V2

Interviews and Misconceptions

"Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching, ponder this:

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour-long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour—the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back."

"Why is it so cryptic?" I asked aloud, pushing my hair out of my face as I surfaced near the Navy dock. I held the now-closed egg against my chest, resting one arm on the dock and taking deep breaths so that I could go under once more to listen to it again. It was probably the tenth time I'd listened to it and I still didn't understand anything besides the fact that I'd bee searching for an hour.

So what would I sorely miss, besides one of my friends or someone from my family? They wouldn't take someone from our families…would they? Not without telling us.

I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, trying to relax. I'll figure this out…I know I will.

The next two months passed slowly, with little to no help on what my "sorely missed" object could be. Mom wrote every so often, seeing as how there wasn't phone service or email to talk with. Dad had to go back to Bosnia so I knew that Mom was upset with that. She always got a little depressed every time Dad had to leave. Her last letter heartened me only slightly.

He'll be okay, Sweetheart. I know it. If something were wrong, don't you think I'd feel it? So I hope you don't listen to that crazy Skeeter woman, saying all of those things about you and him and me. We go way back, starting with the Wasps, and I have a wonderful way of getting under her skin, believe you me. Pretty soon she'll get what's coming to her. Just keep on thinking about your task and know that I'm thinking about you always. Loves and kisses, Mom.

After that last article, about me, Viktor, Harry, and Hermione in some kind of love square, I couldn't look Viktor in the eye. I had no idea how she had heard about me wanting children, and having talked to Viktor about it. Somehow she also knew that Viktor had asked me first, to go to the Ball, and she had gotten around to some kind of rant about me making enemies with all of the women at the school.

"Just don't listen to her," Angelina was saying one day after dinner. "We know that you're not some back-stabbing slag and that there's no strange love triangle—"

"Square. There's four of us."

"You know what I mean! I'm saying that we know it isn't true, so that's all that matters!"

I had shook my head at her. "We know that, but no one over in America who is readin' this junk knows. I'd hate to see what my younger friends at the Academy are sayin'…"

"If they're your real friends, they wouldn't think that any of this was true and would say nothing." This came from Alicia Spinnet, one of Angelina's close friends. I'd started hanging out with Angelina, Alicia, and Katie, all of whom were close to Fred and George and were my age. I felt pretty close to all of them even in such a short amount of time.

"You sound like my mom, now." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, just walking through the hallways of Hogwarts with them on the way to their classes. I had an hour off and needed to cool my head somewhere besides the lake. I tried to think of a way that I could crack the code of the egg. I can't let any of this get to me. As it is, I'm going grey at 17.

It was then that I saw Cedric standing in the hallway, looking every which way. And when he saw me, his smile widened and he ran my way. Alicia and Angelina were the only two left with me and they seemed oddly protective of me.

"Hey, Diggory," I said, with a small smile on my face. He looked a little bedraggled, but that was to be expected when the Second Task was less than a week away. "What do you need?"

"There's someone waiting for you in the Astronomy tower with Professor Sinistra. Says she's related to you and something about journalism. I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean, but apparently you do."

I smiled up at him, feeling free for the first time in the last few days. If this meant what I thought it meant… "Thanks, Diggory. I'll go see her."

"I didn't say it was a woman, but you're right," he said, a confused look on his handsome, boyish face. "Hope you find her alright."

"Who is it?" Alicia asked, her dark eyes curious. She started leading me to the Astronomy Tower since I had no clue where it was.

"She's what's coming to Skeeter, that's who!" Angelina pointed the way before they had to turn for potions and I left their sides. As soon as I turned a corner, I started running in a very un-ladylike way in my second best uniform, surprisingly doing well in not tripping with my heels on. The stairs to the Astronomy tower soon left me breathless but I quickly climbed the last flight to see that a tall, thin, beautiful black woman was blocking my way. She looked like she would normally be very serious but at the moment she was smiling.

"As I was telling you, Taylor, the kids are nothing but wonderful. I've never seen such well-behaved children from anywhere, not even here at Hogwarts!"

"Well, Aurora," said a very familiar voice, "the Academy of Magic is a little old-schooled. And Durmstrang is all men who think that being a gentleman will get most of these women to like them. Beauxbatons, though, they seem like they would be a little stuck-up."

I cleared my throat to get their attention. "Excuse me? I heard that there was someone up here who wanted to see me?"

The woman whom Professor Sinistra had been talking to stepped forward to where I could see her. She was short and petite with pale, freckled skin and short strawberry blonde hair. As always, my Aunt Taylor was dressed strangely but impeccably, with a fedora on her hat and a pencil behind her ear. A large camera smoked around her neck.

"Ann-Bug!" she cried, opening her arms and rushing forwards to hug me. "I've missed you so much!"

The camera made the hug awkward, but it was fine. "Good to see you too, Aunt Taylor." I took in a deep breath when she released me. She may have been very, very small, but she had a grip like an Acromantula. "Now, don't mind me askin', but what are you doin' here?"

Her green eyes sparkled mischievously as she looked at me. "I've come to visit my old colleague, Rita Skeeter. Don't you remember what your mother said in her last letter?"

The smile that adorned my face actually hurt my cheeks a little. "Wicked. Can you get away with it?"

"Well, considering that all of those lies are so far-fetched I don't even think Hades's three-headed dog would be able to bring them close to being the truth, I think I can find something that will discredit her and leave her a squashed little but in the street. Sound good to you?"

Did I ever mention how much I loved my family? Taylor Reynolds was the third child of my pureblood grandparents, my mother being the second, and we were six years apart. She was almost like a big sister but cooler because I didn't want to tear her hair out like I did Jason's.

"What are you goin' to write about her?" I asked, watching as Professor Sinistra smiled and left us alone. "I mean, you can't really slander her name."

"She's slandering yours, so why can't I slander hers?" Aunt Taylor asked, wrapping her arm around my shoulder and looking out onto the grounds with me. "I was thinking about taking interviews and pictures for Witches and Wizards United and making you all out to be wonderful people, killing a few of her lies as I go. And that's just a start. Now, what's the real deal about you and this Viktor guy, huh? There's always a little truth in the lies that she writes, so dish."

"Uh..."

TTT

When meeting these Champions, who are no more than kids, I was worried at first. I had never thought that any child should be put into danger, and therefore none should participate in these tasks. After all, people have died in these contests before, which was the reason they were discontinued! The First Task, which had been the children against full-grown, nesting dragons, ended with world-renowned, (other than to this sport-deprived reporter,) Durmstrang Champion Viktor Krum, and the even more world-renowned Hogwarts Champion, Harry Potter, in first, tied. In second was Hogwarts's own Cedric Diggory, and the American Academy of Magic's Second Lieutenant Leigh Ann Nelson, my niece. In last place, not too far behind everyone else, was Beauxbatons's Champion, Fleur Delacour, the wily one-fourth Veela from France.

At first, when meeting some of these Champions, one would think of nothing but moody teenagers who were put into a competition way over their heads. But once this reporter got to know them better, I knew better and learned quite a bit. Never too old to learn something new!

Miss Fleur Delacour, Champion of Beauxbatons, is a beautiful young seventeen-year-old girl with determination and a gleam in her pretty blue eyes that shows that she knows more than she lets on. In this reporter's interview, she shows spunk and a drive to win.

Interview with Fleur Delacour (Translated as Well as Possible)

TR: So, Fleur, what do you have to say about this competition? Is it too old-fashioned? Difficult?

FD: No, Mrs. Reynolds, it is not. There are many examples of this. For the first task, fighting the dragons not only showed strength and agility, but strategy, cunning. These are things that every good wizard needs. Difficult, yes, because everyone will have something difficult in their life to pass over.

TR: And how did you feel whenever you were called to be the Beauxbatons Champion?

FD: I knew that I would get it, simple as that. I am the best in my class, as well as the most cunning. Determination is key.

TR: I only have one more question for you, Fleur: what about Rita Skeeter, and her words on the so-called "rivalry" between you and the Academy's Champion, Leigh Ann Nelson?

FD: Rivalry? Oh, no. We simply started off on the wrong feet, oui? I was upset that the Academy was allowed into the Triwizard Tournament, when three other schools were already in it. Then again, none of us really know which three schools were in it first. But. Um. Yes, wrong foot.

TR: Then there's no competition between you two for Viktor Krum?

FD: Oh, no! Not at all! Viktor, he has been around Veela since he was born, and resists all charms. I knew that since I first met him. And Leigh Ann, I don't think she likes him very much, not at all. We are starting to have a, as you say, begrudging relationship. Slowly but surely, oui?

TR: Well, thank you, Fleur. I hope to talk to you more over the next few days.

FD: A pleasure.

Mr. Cedric Diggory, first Champion of Hogwarts, is a handsome seventeen-year-old man, who is one of the kindest men that this reporter has ever met. Sweet and a complete gentleman, Cedric had no problem answering questions.

Interview with Cedric Diggory

TR: Tell me, Cedric, what is your view on the competition and how well they preformed in the first task?

CD: Very, very tough. The first task went over well, with only one major injury, though it shouldn't have happened. Leigh Ann would have been the best in the Task, but the dragon wasn't put down quick enough and she got hurt after she got the egg. I—

TR: Egg?

CD: Oh, sorry. The goal was to steal the golden egg that the dragon was guarding.

TR: Thank you for explaining. Sorry for interrupting, please continue.

CD: Anyway, as I was saying, I was very surprised with Fleur, who used a simple sleeping spell to put the dragon to sleep, but points were taken off when it let out a jet of flame and caught her skirt on fire. Viktor, he blinded the dragon, but it started flailing and crushed some of the eggs, again, getting points taken off. Harry, now, he was against the worst dragon possible, and that was the Hungarian Horntail. He used a summoning charm to bring his broomstick to the arena and the dragon chased him all around the grounds. In the end he won, though, tied with Viktor. I am tied in second with Leigh Ann, and Fleur is in last at the moment, though not far behind.

TR: Thank you, Cedric, it sounds like it was exciting! One last question. What do you think about having Harry in the tournament, being the second Hogwarts Champion?

CD: It was a little disappointing, you know? I expected more out of the age line, and more from him. But Harry's a good kid. He couldn't have put his name in the Goblet of Fire, he's too young. Dumbledore is brilliant, there's no way a kid could have surpassed it, even if he is Harry Potter.

TR: Thank you, Cedric, for this look into the First Task and your view on Harry Potter.

CD: Thanks for a truthful interview, Mrs. Reynolds!

Harry Potter, the second Hogwarts Champion, is a very sweet boy. From any impression, not even the first, one would see that he hasn't let his fame get anywhere near his cute little head. In fact, he seems less-than enthusiastic about being in the competition. Read in on his interview.

Interview with Harry Potter

TR: So, Harry, I don't want to jump to conclusions about how you got into the competition, but was it you who put your name in?

HP: No, I did not. And I'm sorry if I sound angry, but I doubt that you have any idea how many times I've been asked that question.

TR: I take it that you don't want to be in the competition, then.

HP: Truthfully, no. There was an age line for a reason, and Cedric's name was drawn. He deserves to be the Champion, the only one. I mean, yeah, I thought about how interesting it would be to participate, but in the end, this Tournament is dangerous.

TR: Thank you for your truthfulness, Harry. Could you answer one more question for me?

HP: Sure.

TR: What is this love "square" with you, one classmate, Miss Hermione Granger, my niece, Leigh Ann Nelson, and one of your competitors, Viktor Krum?

HP: Oh, bugger—there is no love square! Hermione is one of my closest friends, and Leigh Ann—you said she was your niece?—she's a good person. She stood up for me when everyone started wearing the "Support Cedric Diggory, Harry Potter Stinks" badges. She wouldn't let anyone in the Academy wear them, and she stood up for me when people started flashing them.

TR: Leigh Ann always was one to stick up for the little guy.

HP: So you believe me? You aren't going to warp my words?

TR: You're only a Fourth Year, Harry. And I know that you're a very competent wizard, but Dumbledore is one of the most powerful wizards in the world. One can't hoodwink such a spell at your age.

HP: Err—thanks?

TR: Don't worry, Harry, it's a compliment, coming from me. Thank you for being in this interview.

HP: Hey, you're more truthful than Rita Skeeter, so I'm glad to be in it!

TR: Oh, she isn't truthful?

HP: I guess you can say that she takes the slightest truth, and then pulls it way out of proportion. She made up this entire article about how I cry myself to sleep thinking about my parents. I miss them dearly, yes, but I know that they loved me and would want me to move on, and live my life. Yes, I still think about them, and yeah, it makes me sad. But I can't live my life in sadness all the time. I've got to look forward and be happy whenever I can.

TR: Thank you for that thrilling interview, Harry. I'm so glad to know that at least one person can find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Viktor Krum, Champion of Durmstrang…what can this reporter say of him? That she felt slightly ashamed that she didn't know who he was? Possibly. But he is a nice boy. Dark and moody, but nice, and he seems to be one to not care about his fame. Read in on our interview!

Interview with Viktor Krum (Translated from Bulgarian)

TR: So, Viktor, my readers and I are dying to know, what is your view of being the Champion for Durmstrang?

VK: I am very honored to be in this tournament. It is as if being normal for once, yes?

TR: You want to be normal? And yet you're a famous Seeker for Bulgaria? I don't understand. Would you give up your position on the team just to be normal?

VK: He—no! Quidditch is my life. As long as there are people like you, Ms. Reynolds, who do not know who I am, I will always want to play.

TR: Sorry about that, by the way.

VK: It is not a problem at all. But the way Rita Skeeter has put it, I am letting all of fame go to head. But she is the one thinking that I enjoy all of fame. Just because I am "Viktor Krum, Seeker for Bulgarian National Quidditch Team and Champion." There was also something about a Bon-Bon Hunk, but I do not remember winning such a title. I told Ms. Skeeter that at the moment, I only wanted to be Viktor Krum, Durmstrang student and Champion for my school, nothing more. And I still do. I leave Quidditch on the pitch.

TR: One more question, then. What do you think of the so-called "rivalry" and "relationship" between the two women in the Tournament and yourself?

VK: There is no relationship between me and the two women. And as for a rivalry, Leigh Ann and Fleur may only wish to have one woman in the Tournament, or it could be the fact that Fleur believes that The American Academy should not be in the Triwizard Tournament.

TR: She's said this out loud, or is this speculation?

VK: I do not know what "speculation" is, but she has said this out loud, with scathing look to Miss Nelson.

TR: And the love "square" between you, Miss Hermione Granger, Mr. Harry Potter, and Leigh Ann?

VK: Well, I went with Hermione to the Yule Ball, and danced with Leigh Ann when her date would not. Friendly. About what is between Harry and Hermione, I am not sure. They are friends, or are they more?

TR: Are you and my niece on a first name basis already, Mr. Krum?

VK: She calls me by last name, as always. She does not seem to like me very much.

TR: Leigh Ann has always been competitive. So, what do you think of the Tournament so far?

VK: Good competition, and difficult tasks. The golden egg we got from the first task, it is a puzzle, and we are not to have help on it. If we figure it out, we will know what to expect next week for Second Task.

TR: I see. And Harry Potter?

VK: A boy. Later, will be good wizard. Now, too young. I would like to see him three years older.

TR: Well, it was wonderful talking to you, Viktor. Thank you for this interview.

VK: And it was a pleasure talking to Leigh Ann's aunt.

Second Lieutenant Leigh Ann Nicole, Champion for The American Academy of Magic and Terry Reynolds's own niece. She's a sweet girl, who stands up for those who are smaller and weaker than her. Even the other champions, who are her rivals, are still her friends.

Interview with Leigh Ann Nelson

TR: Hey, Ann-Bug, how is the Tournament so far?

LN: Oh, Aunt Taylor, don't call me that during our interview please. You're supposed to be a reporter right now, not my aunt.

TR: Oops! Sorry, Leigh Ann. Anyways, the Tournament?

LN: Great times. It really makes you move and think, study harder than you've ever remembered studying. Lots of fun, if not slightly painful.

TR: I did hear that you were in the medical ward for a while.

LN: The Ukrainian Ironbelly broke one of my ribs, bruising four others. Busted lip, bruised butt bone, and worse, a bruised pride But I got over it. Hey, I'm still in second place, right? That's a good thing.

TR: Your mother and I knew you had it in you.

LN: Aunt Tay…

TR: Oh, right, no personal things. Right. So, what about your competitors?

LN: Fleur is smart, if not a little short-tempered. Cedric is sweet and nice, handsome, too. Harry is a little young for the tournament but he's holding up, obviously. I mean he's in first place. Viktor, now, I still don't understand him.

TR: Why not? Is it because of this so-called "love square" between you, Viktor, Harry, and one Hermione Granger?

LN: I'm rolling my eyes now, since your readers can't see that. I'm so tired of this question. No, there is no "love square" between us. Harry is an acquaintance, and so is Hermione, and they are friends. Viktor, he's an okay guy, but I would barely call us friends. Hermione went to the Ball with Viktor, but I only had one dance with the guy, and Viktor asked for permission from Hermione to do so.

TR: So you don't like him?

LN: I can't not like anyone, Taylor, you know that.

TR: Oh?

LN: This is an interview, not a family chat, so I'm not going to say anything. But anyways, Viktor is a good enough guy. He saved me from my less-than-perfect date, and gave me a dance. He helped me when I hurt myself running, and we've just had some nice talks. He's a...a good guy.

TR: Oh. Well, tell me about your fiasco with my old colleague, Rita Skeeter. I've heard that you were quite rude to her.

LN: Me, rude to her? She pulled my hair from my beret and forced me to leave it down! And then, when I put it back up, she said, "Well, if you want to look square jawed." That helped my self esteem.

TR: And what about your parents, what do they think of all this?

LN: My mother, of course, couldn't be prouder, and doesn't believe what Rita said about me being hateful towards her, or the fact that I was disrespectful to my elders. I merely called her ma'am, she called me fat and told me to stop calling her that, so I said that I was brought up to respect my elders.

TR: Nice one! And your father?

LN: Dad is no-maj so he doesn't understand a lot of what's going on. I think my mom didn't tell him what the tournament really is or he'd be furious and worried at the same time. He just went back to Bosnia for the rest of his tour.

TR: Gotcha. Well, I've got to stop this interview, Ann-Bug. This writing has to be in by five. It was strange to interview you, but still fun.

LN: Thanks, Aunt Tay. I agree.

And so, this reporter got the inside scoop on Rita's little lies. There is no "love square" or disrespectfulness from my niece. Viktor Krum doesn't want to be famous all the time, and Fleur Delacour is wonderful company. Cedric Diggory is the sweetest teen I've ever met and doesn't blame Harry for being in the Tournament. And Harry, he's a strong boy who will be a wonderful wizard when he gets older, if he isn't already.

Taylor Reynolds signs out, promising to keep you in touch on the Triwizard Tournament!

Leigh Ann

I smiled as I read the interviews, wondering how obvious Viktor could be. At the moment I was standing outside after my friends left for class. It was the end of January, still cold, but I needed some fresh air that wasn't from the barracks. I folded up the Wizards and Witches of America paper and stuck it in the waistband of my camouflage pants, wondering how I could have such an awesome aunt.

Suddenly, I heard something. About me, no less, and about that damned article by Rita Skeeter. "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" I asked angrily, pulling my pack over my shoulder, trying to situate it better because I had on my camouflage jacket.

The leader who'd said the words was mockingly surprised, standing with maybe five other Durmstrang men. Viktor was one of them and there was a heated look in his eyes as the man chuckled. "Oh, soorry Mees Neelsoon, you heard that?" He elbowed his team member and chuckled. Viktor said something harsh in Bulgarian but they ignored him.

I set my jaw and glared daggers. "I hope I didn't hear it."

The man was tall with a small waist and broad shoulders. He had dark, tanned skin and bright yellow eyes below black hair, and those piercing eyes made me want to squirm as if under scrutiny. Everything about him seemed sharp—his cheekbones, his chin, his eyebrows. He smiled wickedly, showing even sharper teeth. "I do noot knoo, vhat deed you vant to hear?"

"I don't want to hear anythin'," I growled as I glared into his eyes. Those deep, piercing, frightening eyes. "So I suggest you keep your mouth shut."

He smirked once more, making a tiny shiver of fear run up my spine. One of his hands caressed my arm. "I veel do vhatever you vant, Mees Neelsoon."

A hot blush appeared in my cheeks; I was at a loss for a comeback. So I quickly turned on my heel and headed back to the castle, fighting back tears. I'll…I'll just work on my Study of Ancient Runes homework in the library…that'll make me feel better.

When I was away from the men, inside a deserted courtyard inside Hogwarts, I heard a voice. "Vait!"

I felt anger boiling up inside of me. He'd gone through all of that trouble protecting me at the Yule Ball and yet, when his own men said something horrible, he did nothing to stop it! "It's not like I don't have feelings when you and your men say those nasty things."

He tilted his head to the side, a confused and partially insulted look on his face. Whenever he did that he always looked like a sad little puppy. Never one for words, are you, Viktor?

I pushed past him, seeing as how he had just caught up with me. "You and the rest of your men just need to leave me the hell alone! I'm not like what that damn woman writes. And I'm sick of you, most of all, I really am!"

A hand was instantly wrapped around my wrist. "Now you vait!"

I instantly had my wand right up under his throat; I was so close to him that I could smell his aftershave. It was dark and musky, but there was also another smell… like… He smelled like Fleetwood's High-Finish Handle Polish, a Quidditch pitch, and pure, unadulterated male.

I felt my breathing speed up as I looked into his chocolate eyes, saw the powerful jaw coated by a small amount of black fuzz on his strong chin. He wasn't all that handsome, to tell the truth, but it was the dynamic way his eyes stared at you that made your breath hitch. Or maybe it was the strong jaw, or those lips.

"L-let go of me," I said menacingly, forcing myself to ignore the way his smell completely turned me on.

"I deed not say any things," he said, and even his breath smelled good. I noticed as well that he had a small mole on his right cheek, kind of odd, but kind of cute…

I shook my head back and forth and tried to get him out of my mind. "Maybe not, but you were laughing along with the rest of them!" Or had he been? He'd said something to them in Bulgarian which I decided I needed to learn because I could never understand them!

"Stoop and leesten to me!" he demanded, and his superior strength scared me for a moment, his nose practically touching mine. "I deed noot—"

"Ventus!"

Viktor Krum flew backwards as a large gust of wind from my wand threw him away from me. He landed hard enough to give off a THUD, making me, for a moment, feel sorry that I had done it. Though, remembering the words spat at me just a few moments ago, I realized that I didn't feel bad at all.

"Tell your men to lay off me!"

"Vill you leesten—?"

"Do not touch me. Ever."