Students –– Athena, Ron, Hermione and Neville among them –– crowd the parapets, buzzing with anticipation. Far below, Dumbledore has assembled the staff as a kind of welcoming party.
"Although it's dangerous, this is rather exciting" said an excited Hufflepuff.
Suddenly a rumble fills the sky and a team of winged horses cleave the clouds, pulling a gigantic powder-blue carriage. Through one of the windows, a beautiful woman (Madame Maxime) peers down. With an earth-shaking thud, the carriage lands.
The great hall watches the screen in awe.
Just then, great bubbles roil the glassy surface of the Black Lake and a long black mast pierces the water, rising higher and higher. A black ship rises out of a great rushing whirlpool of water, looking skeletal and ghostly in the half-light. A dark figure strides out onto the deck –– tall, thin and sleek: Igor Karkaroff.
"Woah" chorused the marauders and Prewett twins. The trouble making slytherins were too stunned to speak.
Students scramble into position, turn expectantly to Dumbledore, who stands before the staff. Athena notices a man near the back, she nudges Ron: Barty Crouch.
Ron: [confused and annoyed] What's he doing here?
"What the fucks my dad doing there?" groaned Barty jr "Clearly enjoying watching kids" smirked Rabastan, who ended up getting smacked round the head by Bella, whilst the rest of his friends try not to laugh at his comment.
Dumbledore: Please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic!
Music begins –– light and fanciful –– and a woman (Madame Maxime) in a diaphanous gown strides into the courtyard. She is beautiful. She is elegant. She is TEN FEET TALL.
Seamus: Blimey. That's one big woman
The great hall laughs at Seamus, most nodding in agreement too.
Then one by one, a procession of stunningly beautiful Beauxbatons girls enter in graceful synchronisation. Clad in silky, skin-clinging robes, they make a decided impression on Ron –– and every other boy present. Athena turns and looks at Fred who seems utterly bored, with his head rested on his palm slowly falling asleep. Athena smiles to herself.
Many girls turn to look at their boyfriends. Slaps were all that was heard in the hall. Boys rubbing their faces whilst the girls turn their backs slightly. Fred turns and looks at Athena, winking at her and giving her a cocky smile.
Suddenly, one after another, they pitch themselves forward and cartwheel to the top of the courtyard where, allayed in a circle, they await their last two memebers: Fleur Delacour, a particularly luminous girl, and her 8-year-old sister Gabrielle, who is her double. Vaulting side-by-side to the centre of the circle, Fleur pulls out a silk scarf, dangles it from her fingertips and "spins" Gabriella like a top.
Many clap with approval whilst others clap just to be polite.
The courtyard roars with approval. Hermione rolls her eyes.
Dumbledore: Madame Maxime. Welcome to Hogwarts, my dear.
Madame Maxime: Ah, Dumbly-dorr. You are well, yes?
Dumbledore: Blooming.
Madam Maxime steps away, passing Hagrid. His beard twitches. Suddenly, the thrum of balalaikas fills the courtyard.
Dumbledore: And now...our friends from the north! Please great the proud sons of Durmstrang!
Igor Karkaroff –– tall, sleek and arrogant –– strides forth, trailed by a regiment of stoic Durmstrang boys in dark fur cloaks. A pair of sleek black panthers –– eyes glittering like gold –– pad sullenly at Karkaroff's side. As Karkaroff reaches the top of the courtyard, he glances about imperiously.
YOU ARE READING
Athena Potter 🎞
FanfictionIn which the marauders generation watch Athena Potters life and see the dangers of which awaits them. Where friends becomes enemies and enemies become allies. What happens when they realise they've been lied too? Will they be able to prevent the dan...
