Chapter 13- Big Cowy Things that Jump Like Hares: The Winner in Her Book
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series belong to J.K. Rowling… my hero.
Lena screwed up her face as the crowd began to file out of the arena once the scores of the brute from Durmstrang were announced. She had no idea how it was possible that Dennis had scored last. For Heaven's sake, Lena couldn't see the Threstrals, but she could tell that they had gotten the chick from Beauxbatons fairly well. And the brute had his whole chest slashed. Sure, Dennis had taken the longest, but he hadn't gotten hurt and didn't hurt any of the unicorns. She remembered the year before when a unicorn tried to take a girl's head off in Care of Magical Creatures, and that was one unicorn that wasn't protecting its young.
She wasn't in a rush to get out of the arena. There wouldn't be a big celebration on the Hogwarts Express, though a riot was a possibility. The arena was slowly emptying out, with the exception of Lena and male a few rows in front on Lena with messy, jet-black hair. He was wearing a set of red wizarding robes with golden trimmings. Lena dismissed him as a washed up wizard that had possibly been a Gryffindor many years back, and was desperate to relive his schooling days. Lena remembered she was wearing her own Gryffindor robes, though she was proud to say they were getting tight across the chest.
She finally stood as the exit cleared of all spectators. She glanced down at the man and saw he was wearing glasses with circular frames and had a scar across his forehead hidden mostly by his hair. She was a few more steps down when she stopped. She spun around to see the man stand up.
"Merlin's mercy," she stammered. "What are you doing here Harry?"
"Do I know you?" the man asked. Lena recognized his voice. It was Harry Potter, not that she had ever actually talked to him. "Well, I suppose I must have seen you once or twice," Harry continued seeing her Gryffindor robes. "But I don't think I know you."
"I'm Lena," she said holding her hand out for him to shake. "Lena Grogan. But who am I to tell you what to call me? Refer to my by what ever name you'd like."
"Nice to meet you Lena," Harry said. "I'm guessing you know Dennis, considering you're both Gryffindors. I'm heading to the Hogwarts Express now to give him my congratulations on an excellent task. Would you like to accompany me?"
Lena smiled and nodded. She couldn't bring herself to say anything so she dumbly smiled and followed him out of the stadium. Harry turned to her halfway to the train and began asking questions about her. She gave one-word answers, she couldn't get more than a word out without breaking into a hysterical laughing. In fact, she was like to break into laughter with the one word answers as well.
Lena walked onto the Hogwarts Express first. Just as she predicted, everyone was yelling in disappointment about Dennis's loss. She ignored them, but they weren't ignoring her. She was smiling a very odd smile for her. After a second, when Harry appeared, everyone went quiet.
"Hey Dennis," Harry said, walking across the room. The two boys shook hands, and then Dennis smiled out of surprise.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Harry," Dennis said. "It's an honor though."
"Hermione told me you had made Hogwarts Champion," Harry said, "so I thought I would come here can congratulate you myself. That was an excellent display of daring and magic against the Unicorns. You were the only one who didn't hurt any of the animals you fought. You probably deserved more points than that, but it might have helped if you used more advanced magic."
"Who are you to tell him how to compete?" Tummala asked.
Even Baddock rolled his eyes at her ignorance. Or possibly, was she standing up for Dennis in some sort of distorted way?
Kuo laughed after a second.
"You tell him," Kuo said through a fit of giggles. "Tell Harry Potter. He wouldn't know a thing about bravery."
Tummala turned slightly red, as much as an Indian witch could at least. She sat down and disappeared in the commotion.
After a few minutes, Dumbledore appeared and smiled at the sight of his favorite pupil. Lena still hadn't managed to say a word since before stepping onto the train. Parkinson had made her way across the room and stood next to Lena.
"You seem a little quiet," Parkinson said. "Cat got your tongue? Or is it Potter?"
"Harry's the winner in my book," Lena said. "I still remember him in the tournament our first year. What I wouldn't give for him to notice me."
"He's all yours," Parkinson said. "I don't need a hero to protect me."
Lena smiled and the two girls laughed slightly before making their way across the room to talk to Harry.