Thiago Galilei was enjoying annoying Albus Dumbledore and snubbing Igor Karkaroff. Both Headmasters were playing the subtle game of whose school was better than the others, but it was no competition. Galilei's students were years ahead of both Hogwarts and Durmstrang, taught in light, grey, and dark magicks, and didn't rely on wands or staffs as a crutch to cast magic. Thiago knew his school was the best and he knew that since so few knew about Gibraltar's school of wizardry that there would be a lot of pushback.
Such as the current argument in the staff room. The Goblet had been lit an hour ago and as Thiago's students started entering there were protests that those who were entering were too young and the wards around the cup were faulty. Thiago had to stand and explain that all students that had entered thus far did indeed have their OWLs already because Gibraltar took their OWLs two years before the other schools did.
Now the Ministers and Headmasters were shouting at each other. Thiago sat in one of the chairs and just observed them, they seem to be arguing just fine without his input even if it was about his school. Although one comment from Dumbledore certainly drew his attention immediately.
"One of Galilei's students that entered was blind! Certainly, we need to put better wards up. Bringing back this tournament was meant to create better international relations with the thought that no students would be killed this time." Dumbledore spoke in his grandfather-like concerned tone.
"You already have one restraining order from young mister Malfoy-Prince, I suggest you don't invite another, you are already having such problems with the Aurors as it is. Just because you have a prejudice against students with disabilities, does not mean you need to lump the rest of us in with your ideals." Thiago quickly inserted, everyone else going quiet to watch Dumbledore as his face strained against keeping a calm mask.
"I am merely concerned for your student's welfare. Not only is he underage but he cannot see! A tournament such as this would spell his death." Dumbledore argued.
"Maybe you should be more concerned with your own students Dumbledore. Mister Malfoy-Prince is more than qualified to participate in this tournament. He is one of my best students and really I should thank you for banning him from your school due to his lack of eyesight. If you hadn't he wouldn't have come to Gibraltar and he would have been stuck with your mediocre schooling. And as such a bright and well-rounded student it would have been a shame to see him held back in such a way. He already worries for his poor brother that is stuck here in this school." Thiago spoke with such concern but everyone could see the cold glint in his eyes that told Dumbledore that if he didn't back off from his student, they would duel.
"All of your arguing is pointless anyway." a gruff-looking goblin said as he entered the staff room. "Once the goblet is lit, the names entered will stay entered until the selection ceremony and those chosen will have to compete. So I suggest you all suck it up and follow the rules you have laid down before the goblet forces you to comply."
"Ah this is Master Goblin Thoronx, he is the keeper of the goblet and knows everything there is to know about its ancient magicks." Slimy Ludo Bagman stated in his annoyingly pitched voice.
"I think we should all go our separate ways for the night and we will pick up a more civilized discussion in the morning," Thiago spoke as he stood up. Bowing to the Master Goblin, he took his leave from the staff room before they could begin arguing again. He would need to send a letter to Hadrian's parents to warn them about Dumbledore's interest in the boy. That was a parent-teacher conference that he would rather avoid if at all possible. Lucius and Severus were understandably protective of Hadrian, but the two men had made more than one of his staff come out of a meeting in tears for daring to say anything against their son.
Merlin help those who try to go against the Malfoy-Princes.
—-SC—-
The students sat impatiently watching the Goblet of Fire as the flames began to churn and change.
Hadrian and Draco sat close together, holding each other's hands and crossing their fingers with the other.
The flames changed color and into the air shot a piece of parchment that Dumbledore quickly grabbed.
"The First Champion, representing Durmstrang Institute for Magical Learning is . . . Victor Krum!" Dumbledore announced loudly before the cheering and shouts from the Durmstrang students drowned him out. Once Victor Krum had left the great hall and into the room where the champions would meet, the goblet started up again.
"The Second Champion, representing Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry is . . . Cedric Diggory!" The Hufflepuffs lost their minds and their composure as they yelled and shouted for their champion. The Slytherins clapped along with everyone else thinking 'at least it wasn't a Gryffindor'. As soon as Cedric Diggory was out of the hall the Goblet activated again. Hadrian and Draco clenched each other's hands tighter.
"The Third and Final Champion, representing the International Wizarding Academy of Gibraltar is . . . Hadrian Malfoy-Snape" Even as the students from Gibraltar cheered for their champion, and Draco screamed with joy for his brother, the other's noticed how Dumbledore's tone had changed when announcing Hadrian's name. Hadrian could care less what Dumbledore thought about him, Tom always said that Dumbledore wasn't worth his time anyway. So he made his way to the room where the champions would meet and would be assigned their first task.
Hadrian just had to wonder how long he could put off letting his parents know that he had been chosen. Probably not long, he heard the click of photos being taken and the annoying voice of one Rita Skeeter trying to question the Headmasters and Students that had been chosen.
Well, hopefully, Tom or Mum Cissa would provide a calming tone to his Dads…maybe.
—-SC—-
Hadrian and Draco had prepared themselves for a lot of responses from their parents, but they had not been prepared for a Howler. Neither one of them had ever received a howler from their parents before. The smoking red letter was dropped in front of the boys and before either could think to run away it was opening itself and Narcissa Griffith nee Malfoy's voice rang out across the great hall.
Hadrian Kieran Malfoy-Prince, Draco Lucius Malfoy what were you two thinking?!
I had to hear from your fathers about this dangerous tournament and that you entered?! You will turn my hair gray and give your fathers a heart attack if you aren't careful in this tournament. We are already so proud of both of you and all of your accomplishments so do not feel the need to push yourself further than necessary for the sake of 'eternal glory'. Do you understand boys?
We are all worried for you Hadrian, but we know that you are a perfectly capable wizard. Please, please be careful. Nick has already had to give everyone several calming drafts. We will be there for every task, all of us, to watch you compete. Make sure you also keep up with your studies Draco while you assist your brother on his rather Gryffindor-like adventure.
I love you boys so very much, please be careful.
-Your Mum
Both boys sitting at the Slytherin table were red in the face in embarrassment. They really hadn't expected Narcissa to be the one to send them a howler, although she hadn't really chewed them out that much. Deep inside Hadrian, he felt warmth from the amount of worry that Narcissa expressed over them. Even after all of these years away from the Dursleys, hearing so many people care about him and his well-being felt like a dream. The Dursleys would have loved any excuse for him to get hurt or injured, but they would also have howled at the thought of Hadrian receiving any kind of special attention or glory from such an event as well.
His Dad, Lucius, Narcissa, Nick, Draco, and even Tom they were his family and they cared so much for him. Their love and worry felt kind of overwhelming sometimes but filled Hadrian with so much happiness. He knew these people would burn the world down to protect him. But hearing they would come to cheer him on in the tournaments tasks felt just as good.
Hopefully, they would stay away from Dumbledore so there wouldn't be any public disagreements during the course of the tournament. Hadrian would rather focus on the upcoming tasks at hand than if his Dad would try to punch Dumbledore, again. Although he knew Draco would cheer his Dad on if he did.
For now, he needed to focus on the upcoming obstacle course that would be happening on the quidditch pitch next month that would test the champions of their magic and skills in the air.