Prologue
Harry
It was so exiting that Sirius let me go with the Weasleys to the Quidditch World Cup, but it was even more exiting to have such a nice view over the field, even though it was a cold night, it was nice to have a little bit wind blowing thru my hair and moonlight shining down on everything. Normally I would ask Mr. Weasley if he really was sure that I didn’t need to pay my own ticket, because these seats had to be expensive, but he already explained that he got them from another Ministry official who owed him that.
“Wow.” Was the only word that Ron could form, and even though Hermione was not that interested in Quidditch I could see that she was equally impressed.
“Now, who do we have here?” I heard a voice from behind. Oh no, I exactly knew who the owner of that voice was. I let out a sigh of annoyance, as I was mentally preparing who I would have to face.
“Minister Fudge, long time not seen! How are you doing?” The false smile on my lips ready as I turned around. I was still pissed at the fact, that he was the one that didn’t even properly investigate Sirius case, deciding that he should be put in Azkaban. But still, he was also the one that pardoned him, obviously after I called, used my name and lulled him into doing it. Since than he acts like we are the oldest friends.
“Hello Harry, I really didn’t expect you here! I am doing fabulous, thank you for asking.” Like he just remembered something he abruptly turned around.
“I actually have to introduce you to somebody.” Just now I saw the man standing next to him. He looked about 50, was tall with broad shoulders and dark shaved hair. His face had a rough structure, and he wore an intimidating expression.
“This is the Minister of Magic from Bulgaria. His name is Ob- Oblin- Oblank- Oblansk. Quite a hard name if you ask me.” He laughed nervously. Fudge now addressed him directly, as slow and clear as possible he said the words:
“This is Harry Potter.” But not only that, no he nearly screamed those words and was doing some obscure gestures with his hand. This time even slower he repeated again. “THIS. IS. HARRY POTTER.” All in all, was it one of the funniest things I had seen in a long time, and I was really struggling not to bust out laughing. Ron on the other hand couldn’t contain himself and let out a tiny giggle, which was followed by a small kick from Hermione. To our luck the Minister noticed nothing, he was still too caught up in throwing his hands in the air.
“I must excuse myself. I tried the whole day speaking to him, but it seems like he really doesn’t speak English. That’s a task I usually have Crouch for…” The last part more mumbled to himself than addressed to any of us.
“Oh, I don’t think there is a need for Mr. Crouch today.” I heard an unfamiliar voice say. I froze. How could someone say something so pretentious, I mean, I myself am not a big fan of Barty Crouch sr. but to imply that there is no need for him is a bit extreme. It looked like the Minister just had the exact same thought because you could see the confusion set on his face, about who would dare to say something like that. Fudge slowly turned his head to the side, where the voice came from. In the half dark I could see two figures standing in the entrance of the lodge. Just as the Minister tried to form a sentence, the two people stepped into the light.
Oh.
Oh.
Standing up front was the most attractive guy I had ever seen. Cedric Diggory was a joke compered. He was tall, only a bit taller than me but he held himself with so much confidence and his chin up high, that it seems like he was taller than everybody here. He had angular shoulders, but even thru the robe he was wearing you could see that he was naturally lean, but still muscular. He was dressed from head to toe in black, except small accents, like the silver chain that was attached to collar of the coat that was thrown over his shoulders with a casual elegance that had yet to be matched, or the small silver embroideries at his sleeves. It gave a contrast to his pale skin, which seems to glow in the moonlight, but that you could only see in his face, because the rest of his body was covered, even on his hands he wore black leather gloves. His hair was light blond and gelled back, but loose enough that some strands fell into his eyes.
Breathtaking, was the only word that came even close to describing what I felt as our eyes locked. These pale blue eyes, that look like storm clouds, twinkling with little lightnings in between were something my brain could hardly handle. Even as Minister Fudge began to speak again, also overcoming his shook. I could hardly take my eyes of that guy.
“Mr. Malfoy… it is a pleasure to see you again.” He stuttered. “It must have been… what, about 4 or 5 years since we last spook in person.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Fudge. It was also about 6 years ago, but I hope you understand that I cannot always speak to you in person. It would be stressful to always come from Bulgaria when we need to talk.” With his cold, posh tone, he implied that he had better things to do than speak with the Minister, but it seems like Fudge didn’t pick up on that, or simply excepted it. It was only now that I could hear the well covered accent.
“But considering that I overtook my fathers business, I can only hope for a good cooperation with the Ministry of Magic.” Fudges eyes bulged, as he just remembered something.
“Right, I must congratulate you on your 17th birthday and that you now took over as the head of the Malfoy family.” Now the Minister was not the only one looking nervous, also Mr. Weasley seemed to tense up a little bit. While my whole attention was still on the guy, I couldn’t stop wondering who he was. They said he only now turned 17, but how could somebody only one year older then my, be somebody that even The Minister of Magic, the one person who could control the whole fucking Ministry, is so scared of.
As if sensing my question, he turned to Cornelius. “Who are your guests, you must interduce us.”
“Ah, right, this is Arthur Weasley, he is the head of the misuse of muggle artefacts office, these are his children,” The others interduce themselves one by one, considering Fudge probably didn’t know all their names. “This is…” He was now gesturing to Hermione, who answered,
“Hermione Granger.” I observed him carefully, the reaction to Miones last name said a lot about a person, because a lot of people realize than that she is a Muggleborn, but the mysteries guy didn’t even bat an eyelash, instead he did something far more shocking, he reached for her hand bowed down a little bit and kissed it.
“A beautiful name, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I have never seen Hermione so mortified, her whole face had gone red, and she couldn't even form a proper sentence. Mr. Fudge on the other hand didn’t seem to notice and just continued with the interdiction.
“And this,” His hand now gesturing to me, “Is Harry Potter.” He said that as if I was some notional artifact and on display in a museum. I hate it.
The eyes of the stranger shooting away from Mione, looking me up and down. It was no abnormal reaction, but something in his eyes was different from all the reactions he ever seen, there was a sparkle that I could categorize.
Fudge again began to speak. “And this is-”, he was interrupted.
“Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.” Malfoy said, his eyes never leaving mine, even as he stretched out a hand for me to shake, with a second of consideration I took it. The leather of his gloves was not as cold as I expected it to be, but his grip was firm. Now leaving my eyes, he stepped aside, now reveling the other person that arrived with him, who I barely noticed until now. A tall woman, half of her also blonde hair pinned up, the other half flowing gracefully over her shoulders. She was beautiful, but it was more of a quite beauty in comparison to Draco. But her posture was just as elegant as his.
“This is my mother, Narcissa Malfoy.” His eyes now, again, looking me up and down, as if he didn’t know what to think of me. Minister Fudge was the one breaking the silence.
“And Mr. Malfoy what brought you here today?”
“Viktor Krum. You may have heard of him, he plays seeker for Bulgaria. He is also a good friend of mine considering we go to the same school. So, I thought I could visit and watch the game.”
“Ah, right you two go to the same school, Durmstrang if I recall. It’s a shame that you don’t go to Hogwarts, I think Hogwarts could always need talents like you.”
“I am flattered that you think so high of me, and even thought I planed this visit without politics in mind, I couldn’t help but overhear you little conversation back then, and notice that you can’t probably communicate with Minister Oblansk,” For me it didn’t gone unnoticed that he could, without a problem pronounce the name, and I may had no idea where this Durmstrang school was, but considering the context, I assumed that it had to be in Bulgaria, which meant-
“And as long Mr. Crouch is nowhere to be seen, I could help as the Translator.” Just as he finished this he turned around to the Bulgarian Minister and began to speak, Oblansk was obviously thankful that there was somebody who could understand him. Fudge also looked relieved that he didn’t have to scream around like an idiot. But something that really caught me of guard was the language, because… Oh Merlin.
Only as Ron tapped me on my shoulder, it was that I could rip my eyes of Malfoy. The two Ministers and the two Malfoys, now separated from the rest of the group, likely talking about politics, only when Ron was sure they were out of ear shoot, he began to speak.
“I don’t like him. No actually I can’t stand him, this arrogant-” He probably was about to throw every possible insult that he knows of against Malfoy, but Mr. Weasley stopped him.
“Ron, if I were you, I would most certainly stop talking now.” There weren’t a lot of times I had heard him talk with such a serious tone. “The Malfoys are one of the most influential people in the whole world, no matter where you go their name has a huge weight, maybe even more weight than the name Harry Potter.
And let me say that our family’s were, for a long time, not on the best terms, but that was with his father Lucius. Depending on how we act now, it could improve the relationship between our family’s again, which I would honestly prefer.”
Draco
The rest of the game had gone by without incidences, even though Bulgaria lost, it was a nice game, especially seeing Krum flying, and I had to admit that he was a lot better than me as a seeker, even though I would call myself passable. What wasn’t so glorious was the whole time I had to listen to Cornelius talking, then translate it, only so that Oblansk answered with the possible shortest answers, clearly disinterested in a conversation. Fudge eventually gave up on talking with the Minister and started questioning me, with things like, how do you like the school, how do you like Bulgaria… yada yada yada. After half of the excruciating small talk attempts, I stopped paying him any attention. My thoughts kept going back to Harry Potter, who still stood mere meters away from me, acting like he didn’t glance at me at every chance he got.
“What do you think about the Triwizard Tournament, it is supposed to take place in Hogwarts,” This really ripped me out of my thoughts. Right, the Triwizard Tournament. I only heard rumors that it is legalized again, but it is nice that I now got it officially confirmed. “Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are invited.” I couldn’t help but smirk at the thought that this was likely not the last time I would see Potter.
“I would say that I am quite exited for the tournament, but I can’t help but ask, how is it possible that it takes place again, after such a long time? Wasn’t it banned because of all the death cases?”
“Yes, well the death rate was quite high, there you are right, but this year it is a little bit different, we changed the rules so only people over the age of 17 can attend, and considering you just turned 17, it would be possible for you to attend” I didn’t really have the time to think about it, but now I was extremely exited for it, I would most definitely attend.
“I will think about it.”
The rest of the conversation was just as interesting as the first part, so not at all. Again, my thoughts drifted away to the one and only, Harry Potter, one of the more pleasant things tonight. It was like a dream to finally meet him. For the reat of the night the only thing I could think about was the wind blowing through his black curls and his eyes which shimmered in the light like emeralds. He was even more handsome than I imagined.