The final week of October moves on at a rather steady pace as excitement builds over the Tournament and its foreign visitors. Even the portraits and suits of armour appear to have been given a thorough cleaning. Though the sprucing up of the castle seems to have placed a fair amount of stress on its staff as well. While walking down the fourth floor corridor on Monday afternoon, Harry and Daphne are approached by a rather irritable looking Ron Weasley.
"Since when are you two friends? Why's he coming to speak to you?" asks Daphne, while turning to look curiously at Harry.
"We're not friends, what do you want, Ronald?"
"Since you're so friendly towards Hermione, can't you just give her a few galleons to keep quiet? She's forever shaking that collecting tin under everyone's noses, and non-stop asking us to pay 2 sickles to join her S.P.E.W."
"Granger's still going on her oh so noble crusade? What a waste of time, but, hehehe..." Daphne then whispers mischievously into a smiling Harry's ear, much to Ron's annoyance.
"I already did that, Daffy girl." Harry looks from her to Ron before speaking. "How's Hermione enjoying my birthday present for her? That blackboard doing its job?"
A look of surprise crosses Ron's face before he sighs. "You bought her that thing? It's pissed off everyone in the common room. Nobody cares about S.P.E.W., really!"
"What exactly have you given Granger in September, Harry?" asks Daphne.
"A little blackboard with chalk that glows when written on it. I'll bet she wrote 'SUPPORT S.P.E.W.' so big and brightly that you can't miss it in their common room." Both Harry and Daphne laugh loudly before Ron turns to leave.
"It's really annoying for us all, even Fred and George."
"By the way, Ronald. I can't just pay Hermione to keep quiet. She doesn't want it that way with one person doing all the funding. S.P.E.W. is meant to raise awareness, so clearly she wants a little bit from all, instead of all from a little bit. Have a good day hearing her speeches and moral debates," says Harry, before heading off with an amused Daphne at his side.
Tuesday passes by without anything of note besides Harry and his classmates being addressed by Snape. They listen as their Head of House speaks while slowly pacing around the room.
"Hosting the Triwizard Tournament requires considerable amount of effort on this school's part. Foolishness, displays of academic delinquency, and any actions that may bring shame upon this House will not be tolerated."
Snape pauses to look deliberately at Harry, who's seated against the wall, between Pansy and Daphne.
"Some of you are more likely to cause an incident with the ladies of Beauxbatons. Let this be a warning that any complaints will be dealt with... accordingly."
As Snape continues to address the class of eleven, Harry hears Daphne whispering in his ear. "Even he knows you well enough already. Try to keep yourself in check when the ladies arrive."
"I've already met some of them. Zere was one zat was really prettee indeed. Ze boys here will be loseeng zeir minds when she enters zis castle." Harry's sudden change in accent has Daphne in fits of giggles.
"...so do not bring shame to Slythe— Is there something I should know about, Miss Greengrass?" Snape turns to face the red-faced Daphne.
"No, sir! I was just zinking about sometheeng zat Harry—" She gasps before clearing her throat—"oh my gosh, sorry, sorry! It was nothing at all!"
"Potter! Your idiocy is beginning to spread to Greengrass. Do try to keep it to yourself."
"Yes, sir." Harry watches as Snape turns to address the rest of the group once more, before he looks at Daphne. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Maybe..." She looks at him with an overly cute grin before folding her arms and listening to Snape's talk on 'behaving appropriately.'
Wednesday sees the Slytherins being put through their paces in double Transfiguration. McGonagall demands a 'sufficient display of academic awareness' from all her students, much like Snape expects. The rest of the lesson soon spent practicing the Switching Spell, with mixed results across the class.
In Herbology after lunch, Professor Sprout seems rather excited for their visitors, and thus the Ravenclaw-Slytherin session finds itself in good spirits compared to Potions or Transfiguration.
Thursday brings as dull a History of Magic session as ever, with goblins being the topic yet again. But after lunch, Harry spends a fair bit of double Divination reading out his bits of homework written by his girls. They've taken the liberty of wickedly predicting some most unfortunate circumstances for him, which ends up pleasing Trelawney quite a bit. The prospect of Harry accepting his 'tumultuous future' earns him positive feedback on his work due to the girls' creativity.
"Seriously though, killed in front of the entire school... That's a bit harsh, don't you think?" he asks Pansy, to which she simply shrugs.
"Dunno, had to think up something in line with your Grim nonsense from last year."
She walks beside Harry to dinner before he heads off alone for another evening session with Moody. Drawing his wand, he enters Classroom 3C not to a test of reactions but rather a blaring amount of noise. A real ruckus now coming from all manner of objects scattered around the room while Moody stands in its centre.
"Good evening, Professor Moody. Uhm, what in hell is going on here? I can't hear a thing!"
Moody laughs before drawing his wand. "More Protego practice, Potter. But this time you'll have to focus through the noise. Real life situations aren't always nice and comfortable in a fight. What? You think spells come easy? It takes some real focus, intent, understanding, and practice to produce a decent spell. Now, put up that shield... Everte Statum!"
Harry throws up a Protego but just as Moody's spell approaches, one of the desks behind Harry slams itself over. The noise catching his attention before he's sent flying as his shield shatters upon impact.
"UNACCEPTABLE!" yells Moody, while Harry picks himself up from what feels like being hit by numerous pans on the head. "Again, and you've got to be aware while also not distracted by your environment."
Next comes a few non-verbal spells for Harry to block. Once his shield is up, the first spell fails to break through but the second blasts him backwards. His ears now ringing from the sheer rattling, thumping, and erratic behaviour of the bewitched desks and classroom items around him.
"That's better, remember: casting decent spells is a complicated matter. I don't expect you to suddenly reach Auror level or anything from our sessions, just appreciate the bits of improvement, lad."
Harry certainly does appreciate these weekly extra lessons, even if the past three have been nothing but Protego practice. For Moody insists that he gets his defence 'up to scratch' first. Once again, a variety of non-verbal spells come at Harry in succession which he hopes to block.
With clanging, banging, ringing, and bouncing equipment all around him, Harry tries his best to focus on producing the barrier. "Protego!"
A jet of red smashes against his shield which holds but throws him back a few steps. Then comes flashes of orange and white, hammering against his Protego before deflecting across the room. Moody's advised him on imagining why exactly he's using a shield charm.
The minutes pass by with Harry soon having to dodge distracting desks while partially managing to block Moody's attacks. The latter mixing verbal and nonverbal spells to throw him off guard. Harry gives it his best, battling through exhaustion from the sheer amount of mental effort taken to keep up with tonight's session. By its end, Moody disenchants the desks and equipment, ceasing the classroom racket
"My ears are still ringing, head feels dizzy as heck. Too much mental fatigue..."
"Not bad today, Potter. Now you see a bit of why people such as Dumbledore and the Dark Lord command such respect. It takes far more than most would think to be a decent wizard. But there's still quite a few people who think just running around and 'training' can make the wizard. I say different!"
Once back in the common room, Harry ignores the snide remakes from Nott regarding his 'remedial' lessons. He then sneaks into Pansy's dorm to help with work, but ends up falling asleep on Sally-Anne's bed. Hours later, he awakes after midnight to find himself covered with a spare blanket, and with lip balm on his cheek. With everyone fast asleep, Harry creeps through the tunnels towards the common room before entering the boys' dormitories.
Friday morning sees everyone up for their long-awaited guests. With classes due to end half an hour early, at 3pm, this puts each and every student in a great mood. For Harry and his fellow fourth year Slytherins, their Fridays consist of nothing but double Potions after lunch.
"Watch me do something crazy mentally insane today!" he declares while eating breakfast.
"Oh no, I don't like that look in your eyes, Harry," says Millicent, whose opinion is shared by the girls around him.
"Don't tell me that sleeping on my bed has affected your thinking, hmm?" asks Sally-Anne. "Wasn't he just so adorable all sleepy-sleepy?"
"Most definitely yes. If you fall asleep in our dorm, then don't complain if I get you on the cheek," says Pansy triumphantly.
"So I snuck a peek at Moody's schedule and it seems he's got third year Gryffindor first at 9 now..."
Daphne laughs rather unladylike with food stuffed in her mouth. "Going to join up with Gryffindor's esteemed young Seeker in her class?"
"Just this once but I'll first ask Moody if he wouldn't mind," says Harry, who soon spots the Professor walking down the aisle between the tables. Once he's out the door, Harry hurriedly approaches him. "Professor Moody!"
"Aren't you free until lunch, Potter? No reason to be in such a hurry. Could run into a trap at any moment like that..."
Harry proceeds to ask if he can join in on third year Gryffindor's class this morning. After giving it some thought, Moody soon replies, "Now I'm starting to see why you're in Slytherin, lad. Fine, but don't go ruining the novelty of it. Just this once then."
While the rest of his classmates kick back and relax, or finish their work, Harry races to Classroom 3C. To his surprise, the Gryffindor students seem to have arrived quite early already.
"Oh my goodness, it's Harry Potter!" states an awestruck Colin Creevey, whose classmates seem totally confused.
"What is he doing here?"
"No idea."
"Ron Weasley says he's a showoff."
Harry casually takes a front seat in the left row of desks, beside Ginny. The look of utter shock on her face has him beaming with pride.
"W-What are you doing here, Harry? Oh, are you joining us again?" she asks, with her eyes widened a fair bit.
"Uh-huh, yes, just like that one time last year. I've got Friday mornings free so I thought I'd just come chill here for once."
"Go away, Colin!" scolds Ginny, while Creevey tries his best to get near the famous Slytherin. "No, seriously, bugger off! He's my friend here." Colin tries to whip out his camera but Ginny groans before smacking it away.
The door soon flies open as Moody walks in, looks around the classroom, then bangs his fist on the front desk to silence the room. "CREEVEY, you'd better put that camera away RIGHT NOW before I smash it to rubbish!"
Colin hurriedly complies before Moody speaks again, "Right, who can remind us what we're doing today?"
"We're supposed to be finishing off on boggarts, sir," says a girl at the back.
"Yes, and it seems there are still two students unable to finish theirs. If you can't conquer your fears then how do you expect to stand up to the Dark Arts? Always be VIGILANT and fearless!"
Moody calls up Colin to stand before the same cupboard which Lupin had used last year.
"Get this right or I'll kick you out of class, laddie," he growls, and Harry reckons an angry Moody would scare students more than even a boggart.
He watches from his desk as Moody slams open the cupboard to reveal something that has Harry fairly surprised. The rest of the class seems to have already seen Colin struggle against this boggart, and are hardly bothered by seeing such a rare creature yet again.
"For God's sake, Creevey, it's just a bloody BOGGART! It can't do anything to you but mess with your head. Speaking of which, are you blind? A real one's probably far bigger than this, it's just its HEAD here!"
Harry raises his hand to speak, which Moody allows. "The Professor's quite right you know. If it was real we'd all be dead from looking into its eyes. Come on, kid, I dealt with this thing in my second year."
"HAHA! Did you all hear that? Our Slytherin lad claims to have beaten the biggest snake of them all," says Moody, to which the classroom begins recalling what's been told in their first year. It seems everyone at school during Harry's second year had heard about the Chamber of Secrets events. Except that Tom Marvolo Riddle remains a secret between Harry and Ginny, as requested by Dumbledore.
Although the students think they've seized an opportunity to teach their Professor—with regards to past events of the school—he simply laughs.
"Dumbledore's already briefed me on that, so don't think you kids are getting the one-up on me."
Murmurs of disappointment echo across the class as Moody resumes berating Creevey for being too scared to cast his Riddikulus. Meanwhile, Ginny turns to whisper to Harry sitting beside her.
"Maybe you should help him out. Not like he's lying on the ground and dying. Hmm, I wonder who that was now again?"
"Oh, just an idiot who wrote her heart out in a cursed diary—OW!"
Although his back is turned to the class, Moody still shouts. "WEASLEY! Find some other time to elbow Potter's leg."
Looks of bewilderment cross the face of every student seated nearby, as it becomes apparent that Moody's eye offers him a huge advantage. Some reckon he can see out the back of his head.
While rubbing his leg, and with a scowling Ginny inches from his face, Harry grins smugly. "Next time, how about confiding in the proper Slytherin instead of his evil foe? Am I not prettier than Tom?"
With her eyes narrowed, Ginny can't help but suddenly smile. "Perhaps, now don't let that go to your over-inflated big ego head."
"Oh excuse me?" Harry scoffs before gently headbutting a giggling Ginny on her shoulder. Moments later sees Colin finally cast the boggart-banishing spell to defeat his fear with laughter.
"It's about bloody time! Now, WEASLEY, get up and deal with your fear," orders Moody, which has Harry suddenly worried.
"Oh crap, don't tell me everyone's seen Tom? Dumbledore asked us to keep it a secret," he whispers urgently in her ear.
"Don't worry about it, honestly, my boggart's changed a bit since we tried that one over the holidays." Ginny flashes Harry a genuine smile before standing up and walking past an excited Colin. Though she angrily shoos him away from her seat before standing at the cupboard.
From his view at the front left, Harry watches as a familiar black book lands at her feet. The scene eliciting a laugh from Moody.
"Black book again? Still scared of being written off for detention or something, lass?"
Ginny shrugs before replying, though her voice seems slightly shaky while glancing at the eerie book. "Well yeah, detention's pretty scary when it's something bad. Riddikulus!"
She then spins around triumphantly before strutting to her seat, with a proud smile on her face as she sits beside Harry.
"Oh wow, you made that look really easy. So why'd Moody have you as one who couldn't finish the task?" he asks in a whisper.
"I played it up a bit, just wanted to finish last. Although"—Ginny's expression softens a fair bit as she looks at Harry—"thank you for that extra session at your place. God this is quite embarrassing to say..."
"Just say it."
"...it really makes a difference that you were nearby for my first boggart, Harry."
He turns to see Moody splitting the class into pairs for some duelling. After being assigned as Ginny's partner, he softly replies to her. "Is the wittle Seeker getting emotional?"
"Hmph, we'll see who's laughing when I out-duel you now."
"Bring it on, Miss Red Hair." Harry spends the remainder of the class duelling against Ginny. Although she puts up a decent fight, his shield charms prove too much before she's eventually disarmed.
Once the bell sounds for a short break between the two morning classes, Harry bids Ginny farewell before heading off. The voice of Moody now heard barking orders at the students to stay cautious around today's foreign visitors. With his second morning slot also free, Harry heads to the Great Hall where he spots the change in décor. Enormous silk banners, each representing the colours of a school House, hang from its walls. Those with green beneath a silver serpent elicits a smile of pride from him.
After a surprisingly excitable lunch comes double Potions, where even the Gryffindors seem to be in great spirits. Whether from the shortened second class, or their guests soon arriving, they can't help but smile upon taking their seats. Snape has yet to arrive, and therefore Harry strides over to the blackboard. He then turns on his heels and gazes sternly over the class.
"Turn to page three-hundred and ninety... four," he speaks, while trying to imitate Snape. The gesture eliciting laughter from the Slytherins, as well as a few Gryffindor girls. Although the substitute lesson for Lupin last year had only been for Gryffindor, Harry recalls Hermione's retelling of Snape's Defence class afterwards.
But he soon bolts across the room to take a seat facing Pansy, whose expression and laughter makes him grin as well. Then Snape enters, gazes quizzically at the class, and proceeds to warn everyone to 'not disgrace this school.'
Both classes are spent brewing an antidote to common poisons, although even today's excitement does nothing to curb Snape from docking Gryffindor points. As the usual bias elicits sniggers from the Slytherins, Pansy leans forward to whisper at Harry.
"You know what's even funnier? We'll have to wear our hats this evening."
Harry sits with head on his hands upon the workstation. "Oh my God, I hate those silly-looking things. They make me look, well, silly."
Pansy giggles softly, before adopting a mischievous smile. "You don't have a choice, and I think it makes you look cute, childishly so."
"Yeah, laugh all you want, hmph."
The bell soon rings to signal the end of classes as students hurry back to their common rooms. For the Slytherins it's a short distance from Potions before speaking the password to a set of brickwork along a dungeon corridor. After heading to the dormitory, Harry deposits his bag and books before slipping on his uniform cloak. Then he returns to the common room area while still holding the black pointed hat in hand.
"Put that hat on, Potter boy," says Pansy firmly, before Daphne speaks.
"I'll hold him while you sort it out." She pulls Harry into a headlock before a laughing Pansy slips on his hat.
"Argh, take it off!"
"We have instructions to follow, silly. Best to follow them tonight," replies Daphne. As dozens of Slytherins exit their common room, Draco's voice can be heard from the front.
"These hats were okay when we were starting school, now they're ridiculous."
They soon stand in lines at the Entrance Hall, with various Heads of Houses keeping their students orderly. Snape soon orders the Slytherins to neaten and make themselves presentable.
"Malfoy, adjust that hat. Davis, button up that cloak." He continues to walk beside the fourth year section of the Slytherin line. "Drop that smirk, Nott." Minutes later, Snape orders them out to entrance courtyard. "Eyes up, Potter."
The evening proves to be cold and clear as Harry stands in the fourth row from the front. Excitable whispers from all manner of Houses are swiftly silenced by their respective Heads.
"Be silent, Mr. Creevey," orders Professor McGonagall.
"Ms. Patil, kindly remain quiet until later on," says Professor Flitwick.
More hushed whispers echo throughout the mass of students which are soon silenced.
"Now is not the time to be discussing who's entering the Tournament, Ms. Abbot," states Professor Sprout. "You too, Bones."
Snape's glare has none of the Slytherins willing to even whisper before Dumbledore finally announces the arrival of Beauxbatons. Descending from the air in a gigantic, horse-drawn carriage, they certainly arrive in dramatic fashion before their Headmistress steps out. During the ensuing applause from the Hogwarts students, Pansy whispers in Harry's ear.
"That's Madame Maxime, their Headmistress. Alyssa reckons she's got some Giant heritage, and so do I. What a big woman, eh?"
Harry nods while continuing to applaud the students exiting the carriage, before the delegation stands glancing apprehensively at the castle.
Daphne suddenly laughs as she speaks, "Hey, girls, how about we make ourselves some French guy friends? Feeling jealous, Harry?"
Indeed he does, before retorting, "I wonder how the girls of Durmstrang look? Bet they're a sexy bunch of Eastern Europeans. And they might have better looking blondes than our Daphne."
"Oh you did not just say that!" she responds with a frown. Meanwhile, Dumbledore announces that Hagrid will tend to Maxime's enormous horses. Then the crowd of Hogwarts students part to allow their foreign counterparts to enter the castle. Eventually, a rather skeletal-looking ship suddenly rises from the Black Lake, startling every student overlooking the castle grounds.
"Here's a challenge, Harry: keep your eyes on the guys," says Millicent, as the Durmstrang delegation soon arrives under the lights of the entrance courtyard. Sure enough, Harry tries to focus on the male students, who seem to be wearing thick coats of shaggy fur, as are their female counterparts. And much like those from Beauxbatons, the group totals around a dozen boys and girls.
The Durmstrang Headmaster soon exchanges greetings with Professor Dumbledore, who addresses him as 'Karkaroff'. The latter now beckons his students into the castle, especially one Viktor Krum. The sight of the world famous Seeker brings stunned silence, followed by awestruck whispers throughout the Hogwarts students.
"Uh-oh," says a teasingly sing-song whisper of Daphne nearby. "Looks like there's another celebrity student in the school. Oh what will our poor little Harry ever do?"
"Shut up," he mutters irritably, much to Daphne's amusement. The torment growing only worse for Harry as the Hogwarts students enter the castle behind Durmstrang. Girls and boys alike hop up and down to catch a glimpse of Viktor Krum in the entrance hall, while many wish they'd have brought their quills for an autograph.
"I can make a bloody entrance too, you know. No need to be a foreign Seeker, nor come with a fancy ship, nor walk like there's a stick up my arse," mutters Harry. He stands beside Pansy while eyeing Krum entering the Great Hall.
"You're so jealous that it's actually funny and adorable." Pansy adopts her mock-baby tone once more. "Aww, wook at wittle baby Potter. He's all getting jealous at the big, bad, Viktor Kwum." She then pinches his cheeks like one would do to an infant, causing Harry to softly laugh.
"Very funny."
"Now how long are we gonna be out here while everyone's going inside?" asks Pansy, while standing with her hands on hips. She then looks past the entrance to the Great Hall and gasps. "Durmstrang's sitting at our table! Looks like Draco's made a space for Krum beside him. Someone's trying to make connections, bless him, shame."
Harry practically begs Pansy to stay with him in a corner of the entrance hall as students pour into the Great Hall. She remains sniggering at him all the time, until he decides to enter last, right as Dumbledore prepares to start his talk.
"Perhaps I ought to add a new prediction to your Divination homework: death by damaged ego," whispers Pansy most amusingly as they enter the Hall.
"Harry, and Miss Parkinson, kindly settle down before we start," says Dumbledore calmly, causing all eyes to look upon them.
"This is quite embarrassing," mutters Pansy, as they walk to take their usual spots near the far end of the Slytherin table. But for Harry, the attention is most welcome, although he happens to eavesdrop on the nearby Ravenclaw table.
Quidditch Captain, Roger Davies, can be heard speaking to a few Beauxbaton students. "Yes, that's the famous Harry Potter indeed. Don't let him fool you though. He's probably the most arrogant and sly kid in this whole school. Look how he deliberately enters last to get attention..."
Ignoring the remarks, Harry soon takes a seat beside Pansy as Dumbledore speaks.
"I would like to formally welcome the lovely ladies and gentlemen of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, as well as Durmstrang Institute." He then wishes them a comfortable stay at Hogwarts before continuing:
"The Tournament will officially be opened after the feast, I now invite you all to enjoy, and make yourselves at home. Also note that we'll be having our first Quidditch match of the season tomorrow morning. Two of our Houses, namely Slytherin"—Dumbledore gestures towards the Slytherin table—"and Hufflepuff"—he does the same towards them—"will be up against each other. Best of luck to all!"
A great amount of food soon appears before everyone in the Great Hall, including a variety of foreign dishes too. Although barely over twenty students have been added, it certainly feels as if the room is far fuller, and lively, than ever before.
Harry's decided upon facing the Ravenclaw table, instead of having his back turned to them. Almost instantly, he spots a familiar pair of faces among those in silky powder-blue uniforms. The girl who had once introduced herself as Fleur seems to be clutching a muffler around her head. Her expression of real discomfort with regards to the temperature.
Beside her sits Pansy's paternal cousin, Alyssa, who appears quite comfy compared to her peers. The cold evening weather doing little to dampen her excitement at being in Hogwarts. But for Harry, it becomes a fair bit of a struggle to keep his eyes on Alyssa instead of the part-veela Fleur. A furious tapping on his shoulder soon shakes him alert once more.
"Are you going to eat or stare at my cousin and her pals all night?"
He swiftly looks right to see a narrow-eyed Pansy, who he has noted slightly resembles her cousin. Though the latter has blue, instead of Pansy's green, eyes.
"You're the French connoisseur, Madame Parkinson, so help me pick from this cuisine."
She tilts her head at him and smiles. "Just because I have a cousin over there in France doesn't mean I know all this stuff."
The rest of the girls nearby agree, as Daphne speaks, "Yeah, Pansy's useless when it comes to naming foreign foods. Plus, who said this is all French anyway?"
"Well if it's on the table, it's gotta be safe. Let's have at it!" declares Millicent, before Harry ends up battling with his friends for helpings.
"Hey, that was mine!" he scolds, as Sally-Anne swipes away a bowl of Eastern European cuisine.
"Was your name on it? Huh? No." She gleefully empties the bowl between herself and a sniggering Tracey. "Too slow, Harry boy."
He then eyes a cake of sorts and swiftly pulls the plate towards him. But it soon slides towards Daphne beside him as she pulls it away. Their ensuing fight and struggles over the quarter cake left draws the attention of students as far as the Ravenclaw table ahead.
Millicent sighs before speaking, "Would you two cut it out already? There's enough Kladdkaka for both of you!"
"The what now?" asks Harry, while Daphne giggles.
"Sounds like a monster. Rawwwr! Beware the evil Kladdkaka!" She claws her polished nails on Harry's shoulder. "Rawwr!"
"How very mature of you. It's some Swedish cake, really nice. Mum and dad took us on a trip up north a few years back," replies Millicent.
"Quit acting so childish, Daphne. Okay, fine, let's half the leftover cake." Harry slices the quarter into two, before Daphne grabs a piece.
"Oh this is absolutely brilliant!" she declares, while Harry finishes what's left in his plate. He then moves on to a few foreign soups that certainly please his palate.
"I could do with some of... whatever this is, tomorrow morning. Very healthy as well," says Harry, before Tracey smiles.
"Darn it, I used to know what that's called. Sol... Solya... Solyan—something soup. Can't remember," she says. Meanwhile, Harry unashamedly stuffs himself.
"What a little child you are," says an amused Pansy, before picking up a nearby serviette. "Hold still." She wipes off the bits of soup, sauce, and cream around his mouth.
Harry would retort, but suddenly catches a glimpse of some students looking his way from across the Great Hall aisle. Fleur and Alyssa seem to be laughing at Pansy's wiping of his mouth. But Harry takes it in stride and smiles before stealing a spoonful of Daphne's soup.
"Tosser," she mutters, then retaliates by grabbing desserts off his plate. Now Harry and Daphne once again end up fighting over food, drawing some attention from those nearby.
"Vot are they doing there? They look childish," says a girl from Durmstrang, seated a slight ways down the Slytherin table. As the minutes pass by, Harry spots Mr. Crouch and Ludo Bagman entering to take the two remaining seats at the staff table.
"I suppose they've got every right to be here," says Tracey. "After all, they're the organisers."
"Hey, Harry, shall we head over to the Ravenclaw table to greet my cousin?" asks Pansy. "You'll also get to reunite with your World Cup part-veela pal over there."
"Heck yes!" He swiftly stands up as Pansy walks across the wide aisle between Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Quite a few heads throughout the Great Hall now turn, as Slytherins hardly visit other tables.