Chapter Text
October 30, Sunday
Harry Potter
“Look up!” yelled Lee, pointing to the tiny shape in the distance.
“Is that a bird?” asked Dean, shading his eyes from the sun, not that they had much sun this late in October. Harry squinted, but he could not see anything at all. Perhaps Hermione was right, and he should really try to get new glasses. Somehow. Not like he could ask the Dursleys to take him to the doctors, but perhaps he could get Mrs. Weasley’s help and find someplace in Diagon Alley.
“Could it be a dragon?” said Ron, his eyes large with excitement.
“A Dragon, really, Ronald? How can an entire delegation fit on the back of a dragon?” questioned Hermione, sounding disappointed she even had to explain this. Harry tried to hide his smile at his friend's sarcasm, well aware Ron hated it when he sided with Hermione. At this point, Harry just wanted the two schools to arrive and get this spectacle over with. He was not sure how to feel about the whole Triwizard Tournament. His friends and he were too young to participate - not that he would even consider entering, he wanted one normal year, thank you very much.
So, it meant they would get to watch from the sidelines and enjoy getting to know the visiting students. But the Tournament also meant there was no quidditch, and Harry wasn’t sure any fancy competition was worth cancelling the Cup.
Angelina certainly didn’t think so and was still making them practise two times a week. If Wood had been an unforgiving taskmaster, Angelina was proving herself ten times worse. Harry actually missed Wood, at least with him, they weren’t tortured, or as their new captain called it, doing bodyweight workouts. Harry would much rather battle a basilisk than do another plank.
“Harry, look!” instructed Hermione, noticing he had been staring at his feet instead of the sky. But as he looked up, he saw … a flying carriage? Was that a small carriage floating in the air? He looked at Ron, and they shared a confused look. Ron shrugged and returned, staring at the floating carriage as it drew near.
“It must be enchanted to fit them all, I wonder what spell…” Hermione trailed off deep in thought like she had the habit of doing. Harry loved that about his friend and had missed her ramblings during the summer.
“Merlin! How?” Ron was gaping at the tall woman who came out of the carriage, and Hermione lightly smacked him on the back of the head. But Harry agreed with his friend's question, the woman was at least two metres tall, maybe two twenty, and was definitely the tallest woman he had ever seen.
He saw Dumboldore greet her warmly, “Welcome, Madame Maxime! Hogwarts is beyond delighted to welcome you and your students. Please, follow me.” The giant woman followed the Headmaster, and students began to emerge from the tiny carriage.
In comparison, they looked childlike, but Harry knew they must all be seventeen years old. They were wearing blue uniforms that looked made for much warmer weather. He noticed they all cast silent spells on themselves, presumably to keep warm. There were maybe twelve or fifteen of them, more girls than boys.
“Forge, do you see what I see?” asked Fred, and yes, Harry could tell them apart. He didn’t understand how someone could really mistake them. Fred was the more outgoing one. George, well, he was no wallflower either, but he was more of the brain behind their ideas.
“I sure do, Gred. An angel walking past us.” The two made swooning noises, and then Harry spotted the girl they were referring to. She was tall, blond, and beautiful. Harry noticed most boys and some of the girls were looking at her, fascinated. But his eyes kept going back to a girl in the back. Shorter but still taller than Harry, not that that was difficult. She had long, curly, dark hair that looked almost black. For a second, their eyes met, grey and filled with dislike or was that boredom? But his friends jostled him, and they broke eye contact.
“Ronald, close your mouth!” reprimanded Hermione, disgust in her voice.
“But she … look … she …” Ron was incoherent, and Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed.
“Ronnikins is in love,” Fred joked, but Harry wasn’t sure it was much of a joke. Ron stepped toward the group of French students as though he actually planned to talk to the girl, but the twins stopped him. “Calm down, lover boy. You will get your chance …”
“The lake!” someone yelled, and they all tried to run to get a view of the Great Lake. Harry was definitely too short to see anything, so he hoped someone decided to tell him what was happening.
But before he knew it, Fred and George picked him up and told him, “Did you think …”
“We would forget about you…” continued George.
“Dear Harrikins…” added Fred.
“Our favourite littlest brother,” concluded George.
Harry was too busy looking at the Lake to respond, below them, a giant ship had appeared in the middle of the water. It looked like the ship from Peter Pan, what was its name? The Jolly … something.
“Way more impressive!” observed Seamus, and Harry agreed with his dormmate, the flying carriage had been interesting and all, but this was so much more magical. And just like that, any thought of the French students was forgotten.
“It’s not fair!” Ron complained, though Hermione would probably describe it as whining. “Why is he sitting with the slimy snakes?” He gestured to the Slytherin table where the Durmstrang students had decided to sit and, more importantly, where Viktor Krum was.
Harry had to admit, it would have been super cool to talk to the Quidditch star, his performance at the World Cup had been incredible! But he wasn’t sure what he could say to the rest of the Durmstrang students. Sirius had been very clear that the school attracted dark wizards, and that made him uneasy around them. Especially their Headmaster, who, it turns out, was a Marked Death Eater. Great, just great. Hopefully, he would still get to have a peaceful year.
Harry focused on the mouth-watering food and ignored the smug looks Draco was giving him. The blond pillock was never going to shut about about his new friends, and Ron's jealousy was only going to make things worse.
“Maybe they will switch tables tomorrow,” suggested Hermione, trying to calm Ron but also eager to talk to them herself. She had been studying the schools’ histories and had tried to get Ron and him to read some dusty tomes on the previous Tournaments. They had run away from her.
Before Harry had to come up with a response, Dumbledore stood up and began speaking, “Students, guests, and friends, welcome! It is so wonderful to have all of us back together again. Friendship is the most important asset one might possess, especially when times are murky. Only by standing together do we have a chance of persevering.” Harry met the Headmaster’s gaze and knew he was warning them about Voldemort and his Death Eaters. After the World Cup, it was not surprising that the Headmaster was concerned. Harry could still feel the terror of being chased by the hooded figures and then the Dark Mark being cast right in front of him.
“We shall all remember that even in the darkest of times, one can find the light as long as one remembers to rely on loyalty and love.” Harry could hear the Slytherins snickering, and a tiny part of him also thought the advice was a bit cheesy and strange. But of course, he would never side with a snake, so he kept listening. “And now, the reason for the gathering. Barty, if you may.”
Barty Crouch stepped forward with something covered with cloth. Harry didn’t know much about the wizard, and he didn’t need to. He hated him. Barty Crouch had been the one to accuse his friends and him of casting the Dark Mark at the World Cup, he had been horrible to his house elf, and most importantly, he had been the one to send Sirius to Azkaban. Sirius, his very innocent godfather. So no, he didn’t need to get to know the man to blame him for growing up with the Dursleys. Unaware of Harry’s feelings, Crouch placed the object on a little pedestal and stepped away.
“I present to you,” loudly announced Dumbledore, “The Goblet of Fire.” And indeed, there stood a large goblet that flickered with magic. “Students from the three schools will have until tomorrow night to put their name in the Goblet when we will draw the Champions’ names. Remember, only those seventeen or older might participate. I have ensured it by placing an age circle around it. Enjoy!”
October 31, Monday
Alexandria
Lexi loved some things about wizarding Britain, but the food was not one of them. Looking at all the greasy and fried food in front of her, she tried her best to hide her revulsion and find some vegetables amid the meat and potatoes. And yes, she was well aware potatoes were technically vegetables, but when they were fried or dipped in gravy, she did not think they counted. Unlike half of her year group, she had never restricted her food intake, obsesses with the perfect body. Morgana no! If she skipped a meal, it was only because it had completely slipped her mind, too focused on whatever it was that she was doing.
As someone who used to spend half of her time dancing, she had learned from an young age how it important it was to fuel and love her body and a big part of that was to avoid excessive fried and sugary food. It made her stomach hurt and messed up with her concentration and energy levels. So no, Lexi was not excited to be back at the Great Hall for her second night at Hogwarts.
Seated at the Ravenclaw table, most Beauxbatons students were talking among themselves, ignoring their surroundings. A few, like Faye and Charlotte, were making an effort to speak to the British students. Lexi sat between the two groups, not really belonging to either. She, of course, knew the Beauxbatons students and had spoken to all of them. But she was two years younger than all of them and had no close friends here.
Well, there was also Gabrielle; the two were on the sailing team together, but she was glued to Fleur on the other end of the group. Plus, they all knew her reputation and were weary of her. Weary but respectful, just how she liked it. If she indicated that she wanted to be included in the conversation, they would make space for her. They had already offered four times, but she had politely refused, saying she was exhausted from the long day. They had been slightly relieved to hear her lie, so she turned her attention to the Hogwarts students.
There was a group of boys discussing something related to hydrodynamics, and she had no desire to join the conversation. Then, there were three girls sitting close, whispering to each other and occasionally laughing loudly. Ah, the Ravenclaw gossip queens, she noted their faces for later. There were people reading while eating, and Lexi was not surprised to find that at the Claws table, and she did not want to disturb them.
So her eyes landed on a girl sitting alone and looking into the air. She was small and had very light blond hair. For a second, Lexi wanted to turn to the Slytherin table and compare the witch to the Malfoy Heir, but she would have known if the Malfoys had a daughter. The girl kept looking at nothing, and Lexi wondered if she should be intrigued or worried.
She decided to join her and see. She moved a few seats down, sat to the witch’s right, and examined the air above them. At first, there was nothing, but Lexi was intrigued. After making sure no one was watching, she closed her eyes and opened herself to the magic around her. She was hit by wave after wave of charged and exhilarating energy.
Most of the signatures were unknown (some ancient, others still developing), but there were a few she could distinguish. Those of the Beauxbatons students felt somewhat familiar; there was the Headmistress’ signature, and … she could feel five others quite strongly.
She opened her eyes, confused, but before she had the chance to consider what that could mean, she saw what the witch next to her had been examining. The air was filled with little blinking creatures that resembled large fireflies. They flickered around some of the students but were absent around others. The witch seemed to be observing the creatures above the Gryffindor table.
Lexi had never encountered such creatures before, but it seemed they were only visible using her Mage Sight. Interesting, that meant the witch next to her must have the same ability. She was about to introduce herself when a voice came from the Professors' table.
“The time is upon us,” proclaimed Albus Dumbledore, and Lexi checked her mental shields and her expressionless mask. “We shall now draw our three Champions!” students began clapping, but Lexi did not move. She was too busy staring at the old wizard and his twinkling eyes.
She did not care about the Champion or the Tournament. Who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to bring back an old competition that ended with students dying!? No, it made no difference to her who got chosen to compete. She had a reason to be here, and an idiotic game was not going to stand in her way.
“The Champion from Beauxbatons Academy is…” They all watched as the Goblet erupted into flames, and with her Sight, Lexi could see the strands of magic used to enchant the object. It was a powerful heirloom, and looking at it and the rest of the Hall (all filled with traces of ancient spells) made her head hurt. So, she turned off her Sight and watched as a piece of paper flew from the Goblet and into Dumbldore’s hand. “Fleur Delacour.”
Everyone clapped. Obviously, Fleur’s villa allure had already affected the Hogwarts population. Lexi clapped for her as well. The two were not exactly friends, but they liked each other well enough, attending workshops on family magic and magical inheritances together. Fleur was a lot stronger than she let others believe, especially when angry.
Gracefully, the witch got up and went to the front, where Madame Maxime was waiting for her. Together, they went through a side door, and Dumbledore turned back to the burning Goblet.
“The Champion from the Durmstrang Institute is …” Once again, a piece of paper flew from the Goblet, and the wizard read, “Viktor Krum.”
This time, the capping was louder and accompanied by shouts and stomps. Clearly, the Quidditch star was well-known here. Viktor stood from the Slytherin table and calmly walked to the front, and as he passed her spot, his brow furrowed.
It did not take much to figure out he was confused why she was there. Viktor knew very well that Lexi was not yet seventeen and apparently he had not seen her yesterday. Otherwise, he would have definitely had some questions for her. She offered him a small smirk just to infuriate him.
At the front, he shook his Headmaster’s hand, and Lexi’s vision turned red. That greasy, disgusting excuse for a wizard touching her friend. Igor Karkaroff was worth less than the dirt on the bottom of her shoe, and she had to remind herself that public murder was frowned upon. Oh, but how she hated him!
“The Champion from Hogwarts School is …”, and there went the voice of the person she hated even more. That was the problem, really; there were at least four people in the Great Hall that she would gladly kill this very minute. Albus Dumbledore was at the top of that list, highlighted and underlined, hence labelled Enemy #1. Lexi found her hand squeezing her wand hard enough to leave a mark. “Cedric Diggory”
This time, the clapping was overwhelming; there were shouts of encouragement and loud chants of ‘Cedric!’ and “Puffs!’. Lexi did not join in their excitement, but she clapped as it was the polite thing to do. The Diggories were a light, pureblood family with links to the Ministry, but they were not influential or very memorable, based on Lexi’s limited knowledge of them.
Once the last Champion was escorted out, the students calmed down slightly. Lexi hoped with this out of the way, she could finally start working on her mission.
“Wonderful, is it not! Seeing …” Lexi stopped listening to Enemy #1 because the damned Goblet was being distracting. Even without her Sight, she could see it was still active, and it was angry? “And so, I declare the …” he stopped talking and turned to the burning Goblet. At that exact moment, another piece of paper flew into the air. Based on people’s expressions, everyone was as perplexed as her. Enemy #1 grabbed the paper and read, “Harry. Harry Potter.”
Everyone’s heads turned to the Gryffindor table, where the wizard was sitting still as a statue. Lexi tried not to laugh; of course, he would find a way around the age limit. Anything for the Chosen One, right? The perfect precious Boy Who Lived.
She expected him to smile and stride toward the front, fueled by the hero complex he no doubt had. But instead, she only saw confusion and fear in his green eyes. He swallowed, looking as though he wanted to hide under the table. The bushy-haired girl next to him nudged him to go, and Lexi watched as the light side’s saviour stood on shaking legs.
She examined the nervous-looking witch and red-headed wizard who seemed to be Harry’s friends. She looked worried, whereas the Weasley boy looked … angry. Harry took two steps before the shouts came, “Liar!”
“Potter is a cheat!”
“Not our Champion!”
Lexi did not understand what was happening. Were these people blind? Harry obviously did not want to be a part of this Tournament (showing great maturity). Why were they so eager to blame him for this? It was Harry Potter, the damned Boy Who Lived. Shouldn’t they be trying to protect him from the Tournament? Did it not occur to them that with the increased Death Eater activity, putting their Chosen One in a deadly competition was a moronic idea? Why was no one jumping to defend him?
She watched as Harry walked to the front, alone and terrified. Lexi was not sure why, but she wanted to run to him and protect him. To tell Enemy #1 that Harry was not competing and he needed to figure out what had gone wrong. She felt the undeniable desire to curse someone or many someones. Starting with Enemy #1. Perhaps this was what her father had warned her about, the family madness.
But she did not care; her whole life, she had believed Harry was the light side’s spoiled, pampered little prince. She had never suspected they would ever do this to him. Fuck them! If she was certain of one thing, it was that Alexandria Cordelia Black was not going to watch from the sidelines as some idiots got her little brother killed.