Cross was sitting in the great hall, at the Slytherin table. It just so happened that Cross was sitting on the outer edge and in between him and another table was the center of the room. The table on the opposite side was Gryffindor, Cross could've sworn this was done on purpose, either way, directly opposite to him was Ron and Harry.
Cross was sitting with his back on the table as he read a book titled 'Elemental Fusion: The Dangerous art of mixing incompatible elements' Just so happened that Cross stumbled upon this book in the restricted section at the library before he came into the great hall.
As Cross read, Dumbledore took the podium and coughed, getting the students' attention as he said "Now that we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement." Filtch came running in towards Dumbledore as he continued "Hogwarts will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests this year.."
Filtch whispered in his ear before running back as Dumbledore kept speaking "Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Triwizard tournament. For those of you who don't know, the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests, from each school a single student is selected to compete. Now let me be clear, if chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, these contests are not for the faint hearted."
Dumbledore looked around looking at Harry and Cross specifically as he continued "But more on that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic! And their Headmistress, Madame Maxine!"
The door opened and a group of beautiful girls walked in and did a little dance as they made their way to the front. The girls passed by Cross and they all looked at him, every single one.
Cross looked up at them and kept his cold face as he spoke in French "You Veela have no effect on me, keep walking." the girls seemed to be excited instead of offended and passed him, blowing birds towards him.
Cross waved off the birds and kept reading, clicking his tongue in annoyance. All the male students glared at Cross muttering "Damn pretty boy.." Cross just rolled his eyes and ignored them, not even bothering to clap. These Veela really annoyed him.
Dumbledore smiled and greeted Madame Maxime before saying "And now, our friends from the north! The proud sons of Drurmstrang and their High Master, Igor Karkaroff!"
The door opened again and a group of guys stormed in smashing their staves on the ground and making a big show. Behind them, Viktor Krum and the High Master walked in. Cross lifted his head and locked eyes with Krum, Cross slowly sneered as Krum passed by him, returning a sneer of his own.
Cross closed his book and felt itchy, Daphne, Draco, and Astoria gasped, never seeing cross do this. Cross cracked his fingers and chuckled evilly. The other three shivered.
Dumbledore started the feast.
Cross started eating, when he felt like he was being stared at, he looked over and saw the Veela from Beauxbaton staring at him and talking amongst each other. He snorted in annoyance before ignoring them and eating, not even sparing a glance in their direction again.
A while later
Dumbledore stood next to a tower of sorts and said "I'd like to say a few words. Eternal Glory. That is what awaits the student who wins the Triwizard tournament, but to do this the student must survive three tasks. Three, extremely, dangerous tasks. For this reason, the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule, to explain all this we have the head of the Department of International Magical Operations, Mr. Bartimus Crounch."
The ceiling started to storm and thunder, when suddenly a red laser flew into the ceiling and calmed it down.
A man with a fake eye and a staff walked in from a side door, hobbling. Dumbledore smiled and said "My friend, you're here. Thanks for coming." the man nodded and said "Stupid Ceiling." before moving to the side.
Cross looked at the man and tilted his head with a smile, he heard 'awwww's from behind him and he clicked his tongue in annoyance once again, muttering "Damn Veela..."
Bartimus took the stand and said "After due consideration, the Ministry has decided that no Wizard under the age of 17 shall be allowed to put forth their name for the Triwizard tournament. This decision is final!" the students started jeering and boo'ing.
Cross leaned his elbow on the table and rested his head on his hand as he watched impassively.
Dumbledore shouted "SILENCE!" he waved his hand and the tower melted away, revealing a stone goblet with a blue flame hovering above it as he continued "The Goblet of Fire! Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the Tournament, merely write their name on a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, If chosen, there's no turning back. As of this moment the Triwizard Tournament has begun."
Before retreating to his seat, continuing the feast.
Cross ate his food and left the great hall, Viktor Krum watched him go, as did the Beauxbaton girls. Cross scratched his neck and yawned, another boring year, another low-key performance, he couldn't wait...
Cross entered his room and teleported to the Room of Requirement, merging with his clones before sending them back out and setting up a new Time Bubble with 3x faster time inside. He nodded and left.
The next day
Cross was sitting in the Dark Arts classroom. Hermione was sitting next to him and paying attention as the new teacher introduced himself "I'm Alastor Moody, EX-Auror, Ministry of Malcontent, and your new defense against the Dark arts teacher. I'm here because Dumbledore asked me end of story, goodbye, the end. Any questions?"
The class was silent and Cross went back to reading, Alastor Moody threw a chalk at Cross and continued "Now when it comes to dark arts, I like to take a practical approach, but first which of you can tell me how many Unforgivable curses there are?"
Hermione said "3, Sir." Cross caught the chalk and tossed it to the side as Moody replied "And they are so named?" Hermione replied "Because they are Unforgivable. The use of any one of them will-" Moody cut her off and drew on the chalkboard as he finished "Will earn you a one way ticket to Azkaban! The Ministry thinks you shouldn't know what these curses do, I say different! You need to know what you're up against! You need to be prepared! You need to find another place to put your chewing gum besides under your desk, Mr. Finnigan!"
Shamus cursed and mumbled, Moody threw another piece of chalk and said proudly "And hear across classrooms!" Cross coughed and Hermione elbowed him, Moody licked his lips and said "And so, which curse shall we see first? WEASLEY!"
Ron yelped and Moody said "Let's hear a curse!" Ron replied "Well, my dad did tell me about one.. The Imperious Curse?" Moody said "Ohh yeah.. Your dad would know about that one, gave the Ministry quite a lot of trouble a few years ago. Let me show you why."
Moody hobbled over to his desk and took out a Scorpion-Spider before saying "Engorgio. Imperio!" and flicking the enlarged spider across the room, laughing as he put it on students' faces as he laughed and said "Don't worry completely harmless! Hahaha"
He went around with the spider and said "What should I have her do next? Jump out the window? Drown herself?" as he hover the spider over a bucket of water, he brought her over to his hand slowly as he said "Scores of Witches and Wizards, have claimed that only did 'You know who's' bidding under the influence of the Imperious Curse! But here's the rub, how do we sort out the liars? Another, another!"
Moody walked towards Neville and said "Longbottom is it? Tell me another." Neville replied "There's the Cruiatus curse.." Moody said "Correct! Correct! Come, come!" as he brought Neville to the front and placed the spider on the table as he said "Crucio!"
Th spider started squealing in pain.
Cross looked up from his book, feeling this man was different. Hermione shouted "Stop it! Can't you see it's bothering him! Stop!" Moody coughed and stopped, he picked up the spider and walked to Hermione, placing the spider on the desk as he said "Perhaps you can give us the last curse, Ms. Granger."
Hermione shook her head and Moody said "No?" he looked at Cross and said "How about you, Mr. Uninvolved." Cross looked at Moody and said plainly "Avada Kadavra." Moody said "Correct." as he pointed his wand at the spider and said "Avada Kadavra!" killing the spider altogether, looking at Cross before hobbling away.
Cross looked at Moody's back and tilted his head with a small smile. Hermione looked away, while Cross looked at the spider in thought, replaying the scene in his head. Ultimately he failed to grasp the Death element from it, he sighed and burned the spider to ashes with his wand.
Hermione said "How could you?" Cross looked at her and said "Between dying and killing someone else, I will choose the latter every time. Do you not want to live, Hermione?" Hermione couldn't reply, with that logic the curses seemed necessary...
The class ended and Cross packed up his books and left, not feeling bothered at all. He passed by Neville on the staircase and said nothing as he left him there, if he was scared of a Cruiatus curse then he might as well never leave the house.
A while later
Cross was sitting on the benched in the great hall, looking at the blue flames in the Goblet of fire. Hermione was reading next to him and Cross said "Hey, how do you think they get the fire to be blue?" Hermione looked at the Goblet and said "I don't know." Cross clicked his tongue and said "I thought you knew everything."
Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed as she ignored him.
Suddenly Fred and George ran in holding potions in their hands and cheering, the cheered and Hermione said "It's not going to woooooork~" Fred and George both said "Oh? And why's that?" Hermione put her book down and pointed at the white circle around the Goblet as she said " That's an age line, set by Dumbledore himself. Your dimwitted idea won't work."
Fred said "That's why it's so brilliant." George chimed "Cus it's so pathetically Dimwitted!" as they stood up and drank the potions before jumping in the circle and cheering, they placed their names in the Goblet before cheering again.
The Goblet went crazy and shot out two flames at Fred and George, knocking them away and making them age. They argued and started fighting.
Cross chuckled as he went back to reading, he knew a way in but why would he tell anyone? He rubbed his chin, maybe if they paid him for it... His eyes lit up, a successful business idea!? Cross said "If you want to get it.. I may have an idea... But it'll cost ya."
The students waved their hands at him and 'pfft'd, Hermione said "You have a way in?" Cross rubbed his chin and said "Maybe. A Confundus charm, could do the trick. Of course, the Wizard would have to be much, much more powerful than the Weasleys." Hermione rolled her eyes and Cross smiled.
Suddenly the door opened and Viktor Krum walked in, going straight to the Goblet and placing his name inside. He looked to the side, passing over Hermione as he spoke to Cross in Russian "It's a shame you're not competing."
Cross replied in Russian "Good for you, you won't be embarrassed." Krum laughed grimly and said "Well see about that, pretty boy." Cross smirked and retorted "Fastest Seeker at Hogwarts... Probably better than a Russian meat head?"
Krum stopped and said "Are you challenging me, pointy ears?" Cross touched his chin and he sneered "Are you to chicken to accept, Shark-boy?" Krum chuckled darkly and said "We shall see.. Maybe a 'friendly' scrimmage will be needed.." as he left with his High Master, Igor, who looked at Cross deeply before leaving.
Hermione said "I didn't know you could speak Russian." Cross looked at the door and said "There's a lot of things you don't know.." as he got up and clenched his fists while leaving the hall.