Sooo… it's Christmas Day again. Last time I think I posted on Christmas day was back in 2016, before going on an unintentional 2 year hiatus. The next chapter is partially written (because as I have done in the past, I made this chapter too long, so split it in two). I think I can have the next chapter out by easter – Current readers, sorry, but you'll just have to wait to see if it Happens. Future readers, you just need to click on the next chapter and read whatever chapter notes I will write to see if I manage this.
Anyways, Merry Christmas to all my readers. In one week from now we will have left 2021 behind us, and with it hopefully masks too, because as a teacher who has to wear masks all the time in my class, my skin really can't handle to much more mask time.
The last 11 months really got away from me, with increasing work commitments among other things *netflix* taking up a lot of my time. The good thing is that I have achieved a few important work related things so that I'm glad about that.
Anyways, as I always do, I'll thank those of you who reviewed.
We did it! Made it to 100 reviews! As this has always been a personal goal for me on Fanfiction, I was very excited when that 100th review finally came through.
Thank you to every reviewer who got me there.
Land of Insanity – Sorry I made you wait another 11 months for this chapter. I promise you won't have to wait as long for the next one. I spent way too much money this Christmas, so I think a bit more writing will be happening. Thanks for the feedback for the Quidditch scene.
Maximasdemon – It was a close call – their closest so far. I don't think it'll be their last though.
Star – Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad you enjoy it.
Unseated4th – It is interesting how both groups now know the other is hiding something. Stronger relationships are built on trust, so we'll have to see what comes of this.
Homozyghost – I'm glad you enjoyed it. It must have taken a while to binge
Guest (1st of July) – You my friend are the one who to me to review 100 – I don't know who you are, but thank you.
Guest (21st October) – Thank you for the compliment. Here's the next update.
Emenie – Your first review gave me a good laugh – I almost felt like it was a review I might leave on someone else's page, it's definently something I'd do – lol. For the record, even though this fandom is likely dead, I enjoy writing this story. I see it as a hobby, and while I do love it when people read it and give feedback, I ultimately am ding this because I like it. That's why even though the fandom is pretty dead, I'm still here, writing away. That being said, my last chapter was 11 months ago to the day, and I often mention my long breaks in my chapter notes.
Basically, as I have said before, even though long breaks may pass between updates, I don't intend to drop this fic. (Though if I keep going at this pace, I think we'll all be pretty old by the time I get this done.)
Chapter 14
Great Hall
30th October - 9pm
Ron's POV
Ron leant back in his seat, letting out a contented sigh.
Damn, that was some good food, he thought as he stood along with the other Gryffindors once everyone had been dismissed.
It had been an interesting feast – the foreign visitors as well of course as the glowing triwizard cup in the middle of the hall made it different to the any of the feasts Hogwarts would hold throughout a normal year. As promised during the feast on their first day, more details had been given about the upcoming tasks – though as interesting as it all was, Ron had found it close to impossible to concentrate on any of any details, and for one very simple reason.
Krum.
Victor Krum.
The world's best Quidditch player.
Here at Hogwarts.
Too bad he'd been stuck at the Slytherin table – with Malfoy of all people – all night. But Ron knew Krum would be smart enough to see through Malfoy's act.
Ron eyed the pair as Malfoy passed Krum his scarf.
The bloody suck up.
Standing, Ron looked over the sea of heads to where Krum had been only moments earlier, but he'd already been lost within a gathering group of Durmstrangs. Maybe if Ron moved in that direction, he'd be able to spot Krum again.
"Ahh," said Francis, standing up beside Ron. "It brought such joy to my pallet to finally have some good food. I look forward to another edible meal at tomorrow night's feast."
"Speaking of tomorrow night's feast," said Harry as they began heading towards the main door. "It looks like they're serious about keeping the age restriction."
"We've actually been thinking about that little inconvenience," Fred hinted. "A drop or two of ageing potion should be enough to get us over the line – we're only a few weeks off 17."
"The goblet doesn't know how old we are after all," George added.
Ron's mind filtered out Hermione's retort as his eyes again scanned the crowd for the famous Durmstrang student. I'll have to get him to sign something – too bad I don't have my own copy of Quidditch Through the Ages.
"What about you Alfred?" Ron vaguely heard Lee Jordan ask. "Would you enter?"
"Hell yeah I would – and I'd smash it too. I'd need more than a few drops of that ageing potion to look 17 though."
"Don't think we'll have that much to spare – sorry mate."
Ron stood on the tips of his toes, trying to see over a group of older students to where the Durmstrang group had gathered. "Where is he?" he asked. "Where do you think the Durmstrang people will sleep?" he questioned again without waiting for his first query to be answered. "We could invite them to our dorm if they need somewhere."
However, before anyone could speculate, Ron's hopes were squashed as the Durmstrang Headmaster, Igor Karkroff, pushed his way past a pair of Durmstrang girls to the head of the group.
"Alright, everyone is here, yes?" Karkroff asked, continuing before anyone had a chance to answer. "We'll now go back to the ship, I expect the lot of you to be in bed within the hour, we've got an early start tomorrow." The headmaster placed his arm on Victor Krum's shoulder, asking the young Quidditch star of any needs.
A small scowl crossed Krum's face, but any response he may have given was interrupted when Karkrov turned, coming face to face with Ron and his friends as the two groups met at the entrance of the Great Hall.
He's here, Ron thought with growing excitement. Close enough to speak with the Quidditch star and much closer than Ron could have ever imagined. Ron stared, trying to make eye contact with Krum, which perhaps could lead to an actual conversation.
Only no, Ron began to realise with an unpleasant yet familiar feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. Krum's attention wasn't on him – his attention, along with all the other Durmstrang visitors was on;
"Yes, that's Harry Potter," said Moody, pushing his way to the front of the crown from behind Ron.
"You," said Karkroff, in almost an accusing tone, eyes narrowing with a mixture of dislike and caution.
"Me," was the equally unfriendly response, before Moody pointed out the fact that Karkorofs blatant staring at Harry was causing a block up for those who were trying to leave the hall.
The two men locked eyes for moment longer before Karkroff abruptly broke off.
"Not that it matters," he said proudly. And with one last glance at Harry, Karkroff span on his heels and left the hall.
As the Durmstrang students filed out behind their headmaster, Ron took a half step forward in a final attempt to have Krum meet his eyes – if only for a moment. But no – with the exception of a quick glance towards Moody, and another glance at Harry, Krum followed his peers out of the hall.
Typical. Ron felt his shoulders slump as the rest of the Durmstrang student's passed, all glancing (and in some cases blatantly gawking at Harry) as they went. As usual I could be invisible and it wouldn't make a difference.
"Woah," commented Alfred when the Gryffindor students were finally able to move again. "I forgot that you're famous Harry. All those people actually know who you are."
"Yeah, well it's not exactly by choice," Harry said irritably.
"Ah, sorry," Alfred said sincerely.
Ron too mentally slapped himself for allowing jealously to enter his thoughts.
"So, only the three champions compete in the first two tasks, right?" asked Harry, in an attempt to redirect the conversation.
"That's right," confirmed Hermione. "I expect that's so the champions can establish themselves before introducing their companions."
"Well, that's something then," said Francis, pausing briefly as he made the jump over a trick stair. "You might not be able to compete due to the age restrictions. But there's no restriction for the companions."
"Yeah, but the champion chooses the companion," countered Fred. "They'll just choose one of their friends."
"And a companion can only join in one of the tasks," added George. "If I get to compete, I'm going to be in all four. It's all or nothing."
"So, you're still going to enter then?" said Hermione with a hint of disapproval.
"You bet," said George, "We've got all the ingredients ready to go."
"It won't take all that long to brew," added Fred.
"What do you plan on-" Alfred began before a now familiar expression filled his face. He turned, seemingly looking for a door or passage to escape through.
Fred and George glanced towards an approaching ghost and back to Alfred, before exchanging identical smirks.
"Nope," they said, each looping an arm around Alfred's elbow. "You're staying here."
"Hey!" Alfred protested as the ghost drifted past. "You weren't supposed to know about that!"
"And you were supposed to be over your fear."
"It's not fear, but caution," Alfred began, ignoring the groans. "It's Halloween tomorrow. Everyone knows that ghosts get stronger at Halloween."
"Mate, where do you get your information from?" Ron snorted.
"Hollywood would be my guess," Francis deadpanned.
"Not just Hollywood," Alfred admitted. "Kiku always puts on a few Japanese movies when we have our yearly horror movie marathon. Looks like we'll be missing that this year," he lamented.
"Maybe that's not a bad thing," reasoned Hermione. "I hope you don't take everything you see in a movie as fact."
"That's-"
"Balderdash," Ron interrupted, giving the Fat Lady the password.
Ron led the group into a crowded common room, where many people were still gathered, discussing the upcoming tournament.
"Hmmm," George observed the crowded common room. "Fred, I think the potion can wait a bit."
"Opportunity calls," Fred agreed. The twins moved quickly to their dorms, returning a few minutes later carrying two large boxes.
Ron sat back, watching as Fred and George took the opportunity, when so many Gryffindors were gathered, to promote the inventions and products that their mum had tried so unsuccessfully to destroy over the summer.
"We are also happy to announce that our first batch of Jumping Snakes, which some of you pre-ordered, are now ready to collect." Fred theatrically announced as George produced a box with the logo WW embellished on the side.
"Obviously if you didn't pre order this time, you'll now be wishing you did get in on the action," said George, handing out tins of some kind of gummy to the new owners. "Especially with the Canary Cream now up for pre-order."
"Which is why we're now taking orders for Christmas," said Fred pulling out a quill and parchment as excited students began to line up.
It was close to an hour before the common room began to empty. Ron, Harry, Alfred and Neville bid good night to Hermione and made for their dorms.
As they climbed the stairs to their room, Alfred stifled a yawn, and moved towards his personal living space that the dorm had grown to accommodate on their first evening.
"Are you going to bed already?"
"Yeah," said Alfred subconsciously massaging his shoulder. "It was a long day."
"You alright?" asked Harry.
"A little stiff, but it'll be fine," Alfred said, pulling back the curtain divider for his bed and plonking down on it.
"Well, I think that'd be a boring way to spend the money," came Seamus' voice from the stairwell.
"Sure, it's not as exciting short term," Dean stepped into the room just behind his friend. "But 1000 galleons today could be 1,000,000 galleons in a decade if invested right."
"Mate, who's got time to wait that long?" Seamus scoffed before turning to Ron. "Are you lot heading down early tomorrow?"
"I reckon so, it'd be cool if we got to see the winner enter."
"Who cares about who might be the winner?" Alfred said suddenly, jumping up from his bed and moving to the small table in the centre of the room. "That's months off and it won't be any of us anyway. What I care about, is who's going to win right here and now," he produced a packet of muggle playing cards on the table.
"You just said you were tired," smiled Harry.
"Well, That was before this totally awesome idea hit me. Come on, we're all here, so why not? Plus, I can break open my new deck of cards I got at Zonko's because apparently boring muggle cards aren't good enough," he sent a smirk in Ron's direction.
"I stand by that," Ron joined the table. "Let's go then – you'll soon be wondering how you got by with boring non-moving cards until now."
"We'll see about that one," Alfred bantered as the rest of the boys joined them at the table.
It was at the end of their second round of play when Neville let out a stifled yawn.
A sly look quickly passed Alfred's face, and he folded his cards. "I agree with Neville. It does get a little boring playing 'risk free' after a few rounds."
"That's not what I meant," Neville protested as Alfred sat back, a slight smirk playing on his face.
"What are you getting at?" asked Ron.
"Well, when I play with some of my other friends, we always have something at stake." Alfred explained. "Sure you might lose occasionally, but you can also win. A little risk makes the whole thing loads more fun."
"That sounds gambling – I don't think my Gran would like that," said Neville sceptically.
"Nah, it's fine," Alfred maintained. "Just make sure you don't bet too much. Just something small, that you don't mind losing. You'd be surprised how just a little bet can bring so much energy to the game. Just so long as everyone's ok with it and no one's a sore loser at the end."
"Just something small?" Ron confirmed already thinking of the remainder of his Hogsmede chocolate he had stashed away.
"I like the idea of a little risk," agreed Seamus as Dean nodded.
"That should be ok – so long as Gran doesn't find out," Neville said slowly coming round to the idea.
"Hermione doesn't need to know either," Ron added, an image of Hermione lecturing them on the perils of betting coming to mind.
"Or Iggy," said Alfred, suddenly looking serious. "I'll never the end of it if he hears I suggested gambling to you lot."
Harry considered it for a moment longer. "Well, if everyone here is ok with it, so am I. What do you all say to a one galleon value cap?"
With everyone quick to agree, Ron hurried back to his bedside table where he kept the-
Damn it. The chocolate was already opened. A vague memory of opening the packet a few nights back to satisfy a midnight craving entered Ron's mind. Ron popped a piece into his mouth, tossed the rest back in his nightstand before frowning.
Now what?
Ron opened his trunk. Surely he had something decent to bring to the game somewhere in there?
His eyes fell on his figurine of Krum from the World Cup.
Not an option, He thought. Especially now he'd actually met the guy, he wasn't about to part with it.
Vaguely he became aware that both Seamus and Neville were back at the table.
Ron continued rummaging through his draws, finding only another half-eaten chocolate bar in his jeans.
Damn, he thought again. Abandoning the draw, Ron started digging through his trunk, looking for something – anything he'd be able to add to the game.
Maybe he'd find some loose coins?
Dully, he heard the other boys having less difficulty choosing.
"You must have brought that from home," Harry was saying as he walked by Ron's curtain.
"Yeah," Alfred responded, slapping down a mystery object on the table. "I bought it just after I found out I'd be coming here. What did you choose?"
"I haven't decided yet," said Harry. "I'm tossing up between the sugar quills and the colour changing socks."
"Socks?"
"I got them a few weeks ago and haven't used them yet, so it's ok. Wait – these might be good," Harry paused as though holding whatever the object was up to show Alfred. "I think I'll go with them."
Ron looked down at his 'options'.
Two almost finished bars of chocolate – because like a dumbass he'd had to have two separate bars open at once. Not an option.
Finishing off one of the bars, he counted the coins he managed to find in his trunk. Only 55 sickles and a knut. Not even half of the cap, so again not an option.
"Hey Ron, are you ready?"
Ron stuck his head around his curtains seeing that everyone had now returned to the table, all waiting for his return.
"Almost," he pulled back the curtain before the others could see his ears going red.
Screw being poor.
He looked back at his three choices, before selecting his only real option.
A moment later, Ron pulled back the curtain, took his place at the table and placed his Krum figurine in front of him.
"Ron – you sure that's ok?" Harry questioned quietly as Seamus asked Alfred about the rules.
Ron looked at his best friend and for the second time that night felt a twinge of shame at the jealously he'd felt. It wasn't Harry's fault that Ron didn't have much to share.
"Yes, it's fine," Ron lied as the figure began to march in small circles in the middle of the table. "I mean, the actual Krum is staying here this year, so I hardly need this figure," he trailed off a little before turning to the others. "So, what have the rest of you got? They better equal my Krum."
"I still have a few of these left from last Hogsmead trip," said Neville, opening a brown paper bag to reveal a dozen chocolate frogs, a couple of liquorice wands and a packet of Bertty Botts Every Flavoured Beans.
"Dude, you've been holding out on me!" Alfred accused as Neville put the candy on the table.
"Alfred, after how quickly you went through your own chocolate hoard, I don't blame Neville for keeping them secret," laughed Dean.
"Meh – foods there to be enjoyed, not saved. So what do you have?" Alfred eyeing the circular object Dean held. "Is that some kind of frisbee?"
"It's a Fanged Frisbee."
Alfred scoffed at this, "Because normal fangless frisbee's aren't good enough."
"They're actually really fun," said Ron. "They make the game…. more interesting."
"Touché," Alfred laughed, taking the frisbee from Dean to inspect the fangs more closely.
"What about you Alfred?"
Alfred out handed the frisbee back to Dean and pulled out his offering.
"A book – seriously?" said Ron.
"I know you said don't bet anything you don't want to lose, but you can't bet some junk just to get rid of it," protested Seamus.
"Don't judge till you've had a look," said Alfred, passing over the book. "It's a story told mostly through pictures. It's not a text book or something nerdy like that."
"So, it's a comic book," said Dean, flicking through the pages.
"Well, a manga," clarified Alfred. "Kiku put me onto them last time I was at his pl- last time I was in Japan."
"The pictures don't move," observed Seamus, looking over Dean's shoulder.
"Just because the pictures don't move doesn't mean the story can't be good."
"I used to read comics before Hogwarts," said Dean. "I still do actually, during the holidays."
"I also read a few back in primary school," added Harry. "Dudley hated them, so I figured they must be alright."
"See," pushed Alfred. "Everyone here who has read a comic has actually liked it. Maybe it'll even be good if one of you win it. Read the volume and you'll see how muggles don't need magic to entertain themselves."
The manga was placed with the candy, frisbee and miniature Krum in the middle of the table.
Harry offered a packet of fizzing whizbees and a few dungbombs left over from the last trip to Zonko's.
Finally, Dean placed his unopen tin of Fred and George's Jumping Snakes.
Alfred opened the packet of cards, and made to shuffle them before they spontaneously leapt from his hands to shuffle themselves. The American rolled his eyes as though he found act unnecessary before beginning. "Ok, now that everyone's in we'll play. One round, winner takes all. All agree?"
Ron took another look back at the small hoard, the Krum figurine had now sat itself at the top of the pile where it must have had the greatest vantage point. A feeling of determination stirred within. He would win this thing.
"Let's go," Ron said as the cards began sorting themselves out between the six boys.
Ron waited until his deck had all five cards before looking at his hand.
That many queens? Tearing his eyes away from the smiling and waving quartet of queens, Ron hoped he could remember his poker face. He hadn't got his Krum back yet, but that many queens had to be a good sign.
He hoped.
"Ahh, I'm out," Neville admitted, folding his cards nearly twenty minutes into the game.
Another step closer, thought Ron, eyeing his only remaining opponent. For someone who was usually so theatrical, Alfred definitely had a good poker face.
Ron looked back at his queens – now accompanied with an ace. The Queen of Spades looked at the cards to her left and right before giving Ron a thumbs up. She was right – it was a bloody good hand. Ron focused on not letting his good fortune show on his face. He was in this until the end.
"You sure you don't want to fold?" Alfred asked casually as he picked up another card.
"Are you?" Ron shot back confidently.
Alfred stared at Ron for a moment or two before his face broke into a smile. "Damn," he folded his cards. "You got me."
"Those are terrible cards," said Harry. Looking over Alfred's shoulder. "How did you beat the rest of us?"
"It's called a bluff," Alfred replied. "An important skill in both the game and in real life. I went as far as I could, but in the end, Ron wouldn't back down." Alfred looked at the cards Ron now revealed. "And no wonder – that set would have been hard to beat. Congrats man."
"It was a good hand," Ron admitted, already reclaiming his figurine. "I pretty much had it in the bag from the start."
Now tearing open the bag of chocolate frogs, he tossed one to each of his roommates.
"Well damn," said Seamus. "Looks like I'll be reordering from your brothers."
"Heh, well you win some, you lose some I guess," said Ron, passing him a frog.
Eyeing off the rest of the winnings, Ron picked the Fanged Frisbee, tossing it to Alfred. The shot veered off to the left. Alfred quickly extended his arm to catch it, before flinching, allowing the Frisbee to continue sailing forward until it smashed into Harry's mirror.
"Repario," Harry mended the mirror before passing the frisbee back to Ron. "It might be better outside."
"Right," said Ron as Neville, Seamus and Dean all said their 'goodnights'.
Smiling, he turned gathered the rest of his winnings and brought them to his bed. Picking up Alfred's book, he flicked through the pages of stationary pictures, eyebrows arched in mild amusement as to how muggles actually considered these static images as entertainment.
"It really isn't bad if you give it a go," said Alfred as though reading Ron's thoughts. "Here, I'll show you how to read it."
After getting the gist of the whole thing, Ron turned to Harry, confirming their plans to get up early to watch those entering the challenge.
"You'll be coming with us Alfred?"
"When you want to be in the hall by 7am? I don't think so. I'm not getting up before 10," Alfred said, massaging his shoulder. "I'm fine with just seeing who got chosen when it's announced at tomorrow's feast."
With that, Alfred stood and moved to his bed. "Goodnight," he said closing the curtains.
Ron did likewise, making himself comfortable under his covers. Finally alone, his thoughts drifted from the events of the day and of what tomorrow would bring. Thoughts of Krum, a second feast and the Hogwarts champion danced across Ron's mind, until an impossible to mark moment came, bringing with it sleep.
That's all for now everyone. Once again only parts of chapter 13's 'next time' section actually happened here, but I wanted to get a chapter out before the end of the year.
Simply put, that would not have happened if I stuck with my original plan, so I altered it.
I hope you enjoyed this section, and keep in mind that I do not have any plot irrelevant parts in my story - just putting that out there.
And just as I did on this night 5 years ago, I will wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy (or at least better than 2020/2021) New Year.
Next time; We actually do get to our second feast. Harry's night will be ruined at the end of the feast, and if you don't know how, wtf are you reading a Harry Potter Fic?
By for now – I promise not to be gone for 2 years this time.
Merry Christmas Everyone and don'e forget to leave a review (even if it's no longer Christmas)