The following day when the Prophet arrived, was a sight to behold.
Hogwarts a school that had eventually accepted the boy who lived as one of their own, had almost overnight once more pushed him away into complete isolation.
Only a handful of students believing that he hadn't actually entered his name in the goblet of fire, while only a handful more refuse to believe the drivel written in the prophet by Rita Skeeter.
From his place at the head of House draconis's table in the great hall, Cassius got a front row seat to the unfolding drama, and the look of emotional damage being taken by Lily Evans on her sons behalf.
No doubt as a professor's son, Harry will get every advantage possible in this tournament but even then can her help, and fake moody's alone really help the boy whose never really taken his school life seriously?
Of course that's thanks to me, taking Hermione the brains of their little trio away from them but to think that without her the pair would fall so far becoming exactly as Snape predicted in first year, a pair of dunderheaded Trolls.
Surely only passing their end of year exams thanks to some grade modification by Dumbledore himself to get them a just barely passing grade.
As for Cassius, well among the schools students he had a fairly good following of supporters.
His hundreds of Arcana created muggleborn-wizards all openly supported him, as did Hufflepuff, and Slytherin though that last was most likely due to intervention on Professor Snapes part.
School life itself really hadn't changed all that much for Cassius, he was more popular for the moment but otherwise his life was still pretty much easy sailing.
The one grand change however can a week after his announcement as a Triwizard champion.
As all Ministry forces were placed onto high alert, and even Headmaster Dumbledore roused from his eternal waking slumber.
The cause was of course Cassius who at this very moment was standing at the edge of the bridge leading to the front doors of Hogwarts castle at the periphery of the schools wards.
Pop
When his guest finally arrived.
Dressed in a full suit, complete with a decorated walking cane, and a haircut reminiscent of his younger years.
Gellert Grindelwald had come to Hogwarts.
"Welcome Master."
Cassius gave a polite greeting and a little bow to the arriving senior wizard.
But before he could do anything else, a rapid series of pops sounded off around the pair, and from them dozens of Aurors, Hit Wizards, and even a few professors appeared.
"Cassius get away from him!"
The roaring voice of Dumbledore sounded out from behind.
But Cassius didn't even bother turning round to acknowledge the headmaster.
"Your looking quite like your old self there Master, freedom seems to suit you does it not?"
"Hahaha kid, you have no idea, after decades of being locked away getting to breathe the fresh air is indeed a wonder."
"Gellert!"
"Hm. Oh Albus, how pleasant it is to see you again after all these years."
Grindelwald called in response not even batting an eye about being surrounded by Britains top witches and wizards with their wands trained on him.
"I was just thanking dear young Cassius here for his invitation, getting to participate in such a historic event."
He rubbed his palms together.
"It's a wonderous thing is it not?"
"What do you mean, Grindelwald, what invitation?"
"Oh? The all-knowing Albus Dumbledore too busy to pay attention to one of his students, tut-tut dear albus, I have come by invitation to be young Cassius here's coach during the Triwizard tournament."
As the last of his words fell, a sneer was drawn upon his face, and all the witches and wizards surrounded slowly began to lower their wands.
After the night of the choosing the ministry delved deep into the magical contract created by the Goblet and it could be said the ministry had more knowledge on the Triwizard tournament now than it had, for over 300 hundred years.
And Grindelwald, the last great Dark Lord, making the claim that he was the invited coach of one of the champions made him a part of that same magical contract.
If anyone tried to interfere or prevent him from fulfilling his role as Coach, the Goblet would lash out at the offending party and most likely ending their lives in the process.
And so with nary a discussion to be had, Hogwarts was made to play host to the greatest Dark wizard of the last generation.
One which he greatly enjoyed being able to explore the hallowed halls with relative impunity, though at every chance the teacher and Albus warded students away from him save for Cassius and his Draconis girls whom they couldn't interfere with.
"Ah, what great chaos you bring to the world dear Cassius, a masterstroke if ever I could say, who would've thought you'd find a way for me to spend an entire year with you at Hogwarts where I could be around Albus poking into his everyday life just like he'd done to me whilst imprisoned."
~
The days that followed Grindelwalds arrival were harsh on Cassius and Fleur along with the other girls.
Cassius's master hadn't missed a single step, he trained them hard, harsh and without mercy.
Where Cassius could stand against all the girls at once, Grindelwald could stand again the girls, and Cassius together without even looking bothered at all.
In the evenings they would descend into the bowels of Hogwarts and perform single combat duels within the expanded chamber of secrets, taking on the now fully grown Norberta, and still growing Serephina teaching the girls how to adapt to not just wizard duels, but also combat against Magical creatures.
Grindelwald didn't mind, a Norweigian Ridgeback, and whatever true dragon species Serephina was were perfect XXXXX and higher targets with which to sharpen the young generations skills upon.
Only Cassius himself stood off to the side with a smile seeing the practice for the first task being taken again and again without Fleur even realizing how advantageous this training really was for her.
The days of November passed by and before they knew it the first task was almost upon them.
And on the night of the 21st, Cassius awoke in the dead of night and gently roused Fleur indicating with his finger to be quiet and slipping away from the mass of bodies upon the bed.
Quickly getting dressed before exiting the room, Fleur practically skipping with glee behind him.
In her teenage mind, she'd been chosen for a sneak away tryst unbeknownst to the other girls.
But her hopes were dashed, after leaving the common room and castle itself, cassius cast a disillusionment charm on the both of them before grabbing her hand and walking into the forbidden forest.
There the encountered another scene from the movies, Hagrid dress to his equivalent to the nines, met with Madame Maxime who was led deeper into the forest where they came upon the sight of four fully grown dragons.
At the sight Fleurs hand tightened around Cassius's while at the same time her hidden eyes locked on his face, glowing in the dragonsfire of the night, her own eyes sparkling with admiration that he had been perfect once again preparing for the upcoming challenges.
In her heart she once more vowed to not embarrass her master, but at the same time not overdo him and make sure he was the one crowned the Champion of this tournament.