𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒-ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕪 ℙ𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣❥

𝐆𝐎𝐅 𝟏𝟑

"I don't believe it!" Ethan said, in a stunned voice, as the Hogwarts students filed back up the steps behind the party from Durmstrang. "Krum, Em! Viktor Krum!"

"Think someone's got a crush," Emily said.

"A crush?" Ethan said, looking at her as though he couldn't believe his ears. "Emily, he's one of the best Seekers in the world! I had no idea he was still at school!"

As they recrossed the entrance hall with the rest of the Hogwarts students heading for the Great Hall, Emily saw Lee Jordan jumping up and down on the soles of his feet to get a better look at the back of Krum's head.

Several sixth-year girls were frantically searching their pockets as they walked-

"Oh I don't believe it, I haven't got a single quill on me-" "D'you think he'd sign my hat in lipstick?"

"Lord," Emily said loftily as they passed the girls, now squabbling over the lipstick.

"I'm getting his autograph if I can," said Ethan. "You haven't got a quill, have you, Em?"

"Nope, they're upstairs in my bag," said Emily.

They walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down. Ethan took care to sit on the side facing the doorway, because Krum and his fellow Durmstrang students were still gathered around it, apparently unsure about where they should sit.

The students from Beauxbatons had chosen seats at the Ravenclaw table.

They were looking around the Great Hall with glum expressions on their faces.

Three of them were still clutching scarves and shawls around their heads.

"It's not that cold," said Emily defensively. "Why didn't they bring cloaks?"

"Over here! You two! Come and sit over here!" Ron hissed. "Over here! Don't sit there! Budge up and make space!"

"What?"
"Come again?"

"Too late," said Ron bitterly.
Viktor Krum and his fellow Durmstrang students had settled
themselves at the Slytherin table.

Emily could see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle looking very smug about this.

As she watched, Malfoy bent forward to speak to Krum.

"Yeah, that's right, smarm up to him, Malfoy," said Ron scathingly. "I bet Krum can see right through him, though . . . bet he gets people fawning over him all the time. . . . Where d'you reckon they're going to sleep? We could offer him a space in our dormitory, Harry . . . I wouldn't mind giving him my bed, I could kip on a camp bed."

Hermione snorted.

Ethan walked off to find Fred and George leaving Emily with her three friends, or in her mind, two friends.

"They look a lot happier than the Beauxbatons lot," said Emily.

The Durmstrang students were pulling off their heavy furs and looking up at the starry black ceiling with expressions of interest; a couple of them were picking up the golden plates and goblets and examining them, apparently impressed.

Up at the staff table, Filch, the caretaker, was adding chairs. He was wearing his moldy old tailcoat in honor of the occasion. Emily was surprised to see that he added four chairs, two on either side of Dumbledore's.

"But there are only two extra people," Emily said. "Why's Filch putting out four chairs, who else is coming?"

"Eh?" said Ron vaguely. He was still staring avidly at Krum.

When all the students had entered the Hall and settled down at their House tables, the staff entered, filing up to the top table and taking their seats.