𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 16

As the four resident pranksters caught a carriage, joined by the Golden Trio, a sight from outside caught Natasha's attention. A beautiful carriage, looking as if it were to be made of glass, came flying from the grey clouds, pulled by what she could only describe as a unicorn crossed with heaven.

She tugged on Fred's shirt, pointing to the carriage. "Freddie look it's – OH MY LORDY LORD IS THAT A BOAT!" A large ship, almost resembling that of a pirate's, came from the darkest spot of the Black Lake, creating a set of waves that lapped the shore.

Even students from the other carriages were now staring at the sight, and Hermione gasped almost as if she had solved a puzzle. "THAT'S IT!" she exclaimed, pulling out a book from her bag. She flicked through it until she landed on a page were blue and red were very clearly shown.

"I bought this book ages ago for a bit of light reading during summer, and I know who's on them. The carriage belongs to Beauxbaton, the French school with the veela girls, and the ship, well that belongs to Durmstrang there's no doubt," she said, earning looks from everyone else.

"What?" she asked, and Ron laughed, leaning back in his seat.

"It's nothing Mione, nothing at all."

~.~

Hermione's words were soon proven as the students of Hogwarts were seated, the last first year being sorted into Hufflepuff. The faculty were whispering amongst themselves, almost as if excited, when a man in a sopping wet coat with a fake blue eye on the left side of his face came crashing in through the staff entrance.

"That's Mad-Eye Moody," whispered Natasha, and Ron nodded.

"Ex-Auror, half of the people of Azkaban are locked up because of him," he added.

"I heard he's as mad as a hatter these days," said Angelina, and they all gulped nervously as his blue eye whizzed around the room, landing on their group for just slightly too long. Harry squirmed uncomfortably under the gaze of the man, and Natasha looked at him with concern in her eyes.

"You okay Harry?" she asked, wrapping an arm around the boy. He nodded and she squeezed him gently for reassurance, before putting her hands back in Fred's.

"Ah yes, may I introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Alastor Moody," Dumbledore announced, and the hall erupted in claps as the man took a swig from a flask with a skull at the top.

"What's the bet that's not pumpkin juice?" Natasha whispered to Angelina, and she giggled quietly.

"Two Galleons," she whispered back.

"You're on," replied Natasha. Fred was unconsciously rubbing his thumb over Natasha's hands, but she didn't bring it up, just leaning her chin on his shoulder as Dumbledore once again called for silence in the hall.

"Now I have some exciting news to share with you all. Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Tri Wizard Tournament," he paused, allowing for the students in front of him to rouse themselves up.

"The Tri Fuckity what now?" asked a seventh year from the end of table and Natasha and Fred both broke out into laughter, earning a glare from the seventh year.

"It is Mister Jones, a competition between three schools consisting of three events, where the winner receives the Tri Wizard Cup, and prize money," Dumbledore answered, making the seventh year to turn red.

"So, without further ado, please put your hands together for the boys and girls of Beauxbaton Academy of Magic, and their headmistress, Madam Maxine!" The doors to the Great Hall swung wide open, to reveal both girls and boys in a delicate blue uniform, their faces entrancing to the Hogwarts' students as they glided past.

Everyone seemed entranced by the girls apart from Fred, who couldn't understand why his brothers and fellow students were staring at them. Maybe it was because Natasha's hands were firmly placed in his, maybe it was because his definition of beauty was the girl sitting right beside him.

Right at the end of their entrance, a rather tall woman walked in, followed by a young girl who performed some delicate flips, before landing quite gracefully. "That's one big woman," commented Seamus.

"And next up, please welcome the fine young men and woman from Durmstrang Institute, and their headmaster, Igor Karkaroff!" Dumbledore helped Madam Maxine to her seat, as the doors opened once again, a fire eagle soaring through before drums could be heard.

The crowd inside the Great Hall cheered and whooped as boys started to run in, performing all kinds of acrobatic moves. There were some girls as well who followed quietly behind the headmaster, but it was the boy behind them all that caught everyone by surprise.

Viktor Krum, in all of his glory, strode in, his fur coat brushing against the fingers of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor girls as they stretched their arms out. He looked over to the Gryffindor table, and shot a smile at Hermione, who blushed furiously, much like Ron next to her, who thought it was for him.

"That's Viktor Krum!" many people whispered, and Natasha rolled her eyes, unamused by the boy as he stopped next to the headmaster. He flashed a quick smile, and a few girls and boys alike fainted, especially as he was directed to sit by the Slytherin table.

Dumbledore held his hands up, and silence landed over the hall once more. "The Tri Wizard Tournament has been once again allowed to continue, under the watchful eyes of the Ministry, however this time, ground rules have been set. No students under the age of 17 may compete-"

He was cut off by the angry shouts of students from all schools, some being more vocal than others. "That's rubbish!" yelled Fred and George, as Natasha contently ate her pumpkin pasty, completely ignoring the people around her.

"SILENCE!"

Dumbledore's voice almost shook the room as everyone quietened; some first years even started to shake in their seats, getting comforting looks from the students by them and even some of the teachers.

Natasha payed no attention to the words that came tumbling out of Dumbledore's mouth after that, not going unnoticed by Professor Snape, who stopped her on her way out.

"Miss Black does a pastry seem more interesting than Professor Dumbledore's words of warning," he asked, his hand on her upper arm. She carefully pried his fingers off and took one last bite of her 10th pasty, smiling sweetly at him.

"Why no professor, however, deducing the fact that you were looking at me eat instead of watching Dumbledore, is there something you wish to tell me? I understand how captivating I look when eating a pumpkin pasty, but honestly, you're just too old for me," she said smirking, before running off to help Fred drag George away from the girls of Beauxbaton.

Filius, who had been on his way to his office, laughed at the encounter, quickly covering it up with a cough.

Some things were just too good to ignore.