Nothing In This World (BEING EDITED)

VIII.

Chapter VIII: The Unexpected Fourth
Warning: Strong Language

The first week of September was the warmest weather they'd had in all of Hogwarts history. That morning, most of Hogwarts was already in the Great Hall having their breakfast. The first rays of sunlight peeked through the windows, casting a warm glow on the tapestries adorning the walls.

A warm September breeze danced through the dormitory of Gryffindor Tower as Harry, Seamus, and Hermione sat around the common room's crackling fire.

"Have you all got your schedules for today?" Hermione asked, flipping through her neatly organized planner.

Seamus groaned. "I've got a double Potions lesson with Snape first thing. It's not the best way to start the day." He looked over at Harry and Hermione's planners and scoffed, "I guess we're all suffering through double potions with Snape this morning."

Harry nodded in agreement. He wasn't quite ready yet for his friends to know how he truly felt about Snape or that he actually enjoyed the man's company. It was too soon, and he didn't want to put more stress on the man. "I've got Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Moody after lunch. At least, that should be interesting."

"Looks like we all have the same classes together," Hermione said, grabbing Seamus and Harry's planners. "You and Harry have Arithmancy together around three, then we'll see each other in history of magic around four. I thought you weren't taking arithmancy this year, Harry."

"You make it sound like I had a choice. I told my dads I would do anything as long as I didn't have to take that class, but no matter how hard I gnashed my teeth, they threatened to take my broom away."

"Speaking about brooms, when is the first quidditch game this year?"

Harry shook his head, "I don't know, but practice starts next week."

They chatted animatedly about their upcoming classes, their excitement for the new school year evident in their voices.

As they finished their conversation, the trio gathered their bags and made their way out of the dormitory, down the winding staircases, and through the bustling corridors of Hogwarts. The castle was alive with the sounds of students chatting and the occasional ghost passing through a wall.

The Great Hall came into view, its enchanted ceiling mirroring the clear blue sky outside. The aroma of freshly cooked sausage and eggs and steaming porridge filled the air as Harry, Seamus, and Hermione found a spot at the Gryffindor table.

Harry saw that a handful of students were still eating and that they had made it just in time before the food would be cleared away. Harry caught a glimpse of his brother Ron as he tried to cram more food into his already full mouth. He tried not to gag, but the sight repulsed him.

All the students and professors were sitting as Dumbledore stood around the Goblet of Fire, which he had placed on a stool that normally bore the Sorting Hat. "Ladies and gentlemen, our Hogwarts champion," said Dumbledore loudly, "is Cedric Diggory." Dumbledore caught the next piece of parchment and held it at arms length. "The champion for Durmstrang," he read, "is Viktor Krum."

"No surprise there!" Yelled Ron. Harry rolled his eyes, pulling Ron back down to his seat. He picked at his breakfast but ended up pushing the plate to the side. He saw Ron grab his plate. He was always curious how his brother could eat like that and not gain weight.

Harry drew his attention back to the front of the hall. He listened tentatively as Dumbledore began to speak again.

"The champion for Beauxbatons, "said Dumbledore with a smile, "is Fleur Delacour!"