Chapter 15

The morning of October 30th came quickly, and at breakfast Ginny was feeling a bit nervous about the impending arrival of the two schools.

"Ginny, it's really going to be okay," Demelza said reassuringly as she tucked a piece of hair behind Ginny's ear.

"Oi! Enough with the PDA at breakfast, alright?" Ron shouted down the table, his mouth full of food.

"You count moving a piece of hair as PDA, do you? Fascinating," Harry said with a grin as Ron turned red.

"You know what I mean! They don't always need to be touching…" Ron replied defensively.

"You know Ron, if you had someone to touch, you wouldn't be so concerned about what I'm doing all of the time," Ginny said, shooting a glare at her older brother.

"This isn't about me, it's about you and – "

"Ronald, just let it go!" Hermione interrupted forcefully. "Ginny can do what she wants, she's not… She's not hurting anyone. Just let them be!"

Ginny and Demelza both gave Hermione a thankful smile, and Hermione gave them a small smile in a return. Ginny turned back to Demelza to continue their conversation.

"I know it's going to be okay. I'm just feeling a bit anxious, that's all. Thank you for being here for me."

"Of course. Whatever you need from me today, I've got you," Demelza smiled supportively at Ginny before turning back to her food.

Ginny took in her girlfriend's appearance. Demelza really was quite cute. She was Ginny's height with a slightly more slender build, which allowed her to be particularly agile when on her broom. She had dark blonde hair that she often had pulled back in a loose plait, had those light grey eyes that Ginny was absolutely mad for, and soft, full lips that… Ginny stared at Demelza's lips for a moment before looking up into her eyes to find Demelza smirking at her.

"Oh, is that what you need from me today?" she asked knowingly, laughing gently as Ginny blushed as red as her hair.

"No, I… I was just…" Ginny stammered, getting lost in her embarrassment.

"You're so cute, you know that?" Demelza laughed as she gave Ginny a brief peck on the cheek. "I've got some work to get done before class, I'll see you there, okay?" Ginny watched her girlfriend walk away before turning to her brother.

"What's got your wand in a knot? I thought you liked Demelza? And I thought we had an understanding on whether or not I needed protecting?" Ginny demanded.

"I do like Demelza and I know you don't need protection, you just don't need to be putting your relationship on display like that. It's – "

"Ron, she tucked a piece of hair behind my ear! Harry could do the same thing to you and no one would bat an eye!" Ginny exclaimed angrily, her patience wearing thin.

"Ron, I can be on the lookout for stray hairs from now on, if you'd like…" Harry offered, trying to keep from laughing.

"Shut up, Harry," Ron said, giving him a glare before turning back to Ginny, "She also kissed your cheek just now! It's unnecessary!"

"Ron, you are not in control of my relationship nor are you in control of me. If you don't like it, then don't look!"

"It's not about me! It's about – "

"Ronald, enough! Leave her alone!" Hermione exclaimed. "You've got better things to do than micro-manage your sister! She's right, if you had your own relationship, you wouldn't be so concerned with what she's doing, so maybe you should go and get yourself a girlfriend!"

Harry, Ron, and Ginny all stared at Hermione, shocked at the outburst.

"Well Hermione, you're a girl – "

"NOT ME!" Hermione shouted furiously.

Harry and Ginny laughed as Ron sat there dumbstruck at what he'd done wrong. Hermione shoved her books into her bag and left the table angrily. Ginny got up to follow her.

"Hey Hermione – "

"What?!"

"Don't bite my head off! I was just going to thank you for shutting Ron up for me. I don't know why he was on one this morning, but thank you for knocking some sense into him."

"Clearly not too much sense, as he had the brilliant idea to ask me out," Hermione huffed as she continued walking aggressively towards the library.

"What, you don't want to date my brother?" Ginny chuckled. This made Hermione stop in her tracks. "Hermione, I was kidding. I know from the summer that he's not your type."

"What..?" Hermione asked nervously.

"Remember? You were describing attraction to me? It was all about how someone treats people and their passion and work ethic… Doesn't exactly scream Ron Weasley," Ginny recalled.

"Yeah… You're right. Ronald is not anywhere near the top of my list of those I'd like to date," Hermione stated.

"Oh, so there's a list, huh?" Ginny teased. "And who would be at the top of that list?"

Hermione stared at Ginny, brown eyes looking into brown eyes, before they were interrupted.

"Oi, Ginny! Want to get in a quick Quidditch training session before class?" Ritchie shouted down the corridor.

"Yeah, sure thing!" Ginny returned. She looked back towards Hermione, "We'll continue this conversation later. Say hello to Madam Pince for me!" and with that she jogged towards Ritchie, leaving a speechless Hermione behind her.

Hermione POV

"And who would be at the top of that list?"

Hermione couldn't believe she had gotten herself into that situation. She had been so efficient at maneuvering her way around Ginny asking if she was interested in anyone, and suddenly, because of Ron's inability to leave Ginny well enough alone about her relationship and Hermione's inability to not protect Ginny, they'd arrived there. You, Ginny. You are at the top of the one-person list of people that I fancy. Hermione thought furiously as she walked towards the library. Maybe tonight will be a big enough of a distraction that Ginny will forget all about this. What am I thinking, of course she'll remember, Ginny remembers everything. Hermione arrived at the library and sat at her usual table, unloaded her books, and threw herself in to her studies.

An hour and a few rolls of filled parchment later, her mind felt much clearer, and she headed back up to her dormitory so she could drop some of her books off before her class. She could hear some sort of commotion coming from her dormitory before she even opened the door. As she entered, she saw Lavender jumping up and down in excitement, and Parvati laughing as she took in the scene her best friend was causing.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked Parvati.

"He's asked me out! Ron Weasley! Just now in the Common Room!" Lavender squealed.

Hermione looked between the two girls, let out a laugh, and congratulated Lavender, "That's great Lavender! I'm happy for you."

Lavender ran up and hugged Hermione tightly before running back to jump into Parvati's arms to continue her celebration. Hermione laughed gently to herself as she unloaded some of her books beside her bed. Interesting choice Ron, but good for you. And good for Lavender. The two might end up proving to be quite an interesting pair. Once she was done sorting through her books, she was off to class.

Ginny POV

That evening, all of the staff and students of Hogwarts had congregated in the Great Hall, anxiously awaiting their visitors. Ginny was sat with Demelza, Colin, and Ritchie, just a few people away from Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Lavender. Ginny looked down the table at Ron and Lavender, and sent an inquisitive look to Hermione. Hermione shook her head and laughed, before mouthing "I'll tell you later."

There had been mumblings that each school would arrive in a unique way, and that turned out to be extremely accurate. The Beauxbatons arrived in a flying carriage pulled by Abraxons, giant winged horses, while the Durmstrangs emerged from beneath the Black Lake in a giant ship. Each school entered the Great Hall with a sort of, presentation. Their oldest students and headmaster/headmistress entered first, followed by the few younger students that came along as well. The Durmstrang presentation was aggressive and intimidating, while the Beauxbatons entrance was… Something entirely different. Their students seemingly floated in, wearing beautiful silky uniforms of pale blue. Each student was well put together, and undeniably gorgeous, and they seemed to know it. Unlike the Durmstrangs, who had kept their attention forward toward the staff table and Professor Dumbledore as they entered, the Beauxbatons were making eye contact with as many Hogwarts students as possible, and offering smiles to everyone who would return the eye contact. Boys and girls alike were seemingly mesmerized by the Beauxbatons students, and as they passed, Ginny became more and more optimistic that Juliette in fact had not made the trip to Hogwarts. That is, until her bright brown eyes came across beautiful hazel eyes that were very obviously searching for hers. Juliette was at Hogwarts, and she was already smirking at Ginny.

"Is that her?" Demelza asked, nudging Ginny.

"Yes, that would be Juliette," Ginny answered, trying to even out her breathing.

"Wow… Ginny, you're right. She might actually be the most beautiful girl ever," Demelza admitted.

"You know… Now that I'm seeing her again, I'm not sure of what I saw in her. At least, not when you're around to compare to," Ginny tore her eyes from Juliette's to look at Demelza, giving her a reassuring smile before placing a lingering kiss on her cheek.

Juliette's eyes flickered with surprise for a brief moment, before she refocused her attention further down the Gryffindor table. Ginny followed Juliette's confident gaze to Hermione, who was staring right back at Juliette. She wasn't backing down, instead, she was looking at Juliette with determination, almost as if to prove that the girl's presence had no effect on her. Ginny looked between the two girls, curiously taking in the interaction, before turning back to Demelza and watching the remaining Beauxbatons students enter the Great Hall.

Both schools filed in and stood at attention at the front of the Great Hall, one school on either side of the room. Professor Dumbledore rose and stood at his podium, waiting for the Great Hall to quiet down.

"Good evening, everyone. I would like to welcome our dear friends from The Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, as well as the Durmstrang Institute. It is our pleasure to share our home with you for the remainder of the year. We welcome you with open arms, and hope that you will embrace us in the same way." Professor Dumbledore smiled around at each group as an applause broke out from the Hogwarts students and staff. The two schools looked out into the crowd, the Durmstrangs maintaining their stony faces and the Beauxbatons smiling confidently, almost smugly. Suddenly, the doors to the Great Hall opened, and in stepped a familiar figure, tall and thin in stature, with dark features and a dissatisfied look on his face.

"Bloody hell… It's Viktor Krum!" Ron cried out, not being able to contain his shock.

Krum continued walking slowly through the center of the Great Hall, completely unaffected by the eyes on him, until he reached the podium at which Professor Dumbledore stood.

"I vant to offer my apologies, Professor Dumbledore. I vos making sure our ship vos properly closed up from the rain. Do you accept?" Krum spoke slowly and deeply.

"I do Viktor, thank you," Professor Dumbledore accepted the apology graciously. Krum nodded and then joined the rest of the Durmstrang students. "Quiet… Quiet…" The Great Hall had been filled with whispers and excitement once Krum had entered the room. At Professor Dumbledore's request, the whispers slowed to a halt and all eyes were on him once more.

"This year, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been given the distinct honor of hosting the Triwizard Tournament. Each school will be represented by a single Champion over the age of 17…"

"WHAT?!" shouted the Weasley twins. Many other students cried out in anger as well.

"Due to the difficult and dangerous nature of the Triwizard Tournament, the Ministry of Magic saw it fit to instill an age minimum within the pre-requisites of becoming a School Champion… The headmasters and headmistress of each school agreed… The Triwizard Tournament will test the Champions beyond what could ever be expected of them in a school setting, and we want to make sure that those who apply are appropriately vetted and prepared… Therefore, all those who are interested and are at least 17 years of age, may submit their name into the Goblet of Fire…" Professor Dumbledore waved his wand and a giant goblet appeared beside him, lit with blue flames. "Names will be drawn tomorrow evening at 7 pm. All those interested in competing for eternal glory have 24 hours to submit their names… Good luck, and goodnight."