reality ◦ fred weasley

• YOUNG GOD •

chapter eleven; young god

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"WHAT THE HELL is that supposed to be?" Tyler said in disgust, glaring at a plate of food which strongly resembled intestines.

"I think it's French. Or maybe Bulgarian," Robyn said, looking at it with mild apprehension.

"I don't care what it is. Why is it near me?" Tyler whined. Fred rolled his eyes from where he sat next to Robyn.

"To make the other schools feel more at home, I guess," she shrugged, glancing around the Great Hall.

The Beauxbatons students had chosen to sit at the Ravenclaw table, gazing around at the Hall with glum expressions. They looked a lot less than impressed.

"They look thrilled," Angelina said sarcastically. "Why didn't they bring cloaks, the idiots?" she asked, glaring at some of the French girls who still had shawls wrapped around their heads.

"Maybe they didn't know how cold it would be," Katie said, shrugging when Angelina gave her a look.

"The Durmstrang lot look a bit happier, though," said Alicia, nodding towards the Slytherin table where Krum and the other Bulgarian students were sitting. Robyn nodded, watching as they pulled off their heavy furs and examined the golden plates and starry ceiling with interest.

"Where's Krum? Do you see him?" Angelina asked.

"He's talking to that Malfoy git," Katie sighed.

"Wonderful," said Robyn dryly.

When all the students had entered the Hall and settled down at their House tables, the staff entered, filing up to the top table and taking their seats. Last in line were Professor Dumbledore, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime. As their headmistress entered, the Beauxbatons pupils leaped to their feet, prompting a handful of Hogwarts students to laugh. They ignored the laughter, standing respectfully until Madame Maxime had taken her seat next to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore remained standing, and a silence fell over the Great Hall. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and - most particularly - guests, " said Dumbledore, beaming around at the foreign students. "I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable. "

A Beauxbatons student who was still clutching a muffler around her head let out a mocking laugh.

"Nobody's making you stay!" hissed Hermione from down the table. Fred raised his eyebrows in shock, making Robyn smile.

"The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast, " said Dumbledore. "I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!" He sat down, and Karkaroff immediately leaned forward and engaged him in conversation.

"Do you think that they think our food is weird, like we think theirs is?" Fred asked, reaching for a chicken leg.

"Maybe," Robyn shrugged, moving to put some pasta on her plate. "Some of our food is pretty weird."

"Say what you want, there is nothing more disgusting than the French eating snails," Fred said, shaking his head.

"I dunno. I mean, haggis is made of a sheep's heart, liver and lungs and people eat that."

"Point taken. You've got something..." Fred leaned towards her, pointing to a spot in her hair.

"Where?" she asked, failing to find whatever it was.

"There. Keep still," Fred said, gently pulling some fluff out of her hair. He gazed into Robyn's eyes for a moment and she looked back at him, feeling her cheeks heat up slightly.