Harry Potter (IC)

---Later because excitement---

Natalie shut the bathroom door quickly behind her, flicking the handle to “occupied,” and heaving a deep, much-needed breath. She fiddled with the clasp of today’s purse, anxiously filing through her assortment of items for her hefty purple bag bursting with beauty products ranging from eyeliner to lip gloss to magical zit remover. And of course, she had at least two of each product. And each product had its own bag within the purple bag, because who had time for the hassle of sifting through a bag just to compare eyeliners when they could all be together in the first place.

Nat unbuttoned her collar, maybe the button-up and the cardigan were too much. She dropped on top of the toilet lid, her bag landing next to her with an audible thud. She dabbed her cheeks, yes, she was sweating.

Natalie had made the decision to come to the U.K. months ago, and now she was seriously considering the consequences. What had she been thinking? Spending almost 9 months away from home. Just to maybe possibly almost get to compete in some dangerous, probably life-threatening tournament. It’ll be /fun/ her mother had said. A great cultural education her father had said. Cute British boys, her sister had said. And all were maybe true. Those and her impending death.

Nat pulled her knees up to her chest, now balancing precariously as the plane shook. It was all she could do to keep from hyperventilating in this small space. Her seat was no better, crammed between the plane’s wall and Tom, who spent the flight either snoring or bouncing around like a child. The Muggle devices entirely enthralled him. Nat had set him up with a movie and, while it kept his mouth shut, it did nothing to damper his enthusiasm. And he asked a couple odd questions loud enough for nearby Muggles to overhear.

Nat finally stood up, pushing back her tears that were itching to overflow and wreck her perfect eyeliner. There was no way she could get it right again, so she had to keep herself together.

The long hours had clearly taken a serious toll. First, she had apparated with her family to the meeting point near Logan international airport. Then the anxious hours meeting with her classmates, the tearful goodbye with her family (both at her house and then hidden in an empty corridor where no one could see her followed by a hasty reapplication of eye makeup), and then the trek to the airport and security. Security was not as much of a hassle as it could have been, since the headmistress had arranged for representatives of the wizarding community to be present as security members (for the Wizarding Congress needed to ensure that wizards complied with TSA security measures without violating the International Statute of Secrecy). So no questions were asked about their wands or quills. Everyone had had to dress in Muggle attire, not too much of a feat, since hardly anyone was a pureblood. Almost everyone had to pass for one family member or another. Nat really only had to omit a cloak to appear as a fashionable Muggle, for many American wizards were entirely swayed by popular Muggle fashion.

Then there had been the endless waiting for the plane to board and then takeoff. Then came the eternal-feeling flight.

They were supposed to all be sleeping on the flight in a desperate attempt to avoid the unavoidable jetlag; however, Nat’s eyes hadn’t so much as drooped. Instead she’d spent the painstaking hours trying to distract herself from all the reasons she should have just stayed at Salem this year instead of entering the tournament.

She could hardly back out now. Even if she just stayed at Hogwarts, the headmistress would be beyond furious if she attempted to be there for moral support instead of entering. She would complain about a waste of a plane ticket and loss of valuable education time at Salem.

So she would suck it up.

Nat applied her makeup carefully, trying to cover the dark circles slowly forming under her eyes and to offer the impression that she had not been awake for hours on end. She had never been to Europe before, but she knew the jetlag was tough to beat. Ms. Jones had arranged for them to stay a night in an inn before the Hogwarts welcoming ceremony.

---

A day, filled with hunger at unusual times and the strong desire to sleep literally anywhere, later, they had apparated to Hogsmede and took a few coaches to Hogwarts. Naturally, they could not apparate directly to Hogwarts, due to the school’s protective enchantments.

Nat still did not feel her best, but at least her sense of doom had transformed into more of a sense of anxious excitement. She was eager to see if these Hogwarts students were as talented as rumor told and excited to see how she compared.

Now they were standing before the large doors of what the Hogwarts headmaster had informed them was the Great Hall. Whatever that was supposed to be. Nat couldn’t help craning her neck to look around. This school was gorgeous. And certainly hundreds of years older than their school. And this school was a flipping castle. A castle. How unnecessary was that? Were all of these students rich? Was it cold in winter? Did they all wear three pairs of socks to combat the strain from constantly walking on stone floors. Natalie was seriously beginning to doubt the merits of the high-heeled shoes she had intended to wear regularly. Apparently the flats would have to suffice, or else she would risk twisting an ankle or worse, falling in front of a crowd while attempting to attend class.

Next to her Abigail was bragging to the rest of their group about how they got to go first because America was the best and so on and so forth. And how she was shoe-in for the school’s champion. Nat rolled her eyes, searching through the group for Laura. Of course, Laura wasn’t there. Tragically, she was sixteen, not old enough to compete. So Natalie had had to abandon her best friend in America. Laura was probably sitting down for lunch about now. Cozying up to a warm meal, even though the weather was still balmy, because Laura always wanted hot food. So she was there, relaxing into her routine. And here Natalie was, before giant oaken doors awaiting their arrival.

A few minutes later the doors opened, of their own power of course. From where she stood, Natalie could see the Headmaster, who was an awfully young and attractive man to have authority over such a prestigious school; he was sweeping his wand through the air, obviously controlling the doors’ movements.

Nat took a deep breath. Showtime.

For some reason, each school offered a little performance during this welcoming ceremony. As it was their first year, Salem had been especially anxious about this. The students jokingly referred to it as the true first task. Nonetheless, they had thoroughly prepared over the summer.

Natalie walked into the hall first, carefully focusing her yes directly ahead of her, not looking to either side. Still, she could feel the eyes upon her. Yet, her trembling fingers had vanished and her step was smooth and confident. Taking wide strides, she walked the length of the hall, her shoes tapping rhythmically. Suddenly, she stopped, nearly having reached the staff table. Natalie turned around, looking directly at her classmates, who still waited in the doorway.

Nat plucked her wand from her robes and then flicked it from her waist height to the ceiling. Red, white, and blue fireworks shot from the end of her wand, bursting loudly just below where the ceiling ought to have been (the evening sky appeared above her instead). The crash resounded through the hall followed by a moment of silence. The looks were now stares.

Natalie waited. 1. 2. 3. Two blue cloths shot from the doorway towards her. Natalie flicked her wand to halt their progress. She waved her wand again to cause the clothes to wave in mimicry of the ocean. The Hogwarts students made impressed sounds.

Success.

---

The afternoon had ended up being something of a blur. Professors suddenly ran about, desperately casting what appeared to be cleaning charms. Tegan had had to duck as one shot past where her head had been moments before. An anxious apology followed this encounter, however, the culprit continued on his path without waiting for an acceptance.
Almost magically, evening had come and they were sitting at their tables, but the food had yet to appear. The headmaster began a profound sounding speech as he announced the tournament officially. And that guests waited just outside the Great Hall. Tegan was left to wonder how much Headmaster Bane had been under the influence of Professor Spinner and her special brand of excitement.

Tegan wasn’t left with a long time to question that matter, as the door flew open the next moment. Everyone turned, eager to see the new arrivals. The Americans performed first, Bane had mentioned that during his speech.

A girl strode into the hall, apparently focused on crossing the hall in the most dignified manner possible. Then the fireworks began. Then were was blue cloth, charmed to mimic the ocean. Several other students impersonated coming towards the first girl in a boat. The first girl conjured a Union Jack and waved it through the air. A student near the door held an American flag, though hers appeared to be on a flagpole and she was twirling it around above her head. Then various students charmed impressively while others wrapped up the clothes and the other props. There were fireworks again at the end. All in all, very entertaining. Certainly more than whatever Hogwarts thought they were going to do with absolutely no preparation.

The Great Hall erupted with applause as the performance ended. The Americans bowed. None of them were as fat as expected, though one was certainly chubby, but no chubbier than a Hogwarts student. Tegan glanced at Mason, whose mouth bounced (she could tell even from this distance) as he animatedly spoke with his neighbor.

Bane gestured for the American guests to be seated, the end of the Gryffindor table was unoccupied for them. And the end of the Ravenclaw table unoccupied for the Durmstrang group, who were meant to perform next. Tegan cast her gaze back to the doors, wondering what would occur there.

Students filed in to the great hall, sitting wherever they pleased with their friends on the tables that were specifically reserved as Hogwarts tables. Everyone was a buzz with what was happening this year that was so special and different from the other years, though they were told the announcement of such a special event usually happened on the day they got to school, not a few days in. No matter, it wasn't particularly unlike Headmaster Bane to make a grand appearance - late or not - with things.

Headmaster Bane stepped up to the podium, calming the crowd easily. With a charming smile that he almost always had on his face, he spoke. "Well students, as you know we are a bit late in making certain announcements this year, but really doesn't that just help build the excitement?" A chuckle left him as he continued on, "It is my dismay to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not take place this year,” he paused for dramatic effect before continuing, “This is due to an event that will be starting in October and continuing though out the school year, taking up much of the teachers’ time and energy but I am sure you will all enjoy it intensely and immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts we will have the highest honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months. It is my very spectacularly, great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts again, this year."

Allowing the excited chatter that followed the announcement to go on a bit, he quieted everyone down again so he could go on. "Now, some of you may not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do know will forgive me for boring them and giving a short explanation. The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago, as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry – Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. However, this year Beauxbatons were unable to attend so we will have - for the first time - an American school joining us, Salem... Anyway, a champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the Tournament once every five years and it was generally agreed to be the a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witch’s and wizards of different nationalities – until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the Tournament was discontinued." Again some murmuring, mostly from first years though. This caused Headmaster Bane to raise a hand while continuing, "As you know 5 years earlier the tournament has been reinstated, but unfortunately we had still suffered a death.” A solemn expression fell on the usual charming face of the Headmaster, "We have managed to convince the Departments of International Magical Co-Operation and Magical Games and Sports to give us another chance at an attempt. Even greater measures are being taken to ensure no champion will find himself or herself in mortal danger."

The smile returning onto hiss face he added on, “The Heads of Salem and Durmstrang have already arrived, and on Halloween we will have the Champion Selections. An impartial judge will decide which students, are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school and a thousand galleon personal prize money.” Allowing the cheers at the money prize, he went on, “I know all of you will be entirely, incredibly, eager to be able to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts,” he said, “the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an agreed restriction on contenders again this year. Only students who are of age – that is, seventeen years or older – will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration. This” – Headmaster Bane raised his voice slightly for several people had made noises of outrage at these words – “is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the Tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below Sixth and Seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion.”

Concluding his speech Headmaster Bane excitedly added, “The delegations from Salem and Durmstrang will be staying with us for the greater part of this year. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, as our schools have already arrived, I present to you our guests!” With a quick wave of his wand a burst of colorful light made its way toward the door allowing the first school to enter.

Jaxon watched quietly through the Headmaster's who speech and as the American school entered the area. They weren't nearly as fat and slobbish as everyone had originally thought they were going to be. He did have to wonder what they thought Hogwarts students were going to be like. Just as they had all been imagining stereotypes of Americans surely the Americans had been doing the same with people from the UK. Interestingly enough no one from Hogwarts really wondered about Durmstrang or Beauxbaton, though probably because they were also European schools. Jaxon came out of his own thoughts though to watch the show the Salem students were putting on. His sister Ariella seemed to be thoroughly impressed as she kept gasping and making awing noises.

Once their show was over it was time for Durmstrang to introduce themselves. Their show was equally as spectacular as fireworks and what not went off. Ari was still in her awe like state of the things going on around her. As a third year she didn't know how to do most of those things. As she watched though, she also scanned over their foreign guests. Though she knew she wouldn't be able to participate in the Triwizard Tournament itself, she did know if a male asked her to the Yule Ball she would be allowed to attend, even though she was younger. She would never let Jaxon know she wanted to go though, he would probably do everything he could to prevent her from being asked as someone's date.

As the two schools took their seats, Ari eagerly looked at Kaylynn, who was the first to speak about the shows of the schools. "Oh wasn't it wonderful? I'm not sure which one I liked better though..." Jaxon offered only a shrug, "They were both alright." Ariella pouted slightly. She swore her brother never got excited about anything. She wondered if he got picked as the champion how would he react? Probably as stoic as ever. He probably would fit right in with most of the other Durmstrang males since they were usually serious themselves.

Before anything else could be discussed, Bane approached the podium once more. He gave another flick of his wand and in magnificent rainbow light and fireworks, the goblet of fire appeared before them. Stepping down toward it he circled his wand around his head and more colorful lights encircled the goblet, creating a glowing ring around it, with a smirk he looked toward the students, mostly his own at Hogwarts. "This is an age circle. It will restrict those who are not of age from entering to input their names. I implore you, not to try." Returning to the stage he lifted his hands as the tables filled with food, "Now, let's enjoy our feast and head off to bed! We have an exciting school year ahead of us!"

Kaylynn looked to Ari who seemed just as excited about the new students as she was. While Kaylynn normally wasn’t a fan of the new people; considering she wasn’t the best at making friends, she still was a little excited to think that these new people wouldn’t have heard all the interesting tidbits about herself. She hoped that with these new students that she could gather up a few more people to talk to.

But if not she would be content with the ones she had after all they were very close to her even if they probably thought she was more odd then she really realized. They put up with her though and she was ever so grateful for that.

“Both had an interesting use of magic I would very much like to learn the spells they used. Even if it was just for personal use.” Kaylynn spoke admitting to Ari before noticing her eyeing up the group from Drumstrung that sat at the Gryffindor table. They all seemed to be pretty serious, much like the Slytherins.

Thinking about the sly snakes her eyes were drawn to her brother; someone she rarely thought about but she couldn’t help but wonder if he was at all impressed about the performances. He used to always say he had wanted to go to Drumstrung rather then Hogwarts but his parents didn’t think it would. How come not she wouldn’t know. Nor did she really care if she was honest.

Reading his face he seemed both interested and not at the same time. No matter he went from watching to chattering with his jerk friends and Kaylynn went back to talking to Ari and paying full attention to her and Jaxon instead.

That was until it seemed Teagan had seen the two of them. Ignoring the fact she was forgotten once again she gave a smile to Teagan and Mason who seemed to already had befriended someone from the other teams. Salem she presumed, remembering seeing the girl in the performance just moments ago.

Standing to her feet Kaylynn brushed off her robe. “Your performance was splendid by the way.” Kaylynn spoke getting right into it and holding her hand out in a wave. “I’m Kaylynn Scower of Ravenclaw.” She spoke trying to be polite but the moment she started to talk she felt like she was going to turn to jelly. Why was she a little afraid of strangers?

Blame her brother; that was what she always did in a time like this.


~~

With the dinner done and the food off the table Chaz leaned back a bit stretching his arms above his head. He wasn’t sure what to make out of the students he had already met, many of them women wanting to get an ‘in’ considering they would more then likely want to go to this “Yule Ball’ he had heard a little about. Not that the flattery wasn’t a bad thing. Pretty girls weren’t sore on the eyes and he would be as polite as he was supposed to.

Keep the good name and everything right?

“This school has quite a few chicks.” Adam spoke leaning against the table still nibbling on whatever dessert he had still laying around from earlier. A lot of the students seemed to be dispersing after the lecture and heading to bed. They were strict here about things; not that Chaz was at all surprised considering everything that had happened between these walls the stories it held.

Made him want to look around and see for himself everything that happened that he read about in a few books. Course there would be time for that later. For now it was more important to get to know people. Or at least that was what Adam was more then likely more excited about.

“I suppose so.” Chaz admitted shrugging his shoulders. “It’s only the first day don’t do anything stupid.” Chaz spoke chuckling before standing to his feet and starting to walk towards the exit. It was only a few moments before Adam lightly pushed him chuckling; Chaz lost his footing running into one of the bodies he hadn’t meant to run into. “You ass!” Chaz cursed watching Adam chuckle as he ran off. Why he did that Chaz would never know.

Stepping back he looked at the girl with short blonde hair clearing his throat. “I apologise, my friend has little to no matters.” He spoke with a slight accent.

Natalie was already feeling a bit overwhelmed by this group. It had begun as just a conversation with this friendly guy, who was thankfully not trying to sleep with her so aggressively as she had initially worried. Then his friend had come up and engaged more people in the conversation. There were so many balls in the air. Nat’s solution was to wait for the right moments to speak when she was addressed and otherwise observe their hijinks. They had their own dynamic going on, though that guy with the multicolored hair didn’t quite sit right with her. He was being perfectly nice (though these accents made everyone seem overly suave), but she wasn’t quite sure if he was sincere or not. Oh well.

Regardless, she nodded at each of the other three’s introductions, but only repeated her name once. No point in saying her name over and over. They’d get sick of her.

“Thank you. I’m glad it wasn’t overly patriotic. But I guess you can’t go wrong with fireworks.” She shrugged a shoulder, indicating her indifference. Inside she was just glad they hadn’t thought it was dumb. They had been rehearsing for ages, so she was glad someone finally appreciated all of her training and effort. If only one of them would complement her eye makeup, then she would know they were keepers.

---

Tegan glanced nervously between Mason and Jaxon as Jaxon actually asked Mason something. Well, the question was directed at the pair of them, but he even said Mason’s name. He was going to voluntarily engage in conversation. Tegan steeled herself to have to run interference between the pair with a particularly effective distraction.

Suddenly, something hit her squarely in the back, sending her towards the thankfully empty bench in front of her. The occupants had disappeared as soon as she and Mason engaged Jaxon, Ari, and Kaylynn in conversation. They were probably trying to dodge Mason’s questions. Or they felt rude sitting between the conversation. Regardless, Tegan threw a foot before herself and managed to stop short before she actually managed to hurt herself crashing into the bench. Tegan drew a breath, her heart was bouncing nervously from the encounter.

Turning around, Tegan realized why she’d been knocked so off balance. The guy who’d ran into her—she recognized him as a Durmstrang from the performances and his attire—was tall. He was more than a foot taller than she was. She had to tip her head quite far back in order to look him in the eye. Tegan quickly stopped herself from gawking at the boy—the man, she supposed. She responded, almost absently, “Thank you, I understand it was an accident.”

Finally managing to look away from the Amazon before her, she glanced over to Mason, who looked like he might have had something to say had Tegan not already accepted the apology. Then she saw it—that flicker in his eyes that meant he was going to try to be funny. Tegan shook her head, “No-”

“An accident! No, Tegan, it was fate.” He threw his arm around her shoulder and swung himself towards the newcomer, straining to throw his arm other arm around the boy’s shoulders, but doing so anyway. “Clearly the universe brought him here to meet you because you are fated to go on all sorts of marvelous adventures together! The three of us! The three musketeers.” Tegan replied flatly,

“Alternatively, he has a friend who is just as troublesome as you are.” Mason clutched his hands to his heart,

“Cold, Tegan!” He launched himself towards Natalie, who had been standing nearby with her arms folded observing the goings on with a look of mild bemusement. Mason brushed his shoulders against hers, putting his hands in front of them like a wild Hollywood director setting up the ideal shot. His square centered on Tegan and the tall boy (though getting both of their heads into the square was bothersome because of the boy’s height). Mason babbled, “Can’t you see it, Natalie?” He switched to a serviceable American accent and deepened his voice to imitate American movie previews, “They met by chance. But their friendship was destined to be. Now they…fight crime! On the mean streets of New York!” Natalie commented,

“It’s pronounced New York.” Mason nodded,

“New York?” Nat pursed her lips,

“Closer. New York.”

“New York?” Natalie nodded. Thus distracted, Mason turned on their newcomer. “Speakin’ of accents! You’re from Durmstrang then? Where exactly is that really? What’s your name? I’m Mason by the way. The girl you so rudely tumbled into’s Tegan. This is Natalie, Kaylynn, Arianna, and Jaxon.” Of course, no Durmstrang student would ever give it away, since it was such a closely guarded secret, but there was no point in not asking. Maybe the deluge of other information would distract him.

Jaxon observed everything going on silently, that is until Mason, being Mason through himself into a barrage of introductions and questions toward the Durmstrang fellow. This action alone, even though not directed at himself, caused Jax to sigh in irritation and pinch the bridge of his nose as if he felt a headache coming on. The new fellow, and girl took and Mason much better than he did. He supposed a lot of people took him better though.

Then came the question of importance. Who was putting their name into the cup. Jaxon gave a slight shrug, "Well, I'll probably put my name in. But my sister..." He trailed off to gesture to Ari, "Ariella, is too young to put her name in, being only a 3rd year." Ariella offered a sort of pout at this revelation. She was the youngest among them after all so there were a lot of things she couldn't do that they could. "I'll enter when I'm old enough!" She said weakly, before looking to her friends. She smiled toward Tegan though and added, "But it's ok! Tegan and I will be the best cheering section!"

The banter went back and forth between the group before they all decided it was best to go there seprate ways. Chaz was the second to go after the girl from Salem considering he two had to go and get ready for the next day. He enjoyed the company of the little group though, they seemed to be excited about the games as he. Mason in particular. Perhaps he would have to make a point and talk with them.

Course that would all depend on how things went on he supposed.

Kaylynn was excited about meeting the new group of people. They all seemed to be fresh—though she wasn’t sure if that had been the best way of describing it. Oh well, she would find a better way of doing so the next morning. Unlike her other two friends she wasn’t sure if she was putting her name into the Goblet of Fire. Her brother would just laugh if she did but if she won? Well that would make things at home a lot easier.

But she wasn’t the most skilled witch at the athletic things and there had to be something like that in the games. There was before.

No matter she could sleep on it and decide when she felt she was ready.

~~The Next Morning

The next morning was just as loud and filled with excitement as the other mornings had been—perhaps louder in some cases having more bodies then normal in the great hall. The group from Drumstrung talked amongst themselves looking over at the people and Salam seemed to be a pretty welcoming sort. Who knew what they were all talking about.

Well, Kaylynn knew from her spot at the Ravencalw table. The same thing as everyone else was talking about.

The Tournament that would be soon. Course the choosing of the names wouldn’t be till Halloween so this would be a fairly common topic but still it was still as exciting as ever.

“I wonder who will get chosen from our school.” Kaylynn admitted to no one in particular while eating a piece of her breakfast.