Hermione
Hermione scanned the teacher's table as they found an open spot at the Ravenclaw table. Tiny little Professor Flitwick was sitting on a large pile of cushions beside Professor Sprout, the herbology teacher, whose hat was askew over her flyaway gray hair. She was talking to Professor Sinistra of the astronomy department. On Professor Sinistra's other side was Professor Snape, who looked like he would much rather be anywhere in the world beside here right now.
On Snape's other side was an empty seat where Professor McGonagall usually sat. Next to it, and in the very center of the table, sat Headmaster Dumbledore, his sweeping silver hair and beard shining in the candlelight, his deep green robes embroidered with many stars and moons.
The tips of Dumbledore's long, thin fingers were together and he was resting his chin upon them, staring up at the ceiling through his half-moon spectacles as though lost in thought. Hermione glanced up at the ceiling too. It was enchanted to look like the night sky as normal and tonight the sky was stormy. Black and purple clouds were swirling across it, and as another thunderclap sounded outside, a fork of lightning flashed across it.
"I'm so freaking hungry!" Marik moaned, sitting beside Luna across the table from her.
"Stop whining Marik. I offered you my sandwich on the Express and you told me you weren't hungry!" Luna argued, shutting Marik up. Hermione was already starting to like Luna more and more.
As the words left Luna's mouth the doors of the Great Hall opened and silence fell. Professor McGonagall was leading a long line of first years up to the top of the hall as per usual. At the front of the Hall, Professor McGonagall now placed a three-legged stool on the ground before the first years. On top of the stool after a few moments of silence, an old, dirty, patched Hat appeared. The first years all stared at the Hat, their mouths agape, and waited for the Hat to sing its song.
Once a year I wake up,
So that I can sit upon your head,
And tell you the house that you belong in,
And diminish all your dread.
Occasionally though I wake up,
With something in my mind,
And tonight I wish to tell you,
That many of you are blind.
Tho I put you in different houses,
You all are still only one,
And no matter the trouble, time, or situation
It's always been about having fun.
In life your brim will bend,
And your bonds will sometimes break,
But promise that you heed my warning,
That something greater is at stake.
You must remember friendship,
Will always be the best,
It doesn't matter what house you're in,
True friendship defeats all tests.
So no matter where you're sorted
Whether it be in the past or here today.
Remember that the bonds of friendship,
Like my fabric must never fray,
The Great Hall rang with applause as the Sorting Hat finished.
"Well that was a sweet message," she commented as the applause began to die down.
"Screw friends," Marik joked, earning a glare from everyone at the table.
"Well it's a good thing you don't have any friends then," Harry replied sarcastically.
"I liked that song! Last year's was too long," Alina added.
"I like the long songs!" she tried to argue.
"I like food!" Marik again brought up that he was hungry.
"Shut up!" They all seemed to say in unison.
Professor McGonagall was now unrolling a large scroll of parchment as the Hall waited in silence.
"When I call out your name, you will put on the Hat and sit on the stool," she told the first years. "When the hat announces your House, you will go and sit at the appropriate table.
"Ackerley, Stewart!"
"Wanna make a bet about who gets the most first years this year?" Alina whispered to the table as a small boy walked forwards, visibly trembling from head to foot, picked up the Sorting Hat, put it on, and sat down on the stool.
"Gryffindor has received the most first years for three years in a row. It's no contest," Harry whispered.
"That's only because Gryffindor's quality is being brave. Anyone can be brave!" Alina argued.
"RAVENCLAW!" shouted the Hat.
"One for Ravenclaw. I'll take that bet now," she whispered to Alina.
"No fair!" Alina replied.
"Not everyone can be brave by the way! What is so much better about being a Hufflepuff?" Harry asked. A few seats down from their spot on the Ravenclaw table everyone was applauding the girl who was taking her seat there for the first time.
"Baddock, Malcolm!"
"Well it's not Slytherin." Alina answered.
"Good point." Harry seemed satisfied enough with that answer.
"Why do they all look so nervous? We weren't that nervous back then," she said out loud, not really asking anyone in particular.
"I didn't have time to be nervous with you chewing my ear off the whole time," Marik replied. She stuck out her tongue at him. He had talked just as much as she had during their Sorting.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"I'll take that bet now too," Marik added, to an annoyed looking Alina.
The rest of the sorting went on fairly quickly from that point forward. And finally, with "Whitby, Kevin!" ("Hufflepuff!"), the Sorting ended. Professor McGonagall picked up the Hat and the stool and carried them away. Professor Flitwick had gotten to his feet. He was smiling at the students, his arms opened wide in welcome.
"Thank god," Alina said as her stomach growled loudly.
"Oh no one yells at her when she complains," Marik announced, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Shh Marik!" Luna said. Another brownie point for Luna.
"Congratulations to all of our new first years. We wish you all good luck! Before we begin the feast we will begin the Special Recognition Award Ceremony. I will be announcing last year's, first year honors," Professor Flitwick announced to the Hall.
"So do you think you will end up with anymore private lessons this year Hermione?" Harry asked her as Professor Flitwick read off the first few Master ranks.
"I sure hope so. Though I don't know if Yarnsley will give me private lessons or not. He is impossible to read," she answered.
To be honest the thought of private lessons had been a topic she had been worrying a lot about towards the latter half of the summer. She was desperately hoping that Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick would continue giving her lessons in charms and potions, after all she had learned at least ten times more in those lessons than in her normal classes.
This year she had also managed to get an 'M' mark in spell creations for the first time ever too though. Professor Yarnsley and her had discussed her time magic creations a few times over the course of the year but he had never seemed that interested in it. Though it was common for Master ranked students to get private lessons in their master courses it was never a certainty. After all, she had been ranked number one in history of magic now for three years and had never even heard so much as a whisper from Professor Binns.
"I bet Yarnsley will. He is a snub to people until they prove they're good. He did the same for me all of first year. Last year though he was awesome," Marik replied, helping her to feel a little better.
"All I want is more dueling lessons with Flitwick. He better not stop giving them to me just because of one stupid freaking loss," Alina added, the usual venom in her voice that had become a constant whenever the summer tournament was brought up. Hermione could relate to that feeling.
"Speaking of the tournament, has he written you recently?" she asked Alina, trying to be discreet.
"Who is he?" Marik asked her, looking curious.
"Yes Hermione! My Dad has written me recently," Alina said, almost shouting as Flitwick wrapped up the last few first year honors. Alina was looking frantically around the table, looking pale as if she had seen a ghost.
"Why is your dad writing you? You live with the guy?" Harry asked Alina, and Alina again was looking nervous.
"Alina, Luna you guys are about to be up," she said, changing the conversation before Alina freaked out anymore.
Over the summer, only a few days after the summer tournament, Alina had received an owl all the way from Germany. The letter had been from the boy named Dedrick, who had been the one to beat Alina in the tournament. Apparently, the two of them had talked a little before the tournament and Alina thought enough about the guy to reply to his owl. From the few words she was able to pry from Alina she had learned that they had exchanged quite a few owls over the summer.
What that meant and what Alina really thought about Dedrick, Hermione still had no idea. Regardless, after the emotional roller coaster Alina had been on last year, Hermione was just happy to see her friend looking happy. That was the same reason she was being supportive and doing her best to get to know Luna better for Marik.
From Marik's letters over the summer it seemed like he and Luna had spent more days together than not. They seemed to have grown really close since they started dating last year and the two of them on the Express ride appeared to be like two peas in a pod. Marik looked happy and Luna looked even happier to be with one another. As bad as a year as Mari had had last year as well it made her happy to see Marik smiling and making jokes again. Luna wasn't hard to like either. Even Alina had come around with the girl, a little that is.
"I will be announcing last year's second year honors," Professor Snape announced into the Hall, breaking off their conversation. Professor Snape did look happy to have to be giving out any honors.
"Will Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, and Alina Black please come up to the front of the Hall," Snape announced.
"Congratulations again!" she whispered as Alina and Luna stood up next to her.
"Good Luck!" Marik said, with a kiss to Luna as she headed towards the front of the Hall.
"Do you want a kiss cuz?" Harry joked to Alina.
"Shut up Harry! I don't, but I bet Hermione would like one." Alina gave her a wink as she bolted to the front of the hall behind Luna. Hermione did not let her eyes wander to Harry's and instead forced herself to look at Snape. She could already feel a blush in her cheeks and wanted to avoid any further blushing.
"First we would like to honor Ginny Weasley, for ranking third in her year, and achieving Master rankings in history of magic and charms." Snape looked like he wanted to keep going and just get this all over with as soon as possible, but was interrupted by the loud applause of the Gryffindor table.
"Next we would like to honor Luna Lovegood, for ranking second in her year, and achieving Master rankings in potions, herbology, and astronomy." This time they all rose to their feet as the Ravenclaw table stood up to cheer Luna.
"Lastly, we would like to honor Alina Black, for ranking number one in her year, and achieving master rankings in transfiguration, dark arts, and spell creation. Congratulations to you all." They all again stood up to cheer for Alina along with the Hufflepuff table. Snape had already made his way back to the teacher's table and found his seat by the time the applause died down.
"Guys what the fuck?" Alina asked, looking worried and a little upset.
"What?" Harry asked, apparently just as confused as Hermione was.
"He didn't announce a single private lessons to any of us. Not me, Luna, or Ginny," Alina pointed out. Hermione had not noticed, but Alina was right.
"Snape was just trying to speed through things. They are probably going to tell you after don't worry," Marik said.
"I don't think so," Luna quickly said. "None of the first years were told about private lessons either."
"Do you think they're no longer giving private lessons?" she asked, obvious panic in her voice. She hoped to Merlin that this was not the case.
"I don't know. We don't have time to worry about it now though. We're up," Harry answered her. Professor Sprout had made her way down to the center of the Hall to announce their year's honors. Hermione perked up a little, this was one of her favorite parts of the year.
"Congratulations to everyone that has received honors so far! I hope that your names will continue to be called in further years! Now, I will be announcing last year's third year honors. I would like for Neville Longbottom, Marik Ose, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger to please come up to the front of the Hall," Professor Sprout announced.
"Congratulations you guys!" Alina gave them all hugs as they stood up and turned to the front of the Hall. She followed closely behind Harry as their group approached where Professor Sprout and now Neville were standing.
"First I would like to honor Neville Longbottom on achieving the Master rank in herbology! Please give him a round of applause." The Hall followed the professor's orders and applauded for the pale looking Gryffindor boy.
Hermione started to get a little nervous following the applause. Neville was not the best student at Hogwarts but since first year there had been no doubts among the school that Neville was one of the best herbology students ever. He had received private lessons in herbology since the end of his first year. This year, however, yet again no announcements of private lessons were made.
Were they really all not getting private lessons this year? She began to internally panic.
"Next I would like to honor Marik Ose, for achieving the third overall rank for his year, and for earning Master ranks in dark arts and ancient runes. Please give him a round of applause." Hermione laughed a little at Marik's reaction. When normally one should be proud of such high praises Marik looked more annoyed than anything. He had still not let up any for her beating him two years in a row and for losing his Master rank in charms and spell creation. She still didn't feel bad about it though.
"Next I would like to honor Harry Potter, for achieving the second overall rank for his year, and for earning Master ranks in transfiguration, care of magical creatures, and astronomy. Please give him a round of applause!" The Gryffindor section of the Hall rose to their feet to applaud Harry. She gave him a warm bear hug following the announcement, hoping it would express how truly proud of him she was.
"Lastly I would like to honor Hermione Granger. Hermione was the number one ranked student in her year, and earned Master ranks in history of magic, charms, and spell creation. Please give Hermione a well deserved round of applause!" If anyone in the Hall had cheered for her she was unaware. As soon as Professor Sprout finished her announcement Harry had Hermione engulfed in a hug so tight it took her off her feet. Loud whistles echoed across the Hall and she had to do her best to hide the redness in her cheeks as Harry broke off the hug.
Professor Sprout seemed to be done with their year's honors and had begun to make her way back to her seat behind the teacher's table. Hermione, again feeling nervous and upset, made her way back to the Ravenclaw tables. No private lessons had been announced for their year either! What the hell was going on!
As Hermione sat down she looked up the front of the Hall, anxious to see if anyone in the years above them received private lessons. Maybe they were just doing it different this year. However, no one in any of the years above them got the announcement either. It certainly seemed like no one at Hogwarts this year would be receiving private lessons, which to say the least, fucking sucked!
In all of her frustration she had missed Dumbledore walking to the podium.
"I only have two words to say to you," he told them, his deep voice echoing around the hall. "Tuck in," and they all did as the empty dishes filled magically before their eyes.
"So what the actual fuck!" she huffed, breaking the silence and putting no attempt to hide her annoyance. A new first year Ravenclaw a few chairs down from them looked at her scared.
"Marik stop stealing my damn butter!" Alina shouted across the table, apparently ignoring Hermione's conversation.
"We still don't know that they are all canceled this year Hermione, just relax for now." Harry tried to calm her down.
"Yeah, I guess you are right," she said, not really wanting to believe her own words.
"You know what. I bet this has something to do with why Kingsley picked up the intensity of my training the last two weeks of summer," Marik said, stuffing a roll into his mouth in the process.
"Marik you told me every single day of the summer that Kingsley was picking up the intensity of your training," Luna argued.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, but get this. So Kingsley gets an owl from Hogwarts one day right, then he floos off to the castle for the whole day and comes back late at night. I was supposed to be off the next two days and had already made plans to go to Diagon Alley with Luna. He says the next morning though that we have to pick up the pace with our training and makes me cancels all our plans. He even booked two practice sessions with an old dueling partner the next week," Marik explained.
"So sorry you missed your date with Luna. No offense Luna," Alina said sarcastically. Hermione wasn't really sure Alina meant no offense, From Luna's expression she didn't seem to care whether Alina had meant her words or not.
"Why are you just now telling us this? Did he say anything else?" she asked him, hopeful that maybe there was some answer to why no one was getting private lessons.
"Nah, he just kept telling me it was because I sucked and needed more work," Marik answered her.
"Can't really argue with that," Harry added.
"Sounds like a good point to me," Alina added.
"Haha! But I bet it means something is up this year. I know I don't have any dueling tournament stuff anytime soon so it can't be anything with that. Only leaves something here at Hogwarts," Marik said, adding another roll to his plate.
"Have you heard anything Luna?" Harry asked Luna, who had opened a book and started to read.
"I haven't no. It may have something to do with this though," Luna answered.
"With what?" she asked, not understanding what her fellow Ravenclaw meant.
"Look," Luna said again, this time pointing at the front of the Hall. Dumbledore had risen from his chair and made his way back up to the podium.
"So!" said Dumbledore, smiling around at everyone in the Hall. The Hall quieted down, everyone confused on if they were supposed to stop eating or not. "Please continue eating, I only ask that you give me your ears as you do so. This year I have a few extra announcements to make, so to keep you all from being out past curfew I will make them now.
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office; or if anyone has any further questions you can ask our very own Weasley Twins." Dumbledore finished his first notice and smiled as he looked directly at the twins, who were both on the floor laughing at the announcement. She was willing to bet almost all of the forbidden items were related to them in some way or form.
"As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year." A bunch of gasps could be heard throughout the Hall following Dumbledore's announcement. She couldn't care less about the Quidditch Cup though and even felt a yawn overcome her at the mention of the sport. Dumbledore ignored the groans and debate and continued on.
"Some of you may also have noted that no private lessons will be given this year either." Hermione's heart sank down to her chest as Dumbledore confirmed her fears. This was the worst day ever!
"This is all due to a great event that will be starting in just a few weeks, and continuing throughout the entire school year, taking up much of the professors' time and energy-but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. This year, Durmstrang Institute, will have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for quite some time. It is my pleasure to inform you that the Triwizards' Tournament will be taking place at Durmstrang Institute this year, and Hogwarts will be participating."
"You're JOKING!" one of the Weasley twins shouted loudly. Nearly everyone in the hall laughed, and Dumbledore chuckled appreciatively. Hermione didn't laugh. She had never heard of a Triwizards' Tournament before. And if it was anything as boring as Quidditch was she was even more pissed that it was the reason her private lessons were cancelled this year.
"I am not joking, Mr. Weasley," he said. "Though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar. . ."
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.
"Er - but maybe this is not the time. . . Where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizards Tournament. Well, some of of you will not know what this tournament involves so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander back to their food.
"The Triwizards Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons Academy, and Durmstrang Institute. Three Champions were selected to represent each school, and the nine champions competed in three magical tasks throughout the school year.
"The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities. Due to political differences and the emergence of new Headmaster's at the schools the tournament was postponed for quite some time. However, the European departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have decided the time is ripe for another attempt.
"The Triwizards' Tournament has earned the reputation of being one of the most difficult, demanding, and rewarding challenges a student can face in their school years. There are very few honors in the magical world that are higher and more glorifying than being declared a Triwizard Champion. So as you can imagine, becoming a Triwizard Champion is no easy matter.
"In the tournament 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 will all be tested throughout the tasks.
"As I have said before, three champions from each school will compete in the tournament. They will be marked on how they perform each of the tournament's tasks and the school with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizards' Cup. The three champions from each school are to be chosen by an impartial judge: the Goblet of Fire."
Dumbledore now took out his wand and tapped three times into the air. Out of nowhere a large platform formed at the front of the Great Hall. On top of the platform a large, roughly hewn wooden cup formed from the air. It would have been entirely unremarkable had it not been full to the brim with dancing blue-white flames.
"Well that was a little anti-climatic. When he said Goblet of Fire I imagined like an Olympic torch or something, not literally a goblet with fire in it," Harry whispered as the flames in the Goblet grew. Hermione's eyes were stuck on the Headmaster, her curiosity growing by the second. She desperately wanted to run to the library to look for books on the tournament and find out what sort of tasks would take place in the tournament, and why it was such a big event.
"Being chosen as a champion for your school is not to be taken lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the very end as your name being chosen by the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract.
"However, those chosen by the goblet should feel a sense of pride, honor, and accomplishment. The Goblet of Fire takes all aspects of a person and their magic when making its decisions. Only those who posses the greatest knowledge, cunningness, bravery, and abilities needed to win the tournament will be chosen.
"The three champions chosen by the goblet to represent Hogwarts will not only be chosen because they have been deemed as the best individually to win the tournament, but also because they have been deemed to be the best group as a whole. Thus, meaning only the three witches or wizards at Hogwarts who as a group have the best possible pairings of magic, knowledge, strengths, and weaknesses will be chosen to partake.
"Since Durmstrang Institute will be the school hosting this tournament and all events during the tournament will be held at the school, there will be changes for many of you this school year.
"The three champions chosen, along with the top six ranked students of each year will be conducting all of your classes at Durmstrang instead of at Hogwarts during this year. Whilst you are there you will continue with your normal school schedules and will be integrated into the appropriate classes at Durmstrang. I should not have to state that your best behavior is expected while you are guests there," Dumbledore announced, and this time everyone at her table was looking at each other.
Everyone of them at their spot on the Ravenclaw table was in the top six for their years, including Luna. That meant that all of them would be attending Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts this year for classes. She was finding it difficult to comprehend what the Headmaster was saying and most of it seemed to be happening so fast. One second she was talking about her friends about how excited they were for classes this year, the next second their Headmaster is telling them they will be taking classes in not only another school, but a whole nother country!
While she had certainly read a lot about other wizarding schools in Europe the majority of her focus had always been on Hogwarts, which she had always read was the best wizarding school in all of Europe. Still taken aback by the huge announcement her eyes immediately turned to Alinas', wondering if the boy Alina was talking to from Durmstrang had warned her about this.
"More information about everything will be given to those of you who will be making the journey to Durmstrang for the year tomorrow morning. Now, without wasting anymore time I would like to announce the start of the Triwizards' Tournament!" The teachers all stood up to give a round of applause at the Headmaster's announcement, but none of the students budged. All of them were still in a state of shock from this bombardment of news.
Tomorrow morning? They would be freaking leaving tomorrow morning! That was too soon!
"Hogwart's three champions will now be chosen by the Goblet of Fire!"All eyes, including hers, locked onto the Goblet. Everything the Headmaster was announcing was all happening so fast, it was impossible for her to fully grasp anything.
They were already announcing the names?
The food on her plate would be getting left untouched tonight. This was all happening so fast and was so much to take in that it had spoiled her appetite.
The large goblet began spewing huge bouts of blue and white fire following the end of the Headmaster's speech. The entire Hall went silent in anticipation as everyone awaited whatever was going to happen next. After a few minutes the flames grew even larger, and brighter than they had been before.
As the peaks of the flame had extended to grow three times from their original size three beams of light were shot forth into the air, illuminating the Hall in a brilliant white-blue light. At the end of the beams Hermione could make out three pieces of parchment falling into the Headmaster's hands. Dumbledore held the piece of parchments at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned to black and red. Dumbledore cleared his throat and red the names out. Everyone in the Hall waited with baited breath.
"The three champions representing Hogwarts in this year's Triwizards' Tournament will be. . ." You could hear every heartbeat in the Hall echoing off the walls as everyone there waited, stunned and anxious. Hermione swallowed loudly in anticipation.
"Harry Potter!"
"W-What?" Harry spluttered.
"Marik Ose!" Dumbledore continued reading the names off the parchments in his hand.
"Seriously?" Marik dropped his fork to his plate with a look of disbelief.
"And Hermione Granger!" Dumbledore finished announcing names and Alina, Luna, and all of the students around them began cheering loudly as they all rose to their feet.
What? What the Hell? Was the only thought that came to her mind as she was pulled up to her feet and guided to the front of the Hall by a stream of students and professors. In one day this school year had already plunged into chaos.
What the actual fuck!
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