The Forgotten Twin

Chapter 14

"I knew Krum was coming, but I didn't realize — we'll be able to talk to him!" Draco excitedly exclaimed, grinning. "Maybe he'll even sit at the Slytherin table! WAIT, MAYBE HE'LL SLEEP IN THE SLYTHERIN DORMS!"

Delilah laughed.

"Well, he might sit at our table, but I think they'll sleep in their ship."

His face fell before lighting up again.

"STILL, MAYBE WE'LL GET TO WATCH HIM EAT!"

Delilah shot him a strange look.

"That's not creepy at all."

As they recrossed the entrance hall with the rest of the Hogwarts students heading for the Great Hall, Delilah saw Lee, Fred, and George jumping up and down on the soles of their 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?"

Delilah rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, some people," she muttered.

"I'm getting his autograph sometime this year if I can," Draco declared.

"Good for you."

They walked over to the Slytherin table and sat down. Draco 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 already 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, they should have brought cloaks," Delilah muttered.

Draco stared at the Durmstrang students, mostly Krum, and grinned when they came over, though he immediately replaced it with what he must have thought was a charming look, which only increased when Krum sat across from them. They shook hands.

"Hello, I'm Draco. No need to introduce who you are. I know all about you."

Krum wasn't really paying attention, his eyes kept drifting over towards the Gryffindor table, to where Hermione was sitting, talking with Harry and Ron.

Delilah grinned slightly, amusement dancing through her eyes.

"I'm Delilah, and just so you know, she spends a lot of time in the library."

Krum looked up.

"Thanks."

Draco looked confused, Delilah just waved him off, instead noticing the Beaubatons' attitude.

They were all pulling shawls around themselves and looking up in disgust. The Durmstrang students however, 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. Delilah was surprised to see that he added four chairs, two on either side of Dumbledore's.

"Who else is coming?" Then upon noticing Draco's look of confusion (Krum had started talking to one of the other Durmstrang students), elaborated. "Filch added four chairs, but there are only two new people."

"Oh, yeah, it's probably Bagman and Crouch."

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. Last in line were Professor Dumbledore, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime. When their headmistress appeared, the pupils from Beauxbatons leapt to their feet. A few of the Hogwarts students laughed. The Beauxbatons party appeared quite unembarrassed, however, and did not resume their seats until Madame Maxime had sat down on Dumbledore's left-hand side. Dumbledore remained standing, and a silence fell over the Great Hall.