On my mind
As the day continues dragging on, I couldn't get the fire haired boy off my mind. The way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he said or the way his freckles contorted with each movement of his mouth, my eyes following them as if I were completing a painting. I shake my head vigerously, trying to push those thoughts far away and focus on whatever it was that Dumbledoore was droning on about. Glancing up and down the table I'm sat at, I try to put names to faces. I see those who I've shared classes with and dorms with, casting my eyes over students some of which I've known for years. As I continue my gazing down the Griffyndoor table I meet a pair of eyes staring back at me. It dawns on me quickly I'm looking directly at the boy who has been on my mind all day. I offer him a small smile before moving to turn my attention back to Dumbledoore, as I move my head another fiery head of hair. I double take, promtply looking back at the boy now realising that there was another. Another who looked exactly the same as the boy who I'd bumped into and suddenly everything clicks into place. I had bumped into one of the infamous Weasley twins.
I feel my eyes widen at the realisation, heat crawling up my neck as I focus back on Dumbledoore.
'-Dormitory pairings will be delivered to you all at the end of the feast' He said slowly, catching my attention as nerves settled into my stomach. Anticipation of who I'll be paired with for the whole year forces a smile onto my face, meeting Nova's excited smile as she glances back at me quickly.
'One last thing before the feast begins.' Dumbledoore continues loudly, silencing the excited room. 'I am delighted to share news of an extraordinary event—one that has not graced our halls in over a century. This year, Hogwarts will host the legendary Triwizard Tournament!' immediatly the room erupts in roars of cheers, excitement and confusion. Many have heard of the legendary games, myself included, none of us ever thinking we'd be able to witness them with our own eyes.
Again Dumbledoore quickly silences the now buzzing room, contuning his announcement. 'This tournament is a time-honored test of skill, bravery, and cunning, drawing together three great wizarding schools: Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and, of course, our own beloved Hogwarts. Three champions will be chosen—one from each school—to face three perilous tasks. These challenges are designed to test not only magical prowess but the very core of what makes a witch or wizard remarkable.' At the mention of the other schools Nova turns back to me again, this time reaching for my hand giving it an excited squeeze as she squeals slightly. Smiling big back at her I return the gesture, my excitemnt for a new year at Hogwarts soaring.
'Be forewarned—the tournament is not without its dangers. It is a test for the boldest and the best among us. Therefore, only those of age will be eligible to put their names forward.' At Dumbledoores words the room once again erupts into outraged roars and chants, students yelling out and banging harshly on the tables. I look around the room and then down the table again, seeing the twins yelling remarks of their own angrily up at Dumbledoore. A small smile creeps its way onto my face and a laugh escapes my lips as I watch the twins yell in pure outrage.
After a moment of chaos Dumbledoore raises his voice, the highest I have ever heard it, successfully quieting the room back to what is was previously, a stern look plastered on his face.
'The Goblet of Fire will arrive in due course. Place your name into its flames if you wish to compete, but do so with a heart prepared for whatever lies ahead' He warns, taking his time to cast his eyes over the whole room, putting the necessary weight behind his words.
Just then the doors to the great hall are opened and the sound of everyone turning at once rings throughout the hall noisily, however nobody makes a sound. As I turn the sight I am met with is perfectly poised girls dressed impeccably, not a single hair out of place. I glance to see the twins' reaction to the flawless girls standing in front of them, quickly scolding myself and dragging my gaze away from them. I don't care what they think, right? I don't need the approval of a boy I barely spoke to once, nor do I need to know his thoughts on the new comers.
the girls gracefully rush down the opening, performing what looks to be a perfectly practised dance routine of sorts, They move synchronized with each other, as if it were a second nature to them. The routine quickly ends and Dumbledoore introduces them as members of Beauxbatons.
Squashing down the uncomfortable feeling that settles in my stomach, I try to focus not on the new arrivals but on Dumbledoores words. As he drones on I aimlessly glance around around the room, trying to distract myself and the sudden pit in my stomach for the year coming ahead. I think of the challenges that will be thrust upon students, although I had read about the games before none of them had been recent. Having no real time scale to go off on or danger that students could be put in, in todays society in the name of fun.
A sudden series of loud bangs startle me out of my thoughts, my head snapping to the entrance of the great hall. Entering now is a collection of boys perfectly synchronised with each other, all donning the same intimidating look on their faces. I keep my eyes on them, watching as they make their entrance running down the hall straight passed me. A few other figures follow behind the initial students, another young boy and who I'm assuming is the headmaster.
'Merlins beard!' Nova whisper yelled at me, bringing her hand up to clutch onto my shoulders.
'What?' I say quietly trying to shrug her hands off of me, her grip starting to hurt. Her eyes widened bulging out of her head as she brings her face closer to me.
'Do you not know who that is Evie?' she says in horror, her voice raising slightly catching the attention of those around us. Including the Twins' I hasten to add. Embarrassment grips me as I shush her, I scoot closer to her in attempt to hear her whilst not attracting a million eyes on us.
'That is the Viktor Krum, the Quidditch player?' she tells me, a hint of urgency in her voice as her hands stay clutching onto me. Shaking my head I furrow my brows, frowning slightly telling her silently I have no idea who that man is. In turn she removes her hands from my shoulders now instead using them to cover her own mouth, her eyes still bulging out of her head. A laugh bubbles out of me as I take in her appearance, rolling my eyes in mock annoyance as a smile plays on my mouth Dumbledoore finally announces the beginning of the feast.
----
As dinner rolls to an end the hall is still buzzing with chatter and excitement when the calls of owls is heard. Momentarily silencing the hall as we await a letter to be dropped in front of us. Nova's letter is dropped beside me and she squeals quickly grasping it tightly holding it up to her face to cover her smile. I watch as those around me receive their letters, some groaning at their roommates for the year and others embracing friends in excitement. Tapping my fingers on the wooden table in front of me I soon grow nervous waiting, my leg absentmindedly bobbing quickly beneath the table. I glance down to look at those in my house suddenly feeling eyes on me, looking up the table I realize that a group of students ranging from my year to those below me are looking at me whispering and subtly pointing. I feel my cheeks flush as I awkwardly smile at them, feeling insecurity nag at me in the back of my mind.
Just then my letter is dropped in front of me bringing my attention away from the group, reaching out my hand to quickly grab it I waste no time in turning to face Nova now clutching the letter to my chest.
'Ready?' We say together before ripping the letters open. As I read the name written on the paper my heart drops, looking back up at Nova I can tell hers did too.
'Dammit' Nova cursed, throwing her letter onto the table. 'I really thought we would be paired together' she said deflating a little.
'Who'd you get?' I ask sighing as I turn back to the empty plate in front of me, now wanting to hear who will be rooming with my best friend.
'Angelina Johnson' she grumbles out, and I wince. Angelina is in our year and I'm sure she's lovely, but a few years ago Nova got the blame when Angelina fucked up their potions experiment meaning that Nova got marked down a few grades whereas Angelina received top marks. Now this probably wouldn't have bothered Nova if her parents weren't so hard on her to get a perfect record, constantly telling her to make them proud as it was the least she could do for them. The thing about Nova is that she comes from a long line of Slytherin pure bloods, not that you'd know seeing as Nova is literally the sweetest girl I know, but she was sorted into Gryffindoor and her parents have resented her since. So yeah you could say that Nova kinda really hated Angelina guts. I'm sure they will become friends soon enough I hope to myself.
'What about you, who's the lucky bitch' she says leaning her head on her hand looking miserable. I frown at her choice of words causing her to mutter out a quick insincere 'sorry'.
'uh I got Hermione Granger?' I say almost as a question, seeing that I have no idea who Hermione Granger actually is.
'Never heard of her' Nova sighed.