²𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 ─ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲

𝟽 || 𝚒'𝚕𝚕 𝚐𝚘 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞

vii. i'll go with you

ϟ

Matilda sat there, watching as every head in the Great Hall turns to look at Harry. He looked stunned. He didn't move an inch. Harry's eyes widened but he refused to turn his head and address his peers.

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 Harry as he sat, frozen, in his 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 towards her, frowning slightly.

Matilda, tired of the whispering and cluelessness decided to get answers for herself. So, she left the sides of Padma and Luna to go and take a seat beside Harry, who had the entire attention of the long Gryffindor table, all watching open-mouthed.

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

"Of course, I know you didn't," Matilda rolled her eyes. "How could you, of all people, have come up with a spell or potion to get past the age line?"

But Hermione and Ron didn't seem as convinced as Matilda as they both just stared back at him from across the table blankly.

"Harry Potter!" he called again. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

"I'll go with you," Matilda whispered, giving Harry a slight push then standing up behind him.

Together they got to their feet, trod on the hem of Harry's robes, making him stumble slightly. He set off up the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. It was an incredibly dramatic moment that if Matilda was the center of attention, she would revel in. Every gaze in the room was on Harry and the buzzing grew louder and louder as they neared the front of the room. Finally, Harry stopped, Matilda, coming up beside him to face Dumbledore.

"Miss Winters," Dumbledore greeted. "I asked for Harry. I'm certain you can find your place back at the tables."

"Sorry, Headmaster, I cannot," said Matilda, shaking her head. "I think Harry deserves someone on his side and I've elected myself."

Dumbledore nodded, knowing that there was no way he was going to be able to get Matilda to go back to her seat, and so his attention shifted back to Harry.

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

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