Children of Sin

Chapter 25

September 6th, 1994.

"Attention all students ," Madam Maxime announced on the second day of term, "please remain in the hall after dinner ends. I have something I must address."

"What could this possibly be about" Layla whispered to Jean, "This has never happened before."

"I'm confused myself," Jean whispered back, "and look at the other teachers. They seem like they're keeping a secret. Are you sure you don't know what's happening? Did your step-father tell you anything?"

"Leopold hasn't said anything," Layla shook her head, "makes sense though. School secrets stay school secrets, even if its from family."

"This year is a very special year," Madam Maxime spoke eloquently, capturing the hall's attention with ease, "our school, Académie de Magie Beauxbâtons, has been invited to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We will be taking part in the Triwizard Tournament."

"No way," the occupants of the room gasped in shock. The tournament had been discontinued since the 1790s. To hear that it would be reinstated was astounding.

"That can't be right," Victor whispered to Dianne Russel, "Dianne, your dad works for the ministry in diplomacy. Do you think this can be true?"

"Besides the fact that Madam Maxime literally just said it was," Dianne answered rolling her eyes, "yes, my father has been visiting England very often. I'm not surprised."

"Cool," Victor grinned, "do you think we'll have a shot?"

"I think you'd make a great champion," Felicia Rosier told Victor somewhat shyly. Victor was confused. Felicia was normally unabashed to say her opinion. Why was she hesitating?

"Oh good Merlin," Larissa sighs, "we've reached that stage in a child's development."

"Love is great Rissa," Lyra grinned at her cousin, "smile. Your kid is going to woo all the ladies."

"Please no," Larissa groaned, "I don't want to watch that."

"Not like the goddess gave us a choice," Clarene pointed out, "just get used to it Rissa."

"For those unaware," Madam Maxime continued once the room quieted down enough, "the Triwizard Tournament is a friendly competition between three schools, our Beauxbatons, Hogwarts from Scotland, and Durmstrang from Bulgaria. There will be three tasks and a Yule Ball. Due to the great danger involved, the three governments involved have made the decision to limit participation to those of age, namely seventeen year olds and above."

"Aw man," Victor deflated, "there went my chance to be a champion."

"There, there," Lèon patted his friend on the back mockingly, "you'll be alright."

"Shut up Lèon," Victor grumbled, "not helping."

"However," Madam Maxime now turned to look at the student body, "we will be selecting two students per class, grades one to five, to come to Hogwarts in order to represent the school. The students will be selected based on grades, performance, and behavior. I will now call the names of the representatives by grade."

"You're definitely going Damian," Adin nudged his friend, "I just wonder who else from our class is going to go."

"They're going to go to Hogwarts," Narcissa realized, "our son would likely be there. Lucius, we'll get to see our boy!"

"Indeed," Lucius smiled gently at his beloved wife, "that would make this entire experience worth our while."

Damian barely payed attention during the callings of the first three years. He did cheer, however, when Boaz Cartier was chosen to represent Class 3-C.