HOGWARTS for the fourth time.
On the Hogwarts Express.
"Crap," said Helena.
"What?" asked Katie.
"I just remembered."
"What?" she repeated.
"Triwizard Tournament."
"Crap," stated Katie.
"We have to put our names in."
"Well. May the odds be ever in your favour."
Helena glared at her.
x
The Start of Term Feast
"The Triwizard Tournament," said Voldemort. "Will be taking place at Durmstrang Institute. And all students in the Fourth year and above, will be required to enter their name into the Goblet of Fire."
"Just what we needed," muttered Helena sarcastically.
"We'll be travelling to Durmstrang in a few weeks time, and until then, normal lessons will be taking place."
Voldemort sat back down and students started clapping.
"The Triwizard Tournament is the most ruthless thing ever," said Katie dryly.
"I know, right. But I have an upside for this year."
"Yeah? What's that?"
"We don't have to stay at Hogwarts during Christmas and Easter holidays."
Katie stared blankly at her for a second, then her mouth split into a wide smile.
"Excellent. We don't have to wait until the Summer holidays."
"But until then -"
"Triwizard Tournament," finished Katie.
Helena nodded grimly at the thought of it.
x
The next day, Helena got her timetable.
Monday
Herbology (9 AM - 10 AM)
Dark Arts (10 AM - 11 AM)
BREAK
Transfiguration (11:15 AM - 12:15 PM)
LUNCH
Arithmancy (13 PM - 14 PM)
Arithmancy (14 PM - 15 PM)
Tuesday
Transfiguration (9 AM - 10 AM)
Charms (10 AM - 11 AM)
BREAK
Potions (11:15 AM - 12:15 PM)
LUNCH
Ancient Runes (13 PM - 14 PM)
Herbology (14 PM - 15 PM)
Wednesday
Charms (9 AM - 10 AM)
Charms (10 AM - 11 AM)
BREAK
Ancient Runes (11:15 AM - 12:15 PM)
LUNCH
Potions (13 PM - 14 PM)
Herbology (14 PM - 15 PM)
Astronomy (22 PM - 23 PM)
Thursday
Transfiguration (9 AM - 10 AM)
Ancient Runes (10 AM - 11 AM)
BREAK
Arithmancy (11:15 AM - 12:15 PM)
LUNCH
Dark Arts (13 PM - 14 PM)
Dark Arts (14 PM - 15 PM)
Friday
Dark Arts (9 AM - 10 AM)
Transfiguration (10 AM - 11 AM)
BREAK
Charms (11:15 AM - 12:15 PM)
LUNCH
Potions (13 PM - 14 PM)
Potions (14 PM - 15 PM)
"Yay, double potions on friday," said Katie sarcastically.
"Potions isn't that bad."
"I'm sorry, did you forget who taught the subject?"
"Not at all," replied Helena coolly. "Professor Snape is actually one of the few teachers who don't punish us by torture. Why?"
Katie thought about it.
"I don't know," she concluded.
"And nor do I. That's why he interests me."
x
Off to Durmstrang
The train ride to Durmstrang was rather rockier than travelling to Hogwarts every September 1st, though they could hardly feel the impact whilst being inside the actual train. Helena lost count of how many hours it was taking to get there. Though, she did have to sleep twice and eat numerous times. Though, it was better than having to sit through Muggle Studies with Alecto Carrow.
In all the years that Katie had known her, never had she noticed that Helena slept with her wand beside her or in her hand.
"Why do you sleep with your wand so close to you?" she asked her.
"You can never be too careful."
"But, I thought you didn't need your wand."
Helena grinned.
"It's for them to think that I can't actually do magic without a wand and so they will take it away from me and underestimate me so I can attack."
Katie stared at her weirdly.
"What?" said Helena. "I'm surprised no one's dead."
"Dead from what?" Katie asked.
"The war."
"There's a war?"
Helena rolled her eyes as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"The Dark Lord covers up anything that even rebels against him. Naturally, all have been killed. Including those who are high in power, who have been put down as resigned or dead to completely different circumstances. It's no surprise that you don't really know about it."
"Then how do you know about it?"
"I have my ways," said Helena coolly.
"Yeah, what's that? Dark magic?" said Katie jokingly.
"Perhaps."
"Don't take me seriously."
"But it could be true."
"And it wouldn't matter," said Katie finally.
Helena gazed lovingly at her then kissed her on the cheek. She truly meant the world to her.
x
They arrived at Durmstrang and the first thing that Helena noticed was how small it was compared to Hogwarts. Though, the size of their grounds made up for the lack of floors of the school. The grounds were vast and wide and covered every aspect of the lakes and mountains. Much of the mountains were already covered in frost, coating the green that they may have once been. Durmstrang has four floors of classrooms, study halls and sleeping quarters. The ground floor had a large hall, with fireplaces dotted around the bask Hall. In fact, it was so large that it made Helena feel small just standing in its presence. There were lit with an illuminated glow and they warmed up the cold, damp spaces of the corners of the room. At the end of the room, was a great, wooden casket that was encrusted will all kinds of jewels. It looked at least a dozen centuries old. Helena wondered what on Earth could possibly be inside, but she would find out in a few minutes, at least.
There were tables for all of the students to sit down at, many of them conversing with the Durmstrang students. It took Helena about a few moments to realise that Beauxbatons students were there as well. She then realised what would be in the casket, even though she had never seen the Goblet of Fire before now.
The Durmstrang Headmaster stood just beside the casket, signalling for silence. But there was no need for him to do so, as the Durmstrang students quietened down as soon as he got up from his seat. It took a mere second for everyone else to be silent. He obviously had a way with creating effect.
"Welcome, each and everyone of you," he said, his voice piercing the silence; each word stabbing the air. His voice had a calm tone to it, as well as being commanded. "It is an honour to glance down on you all here, inside this magnificent, historic castle. My name is Headmaster Soren, and I am the current Headmaster of Durmstrang Institute. I have been here for a number of years, and in that time we have played host to the Triwizard Tournament several times. It's always been enjoyable to see everyone participating in these courageous tasks."
Courageous my ass, Helena thought bitterly, but somehow couldn't bring herself to even whisper it to Katie.
"The Goblet of Fire will be accepting names from this night to next week, where three Champions shall be drawn from the cup. Everyone in or above the fourth year, are required to enter their names into the Goblet. If you do not do so, then the consequences may be fatal indeed." Headmaster Soren had finished, and he tapped the casket thrice with his wand. The casket opened, revealing a large cup, made of heavily hewn wood, which had blue and white flames flickering inside the top.
"From this moment on, the Triwizard Tournament has officially started!" he declared.