The train's light hum was a comforting sound. Even the slight bumpiness to the drive I found relaxing now. I loved the Hogwarts Express, it was my last peaceful moment before entering the gates of the castle and inevitably getting swamped with school work and the constant struggles from you know who. My peaceful ride was cut short as Harry re-entered the compartment and we all jumped into a discussion about the match. The minister ended up letting us go but only after Harry informed them he had seen a man who he suspects was a follower of the dark lord.

"This is horrible, how can the ministry not know who conjured it? Isn't there any security or anything?" Hermione had been obsessing over this for days. It was hard not to. Being accused of producing the dark mark is serious.

"Loads according to Dad, that's what worried them so much. Happened right under their noses." Harry starts rubbing his head at Ron's words, his scar burning.

"Maybe you should write to Sirius about everything. You know he would be upset if he found out all of this happened from someone else." I added laying my head on Ron's shoulder. He adjusted in his seat making me more comfortable. The rest of the ride was filled with more talk of the dark mark, along with expectations for classes this year. Somewhere along the line, I must have dozed off as the next thing I saw was Ron lightly shaking my shoulder

"Hey, we're almost there you should probably put your robes on" I lazily stood putting on my robes, and just as Ron said we arrived shortly after. We boarded the carriage and made our way into the castle dining hall to await the first year's sorting. As soon as we approached the Gryffindor table I spotted a familiar mop of dark brown hair.

"Neville!" I sprinted forward and jumped into my brother's arms

"Mae! I've missed you! How was the Weasley? How are you after the game?"

After the incident, I immediately owled Gran and Neville letting them know I was okay. Gran was livid and demanded I come home right then. It took a lot of convincing and help from Neville for her to let me stay the last few days at the Weasleys.

"I've missed you too! I'm okay still a bit shaken but my cheek is healing nicely and I'm about to stuff my face with pumpkin pasties so right now not too bad."

His laughter floated in the air. I always loved my brother's laugh. I liked knowing that I made him happy. Neville has always been a bit shy and I know he gets picked on. I like to know that I can still cheer him up even through everything. We all take a seat, Ron on my right and Neville on my left. Everything was normal until Dumbledoor started giving his yearly speech. "Now we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. 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 to host a legendary event. The Triwizard tournament. Now for those of you who do not know, the triwizard tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests."

Both boys stared at me with very different reactions. Ron looked amazing and intrigued while Neville looked terrified.

"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 of that later. For now please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and their headmistress Madam Maxine."

A flock of mesmerizing ladies rush through the door wearing a delicate uniform of powder blue. Ron looked absolutely hypnotized when they came toward us. Anger slowly started boiling in my stomach. I should be angry but I can't help it when he's got this dopey look on his face staring at these gorgeous girls. I turned in my seat as heat crept into my cheeks. Facing down at my empty plate Madam Maxine, a giant woman, made her way up toward Dumbledore.

"And now for our friends from the north, please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and the high master Igor Karkaroff."

Lines of stiff boys march through the aisles, repeatedly producing sparks from the long staff they carry. That's when he caught my eye.

Oh my god, that's Viktor Krum!" I whisper yelled discretely pointing towards him.

"Where!" Ron scanned the boys until his eyes met Krum standing next to what seemed to be their high master Dumbledore mentioned. Fire bellowed into the hall coming from a group of Durmstrang boy's mouths. The amazement in Ron's eyes never left. Merlin, do I need to be jealous of the Beauxbaton girls or Viktor Krum? After greeting Karkaroff and Madam Maxine, Dumbledore stepped back up to the podium and explained more about the tournament. A loud bang disrupted the speech, and everyone's heads turned towards the doors. A strange-looking man limped forward. Gazing down it was obvious why he limped. Right, where his foot should be sat a wooden peg leg that made a loud thumping noise with every step he took. The longer you looked at him the stranger he got. He seemed to have a fake eye that zoomed around in the socket.

"Bloody hell that's Mad-Eye moody" Ron added. Apparently, this guy is a famous aura who caught a lot of Azkaban's inmates. After he makes his way up to the professor's table Dumbledore invites the minister of magic, Barty Crouch up to the podium where he adds in a rule that did not go over well with the Weasleys.

"After much deliberation, the ministry has concluded that for their own safety, no student under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to put forth their name for the triwizard tournament. This decision is final."

Yelling echoed through the hall full of disappointed kids. Although it sounds exciting I'm glad none of us were allowed to participate. It seems like I'm fighting all the time to keep us all safe and alive. Why would they willingly sign up to put themselves in danger? Dumbledore explained the rest of the rules and the feast began. Just as I promised I devoured too many pumpkin pasties and felt horrible afterwards. Leaning back in my chair I let my head droop forward before slowly standing.

"Blimey, you think you'd learn you do this every bloody year!" Ron had his arm around me helping me get into the Gryffindor common room.

"I can't help it it's so good! Plus now it's like a tradition." I mumbled before crashing down on the couch. Picking up my feet Ron settles down on the couch before placing my feet back down onto his lap. Harry, Neville, and Hermione say their goodnights and head to bed. Even though I craved sleep I was too full of desserts to move.

"It's rubbish we can't put our names in the goblet of fire." Ron huffed

"I don't know. I could not handle you getting picked"

"Why, because you'll worry too much about me" Ron cocked an eyebrow giving me a smug look

"No, because I know you'd die within the first five minutes of the first task"

It wasn't long until I felt a shove on my arm and another huff leave Ron's lips.

"Would not."

"Mmmhm"

After a few minutes of silence, Ron speaks up.

"You wouldn't want to play at all?

I pause trying to think of a genuine answer.

"I think the glory of it all would be nice. Maybe in different circumstances where we weren't already dodging death all the time." I chuckle, Ron joining in.

"We do end up in a lot of messes don't we?"

I swear his smile shined. It was one of my favorite things about him. Similar to Neville I loved knowing I was the cause of that perfect smile. I always thought it was because I saw him as a sort of second brother to me. I'm not sure anymore. Things seemed different and I definitely didn't see him as a brother. Before I could overthink anymore Ron peered at the clock before sighing. 

"It's late and we have classes in the morning. Can't have tired Maeve come out, she's scary. Can you make it to your bed" He asks standing putting my legs back on the couch.

'uggh I guess" I laugh dragging myself off the couch to give Ron a quick hug

"Night Ron" He snakes his arms around me settling into the hug

"Night Mae"

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