.⊹⁀➷ CHAPTER TWELVE !
↳❛bauxbatons and durmstrang❜

"ANYTHING FROM THE trolley?!"

"This is horrible! How can the Ministry not know who conjured it?", Hermione questioned the other's, her eyes wide as she held up the Daily Prophet. "Wasn't there any security or-"

"Loads, according to dad. That's what worried them so much. Happened right under their noses", Ron interrupted her, chewing on his Drooble's.

Harry let his fingers slowly drive over his scar, his eyes not meeting Annabeth's. The brunette narrowed her eyes at her brother, "It's hurting again, isn't it?"

The boy gave her a confused look, as if he didn't knew what she was talking about. "I'm fine."

Hermione engaged immediately into the conversation the two siblings had going on, "You know, Sirius will want to hear about this- what you two saw at the World Cup and the dreams you've been having."

Harry looked away from them, the annoyance clearly rising in him. But in the end he gave in anyway, and wrote the letter to Sirius.

The five teenagers watched Hedwig, carrying the letter into the darkness, until she finally disappeared completely into the night.

Two weeks went by and school was fully back to normal. Except for the fact that Dumbledore had announced that their new defense against the dark art teacher would be starting a few weeks past the beginning of the new term.

Annabety wasn't surprised that they had trouble finding a new teacher, according to few, the job was cursed. Hogwarts couldn't keep a teacher for more than one year.

The days were long and boring, stuffed with lesson and endless learning. But it all came to an end when the arriving of the Beuxbaton and Durmstrang student's was announced.

It was spectacular, watching the Bauxbatong carriage fly by, or how the large ship of the Durmstrang broke through the surface of the dark water.

Later all the students were gathered in the Great Hall for the big feast. There was chatter everywhere and all the students were eyeing each other with interest.

"Well, now we're all settled in, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well", Professor Dumbeldor's voice echoed through the Great Hall. "You see- Hogwarts has been chosen-" The headmaster was interrupted by Filch, who made his way through the Hall.

Reaching the Headmaster, he whispered something into his ear. The Headmaster spoke to him for a small moment and then sent Filch on his way.

His eyes flickered over the students, "So, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event- The Triwizard Tournament!"

A murmur went through the hall and Annabeth frowned to herself.

"For those of you who do not know the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete. Now let me be clear. If chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say- these contests are not for the faint-hearted." Dumbeldor had a serious expression plastered on his face while he glanced over his half-moon glasses.

"But more of that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Bauxbatons Academy of Magic and their Headmistress, Madame Maxime!"

He pointed at the large doors, which swung open immediately. A crowd of girls in baby blue school uniforms entered the Great Hall, each one more beautiful than the other.

Every boys eyes widened when they watched the girls, walking elegantly along the large tables, blue butterflies surroundings them when they reached the end.

Annabeth's attention was then caught by Seamus voice, "Blimey, that's one big woman!"

Annabeth followed his gaze and her eyes widened when she spotted the gigantic Headmistress, who was now greeted by Professor Dumbeldor.

The grey haired man then jumped back onto his spot and raised his arms into the air. "And now- our friends from the north! Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang- and their high master, Igor Karkaroff!"

Annabeth straightened up in her seat, trying to get a good glance at the boys. They all looked much more adult than the boys of Hogwarts.

Their school uniform was dark brown and most of them had really short hair. Holding large wooden scepter's in their hands, they dashed past them.

Stopping midway, the students contiued their show, making sparks fly through the sky.

Suddenly they threw the scepter's to the ground, making everyone gasp, before they continued with their artistic gifts.

Suddenly a loud whisper went through the crowd, catching Annabeth's attention once more.

She follows after their gazes, spotting no other than Viktor Krum, who had just entered the hall along, who Annabeth supposed was, Igor Karkaroff.

Ron's eyes were wide while he watched them in pure admiration, "Blimey, it's him! Viktor Krum!"

"Albus!", Karkaroff greeted Dumbeldor with a hug and a dark laugh. "Igor."

After that the Durmstrangs' were seated with the Slytherins' and the Bauxbatons with the Ravenclaws'.

"Your attention, please!", Dumbeldors voice but through the chattering of the students. "I'd like to say a few words."

Only now Annabeth's gaze fell out o the large gold device that was standing right next to him.

"Eternal glory! That is what awaits the student who wins the Triwizard Tournament. But to do this, that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks."

Annabeth could hear the twins besides her, "Wicked."

"For this reason, the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this- we have the head of the department of International Magical Cooperation- Mr. Bartemius Crouch!"

As soon as Mr. Crouch stepped forward to begin his speech, the sky above them began to change.

There was a loud rumble, and suddenly a couple of lightning bolts made everyone jump in their seats.

But it disappeared as soon as it came, when a light beam shot into the sky, making the thunderstorm disappear.

Everyone's eyes immediately went to the wizard that had cast the spell. Eyeing the man, Annabeth felt a shiver run down her spine.

He really looked mad. His normal eye was fixed on the Students while his blue one circled to the back of his head. "Bloody hell. That's Mad-eye Moody", Ron whispered from the others side of the table.

"Alastor Moody? The Auror?", Hermione questioned him immediately, frowning deeply as she did.

"Auror?", Dean questioned them confused. "Dark-wizard catcher. Half the cells in Azkaban are filled thanks to him. He's supposed to be mad as a hatter, though, these days", Ron answered them quietly, his eyes never leaving the Auror.

The mans eye traveled over the crowd of students, why he limped forward, out of the shadows.

"Ah, my dear old friend! Thanks for coming", Dumbeldor greeted the demolished man, with a firm handshake.

"Stupid celling", the man grumbled while they looked at each other. He then limped to the side of the room, pulling out a hip-flask, before downing the liquid that was inside.

Seamus smirked at the other's, "What's that he's drinking, do you suppose?"

Harry didn't look at him, still gazing at Mad-eye Moody, "I don't know, but I don't think it's pumpkin juice."

The other's remained quiet before Mr. Crouch suddenly stepped forward, "After due consideration- the Ministry has concluded that, for their own safety- no student under the age of 17 shall be allowed to put their name forth their name for the Triwizard Tournament."

Many of the students started shouting in anger, but Mr. Crouch shook his head to himself, "This decision is final!"

"That's rubbish! That's rubbish", Fred and George exclaimed in union. "You don't know what you're doing!", Fred continued hot headed. A few of them started booing loudly.

Dumbeldor stepped infront of Crouch, "Silence!" The voices grew quiet and the Headmaster then pointed at the golden device next to him.

The Gold slowly started disappearing, reveling a golden cup to the students. Annabeth shifted in her seat, to see better and as she did, a large blue flame appeared over the cup.

"The Goblet of fire! Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the tournament need only write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flames before this hour Thursday night." Everyone's eyes were fixed on the Headmaster.

"Do not do so lightly!", the man warned them once again. "If chosen, there's no turning back. As from this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun."

FOR THE NEXT few days everywhere one turned, everyone was only speaking about the Triwizard Tournament. Obviously, everyone wanted the promised eternal Glory. And there were a few students, who were extremely outraged by the rule about the age.

Fred and George for example were firmly set on brewing an aging potion to enter their names into the cup. Annabeth was convinced that their idea wasn't really thought through, but the twins wouldn't let it go anyways.

The brunette was currently making her way up to the DADA classroom. It would be their first lesson with the new Professor and she was curious if he was really as mad as everyone said.

The brunette was just walking around the corner when she collided with someone. The brunette stumbled backwards, stopping herself from falling while her books fell down to the floor.

Her brown eyes were widened in surprise, when she made eye contact with the someone she had just collided with. It was no other than Malfoy, who looked down on her with an annoyed face expression. "Merlin, look where your going, Potter."

"I'm sorry, but you were the one bumping into me", the brunette snapped at him before she leaned down and gathered her books from the floor.

To her surprise, Malfoy didn't snap back at her, instead he leaned down as well and started grabbing a couple of books.

When the two straighten up, he handed her her books back. Grabbing them from his hands, she felt his fingers brush against her's sending a wave of electricity through her whole body.

The brunette gluped silently, her eyes fixed on their touching hands before she yanked her hand back and pressed the books to her chest before she pushed past him, their shoulders brushing each other.

Entering the classroom she saw that almost everyone was already there. Hurrying along the rows, she then proceeded to take a seat beside Hermione, in the fourth row.

As soon as she had her stuff out of her school bag, she let her eyes wander over her classmates. Her eyes stopping, when she spotted the blond Slytherin boy, sitting in the same row as her, only by the window. He was already looking at her, his blue eyes seeming to pierc through her very soul.

Annabeth's mouth opened slightly while she leaned back in her chair. Malfoy gave her a small wink and the brunette's eyes widened in shock before her gaze snapped towards the Professor, who had just entered the classroom.

"Ex-Auror- Ministry malcontent- and your new Defense against the dark arts teacher. I am here because Dumbledore asked me. End of story, goodbye, the end. Any questions?" The wizard questioned the students, who all stared up at him in silence.

His blue eyes darted over their heads and he pursed his lips before he continued, "When it comes to the Dark Arts, I believe in a practical approach. But first, which one of you can tell me how many Unforgivable Curses there are?"

Hermione's voice broke through the silence, "Three, Sir."

"And they are so named?", Moody questioned her with a raised eyebrow. Hermione seemed quite uncomfortable as she answered, "Because they are unforgivable. The use of any of them will-"

"Will earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban, correct." Moody wrote something onto the board behind him, before he faced the classroom once more.

"The Ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say different! You need to know what you're up against! You need to be prepared!" The ex-auror faced the board and began writing. "You need to find another place to put your chewing gum besides the underside of your desk, Mr. Finnigan!"

Everyone turned to Seamus, who was sitting further in the back of the classroom, seeming kind of shocked.

He glanced at Dean, and whispered, "No way. The old codger can see out the back of his head."

Moody immediately turned and threw the piece of chalk at Seamus, who immediately dove out of the way. "And hear across classrooms!"

He then took a couple of steps forward, "So, which curse shall we see first?" His gaze landed on Ron, who sat besides Harry in the front row. "Weasley!"

Ron looked like he was about to cry, "Yes?"

"Stand!"

The ginger boy stood up from his chair, his legs wobbling. Moody held eye contact with him, "Give us a curse."

Ron avoided his eyes while he answered, "Well, my dad did tell me about one. The Imperius curse."

Moody nodded at him. "Oh, yeah, your father would know all about that. Gave the Ministry quiet a bit of trouble a few years ago. Perhaps this will show you why."

He came to a stand infront of a table and pulled out a glass jar. He then took out a spider, which he placed on his hand. "Engorgio." The spider swell and then he flicked his wand once more. "Imperio!"

The spider began to let out weird noises and her body trembled lightly before he let her fly through the room.

It landed on Neville's desk before he let it jump on Craps head. The boy let out a scream while the class began laughing. "Don't worry. Completely harmless", the Professor assured them.

It than landed on Pavatis hand, before it dangled over Ron's head, "If she bites- she's lethal!", the Professor exclaimed before his gaze landed on Draco, who was laughing amused.

"What are you laughing at?", he questioned loudly before the spider landed on Draco's face.

The boy had a expression of pure terror plastered on his face while he started screaming.

"Talented, isn't she?" The professor smiled widely before he looked at the class, "What should I have her do next?"

He flicked his wand and the spider collided with the window, "Jump out the window?" He let her sink down a bit, dangling over the bucket with water, "Drown herself?"

The class immediately went silent before he placed her back on his palm, "Scores of witches and wizards have claimed that they only did You-know-who's bidding under the influence of the Imperius curse. But here's the rub. How do we sort out the liars?"

His gaze began darting over the head of the students while he raised his eyebrows, "Another, another?"

He pointed at Neville, "Up! Up! Come on! Longbottom, isn't it? Up!" As soon as Neville stood, the Professor approached him. "Professor Sprout tells me you have an aptitude for herbology."

Neville nodded his head, seeming quiet scared of the Ex-auror. "There's the-the Cruciatus Curse." Moody's eyes immediately widened, "Correct! Correct!"

He motioned for the boy to come forward to the desk and Neville left his desk and stepped forward. "The torture curse."

He placed the Spider onto the table and pointed his wand at the creature. "Crucio!"

The animal immediately started squirming and screeching in pain while it tried to escape the pain.

Annabeth let her gaze wander over the students, everyone seemed completely terrified by the scene that was given to them and Neville scrunched up his face before his eyes whelmed you with tears.

Annabeth immediately threw her heavily defense against the dark arts book onto her table, which caught everyone's attention before she jumped onto her feet.

The brunette could feel the stares of her fellow classmates on her while she started shouting at their Professor, "Stop it! Stop it! Can't you see that it is bothering him! Stop it!"

After a moment Moody caught her gaze and immediately stopped as soon as he looked at Neville. The brunette boy had closed his eyes, his hands formed to fists as his knuckles turned white tried. Neville was obviously trying not to cry while the spider infront of him relaxed, exhausted from the pain.

Moody took her in his hand before he approached Annabeth's table. Placing the spider on the wood he cleared his throat. "Um, perhaps you could give us theast Unforgivable Curses, Miss Potter?"

The brunette stared up into the man's eyes, shaking her head firmly while she pressed her lips into a thin line. She knew what the last curse where, she had experience it herself. This was the curse, that had changed her life forever.

The professor signed deeply, "No?" He then flicked his wand while he looked at the spider, "Avada Kedavra!"

A green light shot out of his wand before it hit the spider. The animal went limb and Annabeth still stared at the man infront of her before her gaze slowly wandered down towards the dead animal on her desk.

That was how her parents had died. This blinding green light and this whirring sound as death approached.
Annabeth felt the goosebumps erupt on her body while her mind wandered back to the horrible falshbacks she had experience last year because of the Dementors.

Relieving the memory of the night her parents had died. The girl had never felt something more horrible, hearing her father's cries for her mother to run and take them with her. Or her mother's begging Voldemort to kill her instead, when she stood in front of them.

"The killing curse- the only people to be known to have survived it are sitting in this room", she could only hear the professors voice in the far distance. She didn't realize that the Professor was looking at her anf Harry.

The man grabbed his flask and chugged down the liquid that was in it before he gazed at the class, "Class dismissed."

He then quickly staggered up the stairs towards his office and the students quickly grabbed their things before leaving the classroom.

"Brilliant, isn't he?", Ron exclaimed while they climbed down the stairs of the tower. "Completely demented, of course, and terrifying to be in the same room with- but he's really been there, you know? He's looked evil in the eye."

"There's a reason that those curses are unforgivable!", Hermione exclaimed in anger. The brunette frowned at them, "To perform them in a classroom- I mean, did you see Neville's face?!"

Harry tapped her shoulder and they all turned towards Neville, who stood by the window, gazing out onto the landscape.

Annabeth came to a stand beside the Gryffindor boy, "Neville?" Suddenly Professor Moody appeared next to them, placing his hand on Neville's shoulder. "Son? You all right?"

Neville nodded quietly before the Professor nodded up towards the classroom, "Come on. We'll have a cup of tea. I want to show you something."

Neville exchange a look with Annabeth before he slowly followed after the Ex-auror, leaving Annabeth with a weird gut feeling.