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chapter nine | birthday celebrations & new arrivals

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"I CAN'T WRAP FOR SHIT,"

It was Saturday the 19th of September. Everyone was well into their third week of being back at school, and Kaya and Maisie were sitting in the Hufflepuff common room, surrounded by splashes of yellow and red from the clutters of wrapping paper and ribbons. This was because tomorrow was Milo's birthday, and the girls were wrapping presents they'd bought for him over the summer.

"That's because you don't cut enough paper," said Maisie. "You need to cut way more than that for it to fit,"

Kaya had gotten Milo a Broomstick Servicing Kit and a new Quidditch helmet, which she now regretted since they wouldn't even be playing matches this year. But hey, maybe in the holidays or in the summer he'll be able to use them. She also got him a box of Chocolate Cauldrons from Hogsmeade.

Maisie had bought the boy a t-shirt with the Chudley Cannons crest on, as they were his and Jaeden's favourite Quidditch Team. She'd also gotten him a range of chocolates and sweets from Honeydukes.

"You know," said Kaya. "I've only just realised that we'll be able to apparate soon,"

"Ha," said Maisie. "You've got to pass the test first. I wanna see that happen,"

"Let's be honest, though, Jae will definitely be the last of us to pass. Even if he is one of the oldest."

Milo was obviously the oldest of the group, and then it was Jae, who's birthday was in December. It was then Maisie's in February and Kaya's in May. Kaya was the baby of the group.

"That's if he does pass," Maisie joked. "I don't see it,"

Kaya laughed, nodding. Maisie yawned, before turning to check the clock on the wall. It was half nine, and pretty much all of the younger Hufflepuff students had gone to bed.

The small, circled windows placed in threes around the walls now let in very little light, the tiny stars in the night sky sparkling through the glass. The fireplace was alight, Kaya sitting on a dark green stool with her back to it, soaking up the heat. The abundance of plants distributed around the room casted many shadows over the walls and floor, and there was a small mumble of chatter from the students still awake talking to their friends. Many were writing letters to home, others were doing homework and some just sprawled out on the sofa gossiping away.

Her common room was probably one of Kaya's favourite places to be. It was just one of those rooms where when you entered, you immediately felt ten times more relaxed than what you did before. She wasn't sure if the other common rooms gave their house students the same feeling of warmth, but she was sure glad she was in Hufflepuff.

"Do we have everything set up for tomorrow?" Maisie asked.

The plan was, since it was a Sunday, for the group to go out and have a picnic in the sun, especially for Milo's birthday, since there wasn't too much else they could do. As Kaya and Maisie were Hufflepuffs, it was their job to get food from the kitchens because their common room was so close to them. Milo's parents always sent him a birthday cake secured in a box, so the group would also be able to eat that.

"Yeah," said Kaya. "We can just get sandwiches and snacky-stuff. We'll be fine."

"Sorted," said Maisie. "And what's Jaeden doing?"

"Jack-shit as always,"

The girls both knew Jaeden would have enough trouble trying to wrap whatever his present was. Kaya could picture the boy at that moment sitting on the floor of the Slytherin common room stressing about it and getting his fellow house mates to help him out. Jaeden had a fair few friends in Slytherin, but neither Kaya or Maisie knew them too well. Milo might've, he somehow knew everyone.

Kaya swished her wand and the red ribbon sitting next to her began to tie itself around the yellow-wrapped present.

"There we go," she said with a smile, holding up the present and examining it for any rips or tears. But it was perfectly wrapped - Kaya was quite proud of herself.

"Nice one, K," said Maisie. "You're getting better,"

"Cheers, Mais," Kaya smiled.

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"Happy Birthday Milo!"

Maisie and Kaya had found both Jaeden and Milo sitting in the hall eating breakfast, the blonde boy in the midst of opening cards from family members and friends.

"Thanks guys," Milo smiled as they sat down, grabbing something to eat.

"We'll give you your present in a bit," said Maisie. "When we're outside,"

"How's it feel being seventeen?" said Jaeden. "You can take your apparition test and all, now!"

"I can't bloody wait to ace that," said Milo with a laugh. "If you all start being annoying then poof I'm out of there,"

"You'll use it to scare the shit out of us," said Jaeden. "You'll be making us jump twenty-four-seven."

Milo grinned mischievously and shrugged.

"You'll never know,"

Shortly after eating their breakfast, Kaya and Maisie rushed back to their common room to pick up Milo's presents, and then to the kitchens to quickly grab some food for later. They then met the boys outside on the Hogwarts grounds, sitting with their backs against one of the thick, dark trees, branches hanging so low they looked as though they could snap off at any second. Milo looked like he could explode with happiness, and Jaeden was almost equally as glad. Kaya wondered what Jae had gotten the boy.

"Come on then, show us what you got," said Kaya. "I see Jaeden couldn't wait to give you his,"

The girl nodded to a shred of wrapping paper sitting on the grass, being pulled back every so often by the soft September breeze.

"Well, off Mum and Dad, I got 'Flying With the Cannons'," he pointed at a bright orange book sitting on the grass. "'Quidditch Teams of Britain and Ireland', and some money as well,"

"Did they get you the cake?" asked Maisie.

"Obviously," he said. The blonde nodded towards a white box that hadn't been opened yet, but it was exactly the shape for a cake and was in the same type of box every year. They couldn't have missed it.

"Yeah, yeah, tell them what I got you, though!" said Jaeden, almost bouncing with excitement like a six year old about to get an ice cream. Kaya raised an eyebrow at him, and Milo's face - if possible - lit up even more.

"You'll never guess what," he said with a grin.

"What?"

"Guess!"

Kaya and Maisie exchanged frowned faces.

"Just tell us, you know we won't be able to guess,"

"Guess!"

"A dress," said Kaya.

"Wrong! He got us both tickets to a game in the summer. Guess who to see?"

"Wow, we really couldn't guess that one," said Maisie sarcastically. "Could it - maybe - be the Chudley Cannons?"

"You are correct Miss Maisie Elizabeth Stenberg!"

The two girls laughed at the overly excited boys, who didn't quite know what to do with themselves.

"Well, go on," said Kaya. "Open ours!"

First, Milo unwrapped Maisie's, grinning at the sight of his Chudley Cannons shirt and stating that he'd be able to wear it to the game - even though it was almost a year away. He said thanks and gave the girl a hug before taking Kaya's and beginning to tear the wrapping paper, revealing her presents.

"They're a bit shit, now that Quidditch is cancelled," Kaya explained, now worried that hers were rubbish compared to the others. "At least you'll have new stuff to use when we do eventually get back to it,"

But Milo was still beaming at his new Quidditch supplies, and loved them just as much as his other presents. The blonde boy thanked the girl and hugged her tightly, just as he'd done with the others. Kaya was filled with relief.

The group spent most of the day sitting outside in the sun, eating the food Kaya and Maisie brought and soaking up the rays. They sang Happy Birthday, much to Milo's embarrassment, and then eventually cut the cake.

Milo's cake had four layers - two being orange and two being red, and it was smothered in vanilla buttercream icing, before being topped with circles of orange and red icing dotted all over. In huge, vibrant orange letters spelled 'HAPPY 17TH MILO'. Milo's mum had a cake business, and so often made beautiful birthday cakes for both Milo and his friends. Jaeden always joked that they were only friends with Milo for his mother's cakes.

It was the middle of the day when the group were interrupted by a small number of girls passing by, when one of them stopped to say,

"Happy Birthday Milo!"

She had dark brown hair and eyes and wore a sweet smile as she stood before them, looking straight towards Milo, who sat up with a grin at the sight of her.

"Thanks, Aria," he said. There was a short pause in which Jaeden and Kaya exchanged raised eyebrows. "Do you want any cake or anything?"

"No thanks. Perhaps later, if I get hungry. I'll have to hunt you down," she beamed. "I'll see you later, yeah?"

"Yeah," Milo nodded. "See you,"

The group watched Aria and her friends walk off, before turning back to Milo.

"Who was that?" asked Maisie, a smirk growing.

"Aria? You know Aria?" said Milo. "She's in our year. Gryffindor,"

"Oh," said Kaya. "I'm pretty sure she was in my class like once when I was a first year. I forgot about her, really. She's quite quiet,"

"Yeah, she can control her mouth unlike you," Milo joked. "She's in a few of my lessons. She's alright, though. A good laugh."

"Awe," said Jaeden. "Do you fancy her?"

"What?" Milo said quickly. "No, it's... it's not like that,"

Kaya and Maisie grinned at each other.

"Whatever you say, Miley," said Jaeden, picking up a sandwich. "Whatever you say."

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Milo's birthday was a hit, and the group spent the rest of September attempting to work hard in their lessons, although that wasn't always the case for some. Kaya and Jaeden ended up being scared of Moody, so Defence Against the Dark Arts was probably their least favourite lesson - although, the Weasley twins were in that same class and Kaya did end up receiving at least ten winks per lesson from Fred. She was right - he was indeed trouble.

But it was now the beginning of October, and the day of which the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were arriving. The group of four weren't sure what to think, but they were definitely excited to see something new happening. They were apart of the large swarm of Hogwarts students, cramming to get a glimpse of the appearance of the two schools.

Many gasped at the arrival of the Durmstrang students - and more importantly - Viktor Krum who had to stick close to his Headmaster's side, whilst others gazed at the Beauxbatons students gracefully walking through the halls with probably the most sophistication Kaya had ever seen. The girl was already starting to feel a little more territorial - as some of the people she knew (more specifically Fred Weasley) kept a close eye on some of the new girls. She chose not to watch him or the girls for that matter, and instead turned to Maisie who was scanning the crowds curiously. Kaya could never figure out what Maisie was thinking about, though. The girl was a mystery. Milo and Jaeden were so overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of Krum and the rest of the students from both schools they just sort of froze, not really knowing what to do with themselves.

The two girls had to drag them into the Great Hall, where everyone was gathering. Kaya and Maisie headed off to Hufflepuff table, joining Cedric who was already sitting. The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students scattered themselves around the room, sitting at various different house tables. Jaeden was completely gobsmacked because Viktor Krum had decided to sit at the Slytherin table next to Draco Malfoy, just several seats down from him. Kaya and Maisie ended up having three Durmstrang boys sitting on their right. The two girls and Cedric were much too intrigued about the new students, and so decided to start up a conversation. Oh yeah, and it was also probably the most polite thing to do.

"Hello," said Maisie with a friendly smile, the boys all turning to acknowledge the group of three next to them. "Welcome to Hogwarts,"

"Thank you," one says kindly, displaying his thick Bulgarian accent. They were too in awe at their surroundings to make conversation right now. The boy opposite the one that spoke lifted up one of the gold plates and raised his eyebrows. Kaya and Maisie exchanged grins.

"The ceiling!" One says. "How does that work?"

"Magic!" Kaya joked. The boys were starting to smile now, and their expressions grew more warm.

"What are your names?" asked Cedric.

"I'm Aleksander," the first boy said. "This is Ivan, and that ones Stefan,"

"Stefan is quite shy," The second boy, who Kaya now knew was Ivan, added

"That's alright," Maisie said. "So how do you like Hogwarts so far?"

"It's very different from Durmstrang," said Aleksander, admiring the Great Hall, yet again. "Very different,"

Kaya didn't know too much about Durmstrang or Beauxbatons, but she could remember her dad saying before that Durmstrang was a lot more cold and strict than Hogwarts. She wouldn't want to go there. They continued chatting, comparing their schools and teachers, until Dumbledore had risen from his seat to give a speech for the schools.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts, and, most particularly, guests. I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable."

"The Tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast. I know invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"

Everyone happily began eating, the sound of knives and forks cluttering against plates. Aleksander, Ivan and Stefan were enjoying asking the girls and Cedric what some of the food was, before trying it and deciding whether they liked it or not. Kaya was enjoying the new company - but she caught the eye of a familiar boy gazing over from Gryffindor table. For some reason he didn't look as jolly as he normally did - maybe it was because she'd caught him in the act this time. Yet he still threw another playful wink at her, and she gave him a warm smile in return. It seemed to lift his spirits.

"The time has come," said Dumbledore, everyone now beginning to feel sleepy after filling their stomachs to the brim. "The Tri-Wizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket, just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year,"

Kaya, Maisie and Cedric exchanged confused looks.

"But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr Barteminus Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and Mr Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports,"

There was an applause for both, although the one for Ludo Bagman far outweighed Barty Crouch's.

"Mr Crouch and Mr Bagman have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxine on the panel that will judge the Champions' efforts... the casket then, if you please, Mr Filch."

Dumbledore continued talking about the requirements of becoming a champion, during which Kaya began daydreaming, for she had no interest in what he was saying - she didn't want to enter and she couldn't have anyway.

Soon after, a casket is opened and a large goblet is taken out of it. Dumbledore explained that those wanting to be champions have twenty four hours to enter, by putting their names into the goblet, and then the champions would be revealed on Halloween night.

Kaya was certain that the next twenty four hours would be very interesting.

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introducing...

ARDEN CHO as...
ARIA WILSON