to stand with the other champions as I handed over my wand.
"Lily Potter, 15; my wand is 10¼" the wood is willow, the core is a phoenix feather."
He looked over my wand, with the light tracing of lilies engraved on it.
"This is a special wand. The willow tree symbolizes love, deep emotions, and intuition. The phoenix feather symbolizes resurrection and purity. It's swishy, great for charms and dueling. You take very good care of it ; great condition."
I smiled as he handed me back my wand. Headmaster Krum walked over to the group and informed us to follow him outside. He led us to what looked like a gigantic gym.
"So 'vis is 'vhere you may all train. 'Ve had it put here so that you may train in privacy. It is here 'vhenever you 'vant to use it. Nov' you may all go a'vout your day."
The judges all stood talking amongst themselves. I waved goodbye to Teddy and my Aunt Hermione and searched for Malfoy.
"Looking for me?" he breathed onto my neck.
I tried to fight away my blush as I complained, "I really wish you wouldn't do that. People are already starting rumors about us you know."
He shrugged looking indifferent, "I'm not really one to be concerned about what other people think."
"Well I am, so cool it," I replied smarmily.
He laughed lightly though it didn't reach his eyes, "Well with the way you were practically drooling over Lupin, I would think it didn't matter to you either."
I blushed beet red and felt like I had been put under a spotlight.
"Shut up! Shut up! Don't say that out loud!" I said looking around making sure no one heard.
He laughed loudly at my panic, "So you have a crush on my cousin then?"
I paused for a moment; I completely forgot they were cousins. I considered telling him my secret, and figured I might as well.
"Well if a childhood crush that never really went away counts, then I suppose so yes," I said feeling very silly for my admission.
He looked thoughtful for a moment before replying, "You're almost of age now, why not give it a go."
I couldn't help myself. I started laughing uncontrollably. Once I calmed down I replied, "It's just an innocent crush. It's not like I want to run off into the sunset with him, geez. Besides even if I did, he is head over heels in love with my beautiful, perfect, half veela cousin."
He shook his head giving me a strange look, "I've met Victorie, and she is far from perfect. You are much more beautiful than her any day; inside and out."
I smiled softly at him looking into his grey eyes, "Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me for telling you the truth, by the way, you look lovely," he said twisting the end of my ponytail.
I blushed some more and pushed him away, "Stop trying to flatter my knickers off and come to lunch with me, I'm starved."
I looped my arm through his and we walked off to lunch smiling and laughing, not realizing all the eyes that witnessed our transaction; including a hot pink quick quill.