1People stared at her, pointed, whispered. It was practically a repeat of last year. Apparently she had made it in the papers, Girl Tortured to Death at World Cup: Returns to Life. Madison shoved the paper aside and it burst into flame on the dining hall table.
She had OWLs this year and she didn't want to deal with the paper. Harry came and sat down next to her, he slid a cherry tart onto her plate and handed her a fork.
"Thanks Harry," Madison smirked at this simple but kind gesture.
Over the next week Harry seemed to always be at her side, he sat with her in the library, dining hall, common room and walked with her in the halls. Fred and George seemed to sense that she needed some room. Madison spent most of her time down by Hagrids, helping him with creatures for his classes. She helped feed, clean and entertain them. She actually became quite fond of the illegal blast-ended skrewets. Not really.
She was in his hut making a cup of tea when an owl arrived, Fang whined as she opened the window and let the bird in. Of course the letter was addressed to Hagrid but she was surprised to see it was sealed and labeled from the ministry of magic, international division.
Taking the letter she set her tea down and went out towards the back of the house by the paddocked area.
"You have a letter," she climbed up on the fence and handed it to him.
"Oh I've been waiting for this, now its top secret stuff this is. It's about the tournament so you can't go telling no one about this." Curious Madison nodded and waited for Hagrid to open the letter.
"Dear Hagrid,
Seeing as to you are in charge of the grounds and magical creatures Dumbledore directed out attentions to you regarding the upcoming tournament. The students from Bo Batons Academy will be arriving by carriage and will have five large Pegasus, they are native to the south of France and not accustomed to the cooler weather. A stable of sorts will need to be erected, they are approximately forty-five to fifty hands high and are a larger breed. Their diet is enclosed. Durmstrang will not need any such accommodations as we are aware of now. The first task will need special accommodations and we wish to have those set in place well before hand. Three female dragons in breeding are being arranged for at the moment. Specifics are not yet known. "
"Well Maddy we're going to have our hands full for the next month. For you assignment I want you to double check and research the diet list and design a suitable environment to keep them in. The dragons will be a bit tricky, I'll need some more information on them. Now scoot, you have the rest of the time left for research or sleep. You might want to catch a few winks before your first class."
Madison smiled and finished copying down what she needed and headed back up to the dorms to do just that.
Fred and George were up to their usual tricks, experimenting on the younger students, Madison sat in a corner watching as one boy blew up in a flurry of feathers. By far that one was her favorite. As long as professor McGonagall didn't find out about these then they might be safe from a selection of detentions.
"Fred, make a pink canary crème and I'll help fund your shop." Madison shouted over at them and watched as the feathers began to molt.
"She speaks at last, did you hear that George."
"Yes we were afraid you had come back a zombie and were secretly consuming all of Snape potions stores." Madison got up and went over to the bench one of the students were perched on. She poked the boy with her wand and all the feathers fell out.
"Hmm, too easy to fix. What's this about Snapes missing stores?"
Fred leaned over and lowered his voice, "Snape went bloody mad, raving lunatic in McGonagall's office claiming that her students were stealing from his stores, making illegal and restricted potions. I heard boomslang skin was it and lace wing flies were listed."
George leaned over, pushing away the first year that was trying to listen in, "it sounded like a student is making polyjuice potion. He was absolutely livid, it was great. Then McGonagall got angry and started yelling back."
"And we decided it would be best if we weren't out there when they came out."
Madison leaned back, against Fred's arm, trying not to flinch at the physical contact. "That's a difficult potion to make, even Hermione might even find that a challenge. If I remember correctly, it takes a few months to make it and you have to time the ingredients according to the moons phase. Not many students would have the time to do such a thing, including getting some of the rarer ingredients."
"Blime, Madds will you shut it your making our brains hurt," Madison laughed. Then got up and headed out back to the library.
She heard some loud slapping footsteps behind her and turned to see Fred. She smirked and paused for him to catch up.
"Hey, you're going to the library right? Good cause I thought you would like some company." They walked in silence for a few moments. "It was good to hear you laugh, you've been back almost a month and we haven't heard you laugh. You don't smile much anymore really. It's kind of depressing, I've always like your smile. Your eyes light up and your nose scrunches just a little bit. It looks kind of kiddish, we've kind of missed seeing it."
Madison stared at her feet as they walked, not really sure what to say. "I don't feel the same, things don't feel the same they feel.." she paused trying to find the right word, "distant, likes it's not really there. Everyone's been really nice to me but I don't really know how to describe it. I just feel off."
Fred nodded then looped his arm through hers, "maybe you'll go back to normal, maybe you won't. But I can promise you that I won't be changing and from now on I'm going to do anything and everything to make you smile."
Her homework load was already heavy and it was nearly the middle of October. She was going to struggle this year she thought as she raced down to Hagrids hut, her report neatly set in the black folder clasped in her hand.
Out of breath she knocked on the door, Fang barked loudly and a second or so later Hagrid greeted her, "Good morning lass," he handed her the already prepared cup of mint tea. Madison smiled and took a sip as he shut the door behind her.
"I've finished, I finished it last night. And the plans for the stable we will need is in there. Each stall will have or need its own heating unit tuned to that particular horse. I did some owling around and the numbers are in there the food cost per horse and the estimated total. It's a lot, thank you," Madison sat in the chair Hagrid had pulled out for her. She opened the folder and spread the parchments out on the table. "Here is the total cost for feedings, plus they will need to be exercised every day or they will become upset. So we will have to add in the cost of blankets if they are not already provided. Right there," she pointed on the third sheet, "is the list of places we can obtain the necessary items and the prices. Also I had to add in, for each horse if not already provided, the various combs and brushes needed for grooming. That will also have to be done on a daily basis. Hagrid this is a lot to do for just two people. We might need to recruit some other students or hire someone to do help care for them full time. With my other classes and your teaching it might be almost impossible for just the two of us. Oh and, here are the plans and designs for the stable, barn thing. I'm not really sure where to get the materials from. Unless I transfigure piles of branches but the laws of transforming have to come into play and it will take time to find the wood, transfigure, build, and spell everything. It would be easier to by pre-cut boards, planks and beams but I don't know where from and I have no idea how much or many and I don't have the time to figure that out. Oh and the wood must be oak and never pine."
Hagrid was leaning back, arms crossed and beaming, "You do me proud. This is all very well done. I can get the materials and begin the building. We should have it done and ready in a week or so. Now your next project, arranging the delivery of the items needed. I will owl Beauxbatons and find out these others you mentioned. Now I'll take care of that while you go get the unicorns set up for the first years. The second years are starting on flobberworms so if you could go check on those in the shed."
Three weeks later, two days before the arrival of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students, the stable was finished. Madison got permission to miss her classes so she could spend the day arranging and awaiting the arrival of the supplies. McGonagall was down there with her for most of the day, checking and double checking everything. Hagrid had to keep reassuring her everything was fine. After the last reassurance McGonagall turned on Madison.
"Ms. Black if you would be so kind as to dye your hair back to its natural color, no red is not your natural color. And I would like you to dress in the school uniform. When the Beauxbatons carriage arrives you and Hagrid will guide the horses down here and set them up comfortably then quickly and quietly enter the Great Hall. Hagrid suggested you could aide with getting the schools ready, they will be taken up the castle where they can prepare for their entrances. Beauxbatons will go first, after they have done their thing signal Durmstrang to enter. Beauxbatons will be sitting with the Hufflepuffs and Durmstrang with the Slitherines on the other side of the hall. After they have entered slip in and take your seat. Alright? Alright. Well then, Ms. Black I will leave you to your preparations."
Madison nodded.
The next day was extremely busy, even though the visiting school would not be entering the dorms everything had to be clean. Everything had to be spotless. The castle was more festive than usual, the suits of armor were nicely polished and Peeves seemed to have vanished.
Madison peered into the mirror, her hair was shoulder length and turned back to its dark brown. Her uniform was spotless and perfect. Everyone was lining up in front of the school for inspection, Madison planted herself next to Fred and George, she was only a few inches shorter than them but Professor McGonagall came over and moved her towards the middle of the line, with her year. Unfortunately she was in the year under the twins and just waved at them and scowled when they started making faces at her
Everyone began to twitter and murmmer as it got closer and closer to the time of arrival. They waited impatiently, the heads of house pacing up and down the lines critizing and telling them to fix this, or remove that. The real suspense began when someone down the line gave a shout and pointed to the sky in front of them.
The butterfly's in Madisons stomach intensified as she saw the carriage pulled by five great gold and white whinged horses. They were gigantic and beautiful, Madison stared in awe her mouth half open. They were beautiful, majestic and wild. There was very little if anything tame about them. Their golden bodies were magnificent, power radiated with every bend of the leg and stretch of the neck. These were true beasts of legend, right out of a Grecian myth. Madison slid quietly down the line, hardly noticeable compared to the giant beauties. She approached the first horse with Hagrid just as the door to the carriage opened.
An abnormally large woman emerged, she elegantly descended the steps and was graciously greeted by Headmaster Dumbledore. Madison looked up, rembering to not look directly into the enchanting ruby hued eyes, smiling, not revealing teeth, she held her hand stretched above her head, palm up. The lead, Pipper of the heard as they are called among flying horses, lowered his head to the lowly humans offered palm.
His nose wasn't velvety like a normal horses but was hard, but soft and scaly like snake skin. He pawed at the ground and tossed his head in acceptance. Madison waited until the last girl had disembarked from the carriage before giving Hagrid the signal to detach the beasts.
"May I ride you, it will be faster than you following me." The Piper nodded and leaned down on his front legs, Hagrid hurried over and boosted her up. The stallion was too wide for her to straddle, so she sat back on her heels at the back of his neck. She leaned forward, careful not to dig her knees into him, and put pressure on the right side of his neck directing him to the stable. The others followed silently behind.
The Durmgstrang's ship arrived as the last of the flying horses was unhooked and led into the stable. Hagrid waved at Madison, "I got it from here, you go do what you were told to do." Madison smiled, she had begun being worried about running late.
Hurring out of the stable, she pulled out her wand and quickly straightened her wrinkled clothing. Her broom leaned against Hagrid's backdoor, she ran up to his house and quickly set off to the castle. Most of the students were already in the hall, Madison quickly went into the side room off the hall where the arrivals were lounging. The Heads of the schools were in discussion with Ludo Bagman and Crouch.
Madison cleared her throat, her stomach churned with nervousness and she did her best not to show it. "Good evening, Minister and Mr. Bagman. The Headmaster is ready for you to take your seat at the head table."
The group stared at her, Crouch nodded, "Very well then. Thank you..?"
Madison jumped slightly, she hadn't introduced herself, "Black, Madison Black sir."
"A Black. I haven't met a Black in many years," he paused slightly realizing who she was. "Ah, I see. Very well lead the way dear."
Madison opened one of the dining hall doors for them, allowing the two men to enter and make their way up to the head table while the students were still getting settled. It was a few minutes before nearly everyone was seated, her head of house nodded at her in approval. Madison smiled and slipped back out the door and across the hall to the lounge.
Upon her return every student in the room turned to look at her. Madison felt her face slowly turning a light shade of warm pink, "Madame Maxine, we are ready for you and your students." Madison stepped back as the giantess nodded and gracefully swept past her and out the door.
"Headmaster Karkarof, if you and your students will follow me. We will wait in the hall until the Beauxbatons students are seated."
"Very well then, Krum!" Madison startled at the sudden yell. Victor Krum came up to stand next to his Headmaster, Madison did her best to keep her jaw attached to her face as it attempted to set itself on the floor.
Madison blinked for several seconds before standing aside out of the door way. The lined up two-by-two and exited the room similar to the Beauxbaton students. As the last pair passed her, the guy on the left winked at her. Surprised and shocked Madison broke into a grin as she recognized him. He was the guy from the party after the World Cup.
Madison's face warmed as she slipped around the group and peeked through the door, the Beauxbaton students had seated themselves at the Ravenclaw table.
"Alright, you're up," Madison pushed the doors open and the guy tromped in in a shower of sparks. Madison quickly and quietly, beaming with excitement, slid behind them into the hall and over to her table. Fred and George scooted over, making room for her in the middle.
It wasn't until after the meals had been eaten and dessert was on the table that Dumbledore made his announcement about the triwizard tournament.
After the goblet had been revealed the excitement rose several levels. Madison wanted to put her name in but the age limit would be a problem. Fred and George were talking about making an aging potion. Madison disagreed, if Dumbledoe drew the age line then the chance of it being fooled by an aging potion would be slim. But perhaps a confundus charm would work. But Madison was no good at those.
They were dismissed soon after the announcement, "I don't like that Moody guy, something seems off about him." Madison hooked her arms between Fred and Georges.
"Dad says he's brilliant."
"First class auror"
"A bit of his rocker, paranoid as hell though."
"Dad says the eye can see through anything."
George raised his eye brows, "Reckon it can see through clothes?"
Madison wrinkled her nose and scowled up at them as they looked down at her, the same drippy look on their faces.
"Of course that would be the first thing that popped into those empty heads of yours, now if you don't mind I have some horses to check up on."
The next morning things went on as usual except for the undercurrent of excitement running through the school.