𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 | 𝐡. 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

𝟑𝟐 - 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬

By the time Harry had returned to the Gryffindor common room it was late into the afternoon.

Given he had to be thoroughly checked over by Madam Pomfrey before he could actually go and do anything, but he was excited, pride coursed through his veins and his chest swelled in satisfaction.

The moment he climbed through the portrait hole his senses was overwhelmed, the room was crowded with very little room to wiggle around in and it appeared to erupt at his entrance, cheers and shouts were heard over the blasting music as people clambered over one another to get a look at him or even to touch him, he was used to this sort of attention in small bursts and in random public places but all of it being poured on him all at once was almost overwhelming, and his feet began to backtrack a little as people grabbed ahold of his sleeves clawing at him to tell him how they knew he was the true champion, people shouting and chanting his name like they were trying to summon him from the depths of hell.

He craned his neck looking for her, trying to scan the crowds for her face, all he could see were familiar strangers and aquatencies, he almost began to panic inside when he realised he couldn't see her.

Suddenly he was hoisted up into the air by his legs, being propped up onto the Weasley Twin's shoulders as they bounced him.

Harry passed the golden egg to the nearest person who happened to linger nearby, as Harry could now properly see the rest of the crowd, finding the blonde hair of Ophelia by the fireplace straining to get a better look at Harry, he smirked as she clambered onto furniture to be at an average height, given she was a feeble 5"4 the top of her head only barely reached Harry's chin which he could always rest his chin on when he felt like it.

She gave him a wide smile, before she ever so clumsily face-planted.

Thankfully it appeared only Ron, Hermione and Harry noticed, and Harry felt that familiar liquid gold feeling flowing through him again, allowing himself a free-pass to bask in the celebration and praise, after all he did earn it this time.

"We knew you wouldn't die Harry." said George from beneath him

"Lose a leg." said Fred

"Or an arm." added George

"Pack it in altogether." enthused Fred,

"NEVER!!" the two of them cheered simultaneously.

Seamus, holding the golden egg gives it a fond kiss as though it was the Quidditch Cup, and passes it back to Harry.

"Go on Harry, what's the clue?" Seamus asked over the crowd, which silenced a little bit to hear Harry.

Harry held it in his hand, feeling like the hottest shit on the planet.

"Who wants me to open it?"

The crowd cheers, Ophelia rolls her eyes in jest as she grins up at him, he flashes her a wink while Ophelia only smirks up at him.

"You want me to open it?" he asks again, teasing the crowd, which cheers louder. Almost like in a pantomime.

Harry wastes no time in twisting the cap at the top of the egg, releasing the outer shell to have a particularly horrific and ungodly screech erupt from within it.

At the sound, every one made to cover their ears, Neville even passing out beside Ophelia. Harry was abruptly dropped to the floor as the twins moved to save their senses, Harry closed the cap again, silencing the dreadful screams embued within it.

The once joyful and excited common room was now in an awkward daze, no longer in the mood for a party as much anymore, and Harry felt that way too.

"What the bloody hell was that?" asks Ron from the doorway, everyone turning to look at the two of them.