Chapter 3
It had been the best Sorting of Harry's life! Well, technically it had been the only Sorting Ceremony he had seen since his own three years ago. The dark haired wizard had welcomed Dennis Creevey, Colin Creevey's younger brother, with a wild whoop and thunderous applause to join the Gryffindor table.
"It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."
Not only would there be a fantastic competition of magic on the very grounds of Hogwarts, but other students from two schools in Europe would participate! Harry always wondered how the entire magical world could be housed in only one enchanted castle such as Hogwarts. Other schools never even crossed his mind.
The stern wizards from Durmstrang Institute and the pretty witches from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic wowed the awestruck pupils. Those in the English academy felt like country bumpkins compared to these refined and strong sorcerers.
"What have they been teaching in these schools?" Hermione practically exclaimed as she studied the complex magics coming from the blue-uniformed girls.
Ron was too busy aahing over Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian National Team's Seeker.
"Seventeen years old though? Why not open the tournament to all of us?!" Fred and George Weasley whined.
Harry laughed. "Every first year would probably put their name in for bragging rights."
"You think the tournament will mean less classes?" Hermione fretted. She was worried about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. She had only just gotten used to Lupin and his teaching style. Now she would have to adjust to a new professor all over again!
"Think carefully, my dear students. Once your name has been entered and chosen, you must participate due to its binding contract," Olympe Maxime intoned.
Karakoff stood up with his booming voice. "You have until the night to decide! Do not let down your schools!"
The numerous students were chattering to an almost deafening degree. Who would join the tournament from Hogwarts? What would the tasks be?
"Surely it won't be a written test," Harry laughed. "Hermione of course would ace that easily." His friend gave him a glad smile.
A rap on the door sounded above the cacophony.
"Did Durmstrang or Beauxbatons forget a student?" Ron quipped. "We didn't leave anyone behind on the train, right?"
The massive double doors of the Great Hall opened with a groan revealing four figures hooded and cloaked in dark robes. The rainwater that dripped from their clothes soon evaporated with a whispered spell from one of the strangers.
Dumbledore stood with anticipation.
The trio craned their necks to observe the newcomers.
"They're just students?" Ron muttered with disappointment as smooth hands revealed two girls and two boys of varying ages.
"Are they?" Hermione squinted as she noticed Professors McGonagall and Sprout practically leapt out of their chairs.
"Please welcome back to Hogwarts the Pevensies: Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter. Would you like to be re-sorted by the Sorting Hat, or would you prefer to remain in your old houses?"
The eldest spoke for the quartet. "We are glad to be here, Professor. Please, we'd like to stay where we were."
To Harry's surprise the family broke ranks in the strangest direction. The noble eldest brother, seemingly straight out of the pages of an adventure novel, headed towards the yellow Hufflepuff table. The sweet angelic youngest girl towards Slytherin, and the shrewd boy towards Ravenclaw.
And the most beautiful girl practically floated towards him.
"Ooooh, and I thought veelas were pretty," Ron breathed beside him.
A pale hand reached out serenely. "Susan Pevensie, and you are?"
The boy-who-lived brain's short circuited. "You don't know who I am?" Harry cursed inwardly as he stuck his foot in his mouth.
Dark curls moved like a wave as she shook her head no.
The young man took her proffered hand. "Harry Potter."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. May I sit?"
"You can sit beside me! I'm Ron Weasley!" the red head offered. The returned student gave a small smile and sat primly amongst the trio.
Hermione studied Susan with a critical eye. "What year will you be in?"
"I believe Dumbledore wished for us to repeat the year, so it'll be my fifth again."
How strange.
Their headmaster clapped his hands calling for food to be served. An army of elves came marching out of the kitchens with plates and platters of food.
Hermione sniffed at the injustice, but Ron merely elbowed her in the side. "You don't have time to be worrying about house-elf rights when you should be studying for your pre-O.W.L.S."
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but you're right, Ron."
The boy's incredulousness at her words stunned him to silence.
Susan Pevensie hid a smile behind a demure hand.
"My queen!"
A high pitched voice from quite low to the floor bowed even lower, then raised her arms revealing a plate ladened with food.
"Why are the Pevensies getting served before the teachers?"
To Harry's surprise (well not really), Hermione was right. Each house-elf fawned over the four newcomers before transporting a meal to Dumbledore then the professors. His thoughts were distracted by the delicious food that appeared before him. Hogwarts always knew how to set a first day feast.
Before he slept in the Gryffindor dormitory that night he had completely forgotten about the elf's strange greeting towards the girl. Harry Potter only knew that Susan had the gentlest hands.
I think Hermione's arc with the goblin's freedom and S.P.E.W. went on for way too long. This is not a Susan/Harry romance story. A brief reminder that I did not sort the Pevensies traditionally. Please refer to the previous story All Worlds Draw to an End.
Edmund - Ravenclaw
Lucy - Slytherin
Peter - Hufflepuff
Susan - Gryffindor
Please review,
Grignard
