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Chapter Thirty-One

Several people have commented that they can't wait to see their favorite Tri-Wizard champion. Well, stop and think. JKR had the Tri-Wizard in Harry's fifth year. This is Seventh Year. All three of the champions that JKR wrote about have graduated, as they were all Seventh Years in her timeline.
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The days after the ball were as boring as possible. None of the students from Durmstrang or Beauxbatons seemed to be very social, and they complained loudly about the classes. Yusuke announced that he didn't care a bit. The classes were terrible. He was going to have to cram hard to take his ICW GEL tests, which he referred to as icejels.

Hermione, who had finally gotten hold of a practice test set, was dismayed to find that Hogwarts only supplied the equivalent of from First Year to the first term of Fifth Year. Not nearly up to ICW GEL Seventh Year tests. She was furious.

Yusuke eyed Hermione as she began another rant. "Hermione, damare. We'll all study for it together. As soon as we pass the end-of-term tests. No sense in starting any sooner, as we can't take the ICW tests until after we graduate in the spring. We'll start studying ... not sure. You figure out when we should start. I think we need two weeks for each level we need to make up."

Hermione decided not to argue with Yusuke, just do what he asked. She was sure they needed to start immediately after Christmas at the latest. After a couple of hours they were both forced to admit that they were actually going to have to cram for the whole of next term. Yusuke, used to cramming on a weekly basis, wasn't fussed at all. Neville whimpered quietly in a corner for a bit. Hermione went off on another rage. She couldn't believe that the best school in Britain didn't prepare its students for the ICW GEL's.

Neville and Yusuke bore with the shouting and screaming without complaint. After all, silencing charms did a lot, especially if Yusuke cast them. Hermione finally calmed down, grabbed a book and started reading.

Yusuke ordered tea.

They spent the rest of the day getting the next week's homework done. Yusuke had every intention of searching out Ivan Raditsky and making sure that the Russian boy wasn't a member of the Russian Magical Mafia. He didn't need the aggravation if he was.

It was finally time for dinner, so they went down to the Great Hall to eat.

Yusuke wasn't all that surprised to be met at the door by Gozpodin Raditsky.

"Gozpodin Miyamoto, a moment, if you please." The boy offered a proper heel click and Russian-style bow.

"Of course." Yusuke bowed back, keeping his eyes on the boy.

Ivan nodded to the inner courtyard. "Shall we walk?"

"Yes." Yusuke led the way, keeping Ivan in the corner of his eye.

They walked to the far side of the courtyard before they began their conversation.

"Ok. This is good, yes?" Yusuke waited to see what Ivan would say.

"I am not mafia. I do not ... wish to ... My English." Ivan shrugged.

Yusuke made a face but continued the conversation in Russian. "So, you are Mafia?"

"Oh, no. I had heard that you did not like Russians. I was afraid there would be trouble because of that." Ivan looked relieved.

"I don't mind Russians, as long as they stay in Russia. We have no ... fight. Yes?" Yusuke looked at Ivan.

"No. We have no fight. I'm only here to participate in the Tri-Wizard. If my name is selected. Are you hoping to compete?"

Yusuke made a face. "No. Actually, I'm not. I don't see any sense in it. I'm not particularly interested in fame and my personal fortune is large enough that 1000 galleons is ... chump change." he said the last in English as it didn't really translate into Russian.