Juliet Diggory (HPFF/ HPLS) SLOW UPDATES

Chapter 67

Some writing belongs to jk rowling herself. This is a little shorter than my last chapters. Please don't forget to comment and vote.

*Harry's p.o.v*

I sat there, aware that every head in the Great Hall had turned to look at me. I looked over the table to see Juliet, turned away from me with Hermione's hand rubbing her back but she still looked at me.

I suddenly felt numb. I have to be dreaming.

There was no applause. A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at me as I sat, frozen, in my seat.

Up at the top table, Professor McGonagall had got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward her, frowning slightly.

I turned to Ron, Tom Juliet and Hermione; beyond them, I saw the long Gryffindor table all watching me, openmouthed. Juliet was still leaning over, small gagging noises coming from her.

"I didn't put my name in," I said blankly. "You know I didn't."

All three of them stared just as blankly back. Juls still hadn't turned back around but the noises had stopped.

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore called again, making me look back at the Top Table. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

"Go on," Tom whispered from next to me, giving me a slight push. With one last look at Juliet. I stood up slowly, trod on the hem of my robes, and stumbled slightly from the shock still.

I walked up the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. It felt like an immensely long walk; the top table didn't seem to be getting any nearer at all, and I could feel hundreds and hundreds of eyes staring at me, as though each were a searchlight. The buzzing in my ears grew louder and louder. After what seemed like an hour, I was right in front of Dumbledore, feeling the stares of all the teachers.

"Well...through the door, Harry," said Dumbledore. He wasn't smiling.

I moved off along the teachers' table. Hagrid was seated right at the end. He did not wink at me, or wave, or give any of his usual signs of greeting. He looked completely astonished and stared at me as I passed like everyone else. I went through the door out of the Great Hall and found myself in a smaller room, lined with paintings of witches and wizards. A handsome fire was roaring in the fireplace opposite him.

The faces in the portraits turned to look at me as I entered. I saw a wizened witch flit out of the frame of her picture and into the one next to it, which contained a wizard with a walrus mustache. The wizened witch started whispering in his ear.

Viktor Krum, Cedric, and Fleur Delacour were grouped around the fire. They looked strangely impressive, silhouetted against the flames. Krum, hunched-up and brooding, was leaning against the mantelpiece, slightly apart from the other two. Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the fire. Fleur Delacour looked around when me walked in and threw back her sheet of long, silvery hair.

"What is it?" she said. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"

"Harry?" Cedric's voice came next, he looked confused.