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As the quartet exited the train,they excitedly jumped in the moving carriages to the castle. Ron and Hermione on one side with Harry and Zinnia on the other. The space was small and they were a bit cramped. Harry and Zinnia, their arms heavily pressed together, looked at each other with a half smile and looked back down at the floor bashfully. Just as the carriage was about to depart, a familiar smiling face jumped in at the last minute. Fay Dunbar. Catching the attention of Zinnia.

"FAY!" the girl shouted, jumping almost entirely over Harry in order to embrace one of her closest friends. The groups was startled at the energetic response but laughed the girls' reunion

"Hey Z, I see you're eager for a new year," Fay laughed through her intoxicating smile. Fay had the kind of face where if she smiled then everyone around her couldn't help but smile too. She was a ray of fucking sunshine that Zinnia reeded amongst her gloomy nature.

"Not so much for a new year but to see everyone again, I don't notice how much I miss you guys until I see you again" Zinnia stated, receding into her seat as the carriage took off.

The group had lively conversations about Fay's holiday events and the trials of the Quidditch world cup. Fay had expressed how she wanted to go initially but was glad she didn't. Zinnia wasn't too keen on the subject, tired of talking about what happened as it brought up many unpleasant memories she would rather bury.

As the rickety carriage pulled up to the castle, everyone proceeded into the building distracted by a near off sight in the distance. The group hurried to the side to get a good look at what was happening.

Amongst the clutter of  'oohs' and 'aahs', Zinnia was immensely confused

"What on earth is that" she blurted out

"Must be what dad was talking about, this is definitely something different" Ron suggested, with a nod from Harry and Hermione. As the object became clearer, Zinnia noticed that it was a carriage unlike the ones at Hogwarts, this one was ornate and decorated with white and gold accents. It was pulled by large horses with the white wings similar to that of a Hippogriff. Zinnia was reminded of the story of Cinderella her mother used to read her as the carriage closely resembled that. She smiled to herself at the memory.

"CLEAR THE RUNWAY!" The crowd let out a series of winces as the descending carriage almost wiped out the signaling Hagrid.

"Well there's something you don't see everyday" Fred joked from above the group

"You can say that again" Zinnia remarked to be met with a smirking Fred

"Well there's something you don't see everyday" he repeated, testing the girl

"Oh shut it" she frowned and hit him on the arm, Fred opened his mouth to reply but was distracted by something in the black lake, he grabbed Zinnia's head and turned it to the object emerging from the water. A grandiose ship emerged from the depths of the Black Lake to reveal its elaborate sails and woodwork, adorned with a fierce carving of a dragon that spilled out water as the ship approached.  Zinnia's eyes went wide, fixated on the ship as the sails revealed the school emblem. Before she could react, everyone was sweeped into the Great Hall by the professors for the sorting ceremony.

As everyone settled down, the group of first years lined up waiting to be sorted. The Hat as usual began its lovely song

"A thousand years or more ago,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell me where you belong!"

The hat was met with a roaring applause from the students and a confused expression from the first years.

"I always love those songs" Zinnia stated

"Yeah they should be on the top charts" Harry went along with her joke as the children were sorted. Zinnia of course cheered for every student no matter what house they were in. She did not care if they were rivals or if she was met with a scowl from Ron. She cheered. Being from a family made up of kids from many different houses she didn't discriminate.

"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..." Dumbeledore was interrupted by the laughable run of Mr. Filch. Zinnia couldn't help but let out a muffled snort as he approached the headmaster. Hermione elbowed her in the ribs which only made Zinnia laugh harder.

"So Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Triwizard tournament." Dumbeldore explained as Filch left in the same fashion

"Brilliant" George and Fred recited to each other as the school dispersed into murmur about the announcement.

"Now for those of you who do not know, the triwizard tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school a single contestant is selected to compete."

Zinnia glanced at Harry's intrigued look from across the table and begged to herself that Harry wasn't thinking of entering. He had dealt with enough and deserved to have a relaxing year.

"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 students of the Beauxbatons Academy of magic and their headmistress Madam Maxime."

The doors swung open to reveal a cluster of students dressed in pale blue uniforms of silk. Zinnia wondered how they had dealt with the cold, especially considering it would only get colder later in the year.

The organised lines of students gracefully pranced up the hall.

"Bloody hell" ron said, staring at the women

"Please don't objectify Ron, we've talked about this" Zinnia scolded nonchalantly, tired of his antics

"Oh drop it Z, not everything has to be a feminist movement" he replied slightly tired of her gruelling demands

"Piss off"

"Ronald please"

Zinnia and Hermione replied in sync, they turned to each other to smirk. As the students reached the end of the hall they let out a flock of butterflies, one of which landed on Zinnia's head, she tried swatting it away and was met with the laughing of the group.

"Blimey that's one big woman" Seamus Finnigan commented on the Headmistress of the academy. Even Zinnia didn't scold him as she was focused on the sheer height of the woman next to Dumbeldore who was escorting her.

"He looks like Dobby next to her," Zinnia laughed. Harry choked on his pumpkin juice as he laughed at the girls' comparison. They both simply looked at each other and proceeded into another fit of laughter before excitedly clapping for the performance.

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

A booming noise was heard from the other end of the hall as Students dressed in grey, tidy robes and intimidating stares entered the hall. The sticks they held in their hands drummed against the floor in a spectral rhythm with their grunting that sent chills down Zinnia's spine. The contact with the ground sent sparks into the air before the group suddenly ran to the front of the hall performing tricks and flips. Following them was the Headmaster and Viktor Krum.

Zinnia couldn't believe her eyes, sure she had seen him at the cup but that was from a long distance, here he was up close! Her jaw fell and was put back into place by Fay who was sitting next to her.

"Blimey it's him! Viktor krum!" Ron shakely spoke before being drawn to the man blowing fire at the front of the hall.

"Do you think we should have come prepared with a performance?" Zinnia sarcastically said.

"Maybe we should have done a tap routine," Fay laughed from beside her. Both girls laughed quietly into their hands before the food appeared on their table as they began to feast.

As usual Ron piled stacks of food onto his plate which Zinnia laughed at with him. The welcome back feast was a favorite of Zinnia's. She caught up with all her friends over a warm meal and a plethora of laughs. She caught up with Neville, Dean and Seamus as they were all close to her, and shouted hellos at Pavarti and Lavender as they giggled to each other.

Zinnia stuffed her face with food, to be honest she wasn't the biggest fan of her parents' health food craze and enjoyed eating meat every now and then. She was extra delighted as Harry served her a piece of sticky date pudding at desert, her favourite.

"Oh potter you know me so well" he grinned wildly as she returned the favour my serving him a slice of treacle tart

"As do you I see" he replied mocking her as the two laughed at each other and dug into their deserts.

Zinnia looked around the hall at her siblings, she found Aster playfully shoving pudding into his mouth and smiling to his friends as they all grimaced and laughed. 'Ew' she shought and diverted her eyes to the ravenclaw table where Violet was immersed in conversation with her friends and flashing her head girl badge to all of them. Zinnia laughed at her in pride, she was glad she got the role because she deserved it.

Finally she looked for Primrose to find her chatting with her pompous friends. She didn't really like them because of their snobbery; however at least they weren't the worst of the Slytherins. Prim had trouble with the blood purists in her house as they gave her a hard time for having a muggle mother. She got thrown names like 'blood traitor' a lot which made it harder for her. Zinnia kind of felt bad for her struggles but that quickly faded when Prim caught her eye and gave her a nasty look. Zinnia rolled her eyes and laughed at her because that was all she could do.

The group's attention was drawn to the people carrying a large sculpture to the front of the hall.

"What's that do you think" Harry questioned looking at his friends

"It's the centerpiece for the tap dance Harry, duh" Zinnia joked with him

"What?" Harry replied, confused. He didn't get a reply as all she did was laugh with Fay.

"Your attention please! I would like to say a few words. Eternal glory, that is what awaits the student who wins the triwizard tournament. But to do this that student must survive three
tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks." Dumbeldore explained at the front of the hall.

"Wicked" the twins replied

"Don't get any ideas you two" Zinnia whispered

"Don't worry princess" George whispered back teasingly. Zinnia rolled her eyes and directed her attention back to Dumbeldore

"For this reason the ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this we have the head of the department of international magic cooperation Mister Bartimus Crouch."

Mr. Crouch approached Dumbeldore but before he finished walking, a deafening boom echoed through the hall as the sky turned grey and dull with flashes of lightning . Zinnia looked up only for it to start raining along with the screams of students. Suddenly a figure approached from beside the teachers tables and reverted the ceiling to its normal starry night with a flash of his wand. Zinnia took in his appearance and gasped, he was dripping wet with a collection of scars covering his face and a fake eye planted on his left side. He put his wand back and hobbled over to Dubmeldore with a large cane

"Bloody hell, it's Mad-Eye Moody" Ron gasped in a hush. The name sounded familiar to Zinnia but she couldn't quite place it.

"Alastor moody? The Auror?" hermione questioned

"Auror?" Dean asked from down the table, being muggle born he wasn't as familiar with wizarding practice outside of hogwarts.

"Dark wizard catchers, they're sort of like the muggle detectives" Zinnia explained "My older brother is training to be one now, i'm pretty sure he told me about Moody"

"Half the cells in azkaban are filled thanks to him" Ron added to Zinnia's explanation "He's supposed to be mad as a hatter though, these days."

"Well you'd expect that dealing with what he's dealt with" Zinnia replied shrugging.

The entire hall was dead silent as they watched Moody approach Dumbeldore to shake his hand. He then receded to the side of the hall and took a swig from what looked to be a flask.

"What's that he's drinking, do you suppose?" Seamus asked, leaning over the table.

"I don't know but i dont think it's pumpkin juice" Harry replied, his eyes fixated on Moody. Zinnia would have laughed out loud if not for the ominous aura of the hall at that moment. She knew Harry felt it too. Something just seemed off about him and she didn't like it.

"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." Crouch announced fiddling with his hands, he was met with cry's from the hall and it looked like he had been expecting that reaction "This decision is final." he struggled to shout over the uproar of voices.

Honestly Zinnia was a bit relieved as she didnt want any more tragedies at Hogwarts, this alo meant that none of her closest friends could enter. She only had to worry about the antics of the twins and her older sister.

"That's rubbish!  You don't know what you're doing!" The twins shouted over all the booing. Zinnia turned her head to Harry to see his face slightly fallen. He looked at her and had a look as if to say 'what can you do' and she shrugged back.

"SILENCE!" Dumbeldore commanded the hall. He caught their attention to raise his want towards the large statue. As he did, the gold patterns of the decorated towers started to melt down to reveal an elaborate goblet made of wood and embellished, carved edges. Suddenly it sprouted an entrancing blue flame from within it.

"The goblet of fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely writes their name upon a piece of parchment and throws it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen there's no turning back. As from this moment the tri-wizard tournament has begun." Dumbeldore spoke, entrancing the hall as they all gawked at the goblet and intently listened to the Headmaster.

Once the feast was over, everyone was sent to bed for the night. As the Prefects lead their houses to their dorms, Zinnia caught up with her friends after finding her brother to scruff his hair. He yelled at her as she ran up to the three

"I'll tell you that is not what I was expecting when Dad said something was happening this year" Zinnia commented, mind still on the amazement she felt seeing that goblet

"It's dangerous" Hermione commented "i've read about it before and people have died in this tournament" she stressed

"Oh don't worry hermione, you heard what crouch said, only 17 years and older can enter." he replied "sucks right" he said turning to Zinnia for assurance

"I don't know Ron, I'm  going to have to agree with Hermione here. I'm sort of glad there are restrictions, that way Harry won't almost die again this year" She joked turning to her raven haired friend. Harry turned to her and shoved her playfully.

"Oh cork it Z" he laughed at her as they approached the portrait at the entrance to the Griffyndor common room. Zinnia embraced the feeling of the common room again and took a deep breath in. The familiar scent of woodfire and pumpkin filled her senses and she smiled. Harry seemed to share the same relief with her. They all said goodnight to each other and proceeded to their dorms.

The five girls, Lavender, Parvati, Fay, Hermione and Zinnia layed out a blanket in the middle of the dorm as soon as they got in. They all changed into their pajamas over laughter and lively conversation. They retrieved all of the sweets they had brought with them and dumped them in the middle of the blanket and sat around in a circle. All the girls chatted, gossiped and laughed until their ribs hurt into the late hours of the night. It became a tradition for the girls to do it and they all loved it as a first night back treat.

Later in the pitch black, the girls had all lay to rest in a sugar coma except for Zinnia. She lay awake thinking of the cup. She thought about what it could be like to win the tournament and be hoisted onto the shoulders of her housemates, all cheering her name. It was a fickle thought that she lay awake with but she couldn't get the image of Harry's smiling face out of her head no matter how hard she tried to shake it.

Little did she know, in the boys dormitory. A certain lightning scared boy had the exact same thought about her.

(A.N - lol ik this one is super long but bare with me, i'm trying to put in as much detail as i can :)