Ron and Harry stood outside the library, waiting for Hermione, who had disappeared inside to return some books. As they idly scanned the Hogwarts grounds, their attention was drawn to a scene not far away.
Alexia and Daphne Greengrass were engaged in a conversation, and it seemed quite animated from a distance. Alexia said something that made Daphne burst into laughter, the sound echoing across the hallway. The two girls seemed to be enjoying each other's company, and their laughter caught the attention of both Ron and Harry.
Ron furrowed his brow, watching the interaction. "What do you reckon they're talking about?" he asked Harry, a note of suspicion in his voice.
Harry shrugged, equally perplexed. "No idea, but it looks like they're having a good time."
Daphne's laughter continued, and Alexia joined in, her grin wide. The boys exchanged curious glances, wondering if there was something they were missing. As friends, they were accustomed to sharing secrets and jokes, but this interaction seemed different.
"I never thought I'd see the day when Alexia would be buddies with someone like Daphne," Ron muttered, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, it's a bit odd," Harry agreed, still trying to make sense of the situation.
As the girls continued their conversation, Ron and Harry remained puzzled. The animated exchange between Alexia and Daphne, accompanied by laughter, left them curious and intrigued.
Ron and Harry continued observing the curious scene unfolding between Alexia and Daphne. The confusion on their faces deepened as they exchanged thoughts about the unexpected dynamics at play.
"I thought Alexia liked Hermione," Ron remarked, scratching his head in bewilderment.
Harry nodded in agreement. "Yeah, me too. And now she's acting all chummy with Daphne. It's weird."
Their eyes widened as they saw Daphne touch Alexia's biceps, and the girls continued laughing. The shock on Ron and Harry's faces was palpable.
"Did you see that? Daphne just touched her arm," Ron exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.Harry squinted, trying to process the unexpected interaction. "What's going on? I thought they were just friends."
As the laughter between Alexia and Daphne echoed across the courtyard, the boys couldn't help but exchange puzzled glances. It seemed like the dynamics between their friend and the Slytherin were taking an unexpected turn. The flirtatious look on Alexia's face added a layer of complexity to the situation, leaving Ron and Harry even more baffled.
"I don't get it," Ron muttered, still staring at the duo.
Harry shook his head, equally perplexed. "Me neither."
As Hermione approached, Ron and Harry exchanged a quick, nervous glance. It was clear that they needed to prevent her from witnessing the unexpected rendezvous between Alexia and Daphne. Thinking on their feet, Ron concocted an impulsive excuse.
"Oi, Hermione! There's, uh, a library emergency. We forgot to return a book, and the librarian's on the warpath!" Ron exclaimed, waving his hands frantically to emphasize the urgency.
Harry chimed in, his tone serious. "Yeah, Hermione, you better head back. We'll catch up with you later."
Hermione furrowed her brow, looking puzzled. "A library emergency? Really?"
Ron nodded vigorously. "Absolutely. It's a crisis. Go, go! We'll handle it."
With a bemused expression, Hermione turned on her heels and headed back towards the library, muttering about the peculiar nature of their so-called emergencies. As soon as she was out of earshot, Ron and Harry let out a collective sigh of relief.
"That was close," Harry whispered, wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead.
Ron chuckled. "Library emergency, mate. Not bad, eh?"
They both stole a glance toward Alexia and Daphne, still engrossed in conversation and laughter. Ron wagged his eyebrows mischievously. "Looks like we've got a front-row seat to the mystery show."
Harry smirked, appreciating Ron's quick thinking.
Finally, Alexia walks away from Daphne, whispering a last thing in Daphne's ear, making the Slytherin blush and smile.
Alexia rejoined Harry and Ron with a playful grin, her eyebrows raised inquisitively at their stares. Before she could utter a word, Hermione returned, confirming the concocted library emergency.
Hermione explained, "Ron was right; there was an issue with a missing book. Can you return it, Alex?"
"Oh right! Totally forgot to return that book about Dragons from Latin America, it was interesting, and I think I have it in my bag I'll just-"
"We coming with you.", Harry says pointing at himself and at Ron, who quickly catches Harry's eyes.
"Yeah, dragons are interesting creatures, Hermione, wait here, we will be back in no time."
Harry and Ron, eager to unravel the mystery between Alexia and Daphne, quickened their pace to catch up with her. Ron was the first to speak, curiosity evident in his voice.
"What was that all about, Alexia? You and Daphne seemed to be having a grand time."
Alexia smirked, revelling in the intrigue. "Oh, just a little Slytherin-Gryffindor alliance in the making. You know, trying to bridge the gap between the houses."
Harry raised an eyebrow, clearly sceptical. "An alliance? What are you talking about?"
Alexia chuckled, deciding to play along. "Daphne wanted some advice on how to approach Pansy. Apparently, I'm the go-to person for romantic wisdom."
Ron and Harry exchanged surprised glances. "Romantic advice?" Ron questioned, incredulous.
"Yeah, you know, charm, charisma, that kind of stuff," Alexia said with a wink, thoroughly enjoying their reaction.
Harry chuckled. "Since when did you become the relationship expert?"
"Oh, you'd be surprised," she teased, not giving away the true nature of her conversation with Daphne. "Now, let's get this book returned to Madam Pince, shall we?" The trio continued towards the centre of the library, with Harry and Ron still baffled by the unexpected romantic twist in Alexia's secret exchange.
Harry and Ron, still not believing her, keep questioning her, Harry being sassy says how she can be a relationship expert if she doesn't dare to ask Hermione out.
Harry's sassy remark earned a chuckle from Ron, and even Alexia gasped, pretending to be offended.
"Hey, I'm working up to that!" Alexia replied, feigning a wounded expression. "You don't just dive straight into the grand finale. There's a build-up, like in Quidditch! Slow and steady wins the race, mate."
Ron smirked. "And here I thought you were the fearless Jackson."
"I am, but I'm also strategic," Alexia retorted with a smirk. "Timing is everything, and I want it to be perfect."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Perfect timing or just scared?"
Alexia threw him a playful glare. "Scared? Never! Just waiting for the right moment. You'll see, it'll be legendary."
Ron laughed. "Legendary, eh? We'll hold you to that, Alexia."
As they approached the library, the banter continued, each teasing remark adding to the lighthearted atmosphere. Little did Harry and Ron know that Alexia's real feelings for Hermione were at the heart of her carefully orchestrated timing.
---///---
The Great Hall buzzed with anticipation as Dumbledore spoke excitedly about the upcoming arrival of students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. The quartet of friends, seated at the Gryffindor table, exchanged curious glances and speculations about the magical schools.
Hermione, always eager for knowledge, leaned in to share her thoughts. "I've read a bit about Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Beauxbatons is known for its emphasis on refinement and elegance, while Durmstrang focuses on strength and martial magic. It'll be fascinating to see how different their magical education is compared to Hogwarts."
Harry, though less enthusiastic about magical theories, couldn't help but join the conversation. "Do you think they'll have good Quidditch teams? Maybe we'll get to see some international-level players!"
Ron, ever the Quidditch enthusiast, nodded in agreement. "That'd be brilliant! It's about time we had some real competition. Not that our Chaser here isn't amazing," he added, glancing at Alexia with a teasing grin.
Alexia rolled her eyes, used to Ron's banter about her Quidditch skills. "I'm not worried about the competition; I'm looking forward to meeting new people. It's not always when Hogwarts hosts events like these."
As the friends continued discussing the potential changes and challenges the arrival of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students might bring, the doors to the Great Hall swung open, revealing the arrival of the foreign delegations. The atmosphere in the hall shifted, and the quartet watched eagerly as the newcomers entered, bringing an air of excitement and mystery to Hogwarts.
The doors swung open once again to reveal the incoming Durmstrang students, Ron and Alexia both gasped in surprise. Their eyes widened, and their expressions shifted to a mixture of shock and excitement. Walking confidently among the Durmstrang students was none other than Viktor Krum, the renowned Quidditch Seeker.
"Is that... is that Viktor Krum?" Ron exclaimed, his jaw-dropping slightly as he nudged Alexia.Alexia, equally surprised, nodded enthusiastically. "Merlin's beard! It is him! I can't believe he's here."
Hermione, seated between them, couldn't help but roll her eyes at their star-struck reactions. "Honestly, you two. It's just a Quidditch player."
"But it's Viktor Krum!" Ron protested, still staring in awe.
Alexia chuckled, "Come on, Hermione. Even you have to admit he's one of the best Seekers out there."
Hermione shook her head, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "Well, I suppose we'll see if he's as good in the Triwizard Tournament."
As the Durmstrang students settled into their places, whispers and murmurs filled the Great Hall. Hogwarts students exchanged glances and excited conversations about the upcoming tournament. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and even Hermione couldn't hide a small spark of curiosity about what the year held for them.
Dumbledore continued with the introductions, announcing the arrival of the Beauxbatons Academy headmistress, Madame Olympe Maxime, and the Durmstrang Institute headmaster, Professor Igor Karkaroff. The student's attention shifted between the dignified Madame Maxime and the stern-faced Professor Karkaroff as they took their places at the staff table.
"Now, I would like to draw your attention to the Triwizard Tournament," Dumbledore said, and the Great Hall fell silent. The Goblet of Fire was brought forward, its flames dancing and flickering as it waited for the magical names to be submitted.
Dumbledore explained the rules and procedures for entering the tournament. The magical contract, the dangers involved, and the age restriction were emphasized. All the while, the quartet listened attentively, exchanging glances as the excitement and tension in the room grew.
As Dumbledore invited those who wished to participate to write their names on a piece of parchment and submit them to the Goblet, the students stirred with anticipation. The quartet exchanged glances once more, contemplating the events that were about to unfold in their fourth year at Hogwarts.
The quartet walked through the corridors of Hogwarts, walking back to the Gryffindor tower, the buzz of excitement filled the air. They animatedly discussed the possibilities and challenges the Triwizard Tournament might bring to the school. Hermione, as always, was cautious, reminding them of the dangers involved.
"I can't believe they're bringing back the Triwizard Tournament! It's going to be epic!" Ron exclaimed, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
Harry nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it's going to be interesting to see how it all unfolds. I wonder who will compete."
Alexia, with a playful grin, chimed in, "Maybe I should put my name in for a bit of adventure. What do you think, Hermione? Fancy joining me?"
Hermione shot her a look of disbelief, "Are you out of your mind? The dangers involved are immense! You can't just joke about entering such a perilous competition."
Alexia laughed, "Relax, 'Mione. I was just kidding. I wouldn't want to take the spotlight away from the real champions, now would I?"
They continued their banter, the prospect of the Triwizard Tournament adding an extra layer of excitement to their already eventful fourth year at Hogwarts.
As they continued their stroll through the castle, Ron couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Who do you reckon is going to put their names in from Hogwarts? I mean, it's a pretty big deal."
Harry thought for a moment before answering, "Well, Krum is almost a given from Durmstrang. He's a Seeker, after all. But Hogwarts? Hard to say."
Alexia joined the conversation, "I agree with Harry. Krum's practically a celebrity in the wizarding world. As for Hogwarts, who knows? Could be anyone brave enough or crazy enough."
Hermione, always the voice of reason, added, "It's a dangerous competition. I can't believe you're even discussing it like it's some sort of game."
Ron shrugged, "Come on, Hermione! We're just speculating. It's not like we're planning to put our names in."
The trio continued to chat about potential champions, trying to guess who might take on the challenge and represent Hogwarts in the upcoming Triwizard Tournament. The magical atmosphere within Hogwarts buzzed with anticipation and mystery.
As Halloween approached, the excitement within Hogwarts reached a fever pitch. The Great Hall was adorned with festive decorations, and students were buzzing with anticipation for the Triwizard Tournament champions' names to be revealed.
In the lively atmosphere, Alexia and Lee Jordan led the Weasley Twins into the Great Hall. The students erupted in cheers and applause, welcoming them with enthusiasm. The twins, mischievous grins on their faces, acknowledged the crowd, clearly enjoying the attention.
As they made their way to the Gryffindor table, Hermione, who was seated near the Goblet of Fire, couldn't help but roll her eyes at the twins' antics. Fred and George, ever the pranksters, were trying a potion of their own concoction, presumably hoping it would enable them to enter the Triwizard Tournament.
Unable to resist the opportunity to showcase her knowledge, Hermione quipped, "Honestly, those potions won't work. The Goblet of Fire is a powerful magical object. You can't just trick it with some homemade brew, besides... See that? That's an Age Line, Dumbledore drew it himself."
The twins exchanged amused glances, seemingly unfazed by Hermione's scepticism. The air was thick with anticipation as everyone eagerly awaited the revelation of the Triwizard champions later that evening.
Fred and George, revelling in their usual banter, decided to playfully tease Hermione about her scepticism. In a mocking tone, one of the twins remarked, "Oh, how rude of us to think that our brilliant potion might not impress the brightest witch of our age. Clearly, we should've consulted Hermione Granger for her expert opinion."
Hermione, not one to be easily swayed, shot back a quizzical look, "You expect me to believe that your little concoction can outsmart the Goblet of Fire AND Dumbledore himself?"
With mischievous grins, the twins exchanged glances before Fred replied, "Well, Hermione, we had a secret weapon. Our dear friend Alexia here helped us with it." They gestured toward Alexia, who responded with a glare that clearly communicated her annoyance at their reveal.
Sarcastically, Alexia chimed in, "Thanks a lot for ruining the surprise, guys. I thought we agreed to keep that under wraps." The trio's banter added a light-hearted touch to the pre-Triwizard Tournament excitement, and the playful exchange continued as they made their way to the Gryffindor table.
Alexia took a silent seat next to a glaring Hermione and winked playfully, Fred and George dropped their names into the Goblet, the atmosphere filled with anticipation. The room erupted in cheers as they magically crossed the age line, defying the magical barrier meant to keep younger students from entering the Triwizard Tournament.
However, the joyous moment took an unexpected turn as the Goblet of Fire emitted peculiar noises. The twins, once the picture of mischief, now looked slightly older. The students burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by the comical scene unfolding before them.
Fred and George, caught in the unexpected twist of the magical age potion, began arguing animatedly about the result. Their banter only fueled the amusement of the onlookers, and even Hermione couldn't help but crack a smile at the absurdity of the situation.
The atmosphere in the Great Hall shifted as Victor Krum, the renowned Seeker from Durmstrang, entered with his headmaster. All eyes were on him as he confidently strode towards the Goblet of Fire. The whispers of excitement echoed through the hall as Victor dropped his name into the magical artefact.
However, the collective attention turned to Hermione when Victor, in the midst of his own actions, shot her a smirk. The room fell silent, and even the twinkling candles seemed to hesitate in their flicker. Alexia, seated next to Hermione, noticed the exchange and couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
Her gaze flickered between Victor and Hermione, wondering about the meaning behind that smirk. The once joyous atmosphere became tinged with a hint of tension as the students awaited the next developments in the Triwizard Tournament selection process.
Enough of jealous Hermione... It's time for jealous Alexia