CHAPTER 6 | A SPARK TO A BONFIRE !

            "YOU KNOW, I heard that Snape's greasy hair and split ends are actually an aesthetic choice," Rachel whispered conspiratorially as she gestured wildly with a piece of scrambled egg on the edge of her fork. Without thinking, Daphne rushed forward and ate it right off. Kennedy let out a startled laugh as Rachel exclaimed, "You bitch!"

Daphne merely smiled and peeked out her tongue to get a small piece that had remained on her lip. Feeling only a little ashamed, Kennedy greedily tracked the movement.

"You mean he doesn't just shampoo with olive oil?" Daphne asked, refocusing their conversation. "I mean, we can never really rule it out, can we? No one's been to his quarters and returned," Rachel muttered.

"You're saying someone's sneaked into Snape's quarters ... purely to check if he uses shampoo?" Kennedy queried.

"Yeah, Zabini did it last year but he got caught and still has detention hours to finish up. The boys are probably gonna send some poor first year to do it now so they don't take the fall again," Daphne chuckled a little.

"Speak of the devil..." Rachel muttered as Draco and Blaise approached them.

"Oi, Greengrass!", Draco called out, "Emergency Quidditch practice. Let's go."

They stuck together like a unit again, Kennedy observed. She wondered what it was that caused Draco to be at ease with Blaise by his side or posing and puffing up his chest with Crabbe and Goyle flanking him. Perhaps different surroundings or audiences required an altered performance?

Rachel bundled up two pieces of toast in a tissue and handed it to Daphne, "For energy". Daphne grinned and placed her hair in a ponytail before turning slightly to Draco, "I'll change and be there in 10."

"A moment later and you won't hear the end of it from Madame Hooch," Blaise quipped. Daphne laughed and rushed out of the Great Hall.

"So", Kennedy started, "There goes a bit of our entertainment."

"And a piece of your heart", Rachel mockingly swooned.

"Shut it", Kennedy bit back fondly and rolled her eyes.

"No matter," Rachel dusted crumbs off her fingers, "Let's still head to Hogsmeade".

"Why are you saying 'still' like you established we were going to Hogsmeade?"

"Thought you would've learned to read my mind by now, Bishop"

"It's been three weeks!"

"More than enough time", Rachel bounded up out of her seat, "Let's go! I've got somewhere in mind."

.·:••●••:·.

            ARM IN ARM WITH somewhat matching outfits — Kennedy in a pink tweed blazer set and white beret and Rachel in a black sweater, lacey tank top and a patterned pink skirt — they got some looks. They were quite obviously overdressed but with a closet like theirs and such few opportunities to go out with their favorites, they had to seize every opportunity.

Rachel had a mischievous sheen to her smile and Kennedy grinned, recognizing it immediately. "You're planning something," she remarked.

"Well, I must properly begin Filch and I's annual dance of cat and mouse," Rachel chuckled, "It's tradition."

"Our near run-in with him two weeks ago wasn't enough of a precursor?"

"That's what it is, Kenn. A precursor. It needs to begin with a bang"

"Something tells me that's a literal bang"

"When I can, why not?", Rachel grinned, "I may not be a genius inventor like the Weasley twins, but, what I am is a girl with enough galleons to buy Filch's personal hell come every September ... and I've run a bit late on shopping. Come, we've got to head to Zonko's first".

Zonko's was a wonder. You would think Kennedy being raised in a magical society wouldn't be amazed by casual displays of it, but when you lack in skill, you marvel at what others can do and wish you could do it yourself.

Prank supplies zoomed around the shop and the warm orange and red tones made the place feel homely with a youthful spark. Several students milled around, some of whom Kennedy recognized, and a few were gathered by a notice board with announcements. A 2 for 1 deal on Ever-Bashing Boomerangs and Stink Pellets, a 50% sale for the next two weeks on Belch Powder and a candid shot of Irene Sowah as a Hogwarts student with a tall, brown-haired boy laughing beside her. They were in the same aisle that Rachel and Kennedy stood in. She could tell because the picture had the same curious mark on the shelf.

"Would you like to get...", Kennedy's finger lightly trailed the labels of the products on the long, long aisle of prank supplies, "Hiccough sweets?".

"Too basic", Rachel waved it off, "Plus I did that first year. Could be a cute callback in seventh year though".

"Like ending with the beginning", Kennedy murmured.

"Right! ... What do you think about FrogSpawn Soap?", Rachel queried as she held a bar of it, "I know he hates small animals that aren't Mrs. Norris".

"Too small, Minks. Think colossal".

"Colossal and classic", Rachel hummed in thought. "Right, so what about—", before Kennedy could finish her sentence, Rachel suddenly yanked her arm back as she sped down the aisle.

"Rachel, slow down!", Kennedy whisper-shouted as she rushed after her. These pearly white faux leather knee-high boots really weren't made for running. Or maybe they were, but Kennedy wasn't very athletic so running was simply a no for her.

"I think I've reached enlightenment, Kenn", Rachel's eyes shone bright. "You got an idea for a prank, Minks. You didn't discover the meaning of life", Kennedy deadpanned. "Details...", Rachel waved her off as she reached towards the shelf with worshipful, grateful hands. Kennedy tracked the movement, wondering what could possibly be glorious enough for such a reaction.

"Dung bombs", Rachel grinned as she whipped around with a bunch of them bundled in her arms, "I set off one of these last year but, I think I have a better plan for it now. I wasn't the planner I am now, the strategist I am now, the girl I am now—"

"You want to bomb his office?"

"Bingo", Rachel pointed and grinned, "I knew you'd be a wonderful accomplice"

Kennedy didn't even bat an eye at being roped into Rachel's scheme, "Grab as many as you need and we can split the cost".

"I love when my friends pay for things for me", Rachel cooed and Kennedy batted at her arm playfully. "We're splitting the cost, Rachel"

"Details, details", Rachel grabbed Kennedy's pouch and skipped to the counter.

.·:••●••:·.

            ZONKO'S OBVIOUSLY WASN'T the only place they went to. They stopped by Flourish and Blotts because Rachel's copy of Hogwarts: A History was looking a little worse for wear. Then, they stopped by Eeylop's Owl Emporium purely to coo at the owls (which made Kennedy briefly ponder getting one but she knew Sawyer would get jealous). Then, Rachel suggested they stop by Madam Maulkin's since she wanted to get a new robe. Then, they got hungry so they stopped by Madam Puddifoots' for a snack and then—

"The Three Broomsticks!", Rachel gestured with a flourish, "And the meeting spot for our little Wizard's Chess matches".

"Who's 'our'?", Kennedy queried as they walked into a bustle of activity. In the far right corner was a gathering of students, mostly boys. "Just a bunch of students who want a little competition to spice up our days".

"Somehow I think your days have enough spice already"

Rachel chuckled and hooked their arms as she dragged Kennedy over, "Come, I need to see if you're all talk or not".

Curiously, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter sat playing. Ron was winning, but something told her Potter was only along to humor his friend. "You ready to give up, Harry?", Ron playfully taunted. "I was ready to give up before we got here, Ron. You've been the best at this since First Year", Harry made his move. It was smart, but amateurish. He made the first logical move without pondering other more strategic options.

Ron seemed to recognize this as his eyes lit up. He was about to win.

And he did. Very easily. Kennedy wondered if he was exceptional or Harry just wasn't into it. She guessed it was a combination of both.

Harry grinned as he announced, "You won again, mate". Ron pumped his fist with an excited smile. They both stood up to leave but Kennedy piped up, "Ron Weasley, right?".

He turned to her in surprise, "Yeah. You're the transfer?".

"Kennedy Bishop", her smile was blinding, "You willing to play?".

Ron shrugged, "Sure". But there was a venom to his voice. She guessed it was because of the company she was with. He knew Rachel was a Slytherin obviously and probably correctly guessed she was too.

"On one condition", Kennedy said as she slid into the seat Harry had just stood from.

"I'd be shocked if you aren't a Slyterhin"

Kennedy ignored that, "If I win, I can ask you for whatever I want and you have to say yes. Just to be a bit fair, let's put a time limit. Three weeks".

"And if I win?"

"Likewise. Unless you have some other condition that strikes your fancy", Kennedy leaned onto her palm, a spark thrumming under her skin.

"Deal", Ron reached over and to shake her hand and Kennedy shook it firmly.

Kennedy would never admit it, but it was the hardest game she had ever played. Even playing with her father was easier.

Ron was calculated but still occasionally unpredictable. He didn't make any of the amateurish mistakes Harry did, but he could easily spot Kennedy's tricks. The strategic losses, the traps she laid in his path, the dilemmas she forced him to encounter.

It was exhilarating to meet an equal.

She still won however, and that caused quite a stir. Murmurs and whispers came from all around her as Ron's cheeks glowed slightly pink. She reveled in it — in her victory.

"Wanna go again?", Kennedy grinned. Harry placed his hand on Ron's shoulder in comfort, not quite knowing what to say. Clearly he hadn't expected this at all. Kennedy glanced up at him. Dark messy hair and piercing green eyes. She tilted her head curiously and he stared back at her, trying to figure her out.

"Come on, Ron", he said, breaking their eye contact.

"No", Ron said determinedly, eyes trained on the pieces as he tried to figure out where he went wrong.

"No?", Harry queried.

"I want a rematch. Still willing to go, Bishop?", Ron challenged her. "Way ahead of you", she had already begun re-arranging the pieces. Harry raised an eyebrow, confused as to why she didn't just whisper the incantation. Kennedy obviously wasn't about to show them her woeful magical abilities. She pretended she didn't notice his confusion.

They went again and Kennedy's mind was a whirlwind. She was laser-focused but her thoughts were rushing and leaping and jumping. It seemed she had only then begun to compute that Harry Potter was in her class and what that could possibly provide. She just needed a catalyst, some kind of spark to begin it all — and it seemed he would be it.

With her distracted, Weasley won. Kennedy scowled as cheers erupted all around her.

"One last time", Kennedy drawled as she put the last of her pieces in place, "This will be the tie-breaker. And then we'll see who's gonna reap the benefits of our deal".

"Blimey, you talk a lot", Ron muttered a little too loudly and their audience "ooh"d.

"When you have something sensible to say, you tend to do that", Kennedy bit back without missing a beat. People around them snickered and Ron scowled slightly.

Kennedy and Ron sat in their chairs, bickering and bantering and stealing each other's pieces. "You tired, Weasley?", Kennedy taunted. He rolled his eyes, "You wish, Bishop".

An hour passed. Most of their crowd had dissipated but Kennedy and Ron sat stubbornly in their seats. "You know Kenn, it's almost lunchtime", Rachel reminded Kennedy as she sat slumped in a chair to her right. "If this goes my way, we'll be ending in the next five minutes", Kennedy remarked. "I love the use of 'if' there", Ron chuckled.

They, in fact, did not end in the next five minutes. Another hour passed.

"Y'know Ron, it's nothing personal if you lose just this once", Harry said, clearly wanting to leave. "It's his ego, as it always is", Kennedy absent-mindedly commented, "He couldn't possibly handle it". "You couldn't handle losing either", Ron bit back. "That's why I don't lose", Kennedy grinned. "Didn't I just beat you last round?", Ron said with a mock innocent tone.

Kennedy stole one of his pieces.

Another hour passed and true to her word, she did not lose. But she hadn't won either — it was a stalemate. Everyone had left but Harry, Ron, Kennedy and Rachel. The clock had just struck noon as Hermione Granger walked in, clearly looking for her friends. "Hey, Hermione", Ron, Harry and Kennedy all greeted.

"You know her?", Harry queried.

Kennedy hummed as she took Ron's piece, "I have a SPEW badge and everything".

"SPEW?", Kennedy noticed Rachel mouthing in confusion out of the corner of her eye.

"Gosh, how long have you lot been here?", Hermione placed her hands on her hips. Kennedy liked her jeans but didn't allow her attention to linger on them. She still had a game to win.

"Three hours", they all chorused with varying tones. Rachel and Harry were exhausted but Ron and Kennedy were simply focused on their game. "Neither of them want to yield", Harry commented.

"Ron, I get it's a pride thing—"

"Which is why it's so important that I win", Ron murmured.

"But, it's been three hours—"

"Don't worry, 'Mione. This will be finished in five minutes", he cracked his knuckles.

It was, in fact, not finished in five minutes. Another half hour passed. Kennedy and Ron still bickered, Rachel was passively entertained, Harry was half-asleep and Hermione had reached her breaking point.

"One more move from either of you, and I will throw that chessboard away", Hermione snapped with narrowed eyes. Ron paused mid-move. He knew the threat was not empty. Kennedy didn't, however, and raised an eyebrow to egg him on. Ron allowed the piece to almost touch the board but instantly drew it away as Hermione's arms made a move towards it.

"Well, it sure is getting late, isn't it? Let's end here", Ron quickly rushed out as he packed up the board. Kennedy sat with a blank face and crossed arms. She was looking forward to how long they could drag the game out. It still didn't touch her and her father's record set by a five-hour long game from last year.

"What about our deal, Weasley?", at that, Ron gave pause. Clearly, he'd forgotten about it. Which was understandable, honestly. They hadn't made reference to it in about two hours. Ron gaped as he thought of a satisfying end before just taking the plunge, "You can have this one. We'll have a re-match next trip".

Rachel, Harry and Hermione groaned.

.·:••●••:·.

           KENNEDY WAS SURE she had never felt such joy as when she was reunited with her dear Blast-Ended Skrewts. The moment of hushed laughter between her, Dee and Rachel upon receiving O's for the Divination assignment they bullshitted their way through was a contender though.

No one had quite figured out what the Skrewts ate so Hagrid asked them to pair up (and engineered some pairs himself) to try figuring it out. Crabbe and Goyle had flipped a coin on who could partner with Draco which had quickly escalated to a brawl Hagrid had to separate (Draco had rolled his eyes and sidled over to Blaise without much fanfare), Hermione was paired with Millicent Bulstrode, Rachel had been unfortunate enough to end up with Pansy, Harry was with Ron and Kennedy was with Daphne.

Obviously, Kennedy was excited. Spending more time with Daphne was obviously a win for her.

Draco was far from excited. "I will not", he said flatly when Hagrid had proposed the experiment. "I'd prefer the beasts to not grow any bigger, thanks." Hagrid's smile faded off his face. "Yeh'll do wha' yer told," he growled, "or I'll be takin' a leaf outta Professor Moody's book... I hear yeh made a good ferret, Malfoy."

Kennedy's was one of the more pronounced laughs.

"Pair up, everyone! Try out something new for 'em, eh? I got some new stock!", Hagrid clapped happily, "Go, go, go!".

Daphne and Kennedy stood together as Rachel hesitated. "You sure you don't want to switch, Rachel?", Daphne suggested. "Nah, it's fine. Hagrid doesn't know how she is to me. And it's just Parkinson. Just a little leech, isn't she?", Rachel snickered as she referenced Kennedy's words, "I'll be fine".

Rachel made her way over to Pansy with a stoic face, "Try anything here and I won't hesitate to report you". Pansy snickered, "To who? That oaf Hagrid?". "The respectable Professor Hagrid who can and will draft up a detention for you", Rachel smiled wide mockingly. Kennedy and Daphne smiled wider as they watched her. She would be fine.

Now, they focused on making their way to the Skrewts. They stood in front of a crate as it thrummed on the forest floor. Beside them was Harry and Ron.

"Merlin, they're terrifying", Ron muttered. "They... er—could be cute?", Harry sounded confused at his own statement. "Wonder which weirdo thinks that", Ron chuckled.

"I do", Kennedy absent-mindedly replied. She'd meant for it to be a whisper but obviously they'd heard it because blue and green eyes were looking at her with confusion.

"You think ten legs, a somewhat flexible shell, two scorpion-like stingers from both ends and a slimy pink body is cute?", Harry rushed out.

"Yes?", Kennedy stated plainly. Harry snorted.

"You get weirder the longer I interact with you", Ron muttered and braced himself before grabbing a disgusting-looking something and feeding it to a Skrewt, "Ugly little buggers, they are".

Kennedy just turned back to Daphne, "So, what do you think we should start off with?". "Merpeople eggs?", Daphne suggested with a smile. Kennedy smiled back before an idea dawned on her. He was right there. Everything just needed a spark to get it going. Maybe this was it?

"Hey, Daphne", Kennedy called out. "Yeah?", Daphne replied. "Do you mind if I switch partners with Ron?"

Daphne furrowed her eyebrows, "You want to be with Harry?".

"Not necessarily", Kennedy said cryptically, "Not necessarily him. I want to see something ... see if I'm right".

Daphne pursed her lip, obviously a little hurt. "Hey, we're still paired up in History of Magic for that presentation next class. And we're roommates. Don't worry, there won't be any shortage of my presence", Kennedy quipped playfully to cheer her up. Dee smiled slightly and chuckled, "Go on, but just hope Weasley will agree".

"Oh, I don't need to. I have an insurance, of sorts"

"Always so cryptic", Daphne muttered but Kennedy was already walking away.

"Hey, Weasley!", Kennedy called out, catching the attention of both Ron and Harry. "You willing to let me cash in on my prize?".

"Doing anything you want?"

"Is there anything else I can cash in on?", Kennedy cheekily replied. Ron rolled his eyes, "What is it?".

"Let's switch partners"

"You want to be with Harry?", Ron asked. He wasn't jealous, Kennedy thought, just an odd mix of knowing something would happen and confusion.

"Not necessarily", Kennedy said simply. Ron squinted at her. She zeroed in on that, his expressions. He was very expressive — an open book. Harry's expressions didn't quite interest her yet so she didn't bother looking.

Ron just clapped Harry on the shoulder and whispered something that made an embarrassed flush come upon his cheeks. "Alright, I'll go pair with Greengrass. But you owe me"

"Not until you beat me, I don't", Kennedy laughed. Ron just scowled and muttered under his breath.

"So", Harry said.

"So", Kennedy mocked him. She allowed the silence to stretch, knowing she could fill it easily. He didn't seem to know that though. "Are you always this awkward?", she snorted as she went to grab some Merpeople eggs. He followed after her.

"Not usually, no"

The obvious thing would be to ask why now was different, but she wasn't interested in obvious today. Nor was she looking to flirt while Daphne was right there. There was no need to posture in front of him, though. One should be somewhat transparent with the people they want closest. And Kennedy needed him close for this to work.

Instead, she opted to throw him off guard.

He threw her off first though.

"Why did you switch with Ron?", he said as he reluctantly placed his arm in the crate and fed a Skrewt. She didn't expect him to ask — most wouldn't out of a fear of appearing rude. He seemed to prioritize the truth over all else, even over appearing improper.

Instead of showing her surprise, she fed a Skrewt and allowed a gentle smile to overtake her as the smallest one nibbled and nibbled on the food. "Think this one might be my favorite", she mumbled absent-mindedly. Harry looked over at her in confusion. He thought she was joking when she said she thought they were cute. Clearly, she wasn't, which made her ... slightly unsettling (but mostly just intriguing).

Just when he thought she wouldn't answer, "You just seem interesting".

He allowed himself to mull over the words. "I seem ... interesting?", he asked, wondering why she of all people was calling him interesting. She was plenty interesting.

"Interesting", she agreed before cooing at the Skrewts again.

"Do you just talk to people because they seem 'interesting'?"

"Why do you talk to people?", Kennedy stood up, wondering why else he would want to talk to someone apart from learning something from them or being entertained by them.

"I asked first"

"Apologies, I thought we were taking turns", she mockingly drawled. Harry just rolled his eyes with an amused smile before stating, "Let's try something else. Banshee fur?".

"They can digest fur?", Kennedy furrowed her eyebrows.

"I'd guess so, otherwise Hagrid wouldn't leave it for us to try. Maybe it's like cotton candy for them", he grabbed a bunch and returned to their crate.

"What's cotton candy?"

"Right ... sorry, muggle thing", Harry quickly said. What was his blood status? She couldn't remember. She wasn't all that well-versed in British magical families like she was to the ones in Deauville but she could've sworn the Potters were an old pureblood family.

"Are you muggleborn?", she asked just to get it over with. Usually she wouldn't ask such little things directly but whatever. "Half", he said curtly before moving on, "I think they might be liking it".

"Really?", Kennedy hadn't expected that. She would've thought her Skrewts would have a more refined palette but alas. Banshee fur was their chosen delicacy. They were still cute.

"Your favorite loves it most, I think", he laughed. He had a nice laugh.

"Takes after me, that one. Always loving the finer things in life"

"You love banshee fur?", his laugh was incredulous. It was still a nice laugh.

"I love what they love", she giggled freely.

"Oi, Harry!", Ron called over from his and Daphne's crate, "Lesson's over. We've got Transfiguration and I don't fancy McGonagall blowing a gasket so early in the morning!".

Harry and Kennedy dropped the fur into the food crate and dusted themselves off. "Uh ... Kennedy, right?"

"Right", his next words would determine if she was successful.

"I'll see you around?"

"Sure", she smiled brightly.

She hasn't quite got him, but she's certainly made an impression.

.·:••●••:·.

           IF HARRY AND KENNEDY pairing up for Care of Magical Creatures was a spark, then this was a fucking bonfire.

Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and the Durmstrang Institute had arrived in a flurry of magic and extravagance. Beauxbatons arrived in their silky periwinkle uniforms and a powder-blue horse-drawn carriage while Durmstrang rose to the surface of the Black Lake in a ship with ghostly eyes.

While living in Deauville, Kennedy had often wondered why she was never sent a letter by Beauxbatons or enrolled there by her father. Whenever she asked, her father had simply said that he and Madame Maxime (the Beauxbatons headmistress) "never saw eye to eye" and that "he had trouble associating with her lot". Whatever that meant.

The excitement for Kennedy wasn't in their arrival, even if it was quite a spectacle. It wasn't in the fanfare their presence caused all over the school.

No, the real thrill was choosing the champions.

Dinner had just ended and Jude didn't want to eat his greens so after Kennedy tried and failed, Reggie had to convince him. It was odd hearing such a soft voice coerce head-strong witty Jude and even weirder that Jude listened without question.

"History of Magic is such a bore", Lola whined, "Does that change by fourth year, Kenn?".

"I'm afraid that might be an eternal rule of nature, dear Charlotte", Kennedy said, knowing that using her full name would annoy her. Predictably, an annoyed flush spread across her face, just under all of those bright bright stickers. "Don't call me that—"

"But how do you guys find Potions, huh?", Kennedy glossed over Charlotte's complaints.

Lola rolled her eyes, Reggie just frowned slightly and Jude lit up like a flame ignited.

"I love it! I really want to see if I can do more of it in my free time somehow", Jude gushed. "It comes so easy to him. He's like a prodigy!", Reggie praised him with a light blush on his face. "Oh, stop", Jude shushed him with a giggly smile. Lola gave her a look and sighed, "You see what I have to deal with?". Kennedy just smiled, extremely excited for what was to come.

"Why are you so cheery?", Reggie asked, "Is it the tournament?".

"That and a lot more"

"You're so cryptic", Lola muttered.

"Am I?", Kennedy sassed her. The tan-skinned girl just rolled her eyes.

Professor Dumbledore stood and a wave of thrumming excitement filled the Hall. "The moment has come", he said, "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket—"

"Bring in the what—", Jude whisper-shouted incredulously, "Are people going to die, Kenn?".

"The rules are in place to ensure no one dies, Ju, don't worry", Kennedy whispered and rubbed his back soothingly as she caught Rachel and Daphne's eyes from further down the table. They shared a smile. She had chosen to sit with Jude, Lola and Reggie tonight. She hadn't seen them for a while and she kind of missed them.

"— just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation" — there was a smattering of polite applause — , "Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports" — the applause was much louder for him because of his fame as Beater and he acknowledged it with a jovial wave — "And Mr. Achille Bishop, Potions and Herbals Aids Regulation Officer".

The applause kept the same loud volume because of all her father had invented. He smiled gratefully and Kennedy's claps resounded around the room. She caught her father's eye and his smile gained a fond softness.

"Together, they head the official Triwizard Tournament Regulations Committee, along with myself, Professor Karakaroff and Madame Maxime. We will be judging the champions' efforts".

At the mention of the word 'champion', you could feel the students' attentiveness sharpen.

Dumbledore noticed and smiled, "The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch".

Filch approached from an unnoticed corner of the Hall carrying an aged-looking wooden chest encrusted with jewels. Murmurs of excited interest filled the Hall. "The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman with regulations set in place by Mr. Bishop", Dumbledore announced as Filch placed the chest carefully on the table before him, "All necessary arrangements have been made for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, to test the champions in many, many ways ... their magical prowess, their daring, their powers of deduction — and, of course, their ability to cope with danger".

"Three champions will compete in the tournament", he continued calmly, "one from each participating school. They will be marked on how well they perform in each task and the champion with the highest total accumulated points will win the Triwizard cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector — the Goblet of Fire".

With his wand, he tapped upon the top of the casket three times. The lid slowly creaked open. Out of it, he pulled a large, roughly hewn wooden cup with dancing blue and white flames dancing and entangling above 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", he said, "Tomorrow night, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. It will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all of those wishing to compete".

"To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation, 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 it".

Jude snorted.

"What's so funny?", Kennedy asked.

"The Weasley twins can bypass it, easy".

"Weasley twins? Are they related to Ron?", Kennedy asked.

"They're his older brothers. And if anyone can beat that age line, it's them", Jude confidently gushed, "They're so cool".

Kennedy wondered what they could possibly do to bypass a line drawn by one of the greatest wizards of their age.

Her question was answered the following morning when two tall, ginger Gryffindor sixth years burst into the Great Hall with a single-minded purpose — to bypass the ageline.

After biting into her toast, she turned to Jude as he scribbled furiously in an attempt to finish up his Charms worksheet, "Are those the Weasley twins?".

"Mhm, yeah. Fred and George"

"Any way to tell them apart?"

"Not the person for that, Kenn", Jude murmured absent-mindedly.

The Goblet of Fire stood in the center of the hall, a thin gold line traced on the floor forming a ten feet circle in every direction.

Kennedy saw Harry, Ron and Hermione talking to Fred and George and a dark-skinned boy with locs. She turned to Jude lightly. He would probably look good with locs. If he wanted that, maybe she could figure it out. She could braid already and she reckoned locs couldn't be too different.

One of the twins took a running start before skidding to a nervous stop just before the line, rocking on his heels. Then, with the eyes of every person in the entrance hall upon him, he took a great breath and stepped over the line.

For a second, all of the hopefuls too nervous to try believed it could work. She could taste the hope. The other twin was ecstatic, yelling for joy and leaping after his brother.

And because she could taste the hope, the smell of its death was putrid.

The twins were hurled out of the golden circle, screaming as they went, landing with a deafening painful thud.

Because that wasn't embarrassing enough, both of them sprouted identical long white beards.

The entrance hall rang with laughter but Kennedy's was probably one of the loudest. Jude just looked dumb-founded that they weren't brilliant enough to bypass the line.

"I did warn you", said an amused voice. It was Professor Dumbledore. He surveyed Fred and George, his eyes twinkling, "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 are anything as fine as yours".

As Fred and George scurried off to the infirmary, Kennedy howled with laughter. "Didn't you say the Weasley twins could bypass it 'easy'?", she teased.

"Shut up, Kennedy", Jude rolled his eyes.

.·:••●••:·.

             TWO NIGHTS PASSED AND the Halloween feast was a wonder but Kennedy and virtually everyone else in the hall couldn't wait for it to be over with.

Necks were craned and faces displayed every possible varying expression for the word "impatient". People stood to check if Dumbledore had finished eating and Kennedy could have sworn she saw the man chuckle and continue eating slowly.

Gosh, doesn't he know her life is on the line?

The golden plates cleared, returning to their original spotless state and there was an immediate upswing in the level of noise within the Hall. Dumbledore got to his feet and the noise died instantly. On either side of him, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked as tense and expectant as anyone. Ludo Bagman was beaming and winking at various students. Mr. Crouch, however, looked quite uninterested, almost bored. Her father looked almost bored but she could tell he was as impatient as she was.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "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 gestured to the door behind the staff table — "where they will be receiving their first instructions".

He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave. At once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into an ambient semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire was a supernova of light, edging on too bright for comfort. Everyone waited and waited and waited ...

"Merlin, they can't make the damn thing go faster?", Rachel grumbled.

Just as she said that, the flames burst into a flare scarlet. A bright beam shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it and the whole room gasped. Dumbledore caught the piece.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum". "Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!".

Viktor barely acknowledged any of it and made his way to the next chamber with a stoic face.

Kennedy ran through everything she knew about him. Famous Quidditch player, obviously favored by his headmaster and either unappreciative or unaware of it. Okay, she could work with that easy. Favored by his headmaster and the world; he would probably enjoy having everything handed to him on a platter.

But, it would be too easy, not at all interesting nor entertaining.

And Kennedy wouldn't want to disrespect this entire experience like that. She knows it could provide entertainment — something to last a lifetime.

The applause and chatter died down as everyone waited for the next spurt of fire. The flames turned red and everyone watched them with rapt attention. A second piece of parchment shot out, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!". A breath-takingly beautiful girl with waist-length platinum blonde hair stood from the Ravenclaw table and made her way over to the chamber.

Ignoring that, Kennedy realized they had a French heritage in common. Kennedy was never good at understanding accents but she could work it out, if need be.

Silence fell for the last time.

The Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it in an elaborate display, scarlet flames shot high into the air and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion," he announced, "is Cedric Diggory!"

The Hufflepuff table jumped to their feet, screaming and stomping as Cedric beamed and high-fived friends as he went. Cedric high-fived Harry and Harry grinned back with a light blush on his cheek. Did Harry have a crush or was it the light?

The applause for Cedric went on for such a while that it took a few tries for Dumbledore to be audible. Cedric seemed very kind and pure-hearted. Perhaps he could be entertaining.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily as the excitement 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 wa—"

The Goblet of Fire turned red.

"What?", Kennedy murmured in confusion. "How the hell—", Daphne began. She was cut off by an unwanted flame shooting into the air.

Another piece of parchment.

Dazed, Dumbledore seized the parchment. He stared at the slip. Everyone stared at him. He cleared his throat and read out — "Harry Potter".

The Hall was silent until a buzz of murmurs and chattering filled it as suddenly as a tsunami crashing on the shore.

Students stood to get a better look at him and Kennedy craned her neck towards the Gryffindor table. He sat, frozen and shocked in his seat. Did he even put his name in?

Up at the top table, Professor McGonagall got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman, Professor Karkaroff and Kennedy's father to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward her, frowning slightly.

Dumbledore straightened up, nodding to McGonagall. "Harry Potter!" he called again, "Harry! Up here, if you please!". Kennedy watched Hermione nudge Harry out of his confused daze.

He stood and stumbled on the hem of his robes, walking with hunched shoulders to the chamber with the other champions.

Kennedy sat in a shocked silence, not even wanting to move and possibly disturb the river of possibilities rushing through her head.

It was him. He was the one. He was the perfect muse. The golden boy who valued the truth over all else, the literal Boy Who Lived ... and in her lap sat the chance to toy with the most interesting of the champions and slowly chip away at his morals while being put into a place of visibility to become the sun the school orbited around.

It suddenly became clear what her main objective with the tournament should be — Harry Potter was going to win this tournament and she would do all in her power to have it be so.

If being paired with Harry was a spark and the announcement of the champions was a bonfire, then this— this was an inferno consuming the world whole.

She yearned for her skin to be scorched smooth.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE!

harry thinks she's weird and unsettling but he's kinda into it and tbh he's so real for that. i just love the spicy white boy-ification happening rn

also new harry fc is robert sheehan and new hermione fc is whitney peak !!