On the evening of Tuesday, September 27th, 1994, it was time for Headmaster Lupin to make a major announcement, at least as far as the sixth years and seventh years were concerned.
As the students had all gathered in the Lily Potter Hall for dinner, Headmaster Lupin grabbed his megaphone and said, "Well, I'm afraid dinner will have to wait a bit this evening. You see, it is time for me to officially announce which two Hogwarts students have been selected to attend Beauxbatons in October as part of our Mini Student Exchange Program."
Everyone in the Lily Potter Hall fell completely silent in a nanosecond.
The tension in the air was palpable and people could feel the excitement and anticipation radiating from each other's bodies.
Those sixth and seventh years who had signed up for the opportunity to become one of the two Hogwarts students to go off to Beauxbatons in October all felt their insides churning.
"To clarify one thing," said Headmaster Lupin matter of factly, "Those students who signed up but are not selected for the Beauxbatons trip will still be eligible to sign up for the Mini Student Exchange Program in future months. However, each individual Hogwarts student may only make one total exchange trip this academic year. So, without further ado, let's reveal who the lucky two are. Drumroll please!"
Every student in the Lily Potter Hall obliged.
"The first Hogwarts student that has been awarded a trip to Beauxbatons this October is Cedric Diggory! Would Mr. Cedric Diggory please come up here?" asked Headmaster Lupin.
Cedric wore a humble smile as he got up from his table and walked up the staff table at a leisurely though not lethargic pace.
At the table he had come from however, Ernie, Hannah, Justin, Megan, Sally Anne, Heidi, and Eloise were clapping their hands and stomping their feet at a higher rate of speed than a racecar while whooping and hollering at the top of their lungs.
"The second and final selection to partake in the Mini Student Exchange Program by traveling to Beauxbatons is Alicia Spinet. Would Miss Alicia Spinet please come up here?" finished Headmaster Lupin.
Alicia wore the same humble smile as Cedric as she found her way to the staff table at a brisker pace.
The table she had just departed from erupted with the cheers and yells of Fred, George, Lee, Katie, Leanne and Paula. Angelina, however, was frowning and crying.
"So," explained Headmaster Lupin in a businesslike voice, "Cedric and Alicia were selected for very specific reasons. As you know, the sixth and seventh year only requirement was installed to ensure more mature students would be the ones participating in the Mini Student Exchange Program, especially during its infancy. So, let's start with Cedric. First, let's establish that Cedric is a person of utmost character. Cedric Diggory is exceptionally hard working, infinitely fair minded, and most importantly, a fierce fierce friend. "
Ernie, Hannah, Justin, Megan, Sally Anne, Heidi, and Eloise all nodded in agreement at this.
"Cedric has been a top student at Hogwarts for the duration of his time at this school, " said Headmaster Lupin warmly, "Since his first year, he has ALWAYS been an O student in Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Transfiguration. He also has achieved a grade of O in Care of Magical Creatures each year he has taken that subject. He has also consistently achieved Es in Herbology, Astronomy and Ancient Runes. Now, he has historically been a D student in Potions. However, his grade in his Potions O.W.L. last June was an E and his day to day Potions grades showed remarkable improvement when Professor Brew replaced Professor Snape. He has traditionally been a T student in History of Magic, but he's actually become an E student in History of Magic so far this year with Professor Legacy. "
"The new teachers have definitely helped me out in those subjects as well, " confirmed Harry.
"Cedric's high character and focus, motivation, and success as a student make him the perfect choice for this opportunity, " proclaimed Headmaster Lupin kindly.
"Cedric will be only too happy to share Hogwarts culture with Beauxbatons, " declared Heidi proudly, "He's always very generous with his knowledge."
"Exactly," beamed Headmaster Lupin, "As for Alicia, she was chosen because she was the one who seemed most genuinely interested in learning about a foreign culture. For some students who signed up for the Mini Student Exchange Program, it almost felt more like a curiosity to them or like something like it would be "cool" to partake in. Alicia seemed like the student who was most serious about this opportunity and the one taking it the most seriously. She is totally locked in on learning about foreign languages, music, sports, customs, foods, etc. Alicia has an appetite to broaden her horizon beyond her own homeland. She is the person who will appreciate this program the most and that's why she's been selected to be part of it."
"W-why, w-wasn't I chosen?" sobbed Angelina bitterly.
"Well, " said Headmaster Lupin apologetically, "With only two spots available, not everyone can be chosen. "
"Lucky Cedric and Alicia," spat Angelina resentfully.
Headmaster Lupin, however, turned to Cedric and Alicia.
"I know you two aren't close friends or anything," acknowledged Headmaster Lupin honestly, "But I know I can count on both of you to take of care of each other and look after each other while you're away at Beauxbatons."
Instead of speaking, both Cedric and Alicia replied to this by shaking hands.
"I am humbled by having the opportunity of a lifetime to become one of the first two students in the Mini Student Exchange Program, " said Cedric respectfully, "Headmaster, I promise to represent Hogwarts well while at Beauxbatons. I will do my best to represent Hogwarts with class, grace, and respect. And I promise to look after Alicia."
"To be one of the first two students selected for the Mini Student Exchange Program is an honor and a privilege," cooed Alicia softly, "I promise to take full advantage of the gift being granted to me via this decision. And I promise to look after Cedric."
"The humility you are both displaying upon being chosen is both refreshing and a sign that we made the right call," said Headmaster Lupin contently, "You may resume your seats."
As Cedric and Alicia returned to their tables, Headmaster Lupin now announced in a businesslike voice, "As both Cedric and Alicia are captains of their respective Quidditch teams, it has been determined that, to allow Hufflepuff and Gryffindor more time to practice with their full teams before their first matches of the season, the first Quidditch match on the second Saturday in November shall be Ravenclaw vs Slytherin. "
There was a muttering of understanding.
While most of the students were happy for Cedric and Alicia, including Harry, Harry had a concern about someone else and decided to attack that concern.
Later that night, when everyone was in their rooms, Harry knocked on Angelina's door.
"Who is it?" asked Angelina wearily.
"Harry Potter," answered Harry, "May I have a word?"
"I don't see why not," replied Angelina and she let Harry into her room.
Sitting down beside Angelina on her bed, Harry said seriously, "I've noticed some issues with your behavior recently. You insulted Susan at my birthday party. You insulted Brian at Keeper tryouts. And to be blunt about it, you didn't act well after tonight's announcements of who had been chosen to go to Beauxbatons as part of our Mini Student Exchange Program."
"I'm jealous of Cedric and Alicia being chosen over me and I'm bitter about it. I really wanted to-"
"Look, Angelina, "said Harry patiently, "I don't blame you for being disappointed and feeling hurt. However, you didn't help your chances to be selected for a future month with the way you handled yourself tonight. Headmaster Lupin will have noticed your attitude and reaction and will think you lack the discipline and character required for participation in the Mini Student Exchange Program. I'm sure there are plenty of other students who wanted to be the ones taken to Beauxbatons come October 1st, but you were the only one to cry or whine or act bitter about not being chosen. It's just not a very good reflection on you that you acted in the bitter manner in which you did."
"I'll admit that I was in the wrong to insult Susan and Brian in the incidents you mentioned, " said Angelina slowly, "But why can't I be disappointed about missing out on such a wonderful opportunity?"
"It's okay for you to be disappointed, " explained Harry, "But the way you acted and the attitude you took was out of line and I know Headmaster Lupin noticed that."
"Are you saying that I've ruined any chance to be selected for a future month?" asked Angelina.
"I wouldn't say ruined, but you have damaged your chances of being selected for a future month," admitted Harry.
Angelina had an uncertain look appear upon her face.
"Sometimes in life, things don't go your way," Harry told Angelina, "It's important to handle those times with class and dignity. It's a reflection of the type of person you are how you handle the bad times."
Angelina remained silent for a while and Harry remained patient as she gathered her thoughts.
"You're right Harry," piped up Angelina finally, "I didn't comport myself very well tonight and I'll have to work on handling situations better. "
"Angelina, " said Harry seriously, "Alicia is your BFF. Instead of being jealous of her, try being happy for her. Try to be happy that your Bestie has such an awesome journey awaiting her."
Angelina froze and her face gave off a look of shock, as though she'd seen a ghost. When she came to herself, she said, "You're right Harry, I should be more supportive of my friend, especially my Bestie, getting to do something she's really looking forward to doing. I hadn't thought of it like that before."
Harry and Angelina now exchanged smiles.
"Goodnight, Angelina," called Harry, leaving her room.
"Goodnight, Harry, and thank you for bringing this issue to my attention," returned Angelina.
Meanwhile, unknown to anyone except for each other, Cedric and Alicia met up in the Great Hall at midnight as the 27th became the 28th and just talked for an hour in an honest and sincere effort to begin to get to know each better.
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