Pathos | A Pansy Parkinson Fanfiction

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"Come on, Ced." Maeve whined, looking over her shoulder as her friend struggled to catch up with her.

Students grumbled as she pushed past them, desperately trying to reach the grand doors at the end of the bridge. Adorning muggle clothes, the students were catching up with their friends, sluggishly making their way through the bridge.

"Excuse me, pardon me." Maeve cringed, apologizing to everyone she bumped into.

"What are they on about?" Cedric had finally caught up with the impatient Hufflepuff. He peered out of the bridge's archways.

"It looks like a flying carriage." Maeve shrugged, more preoccupied with getting to the Great Hall in time.

"Only you could keep going as if a massive flying carriage is no big deal." Cedric laughed.

"I'm late and you're laughing, Ced." the girl complained, feeling helpless as she slid through the crowd.

"Okay, okay." he chuckled. "Coming."

Pushing past the last of the students, they ran into the cold stone castle. Taking a sharp left, Maeve and Cedric sprinted down the lengthy hall, past portraits of old wizards and witches and occasionally startling a ghost. They flew down the stairs – not literally of course – and scrambled through the main floor, making it to the Great Hall.

Professors and house elves were making finishing touches around the room. When they barged in, Professor Flitwick whirled around to look at them.

"There you are!" he cried, throwing his hands up in the air. "Kingston, where have you been? Never mind that, take your place now. We have only a few minutes to go." he ushered the girl.

"Yes professor!" the Hufflepuff cried from across the room, hurrying to their places in the choir.

Cedric handed Maeve her toad while the rest of the choir group chattered on like they did before every performance.

"Thank you." Maeve grinned, straightening her robes and making sure her hair was in place after her mini marathon. She turned to the Slytherin girl beside her. "Any idea who we're going to be welcoming?"

It was to be noted that the Slytherin girl wasn't a fan of talking.

The blonde shrugged and Maeve pursed her lips, watching the rest of the students go to their house tables. There was the inseparable trio, along with their Gryffindor friends, Cho's clique sat on the Ravenclaw table, and Maeve giggled to herself as she saw Cedric look at the girl dreamily from the Hufflepuff table. And finally, as if they were trying to make a statement, Draco's gang emerged, along with Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson by the blonde's arm. Maeve looked away immediately. And then her eyes trailed away to the girl sitting beside Cedric; Elizabeth Daniels – Beater for the Hufflepuff team and a gorgeous senior who was Cedric's co-prefect. Maeve had been crushing on the girl since the first year when Elizabeth had fended off some seventh year Ravenclaws trying to bully her.

"Two minutes!" Professor Flitwick called hysterically, breaking Maeve out of her trance-like state.

The sorting ceremony began, as usual. Maeve only half paid attention as her eyes scanned the tables, noting all the faces that sat there, cheering as the first years got sorted. She caught Elizbeth's eye and the girl sent her a small wave. Then she looked at Cedric who also smiled at her. She responded by making suggestive glances at Cho and he just blushed, rolled his eyes and looked away.

"Now that we're all settled into our houses, I'd like to make an announcement." Dumbledore's words caught Maeve's attention. "This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen to host the legendary Triwizard Tournament."