The Beauxbatons contingent stood apart, their group larger than the others. Madame Maxime spoke rapidly in French with her colleagues, her expression a mix of frustration and concern. A man in his mid-thirties stood out among them, dressed smartly in Muggle clothing, a rarity in these circles. Beside him was a gorgeous woman who had to be a Veela. Her ageless beauty was captivating, though it wasn't the allure that caught my attention. It was her resemblance to the younger woman in the room.
Fleur Delacour stood with her chin held high, her icy blue eyes sharp and assessing as they landed on me. She huffed softly and turned back to her older companion, clearly unimpressed. I couldn't fault her for her low expectations; on the surface, I didn't seem like much.
Sure, I was built for my age, but it was not that noticeable with these robes.
The Durmstrang delegation, by contrast, was the smallest, with only Karkaroff and Viktor Krum present. Both exuded a gruff intensity, though Karkaroff's sneer when his gaze fell on Iris made my jaw clench in irritation. I narrowed my eyes at him but kept my expression otherwise neutral.
And finally… the problematic group. The Ministry of Magic was here in full force, making me wonder if they had nothing more pressing to do than stick their noses into this mess.
For starters, the Minister himself, Cornelius Fudge, had decided to grace us with his presence for some reason. He stood at the center of the Ministry group, nervously fiddling with his lime-green bowler hat as though it would somehow shield him from the tension in the room. His gaze flickered between the delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, lingering a bit too long on Madame Maxime's towering frame with an expression that was equal parts dread and awkwardness.
At his side was something I had prayed I wouldn't have to deal with until at least next year: Dolores Umbridge. The pink-clad monstrosity stood rigidly, her expression fixed in that sickly sweet smile she was notorious for, though her beady eyes glinted with malice as they scanned the room. When her gaze landed on Iris, I instinctively stepped before her, shielding her from view without even thinking about it. The flicker of irritation in Umbridge's face told me she'd noticed the movement, but I didn't care.
Thankfully, not everyone in the Ministry's entourage was a source of dread. Amelia Bones stood a little to the side; her stern countenance was complemented by the sharp intelligence in her eyes. She had the kind of no-nonsense air that made you feel she was constantly evaluating everyone and everything, which, to be fair, she probably was. Her presence brought a sense of professionalism to the group that the others sorely lacked.
And then there was the real Moody. After his rescue, he'd been recovering under Madam Pomfrey's care, and while he still looked as grizzled and battle-worn as ever, there was no mistaking the intensity in his mismatched eyes. His magical eye swiveled around the room, scrutinizing every corner, but his real eye settled on me. When our gazes met, he gave me a firm nod, which I returned instinctively.
Those two were of a select group that I knew worked for the good of the people in the Ministry. It was a shame that the group was so small.
"Professors, Madam Bones, Minister," I greeted the group, keeping my neutral tone. "Quite a situation, isn't it?"
"That's putting it lightly, my boy," Dumbledore said with a soft chuckle, his twinkling blue eyes betraying his amusement. "Quite a pickle, indeed."
I shook my head wryly. "Is there any way I can avoid participating in this thing?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
"As if you didn't put your name in the Goblet yourself," came Umbridge's sickly sweet and utterly grating voice.
I didn't even look at her. Turning my head slightly toward Dumbledore instead, I ignored her completely, which earned a few quiet snickers from the group.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at my blatant dismissal of Umbridge, and I raised one right back.
He lost the silent battle, chuckling softly before shaking his head. "I'm afraid you'll have to compete, my boy."
"I said something, young man," Umbridge snapped, her scowl breaking through her artificial sweetness as she realized I wasn't acknowledging her.
"That's what I feared," I said, still ignoring her as if she hadn't spoken. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Fudge growing more nervous by the second, likely worrying about how this conversation would affect the Ministry's reputation with the other schools.
Rolling my eyes internally, I pushed forward with the real issue at hand. "Do we know who put my name in the Goblet, Professor? And why did they do it, for that matter?"
Dumbledore's expression tightened, and he frowned softly. "That's precisely what we discussed before you arrived, my boy. Ever since we discovered the imposter within the school, I have strengthened the wards slightly, just below their maximum level. The wards in this setting should be nearly impossible to breach. They can detect even subtle forms of magical influence, such as the Imperius Curse. Something like this, something so blatant, should not have happened. I have no idea how this could have happened. The wards inform me about mind control, Animagus, and even Polyjuice. Nothing like that has entered the school."
"Then it's obvious this boy put his name in himself," Umbridge screeched, her sugary-sweet persona now entirely replaced by a venomous tone.
I could feel Iris bristling beside me, preparing to launch into a tirade in my defense, but I stopped her with a firm squeeze. "I don't know who you are, lady. What qualifications do you have to speak on this?" I said, my voice neutral.
Umbridge puffed up her chest, her smugness almost unbearable to witness. I wasn't the only one repulsed by her; Fleur, Krum, Cedric, and even my girls exchanged uncomfortable looks, grimacing at the sight. "I am the Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic," she said with a self-important sniff.
I couldn't hide my disdain. Rolling my eyes at the girls, I responded without hesitation, "Good to know. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm sure there are people here with more authority than you, and they'll be able to help me far better than a paper pusher can."
Umbridge visibly fumed, her face reddening with fury, but I was already looking past her, directing my attention back to the people who mattered. Making an enemy of her wasn't ideal, but I couldn't bring myself to care at that moment. I had just met her, and yet her presence alone was unbearable. I could already sympathize with those poor souls working under her in the Ministry.
She was supposed to be nothing more than a bureaucratic paper-pusher, yet Fudge's spinelessness had granted her more power than she realistically deserved.
"Every professor here knows I had no intention or reason to enter this Tournament. Even Cedric knows me well enough to see that something else is at play here," I continued calmly, my gaze sweeping over the room. "The only other possibility is that someone else put my name in the Goblet."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement, his expression grave. "As young Elias says, Madam Umbridge. All of us present here can confirm that he had no opportunity to place his name in the Goblet himself. He was not even at the school today."
"And where was he, Albus?" Fudge interjected, eager to regain control of the conversation.
Dumbledore's response came in his usual composed tone. "He and his friends were visiting the cemetery in Godric's Hollow."
"Why on earth would he be there on a school day?" Umbridge continued her interrogation, her voice dripping with suspicion, as Fudge looked genuinely baffled by the turn of events.
I let out an exasperated sigh. "Do you all forgot what happened this day years ago?" I shot back at her, frustration rising in my chest. Just listening to her pissed me off. "I thought Iris would want to visit her parents this day, so I asked the Headmaster for permission. He allowed us to go, with Professor Flitwick accompanying us. We'd been out of the school since breakfast."
The room fell silent momentarily as Dumbledore's expression shifted from stoic to cold. "I'm afraid something has happened," he murmured, the change of his demeanor taking me by surprise.
"What happened, Dumbledore?" Madam Bones asked, her voice steady though her gaze had sharpened.
"The wards have just alerted me… someone has died within the school grounds. In the professors' quarters," Dumbledore said softly, his demeanor suddenly grave. He sighed heavily, his fingers tapping on the arms of his chair.
"A death, Albus?" Fudge stammered, his face paling as panic began to seep into his voice. "What will the papers say about this? We have the attention of the entire world on us. We can't afford this kind of bad PR."
Of course, that was what he cared about, I thought in barely hidden frustration, feeling disgusted by the quality of the government.
Iris let out a low, muttered remark, rolling her eyes. "Typical."
Madam Bones turned her attention to Dumbledore, her face hardening. "Albus, we need answers now. No more delays."
"As you say, Madam Bones," Dumbledore nodded firmly, "I think the rest of the people here can finish this without our presence. If you would follow me."
Bones nodded, her lips firm before barking, "Moody, with me."
As I watched them leave, I frowned. A death in the school didn't make much sense, but at least that gave me a prime suspect to the question of who. I could only hope that Dumbledore would share more information once they figured everything out.
"Terrible business, that," Fudge murmured, as if to himself before he continued, "Since everything is done here, I'll call for Ludo and the Weasley boy so they can fill you in on the ins and outs of the tasks."
As soon as he finished that, he left, with the pink toad following him after sending a nasty glare in my direction.
Iris didn't even bother hiding her eye roll at the Minister's retreating back.
"Sorry for taking the spotlight," I muttered, offering Cedric a wry smile. He returned my smile, but his expression quickly morphed into concern.
"Don't worry about it, mate," he said, giving me a light pat on the back. "But are you sure you'll be okay?"
I chuckled, shaking my head. "I'll manage. I've got these wonderful girls helping me, after all."
As I gently nudged the girls, a frown tugged at my lips. So much was happening, and I really needed to step up my training. Even if the tasks were the same as in Canon, I had much to work on. Even knowing what to expect didn't lessen the risk entirely. The thought of facing a dragon was daunting, the same as the skrewts, boggarts, and the damn sphinx.
Turning to the other schools, I spoke softly, my voice filled with honest regret. "As for all of you, I know this wasn't supposed to happen, and I want to apologize for that. As we heard from our esteemed Minister, it appears that there's no way around participating." I paused, taking a deep breath before continuing with my head down, "I know that for some of you, this Tournament means a lot, and my participation may affect that. For that, I truly apologize."
It was clear that no one expected me to say this, but it was the truth. I hadn't wanted this. I hadn't even expected it. And I felt terrible for those who had truly wanted to be here, competing on their own merits.
I don't remember if it was Canon or not, but Fleur wanted to prove that she was more than her looks, and Cedric and the Hufflepuffs, in general, deserved the recognition more than me.
Fleur's eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded slowly, understanding. Krum, on the other hand, just grunted. I didn't think he was one for many words, so I let it go.
Just then, the door opened, and Ludo and Percy Weasley walked in. Both looked confused at the palpable tension in the room, but they proceeded forward, Ludo with his jolly laugh and Percy with a stern frown.
"The Minister and the Undersecretary filled us in on what we need to do," Percy announced, his tone serious. "The first task will take place on the twenty-second of November. It'll be a test of your courage, daring, and wit. You will only be allowed to use your wand and nothing else. Any questions?"Chapter 22
Hogwarts.
Elias Blake.
"What do you guys think we should do first," I asked the girls now that we were left alone in the room.
The other school and champions had left as soon as they finished grilling Bagman and Percy about the first Task. The Hogwarts professors, visibly shaken by the recent events, left us after advising us to go to the dormitories for the day.
They apparently were in a rush thanks to the death in the school; it was alarming enough that Professor McGonagall left without taking us to the common room herself. As for Flitwick and Snape, both of them followed her.
We did not know if Voldemort had found a way to trick the school wards and somehow sent someone here or what method he used to get my name inside the cup. Thinking about the situation pissed me off so much, but at least it was better than the alternative. I preferred to be the one participating; I just did not want Iris to suffer more, not anymore.
"We should go to the Owlery, Eli. After today, I'm afraid that security will be more vigilant than ever, and I don't want to risk Sirius if I can help with it." Iris frowned deeply.
She was upset for multiple reasons. First of all, me being in danger, she was sweet like that, and then, today we were supposed to meet Sirius in the shrieking shack, and this mess made it more dangerous than ever.
Now that I think about it, I would not pass it through the Minister to blame everything on Sirius. That man loved blaming everyone but himself, even if he had nothing to do with what happened today.
Rubbing her hand, I nodded at her, "That's a good idea, and you are right. Sirius hopefully was smart enough to leave when he saw the commotion, but I wouldn't put it past him to ignore it just to see you."
Hermione frowned before sighing, "Eli is right, Iris. Sirius means well, but we must admit his stay in Azkaban messed him up badly. We should work on getting him free; he needs to visit a mind healer and probably a muggle psychologist to make sure."
Iris huffed, but she had to admit that we were right. I just could not imagine how much Azkaban messed him up. Being thirteen years in the company of his most hated people, thanks to the betrayal of one of his best friends, had to be harsh on his mind. Now that I think about it... I don't know how he was still sane, or if he even was sane, to begin with.
Hurrying through the school, we finally reached the Owlery, with hundreds of Hoots welcoming us before an even louder hoot silenced every owl inside as Hedwig flew toward Iris, pecking her fingers softly.
Iris giggled as she petted the owl, her bright green eyes softening slightly.
"Hey, Hed," Iris cooed softly. "I need a favor from you. Are you up to it, girl?"
Hedwig nodded, her big eyes showing how much she understood. She was a scary owl, much more intelligent than any other I had met.
Hopefully, I could change her fate. Her death, along with Dobby's, were truly one of the saddest moments in the books.
Now that I think about it, I could even roll something to enhance her if I was lucky. It would be a lovely gift to Iris, deepening her bond with her first real friend and making Hedwig something more than just a pet, maybe even reaching the same type of bond I had with Ash as a familiar.
It was a nice thought, bringing a smile to my lips.
Iris finished writing the message as I was lost in my thoughts, and she firmly tied it to Hedwig's leg before rushing her.
"Find my stupid godfather; he might be close, even if I hope I'm wrong," Iris huffed, rolling her eyes.
Seeing Hedwig go, I smiled; she was so beautiful, her white feathers glinting in the moonlight as the rest of the Owls gave her space as if she were their queen.
"So, what did you tell him?" I asked softly, enjoying the calm wind this high up in the castle.
If the Owlery did not smell like it did, it would be one of my favorite places in the whole castle, but now, that place belonged to the Room of Requirements for its uses or the Astronomy Tower for the view.
Iris smiled as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and pulled Hermione and me to the window, "Just leave and wait for another message so we can visit him. I don't want him close to school after today."
I sighed as I got close to them, hugging them firmly, "I will be all right," I said seriously, "Nothing will happen to me; we will make it through."
"You better," Hermione said softly but with steel in her voice. "I do not want you to get hurt; the tournament is known for being bloody."
"We will do our best to support you for everything, Eli." Iris nodded firmly, her eyes locking with mine as she grabbed my hair harshly. "You are mine, and no one, not even that bastard, will take you away from me. " She stopped for a second and let out a sob. "I just can't lose you, Eli."
It hurt seeing her like this so damn much. It made my blood boil, imagining myself in her situation; if her name was the one chosen, I could not imagine what I would do in that situation; just thinking about it pissed me off.
"I will do my best," I replied softly before closing the gap between our lips, making her eyes widen before she leaned into it. Her grip on my hair tightens as she gasps for air.
She is flushed, and her expression is a mix between hunger and anger. I can't read her mind, so the anger makes me somewhat confused, but before I can think of anything, she pounces on me, pressing me against the wall.
It was funny. Usually, it was the other way around, but Iris is surprisingly adventurous in things like this.
Iris kissed me back, and I let my thoughts flee from my head as I got sucked into it.
Instead of thinking, I just acted. With my free hand, my other wand still on Hermione's, I grabbed her thin waist and pulled her into me.
It started soft, but within a moment, my hunger won the battle against propriety, and for the first time ever since we began our relationship, I licked her bottom lip softly, asking for access to her mouth. Our tongues started a battle of dominance as soon as she accepted my invitation, Iris not being calm enough to enjoy it without showing her own needy desires.
Hermione could not help it. She gasped when she saw us get too engaged without considering her.
The sound is enough to alert me, making me slap myself mentally for rushing things. Iris had a wild look in her eyes, but Hermione was not at this level, and I did not want to make her uncomfortable.
Looking at Iris's eyes, I begged her to calm down so we could continue when we were alone, but Hermione was not ready for something like this. We had barely kissed, and she was way more shy than Iris.
Thankfully, she understood, as she made space after a soft peck and bit my lower lip one last time before she grinned.
Iris coughed into her fist somewhat bashfully, "Sorry, Mione. I don't know what came into me."
Hermione was bright red to the tip of her ears as she glared at us both, but she could not hide the shivers.
Smiling at her, I approached her as she backed up until she hit the wall.
Now that I had both hands free, I grabbed her chin and kissed her softly. "Sorry about that, Mione. I just want you to know I will do only what you feel confident about. Take your time if you need it; there is no pressure. We have many years to do more," I said huskily in her ear, enjoying her trembling body.
She returned the kiss slowly; she was much more submissive than Iris.
Hermione allowed me to set the tempo, and I did nothing more than slowly peck her lips until I felt her pressing her body into mine.
"See," I smirked, "I won't bite," I continued kissing her lips, then her cheek, and ending at her nose, "Too much," before I bit her earlobe, earning a shuddering moan from her.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I walked back to give her some breathing room, enjoying how out of breath she seemed.
Iris looked at us with a flush, obviously wanting to continue, but I shook my head slowly.
She pouted at me, her green eyes locking pleadingly into mine, but I did not budge. I did not want to rush too much. I wanted them to continue our relationship without pushing themselves. Right now, Iris was fragile, thanks to my participation in the death tournament; I did not want her to regret her decisions later.
"What now?" I asked softly, "Should we head to the common room?"
Iris looked at me before grinning, "No, I have a better Idea."
"As long as you behave yourself and Hermione is all right with it, I'm game," I smirked.
Iris nodded before grabbing our hands and walking down the stairs to the seventh floor.
"Cloak us, Eli. There is a bunch of Aurors in the school," She said firmly.
Looking at the tapestry of the trolls dancing, I sighed, glaring at the unrepentant Iris, who was grinning.
"I don't know if Mione wants to do this, and I won't push her," I said firmly to my grinning girlfriend.
"I know, and I won't push her either," Iris rolled her eyes before zeroing in on Hermione, who squeaked at realizing what we were discussing.
"I don't know," Hermione mumbled, "Arent we going too fast?"
She shook her head quickly, "Not that there's anything wrong with that; I trust you both like no one else in my life."
Iris looked at Hermione softly before hugging her, "I think you are thinking more than I wanted, Mione. It will be the same as in Eli's trunk, only sleeping, nothing else. I promise."
Then, she grinned, "Don't you want to cuddle with him once more? He must be even more comfy after his last roll."
I pouted at her back, earning a snicker from Hermione, who relaxed minutely. I would not say anything; I wanted her to decide for herself. As much as I would love to sleep with them, I was not going to put pressure by opening my mouth.
Hermione looked at Iris and then at me before her eyes glanced at my new muscles. Then, she bit her lip in indecision before sighing in defeat and nodding.
Iris squealed in excitement before walking thrice in front of the tapestry.
Seeing her cute face frowning in focus, I was curious about what she wanted to make.
As the door appeared, I was thankful that we checked that no one was around the corridor.
Iris opened it, skipping her steps in excitement before grinning and motioning us inside.
Whistling in appreciation, I marveled at the room of requirements. I did not know if Iris had thought of something she saw on TV or what, but the room was amazing.
It was a room decorated with candlelight and a big chandelier on top of an equally big bed that looked so comfy. I had not noticed before, but I was tired, and seeing that bed made me even more lethargic.
But even wanting to sleep did not diminish the excitement coursing through my veins. I did not know why, but this felt different from when we slept in my trunk some weeks ago. It felt more personal, and my heart was pumping like never before.
600 CP available.
Sensing the Grimoire beginning to stir inside my soul, I smiled brightly. In one part, it was the same excitement I felt every time I could roll, but on the other hand, having to participate in the tournament made it so that every single roll could save my life.
I smiled when I looked at the door to something I suspected was the bathroom.
"Why don't you guys get ready to sleep? I'll go after you, and then we can roll." I grinned at the girls, whose eyes brightened.
Thankfully, Iris's hunger had lessened while we walked, so I could expect little mischief from here, but even so, I had to keep an eye on her. She was unpredictable.
Iris grinned and nodded, pulling Hermione's hand toward the bathroom.
Shaking my head, I sat in the bed, marveling how soft it was. I could feel my eyes closing, but I tried to keep myself awake with a gargantuan effort.
It had been a surprising day, to say the least.
After what felt like an hour, the girls opened the door and exited the bathroom. At the same time, I felt my jaw falling to the ground.
Both had nighties on, obviously, but this was the first time I had seen them dressed in something like this.
They both looked beautiful.
Iris grinned, looking pleased at how my eyes were glued to their bodies before she twirled.
The nightie rose slightly, not showing anything but getting close to that.
"What a tease," I grumbled, but that did not hide how wide my eyes got.
Giggling, she reached the bed and pecked me on the lips, leaving Hermione behind, who was looking shy, but she did not hide from my eyes. It was progressing.
"You look beautiful," I smiled softly at my bushybrow girlfriend, earning a squeak as she blushed, but it was easy to see how pleased she was.
"Go and dress in something more comfortable, babe," Iris grinned, "I asked for a closet filled with multiple things; just choose something you like, and we will wait for you."
Smiling at her, I nodded, standing up from the bed and walking to the bathroom, but not before kissing Hermione's brow.
Opening the door, I rolled my eyes and shook my head at some options in the closet. I was sure she did it to make fun of me, and it worked.
I had no idea why there was a single Speedo in there. Iris was surprisingly lewd.
Ignoring how much I wanted to see their reactions if I walked back in only that, I checked the lower cabinets; seeing some simple pajamas, I quickly changed into a loose grey shirt and some sleep shorts.
Walking outside, I smiled at the girls, enjoying the pout Iris had on her face.
"You almost fooled me," I grinned at Iris.
Hermione looked confused, but I did not explain as I reached the bed and called the grimoire.
"Let's see if I'm luckier tonight," I smiled, choosing to roll.
Mini Astral Candescence- 300 CP
The Astral Candescence is an object of sheer mystery. It is an ethereal instrument that produces a magical "Astral Wind," which enhances the lives of whoever has it. This is a miniature copy of it, slightly larger than a basketball (make sure nobody knows you have this! There is already a war over the original!) Those who stand around this arcane device gain the effect of Refresh and Regen for a full day, and there is a moderate increase in gains from any training they do for a full day after coming near it. Also, it looks really neat.
Enhanced Senses- 200 CP
The senses of one who lives and hunts in the wild are often far better than those who live within the bounds of civilization. Your senses are far better than a normal person's; you have the eyes of an eagle, the nose of a wolf, and the ears of a rabbit. So astounding are your senses that you can tell what kinds of animals are around you for miles given the time to concentrate.
Severance Package- 600 CP, Failed to buy.
Seeing the Candescence dropping into the bed, I had no idea how to react. Holy fuck, this thing was... something else. I had no words to explain the happiness I felt seeing this artifact.
In the beginning, the increased gains from training surprised me the most, but thinking about it, the lengthened life span was something else.
Just because I am a Wizard, I can live longer than a normal human, but having this was a pleasant surprise. One thing I knew for sure was that this would not see the light of the day. It would stay in my trunk forever if I could help it.
As for the other perk, the enhanced senses were incredible and would be helpful going forward.
Smiling at the girls, I grinned from ear to ear and explained the newest additions to my ever-increasing powers.
It happened as expected, and thanks to my reputation, I did not suffer much from my own house. Sure, a couple of people glared at me through breakfast, but there was nothing of note.
From the original story, I was always confused by why people from Gryffindor hated Harry until the first Task. Realistically, it did not mean much. Gryffindor was the house of the brave, and it was filled with headstrong people to the brim, with even the twins having support when they tried, but people hating on Harry was something weird.
Thankfully, besides Ron, who was openly glaring at me and speaking in a hushed voice with the other males in my year, no one bothered me too much.
As for the other houses and schools, they were as expected. Hufflepuff table had a couple of people glaring at me, but they were the minority. It appeared that Cedric helped me there since I could see multiple pitying looks. Slytherin was a mixed bag; the older ones who knew me from Crossed Wands were excited, the battle junkies, but for the ones in my year and below, almost all of them were glaring in my direction, mostly Malfoy's group.
Ravenclaw was neutral, thankfully.
Or maybe, just maybe, I was not seen as someone important enough in the grand scheme of things. Iris was famous from birth, and I was no one, so they did not care much.
Oh, I did not doubt that my name was going to be plastered in the newspapers in the foreseeable future, but I was willing to bet that most of those would be about "Iris Potter" friend, not Elias Blake, the jumped-up muggle-born.
Whatever they would see.
Yesterday, I decided to use this tournament to sharpen myself, enjoying all the advantages being a champion has given me.
Something I considered but was unsure of was whether being a champion made me an adult by law.
It was something often brought up in many stories I read in my past life, but I was not entirely sure if I could somehow obtain emancipation. It would help a bunch.
I was not short of funds, after all.
In fact, I could be filthy rich just with the rag I obtained from the grimoire.
It was funny; if I lived in a less dangerous world, that item alone would make my life quite easy.
Even here, money was power, and I had an unlimited supply of gold just by spending some time focusing on that rag.
I could even hire Dobby for help, the quirky elf having a lot of free time, and since my rag could make anything gold, be it organic or inorganic, I could even sell solid gold leaves for starters. The goblins would love a continued supply.
Hearing the conversations stop abruptly, I turned my head, wondering what was happening, lifting an eyebrow when I noticed Professor Flitwick walking in my direction.
"Hello, Professor. How are you this morning?" I smiled at him.
"Young Elias," The diminutive professor nodded, "I was wondering if you were still interested in the sword lessons."
Frowning, I thought about the pros and cons before a memory came into mind, "I am, but… are you permitted to teach me? From what I remember, professors can't help a champion."
Professor Flitwick chuckled, "I asked Albus about this, I'm not allowed to teach you magic, but these lessons should be allowed. After all, I don't think you will use a sword for any of the tasks. But I asked because I know you have a lot on your plate."
"Then, please, professor," I grinned, "Who knows, maybe I will be talented enough to display something during the tournament."
Flitwick grinned, "We will see, young Elias."