Novus Orbis | Fred Weasley x Insert | ON HIATUS

Chapter 22 - Selections and Dragons

Halloween approaches, and with it, a new letter from Charlie, promising excitement:

Y/n,

So sorry this letter is late. I couldn't help myself with the other one–it was the perfect opportunity. The Triwizard Tournament! Yes! That is the reason I am come to Hogwarts. Actually, your guess as to why is spot-on–but don't tell any of the chosen champions that! I trust you won't. Fred and George...I can't really say, I think they'd want something in return. Let me know how the aging potion goes, it sounds downright hilarious. If you need anything to do with anything on your studies, let me know–I'd be more than happy to help.

Listen to this–here's the low-down on the whole dragon thing. One of the trials in the tournament–I won't spoil which–involves them. My friends and I are here to deliver said dragons and make sure no one gets killed or maimed in the process. I'm so very glad you enjoy the book I gave you–it's certainly kept me occupied on many a day.

The dragon coming is an Antipodean Opaleye, and she's such a beauty. She was injured by some poachers in the wild, and she can't live on her own now. She doesn't have a name yet, but I'll let you know what we figure out. Feel free to give suggestions.

On saying hello–I've actually arranged to have you meet me outside Hagrid's hut this next Friday evening after dinner–don't worry about any of the professors, I've got Dumbledore's permission.

Feel free to drag Fred and George along, too. I've got a surprise that's sure to delight you!

Love,

Charlie

Y/n shares the news giddily with the twins, who agree wholeheartedly to go with her. Writing out a quick letter, she sends it off and makes sure to bring a toasty jacket with her to dinner that coming night.

-

For the feast at which the champions were to be selected, there is a much wider variety of food than they have ever seen at Hogwarts. Y/n can hear Hermione whispering to Ron about a dish evidently called "Bouillabaisse," which appears to Y/n to be some kind of fish soup. "I had it over the summer," Granger says. "It's quite good."

The decorations are changed to match the season: it's Halloween, and live bats flutter around the ceiling, carved turnips and pumpkins lining the tables and fireplaces.

"Look at who's sitting at the teachers' table," Fred whispers in Y/n's ear, startling her. She looks up, and sure enough, there sits Ludo Bagman, from the Quidditch World Cup, and Mr. Crouch, Percy's boss.

The second course brings even more strange desserts, and Y/n is delighted to find that she enjoys many of the delicacies brought to the dishes. Then, when it's all wiped clean, Dumbledore stands up again.

"The moment has come," he says, smiling. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation"–a light applause–"and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."

The difference in applause and cheer is so much that Y/n looks around as she claps. It's no surprise–it could easily be from either his fame as a Beater,  or the fact that he simply looks so much more likeable. The man is certainly charismatic–he smiles and gives a jovial wave of his hand. Mr. Crouch did not smile or wave at all. Instead of his regular, lint-picked and smoothed out suit, he's wearing wizards' robes, which the children agree he looks quite odd in.