Chapter 6.

Animal magnetism

"I'm telling you, she was definitely a veela."

Lara smirked as she took another bite of her bacon sandwich, her eyes slipping to Erin who looked utterly peeved off.

"What does it matter if she was?" Erin spat angrily.

"Who pissed in your pumpkin juice—"

"You're saying it as if it makes her better." Erin continued. "There's loads of pretty girls in the world."

"Not like that," Omar sighed dreamily. "Did you see her? Her hair…"

"Lara's blond."

"Don't bring me into this," snorted Lara, holding her hands up defensively. "I'm just glad Walter isn't here."

The group chuckled, even Erin, and the tense atmosphere slowly faded away. Erin, who'd abandoned her porridge as soon as Omar and Stan began to talk about the pretty French veela girl, went back to eating her food. Amanda and Lara shared an amused smile.

The Great Hall was a hub of activity and sizzling anticipation this-morning. Everyone was up early, much earlier than they usually were on a Saturday, whispering hurriedly to each other and glancing at the stone goblet with the blue-white flames flickering from the top. There were also two dozen more bodies in the hall, both from Durmstrang and Beauxbations, dressed in blood red and periwinkle silk respectively. The Hogwartians kept peering over at the newcomers, either to giggle or to judge, as both schools had brought students of particular interest among the population.

The Durmstrang's had brought Viktor Krum, the Seeker for the Bulgarian Quidditch Team, the very same boy Lara had seen catch the snitch at the World Cup only two months before. His surprising arrival had sent the whole school into a tizzy. Almost everyone wanted an autograph, and those who didn't were lying. As people digested his presence, the Beauxbations students turned up, as extravagant and sophisticated as their school name suggested. A girl took off her headscarf during the Halloween feast, revealing a mane of silvery blonde hair, large blue eyes and a perfectly angular face.

It didn't take a genius to work out she was part Veela.

All the boys loved her.

All the girls hated her.

Naturally.

On top of all this, the Triwizard Tournament had officially begun last night. The goblet sat in the entrance hall, waiting for students' names. For all the talk that the Hogwarts students had been doing for the past month, not many had put their names in. There were rumours that Warrington from Slytherin and Diggory from Hufflepuff had, but that was it.

Amanda had a theory that most people would have put their names in late last night or early this-morning, but Lara wasn't so sure. She had a feeling that, when faced with the reality of actually competing, most people had bottled it. Even her friends, who had talked about the tournament none-stop for weeks now, hadn't put their names in. Omar and Amanda said they wanted to focus on N.E.W.T.S and Erin muttered something about not wanting to die by a dragon and changed the subject.

Stan was a little more honest.

"I'm not a bloody idiot," he'd scoffed last night at the Halloween meal after Lara questioned if he was still entering. "Only an absolute nut-job would actually enter that thing. I want to live, thank you very much."

The next morning, he hadn't changed his mind, even if he had sighed wistfully when the Durmstrang students put their names in.

The group of friends finished off their breakfast before heading back to the Entrance Hall, where most of the students had gathered to watch the Goblet of Fire. Lara slipped to the floor with Erin and Amanda near the House Point hourglasses. As they chatted about who was likely to put their name in, laughter echoed from the staircase. Lara glanced over and did a double-take when she saw Fred, George and Lee rushing through the crowd.

Lara watched, a grin spreading across her face, as Fred talked to Harry Potter for a moment before standing at the edge of the Age Line. Hovering at the circle like a diver about to launch into a pool, Fred took a deep breath and stepped across the golden line.

For one long, astounded second, Lara thought it had worked. She suddenly had images of having to stand on the Gryffindor table during dinner, announcing to the world that Fred Weasley was the best, funniest, hottest, most charming prankster—

A sizzling sound echoed through the Entrance Hall, like a firework about to explode. Fred and George, who were already celebrating their victory, didn't realise anything was happening until they were suddenly thrown across the hall. They both landed heavily ten feet away from the Age Line, which was bad enough, but then with a popping sound, they both grew long, white breads.

Lara burst into uncontrollable laughter along with the rest of the hall. After a moment of shock, the twins pushed themselves to their feet and joined in with the amusement as they looked at each other's straggly beards.

"I did warn you," a deep voice said, capturing everyone's attention. Glancing over, Lara saw Professor Dumbledore stood smiling at the twins. "I suggest you both go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little, too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything like as fine as yours."

Fred and George grinned and headed off for the hospital wing, Lee Jordan following quickly behind, their howling laughter booming all the way down the corridor. Lara and her friends were still giggling when a familiar figure appeared from the stairs.

"Go on Angelina!" whooped Erin, clapping loudly as the Gryffindor sixth year headed for the goblet.

"Woooooo!" Lara joined in, cupping her hands around her mouth to yell louder. "Good luck, Angie!"

Angelina beamed as she placed her name into the goblet. "Thanks guys!" she chirped before heading into the Great Hall for breakfast.

Stan watched her go with knitted eyebrows, clapping absentmindedly. Then he let out a grunting sigh and said, "Right, that's it. I'm going for it. Who's got a quill?"

Erin, Amanda and Omar offered him a quill each, identical grins on their faces. "We knew you'd do this," Omar smirked at Stan's confused expression.

"I have your name already written," Lara dug into her bag and produced the small piece of paper. "If you want it."

Stan snorted and took the paper. As he walked over to put his name in, his friends cheered and stamped their feet loudly. And as the goblet flickered red, Lara couldn't keep the smile from her face.

oOooOoOOOooOoOOoOoOOoOOooO

"Harry Potter."

A stunned silence fell across the hall. Every head turned towards the black-haired boy, including Lara's. She stared at him, wide-eyed and open mouth, and was too shocked to realise that Harry himself looked flabbergasted. Suddenly, angry, hissing whispers flew around the Great Hall.

Harry muttered something to his best friends, who, by the looks of things, were too surprised to say anything back.

"Harry Potter!" Professor Dumbledore shouted again. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

Hermione Granger reached out and pushed Harry to his feet. Harry tripped slightly over his robes, his face pale and sweaty as he made his way through the gap between the Hufflepuff's and the Gryfffindor's. The whispering got louder as he walked. Finally, Harry stood in front of the Headmaster.

"Well…through the door, Harry," Dumbledore said.

Harry slowly walked along the teacher's table, then slipped through a door out of the Great Hall.

"And that completes the choosing of the Triwizard Champions!" Dumbledore tried to look excited, but if anything he looked worried. Most of the students weren't listening anyway; even the Durmstrang's and the Beauxbatons were hissing to each other. "Now, if you could all go back to your dormitories—excuse me…"

He slipped off towards the door the Triwizard Champions had just disappeared through. Crouch, Karkaroff, Madam Maxime, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape all hurried after him. Once they were out the hall, the crowd instantly burst into noise.

"What the hell," breathed Stan, still staring at the area Harry had vanished.

"I can't believe it," Erin said and shook her head, utterly bewildered. "I can't believe it."

"How did he do that?" George Weasley's frustrated voice echoed down the table. "And why didn't he share?"

Ron Weasley, bright red in the face and ears and gripping the edge of the table, scoffed and said. "He'll have wanted the glory, won't he?"

"Ronald." Hermione gasped, glaring at her ginger best friend. "You know Harry wouldn't put his name in without telling us!"

"Wouldn't he?"

"So what if he did?" Fred exclaimed excitedly. "Point is, we have a Gryffindor champion! Come on, everyone, we need to go throw a party for when he gets back."

He jumped to his feet, George and Lee close behind. They were barely ten feet away from the table before several others ran after them, the confusion turning into excitement. Colin and Dennis Creevey looked absolutely past themselves; Dennis was hopping around like a tiny, blonde, volatile bunny. Alicia was yelling something about Harry being the perfect choice for the Champion.

"I mean, look what he's done!" she exclaimed loudly to the captivated crowd. "He fought Professor Quirrell in first year, killed a Basalisk in second, avoided a serial killer in third—I think he might have a shot!"

"He's a fourth year," someone yelled in the distance.

"Yeah, and you're boring," Angelina replied sassily. "But you don't hear us being condescending about it, do you?"

The Gryffindor's were in the party mood. Back in the common room, Lee Jordan was shouting about a Gryffindor banner he had upstairs, while the Weasley twins were gathering butterbeer and snacks. Angelina and Alicia set up the radio in the corner. The Creevey brothers were squeaking excitedly by the fire as they talked about getting Harry's autograph.

Lara found herself perched near the windowsill, watching everyone hurry around the common room to prepare the celebration. At one point, George appeared with a butterbeer and handed it to her, and at another point Fred handed her a bag of peanuts. Stan was immersed in conversation about how Harry had gotten over the Age Line with Rhys and Glenn. Erin was beaming as she snacked on a chocolate wand.

And yet, Lara felt…odd.

Overhearing Alicia talk about Harry's previous expeditions had stirred something inside of her…questions that didn't have answers, so many things that didn't make sense. Why, after everything he'd been through, would Harry put his name in the goblet? Lara didn't know him that well—if at all—but even she knew he wasn't the type to revel in the attention he received. Whenever he was called The Chosen One, he'd shrink back and evert his eyes. Any special treatment he received was met by confusion and polite but tense replies.

So why would he put his name in the goblet?

He wouldn't.

But if Harry's friends—his best friends—thought he had, who was Lara to second guess it?

Harry turned up an hour or so later to tremendous applause and cheers. Everyone asked him how he beat the Age Line, why he didn't tell them he was entering the tournament, and how the teachers and other champions reacted. Throughout it all, Harry remained rigid and strained, his shoulders hunched as he shook his head at people's questions. Lara watched him from a distance, her confusion and suspicion increasing as the minutes ticked by.

Because if Harry really had beaten the Age Line, if he really did trick everyone, including the teacher's, why wasn't he more smug about it?

"I'm tired!" Harry suddenly screamed after half an hour. "No, seriously, George—I'm going to bed—"

He ran up the stairs, leaving the Gryffindor's to celebrate without him. Lara leant back against the windowsill and sighed, taking a swig of her butterbeer.

"Ah, butterbeer," an amused voice said. "Fond memories."

"Freddy." She smirked towards the ginger-haired boy. "You look positively delighted."

"A Gryffindor champion," Fred grinned widely. "If he wins, we have bragging rights over the Hufflepuff's for years. And after the way they reacted about us losing to them last year—"

"Bloody Quidditch," snorted Lara, taking a leaf from Erin's book. "It's all you boys think about."

"And girls."

"And girls," Lara agreed.

Fred grinned and Lara took another drink of beer. Slowly, Fred's expression dropped and he eyed Lara suspiciously. "What's up with you?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't seem very excited," he said. "You seem…down."

"Not down, just…thoughtful." Lara hummed, unable to stop herself from glancing towards the boy's dormitory stairs.

"Don't tell me. I know how it is. You fancy Harry."

Lara's jaw dropped. "I do not! He's—he's a kid. Fred Weasley."

"It's alright. I understand. It's the eyes, right? They look like peas or something—"

"I don't fancy Harry," scoffed Lara, making Fred let out a bubble of laughter. "He's just a baby, really. I just…I don't know, I feel bad for him."

"Why?"

"He's had a hard life, that's all," she shrugged lightly. "First his parents. Plus, the whole Chosen One thing can't be easy. And then he comes to Hogwarts, his supposed safe place, and he has to fight a Professor in his first year, kill a Basalisk in his second, hide from a mass murderer in his third and compete in the most dangerous competition in the world in his fourth."

Fred opened his mouth to reply, then quickly shut it. His eyes were gradually turning serious, the mischievous glint turning to a retrospective shimmer. "Yeah, he doesn't have much luck, does he?" he eventually murmured, falling back against the windowsill.

"Not really," Lara smirked humourlessly. "Poor lad."

"Yeah."

"I don't think he put his name into the goblet, either," she whispered, glancing around the party to make sure no one overheard.

"Now you mention it," Fred began with a far-off look, "Neither do I. I mean, he'd be mad to enter, really. After everything."

"He would be a bit, yeah."

"So that means someone had to have put his name in," Fred murmured. "But who?"

"I don't know," mumbled Lara. "Maybe it's just a prank? Maybe a Slytherin?"

"I bet it's that Bole bloke. He always cheats at Quidditch."

"Always leads back to Quidditch."

Fred turned his head to look at her and the glint in his eye was back. "Cheeky bugger," he smirked. "And to think I've been so nice to you."

"Just lovely," Lara replied flatly. "The way you put your arse on my Alchemy essay was particularly kind."

"Who takes Alchemy, anyway?"

Lara rolled her eyes, a smile coming to her face. "You owe me from the bet, by the way. Your beard was fantastic."

"Oh no," groaned Fred, straightening again and pulling a face. "I thought you'd forget…"

"Like you would forget if you won?"

"I wouldn't have actually made you do it."

Lara raised her eyebrows.

"Okay, okay," sighed Fred. "Yes I would. What do you want?"

Lara paused to think and an arm suddenly landed across her shoulders, bringing her against a solid chest. "Is this it?" George beamed joyously. "Is this the moment where Fred loses his dignity? What will you make him do? Run naked through the halls? Call Snape 'mum'? Ask McGonagall to marry him?"

"I've already asked her," said Fred. "She said no. Apparently I'm too young for her."

"Well, the first one sounds fun…" Lara murmured.

"You just want to see me naked."

Lara gave Fred a tepid look. "No, I want McGonagall to see you naked."

The twins cringed simultaneously. "I think I'd rather do a naked jig in front of Snape," George grumbled. "I'd never be able to look McGonagall in the eye again."

"And yet you'd be able to look at Snape?"

"Well, that's already a struggle, isn't it?" smirked Fred. "All that grease makes my eyes sting."

"You two are awful," Lara said, turning her face into George's chest to hide her amused smile. "I know what I want. You two sneak into Hogsmeade all the time, right?"

Fred's eyes widened. "We—I have no idea what you mean—"

"Everyone knows," Lara smirked as George began to panic, his grip on her neck tightening so much she almost coughed. "How else could you have a constant supply of food and pranks? Subtlety has never been your strong point, guys."

George relaxed and a small grin came to his face. "Yeah, we should probably work on that. Do you want something from Hogsmeade?"

"A constant supply of sweets and chocolate, whenever and wherever I want them," grinned Lara. "I'll provide the money, of course. You just have to be my mules."

"I don't see how I got dragged into this," mumbled George.

"Done." Fred grinned brightly. "For a minute there I really thought you'd make me run naked through the halls."

"Urgh, nobody wants to see that," Lee appeared at Fred's side, a teasing grin on his face. "I get enough of it in the dorm."

"Lucky you," said Fred. "I have a fine arse."

That was the moment Erin chose to turn up, her expression one of befuddlement. "What are you lot talking about?"

"Fred's arse." Lara answered simply. "Apparently."

"I think I have a better one," murmured George, straining his neck to look behind him.

"Aren't they identical?"

"I don't know." Fred said, then turned and wiggled his bum. "You tell us."

"Dear Merlin…" Lee whispered as Erin looked between the Weasley twins, her eyebrows knitted together in concentration.

"Definitely identical," nodded Erin. "Don't you think, Lara?"

"No fair!" George yelped instantly. "She snogged Fred, she'll have a instinctive animal magnetism towards him!"

"Animal magnetism?" Lara repeated dubiously at the same time Erin sighed and said;

"Fine. Lee, who's got the better arse?"

"Don't ask me—"

Erin and Lee began to bicker, Fred shook his arse more to try and divert their attention back to him, and George called for Angelina and Alicia as he wanted their opinion on the identical butt situation. And Lara once again found herself leaning against the windowsill, enjoying the moment and the laughter, but unable to completely forget about the green-eyed boy with the sad eyes.

I know I say it every time, but thanks everyone for your reviews, favourites and alerts. I didn't think I'd have over 60 people with this story in their alerts on only chapter 5, so thank you so much! Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Next chapter will be much faster, promise. I've already got it like 40% done and it's called The smile of love...

ps thanks to the person that pointed out the mistake in the last chapter, must have left it in there after the edits...oops :)