A/N : Usual ramblings at the end! Happy reading! The french parts are translated at the end for anyone who needs it!
The first of September was always a chaotic day in the Montgomery household and this year was no exception. Nora sat down calmly at the kitchen table as everyone else seem to run around the house trying to get their belongings in order.
"Why are you so calm?" Sirius asked sitting next to her with a cup of coffee.
"I got all my stuff together yesterday. So how is operation getting with Mum going?" Nora asked with a grin making Sirius laugh loudly.
"We both have things to work out but we're making progress." He said still laughing. "You're even nosier than Lily was."
"I'll take that as a compliment." She grinned.
"So how are you processing the news?" He asked seeming suddenly nervous.
"About you being our father?" Nataleigh asked arriving from behind them.
"Yeah that..." He smiled brushing his hand through his hair.
"You're alright Sirius. Don't be so hard on yourself." Nora smiled. "It's just a lot to process."
"Anyway, you can't be any worst than our other one." Nataleigh joked.
"Good point." Sirius laughed.
"The last week was nice. Though Mum was not so subtle about her family bonding time." Nora laughed reminiscing about the week.
"Yeah she was really excited about a family camping trip but your mother in the wilderness is just..." Sirius smiled.
"Hilarious?"
"Pathetic?" Nataleigh proposed.
"Both?" He said as they all laughed.
A few hours later, everyone had managed to get organized and get to the train station early. They were all on the platform saying their goodbyes to their overly emotional mother.
"You all behave, stay safe and enjoy this year. It's going to be one to remember, I'm sure of it. Say hello to Fleur and Gabrielle for me." Brooke said giving her children final hugs.
"We will Mum." Megg and Neil said hugging their mother first.
"Nat please stay out of trouble." Brooke said hugging her.
"I'll try." She said knowing very well that would not happen.
"And Nora don't put too much pressure on yourself and enjoy this year." She said hugging her oldest daughter.
"I will. And let him in. He's pretty wonderful." Nora whispered making her mother smile and nod.
"Try not to cry too much Mum." Nataleigh said.
"I can't make that promise." She laughed wiping a tear from her cheek. "Now get going or you'll miss the train." She added as they all waved and headed back to Hogwarts for another year of mischief and adventure.
The feast lasted a lot longer this year seeing as Dumbledore announced the Triwizard tournament. The excitement and stir caused by this announcement lasted well into the first month of the term. Everyone was starting to get used to their schedules while getting excited for the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students to arrive. The term was off to a full start, in the first week, Malfoy had been turned into a ferret, Moody had taught them the unforgivable curses, Snape was more intense than ever been while the other teachers were teaching them quite complicated materiel as well.
On a Saturday night, Nora, Aveline and Cedric were just finishing their Herbology project in the library.
"You turned 17 last week. Are you putting your name in the goblet?" Aveline asked Cedric trying to find any subject of conversation other than Herbology.
"Yeah I think I might actually." Cedric said looking away from Nora knowing her dislike of the tournament.
"You what? Are you serious?" Nora asked him putting her books in her bag.
"Yeah... I just thought that... Well...I want to at least try." He said running his fingers through his hair nervously.
"But it's reckless! Why in the world would you want to do something like that?"
"Nora, he knows what he's doing." Aveline said trying to help Cedric out.
"I just think it's a horrendous idea and it's dangerous." Nora said not backing down.
"I'm probably not going to get picked. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?" He asked getting a slight bit frustrated as they walked towards the Gryffindor common room.
"I'm getting out of this. You two need to have a conversation." Aveline said leaving them standing alone in a hallway.
"So, what's the big deal? Can't you just be supportive?" Cedric asked.
"You want me to support you putting your life in danger? What a brilliant idea!" Nora said sarcastically.
"So you're just going to be stubborn on this one?"
"Yes! I'm not going to give you my blessing or my support to go and get yourself hurt!" Nora shouted.
"I'm not going to get myself hurt and I probably won't even get picked!" He said matching her tone.
"But you're signing up for it!"
"I just want to do something for me. Why can't you just be on board?!" He sighed running his fingers through his hair.
"Why do you care so much what I think? If you want to make a selfish decision just go ahead! I'm sure your Dad will be super proud! Is that what it's about? Impressing your dad?"
"This has nothing to do with my father! And I want you to be okay with this because I care about you and I want to know what you think about things." He sighed.
"Well I'm not okay with it. And I really think it's a horrid idea." Nora said crossing her arms.
"Come on Nora, just try to be open-minded." Cedric sighed.
"Understand what? And why do you even care so much if I do understand? I'm not your girlfriend." Nora said regretting the last words instantly. "Ced...I..." She started but she did not know what to say.
"I really don't have a clue why I even wanted your opinion anymore. And trust me, I know you're not my girlfriend.." Cedric said Nora standing there feeling extremely guilty.
Nora let herself fall next to Aveline on a couch in the common room. Fred, George and Lee seemed to be having an important conversation while Nataleigh, Alicia and Lucy seemed to be talking about boys.
"So?" Aveline asked looking rather apprehensive.
Nora sighed. "I am a truly terrible person. I might have overreacted...a lot. And said some really stupid things. I feel awful." She said shaking her head. "I just really hate this tournament idea. I know it's for fun, and magical cooperation but I have a really bad feeling about it."
"I get it, I'm not too thrilled about it either but Cedric knows what he's doing Nora, he's of age, he's smart and he'd look really good on the front page of the Daily Prophet." She added making Nora laugh.
"You're back Freckles!" Fred grinned looking away from George and Lee.
"And I have been for the past five minutes Freddie, you're not so observant today." She teased.
"When is he ever?" Nataleigh said with a grin.
"I resent that statement Nat!" Fred said defensively.
"So what are you three plotting?" Nora asked.
"Well...We're trying to find a way to get our names in for the tournament." George said.
"Not you too." Nora sighed. "What do you all have with this bloody tournament?"
"Who doesn't want eternal glory? And it'll be fun!" Fred said with a grin.
"Hey Nora?" A nasally voice said from behind them.
"Oh hey Logan." Nora smiled at her fellow prefect. "You don't look so good." She said referring to his red nose and the dark circles under his eyes.
"I feel worst than I look." He chuckled. "Do you mind covering for me tonight? I'm supposed to patrol but I'm really dead."
"Sure. Feel better." She smiled. "Oi Logan!" She called after him.
"Yeah?"
"Who are you patrolling with?"
"Diggory I think." He said as he went up to the boys dormitory.
"Oh perfect.." Nora sighed. This day was just ironic. She was even more angry at Fred for wanting to try out for the tournament than she was at Cedric and she really did not want to have that conversation with him in front of everyone. She rather patrol in awkward silence with Cedric.
"You patrolled yesterday? Do you really need to go?" Fred asked.
"Logan looked as if he was going to faint so yes." She said harshly as she got up and headed towards the door. "Besides, I have nothing to say about you three trying to join the tournament other than it's really stupid and irresponsible."
"Come on Nora!" Fred laughed getting up.
"Fred. I swear to you if you follow me out this door I'm going to give you detention for a week with Snape for being outside after curfew." Nora said seriously as she left the room.
"What's wrong with her?" Fred asked turning to Aveline with a confused expression.
"She's your girlfriend!" Aveline said raising her hands up in defense.
Nora walked through the empty corridors taking the time to think as she made her way to the meeting point. She knew her reaction had been harsh and intense but as fun as this tournament could be, it was dangerous as well and she felt as if she was the only person taking that point into consideration. Cedric was standing a few feet away, his back facing her.
"Hey." She whispered quietly.
"You are most definitely not Logan" Cedric said dryly.
"Logan's sick... Ced... I'm so sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't mean any of it." Nora said feeling horrible.
"None of it?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"Fine, the part about me being worried I did... But you are of age, and if want to do it, I promise to spend sleepless nights trying to come up with ways to help you survive this insane and bloody mental idea of yours." She said without taking a breath. "Deal?"
"Deal." He smiled. "Staying mad at you was never one of my strong suits." He laughed as they started their walk. They chatted as they walked throughout the castle catching a few mischievous first years wanting to explore the castle at night.
Nora yawned walking into the Gryffindor common room and shook her head smiling noticing Fred fast asleep on one of the couches as the last flames of the fire were burning out.
"Hey SleepyHead." Nora whispered sitting next to him.
"Hey..." He answered hoarsely rubbing his eyes. "I was waiting up for you. I didn't want you to go to bed mad at me." He smiled.
"I am always mad at you... I think this is a bloody ridiculous idea especially seeing as you are underage..." She sighed.
"You don't think a rule is going to stop me? You know me better than that." Fred grinned.
"I do... And I still think it's stupid. Off to bed Reckless Boy." She teased.
"Reckless huh?" He laughed before kissing her passionately.
"Yep. Reckless." Nora smiled as they pulled apart. "Night Fred."
"Night Freckles." He said kissing her swiftly one last time before they headed to their respective dormitories.
The weeks preceding the arrival of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang seemed to drag along seeing as the students no longer had Quidditch to focus on. Fred, George and Lee were still trying to come up with ways to force their names into the cup exasperating Nora greatly.
On the thirtieth of October, all the students were excited and no attention seemed to be payed in any classes. All that was being talked about were the fellow schools and rumors of what the students were like. Everyone was gathered in the Great Hall waiting for the arrivals and chatting about the upcoming events.
"Hey." Fred said hugging Nora from behind and kissing her cheek. "I missed you today."
"That's what happens when you have half the classes I have." Nora teased leaning back into him.
"So how are the frenchies?" He asked after a moment.
"The same as we are but they speak french." Nora answered making George, Aveline, Lucy, Alicia and Nataleigh burst out laughing.
After waiting in the cold for what seemed to be hours, both schools arrived. As the Beauxbatons made their way through the crowd Nora recognized a high-pitched squeal.
"Nora! Nat! Comme je suis contente de vous voir!" A beautiful blonde smiled as she went to hug Nora and Nataleigh tightly. "La température est vraiment terrible!"
"Ça fait cinq minutes que t'es là et tu trouves déjà de quoi te plaindre?" Nora answered without a slight hint of her English accent.
"You know dear Fleur! C'est une petite fille délicate." Nataleigh teased making Fleur roll her eyes as Nora remembered the others around them.
"Oh right! This is my cousin Fleur, Fleur voici, Ava, George, Lucy, Alicia, Lee et Fred."
"It is very nice to meet you. I 'ave 'eard so much about you all." Fleur smiled flipping her blond hair over her shoulder.
"Nice to meet you too." They answered before heading inside.
The feast went by quickly, everyone getting to know the new people. Fred watched Nora in awe as she spoke rapidly in french with the Beauxbatons students. After more instructions about the tournament, everyone was off to bed gossiping about the new arrivals. Fred and Nora were taking a long detour in the deserted hallways instead of the main route.
"You know, you're incredibly sexy when you speak french." Fred whispered to Nora as they made their way to the common room.
"Tu trouves?" Nora teased innocently biting her lip.
"Very." He grinned before crashing his lips on hers.
A/N : Short translations for the non french-speaking people :
"Comme je suis contente de vous voir!" I'm so glad to see you.
"La température est vraiment terrible!" The weather is really terrible.
"Ça fait cinq minutes que t'es là et tu trouves déjà de quoi te plaindre?" You've been here five minutes and you're already finding things to complain about?
"C'est une petite fille délicate." She's a delicate little girl.
"Tu trouves?" You find?
Sorry for the delay! I was planing on updating this sooner but my two year old was in the hospital with a cystic fibrosis exacerbation. I hope everyone is doing well and you are still enjoying the story! I have been tweaking the story from the beginning because I simply wanted to make some changes and rectify a few inconsistencies, I'll eventually repost the previous chapters but it probably won't be for a while seeing as I want the story to move forward.
If you have a moment, please review and favorite, it means the world and is the greatest motivation.
I love you all and love hearing your thoughts and opinions on these characters I love so much! XO