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𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟒
𝐇𝐎𝐆𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒
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━THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER QUICKLY FLEW PAST, and soon, Durmstrang and Beauxbaton students would arrive at Hogwarts. Athena was excited for the foreign students' arrival, but the fact that only students seventeen and above are the only ones allowed to participate in the tournament had completely bummed her out.
She was currently sitting on the twins' shoulders - Harry, Ron and Hermione had been able to get a spot at the very front and Athena couldn't get to them - and since she couldn't really see over the crowd, she sat on both the twins shoulders as they were tall.
"Hah! Suck on that you short people!" She yelled out the students who wouldn't let her pass. "This is much better- Oh look! They're here!"
She tapped on George's head repeatedly, her excitement showing. "Nana, I know they're here- Stop- my hair!"
"Don't complain, my short friend- no I didn't mean that, don't drop me!" Athena yelled, holding the other side of their shoulders tightly, as George pretended to remove her off his shoulder. The twins snickered as Athena rolled her eyes, then the students of Beauxbaton had started exiting their carriage. Athena started waving furiously, her hand feeling as if it was going to fall off. Seeing as she was sitting on the twins - who were very tall - shoulders, she was easily seen. A few of the Beauxbaton students had seen her and had waved back with a smile on their faces.
After that, a student had yelled pointed to the waters. Many eyes had turned that way and they could see a ripple through the waters, soon arriving a large ship. "The Durmstrangs here!
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"Okay, now shut up Harold they're coming!" Athena exclaimed, shoving her hand in front of Harry's mouth to refrain him from speaking. They were all now seated inside the Great Hall, and the other schools were now going to make their entrance.
First, the lovely students of Beaxbatons had entered - which simply awed the students of Hogwarts. Athena included. But it was a different awe. Most of the boys in their school were practically drooling - something Ron was doing - and the girls drooling at handsome boys. But Athena was in awe. She was in awe, simply because of how gorgeous they looked, but also because of how lady-like and elegant the girls were, something she knew she isn't. Many people already knew that.
She was louder than most of the girls; terribly but also playfully arrogant; her muscles toned due to all the training and Quidditch she had done yet she had an appetite as if she hadn't eaten in days, and all the mischief she had caused. In her era, ladies were supposed to act lady-like, with manners, not being a disrespectful snob.
Which is something she didn't go by. She didn't care. She enjoyed who she was, everything she did, she liked it. Which is why she continued being herself, ignoring what other people had spoke of her.
The students of Hogwarts had cheered and applauded. Many whistles could be heard from the boys and the girls. "And now from our friends from the north, please meet the proud sons of Durmstrang! And their High Master Igor Karkaroff."
Heads had turned around back to the door as loud thumping of staffs can be heard. They were moving their staffs around in sync, sparks at the bottom as they hit the floor with it. Running forward, two boys had done tricks, one of them doing a few flips. "Bloody hell, they're fit!" Athena exclaimed as she continued watching the boys. A huff can be heard from her right, but she was oblivious to it.
One of the boys had caught her eye and winked, handsome smile on the boy's face. "Well, would'ya look at that Fi," Hermione nudged the girl on her right. "Looks like someone has set their eye on you."
"Looks like I'm not the only one too." Athena grinned deviously, pointing her head towards Viktor Krum, who had made eye contact with Hermione and smiled at her, despite him supposed to be serious. Athena laughed quietly as she could see Hermione's face red from being flustered.
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It was the day after. The students from the two schools had adjusted comfortably. Athena had easily made friends with them, being social one of her specialties. She'd met a few people, but a few of the ones she got close to were Louise and Louis Baudeleire, twins.
Louise was a gorgeous lad. Her hair a silky champagne blonde colour with the roots a darker colour, her features soft but defined at the same time. She was a calm and collected girl, but Athena had found out the she was a Quidditch player, beater.
Her brother on the other hand, Louis, was the opposite. He had the same champagne hair, soft, messy and curled slightly. His features were more sharp; jawline sharp and cheekbones high. The twins easily gained attractive genes. Unlike his sister, he was more book-worm type of guy. He also had glasses, the same shape as the ones her Uncle Prongs had. He was smart, but his personality was loud and dramatic, opposite of his sister.
Perfect brawns and brains duo if you asked Athena. Louise being the brawns, Louis being the brain.
The three had easily gotten along with the Black, but they were a few years older as they were both seventeen. The three had finished chatting as they had separate classes. Now, the bell had gone and the last class of the day was done. Athena and Hermione were walking back to the castle, Ron and Harry beside them.
"Hermione, I love you, and don't take this the wrong way - but house-elves are supposed to work for humans." Athena told Hermione. "What I think you're doing - freeing the elves - is wonderful, but house-elves aren't really supposed to be freed."
"But-"
"Think of it this way, you're trying to free the house-elves, but what if they don't want to be freed?"
"Then I'll free the ones that want to be freed!"
"Even if they do want to- they can't leave. They can't go anywhere else. Like, Harry, didn't you say that house-elf you were talking to- Winky? Was it? Doesn't matter, but she said that freedom is getting to Dobby's head."
"What does that mean?" Hermione looked at Harry.
"Er- Winky said that he's thinking of ideas above his station, can't get another position. Even wanting to pay for working."
"So you're saying-"
"That even if house-elves may want freedom, they'll still want to work. If you free an elf of the house they're working for, they'll probably just come back there to work."
"So what can I do for them." Hermione said sadly. "I don't want them to be stuck in those cruel households, but I don't want them to be workless either if they love working." Athena frowned, placing her arm over her best-friends shoulder as she tried to think of a solution.
"Maybe you can try and get people to respect their house-elves, not take them for granted y'know?" Ron added, looking at the brown-haired girl as he gave her a small smile. "Maybe even have others remember that house elf lives matter too."
"Yeah maybe..."
"Don't be so sad M, what you're doing was a good thing - just not well thought. If you want, I can yell at those wizard families that treat their house-elves like scum. Maybe I can cast a spell for them to wear a rag over and they can see what it feels like to be a house-elf. Merlin knows that'd be something that'll happen once in a blue moon."
The three others had laughed. "No, it's fine. Although that doesn't seem like a bad idea." Hermione stated, a small smile on her face.
"Anything to help the house-elves." 'Thena smiled, then a reminder popping in her head. "Oh shoot! I'm supposed to meet the twins right now!"
"What for?"
Athena smirked evilly "You'll see." Then she left.
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━edited -siriuslycv 2022©
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