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Bonded chapter 42
🕑 Added 2023-08-11 20:55:05 +0000 UTCChapter 42 -
"Hey, look up there," Harry gestured up to the staff table where the foreign headmasters were sitting on either side of Dumbledore, sitting next to them also happened to be none other than Percy Weasley.
"Percy?" Ron gaped. "What the hell is he doing here?"
"Probably something related to the tournament, I guess," Harry hummed thoughtfully.
"Well, he does work in the Ministry of Magic now, doesn't he?" Hermione spoke up. "Maybe he's a representative or something."
"I guess we'll find out soon," Harry said, noticing that Dumbledore looked ready to make another speech.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen," Dumbledore stood up and spoke once everyone had finished eating. "I am glad that we all have been gifted the great privilege of having full stomachs, now, in regards to the tournament. The Triwizard tournament, as you all know, is a prestigious event, a major part of wizarding history. Each school will select a champion to represent them in the tournament, the three champions shall compete in three tasks, and the winner will be the champion who manages to get his or her hand on the Triwizard Cup." At this moment the doors to the hall opened and the caretaker, Filch, began dragging in something on a cart, bringing it all the way to the centre of the hall. Whatever it was, it was big and covered in a massive grey carp. "Thank you, Mr Filch," Dumbledore thanked the old caretaker before addressing the rest of the hall. "In the spirit of the Triwizard Tournament, we have chosen to use the same judge that has selected every single Triwizard tournament champion since the very beginning of the tournament. Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce you to 'The Goblet of Fire'," With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore removed the carp, revealing what appeared to be a giant wooden goblet with blue flames coming out of the edges. "Any student of age can submit their name into the goblet, doing so indicates one's willingness to enter the tournament, and if you are selected then there is no backing out, so please choose carefully about entering. Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. The goblet will make its decision tomorrow night on Halloween."
"I hate Halloween," Harry mumbled under his breath.
"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," said Dumbledore, "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 once more impress upon any of you that wish to enter this, if you are chosen a binding magical contract will compel you to compete. There is no backing out, choose wisely. Now, allow me to please introduce you all to Ludo Bagman, the head of the 'Department of Magical Games and Sports'." Dumbledore gestured to Ludo who was sitting next to Professor Flitwick, the ex-quidditch player who gave everyone a cheery wave. "He has been instrumental in bringing back this tournament, and will serve as a judge during the tasks along with myself, Headmaster Karkaroff, Madam Maxime and the representative from the Ministry of Magic, Percy Weasley." He gestured to Percy, the redhead proudly puffed out his chest, though he did look somewhat disappointed when the hall didn't applaud him. "Now, I will allow you all to go to enjoy a good night's rest, I personally find that a good night's sleep is far more enjoyable than any energy potion one can make."
"He's probably never tried any of the good stuff," Harry heard one of the Weasley twins whisper to the other, Harry was incredibly tempted to ask them what exactly the 'good stuff' was but decided that he probably didn't want to know.
"Ah, and one more thing before you leave," Dumbledore quickly added. "Due to the unfortunate incident at the quidditch World Cup, the ministry has decided that some extra security was needed. Therefore, starting tomorrow morning, we shall have several of our great country's finest aurors joining us here in Hogwarts. The aurors will be here for all of our protection, and they shall be doing their best to not interfere in your day or disrupt your education. Now, off to bed all of you."
'Hey,' Venom said as Harry started standing up. 'Maybe they'll send Tonks again,'
'That'd be great,' Harry grinned as he thought about it.
"Why are you smiling?" A voice interrupted, and Harry turned to see Ron and Hermione staring at him questioningly. Harry - well aware that he couldn't really admit that he was talking to the voice in his head, at least without sounding crazy - worked his incredibly advanced intellect to the max to think up the most appropriate answer he could possibly have thought of.
"I was thinking about boobs,"
(.)
"Hmm," Harry let out a small yawn as he walked over to the owlery, intending to go see Hedwig. He had quickly grown tired of the atmosphere in the Gryffindor common room, all anybody could talk about was the tournament and the visiting schools. The conversations usually ranged from the French girls' butts to the tournament to Victor Krum being here to the French girls' breasts to the Gryffindor girls complaining about all the attention the boys were giving to the French girls' butts and breasts. It was exhausting.
It didn't take long for him to reach the owlery, and after climbing up the stairs he was about to enter it when he heard a familiar feminine voice.
"Come here, please," The accented voice rang in his ears just before he stepped into the room and saw that girl that he had met yesterday, the one that he and Venom had saved. 'Fleur Delacour' if he remembered right. The girl currently had her back to him as she was reaching up with owl treats in her hand as she tried to coax down a specific owl. Harry took a moment to appreciate the quite frankly beautiful sight in front of him - her school uniform seemed to really suit her - before coughing and clearing his through, causing her to realise that she was no longer alone.
"I am not interrupting anything, am I?" Harry asked quietly as he slowly walked over.
"Non," She said with a slight shake of her head. "I am merely trying to call this owl over," She said, gesturing to Hedwig who was perched up high and staring down at Fleur with an unimpressed look. "I was not able to bring my family owl with me, and all of my school's owls are currently in use."
"All these owls around us and you want to call down that specific one?" Harry asked whilst gesturing to all the other owls in the room. "Why? If you want to send a letter then you could use any of them,"
"Yes," Fleur nodded. "But that owl is the prettiest one here, and I know that my sister would like to see her."
"Ah, well let me help you out with that," Harry said before he whistled, a second later Hedwig had flown over and landed on the perch nearest to him. "Hey girl, how are you doing today?" Harry asked, reaching his hand out to stroke her head, smiling when she leaned into his touch.
"This is your owl?" She realised.
"Yeah, her name is Hedwig," Harry said with a small smile. "And she is indeed the prettiest owl here," His smile became even wider when Hedwig's chest puffed out and she let out a happy chirp. "Yes, you are. Yes, you are," Harry added affectionately as he continued to pet her.
"Hello Hedwig," Fleur said, leaning her hand forward to offer Hedwig the owl treats she had.
"She never takes letters from anyone apart from me," Harry explained to Fleur as Hedwig ate up the treats in front of her. "May I?" Harry asked, holding out a hand. Fleur stared at him for a moment before reaching a hand into the side of her uniform and pulling a letter out of a pocket that Harry had not previously seen.
"Thank you," She said, handing the letter to Harry.
"Hedwig, it's a bit of a long trip, you rested?" Harry asked his beloved owl. Hedwig lightly nipped him on the fingers, a clear reprimand for him even considering the idea that she was ever not ready to deliver a letter. "My sincere apologies," Harry said with a smile before tieing the letter to Hedwig's leg. "Whenever you're ready," Harry told her, Hedwig chirped before taking flight and flying out of the owlery. "She's the best," Harry instantly told Fleur who simply nodded at that.
"She is a wonderful owl, if a bit picky," Fleur agreed. "We met at the feast, you and I,"
"Indeed we did, Miss Delacour, right?" Harry asked.
"Or Miss 'Gem Apples' if you prefer," Fleur said, the beautiful blonde looked somewhat torn between amusement and annoyance.
"I'm sorry for that," Harry apologised, not entirely sure why he felt like saying sorry when he had not done anything wrong, perhaps it was because Ron was his friend. "He is a bit much at times, but he has his good moments."
"I'm sure," Fleur said dryly. "Excuse me now, I need to return to the Beauxbaton carriage."
"I'm leaving as well, actually," Harry told her, she paused and stared questioningly at him. "Well, I had only come up here to spend some time with Hedwig." He admitted.
"Oh, I'm sorry for..."
"It's fine," Harry waved her off before turning around and heading to the door with her following after him. "She enjoys the exercise, I hardly ever have any letters for her to send during the school year."
"Do you not send any letters to friends or family?" She asked curiously.
"I don't have any outside of school," Harry shrugged.
'I'm your friend!' Venom pointed out quickly.
'Yeah, and you're not outside of school, you're in my head,' Harry reminded him.
"What about you?" Harry asked Fleur. "Do you have many friends or family?"
"Non," Fleur said with a slight shake of her head, enjoying this conversation so far. It was not often that she could simply talk to a boy like this. "I have my parents and my sœur...I mean...sister," She said, stumbling slightly over her words.
"Lucky," Harry told her before a frown appeared on his face. "I'm sorry, I never introduced myself, I am..."
"Harry Potter, I know," She cut him off, looking slightly amused. "Even in France, we have heard of you," She added.
"Ah," Harry said simply. "What gave me away? My scar?" He asked knowingly.
"Non, your pretty eyes, the legend of them has travelled across the entire continent," Fleur said matter-of-factly causing Harry to nearly stumble as he looked at her with a shocked expression.
"Um...I..."
"Though it was mostly you're scar," She added with a small smirk.
"Ha ha," Harry gave her a fake laugh. "You're hilarious," He rolled his eyes.
"Oui, I am hilarious," Fleur said with a pleased expression. "Most people don't seem to realise that," She added in a disappointed voice. "The fact that you do already puts you as an above-average intellect."
'With my help, we'll become above an above average-intellect!' Venom declared suddenly.
"Thanks," Harry said simply, ignoring the voice in his head with ease. "So, are you going to be entering the tournament?" He asked curiously.
"Oui, of course, I will," Fleur replied, daintily brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "I am the best hope my school has of winning this tournament."
"Well, you're certainly confident," Harry commented, somewhat impressed by how the girl had just said that like it was a given fact that everyone above the age of three should understand.
"Of course," Fleur nodded. "I have trained far too hard and for far too long to be anything less, approaching anything without confidence is - how you say? - dumb luck. I know my capabilities and I will not pretend to be anything less than what I am."
"It's not fun, is it?" Harry said sadly. "Pretending, I mean," He added when she gave him a questioning look. "Pretending to be something that you're not, it's never fun, is it?"
"Non, nor is it necessary," She told him. "Be whoever you are, to be anything less is a shame for you."
"Hmm, that's some sound advice," Harry nodded to her. "I think that..."
"Wotcher!" A voice called, stopping the two of them. The two turned around and Harry saw Tonks steadily jogging towards them, dressed in her auror robes while keeping her now green hair at shoulder length.
"Tonks!" Harry grinned. "Long time no see, eh?"
"Been ages," Tonks laughed as she stopped in front of them and pulled Harry into a strong hug, pulling away several seconds later. "Anyway, surprise!" She said loudly before gesturing to herself. "One ace metamorphic auror in the flesh, for your protection of course."
"I've never felt safer," Harry said in an amused voice.
"Hi," Tonks turned to Fleur. "Nice to meet you, who are you though?"
"Fleur, this is Tonks, she's an auror and a good friend of mine," Harry told Fleur before turning to Tonks. "Tonks, this is Fleur Delacour, she's from Beauxbaton and apparently she's the next winner of the Triwizard tournament."
"Oh, well, lucky you then," Tonks said before her hair turned to match the same colour as Fleur's, Fleur stared at her unblinkingly for several seconds before speaking.
"Are you aware that you're hair has changed colour?" Fleur asked slowly.
"Hmm, oh yeah," Tonks nodded simply.
"Hmm," Fleur simply nodded at that before turning to Harry. "I shall perhaps see you later, Mr Potter," She told him before walking away.
"Huh? Wonder what's her problem?" Tonks frowned.
Comments
placid
What's it gonna take to get more chapters for this?
Throwaway Jackson
Love these chapters so much!
Asura King
As always amazing chapter, but I will say, you kept saying carp instead of tarp over the tri wizard cup and it was the only thing I could think of while reading
Christian Jeffress
Thank you very much for another fun chapter
