"GRYFFINDOR!" the ragged Sorting Hat bellows. Our table erupts into cheers and whoops as we welcomed our newest member. Amaya something, I think her name is. She's a small girl for her age, with soft brown curls and bright eyes. There's a sparkle to them that gives her air of mischief. I make a mental note to keep her away from the Weasley twins as I watch her wander wide eyed to the Gryffindor table.
Dumbledore steps up to the podium then, and the room gradually quiets down. He clears his throat, then, in his traditional booming voice, says, "Welcome first years to Hogwarts, and welcome back everyone else. This year is very special, as we will welcome two other groups to Hogwarts this year. For this year, we are playing host to the Triwizard Tournament."
Whispers start up at the mention of this.
"The Triwizard Tournament is a competition that grants the winner lifelong fame and glory. But, be warned, it will test all of your ability and push you to your limits, should you choose to enter." He pauses to let his last words sink in. "Moving on, let us first welcome our lovely ladies of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic."
The grand doors to the Great Hall bursts open, and several young ladies in powder blue dresses and matching hats float in. Magically conjured butterflies and flowers surround the girls as they make their entrance. I suppress the urge to roll my eyes at the spectacle. Looking around at my fellow classmates, I notice that most of the boys' jaws are almost on the floor. I give Hermione a knowing glance, and she, in turn, throws both Ron and Harry a disgusted look. They don't seem to notice, as if suddenly put in a trance by the pretty Beauxbaton ladies.
"Next, we would like to welcome our friends from the North, the young men of Durmstrang."
Now it was the girls' turn to swoon as the Durmstrang boys made their grand entrance. Several of the boys carried staffs and hit the floor with them in a synchronized beat. Those not carrying anything made a show of acrobatic tricks. I must admit it is quite impressive.
"Bloody hell," Ron whispers to us. "There's Viktor Krum."
Sure enough, the famous Quidditch star was among the Durmstrang crowd. I watch as his eyes meet Hermione's, and he gives her a small smile before going on his way. Hermione's cheeks turn slightly rosy, and a ghost of a smile plays on her lips. Harry and Ron are too starstruck to notice.
The rest of the feast continues as normal. We all eat way too much food and enjoy each other's company. After the dessert dishes are magicked away, students begin milling about and heading back to their dormitories for the night. Ron, Harry, and Hermione get up to do the same.
"I'll meet you guys there. I told Draco I would chat with him for a bit after the feast," I explain.
I scan the dwindling crowd in the Great Hall until my eyes land on my twin, surrounding by Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise, and Pansy of course. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I start toward him.
The group is all laughing about something until they see me approach. Immediately their joyful faces turn to scowls.
"What do you want?" Pansy snarls.
"Easy, Pansy," Draco warns.
"Pansy, delightful as ever to see you again," I sneer back. "Boys, you too," I say with a wink. They shift uncomfortably. "I just need a word with my brother, then he is all yours again."
I take hold of Draco's wrist and yank him away from his posse. We head to an alcove in the far corner of the Great Hall and sit down on a bench.
"Well they're charming as ever," I huff. "I don't see how you can stand to be around them."
"I could say the same of your friends, Li."
"Don't go there."
"You started it."
"Technically they started it. Anyway, I didn't come over to fight with you. Timetable?" I ask pulling out my own that we received earlier.
Draco pulls his out as well and we begin to compare, something we do every year after the feast.
"Looks like we have Potions, DADA, and Astronomy together this year," I say after examining each timetable.
Draco nods. "You're taking Care of Magical Creatures again? Gross."
"Just because you were rubbish at it doesn't mean I am," I tease, playfully yanking my timetable back.
"You're right, you're right. Will you still help me in Ancient Runes this year even though we don't have it together?" Draco asks.
"I'll see what I can do," I smirk.
"I'll see what I can do," he mimics in a voice way higher pitched than my own. He rolls up his timetable and swats my arm with it.
"Fine. We can keep our weekly study sessions then, alright?" I offer.
"Alright."
We shake on the deal, then each get up to go our separate ways.
Back in the common room, I find Hermione on the floor with textbooks, parchments, and quills spread out before her. This was her beginning of term ritual for as long as I've known her. Classes haven't even started yet, but she likes to go ahead and map out a reading schedule. The boys know better than to disturb her during this time. She doesn't even look up as I plop down beside her and start spreading my own materials out.
"Evening 'Mione," I say in greeting.
"Evening, Li," she replies, flipping through pages of her History of Magic book.
"How's planning going?" I ask carefully, trying to gauge her feelings.
"It's just fine. I'm not in quite as many courses as last year, but I've heard Arithmancy and Ancient Runes are extremely difficult this year," she says. Hermione continues rambling about courses as I listen and begin my own reading schedule. After a long while of chatting and planning, I notice that we are the only ones left in the common room.
"Hermione, I think we have done it again," I laugh.
"Oh Merlin, what time is it? We need to get to bed. I have early class!" she says in a rush.
I begin packing my things and help Hermione with her belongings. I take one last look around the common room and sigh happily. I am home.
YOU ARE READING
Falling Star
FanfictionMany fans hold to the theory that Draco Malfoy would have stayed on the side of the Hogwarts students in the final battle if he had just one person who truly wanted him there. What if he did? Would he have found redemption if someone there cared eno...