Much to the regret of the entire Durmstrang Institute, the War Games for fourth through seventh graders had been canceled that year. Igor Karkaroff, the headmaster, had decided to prevent potential Triwizard Tournament competitors from getting hurt and not being able to recover in time for the Tournament.
However, the older students of Durmstrang weren't going to let this setback dampen their spirits. They saw an opportunity to help the younger students, imparting their knowledge and skills while indirectly preparing them for their eventual experience at Hogwarts. The older students were well aware of Durmstrang's reputation, and they didn't want the first and second years to experience the same prejudices that often faced Durmstrang students at Hogwarts.
As Karkaroff had often emphasized, Durmstrang was a family that protected its own. So, a plan was hatched among the older students. They decided to "assign" the younger ones in a structured manner: the fourth years would take care of the first years, the sixth years would take care of the second years, and the seventh years would take care of the third years.
The rules were simple yet effective. If a younger student found themselves in trouble or needed assistance, they were to immediately notify their designated mentor. The older student would be hidden in plain sight, keeping a watchful eye but intervening only if it became evident that the younger student was in dire need. Durmstrang placed its trust in the students' abilities to defend themselves; after all, they had been learning non-verbal spells since their first year and were accustomed to dueling among their peers.
Meanwhile, Mia, Jace, and Theo were busy with their dragon riders' training, helping them refine their riding skills and pronunciation of Valyrian words. Some of the riders had even managed to cast spells from the backs of their Ukrainian Ironbelly dragons.
Mia and Jace, while taking a break from their training duties, were poring over a map of the Hogwarts grounds. They were contemplating where to set up the camp and a grotto that could house around three hundred Ukrainian Ironbelly dragons, along with another grotto for the three Targaryen dragons.
Jace couldn't help but ask, "Can't we just leave them outdoors?" He was referring to Vhagar, Meraxes, and Balerion.
Mia was quick to respond, a protective tone in her voice. "I'd rather not risk it. Some Hogwarts students might inadvertently provoke them, and I wouldn't want Vhagar to feel threatened. I don't want her to react aggressively."
Jace chuckled, looking over at Vhagar, who was watching them with a certain level of intelligence in her eyes. "Have you seen the size of Vhagar?" Jace asked Mia, amusement in his tone. "Besides, you'd have to be very foolish to provoke the Queen of Dragons.
Mia pouted slightly, expressing her disapproval. "I've had enough with Barty wanting Vhagar to break into Azkaban next year. Let's not turn my dear Vhagar into a killing machine."
"You take the fun out of your dragon, princess." Vhagar emitted a low growl as if in agreement with Jace's sentiments. Jace grinned and turned back to Mia. "See," he said, gesturing towards the dragon, "even Vhagar agrees with me. "
Mia sighed, trying to hide a smile. "Focus on the map, will you?" she said, a touch of exasperation in her voice. "I would put the camp on one side of the Black Lake."
Jace leaned closer to examine the map. "Why there?"
"Because the ship with the first through third graders is going to dock there," Mia explained patiently. "And we can use two of the back hills to build temporary grottoes for the dragons."
Jace nodded in understanding but still had one more question. "And what do we do with the Arena?" he asked. "We need some dueling spot"
Mia considered the question for a moment. "We'll address that once we arrive at Hogwarts. For now, let's focus on getting everything else prepared."
"Where's Teddy?" Jace inquired as he and Mia approached Meraxes and Vhagar.
"He's training with Balerion," Mia replied, her eyes on the dragons.
"What's he up to now?" Jace asked as he began to climb onto Meraxes.
Mia couldn't help but roll her eyes. "According to what Teddy told me the other day, he's trying to get Balerion to catch him mid-flight so he can mount him in a 'cool' way."
Jace looked surprised. "And he hasn't let you help him with that?"
"No," Mia said with a hint of exasperation, "the idiot is leaping from the highest tower in Durmstrang, waiting for Balerion to somehow understand him and catch him in mid-air."
A mischievous grin spread across Jace's face. "I definitely want to see that."
Mia sighed, clearly resigned. "Well, we can go watch, but be prepared to see him crash to the ground yet again."
"Deal," Jace replied. Together, they mounted Meraxes and Vhagar, and with a synchronized shout of "SŌVĒS," they urged the dragons to take flight.
Theo was perched on the tallest tower in Durmstrang, donned in his dragon rider attire. From the chest up, he wore a harness with two hooks and two ropes, ensuring that he wouldn't plummet to the ground below, a fate Mia and Jace had teasingly predicted every time he attempted this stunt.
Theo could have easily sought Mia's assistance. She had taken a more gradual approach to bonding with her dragon, unlike him, who had boldly leaped from the highest tower right from the start. According to Mia, Theo needed to establish a deeper connection with Balerion, understanding each other almost without words.
Suddenly, from above, Theo heard Jace shout, "DRACARYS!" He felt the warmth of dragon flames lightly singeing his posterior.
An indignant Theo yelled back, "Can you please tell me what the fuck is wrong with you?"
Jace was barely able to speak through his laughter. "I'm just enjoying the show, dear."
"I was about to jump, you asshole!" Theo retorted.
Mia chimed in with amusement, "Go on, Teddy, I want to see that again."
Undeterred, Theo shouted back, "Laugh all you want, Star, but I'm going to get this."
Jace couldn't resist teasing further. "Cheer up, Teddy! Where should we bury you?"
In response, Theo gave Jace an emphatic middle finger gesture. He adjusted his glasses, took a short run-up, and then leaped into the void, shouting, "SŌVĒS! Balerion, MĀZĪS!" However, his attempt didn't quite go as planned, and Theo found himself dangling from the harness with his arms crossed and a pout on his face.
Mia and Jace, thoroughly entertained, burst into laughter as they watched Theo hanging from the tower. After a moment, Mia composed herself and addressed Balerion, speaking in a more solemn tone, "Balerion, sōvegon se iderēbagon bē aōha kipagīros." (Balerion, fly and pick up your rider).
In response to Mia's command, Balerion gracefully took flight and carefully severed the rope that had bound Theo to the harness. Then, with remarkable gentleness, he lifted Theo into his mouth, the young wizard grumbling all the while.
In no time, they arrived at the Grotto, where Balerion gently placed Theo on the ground. Mia and Jace dismounted from Vhagar and Meraxes, both still chuckling at the spectacle they had just witnessed.
"Laugh all you want, but I'm going to get it," Theo declared defiantly to Jace and Mia, his arms crossed in mock indignation.
Before he could protest further, Mia playfully sprang onto Theo's back. He instinctively grabbed her knees to keep her from falling, and Mia wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a warm hug. Laughter filled the air as they enjoyed their lighthearted moment.
"But I love you very much, Teddy," Mia whispered in his ear during the embrace, "but you should let me help you."
Jace chimed in with a knowing grin, "If I were you, I would listen to her. When she puts on that tone, she won't take no for an answer."
Mia, pretending to be offended, shouted, "What tone?"
"He's right," Theo admitted, gently setting Mia back on her feet and turning his head to look at her. "You can be quite bossy at times."
"Mia, can I talk to you for a moment?" Viktor Krum called out, his voice carrying a crooked smile and soft eyes as he approached Mia.
"Sure," Mia replied, stepping closer to him.
Jace interjected playfully, "Be careful what you do with my girlfriend, Vicky!"
Viktor chuckled and responded, "I'll give her back to you in a moment, Golden Boy."
Leaving the grotto behind, Mia and Viktor strolled for a while until they reached the shores of the Lake.
"So, what did you want to tell me?" Mia inquired with curiosity.
Viktor's excitement was palpable as he shared the news, "I've been selected as a Seeker for the National Bulgarian team."
"Congratulations, Viktor! I'm so happy for you!" Mia exclaimed, rushing to hug him.
Viktor reciprocated the hug, gently embracing Mia around the waist and closing his eyes, savoring the Viktor would have liked to ask Mia out on a date, he had never gathered the courage. He understood that Mia saw him as a friend and nothing more. Right person, wrong time he thought sadly.
Breaking the hug, Mia beamed at him and said, "I'm genuinely thrilled for you, Viktor. I know how much you love Quidditch."
"You're no slouch on the pitch yourself," Viktor remarked with a sly smile.
Mia wrinkled her nose and replied, "I don't love it enough to pursue it professionally."
"The reason I wanted to talk to you is because this year is the Quidditch World Cup, and I'll be playing for the first time. I'd be really excited to see you in the stands," Viktor explained.
"Of course, I'll come to see you!" Mia eagerly agreed. "I'll be cheering you on the entire game."
"I've already put Jace, Theo, your parents, and you on the list, so getting in won't be a problem," Viktor assured her.
"Thank you so much," Mia sincerely expressed her gratitude.
"You don't need to thank me," Viktor replied. "Besides, my teammates are looking forward to meeting the infamous girl from the Unholy Trinity."
"Viktor," Mia playfully swatted his arm and asked, "What have you been telling your teammates about me?"
"Relax," Viktor said, laughing and raising his hands in a sign of peace. "Many of them are Durmstrang alumni, and have relatives here at the school. Mia, you're Durmstrang royalty. Sometimes, I don't think you realize the impact you have on this school."
Smiling, Mia said, "Well, I promise that Jace, Theo, and I will be there, cheering you on."
Viktor teased, "Jace and Theo hate me."
Mia clarified, "They don't hate you, Viktor. They hate any man who gets too close to me. It's not personal."
With a slightly embarrassed expression, Viktor said, "Well, I should get going."
Mia hugged him one last time and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "See you in a month," she said as she left.
Viktor stood there, watching her go, feeling like she was slipping away from his life in some strange way. He touched the cheek where Mia had kissed him and wished he had been braver when it came to asking her out.
During the month of July, Jace, Theo, and Mia split their time between the United States and Monaco. In the United States, they were busy helping with the transition of power as Isabelle formally stepped down from her position as President in June. They found themselves packing boxes and clearing out the White House in preparation for the next President to take office.
In Monaco, life continued as usual, with people still fondly remembering Princess Sofia. However, they were eagerly awaiting Prince Alexander's ascension to the throne, and Alec himself was feeling the weight of his new responsibilities. Despite having spent his entire life attending galas and state dinners, the prospect of ruling Monaco without his mother's guidance made him nervous.
Alec stood before the family mausoleum, clutching a bouquet of lilies that he delicately placed on his mother's grave.
"Hello, Mom," Alec began, his voice filled with emotion. "I can't believe you're not with us anymore. It's still hard for me not to see you in the gardens, tending to your rose bush, but Jace has taken over that duty now. If only you could see your grandson, he's already sixteen years old and just got his driver's license. Mia and Theo are keeping a close watch on him, so that eases some of my worries."
Alec continued, "Mia has blossomed into a remarkable young woman, and the suitors are starting to line up. But Jace and Theo are doing an excellent job of fending them off. After what happened in Mykonos, they're understandably cautious, even though they don't openly admit it. Mia is like the glue that holds our little family together. Honestly, I don't know where they would be without her."
He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking again. "Another thing you've missed is that your grandchildren have become dragon riders, with dragons that breathe fire and everything. It's heartwarming to see Jace genuinely happy. He went through a tough time when you passed away, but having Mia by his side seems to have healed his wounds. I can't thank her enough for that."
Looking somber, Alec continued, "I'll soon be 'crowned,' and I can't say I feel entirely prepared for the role. I know you would have reassured me if you were here, but it's strange not having you around. I can't seek your guidance or ask for your advice anymore. However, I promise I'll do my best. Isabelle is going to help me with the country's domestic and foreign policy; she's my rock, and I couldn't do this without her. Jace is adjusting to the changes remarkably well, and I have no doubt that he'll be a great ruler when his time comes."
Alec's voice wavered as he concluded, "I'll see you soon, Mom." He stood there for a moment longer, lost in his thoughts, before turning away from the mausoleum and leaving the cemetery.
August had finally arrived, and for the Borghese family, that meant one thing above all else: the Quidditch World Cup Final. The excitement in the Borghese household was palpable, but the funniest thing of all was that Enzo was the most thrilled of them all, eager to witness Viktor Krum's performance on the field. Enzo's enthusiasm knew no bounds, as he had painted the Bulgarian flag on both of his cheeks, proudly donning the Bulgarian national team t-shirt that Viktor had gifted him. His outfit was complete with white chinos and a pair of comfortable had put on a stunning burgundy dress that complemented her complexion, and she paired it with pristine white flats.
Mia had carefully chosen her attire to show support for Viktor. She sported a stylish white skirt, which allowed for ease of movement, and a burgundy Ralph Lauren polo shirt that accentuated her athletic figure. Her feet were comfortably clad in white sneakers, perfect for navigating the crowded Quidditch event.
Jace had decided to go for an all-white ensemble. His crisp Ralph Lauren shirt was perfectly pressed, paired with linen pants that flowed with each step. He wore the same white sneakers as Mia and had a burgundy Ralph Lauren sweater draped casually over his shoulders.
Theo had a similar fashion sense to Jace. He, too, was dressed in white, but instead of the shirt and sweater combination, he had opted for a burgundy short-sleeved Ralph Lauren polo shirt adorned with a diagonal white stripe.
When the group arrived at the Quidditch World Cup Final venue, the press went into a frenzy as soon as they spotted Mia. Izzy, always conscious of her family's image, urged Enzo to remove the paint from his face, much to his dismay. Enzo, although reluctantly, agreed to comply and pouted as he did so. Isabelle and Enzo posed for a few photos, but Enzo couldn't resist the temptation for long, and he quickly repainted his cheeks in the Bulgarian flag colors.
The real pandemonium began when Mia, accompanied by Jace and Theo, emerged to pose for photographs. The flashes from the cameras dazzled them, and journalists bombarded them with questions, focusing particularly on Mia. They were relentless, inquiring about the rumored romantic connection between Mia and Viktor Krum.
Mia couldn't help but smile at the persistent journalists. She calmly clarified that she and Viktor were good friends, and she had come to support him in his debut as the Seeker for the Bulgarian national team.
"The press is so crazy," Jace remarked as he grabbed a glass of champagne for himself and Mia. "And I thought the Muggle press was horrible; this beats it by far."
Jace's comment earned a chuckle from Theo, who was amused by the chaotic scene. "Jace, dear," he said, a teasing grin on his face, "the star here is Mia. I bet half the stadium bought tickets just to see if they could catch a glimpse of her."
Mia, slightly exasperated but amused, playfully hit both of her friends. "Can you both shut up?" she asked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "We've come to support Viktor."
Theo, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, responded mockingly, "You would've come to support Viktor. We've made a bet to see how long it takes for Vicky to fall off his broom."
"You two are impossible," Mia told them, rolling her eyes, though her laughter betrayed her true feelings. She turned to head toward the VIP box.
Jace and Theo exchanged knowing glances and simultaneously planted a sound kiss on both of Mia's cheeks. "But you love us anyway," they chimed in unison.
"Unfortunately," Mia replied with a playful sigh, her laughter echoing in the corridor as they made their way to the box, ready to enjoy the Quidditch World Cup Final.
