Hello Padfoot,

Believe me when I say that I nearly choked on my own spit from laughing too hard at the nickname you came up with for yourself. Moony would have came up with something better, if you ask me.

I am terribly sorry for not writing very soon. Yes, I am drowning in school work, and also very sad that I won't be able to use my firebolt this year. Kind of grateful too since I am having a bit of trouble balancing my time.

I hope you and Moony are doing well, send him my regards as well. And please, do not be deceived by Miss Mimsy's do-good facade. You know better than to fall for it. She is evil, trust me on that.

Attached to this is my letter for mum, since I cannot send out two letters, since I told my friends that I'm only writing to mum.

Sincerely,
Florence

PS: There's a door in the Elves' quarters that leads to outside if you need some padfoot time outdoors. BUT ONLY USE IT FOR PADFOOT TIME otherwise my mum will kill me for telling you about it.

--

The month had passed by quicker than anyone had noticed, and soon they were transitioning into October, when the guests from other Wizarding Schools would come to Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament.

There was excitement buzzing all around the school that day, classed were shortened for the visitors' welcome, so that they were greeted properly and with full courtesy.

Florence was amongst the students waiting outside for any signs of Beauxbatons or Durmstrang, along with Nicolai and George who were, as they said, seeking possible international love interests. Fred waited along with her, simply curious.

The twins had their own unfortunate mishap—that they had admitted to Florence only a week ago—concerning their bet with Ludo Bagman and their galleons that had disappeared.

And ofcourse, galleons don't just vanish into thin air. Ludo Bagman had handed the twins leprechaun's gold—which looked looked like galleons—but unlike it, Leprechaun's gold does vanish into thin air.

Florence had tried helping the two to get ahold of Mr. Bagman, who was also seemingly avoiding them like the plague.

They decided to just wait it out until the tournament began, as they would surely see him there.

There were a series of oo's and ah's as the students of Beauxbatons Academy arrived in a carriage pulled by flying horses. The first few people in the front rows jumped back as the carriage made a rough landing down towards the castle.

The horses' hooves were massive, neighing presumably out of tiredness. It was obviously a very long trip for them.

A boy in pale blue Beauxbatons robe jumped out from the carriage, fumbled to set up golden steps that descended towards the ground.

The students of Hogwarts were faced by the largest woman that they have seen in their entire lives. The woman had shoes that looked as big as the sled Florence owned when she was eight, and she looked as if she was the same height (or possibly taller) as Hagrid.

Her face relaxed into a gracious smile and she walked forward toward Dumbledore, extending glittering hand. Dumbledore, though tall himself, had barely to bend to kiss it.

"My dear Madame Maxime," he said. "Welcome to Hogwarts."

"Dumbly-dorr," said Madame Maxime in a deep voice. "I 'ope I find you well?"

"In excellent form, I thank you," said Dumbledore. "My pupils," said Madame Maxime, waving one of her enormous hands carelessly behind her.

Boys and girls who all looked like they were in their late teens came stepping out of the carriage, led by a fair-looking girl—who looked suspiciously supernatural—followed a tall boy with wild black hair hand in hand with a much younger looking girl with chestnut hair.

"He looks cute," said Nicolai as she pointed to the boy, nudging George, "He looks cute, doesn't he?"

"Mhm. But looks like he's already entertaining someone. How could you possibly miss that girl beside him?"

Nicolai shrugged, "Well, I'm just pretending that she doesn't exist."

Dumbledore continued to converse with Madame Maxime, putting her steads in Hagrid's care before proceeding into the castle to warm up.

The Durmstrang students arrived much later in a glorious ship that surfaced in the most astounding way possible.

The man who was leading them up to the castle was wearing furs of a different sort: sleek and silver, like his hair.

"Dumbledore!" he called heartily as he walked up the slope. "How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?" "Blooming, thank you, Professor Karkaroff," Dumbledore replied.

But the students could care less about Karkaroff or anyone else that came out of the boat when the last person stepped out. It sent atleast dozens and dozens of girls into franticness. Even Florence had let out an excited squeak.

Fred simply frowned, "Oi, you're acting like Ron. Obsessing over Viktor Krum...."

"I am not obsessed with Viktor Krum," Florence corrected, "I am simply giddy in the presence of any professional Quidditch player."

"Any? Even Adrianna Haddlowe, then?"

"Maybe not her," said Florence, "I've known her for a long time that it would be weird to feel giddy in her presence."

They were told to take their seats in their respective house table a few minutes later, Florence parting ways with both Fred and George as she joined her friends in the now stuffy Ravenclaw table. The Beauxbatons students had chosen to share tables with them.

Fleur Delacour—the same girl who came out of the carriage first—was charming almost half of the Ravenclaw boys, who fawned over her like lovesick children.

Definitely a Veela, or atleast just part Veela.

Nicolai also had his eye out for the guy she saw earlier, who, unfortunately, sat down at the other end of the table, conversing in what looked like whispering with the brunette girl.

"Man," she huffed, "That's a total bummer that he has a lady."

"Aw, don't give up on your dream to gain an international admirer, Nic." said Xander encouragingly.

"Meh. Atleast we're probably getting good food in this feast."

"True."

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and most particularly guests," said Dumbledore, beaming around at 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."

Fleur gave out a derisive laugh.

"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!"

At these words, plates and plates of food appeared before them. This time, there was a wider variety of food, even dishes that did not at all look familiar to them.

"It's Bouillabaisse," Xander informed Nicolai, who stared weirdly at this one dish that looked like black pudding. "It's French, I believe. But anyways, it's good. You need to try it.

And it was.

Nicolai could barely speak through a mouthful of Bouillabaisse, but had almost choked when the same attractive that she had been talking about moved up front beside Florence, his lady companion sitting beside him as well.

"Pardon my intrusion," he began, speaking to Florence as Nicolai hurriedly groomed herself. "But can we perhaps sit here? The other end of the table is much to crowded.

"Ofcourse you can. It's no trouble really." Florence replied, Alexander smiling warmly at him as Nicolai continued to gawk.

"I am Julien Fransson," the blue eyed boy smiled as he shook Florence's hand firmly then Nicolai and Xander's.  He then gestured to the  girl beside him. "And this is my younger sister, Alanna."

"Florence," she replied, shaking Alanna's hand as well, "Florence Price. These are my friends, Alexander Haddlowe and Nicolai Clearwater

"Nice to meet you, mademoiselles and Monsieur. I am absolutely thrilled to be here at Hogwarts. Our mother was a student here in her youth, and told us all these brilliant stories about her time here. I look forward to experiencing it as well."

"Your mother isn't wrong about this school. I do hope you have a splendid time in your stay." said Xander.

"As I intend to," Alanna chuckled, "But I don't know if I can say the same for my brother. He is planning on joining the Tournament."

"My sister does not understand the glory that comes with the victory." Julien said simply, his sister scowling at his words. "Anyways," he said, averting the topic away from the previous, "How are you liking the Bouillabaisse?"

"Very much!" said Nicolai, startling the Fransson siblings a bit. She blushed, realizing how loud she had been, "Er, we're enjoying it very much."

"I am glad." he smiled.

There was something that was eerily striking in the way Julien looked. Florence couldn't put a finger on it, but it had seemed like she saw him somewhere aside from that day.

Once the golden plates had been wiped clean, Dumbledore stood up again. A pleasant sort of tension seemed to fill the Hall now.

"The moment has come," said Dumbledore, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "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 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, "and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."

Florence saw both Fred and George perk up as Mr. Crouch had taken the stage. He did not smile or whatsoever, and continued to tell the students the rules for the Tournament.

Mr. Filch brought in the casket, placing it carefully before Dumbledore. With three taps of his wand, it had opened up, he reached inside it and pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been entirely unremarkable had it not been full to the brim with dancing blue-white flames.

"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," said Dumbledore. "Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, 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."

He had also went on about casting an Age Line, to ward off those who were not of age from entering their names into the cup. After said announcements, he wished everyone good bye, students dispersing from the hall.

"An age line!" Fred said as Florence found her way beside him, George smiling as well.

"Why are you saying it like that?" asked Florence, who immediately shook her head, "Wait—Don't tell me. You two are up to something." she concluded, crossing her arms over her chest.

"An Aging Potion, Price. That will surely do the trick." George grinned, "Will you help us?"

"No," she said promptly.

"No?"

"No," she repeated, "Dumbledore's right you know, it might be dangerous for those who aren't of age. Maybe we haven't learned enough to survive.

Fred scowled, "That's what Hermione said..."

"And anyways, I don't think an Age Line made by Dumbledore would be fooled easily by an Aging Potion."

"Yeah? Well there's no harm in trying, is there?"

"Please, Florence," Fred begged, "Help us?"

"Fine, fine!" she said, pointing a finger at them, "But only because I know you two won't get off my back unless I said yes. And I'm too tired and full to argue."