Chapter 74 – Selection of Champions
The days went on as usual, with the only change being the extra students attending some classes... but not all of them. For us, being only in the third year, it did not really play a big role as most of the guests were 15 or older. Weirdly, mingling with each other was not happening as much as I expected. I mean, the three schools were not mixing so well, probably because every side was thinking about protecting their secrets from the other.
The newcomers took it seriously as the Durmstrang students were sleeping on their ships and usually quickly retreated to it after dinner. The Beauxbatons were similar, but at least they kept up the facade of talking with the other students a little before returning to their carriage that now looked like a miniature castle. We were warned not to approach the two guests' adobes without a proper invitation. The lake would swallow us if we did, while in the Beauxbatons's case, the dragons would turn us into their meal. Charming.
I wouldn't say I wasn't curious about what their temporary homes looked like inside, but I was content not risking my life to find it out. I would have plenty of chances to do it when the competition finally kicks off! What I did not expect, however, happened on the fourth day after our guests' arrival. One of the Beauxbatons students, a surprisingly pretty girl, stopped me in my tracks. I was heading to our Common Room after getting two books from our 'secret classroom,' and she stopped me on the 4th floor's staircase.
"You are that boy they call Anguine, yes?" She asked with a heavy French accent, looking me dead in the eyes.
"Who wants to know?" I asked back, smiling, trying to look friendly, but all my senses were screaming that something was wrong. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I felt I was being manipulated. Or was she trying to control me, not by words, but by magic or... by my senses? I couldn't explain, but I felt as if I was being put under some spell without using any traceable magic. Was there power in her voice? What was she doing that alarmed me so much?
"My name is Fleur Delacour. I heard you were the youngest prodigy?"
"Well... I don't know what they say about me, but prodigy? I doubt it! I have average grades in many subjects."
"Subjects that has no use! No real...
"Sorry, I don't speak French."
"I know!" She snorted, rolling her eyes, and momentarily, I was mesmerized by her beauty. Her long, blonde hair seemed to emanate a silvery glow, giving her the aura of a fairy, while her blue eyes were like the summer sky. It took me all my willpower to break free... it was only a second or less, but my heart was beating unreasonably fast.
"If there is nothing else-" I murmured, as I just realized she was as tall as me... standing way too close, so much so, I could smell her sweet scent. Even more.... she was exuding a domineering aura, making me feel like I was the target of some kind of... bird of prey or something... It made my blood boil, angry and aggressive. I was starting to think about killing her, which was absurd! I had to get away...