The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

The Triwizard Tournament

The four friends boarded onto the Hogwarts express, and found an empty compartment to sit in. Once they sat down, Hermione took out her book, and Carson had his head on her shoulder.

"Anything off the trolley dears?" The old trolley witch asked, as Carson shook his head no.

"I'll have a packet of droobles, and a licorice wand." Ron said, paying the lady.

"On second thought, just the droobles." Ron said, getting his candy.

"One pumpkin pastie please!" A voice said on the other side of the compartment, as Harry saw Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw in the year above. Harry smiled at her, and she smiled back. Once she left, the trolley witch turned to Harry.

"Something sweet for you dear?" she asked, Harry shaking his head no. The trolley witch left, and they closed the compartment door.

"This is bad, very bad." Hermione said, reading the daily prophet. The front page was of the world cup, and the dark mark in the sky.

"It's hurting again, isn't it? It was hurting that morning too. The day of the world cup." Hermione said to the group, Ron and Carson listening intently.

"I'm fine." Harry said, dismissing the claim.

"Suit yourself. At least tell him. He'd want to know. You know he'd want you to tell him." Hermione told Harry, meaning he should tell Sirius.

Harry started writing a letter to Sirius, as Carson fell asleep on Hermione's shoulder, staying that way for the rest of the ride. Thank god Hermione and Carson were already in their robes.

When they arrived in the great hall, they did the sorting and then everyone had dinner. Carson had to admit, Hogwarts always had the best food.

Once they ate, Dumbledore got up and made his announcements. "Mr. Filch, our beloved caretaker, has informed me that the list of objects forbidden within the castle now includes Screaming Yo-Yos, Fanged Frisbees, Ever-Bashing Boomerangs and Chocolate Marshmallow Bunnies. I'm joking on that last one, the full list comprises of some four hundred and thirty-seven items and may be viewed by Mr. Filch's office.

"Mental. Always had been." Ron muttered to Carson, who stifled a giggle once he caught Hermione looking at him.

"Now. There is, apparently, a rather nasty rumor flying about the school that Quidditch will not be played this year. That rumor, I'm here to tell you ... is absolutely true." Dumbledore continued, Carson's heart dropping.

"What?! But I just got the firebolt!" Carson said, outraged. Hermione took his hand in hers and rubbed her thumb over his palm, calming him down.

"There is an explanation. You see, Hogwarts will this year play host to a most legendary event. An event that has not taken place in over one hundred years. The Triwizard tournament." Dumbledore said, earning shocked looks and whispers throughout the great hall.

"Why now? If it wasn't played in one hundred years, why are they bringing it back now? Wouldn't catch me participating." Carson explained, as Hermione and Harry agreed with him.

"You're joking!" Fred Weasley shouted, gaining Dumbledore's attention.

"I am not joking, Mr. Weasley. For those of you who do not know, the Triwizard tournament was originally conceived some seven centuries ago as a way for the three largest European wizarding schools to engage in a series of magical contest's while their respective student bodies experienced the benefits of cross-cultural social intercourse." Dumbledore explained, as everyone listened intently.

"In other words, one got to spend an entire year getting to know people who spoke a funny language. Unfortunately, due to the distressing high death toll, the tournament was canceled." Dumbledore continued.

"Death toll?" Hermione and Carson whispered, scared for if they knew who was going to compete.

"Count me out of this. I would never put my name in. Not in a million years." Carson told everyone, Hermione nodding.

"...Until now. Tomorrow, delegations from the Beauxbatons academy of magical arts and Durmstrang school of wizardry will journey to Hogwarts. This year our home will be their home. I ask only that you endeavor to make it a happy one." Dumbledore said, ending the feast there.