1ST SEPTEMBER 2014
For the rest of the summer, Braedey and Terrence both spent time together as they did things boys do, like going fishing, playing golf, watching baseball, and even going to Universal Orlando.
Soon, it was time for Braedey to return to Hogwarts for his fourth year as he boarded the Hogwarts Express on platform 9¾ at King's Cross. But before Braedey left, Terrence gave him a package.
"What might this be?" Braedey asked to Terrence.
"Something for Christmas, you're definitely gonna need it." Stefan smirked as Braedey boards the train for school.
This time, Braedey sat by with Harry, Ron and Hermione in one of the compartments as the witch was reading The Daily Prophet, reporting on the World Cup attack. Half past twelve soon comes around as the Trolley Witch shows up.
"Anything from the trolley, dears?" The Trolley Witch asked, now peeking into the compartment.
Ron gets up. "Packet of drewballs and a Liquorice wand, please. On second thoughts, just the Drewballs."
"Here. I'll pay." Braedey said as he used the money he won at the Quidditch World Cup to pay for the order, the hybrid was very good at bets involving sports.
Braedey then brought some Chocolate Frogs, Cauldron Cakes and Liquorice Wands as he notices Cho, who was with her friends. She makes eye contact with Harry, and smiles before leaving.
"Harry, you've got your eyes on Cho Chang. I suggest you back off, she's already been taken." Braedey advised to him. "She's with Cedric Diggory. I set them up."
"This is horrible. How can the Ministry not know who conjured it? Isn't there any security?" Hermione then asked to the three bots as she reads the newspaper.
"Loads. According to dad. That's what worried them so much. Happened right under their noses." Ron now answered to Hermione's question.
"This isn't a protest. This is terrorism. The Woman in Black wants to show terror, pray on the weak." Braedey pointed out as he looked out of the window. "Anyways, Terrence told me something was going on at Hogwarts this year. Yet, he never told me what."
"Percy and Mum said the same thing." Ron then added in as he then noticed the package Braedey had with him. "What's that?"
"My dress robes. Terrence gave them to me before we left. He said it was for Christmas." Braedey then had an idea. "Wait... I know! Exchange students!"
"Exchange students?" Hermione looked at the American. "What makes you say that?"
"It's not that. It's where exchange students are coming from? There are seven wizarding schools worldwide, remember." Braedey pointed out.
"Brilliant, that would be cool, exchange students. We could be in for an interesting year." Harry agreed as the four continued to make conversation.
~*~*~
Soon, the scarlet locomotive and express arrived at Hogwarts, and already, there was buzz in the air about the idea of exchange students arriving at the school. By the afternoon and late evening, everyone looked on in awe, surprise and confusion as a flying carriage pulled by Abraxans onward towards the castle.
Hagrid waved down the flying carriage, using two giant tennis bats to guide them in. He turns to some volunteers. "Clear the runway!" Hagrid turned around before quickly ducking out of the way to avoid getting hit by the carriage as it landed roughly, and slowed down to a stop.
"Whoa, there's something you don't see everyday." George pointed out.
"Beauxbatons?! Why are they here?" Terry asked to Braedey.
"Must be the exchange students I suspected. Gotta love the Europeans." Braedey responds with a smile.
Over at the lake, there looked to be a small vessel. But suddenly, a ship bursts out the water its sails raised, then the sails opened up, the largest containing the Dumstrang coat of arms upon them. That took everyone by surprise.
"Avast, maties. IT'S THE FLYING DUTCHMAN!!!!" Braedey yelled out over everyone, as some of them laughed in reaction.
Seconds later, two blue and silver Greyhound coaches drove up from the roads out from the hills, and arrived on the grounds, slowing down and coming to a stop nearby the Beauxbatons coach, both buses bearing the Ilvermorny coat of arms.
"What?! There's too many exchange students here!" Braedey yelled again.
"Chill, Braedey. At least the Quidditch Cup isn't cancelled or anything." Roger said as he was looking forward to a new season as the Ravenclaw Eagles would be the defending champions.
However....
~*~*~
35 MINUTES LATER....
"Now that all of our bellies are filled, I believe it is time to make a few announcements!" Dumbledore announced with a smile on his face, everyone now going silent. "Mr. Filch, as usual, has posted a list of objects that are banned from the corridors in his office. Some of you all-" he smiled over to Fred and George "-might be wise as to take a look at this list. Also, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students and no one under third year is permitted to enter Hogsmeade. The bad news is, it is my painful duty to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not be taking place this year."
All four houses exploded into shouting and yelling of anger as the Badgers, the Serpents, the Eagles, and the Lions Quidditch teams' hopes for a better season, or a shot at the title was ruined.
"Stun him!" Fred and George bellow out.
"Cut off his tongue!" A random Slytherin yells out.
'Guess my Adamantium 550 won't be flying this year.' Braedey thought to himself.
Dumbledore waited for all the shouting and yelling to stop. "There is good news, though. This castle will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests as well. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen...."
The doors of the Great Hall swung open as Filch ran in like crazy up to the headmaster, and whispered something to him. After a few seconds of whispering, Dumbledore nodded to him, and Filch crazy runs back.
"So, Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event... the Triwizard Tournament!" Dumbledore announced to everyone, much to everyone's shock and amazement.
"NO FLIPPIN' WAY!" Fred, George bellow out in complete shock.
"Amazing..." Braedey commented in awe.
"I'm not pulling your legs. Now, some of you may already know what this tournament is, but for those of you who do not already know, I will give a short explanation on what it is. The Triwizard Tournament was first established some 700 years ago as a friendly competition between three schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities -until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued." Dumbledore explained to everyone. "This time, it is the quarter quill. This is where a fourth school is selected at random. This time, Hogwarts will not only be going against Beauxbatons and Dumstrang, but Ilvermorny as well."
The entire hall exploded into chatter as Hermione crosse: her arms in anger while commenting, "Oh bloody fantastic! More Americans!"
Braedey was completely shocked by what he heard; his Ilvermorny friends are possibly here at Hogwarts. "Ilvermorny?! Coming here?!"
"Dumbledore's not joking." Luna responded.
"Doesn't matter. This is gonna be way better than the Quidditch Cup!" Samuel smiled as he and Braedey shared a high five.
Dumbledore waited for silence to fall. "Now, from each school, a single contestant 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, but more on that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and their headmistress; Madame Maxime..."
The doors of the Great Hall swung open, everyone looking over, and a group of girls dressed in blue dresses and hats, and a tall woman in a red dress entered the hall. The girls bowed and let out, "Ah..."
"Blimey! That's one big woman." Seamus commented, referring to Madame Maxime.
"Impressive." Braedey whispered to the others.
Every boy was staring at the girls, including Braedey, who spotted one of the girls, who spots him with a small smile on her face. He joined in with the applause as the Beauxbatons join the Hufflepuffs.
Dumbledore raised his hands to silence the Hogwarts students. "And now from the North. Please welcome the proud sons of Durmstrang, and their high master, Igor Karkaroff." He then announced to everyone.
"Oh no..." Braedey uttered in realisation of Durmstrang and his connections. "Durmstrang was grandpa's old stomping grounds."
A group of older boys entered the hall, bashing wooden staffs against the floor, sparks igniting every time. The boys then performed some gymnastics before one of them blows fire from his wand, the flames becoming a dragon before vanishing into thin air. A man and another boy walk in, one who was familiar to everyone in the room.
"No way, Viktor Krum." Cho whispered.
"We're slagged." Braedey uttered again as Krum scowled at him.
"Albus!" Igor greeted Dumbledore as if they're old friends.
Dumbledore hugged the old man in a friendly manner. "Igor, you're just in time. And now, put your hands together for the sons and daughters of Ilvermorny, and their headmaster; Thorton Picquery!" Dumbledore now announced.
Everyone watched on as several sixth and seventh year Ilvermorny students entered the Great Hall, playing any kind of musical instruments as Braedey instantly recognised the tune as 'Burn It To The Ground' by Nickelback. Demi, Miley and Jasmine then entered singing the opening verse like pros as the students all started clapping or singing along to the words.
Eddie looked at Braedey in complete shock. "Holy,... you never said Jasmine or your new friends could sing.... this good."
"Hey. Big shocker, huh?" Braedey smiled.
The Nikolai brothers then take over with the chorus with Ashley and Vanessa as several more Ilvermorny students, and Thorton Picquery himself entered, smiling and waving at everyone as the group finished their performance.
Everyone cheered and applaud the Ilvermorny students as the Ravenclaws cheered the loudest. Jasmine and her group spot Martin as they rushed over to him. "Guys, that's was amazing!" Braedey shouted out.
"Hey." Jasmine kissed Braedey on the cheek as he hugged his Ilvermorny friends.
Hermione, meanwhile, watched in complete anger and jealousy as her entire plan went down the drainpipe.
Thorton walked over to shake Dumbledore's hand. "Quite the performance, my friend. Thanks for coming." Dumbledore greeted to him.
"Gladly. Is he here?" Thorton greeted back as he then spotted Braedey introducing his Ravenclaw friends to his Ilvermorny ones as they high five or shake hands with one another. Thorton smiled. 'There you are. Thank Merlin you're safe, for now.'
As the Ilvermorny took their seats at the Ravenclaw table, Dumbledore stood up to speak again, after a large structure was now situated where the golden owl stand stood. "Your attention, please! I would like to say a few words. 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."
"Wicked." Blair and Owen said at the same as Fred and George.
"For this reason, the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this, we have the head of International Magic Coorperation, mister Bartimus Crouch." Dumbledore added in, as said Mr. Crouch was making his way over.
Suddenly, thunder could be heard as it started to rain inside of the Great Hall, forcing everyone to protect themselves from the rainfall. Suddenly, someone used their wand to stop the pouring rain, a bolt of magic shooting up at the roof. That someone had a mechanical left eye and walked up using a wooden staff, Braedey immediately recognised him.
"What the.... he is messed up good." Chad commented.
"Who... is that?" Vanessa uttered as she asked.
"That's Mad-Eye Moody." Terry answered.
"Alastor Moody, a man as crazy as hell." Braedey explained. "Him and my Mom share the highest number of Death Eaters caught in Azkaban. He actually trained both Mom and uncle Franklin."
"My dear old friend. Thanks for coming." Dumbledore greeted the new arrival.
"That stupid ceiling." Mad-Eye said as he then took a sip from his flask around his neck.
"What's he drinking?" Rex questioned.
"Definitely not pumpkin juice, might be fruit punch?" Jasmine guessed.
Barty Crouch begins to speak. "The Ministry has concluded, that for their own safety, no student under the age of 17, shall be allowed to put forth their name for the Triwizard Tournament. This decision is final!"
That was met by more yelling and shouting by others, and complaining, most come from both Fred and George. "That's rubbish! That's rubbish! You don't know what you're doing!! Boooooo!"
"SILENCE!!!" Dumbledore yells out, silencing everyone. He waves his hand over the tall structure next to him, causing it to slowly melt away to reveal a goblet which had a blue flame.
"The Goblet of Fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their names upon a piece of parchment and throw it into the flame before this hour next Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen, there's no turning back. As of this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun. And tuck in." Dumbledore announced to everyone.
"Here, here." Braedey and Terry said as they raise their drinks, the food appearing the tables as everyone tucked in, now getting to know their special guests: Beauxbatons with the Hufflepuffs, Durmstrang with the Slytherins, and Ilvermorny with Ravenclaw.
"I can't believe I'm sitting here, during the Triwizard Tournament, surrounded by friends, old and new, and hanging out with my childhood crush as well." Braedey pointed out as he eats. "Man, can this year get any better?"
"Probably." Ashley nodded her head.
"I mean, you're a sorcerer, for crying out loud." Kevin points out.
"Not to mention a great singer too. Jasmine and I have done a duet on the observation deck of the Empire State Building." Braedey proceeded to add.
Eddie, Terry, Luna, Samuel and Cho looked at the hybrid in complete shock as Demi spat out her drink. "You two, did a duet?!" Demi's eyes widened; Hermione heard it as she slammed her Goblet onto the table, Harry and Ron noticing it.
"Yeah, that and Braedey both helped me get over my breakup." Jasmine smiles at Braedey.
"And I won the bet." Rex smirked at himself.
Thorton now walked over from the staff table to the Ravenclaw table and he approached Braedey. "Mr. Braedey Grindelwald Martin, the myth, the legend."
"Sir. And you are?" Braedey asked.
"Thorton Picquery, I'm the headmaster of Ilvermorny School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is an honour to finally meet you." Thorton and Braedey both shake hands. "I've been hearing of your good deeds, from your mother."
"Thank you, headmaster. Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Braedey smiled; he was already liking Thorton. "How is Jasmine doing?"
"She can be mischievous at times, but Jasmine has grown into an exceptionally strong witch. Might even give Hermione a run for her money." Thorton then realised something. "That does remind me. I think it's time you two met. Percy?!"
A boy with black hair and blue eyes now walked over to the two. "Hey, Professor. Who might this be?"
"Braedey, this is Percy Jackson. Percy, this is Braedey Grindelwald Martin." Thorton introduced the two.
"Well, I'll be...." Braedey smiled as he and Percy shake hands, he knew him thanks to his Uncle being friends with Sally. "You blow up any schools recently?"
"As soon as you give Gellert his hair back." Percy pointed to Braedey's hair, several strands have now turned silvery blonde, and his left eye is now sky blue.
Braedey chuckled, now changing his hair and eye back to normal, as the two share a brotherly hug as a blonde girl joined them. "Percy, what are you doing? Already hanging out with wizards, are we?"
"Technically, part wizard, part sorcerer. I'm Braedey, by the way."
"Annabeth Chase. Mom did mention you in one of her letters." Annabeth smirked as Braedey realised what she is doing.
"Woah, easy. I'm kinda taken here. Nice to see you again, Percy." Braedey said as he sat back down between Nick and Jasmine to continue chatting to each other, while Hermione watches on in jealousy.
Once dessert was dished out and eaten, Ravenclaw house head off to Ravenclaw Tower to get some rest as Braedey helped the new head girl show the first years to their accommodations for the next seven years, since he's now Head Boy. Once that was done, Braedey collapsed on his bed, and fell asleep almost immediately.
Hogwarts was truly in for a very interesting year indeed, one that'll never be forgotten for generations to come.