[IC] The Triwizard Champions

[McHaggis]

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[Kirah]

Beatrice, having explored every last possible place on the ship that she could have, was now standing at the bow of the large ship transporting the Durmstrang students from their native land to France. France of all places. Beatrice smiled, the humor of the situation was not lost on her. Two wars and the Magical government decided that of course the great Triwizard tournament should be held. The dark haired girl reached forward and let her fingers brush against the edge of the magical field around the ship. When she drew her hand back the tips of her fingers were wet. She grinned. “Beatrice!” She heard the voice of one of her younger brothers, the elder of the two. Beatrice sighed and turned to face him, he was only a little over a year younger than her, but for some reason it felt like ages. “Yes?” She asked, her charismatic smile shining even for her siblings she played everything close to the chest. “We’re close to Beauxbaton. Everyone is supposed to get below deck for surfacing.” Beatrice nodded and followed her brother. She found the two year mates that she was closest to. In her head she never said friends. That was too cozy. She supposed they were mates, or buddies, or even comrades when they were being silly. But not friends. Beatrice may be great with people on a less personal level, but intimacy was not something she was strong with. The girls scooted to a side so Beatrice could sit between them. They must consider me a friend. So she smiled and joined them. Once the ship had breached Beatrice was one of the first to the deck. The lake was small, at least by standards Beatrice and her classmates were used to. The Durmstrang students watched as a Red Double decker bus drove off. Was that what the Hogwarts students had arrived in? “Oh that looks like it must have been a miserable ride.” One of Beatrice’s ‘friends’ said. Beatrice nodded, only half paying attention to her friend. She wondered briefly what sort of spells would have gone into making it. Of course it was possible that they had driven the muggle bus all the way here, but Beatrice doubted that. The ship docked, and the Durmstrang students filed neatly off of it. Beatrice was the third in line, behind her surprisingly both of her younger brothers. The group marched until they were in front of the awaiting crowd and then all gave a bow in time with each other. Beatrice kept her smile small at one of the Beauxbatons student’s comments.

As the last of the Gryffindor students disembarked, the crowd of Beauxbatons girls gave one giant, unified curtsey. Beauxbatons students were, of course, well-known for their respect, politeness, and most importantly of all, their prolific curtseying. As Alice stood back up, she couldn’t help but wonder about that contraption the guests had arrived in. She had heard of automobiles, of course – Muggle ingenuity amazed her sometimes – but this thing was the size of several automobiles combined. What did they call it? A bus? Something like that. At that moment, the crowd started giggling. The bus had spit out all of their luggage, and started to sputter away. The Hogwarts headmaster began to chase it, although the aging man was no contest. “Ah, les etudiants magnificents du Hogwarts, toujours avec une grande entrée!¹” Alice laughed, earning her another roar of giggling from the crowd. If the bus’ actions were a sign of what was to come, then clearly this was going to be an entertaining year at Beauxbatons. Alice looked up, realizing then that the Durmstrang ship was docked, and its passengers beginning to disembark. “Mesdames!” she spoke sharply, immediately bringing the giggling crowd to attention. “Nous avons plus les invités.²” The group turned to the disembarking Durmstrang students, and gave another curtsey when they bowed. Durmstrang students were much more, well, respectful than their Hogwarts counterparts, which any good Beauxbatons lady could appreciate. “Très bon, plus respectueux que les etudiants d'Hogwarts.³” The Beauxbatons students nodded to each other, breaking into small conversations, before being silenced again by Alice. She was quickly showing that her classmates respected her. Or perhaps they were just drawn in by her Veela charm? Regardless, she stepped forward, addressing the foreigners. “Welcome to zee Beauxbâtons Academy uv Majic,” she greeted, with broken English and a heavy French accent. “Make yourzelvez at home.” She turned to the Hogwarts party. “Az for yew, perhahps yew could take zee Durmstrang ztudentz az an exhample uv proper behavior?” This remark earned her a smack from the Headmistress. “Desolé, Madame Belgard,⁴” she quickly apologized, before leading the girls in another curtsey. They turned, and walked back through the front entrance, leading their guests in.

1.“Oh, the magnificent students of Hogwarts, always with a grand entrance!” 2. “Ladies! We have more guests.” 3. "Very good, more respectful than the students of Hogwarts." 4. “Sorry, Madam Belgard.”

[McHaggis]

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[Kirah]

"Or maybe as examples of manners." One of the girls standing next to Beatrice said. The headmaster for Durmstrang marched up between the two schools and spoke loudly. "I believe that introductions could be done better in of doors." His voice was steady and commanding. The Durmstrang students still in their near perfect line waited for permission to enter the school. Beatrice glanced over the students assembled. Focused more, for now, on the Hogwarts students. They were the ones that had already been culled for the possibility of the tournament. Beatrice couldn't guess from the Beauxbatons who may be a potential champion. Hogwarts had brought more males than females. Durmstrangs students were about 80% male, but it seemed the British had sent almost a full 100% males. She looked over the two females, those that she considered a threat first over the males. Females were brutal. She had seen more fighting amongst females that went to dirty tricks than anything males did. Men were easy to manipulate. Beatrice leaned over to her friend. "Ich denke, diese ganze Tortur war eine schlechte Idee."¹ Her friend smiled and nodded back. "Ich erwarte, dass sie denken, dass dies die Spannungen zu verringern."² Beatrice laughed. The three female friends followed their headmaster inside. 1: I think this whole ordeal was a bad idea 2: I expect they think this will lessen tensions.

Having already entered the castle, Alice was oblivious to what was happening outside. The Beauxbatons students filed into the dining room quietly, standing at their chairs but not sitting – they would let their guests sit first, for even if they had terrible manners, as is the case for the Hogwarts party, as hosts the Beauxbatons students were honor-bound to be respectful. "Les étudiants d'Hogwarts, ils sont terribles! Ils ne sauraient pas bonnes manières si elle frappés à la face!¹" Alice said coldly, turning to her friend Danielle, who was standing next to her. "Donnes-leur une chance, Alice! Ils peuvent n'être pas aussi mauvaise qu'ils semblent!²" Danielle scolded, albeit with a smile on her face. In response, Alice rolled her eyes, smiling. "Bien sûr! C'est très probable.³" They laughed, and turned to the door where their guests would be entering in any moment.

1. "The Hogwarts students, they're terrible! They wouldn't know good manners if it hit them in the face!" 2. "Give them a chance, Alice! They may not be as bad as they seem!" 3. "Of course! That is very likely."

[McHaggis]

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[Kirah]

Beatrice sat on the edge of the seat. Her mates on one side of her clutching at each other. They had attempted to include Beatrice in their tight grips, but Beatrice had slid out of their grasp with a warm apologetic smile. The last week had been rather boring and she had, with her mates turned in their names into the cup. She had by no means been the first, but she hadn't been the last. In the end Beatrice was certain that the younger of her two brother's hadn't even put his name into the cup. She wasn't surprised, he wasn't brave. The headmistress for Beauxbaton stood and addressed the three schools. She spoke about honor and glory. Beatrice didn't care about either of those. Nor did she care about the prize money. She wanted the challenge for the challenge's sake. All her life those around her had told her that she couldn't do something because it was too dangerous. This, this event was the most dangerous even the Wizarding community put on, and if she beat it, or at least survived it. No one could tell her ever again that she wasn't good enough. The Headmistress stepped up to the Goblet, fire from within it lighting up the room. It was a moment of painful silence when a slip of paper, slightly charred on the edges flinted from the Goblet into the hostess' waiting hand. She flipped it over and read, "Anthony Stuart, Hogwarts." The Hogwarts students exploded into cheers. Beatrice saw a couple not joining in the raucous display of emotion. She herself gave a polite applause. Beatrice had seen the boy around the school, but had had no reason, as of yet, to speak with him. She hoped that would change in just a moment. Another piece of paper flew from the goblet and into the Hostess' hand. "Alice Delacour, Beauxbaton." The girl's fellow students cheered, putting the Hogwarts small few to shame. Beatrice watched Alice stand and head to the back room after Anthony, and had to admit even to a small bit of her self, that Alice was pretty. Now for the Durmstrang student. Beatrice could hear her heart beat, it hurt her ear drums and she was vaguely worried she'd miss the name read. The last piece of paper landed and was read, "Beatrice Falk, Durmstrang. You may join the other two." Beatrice's heart stopped, it must have, she must have heard incorrectly. Her feet started taking her anyway. The sound of her classmate's feet stomping gave her heart. They were behind her, even if she was such an odd girl they would support her in this foreign land.

Alice had been the very first person to put her name into the cup. With arrogant confidence, she was certain that her name would be chosen from the rest. Now, butterflies in her stomach confirmed that the Headmistress had indeed called her name. Without a moment's delay, she stood and gracefully strode across the hall, and into the back room. Already inside was a representative of the Ministry of Magic, the Hogwarts headmaster, and the Hogwarts champion, Anthony Stuart. She extended a hand to the representative. "'Ello," she greeted. Turning to the Headmaster of Hogwarts, she did the same. "'Ello, pruvezzor," she said with a confident smile, knowing full well that they were all likely to be inwardly laughing at her accent. Alice eyed Anthony up and down suspiciously, but said nothing. Instead, she leaned against the wall, facing the door, waiting for the Durmstrang Champion. When she came in, Alice stepped forward and offered her hand, the situation being too formal for faire la bise. "'Ello, ah... Beatrice?" she asked, having been unable to hear her name being called over the cheering and foot stomping.

[McHaggis]

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[Kirah]

Beatrice nodded and gave a small smile to Delacour. Shy, demure. That usually made people underestimate her. "Yes Beatrice Falk, and you are Alice Delacour." Beatrice said rather than asked, as she shook Delacour's hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, though I suppose we're opponents now." Beatrice's own heavy accent made it clear that English was not her first language. Beatrice then turned her smile to Stuart. She remembered the boy from when they schools had first arrived at Beauxbaton. He himself hadn't been obvious, but his classmate had been quite rude. Beatrice remembered that Stuart had been the one to apologize for the other boy and since their arrival Beatrice had noticed Stuart strutting around the Beauxbaton's campus. Now that she knew who exactly her opponents were she felt more comfortable. It was much easier to defeat a foe you know rather than one you don't. "You are Anthony Stuart." Beatrice said holding out her hand to the English boy.

Alice nodded. "I suppoze vee are," she agreed.

Now that the introductions were finished, the Ministry representative explained to them everything they would need to know. Outlining the rules and regulations, the date and time of the first Task, etc. Alice listened attentively, while also thinking about the excitement that this year would bring. We've only been in this room for minutes, she thought, but it feels like it's been months already!

Time flies when you're having fun, I guess.

After he finished, the three were made to shake hands. Alice shook Beatrice's hand (again) cheerfully and friendly, in contrast to the professional, just-a-little-too-firm handshake she gave Anthony. They then gathered for a picture for the various wizarding newspapers across Europe. Of course, the camera was a relatively new invention at the time, and even with magic the contraption was still very bulky, and took up a fairly large portion of the room. Sitting in the corner, Alice hadn't even noticed it until now; although she had much more to think about than a large... something hidden in plain sight.

As the adults returned to the dining hall for the feast, the Champions remained. They could converse briefly if they were so inclined, or return to their friends in the other room instead.