Harry Potter and the Salvatore Students

Harry Potter: And The Salvatore Students.

Harry awoke to Hermione yelling for him to wake him up, it was a nightmare - about the Dark Lord. “It was just a bad dream,” Hermione said, attempting to comfort him.
Harry tilted his head and blinked rapidly, rubbing his eyes, “When did you get here?” he asked, stretching.
“Just now,” she said before turning around to wake up Ron. She mercilessly shook him and yelled at him until he awoke, startled but relieved when he realised it was just Hermione. She then demanded that the two of them hurry up and get ready as Molly Weasley had just prepared them breakfast before they left for their exciting journey ahead.

Everyone waved and said their goodbyes to Molly as they left the house, with heavy, packed camping bags on their backs. An hour later, once they were deep into the woods surrounding the house, a man emerged from the shadows and greeted everyone with warm smiles and shaking of hands.
“This is Amos Diggory, everyone,” Arthur Weasley said, introducing his friend and colleague to his family and other friends. A young man then jumped down from the trees above, looking very similar to Amos (if Amos was a young teenager of course) and shook hands with Arthur. “You must be Cedric!” Arthur exclaimed, patting him on the back as though they were great friends.

The group continued walking, Harry lagging a bit behind.
“Merlin’s beard! You must be Harry Potter!” Amos exclaimed, shaking his hand, “Great pleasure!” he said before putting his arm around Harry’s back and hurriedly leading him off to the others whilst also chatting his ears off.

As they approached the mountains in the distance, Amos pointed towards a single boot, just on the edge of the cliff they were standing on, “Ah, look! It’s just over there!” Amos announced. He then instructed everyone to stand around the boot whilst a very confused Harry questioned these instructions. Amos then told everyone to put their hand on the boot as it was a “port key” which he explained to be a kind of teleportation device. “On the count of three,” Amos said.

They all counted to three in unison, causing the boot to go round in circles, gradually getting faster, taking the Weasleys, Diggorys, Harry and Hermione with it. The boot proceeded to fly upwards as Amos told everyone to let go of the boot. Hermione was shocked and looked around for someone to confirm that was what she should be doing. After getting no consolidation, she took a deep breath and then let go with everyone else, screaming her lungs out. Everyone had a hard landing except Amos, Arthur and Cedric who seemed like they were “running” down from the sky to a soft landing.

Harry looked around and saw a limitless amount of tents and canopies that seemed to go for miles on end. However, there was an end- beyond all of the tents and canopies, there was a huge stadium (presumably where the games would be held). “Wow,” Harry said simply.

Amos then began leading them into crowds of tents, wizards and witches, “Welcome to the Quidditch World Cup!” he announced, “Do keep up and don’t get lost!” he warned as he led the stunned group through the huge amounts of people. A blonde-haired girl pushed past Hermione and then apologetically turned around, “Sorry, I’m just looking for my sister have you seen- oh, never mind!” she said before walking off towards a brown-haired girl. Hermione glanced at the brown-haired girl for a moment before brushing it off and continuing to point out outstanding and colourful things to Ginny.

The Diggorys then split up from the Weasleys and others to find their own tent, saying many goodbyes as they went. The rest continued onwards until at last, “Ah, here it is!” Arthur exclaimed, pointing to a small tent that was not far away from where they were walking. Harry frowned, a confused look glazed upon his face- it certainly didn’t look like it could fit all of them inside; maybe 2 children maximum. However, despite the impossibility of fitting in, they obediently went in upon Arthur’s command.

As it turned out, it was bigger on the inside (much bigger), Harry’s eyes widened, “I love magic!” he muttered after accepting the possibility of the impossible in the Wizarding World. Everyone then fought over rooms and unpacked their bags, exploring the massiveness of the tent.

Just after having their dinner (which Molly had kindly made), an announcement sounded, “Here it is, folks, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The tournament will begin in 30 minutes, get your snacks and drinks, friends and family and make your way up to the stadium to witness this year’s Quidditch World Cup!”

Arthur smiled and told everyone to get ready to head to the stadium, whilst grabbing the home-made drinks from a nearby table. Everyone excitedly gathered whatever they were taking, “This is going to be great!” Ron exclaimed as they began to leave the tent.

Soon, the Weasleys and friends had exited the tent-area and approached the many high stairs of the stadium, beginning their climb. “Wow!” Ron exclaimed, “Blimey, Dad, how high up are we?” he yelled over the background music and loud chatter.
“Well put it this way, if it rains- you’ll be the first to know,” Lucius Malfoy said from below them in a low voice as Draco began to boast about… well, everything from where they were sat to what they would eat before Lucius shut him up- probably the only good thing he has ever done. Arthur rolled his eyes and told the children to keep moving before Lucius put his cane up to stop Harry from walking any further, “Do enjoy yourself, won’t you, while you can,” he said in a threatening manner before removing his cane, a snide smirk fixed on his face.

Harry turned away silently as the Malfoys too began to walk away. “Don’t worry about him, he’s just an old man who takes joy in being an immature bully,” a girl said as she walked past, she handed Harry her popcorn and smiled, “Take it! Don’t let people like that get to you, trust me, I’ve had my fair share of people trying to make me feel like I don’t matter,” she told him before walking off.
Harry was astounded at this girl and stopped for a moment, the girl had a name embroidered on the back of her shirt, “Josie,” it read.

“Hurry up, Harry,” Ron called down from above, causing Harry to spring back into reality and follow everyone up the stairs to their seats. Ron smirked, “Who was that girl you were daydreaming about?”
“Someone,” Harry muttered. Desperate to turn the attention away from him, Harry pointed in the distance, “LOOK!” he exclaimed.

Just then, brooms flew over them, green and white smoke trailing behind. The Weasley twins cheered and announced the names of every single one of the players before they were even there for 2 seconds. These were the Irish competitors. Fireworks erupted as the Irish split up, causing massive amounts of noise from the crowd; fireworks that were in the shape of a Leprechaun. Not 2 seconds later, this firework Leprechaun began to dance the Irish jig in the air as music played and people went ballistic.

The victory was short-lived as witches and wizards in red and black flew straight through the Leprechaun on broomsticks- completely destroying the little “firework show”.
“HERE COME THE BULGARIANS!” Ron yelled, cheering and waving his Bulgarian flag rapidly. One Bulgarian in particular stood out, doing tricks on his broomsticks as the whole stadium and cameras had their eyes on him, his face appearing on giant magical projections across the entire audience. “Victor Krum!” Ron told everyone as Victor Krum was his favourite player.

As the players stopped flying around and began steadying to a gentle hover in the air, a man began talking, welcoming everyone to the games and announcing.
“Let the match BEGIN!” he yelled after a good 5 minutes of rambling, sending a ball of light out of his wand to set the quidditch balls free.

After the massively eventful game, the Weasleys and friends returned to their tent- all hyper after the excitement when suddenly a big BOOM erupted from outside. Arthur looked up from what he was doing, confused. However, everyone else was too blinded by their energy to notice as Ron went on and on about how great Krum was in the game as the “BEST SEEKER EVER!” as Ron put it.

Just then, another even-louder BOOM erupted- this one caught everyone’s attention. Fred laughed it off and made some remark about how the Irish had set off the fireworks. Arthur however was not convinced and peeped out of the tent. He hurriedly went back in, trying to get everyone to be serious, “They’re not fireworks,” Arthur told them, “We have to get out of here!”
Everyone hurried out of the tent to see fire and hear screaming and yelling.

The same brown-haired girl Hermione and Harry had seen earlier was screaming, calling out for her sister, “LIZZIE???” she yelled. Hermione gave her a sympathetic look, wanting to help her look for her sister but Arthur was telling her and the others to get back to the port key. Instead, Hermione cast a spell, attached to the location of the brown-haired girl so that if she spotted her sister, she could easily give away her location.

Luckily, Hermione did spot the blonde sister. She broke away from the group and handed the blonde girl the mirror that she had spelled to show the location of her sister. “Thank you!” the girl exclaimed before hurrying off to find her sister. Hermione then returned to Ron and the others. She looked around, “Where’s Harry?” she asked Ron, wanting to explain to him her genius plan.. Ron looked around worriedly, “I- I don’t know,”

Harry however, got caught up earlier, mesmerized by the strange creatures in red cloaks and pointy hats. He couldn’t see the others so he just ran as fast as he could away from the people in red. Eventually, he saw the girl Hermione had just moments before - the girl with the Josie-embroidered shirt grabbed his arm, “Your friends went this way!” she said, dragging him after her. She hadn’t found her sister yet but knew somewhere in the back of her mind that she was safe - probably with their father. Besides, in situations like this, the main priority always had to be the “chosen one”.

It was not long then when the fires died down and the entire land was cleared out except Josie, Harry and one man who was just walking through the centre of it all before stopping and casting a spell up to the sky, putting a skull-image in the air that seemed to be made of a green-type smoke. Harry, intrigued, stopped, forcing Josie to stop too. “What is it?” she asked.
Harry shook his head, “Nothing,” he noticed the man was starting to walk towards them. He turned to Josie, “We should keep going- I need to find my friends,” he told her, sending them both running in the same direction as they had been doing previously. Josie was thinking about her sister and how she must be feeling- not knowing where she was.

“Harry??” Ron’s voice called out distantly, breaking Josie from her deep thought.
“That way!” Josie said, pointing in the direction of Ron’s distant voice. Harry turned around to look for the man but he was already running away from them. Harry frowned as Hermione and Ron came up behind, telling him about how long they had been looking for him and hugging him.

Suddenly, they were surrounded by people- members of the ministry of magic- yelling, “STUPEFY!”
The children ducked in swift reaction. Arthur ran towards them, standing in between them and the people pointing their wands at them, “Stop! That’s my son!” he yelled as he ran towards Ron. Crouch- the leader of them all began accusing Harry, Ron, Hermione and Josie about the skull in the sky, calling it “The Mark Of The Dark Lord”. Soon enough, he realised that not one of the 4 defenseless kids could not have conjured it but instead, it must have been death eaters. Harry told them about the man he had seen and Josie gave him a strange look as she had not seen it. Arthur questioned Harry but Harry could say nothing as he had barely seen anything.

Distracted by his friends, Harry did not see Josie leave to look for her sister so he was shocked when he looked around and couldn’t see her. “What are you looking for, Harry?” Hermione asked, following his eyeline, also looking for Josie. “I bet it’s that girl you were with. Who was she?” Ron asked.
“Her name was Josie but I don’t know anything else,” Harry admitted.
“She has a sister…” Hermione mumbled before walking away.

Arthur then led them all back to the port key as they travelled in silence; there were no words for what had just happened.

On the Hogwarts express, a few days later, Harry was thinking about Josie as Hermione read the newspaper (ironically trying to NOT think about Josie), going on about how the Ministry didn’t know who conjured the mark of the Dark Lord, Ron also chipped in a word or two occasionally. Hermione looked over at Harry, “You know, Sirius will want to hear about this- what you saw at the world cup AND the dream!”
Harry sighed, knowing she was right. He then asked Hermione for a piece of paper and quill. He then started writing his letter, telling his version of the events that took place, excluding Josie from it to try to prove to himself that she wasn important. He then passed it to Hedwig and sent his trusty owl off to Sirius.

When they eventually got to Hogwarts, after a long train ride and short boat ride, the students heard a loud “whooshing” sound. Hermione frowned, wondering what it could be, “Oh!” she exclaimed, “It must be the exchange students!” she said, grabbing Harry and Ron and dragging them to the nearby window to witness the arrival. Sure enough, a big carriage pulled up, flying in the air with Pegasus’ for horses. Everyone pushed and shoved to get a look at the magnificent thing.

And then, what seemed to be a pirate ship, emerged from the waters surrounding Hogwarts, captained by a tall man with an unfriendly look upon his face. Everyone knew that there was a third school to come, however they did not show up before the students were called into the Great Hall to be welcomed by Dumbledore.

“Now that we are all settled in and we have sorted the First Years, I would like to make an announcement. This year, as you may have heard from the letter we sent all of your parents, there will be two special and different things about this year. First of all, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event, the Triwizard Tournament, and for those of you who do not know- the Triwizard Tournament is a game that brings together different schools for a series of three magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete, let me be clear, if chosen you stand alone and trust me when I say, these contests are not for the faint-hearted. But more of that later, when the other schools are here as well. Secondly, this is the year that we will be having exchange students. They will be the fourth competitors in the Triwizard tournament. Upon arrival, we shall sort them into houses just like any students of our own and I hope that you welcome them with open arms. Please welcome the powerful students from the Salvatore Boarding School for the young and gifted, all the way from Virginia!”

The Hogwarts students started clapping as the doors to the Great Hall flew right open and behind it stood a girl with orangey-brown hair. She walked into the hall, straight down the middle, followed by the rest of her fellow students and friends. They walked up to Dumbledore, followed by a blonde woman who looked no older than 20 and their Headmaster, a man with a smiley face and brown-almost grey hair. “Hello, Albus,” Alaric said smiling even wider than before and shaking his hand, “It’s been a while!”
Dumbledore nodded, “Indeed it has Alaric,” he smiled as Alaric stood to one side. As the blonde woman hugged Dumbledore, “Albus! Its been too long!” she exclaimed.
“Hello, Caroline,” Dumbledore replied before indicating for her to stand next to Alaric. Dubledore went back to his seat as Professor McGonagall stood up. “Now we shall sort the newest students into their houses. I sincerely hope you make them all feel welcome. First of all,” she announced, with the sorting hat in her hands. She then began to call out names.

“Jade,” Mcgonagal said.

A brown-haired girl with blonde streaks went over to McGonagall, wearing her leather jacket, dark red top and black jeans, she sat down on the chair and waited for the Sorting hat to be placed upon her head.

“Easy, Slytherin!” the Sorting hat called out as Jade gave Josie one last look before sitting at the Slytherin table, beside two empty seats.

“Sebastian,” McGonagall continued.

A tall boy approached the chair with brown, curly hair and a white, button-up shirt with a black sort-of-coat and black trousers to match.

“Slytherin!” the Sorting hat repeated before even touching Sebastian's head.

Sebastian smirked and winked at Lizzie before sitting as far away from Jade as he could possibly get.

“Milton Greasley,”

A smiley-looking boy with really curly, brown hair approached the chair. He was also smiling at Lizzie but not in the same way as Sebastian, it was more friendly and comforting. He was wearing a white polo-shirt underneath his yellow jumper with the Salvatore School’s logo embroidered into it.

“Hufflepuff!” the Sorting hat announced, before Milton thanked him and sat at the Hufflepuff table, next to Cedric Diggory .

“Kaleb Hawkins,”

Kaleb gave MG a smirk before approaching the chair, almost strutting in his white polo-shirt and black waistcoat with a red “S” embroidered into it. His hair was black and in braids.

“Confident… hmmm… Gryffendor!” the Sorting hat continued.

“Landon Kirby,”

A dorky looking boy with short, curly brown hair warily approached the sorting hat, still unsure about how safe it was to put an alive hat on his head. He was wearing a plain navy-green shirt with a denim jacket on top.

“Oooo… interesting, I say… Gryffendor,” the Sorting hat yelled, shocking Hope as she honestly thought he would be a Hufflepuff and Landon as the Sorting hat just yelled in his ear. Landon, still in shock, walked over to the Gryffindor table, sitting in between Kaleb and an orange-haired boy, causing Kaleb to move at least two seats further away from them.

“Hope Mikaelson-” McGonagal said before she was interrupted by the indistinct chatter after hearing Hope’s name. “Who is she?” Harry asked.
Hermione raised an eyebrow, “You seriously have never heard of Hope Mikaelson?”
“Mikaelson sounds familiar…” Harry said, wondering where he had heard it from.
“Of course it does, Harry, Hope is the daughter of Niklaus Mikaelson, you know, the Original Vampire-Werewolf Hybrid. Hope’s mother was Hayley Marshall. She was also a Vampire-Werewolf Hybrid BUT ALSO the Crescent Pack Alpha. Not to mention Hope’s grandmother, Esther Mikaelson the ORIGINAL WITCH!”
“What does that make her?” Harry asked.
“A hybrid of three different creatures- a Tribrid,” a male voice said from behind Ron.
“Who are you?” Ron asked.
“Weren’t you listening to Professor Mcgonagall when she announced his name???” Hermione asked. In return, Ron shrugged.
“Landon Kirby, Hope’s boyfriend,” he said, “and she’s more than just who her family is,” he reassured them.

Professor McGonagall silenced everybody and placed the Sorting hat on Hope’s head after the poor girl sat down. Her face did not portray worry but inside her head, she was praying for it all to end, knowing that everyone was talking about her. She was wearing a purpley-red top that was left untucked from her black jeans, with a black leather jacket over it all.

“Ahhh, the great Hope Mikaelson, what a treat! Never thought I’d get to sort you after I heard you attended that small school in Virginia. However despite your ambition, intelligence and loyalty, you are a… Gryffindor!” the Sorting Hat yelled louder.

Hope smiled at the hat as she left to sit next to Landon in the seat Kaleb had left not long ago. She kissed Landon on the cheek and put her arm around him.

“Penelope Park,”

A girl with curly, black hair gave the girl behind her- the blonde from the Quidditch World Cup- a hair flip in the face as she blew Josie a kiss. She was wearing a button-up shirt that wasn’t buttoned up all the way that was tucked into a blue plaid skirt. On top, she was wearing a black cardigan with the Salvatore crest sewn on the top left.

Ron chuckled, “Hey, Harry, I think your little crush has a girlfriend!”
Hope practically choked, “You have a crush on Penelope Park?” she asked.
Harry frowned, “Who? NO!” he said, defending himself.
“I think they're talking about Josie,” Landon whispered to Hope.
“Josie doesn’t have a gir- oh…. No, Penelope is her ex-girlfriend,” Hope explained to them. They were about to continue the conversation when they were interrupted.

“No thinking necessary- Slytherin!” the Sorting Hat yelled upon being placed on Penelope’s head.

“So… Josie is… Lesbian?,” Hermione asked, trying to not be suspicious.
Hope smirked realising what was going on but then snapped out of it, “I probably shouldn’t be talking about this to strangers…”
“She’s pansexual,” Landon said, trying to support his friend in her love life, “It means-”
“She likes all genders,” Hermione said, finishing his sentence.
“So, what’s Josie like… is she open for dating?”
Landon thought carefully, “I’m sure she would be up to have a conversation!”

Hope disagreed, “She's been going through a lot recently with a sister that’s a handful and an evil alter-ego and yet she still manages to hand all her homework in on time and look after her friends and family,” Hope said, trying not to say too much but saying enough to portray Josie as the great person she was. Landon smiled and kissed her on the cheek.
Harry nodded and smiled, “She sounds great,”
Hermione said nothing and looked around uncomfortably.

“Elizabeth Saltzman,” Professor McGonagal continued.

“Josie’s sister,” Hope whispered.
“The one who’s a handful?” Harry asked.
“Should be fine, I know a thing or two about siblings that are a handful- or two- maybe like five,” Ron said smiling as the same blonde-haired girl from the Quidditch Match walked up to the chair up front, confidently, wearing a white jumper with black stripes and a denim dungaree.
“Ravenclaw,” the Sorting hat announced.

“Josette Saltzman,” Mcgonagall said.

“So, is that-” Ron began.
“Yup!” Landon replied.
“Guys, it doesn’t matter, I only want to be Josie’s friend,” Harry tried to say convincingly. Hermione silently smiled, “Sure,” she said, teasing him. She then looked away and took a deep breath. She found herself looking over to the Ravenclaw table where Lizzie was sitting. Hermione’s eyes stopped on Lizzie’s blonde hair for a split-second before shaking it off and looking at the ground.

“Oooo, Hufflepuff!” the Sorting Hat yelled after being placed on Josie’s head.

“I knew it!” Landon exclaimed, holding up his hand to Hope, asking for a high five. She shook her head, an uncomfortable smile on her face, “Never,” she said. Hermione watched Josie as she sat down next to MG, shaking hands with Cedric.
“Looks like Cedric might beat you to it, Harry,” Ron noted.

Hermione frowned, “I think that even if she does get together with Cedric, it won’t last,”
Everyone frowned at her.
“I mean because of Penelope. I’m pretty sure having a Slytherin ex means that they will do anything to get you back…” Hermione said, trying to save herself.

“And finally, Rafael Waithe,” Professor McGonagal said before sitting the hat onto a student for the final time. Rafael was wearing a grey hoodie with the same blue and red “S” as the rest of the students who were wearing the Salvatore kind-of-approved clothes.

“Gryffindor!” the Sorting Hat called out.

Rafael sighed as he sat beside Landon, “Who are your friends?” he asked, indicating to Harry, Hermione and Ron.
“We just met, I wouldn’t call us-” Landon began.
“I’m Hermione Granger, this is Ronald Weasley (but we call him Ron) and this is Harry- Harry Potter,” Hermione said, smiling and shaking Rafael’s hand.
“Harry Potter? As in “the boy who lived”?” Rafael asked.
Landon frowned, “You’ve heard of him?”
“Who hasn’t?” Rafael laughed.
Hope laughed, “Landon apparently,” Harry smiled as Dumbledore continued to welcome the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang who each did a little “show” upon their arrival.

The Beauxbatons Academy was an all-girls school- known for their grace. They did not disappoint as their little performance was a mixture of graceful dancing, magic doves that seemed to be appearing out of thin air and a little bit of gymnastics performed by the “jewel” of the school: Fleur Delacour.

Secondly was Durmstrang- an all-boys school. They were all wearing huge coats with fur rims on the hood. Their performance was quite- dramatic shall I say? It included the banging sticks/canes on the floor with a dramatic banging of drums in the background.

Victor Krum from the Quidditch World Cup walked down the middle with the rest of Durmstrang. Ron’s eyes widened as he started “fangirling” over him just like the rest of the girl’s in the room except for a few girls- most with boyfriends but then there was Penelope, Josie, Lizzie and Hermione.

After everyone had finished eating, Dumbledore once again called for everyone’s attention so that all the schools could hear the announcement, “May I have your attention, please,” he began, “Before we continue the rest of this fine evening, I’d like to say a two words: eternal glory! That is what awaits for the single student who wins the Triwizard Tournament. But to do this, that student must survive three tasks: three extremely dangerous tasks. For this reason, the other headmaster’s and I have seen it fit to impose a new rule-”

Just then, a man with an eyepatch that ironically had an eye on it- an eye that was uncontrollably looking around everywhere walked in.
“Ahh, Alastor, my dear old friend, thanks for coming!” Dubledore said, “May I interrupt my announcement to introduce you all to Alastor Moody,”

“Mad-eye moody!” Ron exclaimed amongst the talk of everyone else.
“Alastor Moody- the auror!” Hermione corrected.
“Er.. What's an Auror? I’m a little new to this,” Lanon admitted.
“Dark Wizard catcher- half the cells in Azkaban are filled thanks to him!” Ron told Landon, “But he’s supposed to be mad as a hatter these days!”
Alastor then walked off to the side of his room and took a swig of whatever was in his little bottle thing. “What’s that he’s drinking, do you suppose?” Rafael asked.
“I dunno but I don’t think it’s pumpkin juice,” Harry replied.

Dumbledore went back to talking, “After much consideration, all the headmasters, including myself have decided that, for their own safety, no child under the age of 17 should be allowed to put forth their name for the Triwizard tournament. However, we are making an exception for the Salvatore Students as their different way of using magic varies not about age nor experience but rather the particular magical being and ability,” he announced.

Everyone burst into chatter, some about how unfair it was and others about the phrase Dumbledore used “magical being”.
“What do you think Professor Dumbledore means by “particular magical being”?” Hermione asked Landon and Rafael. Landon and Rafael looked at each other, unsure what to say. “Well, spit it out! I do want to know why you are so special that you get “exceptions”!” Ron demanded.
“So, um, we aren’t all witches or wizards… exactly,” Hope said.
“Yeah, remember when I told you she was a tribrid? And that her father was a Hybrid and so was her mother?” Landon interrupted.
Hope sighed, “You said that?” she asked him. She then turned back to Ron, Harry and Hermione, “We are kind of like… different creatures. Like for example, this is my… friend-”
“Boyfriend!” Landon interrupted.
“This is my boyfriend...Landon Kirby um, he happens to be a Phoenix who is also the son of Malivor- a magical-being-eating pit and this here is my good friend Rafael he is a werewolf… and that just two seats away is Kaleb; he is a vampire. Oh, and there is Josie, she’s a siphon-witch from the Gemini coven which means she has to “merge” with her twin sister Lizzie over ummm there when they are 22!”
“And then there’s Hope- a badass witch-werewolf-vampire Tribrid who has a… interesting family story that I don’t think we should go into right now,” Landon added.
“You’re all 16?” Harry asked, shocked. Everyone looked at each other and nodded.

“SILENCE!” Dumbledore yelled. He then turned to reveal a huge Goblet with blue flames coming out of the top, “This is the Goblet of Fire: anyone wishing to submit their name into the tournament must merely write their name on a piece of parchment and throw it in this flame before Thursday night. Do not do so lightly; if chosen, there’s no turning back. As from this moment onwards, the Triwizard Tournament has begun!”

After dinner, everyone was dismissed and shown to their dorms by the prefects. Lizzie and Josie hugged before going their separate ways. Hope waved to the two. “So… are you and the Salvatore sisters like… close?” Hermione asked.
“They’re probably my best friends, why?” Hope asked.
Hermioine shook her head and shrugged it off as if to say, “No reason,” and walked over to Ron.

Hope frowned and turned to Landon, “What’s wrong with her?” she asked.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked. Upon getting no answer from Hope, he smirked, “I’m going to let you figure it out,”
Hope continued to make empty threats to get Landon to tell her the entire way to the Gryffindor common room.

The next day, the Hogwarts Students and Salvatore Students had their first class. Moody walked up to the blackboard and began chalking him name onto it, “Alastor Moody, Ex-auror, Ministry Malcontent and your new defense against the Dark Arts teacher. I am here because Dumbledore asked me to be, end of story- goodbye, the end. Any questions?” Everyone was silent. Alastor nodded and took a deep breath before pacing around. “When it comes to defense against the Dark Arts, I believe in a practical approach!”

“But first, which of you can tell me how many unforgivable curses there are?”
“Three, sir,” Hermione said.
“And they are so named?” Alastor asked as he wrote viciously on the black board.
“Because they are unforgivable!” Hermione answered.
“I could have guessed that,” Lizzie whispered, rolling her eyes.
“Go easy on her,” Josie mumbled.
“Oh my gosh! She gave me the mirror that led me to you!” Lizzie exclaimed quietly, clasping her hand on her mouth after realising that everybody- including Hermione- was looking at her.
Alastor gave them a look and they shut up, their minds still buzzing about Hermione who was trying desperately not to look at them.

Hermione took a deep breath and continued speaking to Alastor, “The use of any one of them will-” Hermione continued.
“Earn you a ticket straight to Azkaban, correct! And the ministry says you are too young to learn what they do but you know what? I say different!” Alastor said, poking a stick used for pointing at the students, “You need to know exactly what you’re up against; you need to be prepared. So, which curse shall we see first? You!” he said, pointing at Landon, “Name?” he demanded.

“Um, Landon Kirby, sir,” Landon said cautiously.
“Stand up and give us a curse!” Alastor demanded.
Landon slowly stood up. He looked down at Hope who was beside him as he did not know any of them.
“The imperius curse,” Hope whispered.
“The imperius curse?” Landon repeated, unsurely.
“Yes correct! Thank you, Miss Mikaelson!” he said, causing Landon to sit down and Hope to wonder how he could hear so well, “This particular curse gave the Ministry a bit of grief a few years back, and now you will learn why,” he then picked a rather large spider out of a jar, “Hello!” he whispered to it, pushing it onto his hand. Most of the girls in the class gasped at its size (many boys too). Hope tilted her head, “He’s not gonna hurt it… is he?” she asked. Landon shrugged in response- how was he supposed to know?

He took out his wand and pointed it at the spider, “Imperio!” he said before redirecting the aim his wand over toward MG, the spider following the wand. MG breathed heavily and tried not to move too much. Alastor then moved the spider over to Rafael’s head as everyone laughed, “Don’t worry,” he assured them, “It’s completely harmless!” he said as he dragged it around the room from student to student including Draco Malfoy who started really freaking out about it as Josie laughed, took it off his face and showed him what true courage was. She then let it go and laughed with Lizzie about it.

“I see why you like her, Harry!” Ron said, following on from yesterday’s conversation.
Hermione nodded, smiling awkwardly and glancing at Josie who was staring at her. Upon having eye-contact, they both looked away, embarrassed and tried to focus back on Alastor. Harry said nothing as Alastor continued by bringing the spider back to his own hand, “You see, with this curse and this curse alone, I could make anyone do anything I want- even if they, with all their might, feel strongly against it. Scores of witches and wizards have claimed that they only did you know who’s bidding under the imperius curse. But you know, here’s the rub, how do we sort out the liars? Another? Another!” Alastor said, asking for another unforgivable curse. Upon no student voluntarily speaking up, Alastor looked around and pointed at Lizzie, “Saltzman, is it?” he asked as Lizzie nodded, “Stand up and give us another,”

Lizzie stood up, “There’s the cruciatus,” she told him, confidently.
“Correct! Correct! Come here!” Alastor exclaimed, beckoning her over. Lizzie gave her sister a look before going over to him. She stood by the table with an unsure look upon her face.
Alastor took a deep breath, “Cruciato!” he said, pointing his wand at the spider, torturing it. As Lizzie watched, she clasped a hand over her mouth. She to look away, closing her eyes, having no choice but to listen to the spider’s cries. “STOP IT!” Josie yelled, getting up from her chair, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HIM? STOP IT!” Josie screamed. Alastor looked up and took a deep breath and realised that he may have gone a bit too long. He then indicated for Lizzie to sit down, “Thank you, Elizabeth,” he said.

He then turned to Josie, “Eh hem, can you give us the last unforgivable curse, Miss Saltzman?” Josie shook her head and turned away from the spider, knowing the last one but not daring to say it, fearing for the poor creature’s life. Alastor then told her to sit down as he pointed his wand at the spider one last time, “Avada Kedavra!” he said, killing the spider. Everyone looked at each other, unable to look directly at the dead spider. “The killing curse, only one person has been known to survive it and he’s sitting in this room right now,” Alastor said as everyone looked to Harry. He then took a swig from his bottle and dismissed the class.

Everyone bustled down the stairs from their class, whispering their thoughts on what had just happened.
“Brilliant, isn’t he!” Ron exclaimed, “Completely demented of course; I’d be terrified of being in the same room with him but he’s really been there, you know? He’s looked evil in the eye!”
Hermione turned around, “There’s a reason those curses are unforgivable, you know? To perform them in a classroom is just- I mean, did you see Lizzie’s face?”
Harry quickly shut her up, indicating to where Lizzie and Josie were standing, looking out of the window. The three went to see if the twins were ok but Alastor got their first, pushing through the crowd, “Hey, you alright?” he asked. Josie looked at Lizzie and Lizzie silently nodded. Josie piped in, “She’s just feeling a bit homesick,” she said, clearly lying, “We are going to go back to our dorm, now,” she told him, the two of them hurrying off before Alastor could stop them. He nodded and walked off.

The “Golden Trio” continued down the stairs, clearly avoiding the recent lesson and Saltzman twins as a topic of conversation. They walked all the way to the room with the Goblet of Fire. Everyone was gathered around the legendary Goblet, some grumbling about the “unfairness” of their inability to enter, some laughing and joking about dying. And then Cedric put his name in as everyone from Hogwarts clapped, cheering for him.

Ron, however, was clearly displeased, “Eternal glory,” Ron sighed, “Would be brilliant, wouldn’t it?”
Hermione rolled her eyes and sat on some stairs surrounding the cup, pulling out a pencil from her robe and beginning to annotate the book she was holding. Harry also clearly disagreed with Ron’s statement- he would rather not risk his life for something as pathetic or stupid as a title and a cup. He was about to respond to Ron when Fred and George rushed into the room, cheering, waving about some spell to a group of Hogwarts students who were apparently “too young” to enter. The spell they were talking about would allegedly make them age a few years so they were old enough to be able to put their names in the Goblet of Fire.

“It’s not going to work,” Hermione said in a sing-songy voice, being her usual “know-it-all” self.
“Oh yeah, and why’s that Granger?” The twins said, synchronising their speech.
“You see this?” Hermione said, pointing at the circle around the Goblet of Fire, with the pencil she was holding, “This is an age line. Dumbledore drew it himself. SO, a genius like Dumbledore couldn’t be fooled by something as pathetically dim-witted as an ageing potion!” she explained, as though i.

“Ah but that’s why it’s so brilliant- Because it’s so pathetically dim-witted!” Fred and George explained.Hermione rolled her eyes and held out her hand, indicating for them to try it Hope from the other side of the room raised an eyebrow. She then smiled and took out her phone to film what she knew would be a surely failed attempt. Fred and George smiled, “Bottom’s up!” they exclaimed before drinking the potion. It seemed to work- they felt different for sure. Feeling confident, the boys jumped into the circle (or “age-line” as Hermione called it). Everyone cheered as it looked to be going so well; they even managed to put the slips of paper with their names on in the Goblet of Fire. But then, blue flames shot around the room, causing everyone to panic and duck as Fred and George were flung across the room, grey beards growing on their chins.

Hope couldn’t stop herself from laughing as the twins got into a brawl about who came up with the utterly stupid idea. Everyone was yelling “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!” as Hermione gave them a disgusted look, rolled her eyes and went back to her reading. Just then, Victor Krum walked into the room, his paper with his name at hand. The hall went silent and the Weasleys stopped their brawl to watch the legendary Victor Krum who seemed to pay no attention to them. He just walked up to the Goblet with sheer poise and put his name into the Goblet of Fire. Despite ignoring everyone else, he went out of his way to give Hermione a “look” as he walked away, Hermione smiling in response.

Landon looked at Hope, “Your turn,” he said, “Not to give Harry’s friend whatever that look was but to put your name in the Goblet of fire!”
“I don’t know, Landon, I mean...” Hope began.
“Listen, nobody, is better equipped for this than you, ok? You are the badass witch-werewolf-vampire Tribrid; nobody could even come close! Besides, you’re the most likely to survive this out of all of us,” Landon assured her, being supportive to cover up for the fact he had just interrupted her (and also being that supportive boyfriend he was born to be).
“Says the Phoenix who rises from the ashes when he dies. And can fly?” Hope reminded him.
Landon smiled and shook his head, “I bet you could fly if you found the right spell! Also, you know you are better at this kind of stuff! Plus, you would never let me go,” he reasoned, holding out a piece of paper with “Hope” written on it to her, “Either you put your name in, or I will do it for you!” he told her.
“Can you even do that?” she asked him, pessimistically.
“If you don’t put your name in within the next 10 seconds, we will find out,” Landon threatened.

Hope gave him a quick kiss and took the paper from him, gratefully, “You win,” she admitted, smiling as she walked up to the Goblet of Fire and put her name in. She wished the Saltzman’s could see her. This led Hope to think about the Saltzman’s and how Lizzie must have been traumatised after the lesson- a sympathetic look glazed upon her face.

The Hogwarts students looked at each other, feeling subconsciously threatened by the daughter of Klaus Mikaelson and also jealous of how, despite her age, she was allowed to enter the tournament. “She doesn’t look so scary,” Draco taunted, strutting up to her. Hope raised an eyebrow and turned around and faced him, “Silencio!” she said simply, whipping her hand round in a “swoosh” kind of action. This caused Draco’s lips to literally be sealed. “Sorry, were you saying something?,” Hope said, smiling wider than she’d ever thought possible. “God I love that spell!” she exclaimed going up to Landon, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him out to talk to the twins. “Try telling your father now,” Hermione muttered under her breath.

Hope took a deep breath, “That was exciting! I hope I get to do that again!” she exclaimed. Landon sighed, “I doubt he’ll say anything like that again,”
“Honestly, I think it may be awhile before he says anything again!” she laughed, “Where can we meet up with the twins, do you think? I just want to make sure Lizzie is ok,” she said, more seriously.

Landon nodded, “You know what the main advantage to not being schooled here is?”
Hope shook her head.
“Being more connected with some advanced “muggle” technology,” he laughed, pulling out his phone, “I would like to see these wizards send a message and it be received within seconds!” he challenged.
Ignoring this, Hope took out her own phone and typed a text to the twins, asking to meet her in a broom closet that she had noticed.

“Are you sure Harry Potter won’t come home?” Lizzie taunted over text whilst Josie politely agreed. Hope put away her phone and went over to the broom closet, Landon still staring at his phone. Annoyed, Hope snapped her fingers, to quickly get his attention. He immediately ran over to her. The two of them were about to go into the closet when the golden trio began walking past.

Knowing they would become suspicious, Hope realised she had to act quickly. “Just follow my lead,” she whispered to Landon. Landon frowned but only had a mere second to process this before Hope pulled him in to kiss him. She then pulled him into the broom closet and shut the door behind him. Once the door was safely shut behind them, Hope stepped back. Her face turned bright red and she turned away from him. Landon took a deep breath, “Well that was… unexpected,”
“It stopped suspicion though, I am sure,” Hope reasoned.

Hermione raised an eyebrow and looked away, embarrassed while Harry and Ron looked at each other. Ron sighed, “I wish I could have a love like that!” he said.
“Oh potions and broomsticks! Ron, is there anything else you think about?” she asked.
“I think it would probably be best if we stop thinking and talking about our new friends’ love life,” Harry pointed out.

The Saltzmsn twins walked round the corner. Seeing the golden trio, they decided to wait. Once the three friends were gone, the twins walked inconspicuously over to the broom closet. Josie held the door open for Lizzie. “How did you get past the “chosen one” and his playpals?” Lizzie asked.
Before Landon could respond, Hope said, “They came after we did- we were already here,”

Lizzie nodded and sighed, showing no physical evidence of thought after the torturous lesson, “Is this important because I still have to pick a hairstyle for the champion selection? And may I say that I am most annoyed that these British schools have uniforms! We are students not soldiers!” she exclaimed.
“Shush, Lizzie!” Hope exclaimed, “We just wanted to make sure you are alright after… Defense against the Dark Arts,”

“Of course I’m fine,” Lizzie said quickly and unconvincingly, “Come on Josie, I need you to help me pick out my hairstyle!” she said before hurrying out. Josie smiled at Landon and Hope before following Lizzie. “Can’t say I’m convinced,” Hope muttered.

That Thursday, everybody was called into the Great Hall. Lizzie bustled out of her room, her hair expertly curled and put carefully into a bun, two strands left hanging on either side of her face. She had put her name in the cup as well, desperate to prove herself a hero. With her new-found Ravenclaw “friends” she approached Ravenclaw’s table in the hall.

Josie was already there, sitting with Hufflepuff beside MG. Josie had not entered as she did not feel ready to risk her life for mere amusement. MG, however, had entered but for something more- Lizzie’s approval. Finding herself beside Cedric, Josie was polite and introduced herself. Cedric followed suit, finding himself growing fond of her after one simple conversation.

Hope and Landon walked in together. They were both nervous: Hope because she was going to risk her life once again and Landon because well… Hope was going to risk her life once again. Hope squeezed Landon’s hand as the two sat beside Hermione who was sitting beside Harry and Ron. “I saw you put your name in,” Hermione said, choosing to not think about what else she saw, “You are very brave Hope,”
“It’s hard not to be when you have friends and family who believe in and support you,” Hope replied.

“Personally, I was more impressed by your show with Malfoy!” Ron chimed in. He then looked over to the entitled boy at Slytherin’s table, “Although, he seems to have recovered. Could you do it again?”
“I could but I don’t want people to fear me like they did my father. What I did to Draco was a show of force that could be easily explained and understood and definitely a one time thing- well… let’s call it occasional. Doing it again without the proper provocation could be costly,” Hope explained.

Before anyone could show agreement or disagreement, Dumbledore dramatically dimmed the lights and began to speak, “Good day students of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, the Durmstrang institute, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and the Salvatore Boarding School. I hope your first week has been what you had hoped. And now, the moment you have all been waiting for- the Champion selection!”

Everyone watched the Goblet, waiting for something to happen. Finally, after a moment of suspense that seemed infinite, the flames turned red and spat out a single piece of paper of which Dumbledore caught. “The Durmstrang Insitute’s champion is… Victor Krum!” Dumbledore announced after reading the piece of paper, causing the Durmstrang students to congratulate Victor, cheering and patting him on the back wildly. Smiling proudly, Victor then stood up and shook hands with Dumbledore before walking out of the room, down a corridor, where Dumbledore had instructed with a simple hand movement.

Once the hall finally calmed down, the fire then turned red again and spat out yet another piece of paper, this one was circular and rimmed in gold, “The Beauxbaton Academy’s Champion is,” Dumbledore said after reading the Parchment, “Fleur Delacour!” he said as the girl gracefully clapped for Fleur who was smiling widely and she went up to Dumbledore to shake his hand and then followed Victor.

Once again the fire turned red, “The champion from the Salvatore Boarding School is…” Dumbledore began as the Salvatore students looked at each other from across the room, “Hope Mikaelson!” The Salvatore students cheered as the other students clapped, unsurely. Hope smiled and hugged Landon before going up to shake hands with Dumbledore before following Fleur into a room behind the Great Hall.

Finally, it was Hogwarts’ turn. Dumbledore grabbed the last piece of paper and proudly read from it, “The Hogwarts Champion: Cedric Diggory!” he announced as the entire Hogwarts student body cheered for their friend from Hufflepuff. Cedric shook Dumbledore’s hand and bounded over to the corridor where the others had gone.

“Excellent!” Dumbledore boomed, “We now have our three Champions but in the end only one will go down in history: only one will hold this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory the Triwizard cup!” he continued, pointing at a glowing blue trophy that had suddenly appeared behind him as everyone, from all schools cheered.

However, that excitement was short-lived as the Goblet of Fire’s flames turned red once again and shot out one last name. “Harry Potter,” Dumbledore mumbled, reading the paper out loud. He then looked around, “Harry Potter?” Harry shrunk down into his chair as Dumbledore proceeded to yell, “HARRY POTTER??!!”

Hermione forced Harry out of his chair whilst the other champions looked at each other, confused to say the least. Harry slowly walked up to Dumbledore. Dumbledore gave Potter the piece of paper which unmistakably had his name written on it. Everyone whispered and yelled about how Harry “cheated” because he wasn’t 17 yet. Harry gulped and went into the room behind the Great Hall where Hope greeted him. She went up to him, “Veritas tempus!” she said, “It’s a truth spell. Now, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?” she asked him.

Harry shook his head, “No, you have to believe me, I didn’t do it!”
Hope raised an eyebrow but believed him nonetheless. However, as the adults came into the room to question Harry, Hope said nothing. The Minister of Magic came to a conclusion, “Mr Potter has no choice. As of tonight, he is a Triwizard Champion…” Crouch said solemnly as everyone turned their heads to Harry.

Hope took a deep breath and walked away from the other competitors and sat down to do a spell in the corner. Cedric followed her whilst the others were too occupied by Harry. Hope had a piece of paper in her hand. “What’s that?” Cedric asked, nodding towards the piece of paper. “Nothing,” Hope said, shoving it in her pocket.
Cedric narrowed his eyes, “If it were nothing, would you try to hide it?”
Hope stood up and stood face-to-face with Cedric, “If it were something, would it be any of your business?” she asked before walking past him.

Hope went to the lockers where she had texted Josie and Lizzie to meet her. They arrived in their pajamas, “Why are we here, Hope?” Lizzie asked, “Can’t you see I was trying to get a good night’s sleep after that torturous Defense against the Dark Arts lesson?” she said, indicating to her pajamas.

Hope rolled her eyes, “Lizzie, this is important! Harry didn’t put his name in the Goblet of Fire!”
“How can you be so sure?” Josie asked.
“Long story short, I used a truth spell. Anyway, I have the piece of paper with his name on it!” Hope said, pulling the piece of paper from out of her pocket, “I was hoping that you would help me do a spell to identify the handwriting of who wrote it?”
Lizzie sighed, “You always need us, Hope! Anyway, you’ve already ruined my night so I guess I could help you since there is absolutely no chance of a good night’s sleep now!”
“Jo?” Hope asked, turning to Josie.
“Sure! What do you need?” Josie replied.

Hope placed the piece of paper on the floor and sat down in front of it, instructing the girls to sit in a circle with her, linking hands and closing their eyes as they chanted a spell with her. Suddenly, the three of them opened their eyes to reveal that the entirety of their eyes had gone white before they closed their eyes and opened them again. Hope frowned, “Why didn’t it work?” she asked herself before picking up the paper, “It’s like the person who wrote this didn’t write it. But how does that even make sense? Do you think they were possessed?”

“Take it from a girl with an evil alter ego, if someone does something else in your body, you would probably know!” Josie replied, “But then again, I wouldn’t say that I was “possessed”,”
“Well, your spell didn’t work, Hope. Can I go to bed now? I need my beauty sleep!” Lizzie said before getting off of the floor and brushing the dust off her pajamas.

Back in Harry and Ron’s dorm, Ron turned to Harry, “How did you do it?” Ron asked, “Oh, nevermind, it doesn’t matter. You might have let your best friend know though!” Ron said spitefully.
Harry frowned and turned to face him, “I didn’t ask for this to happen, Ron!” Harry said, defending himself, “Ok? You’re being stupid!”
“Yeah, that’s me: Harry Potter’s stupid friend,” Ron said, rolling his eyes.
“I didn’t put my name in that cup! I don’t want eternal glory. I just wanna be-” Harry sighed, “Look, I don’t know what happened tonight and I don’t know why; it just did, ok?”

Ron shook his head dismissively and turned away from him, jealous that Harry got to do what he only dreamed of, “Piss off,” he responded.

The camera clicked as “Little Miss Reporter” talked with her excessively painted mouth, “What a charismatic quarter!” she exclaimed, “Hello, I’m Rita Skeeter, I write for the daily profit!” she said, shaking everybody’s hands, “But of course, you know that, don’t you? It’s you we don’t know! You’re the juicy news! What quirks lurk beneath those rosy cheeks? What mysteries do those muscles mask? What courage lies beneath those curls? What makes a champion “tick”? Me, myself and I want to know, not to mention my rabid readers. So, who’s feeling up to sharing?”

Everyone was silent. “You!” she said, pointing her newly-manicured finger at Hope, “You are a direct descendant of the Original Witch. I’d love to know about how you are faring with that family or lack thereof. Do you have any familial supporters? Wait, don’t answer that! Come with me and we can talk all about it!” Rita demanded. Hope gave the other competitors a look saying “help” as she left. Cedric sniggered and Hope narrowed her eyes before Cedric put his hands up in defeat.

Everyone waited silently. Soon, Hope emerged from the room. She stood by Cedric as Harry left. Cedric whispered in her ear, “How did that go?”
Hope rolled her eyes, “Wait until the latest edition of the Daily Profit gets published to find out,” she said sarcastically.

The competitors then left one by one to do their interview, nobody seemed to come back smiling as Rita Skeeter was a very… extroverted person with very little respect for boundaries and private information like death and love and all the juicy stuff in between.

It was around noon when an owl flew straight to Harry holding a letter. It read: Harry, I couldn’t risk sending Hedwig, ever since the World Cup, the Ministry has been intercepting more and more owls and she’s too easily recognised. We need to talk, Harry, face to face. Meet me in the Gryffindor Common Room at one o’clock this Saturday night. Make sure you are alone, Sirius.

That Saturday, Hope and Landon were just… chilling in the Gryffindor common room when they heard somebody coming down the stairs. Hope panicked, “Invisique,” she whispered, turning them both invisible. She put her hand to her lips as if to say “shh” to Landon as Harry descended from the stairs. “Sirius?” Harry was whispering.
Landon gave Hope a confused look. Hope shrugged. Then Harry started walking towards them. Hope looked around and grabbed Landon by the shoulder and pushed him downwards so that Harry could reach over them to grab a newspaper. She then silently instructed Landon to leave the room. Landon nodded and left. Hope however stayed and read the newspaper over Harry’s shoulder. It said something about Harry’s eyes and his past. Hope didn’t care about that bit, she looked for the bit with her. It read: Hope Mikaelson, a girl of 16 who had always felt a hole inside her ever since her father left her at the age of just 4. The poor girl has no familial attachments whatsoever and often finds herself completely and utterly alone. She has a serious hero complex as her classmate and friend Elizabeth-

Hope tried to read more but Harry had clearly had enough as he tore the newspaper in half and threw it on the fireplace. Hope rolled her eyes. But then suddenly, the fire hissed, causing both Hope and Harry to swing their heads around towards it. Harry walked over to it curiously and Hope followed. A face emerged from the embers and appeared as though it was taking a breath. “Sirius!” Harry exclaimed. Hope frowned and took out a pen from her cloak to write the name “Sirius” on her hand; Harry kept repeating it and Hope decided she was going to find out who it was.

“I don’t have much time, so listen to me, Harry: Did you or did you not put your name into the Goblet of Fire?” Sirius asked, talking extremely quickly.
“NO!” Harry exclaimed.
“Shhhh. I had to ask,” Sirius whispered, “Now, tell me about this dream of yours, you mentioned Wormtail and Voldemort?”
Hope raised an eyebrow and wrote “Wormtail” on her wrist.
“But who was the third man in the room? Did you hear a name?” Sirius asked.
Harry shook his head, “No, um… Voldemort was giving him a job to do- something important. He wanted… me…”

Hope wanted to laugh at how Harry phrased it.
“I dunno why but he was gonna use this man to get to me. But, I mean it was only a dream, right?” Harry asked.
“Yes…” Sirius said uncertainly, “It was just a dream. Look, Harry, the death eaters at the Cup, your name rising from that Goblet - these are not just coincidences- hogwarts isn’t safe anymore! What I’m saying is that the devils are inside the walls! Igor Karkaroff- he was a death eater! No one stops being a deatheater! Then there’s Barty Crouch- he sent his own son to Azkaban. I have no idea who put your name in the Goblet of Fire, Harry but I do know that whoever did is no friend to you! People die in the tournament Harry and unfortunately, you don’t have a choice!”
Hope was quickly scribbling on her arm now, “dream” “death eaters” “hogwarts isn’t safe” “devils in the walls” “Igor Karkaroff” “Barty Crouch” “No friend” “Tournament death” “choice” . But suddenly, there was a noise from up the stairs and Sirius disappeared. Harry turned around and Hope hoped that it wasn’t Landon coming to check on her.

Ron came down and Hope tried not to let out a sigh of relief. “Who are you talking to? I heard voices!” Ron asked Harry.
“Maybe you’re imagining things!” Harry said innocently, “Wouldn’t be the first time!”
Hope rolled her eyes.
Ron scowled, “You’re probably just practicing for your next interview, I expect!” Ron then turned and walked back to his dorm.

Harry looked hopefully at the fire but Sirius did not return.

The next day, Cedric found Hope in the hallway. Immediately, he spotted the black writing on her wrist. He frowned, “What’s that on your arm?” he asked, grabbing Hope’s arm and pointing to where she had written her notes.
Hope panicked, tugged her arm away and pulled down her sleeve, “What do you want from me, Cedric?” she asked hostilely, diverting away from all questions.
Cedric wasn’t convinced, “To know what’s on your arm!” he replied.
“It’s nothing!” Hope told him, trying not to be suspicious.
“You seem to have had a whole lot of nothing recently,” Cedric pointed out.

Hope pretended to look at her non-existent watch, “Wow! Won’t you look at the time! I have someplace to be. Sorry, talk to you later!” she exclaimed.
“Where do you have to be?” Cedric asked, frowning and folding his arms.
“Anywhere but here!” Hope responded before smiling cutely and walking past him.

Harry was sitting by the lake thinking when Ron, Ginny and Hermione approached, arguing. They stopped quite a bit away, still arguing. Harry looked at them expectantly. Finally, Hermione sighed and walked over to Harry, “Ronald would like me to tell you that Seamus told him that Dean was told by Pivati that Hagrid’s looking for you!” Hermione said. Harry frowned, not expecting this and confused by it.
“Sorry, what?” Harry asked. Hermione took a deep breath like she was about to say something but stopped herself, “Please don’t make me say it again- Hagrid’s looking for you,” she said, sighing.
“Well you can tell Ronald-” Harry started.
“I’m not an owl!” Hermione yelled, interrupting angrily before taking Ginny and walking off. Ron soon followed.

“Did you bring your father’s cloak like I asked you?” Hagrid asked Harry.
Harry nodded, “Where are we going?” Harry then asked.
Hagrid sighed, “You’ll find out soon enough! Pay attention, this is important!”
Harry looked at Hagrid and raised an eyebrow, “Hagrid, what’s with the flower? And have you combed your hair??”
“As a matter of fact I have! And you might want to do the same thing every now and again!” Hagrid retorted.

The huffing of creatures could be heard in the distance. Harry was about to ask questions but Hagrid silenced him and put the invisibility cloak over him. The two of them then walked over to the Headmistress of Beauxbatons.
“I have something to show you!” Hagrid told Olympe Maxime. He then lead her over to a place where fire was shooting from inside crates. Harry widened his eyes, “Dragons, that’s the first task?” he whispered to himself.
“What did you say?” Olympe asked Hagrid in her French accent.
Hagrid gave Harry a look and then turned to Olympe and smiled, “Oh just that you do look ravishing today!”

The following day, Harry went off to seek Cedric to tell him about the dragons. Unfortunately for Harry, he had to go past Hogwarts students who were still under the impression that he had treated and were consequently wearing magic badges that said “Potter Stinks”.

“Could I have a word?” Harry asked Cedric when he finally reached him. Cedric nodded and followed Harry over to the side.
“Dragons!” said Harry, “That’s the first task, they’ve got one for each of us!”
“Are you serious?” Cedric asked in shock as Harry nodded, “And Fleur and Krum, do they-?”
“Yes!” Harry assured him.
“And, Hope?” Cedric asked.
“I don’t think so but I will be sure to tell her!” Harry said.
Harry was about to walk off when Cedric stopped him, “Hey, listen, about the badges- I’ve asked them not to wear them-”
“Don’t worry about it!” Harry said before walking off.

“Why so tense, Potter?” Draco asked from a nearby tree as Harry attempted to keep walking, “My father and I have a bet, you see. I don’t think you are gonna last 10 minutes in this tournament. He disagrees- he thinks you’ll only last 5!” Draco taunted as he jumped out of the tree.
“I don’t give a damn what your father thinks, Malfoy!” Harry yelled. This caught Hope’s attention. She was with Josie and Josie was also shocked by this behavior, “Well, I don’t like him!” Josie muttered.
Hope sighed, “Join the club,”
“He’s vile and cruel. And you’re nothing but pathetic!” Harry said attempting to walk away.
“Pathetic?” Draco exclaimed in disbelief, “I’ll show you pathetic!” he said, drawing out his wand.

Josie leapt to her feet and grabbed Draco’s wand. “What on earth do you think you’re doing?” she asked, “I’m well in my right mind to break this!” she said, indicating to the wand. Draco snatched his wand back, “How dare you!” he exclaimed, about to use it on her. Hope was about to help out when Josie grabbed Harry’s shoulder and siphoned a little bit of magic and said “Ventus!” which sent Draco propelling backwards. Hope tilted her head and raised an eyebrow, “Wow, Jo!” she said before Alastor Moody stood in front of them and turned Draco into a ferret. Hope looked and Josie, “Let’s get out of here,” Josie nodded in response and the two left the scene.

Harry grabbed Hope by the arm, “Wait!” he called.
“What?” Hope asked.
Harry looked down at her arm, about to let go when he saw what she had written. Hope pulled down her sleeve, “You were saying?”
“Err, the first task- they’re dragons!” Harry told her.
Hope nodded, “Thanks, I guess!” she smiled and then ran after Josie, hoping he hadn’t seen what she had written.

Harry was trying to process it all when he saw Professor McGonagal walk over to Moody. Harry quickly got out of there, it wasn’t a place he wanted to be at that time, let’s just say.

The day of the first tournament arrived and everyone was cheering for whoever they were cheering for and Fred and George were attempting to make money off of people betting for who would/wouldn’t survive.

Inside the Champion’s tent, the contestants were “getting ready for battle”. Harry kept looking at Hope. Harry took a deep breath and went over to her. “What’s on your arm?” Harry asked.
“None of your business!” Hope responded. Harry then grabbed her arm and looked at the first word he recognised “Sirius”. “What do you know?” he asked.
“I will ask you this once, Harry! Let. Me. Go!” Hope said, ripping her arm away and ignoring his question.

Cedric and the other two contestants turned around to see what was going on. Harry turned away. Cedric went over to Hope, “Are you ok?” he asked.
Hope rolled her eyes, “I can handle myself, Cedric!” she told him before walking away.

Just then, Rita Skeeter waltzed in, “Ooo is there drama between Cedric Diggor and Hope Mikaelson? Two contestants, making friends although they inevitably know that in the end, only one may win the Triwizard cup, well, that’s a story!” she said.
“You have no business here!” Victor Krum said with his strong accent, “This tent is for champions!”
Rita smiled and left the room with just a few more clicks of her camera.

Dumbledore then burst in, many other people following him like Crouch, Igor, Olympe, and the, “Good day, champions! Gather round please, you have waited, you have wondered and at last the moment has arrived, a moment only the 5 of you can fully appreciate. Barty Crouch will explain the rest to you!”

“Circle around me, Champions!” Crouch instructed, pulling them all to circle around him, “Now, Miss Delacour, if you will…” he said, holding out a drawstring bag open for her. Slowly, Fleur put her hand inside the bag and winced in pain as something burned in her hand. She pulled out a small, green dragon and dropped it on her hand.
“Ahhh, the Welsh Green!”

Crouch then moved on to Victor as he pulled out what Crouch called, “The Chinese Fireball,”
Then it was Cedric’s turn who pulled out “The Swedish Short-snout!”
Hope took a deep breath and took out a dragon, “Wow, a Peruvian Vipertooth!” Hope exclaimed, already knowing the dragon. Crouch was impressed and moved on to Harry who pulled out the fifth and final dragon: The Hungarian Horntail.

Crouch continued with his explanation, “These represent 5 very real dragons, each of which has been given a Golden Egg to protect. Your objective is simple: Collect the egg. This you must do for each egg contains a clue without which, you cannot hope to proceed to the next task. Any questions?”

Cedric was first. He turned to Hope for assurance but she wouldn’t look at him. She took a deep breath and looked at Harry, “I wish you no harm and I was already in the room when you were having your conversation and did not mean to intrude. However, once I heard said conversation I decided I would like to help you from behind the scenes. However, let’s just say I'm not good at behind the scenes work. Anyhow, if you are going to find out who put your name in the Goblet of Fire and what is going on in the Wizarding World, you’ll need me. It’s entirely up to you. If you want, I could completely forget all about this and proceed this year happily however you would not have your answers or you could let me help you!” Hope smiled.

Harry sighed, “I could use the help,” he admitted, “But you must tell nobody, not even the two twins you seem to hang out with,”
“Agreed, as long as you don’t rat me out if you get caught,” Hope responded.
“Same goes for you,” Harry said.
“I don’t get caught,” Hope assured him.
“And you can’t tell your boyfriend either,” Harry told her.
She hesitated but slowly nodded.

When it got to Harry’s turn, he had got wind of the news that all four of the previous contestants had passed which meant both Cedric and Hope had gotten their eggs. Harry took a deep breath and gathered himself enough to be able to walk into the stadium where quidditch usually commenced. Harry caught sight of the egg and started walking towards it before something crashed beside him- the tail of the Hungrian Horntail who had not been given its name lightly to say the least. Harry leapt to the side and turned to face the beast. He breathed heavily, trying to figure out what to do as it breathed fire at him, causing him to have to jump away again.

Hope winced, he looked like he wasn’t going to make it out alive, honestly. Harry was flung across the floor and he luckily dodge another spray of fire. Harry suddenly had an idea, he summoned his broom and leapt on it. Flying was one of his strengths, you see, and it would certainly give him a little help.

He hopped on his still-moving broom and flew up high as everyone cheered for him, including Ron. He attempted to make a grab for the egg but sadly failed, He flew upwards to avoid the dragon, however it just made the dragon want to go after him even more. Breaking its chains to go after him, the dragon followed Harry up high into the sky until they were both out of the arena.

Using the dragon’s unstoppable need to follow him and it’s large size, Harry managed to convince the dragon to fly straight down into a pit and only one of them was small and quick enough to emerge from it. Harry triumphantly flew back into the stadium and swooped by the egg, grasping it in his arms and flying off with it.

Back in the Gryffindor common room, the whole of Gryffindor seemed to suddenly worship Harry. They all cheered and encouraged him to open up the egg to find out the clue. However, when he opened it, it let out a deafening screeching sound that ultimately was no clue at all but rather some sort of painstaking punishment maybe? Harry quickly closed the egg and stopped the torture all together.

“What the bloody hell was that?” Ron asked as he walked in. Harry looked up, shocked to see his ex-best friend. Ron walked up to Harry, “I reckon you’d have to be barking mad to put your own name in the Goblet of Fire,” Ron admitted, apologetically.
“Caught on, have you?” Harry asked, sarcastically, “Took you long enough!”
“I wasn’t the only one who’d thought you’d done it! Everyone was saying it behind your back!” Ron said, in defense.
“Brilliant, that makes me feel loads better,” Harry continued sarcastically.
“Well, at least I warned you about the dragons-” Ron said.
“Hagrid warned me about the dragons!” Harry corrected.
“No, no, no! I did!” ROn insisted, “No, don’t you remember, I told Hermione to tell you the Seamus told me that Pivati told Dean that Hagrid was looking for you! Seamus never actually told me anything so it was really just me all along! I thought we’d be alright, you know, after you figured that out!”
“WHo could possibly figure that out?” Harry asked, “That’s completely mental!”
“Tis isn’t it?” Ron admitted, “I suppose I was a bit distraught…”

“May I steal you for a moment, Potter,” Hope asked him from behind. Ron frowned. “What’s she doing here?” he asked.
“Well, for one, this is my common room too, at least, for this year it is. Besides, Harry and I need to talk,” Hope explained.
Landon walked up to Hope, “Thank God you’re alright!” he exclaimed.
Hope smiled, “Thanks Landon but I really have to talk to Harry. Bye, see you later!” She blew him a kiss as she led Harry away.

At Lunch, Landon, Rafael and Hope were sitting with Harry, Ron and Hermione; Hermione was reading the newspaper and gave Hope a solemn look, “She’s done it again. But this time it’s you and Cedric, look!” she said, pointing to Rita Skeeter’s article about Hope and Cedric’s “friendship”. Hermione then spotted a bit about her, “She didn't! Oh my gosh! She wrote a bit here about how I’m switching boys from “Harry to Bulgarian BonBon Victor Krum”! Could that woman make me hate her any more?” Hermione asked rhetorically.

Just then, a boy from first year walked up to Ron with a big wrapped box, “Package for you, Ron!” he said cheerily, giving Ron the package. Ron thanked him and expected him to walk away but he just looked at Harry expectantly. “Not right now, Nick, later, I promise!” Ron told him, sending him away.
“What was that all about?” Harry asked.
“I told him I’d get him your autograph!” Ron admitted.

Hope raised an eyebrow, “What’s that?” she asked, nodding her head to the package.
“Me mum’s sent me something!” Ron exclaimed, unwrapping it. He opened to it to reveal a mess of brown and pink-laced material. Ron stood up and held it to his body, “Mum sent me a dress…” he exclaimed with a disgusted tone in his voice. Harry chuckled. Hope smiled, “That’s not a dress, Ron. It’s a dress robe!” she giggled.
Rron shook his head, “These must be for Ginny!” he said, refusing to believe his mother sent him something so inhumanely ghastly.

Hermione laughed, “Hope’s right! It must be for the Yule Ball!”

Their next lesson was with Professor McGonagal who had asked Gryffindor House to meet her in the ballroom. “The Yule Ball,” Professor McGonagal began as the students had finished sitting down- boys on one side and girls on the other, “has been a tradition of the Triwizard tournament since its inception. On Christmas Eve night, we and our guests gather in the great hall for a night of well-mannered frivolity. As representatives of the host school, I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward- and I mean this literally- because the Yule Ball is first and foremost, a dance-”

The girls started whispering excitedly as the boys moaned loudly. Hope looked at Landon and winked and Landon smiled back half-heartedly. Hope frowned but Landon and looked away already.

“Silence!” Professor McGonagal yelled as she continued, “The House of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the Wizarding World for nearly 10 Centuries, I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirch that name by having you act like a babbling bumbling band of baboons-”

Fred and George looked at each other, trying to say “Babbling bumbling band of baboons” as fast as possible.

“And to dance, is to let the body breathe, inside every girl - a secret swan slumbers, longing to burst forth and take flight-” McGonagal continued.

Ron leaned over to Rafael, “Something is about to burst out of Eloise Midget but I don’t think it’s a swan,” Ron joked.

“And in every boy, a lordly lion prepared to prance-” she then noticed Ron talking and targeted him, “Mr Weasley, will you join me please?” she asked, offering her hand. Ron then stood up as McGonagal yanked him by his jumper. Harry and Rafael Chuckled quietly as Ron stood in front of Professor McGonagal.

“Now, place your right hand on my waist,” McGonagal instructed.
“Where?!” Ron exclaimed, embarrassed.
“My waist,” McGonagal repeated, putting his hand on her waist. She then told Mr Filch to turn on the music and Waltzed with Ron who had a pained expression on his face the entire time.

Harry called up to the Weasley twins, “You’re never gonna let him forget this, are you?”
“Never!” They replied, in time with each other.

“Everyone come together,” McGonagal demanded, the girls standing straight up and the boys staying slouched down. Then suddenly, Neville Longbottom stood up.

As Ron, Harry, Landon and Rafael went into their dorm that night, they saw Neville, dancing with thin air and humming the waltzing tune.

The next day, Ron, Rafael, Harry and Landon were talking about girls and asking on to the Yule Ball. “Why do they always have to travel in packs? And how do you get one on their own to ask them?”
“Blimey, Harry!” Ron exclaimed, “You slay dragons! If you can’t get a date, who can?”
“I think I’ll take the dragon right now!” Harry said, a panicked expression on his face.
Rafael sighed, “And how do you know when you’ve found the right girl?”
Landon looked at the ground, “And how do you know when’s the right time to ask?”

“It’s easy for you, Landon. You already know who you’re going to ask. And you already know she’s going to say yes!” Ron replied.
Landon shrugged, “I’m not so sure anymore…”
“Trouble in paradise?” Ron asked.
“I don’t know. It’s like she’s keeping things from me…” Landon replied.

Harry widened his eyes. Well, it was good to know she hadn’t told him. “Maybe she’s not telling you because it’s not her secret to tell?” Harry suggested.
Landon sighed, “I just wish she would tell me these things. I mean, I know that I’m not as strong nor “hero-y” as she is but if its something like information- I think I can handle it… no?”

In Snape’s class, Ron was still looking around for a date. He turned to HArry and Rafael, “It’s mad! At this rate, we’ll be the only people in our year who don’t have dates!” ROn said. Snape spotted him talking and pushed his head down to his paper.
“Tell me about it,” Hope said, giving Landon a look that he completely ignored.
“Well, except from Neville,” Ron whispered.
“Yeah, but then again, he can take himself,” Harry responded.
Hermione frowned, “It might interest you to know that Neville’s already got a date!”

Ron moaned, “Ugh, now I’m really depressed,” he mumbled as Fred passed him a note. Ron looked around for Snape and then opened it. It read, “GET A MOVE ON OR ALL THE GOOD ONES WILL HAVE GONE”
ROn frowned and threw the paper- that was now scrunched up- back at Fred, “Who are you going with then?” he retorted.
Fred smiled and then threw the same piece of paper at the back of some random girl from his year. SHe turned around, an annoyed look on her face.

He mouthed at her, “You want to go to the ball with me?” he asked, adding actions where necessary. She tucked a strand of hair behind one ear and smiled sheepishly, nodding. Ron pouted and then turned to Hermione. “Why, Hermione, you’re a girl!” Ron said as Hermione gave him an angry look. “Oh, well spotted!” she said sarcastically. Hope facepalmed in embarrassment for her friend. “Wanna have a danc-” Ron began, copying Fred’s actions, before Snape whacked him around the head with the book he was currently holding. “Come on, it’s one thing for a guy to show up alone, but for a girl, it’s just sad…” Ron said.
Hermione got heated up, “I won’t be going alone because, believe it or not, someone has already asked me!” she grumbled before slamming her book shut and getting up, handing her work in to Snap. She then walked back to Ron, “And I said yes!” she said before walking away.

“Bloody hell!” Ron muttered. He then turned to Harry, “She’s lying, right?”
“If you say so-” Harry replied before Snape came by just to push both of their heads into their work. Hope sighed and magicked her work onto Snape’s desk before leaving, following Hermione.

That evening, Harry went to seek Josie to buck up and ask her, even if it was extremely likely she was going to say no. He caught Josie outside the Slytherin common room. “Harry!” Josie exclaimed, “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I- er…” Harry stuttered. He then took a deep breath, “I was wondering if you’d like to go to the ball with me?”
Josie was taken aback, “Oh! I’m so sorry, Harry but I err… I’m already going with someone else,”

“Penelope is one lucky girl…” Harry responded, pretending his heart had just not been shattered into a thousand pieces.
“Sorry, what?” Penelope asked, “I’m actually going with Cedric, um… yeah-”
“Cedric?” Harry asked, shocked but trying to hide the fact he was shocked, “Err- cool… talk to you later then!” he said, walking off before he could embarrass himself even further.

Harry was lying on the sofa in the Gryffindor common room, sighing and thinking about Josie when Ron was being dragged in by Ginny and her friends, a pained look on his face. Harry leapt onto his feet to see what was going on. Rafael, Landon, Hermione and Hope all gathered round too. “What happened to you?” Hope asked insensitively.
Ginny replied for Ron as he was speechless as the girls sat him down on a chair. “He just asked Fleur Delacour out…” she said.

“What did she say?” Rafael asked.
“No of course,” Hermione butted in.
Ron shook his head, eyes shut really tight.
“No way! She said yes??” Landon asked, surprised.
“Don’t be silly,” Ron began, “There she was, walking by - you know how I like it when they walk - I couldn’t help it… it just sort of slipped out…”

“Actually,” Ginny corrected, “You sort of screamed at her… it was a bit frightening,”
“What did you do then?” Harry asked, urging the story on.
“What else?” Ron said, suggesting there was no other option, “I ran for it- I’m not cut out for this, Harry,”

Hope sighed, “You know what. You boys are just sad, I can get you a date,” Hope promised. Hope texted Lizzie, “Can you do me a favour?” she asked.
“What do you want?” Lizzie replied.
“Do you have a date to the Ball?” Hope asked.
“No? OH! Are you going to ask me to the Ball?” Lizzie texted.
“No, I was wondering if you would go with my friend, Ron?” Hope requested hopefully.
“Weasley?” Lizzie asked.
“Yes, he needs a date and I assured him that I would find the best girl for him,” Hope said, persuasively.
“Fine but he can’t wear that horrific outfit that one my friends saw him open in the Great Hall! I will send him a tux!” Lizzie demanded.
Hope sent a thumbs up emoji and turned to Ron.

“You have a date with Lizzie Saltzman!” Hope said, smiling.
Ron thanked her and then Harry turned to her. Hope rolled her eyes. She then turned to Harry, “Will you, Harry Potter, go to the Yule Ball with me?” she asked.
Harry smiled and nodded whilst Landon left the room. Hope realised what she had done and ran after him.

“Landon!” she called. When she eventually caught up to him, she apologised obsessively, “I’m sorry it’s just that the Yule Ball is Saturday night. I completely forgot. And besides, it’s not like you were going to ask me anyway!”
Landon huffed, “I was considering it-”
“You shouldn’t have to “consider it”, Landon. I am your girlfriend!” Hope pointed out, angrily.
“Well you wouldn’t know with all these secrets you have been keeping!” Landon yelled back.
“What secrets?” Hope asked.
“Oh, I wouldn’t know- you don’t tell me!” Landon responded.
“I am completely and entirely honest with you!” Hope assured him.

“Then why do you keep having secret conversations with Harry?” Landon asked.
Hope was tongue-tied, “That’s Harry’s business not yours-” Hope managed to say, unconfidently.
“But if you are involved, don’t I have the right as your boyfriend?” Landon asked.
“Oh so now you’re my boyfriend? Because you certainly weren’t behaving like a boyfriend when it came to asking someone to the Yule Ball?” Hope yelled, deflecting.

Harry and the others could hear the whole argument from below. Ron gave a pained and uncomfortable expression, “Should we be listening to this?”
“Shhh,” Ginny said, “I want to hear what’s going on,”
“Hope’s keeping secrets,” Rafael said.
“And Landon didn’t ask his own girlfriend to the Yule Ball!” Hermione responded.
“Hope’s having secret meetings with Harry!” Rafael added.

Everyone turned to Harry. “Hope has a hero complex. It’s not my fault that she found out something I was doing and insisted on helping!” Harry said, in his defense.
“Found out something you were doing?” Hermione asked.
Harry didn’t know what to say, “Yeah, we should probably leave them to have their conversation....”

The night of the Yule Ball arrived and Ron was standing in front of a mirror, in the tux that Lizzie had sent him. Harry walked in and his eyes widened, “That looks expensive,” he said, indicating to the tux.
Ron nodded, “Probably cost more than my house!” he agreed.

The two walked down the stairs into the ballroom, “Poor kid, bet she’s alone in her room, crying her eyes out...” Ron said to Harry.
Harry frowned, “Who?”
“Hermione of course!” Ron replied, “Come on, Harry, why do you think she wouldn’t tell us who she’s coming with?”
“Because we’d take the mickey out of her if she did?” Harry suggested.
“Nobody asked her,” Ron corrected, “I would have taken her meself if she weren’t so bloody proud!” Ron said.

Hope and Lizzie walked over to Harry and Ron. “What a nice tux,” Hope pointed out.
Lizzie smiled, “I know,”
Ron nodded, “Thanks for this!”
“No problem, I couldn’t let my date look like a troll!” Lizzie said.
“Is that a compliment or an insult?” Harry asked.
“A bit of both,” Hope whispered.

McGonagal then walked over, “Oh there you are, Potter and Mikaelson. Are you two ready?”
“Ready? Ready for what?” Hope asked.
“To dance!” McGonagal exclaimed, “It’s traditional that all of the champions are the first to dance, surely I told you that!”
Hope and Harry gave each other an equally confused look. McGonagal read their faces, “Oh! Well now you know!” she then turned to Ron, “Nice tux, Weasley,” she mentioned.

Josie then walked into the building with Cedric. She had her hand holding Cedric’s as they both smiled at the people walking past. Josie shot Harry a quick look and kind of sympathetic smile.

Hermione peeked her head around the door and Hope noticed her first. “Wow! She looks beautiful!” Hope exclaimed, “Should have asked her to the ball!”
Harry tried not to take offense as he too thought that Hermione looked beautiful. Hermione walked down the stairs as Victor Krum met her at the bottom of the stairs. Harry gave her a friendly smile and Hope gave her a thumbs up. Victor bowed to her and Hermione curtseyed in return before Victor offered her his hand.

Trumpets played as the champions were told to walk into the ballroom. First was Fleur Delacour with her dashing date. Then came Hermione, her hand on Victor’s arm. Thirdly, was Cedric with Josie surprisingly on his arm. And finally, came Hope and Harry. Everyone clapped as they walked through, except Ron.

Lizzie spotted Hermione on Victor’s arm and her eyes widened, she turned to Ron, “Is that Hermione Granger? With Victor Krum?” she exclaimed, knowing it was although she could not believe it.
“No, absolutely not,” Ron responded, trying to convince himself more than Lizzie.

The music then played and the champions started to dance. Hope had to stop herself from giggling at Harry’s bad dancing. DUmbledore and McGonagal then joined the champions in the centre of the room. Neville and Ginny came next, which thoroughly shocked Ron as you can probably predict. Hagrid then asked Madame Olympe Maxime to the dance floor and suddenly everyone was dancing.

After the ballroom dancing, there was a wizard pop band who came to specifically play for the Yule Ball and everyone was enjoying it. Except Landon, Ron, Harry, Rafael, Hope and Lizzie. Hope sighed, seeing that Lizzie wanted to dance but the boys didn’t. Hope also wanted to avoid the awkwardness of sitting too close to her now ex-boyfriend.

Hope smiled and got on one knee in front of Lizzie and offered up a hand, “Elizabeth Saltzman, may I have this dance?” she asked.
Lizzie smiled and took her hand, “I have been waiting for this all night!” she said, taking Hope’s hand and helping her off of the floor. Hope and Lizzie then joined Hermione and Victor on the dance floor. Hermione greeted them and they all began to have more fun except Hermione who already seemed to be having the time of her life.

Ron frowned and turned to Harry, “Ruddy pumpkinhead, isn’t he?” he asked, nodding towards Victor.
“I don’t think it was the books that had him going to the library,” Harry added, smirking.

After the song ended, Hermione and Victor left the dance floor. Hope and Lizzie waved them off and then turned back for the next song. Victor then kissed Hermione’s hand and left the room. Hermione did a little spin of joy to face the boys. She then sat next to Rafael at the end and faced them all, “Hot isn’t it?” she began after a moment of silence for her to process all of the excitement.

“Victor’s gone to go get the girls and I drinks, would you care to join us?” she asked. Harry and Rafael looked like they were about to say yes when Ron interrupted them. “No, we would not care to join you and”Victor”,” Ron said as though Victor was a disgusting piece of gum on the bottom of his shoe.

“What’s got your wand in a knot?” Hermione asked.
“He’s a Durmstrang,” Ron said, as though that explained everything, “You’re fraternizing with the enemy!”
“The enemy?” Hermione repeated, appalled, “Who was it wanting his autograph?! Besides, the whole point of the tournament is international, magical cooperation- to make friends!”
“I think he’s got a bit more than friendship on his mind-” Ron said.

Rafael widened his eyes, tapped Landon on the shoulder and the two of them left as Hermione began to get angry. She too stood up and left, she turned around to make one more snarky comment but then she realised how childish Ron was being and left it alone.

At the end of the night, Hermione and Ron somehow ended up having a very similar conversation. “He’s using you!” Ron told her.
“How dare you!” Hermione exclaimed, “Besides, I can take care of myself!”
“Doubt that,” Ron replied, “He’s way too old!”
“What?” Hermione yelled, “What? That’s what you think??”
“Yeah, that’s what I think!” Ron responded.
“You know the solution then, don’t you?” Hermione shouted.
“Go on?” Ron said, urging her.
“Next time there’s a ball, pluck up the courage and ask me before somebody else does,” Hermione cried, literally in tears, “And not as a last resort!”
“Well... th-th-thats just- that’s just completely off the point!” Ron stuttered.
Harry then came from ‘round the corner. Hermione was not in the mood to talk so she practically pushed him up the stairs, “OFF TO BED, BOTH OF YOU!” she cried, trying to wipe away her tears.

“They get scary when they get older-” Ron mumbled.
Hermione turned around and ran after him a few steps high as they ran away ,”Ron! You spoiled everything!”
“What’s this about?” Harry asked as he rushed up the stairs with Ron.

Hermione then sat down on the stairs, took off her heels and cried. Hope, Josie and Lizzie came around the corner to see Hermione in tears. The girls immediately sat around her, hugging her. “What’s wrong?” Josie asked, really worried for Hermione. Hermione told them what happened.

“Ron was miserable the whole night. I had to get Hope to ask me to dance. That was totally because he’s in love with you- I should have seen it earlier,” Lizzie said, mad at herself for not seeing the signs. Hope gave her a look to show her that it was not about her. Josie looked at the ground, imagining Ron and Hermione together.

Hermione looked at Josie, “Um, I should probably head to bed anyway,” she said. The twins nodded and awkwardly went back to their dorms. Hope then escorted Hermione to her dorm, comforting and hugging her.

That night, Harry had another dream- nightmare. This was also about Voldemort, in fact it was the exact same nightmare as last time- the one he told Sirius (and Hope) about.

“Harry you told me you had figured the egg out weeks ago!” Hermione exclaimed.
“Well, Hope had and I was really just... well I thought...” Harry stammered.
“Have you asked her?” Hermione asked.
“No! I also told her that I had figured it out weeks ago!” Harry said, expressing his dilemma.
“The task is two days from now!” Hermione said, pointing out the obvious.
“Really? I had no idea!” Harry said sarcastically.
He then changed his tone, “I bet Victor’s already figured it out!”
Hermione frowned, “I wouldn’t know- we don’t talk about the tournament. Actually, we don’t talk much at all... Victor’s more of a physical being,” Hermione then realised what she had just said and laughed, “I just mean he’s not particularly loquacious!” she said, explaining herself.

“Mostly he just watches me study- it’s a bit annoying actually...” she said, reconsidering her life choices, “You are trying to figure this egg out, aren’t you?”
Harry frowned, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that these tasks are designed to test you- in the most brutal way; they’re almost cruel. And, I’m scared for you! You got by the dragons mostly on nerve... I’m not sure it’s going to be enough this time...”

“Hey, Potter!” Cedric called from behind, “Potter!” he repeated.
“Cedric?” Harry mimicked slightly.
“How, how are you?” Cedric asked.
“Spectacular?” Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Look, I realised that I never really thanked you properly for tipping me off about those dragons,” Cedric began.
“Forget about it,” Harry interrupted, “I’m sure you would have done the same for me...”
“Exactly!” Cedric exclaimed, “You know the perfect’s bathroom on the 5th floor? It’s not a bad place for a bath... just... take your egg there and... mull things over in the hot water...”

Harry took Cedrics advice and went to the prefect's bathroom with his egg. “I must be out of my mind...” Harry said as he opened the egg. Unfortunately, it screeched ust like it did previously, leaving Harry’s eardrums ready to pop. “Definitely out of my mind...” Harry confirmed to himself.

Just then, Moaning Myrtle appeared from a nearby toilet, “I’d try putting the egg in the water if I were you!”
“Myrtle!” Harry exclaimed.
“I was circling a blocked drain the other day and could swear I saw a bit of Polyjuice potion. Not being a bad boy again are you, Harry?” Myrtle asked.
“Polyjuice Potion???” Harry asked, frowning. He then recapped over what she had just said, he grabbed the egg, “Myrtle, did you say try putting the egg in the water?” he asked.

Myrtle nodded, “Ohhhhh, that’s what he did! The other boy!” she told Harry, “The handsome one - Cedric! Well go on, open it!” she urged.

Harry bopped the egg underwater and opened it. He then went under the water and the egg began to sing to him, “Come seek us where our voices sound, we cannot sing above the ground. An hour long you’ll have to look to recover what we took,”.
Harry then came out of the water and took a deep breath.
“Myrtle,” Harry began, “There aren’t... merpeople... in the black lake, are there?”
“Ahhh, very good,” Myrtle said in a sing-songy voice, “It took Cedric ages to riddle it out.”

Back in the Library, the whole squad was looking for a solution, except Hope who had been excluded from their little gathering. “Harry, tell me again!” Hermione demanded.
Harry sighed, “Come seek us where our voices sound-”
“The black lake- that’s obvious!” Hermione said.
“An hour long you’ll have to look,” Harry continued.
“Again, obvious... though admittedly potentially problematic...” Hermione muttered.
“Potentially Problematic?” Harry asked sassily, “When was the last time you had to hold your breath underwater for an hour, Hermione?”

“Look, Harry, we can do this, the lot of us can figure it out...” Hermione said, uncertainly.
Professor Moody then came from round the corner, “Professor McGonagal would like you to see her in her office. Not you Potter, Waithe. Just Weasley, Granger and Kirby.”
Hermione tried to protest but Moody would not budge.

Hermione, Ron and Landon then left, leaving Rafael and Harry. Neville then walked past and recognised something Harry was reading. “You know, if you want to breathe underwater for a long period of time- you can always use gillyweed!”

Finally, it was the day of the second task, Fred and George were once again trying to make money off people betting on who would make it past this round. Neville gave Harry the Gillyweed as they were walking with Rafael. “You sure about this, Neville?” Harry asked.
“Absolutely!” Neville said, confidently.
“For an hour?” Harry asked.
“Most likely...” Nevelle continued, less-confidently.
“Most likely??” Harry asked, worried about his safety.
“Well, there’s some debate amongst herbalists on freshwater versus saltwater but-” Neville muttered.
“You’re telling me this now?” Harry asked, kind of outraged, “You must be joking!”
“I just- wanted to help...” Neville said.
“Well that makes you a lot better than Ron, Hermione and Landon,” he turned to Rafael, “Where are they?”
“I haven’t seen them since last night,” Rafael responded.

As the tournament was being announced, Harry stood next to Hope who was standing in between Harry and Cedric. Hope looked around, “I don’t mean to sound like the crazy ex, but where’s Landon?” Hope asked Harry.
Harry shrugged, “Disappeared with Ron and Hermione, I guess...”

“Last night, something was stolen from each champion. A treasure of sorts. Now, these lie on the bottom of the lake. In order to win, each champion need only find their treasure and return to land. Easy enough? On top of this, the champion will have one hour to do so and one hour only, Start!” Dumbledore’s voice announced from nearby speakers as Harry swallowed the gillyweed, Hope chanted her spell, “Respirare Aqua”, and the 5 champion’s dived into the water.

Hope frowned as the gills grew on Harry. She then raised an eyebrow as his feet became webbed and hands soon followed. Harry then decided to show off and do a little flip out of the water as Hope rolled her eyes. She then swam off, deep into the Black Lake towards the direction of some distant mermaids singing.

Harry dived back under and also went in the direction of the voices, into long, thick seaweed. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Fleur. He decided to ignore it and move on. Little did he know, a few minutes after, she was dragged down towards the deep depths of the Black Lake.

As Harry continued, he began to see huge fish-like creatures who swam too fast to be able to see but he had a sneaking suspicion of what they were: Mermaids. Fleur unfortunately forfeited soon after due to the near-death experience of being dragged to the bottom of the lake and almost drowned.

Harry finally found himself out of the seaweed, into a clearing with one single stone-made structure. Under it, he spotted 5 people, floating yet tied to the ground by seaweed. Hope was just a little ahead of him. She saw Landon and swam quickly over. They may have had their differences but deep down she loved him and could certainly never let him die. “Lecutio Maxima!” Hope yelled, and, although muffled underwater, the spell worked and sent a surge of electricity into the seaweed and burning it loose so that Landon could float up to the surface.

Hope then turned to a smaller child that was attached to the furthest seaweed. She realised it was Fleur’s sister. Hope had seen Fleur just 30 minutes earlier, practically beside her. When Hope realised that Fleur had been disqualified, it was too late. Landon had reached the surface and she had already been accounted for. She gave Harry a look and pointed to the little girl as she then went up to the surface to make sure Landon was ok.

Harry, however, was faced with a bigger decision. Not only was there Fleur’s little sister for him to save, but there was also Ron, Hermione and Josie. Luckily, Cedric swung in, just in time to grab Josie because the choice could become any more difficult. Upon swimming up to the surface, Cedric looked down at Harry, tapping his wrist to indicate that time was running out. Harry nodded gratefully: now he only had to take 3 people up to the surface.

After untying the seaweed from Ron’s legs, Harry pointed his wand at Hermione’s seaweed, about to free her before a group of merpeople pointed their pitchforks at him, “Only One!” They hissed in Unison. They then swam away as some sort of shark-like creature swam through them. It was later revealed that it was none other than Victor Krum, ready to literally sweep Hermiione off her feet.

Now Harry had the unmistakable choice between Ron and Fleur’s sister. Despite the obvious rules, Harry simply could not leave the poor girl there so he waved his wand and made a ball of light shoot out of it, freeing Gabrielle Delacour. Harry then tried to swim up with both students- his webbed hands and feet slowly disappearing and his gills sinking back into his neck.

To make matters worse, the merpeople were less than happy that Harry tried to take two people despite the warning they gave him. Scratching and biting, the merpeople tried to drag Harry under. Harry quickly released Ron and Gabrielle, letting them float up to the surface as he yelped in pain, blood oozing out of his ankles.

Through all the agony and pain, Harry managed to reach his wand, flicking it until a surge of fire burst out of it, hurting if not killing the creatures around him as he swam up to the surface, just as the clock tower reached it’s 6th ring. This meant he had successfully passed the task just in time. As he reached the dock, Hope rushed over and passed him her towel, “You saved her! Well done!” Hope congratulated.

As it turns out, Fleur was thinking the same thing. She hurried over to Harry, Gabrielle on her arm, “You saved her even though she wasn’t yours to save! My little sister! THANK YOU!” she cried out, kissing him on the cheeks. She then turned to Ron to kiss him on the cheeks too, “And you, you helped!” she insisted.

The judges then rushed over to Harry, “Attention! ATTENTION!” DUmbledore boomed, “The winner is Hope Mikaelson!” he announced. The Salvatore Students clapped and so did Hope’s little inner circle which was apparently enough to make a hell of a lot of noise, “However, seeing as Potter would have come second had it not been for his determination to rescue not only Mr Weasley but the others as well, we’ve agreed to award him his rightful SECOND PLACE! For outstanding moral fibre!”

As Harry was reaching the shore, Barty Crouch greeted him, “Congratulations, Potter!” he began, leading Harry off into the woods, astray from his friends, “I’m sorry we have not spoken. After all, your story is one I’ve heard so many times. Quite remarkable really; tragic of course - to lose one’s family… never whole again, are we? Still, life goes on and here we stand. I’m sure your parents would have been really proud of you after today, Potter-''

Barty was then interrupted by Professor Moody, “Bartimaeus!” Moody began, “Not trying to lure Potter into one of the ministries summer internships ,are we? The last boy who went into the department of ministries never came out!” Moody said, licking his lips really quickly.

Barty got a quick sense of… de ja vu, shall we say? And his eyes widened. He walked up to Moody and looked him in the eyes as Moody did the same thing again. Barty then looked at the floor and walked off as both Potter and Moody watched him stroll into the woods alone, looking as though he had seen a ghost.
The trio were just walking through the woods with Hagrid as Hagrid kept talking about Harry coming second place out of five great young witches and wizards.
However, Harry’s mind was still buzzing- thinking about how Barty had reacted to meeting Moody even though they had met before. Could it be that they had a difference of opinion somewhere? Was it something Mood had said?

As Harry was walking, he spotted a round, black top-hat just lying on the floor. He frowned and walked a little further, his scar giving him a burning feeling. He spotted a leg and then Hope jumped in front of him, “Harry!” she exclaimed. He frowned and looked around her- the body had disappeared. “What did you do?” Harry asked, breathing heavily.

Hope frowned and smiled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Anyway, it was nice talking to you but I really must be off.. Um… Invisique,” Hope whispered as she too disappeared. Hermione walked over to Harry, “Harry? Are you quite all right?”

Harry nodded as he picked up a piece of ripped cloth from a nearby thornbush that he had noticed out of the corner of his eye. He turned around, “Hermione?” he asked, “Do you happen to know if there is some magical way to test like a piece of clothing or DNA?” he asked.

There was some talk the next day of the fact that nobody could seem to find Barty. Hope completely avoided Harry. Harry caught Lizzies arm, “Hey, Lizzie?” he asked, “Can we… talk for a sec?”

“Um, I’m kind of busy right now… sorry, how important is it?” she asked.
“It’s about Hope…” Harry told her to get her attention, “Has she ever hurt anyone?”
“Well obviously, some villains you can’t just put in a Hogwarts dungeon, Harry and I know that I don't slay them!” Lizzie reminded him.
“Right, but has she ever hurt an innocent person?” Harry asked.
“Where are you going with thi-” Lizzie began.
“Answer me, Lizzie,” HArry demanded softly.
“Well, she did kill that one human by accident when she had a power surge. It’s a long story but there was like this demon thing and she needed to let her anger out- she did it to a bunch of evil vampires and then like a human in the store room got a bookshelf knocked on him. Oh, and she tortured her ex-boyfriend I think but then again he did aid in the brutal and torturous murder of her mother but they’re sort of friends now. You should hear how many times she killed Landon. I mean, he comes back to life but personally, I still think it counts. OOoo there was that boy who Hope didn’t technically kill but she gave him some of her blood so that he could kill himself and then come back so I think that that comes pretty close. Going back to the power surge thing. All the vampires were unarmed so she technically killed like 40 unarmed vampires whose only crime was joining some ultra-weird, witch-racist cult. Though, then again, they were vampires so technically they don’t like, need to be armed. They also might have done something bad to Klaus or whatever I’m not too sure and honestly, it’s none of my business. Or yours for that matter. I don’t know why you are asking but whatever reason it is. YOu should probably stop- I’m gonna go now…” Lizzie finally finished before flicking her hair and walking off.

Harry soon got his results back from his magical DNA test, conducted by Hermione who was suspicious but did the spell anyway. With the results, Harry rushed into Dumbledore’s office, “Mr Crouch is dead!” Harry exclaimed.
Dumbledore frowned, “Now, Harry, calm down and tell me what you know,”
Harry explained how he was out in the woods when he found presumably Barty’s hat and they saw some legs of a still body before it disappeared and then Hope showed up and they both disappeared. And also that he found the ripped clothing piece and when he did his DNA test, it belonged to BArty Crouch who was deceased, according to the results.

“Therefore, I think that Hope Andrea Mikaelson killed Barty Crouch!” Harry concluded hurriedly.
Dumbledore frowned, “All you have to go on here is that she was simply by the body of which you cannot be certain is his- just like how you were there and she disappeared with it? OK, I’ll look into it, until then, you cannot tell a soul about what you know or think you know, ok?”
Harry nodded and left.

On his way out, out of the corner of his eye, he spots a little bowl of sweets. Harry couldn’t help but reach for them. As it turned out, they were not sweets but rather vicious little creatures with apparently sharp teeth. Harry was taken aback and wormed out his wand and paralysed them with a simple spell. For some reason, whether it be the spell he cast or the creatures he awoke, a door from behind him slid open, revealing a large Goblet- similar to the Goblet of Fire yet much larger and filled with water.

Curiously, he walked over to this strange Goblet and looked down into the water. He frowned at the little wispy blue lines in it as he once again drew out his wand. This time, he simply waved it over the Goblet, making a single wispy line turn into a room that somehow engulfed him into it.

He fell down into a room full of people, including Dumbledore and Moody and Barty and a few more familiar faces. Looking over to Dumbledore, he frowned, “Professor?” he asked, confused. A strange man then came up to Dumbledore from behind Harry, “Professor!” he said, sticking his hand out to Dumbledore straight through Harry as though Harry was some sort of ghost.

Harry continued to look around, confused as Igor Karkarof was lifted up to the floor by some sort of elevator with spiky arrow heads pointed at him from inside the elevator. He was in chans that also held spikes on the end as he looked to Barty as he said his speech telling Igor that if he had any information, Igor’s immediate release could be granted. Igor said, “Severus Snape!” he yelled, desperately trying to earn his freedom.

Dumbledore stood straight up and turned to Barty, “We are very much aware of Severus Snape’s past as a Death Eater however he became a useful spy for us prior to Lord Voldemort’s downfall,” Dumbledore explained. Barty nodded and began to dismiss Igor before Igor stopped him.

“WAIT!” he begged, “I have heard of one more!” he said, trying to calm himself down. He took a deep breath, “BARTY CROUCH!” he yelled as everyone gave a shocked look towards the Minister. Igor then breathed again and corrected himself, “Junior. Barty Crouch Junior is the name!”

Harry gasped at the mention of Barty’s son. Barty Crouch Jr then ran at Igor, only just stopped by Mad Eye Moody who paralysed him there and then. Barty Crouch Jr was then dragged up to Barty, “Hello, father,” the evil son hissed, licking his lips quickly.
The Minister of magic had tears in his eyes as he looked his son dead in the eye and said, “You are no son of mine.”

Suddenly, Harry was propelled out of the Goblet and also the room, back into Dumbledore’s room where Dumbledore was waiting for him, “Curiosity is not a sin Harry,” Dumbledore reminded Harry, to get him to relax and not fear punishment. Dumbledore then proceeded to tell Harry what the Goblet was which was a Pensieve- a place to store memories apart from the mind.

Nodding, Harry turned to DUmbledore, “Sir? Mr Crouch’s son, what exactly happened to him?” Harry asked.
“He was sent to Azkaban- destroyed poor Barty for good. But he had no choice. Why do you ask?” Dumbledore responded.
“It’s just that I- I had a dream about him…” Harry said, unsurely, “In the dream, I was in a house and… Voldemort was there only- only he wasn’t human… oh, and Wormtail was there too! And… Mr Crouch’s son. ANd.. .I have had this same dream repeatedly… over and over again…”
Dumbledore frowned, “It is unwise for you to linger over these dreams, Harry,” Dumbledore said finally.

Harry was walking back to his dorm through the halls when he heard Igor and SNape arguing. Upon seeing Harry, Igor left the room. Harry was going to continue walking when Snape grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, “Potter!” he yelled, dragging HArry into his potions closet. He then grabbed a bottle of something and held it in Harry's face, “You know what this is? Veritaserum! A few drops of this and Voldermort himself would spill his darkest secrets. The use of it on a student is regrettably forbidden, however, should you ever steal from my personals again, my hand might just slip over your morning pumpkin juice!”

“I haven’t stolen anything!” protested Harry.
“Don’t lie to me,” Snape said, “Gillyweed may be innocuous but boomslang skin, lacewing flies? You and your little friends have been brewing polyjuice potion and, believe me, I’m going to find out why!”

The next day was the day of the final task in the Triwizard Tournament. Dumbledore sent Cedric and Harry off but he held Hope back. Cedric looked to Harry, “What do you suppose they’re talking about?” Cedric asked Harry.
Harry suspected he knew what they were talking about, “Do you know a spell we can use to hear them?” he asked Cedric.
Cedric nodded and pointed his wand at them inconspicuously. Hope looked over briefly before turning back to Dumbledore, her finger on her lips as if to say, “Shush,”

She then turned to MG who was in the crowd. He nodded and threw something at her. She caught it and lit it on fire, “This is sage,” she told Dumbledore, “It will prevent prying eyes and intrusive ears,” she told him.
“I cannot let you participate in this final task,” Dumbledore told her.
“What? But why? I have worked just as hard as any of the other contestants and I was chosen for this… and this is the task that reveals who wins!” Hope protested.
“We have to ask you some questions about the disappearance of Barty Crouch,” Dumbledore explained.

Hope shot Harry a glaring look before turning back to Dumbledore, “Sure, let’s go talk about some missing dude. In my absence, may I request a substitute champion?” she asked.
“It has never been done before-” Dumbledore began to protest.
“Well an innocent champion has never been interrogated on a missing person’s investigation during a task before, not to mention the final task,”

“Who do you have in mind?” Dumbledore asked.
“Josette Saltzman,” Hope proposed.
“She has a past with an evil alter-ego, I don't think-” Dumbledore began.
“Oh, come on, Victor’s mentor is an ex-death eater, Harry is seeing things about Voldermort that nobody else does, Fleurs’ pretty okay, I guess but Cedric’s a literal embodiment of Harry’s insecurities and I’d be surprised if Harry doesn't hold a secret grudge,” Hope protested.
“I guess, that if Josette is ok with it, she may replace you in the Triwizard tournament and give your school the chance to win the Triwizard cup and all its glory,” Dumbledore said finally giving in. HOpe smiled and winked at Harry before blowing out the sage.

“Sorry, Harry, my spell didn’t work,” Cedric admitted, apologetically.
HArry nodded, “Thanks for trying,”
Dumbledore put his wand to his neck, “Due to unfortunate events, through no fault of her own, Hope Mikaelson has had to withdraw from the final task. Due to the inconvenience for both her and her school, we have permitted her a substitute who will compete in this final task for her and be given the chance to bring this year’s Triwizard cup and all its glory, back to their home and hence forth, school. THe student Hope has chosen is Josette Saltzman from the Salvatore School. Now, would you be ok with substituting for Miss Mikaelson?” he boomed, directing this at Josie.

Josie’s eyes widened and she looked to Hope. Hope nodded supportedly. Smiling uncertainly, Josie nodded, “Sure, I guess I could step in for Hope…” she said, walking down the stairs to the arena. Hope handed her a wand. “What’s this?” Josie asked.
“Each contestant is allowed a wand,” Hope began before Josie interrupted her.
“Yes but I don’t need a wand to perform spells,” Josie reminded her.
“That is true but the wands are embedded with magic so, if you ever needed to cast a spell, there should be enough magic in there for you to siphon to make an entire prison world all on your own!” Hope explained, “So basically, the magic in there should last you this task!”

Josie nodded, “Thank you,” she said before joining the other champions outside the maze. Hope gave her a comforting smile before walking off with Dumbledore. Cedric leaned over to Josie who he was standing next to, “What was that all about?” he asked, curiously.
“Not sure, but I think Harry has something to do with it. She kept giving him odd and somewhat threatening looks. You should ask him!” Josie replied.

Cedric turned to Harry, about to speak before being interrupted by some man from the ministry who was announcing the beginning of the tournament. Before they knew it, the cannon fired.

Victor bolted into the maze immediately, Fleur following soon after. The three remaining gave each other a quick “good luck” look and entered the maze.

The first fork they came up against went three ways, almost like it was made for them. “Should we stay together?” Josie asked.
“No. Only one of us can win, building a truce now would just be pointless,” Cedric said, “Sorry, Jo,”
Harry nodded, “I agree, it is too late in the game to become friends now, Jo-sie,”

Josie nodded, she then went down the first path that presented itself, “Don’t do anything stupid,” she warned before disappearing.
Cedric smiled and went down the second path, leaving the third to Harry. Harry wearily began to go down the path, looking out for anything out of the ordinary.

Josie heard a cry from Fleur and ran to help. Fleur was knocked out on the floor and the hedges of the maze seemed to be swallowing her. Josie yelled in shock and quickly siphoned the magic out of her wand, “Patere!” she yelled, quoting a spell Hope taught her. The hedges shrunk back as though they had been blown backwards by a hard force. She picked up Fleur’s wand and did the spell they were previously told to do when wanting to be taken out of the maze.

She then slipped it back into Fleur’s hand and continued down the maze. She made sure to siphon just a little bit of magic out of the wand to prepare for if anything leapt out from the bushes at her.

Cedric was just running when he realised something strange- the hedges seemed closer together than they previously were. Cedric’s eyes widened as he realised what was happening- the walls were closing in on him. He ran as fast as he could, certain he wasn’t going to make it but still fighting for his life.

Josie saw him, “CEDRIC!” she exclaimed. She then aimed her hands at the hedges, she was about to say her words when she realised she had no magic left- she felt around for the wand that was not there. However, she could not find it- she must have dropped it when she was running earlier.

Thinking fast, Josie reached for the nearby hedge, siphoning its magic. Her aim was to say I spell to help him but she actually took the magic away from the hedge, meaning it stopped closing in on him. He continued running towards her and she hugged him.

They just parted from the embrace and Cedric was saying, “We should stick-” when Josie felt a strong hand on her shoulder, pulling her backwards. She screamed loudly and put her hands on whoever was pulling her back, trying to siphon them. However, this was not like Mystic Falls- the magic was not in the student but in the wand therefore Josie could do nothing to her attacker but scream and hope they had mercy.

Cedric reached for his wand but, in the commotion, he dropped it on the floor. He reached for it, but before he could stand up again, he heard Harry say something quickly. Viktor who happened to be the attacker was flung backwards into the hedge.

At first, Cedric did not check to see if Josie was ok and instead lunged for Viktor in anger. Harry pulled him back, “No Cedric, its not his fault!” Harry exclaimed, “He’s bewitched Cedric! HE’S BEWITCHED HE DIDN’T MEAN TO HURT HER!”

Cedric growled under his breath and left Viktor. He gave Josie his hand and pulled her to her feet. “Thank you,” she said. Just then, the hedges began to move again. The three looked at each other, trying to figure out which way to run. And then, the hedges stopped. They all took in their new surroundings. JUst ahead of them, they could see the cup.

Harry took a deep breath, “Now it is just us three and Fleur,”
“Just us three,” Josie corrected, “I think Viktor got to Fleur. She’s alive - but she has been knocked out,”

Harry nodded, “Who should win?”
“You, Harry, you saved Josie,” Cedric said.
“But Josie saved Fleur,” Harry protested.
“And you tried to save me Cedric, and besides I am no real contestant!” Josie said, reassuringly.
“Of course you are, you weren’t picked by a fire, you were picked by someone who knew you and who knew you were perfect for being a champion!” Cedric replied.

“What would happen if we all grabbed it at the same time?” Harry suggested.
“I don’t know but I suggest we find out,” Cedric said, taking Josie by the hand and bringing her over to the Cup.
“On the count of 3,” Harry said.
“1…. 2…. 3!” they all exclaimed before grabbing the cup.

When they touched it, the world around them began to spin, throwing them into a sort-of graveyard place that seemed unfamiliar at first - just like the portkey boot at the beginning. “Are you ok, guys?” Josie asked, brushing herself off as she got up. Cedric nodded. “Yeah, and you?” Harry asked. Josie nodded in response.

“Where are we?” Cedric asked, looking around.
“I’ve been here before…” Harry said, finding the atmosphere seemingly familiar.
Cedric ignored him and looked closely at the cup, “Jo, look! Its a port key! Did you hear that Harry? The cup, its a port key!”

Harry ignored Cedric in return, “I’ve been here before,” he repeated, “In a dream-” he then looked at a nearby gravestone. He traced his fingers over the letters delicately. “T-O-M R-I-D-D-L-E” it read. Harry had a moment of realisation before turning back to Josie and Cedric, “We have to get back!” Harry said, “WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO THE CUP, GUYS!” he repeated, yelling this time.

“What? Why?” Josie asked. Cedric and her then walked over to Harry, away from the Cup. Harry then yelped in pain and put his hands on his forehead, sinking to the ground as his scar burned. “What’s wrong?” Cedric asked, worriedly.
“Doesn’t matter! GET BACK TO THE CUP!” he yelled, his voice expressing the pain he was clearly feeling.

Wormtail then came out from the shadows, holding Voldemort in his arms. Josie siphoned Cedric’s wand and stood in between Harry and Wormtail, “Who are you? What do you want?” she demanded.
“Kill the Siphoner!” Voldemort whispered to Wormtail.
“No!” Harry exclaimed, too much in pain to do anything about it.

“AVADA KEDAVRA!” Wormtail yelled, pointing the wand at Josie. However, Cedric managed to push her out just in time. Unfortunately, he was hit. “CEDRIC!” Josie cried. She rushed over to him, trying to use the magic to heal him.

But it was too late- he was already gone.

Wormtail was about to cast another spell when Harry interrupted, “Leave them alone, they aren’t going to get in your way anymore, you can have me just don’t harm them,” he begged.
“Leave the children and get on with what I asked of you,” Voldemort demanded in a quiet, wispy voice.

Wormtail said nothing as he pointed his wand at Harry, levitating him and punching him against a statue that then trapped himin its stone cold arms. Voldemort then urged Wormtail to hurry- his impatience clear as day. His loyal servant followed his orders and threw his master into a cauldron.

Josie looked up from where she was holding Cedric’s lifeless body, crying. Realising, they had bigger issues, she put Cedric down and attempted to run over to Harry. However, Wormtail realised this and quickly turned around and casted a powerful boundary spell to keep her out. Thinking quick on her feet, Josie began to siphon the field. It was powerful and would take time but she knew she could do it eventually.

Wormtail took a deep breath and pointed his wand at something underneath Harry, “Bone of the father, unwillingly given,” he chanted as he levitated a bone from Thomas Riddle (Tom Riddle’s father)’s grave, then dropping it in the cauldron. “Flesh of the servant- willingly sacrificed,” Wormtail continued, drawing a knife from his inside-pocket and cutting off his hand into the cauldron, screaming in pain.

In one sharp movement, Wormtail turned to Harry and proceeded to chant, “Blood of the enemy,” he walked towards Harry, using the same knife as before to cut Harry’s wrist, “Forcibly taken,”. After putting the final ingredient in the cauldron, Wormtail declared that his messiah would return.

Harry and Josie looked at each other worriedly as the cauldron started to bubble a bloody red. Crying out in agonising pain, Harry reached for his scar that was practically torturing him. The cauldron set alight and immediately evaporated so all that was left standing was Voldemort- or what seemed to be Voldemort. It looked like an ugly, undernourished baby, growing before Harry and Josie’s very eyes. The very sight was insufferable.

Finally, the figure looked recognisable, cloaked in what was once black dust. Voldemort took deep breaths, enjoying the release that the air gave him once more. With an astonished look permanently tattooed on his face, Wormtail approached his sovereign who simply chuckled under his breath. Bowing, Wormtail handed Voldemort his wand.

With this wand, Voldemort had great plans- diabolical plans. All that started with the snatching of Wormtail’s arm, exposing his dark mark and imbuing it with dark magic so that the Dark Lord’s mark could appear in the sky and summon VOldemort’s loyal group of “death eaters”. The appearance was no less astounding, the wizards flying in from the sky by the seemingly same magic as that that cloaked their Lord.

Looking around at them, Voldemort could not see the soldiers that had once unquestionably followed him but instead a parade of cowards in black cloaks who gave up searching to bring him back not 13 years ago. Punishing them mercilessly, he demanded they know what he thought. They begged for release, insisting upon weak excuses.

Wormtail intervened, trying to earn recognition for being the one who brought back the Dark Lord. Voldemort denied him this, pointing out that this action was brought about by fear- not the loyalty the lot of them had pledged at the very beginning. Despite this evaluation, the Dark Lord felt compensation was needed for the services Wormtail had indeed given him. So, he felt inclined to wave his wand and give Wormtail back his hand that he had sacrificed for the Dark Lord - or at least some version of this hand; a metal version. Filled with gratitude, Wormtail dropped to his knees in a kind of “praying position”, repeating his thanks at least 50 odd times.

Voldemort turned to Josie who was still siphoning the large spell. He flicked his wand at her, throwing her back at a statue similar to the one Harry was against. It did the exact same thing, trapping her. The Dark Lord then walked over to Cedric. He kicked him lightly in the face. “LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Harry yelled from his trapped position.

“Oh Harry,” Voldemort exclaimed, “I almost forgot you were here, standing on the bones of my father. I’d introduce you but word has it, you’re almost as famous as me.” The Dark Lord continued to talk, explaining how Lily’s sacrifice for her only son provided Harry with the protection of love, meaning Voldemort could not touch the boy.

“However, things have changed,” he said, “I Can Touch You Now!” he hissed, placing one finger upon Harry’s scar, leaving him in boundless pain.

Incentivised by Harry’s pain, Josie was desperate for a way out. After a few mere but long seconds, she realised that the trap holding her was only magic-bound. She put both her hands on the statue and began to siphon- this magic was not nearly as strong as the boundary spell. Everyone else was watching Voldemort and Harry; nobody would try to stop her.

Whilst Voldemort was challenging Harry to a duel and they were doing all kinds of taunting and magical fighting, Josie had been released. She ran over to Cedric and put one of his arms around her neck, carrying him behind a statue. She then grabbed the cup that was not far away and brought it to Cedric. Looking over at Harry, she had a choice to make: she could go safely home in that moment with Cedric but without Harry- the reason for Cedric’s death or she could risk her life for the boy who caused Cedric’s death and the three of them could go home.

Josie looked over to Harry, hoping that something could convince her to make the hero move. And then, spirits seemed to come out of the two enemies wands. “Cedric?” Josie whispered.
Cedric’s spirit turned to her, “Help him, Jo. You have to make it back together. Oh and, take my body back, will you? To my father,”

“Already planning on it,” Josie replied, a mixture of tears of joy and sadness trickling down her face. She was referring to taking his body back, not helping Harry but she did not define this difference, wanting Cedric to remember her as a better person for wherever he may go next.

After his spirit disappeared and Harry was still standing-off with Voldemort, Josie still had to make her choice. Now, with nobody there to watch her, she did what she thought was right. She placed her hand upon the cup.

And siphoned its power until it was useless. She directed the power at Cedric’s lifeless body and it disappeared. Josie let herself have a small smile; she could get out. She turned to Harry before she could stop herself and ran over to him. The others never saw her coming because they simply weren’t paying attention. By the time they realised, it was too late.

She put her hand on Harry’s shoulder. He was also shocked- having barely thought of her since the duel started. But she could only see his astounded face for so long before he too disappeared like Cedric.

Back at Hogwarts, Hope had been released after questioning, deemed innocent. She was sat with Lizzie, Rafael and Landon at the front, anticipating their arrival. “I don’t get why we have to watch,” Lizzie said, “We don’t even see them apart from at the beginning and at the end- you know, if we just came and those times; they probably wouldn’t even notice,”

“Yeah, well I bet its more fun to actually do it,” Hope added, “Rather than be questioned for absolutely no reason,”
Landon hugged her supportively with one arm.

Just then, something appeared as if from thin air, its black and yellow coloured shirt was unmistakable for Hufflepuff. “Is it Josie?” Lizzie asked, “Or Ced- Ced something,”
“It’s Cedric,” Rafael huffed. They all sighed but clapped anyway to show good sportsmanship or whatever. Hope then stood up, “That’s not right,” she said, running down to the maze.

Her hand flew to her face upon seeing Cedric, laying still. As shocking as this was, she could not help but have thoughts approach her mind that she would deem more pressing but others would disagree. Where was Josie? She hadn’t signalled like Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, so where the hell was she.

As if to answer, Harry appeared beside Cedric. He reached for Cedric’s body, crying, saying that Voldemort was back. Hope didn’t care. She went over to Harry, “WHERE’S JOSIE?” she yelled. Dumbledore was attempting to pull her back but she didn’t let him, “WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?” Hope yelled.

Harry looked up, “I-I don’t know,” he stuttered through his tears, “She sent me here and then… and then I don’t know what happened to her-”. Hope took a deep breath and walked away from the commotion. Landon ran over to her, “What’s happening? What’s wrong?” he asked, trying to comfort her.

Hope closed her eyes, breathing heavily and facing the maze, “When I open my eyes, she’s going to be back,” she convinced herself. She then opened her eyes and looked around, “I can’t see her- Landon, I can’t see her!” she said, on the verge of tears but still trying to keep a clear mind.
“Who?” Landon asked, trying to think who it could be but unable to think clearly with his mind set on Hope.

Just then, Josie appeared. Her forehead was cut and she was bruised but other than that, she was ok- she was safe. Landon pointed towards her, “Josie’s fine, she’s right over there,” Landon told Hope.
Hope looked up. Seeing Josie safe, she ran up to hug her, “What happened?” she asked. Josie hugged her back, relieved to be safe again and trying not to think about the fact that Cedric was gone. “I’ll tell you later,” Josie whispered.

Lizzie ran over to them after spending the last few minutes pushing through eager crowds and convincing people controlling the crowds to let her in. “Jo!” Lizzie exclaimed, hugging Josie but also Hope in the process.
“I should have never let you go in,” Hope apologised, “I am so sorry- this is all my fault!”
“It’s not,” Josie argued, “It’s not your fault, Hope,”

Hope nodded, still not convinced but eager to not rattle Josie who she knew had been through a lot. Hope hadn’t even yet thought about the death of a boy who had come to be a good friend of hers, being too wrapped up in the whereabouts of Josie and finding it easier to address a friend in need rather than another death.

Cedric’s father burst through the now-silent crowd, screaming, “THAT’S MY BOY! THAT’S MY SON!” he ran over to the body, causing Harry to finally step back, knowing that this would be harder for this man. The three girls stopped hugging and finally turned to face the worse matter. Sobbing, Josie hid her face in her sister’s jumper. Lizzie could not turn her eyes away from the gruesome sight, resting her head on Josie’s whilst stroking her hair.

Taking a deep breath, Hope turned her head away, looking over at Landon who looked back. He attempted to make his way over to her but the crowd was too thick. Whilst looking over at him, Hope noticed something very peculiar. She frowned and tilted her head. After realising what was happening, she wiped away her tears that she was doing extremely well to hide and gulped to clear her throat. “Invisique,” she whispered, turning invisible.

Landon was clearly confused, unsure what had happened but knowing it was something she had seen. Following her previous gaze, he turned around to see Professor Moody guiding Harry down a sketchy corridor. Perceiving Moody as a sketchy guy, Landon would not have given it a second glance if Hope hadn’t literally disappeared. Taking a second look, Landon noticed how Moody was grabbing Harry by the shirt and practically dragging him. Adding on to this, Moody was looking around very suspiciously, as though he were trying to see if anyone was following them.

The phoenix pushed through the crowd until he reached Hope. “What’s happening?” Landon asked in a hushed voice.
“Don’t worry about it, “ Hope replied, “Can you please just get Professor Dumbledore over hear please?”
Landon nodded and rushed off. Taking a deep breath, Hope whispered, “Invisique,” and turned invisible.

Silently, Hope crept into the room with Harry and Moody, just as Madeye was shutting the door, listening to him revealing his plans of how he manipulated the entire game just so Harry would make it to the cup, only to be teleported to the graveyard- to the Dark Lord. After finishing his speech, Madeye drew his wand and pointed it at Harry. “No!” Hope exclaimed. She then (still invisible) aimed her hands at Moody and chanted, “Per se qui e fracta toi, per se qui e total toi,” this was a spell taught to her by her Aunt Davina- it cripples the hands of the target in addition to forming a circle around them. This spell was used by a witch elder on Davina in a meeting of the nine covens.

Moody collapsed in pain as Hope made herself visible once again. “You absolute adolescent ABOMINATION!” Madeye exclaimed, “You’re just as bad as your father!”
“Says the man who killed his,” Hope retorted, revealing she knew who he was as Dumbledore flew through the door, demanding the whereabouts of the real Alastor Moody. He was followed by Professors Mcgonagall and Snape. Soon, the real Alastor was found in a magical chest in the corner of the room.

Wandering in and looking down the chest, Landon frowned, “Well if that is Alastor Moody, who is he?” he asked, turning to the fake Madeye.
“The man who killed Barty Crouch who was none other than his own father,” Hope explained and Barty Crouch Jr finally transformed into his true form. Dumbledore personally escorted Hope, Landon and Harry out of the room, leaving Snape with his wand at Barty Crouch Jr’s throat and Mcgonagall hurrying behind.

The following day, the students found themselves in the main hall, listening to Dumbledore attempt to explain and acknowledge the death of poor, innocent Cedric, “Today, we address a really terrible loss. Cedric Diggory was, as you all know, exceptionally hard working, infinitely fair-minded, and most importantly- a fierce, fierce friend. Now, I think therefore, you have the right to know how he died. You see, Cedric Diggory was murdered-”.

Josie held her head down, fighting back tears as Lizzie wrapped one arm around her. Hope leant on Landon’s shoulder, refusing to shed tears for yet another loss. Dumbledore continued, “Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort. The Ministry Of Magic does not wish me to tell you this but not to do so would be an insult to his memory. Now, the pain we all feel at this dreadful loss reminds me- reminds us that we all come from different places and speak in different tongues but our hearts beat as one. In light of recent events, the bonds of friendship that we made this year will be more important than ever. Remember that and Cedric Diggory will not have died in vain; you remember that and we’ll celebrate a boy who was kind and honest, brave and true right to the very end,”

Unable to control herself, Josie siphoned Hope, “Invisique,” she whispered before hurrying out of the room. Lizzie and Hope looked at each other, nodding. They held hands and both muttered the same words before also disappearing. Hermione frowned, looking at Harry and Ron. “What happened to them?” she then asked Rafael and Landon. As if to reply, the door to the hall slammed, causing the entire assembly to turn to it, seeing nothing. “Josie just needs some time alone with her sister and Hope,” Landon whispered.

Back in her Hufflepuff dorm, Josie was crying hysterically. “Phasmatos Oculacs,” Hope said, turning all three girls visible again.
“Damn Hope, do you know every spell?” Lizzie asked.
“I swear you know that one- it's a gemini spell!” Hope replied. Lizzie rolled her eyes. The two of them then looked to Josie, realising their little “banter” was not the current issue they should be worried about.

Josie sat down on the bed, her eyes raw from all the crying. Lizzie and Hope both sat on either side of her, wrapping their arms around her. “How do you do it, Hope?” Josie sobbed, “How do you act like the losses of the people closest to you doesn’t burn? It should have been me! He died to save me! And I was not worth his life!” Lizzie shook her head, “You know that’s not true and you know that any one of us would do the exact same thing as Cedric. If he heard you saying that right now, it would break his heart!”

“But he can’t hear it- don’t you get it, Lizzie? He’s gone and it's all my fault!” Josie yelled, almost angrily. She was gripping Hope’s wrist very hard, siphoning her magic. Hope winced in pain and Josie let go. “Sorry- Oh my god, I’m so sorry, Hope!” Josie said, her hand flying over her mouth in shock. Hope shook her head, telling Jo that it would heal but actually feeling very drained- there was a purple bruise the entire way around her wrist. Hope’s werewolf powers were temporarily dained, henceforth delaying her healing process slightly.

Then the boys came in. By the boys, I mean Rafael, Landon, Harry and Ron. Hermione also followed. “Are you okay?” Hermione asked Josie. Josie said nothing, not even looking up. Landon looked at Hope’s wrist and sat beside her, “What happened?” he asked. Hope shook her head and put a finger to her lips, telling him to be quiet and not worry about it. “I’ll heal,” she whispered.

Taking deep breaths, Josie decided that she didn’t want to worry her friends. She wiped away her tears and tried to assure them that she would be okay. They all spent the rest of the day in Josie’s dorm, trying to cheer her, and partially themselves up- distracting them from the cold, hard truth of the death of their friend.

It was the last day for the Salvatore Students and the group decided to meet up on the bridge. Hermione, Ron and Harry were already there. They stood in silence, watching over the calm waters. “Sorry, we’re late,” a familiar voice from behind them. Smiling, Hermione turned around to see Hope, Landon, Rafael, Lizzie and Josie. “My sister lost her favourite pen,” Josie explained, hugging Hermione.
“It’s not my favourite pen,” Lizzie protested, “It’s just, my mum got it for me when we were travelling Europe,” this was a useless piece of information really. It was just there so Lizzie could boast about her travels. Josie rolled her eyes and leaned on one side of the bridge with Hermione as the others drifted into their own conversation on the other side. “I’ll miss this place; I’ll miss you,” Josie said. Hermione felt herself blush a little, “I’ll miss you too…” she replied.

“I’ll call,” Josie promised, “And text. And write!” Hermione smiled at her.
“And visit I hope?” she asked.
“Of course!” Josie giggled. Putting her arm around Josie, Hermione smiled, trying to enjoy what could be their last moments together.

Hope smiled, “They’re so cute!” she mused. Harry and Ron frowned.
“Do you mean together?” Ron asked, “Hermione isn’t gay!” Landon chuckled a little and nodded his head in the direction of the girls, “You sure about that?” he asked. Lizzie nodded, “Oh yeah, Josie definitely likes her- I know these things!” she said proudly, folding her arms. “Well, what about Cedric?” Harry finally asked.
“They were good friends,” Lizzie replied, emphasising the word friends, “But I know for a fact that Josie doesn’t look at just anyone like that,”

“Same,” Hope agreed, “Josie is officially in love. Who thinks they’re gonna kiss?”
“Oh, they’re definitely gonna kiss,” Lizzie replied, “The question is who is going to initiate the kiss?”
“Hermione!” Landon, Hope and Rafael said together.
“Josie!” Ron and Harry disagreed, “Hermione isn’t very… forward,”
“Neither is Josie!” Rafael replied, “I would know!”

Silently, everyone looked over. “JUST KISS ALREADY!” A voice yelled. Shocked, everyone including Josie and Hermione turned to see MG who had just vamped over. “Come on- you know you want to!” he urged. Josie and Hermione both turned to face each other, first looking each other in the eyes and then their eyesight falling to each other’s lips. Suddenly, Josie put her hands under Hermione’s face and pulled her in, kissing her lips.

Putting her arms behind Josie’s back, Hermione kissed back. “I knew it would be Josie,” Ron smirked.