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"I still can't believe you got stuck with that twat." Scorpius stated from across the table. "I usually don't pity others, but getting stuck with James Potter is something I'd rather die than do."

The group was seated at the Ravenclaw table enjoying their lunch discussing the latest gossip at Hogwarts. Everyone knew the hatred Ivy and James carried for each other, therefore everyone was in shock when they heard of their 'partnership' in the games.

Another rumor that had been roaming through the school, was the sightings of dragons in the forbidden forest. The champions hadn't been given an exact date of the tournament, but they began preparing realizing it was closer than they had thought.

Ivy had the honor - note the sarcasm, of spending many long hours with James preparing for his first task. Ivy hadn't realized the difficulty helping James was, she had hoped he'd have a slight clue of what he was doing, but unfortunately for the both of them he hadn't.

The boy entered a dangerous tournament not even knowing how to cast a spell on preventing fire from burning his own wand, what was he thinking? She should have known she would be doing much more than just watching over him.

Luckily for James, Ivy managed to teach him the basics, along with other tricks on completing his task. She also read back on how his father had completed the task at only fourteen by using a broom, which was a massive help. James Potter had inherited his father and mother's quidditch skills and he could use that to his advantage.

"I've dreaded every minute of it." Ivy grumbled stabbing into the piece of chicken on her plate. "The boy had no clue what he was doing! He looked like a first year trying to fly a broom."

"I'm not surprised." Daisy Dursley replied. "He once came to the muggle world and took ages finding out how to turn on a laptop, it's common sense for Merlin's sake, there's a literal button that says on!"

Albus snickered. "My brother isn't the brightest of the three."

"I have to agree, Lily holds the spot." Ivy said replying to Albus.

"I won't even argue with that one." Albus said rolling his eyes knowing it was true.

"If it makes you feel better Albus, all men are idiots." Harlow said joining in on the conversation. "There is a reason I am into woman, your kind is just... eh."

Daisy and Ivy let out a laugh at Harlow's statement. Harlow never failed to mention her hatred for the male species.

"I'll have you know our 'kind' is magnificent." Albus said clearly butthurt over the girl's response. "Ivy and Daisy are into men, clearly we are not just 'eh'."

"Sadly I am." Ivy replied while Daisy kept quiet eating her sandwich. "What a shame really."

"Such a disappointment." Harlow replied agreeing.

"Why are we even friends with them Albus?" Scorpius stated rolling his eyes. "They clearly don't understand the privilege they have sitting with us."

"Scorpius don't even try, you two would be the loners of the school if it weren't for us." Harlow argued. "Also there is no 'privilege' in fact we are lowering our standards sitting here with you. The least we deserve is a thank you."

Ivy nodded her head agreeing. "May I add I knew Albus first, so technically you'd be by yourself rotting away."

"Where's our thank you?" Daisy asked.

"Albus would choose me over you any day Ivy." Scorpius replied declining the request of a thank you. "Isn't that right Albus?"

Albus stayed quiet pretending he hadn't heard what Scorpius had asked.

"Isn't that right Albus?" He questioned once more.

"Where's the invisibility cloak when you need it." Albus grumbled causing the group - besides Scorpius, to let out a chorus of laughters.

"You all are gits."

*

"James for the last time, use your bloody fucking head!" Ivy shouted as James flew above her knocking her off her feet.

She landed with a loud thump as she glared at the Gryffindor sending her a smirk from up in the air.

The two had been practicing for the past two hours in the empty fields of Hogwarts where they wouldn't be seen. James stated he didn't want the other champions watching him practice, not that there was much to watch.

James was horrible, literally horrible at defending himself using magic. How did this boy pass his O.W.L, a first year probably knew more than him. Thank Merlin for brooms, it was the only think he knew how to use.

"I am using my head Lennon, it's not like I'm using my heart." James replied as he flew circles around the girl causing her head to spin.

He would never admit it, but he knew how to do all the spells Ivy had been instructing. He knew better than to join a tournament without having a slight clue on what he was doing. It was just a bonus seeing the girl's hair turn gray as she yelled at him for hours. This tournament was going better than he had expected - he not only had a chance to prove himself, but terrorize the Ravenclaw as well.

"Well James it doesn't seem like you do." Ivy sighed laying down on the grass exhausted of the long hours of training the two had been through. "At this point I hope the dragon will be able to burn that huge ego of yours."

James snickered as he watched her close her eyes clearly done with him. "Sorry Lennon, but I'm afraid nothing can destroy that. It's apart of who I am."

She opened one eye watching him slowly make his way down the towards the ground. "Sadly it is." She replied sitting up right. "I could always hex it out of you, if you'd like? I'd be more than delighted."

"Even if I wanted that, I'd never give you the pleasure." James said sending a small smirk. "Although I wonder if I could hex the sarcasm out of your brain, the world would be a better place. Don't you think?"

Ivy sent a glare his way unamused of his remark. "You'd never hurt me James, you'll never admit but deep down I'm your favorite person in this entire world."

James let out a laugh before taking a seat from across Ivy. "I think the sun is affecting your brain Lennon, you aren't even remotely close to being my favorite. In fact you are least, beating Albus, congratulations."

Ivy rolled her eyes at the boy's response. Her eyes would end up in the back of her head after finishing this conversation. "Watch out James, there is a thin line between love and hate."

"So I'm guessing you love me?" James replied with a questioning glance.

"No I still hate you."

*

Ivy Blane was perched under a grand oak tree enjoying a peaceful afternoon at Hogwarts. Her friends were off knows where doing what they needed to do. She cleared out her schedule hoping for some peace and quiet, to clear out her head and take some well needed time for herself.

She opened up her book turning to the page she had left on. She lost count on how many times she read 'Little Women' - but she couldn't help it. It was her all time favorite muggle book. She grew attached towards Amy March and Theodore 'Laurie' Laurence's relationship, hoping one day she would have something just like theirs.

Aside from their relationship, she loved reading the sister's journey through life. She never had a want to go to America, but this book caused her to want to visit the city of New York where Jo worked at or, Concord, Massachusetts where the girls grew up.

She payed close attention towards the page realizing it was one of her favorite quotes throughout the entire book.

"Don't laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God's sight. Even the sad, sour sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the sweetest part of life, if for no other reason."

Ivy continued to feel the cool breeze flowing through her hair leaving her with goosebumps. She couldn't remember the last time she had an evening to herself without having to worry about assignments or other students.

Besides helping James, she'd tutor other students for money. She hated borrowing money from the Potters - even though it didn't hurt them one bit, and her father wouldn't allow her to use galleons unless it was for school supplies.

Almost as if fate hated her happiness she was interrupted by a voice calling her name. She sighed putting her book down recognizing the voice that called out for her - there was no one else in the school that called her by her middle name.

She watched as James got closer with a frantic look on his face. He was covered in sweat and his shirt was a wrinkly mess.

"Lennon thank Merlin I've been looking all over the school for you!" The boy said stopping in front of her to catch his breath.

Ivy slowly put her book back into her bag before replying. "What the hell happened to you?" She questioned. "It looks like you ran a bloody marathon."

The boy finally caught a hold of his breath standing back up to reply to Ivy. "Tomorrow, tomorrow morning is the first task."

Bloody hell.