Lucinda Evans - still in progress

Chapter 1 - Arrival at Hogwarts

I turned 14 this summer and this year will be my fourth at Beauxbatons.

I know this year there will be a Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts. Mr Malfoy made sure that I would be one of the privileged students to go but I'm not allowed to enter the Tournament.

He always makes stupid rules for me while Draco is allowed to do whatever he wants. And if something goes wrong, I get the blame. So unfair.

But hey, that's life.

No, that is about to change. I can feel big is about to happen, something big.

My friends and I are now on our way to Hogwarts in a flying carriage towed by 8 pegasus. My best friend, Mer, is sitting right next to me. Talking to everyone and telling jokes. 

The other school that is attending the Tournament are the boys from the Durmstrang Institute. Because we are invited as guests, we will have to make a special entrance. We've been practicing all summer to make ours perfect. I think our entrance is pretty lame with all our dancing in tight skirts. So I'm really looking forward to see the entrance of the tough guys of Durmstrang. You see, they have quite a reputation.

I look outside the window and see the Hogwarts students pointing at our carriage as if the never saw something magical before.

I try to find Draco, but can't see him anywhere. I suppose he thinks he's to good to welcome me. Well, it's not like I care. He's just a real pain in the ass if you ask me.

"Not already looking for Draco, are we?" Mer teases me while poking my cheek. I blush and look away.

Just before our carriage lands, the students are sent away. I guess back to their classes.

We get out to meet the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore.

"Madame Maxime, I hope you had a pleasant trip."

"Merci, Dumbly-dort. Oui, le trip went well," our headmistress madame Maxime answers. We all take our right places, just as we practiced and make a courtesy.

"Welcome, to Hogwarts. I hope you like your stay," Dumbledore says when he greets us. When his eyes meet mine I can see confusion cross his face before he is back to his enthusiastic self. "Let us just wait a moment so the boys of Durmstrang can come with us. I'm going to give you a tour before all the formality and the introductions in the Great Hall. Don't worry about your luggage, it will be taken care of."

Only a few minutes later the Durmstrang boys join us.

—————

Time for our little act. During the dress rehearsal everything went well. But I'm feeling so nervous right now. We need to create butterflies with wandless magic. I don't find it that hard, but what if I trip during the dance? I'm extra clumsy when I'm nervous.

No time to think because the doors open.

—————

Our dance went very well. All the boys were looking at us like they never saw a girl before. I have to hide a little smile of victory.

We take place at the table with the blue uniforms. I know it's the Ravenclaw table because I read 'Hogwarts: A History' by Bathilda Bagshot. What can I say, I'm always prepared.

"Tu peux me passer le bouillabaisse, s'il te plaît?" I ask a boy at my table.

"Pardon?" he looks confused. I find it amazing that he doesn't understand French. It makes me feel smarter then I allready am. Don't judge me, I take proud in my brains since it's the only thing I got that's mine.

"Bouillabaisse," I repeat with a sweet smile on my face.

"Bless you," the boy answers. I have to do my very best to not burst out in laughter. But then Draco would definitely hear me and tell me that it's not lady-like.

"It's French," a girl with blond hear and dreamy eyes says. She has to spoil my fun. I don't think I like her very much. She hads me the bouillabaisse with a weird dreamy smile.

"Thank you," I say but I narrow my eyes. Strange girl. She gives me the creeps.

"She looks rather strange, don't you think?" Merope whispers in my ear. I nod to agree and open my mouth to tell her my impression of the blond girl but I'm interrupted by Hogwarts Headmaster. 

"Your attention, please." Dumbledore demands, "I'd like to say a few words. Eternal glory. That is what awaits the student who wins the Triwizard Tournament. But to do this, that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks. For this reason, the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this we have the head of the Departmentof Ineternational Magical Cooperation Mr Bartemius Crouch." When Mr Crouch wants to take his place, the bewitched ceiling starts to lighten. A strange man let it stop. Dumbledore shakes his hand and the man takes place at the High Table.

"After due consideration the Ministry has concluded that, for their own safety, no student under the age of 17 shall be allowed to put forth their name for the Triwizard Tournament. This decision is final." Mr Crouch says andhe gets a lot a response, negetive response.

"That's so unfair! I wanted to inscribe," Merope complains pouting.

"Mer, you know Mr Malfoy forbid us from entering the Tournament!" I gasp.

"That doesn't mean I'm just going to sit back and listen to him while he plans -"

"Silence!" Dumbledore yells and everything is quiet again. The golden box has been opened. An old goblet with blue fire is now standing next to Dumbledore, "The Goblet of Fire. Anyone wishing to submit theemselves to the tournament need only to write their nameupon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not think so lightly. If chosen, ther's is no turning back. As from this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun." Agitated everybody starts chatting about the Tournament.

"I wasn't done yet," Dumbledore announces, everything is again silent. "Some practical information for our guests. There is a list given to your school head. They will tell you were your dorm will be. We placed you all in different houses to promote the international friendships and magical connections between the other schools. Now, enjoy the desserts."

And then the desserts arrives and the real feast begins!