A Wonder

Her arrival at Hogwarts was as unceremonious as usual. She flooed directly to Snapes office where he was waiting for her with Filch. Then Filch took her things to the hall to be delivered to her dorm later. 

“I presume you summer was amendable?” Snape asked and she almost laughed at his attempted small talk. 

“It was until we went to the World Cup and a bunch of lunatics in masks attacked.” She said bluntly. 

“Yes I heard about that. But all is well I assume?” He asked and began to walk, intending for her to follow, out of the office and down the hall. 

“Honestly? Not really. Some psycho cast the cruciatus curse at my 6 year old sister. I got in the way but the poor thing wouldn’t leave my side all week. And my brother hasn’t said a single word about it, pretending like it hasn’t even happened.” She rambled, then blushed slightly when she realized how much she’d said. 

“You haven’t said anything about how you’ve handled it.” He noted.

“I— well I’m fine.” She said.

He nodded. “You took a full cruciatus curse at 13 years old Ms Walsh.”

She didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then she looked at him and with a forced shrug she said, “it hurt.”

And he laughed, albeit a short laugh but a laugh nonetheless. 

“You never cease to surprise me.” 

She smiled, “it’s what I do.” 

They walked down the hall in comfortable silence toward the great hall where the staff was arranging extra tables at the ends of the two furthermost tables. 

“Whats going on?” She asked. 

“I suppose you’ll hear about it during the feast.” He said and she pouted but didn’t press. 

“Your schedule when you receive it will have listed an evening course with me as it is the only available time I had this term.” He said and she nodded. 

“Okay.” She said, “I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to do this work study with you formally this year.”

“Don’t waste it.” He said and she swallowed hard.

“Now then, I have some business to attend you, I’m sure you can keep yourself busy while you await your classmates?” 

Xx

She was waiting outside with Beau when Luna and Ginny got out of their carriage. She placed the letter into Beaus mouth and sent him off just before they made their way to her. 

They pulled her in for a hug and she smiled. 

“I just saw you guys.” She said.

Luna shrugged, “Hugs are just hellos.” 

“How are you?” Ginny asked and Ryleigh scoffed.

“I’m fine!” She shrugged them off. “Come on let’s go get changed, they’re doing something to the great hall. 

“Hey look!” Someone shouted and they looked up to see a large carriage being pulled by flying horses flying overhead. Then from the lake a large ship seemed to rise from the water.

“Woah” 

Xx

After the sorting ceremony Dumbledore began to make his yearly announcements, he was interrupted however by Filch awkwardly jogging down the center of the room. The two whispered to each other side and then Filch left again. 

“Hogwarts had been chosen to host a legendary event: The Triwizard tournament.”

The students clamored and whispered to each other in excitement. 

“Now for those of you who do not know, the triwizard tournament brings together three schools for a series of 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 saw these contests are not for the faint of heart. But more of that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of magic and their headmistress Madame Maxine.”

The large doors to the great hall open and a crowd of drop dead gorgeous girls walk in. All the boys in the hall stared at them as they practically trotted past them and Ryleigh couldn’t help but join. The girls around her seem to roll their eyes and slink down in their chairs but she just shifted to see better as they did their display of magic, there was girl who looked about 8 who did some gymnastic type moved and then bowed with the group.

After then came the Durmstang students, very aggressively entering with sparks and grunting. She rolled her eyes at them while everyone seemed to ooo and ahhh at Viktor Krum. 

After the announces the food appeared at the tables and everyone dug in. Ryleigh took a few things and watched the room, as she had taken to doing, to see what the drama would be this year. She and Ginny had made a game of it, first one to figure it out has to host their summer hang out week.

She could see Snape looking very uncomfortable next to Igor, the Durmstang headmaster but she didn’t know why. 

Sometime later a group of people brought in a large golden object before Dumbledore stood back up in front of the crowd. 

“Your attention please.” He called and they quieted down looking up at him. “I’d like to say a few words. Eternal Glory. That is what awaits the student who wins the triwizard Tournament. But to do this that student must survive three tasks, extremely dangerous tasks. For this reason the minestry has seen it fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this we have the head of the department of international Magical Cooperation, Mr. Bartemius Crouch.”

The ceiling started thunder loudly and lighting was flashing around them, people started shouting and looking around worriedly until someone stopped it. They looked up to find a wild looking man standing behind the other professors table. He has one eye popped out of his head and in some sort of contraption and what seemed to be a permanent frown etched into his face. 

Crouch spoke about the age limits on entering the tournament and the crowd collectively booed in response. Then Dumbledore revealed the goblet and a large blue flame appeared atop of it.

“The goblet of fire.” He said simply, following it with the explanation of how to enter. “As from this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun.”

Xx

Back in their dorms Ginny and Ryleigh were unpacking their things. 

“Crazy about the new rules.” Ginny said. “I probably wouldn’t have entered anyway.” 

“Me either, I don’t think it’s such a bad idea you know? Putting the age restriction around it, it’s probably much safer now and…” she shrugged.

Ginny stopped her unpacking and came to sit beside Ryleigh. “So.. those other students, am I right?” She nudged.

Ryleigh laughed, “kind of strange how good looking they all are right?” 

“I know!! Like relax okay??” Ginny said back. 

They spent the rest of the night laughing and chatting until they fell asleep.

Xx

The next morning she had Care of Magical Creatures first thing, she’d barely rubbed the sleep from her eyes before Hagrid was walking them out into the forest. She stood with Luna for the class, who was listening intently to each word that Hagrid spoke.

After class they went to have breakfast in the great hall and then she made her way to herbology. 

She had the next block free and spent it studying as Ginny and Luna both had Ancient Runes. 

Then they all had DADA together. 

Professor moody was odd to say the least. He made them all incredibly uncomfortable but then nearly every Professor for defense against the dark arts they had so far had done that at some point. 

She’d heard from the older years that the Professor was introducing each class to the unforgivable curses despite the ministry’s disapproval. So she was prepared for the same when she sat down next to Luna for class. 

He introduced himself before he jumped right into it. “Who knows the three unforgivable curses and what they do?” He asked. No one said anything.

“Anyone?” He asked gruffly. 

Ginny raised a nervous hand. 

“The Imperius Curse” she said. 

“Correct, Ms Weasley, your brother provided the same answer.” He said, “Seeing as your father would have considerable experience with this curse.” He said then he pulled a jar from his desk over, opening it and allowing a small bug to crawl out into his hand. It looked like some sort of caterpillar.

“Imperio” he said with his wand pointed at the caterpillar. It floated its way over to Ginny’s desk. 

“On the older years I demonstrated this with a poisonous spider.” He said as the Caterpillar crawled up onto Ginny’s open hand, “this guy will only stun you if it bites.”

Ginny stiffened.

“What shall we make him do, Hm?” Moody asked, “maybe a little dance?” Then the caterpillar wiggled about. “Or how about we have it drink a poison?” He asked, the caterpillar floated back to the desk where a small glass of something was open, he hovered the caterpillar over the liquid before pulling it away. 

Everyone was quiet.

“Loads of witches and wizards claimed to have been under the imperius when doing the bidding of you-know-who.” 

They all seemed to shift uncomfortably collectively. 

“What’s another curse.” A few people raised their hands but he focused on her. Ryleigh looked away from his gaze but she’d heard enough about his earlier classes that she was stuck with this role. He seemed to be following the exact same formula as he had with Harry’s class. 

“Ms. Walsh.” He said and she flashed her eyes toward him. 

“From what I hear you have some personal experience with this curse?” He asked pointedly, “I also hear you have quite the skill in defense against the dark arts as well as potions.” 

She gave him no reaction. 

“Why don’t you tell us the next curse then?” He asked. 

Luna looked between them nervously, Ginny interrupted with, “I don’t think that’s necessary Professor.”

“You don’t tell me what’s necessary.” He snapped and she shrunk back. 

“It’s the Cruciatus Curse.” Ryleigh said firmly.

“Right you are.” He said, “and would you care to explain it to the class.” 

She stayed meeting his gaze as she spoke. “It’s the torture curse. When cast you feel and immense pain with no physical source.” 

“Corect you are Ms Walsh.” He said then turned to the caterpillar.

“Don’t.” She said as he raised his wand. 

He snapped his gaze back to her and looked, really looked at her with something like recognition. It seemed as though he was equating her to someone in his mind but he turned back to the caterpillar without a word. 

“Crucio” and the poor little thing made an almost inaudible squealing sound. 

“Would anyone like to tell me the final curse?” He asked and no one spoke once again. 

“No? … the killing curse.” He said and pointed to the caterpillar a final time.

“Avada Kadavra” the poor thing stiffened instantly and keeled over dead. 

She glared at him harshly and he met her gaze again.  

As soon as the class was over she grabbed her things and rushed out without her friends. Down the spiraling staircase and out into the main halls then up another set of stairs to the astronomy tower.

She sat down in her usual spot along the edge and waited for the other two girls who she knew were just a few minutes behind her. 

And they did a few minutes later come and sit down next to her.

“That wasn’t right.” Ginny said. 

“I’m fine okay guys? Just didn’t want to be around him anymore.” Ryleigh said.

“It’s okay if you’re not though.” Luna said softly.

She smiled at her and then at Ginny. 

Then she rested her head comfortably on Lunas shoulder and they stared out at the grounds together. 

A while later Ginny was resting against the pillar doing her homework and Ryleigh had shifted to laying down in Lunas lap so that Luna could braid the long mess of black curls. A hoot could he hear as Beau flew into the tower and landed at her side, envelope in his mouth she took it and opened it carefully.

“Ryleigh, 

As I’ve told Harry in his last letter I’m back in the country but well hidden. You didn’t mention your attack at the world cup in your last letter and you dated it so I know it had happened already. I worry about you. If you need anything send an owl right away.

Dad”

She read and reread it twice and winced each time. She was really hoping not to tell him about the World Cup and give him more to worry about but what really caught her eyes was the signing at the end. ‘Dad’. He’d never signed a letter as dad before. 

She smiled at it before folding it up and placing it in her bag carefully. 

“I’ve got to be to my potions with Snape… thanks for staying with me guys.” She said and the girls smiled. 

“Anytime Ry.” 

Xx

Her evening work study with Snape was located conveniently at dinner time and she was not at all surprised seeing as how clear it was that Snape despised sitting in the great all with everyone. 

When she walked in the room was clear aside from one station having a set up. Snape was sitting at his desk. 

“Ms. Walsh.” He said and she smiled.

“Am i late?” She asked looking over the station. 

“Your on time.” He said back. 

She took out her books and materials quietly setting them over to the side but dropped one. He picked it up and as he handed it to her the letter fell out from the binding. She froze as he picked it up of the ground looking it over before handing it back to her. 

“Um…” she started but he just raised an eyebrow at her and held up a hand. 

“Your corespondents are none of my business so long as no one is in danger.” 

“No one is in danger…” she said back.

“Good, let’s start then. We’re going to start with complex base acids today…”

Xx

On Halloween night they gathered around the cup for the drawing of the names. Excitement buzzed in the air from all sides as they waited.

To no one’s surprise Viktor Krum was chosen as the Durmstang champion. They cheered loudly as he stood. Then Fleur Delacour was chosen for the Beaubatton academy, and final Cedrick Diggory, a Hufflepuff student was chosen for Hogwarts.

Everyone cheered loudly as they went up to the head of the room, and then Mr Crouch brought out the Trophy. 

Ryleigh watched as Snapes face grew concerned and he stepped forward toward Dumbledore. The goblet was lighting up again and shooting out another name. Dumbledore spun and walked toward it. A small piece of paper came flying out and he caught it, read it, and muttered something she couldn’t hear. 

“Harry Potter!” He shouted and she jumped. He shouted again when Harry made no move toward him. Hermione pushed him, whispering something. 

Everyone, literally everyone stared at him as he walked to Dumbledore took the paper from him and made his way past the professors. Most of the adults looked worried and concerned, even Snape.

As soon as the door shut behind him the crowd broke in to an outranged bang of chatter. Ryleigh looked to Ginny who’s eyes were wide with confusion and worry. 

“But how did he?” She asked her red headed friend. 

“I have no idea! Fred and George both tried to get past the age line and couldn’t…” Ginny said back. 

They watched as Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Moody, Mr. Crouch and the two foreign professors followed after Harry.

Professor Flitwick dismissed the rest of them from the great hall and they dispersed disapprovingly. 

Xx

The next day the silence in her potions workshop was stifling. 

“How do you think Harry got his name in the goblet Professor?” She asked suddenly and he stiffened looking up at her. 

“If I knew that the great mystery would have been solved by now.” He said.

“Right… but how do you think?” She asked.

He raised his classic brow at her. 

She matched it. The truth was that she didn’t much care how it happened, but she thought Sirius would want to know and seeing as Harry would never ask one of the professors himself she thought she would venture a try. 

The comfortable banter that she and Snape are grown accustomed to in the past year and especially over this term was something she enjoyed and even though he wouldn’t admit it he did too.

“How I think he did it is of no consequence. He did and now he has to compete.” He said. 

She crossed her arms over her chest and made a face at him. 

He sighed, “My working theory is that despite my distaste for the boy, he did not intend for his name to be entered at all. I fear someone did it for him unbeknownst to him. What I haven’t figured out yet. Is why.” He admitted. 

She was a little shocked by this response. 

“Someone wants Harry to fight in the tournament…” she repeated. 

Snape nodded and picked up his quill again. 

Xx

That evening after her potions she was walking back to Gryffindor common room when Harry approached. He was holding a letter in his hands. 

“Hello Harry.” She said. He looked around before he spoke. 

“Sirius wants to talk to me on Saturday night, he said alone but I thought… if you were there he wouldn’t mind. He’d probably like it.” He said with a sideways smile. 

She smiled at his sweetness. 

“Thanks.. yeah, I’ll be there. I’ll even plug my ears so you can have your conversation in private.” She teased. 

He blushed awkwardly, “I don’t think — it’s not a secret from you— whatever it is, probably just about the tournament.” 

She laughed. 

“1 o’clock okay?” He asked and she nodded. 

“And don’t… don’t tell anyone.” 

“I won’t Harry. But wait I wanted to tell you—“ 

“Later okay? Sorry but I gotta—“

Xx

 At 12:50 she got up from her bed and looked over. Ginny was fast asleep so she crept out of the room, grabbing her sweatshirt on the way out. She met Harry in the hallway and followed him down, finding a comfortable place on the couch. 

“Sirius?” He whispered rather loudly.

“I think it’s going to be a bit more complicated than that Harry.” She said and he huffed. He walked over to the left behind newspaper on a chair and looked at it with disdain. He crumbled up the paper and stormed over to the fireplace, throwing it inside. 

The fire hissed and they both snapped their heads to look at it.

They leaned forward as the shape of a face emerged in the hot coals.

“Sirius? How—“

“I don’t have much time so let me get straight to it. Did you or did you not put your name into the Goblet of fire?” He asked.

“No!” Harry said back adamantly. 

“Shh!!” Ryleigh hushed. 

“I had to ask. Hello Ryleigh- Now, tell me about this dream you had. You mentioned Wormtail and Voldemort, but who was the third man in the room?” Sirius asked. 

“I don’t know.”

“You didn’t hear a name?” He asked. 

“No… Voldemort was giving him a job to do. Something important.”

“And what was that?” 

“He wanted… me. I don’t know why, but he was gonna use this man to get to me.” Harry explained. “But I mean it was only a dream right?”

“Yes. It was just a dream. Look Harry, the death eaters at the World Cup. Your name raising from that cup, these are not just coincidences. Hogwarts isn’t safe anymore.”

“What are you saying?” Harry asked and looked over to Ryleigh who shrugged nervously. 

“I’m saying the devils are inside the walls. Igor Karkaroff? He was a death eater and no one, no one stops being a death eater. Then there’s Barry Crouch. Heart of stone, sent his own son to Azkaban.”

Something stirred up in the dorms. 

“Do you think one of them put my name in the goblet?” Harry asked.

“I haven’t a clue who put your name in that goblet. But whoever did it is no friend to you. People die in this tournament.” 

“I’m not ready for this Sirius.” 

“Isn’t there some way to… I don’t know. Quit? Give up?” Ryleigh asked.

“There’s no choice.” Sirius said. 

Footsteps approached from the steps and Ryleigh whispered, “someone’s coming.” 

They spun around, “keep your friends close Harry and stay safe, both of you.” Sirius said just before Ron stepped down. 

“What are you two whispering about?” He asked. 

“Nothing. Potions.” Ryleigh said awkwardly.

Ron scuffed. “Probably just practicing for your next interview..” then he turned and exited again. 

They looked back to the fire but Sirius was gone.

“It’s going to be okay Harry…” she said softly and he nodded but didn’t look at all like he believed her.