A.N. A huge thank you to Ddzhalev who helped me with the Bulgarian in this chapter (and in the chapters to come).
15-15-15
"Merlin, Harry!" Draco complained as he sat in the seat beside Harry for Magical Theory. "You couldn't give me any warning?"
Harry raised an eyebrow questioning. "Warning about what?"
"About what?" Draco parroted in disbelief. "How about the fact that you were going to turn the girls completely insane in one night?"
"Ah," Harry smiled. "You're talking about Daphne's ring."
"Of course I am." Draco retorted. "You didn't think that I, your best friend and cousin, not to mention future brother-in-law, deserved a little warning that you were going to give Daphne the ring?"
"No," Harry denied honestly. "You knew we were betrothed."
"Yes, I knew you were betrothed." Draco acknowledged. "But I thought you were betrothed like Astoria and I are betrothed. You know, officially, but not in a way that really affects anyone. Do you have any idea how nutty the girls are going over this? I've already caught Astoria sending me hopeful looks twice this morning, and she's one of most well-bred girls in the school."
Harry's mouth fell open. "Really? I had no idea it would make such an impact. I'm sorry I didn't warn you."
"You didn't think it would make an impact?" Draco repeated slowly. "You know, Harry, for all that you are often as proper and scary as my father, sometimes you act like a complete muggle. Of course it was going to make an impact. Now I'm going to have to give Astoria the Malfoy ring."
"No you don't." Harry shook his head. "And you shouldn't, not until you mean it. It's a big deal, not something you give because someone else has done it."
"Oh," Draco exclaimed victorious. "So now it's a big deal."
"What's a big deal?" Neville asked, placing his bag on the desk on Harry's other side and sitting down.
"Harry gave Daphne the Potter heiress ring." Draco answered shortly.
"Wow," Neville's eyes widened. "That is a big deal. The girls must be going crazy."
"See?" Draco asked Harry smugly. "Neville gets it."
"Alright, so I should have warned you." Harry admitted. "I'm sorry, but it was always going to happen sooner or later."
15-15-15
Draco wasn't the only one put out by Harry's actions and Harry found himself on the receiving end of glares from Theo and Blaise as well. Neville and Luna seemed to find the whole thing rather funny, something that Harry put down to the fact that neither of them were betrothed.
It wasn't just Harry's friends who were upset about it though. Apparently the non-traditional faction of the school hadn't known that Harry and Daphne were betrothed and the information seemed to divide them into three groups: those who were horrified that betrothals still happened, those who were jealous that Harry hadn't given the ring to them, and those who hated Harry because their girlfriends kept going on about how romantic he was.
Unsurprisingly, Ron was in the first group and, while Harry was used to the boy's harassment, he found himself unexpectedly furious when Ron turned his attention to Daphne. Not that Daphne needed him to defend her of course, she was perfectly capable of verbally eviscerating Ron all on her own.
Harry, who had just come from Ancient Runes, hadn't actually heard what Ron had said to Daphne (though Draco later told him that it was something foul), but he arrived just in time to witness Daphne's reaction.
She had spun around to face Ron and raised an icy eyebrow. "Really, Weasley? What would your mother say?"
"Don't you talk about my mum!" Ron spat, his complexion reddening.
"I understand that you weren't raised in a traditional home," Daphne continued scornfully. "But, really, I would have expected the daughter of the Ancient and Noble House of Prewett to raise her children better."
Ron took a step forward in, what Harry presumed was supposed to be, a threatening manner. "You leave my mum out of this!"
Daphne's upper lip curled slightly and she glanced over to where Harry was standing to her right. "This is what you have been dealing with? I had presumed that anyone stupid enough to insult you would at least have some talent at repartee."
Harry didn't think he had ever been so delighted to be betrothed to Daphne as he was at that moment.
"What does that mean?" Ron asked, his entire face was now red which, unfortunately only made his freckles stand out more clearly.
"And a better vocabulary." Daphne added, ignoring the other boy.
"Yes, well," Harry sighed theatrically. "We can't expect everyone to live up to your high standards."
"Apparently not," Daphne's gaze swept over Ron as though he was a rat. "Though I suppose I oughtn't to expect anything better from a blood traitor!"
Spittle was gathering in the corners of Ron's mouth as he snarled at her. "Yeah? Well you're nothing but a haughty cow!"
Harry's wand fell into his hand and he clenched in angrily.
"Haughty?" Daphne asked him. "Do you even know what that word means, Weasley? After all, we did just determine that you're vocabulary is shocking."
Harry could see the whites in Ron's eyes as he glared hatefully at Daphne.
"Of course I bloody well know what it means!"
"Well?" Daphne asked, before pausing expectantly.
Ron sneered at her.
"Anyone?" Daphne asked lightly.
"Arrogantly disdainful or scornful." Harry answered her, his tone equally light. "And I don't think you're arrogant at all. I think you have a perfectly correct understanding of your importance."
"I am scornful though." Daphne admitted. "And disdainful for that matter. But then, Weasley, you make to easy. It's as though you're asking people to scorn you."
"Bitch!" Ron snarled, his wand in his hand.
Daphne laughed lightly as everyone around them gasped. "Yes, perhaps, I am that as well. But at least I am a well-bred 'bitch'. Unlike you. You had the potential there, of course, what a pity it will never be realised."
At that, Daphne turned her back to Ron and began to sweep out of the corridor. Harry followed her, his longer legs easily catching up with her within a few steps, and he knew that Draco, Neville and Theo would be right behind them.
"Anteoculatia!" Ron's voice shouted from behind them.
Harry's stomach dropped as he spun as quickly as he could, his wand in his hand. Why hadn't he been prepared for that? After all, it hadn't been that long since Ron had cursed Neville in the back.
"Protego!" Another voice called and Ron's curse was neatly absorbed into the light blue shield that had formed around Daphne.
Harry looked around for the caster of the shield and was shocked to see Professor Moody standing in the doorway of his classroom.
Moody's attention wasn't on Daphne anymore though, instead his wand was pointed at Ron and, a few seconds later, Ron transformed into a Weasel.
Harry couldn't have prevented the bark of laughter that left his throat if he had tried. How brilliant was that?
"Weasley!" Moody barked, his wand still pointed at the weasel. "You never, ever, curse someone in the back!"
15-15-15
After their final class on Friday, Harry returned his school bag to his dorm before making his way down to the Entrance Hall where the school was congregating to meet the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students. The Heads of the four Hogwarts Houses were there, arranging the students into lines, and Harry made sure to end up beside Luna. It was frustrating to be forced to stand with his House when he would much rather be with Draco, Neville, Daphne and his other friends, but at least he had Luna. Poor Neville was stuck standing beside Ron.
Once they were all lined up, the professors led them outside and directed them to line up outside the castle. In was already six in the evening and after they had been waiting for ten minutes, Harry began to get cold. He had never been so glad that he had mastered a wandless heating charm.
He rested in right hand on his leg and carefully cast the spell, wincing slightly when his hand got too hot. He repeated the spell again, this time with his hand on his stomach, and sighed happily as his body reacted positively to the heat. Then, Harry subtly placed his hand on Luna's arm and cast the spell on her. Luna, who had been shivering slightly, smiled up at him thankfully.
The students began to get restless as more minutes passed, but eventually Dumbledore announced that he could see the Beauxbatons delegation approaching. At first Harry couldn't see anything, but then a ginormous powder blue carriage appeared in the sky being pulled by gold coloured flying horses the size of elephants. Harry was hard pressed not to snort in amusement as he remembered Daphne's description of the French as being pretentious – she hadn't been wrong.
Amusingly, Madame Maxime was, to an average witch, what her horses were to normal horses and her students looked positively tiny next to her. Tiny and cold – their silk uniforms, which were the same colour as the carriage, definitely hadn't been made for a Scottish autumn.
After Madame Maxime and Dumbledore had exchanged pleasantries, the Headmistress led her students into the castle to get warm, and the Hogwarts students were left shivering outside waiting for Durmstrang.
When Durmstrang's ship eventually appeared in the Great Lake, Harry couldn't help but be impressed. That was much more like it – he could only imagine what magic they had used to make it work. The Durmstrang students were dressed much more appropriately for the weather and Harry felt a twinge of envy when he saw the fur trimmed cloaks they were all wearing. The girls each had a fur muff as well, as did their Headmistress.
Harry observed the headmistress curiously. According to Sirius, she'd had the position for less than a year after Voldemort had killed the last Durmstrang headmaster for betraying him.
Madame Brusilova looked as tiny next to some of her students as the Beauxbaton students had looked next to Madame Maxime. She looked to be about the same height and width as Luna, which was to say under five foot and petite. She was wearing a black dress, but her cloak was the same blood red colour as those of her students which offset her black hair strikingly.
Madame Brusilova approached Dumbledore confidently and, just as Madame Maxime had, extended it for Dumbledore to kiss. As the two of them exchanged pleasantries, which sounded a lot less pleasant than Dumbledore's conversation with Maxime had been, Harry looked the Durmstrang students over.
Whereas most of the Beauxbaton students had been slender, the Durmstrang students all seemed to have a lot more meat to them – especially the boys. Harry took in each face among the students, before stopping in surprise at the sight of one of the last boys in the row. Was that Victor Krum?
Apparently other Hogwarts' students had seen him as well and Harry could hear Ron loudly exclaiming at his presence. Harry grimaced, he hated the idea that he and Ron had something in common – even if that something was awe for a world class Quidditch player.
Finally, Dumbledore and Madame Brusilova finished their conversation and they were all allowed to file into the Great Hall for dinner. Harry wasn't too cold, he had been recasting the heating charm every couple of minutes, but a lot of other students were shivering violently and let out embarrassingly loud moans of pleasure when they entered the warm Great Hall.
The Beauxbaton students were all sitting at the Ravenclaw table and Harry scoffed inwardly as many of his Housemates, including his dorm-mates, competed to get a seat near them. Sure the visiting students would be interesting to talk to, but there was no hurry – they would be at Hogwarts all year.
The Durmstrang students didn't seem to know where to sit, but they eventually took seats at the Slytherin table. Harry couldn't help but feel slightly envious as Draco ended up seated across from Victor Krum – Draco barely knew anything about the seeker position.
When all the students were seated, Dumbledore entered the Great Hall with Brusilova and Maxime beside him. Harry watched in interest as all the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students leapt to their feet and stood politely until their Headmistresses were seated. The non-traditional students from Hogwarts scoffed at the action, but Harry thought that it was wonderful. He thought that it would be nice to attend a school where everyone was traditional.
It was an entertaining meal. The Beauxbaton students didn't seem impressed by Hogwarts and Harry couldn't find it in himself to feel defensive about his school. After all, both Beauxbaton and Durmstrang were rated above Hogwarts internationally. The most interesting thing about the Beauxbaton students though was that one of the girls seemed to be a veela. Harry wasn't sure whether that was true or not, but that would definitely explain the way people were behaving around her.
As he was finishing dessert, Harry looked up to the Head Table and was surprised to note that two more people were seated there. He recognised Ludo Bagman from the Quidditch World Cup of course, but that wasn't the biggest shock. Why was Sirius there? He quickly spelled his sleeves up to his elbows in respect.
A few minutes later, Dumbledore stood to his feet and addressed the Hall.
"Here we all are," Dumbledore said, beaming at them. "Waiting excitedly for the start of something wonderful. But, before we go any further, I would like to say a few words. First, I would like to welcome Madame Maxime and her students from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Madame Brusilova and her students from the Durmstrang Institute. I would also like to welcome Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports and Mr. Sirius Black, who is a member of the Wizengamot. Mr. Bagman has spent many long hours working to arrange this Tournament," Dumbledore continued. "And Mr. Black has opted to join him as a judge for the Tournament alongside myself, Madame Maxime and Madame Brusilovaa."
Harry smirked, apparently Dumbledore wasn't pleased that Sirius was involved. Harry did wonder how Sirius had gotten the job, especially since Dumbledore had obviously been against the idea.
Dumbledore went on to explain how the champions would be chosen and, as the older students around him practically quivered in excitement, Harry found himself relieved that he wasn't allowed to enter. He definitely didn't have time for the Tournament and had no need for more money or fame, but he doubted that excuse would convince many people. At least this way no one could judge him for his decision.
After Dumbledore's speech had finished, and he had dismissed the students, the two headmistresses stood up and their students followed suit. Harry stood up as well and began to make his way through the hall to find Sirius.
He was passing the Durmstrang students who were still standing near the Slytherin table, waiting for the headmistress to come and collect them, when Draco stopped him.
"Harry," Draco started, his tone formal. "Please allow me to introduce to you Viktor ot rodyt na Krum. Krum, this is Harry Potter, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Black and Potter."
Krum's eyes widened and his eyes flicked towards Harry's forehead before he bowed politely, his arms at his sides. "Merry meet, Heir Black." He greeted Harry in a thick accent.
"Dobre zavaril." Harry greeted him with a polite nod.
Krum's mouth fell open. "Vie govorite bulgarski?" (You speak Bulgarian?)
"Some." Harry answered in Bulgarian before switching to English. "It is an honour to meet you. I have learnt a lot from watching you play Quidditch."
Krum smiled widely. "You are a seeker?"
"Yes," Harry nodded, before seeing Sirius standing up out of the corner of his eyes. "I'm sorry, I need to go. Merry Part."
"Yes, Merry Part." Krum agreed with another bow. "Ve shall have to speak again. I vant to discuss Quidditch vith you."
"Of course." Harry agreed enthusiastically, before moving away to meet Sirius who was making his way towards him.
"Merry meet, Sirius." Harry greeted him politely as they met each other.
"Merry meet." Sirius agreed, before pulling Harry into a hug. "It's good to see you, kiddo."
"I can't believe you're a judge!" Harry exclaimed. "How could you not tell me?"
Sirius' eyes twinkled. "I wanted to surprise you. Did it work?"
"Definitely." Harry admitted, before lowering his voice. "How did you convince Dumbledore to let you?"
Sirius smirked as he glanced to where Dumbledore was talking to Bagman. "I didn't give him much of a choice. The Ministry was expected to provide two judges, Ludo was an obvious choice and then they were thinking about forcing Magnus Drottle to do it, since he's the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, but the guy's a parchment roller. Good at his job, but a bit of a wet fish and would have hated having to actually interact with teenagers. So I volunteered. Drottle was delighted to get out of it and nobody could really argue that it wouldn't be useful having me here."
Harry smirked in reply. "That's brilliant. How long are you staying?"
"I'll be here all year." Sirius grinned excitedly. "It'll be great!"
"Dumbledore must hate that." Harry chuckled.
"Oh, yeah." Sirius agreed, not looking the least bit upset about it.
15-15-15
The Ravenclaw Common Room was a buzz that night, with all the students excitedly exclaiming over the events of the evening. Harry made his way to his dorms, before grimacing inwardly when he realised that Terry, Michael, Rodney and Anthony were already there. He and dorm-mates spent most of their time ignoring each other, but Anthony had been one of the louder opponents of his and Daphne's betrothal.
Whatever conversation the other boys had been having stopped when Harry walked in, but they all turned to stare at him.
"We saw you talking to Victor Krum!" Terry exclaimed after a long pause.
"Yes." Harry answered blandly, opening his trunk and pulling out his pyjamas.
"What is he like?" Michael asked. "What did he say?"
Harry ignored them as he gathered up his homework.
"Come on, Harry!" Terry pleaded. "You talked to Victor Krum! What was he like?"
Harry hung his bag from his shoulder, before turning to face them. "We're not friends!"
"W-what?" Terry stuttered in shock.
"You don't get to ignore me for two years and then suddenly decide that you want to gossip with me because I talked to someone famous." Harry snapped. "So let's just keep ignoring each other."
"Don't be such a bloody prat." Michael scowled. "We just want to know what Krum's like."
"Then go and talk to him yourself." Harry challenged him. "I'm bloody sick of you all ignoring me unless you want something from me."
Anthony sneered at him. "Don't bother, Michael. We all know that Potter's thinks he's too good for us."
Harry pressed his lips together tightly. "Are you kidding me? You were the ones who decided you didn't want to be friends with me! Now, I'll admit I'm not exactly upset about that now since that proves that you were bloody awful friends in the first place. But you don't get to rewrite history like that."
Terry, Michael and Rodney looked away guiltily.
Harry shook his head in frustration and stalked out of the dorm and into the Common Room to find a private desk to work at. He hated the idea that he would have to spend another three and half years sharing a room with them.
15-15-15
A.N. Exciting news! I have officially finished writing this story which means that from now on I will be updating twice a week - on Tuesdays and Fridays. (Oh, and, by the way, there will be fifty chapters plus an epilogue).