Hogwarts is My Home (A Harry Potter Fanfiction), Part 4/7

Chapter 11

"I don't believe it!" Draco says as we walk back up to the castle behind the students from Durmstrang. I start to tease him with a song.

"Viktor, I love you, Viktor I do, when we're apart my heart beats only for you!" I sing.

"Shut up," he says.

"Cut it out, lovebirds," Grier says. We've reached the Great Hall.

We sit down at our table and see that the Beauxbatons students have sat down at the Ravenclaw table. Mia and Isabella are talking to the guy that smiled at me earlier. When we sit down, we see the Durmstrang students facing the Gryffindor table.

"Oh, no, they can't sit there," Draco says. They then turn around and come sit with us! Draco begins silently fan... boying?

"Hello," Krum says. I look at Draco, expecting him to start the conversation. He's just staring at Krum in awe.

"Hi," I say.

"This is a nice school," Krum says.

"Thanks," I say.

"We were going to go sit with the red table, but we thought you guys were cooler," one of the other guys says. "I'm Poliakoff. Boris Poliakoff."

"Oh yeah, those Gryffindors aren't the best," Draco says. "I'm Draco Malfoy."

"I'm Viktor Krum," Krum says. Yeah, we know who you are. He turns to Draco. "I think I saw you at the World Cup. And your girlfriend." He gestures to me.

"Oh ― no ― it's not like that ―" I start.

"Oh, no, we're together. Ashlyn just doesn't like admitting it to people," Draco says. WAIT WHAT? He gives me a look that says 'I'll explain later'. Ooooookay.

Grier pipes in, apparently right next to me, "See, they're little love birds."

"So what's your name?" Krum asks me, ignoring Griers comment. "And what's this Gryffindor you're talking about?"

"Ashlyn Fidler," I say. "And Gryffindor is one of the houses. The other three are Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Gryffindor is the one with the lion banner, we're Slytherin, Ravenclaw has the eagle banner, and Hufflepuff has the badger banner." It looks like Krum has lost interest, he's staring up at the enchanted ceiling. Why ask a question if you won't listen to the answer? Poliakoff is examining the golden goblet. When everyone is seated, Dumbledore stands up.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and ― most particularly ― guests," he says. "I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable. The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast. I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"

We dig into our feast. The food seems extra delicious. How come everything's better when we have guests? Hogwarts is supposed to be a top notch school.

Once we finish dinner and dessert, Dumbledore stands up again for announcements.

"The moment has come," he says. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a couple of words of explanation before we bring in the casket just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament, and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts. The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch."