Tough one. I'd have to go with Harry and Ginny never getting together, because even though I adore them, I adore Hermione and Ron a tad more.

~~~~

The next morning may have been the only Saturday of my entire life that I woke up early.

Everyone else did, too, and for the first time there was quite a lot of talking going on in our dorm. Lacy was teasing Rose about her date with Scorpius (which had been quite dull compared to whatever I'd expected, Rose had assured me), while Iris had somehow talked Wren into letting her braid her hair. I simply pulled a brush through mine and hurried downstairs. Elcie had asked me, specifically, to help her find the perfect spot to hang the welcome banner.

The other schools would be arriving at a quarter past five, but no one seemed able to wait that long. As I helped Elcie and River carry the banner downstairs, we passed many students listlessly wandering the halls, talking to paintings, or running from Peeves (only one of which was normal). It took a little longer than normal to get downstairs, because we were avoiding the professors. This was a student-led thing, and the teachers could simply be surprised by the outcome afterwards.

Elcie had decided that the banner would look best in the Great Hall, where we could leave it hanging for a few days at least without having to worry about rain or wind like we would outside, or it being missed amid the bustle of paintings in the entrance hall. Once we'd entered the Great Hall, it wasn't hard to choose the perfect spot. Directly across from the doors, we could hang the banner on the wall behind the staff table.

"We should use a permanent sticking charm," River suggested, smiling proudly at the banner as I nonverbally performed Wingardium Leviosa. Several professors were watching us curiously, but no one tried to stop us.

"No!" Elcie said, staring at her. "Those are permanent!"

"Are they really?" River asked. "Permanent sticking charms are permanent? What are the odds?" She grinned at Elcie. "I'm only joking, Els. Relax."

Elcie didn't seem to quite like being called "Els," but didn't make any comment, because just then I needed both of them to work on temporary sticking charms while I held the banner up. In a matter of minutes, we were staring up at the school-wide masterpiece. Other students were gathering behind us, and several were praising Elcie for the idea (because River was the first to admit that she wasn't the one with a true vision for this).

As soon as she wasn't thanking someone, I pulled Elcie over in a hug. "Awesome job, Elcie. Honestly, you've probably brought the Houses together more with this than they've ever been."

Elcie could only beam at me.

~~~~

The day seemed longer than it took me to master the Patronus Charm. Perhaps that was because I was attempting to help my friends do exactly that. Key word: attempting.

Colette, for example, had gotten a fairly nice Incorporeal Patronus rather quickly (because she'd studied them, before turning primarily to spell creation), but was quickly frustrated when it wouldn't take any form at all. The frustration, in turn, made it harder to get even an Incorporeal Patronus. The Room of Requirement wasn't exactly helping, because she seemed to be needing several pillows to kick or stomp on, which it somehow provided, and that wasn't helping her focus on happy memories at all.

James kept saying he didn't see the need for this, and glancing enviously at Albus's little ball of mist that sometimes almost seemed to take a form. He seemed stuck at the same place as Colette, and very jealous of Albus, who was a little oblivious to that and getting very excited about his little ball of Patronus and wondering what sort of animal it would be. I was beginning to wonder if this was the best idea after several tries.

Wren (who was glaring at James every time he complained and saying that when he met an actual dementor, he'd understand) had spent most of the time trying to find a powerful enough memory. It wasn't that she'd been unhappy before her uncle had come into her life, she explained, but she'd been rather lonely when she was little, being the only wizarding child around with only her grandparents for company. And most of her memories at Hogwarts were tinted by everything that had happened that year. But she, at least, was determined to not give up.

"Just remember, it's easier now," I said, watching Wren produce a small ball of light for a few seconds. "I don't want to discourage you or anything, but if there was a dementor here it would be a lot more difficult."

Wren glanced at me. "I know." For a brief moment, I made eye contact with her, and saw all sorts pain and fear that I could hardly comprehend. Then, she looked away, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"You know, I don't focus on any happy memory, specifically," I said, twirling my wand around in my fingers. "I just picture the four of you. And that's a lot happier than any one memory I can think of."

"That really works?" Wren was looking down at her own wand.

"Yes, it does. Here, try it."

I stepped back, giving her some space. Wren closed her eyes, raised her wand, and cried, "Expecto Patronum!"

A burst of white light came out of her wand. An Incorporeal Patronus. Wren opened her eyes, then turned to me, as if for approval. There was an excited smile on her face, though. I grinned right back.

"Good job, Wren!" James praised, glancing over from his own ball of light. "That's great!"

"It's five!" Albus exclaimed suddenly. Half the light in the room disappeared as my friends stopped focusing on the Incorporeal Patronuses. I could hardly believe it was five, actually. Though it had felt like forever, the time hadn't passed too slowly, really.

Albus was now terrified that we were going to be late (and what sort of impression would that be?) so we hurried downstairs and outside. Most of the other students were already assembled on the stairs, waiting. Lacy waved us over, casting a nervous glance at Mr. Potter, who seemed to be taking roll. James stepped up next to Marcus Dillam (who waved slightly at me) and Colin Creevey, while the rest of us scooted in with the other fourth years.

"Where've you been?" Lacy whispered. "We looked all over for you!"

I didn't exactly want to explain, because telling Lacy I could do a Patronus and was teaching my friends was like broadcasting that fact to the entire school. I just shrugged and asked if we'd missed anything.

"No. Pouri said something about giving a good impression of Hogwarts, and Potter said something about a good impression of Gryffindor, but everyone already knew to do that."

I nodded, then turned to Albus. "How do you think they're getting here?"

"I don't know..."

"Beauxbatons has a flying carriage," Colette said indifferently from in front of us.

"Oh, right!" Albus whispered. "Aunt Fleur told me that..." I gave them both a weird look.

"Look!" a second year yelled. "Look at the lake!"

From the steps, it was easy to see the smooth lake. However, the lake wasn't exactly smooth just then. No, it was churning as if the giant squid had decided to take up break dancing with about fifty of his family members. Before I could even ask what was going on, the churning turned into a whirlpool, and a ship popped out.

I glanced at Al with big eyes. "You can't tell me you forgot about that." Albus just watched with his mouth hanging open as a gangplank was lowered and people started disembarking.

We watched in silence as the Durmstrang students crossed the lawn to the front of the school. I couldn't make much out of them in the twilight until they'd basically reached the steps. The students all wore very large fur coats, though some of them were taking them off, as if it was too hot. I didn't know what they were thinking. I'd run out here without my cloak and it was pretty chilly. Maybe it was colder at Durmstrang.

The Durmstrang Headmaster, a tall, thin man with eyebrows as thick as his graying mustache, was leading his students. As he came up to Pouri and Mr. Potter, he nodded. "Brutus, Harry, vot an honor."

"Wonderful to see you, Fredrik," Pouri replied. He turned to us. "Students, please welcome Headmaster Eide and his students." I wasn't sure what to do, but everyone else who had been here cheered.

Albus nudged me in the side and motioned to the Durmstrang. "Look a little scary, don't they?"

It was true. All twelve of the students looked quite strong, and all were at least almost as tall as their headmaster. Most of them smiled slightly as they observed us, and a few waved awkwardly. However, one girl standing next to Eide was surveying the seventh years with raised eyebrows. She might've been the most intimidating of them all, if I'm being perfectly honest. I'd expected all of the Durmstrang students to be cold and gruff and just like Albus had described his dad's experiences with most Durmstrang students. However, from just looking at them, the only one who appeared that way was that girl.

Eide and Pouri exchanged a few more pleasantries before I heard Eide saying that Kirsten (apparently the girl beside him) probably needed to go inside, so she didn't get chills. Based on the fact that she had also shed her coat, I saw that as unlikely, but Professor Longbottom led the group inside just the same.

"Wonder who the favorite is," Albus whispered.

"Strange, considering she looks the scariest."

"Maybe that's the idea. Intimidate the competition into submission."

I started laughing, and Albus quickly covered my mouth with his hand so I wouldn't make it noise. That didn't help matters, obviously. By the time I'd managed to shove his hand down, someone was shouting that they could see something over the forest.

My own mouth dropped open this time. Beauxbatons really did have a flying carriage. It looked like a house being pulled through the air by giant flying horses. It was big enough to be, at the very least. As it drew closer, I could make out the shape of a giant, sky-blue carriage.

As it drew closer to the ground, the first few rows of students stepped back uneasily. It looked like it wasn't too good at landing. As it hit the ground, the wheels jostled up and down and I could just imagine everything being thrown around inside, people and all. Everyone jumped back as if skidded past us, and came to a stop right in front of the doors.

The door flew open, golden steps descended, and the biggest woman I have ever seen descended. Her size was comparable only to Hagrid, who, speak of the devil, she immediately greeted. "'Agrid! It 'as been so long!"

I saw Mr. Potter grinning as the two giant people hugged each other, before the woman who Albus whispered was Madame Maxime turned to him and Pouri. "Ah, 'Arry, 'ow lovely! And Professor Pouri, 'ow nice to finally be meeting you!"

Pouri nodded, offering his hand to the headmistress. As the students around me greeted the Beauxbatons group with a cheer, the Beauxbatons students were descending from the carriage, two by two. Most of them were pulling their thin cloaks tightly around themselves, protecting against the cold. At the end of the two lines of students were two much younger girls. They were identical, as far as I could see, with long blonde hair and hats perched at an angle just past what everyone else had.

I heard Colette groan.

"What?" Albus whispered.

"Nothing," she said, though her grim expression contradicted that.

As Pouri led the students inside, I watched the two girls until they'd disappeared through the doors, wondering why on earth Madam Maxime would have led kids who looked my age come on this trip. After they'd gone in, Mr. Potter sent us inside to eat, after a firm reminder to welcome our guests.

The Durmstrang and Beaubatons students stood huddled in their separate groups near the doorway, looking around as we all passed to our House tables. Several were pointing at the sign, and I saw Drake Wood stop near them, watch the students passing through the door, and pull Elcie out of line. She seemed quite surprised, but followed him over to the visiting students. He said something, and immediately, most of them were oohing and aahing over my cousin. I grinned and sat down, catching Scorpius's eye from across the Hall and pointing to the scene.

As soon as we'd sat down, the two younger Beauxbatons girls pointed directly at us, and squealed. Colette sighed as the girls led the entire Beauxbatons group over to the Gryffindor table, with Drake and Elcie accompanying them.

The two girls plopped themselves down right in front of us, practically radiating excitement. "Colette!" the girls, apparently twins, exclaimed at the same time.

Colette raised an eyebrow. "You two aren't of age." Apparently, she knew them.

"No, but Madame Maxime ees thinking Étienne will be ze Beauxbatons champion," one of the twins said.

"So we begged to come wiz zem," the other explained, "and finally she 'ad to let us come! Ees zat not great?"

"Marvelous," Colette said dryly.

Albus and I exchanged a glance. I didn't know what to think so far. Judging by Colette's reaction, she could have hated them, or they could have been her best friends. I honestly didn't know. After a minute, Colette rolled her eyes. "This is Françoise and Amélie Dubois. They were in my year at Beauxbatons. And this is Astra Lestrange, Wren Predatel, and Albus Potter."

Françoise or Amélie, I couldn't tell which, gasped. "Potter? As in 'Arry Potter?"

"My dad." James pointed to the staff table, where Mr. Potter had struck up a conversation with a Beauxbatons tutor who looked a bit like Victoire. "He's a professor here."

The twins shared an awed look. "That is vairy... 'Ow do you say? Cold?"

"Cool," Albus corrected, smiling.

Just then, Elcie squeezed onto the bench between me and James. "Can you believe everyone likes the banner so much?" She looked like she was on cloud nine.

Françoise and Amélie exchanged an excited look, then squealed. "You are so cute!" they exclaimed. Elcie turned to stare at them, seeming mildly freaked out.

"You are ze person who made ze banner?" one, I think Amélie, asked.

Elcie shrugged. "I really just had the idea..."

"Zat is vairy nice!" Françoise, probably, exclaimed. Her twin joined her in saying, "You are vairy leetle and cute."

"Um... Thanks." Elcie smiled a bit, then leaned over to me and whispered, "Are twins supposed to talk at the same time? Because mine don't..." I laughed and told her that was just an identical twin thing.

Just then, Pouri stood up to address the us. The Durmstrang students had gone to sit with the Slytherins, I saw, while we were the proud hosts of the Beauxbatons. Silence quickly fell as we all turned to listen to Pouri.

"Welcome to Hogwarts!" He smiled at both groups of visitors. "We have been awaiting your arrival with great excitement, and we are proud to share our halls with you this year. We trust that throughout the course of the year, you will feel comfortable and make many friends that will last you a lifetime."

I saw one of them Beauxbatons girls, who was still shivering, laughed a little and whispered something to the boy next to her, who just frowned and shook his head. He looked a little like the twins, actually...

"The tournament will be opened to entrants after the feast," Pouri continued. "Let us eat!"

Food appeared on the golden platters, and most of the Beauxbatons students gasped, seemingly in spite of themselves. There seemed to be more dishes than normal that night. I raised my eyebrows at something that looked like a shellfish stew. "What's that?"

"Bouillabaisse," the twins answered together.

Albus frowned. "Um... Sorry?"

"I had that on holiday!" Elcie exclaimed. "It's French, and it's really good, actually."

"You 'ave been to France?" Amélie asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement. Elcie nodded slowly. "Zat is vairy good! I zink I like you vairy much."

"Not as much as I do," Françoise said, frowning.

"Please don't start arguing," Colette said, glaring at them.

By the time we'd finished eating, I'd learned quite a lot about they twins. They'd come to support their older brother, Étienne, who they pointed out as the black-haired boy who I thought had looked like them. The girl next to him was his petite amie, which Colette translated as girlfriend, Amélie told me in a conspiratorial whisper, but he didn't really like her that much, apparently. They had grown up in southern France, and Françoise was definitely the youngest. I had a feeling Amélie never let her forget it.

When they finally noticed Wren, who had said much during the meal for the simple reason that she hadn't had a chance to, the twins seemed to think she looked a little familiar. Of course, none of us helped them out (perhaps they'd seen her on a newspaper?), and they decided Wren just had that sort of face, probably. They quite liked her, though, they told us.

After the plates had been cleared, Pouri stood up. Instantly, the hall fell silent, everyone waiting excitedly for his next words. "Students, the time has arrived! The Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! I would like to say a few words before it does, to explain the procedure for the year. First, let me introduce Ms. Felicity Eastchurch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Mr. Roger Davies, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, and Mr. Harry Potter, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and our security for this year."

There was quite a lot of applause for the last two. Albus whispered that Roger Davies had been a Quidditch player once upon a time, though he couldn't remember what team. Felicity Eastchurch, though, looked a bit mean, and no one really knew her, so the applause was sparse.

"These three have spent many months preparing this tournament, and Ms. Eastchurch and Mr. Davies will be joining myself, Professor Eide, and Madame Maxime on the judging panel."

Just then, our attention was caught by something else. Filch was walking up the aisle between two tables, carrying a large wooden chest that looked immensely old.

"There will be three tasks, as you all know," Pouri said as Filch set the chest carefully on a small table in front of him. "They will be spaced out throughout the school year, and will test our three champions in different ways. The champions will be selected by an impartial judge — the Goblet of Fire."

Pouri waved his wand, and the lid of the chest creaked open. He lifted out what was inside: a large, entirely unremarkable wooden cup. Entirely unremarkable, that is, except for the blueish flames dancing at the brim.

"Anyone who wishes to enter themselves as champion will write their name and school on a piece of parchment and drop it in," Pouri announced. "In exactly one day, the goblet will choose the three champions it has decided are most worthy to represent their respective schools."

Pouri stepped back, and with his wand drew a circle around the cup, muttering a charm under his breath. When he'd gone on the way around, he straightened up. "This, students, is an Age Line. This will prevent all students under seventeen from putting their name in the cup."

There was a loud groan at those words, but I was a bit relieved. If this was so dangerous that they wouldn't let underage wizards participate, I was quite happy to stand back and watch the older students compete.

Pouri raised his hands from silence. "Finally, students, may I remind those of you who wish to compete that this tournament should not be entered lightly. Once the champions have been selected, there is no backing out. Placing your name in creates a binding magical contract. Please be absolutely certain that you are ready and willing to compete before you enter your name. Now, I think we have all had a long day, and it is time for us to sleep. Good night, students."

The Beauxbatons students started filing out after Madame Maxime, just as Fred and James ran up. "An Age Line, is that all?" Fred asked, grinning. "I can get past that."

"Your dad couldn't," Albus said. "He's always telling us about the time he got stuck with a white beard all morning."

"Yeah, well, even if I do get stuck with a beard, I'm throwing my name in before it can boot me out."

"Fred, that's not a good idea at all," I said, frowning. "There's got to be a reason they aren't letting underage wizards in—"

"Relax, Astra," James said, rolling his eyes. "I mean, my dad made it last time and he was just your age."

"He was being helped by a Death Eater," Wren said quietly, eyes wide.

"Minor detail. Listen, I probably won't even get chosen, but I don't want it to be because I didn't try."

"James Sirius Potter, if you even try to get past that Age Line, I will tell your father," I said, mustering up my best impression of Lucy Weasley.

James glanced at me. "You wouldn't."

"I most definitely would. Maybe right now." I made as if to go back and find Mr. Potter right then.

"No! Don't!" James sighed as I turned back to him, eyebrows raised. "You're insufferable."

"Thanks, it's a talent."

"Anyway, the goblet's going to be guarded," Colette said.

"How do you know that?"

Colette pointed at the goblet. There were two aurors, Lacy's dad and Mr. Ron Weasley, standing guard already as a few seventh years dropped pieces of paper in. One was Drake Wood, to massive Gryffindor applause. Faith Lindsey also entered her name, to the same reaction from Slytherin.

"I expect they'll be guarding it all night. Won't want a repeat of last year. And they'll probably stop underage wizards attempting it."

Fred had already run off to congratulate Drake, do James was the only one to glare at Colette and mutter about her stupid logic as we climbed the stairs to Gryffindor Tower.

~~~~

Some quick pronunciation help:
Françoise ~ Fran-SWAHS
Amélie ~ AH-meh-lee
Étienne ~ EH-tee-in
Dubois ~ Doo-BWAH
(Headmaster) Eide ~ I-day

Question of the Day: Who do you think is this series' Golden Trio? Or maybe you think it's a Golden Duo? Golden Quartet? Doesn't matter, just let me know who the Golden Kids of the Next Gen are!

Vote and comment! I'm going to church camp next week, and there's no data there, so I won't be able to update until I get back. Probably August 3, actually, because my school's registration is the 1st and 2nd and I volunteered to sell tshirts there all day! I'll miss you guys!

~Ellie