A/C: I have been informed by my Russian boyfriend that I butchered Mel's attempt at Russian on google translate, which means it's perfect!

Wednesday October 19th, 1994

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR CEDRIC!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!"

Noise makers galore sounded off as Cedric happily blew out the candles. Cheers rang about the party room, and they all dove straight in for slices of cake.

As the teens began to settle in for their dessert, Jason Adams flashed Cedric a grin, "That makes seven of us now who are of age. So how about it, Cedric? Are you signing up for the Triwizard Tournament?"

"Definitely!" Cedric answered. "Are you signing up?"

"Of course!"

"You're crazy," Kenneth said with exasperation, "You're not even taking DADA this year."

"So?" Jason gave a laughing scoff, "It's a thousand galleon prize! Who wouldn't sign up?!"

"Cyril isn't," Cedric answered. "Eric Murley isn't either."

"Okay, yeah, but does Murley even have a personality?" Severely people gave snorts of laughter, though they quickly tried to hide it from the Ravenclaws in earshot. "And Cyril wants to be a doctor or a healer, right? Can hardly picture a medic in a death-defying battlefield."

"So who does that leave us?" Juliet asked. "Aside from Cedric and you, I mean."

"Senga's going to put her name in," Lucy supplied.

"Rachel, too," Jacqueline added. "As well as Cassius."

"Warrington?" Jason blinked incredulously. "I'm… sure Mister Tri-Course is perfectly equipped to pull it off!" More laughter followed at his comment.

"So that makes five, right?" Lucy asked.

"Six," Kenneth said, "Angelina's birthday is next week."

"Six, then. Who do we think will be chosen?"

"Cedric," Juliet and Kenneth said simultaneously.

"Hey!" Jason shouted at Kenneth, "you're supposed to be on my side!"

Kenneth gave an apologetic smile, "Jace, I lo- like your enthusiasm, but be realistic. Our team did awful last year, and this is an international tournament. There's no way you'll be picked. Senga and Onyilogwu have a better chance, but my money's on Cedric or on one of the seventh years."

At those magic words, Melissa perked up from her seat, "Oh, your money's on it, is it? Want to join the betting pool? I can get in touch with the bookie."

The room flashed her disapproving looks, albeit each for different reasons. Sierra, at least, looked amused, "Are people really letting you place bets after that blow up you had a couple days ago?"

"Hey, that possibility just took me off guard!" Melissa argued. "Besides, I spread out my bets over a couple options. I haven't seen a guaranteed Champion."

"But you do think it's Harry," Jacqueline pointed out.

Melissa sucked in a breath, "I admit that I may have jumped to conclusions." She winced apologetically, "I only saw Harry flying to a cheering crowd, moving in a way that didn't seem like a quidditch match. At the time, I was worried that he plans to enter the tournament, but, when I thought about it later, I realized that that doesn't make any sense, especially if Dumbledore and the Judge are putting in ways to keep underaged people out. Otherwise, I'd place my bets on Roberta or Cromwell getting in."

Sierra nodded, "That makes sense. He's probably just going to play some other game."

"Wait, Roberta or Victoria? Does that mean you wouldn't bet on me?" Cedric teased.

Melissa smiled back, "Hey, you've got skills, Ced; but if money's on the line, I'm going for the people with the top DADA marks."

Jason laughed loudly, "Damn, Bennett, you're vicious!"

"I prefer to call it pragmatic."

Sierra snorted, "And greedy."

"That, too." Jacqueline agreed.

"HEY!"

Thursday October 20th, 1994

On their way to breakfast, the sixth-year Slytherin girls were intercepted by Fred and George Weasley. "Gouda morning, ladies!" They called out.

The girls glanced at each other in mild confusion before looking back at them. "Good morning?"

"It's a grate morning today, isn't it?

"...It's alright," Amy answered them.

Jacqueline went on the cautious offensive, "Can we help you with something?"

"Help us? No. We're just swissing you a gouda morning."

Rusalka blinked. "...Swissing us?"

With a snort, Melissa answered her. "I brie-lieve the boys are just excited about potions class today." She flashed them a smile, which they returned brilliantly.

Rusalka looked at them with disdain. "Brie-lieve? What on earth is wrong with you three?"

The answer was realized by Jacqueline, who groaned with annoyance. "Are you three making cheese puns because we're learning about cheese-based potions today?"

"You cheddar believe it!" The twins answered.

The three (serious) girls groaned, and Jacqueline couldn't help but cry, "You three are unbelievable!"

"What? It's the best queso scenario for a lesson like today," said George.

"I get that cheese jokes are nacho thing, Pierce," said Fred, "but that doesn't mean we have to stop."

Melissa and Amy giggled at the jokes. Jacqueline, on the other hand, shook her head and muttered, "Professor Snape will kill you if you keep talking like this in class."

"We beg to disa-brie."

"Now, now, boy," Melissa chided gently, "you mozza try to restrain yourselves today if you want to avoid getting kicked out of class."

"Restraint? I camembert it!" Fred cried.

"Oh, for the love of Circe!" Rusalka cried. "That's it, we're leaving!" She actively pulled Melissa with her as she walked off, with Amy and Jacqueline easily following beside them. "Magic, save us from the insanity!"

"You say as you pull me with you," Melissa said with a tease.

"Hmph! You may have your moments, but you're still one of us. That said, the less influence you get from those boys, the better."

"Aww, that might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me!"

Rusalka rolled her eyes. "Don't hold your breath to hear more of it. Come on, girls."

They sat down and enjoyed their breakfast, talking time to quiz each other for their upcoming lesson, as well as talk about the party last night and the potential champions for the tournament.

A while after the owls came and went, another boy approached their table. It was the second-year Ravenclaw, Tom Baker.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning, Baker." Melissa spied a letter in his hand, and a guess formed in her mind. "How are you doing?"

"Great! I have good news!" He held his letter out to her. "My little sister was born yesterday!"

"Nice! Congratulations, Baker!" Melissa took the letter and glanced over the contents. "Tyche Rose Baker. So they went with the top option. Nice!"

"Oh, is this the baby you were talking about?" Jacqueline looked over at the letter with interest.

Tom nodded eagerly, "Yep! She's going to be magical, too. Bennett did a whole reading and everything for her!"

Sure, kid. Shout it to the world. She looked around to see curious gazes aimed her way. Then again, no one has to know that I did it in an illegal setting.

"I'll be sure to send my congratulations and a gift for the baby," she promised. She returned the letter to Tom, and he happily skipped back to his seat.

"Excuse me," Melissa turned to find a second year girl, Lilian ('call me Jenny') Hopkins, leaning from her seat towards them, "did you do a name divining for that boy's family?"

"I did. I've also done one for another witch who's expecting. It's a lot of fun," she added with a giggle.

"Amazing!" said Jenny. She then lamented, "I wish my parents did that for me. I was one of six Lilys in my class. It was awful!"

"Don't forget about us Harrys," Harry Denbright clipped. "Seemed like everywhere I went growing up there was another Harry around."

"Or Harriets," Byron playfully added.

Other non-legacy kids joined in on the tease.

"Or Harrisons."

"Or James'."

"Or Jamesettas."

"Hey! Leave me out of this, Shah!" Jamesetta cried out, throwing an angry finger in Poornima Shah's face. "I was named after my great-grandmother. Don't rope me in with that lot!"

Laughter rang about at her outrage, and at the poor unfortunate souls with the legacy names.

Jenny then spoke above the rest, "Hey, Bennett, when I grow up and start a family, can I write to you to get a reading?"

"Sure thing, Hopkins!" Melissa grinned, especially as others started to mutter and nod happily at the idea. "I'll only be an owl post away!"

"Perfect! Thanks, Bennett!"

"You're welcome!"

The younger years broke away from the teenagers, talking excitedly amongst themselves about divination or other topics. Her dorm-mates, meanwhile, gave her bemused looks.

"I thought you said you're moving to America after you graduate?" Jacqueline asked. "Won't that be a problem for starting a Name Divining business?"

"No. It's not like I'd have to be around at a set time, just when they're expecting. Besides, planes are cheaper than international portkeys. I'll be able to handle doing two jobs just fine."

Jacqueline gave an impressed nod. "Ambitious."

"Very Slytherin," Rusalka smirked.

To that, Melissa happily agreed.

Sunday October 30th, 1994

The school had been polished from top to bottom in anticipation of the foreign arrivals. The students, similarly, were accosted into proper dress code and overall presentation. Melissa didn't mind it, though. New students were coming to the school, and she wanted to make a good first impression.

"Vy izucha- chaye- fucking Christ," she whispered in frustration. "Vy izu…chayete… Vy izuchayete… volshebnuyu… pesnyu… v svoyey… shkole? … Vy izuchayete volshebnuyu pesnyu v svoyey shkole? … Ya igrayu na balalayke."

Standing as they were, in a row outside of the entrance doors, Rusalka turned to Melissa with a face cringing with embarrassment. "Please, Mel, for the love of magic, stick to English."

"I want to make a good impression-"

"They will eat you alive!" She snapped. "You won't even understand their answers, anyway, so what's the point?!"

"Stop bickering, both of you!" Snape growled at them. The girls quieted down, but Melissa still repeated the phrases in her head, just in case.

The entire school waited anxiously as the minutes ticked to 6 o'clock. As dusk fell, people began to shiver from the lack of sun. Then, finally, the anxious silence was broken as Dumbledore exclaimed from the back row, "Aha! Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!"

"Where?" Students shouted, looking all around them.

Melissa, on the other hand, knew to look up. "There!"

Others followed her gesturing to the sky above the forest, finally catching the dark shape as it approached.

"It's a dragon!" A first-year girl shrieked.

"Don't be stupid," A boy beside her scoffed. "…It's a flying house!"

Melissa huffed a laugh through her nose at the boy's guess. She knew it would be something along those lines, and it certainly seemed that way as a team of golden abraxan flew in pulling a house-sized powder-blue carriage behind them. The abraxan and carriage alike landed onto the earth at a frightening speed, causing many to jump back as they pulled in close. Having not taken CoMC, Melissa openly stared at the dazzling, giant, winged horses; admiring them from their gleaming gold coats, to their wings, to their fiery red eyes.

"They're beautiful," she whispered under her breath.

In her distraction, she failed to notice a boy in pale blue robes hop out of the carriage and fumble for the golden steps for Madame Maxime's grand debut. In fact, she didn't even notice the woman. That is, until she heard Rusalka swear under her breath, "Fucking hell, Bennett, when you said a tall French woman, I thought you meant humanly tall; not… whatever she is!"

"Huh?" Melissa turned her attention down the line of horses to the carriage itself. Her eyes went wide. "Oh- hot damn- she is… actually, that's about right."

Rusalka and Amy flashed her looks of frustrated disbelief. They only ended as Dumbledore started to clap, prodding the rest of the school to do the same. They watched as Madame Maxime and Dumbledore exchanged pleasantries, as well as care tips on the abraxan.

"Very well," the woman bowed slightly to Dumbledore, "will you please inform zis 'Agrid zat ze 'orses drink only single-malt whiskey."

Single-malt whiskey. Going to remember that. She watched as Madame Maxime and her two dozen students filed into the school to warm up. She was pretty sure she spotted Fleur among the few covering their heads with silk scarves, but in the darkness it was hard to tell. Not that it mattered. Sure, she planned on befriending people at both schools; but these golden horses on the other hand held most of her attention. "So… think you two will get a chance to study them for your class?"

"Mmm, hopefully," Amy nodded at the idea. "It'd be a great opportunity."

"Well, if you do, let me know. I'd love to find out how to see one up close. Imagine riding one of those?!"

Amy grinned at the thought. "I know what you mean. Sure thing!"

Minutes later, a deep rumbling and gurgling sound came from the darkness. Lee was the first (aside from Melissa) to spot the source of the noise. "The lake! Look at the lake!"

They watched as the black waters bubbled and rippled into waves. Then, emerging from the depths, came a vast, skeletal ship. Its presence was like the Flying Dutchman in all its ghostly glory. The students watched in awe as the ship glided to shore, waiting with baited breath as it anchored and its passengers disembarked.

Whispers floated as the Durmstrang contingent approached. "-say he's a Death Eater," said a first year in earshot.

"-got away-"

"-sold them out-"

"-teaches them dark arts-"

The words silenced as the source of the rumours approached, booming a friendly greeting to the Headmaster. "Dumbledore! How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?"

"Blooming, thank you, Professor Karkaroff," Dumbledore answered.

Did he really just say 'Blooming'?

The men shook hands, then Karkaroff beckoned Viktor to leave their own contingent in order to warm up inside. Kind of pointless. They're all coming inside now, after all, aren't they? Melissa shrugged to herself, letting her attention divert from the trio. An act which was not shared as most of the rest of the school realized the identity of the third wizard in their trio.

At her side, Rusalka was one of the rare exceptions. She had her focus further down the line, giving an upward head nod to one of the Durmstrang boys. The action caught Melissa's attention, and she soon found the recipient of the nod- an older teen with coiffed red hair and a verdi-style beard- returned her nod with an impish grin. Breaking decorum, Rusalka lifted her tie up high, her finger tapping on it for emphasis. The boy looked confused, yet gave a wary nod before following his Headmaster and classmates into the school.

The Hogwarts students then filed in after the Durmstrang students. The houses began to move into their respective seats, many of them watching almost hungrily at the Durmstrang students (who had paused within the Great Hall) hoping to beckon Viktor Krum to join their ranks.

Many hopes were dashed as the redheaded boy clicked his fingers and gestured the group towards the green and silver banners of Slytherin. The others followed suit, and soon the foreign contingent mixed in with their table-

-But not before the redhead made a beeline for Rusalka with open arms. "двоюродная сестра Русалка!"

She welcomed the hug with a hearty squeeze. "двоюродный брат бродный!"

The two rapidly began to converse in Russian, drawing others from Durmstrang into the conversation as they took to their seats.

Approaching the table, Jacinth's mouth gaped with angry confusion. "Who the bloody hell is that?!"

Jacqueline and the remaining girls looked at him oddly. "Cousin Brodny, evidently."

"Cousin Brodny?" the voice came with suspicion. Then, finally, something clicked with the boy. "Oh. Right. She mentioned something about that."

The sixth years took their seats, aiming to be closer to the Durmstrang students, using Rusalka as their way in. Jacinth, especially, took the lead on this as he loudly introduced himself with an extended hand, "Jacinth Wystan. Ru's boyfriend."

Brodny's eyes gleamed darkly. He looked to Rusalka, asking, "This is the one?" On seeing her confirmation, Brodny accepted the handshake. "I've heard about you, Jacinth Wystan," his name was emphasized, though it was unclear if it was as an acknowledgement or a threat. "My cousin says good things. Treat her well," he gave a casual oh well shrug as he added, "or else I break you."

Half of the Slytherins in earshot flinched then stiffened at the blatant threat.

…then Half of the Durmstrang teens burst into laughter. "Look at his face!" a boy shouted, gesturing at Jacinth. "So serious!"

"He's had it too easy, clearly," another teased.

"No, that's just the English," a blonde girl added. "They take everything seriously. No fun."

"Da! Dat is true!"

More laughter followed, and Jacinth's face went red. Though he managed to keep his cool as Rusalka pulled him to sit with the group.

Moments later the Headmasters entered the room. Silence fell through the hall as Dumbledore welcomed the new arrivals to Hogwarts and summoned the feast. Melissa dove for the food straight away, using the foreign dishes as a useful icebreaker to engage the Durmstrang teens in conversation.

"You need to try lingon and gurkor with the köttbullar," insisted Astrid Wikström, a blonde Swedish witch, as Melissa served herself some meatballs (the aforementioned köttbullar).

"Lingon and gurkor?" She followed the girl's gestures to the small serving bowls nearby. "Lingonberries and… gherkins? Cucumbers? Gurkor?"

"Exakt!"

"Perfect! Thanks!" She snagged the sides and moved on to magic talk. "Are you all going to take classes with us? Some of us are learning alchemy this year, and other special classes."

"Yes, we were told," Astrid said excitedly. "Some classes we will do on the ship, but when we heard about the special classes at Hogwarts, how can anyone resist?"

At her side, a brown haired boy named Lev Poliakoff gave a laughing scoff. "Professor Karkaroff certainly tries. He vood rather ve not stay in ze castle long."

"Well that's dumb," Melissa said. "Isn't the whole point of visiting a foreign school to learn foreign cultures and classes?"

"Exactly!" Lev said with loud gestures. "Zat's vot ve all said. Vell, all until Viktor. Once he asked to take Hogvarts classes, zen he says 'Of course, of course, dear boy! My precious Quidditch Star, vot a vonderful idea!"

Melissa and several others cracked up at Lev's dramatic acting. Farther down the table, Viktor glowered at Lev. Despite the humour, Melissa felt pity for the boy. "Don't mind us, Krum. Some people act really stupid when it comes to celebrities. You should see how some people treat my friend, Harry Potter. It gets really annoying for him, the poor kid."

"Harry Potter?!" asked another girl who's name she hasn't caught yet. "You're friends with him?"

"Yeah, but it's like I said, he's just a regular kid wanting to live his life. Oh, super skilled at quidditch, though. Catches the snitch every game. He was so upset that they put an age limit on quidditch this year. Can you imagine not being allowed to play the game for a whole year?"

A few of the Durmstrang kids cringed at the thought. Even Viktor looked pensive about it. "Dat vood be sad," he agreed. "Perhaps he can do small games for fun?"

Melissa nodded thoughtfully. "True. Will you do the same if you get selected for the Tournament, or will you also join your school's quidditch team?"

"Hmm…" a gentle smile grew on his face, "vy not all three?"

"Against younger children?" the other girl said teasingly. "You'll beat them like it's nothing!"

"Don't be so sure about that!" Adrian pounced into the conversation. "No offense to Cedric and Chang, but if Potter or Malfoy were allowed to compete, either one of them would have gotten Seeker this year for sure!"

The quidditch-contingent began to make their own circle of conversation about the games, both figuratively and literally blocking Melissa out as Cassius, Montague, and Malfoy joined the conversation.

Melissa, Astrid, and Lev begged off of it with rolled eyes and shifted elsewhere. "So back to the classes and stuff, there's something I want to ask. We learn here how to translate ancient runes, but do you guys study Galdralag or, um, volshebnuyu pesnyu?"

"Volsheb-?" Lev gave a snort. "In Russian it's pronounced volshebnaya pesnya."

"Oh," she blinked dumbly. "Volshebnaya pesnya?"

"Zat's it! Exactly!"

"Alrighty," she swore to retain that in memory. "So do you guys learn about it?"

"How to do it? Of course."

"Why wouldn't we?" Astrid said. "It's magic. Are we not witches?"

"I know, you would think, yet they never talk about it here. I only found out last month because of a new class about ancient cultures, but we haven't even learned how to do it in class, just that it exists."

They looked extra confused now. "Then how do you do rituals?"

"We don't," she answered. "I mean… I've done a couple rituals, in secret, but it's not common because people think rituals are part of the dark arts."

"Dark arts?" Astrid asked. Words were exchanged with Lev in another language, then a few others were pulled into the exchange before things were understood; and, by understood, meaning that they started rolling their eyes or groaning with annoyance. "It's the English, I tell you, you people are too serious! You live away from everyone, learn nothing from anyone, and think anything complicated is bad! Listen," Melissa found herself pulled into Astrid's command, along with a few other of her classmates in earshot, "there are very few things that are 'dark arts'. Evil curses that need feeling evil emotions to do. Same for… how you say… 'light arts'. Things that need good emotions to do good things. Everything else, most all magic, is just magic! Nothing good or evil about them!"

"I totally agree!" Melissa said. "I have no problem with it. In fact, I want to learn galdralag magic. It's just not how things are taught here."

"Then you learn with us!" Astrid insisted. "We learn from your school, and you learn from us!"

"Really?!" Melissa asked with excitement.

"Really?" Lev asked with unease.

"Of course! Your magic is being- uh-" she struggled for words, "övergiven- left behind as witch. You should be allowed to learn magic without these stupid English ideas. We will help you!" On hearing Lev moan, she scoffed at him. "Ignore him, I will help you. Agreed?"

"Absolutely! I'd LOVE to learn it!"

"Good. Now first, very important, do you know how to play music?"

A collective eruption of groans and laughter came from Amy, Jacqueline, Domonkos and Garrick. "Oh boy, here we go!"

"Yes, Melissa," Domonkos said sarcastically, "do you know how to play music?"

She and her friends snorted with laughter. "Sorry," she gestured to the confused Durmstrang duo, "it's just that it's easier to ask what musical instruments I don't play. That's why I'm so interested in galdralag."

Both Astrid and Lev looked impressed by that answer. "Good. Then this should be little problem. We can make a plan after tomorrow."

"Sounds good to me!"

Conversation moved on from there, the students all mingling, enjoying their supper and desserts from various nations. Amy, in particular, was excited on noticing four extra seats at the head table filled on either side of Karkaroff, Dumbledore, and Maxime. Two were of wizards Melissa didn't recognize; but the other two, practically everyone who spoke to those people last time were excited for another opportunity.

That conversation ended as Dumbledore stood to address the students at the end of the feast.

"The moment has come. The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket just to clarify the procedure which we will be following this year. But firstly, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mister Chrysanthos Wilkins, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation," he gestured to a man sitting beside Karkaroff on Dumbledore's right, to the sound of light applause, "and Mister Ludo Bagman, head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports," this name came with louder applause as the smiling man waved from Maxime's side of the table, "whom have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangement for the Tournament. They are joined here by Miss Cordelia Murphy of the Dark Force Defence League and Mister Louis Thoreau of the Federation of European Duellists, who have agreed to return to Hogwarts to join Mister Wilkins, Mister Bagman, myself, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime on the panel which will judge the champions' efforts. They will also be serving as guest lecturers for this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts classes."

Okay, THAT I did not expect! Melissa blinked as the applause grew even louder. But also, how awesome is that?!

"The casket, then, if you please, Mister Filch." Dumbledore continued as Filch brought forth a jewel-encrusted wooden chest. "The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mister Wilkins and Mister Bagman, and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways… their magical prowess, their daring, their powers of deduction, and, of course, their ability to cope with danger.

"As you know, three champions compete in the Tournament, one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champion will be chosen by an impartial selector… the Goblet of Fire."

Dumbledore tapped the lid three times with his wand- the wand emitting black, void-like sparks as it did so- causing Melissa to shiver with dread. She worked to tamp down on the feeling as Dumbledore removed the wooden goblet, its white-blue flames a neat contrast to the wand's darkness. Around her, other students Oo'ed and Ah'ed at the sight.

"Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the Goblet. Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Hallowe'en, the Goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The Goblet will be placed in the Entrance Hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.

"To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation, I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the Entrance Hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line."

So… NO change then? Seriously, folks? NOTHING?! And here she thought actual progress was being made! Ah, fuck! Well hopefully the Puffs will do their job of giving Harry an air-tight alibi when everything goes to shit.

Lord knows she won't be able to do squat for him come tomorrow.

Dumbledore finished off his instructional speech, ending it with a bid of goodnight to everyone. People began to stir among the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. The Slytherins, meanwhile, waited among the Durmstrang students as Professor Karkaroff approached their contingent.

"Back to the ship, then." He then turned to Krum with a look of paternal concern. "Viktor, how are you feeling? Did you eat enough? Should I send for some mulled wine from the kitchens?"

A few Durmstrang kids rolled their eyes, though Lev had a gleam to his as he said, "Professor, I vood like some vine."

"I wasn't offering it to you, Poliakoff," Karkaroff said harshly. "I notice you have dribbled food all down the front of your robes again, disgusting boy-"

"Vert a shot," he said under his breath. He flashed a grin at the Slytherin group. "See you all tomorrow. Vish me luck!"

"Heh, you mean wish me luck!" Astrid shot back with a teasing smile.

The others laughed, calling out their good luck wishes as the Durmstrang students departed.

"It's too bad they aren't staying in our dorms," Draco lamented. "Imagine having Krum and the others around in the same common room. We could give them a proper welcome!"

"We can show them proper hosting in other ways," Garrick said.

"True."

Melissa hummed. "Or a sneaky one. Hey, Malfoy, your house elf knows the way to the kitchens, right?"

"...Yes? Why?"

When the Durmstrang contingent arrived back on the ship, each teen was surprised to find a mix of gift baskets hidden in the student rooms, away from Karkaroff's prying eyes. Within the baskets was a collection of (leftover) British sweets, bottles of mulled cider and wine, and a note which read:

Welcome to Hogwarts!

Cheers to a year of competition and unity,

From your friends in Slytherin.