Chapter Text
“How do you think we’ll be getting there? Portkey?” Ron asks as he sits on his trunk trying to get it to shut.
“I imagine so, since we can’t Apparate and the floo would be very slow with all of us.” Harry says, watching Ron with growing amusement from where he’s lounging on the bed.
“I’ve heard that the last time the Triwizard was held, the Beauxbatons arrived at Hogwarts in a flying carriage.”
“Yeah probably. Seems flashy and impressive enough.”
“You know who else is going? I heard Zabini and Nott complaining in Potions about having to pick which Oxfords to bring because not all of them would fit in their trunks.”
Harry pulls a face. He’s no great fan of Zabini and Nott, who snicker at Harry every time he makes a mistake in Potions.
“Katie is, she told me at practise yesterday. I think it’s weird that it wasn’t announced for everyone to know who’s going so we can at least say goodbye to the people who aren’t.”
Ron shrugs, glancing over his shoulder at Harry suspiciously.
“Who would you want to say goodbye to? Cho’s going, and so is Hermione.”
Harry rolls his eyes.
“Come on , I haven’t liked Cho since like… Fourth year.”
“Okay, but still. Pretty much everyone you’re friends with is going.”
As if on cue, Neville enters the room, casting a longing look at Ron’s trunk before moving quickly to help Ron get it latched shut.
“Neville, I was just hoping you’d come up.” Harry grins.
“When do you shove off, then?” He asks politely, smiling at both Harry and Ron.
“We were told to be in the Great Hall an hour from now, so probably then.” Harry shrugs. “I really wish you were coming.”
“Didn’t score high enough on my Transfig OWL.” Neville says sadly. “I’ll be listening in though! Sprout told me she’ll be broadcasting on the radio in Hufflepuff and that I should pop by.”
“Sounds great, I hear they have awesome parties in Hufflepuff, what with being right next to the kitchens and all.” Ron says brightly.
“With Seventh years going, it’s not likely either of us will be picked anyway.” Harry assured him. “So we’re really just going to be bored hanging around Beauxbaton for most of the year without anyone to talk to.”
“Some of them must speak English.” Ron protests. “Some British kids go there instead of Hogwarts.”
“Why?” Harry asks blankly, wondering why anyone with a family would want to leave it behind to study in a different country.
Hermione burst into the room, pink-faced and breathless, before anyone could answer Harry.
“Are you coming? We should head down pretty soon.”
“Yeah, in a second.” Harry tells her as Ron tries to discreetly kick the pants he’d left on the floor under his bed. “Have you seen Katie yet?”
“She just passed me heading out - she’s only bringing one bag, can you imagine? What could she possibly fit in there?” Hermione asks, shutting the door and disappearing without waiting for them.
“Why would Hermione need more than one?” Harry asks blankly. “It’s not like she wears makeup or dresses up or anything.”
“Books. Obviously.” Ron says with a smirk. “Lucky for us, too, innit.”
“Right.” Harry snorts, glancing around the room again to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. “Shall we be off, then?”
As Ron enlists Neville’s help in hoisting his trunk off the floor and down the stairs, Harry Levitates his behind them.
“Wow. Unbelievable.” Ron grunts when he notices.
“Work smarter, not harder.” Harry grins. “You should listen to dear old Minnie more often.”
With Crookshanks in her arms, Hermione too has Levitated her trunk and a large bag so that it hovers near her shoulder, and she gives Ron a weird look.
“Seriously, we learned the spell on day one, don’t you remember it?”
Ron rolls his eyes, and he and Neville set the trunk down for Ron to Levitate.
“I usually don’t have to move it myself, and if you haven’t forgotten, my wand was shit until third year.”
“Well now it’s not, use your brain, I know you have one.” Hermione sniffs, heading out the door with her trunk trailing behind her.
Harry claps Neville’s shoulder.
“See you on the return. Don’t forget to give Snape shit for me.”
“Right.” Neville says dryly. “Who knows, maybe now you’re out of the running, I’ll be top in Defense.”
“That’s the spirit!” Harry grins, hugging Neville tightly. “And whilst you’re in Hufflepuff, don’t forget to talk to Hannah.”
Neville blushes, smiling uncomfortably.
“I’ll see what I can do. Go win the tournament for Hogwarts, would you? And don’t forget Hedwig.”
“She’d never forgive me if I did.” Harry grins. “Bye Nev.”
“See you, Harry.”
Harry leaves Neville in the common room and runs up to the owlery to pick up Hedwig and coax her into her cage.
He’s the last of the delegates to arrive in the Hall, though he’s still early.
Minerva bustles over as soon as he’s in the door and looking for a spot for his trunk.
“Harry, you’re late!”
“Am not! We had till half two!” Harry protests.
Minerva tuts, casting a cleaning charm on Harry’s glasses.
“Remember, follow the rules- don’t give me that look, you’re far too like your father. Follow the rules, and what did I tell you about being picked?”
“If I’m picked, great.” Harry repeats, a bit monotone, still smirking. “If not, represent my school with poise and dignity. I still don’t know how I’m meant to be poised.”
With a bland look, Minerva brushes imaginary dust from Harry’s shoulders and tries fixing his hair, but he ducks out of her reach.
“I’m fine!” He protests, laughing. “I’ll have Hermione to mother me when you’re gone, don’t worry!”
“I’ll always worry about you, Harry, and it’s time you accepted that.” Minerva says sharply, though her eyes are still soft.
“It’ll be fun.” Harry assures her. “Besides, someone responsible has to keep Ron out of trouble.”
“Good heavens.” Minerva mutters, pushing Harry toward the group of students. “Make us proud, Harry.”
“I will.” Harry grins, kissing her cheek and allowing himself to be directed into the crowd. “I love you, Minnie.”
Minerva watches Harry fondly as he’s sorted in with the rest of the Gryffindors.
Minerva, Snape, Sprout and Flitwick are all present, admonishing their students in turn for not looking quite smart enough or faffing around.
Dumbledore enters the room imperiously, the ever-present twinkle in his eyes hidden behind half-moon glasses.
“Ah yes, our wonderful representatives. Shall we be off, then?”
The trunks are all attended to by the house-elves, whilst Hermione murmurs to no one about how terrible it is.
Dumbledore leads everyone outside, where a horseless carriage sits. Ron and Harry look at each other and shrug.
“Must be thestrals.” Harry suggests. “And we just can’t see them, like coming into Hogwarts.”
“Bill says they’re freaky beasts.” Ron says. “So maybe we’re better off.”
“But Luna likes them.”
“Well then, freaky beasts confirmed.”
Harry snorts as they climb into the carriage.
“Find a seat, we’ll be flying straight to Beauxbatons.” Dumbledore starts, positioning himself at the front of the carriage.
Hermione moves to sit with him, along with Padma Patil.
Everyone else groups together by House and year.
Ron jabs his elbow into Harry’s side when Cho and Susan Bones take the two seats across the aisle from them. Harry rolls his eyes, but waves to the girls anyway.
“Oh Harry,” Cho says, leaning forward. “Did McGonagall let you bring your broom? Flitwick said I had to leave mine.”
“Sadly no,” Harry says with a shrug. “Apparently I don’t get ‘special privileges’ just because she’s my guardian, or so she says anyway.”
“You got a broom as a First year, that’s pretty special.” Ron says grouchily.
“So she says.” Harry repeats, smirking. “I imagine there’ll be someone with a decent broom we could borrow it off.”
“I think I’ll be dreadfully out of practise flying by the end of this year.” Cho says sadly.
“Better keep an eye out for the Quidditch players as soon as we get there then.”
Cho agrees faintly, sitting back and saying something to Susan.
“ Sparks .” Ron says, grinning.
“Oh my god.”
Harry falls asleep an hour into the flight, but is jostled awake by Ron.
“What?” He yawns.
“Shh! Dumbledore is talking.” Ron hisses.
“-you to be model students. No bickering between houses, no picking fights with other schools, and of course, continued support for your classmate chosen to participate in the tournament. Only one will be chosen, the rest of you are here for encouragement and school pride. That said! Enjoy France.”
Dumbledore ends his speech with a wink and sits down beside Hermione again, and even from several rows back, Harry can hear her talking very quickly.
“Don’t ask me how, but Hermione’ll get picked.” Harry says, settling back in his seat and running his fingers through his hair.
“I don’t think so. Remember in Moony’s obstacle course? She completely panicked three times. That's the only reason you've been top in that class.” Ron says.
"I appreciate the support." Harry smirks, and Ron ignores him.
“I think it’ll be a Seventh year, and I think it’ll be Ravenclaw or Gryffindor.”
“So basically… Cho or Katie.” Harry concludes. “I don’t know how we didn’t get more Seventh years.”
“They’re all busy with NEWTS work.”
“Who needs NEWTS if you win the Triwizard?”
Ron nods in concession, and they settle in for the landing.
Once grounded, Hermione squeezes around the aisles, fixing ties and hair and pressing wrinkles as Dumbledore watches with some amusement.
“Hands off! I don’t need grooming, Granger.” Nott snaps, ironing his own robes with magic.
Hermione makes a face at him, but falls in beside Katie in front of Harry and Ron.
The carriage doors open, and Harry taps Hermione’s shoulder.
“You’ve got a bit of dirt on your nose.” He whispers as Katie starts down the stairs.
“What? Where!” Hermione yelps, rubbing her nose and stumbling forward after Katie. “Oh, Harry, seriously?”
Harry and Ron snicker as they follow her out.
Dumbledore greets a gigantic woman in black silk robes with opal accessories. Even with how tall Dumbledore is, he barely has to bend to kiss her hand.
“Reckon that’s the headmistress?” Ron whispers.
“Well I don’t think they’re estranged lovers.”
Hermione shushes Harry, though Zabini and Nott continue to complain in the back of the line.
“When do the Durmstrangs get here? I hear the blokes are mad fit.” Harry whispers to Hermione. She snorts.
“I appreciate the sentiment, Harry, but I will not be entertaining Durmstrang boys. There’s far too much for me to study here, I don’t want to waste my time.”
“I wasn’t asking for you.” Harry grins, wiggling his eyebrows at Ron.
“For goodness sake, Harry, would you focus on the matter at hand and not on finding a husband? I’m sure there are better options for you than Durmstrang, they teach Dark Arts there. Not Defense Against.”
Ron shrugs.
“If they’re fit, then they’re fit, Hermione, not a lot Harry can do about it.”
Katie looks at Harry over her shoulder.
“Keep it in your pants, Potter, seriously.” She says with a smirk. “You’ll put Hermione’s knickers in a twist.”
Hermione scoffs at Katie, who winks at her.
Dumbledore beckons everyone forward then, ending the conversation.
“Follow Madame Maxime in to dinner, I’ll be seeing that your luggage is sent to the correct rooms. You’ve all been assigned to different Houses here.” Dumbledore says. “Granger, Bell, Potter, Weasley, Ombrelune. Bones, Patil, Chang - Bellefeuille. Boot, Nott, Zabini - Papillonlisse.”
Hermione raises her hand, and Ron turns an unsurprised look on Harry.
“Yes, Miss Granger.”
“Were we sorted properly? Because from what I’ve read in Une Histoire de Beauxbâtons, we all belong in Ombrelune. That’s how we got selected as delegates.”
“Quite right, Miss Granger. However, we wouldn’t want to overwhelm one dormitory with guests when there are three. Now, inside with you all, Durmstrang is already present, these poor Beauxbatons students are waiting for us at the dinner table!”
Dumbledore waves Hermione and Katie forward, and the rest fall in behind them entering the grand school.
As Hermione whispered more facts to Katie, who nodded politely at appropriate times, Harry was abruptly reminded of Hermione doing the same thing whilst entering Hogwarts for the first time.
“Think we’ll see her once she’s found the library?” Ron asks Harry under his breath.
“I’m almost surprised she hasn’t already gone looking.” Harry grins.