✧NO QUIDDITCH THIS SEASON✧

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The train ride had been much better in terms of last year, where Romulus couldn't be distracted by his prefect duties. But now he thrived in making sure that the first years were all settled in nicely, or even spoke with a few muggle-borns to extinguish their worries.

But most of the time, he took to having a conversation with them. And if not, usually his hair sparked up their curiosity.

"If you weren't a potion genius, I'd say you'd be a Hufflepuff." Imara snickered, and Romulus just huffed and squared his chest. "I'm a bird and proud."

"Didn't mean it like that, Rom. You're just very sweet with the first years." She said with a smile, and when he and his sister followed through the cart that the first-years took over, they all waved and smiled. "I guess that's why they sent me this way...And Lori's not much older than them anyhow."

Imara had thrown him a knowing smile before leading him off and away to the usual cart she and the Weasley twins claimed. Though this time it smelled heavily of gunpowder. "We haven't made it to school grounds yet, why does it smell like a factory in here?" He deemed with a frown plastered on his face.

"Ease up, Rom. They're trying to make fireworks, no harm." She said before taking a seat beside Fred and reading through his notes.

"Yeah! No harm no—

"No fowl, come on mate. Promised to help us a bit this semester." George called out and Romulus bit his cheek. "I said if all goes well with Snape, doubt I have much time as is." Even thinking about his schedule was giving him a migraine, though thankfully the issue of Sirius Black was well underway.

This was going to a relaxing year, nothing to worry about—Or that was his initial thought until the sinking promise of watching out for Harry Potter had trickled in.

"Fuck." He grumbled, and George smirked towards his mate. "You owl Lun—" Romulus nudged the bloke, not wanting Imara to get on his arse about Luna. That was the last thing he needed right now.

"Can say the same thing mate, owl Angelina?" George held a tinted blush to his cheek, not wanting to be all that in moved from the feeling the witch gave him.

Or the rush that when she returned his owl gave him.

"Have to buck up the courage eventually, why wait?" George offered, nicking his his head off to his brother and Imara. "They look happy."

"Yeah, got enough on my mind right now as is."

"So? Sure you can fit some good in that busy schedule of yours. Stress will only hurt you." Romulus chuckled, the resemblance to his mum was uncanny

"Alright, you're sounding like my mum now."

"Oi, you're right. Sounding like mine too. Best sod off and let me get this done before I really start sounding like her." Romulus offered a few creative critics, but the Weasley twins were known for their mischief, and the Lestrange twins...Well, they were well accounted for good grades and a habit of staying out of the spotlight.

Most of the time.

Ronan, who found himself sitting with Malfoy and the rest of their mates, remained utterly quiet and stored away with the novel his mother recommend.

She always knew what would interest him. That was another one of his mum's abilities.

"Mother's been talking about staying at Hogwarts this year, not a word about the festivities." Ronan peeked his head up and nodded. "Mum didn't say anything about traveling either, she's usually planned the itinerary by now." The lads had shared a look, and part of Ronan wanted to confirm with Cara—She was very interested in the adventure of where they're headed come the winter season.

But all was forgotten as they neared the Hogwarts station, it was a breath of fresh air to return to the school of witchcraft and wizardry—Though even he couldn't shake off the severity of what his father had done, no doubt that Malfoy was in on it as well, but Draco hadn't spoken a word on the matter.

And neither would he.

Instead, he met up with Lori and rejoiced in the fact that he had a family member sitting with him. At times Cara would join him, but after the whole fiasco with Buckbeak and all, he doubted that'll be the case at all.

With the sorting hat well underway, there were a rather few good Slytherins this year than anyone else, and Ronan couldn't be more pleased. "You still thinking about playing keeper this year?" Ronan whispered to his sister as the commotion began to sprout around. "Yeah, was hoping that you and maybe Cara can help me with my blockings before tryouts." A part of Ronan knew that there would be denied for a witch playing Quidditch, but who would deny a Lestrange to play?

"What are you going on about...? Didn't you hear? There's no Quidditch this year." Pansey said with a rather sadden frown, and those around her had all started to shout their disagreements.

"Why on bloody earth is Quidditch canceled? We played with Dementors on pitch!" Lori shouted, and those on the team cheered in agreement. Making Ronan's hair shift colors as he couldn't control either his emotions or his ability.

Upon the commotion, Dumbledore had approached his podium and silenced the rambunctious crowd.

"...Mr. Filch, our beloved caretaker, has informed me that the list of objects forbidden within the castle now includes Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, Ever-Bashing Boomerangs, and Chocolate Marshmallow Bunnies...I'm joking about that last one. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, may be viewed in Mr.Filch's Office." Imara had turned to catch sight of Fred's mischievous grin, she wouldn't be surprised if the new additions were all because of the twin's tricks.

"I don't think we can commit with the joke shop, 'mara." Romulus whispered and she scoffed. "Course, have you seen those two in action. They want to start marketing by next term." "Marketing? You mean to students?" She hummed and turned back to listen to their mental Headmaster.

"Now. There is, apparently a rather nasty rumor flying about the school that Quidditch will not be played this year. That rumor, I'm here to tell you...Is absolutely true." While he had smiled in amusement, it was difficult to see the pained faces of the student body try and digest that they would be able to watch or participate in their beloved sport.

"Rubbish! That's Rubbish!" The Weasley twins shouted over the crowd, and it promoted the same word to be repeated by a number of those elsewhere.

"There is an explanation. You see, Hogwarts will this year play host to a legendary event. An event that has not taken place in over one hundred years...The Triwizard Tournament." The excitement had taken over rather easily, but one voice had reigned over the rest.

"You're joking!" Fred called out amongst the crowd.

"I am not joking, Mr. Weasley. For those of you who do not know, the Triwizard Tournament has originally conceived some seven centuries ago as a way for the three largest European Wizardry schools to engage in a series of magical contests while their respective student bodies experience the benefits of cross-cultural social intercourse...In other words: One gets to spend an entire year getting to know people who spoke a funny language. Unfortunately due to a distressing high death toll, the Tournament was canceled...Until now." While the excitement was still bustling through the air, that disturbing hint of a statistic was daunting to say the least.

"Within the coming days, delegations from the Beaxbatons Academy of Magical Arts as well as the Durmstrang School of Wizardy will journey to Hogwarts. As well as a special guest across the pond, Ilvermorny school of Witchcraft and Wizardry will join...Taking away the idea of a Tri-wizard cup...This year, our home will be their home. I ask only that you endeavor to make it a happy one." Dumbledore continued to give records of instructions, but for the Lestrange children...They were rather taken back.

Why hadn't their parents told them a lick of this information? Surely they knew?... Surely all their parents knew of the Triwizard Tournament ages before they did. Better yet, uncle Regulus would've sent word about America's participation as well.

Romulus couldn't shake off the feeling as he made haste to finish his Prefect duties and report to Professor Snape's office. It was a delight to be taken so seriously by a Professor, one that his own mother speaks rather highly of.

Better yet, he wasn't treated at all with the same royalties as he did in his mother's facility. Here he was just Romulus, and that is all he asked for.

However, upon returning back to the dorms. There was a rush of news on the news revolving around the tournament, apparently, the settlement of inviting Ilvermorny was to settle a lifelong bitterness that the American school has—Considering their founder was a witch born here and completely disregarded to practice magic until she escaped.

The anticipation, however, was unnerving. After sending an owl to his uncle in regards to whether or not his cousins would be joining—He also sent one to his mother, wondering if she knew any details regarding this year's plans.

Though the parcels would take a day, a few when America was involved. And by then it felt pointless, considering the foreign students were meant to join.

Making Romulus scrap his uncle's letter and continue on with his mother's, hoping that this would count as his tally for the first week.

"Rumor has it that the Beaxbatons will be dorming with us, wouldn't that be exciting? We can brush up on our French." Cara said as she cradled her books tightly to her chest, and Romulus chuckled as they were making their way off towards the Library—Seeing as how she wanted to hone in a bit of creativity with a new formula, and Romulus couldn't help himself but be involved.

"When have you been chattering with the rest of the birds and their gossip?" He chuckled and her eyes narrowed, leaving her to scoff with her hair turning a lovely shade of purple. "I wasn't chattering, I was just overhearing it. Besides, I think it'll be wonderful to have new faces around."

Before Romulus could reply, Imara swung in with her own wicked grin. "For sure, then perhaps Romulus could become well acquainted with a French girl. That would surely make mum and dad proud."
"Father, sure. Mother on the other hand will smack me upside the head and question my morals for witches—Though I'm wondering if she needs to speak with you on what that ring mea—Oh you sneak." Imara had pulled away her hand, her purity ring having shifted to another finger.

"Mother knows."

"Does she now?"
"Of course, we had this discussion and shared a few spells—One's that I'll pass onto Cara and Lori when the time comes." Romulus felt a shiver take over his body at the thoughts scattering about a broken relationship, which ultimately leads to a broken heart.

"Which type of spells?" Cara asked with innocence lacing every word. "Oh all sorts, whether they push for pleasure or protection."
"Oi, knock this shite off Imara. Cara's long from those thoughts. Now you can either join us for a potions meeting or sod off." Imara grinned and kissed her brother's cheek before continuing on her merry way.

"Rom, what did she mean?"
"She's just being fresh, no need to listen to her sisterly advice all the time. Especially if you feel it's not up to your fancy." Cara blinked up to her brother and frowned. "Is this you telling me you don't want me seeing a lad?"

"Are you seeing a lad?" He rushed out and she smiled to torment her brother just a bit but shook her head. "No, I fancy potions."
"And fancy Potter." Romulus reminded and her hair flashed from purple back to blue. Speaking much louder than her words were at the moment.

"That's not something I can control, Rom, you know that."

"Just think he's a git for speaking to you like he did."

"He apologized, a few times. And look what he did for our Uncle." She reminded, though he didn't need much of a reminder—It was starting to pick up hints every other day it'd seem.

"Come, we better hurry. The other schools are arriving soon and I want to see them!" She said with excitement rushing through her words, and Romulus had to pick up the pace in following after his sister.

Yes, it was safe to say that the school year would be less challenging than what he faced this summer or the last.

Hoping it'll stay that way.

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Date Posted: 01/09/2022

Time: 1:09

Words: 2175

Author's Note:

Sorry this is late, I just saw Spider-man and I'm not okay.
Can't wait to really dive into GOF!