Crossroads | Harry J. Potter

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 - The Goblet of Fire

"Don't believe it!" Ron said, in a stunned voice, as the Hogwarts students filed back up the steps behind the party from Durmstrang. "Krum, Harry! Viktor Krum!"

"For heaven's sake, Ron, he's only a Quidditch player," said Hermione.

"Only a Quidditch player?" Ron exclaimed, looking at her as though he couldn't believe his ears. "Hermione - he's one of the best Seekers in the world! I had no idea he was still at school!"

As they recrossed the entrance hall with the rest of the Hogwarts students heading for the Great Hall, Yvonne smirked and said, "Well, he better be careful - with that fame, he'll be dodging more than Bludgers!"

Harry saw Lee Jordan jumping up and down on the soles of his feet to get a better look at the back of Krum's head. Several sixth-year girls were frantically searching their pockets as they walked.

"Oh, I don't believe it, I haven't got a single quill on me-"

"D'you think he'd sign my hat in lipstick?" one girl said, glancing around frantically.

"Really" Hermione said loftily as they passed the girls, now squabbling over the lipstick.

"I'm getting his autograph if I can," said Ron. "You haven't got a quill, have you, Harry?"

"Nope, they're upstairs in my bag," said Harry.

They walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down. Yvonne plopped down beside Harry with a grin. "Honestly, you'd think they were meeting Prince Charming or something. Next, they'll be asking for his hair gel."

Ron took care to sit on the side facing the doorway, because Krum and his fellow Durmstrang students were still gathered around it, apparently unsure about where they should sit. The students from Beauxbatons had chosen seats at the Ravenclaw table. They were looking around the Great Hall with glum expressions on their faces, three of them still clutching scarves and shawls around their heads.

"It's not that cold," said Hermione defensively. "Why didn't they bring cloaks?"

"Maybe they thought they could charm the weather?" Yvonne suggested with a wink. "Or maybe they were just hoping to impress us with their style over warmth."

"Over here! Come and sit over here!" Ron hissed. "Over here! Hermione, budge up, make a space -"

"What?"

"Too late," said Ron bitterly.

Yvonne leaned back, arms crossed, and said, "At this rate, they'll have to set up camp in the entrance hall. Bet Krum would rather sit on a broomstick than with a bunch of girls fighting over lipstick!"

Viktor Krum and his fellow Durmstrang students had settled themselves at the Slytherin table. Harry could see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle looking very smug about this. As he watched, Malfoy bent forward to speak to Krum.

"Yeah, that's right, smarm up to him, Malfoy," said Ron scathingly. "I bet Krum can see right through him, though... bet he gets people fawning over him all the time. Where d'you reckon they're going to sleep? We could offer him a space in our dormitory, Harry... I wouldn't mind giving him my bed; I could kip on a camp bed."

Yvonne, seated nearby, couldn't help but laugh. "Right, like Krum would want to spend the night sharing a room with you lot. Imagine the chaos! 'How to Deal with an Army of Ron Weasleys: A Survival Guide.'"

Ron shot her an exasperated look, but a grin tugged at his lips. "Hey, I'm just trying to be hospitable! He's a legend!"

"Sure, a legend," Yvonne replied, a teasing smile dancing on her lips. "But let's be real: he'd probably prefer a nice cozy room without the soundtrack of your snoring." She elbowed him gently, and they shared a chuckle.