| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter forty-seven

THE GOBLET OF FIRE

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The young women of Beauxbatons Academy, although beautiful, acted cold. There was an awkward silence at their table. She would look around at the French students, but they were all absorbed in themselves. The only people who would spare her a glance were Lucien and Lorraine, but they only looked at her with disgust and contempt.

As time went on, Verena was slowly getting more uncomfortable. So, she tried to do something about it. She looked up at the most approachable girl and grabbed her attention.

"My name's Verena Salvador," she said in French. "What's your name?"

"You speak French?" the girl across from her asked, shocked.

"My mother had my brother and I learn French since we have family there," Verena replied.

"That makes sense. You almost sound like a native speaker," she said. "My name is Fleur."

"You speak French?" Cho commented. "What can't you do?"

"Herbology," Terry muttered as he coughed.

"This is my friend, Cho Chang," Verena introduced.

"Hello," Fleur said with a weak smile.

Silence slowly fell as the teachers walked up to the High Table, taking their seats. Mr Filch had placed five chairs beside Professor Dumbledore, making them all wonder what the three extra chairs were for. When Madame Maxime entered, the girls from Beauxbatons stood, standing until Madame Maxime sat down. Professor Dumbledore still stood, gazing at the students.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and – most particularly – guests," said Professor Dumbledore. "I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable.

"The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast," Professor Dumbledore informed. "I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"

"Hogwarts might not be as nice as your school, but it'll grow on you, I promise," Verena told Fleur. "It may look like an ordinary castle, but it has its charms."

"Just watch out for Peeves," said Cho. "When we arrived a month ago, Peeves threw water balloons at us."

"If you have trouble with him, just call for the Bloody Baron," Verena advised. "He's about the only person he'll listen to."

"Talking about me?" said a voice, and Verena felt a tug at her hair.

"Peeves," she said, displeased.

"I knew you liked me enough to talk about me," he said, wrapping his translucent arm around her. "You don't really hate me."

"Oh, trust me, I do," Verena said, shaking his arm off her.

"Aww, you're no fun these days," he whined, spinning in a circle in mid-air.

Suddenly, a large gust of wind blew Peeves away, and he began flipping across the sky. Finally gaining his balance, he looked at them, finding the culprit, and stuck his middle finger at them. Damien, who had been the one to blow him away, was about to get up, but Daphne pushed him down as Peeves phased through the wall.

"What was that?" asked Viktor Krum, looking at him.

"Peeves the Poltergeist," Damien said. "The bane of my existence."