VII. The Tournament Begins

The next month passed without any major events. The Doctor was adamant on getting his license for the TARDIS, however the Ministry never replied. Dumbledore had the TARDIS moved from outside Hagrid's hut to inside a rather large storage closet that was located on the fourth floor. Many of the staff found this odd, however the Doctor reassured them that it was fine. Rose had recovered but she stayed far from the classroom as well as Moody, and at mealtimes the Doctor was there to protector if needed.

It was October the twenty ninth. The students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were arriving that night at six, and everyone was in a buzz. The students had gathered outside the school, all chattering about how the guests would appear. The Doctor stood beside Rose, both far from Moody of course, looking at the skies. He looked down as Rose shivered and offered his large brown coat. She smiled and took it, snuggling inside it as he returned looking to the sky.

Dumbledore smiled, tapping the Doctor's shoulder and pointing to the sky. "Unless I am mistaken," he shouted over the students. "I do believe our friends from Beauxbatons have arrived!" Confusion gripped the students until they looked up at the sky, seeing a large carriage being pulled by a dozen winged horses – Pegasus's were Rose's only guess – as it swooped down and landed rather shakily. Students moved backwards as it landed so they wouldn't be squished by the large carriage as it swung open.
A large woman stepped from the carriage – undoubtedly a giant – she was dressed in black satin that matched her dark eyes and black hair, opals around her neck and some on her large fingers. Dumbledore and the Doctor started the applause which the staff and students soon followed in. She smiled and made her way to the staff, her eyes gleaming down at Dumbledore.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, my dear Madame Maxime." Dumbledore greeted her.

"Dumbly-dorr!" she spoke with a deep voice, earning a glance from Rose and the Doctor. "Are you well?"

"I am in prefect health, Madame Maxime, thank you for your concern." Dumbledore smiled as she gestured to her students that were now filing out of the carriage. Dressed in blue silks they were freezing due to not having any cloaks, but some had scarves and shawls. They were all in their elder teens by the looks of it and staring up at Hogwarts with not all that much of a pleased look on their faces.

"Karkaroff?" Madame Maxime inquired.

"He shall be arriving shortly, within the moment I would say." Dumbledore continued to smile. "If you would like, you may enter the school to keep warm or stay with us. Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be pleased and most honored to take care of your steeds, and please I am quiet sure that he can handle them." Madame Maxime bowed and led her proper students into the school. Rose's eyebrows went up at the sight of their noses in the air and their stiff strides. The Doctor just smiled and continued to clap.

The school was split on where to look for the Durmstang students now. Many looked to the sky, while others still looked around them. The Doctor tapped Rose on the shoulder and pointed to the lake in front of Hogwarts where an odd vacuuming sound was coming from. She watched slowly, along with the students and staff, as a large black pole sprang from the lake. Soon a magnificent ship bounded from the depths of the lake, water rolling down the wood and the waves knocking against the land. The anchor fell and soon all on the ship had come to shore. They were led by an old man, but not as old as Dumbledore, but he was adorned in furs of all sorts as were his students.

"My dear Dumbledore!" he called out. "How are you faring?"

"I am fine, and what of yourself Professor Karkaroff?" Dumbledore asked as the man joined him and swirled his goatee about.

"I am well, I am well." Karkaroff reassured as he looked up at Hogwarts. "However my student, Viktor, has fallen ill with a head cold. I hope you don't mind if he goes inside?" Dumbledore shook his head and moved aside. "Viktor, come on now! Let's get you inside!"

A hush came over the students as Viktor Krum walked through them into Hogwarts. Following him were the rest of the Durmstang students. Dumbledore motioned for the rest of the student body to enter the Great Hall for the feast that would be served. The Doctor and Rose quickly headed inside before they would get swallowed by the sea of students. They entered the Great Hall and passed the Ravenclaw table where the Beauxbatons students had seated themselves. They all turned their heads as they walked by, looking the Doctor up and down and some formed small smiles on their faces. He nodded to then and smiled, however Rose did not greet them but kicked the Doctor in the leg as they walked by. He gave her a pout which she returned with a glare.

As they sat, the students finished sitting. The Durmstang students sat themselves with the Slytherins, much to the Hufflepuff and Gryfindor's dismay. However Filch placed two extra chairs on Dumbledore's right and left side, having the Doctor and Rose scoot down a seat. The three headmasters entered the room last, and the students of Madame Maxime stood upright. Many students of Hogwarts found it silly that they did not sit down until their headmaster had, but most of the older students understood it was a sign of respect. However as Madame Maxime and Karkaroff sat down, Dumbledore remained standing.

"Good evening to you all," Dumbledore smiled around at the room. "I welcome our guests from afar, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to Hogwarts, and I do hope you will find your stay comfortable and enjoyable." A crude laugh came from one of the Beauxbatons girls. "The Tri Wizard Tournament will begin after the traditional feast. The staff and I now invite you to eat, drink, make friends, and make yourselves at home."

Dumbledore took his seat and the Great Hall was suddenly filled with life as the feast began. It seemed rather crowded, but that was most likely due to the fact that the foreign students stood out so much. Rose sat in her chair slowly eating as she looked at all the guests and guessed from their accents that the schools were based in France and well, she couldn't place the other. They seemed to be enjoying the feast even though Durmstang students were inspecting the golden goblets and plates with a sense of awe. Her thoughts were broken as a door closed and two men she had not seen before entered the Great Hall and took the empty seats.

The Doctor leaned over, pointing to each of the men with his fork. "That one is Mr. Crouch and the other is Ludo Bagman. Both are from the Ministry and are probably here to see the tournament off." He looked at her with a smile and she knew there would be trouble. "I think I'll pull them aside after dinner and have a chat, will you join me?"

"Would these be aggressive negotiations then?" she asked with a smile.

"Only if it comes to that, yeh?" he smirked, gesturing to his pocket where he kept the Sonic Screwdriver.

After dinner was finished and the plates emptied Dumbledore stood again and the hall fell silent. He smiled at all of them. "For the first time in five hundred years, the Tri Wizard Tournament will begin," there was a still silence that filled the air. "But first, I would like to introduce you all to the two gentlemen who arranged this years Tournament, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magic Cooperation and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."

All those in the hall clapped for the two but Bagman had received more of a welcome than Crouch. It might have been his standing in Quidditch or that he looked friendlier than Crouch, who simply sat there and glared. One the less Dumbledore waited for them all to be silent before continuing his speech.

"Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman will be joining me, Madame Maxime and Professor Karkaroff on the panel of judges for the tournament and our champions." There was a hushed silence in the room as champions were mentioned and all students seemed to sit on the edge of their chairs. But Dumbledore motioned to Filch who brought forth a wooden casket forward. "Our instructions have been reviewed by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman already for this tournament, and have been agreed on. There will be three tasks the champions must face spread out through the school year, each trying every aspect of the champion: from magic to their strengths.

"Each school shall have one champion." Dumbledore continued. "Each champion will be scored, and the champion with the highest score at the end of the tournament will receive eternal glory for themselves and their school." He slowly took his wand from his sleeve and held it over the casket. "The champions will be selected from the Goblet of Fire." He tapped his wand three times on the casket which slowly opened. He pulled from it a goblet made of wood that would not have been special but for the dancing blue flames that filled to the rim of it. He set the goblet carefully on top of the closed casket so that all in the hall could see it for their own eyes.

"To enter this tournament," he explained. "You must write your name and school clearly on a parchment and place it within the goblet. All wizards and witches that are of the age are allowed to enter within the next twenty four hours. Tomorrow, Halloween, the goblet will give us three names from the three schools for our champions. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight for everyone to enter, however an Age Line will be drawn around it to keep underage wizards and witches from submitting their names; the Age Line will start at seventeen. And finally," he paused for all to catch their breaths. "Those who are chosen as champions are not allowed to back down from the tournament once you have been selected." He smiled then. "And now, I believe for all it is a good time to turn in, good night to you all!"

The students stood and began to leave the Great Hall. The Doctor nodded to the students, including the girls from Beauxbatons, and headed straight for Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman with Rose trailing behind him. He stood waiting his turn with his hands in his pockets as Dumbledore finished his conversation with the two and said his good nights. Finally Mr. Bagman noticed them and clapped his hands together. Within a moment he was in front of the two with a broad smile on his face.

"Doctor Theta Sigma if I am not mistaken!" He said happily and the Doctor nodded, shaking his hand with a smile as well. "My my, it is an honor, a true honor, to finally meet you my good Doctor. You are spoken all through the Ministry you know, and even now with helping the Ministry through the Tournament! It is an honor, sir, an honor!"

The Doctor chuckled. "Well then, I must say it is rather an honor to meet both of you gentlemen as well!" he wrapped his arm around Rose and pulled her forward to meet the two. "This is my companion, Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch, Rose Tyler. She's from London."

"London!" Mr. Bagman seemed almost squeamish. "A pleasure to meet you my dear girl, a true pleasure! Your Doctor is spoken of all the time and everywhere!"

Rose glanced at the Doctor, who smiled. "Yea, that's usually the case when we go anywhere."

The Doctor turned serious. "Now, Mr. Bagman, I do have a matter to discuss with you." Mr. Bagman looked at him again. "I have been sending letters and requests to the Ministry for weeks now, and I still don't have the permission I need to use my ship. There is a problem with this…"

"Of course it is a problem." Mr. Crouch sneered as the Doctor looked at him. "Your ship breaks the rules of Time Travel and bringing non-magical items here! Despite who you are, Doctor, I do not see any reason why the Ministry should let this slide."

"Oh now Bartemius don't be so uptight." Mr. Bagman waved his hand as if to dismiss him and turned his attention back to the Doctor. "Yes, you see the Ministry has been debating that issue ever since your first report back to us. People like our dear Bartemius here are very set against you getting your pardon, while others believe it is one of the ways – perhaps the only – that we can repay you for what you did for us all back in the dark days. However in the end, the debate was settled and I was instructed to give you the pardon after the champions for the Tri Wizard Tournament are selected."

"Brilliant!" the Doctor smiled happily at Rose who nodded but his face turned serious as he looked at the two. "However I might stay for the tournament, you never know." With this he said his good nights to the two men and led Rose to the entrance of the Great Hall. All the students were standing still but some were shouting to be let through. He pushed his way through the crowd with Rose to find that Karkaroff was the one holding things up.

"What seems to be the trouble here, Professor?" the Doctor asked, looking at Karkaroff to Harry who seemed rather annoyed at the whole situation. "I do hope Harry here hasn't done something wrong."

"Of course not, not at all." Karkaroff paused then. "Harry? As in…"

"Aye, that's Harry Potter." The Doctor cut him off quickly. "Now, I am sure that Harry loves people staring at him," Harry and his friends tried to stifle a laugh at the way sarcasm sounded coming from the Scottish accent. "But we do have many students here that need to go to bed, including your own…"

"Where are your manners, Doctor?" they all turned to see Moody clunking his way down the hall, several students moved out of the way in fright. "You just don't push off guests like that."

"You!" Karkaroff shouted, one long finger pointed at Moody in fright. A grin formed itself on the ex-Auror's face.

"Yes, me, and unless you have something of dire importance to say to Potter, I would ask you to move." Moody gestured forward. "The Doctor, while rude, is right." Karkaroff stared but took his students and moved through the hallway. The Doctor gave Moody a cold stare as he walked by, and ushered Harry and his friends off.

"We're staying for the tournament?" Rose whispered to the Doctor as they moved along.

"Aye," the Doctor confirmed. "Somethin's telling me that things aren't going to go as planned. But come on then, tomorrow is Halloween! They have brilliant feasts here during Halloween."

Rose stood in the entrance hall the next morning chewing on an apple as students stood around the line drawn around the Goblet of Fire. She turned as Harry and his friends appeared beside her and offered a smile, which Harry returned.

"So has anyone put their names inside it yet?" Ron asked eagerly, looking around at the students."

"Not Hogwarts." Rose confirmed, gesturing to the goblet as she munched. "Everyone of the students from Durmstang has, not sure about the Beauxbatons yet."

"They probably did it last night," Harry mused. "I would have; after all, I wouldn't want everyone staring at me as I put my name inside it." He heard a few chuckles and looked over his shoulder as George and Fred pushed their way through, their friend following them. Harry and Hermione shared a small groan as Rose raised her eyebrows.

"We did it," Fred told the trio as they walked by. "We just drank it!"

"Drank what?" Ron asked.

"The Aging Potion stupid." Fred snapped back. "One drop each."

"After all we only need to be a couple month older," George smiled as he rubbed his hands together.

"We are going to split that one thousand Galleons between us, if one of us wins that is." Their friend smiled.

Rose scrunched her nose together. "Is a thousand Galleons worth your lives?" she asked, but all three simply smiled at her. Rose sighed and shook her head, eating her apple in disgust that no matter where she went it seemed that money drove people. However Hermione seemed to agree with her.

"Dumbledore would have thought about this, it won't work." Hermione persisted. However the two twins and their friend ignored her and stepped forward.

All stood quiet as the twins crossed the line. They seemed to have done it perfectly and fooled everyone but within the split second of a victory shout the twins were thrown out of the circle with a large sizzling sound; when they landed, as if to mock them, the two wore long white beards on their chins. Rose started to laugh and the others followed, even Fred and George did as they got a good look at each other's beards.

"I believe I warned the both of you," a voice deep and amused voice called out from behind everyone. They all turned to see Dumbledore coming from the Great Hall with a smile on his face. He inspected the beards the two twins wore with a chuckle. "Go and see Madam Pomfrey, she is also tending to Miss Fawkcett from Ravenclaw and Mr. Summers of Hufflepuff who have also grown strange beards. Although I dare say your beards are finer than theirs." He ushered them off and the students began to head into the Great Hall. Rose lingered and approached Dumbledore waiting for him to take notice. He smiled at her motioning her to accompany him into the Great Hall. She smiled and walked beside him.

"Professor," she asked. "Have you seen the Doctor this morning?"

"I have indeed." Dumbledore smiled. "He is in my office visiting with a guest that has traveled a good distance to meet with him, but do not worry Miss Tyler he will be rejoining you during the day. But I do suggest you find a way to amuse yourself on the grounds until the time comes, he will be talking with his guest for some time I assure you. But for now, let us eat breakfast."

Rose smiled and was stricken dumb at the sight of the changed decorations. Pumpkins floated above as well as live bats – living bats – flew around them. Dumbledore chucked and escorted her to her seat where they ate. Rose watched as all the Houses fused over who had entered their names into the Goblet and who was going to. Madame Maxime then entered with her students; all standing tall and proud as they had just entered their names in the Goblet. One girl attracted the attention of many boys and Rose recognized her as the girl that had laughed the night before during Dumbledore's instructions.

After breakfast Rose lingered in the entrance hall, watching the Goblet. A flutter of feet tore her from her thoughts and she looked up as two old and worn sneakers came into her vision. She smiled up at him as he stood with his hands in his pockets grinning down at her.

"I suppose you've had breakfast then?" he asked, gesturing to the Great Hall and Rose nodded. "Good then! We have until tonight when the goblet," he gestured to the goblet with his head. "Picks the champions. But, I do have something for us to do until then!" he offered his hand which she took.

"Dumbledore said you had met a friend?" she asked.

He smiled. "Oh yes," he began to lead her through the hall. "An old friend, I'm surprised he even heard of be being here but I suppose he had his ways." He walked along the wall with a large and child like grin on his face. "You'll love him Rose, I promise. It's very hard not to love this fellow."

"I suppose not, seeing how you are going on about him." She joked.

"Of course, anyone I gloat about is worth meeting yeh?" he wiggled his eyebrows which forced a giggle from her. "This way then!" he led her to a tower on the other side of the school where a gargoyle sat. Rose marveled at it before he spoke the words "cockroach cluseter" at which the gargoyle leapt aside and the wall split into two. He smiled and took her hand, standing with her as the staircase moved up slowly. Soon they were at a large oak door which he opened as well, leading her inside the large oval room with tall windows that had their curtains drawn back. Rose surveyed the room, finding a red bird sitting on a perch with a magnifciant golden tail that shimmered in the sunlight.

She moved forward with her hand out timidly as if she were waiting for a dog or cat to smell her hand. The bird stretched out its neck and allowed her to touch it and Rose let her fingers move down the bird's neck and back in a stroking manner. The bird gave a content sound, one high with a sing-song like voice before ruffling its feathers. The Doctor stepped behind her, taking her out stretched hand.

"It's a phoenix," he explained. Rose stared at him with large eyes but he continued before she could ask. "Dumbledore's pet, of course. His name is Fawkes, beautiful isn't he? He seems to have taken a liking to you." He gestured to Rose's shoulder where the phoenix now sat. Before Rose could react the Doctor turned her and gestured to the man standing in the window.

The man turned to look at Rose, a small and worn smile on his face. He wore shabby robes that were patched in several places and had light brown hair, which Rose noted seemed to have slight streaks of gray. He looked very tired, a little ill, but smiled at her none the less and held his hand out. Rose took it with a smile in return.

"Rose Tyler," the Doctor introduced. "I would like you to meet one of my best friends here in the wizardry world, Remus John Lupin."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tyler." Lupin spoke in a somewhat hoarse voice, not what Rose was expecting at all, but he was gentle and kind. "The good Doctor has spoken very highly of you, and I can tell why." Rose felt her cheeks redden. "You are indeed a wondrous sight, nothing short of how the Doctor has described you." He nodded and slowly took a seat that sat opposite of the chair Dumbledore usually inhabited. "Nothing short at all."

The Doctor gestured for Rose to take the other seat as he leaned against the table. "You see, Rose, Remus and I were good friends before when I fought along side him and Harry's parents. While my previous companion usually spent her time with Lily, James, and Harry's godfather I usually spent my time with Dumbledore, McGonagall, and our good Remus here."

"Romana….that was her name, wasn't it?" Lupin asked softly, stroking his bare chin in thought however the Doctor only slowly nodded. "She was lovely as well, but in her own way." He smiled at Rose. "I suppose the good Doctor has spoken much about her?"

Rose's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the Doctor from Lupin. "No, in fact, he doesn't talk about any of his other companions to me at all." The Doctor busied himself with a trinket on Dumbledore's desk as Fawkes rubbed his head against Rose's cheek.

"Ah, I see…" Lupin paused. "I am sure though, Miss Tyler, he does have his reasons…" he sat back in his chair with a heavy and tired sigh. "Tell me, Doctor, how is Harry been doing? I haven't seen him since I retired last year."

He smiled. "Harry is fine," he looked at Lupin. "A bit stressed out, but what boy his age isn't? But he seems to be doing fairly well…although I am not sure of how the Defense Against the Dark Arts class is going."

"Dumbledore has told me of that entire lesson, I assure you." Lupin looked at Rose in worry but she smiled and nodded. "I must applaud you both, especially you Miss Tyler."

"I didn't do anything." She grumbled.

"On the contrary," Lupin defened her. "Most muggles are not able to take the strain of such a strong curse," she looked at him and he smiled. "Yes, I know that you are not a witch nor in any relation to a wizardry family at all." He slowly stood, Fawkes going to his shoulder and then he stroked the phoenix's neck. "If you two would be so kind to lead me to the Great Hall, I am rather hungry from my journey."

"Will you be staying for the tournament?" Rose asked as she stood but both men gave her weary looks. "What? I think it would be a good idea for Harry to retouch with Mr. Lupin, after all they do sound close. Besides it might do Harry some good talking to you, he has seemed a little tired."

"Perhaps I shall," Lupin sighed wearily not having the strength to argue with any of them at the moment. "However that is up to Dumbledore to decide, I doubt that many parents would like the idea of me staying here…."

"I doubt many parents would like the idea of their children going to this school when the Tri Wizard Tournament is being held, Remus." The Doctor reassured and patted the man's back gently. "And if they do, so what? As you said yourself it is up to Dumbledore to decide…" he smiled at Rose. "And I am finding myself agreeing with him, Rose; I'm a bit hungry myself. Let's all go down to the Great Hall and see if we can catch the end of breakfast. Tonight is a special night after all! It's Rose's first Halloween with real witches and wizards, along with the night the champions are going to be announced!"

Fawkes cooed and landed on his perch as the three left the office, the door closing behind him. The three made their way to the Great Hall without being seen, and they sat together at the staff table and spoke of the times that had passed since the Doctor and Romana left. However Rose's mind was on the goblet rather than old times, wondering what danger would come from it. The Doctor noticed this and proceeded to give her a history lesson of the Tri Wizard Tournament with commentary provided from Lupin. The three spent most the day in the Great Hall until they had found Dumbledore and proposed the idea.

Dumbledore studied the three for a long moment before breathing a sigh. "I see no trouble in him staying the night, as seeing how it is taxing for him to travel this far." He smiled with a glint in his eyes. "However I am unsure of his presence here during the tournament. I shall speak of it to the other judges after the champions are selected after the feast tonight." They all smiled. "I'll arrange Filch to set up an extra chair beside the Doctor, unless of course Miss Tyler you would not mind sitting at one of the House tables this night?"

Rose beamed. "Of course not! I'd love to!" Dumbledore chuckled as he could see she already had a house in mind. Rose looked at the Doctor who nodded as well.

"It is settled then." Dumbledore nodded. "Please, Lupin, do make yourself comfortable during your stay. If you are looking for Harry I believe he is with his friends at Hagrid's hut."

"It is quiet alright, Dumbledore." Lupin raised his hand. "I am rather tired, I can wait to see Harry this evening at the feast, and afterwards."

Dumbledore left the three to each other's company to prepare for the coming evening. As night settled and the students gathered for the Halloween Feast, Rose sat at the Gryffindor table waiting for Harry and his friends as Lupin took her seat beside the Doctor at the staff's table. Rose looked up at the decorated ceiling, thinking about the excitement that was to come within the following few hours. It seemed to be everywhere and in everything, but with a sense of danger as well. Rose smiled to herself, she had found herself loving the sense of danger ever since the met the Doctor and couldn't imagining living without it.