Harry walked through the ministry atrium, his cloak billowing out behind him. He had just dropped the kids off at the station. James and Lily had looked so confused when him and Ginny had just said see you later and walked off, Nothing like their emotional start of term good bye. He chuckled to himself. They would be so shocked when they saw him and Gins at the feast that night. The Champion of Champions Challenge. The up-dated version of the triwizard tournament was being held this year, and they had asked him (him!) to be a judge. There would be five schools descending on Hogwarts this year, which meant extra work for him as well. Ron and he were going to be on site to handle security. Ginny was covering it for the prophet and was going to be helping out Prof. Wood so they could keep the quiditch house cup going. Hermione was there as well, as a representative of the minister's office. It was just like old times. Even McGonagall was back to help out the transfiguration department. The schools were bringing a larger selection of students and even a quiditch team or two. The extra teachers were going to be needed. Even Malfoy was going to be there. The family company was sponsoring the event, and as fleur and Victor were part of the judging panel it was perfect for him to host interviews for his new book about Harry's forth year.

Speak of the devil.

"Harry, Harry! Potter! Wait!" Draco chased after Harry across the atrium "I need to talk to you." Draco looked very pale" Harry my publisher, well he's kind of asked me if ... well ... basically if I would write a book but we all need to get together first and discuss it. Weasel isn't going to like it."

"All of us? ...OH! They want you to write about the kids, ferret."

Since the kidnapping the families had called a truce and ended up friends thought they still called each other by their old nicknames (well Ron and Draco did)

"Well all I need to finish my book on your forth year is the interviews with each champion. They want me to keep writing but I'm staying at Hogwarts limiting what I can write about. I think it's a good idea"

"What!"

"Think about it. I can write about all our searching. Most of the people I need to interview will be nearby. I can have it done in 6 months if I really focus on it."

"And tell me again how this is a good idea?" harry asked, his disbelief evident in his voice.

"It would bring the case into the public eye it's been 15 years, alliances change, people might remember something now or would be willing to say now."

Harry looked at Draco seeing the desperation on his face. Draco and Ron had taken the kidnapping the worst. They spent years on the trail. Ron had spent weeks in tears over his lost princess. Draco had been even more devastated when after 3 years he had caught Dragon Pox following a lead in Singapore and had become infertile.

"I'll talk to him. It could be useful."

"Thanks. What time are you leaving for Hogwarts?"

"When Ginny calls. I left her to the packing."

"I'll see you there then; me and Tori sent our trunks ahead yesterday. "

Harry watched as Draco walked to the nearest floo and was gone before he headed to his office. Ron would probably be in as well, avoiding the hurricane that was Hermy packing.

Al Potts rolled over, the last of the summer sun filtering in through the foster homes dingy curtains. He wacked into the body of his roommate Scor Mal. What the hell! He sat up with a start. Why the hell was Scor in the same bed as him? His eyes flicked to Scor's bed on the other side of the room. There was a bump under the covers and a shock of red hair on the pillow. Oh yeah, forgot Rosie was crashing in with us. The other part of their trio, Rosie West, was curled up in the bed. She kept on getting into fights with her room mates. The children at the kings cross children's home were always changing. The only permanent tenants were Scor, Al and Rosie had been since they were all found together on the door step aged two. And they were only there in the summer holidays; they spent the rest of the year at an exclusive boarding school on the outskirts of London. This wasn't just any school thought, this was The Excalibur College. They hadn't told their house mother thought that this school was more than just exclusive; it was The Excalibur College for the magically gifted.

Al's eyes flicked to his alarm clock. Shit! The car would be there to pick them up in an hour.

"Guys, Guys! Wake up! Crap, crap, crap. Guys, the car from school will be here in an hour."

"What!" Scor jumped up, "but I haven't even packed yet"

Al ran for the bathroom before Scor who could spend hours on his hair.

"Chill guys, I packed for us yesterday" came from under the covers as the tall red head dragged a hand through her hair. "But don't just go back to sleep Scor we all know it takes you at least an hour in the bathroom in the morning. Did you guys get our permission slips signed for the year at another school?"

"Yeh I put on the charm and got her to sign them last week there in the back of my copy of quiditch through the ages."

"Please tell me you just flirted with the old bag and didn't break the statute of secrecy"

"Would I do that?"

"Yeh remember that shop keeper when we were 8, people do not just give kids free toys."

"I was a very cute kid!"

Evil eyes

"Ok Rosie I get your point I was a good boy and talked her into it, the old cow."

"Right... any ideas where these slips are going to take us then? Betting on one of the old three"

"Hopefully it's Beauxbatons, a year surrounded by hot French girls with even hotter accents."

"So long as it's not Hogwarts, I want to go abroad. This is really a great chance to travel and educate ourselves and broaden our horizons."

"Rosie, Scor, I think your forgetting the most important thing" Al strolled back into the room with a grimace "the last time one of the big three held an event they CANCELED quiditch for a YEAR! I want that new quiditch academy in Italy. They have over 10 pitches not including their training grounds."

"I know and specialised gyms..."

"Don't forget the on sight medical facilities boys. I seem to be the only one who can go a game without breaking something."

"Rosie that's because you play the most boring position, keeper. Seriously you need to throw yourself into the game more"

Scor ducked the pillow aimed at his head

3 hours later

"Soon children we shall be leaving for this year's host school, HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WHICHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY!"

(SIMILTANIOUSLY)

"CRAP!"