For Miss Natalie Pavlova, tonight marked the beginning of her sixth year at Hogwarts.
Inside the washroom of the Hogwarts Express, Natalie studied herself in the mirror.
First, she removed her hat and carefully smoothed her long, deep-red hair, strand by strand. Natalie had always been proud of how soft and glossy it was.
Then there were her clear, almond-shaped green eyes, her snow-white skin, and her striking figure.
Five years could change a person in countless ways. They could turn a delicate little girl into a graceful young woman.
Just as they had done to Natalie.
"So beautiful," she murmured, gazing at her reflection.
It was not mere vanity. She truly was beautiful.
Among the sixth-years of all four Hogwarts houses, Natalie was widely acknowledged as the prettiest girl in school. Over the past few years, she had turned down nearly a dozen boys who had tried to court her.
So many, in fact, that some had secretly begun wondering whether there was something unusual about her tastes.
But whenever Natalie faced a boy, she could not help comparing him to the figure who lived in her heart. And once she did, all interest inevitably vanished.
He was too perfect.
The one who had led her into the wizarding world.
The one who now held the highest position at Hogwarts.
...
The train continued north, while the rain outside grew heavier by the minute.
The sky was pitch-black. Mist coated the windows, so the lamps had already been lit despite it still being daytime.
Clatter, clatter. The snack trolley rolled down the corridor.
Natalie bought only a few Licorice Wands. She had never liked eating too much, especially with the Start-of-Term Feast at Hogwarts so close. Consciously or not, she had always preferred to maintain her figure by eating less, even though, as a witch, she had no real need to worry about it.
"Don't you want a Cauldron Cake, Natalie?" the girl beside her asked.
"No. I'm not hungry." Natalie shook her head.
"Suit yourself." Clearly familiar with her habits, the girl changed the subject. "By the way, did you know Headmaster Hart got married?"
Thunder rumbled overhead.
The Licorice Wand slipped from Natalie's fingers and hit the floor, shattering into pieces.
"What's wrong?" the girl asked in surprise.
"N-nothing." Natalie stammered. "The thunder was just so loud."
The girl noticed nothing unusual and continued talking.
"The bride is Astoria Greengrass, who just passed her N.E.W.T.s at Hogwarts a few months ago. I think she got four O's in her final results. But she and Headmaster Hart really are a perfect match. Apparently, they met on the train during their very first trip to Hogwarts."
Natalie turned her face away, bitterness tightening her features.
A few months ago, she had also passed her O.W.L.s and earned nine O's. And when it came to the N.E.W.T.s two years from now, she would never settle for only four.
Besides, she had known him long before she ever boarded the Hogwarts Express for the first time.
"The Daily Prophet put the whole wedding on its front page. Mrs. Hart looked stunning in her wedding dress. Afterward, they went to the Isle of Man for their honeymoon and spent nearly half the summer there, leaving all the Hogwarts work behind. I heard Minerva McGonagall was so angry she was shaking."
The girl spoke cheerfully, but every word pierced Natalie's heart like a needle.
"And according to some rumors, Mrs. Hart was already pregnant a few weeks ago. Hehe, the Headmaster really is something."
"Enough!" Natalie cried, clapping her hands over her ears.
"What's wrong?" The girl beside her stared at her in surprise.
"S-sorry." Natalie seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn. "I... I want to rest for a while."
"Fine. I won't talk, then." The girl pouted.
The sky had gone completely dark. Reflected in the window, Natalie could see herself clearly.
At that moment, she felt as though she were looking at a complete and utter loser.
...
The Hogwarts Express finally slowed as it pulled into the darkened Hogsmeade Station.
The doors opened, and thunder rolled overhead.
Students disembarked with their heads lowered, hurrying through the pouring rain. It came down in freezing sheets, as though bucket after bucket of icy water were being emptied over them.
But Natalie's heart felt colder still.
She followed the crowd numbly, crossing the shadowed platform one mechanical step at a time.
Outside the station, a hundred horseless carriages stood waiting. Natalie and her friends climbed into one, and a moment later, with a violent jolt, the long procession lurched forward toward Hogwarts Castle, wheels splashing through puddles all the way.
The carriage passed through the gates and continued along the broad drive, rocking sharply in the fierce wind.
Leaning against the window, Natalie watched Hogwarts draw nearer. Only then did she realize she was soaked through from head to toe.
She could have drawn her wand and fixed the problem easily.
But right now, she had no desire to do so.
Their carriage came to a stop below the stone steps before the great oak doors. Several students hurried out at once and rushed up the stairs.
Then Natalie heard a familiar voice.
"Line up, children!" Headmaster Jon Hart stood at the entrance beside the doors. "In weather like this, don't go catching a cold!"
As he spoke, he flicked his wand, instantly drying the hair and robes of the student in front of him.
He was not alone. Several other professors were helping as well, among them Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, and Severus Snape.
"Hurry up, Natalie!" someone behind her urged, giving her a shove.
She took a few stumbling steps forward, and before she realized it, she was standing directly in front of Headmaster Hart.
"Are you all right?" Jon Hart asked, concern in his voice.
At the same time, with another flick of his wand, he dried her drenched hair and clothes in an instant.
"Jon... Headmaster Hart..." Natalie murmured.
"It's you." He glanced at her, and a faint smile touched his lips. "Miss Pavlova, how was your summer vacation?"
"It... it was all right," Natalie answered.
Urged onward by the students behind her, she walked into the Great Hall.
Perhaps it was because her hair and clothes were dry again.
Without realizing it, her heart had begun to feel warm.
…
The Sorting Ceremony ended. The same as always, with nothing worth watching.
The feast was lavish, but Natalie had little appetite, nor did she wish to eat too much.
She only wanted the banquet to end as quickly as possible.
That way, she would finally get to hear Headmaster Hart speak.
Outside the castle, heavy rain continued to lash against the tall, dark windows. Another peal of thunder shook the glass panes throughout the hall.
Lightning flashed across the gloomy enchanted ceiling, illuminating the golden plates below. The remaining food vanished, and in the blink of an eye, the dishes were filled once more with desserts.
Natalie sampled only a little raisin pudding. Even so, she knew the feast would not last much longer.
Just as she expected, the desserts were soon cleared away. The plates became spotless once again, gleaming beneath the candlelight.
At the head table, Headmaster Jon Hart rose to his feet.
"First, I must share a piece of news with everyone. Pomona Sprout, our Herbology professor, has decided to retire from Hogwarts so that she may devote all her time to caring for the precious plants she has cultivated."
A wave of sighs swept through the Great Hall. The students at the Hufflepuff table looked especially upset.
After all, Professor Sprout had always been well liked at Hogwarts.
"At the same time, please allow me to introduce our new Herbology professor—Neville Longbottom!" Headmaster Hart continued.
A somewhat familiar figure rose to his feet.
It was Neville Longbottom, who had graduated from Hogwarts the previous year.
Applause broke out at once. Natalie joined in as well. After all, Mr. Longbottom had once been her senior in Gryffindor.
"In addition, there is another important announcement," Jon Hart said with a smile. "In a few months, an ancient competition held once every five years will begin again."
"The Triwizard Tournament!"
"Some of you may not know exactly what this tournament is, so I hope those already familiar with it will forgive me for offering a brief explanation."
She frozen.
From the head table, Jon Hart's voice rang out once more.
"The Triwizard Tournament was founded roughly seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition among the three largest wizarding schools in Europe. Those schools are Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang."
"Each school selects one Champion, and the three Champions compete in three magical tasks. The tournament is held once every five years, with the three schools taking turns hosting it. It has long been considered an excellent way for young witches and wizards from different countries to build friendships."
"Five years ago, the Triwizard Tournament was revived, and that year it was held here at Hogwarts. I imagine many of the older students still remember it."
"Of course, this time it will not be hosted at Hogwarts, but at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France. I will be leading around ten sixth- and seventh-year students from Hogwarts to France to attend the tournament. We will depart on the eve of Halloween. Students who are interested may sign up with your Head of House. The requirement is that you must be seventeen years old by October 30."
Natalie slowly clenched her fists.
She met the requirement.
And at the same time, she seemed to have found an opportunity.
A small chance to stop being a loser.
Perhaps it would also be her last chance.