Blooming: The Untold Goblet of Fire Story

Veronica couldn't quite articulate what had just happened. It was her first time apparating, and she found herself on her knees, the world spinning around her as she struggled to regain her balance.

Moody, on the other hand, appeared completely unfazed. He stood with a calm demeanor, as if he had merely taken a brisk step rather than experienced sudden teleportation. His gaze fell on her as if checking, that big rotating living eye looking right at her. Impatiently, he had to wait for her patiently to compose herself.

"It's your first day at Hogwarts," he said, his voice steady and commanding. "You'd better pull yourself together, France." He paused, glancing around as if assessing their surroundings. "I think we'll make it in time for Dumbledore's announcement." Offering her a hand, he helped her to her feet. "Come on, the students are all in the Great Hall now. Dumbledore is waiting for us."

Veronica followed Alastor Moody up the grand stone staircase, her footsteps echoing through the halls. They approached an imposing medieval door, standing at least fourteen feet high. The wooden surface, bound with iron, bore the marks of centuries. She hesitated for a moment, awed by its sheer size, before Moody pushed it open with ease. Beyond it stood another equally massive door.

As they entered the room, her gaze was immediately drawn to a set of towering hourglasses in the corner, each filled with gleaming gemstones in vibrant colours: ruby red for Gryffindor, warm amber for Hufflepuff, sapphire blue for Ravenclaw, and emerald green for Slytherin. She had read about the houses in one of her books, but seeing the hourglasses in person was different—it felt more real, more magical.

"All right," Moody said gruffly, giving his wand a quick flick. In a snap of his fingers, Veronica found herself draped in giant black robes and a cloak, the fabric heavy on her shoulders. "Seemed more appropriate," he muttered, stepping back to inspect his handiwork.

Veronica frowned, her expression of clear disgust at the shapeless robes Moody had conjured. Without hesitation, she waved her own wand, altering the fabric to fit better and adding her own subtle touches to the outfit.

Moody paused, seemingly unfazed by her modifications, his magical eye whirling in its socket as though listening to something beyond the walls. His entire posture grew tense and alert. "Wait here in front of the door," he said, his tone clipped and businesslike. "I'll notify Dumbledore of our successful arrival."

Without waiting for a response, he strode off, his cloak billowing behind him and leaving Veronica standing before the enormous entrance, her nerves tingling with anticipation.

Moody appeared towards the end of dinner, striding through the Great Hall's towering doors with his usual heavy gait, the click of his wooden leg echoing faintly across the room. The lively chatter of the students faltered as heads turned, wide eyes with curiosity and unease. Whispers rippled through the hall as Moody made his way to the staff table and leaned down to exchange a few words with Dumbledore. Whatever he said seemed significant, but Dumbledore's calm demeanour remained unchanged.

Finally, the headmaster rose from his seat, his commanding presence silencing the hall instantly. Every student sat on edge, sensing that something significant was about to be revealed.

"Students," Dumbledore began, his voice warm but serious, "I am pleased to announce the arrival of your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Alastor Moody." He gestured toward Moody, who gave a curt nod in response, his stern expression never really wavering. A low murmur spread through the hall as students sized up their new professor, more than a few looking apprehensive. You could spot some worried and curious students mixed with gossip spreading around the hall.

Dumbledore cleared his throat as if there was still more to say, his eyes twinkling beneath his half-moon spectacles. The usual murmur of excited students gradually quietened as he raised his hand, signalling for attention. "As many of you may have heard, a very special event is upon us—one that has not graced our school for over a century. This year, Hogwarts will host the legendary Triwizard Tournament!" Excited whispers rippled through the hall as Dumbledore smiled, pausing to let the news settle. "This ancient competition will bring together three schools—Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang—for a series of magical challenges. It is not merely a test of skill and bravery but an opportunity for unity, cooperation, and, of course, the deepening of friendships across borders."

Excitement washed over the Great Hall as Dumbledore announced the Triwizard Tournament.

"Now, as thrilling as this tournament will be, I must remind you all," Dumbledore continued, his tone growing slightly more solemn, "the Triwizard Tournament is not for the faint of heart. The challenges are designed to test not only your magical abilities but your courage, intellect, and perseverance. Only students of age will be permitted to compete, as the risks involved are quite real."

A collective groan of disappointment rose from the younger students, while the older ones, particularly those nearing their seventeenth birthday, sat up a little straighter, their faces alight with hope and determination.

Dumbledore's gaze swept across the students as his expression grew a bit more serious. "In the spirit of fostering better cultural exchange and ensuring we are not only good competitors but also excellent hosts, the International Confederation of Wizards has proposed a new tradition. This year, we are honoured to welcome a student from another country who will be studying alongside you here at Hogwarts."

A hum of curiosity stirred in the room as Dumbledore continued, "This student, entering their fifth year, will spend the remainder of their magical education here, allowing us to share in their culture, their ideas, and, most importantly, their friendship. I trust that you will extend the warmth and hospitality for which Hogwarts is so well known. We are honoured to welcome a new student to Hogwarts this year—one who has travelled a great distance to join us. It is only fitting that they, like every witch or wizard before them, experience the time-honoured tradition of the Sorting Hat."

With a wave of his wand, the doors of the Great Hall creaked open, and a figure stepped forward.

"Miss Veronica France!" Dumbledore announced, his voice carrying clearly so that all the students in the Great Hall could hear.

Veronica took a deep breath, her heart fluttering in her chest as the heavy doors of the Great Hall started to open with a slow, echoing creak. All eyes turned towards her, the whispers and excitement about the Triwizard Tournament momentarily forgotten as she stepped into the vast room.

For a brief moment, a wave of nervousness washed over her. The vastness magnitude of the hall, the hundreds of students staring at her—it was almost overwhelming. But she quickly pushed the nerves aside, straightened her posture, and lifted her chin ever so slightly.

With each step she took, her confidence grew. She moved with a daintiness that seemed almost effortless, her robes now perfectly tailored to her form, flowing gracefully as she walked. The soft click of her shoes against the stone floor was the only sound to break the silence, and she allowed herself a small, charming smile as she caught a few curious eyes lingering on her. Little by little, the students murmured amongst themselves, though only a few returned her smile in a friendly manner. She could feel the weight of their gazes, but rather than shrinking under it, she embraced it, using it to fuel her resolve.

Amidst the crowd of hundreds of students, Veronica's gaze was drawn to a figure in yellow robes—a Hufflepuff. His presence stood out, not due to any grand gesture, but because of the way his eyes seemed to lock onto hers, searching, analysing. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration, as though he were contemplating something significant about her. For a moment, the bustling Great Hall faded into the background, it was just the two of them, connected by an unspoken curiosity.

Then, as if a decision had been reached, the intensity in his expression softened. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and he gave her a friendly nod—a gesture that felt both welcoming and oddly reassuring. It was as if he had been evaluating her, and whatever he had concluded had left him satisfied.

Veronica's mind raced, trying to place him, but she couldn't. Who was this boy?

Before she could fully process the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in her mind, Veronica found herself standing at the front of the Great Hall. Dumbledore nodded reassuringly at her, his eyes twinkling with warmth. A comforting smile played on his lips as he gestured towards the stool where the Sorting Hat awaited her.

A wave of nervousness surged through Veronica's body, sending a shiver down her spine. The weight of the moment settled heavily on her shoulders as she approached the stool. This was it—the moment that would shape her entire journey at Hogwarts. The thought of sitting under the Sorting Hat filled her with both anticipation and apprehension. It was one of those decisions that could have consequences, deciding everything else, like a butterfly effect. She thought to herself.

As she lowered herself onto the stool, the ancient hat loomed above her, its frayed brim casting a shadow over her face. Veronica's heart raced, her mind swirling with possibilities. She couldn't help but wonder how this decision would influence not just her time at Hogwarts, but the friendships she would form, the challenges she would face, the memories she would make, and the person she would become.

As the Sorting Hat settled on Veronica's head, she felt a strange sensation, as if the hat were sifting through her thoughts, weighing each aspect of her character. Time seemed to stretch, the murmurs of the Great Hall fading into the background as the hat's voice echoed in her mind.

"Hmm," the hat mused, its tone contemplative. "This is a tricky one… quite tricky indeed. I see a strong sense of loyalty—stubbornness, even, when it comes to protecting those you care about. A heart that beats fiercely for the people you love, paired with a thirst for adventure and a readiness to face the unknown. Yes, Gryffindor would suit you well…"

At the mention of Gryffindor, a ripple of excitement moved through the red-and-gold table. Some students exchanged eager glances, imagining what kind of daring deeds this new student might undertake alongside them.

"But what's this?" the hat continued, and the room seemed to hold its breath.

"Ambition, dreams that burn brightly, a desire to achieve, to carve out your own path. Yes, Slytherin could help you reach those heights…"

The Slytherin table buzzed with interest, a few students sitting up straighter, their eyes narrowing in intrigue. Could this be a new ally, a seeker of greatness?

The hat paused, considering further. "And there's more… Creativity, a mind that sees the world in its own unique way, combined with honesty, an unwavering commitment to the truth. These qualities would make you a fine fit for Ravenclaw, where your curiosity and intellect would be well received…"

The Ravenclaw table was alive with whispers, students leaning forward with keen interest. The air in the Great Hall crackled with anticipation—where would she go?

Veronica's heart raced, but amid the buzz of the Sorting Hat's voice, her thoughts drifted. For some reason, she remembered the Hufflepuff boy she had noticed earlier in the crowd. She didn't know why—she didn't even know his name—but there was something about his eyes. The way they had lingered on her, intense yet thoughtful. And then that small, friendly nod he had given her. Why was she thinking about him now?

Her mind kept returning to that brief, silent connection, even as the hat weighed its options. She tried to focus on the decision at hand, but those eyes seemed to pull her back. What had he been thinking? And why did it feel as though she would see more of him? She hoped so.

"And yet…" the hat murmured, its voice drawing her back to the present. "Your mind is sharp, and your curiosity could flourish in Ravenclaw, but… the heart, yes, the heart often speaks louder than the mind."

Veronica's pulse quickened as the hat lingered. Guilty as charged.

"There's a warmth here, a deep-seated kindness and loyalty, a willingness to work hard for what you believe in. Hufflepuff… yes, there's no question your heart belongs there."

At the mention of Hufflepuff, the students at the yellow-and-black table shared knowing smiles, welcoming the decision. Some Gryffindors exchanged looks of understanding as well—many had friends in Hufflepuff and knew the value of a kind heart.

For what felt like an eternity, the hat wavered between the houses, its indecision palpable, and the tension in the Great Hall grew with each passing second. Students from every house watched intently, some whispering to their neighbours, others simply waiting, breath held.

Then, with a decisive finality, the hat declared, "So let it be Hufflepuff!"