October 30, 1994
Draco Malfoy stood outside with the rest of the Hogwart's students as they awaited the arrival of the two other schools competing in the Triwizard Tournament. They knew to expect Durmstrang but originally Beauxbaton was also due to compete. Unfortunately due to a breakdown in relations between the British and French Ministries of Magic, Beauxbaton would no longer be competing. The professors and the Ministry refused to say who they had step in. There were bets that they hadn't actually found another school to compete and were trying to save face.
Draco could care less about the drama surrounding the tournament, he was busy fretting over the fact he hadn't heard from his brother in almost two weeks. His parents had all said there was nothing to worry about but that just made Draco worry more. Blaise and Pansy could not stop teasing him about how attached he was to his brother, they had been calling him a mother dragon all day. Both had earned a punch in the arm.
"Look at the lake!" one of the students yelled, causing everyone to turn and see a ship slowly rising out of the lake's depths. Draco shivered at the thought of being exposed to the lake's cold October water.
As the Durmstrang students began to disembark and make their way up to the castle, the Hogwart's students were searching eagerly for the approach of another school. As the minutes passed it seemed more and more likely that there would be no third school when suddenly in the middle of the Hogwart's lawn a golden portal appeared causing everyone to gasp. No one used portals anymore. They were too temperamental and dangerous to travel through.
Draco's eyes narrowed as he saw the uniforms of the wizards and witches stepping out of the portal. He only knew of one school where the uniform was battle robes spun with the finest gold and acromantula silk. The brat was going to pay.
The rest of Hogwarts and even the Durmstrang delegation seemed stunned to watch the ethereal approach of the International Wizarding Academy of Gibraltar. Their battle robes glittered under the Scottish sunlight making them look from another world.
Headmasters Karkaroff and Dumbledore stood also looking slightly stunned, but Dumbledore shook it off and told Igor to take his students inside as well as directing Minerva to start directing the Hogwarts students inside.
"Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, you do not seem pleased to see us." A tall man with caramel skin and black hair said with a lilting accent as he approached the old man. His students behind him in even lines, silent and standing straight. Up close the Gibraltar students looked intimidating.
"Not at all Headmaster Thiago Galilei, just surprised. I did not expect your school to be the one to replace the Beaxbatons." Dumbledore said trying to regain his composure.
"Then I suggest you lead the way Headmaster Dumbledore, my students are tired and require food." Headmaster Galilei suggested in a bored tone of voice. So far not at all impressed with the British school or Headmaster.
"Of course, if you would follow me into the great hall? The Durmstrang delegation has opted to put on a performance to enter the hall with, do your students wish to do the same?" Dumbledore spoke with gritted teeth, leading them into the castle.
"Seems a bit pretentious," Galilei commented before eyeing his students. "I think we will wait to show off until the actual tournament has begun. Unless you wish to duel one of my students?"
"Me? Duel one of your students? I think not." Dumbledore said shocked.
"Pity," Galilei said before directing his students to line up behind the Durmstrang delegation to await their turn to go into the great hall.
Dumbledore quickly made his way into the great hall and up to the staff table, regaining his composure before standing in front of his students.
"Before the feast can begin, let us welcome the Durmstrang Institute for Magical Learning with their Headmaster Igor Karkaroff," Dumbledore called out across the hall as the Durmstrang wizards entered the hall in their fur-lined uniforms using magical staffs to perform with. Albus just knew that Filch would be complaining about the stains the staffs would leave on the stone floors, every bang on the stone with the staff just setting off sparks and leaving behind magical soot.
The Hogwarts students seemed suitably impressed with the conjured fire dragon that roared over the hall before disappearing into sparks and smoke. Dumbledore wondered if they would be disappointed at the lack of performance from Galilei's students.
Once the Durmstrang delegation was sitting amongst the Slytherins, and what a fitting spot for the lot of them, Dumbledore once again stood in front of the students.
"Finally let us welcome the International Wizarding Academy of Gibraltar with their Headmaster Thiago Galilei." Dumbledore's voice echoed across the hall and the doors opened and the Gibraltar delegation walked in, looking no less impressive than they had on the front lawn, but also not performing. Headmaster Galilei scanned the hall and saw no obvious spot for them, but did see the Durmstrang delegation all at one table.
"As Headmaster Dumbledore has failed to provide obvious seating for the visiting schools as was expected, I suggest you all disperse wherever you want to sit." Headmaster Thiago's voice dripped with disdain as he spoke loud enough for the whole hall to hear. His students quickly spread out and sat at all four house tables. As he sat at the head table next to Karkaroff and a woman who smelled strongly of sherry, he saw one of his students tackle a blonde-haired Hogwarts student. The Hogwarts staff looked confused but Galilei just rolled his eyes knowing Hadrian had missed his brother Draco terribly much.
Draco felt all the breath leave his body when Hadrian tackled him but still hugged him close. He would be cold and aloof to everyone except his precious brother.
"You brat, why didn't you tell me you were coming here, Rian?" Draco scolded teasingly.
"Wanted to surprise you, Dray. I also finally get to see Hogwarts!" Hadrian spoke excitedly into Draco's chest.
"Well come sit down so we can all eat." Draco led his brother over to sit among his friends. While most everyone in Slytherin had heard of Draco's brother, few had seen him. Some shocked gasps came from nosey students when they saw Hadrian's lack of eyes, but both Draco and Hadrian had practice paying the reactions no mind at this point.
"Everyone, this is my dearest brother, Hadrian Prince-Malfoy," Draco announced as they sat down and began to fill their plates with food. There was a quiet murmur of hellos in between bites of food.
"Why do you not attend Hogwarts?" A sixth-year Slytherin asked Hadrian confused.
"Headmaster Dumbledore banned me citing that Hogwarts had nothing in place to support a disabled student like myself. By the time that was overturned, I was already in my second year at Gibraltar and I didn't want to downgrade my education." Hadrian stated matter of factly.
"Downgrade?" Some students mutter offended.
"Yeah, Hogwart's curriculum is so limited and stunted. I'm two years ahead of Draco's classes and I have more classes than your whole school has to offer." Hadrian pointed out, which made Draco grimace. If he hadn't needed to attend Hogwarts to gain the Malfoy Lordship, he would have left years ago.
There was some more disbelieving muttering among the Hogwarts students. The Durmstrang students just observed with quiet amusement.
As dinner came to a close, they unveiled the goblet of fire and also announced that all participants must be over the age of 13 years old causing some murmuring through the hall but no outright protests.
Dumbledore stood to address the hall of students once more. "Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on tomorrow night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen there's no turning back. As from this moment the tri-wizard tournament has begun."
The students immediately began to debate the pros and cons of entering the tournament. Draco eyed his brother with a mischievous grin. He knew both of them would be entering their name, but he also knew that their parents would make a huge fuss if either one of them were actually chosen to compete.
Hadrian was smirking, "May the best brother win."
"Oh, you're on Rian," Draco responded pleased.
Neither one took the time to consider the possible dangers or the deaths from prior tournaments. Brotherly competition, eternal glory, and making their fathers' hair turn gray were their only goals.
May the best one win indeed.