Future Triwizard Champion

[Now it was Durmstrang time; the home school would be chosen last, so at least Noah’s wait was short now. Still, Hogwarts had fed right into what was expected of them -- and Noah knew that his name hadn’t been tossed around much as a top contender for Durmstrang. He was a Falk, but that was really all he had going for him. And then, the Beauxbatons Headmistress pulled a paper out, and Noah thought he stopped breathing as he waited to hear the name.] “Noah Falk.” [He was frozen in place, her words not quite sinking in, but when people glanced in his direction, he jumped up, fistpumping and giving Juliette a half hug as he walked up to the stage, still in a daze.]

Governments do seem to drain the creativity with all their hoops and limits and regulations; I wouldn’t want an adventurous soul such as yourself trapped behind a desk anyway. I’ve tried drawing cartoons, and I actually rather love them, but my parents are sure that realism is what will sell more, and as for a backup career, I know my parents aren’t going to let me fail at art. Muted could also mean other things; sometimes when you keep colors dull, something else shines through, the essence of the picture. 

If I were to get stuck at a desk, I think I’d need to order one of those Muggle contraptions where I can ride a bike underneath my desk to keep moving all day long. So you’re going to let them control what type of art you do? I guess at least they’re letting you pursue your passion, even if it seems like they’re narrowing your options more than they should. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I guess it’s no different than the way music swells to accentuate certain sections.

That’s an excellent point; we wizards are a bit set in our ways, certainly. I come from an old family who’s been in every class of Beauxbatons so I know a thing or two about how strongly traditions can uphold us, which works sometimes but sometimes is a shame. It’d be most fascinating to see other schools in this competition as well, would it not? Not that I’m complaining about housing Durmstrang or Hogwarts, but variety is the spice of life. So long as I get to keep both my ears, the next Van Gogh is a title I’d take happily, even if I’m more of a fan of Henri Matisse’s fauvism personally. Next time go to a museum without your brothers and take your time exploring; there are many hidden treasures all around one at a museum, and you deserve to experience that. I’d want to be a Ravenclaw just to wear blue, à dire vrai. Red matches my hair too much, yellow is just abysmal on me, and green makes me look like Christmas. You’d look nice in any of those color combinations so it doesn’t narrow it down much for you, unfortunately.

I’ve heard rumors that somewhere far back on the family line, a Faulk married a Hogwarts student that he met at this very tournament, but I’ve never been able to actually confirm that. It would be cool to compete with Uagadau, the school that started it all -- although all of our schools like to act like they were the first one that mattered, so maybe that’s why they don’t branch out. You don’t fancy having a hole in the side of your head? At least you’ve got the hair to cover it, that’s probably more than van Gogh had going for him. What kind of pieces did Matisse paint? I’m not sure I know the name. Going alone “defeats the purpose of family vacation” but I’ll try to get away. Maybe if I win this tournament they’ll give me a little more slack to go wherever I want. Superficial reasons, but no more superficial than judging an 11 year old off of like basic personality traits, so that seems like good enough logic to me. Excuse you, Mademoiselle Major, you just said yellow is abysmal and now you’re trying to pawn it off on me?

Beauxbatons has its share of outdated beliefs and nepotism as well, so perhaps we aren’t so different, even if we do value proficiency for proficiency’s sake, regardless of the field, which is probably why you haven’t heard of any preference from us - as long as you do your job politely and proficiently, you’re worthy of adulation. I’ve gotten pretty good at painting quickly - my friends aren’t patient and wouldn’t sit for much longer than that for me, after all. Slytherin and Gryffindor seem very similar to me, to the point where I’m not sure why they’re two separate houses, but keeping an eye on you is something I can certainly manage. Précisemment! Well done, Monsieur! 

That must be the Wizarding world as a whole, then. You know, the Triwizard Tournament in general shows the unwillingness for change; there are plenty of other schools outthere, but they never make any effort to have international competitions with them. You could be the next van Gogh -- I’ve heard he created an almost insane number of paintings in his final years, multiple paintings in one day, even. We were in Amsterdam once on a family vacation but my brothers weren’t interested in visiting the museum, though, so I don’t have confirmation on that front. It’s convenient that they’re all still wearing their house colors even now that they’re here, then; it makes it easy to spot the divides in their ranks and look for distinctions. I like being precise.

Creativity is my forte, absolutely! I wouldn’t say that arts and music are first or second place to anything else here; it’s more that if you’re good at something, remarkably so, and you dedicate yourself to it, everyone respects you for it. I haven’t paid enough attention to know what’s most popular or not, though, since it’s hard to tell when I’m only surrounded by the same squad from day to day. I’m a quick painter, you probably wouldn’t be needing to pose for me for longer than half an hour and I could have a working outline. Which Hogwarts home would suit me best? Perhaps Ravenclaw? If artistic intelligence counts, then I have that in the bag. What about you? I see you as a Slytherin, perhaps, or a Gryffindor. Here’s another French phrase: “C'est bien.” Take your best guess.

Our schools are very different, then. Durmstrang students are prized on strength and their ability to abide by outdated beliefs, although they might coast by on merit of family name. Hogwarts seems to specialize in Quidditch, but I don’t know that I’ve heard a clear preference for anything from my limited interactions with Beauxbatons students. Half an hour? I can certainly sit still that long for the benefit of you creating your next masterpiece. I’ve heard Ravenclaws are quite creative, so that might be a safe fit for you. Are Slytherins and Gryffindors not just two sides of the same coin? I guess you’ll just have to watch to see if I’m more cunning or reactionary so you can decide between the two. It’s good? Is that guess anywhere close to correct?

I don’t need any extra money; painting is just something that I do, particularly when stressed out, so I might need the outlet. Do you think perhaps the Champions would agree to letting me do a portrait of them? Or is that hoping for too much admist all their training? I don’t know what to make of their little house system except that it seems very…cartoonish, does it not? Well done! See, you already know more than you think! 

So you’re into creative stuff... Cool. Do people around Beauxbatons like that kind of stuff, or is it like at Durmstrang where music and art are always sort of second place to athletic stuff? Depends, how long do I have to sit still for a portrait? That would definitely be something a lot of the champions of the past can’t say they’ve had done of them, so I could probably make it work for you, at least. Cartoonish is another good word for it, although out of curiosity, which of their houses sounds most like a Hogwarts home for the mysterious Juliette Major? All right, all right. Hit me with another one, see if my good luck stands. 

I’ll keep the slogan to myself unless the opportunity arises to use it and paint a sign for it and sell it to Durmstrang students for far too much money, don’t worry. Oh, Victorie Weasley. That makes a lot of sense, I don’t know why I didn’t put two and two together myself. So either way it’s looking like a girl champion from Hogwarts? That’s excellent, girl power! And since her mother went to Beauxbatons, I’m sure many of my peers would be excited to see Victorie in action as well as Chloe or Valentine. Magnifique! If you can guess what that means, it’ll bode well for our French lessons, some people are more adept at tongues than others.

You’d paint the sign for it? Are you just resourceful and looking for any chance to make some extra money, or is painting something you’re interested in on a regular day? Unless some guy comes out of nowhere and gets the title, yeah, it sure seems that way. I wouldn’t count them out, though, I’ve heard that one of their houses is entirely made up of sneaky people who surprise you at every turn. Their houses seem so exaggerated that I really thought they were fake for a while, but they swear that’s really the way it is there. Magnificent? Because if I got that wrong, you might want to go ahead and give up on me here and now. 

I’m good friend with Valentine, and Chloe and I get along on a semi-regular basis; I could introduce you to both of them on our tour of the school if you’d like. I feel like they’d both like your spirit, though prepare to be completely trash-talked about your interest in the Tournament. Elisabet Vinter? I can already see the ‘Vinter is the Vinner’ pins that everyone would undoubtedly wear should she get the honor. You’ll have to point her out to me, because I’m not sure if I could detect a ‘death stare’, as you say, on my own. I haven’t been listening to the gossip from Hogwarts, who’s their favorite to win? You should regret not knowing French, it’s a beautiful language. I could teach you a few phrases here and there, until you’re too busy with your tournament, of course. 

That seems like a fair trade; you show me Valentine and Chloe, I’ll show you which one Elisabet is, and you promise not to tell them the Vinter is the Vinner slogan until after the goblet calls out her name. I wouldn’t want it being biased towards her just because her name’s easier to play on words with. Their favorites are some girl named Dawn -- I didn’t catch the last name, but she seems like their backup choice anyway -- and Victoire Weasley. I guess she’s the only person related to the famous Harry Potter who’s actually the right age right now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she got the nod at all. I mean, the last champion’s her uncle and a war hero? Even I’m shaking in my boots a little. Well who could say no to an offer from the world’s best tour guide and language teacher? Definitely not someone with manners as impeccable as mine. 

If you do a good job, I’ll give you a good recommendation! Wow, that was the most blatantly self-serving and least subtle question I’ve ever seen in my life. Since you’ve been so forthcoming with me about your odds, I may as well tell you that among my peers there are two favorites as for who might become Champion. Valentine Leblanc is one of my best friends, and one of the strongest boys on campus. Star swimmer, fencer, Quidditch player, and his grandfather competed back in the day. Of course, he only holds a candle next to Chloe Flamel, descendant of Nicholas Flamel and total super-star. If she’s not the Champion, a lot of people are going to lose a lot of money. It’s not like I’m spilling secrets that you wouldn’t overhear if you knew French and besides, what kind of tour guide would I be if I didn’t give you the inside scoop?

On the off chance I’m not the champion, this could totally just be satiating my curiosity and not helping my cause... But it’s probably helping my cause. So I’m up against a legacy, or someone with a name that precedes her. I’ll have to make a point to try and meet them sometime. I suppose since I asked for one name and got two, it’s only fair if I tell you that there is at least one other person from Durmstrang with potential. If for some reason, you don’t hear Noah Falk when they call out the Durmstrang champion, then I’d listen for the name Elisabet Vinter. She’s top of our year in coursework and she’s mastered the art of the ‘death stare’ -- I think that’s what they call it. You’re right, though, it’s definitely not spilling secrets; I already figured out who the top candidates from Hogwarts are just by walking by people gossiping in the halls. You’re making me regret not knowing French more and more.

Compared to a pro Quidditch player and a dragon racer, who isn’t a bit ‘shrimpy’? But yes, I suppose we could both take it upon ourselves to figure out the adjectives as we go; it’s more fun that way, anyway. Were that I could be a one-woman show. It’s actually an unofficial committee of sorts, comprised of the aforementioned beautiful and talented Beauxbatons students who want to make sure that you all feel welcomed here. A few of the others may also be scoping out the competition and trying to put in early bets as to who the champions from the other schools will be, but I’m not at liberty to spoil their fun by divulging more information.

If I do a good job I might have to put detective on the list of careers I could fall back on, I’m sure the Swedish Ministry needs top-notch investigators on their payroll. Since it’s more fun doing something different than Peter and Mikail, of course. So pretend for a second this isn’t a totally self-serving question... Is there any talented, beautiful Beauxbatons student who stands out as the favorite to get the title of Champion? Or is it still anyone’s game at this point? I’ll even be good and not ask for a name, although you do already have the means to get the inside scoop on the future Durmstrang Champ right here.

Bragging about what my other adjectives are doesn’t quite fit the polite hostess persona either, though I might consider sharing my adjectives if you’d trade with what people say about you. I’m the completely opposite of fiery, don’t let the hair fool you - in fact, here’s one adjective of mine for free: demure. But I’ll gladly be the official Beauxbatons welcoming committee, particularly if my job is to continually welcome such nice faces as yours.

Is it still bragging if I’m asking? I don’t know, the inside intel on Noah Falk might ruin my street cred when it comes to winning this tournament. I mean, I could tell you that my brothers call me the shrimpy one in the family, that doesn’t really make me sound as tough as I actually am, does it? Demure, huh? That’s a good word. I guess I’ll just have to solve the mystery by myself instead of expecting the answers to fall into my lap. Do you actually have a committee covering the rest of the Durmstrang guys, or are you a one woman show?

I do tend to get a lot of adjectives thrown at me, ‘informative’ being one of them. There’s a good chance my name will go into the Goblet of fire - every eligible Major before me has entered their Triwizard Tournament, so I suppose I don’t want to break tradition by failing to do so - but that doesn’t mean that it’ll be my name coming out of it, which is probably for the best. Juliette Major, future Beauxbatons Champion doesn’t have nearly as nice a ring as your title, now does it?

You can’t just leave a guy dangling here not knowing what the other words are, you know, it doesn’t fit the polite hostess persona. That’s a shame, though; maybe it’s just the hair but something tells me you’d be a fiery opponent to have. Juliette Major, official Beauxbatons welcoming committee seems like a decent fallback title, though.

For starters, you do not have to know French to take our classes. While most of our students are from this beautiful country, we do have students from Spain and Germany and Portugal and other regions of Europe, which means our classes have to be accessible for all. Rest assured, you’ll be able to comprehend the lessons. 

Secondly, crepes are definitely offered at every breakfast but you’re not obligated to eat them. I would recommend it, though, since they’re fantastic. Try the banana and hazelnut combination! Everyone loves it.

Finally, our castle was built over 700 years ago, so you have a keen eye, sir. Our castle is big and beautiful and fancy, and if you need any assistance getting around, I’m sure our students would love to help you around. Just ask someone in the blue uniform and it’ll be our pleasure to escort you to your destination.

I hope that you’ve had nothing but a warm welcome so far and that everything’s been to your liking and that I’ve sufficiently answered your questions! Please feel free to ask me or any of my classmates if you need anything else. Are you from Durmstrang or Hogwarts, if you don’t mind my asking?

Has anybody ever told you you’re really informative, Juliette Major? If people weren’t welcoming before, I’d say they definitely are now. I’m Noah, by the way -- Noah Falk, future Durmstrang Champion. Any chance you might be entering this competition too?