Ares was surprised that even after half a day, he hadn't been called to the Headmaster's office. Hedge was away playing with Fawkes and he was moving towards the Quidditch pitch for tryouts.

Every Slytherin was still giving him a wide berth after he put Flint in his place. He shook his head uncaring of their fear and continued on his path. After all, he had witnessed quite the same thing in his world.

He stopped as he again came face to face with the blonde beauty, Daphne Greengrass, with a Nimbus 2000 in her hand. She was really attractive, though unfortunately, her sexual inclination wasn't towards men. She struggled a bit as if she wanted to say something.

Ares sighed and presented her with a charming smile "Hello, Miss Greengrass. Do you perhaps want to address something to me?"

Daphne perked up and nodded "If you don't mind, can we go to private? I don't think you would appreciate the topic being discussed in public."

Ares was now on guard but he nodded anyway. Daphne asked him to follow her and they reached an abandoned room on the 3rd floor. Interestingly, it was the same room in which Fluffy was kept for guarding the stone. She took out her wand which again put him on guard, but he waited. There was no way she would win if she tried something.

To his relief, after adding silencing charms and some other privacy wards, she put her wand back. She then stood in front of Ares and bowed "Heir Flamel, I know that you were the mysterious person who saved my sister and my cousins. For that, I am in your debt. Know that, I have no intention of speaking of your presence on that day to anyone. But if you ever need anything, I will try everything in my power to repay you."

Ares was gobsmacked but he controlled it "Very well heiress Greengrass. I acknowledge your debt. But you don't need to repay it as I did what was the right thing to do." He cut off Daphne's protest by adding "But if I ever need anything, I will be sure to mention it."

Daphne was satisfied so she nodded in acceptance. Ares asked her about how she found out who he was which she replied "Last night, when you manipulated your aura in the shape of a snake hood, your eyes were glowing exactly like they were doing that night. Additionally, the Greengrass family magic gives us a keener sense of magic similar to Lovegoods and Olivanders. While Lovegoods are better at sensing magic from creatures and Olivanders at comparing the magicks, the Greengrass' senses are more attuned to sense Wizard or Witch's magic.

Ares nodded in acceptance and changed the subject "I see a broom in your hand. Are you going to tryouts of the Slytherin Quidditch team?"

Daphne bit her lips and sighed sadly "I like Quidditch and I believe that I am good at it, at least better than some of the players in our team. But due to their bigot nature, the bad banned the girls from trying out for the team."

Ares raised his eyebrow at that "Well let's go and change this stupid rule."

Daphne's eyes widened but she caught up to him as they made their way towards the Quidditch pitch.

[At the pitch]

Graham Montague, the current captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team sighed as he watched the so-called team. He and Adrian Pucey are the only ones who never resorted to cheating and played the game completely within bounds. Due to nepotism and corruption, Draco Malfoy was able to buy his way into the team in 2nd year. He was but a subpar seeker with good flying skills. The beaters were Lucian Bole and Peregrine Derrick. They were alright at the game although nowhere on the level of the Weasley twins. To counter that they resorted to cheating and thus earning numerous fouls in games. They and their last year's captain Marcus Flint were the reason everyone saw the Slytherin team as cheaters. The keeper Marcus Bletchely was alright. Though the third chaser, like Draco, was on the team due to nepotism and had subpar skills. Even now they were bullying the younger members who were there for tryouts.

Everyone suddenly went silent and Montague turned around to see the reason for it. Ares Flamel, the newly transferred 4th-year student, who had demolished the power holders of Slytherin house, was walking towards the pitch with the Ice Queen, Daphne Greengrass, who had a broom in her hand, in tow.

"We are here for tryouts," Ares said as he removed a miniature broom from his pocket and enlarged it to its original side.

The present students other than himself all gasped as they saw a brand new recently launched broom, Thestral, in his hand. After some time of gawking and whispering about how he got the broom so soon, Ares cleared his throat to get the attention of the players.

"Which position will you be trying out for?" Montague asked.

"Seeker" was the reply from Ares.

Everyone looked at Draco who was red in his face. Ares had a look of amusement on his.

Draco, like others in his house, had written about the incident to his father, whining a bit about how Ares Flamel disturbed all his plans to take over the house of Slytherin in the coming years, and asking for advice to deal with Flamel. To his immense surprise, his father had written the reply quickly. When he read the letter, His father had told him to avoid confrontations with Flamel at any cost as their money wouldn't be effective against Flamels, seeing Flamels could easily hire an equal number of mercenaries to the number of people that had been part of Malfoy family until now. Draco had kept his mouth shut after that. He knew Flamel was much more dangerous and it would be downright bad for Draco to confront him.

So, he smartly kept his mouth shut. At least he was agreeing to tryouts rather than just demanding the position as Draco had done in 2nd year.

And then Ares dropped the bomb "And Daphne will be trying out for the Chaser position."

Protests started to come from almost all of the team players. Daphne had an emotionless look on her face and Ares was watching the whole scene with amusement. After a minute he intervened.

"Enough! She will be trying it out. There is no bullshit tradition about the girl policy in Slytherin. Callidora Weasley nee Black was a beater for the Slytherin team in the 1960s. It wasn't until the so-called dark Lord arrived in the politics of Britain, the bullshit was made up so that the bigots can't be shown up by girls. And the policy wasn't brought up by Dark Lord. After all Bellatrix Black was his lead enforcer, was she not? It was some so-called insecure pure-blood wizards who started the fake tradition. Well, it won't be like that anymore. Daphne Greengrass will try out for the position of Chaser and will be in the team if she proves to be good enough."

The players grumbled but followed. Ares crushed Draco in the battle of seekers catching 33 out of 40 snitches in an hour. Draco was only able to catch 5. Humiliated, he accepted the position of reserve seeker for the team.

Daphne also proved to be a good chaser, way better than Warrington. She scored 60 per cent of the goals whereas Warrington could only do a barely acceptable 20. To Montague's relief, the newly formed team was much stronger.

Chasers:-

Graham Montague (c)

Adrian Pucey (Vc)

Daphne Greengrass

Cassius Warrington (Reserve)

Seekers:-

Ares Flamel

Draco Malfoy (Reserve)

Beaters:-

Peregrine Derrick

Lucian Bole

Keeper:-

Marcus Bletchley

--

The time of confrontation with the headmaster came when the head of the house, Snape came to him asking him to accompany him to the headmaster's office.

"Mars Bars," Snape said the password as the Gargoyle gave them the way to enter the office.

"Please take a seat, Mr. Flamel. Lemon Drops?"

"No thanks, headmaster" Ares replied.

Dumbledore shrugged and popped a few in his mouth. "Tell me Ares, how is your experience in Hogwarts until now?"

"Hmm, it's alright. There are both good and bad things. For one the food was delicious and the transfiguration, Charms and Herbology classes were fine. On the other hand, I haven't seen the worst Potions or History of Magic anywhere else. Even my most incompetent tutor was much better than them." Area replied taking a shot at Snape making him bristle with anger.

Before he could retaliate Dumbledore cut in "Professor Snape is one of the best potion masters in the world."

"I am not saying he isn't. A teacher though, he is not. His face looks like he dying slowly due to being among the students. Not a good attitude for a teacher to have. Additionally, he doesn't do anything in class other than write instructions and look ugly. So no he is rather incompetent in teaching the potions." Ares stated boldly.

"You should respect your Professor Young Ares" Dumbledore chided, which Ares ignored completely.

"On That note, I have to inform you that I am no longer attending the classes of potions and History of magic." He took out a note from the Flamels. "Here, signed by my guardian. I am pretty sure I would do a much better job than either of them in teaching their subjects."

"Why you brat? Headmaster, I ask you to expel him now. He is worse than Potter used to be." Snape sneered.

"Please, professor. I will have every school in the world trying to make me attend. Whereas, the reason I will give for my expulsion won't harm me and my family. In this case, the reputation of Hogwarts will go down. On a completely different note, I will ask you to shut your mouth. I have heard something about a death eater eavesdropping and hearing a certain prophecy and running to his master about it. I wonder what Potters would think if they knew about it." Ares drawled making both Dumbledore and Snape gasp. Snape's eyes widened in panic and Dumbledore was wondering how Ares got the information.

"If that will be all, headmaster!" Area said. Dumbledore could do nothing but nod. He sent a mental command as Hedge appeared on his shoulder in a woosh of flames. Similarly, both Ares and Hedge flammed out of Dumbledore's office without even breaching the topic of the incident last night.

[A day before the revelation of champions]

"Hello, Wizards and Witches this is James Potter-"

"And Sirius Black, and we welcome you all"

"To the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin."

James and Sirius managed to say before they were forced to give the mic back to Lee Jordan by an irate McGonagall.

"As our favourite Gryffindor alumni had said, welcome to the match between Fearsome Lions and slimy Slytherin-"

"Jordan!" McGonagall chided Jordan.

"Oops Sorry but let me welcome the team in red, Angelina Jhonson, captain, chaser and a very hot-"

"Enough!" McGonagall hissed.

"Following her is Katie Bell, who is very good on the broom. She had replaced Alicia Spinnet as she had come across injury while practising."

He continued "Following her is Iris Potter, the youngest chaser in a century, also called as the best chaser to ever play in Hogwarts Quidditch cup and the unstoppable angel. She had earned the highest number of points in the house cup if combined, and even Seekers don't come close. Her average is 13 goals per match and with her in the team, the Gryffindor team has never lost a match."

The Quidditch pitch rang with the sound of cheers, James and Sirius being the loudest.

"Following her are the twin terrors, the Weasley twins, the beaters of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Accompanying them is their little sister, Ginny Weasley, the seeker for Gryffindor. She is a chaser, but Gryffindor has hit a snag in finding a seeker to fill the void left by Charlie Weasley. So his younger sister had to take up the responsibility and she had done good. She had caught 6 snitches in 20 matches in 2 years. And at the last, the keeper Cormac McLaggen."

"The Slytherin Quidditch team had gone through changes this year, though it won't be enough for the slimy Slytherin to win the game-"

"Jordan!" McGonagall warned him again.

"The chasers are Captain Graham Montague, and Adrian Pucey, the only two decent players from past year's Slytherin teams. The last chaser is Daphne Greengrass and after nearly half a century, the Slytherin team have a girl in it. The keeper, Marcus Bletchley follows them and takes his position. The beaters Lucian Bold and Perigrine Derrick have followed them and the new transfer student, Ares Flamel enters last as the Seeker. Looks like bribes weren't able to keep Draco Malfoy in the team. Oh my! What broom he is using? Is it the newly launched -Thestral? What is it with Slytherin new seekers and new brooms?"

The audience gasped at the broom including James who was a diehard fan of Quidditch and had planned to buy one of the models for himself.

The match started in a few minutes with Quaffle in the hands of Iris Potter. Her superiority is shown as she launched the quaffle and scored a goal from nearly half the field.

"And Iris Potter scores, not even a minute in the game!" Jordan exclaims.

"Go Iris! Make daddy proud." James shouted with Sirius howling in encouragement.

Ares was impressed. It seemed Iris was a bit better player than Harry was at Hogwarts. Then again, with James Potter helping her, it was to be expected.

The Quaffle was currently in the hands of Adrian Pucey, who feinted to give it to Montague but transferred it to Daphne, who avoided a bludger sent by one of the Weasley twins and sent the quaffle through the right post before McLaggen could even start to move.

"The score is 10 all for both the teams. Iris Potter and Daphne Greengrass have scored so far. And Angelina starts to move towards the post to score a goal, she transfers it into the waiting hands of Katie. Oh, what's that, Flamel flew right in front of Katie, allowing Montague to steal the Quaffle who sent it through the goalpost. Yeah, McLaggen is the worst. Wood wouldn't have even blinked to block it. The score is 20-10 in favour of Slytherin."

Well, it was at this time Iris Potter started decimating the Slytherin Quidditch team. In an hour, she had sent the quaffle through the goalposts 16 times alone. Angelina and Katie had 3 and 4 goals respectively.

While Slytherin's situation didn't seem favourable. Daphne Greengrass had scored 4 goals. Montague had 3 and Pucey had scored 2.

The point was 230-90, in favor of Gryffindor. The whole audience other than the snakes was cheering for Iris. The crowd seemed to have gone mad. James and Sirius were shouting about how Iris had decimated the snakes and would continue to do so, which earned them both a stinging hex from Lily.

"And it seems Ares Flamel have seen the snitch. If he catches it, the Slytherin will become the first team to win against Gryffindor, of course, I hope they do not. Ginny, had started trailing Flamel on her Nimbus 2001. Flamel does not use the so-called speed of the Fastest broom on the market, opting for better control, which results in Ginny Weasley coming neck to neck in the fight for Golden Snitch. Flame does a sloth roll letting Ginny pass when she tries to shoulder tackle him away from the path. Oh, Flamel has taken the lead and what is this, Ginny Weasley has crashed into the ground. A feint from such low height. Flamel turned the handle of his broom 90 degrees from the ground and shot upward."

When Ares heard the whistle from Madame Hooch, indicating a goal in the post, he knew Iris was responsible for, he smirked. It was what he was waiting for. He extended his hand and easily caught the snitch. Madame Hooch blew a loud whistle indicating the end of the match.

"Damn it! But what a game. The Slytherins tie to Gryffindor with 240-240, in a long time. It also breaks the winning record of the Gryffindors after 35 games. Ares Flame had proved he was in the Slytherin team for his skills and not for his money as some players had done-"

"Shut up Jordan!" McGonagall screeched at the boy.

Ares flew around the pitch for some time, where he spotted Mr. Sumerbee and Mr. Sheldon, the scouts for Puddlemere United. He smirked knowing that both he and Iris, were marked for recruitment. Just a few games more and the path to Quidditch Premier League would be as clean as Diamond.

He turned around to see Iris Potter was flying beside him. She was looking at him with the same green eyes he had. When he met her eyes she smiled, her cheeks reddening a bit.

"Nice game, Flamel!" Iris nodded at him.

"Yours too Potter!" Ares nodded in return.

Iris flew off and he followed her example but in an unconventional way. He called for Hedge and teleported out of there in a woosh of flames. Of course, he could have done it himself, but he didn't want anyone to know about that particular ability for now.

--

"The Durmstrang Champion is - Viktor Krum!" Dumbledore announced as the students in the hall started cheering and clapping.

A woosh of flames and Dumbledore caught the other piece of paper "The Buexbatons champion is - Fleur Delacour!"

All the students cheered, except some of the French ones, who scowled at her.

There was a final woosh and Dumbledore's face became pensive this time "The Hogwarts champion is - Iris Potter"

Again the great hall was filled with cheers and hoots. But the face of Iris Potter showed confusion. Similarly Lily's face had concern. James and Sirius also looked worried. Iris met James' eye who nodded at her. She stood up between cheers and some groans and made her way to the chambers where the champions were.

--X--

"Very good! Very good! All the champions are here." Ludo Bagman said excitedly.

"Wait before this can go further, I have to address something," Iris stated. With everyone's attention on her, including her father, mother and godfather, she continued "The thing is, I didn't put my name in the goblet of fire, but was still chosen as a champion. Unfortunately, I can't say this is some news as attempts on my life are not so uncommon."

Her family members and Dumbledore looked a bit sad for her "When the Triwizard Tournament was declared, my best friend and I, found out whatever information we could about it, so I also know the contract of the goblet is unbreakable, thus I have to compete. But since someone just tried to put my life in danger, Mr. Krum and Miss. Dealcour may be in danger due to being in proximity, as the tasks may be sometimes rigged. So, I will advise you to exercise caution. You can ask for more security from DMLE, or you may ask your ministry to provide it."

Viktor nodded "I vill write my father about it."

Fleur too nodded in agreement "My Fazer is the 'ead of DMLE, of France. I weel tell 'im about it in a letter."

Ludo then announced the date of wand wand-weighing ceremony and the champions returned to their accommodation.