I present you with another chapter of my story, with the help of HowInMadeHowie.
This chapter is also a bit longer then normal, but this time it is due that we wanted to keep it authentic, so there will be some french dialouges followed by the translations. As English is not my mainlanguage, I had to many problems to write the text simulating a french accent. So this was the best solution. It also opened some additional character development for some underused characters.
Now, i hope you all enjoy this chapter. Have fun reading it.
Over the next few weeks, Harry felt the tension grew inside the castle. Harry of course knew thanks to ONI, when the other schools would arrive in Hogwarts, so he understood that the teachers tried everything to get the students to behave. Filch was cleaning every nook and cranny in the castle, and the students got him angry on more than one occasion when they came back from the classes that were held outside the castle, their shoes dirty from the dirt outside the castle.
The older students charmed their shoes so they would stay clean even when the rain made the grounds muddy. Harry had seen Cedric standing next to the entrance and offering to charm the shoes of the younger students. The first years were grateful, since Filch had once threatened to put them in shackles on them for the whole year because they walked in with dirty shoes.
Harry watched the older students cast the charm; seeing that Cedric especially took his time to make sure that the shoes stayed clean. That reminded Harry of his first year, when Cedric ran himself ragged to make sure that his housemates had everything together when the school year ended.
Harry wondered if Cedric would put his name into the Goblet of Fire for the Triwizard Tournament, and if the older student would be chosen instead of Harry. That would, of course, throw Voldemort's plans to the wind, Harry agreed with Callie that Voldemort and his followers would have made some contingencies to be certain that Harry would be chosen by the Goblet of Fire. But Harry allowed himself to still hope that whatever they had tried did not work at all. Then again, knowing Harry's luck on Halloween this was wishful thinking.
—-
One Monday in late October morning, Harry walked down from his dorm to the common room to see his friends standing by the notice board. Since he could read what was written on it from the staircase to their dorm, Harry saw that his friends were now informed when the other schools would arrive for the Triwizard Tournament. He walked over regardless to make it look as he read the notice board too. As he came closer to the group of students in front of the board, Ron was celebrating. "Yes! We have Friday afternoon free! That means no Potions for that day." Ron grinned when he noticed Harry behind him, Ron was now rolling his eyes when he heard Hermione's voice.
Harry hears Hermione asking herself how Beauxbaton and Durmstrang would arrive in Hogwarts. Harry and Callie were not surprised that Hermione would know the names of the other schools, as the names should have been common knowledge. But Harry could already guess that she would regardless raid the library to find out how intercontinental magical travel was possible.
—-
Harry was writing on his Transfiguration essay, he sat next to Hermione and Susan in the library during their free period, while Daphne was in Charms at the moment. Harry heard the girls beside him discussing the reach of portkeys and what else they could use to travel over the ocean unseen by the muggles.
Susan had made a point that they would travel by some kind of vehicle in the air. Hermione then asked her if the wizards knew what radar was and how it worked. Susan blinked as she looked at Hermione with a blank expression; to which the muggleborn witch became accustomed to from the pureblooded wizards and witches when it came to muggle inventions. After she had explained to Susan what a radar was, Susan was looking at Hermione and Harry with surprise obvious in her eyes. "So, you are telling me that if the vehicle is big enough for this radar to get a read on it, the muggles would know that something was flying over their heads? But you also said that the vehicle needed to be out of metall. I am sure that whatever the other schools would use is either out of wood or small enough to not be noticed by this radar, if not even the disillusionment charm worked on these radar waves." After Susan thought for a moment she added as an afterthought. "Of course if it was me I'd add a notice me not charm too."
Hermione had her chin in her hand, thinking hard. "You might be right Susan, if radar had been able to detect the wizards flying through the air, the statute of secrecy would have been broken a long time ago. But that does not mean that it cannot be ruled out that it had happened at least once." Hermione had to wonder if all the stories of UFOs had something to do with wizards.
Harry was silent as he listened to the girls discuss, knowing well enough that the UNSC was able to see everything that was flying around in the sky; thanks to its spy satellites that were cloaked so the muggles from this planet would not find them in their orbit. So he was sure that the UNSC could track the movement from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang when they departed from their respective schools.
—-
That Friday afternoon, Ron was looking at his school robes and took the one which was looking the best out of his wardrobe closet. Harry also looked at his robes, just picking the one which was hanging the furthest right in his wardrobe closet. He had seen that it was freshly cleaned and pressed, so it looked similar to the dress blues that he had seen in a movie about American military once. Thinking about that, Harry wondered if John would come in his own dress blues or his armor for the arrival of the other schools. Callie then pointed out that John would be on duty, which meant that he would be in full armor, including his assault rifle clamped to his back.
—-
A few hours later, the students stood in the courtyard and were organized by house and waited for the other schools to arrive. Harry stood a bit in the back, so the other students could see what was happening. He was listening to the murmurs around him, since some students were asking their friends their opinion on how the other schools arrived. He had to suppress a laugh when Ron asked Seamus if he thought that the other schools would arrive while flying their brooms. Dean interjected, as he thought that they would just come with the Hogwarts Express like they did.
Harry heard the youngest students in the crowd, who saw John for the first time in full armor, with his weapons attached to his back and hip. Even after Harry had become used to the sight during his time on the Infinity, seeing John standing like that was still imposing to look at. But Harry was wondering how the other schools reacted to John standing still like a statue before he followed them inside the castle.
Harry then heard something flapping in the air and looked up, using his glasses to search the sky. He soon found what made the sound and was surprised to see flying horses. He had read about Abraxa, but according to the book they were not as common as hippogriffs were. He smiled as Callie wondered if the Abraxas also came in white, just like in Greek mythology.
It took another few minutes before another student noticed the Abraxan and pointed them out. As everyone looked up, they saw that the flying horses were pulling a carriage through the air. Harry heard Ron asking if that was all the other school would bring, but soon it became obvious that this was not a carriage in standard size at all.
The Abraxan were now flying over their heads before landing on the ground near the courtyard. As the flying horses stopped and calmed down, the door of the carriage opened and some steps were lowered right under the door. And out stepped the tallest woman Harry had ever seen, even after meeting Kelly and Linda. She was even just a bit taller than Hagrid, as Callie had shown Harry after she had measured the woman with her sensores. The tall woman then was followed by some students as they walked over the grounds towards the courtyard.
Dumbledore walked towards the tall woman, arms outstretched in greeting. "Madame Maxime, welcome to Hogwarts. I hope you had a pleasant journey to our school?"
Madame Maxime hugged Professor Dumbledore back, before letting him go and rose to her full height again. "Oui 'eadmaster Dumblydorr, we just 'ad some turbulence over the Engleesh Channel. Nozing mayor, but it took a bit of our time. I 'ope you do not mind eef I bring my students into ze castle now, eet is vairy cold out 'ere and some of my pupils are freezing as you may see." Madame Maxime looked over her students, many of them wearing many layers of clothes over their bodies.
Dumbledore nodded and told Madame Maxime that they could go to the Great Hall and warm themselves up. As the foreign students walked past them, Harry noticed that some of the Hogwarts boys were drooling while watching the French students.
While the Beauxbaton students were walking into the castle, Madame Maxime was talking with Dumbledore about the handling of the Abraxan. Dumbledore assured her that his Care of Magical Creatures professor would be up for the job. He even pointed to the half giant, who was already taking the big winged horses away from the carriage and bringing them over to a paddock. Nodding in approval, Madame Maxime then followed her students into the castle.
Harry then noticed that some Beauxbaton students were surprised by John moving his head to greeting while he was in his armor; standing in attention, watching them enter the school. He heard them talk in French, asking amongst themselves if all the statues in Hogwarts can move.
Harry heard Ron wondering if Durmstrang would arrive in a bigger carriage when Harry heard water moving from the lake. This time, it was at the same time as a Ravenclaw pointed towards the lake and yelled that something was coming out of the water.
Harry recognized the mast of a big, old sailing ship breaching the surface of the water as it raised itself out of the water until it was floating like a normal ship. Harry heard Callie saying that the ship looked like an old pirate ship, Harry jokingly museed if the headmaster of Durmstrang would also have a parrot with him. Looking over the big ship, he saw that it had a famous name written on its bow. "The Flying Dutchmen!" Callie exclaimed in surprise. "Not even ONI knew about this!"
Harry thought to her trying to control his shock. "Well, that is one question answered. Remember the legends of the Flying Dutchmen being the ship of the damned, and if you saw this phantom ship you would be doomed. And being the ship for a magical school would explain why no one ever could say that they had seen it personally. And it is kinda fitting for the headmaster of Durmstrang because he sold out his comrades to escape Azkaban."
Harry watched the ship stopping near the boathouse, lowering the ramp from its main deck. He then remembered what he was told about Igor Karkaroff, the current Headmaster of Durmstrang.
Flashback
Harry was watching the screen in the briefing room on the Infinity, where Mr. Smith had put up a list about the known Death Eaters that had escaped capture one way or another. Smith paused to look up from his tablet and looked at Harry to make sure the young Spartan was listening. "While we keep a close watch on all of them, I want to highlight two individuals on this list. One is Lucius Malfoy, and based to your reaction you already had the 'pleasure' of meeting him." Smith's dry humor was met with Harry's grimace, Harry was not impressed by Malfoy's idiotic idea of reopening the Chamber of Secrets, although he wasn't about to complain because that's when he got his blade out of it.
Smith looked at John and Harry, both nodding. Smith continued. "I also have made contact with Malfoy, helping ONI to find out as much as we can about the inner workings of the organization known as Death Eaters. We have made some progress, but still need some additional information before we make our move. Now, for the other individual."
The screen then switched to an smug looking man with black hair and a goatee. "This man is the current headmaster of the Swedish magical school Durmstrang Institute. His name is Igor Karkaroff. He will also be present during the Triwizard tournament, as the headmasters of each school make up the judge panel during the tournament itself according to the rules. And according to the reports we have about him, he had given the British Ministry some names of other Death Eaters to get out of Azkaban. Thanks to him, others were imprisoned and now see him as a traitor. So he could become desperate when he believes the rumors that Riddle would soon return. Because of that, ONI wants you both to keep a close eye on him whenever it is possible. Master Chief, you are free to use every device you find necessary to complete this task. This is all. But on a personal note, I hope you both have at least some fun during the Quidditch World Cup."
After Smith had ended the briefing, Captain Lasky dismissed Harry and John, so they could finish packing and return to the planet.
Flashback end
Just as Harry recognized one of the students, Karkaroff called Dumbledore with wide open arms. "Ah Albus, how nice to see you after all those years. How have you been?"
Dumbledore's voice was loud and clear, but Harry and John both heard he had some reservation about Karkaroff. "Good evening Igor. I am good, thank you. How was your journey?" Dumbledore looked over Karkaroff's shoulder at the ship and hid a grimace of distaste at the sight of the legendary Dutchman.
Karkaroff smiled broadly, playing with his black goatee with his right hand. "Ah, the sea was calm, so the journey was uneventful. Now if you will lead us to your Great Hall, I have some students who have a small cold from the journey." He then pulled a student to his side, causing some murmurs from the Hogwarts students.
Harry heard Ron saying that the student, now in Karkaroff's arm, was Viktor Crum. Harry was just a bit surprised that a student was good enough to become a pro. He asked himself if he could convince Krum to practice with the rest of the Quidditch team during his stay here. And if so, then if the other Teams would also come, as all of them could train together during this year.
John was watching the Durmstrang students walking up to the entrance of the castle, with Karkaroff in front still smiling broadly. But John noticed Karkaroff's expression changing when he looked at John standing next to the door to the entrance hall. Karkaroff now looked strangely afraid, as if he could feel John looking at the former Death Eater intensely even if John's expression was hidden by the visor of his helmet. John wondered if Karkaroff had talked with some of the other former Death Eaters that had attacked the Quidditch World Cup.
—-
After all the students had found their seats in the Great Hall; Ron was hoping that Krum would sit with them, but was disappointed when every Durmstrang student sat down on the Slytherin table. Harry watched them too, noticing that Krum was ignoring Malfoy, who tried to have a conversation with the older student. Harry smirked when he saw how Daphne was annoyed from her housemates who wanted to have an autograph from Krum.
Harry's attention was soon called back to his own house table, as the food began to appear after Dumbledore had greeted the guests and told them that he would explain the finer details of the Tournament after they had eaten dinner. Harry saw that next to the usual food the Hogwarts students were accustomed to, there were many different items across the table. He recognized some things from his studies back in Kear Morhen, as Yen and Catherine wanted him to learn other cultures, which extended to their unique foods and languages.
While Ron looked at the different foods with curiosity, Hermione took some of the bouillabaisse and on a different plate, what looked like salmon that was grilled. She smiled as she cut the grilled salmon in bite sized portions before she dipped them into some tartar sauce.
Harry looked at the bouillabaisse before he also took a portion from it and began his dinner. It was very good, as usual for Hogwarts. But as they were not the usual meals the house elves prepared for them, Harry wondered how much the house elves were overextending themselves to make all this delicious food.
Just as he took some meatballs to try out, he heard someone coming over to his table. As the sounds of the steps were different from the usual footsteps that Hogwarts students made with their boots, Harry guessed that it had to be someone from Beaubaxton. He was proven right, as he heard the heavy French accent. "Excuse moi, but we 'ave finis'ed our portion of ze bouillabaisse."
Seeing his male friends around him drooling or spacing out, Harry surmised that this French girl had to be a Veela or related to one, so he turned around with a smile, before addressing the visitor. "Bonne soirée. Cela ne me dérange pas si vous le prenez. C'est plutôt bien."
(Good evening. I do not mind if you take it. It is quite good.)
The girl was looking at Harry in surprise. On one hand this young man spoke to her in fluent French, and on the other hand he was talking with her as if it was something completely normal for him. She tried to hide her surprise while she decided to talk with the young man in her native tongue. "Tu parles français? Je suis Fleur Delacour, c'est sympa de vous rencontrer."
(You speak French? I am Fleur Delacour, it is nice to make your acquaintance.)
Harry smiled at her while he handed over the tureen. "Je m'appelle Harry Potter, c'est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance. Et oui, j'avais appris à parler français en grandissant. Mes tuteurs ont été très convaincants lorsqu'ils m'en ont parlé. Maintenant, j'espère que vous apprécierez votre séjour, car je suppose que vos amis ont encore faim? Ils nous regardent."
(My name is Harry Potter, it is nice to make your acquaintance. And Yes, I had learned to speak french while growing up. My guardians were very convincing when they talked to me about this. Now I hope you enjoy your stay, as I guess your friends are still hungry? They look over at us.)
Fleur took the bowl and said "Merci beaucoup" before turning around and walking over to the spot she was sitting before.
Harry then heard the Beauxbatons students talking about him, as Fleur's friends surely had noticed that he was not affected by her allure.
Harry then turned back to his friends, seeing Hermione looking at him with big eyes. With a raised brow Harry asked, "What? Is there something wrong?"
Hermione shook her head to clear the shock and asked, "Since when do you speak French?"
Harry shrugged casually as he didn't see the big deal. "Ah, Yen and Aunty Catherine were very convincing when I was younger that I should learn languages of the European mainland. I also speak Spanish, German, Italian and because of the spells we use here I also learned Latin, just to be on the safe side."
Hermione was astounded by the maturity Harry displayed, even after he answered her question he just continued to eat his dinner.
Meanwhile, Ron was coming back from his stupor, caused by Fleur's allure. He shook his head in confusion about what had happened, but he had a thought that he blurted out. "She must be a Veela." Ron looked over to the Ravenclaw table to where the Beauxbatons students were sitting.
Hermione huffed, putting some more food on her plate. "And how are you coming to that conclusion Ron? For your information, not everyone on this table reacted like you did." Deep down, Hermione knew, for once Ron wasn't wrong. After the World Cup she knew Harry was immune to Veela allure.
Ron turned his head towards Harry, who just ate his dinner. Ron wondered why Harry was not affected by the Veela's allure, but then he noticed that Neville was still eating his dinner, that Neville's plate was a mix of the different cuisines was lost on Ron. Ron then turned back to Hermione, somehow with a loss for words.
—-
When dinner came to an end, the plates were cleaned like always and that gave Dumbledore the time to walk to the podium. "Ah, and after we are all fed, let me once again welcome our guests from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang. Now I will explain how the Triwizard Tournament commences. The chosen champions from each school will compete in three tasks; that were planned and organized by our Ministry and the heads of each respective school. What those tasks are is a surprise for everyone except us headmasters, as it is tradition for the tournament to test the champions had learned until that point, and that includes their intelligence and cunning. And that is why we added the age restriction for this tournament, since only those who are of age would have learned enough to be safe during the tasks. I am sure that everyone is asking themselves how the champions are chosen. The choice will be made by the ancient artifact that existed since the first Triwizard Tournament. The Goblet of Fire." Dumbledore then held out his hand towards the door of the Great Hall, which opened and four wizards carried a big box between them.
The four wizards walked towards the staff table and placed the box on the ground. Dumbledore thanked them before he pulled out his wand and waved it towards the box, causing it to open.
Everyone was now watching the goblet rising out the box, showing everyone the runes that etched into the stone it was made out of. The box closed beneath the goblet, now becoming a petesdal for the goblet. And as soon as the goblet was placed on the pedestal, the fire began to burn out of it.
Dumbledore addressed all the students. "Now, this artifact will be choosing from all those who decide to put their name on a piece of parchment and then throw it into the flames. But please remember. If the goblet choses you to be a champion, you have to compete in the tasks ahead of you. But for the winner of the tournament, everlasting fame will await him or her. You have until tomorrow night, after the Halloween feast the champions will be announced for each school. So if you want to enter your name, the goblet will be placed in the entrance hall just outside the Great Hall. Now off you go, it's time for bed."
Harry watched as the students began to stand up and leave the Great Hall, but he remained sitting. Even if he could hide it, he was becoming nervous for what would be ahead of him if his name really came out of the goblet tomorrow night. He knew that he was as prepared as he could be right now, but he was afraid how his friends, except Hermione, Daphne and Susan, would all react when he told them that he was a Witcher.
Harry was interrupted by his musing as Callie called out to him. 'Yes Callie? What is it?'
Callie answered his thought question. "Harry, you do not have to be so nervous. If your name really comes out the goblet and we release the information about you being a Witcher, you know at least three girls who do not care what you are. So man up, you're a Spartan now; think of this as a challenge to overcome."
Harry thanked Callie, while he watched out of the corner of his vision how the staff of Hogwarts and the two other heads placed the goblet just where Dumbledore had said before. Harry then saw how Dumbledore pointed his wand to the ground under the goblet, setting up an unknown ward, Harry presumed the age line to keep the younger students from entering the tournament.
—-
During the night, Cortana watched the security cameras that John had placed in the castle, with her main focus on the entrance hall. Because she was an AI, her observation did not miss even the smallest detail, even if it was just a short change in color of the flame from the Goblet of Fire. Murmuring quietly to herself lest she'd wake up the resident caveman she watched intently. "Well well well, who do we have here? Strange that I did not hear you, but you cannot escape my sight." She then activates the thermal imaging filter on the recording, as the camera had recorded everything.
Now seeing the body that was walking up to the goblet and throwing a small piece of parchment into it. She cross referenced the body shape to everyone that she had data about and was present in the castle. Her brows soon furrowed, as there was no match. Even after she had extended the search for every known Ministry worker and visitor, there was no match. "That's odd, how can this be? That would mean that it was someone from outside the school, but the entrance was not opened and nothing was on the outside camera feed. And because we have the map, we also know where the secret entrances are. Speaking of which."
Cortana turned to her subroutine watching the Marauder's map on the table, but it did not report that someone had come through the secret entrances. Glaring at all the data in front of her, she wondered what they had missed.
—-
The next morning, since they had no classes today, Harry walked out of the dorm and down to the Great Hall to eat breakfast. He decided to forgo his morning run today, as this was the anniversary of the death of his parents. As he walked through the common room to a quiet mourning, he noticed that Hermione was not sitting at her usual spot. He wondered where Hermione was, as she was normally waiting for him before going down to eat breakfast. 'Hey Callie, can you tell me where Hermione is right now? I'm sure she has Luke with him.'
Callie was looking at her digital map, showing where she detected her brother. Callie's dry humor told him there was nothing to worry about. "Color me surprised, she's in the library. But what is surprising, based on his sensores Daphne and Susan are all sitting together reading. According to the titles of the differend books, they seem to be reading up about the history of the tournament. Should we join them?" Callie was tempted to ask her brother or sister directly what drove this sudden research bug but she wanted to respect the girls' privacy, per the AI's directives they knew they had to report in, if the research was a security threat.
Harry thought about it, but decided that he would join them after he had eaten breakfast. Callie noticed in his vitals that he was still nervous about what could happen tonight. Even after all the training and mock battles her partner had done until now, he was still just a 14 year old boy after all.
—-
As Harry was walking through the empty corridors, Callie told him that John wanted to give him something he had received today. Thinking that his breakfast could wait, Harry changed his destination and soon stood in front of the door to John's office and knocked at the door.
John opened the door, standing to the side so Harry could enter his office. Pointing to the table, he told Harry wordlessly that the young Spartan should head over there. Closing the door behind him John nodded at Harry in greeting. "Good morning Harry. I just had this delivered; it is the watch that ONI and the R+D department on the Infinity had promised. With this, Callie should be able to work with the same capacity as your glasses, if not, even better."
Harry removed his current watch and took the watch out of the small box and fastened it on his wrist, while Callie was trying out her new sensor arrays. Harry looked down at the watch, seeing it still blank. Confused, he looked over to John with a furrowed brow. "Are we sure it works?"
To Harry's surprise, Callie's voice came from the watch. "Yes it works. In fact." Suddenly Callie was standing on his watch face as if it had a holo projector like her matrix. Callie grinned at Harry as if it was her birthday. "This is so much better than your glasses!"
Cortana then materialized just like Callie had done since Harry got his GUNGNIR. "Sorry for interrupting, but there is something that will interest both of you. You see, around one in the morning, the camera recorded something in the entrance hall."
John looked at his partner, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why didn't you report this when it happened, Cortana?"
Cortana turned around to look at John, hands on her hips. "Firstly, because when I noticed the color change of the flame it had already happened and until you had gotten into your armor, the intruder would have been able to escape. Secondly I wanted to find out first who it was first, but every check I came up with no match from our database. And I did report it." Cortana paused for dramatic effect, "Just now. Now for the matter at hand."
Cortana turned around to Harry with a sad smile on her lips, but she tried to hide it with her sarcastic tone. "Congratulations Harry, your name has been submitted to the goblet. Do try to look shocked tonight."
Harry and John both looked at Cortana, well knowing what this information meant for the younger Spartan. Callie then pointed out what everyone else seemed to be thinking. "Well, that leaves us with the question of who put Harry's name into the goblet. At least we now can rule out why we never found who it was, as this person is most likely using Polyjuice potion when we were looking for him or her before or now."
Cortana made a double take, facepalming hard. "Of course, that makes so much sense. Too bad the Marauders Map seems not to see through that kind of disguise."
Harry shrugged as he turned to leave the office. "I never asked Sirius or Remus if the map could do that, so there is nothing we can do now."
Cortana interjected this time, making Harry halt in his movement. "Not exactly Harry. We can assume that whoever submitted your name, will be present tonight to see if it really worked. So when your name comes out, listen to any signs of excitement when your name comes out of the goblet because their plan worked, and then panic because you reveal to the whole world that you are a Witcher. Callie will then report to us when you have found him or her."
Harry looked down at his wrist, to his new watch and saw Callie's face. She nodded at him that she would keep a sharp eye on everything. Then to Harry's relief his watch face changed to an analog watch face with dials showing sunrise and sunset time as well as moon phase. A match to his old watch perfectly.
—-
When Harry finally arrived in the entrance hall outside the Great Hall, he looked at the goblet standing right in the middle of the hall.. There were already many students observing those who were thinking about putting their names.
While the younger students were looking at the goblet longily. Harry guessed that some were thinking on how to work around the age restriction; when he heard McLaggen boasting that he would now put his name into the goblet even if he was too young to be accepted. But Harry had to admit that McLaggen looked older than he had yesterday in the common room. Callie scoffed in his head. "As if! He thinks taking a bit of an aging potion will fool Dumbledore's age line."
McLaggen was walking pompously towards the goblet, a small piece of parchment in his hand. He then walked past the white circle that was on the ground and threw his name into the goblet. But just as soon the parchment reached the fire, the circle began to glow and a small blue flame came out of the goblet, hitting McLaggen square into the chest and pushing him away from the goblet.
After McLaggen landed on his back outside the circle, with a burnt piece of parchment landing right next to his head, all those who were watching him trying to put his name into the goblet, were now watching him grow a magnificent silver beard. As Harry left the scene, he heard the others laugh while McLaggen stood back up and touched his still growing beard.
Harry shook his head as he sat down at the Gryffindor table to eat his breakfast. Just as he poured himself a cup of coffee, he heard someone sitting right next to him. The first thing Harry noticed before looking around was the person's scent. It was not a scent he really was familiar with, but he had smelled it before. Now looking at the person, he recognized Fleur Delacour smiling at him. And just a few moments later, some other Beauxbatons students were sitting with them. Fleur smiled when she saw Harry looking at her. "Bonjour 'Arry. ça vous dérange si nous vous rejoignons ce matin ?"
(Good morning, Harry. Do you mind if we join you?")
Harry just shrugged and offered some marmalade to the French guests. They thanked him, also grabbing some croissants and chocolate milk to eat their breakfast. Harry tried to block out their discussion, but Fleur soon asked him if he could show them the castle today. He felt something tugging on his mind, just like during the Quidditch World Cup. Looking at Fleur, the tugging on his mind increased a bit, but nothing he could not handle. "Eh bien, je pourrais vous montrer le château, mais je voulais étudier un peu à la bibliothèque. Et si je vous emmenais tous avec moi à la bibliothèque. et si tu veux rester après, tu peux lire quelques livres?"
(Well, I could show you the castle, but I wanted to study for a bit in the library. How about I bring you all with me to it, and if you want to stay afterwards you can read some books?)
Harry noticed the surprised looks from Fleur and her friends, who were now talking with each other very quickly in French. He chuckled, causing them to stop. He then turned to Fleur's friends and spoke in French. "Excusez-moi, j'ai compris tout ce que vous venez de dire. Oui, je suis bien Harry Potter ; comme Fleur te l'a dit hier soir. Vous faites l'hypothèse de comment ou pourquoi je peux résister à l'attrait des Vélanes. En parlant de ça, ai-je raison de présumer que vous faites partie des Vélanes, Fleur?"
(Excuse me, I understood everything you just said. Yes, I am, indeed, Harry Potter; just as Fleur told you last night. You are making an assumption of how or why I can resist Veela allure. Speaking of which, am I correct to presume you are part Veela, Fleur?)
Blushing, Fleur's friends apologize in English, thinking that this would be easier for him.
Fleur then took over and talked with Harry. "Oui, ma grand-mère est Veela. Et tandis que beaucoup d'hommes tombent amoureux de moi à cause de mon allure ; vous semblez être complètement immunisé contre cela. Cela m'avait surpris hier soir, et aujourd'hui mes amis voulaient voir par eux-mêmes. Mais ne vous méprenez pas, je n'utilise pas mon allure à mes avantages ; ça arrive juste parfois. Mais je ne renierai pas mon héritage, même si beaucoup me traitent de créature sombre à cause de cela. Mais n'en parlons pas, et si vous nous montriez le château ?"
(Yes, my grandmother is Veela. And while many men fall for me because of my allure, you seem to be completely immune to it. That had surprised me last night, and today my friends wanted to see for themselves. But please do not misunderstand, I do not use my allure to my advantages; it just happens sometimes. But I will not deny my heritage, even if many call me a dark creature because of it. But let's not talk about that, how about you show us the castle?)
Harry nodded after he had finished his breakfast. Harry then stood up and to the girls' frustration and Harry's amusement, he spoke English. "Well then, let's go. And please, if you have a question, just ask. While I am not the expert of Hogwarts, I will try to answer every question. And if I do not know the answer, I'm sure that Hermione does."
One of Fleur's friends cheekily blurted out. "Est-ce que tu peux faire la visite, en Français?"
(any chance you can give the tour, in French?)
Harry shook his head apologetically. "Ce n'est pas Beauxbâtons. Comme la langue maternelle de cette école est l'anglais, il serait impoli de faire la visite dans une autre langue que l'anglais, non?"
(This is not Beauxbatons. As the native language of this school is English, it would be rude to give the tour in any other language but English, no?)
The girls and Fleur nodded their understanding. Madame Maxime warned them that they would be expected to speak English here. And the chances of people in Hogwarts being fluent in French were low. They just got lucky that they found someone who can speak French fluently.
—-
Hermione was reading Hogwarts, A History, looking for mention of the Triwizard Tournament. She knew that it was in there somewhere, but she could not remember where specifically. She then heard Susan telling them quietly that she had found something. "Here it is written that the Triwizard Tournament was canceled almost a century ago because all the champions were killed during the last task. Aside from that, this book has a list about all the tasks they had done; so maybe we can find out how likely it will be that they repeat some of those. Even if Dumbledore had told us that they had planned for a long time to make sure that there would be almost no chance for anyone to die, the possibility still exists."
Daphne was now looking at the book, hoping that their fears would be unfunded in the end. But if they could help Harry in any way, she would do her damned best to make sure that Harry survives.
The three girls soon noticed someone coming over to their table, which was kindly offered by Madam Pince. The librarian had told them at the end of their previous year that they were in the library so often that she could give them their own private table. So they thought that it had to be one of their friends and looked up from their books. They were surprised when Harry came over with a smile, accompanied by some Beauxbaton students as he said something to them in French, making them laugh quietly.
Daphne and Hermione were now looking at Harry with a curious look. Daphne then stood up from her chair and walked over to the small group, asking Harry why he had told the Beauxbatons that this was the best spot for studying inside the library.
Harry was still smiling, but not as stupidly as some other male students did around them while looking at their guests. "Well, they asked me why I led them to this corner in this big library. They had asked me in the Great Hall if I could show them the school after they had found out that I am immune to the allure from Fleur. Oh right, introductions are in order."
Susan was watching Harry closely, noticing all the small details that showed that Harry was hiding his nervousness with the happy to go attitude he displayed right now. She was sure that Hermione and Daphne also had noticed this, and Susan was also sure that they all asked themselves if it was because of Fleur and her friends or if it could be that he was nervous about the prospect that it was very likely that his name would come out the goblet tonight.
Harry stepped a bit to the side so he could introduce Fleur and her friends to Hermione, Susan and Daphne. "These are friends of mine. This is Hermione Granger, a Gryffindor just like me. I told you about the houses in Hogwarts. Now this is Susan Bones, the head of the DMLE's niece and a member of Hufflepuff. She is also one of the best duelists this school has to offer. And last but not least, Daphne Greengrass, one of the best potion brewer from our year and a member of Slytherin. Hermione, Susan, Daphne, these are Fleur Delacour, Madelaine, Marie, Josephine, Claudette and Anne. "
A short time later, Fleur was talking with Hermione in fluent French, while Daphne was occupied by one of Fleur's friends. Susan was feeling just a bit left out from her friends speaking French, but Harry soon paid attention to her, making her blush a bit.
Fleur used this distraction, grinning towards Hermione. "Je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher de remarquer que, faisant partie des Vélanes, mon charme fait normalement tomber les hommes amoureux de moi. À moins qu'ils n'aient trouvé leur véritable amour ou qu'ils n'aient une volonté très forte, ils peuvent résister à l'attraction de l'Allure. Maintenant, j'ai remarqué comment vous regardiez Harry tous les trois, alors puis-je supposer que vous l'aimez tous les trois?"
(I could not help but notice, being part Veela, my allure normally causes men to fall for me. Unless they have found their true love or have a very strong will they cannot resist the pull from the Allure. Now I noticed how you three were looking at Harry, so am I safe to assume that you three do love him?)
Hermione blushed very hard, almost glowing red. Hermione looked at Harry, knowing full well that even if Fleur had whispered this question to her, he would have heard it for sure. Seeing that Harry was distracted reading a book with Susan, she just nodded to Fleur hoping that this would be enough of an answer.
Harry had indeed heard the question, but he tried to ignore everything about it while reading the book with Susan and helping her find out more about the tournament. When the pair stumbled upon the part about the Yule ball. As time went by Yule became Christmas and Harry speculated that this year's Yule Ball would be held on Christmas Day. Harry thought back to the list of things they had to bring for this year. Harry shrugged and idly commented."And now we know why we needed dress robes this year. I wonder how many will be surprised when they hear that they have to dance during the ball."
Susan looked at Harry with a big grin, causing him to wonder what she was planning now. Thinking about the ball now, he asked himself if he would be able to decide which of his friends he should ask to be his date for the ball. Callie smirked in his glasses, showing Harry the girls with numbers. "Will it be number 1, 2 or 3? Place your bets!"
The girls looked up when they heard a smack, seeing Harry angrily holding his glasses and facepalming. Harry noticed that his friends were looking at him, so he just told them that he had a sudden realization about why Ron complained about his dress robes. "I'm sure that his robes look very old fashioned. You'll think it's so antique that it is almost in vogue?"
—-
After another half an hour in the library, the group walked back to the entrance hall. Fleur and her friends had told Harry and the other girls that their headmaster, Madame Maxime, had told them yesterday that everyone from Beauxbaton that was present would put their name into the Goblet of Fire. Harry and his friends had then decided that they would watch the goblet for a bit and see who put their name into it until it was time for lunch.
Harry and his friends soon arrived in the entrance hall, where the goblet was placed. Close to it, Harry saw Ron also watching the older students throwing in their names. Daphne saw Tracey relatively close to Ron, but neither of them acknowledged each other. Daphne leaned over to Harry to whisper to him that she wondered if those two had secretly feelings for each other. Harry just shook his head. "I've come to realize that Ron would never jump over his own shadow and finally admit that not every Slytherin is a dark witch or wizard. He just sticks to his beliefs when he has made up his mind about something. Meeting Malfoy on the train when we first came to Hogwarts seemed to have only strengthened his opinion on that matter. But to be honest with you, I am glad that I was able to get to know you better when we met in the library three years ago."
Daphne now blushed, but she soon was distracted when Fred and George came down the stairs with both of them holding a small vial in their hands. One twin proclaimed for all to hear. "We did it! This is an aging potion!"
The other twin grinned to the onlookers. "And so we should be able to gain a few months and trick the age line on the ground!"
The first twin picked up the plan and as if he had succeeded already. "Allow us to throw our names into the goblet."
"And to gold and glory!" Both twins shouted at the same time the mantra that pushed them to this crazy plan.
But before they could make a step closer to the goblet, Harry called out to them. "McLaggen tried something similar this morning. He should now be in the hospital wing with a glorious gray beard still growing. Are you sure you want the same thing?"
The twins stopped on the spot, looking down at the line and then on the vials in their hands. Harry was able to see which was speaking from experience and saw it was Fred who spoke first. "We heard about that, but we thought that it was just a joke from someone who does not like that git."
George shook his head. "But if Harry says the same thing, it must be true. George, what should we do? This potion was hard to make."
Fred looked at his brother in confusion. "I thought I was Fred today. Gred."
George looked at Fred, thinking about it. "You're right, Forge, well some ingredients in this potion have some funny reactions to magic used on them. Do you think that they still react the same way when they are used like that?" George then threw the potion over his head and pointed his wand at it. "Depulso!". When the spell hit the vial, it exploded in a pink cloud that made some bunny shapes and hopped through the air.
Fred did the same with his vial, but his spell caused the potion to explode into a blue smoke and it turned into eagles. "Well, that was interesting. Do we have more of the potion to throw different spells at?"
George just grinned and opened his bag that he somehow summoned between the for a lack of better term, fireworks.
Harry watched the twins doing their little play, knowing them well enough that they had planned this from the beginning or else they would not have so much of the potion they were now using. He also noticed that Fred tried to levitate something over him and just stepped out the way as it fell towards Harry. The item landed with a loud thud, revealing that it was just a small pumpkin.
Fred laughed and knelt down to Harry. "And once again, our star seeker evades our attempt to prank him. When will we finally succeed in it, I wonder?" Fred reached out to pick up the pumpkin to place into his pocket.
Just before Harry could answer, the door to the entrance hall to the courtyard opened and the Hogwarts students became silent and made way for their guests.
While Harry watched the Durmstrang students walking into the entrance hall in a single file, he noticed that Krum watched him intently. Harry asked himself what the reason could be beside the scar on his forehead, even as it had faded since he underwent the mutation.
After the Durmstrang students had put their names into the Goblet of Fire, Karkaroff ordered them out the entrance hall and returned back to the Dutchman. Harry saw Ron and other fans of Krum debating if they should go after him and ask the Quidditch star for an autograph. Harry just shook his head and saw that it was almost time for lunch, so he walked into the Great Hall with his friends and visitors from Beauxbatons he had shown the castle, this time they sat at the Ravenclaw table to introduce Luna to the French guests.
Luna on her end was looking at them with her usual dreamy smile. Fleur and her friends were surprised when Luna asked them in perfect French. "Êtes-vous tous des Vélanes? Les garçons réagissent de manière très intéressante lorsque vous vous promenez."
(Are you all Veela? The boys are reacting very interestingly when you walk around.)
Fleur smiled when she came back from her surprise. "Non, nous ne sommes pas tous des Veela. Mais où as-tu appris à parler français?"
(No, not all of us are Veela. But where did you learn to speak French?)
Luna just hummed and turned back to her lunch before answering. "Mon père est l'éditeur du Chicaneur. En avez-vous entendu parler? Je l'aide parfois avec la traduction française pour nos abonnés sur le continent.)
(My father is the publisher of the Quibbler. Have you heard of it? I help him sometimes with the French translation for our subscribers on the continent.)
Fleur's friends were soon talking with Luna about all the things the Quibbler believed existed in the world. But as they were all laughing about it, they had their fun discussing some of the Quibbler's wild speculations.
—-
After Lunch, Harry decided that he needed some fresh air and walked out of the castle towards the obstacle courses. He was glad that his friends saw that he wanted to be alone for a while and leave him be. Harry really was glad that he had friends like these.
When he came closer to the obstacle courses, he heard some grunting that he was unfamiliar with. He knew almost everyone that had become a regular on the training courses, so he was surprised when he recognized Krum climbing up a rope before jumping back down to the ground and moving on to the next obstacle. Looking around, Harry saw some other students running the courses, so he guessed that Krum had watched them for a while to understand what the courses were meant for and began to run them himself.
Harry soon was close enough to let Krum notice him, to which the older student halted for a moment and nodded towards Harry before he finished this round on the course. Meanwhile, Harry warmed up to run some rounds himself just as Krum finished his round and walked over to him.
Harry stood up again and continued his stretching as Krum stopped next to him. Krum's gruff voice took Harry by surprise but he tried to hide it. "You are Harry Potter, yes? Do you train often here?"
Harry nodded as he stopped his stretching and made himself ready to start. "Yes, I'm Harry Potter, and I train here almost every weekend. Why do you ask?"
Krum let out a sigh of relief, Harry guessed that it was because he just treated Krum like every other wizard that was running the courses. Krum then pointed his thumb to another course, asking Harry if he could explain how to run the course properly.
Harry nodded and demonstrated the course Krum indicated and together, with the professional Quidditch player, trained for the next hour before they had to return to take a shower before the feast tonight.
Krum thanked Harry for his time and left to walk down to the Dutchmen. Harry wondered if Krum would sit with them in the future, but more importantly how the Bulgarian seeker would react when his name came out of the goblet or tonight. Callie had to remind him that it's not just his name that might alter people's perception of him, but the fact he's a Witcher and hide it for so long.
—-
Soon, the sun set behind the horizon and the Halloween feast was in full swing. Harry sat in the Great Hall together with his friends and housemates eating their dinner. Harry watched everyone at his table enjoying the feast, waiting for the champions to be chosen. Harry caught himself moving his hand to his glasses. Somehow he knew that soon he would no longer need them. He listened to his friends around him, somewhat happy that Fleur and her friends were still sitting with them at the Gryffindor table and enjoying their time together. Soon he heard Dean saying that Dumbledore was walking towards the podium.
Harry looked up to Dumbledore, who had his arms outstretched to call for attention. The Great Hall became silent and waited with baited breath on what would happen next. "Good evening to you all. Once again, we were able to enjoy a good feast in our halls. Now for tonight's main event; the choosing of the champions. As I had told you last night, everyone who was able to put their names into the goblet had a chance to become their school's champion. And for the few who tried; even if they were too young, enjoyed a few hours with a glorious beard like mine. I would also like to introduce to you all the organizers for the tournament, Mr. Bartemius Crouch and Mr. Ludo Bagman. Both will also be in the judge panel and oversee all the tasks, just to make sure that everything is going smoothly. Now without any further delay, we will commence with the ceremony."
Dumbledore walked around the staff table towards the Goblet of Fire, which was moved into the Great Hall during the feast. It was still burning brightly yellow, but as soon as Dumbledore stepped closer, the color changed to a fiery red.
Harry saw a small piece of parchment flying out of the flames, and he held his breath. Dumbledore caught the note and looked at it. "The first champion chosen is from Durmstrang. Viktor Krum!"
Harry applauded just like his friends did, He heard Ron saying that this was no surprise. Harry also heard some metallic sounds, like coins changing hands. Harry laughed when he recognized Dean's grumbling voice about there being so many Durmstrang students who looked so capable.
Soon after Krum had walked into the antechamber behind the staff table, the goblet's flames became red again and another piece of parchment came out from the flames.
Harry again held his breath, waiting for which name it was.
Dumbledore caught it, his grandfatherly smile not faltering as he read the note. "The second champion, we have the representative for Beauxbatons, Fleur Delacour!"
Harry turned around to look at Fleur, seeing her overjoyed and after standing up, she walked gracefully towards the antechamber that Krum had entered just a few moments before.
Harry noticed that some of his friends had to hold themselves on the table or else they would have fallen to the ground. 'Damn, her allure must really hit like a truck. You think it is tied to her emotions, Callie?'
As Fleur joined Krum in the antechamber, every Hogwarts student became silent. Callie tried to calm Harry down, as his heart rate had risen greatly because now it was Hogwarts champion's turn to be chosen.
The flame from the goblet turned red for a third time and Dumbledore caught the parchment.
Harry noticed that the headmaster's expression was tense before, but as soon as he read the name, Harry saw Dumbledore relax, causing Harry to release his breath. 'Well Callie, we now have to look for someone who is angry beyond belief. It seems that their plan failed.'
Dumbledore raised his voice again, as he announced the Hogwarts champion. "I am happy to announce that the Hogwarts champion is from the house of the loyal Hufflepuff, Cedric Diggory!" The Great Hall almost drowned in noise when every Hufflepuff student cheered the loudest. Harry saw Susan and Hannah also clapping.
Harry leaned against the table while he listened to the headmaster who wished all the champions the best of luck and hoped that everyone would support them as best as they could.
But as soon as those words left the headmaster's lips, the Great Hall became silent. Harry heard the flames flaring again, almost stopping his heart. Turning back towards the goblet, he caught a small glance of John in his armor, standing still like a statue.
Harry saw the parchment being ejected from the goblet, as its flames died down until it was extinguished.
Dumbledore caught the parchment with his hand, which trembled noticeably to Harry.
Then the words left Dumbledore's mouth that Harry and his friends hoped they would not say tonight.
"Harry Potter."
Harry slumped in his seat, grabbing his glasses as he heard Callie saying: "Time to unleash the wolf."
And here we are, at the end of the chapter. What do you think about this cliffhanger? I know ending it just at this moment when Harry would release the wolf is a bit sudden, but I felt better to pick what happens now in the next chapter, as Harry now will go beyond everything he had done until now in this story. And this chapter was already as long as it was XD
I do hope you all liked this chapter and would leave a review. Until next time.