Spoiler Alert: This chapter contains a reference to the Goblet of Fire film AND a fourth wall break. The Fourth Wall Break will be designated by *

October 18th, 2006

Ministry of Magic

London

An owl landed on the desk shared by Department of International Magical Cooperation liaison Hermione Granger and Department of Magical Games and Sports liaison Draco Malfoy. Hermione reached for the letter, but Malfoy was slightly faster. He grabbed the letter from the owl's beak and tore it open, reading it with a snicker.

Upon seeing Hermione's raised eyebrow, he said, "Ilvermorny is only sending fifteen students, accompanied by their Headmaster. That's a far cry from... How many did you say Beauxbatons sending?"

"Fifty," Hermione replied.

Malfoy nodded. "Right. Well, now that we have a tentative list from both schools, I guess I'll take these over to Weasley-"

Hermione snatched the papers out of Malfoy's hands. "You'll do no such thing, Malfoy. The last thing we need is you and Percy attempting to jinx each other because you love to antagonize his entire family."

Malfoy nodded. "If you insist. Have fun with the Weasel."

Hermione rolled her eyes and walked away, seemingly unaware that Malfoy's gaze was still on her.

Beauxbatons

Pierre LeBeau couldn't believe what he had just heard. The fifty students going to Hogwarts for the Tri-Wizard Tournament were to leave for Hogwarts on the 27th, a mere nine days away. Finally, he kept thinking, his road to glory was drawing nearer. With each passing day, the level of anxiety grew among the fifty hopefuls. LeBeau still strutted around the school like he owned the place, looking down on his fellow students,especially the other competitors in the Tournament. He didn't understand why, when everyone else knew that he was competing, that they didn't withdraw their names. Oh, well. If they knew what was good for them, they'd stay out of his way, and his one in fifty chance could potentially increase by a couple of points.

"Gloire éternelle," he muttered to himself before turning in for the night. ("Eternal glory.")

Hogwarts

Once the plates in the Great Hall were spotless, Headmistress McGonagall rose from her seat to address the Hall. All conversation ceased when McGonagall fired a set of firecrackers from her wand.

"If I may have your attention for a moment," she said. "The delegations from Ilvermorny and Beauxbatons will be here next Friday, the 27th, at 7pm. Classes will end early that day so that you may drop your bags in your dormitories before our guests arrive."

There was a cheer that went on amongst the student body before McGonagall continued. "However, I still expect you all to be on your best behavior. This school's reputation has stood for over one thousand years, and I will not, in the course of one evening, have any of you besmirch the good name of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons!"

*"I wonder how many times she rehearsed that,"* Malachi muttered to Ari. Ari simply scoffed and rolled his eyes, turning back to McGonagall's speech. If he was going to compete, he needed to understand what was going on.

"...will coordinate with the Head Boy and Head Girl, as well as your Heads of House. Delegates from the Ministry of Magic will be arriving on the 27th as well, from the Departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports, to explain the rules for selection and competition in the Tournament."

Ilvermorny

A similar notice had been pinned to the announcement boards in all four common rooms over night:

Attention!
The following students are to report to Headmaster Gibbs' office after dinner tonight:

Anthony DiNozzo, Jr.
Timothy McGee
Robert Hogan
Andrew Carter
James Kinchloe
Samuel Axe
Robert Floyd
Penelope Benjamin
Michael Metcalfe
Daniel Pierce II
Peter Mitchell
Richard Winters
Abigail Sciuto
Nicholas Bradshaw
Caitlin Todd

We will be discussing the Tri-Wizard Tournament at this time.

In the Wampus Common Room, Kate let out a sigh. Tony, Abby, and McGee definitely knew now that she was competing now. She'd managed to keep it a secret until now, because when she'd signed up, the sheet had vanished from the wall it was posted to. Oh, well. She could endure Tony's stupid jokes for the day.

Later that night

It turned out that Kate could not deal with Tony's stupid jokes today. He started in at breakfast and ended up getting Jinxed and Hexed at multiple points through the day. Nothing major, of course, just a Jelly-Legs Jinx, a Leg-Locker Curse, and a couple of Tongue-Tying Curses, plus one Silencing Charm.

Now, all fifteen Tri-Wizard hopefuls stood in Gibbs' office, with Tony still feeling the effects of the Silencing Charm. Gibbs, against his better judgement, waved his wand and nullified the Charm.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Tony gasped. "You can't keep me quiet forever, Kate. You couldn't even keep entering the Tournament a secret forever."

Kate held up three fingers in Tony's direction. "Read between the lines, DiNozzo."

"Can it," Gibbs growled. "We're set to arrive at Hogwarts on 27 October. We'll be leaving that morning at 0830. Should take us about nine hours to get there. I expect you all to be ready to go. If you're not out front of the school on time, you will be left behind. I'm looking at you, Mitchell and Bradshaw."

The two students to Kate's immediate right looked at each other and then back at Gibbs. "We'll be ready, sir," the shorter of the two, Mitchell, said.

"Yeah, sure you will." Gibbs looked at the pair with skepticism. "One more thing: The British Ministry will be at Hogwarts to go over the exact rules of the Tournament. Go back to your Common Rooms."

Hogwarts

Ari was restless, unable to sleep or even relax. He'd gone to the library after dinner to research the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and he'd stayed there until Madame Pince kicked him out. He left the Heads' dormitories and just started walking around the castle. Hogwarts was completely peaceful at night, even with all of the ghosts roaming around. He didn't know exactly where he was going, but along the way, he ran into Peeves, the school's Poltergeist.

"OOH!" Peeves cackled. "Head Boy walking around after hours? What naughtiness are you getting into?"

"Sod off, Peeves," Ari growled. "I am in no mood for your shenanigans tonight."

"Not very friendly tonight, are we? Well, then old Peevsie won't tell you who he saw in the Astronomy Tower while they were supposed to be doing their rounds."

Ari's left eye began to twitch as his wand appeared in his hand. "Get out of my way, you blasted poltergeist."

Peeves descended from the air and blocked the corridor in front of Ari. "I don't think so. Not until you say please or you make me move."

Taking a deep breath and raising his wand, Ari said, "Remember, you asked for this."

Before Peeves knew what had happened, Ari had started shooting salt from the tip of his wand, sending Peeves back little by little. When the poltergeist had gone, Ari looked around, realizing that his feet had taken him to the Hospital Wing. He didn't have time to ponder on why his feet had carried him here, as the office door on the other end flew open and Ducky came ambling out.

"Ah, Mister Haswari," Ducky greeted. "To what do I owe the pleasure this late hour? Are you quite well?"

Ari hesitated. "Good evening, Ducky. I apologize for the late intrusion. I could not sleep and I just started walking from my dormitory. I had no destination in mind and I just ended up here."

Ducky simply smiled. "I understand completely. With the full workload that you have, plus the looming Tri-Wizard Tournament, which if I have heard the rumors correctly, you will be entering?" Ari simply nodded, and Ducky continued, "I surmised as much. I understand your inability to sleep, my dear boy. I, myself, occasionally suffer from a bout of insomnia. As a matter of fact, I may have quite the remedy."

"A Dreamless Sleep Potion, sir?" Ari asked curiously.

"Heavens, no," Ducky shuddered. "I don't trust that blasted concoction at all. In fact, my remedy is almost ready,"

A tea kettle whistled from behind Ari and Ducky, causing the younger man to raise an eyebrow. "Tea?"

"My own special blend, of course. I discovered it while I was working in the Middle East and Asia many years ago. I took the best ingredients from many local tribes and made it my own. Would you care for a cup?"

"If it helps me sleep, I will try anything," Ari replied quickly.

"Splendid." Ducky poured two cups and passed one to Ari. "To our good health."

"מלמטה למעלה." Ari lifted the cup and drained it in three quick gulps. ("Bottoms up.")

"Thank you for the tea, Ducky. I can feel it starting to work already. Good night."

Ducky smiled from behind his mug as Ari left the Hospital Wing. He heard Peeves confront Ari, followed by swearing from both parties, followed by Peeves crying out in pain. Blasted poltergeist.

Ari made it back to the Heads' dormitories and immediately climbed into bed. His last thought as he drifted into sleep was that his life had reached a new dawn.