homesick ☆ f.weasley

.:09:.

Halloween was fast approaching and the excited anticipation was enormous. There was nowhere in the castle to escape the constant debating about the soon to be chosen champions. Cedric was clearly Hogwarts favourite. Almost everyone, obviously including Emmeline, thought his name would be read out on the big day.

Emmeline was daydreaming about the boy during Herbology. She fantasised about him taking her to the Yule Ball. Traditionally, the three champions danced a waltz with their partners. She sighed dreamily, picturing Cedric in a sharp suit, twirling her under his arms. Then, her thoughts changed to her being the chosen Hogwarts champion. Veronica, Vivienne and Velma would never be mean to her again. Fred and George would even look up to her.

The Weasley twins, currently clean-shaven, were half heartedly attempting to devise another plan to cross the age line. They had agreed to exclude Emmeline, to prevent her from overreacting like she did last time. The duo concluded she was fine, Fred watched her staring distantly out the Herbology windows.

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Anticipation rose quickly, it was almost unbearable. Hundreds of pairs of eyes were glued to Dumbledore, who stood behind the bubbling goblet. In a few moments, the whole school would know who the trio of champions were.

"I hope it's Angelina!" Hermione enthused breathlessly, sitting down in between Harry and Ron.

Emmeline turned to view Angelina. "I didn't know you'd entered," she said in a quiet voice.

Angelina hesitated. "It never came up. It won't matter anyway, I won't get chosen."

Although Angelina was most likely correct in her estimation, Emmeline felt slightly betrayed. She had no idea her best friend had entered. They were supposed to tell each other everything. She tore her gaze away from the floor and returned them to Dumbledore.

Daisy, who was sat the other side of Emmeline, wished Angelina good luck.

"It's bound to be Cedric anyway," Emmeline huffed bitterly.

"You're just saying that because you fancy him," Angelina retorted.

Emmeline blushed. "I'm not-" she began but a wolf whistle from Fred and George interrupted her.

"Cedric and Emmeline sitting in a tree," sang George.

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G," finished Fred.

"Are you two still in primary school?" Emmeline scoffed, her eyes narrowed at the pair. "I just think it will be Cedric because-"

Emmeline was stopped yet again as Dumbledore waved his hands. The hall grew silent in an eerie instant.

"It's finally time to find out who the champions are," Dumbledore said with a faint smile. His voice was no more than a whisper but it travelled all the way through the hall.

The hall drew in a collective breath as the goblet swirled. Dumbledore placed a hand in and took out a slip of parchment.

"The Beauxbatons champion is...Fleur Delcour!"

The majority of the hall erupted in applause but a plethora of Beauxbatons were noticeably distraught by the fact they hadn't been chosen.

Hermione released an irritated sigh. "Honestly, where's there team spirit?" she tutted, her eyes glued to a particular girl who had her head in her hands and was sobbing uncontrollably.

Her friends, Harry and Ron, were not listening. Their attention was too busy focused on the first champion. She glided to the front of the hall, her sheet of silver hair glistening in the moonlight. Ron was practically drooling as she disappeared into the room behind the Great Hall.

"And now," smiled Dumbledore, silencing the hall again. "The Durmstrang champion!"

Once again, the elderly Hogwarts headmaster reached a wrinkly hand into the goblet and retrieved another slip. "Viktor Krum!"

Karkaroff looked particularly pleased as the hall clapped once again.

"Oh my God, it's him! The Quidditch player!" gushed Lee Jordan. Fred and George nodded enthusiastically. Krum retraced Fleur's footsteps into the room.

"Now it's Hogwarts," said Angelina. The girl was visibly anxious. Sweat was gleaming on her dark skin and her eyes flashed. Trembling slightly, she turned to fix her stare on Dumbledore.

Emmeline was so certain the next name read out would be Cedric's that she prepared herself to mouth along with Dumbledore.

"I'm pleased to announce that the Hogwarts champion is..."

"Emmeline Walshaw."