Chapter 23

Unwanted Attention

I didn't join in as Harry and Ron discussed our lesson nor did I bat an eye when Hermione disappeared to the library once more. I was still rattled from the lesson. I was confused by Moody's observation. Being a former Auror, I was not surprised he might have encountered in his time members of my family who had been Death Eaters, of which I'm sure some were, but he seemed to be referring to one in particular. It was unsettling, especially when he said he could see the resemblance in me. Unaware of my internal conflict, the three of us returned to the Gryffindor Tower after dinner and I made a start on the homework we had received so far this week to get my mind off Moody's words. I let Harry and Ron's conversation wash over me as they discussed how best to fake their Divination homework and sat in silence doing my own. I wanted to speak to Neville but he didn't return to the common room so I had no choice but to leave it. The evening wore on and soon the common room began to empty as people went up to their dormitories for bed.

It was very late when Hermione finally returned from the library. She entered the common room with a broad smile on her face and carrying a sheaf of parchment in one hand and a box in the other.

'Hello,' she said happily. 'I've just finished!'

'So have I!' said Ron. He held up his faked Divination homework in pride. Hermione sat down and glanced over Ron's shoulder at it. She put down her things on a spare armchair. Crookshanks, who had been asleep, got up and leapt on to her lap and curled up.

'Not going to have a very good month, are you?' she said.

'Ah well, at least I'm forewarned,' said Ron.

'You seem to be drowning twice,' said Hermione.

'Oh, am I?' said Ron. He checked his predictions. 'I'd better change one of them to getting trampled by a rampaging Hippogriff.'

'Don't you think it's a bit obvious you've made these up?' asked Hermione.

'How dare you!' said Ron in mock anger. 'We've been working like house-elves here!' Hermione's eyebrow arched. 'It's just an expression. What's in the box?'

'Funny you should ask,' said Hermione, still glaring at Ron.

Hermione opened the box. Inside seemed to be about fifty different coloured badges. On the small circles I saw were emblazoned the same four golden letters: S.P.E.W.

'"Spew"?' said Harry. 'What's this about?'

'Not spew,' said Hermione. 'It's S – P – E – W. It stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare.'

'Never heard of it,' said Ron.

'Well, of course you haven't,' said Hermione. 'I've only just started it.'

'Yeah?' said Ron. 'How many members have you got?'

'Well – if you three join – four,' said Hermione.

'You want us to join?' I repeated slowly.

'And you think we want to walk around wearing badges saying "spew", do you?' said Ron.

'S – P – E – W!' said Hermione hotly. 'I was going to put Stop the Outrageous Abuse of Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status – but it wouldn't fit. So that's the heading of our manifesto.' Sure enough, the parchment she'd brought with her bore that exact title. 'I've been researching it thoroughly in the library. Elf enslavement goes back centuries. I can't believe no one's done anything about it before now.'

'Hermione – open your ears,' said Ron. 'They. Like. It. They like being enslaved!'

'What Ron means,' I said, cutting him off, 'is house-elves enjoy their work. It gives them a sense of – I don't know – purpose. They like helping wizards.' I was very careful not to use the word "serve" or anything along that line. 'Hermione, it's natural for them.'

'Only because they don't know any better,' said Hermione dismissively. 'Our short-term aims,' she continued, 'are to secure house-elves fair wages and working conditions. Our long-term aims include changing the law about non-wand-use, and trying to get an elf into the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, because they're shockingly under-represented.'

I sighed. Hermione wasn't getting it. As bright as she was, she could be very ignorant sometimes about how the wizarding world worked.

'And how do we do all this?' asked Harry.

'We start by recruiting members,' said Hermione, happy Harry seemed to be interested. 'I thought two Sickles to join – that buys a badge – and the proceeds can fund our leaflet campaign. You're treasurer, Ron – I've got you a collecting tin upstairs – and Harry, you're secretary, so you might want to write down everything I'm saying now, as a record of our first meeting.'

'And what's my role?' I asked though I dreaded the response.

'I thought you could be in charge of our events,' said Hermione. 'Organising rallies and gatherings for our members.'

I rolled my eyes. Hermione beamed at us as if we were all on board but I was pretty certain the three of us had no intention of being part of spew – sorry - S-P-E-W.

'Hedwig!'

My attention diverted at Harry's shout. A soft tapping at the window had started. The snowy white owl was perched on the windowsill trying to get in. Harry jumped up and let her in. She flew inside and landed on the table on top of our homework. Attached to her leg was a scruffy-looking piece of parchment. It had to be Dad's reply to Harry's letter. We crowded round to read what it said.

Harry –

I'm flying north immediately. This news about your scar is the latest in a series of strange rumours that have
reached me here. If it hurts again, go straight to Dumbledore – they're saying he's got Mad-Eye out of
retirement, which means he's reading the signs, even if no one else is.

I'll be in touch soon. Tell Jenna I got her letter and hope she had a good time at Ron's. I thought it best to
reply to her note in this letter so as to limit contact. My best to Ron and Hermione. Keep your eyes open,
Harry.

Sirius

'He's flying north?' whispered Hermione. 'He's coming back?'

'Is he insane?' I breathed. 'He could get caught!'

'Dumbledore's reading what signs?' said Ron. 'Harry – what's up?'

Harry was staring at the letter.

'I shouldn't've told him!' he said furiously.

'What are you on about?' said Ron.

'It's made him think he's got to come back!' said Harry. He slammed his fist on the table. Hedwig jumped and flapped her wings to get on to the back of Ron's chair. She let out an indignant hoot. 'Coming back, because he thinks I'm in trouble! And there's nothing wrong with me! And I haven't got anything for you,' Harry snapped at Hedwig when she clicked her beak, 'you'll have to go up to the Owlery if you want food.'

Hedwig gave Harry an offended look. Quickly I reached into my robe pocket and pulled out a treat; I always carried a small bag of them in case Gizmo ever visited me. I held it out in my palm for her. She hooted and flapped over to me, giving Harry another reproachful look at his dismissal. She took the treat in her beak then flew off out of the open window.

'Harry,' I said bracingly, even though I was as worried as he clearly was, 'Dad wouldn't risk coming back unless he had good reason. And if Dumbledore's reading the signs, whatever they are, maybe something's happening we don't know about.'

'Jenna's right,' said Hermione, 'we don't know what else he could've heard while on the run, but he's clearly been keeping track of things.'

Harry processed our words but turned away.

'I'm going to bed. See you in the morning.'

Harry got up and left the common room. Hermione, Ron and I looked at each other sharing the same look of concern. Dad's letter was worrying but clearly something was going on that we didn't know about but Dumbledore did. We'd just have to wait until his next letter. There was, however, one good thing if Dad did come back; I could ask him who this mystery relative of mine was who Moody had mentioned. If anyone would know, he would.

Breakfast the next morning was tense. Ron had come down from the boys' dormitory without Harry who he said had already got up, and so he, Hermione and I headed down to breakfast without him. When he finally got there a few minutes after us he seemed agitated. It was then Harry told us he'd gone to the Owlery to send another letter for Dad to try and stop him from coming back by claiming he'd imagined his scar hurting during the summer. We all knew this was a downright lie but I was somewhat thankful that Harry had attempted to dissuade Dad from coming back, even though I was pretty sure it wouldn't work. Dad could be quite stubborn if he got his mind set on something from what I could tell; his repeated attempts to get into the castle to catch Pettigrew last year for example.

The bell signalling the start of lessons rang out. I drained the last of my orange juice and got up. Shouldering my bag I joined the others leaving the Great Hall for History of Magic with Professor Binns. We walked up the aisles between the tables and had just reached the door when I heard a voice calling my name. I looked round. It was Cedric. He waved from his table then got up. I hesitated. He must want a reply to his invite to his party. I'd neglected to do so hoping he'd forget about it. Quickly I told the others I'd left my wand on the table and turned round. I paused long enough to check they had left the Hall before approaching Cedric.

'Hey,' he said. 'Did you get my Owl?'

'Yeah, I did,' I replied. 'Thank you for the invite.'

'Well, I thought it would be a good chance for us to get to know each other,' said Cedric. He smiled. Not being in a hurry this time I was able to examine it. It was a very restrained smile, I noticed. No teeth, his lips together, but a slight lift in the corner of them. I could sort of see why a lot of girls were interested in him; he was good-looking in an understated way. A few were even turning their heads to look at us while we talked. My eyes caught sight of a group of Ravenclaw girls staring at us; one dark-haired girl in particular seemed quite put out that Cedric was talking to me. I hesitated again. I wanted to ask why he wanted to get to know me so badly but thought better of it as that was probably a bit rude.

'I don't know, Cedric,' I said. 'It's going to be all of your friends, I won't know anyone there –'

'Jenna, it's just a few friends having a drink and playing some games. Please?'

I bit my lip.

'OK,' I said, 'I'll make an appearance. Just don't make a big thing of it.'

'It won't be,' Cedric assured me. I glanced at his mates behind him at the Hufflepuff table. They were watching us with smirks on their faces. I had a feeling they'd heard us. He followed my gaze. 'Don't worry about them, I'll talk to them. I'll see you next week.'

I wasn't entirely convinced but nodded and turned to leave. I wanted to get away as fast as possible before anyone else could accost me about what had just happened, especially any of Cedric's fangirls who were all looking pretty murderous as they watched us. I shouldered my bag and ran up the Marble Staircase. I was going to be late for History of Magic anyway.

I managed to keep my invitation to Cedric's party a secret from Harry, Ron and Hermione for the best part of the week. I had noticed, since the events of last year, I was starting to not tell Harry as much as I used to when we were younger. I didn't tell him I'd written to Dad, nor had he told me he'd done the same to be fair, and I didn't want to tell him about Cedric. It wasn't that I didn't trust him with the information, he was my best friend after all, but last year had taught me just how judgemental Harry could be and I didn't want that to affect our friendship so I decided that there were some things now I would rather to keep to myself and this was one of them. Ron wasn't much better in that department either and did have a habit of jumping to conclusions or, on the opposite end of the scale, completely oblivious. Besides, Harry and Ron would probably just stare at me dumbfounded as to why Cedric would invite me anyway; and while I knew Hermione would be supportive, I didn't want a big deal being made out of it.

Unfortunately, the day before the party I had to cave and let Hermione in on secret. I'd been thinking about the party non-stop and had come up with no ideas on how to approach it. I'd never been invited to parties when I was a kid. The Refuge could never afford for us to anything on birthdays so the most we would get is a card and a small cake at best. I didn't know if I had to bring a present or dress up or what time I should even turn up. I pulled Hermione aside before dinner on Wednesday night and confided in her that I had agreed to go to the party. Her reaction was surprised but at least she didn't start squealing in delight like Ginny would have done.

'What made you change your mind?' Hermione asked.

'I've no idea,' I said. 'I guess I felt like I should give him a chance. He is a nice person after all even if his reputation is a bit misleading. It's just all the attention he gets which puts me off.'

'Well tomorrow night is about you getting to know each other,' said Hermione bracingly. 'If you keep that in mind, maybe getting to know Cedric might not be so bad?'

I kept Hermione's words in mind as I got ready the following evening. With her advice I decided to take a casual approach to my appearance, wearing a plaid shirt over a t-shirt and pair of jeans and trainers. I threw my hair into a side plait and I was ready. Well, as ready as I'd ever be. I left the dormitory and went downstairs. The common room was full of people doing their homework. Harry, Ron and Hermione were sat in our favourite chairs in the corner by the fireplace. Almost as if she knew I was there, Hermione looked up. I gave her a nervous wave. She smiled and sent me a thumbs up. The boys took no notice. With Hermione's approval I left the common room.

Cedric's party was being held in the Prefect's common room which was located on the fifth floor. On the back of Cedric's invite had been a set of instructions that had been in invisible ink so no one else could read them. A simple Revealing Charm gave them to me as well as the password to the common room. I followed the instructions and soon found myself standing in front of a portrait of three girls in white regency dresses. They were giggling together when I approached them. They stopped and looked at me.

'And who are you?' asked a curly brunette. She narrowed her eyes at me. 'You're too young to be a Prefect.'

'Er, I've been invited to Cedric Diggory's party,' I said. 'He's given me the password.'

'Ooh, Cedric!' cooed the blonde. 'He said he was having his seventeenth tonight! He's so handsome.'

'Isn't he just?' swooned the third girl, another dark-haired witch. 'Oh, what I wouldn't give for a moment's conversation to hear his sweet tones.' I cocked my eyebrow. 'Or to have his gaze fall upon me as brief as it might be.'

'Now, Georgina,' said the first girl, 'Cedric is but a mere gentleman who would never do you a wrong by staring upon your face in an undignified or unwelcomed way.'

'Eleanor is right,' agreed the blonde. 'Cedric –'

'Er, excuse me?' I said, interrupting them. 'Can I go in?'

The girl, Eleanor, huffed at me.

'Fine. What's the password?'

'Bird of paradise,' I incited.

'Go on, Francesca, let her in.'

With a resentful curtsey the blonde girl accepted the password and the portrait swung forwards. Nervously I entered the common room. There wasn't much difference between this common room and my own. Large and square, the common room had the same comfy looking chairs and sofas arranged around a small table by the fireplace; torch brackets provided light from the walls which were decorated with coloured banners representing each of the Houses; another couple of tables had been pulled together and placed along the back wall and were filled with a selection of food and drink. I looked round the room for Cedric. There was a handful of people gathered, some I recognised as Quidditch players from other Houses, others I didn't. Cedric was stood with a few of his friends over by the snacks table. One of the guys Cedric was talking to noticed me. He gestured at me to Cedric. Cedric turned around and saw me.

'Jenna, you made it,' he said, smiling.

He came over to me. It was then Cedric did something I didn't expect. As he reached out and touched my arm, Cedric leant down and kissed me on my cheek. I was taken aback by the move and almost jumped. Cedric hadn't been this bold back in the Great Hall. Nor had a guy ever kissed my cheek before. I felt a heat start to rise in my cheeks and I unconsciously bit my lower lip unsure about how I felt about it.

'Come on, I'll introduce you.' Cedric placed his hand on my lower back and steered me towards the sofa where all his friends were gathered. They all turned and looked at me, distracted from whatever conversation they'd been having. 'Guys, this is Jenna,' said Cedric.

A quiet chorus of hellos and waves stirred from the group. Well, most of the group; I saw out the corner of my eye one or two of the girls didn't seem to happy I was there. The heat in my cheeks grew but for a very different reason this time; now I knew what an animal in a zoo felt like.

'I didn't realise there'd be this many people here,' I said quietly to Cedric.

I had recognised a lot of people gathered there to be Quidditch players from the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff teams; being a Quidditch player at Hogwarts meant that even if people didn't know you personally, they knew who you were. I could hardly fail to recognise the likes of Roger Davis, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, or Tamsin Applebee and Heidi Macavoy, two of Hufflepuff's Chasers. Even the dark-haired girl who had not seemed too happy I was there I now recognised to be Cedric's counterpart, a Ravenclaw fifth year named Cho Chang who was their Seeker.

'So, how d'you know Ced then?' asked Anthony Rickett, one of the Hufflepuff Beaters.

'Oh, we got the same Portkey to the Quidditch World Cup,' I replied.

'Oh-ho,' laughed another boy, one of those there I didn't recognised. 'Didn't realise Ced had swept you off your feet when you met.'

'He didn't,' I said, confused by his remark.

'Leave her alone, Luke,' said another boy Cedric had introduced as Craig. 'You know Ced would have been the perfect gentleman when she caught his eye.' He nudged and winked at Luke.

'Knock it off, guys,' said Cedric. His words weren't angry, more amused and he was smiling the same restrained smile. He put his arm round me again and steered me away. 'Come on, Jenna, let's get you a drink.'

Cedric led me away from the group towards the drinks table and their conversation restarted. Cedric handed me a bottle of Butterbeer which I gratefully took.

'Sorry about them,' Cedric said quietly. 'I did tell them not to make a big deal about it, but the temptation to tease me is one constantly on their minds.'

'It's OK,' I said. I took a drink from my bottle. 'I get that too,' I admitted. The confession had actually helped relax me a little. Cedric has such a reputation as the strong and silent type that it made him more human in my eyes. 'I've known Harry since I was eight and he always liked teasing me when he could.'

We were soon joined by Tamsin, a tall blonde seventh year with freckles on her cheeks, who Cedric introduced as his best friend. She playfully knocked Cedric's shoulder as she told me about how she was the one who got Cedric into Quidditch back in his second year and so was responsible for his Quidditch career. She then turned to me with a gentle smile and a wink, telling me it wasn't everyday something made Cedric take his eyes of the Snitch. I flushed slightly at what that could have meant. A couple of voices then called over to us saying we were missing out on the game of Exploding Snap and to hurry up. Being thankful for the distraction, I followed Cedric and Tamsin to join the game.

While Cedric took the empty space on the sofa, I decided not to sit next to him and instead took a seat at the corner of the table between the sofa and one of the armchairs. Cedric's friend Luke shuffled the cards and split the deck into two piles. I took my wand out. At least by joining in the game, I would be spared from any excess attention. One by one the two piles took turns in revealing a card and it was up to us to find the pairs before they exploded, the cards gradually flipping over faster and faster. Exploding Snap was not just a battle against the other players but the cards themselves as no one wanted a face full of smoke when one blew up. How good your reflexes were mattered and playing against a lot of Quidditch players made for a rather entertaining game. I was glad to find the game was enough to keep most people's attention off of me, however, I did notice the odd sideways glance from a few of Cedric's friends as they talked with him. I tried my best to ignore them but it was very off-putting.

'Anyone got any other games we could play?' yawned Marietta, the girl who had accompanied Cho to the party, after a few rounds of Exploding Snap. She rubbed her nose to remove the ash that had gathered on it. 'I'm sick of getting blown up all the time.'

'Not our fault your reflexes suck,' laughed Roger Davies.

'Hey, AJ,' said Herbert, 'you're a Muggleborn, you must know loads of card games.'

I looked up as I followed the conversation, silently waiting for the next game to be chosen. But when my eyes fell on AJ – as he was apparently called – I paused. He was sat opposite me also cross-legged on the floor and had looked up to respond to Herbert's question. I watched as he responded and took the deck, shuffling it as he said with a smirk that he knew one or two games that were slightly less dangerous. A strange feeling started in the bottom of my stomach. My mind raced as I tried to recall if I'd ever seen him before as I wasn't aware of what House he was in and couldn't remember if I'd ever seen him in the Gryffindor Tower, nor did I know what year he was. I came up with nothing. I wasn't sure what it was but there was something about this boy and I couldn't describe what I was feeling. It was like he intrigued me but I didn't know why and it made me to want to know more.

My attention was drawn away from AJ when Tamsin announced it was time for Cedric's surprise which turned out to be a birthday cake in the shape of a Golden Snitch. The lights were lowered and we sung Happy Birthday to him as she presented Cedric with the cake decorated with seventeen candles. Once the candles were blown out, Cedric cut the cake and began to hand out slices. At this point I decided to take a moment to grab another drink. I got up from my seat and went over to the drinks table. All in all the party hadn't been too bad and Cedric's friends had seemed nice but this had been meant so we could get to know each other. We hadn't really talked at all since I arrived and that I didn't really class as getting to know him. He was the one who had asked me here after all; I thought he'd make more of an effort to talk to me.

'Quite the party, isn't it?'

I glanced over my shoulder to see AJ standing beside me. He popped a sausage roll in his mouth then took a drink from his Butterbeer.

'Um, yeah, it's OK,' I said.

I reached out my hand and picked up a bottle for myself.

'What's that on your wrist?' AJ then asked.

I paused. My eyes flicked down to my left wrist which was uncovered as I had worn my shirt sleeves rolled up. Almost invisible to the eye was a thin white cross that stretched the width of my arm. I'd had this scar for as long as I could remember but it was so old and faded hardly anyone ever noticed it. It wasn't some impressive mark of a dark wizard like Harry's was. Just a run of the mill scar from some accident I must have had that I didn't remember. Even I barely paid attention to it these days as it had just always been there. I was surprised AJ had even noticed it.

'A scar,' I shrugged. I tapped the bottle lid with my wand to open it. 'Had it as long as I can remember. Must have got it falling over or something when I was a little kid before you ask for its life-altering backstory.'

AJ's eyes appraised me evidently amused by my sarcasm. I glanced at him from behind my fringe with a questioning look before turning to face him, meaning I too got a good look at him in the silence. He didn't seem as laddish as Cedric's other friends, I guess because he wasn't a Quidditch player like most of them. He also looked younger than them, maybe by a year or so. Perhaps he was a Hufflepuff fifth year? Again that strange feeling started. I found it interesting he'd noticed a scar no one else had before. What was it about him that had peaked my curiosity and made me want to know more about him?

'AJ, right?' I asked. 'That can't be your name,' I observed.

'Guilty as charged,' he replied. 'It stands for "Average Joe" as Joseph is my middle name and I'm your everyday average Muggle-born.'

'Muggle-borns aren't average,' I said. 'One of my best friends is Muggle-born and she's the brightest witch in my year. Status means nothing.'

'Come on, AJ!' called Cho. I glanced over at her, finding myself slightly irritated she'd interrupted. 'It's your turn to deal!'

With a wave of his hand, AJ gave Cho some kind of mock salute. He then glanced at me and smirked. With a roll of his eyes he went back and re-joined the group. I let out a short laugh of amusement and smiled. I took a sip of my Butterbeer then followed suit.

Gradually the card games began to die out as it got later and later and the group began to separate into conversations. I felt more at ease the longer I was there but a part of me still felt self-conscious whenever I would notice one of Cedric's male friends glancing in my direction while they were talking to him. Tamsin was the easiest to get on with which I was very grateful for and soon we were discussing how I was finding my new workload as a fourth year. She even got Cho and Marietta to join in as both were fifth years and were going to be sitting their O. at the end of the year. While I had been marginally irritated by Cho earlier, she was at least friendly and smiled as we talked unlike Marietta who still seemed annoyed I was there.

Across from us the boys' conversation had now turned to the Triwizard Tournament. They were discussing what all the possible tasks could be and whether the different schools had had any influence in choosing the tasks that had been set and how dangerous they could be.

'Well, I'm going to put my name in,' said Roger Davis. He took a dignified drink from his Butterbeer and I was suddenly reminded of Percy in the way he spoke. 'That Tournament is going to take a lot of skill and know-how. I bet I could face any task they set and find a way to pass it with top marks. The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang won't know what hit them if I get picked as Champion. Ravenclaws were born for things like these.'

'What about you, Ced?' asked Luke. 'You said something about entering, didn't you?'

Cedric smirked.

'Perhaps,' he replied modestly, 'but I'm sure there are others better suited to the challenge than me. Angelina wants to enter, and I know she'd be a good competitor.'

'Sure, another Gryffindor getting glory,' said Craig sarcastically. Out of everyone, Craig had been the person I had disliked most throughout the evening as he had come across as very bolshie and opinionated. 'They've got Potter. Let some other House have a chance for once.'

I was taken aback slightly by Craig's comment. I thought only Slytherins had animosity towards Gryffindors, apart from of course during Quidditch matches; this was the first time I'd ever heard someone from another House voice dislike for Gryffindors and especially for Harry. Harry didn't actively go after glory nor did he ask to be famous. It wasn't his fault all the things that had happened to him. Cedric seemed to notice my reaction. I covered it quickly by drinking the last of my Butterbeer. I got up to take my empty bottle over to the bin and lingered by the snack table once more. The party hadn't suddenly taken a very sour turn.

'Hey.' I looked up to see Cedric had come to check on me. 'About what Craig said –'

'It's fine,' I replied stiffly. 'I know Harry gets lots of attention.'

'No, it's not,' replied Cedric quietly. 'Look, I'll talk to them.'

'Cedric, why did you ask me here?' I asked, nettled by his repeated response. 'Your friends have done nothing but gawk at me all night even after you said you'd talk to them. You wanted to get to know me, but you've barely said anything to me since I got here.'

'I know,' said Cedric. 'I'm sorry my friends made that awkward. And I do want to get to know you, it's just –'

'Just what?' I asked. 'Trying to uphold your reputation for being aloof?'

'No, not at all,' replied Cedric.

'Well I've spent enough time getting gawked at the last few years,' I said. I glanced at his friends once more. I was done. 'Cedric, if you want to get to know me, then you can start by realising I'm not something to be stared at.'

'I never said you were,' said Cedric.

'Then tell your friends that. Because otherwise I'm not interested.'

I turned on my heel and walked out of the common room. I pushed open the portrait of the three girls and walked back out into the corridor. I heard their objections at being so rudely opened but I wasn't concerned. I reached for the end of my braid and pulled the hairband out of it, shaking my head so my long hair flowed out of its binds. Tonight had gone just how I thought it would go. Cedric may have had good intentions when he invited me and I didn't doubt his words at wanting to get to know me but I still ended up being stared at by his mates and he had made very little effort once I was there. It wasn't that I was hurt, I was just … disappointed, I guess. A part of me had hoped that maybe he did want to get to know me and wasn't interested simply because of my looks, whatever looks I had at this age because I didn't know, but as soon as he was with his friends that all seemed to be forgotten. I sighed. I knew I shouldn't have gone. I wasn't old enough to understand this sort of stuff yet.

When I got back to the Tower I saw the common room was virtually empty apart from the odd student finishing their homework. In our favourite chairs in the corner I saw Hermione had waited up for me. I walked over to her, glad to see a friendly face. She asked me how it went and was surprised by my stoic reply as I told her about the party. Hermione tried to console me that it hadn't been too bad overall but I dismissed it. I had given Cedric a chance and while he had tried, I still wasn't interested and wasn't likely to be because of how his friends had behaved that Cedric should have stopped. I was happy enough to move on from it.

October soon arrived meaning that at the end of the month our foreign visitors would finally arrive for the Triwizard Tournament. Everywhere you went people were buzzing with excitement at who could possibly be the Hogwarts Champion and names were floating in and out of conversations at potential candidates, some more outspoken than others. Groups of Slytherins would cheer every time their seventh year Prefect Peregrine Derrick would stride boldly through the hallways, waving his arms to encourage them; Roger Davis had become the favourite for Ravenclaw's Champion and he lapped up the attention he now was receiving; while Hufflepuffs had given its support to Tamsin Applebee, who, as both a Quidditch player and a Prefect, seemed like the perfect double-edged sword. Fred and George even started a bet going on who was going to be picked, obviously giving very good odds on Angelina (not that they were biased), while they continued to conspire how they would get their own names in.

Aside from the excitement the Tournament was bringing, lessons continued on and were progressively getting harder and homework was beginning to pile up. Another reason, I personally thought, why it was good that students below seventeen shouldn't enter. I couldn't imagine Harry and Ron keeping up with their schoolwork if they were also competing when they barely manage to normally. Practical lessons were becoming more common as we were informed at least half our final grade in our O. was going to based on practical examinations so more and more we were being instructed to have our wands out when we got to class. Of course, what one teacher's definition of practical was wasn't necessarily the same as another's.

'But – but you said it's illegal,' gasped Hermione when Moody announced in Thursday's lesson that he was going to put the Unforgivable Curses on us. He ordered us to get out of the way so he could clear the room. 'You said – to use it against another human was –'

'Dumbledore wants you taught what it feels like,' grunted Moody dismissively, his magical eye fixing Hermione with an unblinking stare. I shuddered; I never wanted to be on the receiving end of one of those creepy stares. 'If you'd rather learn the hard way – when someone's putting it on you so they can control you completely – fine by me. You're excused. Off you go.'

He pointed a gnarled finger at the door. Hermione bowed her very pink face, muttering something about not meaning that.

'All right,' growled Moody, 'whose first?'

None of us were particularly eager to volunteer to be Moody's first candidate to receive an Unforgivable Curse put on us. I know I certainly didn't like the idea of it. When no one raised their hand, Moody barked at Seamus to come forwards into the centre of the room so we could all see him. In a few seconds Seamus began do a kind of waltz all on his own at Moody's command. While I would be lying if I said I didn't find it funny to see Seamus waltz with an invisible partner, I didn't laugh as I watched knowing what the curse was actually intended for. Moody gave Seamus a few more minutes under the spell but it appeared he had wilfully submitted and wasn't going to be able to shake it off. Moody flicked his wand and the curse was lifted. Seamus stared around at us all, frozen in position with his arms out and leg pointed behind him in an elegant sweep, with no idea how he'd got there.

I had hoped there would be a few more people before it was my turn but Moody turned on me after Seamus. I took a breath then walked out into the centre of the room. I stood opposite Moody, ready for whatever was about to happen.

'All right, Black, now remember, you need to fight this off, you hear me?' said Moody. He pointed his wand at me. 'Don't just give in like Finnigan. I want to actually feel you fight it.'

'Yes, Sir,' I replied, steeling myself.

'Imperio.'

I felt the spell hit me but then – this wonderful feeling took over. I felt myself let out a slow breath as my eyes seemed to glaze over and my mind became blissfully empty. It was like all my worries had just been brushed away with a feather duster. I felt happy and I could tell I was smiling somewhat, forgetting I was currently standing in front of all my classmates in our Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson. A voice began to filter through the haze in my brain and I heard it speak a handful of words.

Do a handstand.

But I can't do a handstand, I thought. I knew I couldn't. I had never been able to do a handstand or a cartwheel when I was younger. I would only embarrass myself if I tried.

But who says I can't do one now? I then told myself. You won't know until you try.

I raised my arms like I knew you were meant to do. With one fell swoop, I swung myself forwards and placed my hands against the floorboards. My legs kicked up behind me one after the other and swung above me in a graceful arch. I tensed as I fought to keep the position but found I didn't need to. I moved slightly on my hands as I felt my balance waver but remained with my legs in the air.

With a sudden jolt my eyes refocused and I saw the rest of the class only they were upside down. Instantly I lost my balance when I realised my skirt had fallen over my stomach and I was currently showing my underwear to everyone as I was wearing sock instead of tights. My arm gave way as I felt the full weight of myself on my hands. I landed with a hard thump on the floor, my feet failing to catch me. I let out a grunt of pain as I felt it shoot up my side.

'Not much better than Finnigan,' grunted Moody, 'but I did feel your initial reserve,' he added approvingly. 'Still a long way off before you'd be able to throw off the curse. You're up, Thomas!'

I frowned and slunk off back into the group. I rubbed my hip from where I'd landed on it. That was certainly a backhand compliment if ever I heard one.

Moody went through each of us one by one and barely any of us managed to throw off the curse. The only person who seemed to have some success at it was Harry. I watched as Moody ordered him to jump on to one of the desks. Harry seemed to comply with Moody's instruction as he bent his knees to jump but then something stopped him. He didn't complete the action. It wasn't until Moody bellowed his order that Harry made some movement and he threw himself headfirst into a desk.

'Now, that's more like it!' growled Moody. 'Look at that, you lot … Potter fought! He fought it, and he damn near beat it!'

I don't think Harry was as happy about that.

I still hadn't decided whether or not I liked Moody's lessons or whether it was just his tough-style methods from being an Auror I wasn't fond of. I certainly didn't appreciate him making me flash my knickers to the rest of the class. But I couldn't deny his practical lessons were proving inciteful. Others followed a more traditional suit, however. Transfiguration still had us concentrating till our heads hurt as we attempted to visualise our goal when we tried to turn a hedgehog into a pincushion; Divination had us working with strange contraptions to help us with predicting our futures using the planetary positions; and Potions, the most practical based subject of all, had us working on antidotes with extreme caution as Snape had hinted he might be poisoning one of us before the Christmas holidays. Even a normally relaxed Charms lesson turned into a silent affair as we read three extra books before we could start work on Summoning Charms.

I stretched and yawned as I walked back up to the castle with Harry, Ron and Hermione after a surprisingly satisfying Care of Magical Creatures lesson; Malfoy, who had clearly not forgotten the ferret incident, was finally put in his place by Hagrid after he mentioned Malfoy made a good ferret when Malfoy refused to put in any extra work with the Skrewts. Ron certainly was pleased about this. We made our way through the Clock Tower Courtyard and headed for the Great Hall. I was definitely in need of a good meal after another long day. When we reached the Entrance Hall, however, we came to a stop. A group of students were gathered at the foot of the Marble Staircase, craning over each other to see an announcement that had been put up on a temporary noticeboard. Being the tallest of the four of us, Ron leaned over to tell us what the sign said.

TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT

The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving at 6 o'clock
on Friday 30th of October. Lessons will end half an hour early.

Students will return their bags and books to their dormitories and assemble in
front of the castle to greet our guests before the Welcoming Feast.

'Only a week away!' said Ernie. He appeared from deep inside the crowd next to us. 'I wonder if Cedric knows? Think I'll go tell him …'

I guess Cedric is going to enter then, I thought to myself. I hadn't seen Cedric since his party where I know he had discussed entering. I didn't know he'd actually decided to do so.

'Cedric?' said Ron blankly.

'Diggory,' confirmed Harry. 'He must be entering the Tournament.'

'That idiot, Hogwarts champion?' said Ron.

'He's not an idiot,' said Hermione sharply, 'you just don't like him because he beat Gryffindor at Quidditch. I've heard he's a really good student – and a Prefect. Right, Jenna?'

I hesitated. Why was Hermione dragging me into this?

'From what I've heard,' I shrugged. I gave her a pointed look as if to tell her to not mention Cedric's party.

'You only like him because he's handsome,' said Ron.

'Excuse me, I don't like people just because they're handsome!' said Hermione angrily.

Ron dismissed Hermione's comment and I distinctly heard him cough 'Lockhart!' under his breath.

The imminent arrival of the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang sent the castle into a frenzy. Students everywhere were now discussing the Triwizard Tournament and our visiting guests almost every mealtime and between every class. The castle itself seemed to go under scrutiny and was being cleaned a lot more thoroughly than usual. Suits of armour were being polished and paintings were being scrubbed, much to the discomfort of some of their inhabitants. Even the usual cobwebs in the corners of the windows were being dusted away. I privately hoped Hermione didn't complain about how much this extra work might be on the house elves. Teachers as well were starting to get on the student's cases about how we presented ourselves to our guests, a clear air of tension evident as their arrival drew nearer.

On Friday morning we entered the Great Hall for breakfast to find the entire room had been decorated. Enormous banners had been hung on the walls, each one representing one of the four Hogwarts Houses: a red one with a golden lion for Gryffindor; a yellow one with a black badger for Hufflepuff; blue with a bronze eagle for Ravenclaw; and green with a silver snake for Slytherin. A final banner was stretched out behind the teacher's table at the end of the Hall bearing the Hogwarts coat of arms, a shield depicting each of the four House colours and mascots, the words Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titilandus written beneath it. It had always amused me our school motto meant "never tickle sleeping dragons". Not the most useful advice a school could give its student but practical at least.

At the Gryffindor table we joined Fred and George who had been muttered in low voices with their heads together. I didn't catch much of their conversation but Ron's question of who was avoiding them gave me enough to know this was none of our business. Harry headed off the argument between the brothers though and asked if Fred and George were still planning on entering the Tournament.

'I asked McGonagall how the champions are chosen but she wasn't telling,' said George. 'She just told me to shut up and get on with Transfiguring my raccoon.'

'Wonder what the tasks are going to be?' asked Ron, helping himself to some toast. 'You know, I bet we could do them, Harry, we've done dangerous stuff before …'

'Not in front of a panel of judges, you haven't,' said Fred. 'McGonagall says the champions get awarded points according to how well they've done in the tasks.'

'Who are the judges?' asked Harry.

'Well, the Heads of the participating schools are always on the panel,' said Hermione, 'because all three of them were injured during the Tournament in 1792, when a cockatrice the champions were supposed to be catching went on the rampage.'

The others all looked surprised that Hermione knew this; I both was and wasn't, as I was more than used to Hermione knowing something the rest of us didn't.

'It's all in Hogwarts: A History. Though, of course, that book's not entirely reliable,' she said.

'What, have you gone off your favourite book?' I teased, amused at the thought Hermione might no longer refer to Hogwarts: A History as she had done at least once every month or so.

'More it's glaringly inaccurate,' huffed Hermione. '"A Revised History of Hogwarts" would be a more accurate title. Or "A Highly Biased and Selective History of Hogwarts, Which Glosses Over the Nastier Aspects of the School".'

'Geeze, forget I asked,' I said, holding up my hands.

'What are you on about?' asked Ron.

'House-elves!' said Hermione sharply. 'Not once, in over a thousand pages, does Hogwarts: A History mention that we are all colluding in the oppression of a hundred slaves!'

I held in a groan and returned to my cereal. Harry, Ron and I had all contributed to S.P.E.W by buying a badge (and promptly refused to wear) in the hopes Hermione might let up a bit on the subject but instead it seemed to have the reverse effect and spur her on more. She had irritated many of the other Gryffindors by constantly rattling her collection tin every night in the common room to get more members. Some people, like Neville, had paid up just to stop Hermione glaring at them while most feigned enough interest so she would think she was getting new members but weren't ready to commit at that point.

'Listen, have you ever been down in the kitchens, Hermione?' asked George quietly.

'No, of course not,' said Hermione. 'I hardly think students are supposed to –'

'Well, we have,' said George, pointing at himself and Fred, 'loads of times to nick food. And we've met them, and they're happy. They think they've got the best job in the world –'

'That's because they're uneducated and brainwashed!' said Hermione hotly.

The conversation was brought to an abrupt end with the arrival of the morning's post. Dad's response to Harry's letter had arrived and it wasn't good news. He was already back in the country and clearly intent on making his way up to Hogwarts. His letter didn't say much else, only to keep changing owls, and to keep him posted. I frowned. I think the only positive thing from that letter was that Dad had gotten back into the country unnoticed from wherever he'd been. We had no time to dwell, however, as the bell rang signalling five minutes until lessons started.

Time seemed to pass unevenly throughout the day. One moment we were watching the minutes tick by as Professor Binns continued his lecture on the Goblin Rebellions; the next it felt like we had barely begun practicing the Summoning Charm before Professor Flitwick called out that class was over. With our Potions lesson at the end of the day being half an hour shorter than usual, it felt like we'd barely done anything that day before we were heading off to our dormitories to leave our bags and smarten ourselves us. I had to change into a fresh set of robes as I'd managed to get some of my potion on my sleeve during class. I also grabbed my rarely ever worn black wizard's hat then joined Hermione and the other girls to go back to the Entrance Hall.

Apart from at mealtimes and the Start and End-Of-Term Feasts, it was rare to ever see the entire school gathered like this. McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick and Snape's voices rang out in the Entrance Hall as they called their students over to line up by year group. I stood between Ron and Seamus as McGonagall made her way down the line to inspect us. Her eyes fixed each of us in turn with her stern stare, barking at us if we needed to straighten our ties or tuck in our shirts. Once satisfied that we at least looked "moderately presentable" in her words, we were taken outside to the grounds.

The evening air was cool but not enough for us to feel cold as we waited outside for Beauxbatons and Durmstrang to arrive. We stood gathered in the vast grounds nearby the lake. Students eagerly would look around for any sign of them. Whispers could be heard as people tried to guess how they'd be arriving. I think Hermione wanted to hit Ron when he suggested Apparition having told him so many times that you couldn't Apparate inside Hogwarts. A shiver ran down me the longer we waited. I glanced around at other students, not surprised to see a few like myself were beginning to get bored of waiting.

'Aha!' called out Dumbledore's voice from the back where the teachers were gathered. 'Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!'

Cries of "where" started from all directions, students looking around everywhere for any sign of what Dumbledore had seen.

'There!' yelled a sixth year Hufflepuff, pointing over the Forest.

Every head turned in the direction she had pointed. Looming in the distance getting slowly bigger the closer it got was a large squarish shadow. It appeared to sway with an up and down motion as whatever it was flew towards us. It skimmed the treetops of the Forbidden Forest as it headed for the ground. It was then I saw it was no dragon or broomstick as some had shouted out, but a large powder blue carriage that was being pulled by some of the biggest winged horses I'd ever seen. The carriage soared towards us at tremendous speeds. With what looked like a very unpleasant bump, its golden wheels hit the ground. The horses continued to run along the grass a few more yards before they and the carriage pulled to a stop in front of us. The carriage was decorated with ornate golden details and on the door was the school's coat of arms: a blue shield surrounded by golden leaves and vines, a pair of crossed wands at the top each emitting three golden stars.

A boy dressed in pale blue robes appeared at the carriage door. It opened and he jumped down on to the grass. He seemed to be fiddling with something beneath the carriage floor. A set of golden steps unfolded themselves and rested on the ground. A black shoe appeared at the top of the steps. A shoe so large my eyes widened. I had to stop my jaw dropping when I saw who the owner of said shoe was. A woman who had to be no shorter than eight foot had appeared at the doorway. Dressed in some of the finest black satin robes I'd ever seen, she climbed down from the carriage with more grace than even I, at my average height, could not have mastered. Suddenly the size of the carriage and its horses made a lot more sense to me. The woman appraised the students of Hogwarts before her before taking a few large strides towards us. The light from the Entrance Hall illuminated her handsome olive features and dark eyes. Her black hair was drawn back neatly into a bun at the base of her neck which was bedecked with an opal necklace.

It was Dumbledore's applause that drew us all back from our stunned stupor and we followed suit.

'My dear Madame Maxime,' said Dumbledore graciously. 'Welcome to Hogwarts.'

'Dumbly-dorr,' said Madame Maxime. Her voice was a lot deeper than I expected but understandable (given her size). Her accent appeared to be European, probably French at my best guess. 'I 'ope I find you well?'

'On excellent form, I thank you,' replied Dumbledore.

'My pupils,' announced Madame Maxime and she waved a large hand towards her carriage.

Twelve or so boys and girls had emerged from the carriage, all of them appearing to be in their late teens. The boys were dressed in the same pale blue blazers lined with a dark blue edge that bore their crest on the breast pocket, a white shirt and dark blue silk tie visible underneath, and smart dark blue dress trousers. The girls meanwhile were wearing long sleeved, knee-length silken dresses in the same pale colour as the boys' uniform, a cape wrapped about their shoulders and tied with a dark blue ribbon. Each wore the same teardrop shaped blue hat while on their feet were smart blue dress shoes for the boys, blue heeled court shoes for the girls. I was stunned by how elegant their uniforms were. I looked down at my own and suddenly felt very underdressed. At least I could say my uniform was comfortable though. The Beauxbatons students all seemed to be shivering in their thin robes.

''As Karkaroff arrived yet?' Madame Maxime asked Dumbledore.

'He should be here any moment,' replied Dumbledore. 'Would you like to wait here and greet here or would you prefer to step inside and warm up a trifle?'

'Warm up, I think,' said Madame Maxime. 'But ze 'orses –'

'Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be delighted to take care of them,' said Dumbledore, 'the moment he has returned from dealing with a slight situation which has arisen with some of his other – er – charges.'

Beside me I heard Ron whisper, 'Skrewts.'

'My steeds require – er – forceful 'andling,' insisted Madame Maxime. 'Zey are very strong …'

'I assure you that Hagrid will be well up to the job,' assured Dumbledore, smiling.

'Very well.' Madame Maxime bowed her head slightly. 'Will you please inform zis 'Agrid zat ze 'orses only drink single-malt whisky?'

'It will be attended to,' said Dumbledore, who bowed in return.

'Come.'

With the simple instruction, Madame Maxime led her students inside the castle. Finally, my mind appeared to start functioning again after the shock of their entrance; it had not been what I was expecting. Still, those horses were something else. I'd read my copy of Fantastic Beasts from cover to cover many times and examined every picture and sketch it had of its beasts but seeing one in real life was always very different and the sheer size of those horses was not something I could have imagined correctly. I made a mental note to ask Hagrid if it was OK for me to help him tend to them.

'How big d'you reckon Durmstrang's horses are going to be?' Seamus asked beside me. Lavender and Parvati gasped in excitement on his other side.

'Well, if they're any bigger than this lot, even Hagrid won't be able to handle them,' said Harry. 'That's if he hasn't been attacked by his Skrewts.'

It was getting colder now in the grounds and the sun was getting lower in the sky. A silence had fallen once again as we waited for the Durmstrangs to arrive. People were looking up at the sky in case they suddenly appeared. But nothing was there apart from the darkening clouds. The only noises were coming from the Beauxbatons horses as they pounded the ground with their enormous hooves and the sounds of the water hitting the banks of the lake. But something didn't sound quite right. I turned so I could see the lake. There were strange sounds coming from the lake's water but the water itself was still. Sucking sounds, like a Muggle vacuum cleaner. Lee Jordan's shout gained everyone else's attention when the water's surface was broken. Large ripples were spiralling out from near the centre of the lake, waves beginning to hit the banks, when suddenly a whirlpool formed sucking in the water in a dangerous cyclone.

From the centre of the whirlpool emerged a long black spire jutting out into the sky above it. Only it wasn't a spire but a mast. Ropes were attached to it and more masts were rising from the water. Huge swathes of material formed the sails. Its form was silhouetted in the darkening sky giving it the appearance of a pirate ship; its dark wooden frame looked bare and skeletal as its details were hidden in the low light. With a large splash the body of the ship appeared above the water's surface, its keel surging forwards over one wave and pounding back down creating another. Tiny dots lined its side from lights shinning out through the portholes. The rocking motion of the ship began to slow as the water settled once more and it drifted towards the shore. An anchor was dropped with a splash and its movement ceased. Extending from a gap in its guardrails a long plank was dropped so its inhabitants could disembark.

Another dozen or so students gathered at the base of their ship. At the lead stood who I assumed was their Headmaster. He marched them almost military-like towards where we were stood. It was now I got a better look at them all. Like the Beauxbatons, they were visibly older than myself but instead of appearing graceful and delicate, the Durmstrang students looked broad and burly. Even the girls, while smaller than their male counterparts, still gave off the impression of strength and authority. Their uniforms too displayed this. The boys sported a deep maroon long sleeved tunic with a buttoned collar on one side, a black belt cinching it in at their waists. Below they wore dark brown trousers clearly made of a sturdier material than the Beauxbatons' ones had been. On their shoulders they wore a thick brown cloak with a large fur collar, indicating that wherever Durmstrang was located, it was a lot colder than here. The girls uniform was similar in style with a maroon long sleeve tunic with side-buttoned collar and thick cloak, but on the bottom half they wore a high-waisted dark brown skirt that reached midway down their legs, buttons again fastening it on the side of the waist. Their boots mimic their cloaks, made of thick material with a fur lining, the boys' covering their ankles while the girls' came up to their knees over their black tights. On their heads they wore fur-lined square hats with parts that covered the sides of their faces. I had to admit, this was a uniform I liked. It looked so practical and versatile. Even I could put up with the length of the skirt if it was easy to move in.

'Dumbledore!' boomed their Headmaster as he led his students up to us. 'How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?'

The Durmstrang Headmaster looked strikingly different compared to his students. While his students were stocky, he was tall and thin. He walked with a sense of purpose, his dark eyes fixed on his target before him. His robes were covered by a thick silvery overcoat lined with dark fur at the collar and cuffs and he wore a thick leather belt round his middle. His once dark hair had greyed, only a few strands clinging to their former colour, and his silver beard was styled in a goatee, the end coming to a curl. His voice sounded smug which reflected the air he carried, his accent undiscernible to me.

'Blooming, thank you, Professor Karkaroff,' Dumbledore replied, reaching out and shaking his hand.

'Dear old Hogwarts,' said Karkaroff, looking up at the castle. He gave a yellowish smile. 'How good it is to be here, how good … Viktor, come along into the warmth … you don't mind, Dumbledore? Viktor has a slight head cold …'

Gasps shot through the Hogwarts students. Karkaroff had beckoned forwards one of his number. A tall and rather thin, compared to his company, sallow-looking boy walked forwards. Despite having been looking at him through Omnioculars at the Quidditch World Cup, I couldn't mistake the thick dark scowl on the boy's face and nor could many people around me including Ron. It was Viktor Krum.

The excitement that Quidditch star Viktor Krum was here in Hogwarts was palpable as Dumbledore instructed us to return to the Great Hall for the Welcoming Feast. People were straining over their friends so as to get a better look at him. Girls were whispering to each other asking for eye pencils and lipsticks as they had left their quills in their bags so they might get his autograph. Hermione and I looked at each other, a shared thought going between us. Neither of us were particularly girly, Hermione maybe a little more so than I as I was definitely a tomboy, so we couldn't help but sigh at the behaviour of some of the other students. Ron seemed like he was going to wet himself at the fact Krum was here and was also desperate to get his autograph if he could. Unfortunately, Harry didn't have a quill either.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and I walked down along the Gryffindor table and took our seats. Ron had made sure to take the side which meant he could still see the doors to the Great Hall as the Durmstrang students were yet to take their seats. The Beauxbatons students were already sat at the Ravenclaw table which was now filling up. I hadn't noticed before that some had scarves wrapped around their faces. It wasn't that cold, was it? To Ron's disappointment, the Durmstrang students decided to take places at the Slytherin table at the opposite end of the Hall to us. His scowl darkened when we saw Malfoy lean in to talk to Krum. While the Beauxbatons students evidentially were still cold, the Durmstrangs had started removing their outer cloaks. Both, however, were looking around examining the ceiling of the Hall or the place settings in front of them.

The staff table was soon filled by our various teachers and joined by Karkaroff and Madame Maxime. A stifled laugh went round the tables when the Beauxbatons students jumped to their feet at the sight of the Headmistress; apparently it was customary for them to stand when their Head entered. With Madame Maxime on his left and Karkaroff to his right, Dumbledore took his place in the centre of the table and stood before us all. There were, however, two seats empty at the otherwise full table. Who they could be for, I didn't know.

'Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and – most particularly – guests,' said Dumbledore, beaming out at us and the foreign students. 'I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable.'

From in amongst the Beauxbatons girls I could have sworn I heard a muffled but unmistakeably derisive laugh. Hermione and I shared another look.

'The Tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast,' said Dumbledore. 'I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!'

The empty dishes and plates before us filled with food only this time the variety of food available seemed to have grown and there were foods there that I didn't recognise that must have been foreign. I braved helping myself to what looked like a very thick soup made of onions and toasted cheese slice. I took a bite, relieved to find it wasn't that strong. I wasn't really used to foreign food having never been out of the UK before. The sounds of many conversations had filled the Hall now the Feast was in full swing. I quietly asked Hermione what she thought of the visiting students, interested if she had anything to say about them after our first observations. Her reply was not heard though when one of them suddenly appeared behind Harry and Ron.

'Excuse me, are you wanting ze bouillabaisse?'

It was the girl from Beauxbatons who had laughed during Dumbledore's speech. She had removed her scarf from her face now, revealing a very pale-skinned visage and a sheet of silvery blonde hair. A pair of blue eyes observed us as she waited for our answer, her lips pursed but not in impatience. Hermione and I fell silent at her arrival. Ron, who had had to turn round in his seat to see who it was, looked up at the girl. A rush of red suddenly flooded his cheeks and when he opened his mouth to reply to her nothing came out.

'Yeah, have it,' said Harry. He pushed the dish towards the girl.

'You 'ave finished wiz it?' she asked.

'Yeah,' Ron just about managed to say. 'Yeah, it was excellent.'

The blonde girl picked up the dish in both hands and carried it back across to the Ravenclaw table. Ron swung round in his seat so that he could watch her. Harry laughed. I just stared. Wasn't he accusing Hermione and I of only liking people for their looks just last week? Yet he was the one now staring at a girl he'd never met and knew nothing about. Talk about the wand calling the cauldron black.

'She's a Veela!' breathed Ron.

'Of course she isn't!' said Hermione. 'I don't see anyone else gaping at her like an idiot!'

'Er, I wouldn't be too sure about that, Hermione,' I muttered. I glanced behind me then down the Ravenclaw table. Sure enough, there were several other male heads twisting in their seats over to where the girl had sat down; Roger Davies especially seemed to be struggling to get a good look at her. 'She's attracting a lot of attention.'

'I'm telling you, that's not a normal girl!' said Ron. He leant back in his seat to try and get a better view. 'They don't make them like that at Hogwarts!'

'And what's that supposed to mean?' I asked, suddenly as nettled as Hermione was.

'They make them OK at Hogwarts,' said Harry, looking in the same direction as Ron.

'When you've both put your eyes back in,' said Hermione, 'you'll be able to see who's just arrived.'

Sure enough the remaining empty seats up at the staff table had been filled by none other than Ludo Bagman and Percy's boss, Barty Crouch. It made sense they were here; they were the ones who had organised the Tournament in the first place. Their appearance was not much of a distraction, not when the dishes emptied before us and were replaced by an array of English and foreign desserts. I had no hesitation this time in helping myself to a slice of chocolate gateaux and some French whipped cream which turned out to be a lovely mix of bitter dark chocolate and sweet cream. Ron's attempt to attract the blonde girl's attention once more with a strange pink pudding failed and he was unable to get a second chance to try and speak to her.

'The moment has come,' announced Dumbledore once the plates were empty again. '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 which we will be following this year. But firstly, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Co-Operation,' there was a small polite applause from the Hall, 'and Mr Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports.'

A rather louder more enthusiastic applause was given for Bagman.

'Mr Bagman and Mr Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament,' continued Dumbledore, 'and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime on the panel which will judge the champions' efforts.'

The attention of all gathered seemed to sharpen now the Tournament was being officially opened.

'The casket, then, if you please, Mr Filch.'

Filch had been lurking in the corner of the Hall the way he always does. He slunk away through a door behind the staff table then reappeared a few minutes later carrying a very large wooden chest. It wasn't particularly interesting to look at but did have a few jewels set in its lid. Filch heaved it around the staff table to a pedestal that had been set up in front of Dumbledore's place at the table. Having deposited the chest, Filch wheezed away back to his corner.

'The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr Crouch and Mr Bagman,' explained Dumbledore, 'and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways … their magical prowess – their daring – their powers of deduction – and, of course, their ability to cope with danger.'

I glanced around the Hall. The silence was insane.

'As you know, three champions compete in the Tournament,' Dumbledore went on, 'one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector … the Goblet of Fire.'

Dumbledore drew out his wand and tapped it three times on top of the casket. The lid creaked open allowing for Dumbledore to reach inside for its contents. From its depths Dumbledore took out a large wooden cup filled with dancing blue-white flames. Dumbledore placed the cup down on the closed lid where everyone in the Hall could see it.

'Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment, and drop it into the Goblet,' Dumbledore told us. 'Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Hallowe'en, the Goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The Goblet will be placed in the Entrance Hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.

'To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation,' added Dumbledore pertinently, 'I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the Entrance Hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line.

'Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this Tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the Tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the Goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become champion. Please be very sure, therefore, that you are whole-heartedly prepared to play, before you drop your name into the Goblet. Now, I think it is time for bed. Goodnight to you all.'

I sat back in my seat, taking in Dumbledore's words. Further up the table Fred and George were already discussing the Age Line Dumbledore was going to use to prevent the younger students from entering. It appeared that they were both still dead set on doing so. I frowned when I heard them ask Harry once again if he was going to enter. Ron had already got up from his seat to try and see where the Durmstrangs were going to sleep and led the way for us to the Great Hall doors. I followed. We walked up the aisle towards the door only to come to a stop when we found ourselves face-to-face with Karkaroff. Harry stopped in front of me to let him through first.

'Thank you,' he said carelessly.

Karkaroff stopped as his eyes flicked back to us a second time having realised who had stopped for him. His eyes fell upon Harry like every other wizards did when they first met Harry. Only this time there was something off about his stare; behind him, his students were looking round curious to find out why their Headmaster had stopped. Karkaroff's eyes moved slowly up towards his scar. It was only when Moody appeared and growled what Karkaroff was thinking that Karkaroff moved. He seemed to pale at the sight of Moody. Seeing the group of students Moody had indicated now waiting to get through the door, Karkaroff summoned his students and they marched out of the Hall without another word.

With the crowd moving again I made to follow Harry and the others back to the Gryffindor Tower but not before I glanced at Moody. He was watching Karkaroff's retreating back, his magical eye focused on the foreign wizard with a strange intensity, glaring at him angrily. I frowned, unsure what to make of the interaction, then quickly followed after the others.

'So, what d'you think,' I asked Hermione.

We were back in our dormitory getting ready for bed. Parvati, Lavender and Sally-Anne were all still downstairs talking to the boys leaving the dormitory free for Hermione and me to talk. I pulled off my robes and folded them up, placing them on to my trunk. I pulled on my pyjamas then sat on my bed. Hermione was also changing, getting out of her robes and putting on her nightdress.

'The Ministry wouldn't reinstate the Triwizard Tournament unless they'd taken every precaution to make sure the champions didn't get hurt,' said Hermione thoughtfully. 'Percy had said they'd been working on this for months before announcing it at the Start of Term Feast. They wouldn't announce it unless they could guarantee it was safe otherwise that's a lot of Ministry necks on the line.'

'But Dumbledore said that anyone who enters is magically contracting themselves to compete,' I said. 'We already know those tasks aren't going to easy with the age limit being set at seventeen. There's no way there isn't going to be some dangerous part to the tasks.'

'And with the binding contract, anyone who enters will have to see them through,' agreed Hermione. She sat down beside me on my bed.

'Hermione, I don't like this,' I said quietly. I ran my hand through my hair and took a section in my fingers. I began to run my hands repeatedly over the section. Hermione noticed this.

'Jenna,' said Hermione softly. She took my hand away from my hair and held it. I glanced at her. Hermione smiled then turned my shoulders, pulling my hair back over my shoulders. 'Whoever gets picked as champion will probably get hurt,' said Hermione gently. She gathered my hair and began to plait it. 'It's up to the judges and organisers to make sure that nothing worse happens to them.'

'But,' I hesitated, 'what if one of the others manages to get past Dumbledore's Age Line?' I asked. 'What if Harry or Ron's names got put in the Goblet?'

I looked at Hermione, not caring to conceal how worried I was if one of our friends managed to get their name in the Goblet. This was one of those times where mine and Hermione's ages were shown. I had turned fourteen barely two months ago and already had felt way in over my head several times since the start of term what with the new stares I was getting and Cedric's attention. Hermione was almost a full year older than me having had her fifteenth birthday just last month. This was one of those times I looked to her for advice and comfort, like she was an older sister whose young sibling needed guidance.

'Then we support them,' said Hermione. She wrapped her arm round my shoulders and pulled me in. I rested my head on her shoulder, her chin resting on my head. 'No matter how scary it gets, we'll be there for them however we can be. But there's an age restriction for a reason,' Hermione reminded me, 'so Harry and Ron won't be able to put their names in even if they tried and whatever silly plan Fred and George come up with probably won't work either.'

Hermione and I were up early the next day despite it being a Saturday. We met Harry and Ron in the common room and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. The Goblet of Fire now stood in the centre of the Entrance Hall on a tall pedestal lifting it well out of the reach to any of the younger students. A glowing golden line appeared to have been carved into the stone floor beneath it, encircling the Goblet and its stand. Several students were standing around, some eating toast while watching the Goblet, others seemingly discussing in hushed voices if they were going to put their name in or not. According to a nearby third year, the Durmstrang students had all put their names in the Goblet not so long ago but no one from Hogwarts had been brave enough to yet.

'Bet some of them put them in last night after we'd all gone to bed,' said Harry. 'I would've done if it had been me … wouldn't want everyone watching. What if the Goblet just gobbed you right back out again?'

While Harry's remark hadn't helped my nerves, his sarcastic afterthought made it somewhat reassuring he hadn't tried to get his name in. He had been with us from the moment we'd left the Great Hall to when he and Ron had gone up to their dormitory. Besides, Harry would have told us if he'd tried to put his name in the Goblet.

Three sets of rushed footsteps announced the arrival of Fred, George and their friend Lee. They were all looking very pleased with themselves. They had brewed an Ageing Potion overnight and had just taken it ready to attempt to put their names in the Goblet. While I was always amused by Fred and George's antics and couldn't wait to see if this went wrong, I still felt a wave of concern if they did manage to pull it off. But, I couldn't also pass up the opportunity to tease the twins.

'Do you really think a plan as pathetically dim-witted as this is going to work against Dumbledore's Age Line?' I asked, folding my arms and smirking at them.

'Ah, but that's why it's so brilliant,' said Fred, patting my left shoulder.

'Because it's so pathetically dim-witted,' repeated George, bending down around me on my right so he was looking up at me.

I made to say something but stopped myself when I looked at George. He was grinning broadly, ready to try out their plan. I hesitated, then smiled back.

'Good luck.'

George grinned again then stood up to join Fred and Lee. I stepped back next to Hermione, my arms folded as I watched. I felt Hermione's hand rub my arm in comfort. From their pockets the three boys each pulled out a small piece of parchment that bore their names and school. Fred took the first steps forwards, stopping just on the edge of the line. He rocked back and forth on his toes before, taking a breath, he took that final step over the golden line. For the briefest of seconds, it looked like it had worked. It was long enough for George to cheer and join his brother inside the Age Line. But before they could even reach out to put their names into the Goblet, it had reacted. The flames erupted in angry blue tendrils and the twins were thrown from the golden circle. They landed several feet away hard on the stone floor. I rushed over with the others to check on them only to find both were now sprouting identical greying beards. I couldn't help but laugh along with the rest of the witnesses in the Entrance Hall at how ridiculous Fred and George now looked. Even they were laughing as well.

'I did warn you,' said a deep amused voice from behind us. Dumbledore had come out of the Great Hall clearly interested in the commotion. His eyes glinted when he saw Fred and George. 'I suggest you both go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little, too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything like as fine as yours.'

Fred and George pulled themselves up off the floor. I stepped back to let them through so they could get their beards removed by Madam Pomfrey.

'What d'you think, Jenna?' George asked, winking as he passed me. 'Beard doing anything for you?'

'In your dreams perhaps, George,' I replied.

Who had put their name into the Goblet dominated conversation at breakfast; Seamus and Dean had already been here for about half an hour and had witnessed the likes of Warrington and Derek from Slytherin both putting their names in, and Roger Davies from Ravenclaw had been lurking in the Hall for about ten minutes to do the same, while the rumour that Cedric was still going to do it hadn't ceased but no one had seen him do so yet. Cheers echoed in from the Entrance Hall every so often indicating another name had been submitted. Following one of those cheers I had seen Tamsin from Hufflepuff join her table to a round of applause while another had Angelina joining us to say she'd just put her name in.

As we were leaving breakfast we were able to witness Madame Maxime line up her students ready to submit their names to the Goblet. I watched intrigued. One by one they walked over the Age Line and towards the Goblet. Each placed a small piece of parchment with their name and school on it into the flames of the Goblet. The flames would flare and turn red as it accepted each name before dying back down to blue. When it was the turn of the blonde-haired girl from last night, I noticed the other girls in the group all applauded happily when she put her name in. Perhaps she was the favourite to get chosen. Once all twelve boys and girls had submitted their name, Madame Maxime instructed them to follow her and they left the Entrance Hall.

We had decided to spend our Saturday down at Hagrid's. His Hut, which was pretty big considering the size of its inhabitant, appeared dwarfed by the large blue carriage that was now parked near to it and the braying winged horses that were now gathered in a makeshift paddock. We knocked on his door and heard the familiar sounds of Fang barking and scrabbling to see who it was. Hagrid opened the door and we were hit with the sight of what had to be the most revolting suit I'd ever seen. Made from what looked like hair, Hagrid was dressed in his "best" brown suit that he had previously worn last year for Buckbeak's hearing with the Ministry, the same checked yellow and orange tie around his neck. It looked like he was trying to neaten himself up for some reason. Even his wild black hair had been slickened down and tied into two thick bunches.

Hagrid's appearance was not explained until we were about to leave his Hut that afternoon. We had ended up staying for lunch as Harry and Ron had been excited to know Hagrid knew what the first task of the Triwizard Tournament was to be and had tried to get him to tell us once we'd politely asked how the Skrewts were (not that we actually wanted to know they were now killing each other). Hermione's attempts at getting Hagrid to join S.P.E.W. were also brushed away like our questions about the Tournament as Hagrid refused point-blank to join. It was only when we were about to leave that Hagrid's neatened appearance became somewhat more obvious to us.

He'd dug into his chest of drawers then proceeded to douse himself in a foul-smelling liquid from a bottle he'd produced. I scrunched up my nose as the smell hit my nostrils. Whatever it was, it was strong. Realising it might have been a bit on the pungent side, Hagrid went outside and dunked his head in the water barrel by his pumpkin patch. The four of us looked at each other, confused by Hagrid's sudden attention to his appearance. It was explained seconds later when we saw Madame Maxime and her students leaving their carriage to go up to the school for the Hallowe'en Feast. Hagrid had snapped upright when he saw them and what little face you could see under his beard had turned bright red. We heard him call over to her then walk to join her, leaving us standing by the window watching from his cabin.

'He fancies her!' said Ron, stating what had to be the most obvious explanation for Hagrid's behaviour. Regardless how obvious an answer it was though, he appeared to be right.

We left Hagrid's Hut and walked back up to the castle without him. We passed the students from Durmstrang and Karkaroff on our way, Krum walking side by side with his Headmaster as they made their way up the slope from the lake. The Great Hall was almost full by the time we got there but we managed to find some seats with the newly shaven Fred and George. They appeared to have taken their disappointment quite well and were talking about Angelina hopefully becoming the Hogwarts champion. The Goblet of Fire was once again positioned in front of Dumbledore's place at the staff table, waiting silently for when the champions were to be chosen after the feast.

'Well, the Goblet is almost ready to make its decision,' said Dumbledore, after we had eaten and our plates had been cleared. A hush settled over the Hall. I turned in my seat in front of George enough so I could see the Dumbledore and the Goblet. 'I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber –' he indicated the door behind the staff table where Filch had stored the casket the previous night, '– where they will be receiving their first instructions.'

Dumbledore took out his wand and with a long sweeping wave the candles in the Hall were extinguished so that the only light was coming from the floating pumpkins above us and the flames of the Goblet. I took in a breath, waiting like everyone else to hear who the champions were. I wished Angelina silently good luck. Suddenly the flames of the Goblet turned red like they had before. They blossomed and a single tendril shot into the air. A small singed piece of parchment was flicked out of the Goblet and began to float down to be caught. The flames returned to blue once more. Dumbledore reached out and caught the parchment. He held it at arms-length and read out what it said.

'The champion for Durmstrang,' he announced, 'will be Viktor Krum.'

I let out a breath and joined the applause for Krum. He rose from the Slytherin table and walked up to the staff table then disappeared through the door at the back of the Hall.

Seconds past as the clapping died down and a hush fell once more. The Goblet's flames turned red a second time and another piece of parchment was thrown from it.

'The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!'

The blonde girl we had met the previous night got up from her seat at the Ravenclaw table. She shook back her silvery hair with a pleased look on her face before walking up to the staff table. While some of the other Beauxbatons students clapped along with the rest of us, it was hard not to notice a couple of girls sobbing into each other's arms that they hadn't been picked. A tad overdramatic in my opinion. I turned away from them and back to the Goblet now there was only the Hogwarts champion left to pick.

A third tongue of red flame leapt from the Goblet revealing the parchment with the name of the final champion.

'The Hogwarts champion,' called Dumbledore, 'is Cedric Diggory.'

I instantly turned round in my seat to look at Cedric who I'd seen further up the Hufflepuff table. His friends Craig and Luke were cheering loudly and thumping him on the back at his success of being picked. Cedric looked happy that he had been chosen, the same modest smile on his face as he got up to accept his position. I watched as he walked past me but he didn't see me. I bit my lip as he shook hands with Dumbledore then was directed past the staff table and into the back room. While I still didn't know Cedric that well, I couldn't help a part of me hoping that he would get through this without too much harm.

'Excellent!' called Dumbledore happily. The applause for Cedric died down. 'Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real –'

But Dumbledore had stopped speaking, distracted by the flames of the Goblet that had once again turned red. A long flame shot into the air and out shot a fourth piece of parchment. Dumbledore reached out and caught it. He seemed to pause as his eyes read what was written on it. I stared at Dumbledore, my eyes narrowed, as I watched him. Finally he looked up at us all, cleared his throat and read out –

'Harry Potter.'

My heart jumped and I spun round to look at Harry the same way I had when Cedric's name had been called. He was staring at Dumbledore with a wide-eyed look on his face. He seemed as shocked as the rest of us that his name had just come from the Goblet. He looked at Ron, Hermione and I quickly and gave the tiniest shake of his head.

'I didn't put my name in,' he whispered to us. 'You know I didn't.'

'Harry Potter!' called Dumbledore again. 'Harry! Up here, if you please!'

'Go on,' urged Hermione.

Slowly Harry got up from his seat. I could see he was more than aware of the hundreds of people now staring in silence at him. Harry glanced at me and our eyes met. I swallowed. I wanted to reach out and give his hand a reassuring squeeze but I couldn't. I was too shocked. Instead, I nodded, telling him to go. An angry buzz began to come from the other students as they hissed their objections to Harry's name being called. I ignored them the best I could as I followed as Harry walked the length of the Hall to the front, walked along the staff table, then disappeared from sight.

'Well,' began Dumbledore, clearing his throat, 'and that concludes the selection of the Triwizard Champions. The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth where you are all invited to watch your champions compete. Each champion will need the support of his or her school, so I implore you to cheer them on, encourage them in the trials that await them, celebrate in their successes and comfort in their struggles. Now, if you'll excuse us, the judges and I must go speak with the four champions.'

Dumbledore waved his wand again. The light from the candles came back now that the Goblet had ceased to burn. Dumbledore turned away and he, the other Headmasters, Crouch and Bagman, and several others hastened away into the back room where the champions were waiting. The ceremony was indeed over and angry shouts instantly started in the Hall now they were gone. Ron, Hermione and I shared a silent look then got up and headed out of the Hall.

Once out of the Hall the three of us broke into a run and made our way through the castle. We came to a stop finally on the fourth floor, Hermione leading us into an empty classroom where we could talk without being overheard. She pushed the door closed behind us. The three of us then just looked at each other not knowing what to say about what had just happened. Ron was the first to move, slumping down against the door, but didn't say anything; I followed suit and took a seat on one of the desks; Hermione remained standing, her arms folded and her brow furrowed.

'Harry was with us all of yesterday,' said Hermione eventually. 'At no point could he have been alone to put his name in the Goblet, nor would he have been able to get past Dumbledore's Age Line after what happened with Fred and George, we know this. It doesn't make sense how he got his name into it.'

'Ron, you were with Harry after we went to bed,' I said. 'He didn't leave the dormitory last night, did he?'

'Not to my knowledge,' Ron grunted. I raised my eyebrow at his response. It sounded off. 'But like Harry said, if he had, he'd have done it when everyone was asleep.'

'Oh, Ron, you can't be serious!' snapped Hermione. 'Do you really think Harry would have tried to put his name in the Goblet?'

'Maybe,' shrugged Ron. 'He's got the Invisibility Cloak after all. He could have easily used that to get his name in.'

'The Age Line wouldn't have been fooled by Harry's Cloak,' dismissed Hermione.

'Or he could have asked an older student to do it for him,' Ron continued.

'Who would say no to him if they had any common sense because he's underage,' Hermione countered.

'So what, you think his name just magically came out of the Goblet, do you?' Ron challenged us.

Hermione and I looked at each other, stunned.

'Ron, do you seriously think Harry would put his name into the Goblet?' I asked. 'After everything we have been through with him – Quirrell, the Basilisk, Dementors – do you honestly think he would want to compete in such a dangerous competition?'

'Yeah, Jenna, I do,' burst Ron, standing up. My eyes widened as he strode towards me. I was surprised. I had never seen Ron this angry before, not even when Crookshanks had apparently eaten his old rat, Scabbers. 'He was just as interested as I was. Why wouldn't he want to try and enter?'

'How can you say that?' I asked. 'Harry's your best friend. He wouldn't actively go looking for danger.'

'It's never stopped him before,' said Ron dismissively.

'Harry wouldn't try and put his name in that cup knowing how that dangerous the Tournament is,' said Hermione, backing me up. 'Harry may be reckless at times but he's not stupid.'

'Not that that's stopped him in the past,' snapped Ron. 'The points he won for defeating Quirrell in first year! Stopping the Basilisk in second year! Being chosen for the Quidditch team!'

'What has any of that got to do with this?' I asked baffled.

'It's always Harry!' shouted Ron. 'Haven't you ever noticed that? It's always Harry who gets the attention. How about letting someone else be in the spotlight for a change? Sure we got Diggory but at least for once people weren't going to cheering Harry on for the next stupid stunt he did!'

And with that Ron turned on his heel and stormed out of the classroom, slamming the door shut behind him. Hermione and I just stood there in silence. I was stunned by Ron's reaction, unsure what to make of his outburst which seemed to be a mixture of things all at once.

'What just happened?' I eventually managed to say.

'Ron,' sighed Hermione. She folded her arms. 'He's jealous of Harry.'

'Seriously? What can he possibly have to be jealous of?' but as soon as I said it, I started to understand. Growing up an only child, I'd never had brothers and sisters to compete with, nor had I ever enjoyed being the centre of attention. Ron and I were the complete opposites in that respect. 'Oh,' I breathed. 'Hermione, what are we going to do? Harry needs us, all of us, like you said. He won't get through this without us.'

'I don't know,' admitted Hermione, 'but I've got a feeling as soon as Harry comes back from wherever he and the other champions were taken, he'll be looking for Ron and I don't think he'll like what he finds.'

'You don't think this will end their friendship, do you?' I asked, concerned.

'The pair of them can be very hot-headed,' said Hermione. 'They're going to argue, that's a guarantee, but I don't think it'll get as serious as that.'

AN: hello all, so it has been a long time since I last worked on this story, and COVID-19 and loss of my job in theatre has meant I have come back to it and written the starting chapters for GoF which I hope you have enjoyed.

I just wanted to add this note though about Jenna. I won't deny there is a certain amount of Mary-Sueness about her, something that I have been trying to tone down a lot in this rewrite and hope it has come across, but there are elements of her that I can't pretend aren't there. Most importantly her being a member of the Black family who were known for their aristocratic looks. It is something well known about the Black family, and their relatives, like the Malfoys, and I believe it is a necessary characteristic to include in Jenna as she gets older, and a good comparison to her family as I'm writing her to dislike being only acknowledged for her looks whereas Sirius was described to be "arrogantly good looking".

So in this chapter I have begun to hint that Jenna is going to be "good-looking" when she's older to reference this familial trait but due to her upbringing, she dislikes being the centre of attention which I hope I have explained through various dialogues. This in turn has led to characters like George and Cedric being interested in her but with different reactions. Jenna enjoying George's company and teasing him vs. Cedric's attention because they don't know each other very well. I also wanted to add this in to help develop the jealousy Cho would feel for her in later books in regards to Harry. I also didn't want to necessarily have Jenna attend the Yule Ball with a Durmstrang student and so am creating possible candidates like George for her to go with.

I also wanted to try and keep the reader aware that Jenna at this point is still only fourteen and develop her relationship with Hermione and Ginny a bit more as they were both only ever seen through the eyes of Harry for the reader. So I'm hoping to establish a sisterly bond between the two of them, maybe Ginny as well but Ginny too presents competition for Jenna in later books though at this point I'm not sure how much will change in OotP, HBP and DH.

I hope you all are safe and well in these unusual times, and enjoy my update. If you feel like leaving a review, that's always a bonus.