Forbidden

2 - Our Guests

"Wait, so Vanessa and I will be going to school at Hogwarts this year?" I asked excitedly.

Mother said, "Yes, they're hosting the Triwizard Tournament. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were invited."

"Technically, only those old enough to enter may go, but we were able to pull some strings," my father said.

I looked at Dylan, who looked just excited. "You both will love it at Hogwarts."

My mother turned to us and asked, "so you'll go right?"

"Yes!" Vanessa and I said at the same time.

I felt giddy with excitement, as I ran to my room to pack for the year.

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I stood outside of the castle. It was freezing cold, and I was annoyed that Dumbledore was making us stand out here just to wave at a bunch foreign students. I crossed my arms, and grimaced as the students around me started cheering and waving at a light blue carriage pulled by horses which flew through the morning sky.

"Look!" I heard someone shout.

I looked to where people were pointing and saw an old pirate ship emerge from the waters below the castle. Everyone around me was cheering, and waving to our new guests for the year. I rolled my eyes, and walked back into the castle as I didn't understand why everyone was so excited.

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"Look! It is zee 'ogwarts!" Fleur said in her French accent.

I looked out the window of our flying carriage to see a huge castle. It was absolutely gorgeous. It was dark, but something about it was welcoming. I looked down into the waters surrounding the castle, and I saw a ship gliding across the surface. As we neared the castle, I saw several students waving.

"Why're they acting like they've never seen another school before?" Vanessa asked.

"Well this whole tournament thing is a pretty big deal. And they're probably excited," I said, "I mean, how could you not be excited? Most of our family goes here."

A few hours later, Madame Maxime led us into the castle for the feast. I stared in awe at the gorgeous interior of the castle. It's old stone walls, and it's warm glow made it feel like home.

"Okay, all of 'ogwarts will be watching. Get into formation my children," said Maxime.

We all lined up in front of the doors of the Great Hall. I stood next to Vanessa in the front of the line. The doors swung open seconds later revealing the Great Hall and the Hogwarts students. We began to walk down the hall, and all eyes were on us. As we reached the end of the hall, we stopped, and faced the Hogwarts students who burst into applause.

A man with a very long beard approached Maxime, greeting her. I recognized him as Albus Dumbledore, the Hogwarts Headmaster.

He then stepped up to the podium and said, "and now the sons of the North! Please greet the proud, young men of Durmstrang!"

The doors to the hall swung open again, and the Durmstrang boys came in. They ran to the end of the hall, and stopped as we did. Their headmaster walked in, and Dumbledore greeted him.

"Lizzie!" Vanessa whispered to me, pulling on my arm

I whispered back, "what Ness?"

"It's Viktor Krum! He's here!" she squealed.