homesick ☆ f.weasley

.:15:.

Madame Pomfrey prodded and poked at Emmeline's burn. She flinched under her touch. Madame Pomfrey swiftly poured a cool orange liquid on her skin. At first it stung but, just as the pain was becoming unbearable, the anguish subsided. Emmeline listened carefully to Harry's performance. It seemed he was doing well so she allowed herself to fully relax. She clutched the golden egg in pride as Madame Pomfrey bustled over to check on Fleur's oozing wounds. This was the first time ever she was truly proud of herself.

Suddenly, Angelina burst through the tent. She pulled Emmeline in a tight hug.

"Careful!" snapped Madame Pomfrey, tutting at the fact that Angelina was now covered in burn ointment from her encounter with Emmeline.

"You were amazing!" Angelina gushed. She eagerly began retelling Emmeline's escape as though it was an action movie. The dark skinned girl's monologue grew more and more gesticulated until Fred and George pushed past and hugged Emmeline.
George informed Emmeline that her sister was finishing watching Harry's performance before coming to congratulate her.

"No Lee?" Emmeline wondered. Her voice was muffled as she was tangled in Fred and George's embrace.

"We broke up," Angelina said dismissively.

"What?" Emmeline gasped, her eyes rounded with shock.

"It's fine," Angelina shrugged. "We have more important things to think about. Like how my best friend is a champion!"

Emmeline beamed. She was elated and she didn't think her mood could escalate anymore. To her surprise, it did when Daisy bounded into the tent with more enthusiasm than Angelina, Fred and George combined.

"I'm so proud of you," the youngest Walshaw gushed as she dived on Emmeline, much to Madame Pomfrey's dismay. "Mum and dad would be proud too," she added in a low whisper. This was the first time she had ever done anything that her mum and dad would be proud of and it made her feel on top of the world.

When Harry shuffled through the tent, Emmeline couldn't speak to him because Madame Pomfrey had charged over to the youngest champion. She was busily treating his wounds.

Angelina and Daisy were discussing Emmeline's success whilst George observed Angelina with a small grin on his face. Fred sat next to Emmeline.

"I'm not going to say I told you so," gloated Fred. "But."

"You told me so," Emmeline interrupted, rolling her eyes and laughing. Laughing, properly laughing, felt foreign to her.

"You were great, really really." Fred was grinning and it was possible the biggest smile Emmeline had ever seen him wear.

Emmeline burst with appreciation. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Fred spluttered dismissively. "You'd have worked something out."

"Fred I'm serious. This is as much my victory as it is yours."

The boy turned red. "Don't be silly, I-" His speech was cut short as there was another visitor to the tent.

"Cedric!" cried Emmeline. Could this moment get any better?

"You're probably sick of hearing people say this," Cedric started.

"I'll allow you to say it, seeing as it's you," joked Emmeline. Where was this new found confidence coming from?

"Well, congratulations. You were fantastic," Cedric complimented as Angelina nodded in agreement.

"I thought it was a bit boring because I was taking so long," Emmeline admitted anxiously.

"Ridiculous! How could you fighting a dragon be boring?" Daisy scoffed.

"Even Veronica, Vivienne and Velma looked impressed," Angelina added.

Their conversation was cut short by Ludo bustling in to congratulate them.

"Here's the egg, Mr Bagman," Emmeline said politely, handing over the glimmering item.

He laughed under his bushy blonde moustache. "You'll need that as a clue for the second task."

Emmeline had felt so gleeful she had actually forgotten there would be a next task. And a one after.

☆

Emmeline didn't let the anxiety surrounding the next task spoil her celebrating. The Gryffindors had organised a surprise party for the their two champions and everyone from all the houses came, even Veronica, Vivienne and Velma showed their face.

"I mean I could've done better," Veronica was saying to whoever was listening.

"It was so embarrassing when it took her so long to do that spell," scoffed Vivienne.

Emmeline was hearing them but for once in her life she didnt care. Emmeline located Harry, he was currently rembursing his previous bond with his best friend Ron. She thanked him for informing her about the dragons, she didn't know what she would do if she had to think on the spot. She returned to where Angelina was perched on the edge of the crimson sofa, her eyes glued on Lee.

"I can't believe he's sat trying to flirt with Veronica now," Emmeline exclaimed, sitting down. The boy had as much chance as wooing McGonagall than Veronica.

"He's a free agent," Angelina chided with a forceful shrug.

"Are you okay about it?" Emmeline asked cautiously in a quiet tone.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" she snapped.

"Good."

Veronica, Vivienne and Velma dramatically flounced out the room, declaring this a boring party.

"Move!" Veronica barked at Colin Creevy, shoving him into a coffee table.

Angelina tutted angrily. "I hate how they charge about like they own the place!"

"They do own the place, they're the most popular girls in school," Emmeline pointed out.

"They get everything they want. People literally run when they see them. It's a joke!"

Emmeline would give anything to be like that. However, she didn't disclose this to Angelina because the three amigos were notorious bullies and Emmeline knew Angelina wouldn't understand why she would want to be as popular as them.

George nervously struck up a conversation with Angelina. Emmeline smiled at her ignorance as she continued a benevolent conversation, oblivous to the fact that George was practically drooling. Fred sat next to Emmeline to enable his brother to sit with Angelina.

"Great to see Ron and Harry have made up," Emmeline said conversationally.

"I couldn't bear their bromance being in jeopardy for much longer," replied Fred. "Friendship is..." Fred paused, waiting to select the correct word.

"Good?"

"Bloody hell it's a good job you're not writing a quote book isn't it!"

"The quote book joke is getting a tad stale. I think you need some new material."

Fred cackled. "Harsh!"

"But true."

"Wow, this tournament has gone to your head already."

Emmeline's face fell. The last thing she wanted was to seem arrogant! "Really?"

"No I'm joking, I wish you did have more confidence in yourself."

"I'm getting there. Slowly."

Emmeline's merry mood remained stable inside her as she fell to sleep after the party, locked in dreams about dragons and labradors.