The next morning, Lucifer awoke a little later than his roommates did, he couldn't comprehend how Karkaroff had become Headmaster of Durmstrang, he was nothing but a tainted witness who'd bought his freedom by betraying 'numerous' "companions."
Terrified of retaliation from Death Eaters still at large, he'd fled to northern Europe only to climb the ranks and become------
Anyway, Hermione was at least kind enough to be in the Common Room waiting on him, "Sleep in a little later than usual on the weekend?" She asked cheekily as he came down the stairs.
"Eh, you know how I am during the holidays, right?" he said, smirking a little, standing over her as she marked her place in her book.
Hermione put it in her bag, which she left on the couch and stood up, "What happened to you last night? One moment you were behind me leaving the Great Hall, the next you're nowhere to be found."
"Oh, I got stuck behind waves of fellow Hogwarts students, and one of the Beauxbatons girls tapped my shoulder and I talked to her for a moment before her Headmistress made her return to the Carriage," he said, like there was absolutely nothing wrong with what he said.
Hermione felt her anger spike dangerously, "What?"
"Yeah, we just chatted, got to know each other's name and age---" he stopped talking when she halted following.
"What?" She asked as her eyes twitched a little.
"Uh... 'th-that was all..." Lucifer said, daring to not say that Madeleine pecked him on the cheek, or else he feared Hermione would hunt her down and actually harm her.
She felt her anger subside for the time being, but barely, "What was her name?"
"Madeleine."
"Madeleine?" She inquired further.
"Just Madeleine."
"You don't lie right? Tell me her last name...." Hermione asked rather sweetly, it didn't reach her eyes at all.
"...Bouchard."
She stared at him for a moment, seeking eyes for any deception, "Okay," was all she said and they continued down to the Entrance Hall.
xxxxxxx
"Everyone else got bounced back by the line...."
Bounced back? The newcomers, like Hermione didn't understand at first.
She didn't have to wait long for a demonstration. A 'seventh-year' Hufflepuff stepped up to the golden boundary, holding the special parchment required for entry, his friends who were even shorter than Hermione' cheered him on.
Under dozens of eager eyes, he stepped over the line. Almost immediately, pain twisted across his face, as if an invisible force were shoving him back. He pulled out his wand and 'forced' himself two steps forward. His hand was inches from the Goblet, ready to toss in his slip of parchment, "Wingard----"
Then he couldn't hold on any longer. A powerful surge blasted his body backward, hitting the ground with a loud thud, collective sigh 'filled' hall.
According to Parvati, he was the fifth failure of the morning. If you couldn't even pass Headmasters' preliminary test, what chance did you have of becoming Champion?
At the same time, another question surfaced in everyone's mind. Could Weasely twins actually cross the line and enter the name? If couldn't... would they flip the table?
With that delicious anticipation of watching drama unfold, no one was in a hurry to head into Great Hall for breakfast. They lingered, waiting for the next "hero" to challenge the line. A few minutes passed, when Fred, George, and Lee came down from the last staircases bragging about their 'Aging Potion' with Harry and Ron in tow?
xxxxxx
~Flashback~
The Weasely Twins were still chafed at Ludo Bagman, and then being excluded from the 'Tri-wizard Tournament' by mere months of age difference. George produced a small vial of vivid blue liquid. "Ageing Potion. Just one drop each, with two of us, our chances double."
Fred shook his head, "Too reckless. That's Dumbledore's magic we're dealing with..."
"Are you really Fred?" George stared at his brother in astonishment. "Got a better plan, then?"
"What do you think about this..." Fred whispered something in George's ear, and he nodded emphatically. The two marched down the corridors, and 'found' Ron on his bed, checking over his robes.
"What devious scheme are you two plotting now?" Ron, mid-way into wearing his shirt, was forcibly dragged outside by the twins. Harry had initially tried to follow but was 'firmly' pushed back down by George.
Compared to their younger brother, Harry had at least some brains. What if Ron caught on because of his warning?
Both exchanged glances. Fred pursed his lips, George nodded, then turned to place a solemn hand on Ron's shoulder.
"Ronnikins, we need to discuss something very important with you."
Shuddering involuntarily, Ron immediately tried to bolt. Whenever the twins used that nickname, he could guarantee nothing good would come of it, either mockery or some elaborate prank.
"Hold on, Ronnikins, hear us out first." Fred swiftly pinned Ron down with considerable force, "Two minutes. If you're not interested after that, we won't stop you. You can leave..."
"Just spit it out," Ron groaned, closing his eyes in resignation. He knew escape was futile, "Another potion for me to test?"
"Potion?" George's eyebrows shot up, "No new creations lately, but we'll definitely call on you when the time comes. Today, we're here to make an investment.."
"Exactly," Fred chimed in, nodding. "Lad, we see great potential in you."
Ron looked up blankly. "Potential for what?" This was truly a 'first-Fred' and George seeing potential in him?
"We think you've got what it takes to be a champion."
"Fred, it's not April Fools' Day," Ron slumped against the wall weakly, baffled by their antics, "I don't even meet the entry requirement. Champion? Are you having me on?"
It used to be fun, but they'd grown bored with it. The twins shared the same unspoken thought, though their smiles remained intact, "Ronnikins, we can get you past the age line," George said warmly.
"How?" Ron blinked.
"Ageing Potion," he produced a small vial, "One drop equals one year. You'd only need three."
"This isn't some fake potion, is it?" Ron wasn't entirely daft, eyeing them suspiciously. "If it actually works, why aren't you using it yourselves?"
"Because we believe you stand a better chance of becoming champion," George said gravely, his expression dead serious.
"Right. Compared to you, while we're marginally smarter, slightly more cunning, and know a tad more magic, we lack one crucial trait."
"Courage!"
Their seamless tag-team act left Ron utterly bewildered, who pondered it and found no flaw in their logic.
"Ronnikins, you've always been the bravest in the 'family', well, except for Charlie, who actually plays house with Dragons.
Next, George's gaze was earnest. "That's why we're investing in you, offering this expensive 'Ageing Potion' for your use."
"Cut the crap." Ron snorted. "You're just trying to scam me out of money, aren't you?"
"Of course not, we don't need your money."
Ron, who had been clever just moments ago, was confused again. They weren't trying to sell him potions?
"We told you it's an investment. Taking your money would make it a transaction," Fred patiently explained the concept of investment to their idiot brother.
"We'll give you the Ageing Potion for free. We're betting you'll win the championship and claim the 'final' one thousand Galleon prize."
"Three drops of Ageing Potion in exchange for three hundred Galleons. If you win, you pay us back. If not, we'll consider it a failed investment. What do you think?"
Ron's eyes grew brighter, he thought the twins' proposal sounded rather good. If he won the championship, he'd only need to give George and Fred three hundred Galleons.
Though compared to three drops of 'Ageing Potion,' that was undoubtedly a steep price. But he'd be getting a thousand Galleons total, losing three hundred wouldn't be an issue.
Even if he didn't win, there'd be no problem. He wouldn't have to repay anything, and simply becoming a Champion would give him enough prestige in front of all those schools. The worst outcome would be not being selected at all, in which case he'd lose nothing.
Realising he had nothing to lose, Ron's expression instantly hardened with determination, "I want four drops, but it's still three hundred Galleons."
To be on the safe side, he'd asked for an extra drop. At this moment, Ron felt exceedingly clever. Fred and George pretended to hesitate, muttering quietly between themselves as if deliberating. Only then did they reluctantly agree.
xxxxxx
~Present~
"Ageing Potion," Ron boasted, producing the vial and tipping four drops into his mouth, he hadn't bothered to lower his voice, and many nearby students overheard, casting curious glances their way, "I'm going to be a champion. Wish me luck, Harry," he declared before striding confidently towards the Age Line.
"He can't seriously think an Ageing Potion will fool Dumbledore's magic?"
Hermione stared at Ron with disbelief, wondering if he'd lost his mind. Even if Dumbledore had gone senile, he'd accounted for such an obvious loophole. Otherwise, the 'Age Line' would be completely pointless, didn't they hear students were being thrown backwards?
"Don't be like that, Hermione," Fred and George said, standing opposite her while keeping their eyes fixed on Ron, strutting forward like a star on the red carpet, waving shyly to both sides.
"What if the Headmaster underestimated genius talents? This is a premium 'Ageing Potion' we begged from Zabini, called him godfather all day for it."
Hermione was speechless, yet found herself watching the unfolding scene with interest. As Ron stepped over the blue Age Line after a moment's hesitation, the Great Hall erupted in thunderous cheers, he pulled out a slip of parchment which must've bared his name and school on it.
Lucifer had a feeling it didn't actually work, but Ron seemed to think so. Others have also forced their way inside using Ageing potion, or attempted to throw from a distance, only to find that if they weren't within a certain range, the Goblet simply 'refused' delivery.
"Weasley did it too!"
"Ageing Potion! I need an Ageing Potion from Zabini!"
But before shouts could fade, as Ron raised his wand towards the Goblet. A hissing sound erupted, as if an invisible shot putter had hurled him backwards, he landed heavily ten feet away, which scared two second years who were in his directions a lot.
"Ow!"
Rubbing his sore backside, Ron groaned, convinced he'd broken his tailbone. His ordeal wasn't over, with a loud crack, an enormous white beard sprouted from his chin, longer and silkier than Dumbledore's own.
The surrounding students howled with laughter. Only Fred and George looked genuinely relieved. Thank Merlin, they'd let dear Ronnie test the waters first. Though... that 'beard' did look rather amusing.
Even Lucifer couldn't hold back a laugh. The blue line was Dumbledore's work, used to create a barrier that prevented people below or above a certain age, depending on intention, from accessing a specific object.
"I did warn you," A deep, amused voice came. Turning, they saw Dumbledore himself, he had just exited the Great Hall, surveyed Ron, then perpetrators Fred and George, and his eyes were twinkling as usual, "Mr Weasley, I'd be happy to share beard care tips sometime, such smooth, luxurious growth is rare. Though right now, I suspect Madam Pomfrey's services might be more pressing.... She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too... Though, I must say again, neither of their beards looked anything as fine as 'yours."
The laughter redoubled, Ron buried his face in his beard and fled. One thing Lucifer especially liked about any Dumbledore was his ability to be humorous as he was chastising you, he approached Fred and George, "I thought you two were using it yourselves. Didn't expect you'd make Ron your guinea pig again..."
"I'll remember Ronnie's sacrifice," Fred said solemnly, crossing himself.
"Pity, though," Hermione suddenly sighed coming after him, wearing a regretful expression.
"What's the pity?" George asked, puzzled.
She said with a 'faint' giddy smile, "It's a shame, it would have been more exciting if two had grown old, and seen each other's beard."
"What's so shameful about that?" George shrugged. "There'll be plenty of chances in the future, right, Fred?"
"Of course. Even at eighty, we'll still be living together!" The two high-fived, wearing identical grins. Then both set off for the Hospital Wing, with Lee, and Harry trailing behind them, laughing all the way to comfort Ron.
xxxxxx
The Decorations in the Great Hall had changed this morning. As it was Halloween, a cloud of live bats fluttered around the enchanted ceiling, while hundreds of expertly carved pumpkins leered from every corner, silently judging everyone.
Harry was leading a recovered Ron over to Seamus and Dean, who were discussing those Hogwarts students of seventeen or over who might be entering, "There's a rumor going around that Burke got up early and put his name in. That big bloke from Slytherin who looks like a Sloth..."
"If Hogwarts is represented by a Slytherin Champion, I'm walking out," Hermione said, putting her now empty plate away, "Dean, didn't you say he looked half asleep, was leaning on girlfriend Carrow for support?"
Lucifer's ears perked up at that, hearing those names together, he didn't expect the pair to still be at Hogwarts right now.
"At least nine out of ten people were convinced he'd fail, but the guy even tried to warm his hands at the Goblet, disappointed at the 'flames', Carrow took him away to the Slytherin dorm...."
"That's not all, I've heard from Hannah that all Hufflepuffs are talking about Diggory," Seamus said contemptuously, giving his own delicious gossip, "but I wouldn't have thought he'd have wanted to risk his good looks, it took everything he had, and was sweating when he left..."
"Lucifer and I made a bet. He bet that Diggory would be the Champion, and I bet that Diggory wouldn't be," Ron said, smiling cheekily, his beard was gone, had earned a few sickles from Madam Pomfrey.
"You wot?" Seamus asked, looking at Lucifer, as if he couldn't believe it.
"Listen!" Hermione said suddenly.
People were cheering out in the Entrance Hall. They all swiveled around in their seats and saw Angelina Johnson coming into the Hall, grinning in an embarrassed sort of way. She was a tall, cute black girl who was Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team.
Angelina walked over to them and sat down looking exhilarated, "Well, I've done it. I've just put my name into the Goblet."
"You're kidding?" Ron asked excitedly. He looked over to Lucifer, "With each Hogwarts person that puts their name in, my chances get better and better."
"All I'm saying is you better hope it's not Diggory," Lucifer said with a shrug.
"You want it to be Cedric?" Angelina asked, looking slightly hurt.
"Only because I made a bet with Weasely. He didn't want it to be Diggory, so I bet him it would be. Mainly for 'fun', partially out of spite," Lucifer glanced over at the red-head, who was currently wide-eyed.
"What did I do?" Ron asked baffled.
"It's not that I don't want you to get it Johnson. Honestly I wish this Tournament wasn't being done at all, but since it is, I do hope you get it, even if it costs me Five Galleons," Lucifer said, looking back at her, while ignoring Ron altogether.
"Thanks, Lucifer!" Angelina said, looking back at him with a smile.
'Johnson....' Hermione felt giddy at hearing that, knowing he didn't call others casually by name either. After watching new 'failed' trials for a bit, the four of them wandered back into the Entrance Hall.
"So... what are we doing today?" Ron asked them.
"We haven't been down to see Hagrid yet, have we?" Harry had brought up.
"As long as he doesn't ask me to donate any fingers to the Skrewts..." Ron said uneasily.
"Oh wait," Hermione's face brightened, "Let me go back to my room and get the Badges, I haven't asked Hagrid yet if he wants one!" She sped off back to her room.
Lucifer couldn't help smiling, but his attention was torn from Hermione's disappearing figure and to the Castle's Main Doors. Madame Maxime and her Beauxbatons entourage were walking inside, he saw both Eve and the girl highly suspected of being a veela Fleur Delacour.
He thought it was weird that only the girls were walking in to put their names in the Goblet, didn't see any of the boy students at all. The girls who were of age organized into a line and dropped their names in one by one.
Wave! Wave!
Lucifer heard snickering behind him.
He turned to see Harry and Ron trying to straighten up and not laugh, but failing to follow through.
xxxxxxx
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