Roses and Riots | f. weasley

Chapter 23: The Goblet

Halloween arrived quickly, and everyone watched in awe as the students from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Durmstrang Institute arrived at the school, both of whom would have a champion each to compete against the Hogwarts champion in the Triwizard Tournament.

That night at the Halloween Feast, the students all whispered among themselves in anticipation as the visitors were introduced to the school, along with their Headteachers: Madam Maxime with the Beauxbatons, and Igor Karkaroff with Durmstrang.

The Beauxbatons had half the school completely transfixed as they gracefully moved down the middle aisle between the respective Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables.

Emilia glanced at Fred and George who were definitely gawking. Fred's jaw literally hung open and Emilia poked his cheek, "open your mouth any wider, Freddie, and you'll catch a fly in it."

His eyes flickered down to her and he shut his mouth and then wiggled his eyebrows at her, "jealous, Potter?"

She scoffed, "you wish, Weasley."

He chuckled and they turned their attention to the entrance where the Durmstrang students were arriving.

Now, it was Emilia's turn to stare, though she had to admit she had also been staring a bit at the Beauxbatons, whose grace and elegance had had everyone transfixed.

Where the Beauxbatons were athletic and precise in their movements, the Durmstrang students were fierce and brutal, each movement performed to intimidate those watching. They thundered down the hall in a uniform march, led by the ever-brooding Viktor Krum and their sullen headmaster, Karkaroff.

Ron was half standing in his seat to get a better look at Krum, and Hermione had to yank him down before he attempted to climb over the table after the Bulgarian boy.

Flanking Krum were two tall boys, one with dark hair and a beard, and the other with softer features and brown hair, both in perfect sync as they moved across the stone floors.

They stopped at the front of the hall next to where Emilia and the twins were sitting and everyone watched in awe at their confidence. The boy standing next to Emilia, with the softer features, shifted his gaze to her as they stood and his fierce expression faltered slightly and the corner of his mouth turned up slightly in a tiny smile.

Emilia gave him a small smile in return before they continued walking to allow the acrobatics and fire demonstrations to follow.

"Now who's staring?" Fred whispered pointedly, and she elbowed him in the ribs, "shut up, Fred."

—

The following week, Emilia sat in the Great Hall with Hermione during their lunch break, along with a large number of other students who were eager to see who was entering the Triwizard Tournament.

The two girls chatted excitedly about the clever enchantments that Dumbledore had placed around the flaming chalice in the centre of the room, looking up every time cheers echoed around the room, signalling another entry being made.

Emilia looked up and waved at Cedric after he entered his name and he came over and sat down next to her, "you're not entering?"

"No, I'm too young. I'm not seventeen until May. I don't think I'd enter anyway to be honest, even if I was old enough," she told him with a shrug.

"I'm only giving it a go, I figured why not? I reckon I ought to spend less time studying and try something new," Cedric said with a self-deprecating smile.

"Hey, you're the reason we ace those Herbology quizzes!" she said in protest.

He grinned at her, "fair point, though you're better at the practical stuff. I couldn't keep a houseplant alive. Oh, by the way, I heard the Weasleys twins are planning on trying to enter, is that true?"