The Unbreakable Vow

Chapter 21- Year 3

The start of another year. I prayed this time would be better. I wasn't getting my hopes up.

We all sat in the hall, me beside Josie and Florence. William took to the stand and the students silenced.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts before we eat. I have an important announcement. Some of you may have recognized that we have some guests with us tonight."

He gestured to two old men behind him.

"Mr. Tuffin the head of magical games and sports and Mr. Dalton, who will be our head judge this year."

Students began to murmur.

"Judge? For what?"

"I think this is what my maman was trying to conceal from me" I whispered.

"This year we are holding the Triwizard Tournament!" He roared.

The students erupted into chatter.

"This is going to be so fun!" Josie cheered beside me.

"What are they?" I asked.

"A bunch of dangerous tasks that the whole school watches. They are meant to be life-threatening. It's so cool. Gets your adrenaline pumping."

"However!" William interrupted "The judges and I have decided that there shall only be male champions. Any year can enter but just male. We cannot assure this so if any lady does enter I assure that they will be punished if caught or if chosen. This tournament is extremely dangerous and is not for the likes of ladies. Choose wisely whether to enter, once you have you cannot remove yourself from the tournament and you must see it through."

Girls across the room shared glances.

"That is so unfair!" I shouted through gritted teeth.

"Why?" Josie asked.

"Just because we're girls. We should be allowed to enter our names!"

"Maria. Shh" Florence said as some students glared over at us.

I began crunching my teeth.

"Giselle would agree with me," I thought sadly.

"On a happier note, end-of-year exams are canceled and in a few weeks we will be joined by three other schools."

The students cheered with excitement but my eyes widened and my ears pricked, straining to hear the names of the schools.

"Do not be Beauxbatons" I begged under my breath.

"Durmstraung" he announced.

My heart lightened a little.

"The school from Norway! I heard the boys are awfully good-looking," Florence gushed.

"I heard they love the dark arts," Josie shivered.

"Ilvermorny."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's the American school!" Someone gossiped next to us.

"Wow!" Josie cheered in delight.

"We're going to be making so many friends this year," Florence chuckled.

"And finally Beauxbatons."

My stomach must've dropped down a never-ending hole because it jolted uncomfortably. I felt sick. The chatter of students was becoming suffocating and infuriating. I began to feel dizzy and faint.

"I'm going to go. I need some air" I whispered to Josie.

"Want me to come with you?"

"No, that's alright," I said hastily and left the hall.

With all the students in an uproar, I wasn't spotted... that's what I thought.

I strolled along the corridors, the cool air was filling my tight lungs.

"You can do this," I thought, "I know I can't avoid them, there's way too many but I am older now... maybe I've changed? Maybe they won't notice me?"

Tears were streaming through my eyes.

"They are going to ruin my life again. If the rumors come out here I won't have any friends," I whispered.

Out of nowhere, I felt the urge to run, run away from the school and from everything. As I was going, someone tapped on my shoulder and I spun around.

"Giselle" I nearly shouted then clasped my hands around my mouth "sorry" I whispered.

"Hi. It's alright, I always seem to scare you" she chuckled.

"What are you doing here?"

"I saw you leave and wanted to check if you were okay?"

"I'm fine"

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm," I nodded.

"Oh. Alright then, well see you around"

"Yeah. See you" I said "Actually wait..."

She spun back around.

"Yes?"

"Are you going to enter?"

"I'm not sure. I don't want to get punished but I want to enter" She chuckled.

"Me too"

"Really? I would've never expected that from you."

"I want to do it for you," I thought longingly.

"But I also don't want the punishment. I can't believe him. I mean at least it's better than Beauxbatons and we get to do defense charms but this is just-"

"Yeah" She cut me off "well I'm going to head back now so..."

"Okay. See you."

"Bye."
I watched as her bouncy curls turned the corner.

"I deserved that," I whispered.