Nothing But You // N. Longbottom

Two: The Triwizard Tournament

"One more step." Neville spoke gently to Norvina, lifting her body carefully onto the train. Norvina did not miss how close Neville was, feeling his hand in hers. Norvina simply smiled as she watched her step onto the bright red train.

"Thank you." Norvina says not letting go of Neville's hand, not that he minded that at all. Neville noticed the closeness between the two of them and attempted to pull away from her to make her more comfortable, but she didn't budge. Neville noticed her staring and smirked to himself, hoping she didn't see. 

She had no idea just how much she meant to him. He had tried to tell her how he felt, but it seemed like every time he tried, something or someone always got in the way. They'd been friends, close friends at that, for a very long time. He didn't want to ruin what they had. But Neville swore to himself that he'd tell her soon. Neville blushed as he picked up their bags and began walking to a cart.

"It's no problem, Nora, anything you need." Norvina smiled at his kind words and she felt her stomach do another flip. She didn't know what he was doing to her. They'd been best friends since the first day of school, but they hadn't flat out told each other how they felt. Maybe he knew? Norvina had no real idea, she could only dream.

X

"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. There is an explanation. You see, Hogwarts will this year play host to a legendary event. An event that has not taken place in over one hundred years; The Triwizard Tournament." Dumbledore announced.

Everyone in the Great Hall was ecstatic. Norvina looked over at Neville, who sat just beside her and saw his face light up. The two sat across from Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnigan.

"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 wizardry schools to engage in a series of magical contests while their respective student bodies experienced the benefits of cross-cultural social intercourse. In other words; one got to spend an entire year getting to know people who spoke a funny language. Unfortunately due to a distressing high death toll, the Tournament was canceled, until now." Dumbledore spoke with abundant caution.

"Please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic!" Dumbledore announced as the doors to the Great Hall burst open, revealing a large swarm of ladies in baby blue dresses. All of Hogwarts was stunned, mostly the male population. Norvina looked at Neville, who was only really looking at her. Norvina smiled to herself.

"And now our friends from the north! Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang!" Dumbledore announces, and the next flood of students comes in, this time all male. The testosterone levels in the Great Hall seemed to rise all of a sudden. However, Norvina only had eyes for one perfect Gryffindor. Neville took note of Norvina's apparent lack of interest in the male students of Durmstrang.

"I would like to say a few words before we bring in the cup. Eternal glory. That is what awaits the student who wins the Triwizard Tournament. But to do so, that student must survive three tasks. Three very dangerous tasks." Dumbledore becomes more serious as the noise from students in the Great Hall falls silent.

"You see, the Triwizard Tournament has an unfortunate history of killing off its participants. For this reason, the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain, we have the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Mr. Bartemius Crouch." Dumbledore signals and Mr. Crouch comes up to speak to the three schools of students.

"After due consideration, the Ministry has concluded that, for their own safety, no student under the age of seventeen will be allowed to put forth their name for the Triwizard Tournament. This decision is final." With Mr. Crouch's announcement, utter outrage struck upon the students. The Weasley twins seem to be the most disgruntled out of anybody, which Norvina simply giggles at.

"The Goblet of Fire. Anybody wishing to submit themselves to the tournament need only write their name upon a piece of parchment and drop it into the flames within the next twenty-four hours. Do not do so lightly. If chosen, there is no turning back. As of this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun." 

With that, the feast began. Everyone dug into the food as if they hadn't eaten for a week. 

"I can't believe they didn't tell us there was going to be a tournament!" Neville cheered, his curiosity peaked. Norvina smiled at the boy. She loved seeing him so excited about something, his smile was quite common during Herbology and during their time together. Outside of those things, his smile seemed to be a bit less common.

"Maybe they just wanted it to be a surprise." Norvina chimed in, smiling at the boy as he took a rather large bite of turkey. The young girl giggled, watching as he shoved another piece of turkey into his mouth.

"Of course," Neville laughed, "Dumbledore loves surprises."

X

As the end of the first week approached, it was time to announce the Triwizard champions. Everyone was nervous, nearly shaking. Neville and Norvina exchanged excited yet nervous glances at one another.

"The champion for Durmstrang is...Victor Krum." Dumbledore announces, as everyone began to clap. Something about Viktor was intimidating, he sort of scared Norvina in a weird way. Maybe it was his attitude, or maybe it was just his tough stature. Either way, she deduced it to his probable powerful persona.

Dumbledore announced another champion, "The champion for Beauxbatons is...Fleur Delacour." Once again, the Great Hall erupted in joyous cheer. The girl seemed to be cheered on by her fellow classmates and their Headmistress.

"And lastly, the Hogwarts champion..." Dumbledore read to card from the Goblet, "Cedric Diggory!" Hogwarts erupted into joyous cheers, as Neville and Norvina cheer for their Hufflepuff friend. Though they weren't close enough to call one another friends, the dynamic duo had been friendly acquaintances of the hopeful Hufflepuff and were happy to cheer him on.

"Excellent! We now have our three champions. I'm sure I can count upon all of you to give your full support to each and every-" A collective gasp interrupts Dumbledore short. A fourth shred of parchment flutters forth. For a moment, Dumbledore simply lets it float in the air, regarding it suspiciously, then he takes it.

Norvina had been just as confused as everyone else. What was happening?

"Harry Potter."