III

Cassiopeia tried to ignore the pair of eyes almost glued to neck as she stood behind Snape in line silently, seeing how McGonagall yelled and yelled at Gryffindors for pushing each other and other things that sounded very stupid.

She waited silently, trying to see where the two schools – Durmstrang and Beauxbatons - would appear from, feeling both nervous and excited. As much as she kept a nonchalant facade, she wanted to know who they were, meet people out of Hogwarts' gates and discover what the tournament was all about.

The girl jumped back when a large carriage landed in front of the 1st years, causing everyone to step back. She could see a coat of arms with two crossed golden wands and six stars on the door before someone opened it and a boy came out, offering his hand to a very, very tall woman. She was just as tall as Hagrid.

Just as Dumbledore started clapping, all of the other students did the same.

Her students just glanced at all the group before leaving, and she heard a low noise coming from the darkness just before someone yelled about the lake, seconds before a mast appeared in the water.

Soon, a ship rose out of the water, looking almost ghostly. Minutes later, after anchoring, everyone could see people leaving the ship and their silhouettes became more visible, each very bulky. Cassiopeia didn't take more than one second to recognise the man in front of the group.

Igor Karkaroff. The headmaster of Durmstrang and…

Viktor Krum?

The students of Durmstrang sat at the Slytherin table and Viktor was just beside Draco, who eagerly leant in his direction.

"Viktor Krum!" he smiled, offering him a hand to shake. "I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy."

When Krum shook his hand, her younger brother was quick to introduce the two.

"That's my sister Cassiopeia," he pointed. "She's the 6th year, she is 16. She can speak Bulgarian and Romanian if you need any help."

Krum took your hand politely.

"Приятно ми е да се запознаем, Cassiopeia," he said in Bulgarian, kissing her knuckles politely.

(It's a pleasure to meet you.)

Cassiopeia smiled back at him.

"Удоволствието е изцяло мое."

(The pleasure is all mine)

Draco was only half right. She was okay in Bulgarian but very poor in Romanian. If he'd tried to talk to her in it, she would have been completely humiliated.

She ate modestly, seeing in the corner of her eyes as Weasley – the one in Draco's year – devoured his food like an animal. It had gotten her slightly sick, and she'd ended up giving up before her stomach was even close to full.

"The moment has come," Dumbledore stood up, smiling in everyone's direction. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words before we bring in the Goblet..."

He continued to talk, introducing Mr Crouch and Mr Ludo Bagman, both of them very important for the tournament, as planners and judges.

Filch approached Dumbledore when called, placing a large wooden chest in front of the headmaster. It was a Goblet that would be later enchanted and sort names put in there. An age line would be put to prevent students younger than 17 from entering the tournament.

"Do you think Potter will try to enter the Tournament?" Draco questioned, walking by Cassiopeia's side to the common room.

"He won't even manage to," she turned to him, almost scolding him for thinking such a thing could happen. "The Goblet in enchanted," she reminded him. "You're not thinking of trying, are you?"

Draco's eyes widened.

"No. Never."

Cassiopeia only nodded.

"Good."