The Unexpected Task [H.P.]

Chapter 12 - Badges

I had never seen the Gryffindor common room so crowded, so rambunctious. Fred and George had seemingly gathered every available Gryffindor that wanted to celebrate, and assembled an explosion of a party within the few minutes Hermione and I took to catch up. Inside the bustling room, but the Weird Sisters were hardly audible as their newest hit streamed from a Wizard Wireless perched on Lee Jordan's shoulder- the chatter of the assembled crowd made it difficult to parse out anything other than a thumping bassline. Fred and George had pounced upon Hermione and I upon entry, only letting us go when they realized we weren't Harry. When they were whisked away to investigate tapping a Butterbeer keg, I turned to Hermione, nervously wringing my hands.

"Hey," I start, cautious, "You don't think he actually did it... right?"

She shook her head loyally as we moved on through the crowded common room, "I can't think of any logical reason why Harry would enter the Tournament, I mean, we're only fourth years."

I nodded, waving her goodbye as she sped up the stairs to the Girl's Dormitory, muttering something about homework. Fred reappeared at my side, shoving an overflowing glass of butterbeer into my hands and leading me to the couches by the fireplace.

"Don't let me down, Barnes," Fred whispered, kneeling before me on the Hearthrug, "How'd he do it?"

I sighed and dipped a finger into the foam at the top of the Butterbeer, "Save your breath, Weasley. He didn't do it." I popped the dollop of foam into my mouth and winked at Fred, his eyes narrowing as he sighed, patting my knee before walking away, shaking his head with a chuckle.

Across the room, the Portrait door swings open, causing the room to roar to life again. A very confused looking Harry is tugged inside only to be immediately tackled by George, shortly followed by Fred as he bounds across the crowded room. I can see from here that he's attempting to dodge their questions, looking around the room sort of panicked. Lee Jordan produces a Gryffindor Banner from who knows where, insisting on tying it around Harry's shoulders and presenting him with an overflowing mug of Butterbeer. His eyes settle on mine from across the room, and I can see his shoulders relax as he pushes his way out of their grasps and crosses the room to the sofa.

The room went back to life as he settled onto the sofa next to me. I offered him a kind smile as he rubs his neck absently, his free hand working at the knot on the Gryffindor banner around his shoulders as he stares into the fire.

"So, you're a Triwizard Champion." I prompt, taking his untouched glass of butterbeer out of his hands and sitting down on the side table.

Harry sighs and nods, rubbing at his temple and still not meeting my eyes. "I didn't... I couldn't have..."

I breathe out, setting a hand on his forearm, "Of course you didn't."

His eyes meet mine, finally, and I notice they're rimmed with a light red that has nothing to do with the burning fire in the hearth before us. He sets his free hand over mine, nodding asbently before he pats it and stands, "Have you seen Ron?"

I shake my head, realizing for the first time that I hadn't seen him since we left the Great Hall after Harry's name was called. "No," I say, grabbing my Butterbeer and taking a sip. "I don't think he was feeling well after dinner. Seemed to leave in a rush."

Harry nodded, looking around the room with narrowed eyes. His hands return to the knotted banner across his shoulders, furiously working to untie it. He groaned in frustration, his hand returning to his temple.

"Merlin," I sigh, turning to the side and reaching out, taking the knot in my slender fingers and undoing it swiftly.

His eyes determinedly refrained from meeting mine as he shrugged the banner off his shoulders, turning his slightly pink face away as he balled up and threw the offending red and gold fabric onto a chair in the corner. "Erm," he breathes quietly, "Thanks."