The Fourth School
Chapter 1 – The Fourth School
Aurelia Jasmine Potter-Black sat at the Gryffindor table, with the rest of her house mates, surrounded by their chatter. On her right sat her best friend, Hermione Granger, while on her left sat Fred Weasley, one of her other best friends’ older brother. She had her head resting on Fred’s shoulder as she listened to everyone’s speculations of how their guests would make their entry. She took a sip from the goblet in front of her, filled with a combined Revitalizing and Strengthening potion, that Professor Snape – Uncle Severus - had sent her after she sat down.
“You okay Aurelia?” George, Fred’s twin brother, asked her in a worried tone.
She looked in his direction, focusing on his shadowed form, and answered softly, voice filled with exhaustion, “Yea, just extremely tired. I’ll feel better once I get something to eat. The potion needs solid food in order to be fully efficient.”
“The guests will be entering shortly, then Dumbledore will open the feast. I don’t think he’ll make a long speech, especially since he knows you haven’t eaten anything since lunch.” Ron Weasley, one of her best friends, said gently, showing a rarely seen mature side of himself that began emerging at the end of their second year, when they learned of the after-effects of Aurelia’s battle with the Basilisk.
Aurelia nodded and closed her eyes behind her sleek black Harley Davidson shades which hid her pupil-less eyes from view (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/235102043024334940/). She tucked the side-fringe of her long raven black hair behind her ear. Her hair was pulled into a tight braid that fell to the back of her thighs and was held by a red and gold ribbon inter -woven into the bottom half of the braid.
“Do you know who the fourth school is?” Aurelia asked softly, after she took another sip of her potion. “I wasn’t paying much attention when the adults were all discussing it over the summer.”
“Magic School.” Hermione replied.
“Hey, hey, Dumbledore is getting ready to talk.” Neville Longbottom, a friend of Aurelia’s and fellow fourth year, said.
And sure enough, seconds later, Headmaster Dumbledore – Grandpa Albus - began to speak.
“As you all know, Hogwarts will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests as well. Now, the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools, this year four, for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student will be selected to compete.” His expression took a more serious note as he said, “Know this, if you are selected, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, these tasks are not for the faint-hearted.” He lightened his tone as he continued, “But more on that later. Right now, please help me welcome the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and their Headmistress, Madam Maxime.”
With his words, the doors to the Hall opened and a group of beautiful young ladies entered, followed by a large woman, their Headmistress, Madam Maxime.
As she passed him, Seamus Finnigan whispered to them, “That is one big woman.”
The young women walked in perfect formation, all dressed in light blue silk, their hair pulled in perfect low ponytails with small light blue caps on their heads. At the front of the Hall, where the tables ended and the Headmasters Podium stood, they conjured a small flock of shimmering light blue birds. The last student twirled while another, younger girl, backflipped to the front, and they elegantly curtsied together. There was a round of applause for the students and their incredible entry.
Their Headmistress was the last to reach the front, where Headmaster Dumbledore, a man already taller than average, was entirely dwarfed by the woman, kissed her hand in greeting, before leading her to a seat at the High Table, while her students settled at the Ravenclaw table.
Dumbledore returned to the Podium and began to speak again, the applause immediately ending.
“And now, our friends from the north, please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang, and their High master, Igor Karkaroff.”
Through the open doors, came a group of young men, each with a staff, which they banged against the stone floor before twirling, and doing a series of flips as they ran to the front. One student went on one knee and blew flame, creating a fire snake which swirled around before becoming a phoenix and burning out. The last to enter were Victor Krum and High master Karkaroff. There was a resounding round of applause.
As the two passed them at the Gryffindor table, Ron breathed out, awed, “Blimey, it’s Krum. It’s Victor Krum.”
They reached the front where Dumbledore and Karkaroff embraced in greeting. The two separated, Karkaroff going to an open seat next to Madam Maxine, while his students settled at the Slytherin table.
As Dumbledore began to speak, the applause immediately died done.
“Now, let us welcome the astounding sons and daughters of Magic School, and their Headmaster, Leo Wyatt.”
Everyone turned to the door, waiting. Suddenly, at the front of the Hall, there were gasps from the teachers. As one, the students of the three schools turned and saw blue orbs shimmering. Suddenly, the shimmer faded, revealing a middle-aged man and woman, with a group of students, all wearing stylish semi-casual muggle clothes. There was a round of applause.
As the two headmasters and woman greeted each other, Hermione cried out quietly, and somewhat frantically, “They apparated into the school. How did they apparate into the school?”
“They didn’t apparate Hermione.” Aurelia said softly, leaning more heavily against Fred, who shot her a worried look. “They used their own form of transportation. The wards don’t recognize it, but let them through because they sensed no malcontent or threat to us.”
“Oh.” Hermione said, deflating. “Okay.”
The Magic School students settled at the Hufflepuff table, while Leo and Piper sat at the open seats at the High Table.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and — most particularly — guests,” said Dumbledore, beaming around at the foreign students. “I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable.”
One of the Beauxbatons girls gave what was unmistakably a derisive laugh.
“No one’s making you stay!” Hermione whispered, bristling at her.
“The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast,” said Dumbledore. “I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!”
Dumbledore waved his hand, and Aurelia felt the magic ripple across the tables, signaling to the House-Elves below to send the food up. Once the food appeared, a wider variety than normal incorporating foods from the guests’ home countries, Fred and Ron quickly piled some food onto a plate and coaxed Aurelia to eat a few bites, giving the young girl the energy needed for the potions to work. Slowly taking a few bites, she felt her strength return, knowing that the House-Elves had also laced her plate with the Revitalizing and Strengthening potion.
Within a few minutes, she was eating and talking with her classmates, as if she hadn’t been nearly drained out a few minutes earlier. As this was usually the case, they simply carried on as if everything was normal.
“What’s that?” said Ron, pointing at a large dish of some sort of shellfish stew that stood beside a large steak-and-kidney pudding.
“Bouillabaisse,” said Hermione.
“Bless you,” said Ron.
“It’s French,” said Hermione, “I had it on holiday summer before last. It’s very nice.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” said Ron, helping himself to black pudding.
Hagrid sidled into the Hall through a door behind the staff table twenty minutes after the start of the feast. He slid into his seat at the end and waved at Aurelia, Ron, and Hermione with a very heavily bandaged hand.
“Skrewts doing all right, Hagrid?” Aurelia called.
“Thrivin’,” Hagrid called back happily, turning to Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, engaging them in a conversation.
“Yeah, I’ll just bet they are,” said Ron quietly. “Looks like they’ve finally found a food they like, doesn’t it? Hagrid’s fingers.”
“So, Aurelia,” Cedric Diggory, a seventh year Hufflepuff, asked from the Hufflepuff table. “Still looking forward to being a spectator this year?”
“Oh, absolutely.” Aurelia said, laughing. “after the last three years, I am in desperate need of a quiet year.”
The students around them all laughed.
“Really, no eternal glory for you Potter-Black?” Draco Malfoy, a fourth year Slytherin, asked, his trademark smirk on his face.
“Please, I get enough glory from my music and my skating.” Aurelia replied, her radiant smile on her face. “Why get in to a potentially deadly situation for it?”
“First year.” Neville said pointedly.
“Second year.” Susan Bones, a fourth year Hufflepuff, added pointedly.
“Third year.” Terry Boot, a fourth year Ravenclaw, chiped in pointedly.
“Those weren’t for glory. They had lives at stake.” Aurelia said, indignant.
“Right.”
“There were!” Aurelia cried out.
“We’re not denying it.” Hannah Abbott, a fourth year Hufflepuff, said soothingly.
“It’s actually the point.” Neville said. “Your previous adventures all had a life or death aspect, with lives on the line. This would be something for fun.”
“Potentially getting myself killed for everyone else’s enjoyment.” Aurelia said, a pondering look on her face. She shook her head and said, “Nope. I’ll pass, thank you very much. But good luck to you.”
Everyone laughed, as they returned to their meals, the conversation turning to more mundane matters, though Aurelia could hear the students at the other tables vaguely explaining to the guests what the hall-wide discussion was all about.
A short while later, they were interrupted by a French accented voice, “Excuse me, are you wanting ze bouillabaisse?”
It was the girl from Beauxbatons who had laughed during Dumbledore’s speech. Aurelia felt the change in Ron’s emotions, and slightly concerned about the sudden change in both him and the other boys, as well as the magic she could sense from the girl, she replied to the French girl pushing the dish towards her.
“Yeah, have it.”
“You ’ave finished wiz it?”
“Yeah,” Ron said breathlessly. “Yeah, it was excellent.”
The girl picked up the dish and carried it carefully off to the Ravenclaw table. The boys were still goggling at the girl as though they had never seen one before. Aurelia started to laugh. The sound seemed to jog them back to their senses.
“She’s a veela!” Ron said hoarsely to Aurelia.
“Of course she isn’t!” said Hermione tartly. “I don’t see anyone else gaping at her like an idiot!” But she wasn’t entirely right about that. As the girl crossed the Hall, many boys’ heads turned, and some of them seemed to have become temporarily speechless, just like Ron.
“I’m telling you, that’s not a normal girl!” said Ron, leaning sideways so he could keep a clear view of her. His move mimicked by some of the other boys. “They don’t make them like that at Hogwarts!”
“They make us okay at Hogwarts.” Aurelia said, staring pointedly in Ron’s general direction, though it was pretty pointless since Ron wouldn’t be able to see her eyes due to the sunglasses, and he was still staring after the girl. “Though you are right about her being a veela.”
“Really?” Ron asked breathlessly.
“Yea, though she isn’t full-blooded.” Aurelia added, mostly for the benefit of the girls, since the guys were busy drooling.
“When you boys put your eyes back in,” said Hermione briskly, “you’ll be able to see the next course has appeared.”
Aurelia giggled at the embarrassed emotions she felt from her friends, helping herself to some of the foreign dessert.
“Do you think Dumbledore will ask you to sing?” Ginny asked, helping herself to some dessert as well.
“He hasn’t told me anything, so I’m not really sure.” Aurelia replied, frowning. “I wouldn’t mind, but a part of me is hoping he doesn’t because I haven’t rehearsed. Though knowing my luck? Who knows?”
“Good point.”
Once the plates were wiped clean, Dumbledore stood and walked in front of the High Table.
“Hogwarts, let’s entertain our guests the best way we can!” he said, silencing the chatter as everyone waited for him to continue. “Miss. Potter-Black, will you give us a song?”
“Wha-?” Aurelia started. She shook her head. “No. No.”
“Come on, Aurelia.”
“One song!”
This was echoed by many student, even the Slytherins that didn’t like her because of their parents being Death Eaters.
“Fine!” she said, sighing. “One song!”
“Yes!”
“Guys, any ideas?” she asked, as she stood to go to the front.
“Something cheerful and light.” Hermione suggested.
Aurelia nodded and made her way to the front of the Hall, her 4” black high heeled pumps (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557109416376470792/) clicking against the stone floor.
As she walked, she could hear many of her school-mates chanting, “Aurelia! Aurelia!”
She turned to face the Hall, and said, “Okay, I had no idea I was going to be singing tonight, so I haven’t really come up with anything other than this. Those of you who know this song, please feel free to join in.” she turned to the guests and continued, “this goes for you all as well.”
She smiled, and taking a deep breath, she began to sing, her lilting voice echoing throughout the Hall, amplified by the magic of the castle as it provided the background music for her song. As she sang, her school-mates clapped in tune with the song and music.
“Baby I knew at once
That you were meant for me
Deep in my soul I know
That I'm your destiny
Though you're unsure
Why fight the tide
Don't think so much
Let your heart decide
The students from Magic School all smiled and began clapping as well, some even joining in for a few verses.
Baby I see your future
And it's tied to mine
I look in your eyes
And see you searching for a sign
But you'll never fall
'Til you let go
Don't be so scared
Of what you don't know
Seeing that the students were responding so well, Aurelia began moving around the Hall, and singing with those that had joined in, creating a harmonious balance of sound. At the chorus, almost all the Hogwarts students joined in, as well as a fair number of Magic School students.
True to your heart
You must be true to your heart
That's when the heavens will part
And baby shower you with my love
Open your eyes
Your heart can tell you no lies
And when you're true to your heart
I know it's gonna lead you straight to
me
(Got to be true to your heart)
Someone you know is on your side
Can set you free
I can do that for you
If you believe in me
Why second-guess
What feels so right
Just trust your heart
And you'll see the light
She walked to her father and Uncle Remus, taping them on the shoulders and they joined in on the chorus.
True to your heart
You must be true to your heart
That's when the heavens will part
And baby shower you with my love
Open your eyes
Your heart can tell you no lies
And when you're true to your heart
I know it's gonna lead you straight to
me
(Got to be true to your heart)
(Ya know it's true)
Your heart knows what's good for you
(Good for you)
Let your heart show you the way
(Ya know it's true)
It'll see you through
(Got to be true to your heart)
Girl my heart is driving me to where you
are
You can take both hands off the wheel
and
Still get far
Be swept away enjoy the ride
You won't get lost
With your heart to guide you
True to your heart
You must be true to your heart
That's when the heavens will part
And baby shower you with my love
Open your eyes
Your heart can tell you no lies
And when you're true to your heart
I know it's gonna lead you straight to
me
(Got to be true to your heart)
When things are getting crazy
And you don't know where to start
Keep on believing baby
Just be true to your heart
When all the world around you
It seems to fall apart
Keep on believing baby
Just be true to your heart”
There was a thundering applause as she curtsied and went back to her seat.
“Thank you, Miss. Potter-Black.” Dumbledore said, as he moved to stand in front of them. “Now, Hogwarts, let us show our guests some school spirit with the school song. All rise. Everyone, pick a tune.”
Everyone stood as Dumbledore turned around.
“Hogwarts, Hogwarts, hoggy warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.”
It was quite the symphony of sound. It was difficult to make out the words unless you either knew the lyrics or were watching the strip of ribbon above Dumbledore’s head that was being used to conduct the song, especially with everyone singing to their own tune. Everyone ended at different times, the Weasley Twins ending last as they chose a funeral march.
Once the song was over, the students noticed a tall gold case encrusted with jewels on the stand where the Headmaster’s Podium usually stood.
“Your attention please!” Dumbledore said, as he stood beside the case. The chatter which had filled the Hall after the song ended stopped abruptly, and you could almost hear a pin drop, as everyone waited with baited breath for Dumbledore to continue. He raised his wand and with barely a wave, the casket began to disintegrate softly, creating a fine gold mist that evaporated after a few seconds. As it began to disintegrate, a tall goblet was revealed, aged, yet ageless, seeming to exude magic. A blue flame sprang up from the top.
There were gasps throughout the Hall, as everyone stared at the goblet and the Headmaster.
“The Goblet of Fire.” He said. “Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the tournament need only write their name on a piece of parchment and throw it into the flame before this hour tomorrow night. Do not do so lightly, for if chosen, there is no turning back. For as of this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun.”
With those final words, the Headmaster bid everyone goodnight, and sent them off to bed. There was a flurry of activity as everyone stood and made their way out of the Great Hall.
Due to the crowd, and her growing exhaustion, Aurelia held both Ron and Hermione’s elbows as they guided her.
They trio arrived at the doors at the same time as Karkaroff and some of his students. Aurelia tugged on their arms, stopping them to allow the elder man through first.
“Thank you.” He said carelessly, barely giving her a glance, before his emotions changed and he turned back to her, staring as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. Behind their headmaster, the students from Durmstrang came to a halt too. Aurelia felt Karkaroff’s eyes move slowly up her face and fix upon her scar. The Durmstrang students were staring curiously at Aurelia too. Aurelia noticed when the comprehension dawned on a few of them. One boy nudged the boy next to him and pointed openly at Aurelia’s forehead.
“Yeah, that’s Aurelia Potter-Black,” said a growling voice from behind them.
Professor Karkaroff spun around. Mad-Eye Moody was standing there, leaning heavily on his staff, his magical eye glaring unblinkingly at the Durmstrang headmaster.
Karkaroff’s emotions changed again, from shock to one of mingled fury and terror, as he looked at Moody.
“You!” he said, staring at Moody as though unsure he was really seeing him.
“Me,” said Moody grimly. “And unless you’ve got anything to say to Potter-Black, Karkaroff, you might want to move. You’re blocking the doorway.”
It was true; Aurelia could feel the students’ confusion as to what was causing the hold-up. Without another word, Karkaroff swept off, followed by his students. With the doorway cleared, Remus and Sirius came to them and Sirius slid an arm around Aurelia to support the quickly weakening girl.
“Be careful of that one Potter-Black.” Moody said gruffly before walking away, his wooden leg clanking at every other step.
“That was weird.” Fred commented, as they began walking again. Aurelia hummed in agreement.
“Tell me about it.” She said softly. “Here I was thinking we could have a nice, quiet year with no death threats.”
“With us? Not a chance in hell.” Ginny piped up, snorting.
Aurelia chuckled weakly, her strength waning. There was a sharp intake of breath not far from them. turning, they saw five of the guests from Magic School.
“Are you lost?” Sirius asked pointedly, though still polite. All he wanted to do was get his daughter to a bed where she could get some much-needed rest.
“Do you need help finding your assigned House? Or the Teacher’s Wing?” Aurelia asked softly, tilting her head up so she could talk to them.
“Is there a Teacher’s Wing?” Ginny asked, turning to Hermione, who rolled her eyes in exasperation.
“Yes, of course there is. It’s in -”
“Hogwarts: A History.” The kids all chorused together. “When will you ever read it?”
“Which House have you been assigned to?” Aurelia asked, as Ron and Hermione began bickering over the importance of reading Hogwarts: A History.
“Gryffindor.” The younger girl replied, after a brief flash of amusement.
“We’re in Gryffindor too.” Aurelia said, smiling weakly. She turned to the twins. “Do you know where the Teacher’s Wing is?”
“Do we know where the Teacher’s Wing is?” the twins echoed indignantly. “Of course we know where the Teacher’s Wing is. How can you doubt us?”
They began faking hysterics, before Ginny wacked them on the head. Rubbing their heads, they said, “We can take you there.”
“I’m Aurelia Potter-Black by the way.” Aurelia said. “This is my father, Sirius Black and Uncle, Remus Lupin. My best friends, Hermione Granger, Ronald, Fred, George, and Ginny Weasley.”
“I’m Melinda Halliwell.” Said the girl who had responded to Hila’s earlier question. “These are my brothers Wyatt and Chris and our parents, Leo Wyatt and Piper Halliwell.”
“The figure skater known as the Lightning Emerald?” Piper asked, curiosity pouring off her in waves.
“Yes, that’s me.” Aurelia replied with a weak smile, though her surprise was still evident. Most of the time, people saw her as The-Girl-Who-Lived and the fame that went with it, not as an internationally acclaimed singer and figure-skater. It not only irritated her, but her family as well, that people would not see her for the fame she received through her own merits but something her birth mother did in an attempt to save her.
“You’re The-Twice-Blessed-Child and one of the Charmed Ones.” Hermione said reverently, drawing their attention to her. “I’ve read all abo-hmmph.”
“Don’t mind her.” Ginny said, putting a hand over the older girls’ mouth. “We have a bet going on that she managed to smuggle a book in her mother’s womb.” Hermione glared at them. “The twins will take you to the Teacher’s Wing before going to the Gryffindor Tower.”
The twins nodded, and turned around. “Come on.”
“Thank you.” Melinda said.
They nodded, and the twins led the small group away.
“Okay, Infirmary or Common Room?” Ginny asked, turning to Aurelia.
“Infirmary.” Aurelia all but gasped. It was getting closer to midnight, which meant it was getting closer to Halloween. The ever-constant pain, which had been getting progressively more painful, was now becoming almost unbearable, taking almost all her strength to not scream in agony. It was made all the more worse by the fact that Hogwarts had to let down her wards to allow entry to their guests, something the ancient castle was not happy about. The castle’s unhappiness was feeding into the pain that Aurelia was already feeling, magnifying it exponentially.
Sirius picked up his daughter and carried her bridal style to the Infirmary, all but running the entire way, with Remus, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny following behind.
Once they reached the Infirmary, Sirius put Aurelia on her usual bed, while Ginny went to get Poppy and Remus went to the fireplace to call Severus and tell him to bring some potions for Aurelia.
The entire time, Aurelia was squeezing her father’s hand and trying very hard not to scream, as the pain got steadily worse. A few minutes later, the two adults came to the bed from different directions and began working in tandem, running scans and magicking potions down her throat. The last thing they did was put up the powerful silencing wards around the bed, so that none of Aurelia’s screams would be heard throughout the castle like the year before. They had just put up the ward as the clock struck midnight and Aurelia opened her mouth in a scream that none of them heard, but still felt.
“Now we wait.” Severus said heavily, sitting on an empty bed.
Remus nodded heavily as they all found places to sit. About twenty minutes later, the twins came in and found places to sit.
It wasn’t long before they all fell into fitful sleep, waking every little while to check on the girl that came to mean so much to them.