Stronger Together

5- Home Sweet Home

Harry, Hermione and Ron were together on the Hogwarts express and Harry couldn't be happier. They were finally headed back to another year at Hogwarts. Harry sat on one side of the compartment, looking at the country side outside the window. On the other side of the compartment, Hermione was reading the Daily Prophet, and Ron was dozing off next to her.

"Anything from the trolley!"

That was all Ron needed to hear to wake up, and he hopped up from across the compartment. Harry got up after him, planning on getting something to quell his stomach for the rest of the ride.

The trolley lady stopped in front of their open compartment. She said, "Anything from the trolley, dears?"

"Packet of Droobles and a licorice wand." Ron looked at the gold in his hand. "On second thought, just the droobles."

Ron left with his droobles, back into the compartment and Harry looked at all the sweets on the trolley, trying to decide on what to get. Maybe a chocolate frog, or even a cauldron cake...

"Two pumpkin pasties, please." said a feminine voice behind him.

Harry looked up to see who it was and he was mesmerized by the stunning girl in front of him. No, he didn't know the girl, but by just looking at her, I he knew he wanted to. He didn't pay attention to her giggly friends behind her as he stared. She smiled shyly at him and Harry felt his cheeks heat up. She took her sweets and left but Harry still stood, looking after her beautiful form leaving. "Anything sweet for you, dear?" said a voice, bringing him back to reality.

Suddenly, not feeling very hungry anymore, Harry replied. "Oh! No, thank you."

Harry ignored the look she gave him and moved back into the compartment. Looking dazed and feeling giddy, Harry sat back down.

Hermione looked up from her reading and looked across the compartment at her best friend. A feeling of disgust passed through her. The girl, Cho Chang, one of the most popular and not to mention, beautiful girls at Hogwarts. It should be no surprise that her looks would have an affect on her best friend.

"Alright there, Harry?" asked Ron through a mouthful of droobles.

"Huh? Oh yeah, fine."

Hermione rolled her eyes and folded up The Prophet. She grabbed her trunk to get her robes, intent on changing before they were too close to Hogwarts.

She left the compartment but not before reminding the boys to change too. She knew that this would have no effect whatsoever and that they would wait till the last minute to change, but did so anyway.
— —

The trio was sat in their usual spots for the start-of-term-feast. Ron was on one side of the bench while Hermione and Harry sat on the other side. Most of their fellow fourth years were sitting around them, chatting amongst themselves. Harry could feel Hermione shiver next to him and scoot closer. Although he was freezing and wet like all the other students from the heavy storm outside, he felt his skin burn where she had brushed him. His eyes went wide but he didn't scoot away.

After all the food had been eaten, the sorting long over, and Hermione fussing about the house elves, Dumbledore went up to the large podium.

"Now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement! This castle will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests this year.

"Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event this year: The Triwizard Tournament!"

All around him, people started muttering excitedly with one another. Harry was confused. What was Dumbledore talking about and why was it so exciting?

"Now for those of you who do not know, the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, one student is selected to compete. Now let me be clear, if chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, these contests are not for the faint hearted. But more of that later... For now, join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of The Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and their headmistress, Madame Maxime!"

The doors of the Hall opened and a group of beautiful girls entered, wearing matching, baby blue uniforms. They smiled serenely, looking around at the Hall. They danced their way into the Hall, their movements graceful. Harry could've sworn he saw one of them wink at him. Their features enticed him and rest of the boys. Harry even suspected that they were Veela.

The drooling eyes of the boys moved toward another large figure entering the room. She must have been twice the height of Hagrid, Harry thought.

"And now our friends from the North. Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang! Along with their headmaster: Igor Karkaroff."

The doors of the Hall opened again and tall, burly looking boys walked in. They wielded large sticks that they pounded against the stone floor. A couple of them ran to the front of the hall and started doing flips and other things, some involving fire.

"Blimey, it's him. It's Viktor Krum!" said Ron excitedly.

Everyone around them turned to see Ron was right. It really was him: Viktor Krum.

"Attention please!" called Dumbledore from the front of the hall. He stood next to what looked like a Goblet.

"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!"
— —

Harry, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, and Hermione all entered the common room. They were tired but the feeling of excitement hadn't left them yet.

"Blimey! Think of that, Harry. Eternal glory!" Ron exclaimed, with a dreamy look passing over his face.

"Yeah, rather you than me." Harry replied, smirking.

"Too bad it'll be another three years till either of us could compete."

"You two should be thankful you can't compete. Peo-ple have died in this tournament! I don't have a clue why Dumbledore would think it a good idea to bring it back." said Hermione, looking mildly disgusted.

"Yeah, but we're talking about 100 galleons Hermione!" Ron argued.

"You won't be thinking of gold at all if something were to happen!" she snapped.

Ron rolled his eyes and went to talking to Seamus. Harry was actually glad he couldn't compete. He just wanted a quiet year at Hogwarts for once, and no amount of gold or eternal glory could change that.