The days passed by quickly and soon it was the 29th of October, the day Sirius had finally responded to Harry and Link's letters.
The Hylian had been in his room, at his desk grading a few papers, when Nirus and Hedwig had flown in. He looked up as the two owls landed on his desk, Hedwig with two letters tied to her leg.
" Thank you Hedwig. May I?" Link asked politely.
The snowy white cawed softly and held out her leg. Link reached up, and untied the letter that had 'Link' on the front in bold letters.
" May I also read Harry's?" Link asked. Hedwig seemed reluctant, but kept her leg out. Link thanked her again and untied that one as well. First, the one to him.
Friend,
I have had too many betrayals to trust anyone properly, especially with Harry. Even more so because you say you are an unregistered Animagus as well. However, when you brought Dumbledore into the case, I have decided to accept your offer to meet you in our other forms.
I don't feel right using Harry's owl though-use your own please.
Anyways something tells me that you're not just an ordinary wizard Dumbledore hired. I want the complete truth when we meet. Send the time and date and location.
I'll be arriving about a week or so after you receive this letter. I may take a little longer, but you will just have to wait.
Before I go, I ask that you do not read Harry's letters. They are personal, just between us. I promise that I have not written about you in any of them, nor will I do so in the future. But do not read Harry's, please.
Looking forwards to meeting you-
Sirius Black
Link hesitated, contemplating whether to do as Sirius asked, or not. He decided that in order for the man to trust him, he must trust the man.
Taking a leap-of-faith, he re-tied Harry's letter back to Hedwig's leg. The snowy white and discolored owl looked at him curiously, tilting their heads and blinking their eyes at him.
" Sirius asked that I don't read his letters to Harry. Nirus, you'll be sending letters to Sirius from me for now on. Hedwig, thank you for what you have done but I have another favor. If you and Nirus could go together to deliver messages to Sirius, I would greatly appreciate it." Link requested.
Hedwig cooed, agreeing, before flying back through the window to deliver Harry's letter to him.
" I'll take that as a yes." The Hero spoke aloud before taking out a piece of parchment and inkwell. He dipped the quill into the inkwell, and wrote.
Sirius-
It's very hard for me to trust the word of someone I do not know-especially over paper. However I will abide by your wish for Harry's letters to remain between you and him only, but I must ask again that you keep your own word and continue to not let Harry know of our arrangement. My business in the wizarding world must be kept a secret; and I would prefer to keep it that way for as long as possible. I have no set date yet, but I would like to meet in a forest around mid-day. I will be available any day. Perhaps it would be best if you sent a reply back with Nirus when you think the best day would be. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, and if you hear any information that concern's Harry or the Triwizard Tournament, do not hesitated to tell me. It could be vital.
Awaiting your reply-
A Friend
Link looked it over once before tying it to Nirus's leg.
" Fly with Hedwig." He told the smart owl.
Nirus clucked his beak, nibbling on Links finger in affection, before flying out.
The next day it was October the 30th. The bell to classes rang earlier then usual, and even though the students were excited, Link could tell that most of them, mainly those continuing to stare at him all class, did not want to leave Defense Against The Dark Arts so early. He had a very worrying fear about what the constant stares and giggles and blushes in his direction could mean.
Dressed in his usual black outfit, he walked outside, for once bringing the Master Sword with him. The blade was hidden in the folds of his outfit along with a shrunken red and blue potion, and his wand in it's usual holster.
Finally as night fell, he stood by the entrance to the castle with the rest of the teachers. He already knew where to look for the arriving schools, as Dumbledore had told them how they would be coming to Hogwarts.
All of the students were gathered in front of the school, dressed in warm woolen black cloaks proudly displaying the Hogwarts crest as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the visiting schools. They were chattering excitedly amongst each other, betting on which school would arrive first.
" Aha! Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!" Dumbledore suddenly cried, Link having already heard them before seeing them.
Shouts of 'where?' and 'I can't wait!' came from the students before one of them finally saw it.
" There!" the student yelled, pointing to the sky.
Indeed, in the skies was the very thing that Link had heard before. The sound of a very large, flying carriage pulled by a dozen winged horses. The horses were beating their wings so hard that a loud 'SWOOSH' could be heard with each movement, along with the loud neighing from the beasts.
The carriage seemed to look for a place to land before finally pulling up in the lawn in front of the Hogwarts students, the horse's being abnormally large, snorting and stamping their hooves against the ground as they landed.
A door on the carriage sprung open and a boy in pale blue robes jumped out, fumbling for a moment, before pulling out golden steps from underneath the now open door. He sprang back respectfully, as a shinning high-heeled shoe emerged from the carriage.
It was the size of a child's sled at least.
Following the shoe was by far the largest woman Link had ever seen in his life, excluding the spirit of Queen Ruto of course (now she had been pretty tall indeed). Dumbledore had warned him about how large she would be though that didn't make him any less surprised.
The woman was dressed from head to foot in black satin, and many opals gleamed at her throat and on her thick fingers.
Dumbledore clapped loudly, Link and the other teachers beginning to right after, and soon the students as well. The woman's face relaxed into a gracious smile and she walked forwards to Dumbledore, extending a glittering hand. Dumbledore barely bent to kiss it.
" My dear Madame Maxime. Welcome to Hogwarts." Dumbledore said.
" Dumbly-dorr. I 'ope I find you well?" she asked in a deep voice that challenged Gannondorf's. 'No, bad memories.' Link told himself, and blinked to forget the images.
" In excellent form, I thank you." Dumbledore assured her.
" My pupils," she said waving one of her enormous hands carelessly behind her.
A dozen boys and girls all by the looks of them in their late teens had emerged from the carriage and were now standing behind Madame Maxime. They were shivering, which was unsurprising given that their robes seemed to be made of fine silk, and none of them were wearing cloaks.
From what Link could see, they were staring up at Hogwarts with apprehensive looks on their faces.
" 'As Karkaroff arrived yet?" Madame Maxime asked.
" He should be here any moment. Would you like to wait here and greet him or would you prefer to step inside and warm up a trifle?" Dumbledore asked.
" Warm up I think. But ze 'orses-"
" Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher shall be delighted to take care of them the moment he has returned from dealing with a slight situation that has arisen with some of his other-er-charges." Dumbledore spoke.
" Skrewts." Link heard Ron mutter to Harry. Neither of them missed the look Link sent their way in warning to watch their tongues before listening once more.
" My steeds require-er-forceful 'andling. 'Zey are very strong." She said, as if doubtful anyone at Hogwarts could take care of them.
" I assure you that Hagrid will be well up to the job." Dumbledore smiled.
" Very well. Will you please inform zis 'Agrid zat za 'orses drink only single-malt whiskey?" Madame Maxime asked.
" It will be attended to." Dumbledore spoke.
" Come." The headmistress said to her students as the crowd parted to allow them all inside.
Once she and the rest of the Beauxbatons students had retreated, Dumbledore turned to Link with a twinkle in his eyes.
" I am very curious about what you think of Madame Maxime. Being different and all." Dumbledore asked. Link knew what he meant.
Dumbledore was asking how a Hylian thought of someone like, well, Madame Maxime.
" She seems okay enough. Her accent is a little harder to understand, but I can comprehend what she's saying all the same." Link told him calmly.
It was barely ten seconds later when Link heard a noise from the lake.
' Ah, that will be the Durmstrang boat the headmaster spoke of,' Link thought.
A few minutes later, the other students heard it as it became clearer.
There were murmurs and then someone shouted," The lake! Look at the lake!"
The students all looked down at the black surface of water, and watched as it became bubbly. A mast slowly began to rise out of the water, and the student's began to talk excitedly as they realized exactly what it was.
The ship slowly, but magnificently, rose out of the water, until it was sitting on the water, gliding towards them, as a ship normally should be doing. It floated down the lake until it was close to the shore before stopping. The next moment a plank fell onto the bank. Link could see the Durmstrang students starting to walk down the plank. An old man was leading them from the ship up to the castle.
'Karkaroff,' Link knew immediately intense blue eyes studying the man as he approached.
" Dumbledore!" Karkaroff said heartily as he walked up the slope, his students trailing behind him." How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?"
" Blooming, thank you, Professor Karkaroff." Dumbledore replied.
They shook hands and the head master of Durmstrang looked at the stone school.
" Dear old Hogwarts. How good it is to be here, how good…Viktor, come along, into the warmth…you don't mind Dumbledore? Viktor has a slight head cold…" Karkaroff said as he waved one of his students forward.
Link recognized him from the Quidditch match. Viktor Krum.
" Of course, come along." Dumbledore spoke.
They all headed inside, and to Link's surprise, no one asked about him yet though he was practically to the right of the headmaster of Hogwarts.
Whispers and mutters of Viktor Krum spread through the Hogwarts students like wild fire. They made it through the large mass of Hogwarts Students and to the head table.
Beauxbatons sat at the Ravenclaw table, looking around at the Great Hall and the students entering it. Link and the rest of the teachers, headmasters, and headmistress went to the staff table as Filch pulled out four more chairs. As for Link he was still sitting in his usual spot next to Dumbledore. Strangely enough, it was this that made the Head Master of Durmstrang and Head Mistress of Beauxbatons notice him.
" Dumbledore, what is a student doing at the staff table?" Karkaroff asked, looking at Link.
" Karkaroff, Madam Maxime, meet our Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher, Professor Link." Dumbledore answered.
They looked at him in surprise.
" You are joking Dumbly-dor." Madam Maxime said.
" Not at all my dear. In fact, I have heard from the other teachers that the students enjoy his classes very much. I dare say that the students are actually having fun learning. Let us sit now though, hm?" Dumbledore said with a smile as he sat. With one last look at him, the rest of them sat as well.
Link did not miss the questions he heard from the Beauxbatons and the Durmstrang students who now sat at the Ravenclaw and Slytherin tables respectively.
He let himself feel proud that the Ravenclaw's spoke so highly of him. Draco Malfoy, not as much, but Link didn't care about his opinion all that much. He didn't care much for Karkaroff, Viktor Krum or the Durmstrang students much either.
Though he knew there were some good ones in there, the majority of them sent his spine tingling with the amount of dark magic he felt pouring from them. And not regular dark magic either… but evil dark magic.
" Good evening, ladies, gentlemen, ghosts, and-most particularly-guests. I have a great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable." Dumbledore spoke; standing once everyone else had been seated.
Link didn't miss the hidden laughter of one of the Beauxbatons as the Head Master said this. Link eyed her sharply before returning his attention back to Dumbledore.
" The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast. I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!" Dumbledore called.
He sat down and Karkaroff immediately leaned in from his other side to capture him in conversation. Link didn't bother listening in as the plates in front of him filled with food.
There were some native foods for the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang schools but mainly it was the usual food the House Elves served. There were a few whispered questions and answers about him and glances, mainly from the girls of Beauxbatons, but other then that nothing unusual much.
Though he did feel a little sick when he noticed quiet of few of the Beauxbatons girls seeming captivated in a conversation with one of the many Ravenclaw girls that had been staring at him constantly in his classes.
A few minutes later, a few new, and unexpected, guests also appeared.
" Dumbledore!" Ludo Bagman said as he and Mr. Crouch arrived.
" And look Crouch! It's Link!" Ludo added happily, grinning at the blond sixteen year old.
Crouch was clearly not as excited as Ludo to see Link as they sat.
" Indeed. Link." Crouch spoke with a nod.
" Mr. Crouch." Link nodded back.
' Something doesn't feel right...' Link thought to himself as they sat, but he ignored it as paranoia. After his journeys, Link was actually surprised he didn't jump at every little sound like Mad-Eye usually does. Speaking of Mad-Eye, Link glanced down the table and found the other Professor studying the crowd of students, barely touching his food.
'Also strange…' Link mused but left it alone. Moody was a strange person anyways.
He kept an eye out though for any thing abnormal as Crouch began to speak quietly with Dumbledore about the tournament.
Finally the plates were cleared and Link felt the excitement from the students about what would happen next. As if sensing this, Dumbledore stood up and smiled.
" The moment has come. The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports." Dumbledore spoke.
There was a louder cheer for Ludo then Crouch, Link noted.
" Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts. The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch." Dumbledore added.
Link watched with little interest as Filch brought Dumbledore an old looking wooden chest encrusted with jewels.
" The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways… their magical prowess-their daring-their powers of deduction-and, of course, their ability to cope with danger. As you know, three champions compete in the tournament. One from each of the participating Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: The Goblet of Fire." Dumbledore said as he took out his wand, and tapped three times upon the casket.
Everyone watched as a rather large cup came out, filled to the brim with blue and white dancing flames. Dumbledore sat the goblet on top of the casket, so that all could see it in its majesty.
" Anybody wishing to submit himself or herself as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet. Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete. To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation, I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line. Finally I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by The Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion. Please be very sure, therefore, that you are wholeheartedly prepared to play before you drop your name into the goblet. Now, I think it is time for bed. Goodnight to you all." Dumbledore finished.
Link heard Fred begin to complain about the age line as soon as Dumbledore finished.
" If you'll excuse me Dumbledore, I will be retiring to bed early. Good night." Link spoke to the Head Master as he stood
" Well then, a good night to you as well Link." Dumbledore said kindly.
Immediately after Link left the staff table to head back up to his room.
On the way, not yet out of the Great Hall, he saw Karkaroff and his Durmstrang students looking to Harry, eyes curious, as if trying to figure out who he was. A few, Link realized, knew exactly who Harry Potter was. Moody suddenly appeared behind the Durmstrang Head Master as they figured out who it was they were looking at.
" Yeah, that's Harry Potter." Moody growled.
" You!" Karkaroff said accusingly to Moody facing him with a wide-eyed expression.
This puzzled Link for a moment. Karkaroff's behavior his behavior towards Moody was strange, especially if he had jut met the man. However, Link decided to ignore it for now.
Especially as Moody seemed ready to jump Karkaroff with his wand waving. It was this point he thought it best to intervene.
" I see you have previous connections to Professor Moody, Head Master Karkaroff. Perhaps you and the Professor here would like to take you little chat to a more private area, or you will be so kind as to move. Your blocking the student's doorway you see." Link spoke calmly, appearing in between the two.
He was sure Moody lifted the corner of his lips slightly to Link, before looking back to Karkaroff, the slight smile gone.
Karkaroff looked to Link's emotionless face, and Moody's scarred one, before turning on his feet and leaving without another word. Both students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang looked to Link in surprise, a few with interest.
" I could've handled it myself…Professor Link." Moody seemed to almost smirk to Link. The two new schools of students looked at Link now in surprise.
'I suppose it was only a few of the students that even noticed me at the staff table.' Link mused before looking to Mad-Eye.
" I have no doubt about that Professor Moody, but sometimes it does one well to enter another's battle, just in case." Link answered smoothly before leaving without making a sound as he stepped on the stone floors.
" Just in case…" he heard Mad-Eye repeat after him, feeling the magical and normal eyes burning into his back.
That evening Link stayed up again, continuing his normal routine of practices of stretching, fighting, and basically anything and everything to keep his body in it's top physical condition. He couldn't shake the feeling that he would soon need it.