Natsu Dragneel and the Goblet of Fire

The Goblet of Fire

"I don't believe it!" Gray said, in a stunned voice, as the Hogwarts students filed back up the steps behind the party from Durmstrang. "Straight, Natsu! Dan Straight!"

"For heaven's sake, Gray, he's only a Quidditch player," said Lucy.

"Only a Quidditch player?" Gray said, looking at her as though he couldn't believe his ears. "Lucy - 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, Natsu saw Wally Buchanan jumping up and down on the soles of his feet to get a better look at the back of Straight'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?"

"Really," Lucy said loftily as they passed the girls, now squabbling over the lipstick.

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

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

They walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down. Gray took care to sit on the side facing the doorway, because Straight 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 Hufflepuff 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 Lucy defensively. "Why didn't they bring cloaks?"

"Over here! Come and sit over here!" Gray hissed. "Over here! Lucy, budge up, make a space -"

"What?"

"Too late," said Gray bitterly.

Dan Straight and his fellow Durmstrang students had settled themselves at the Slytherin table.

Natsu could see Minerva, Orga, and Rufus looking very smug about this. As he watched, Minerva bent forward to speak to Straight.

"Yeah, that's right, smarm up to him, Minerva," said Gray scathingly. "I bet Straight can see right through her, 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, Natsu... I wouldn't mind giving him my bed, I could kip on a camp bed."

Lucy snorted.

"They look a lot happier than the Beauxbatons lot," said Natsu. 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, Goldmine, the caretaker, was adding chairs. He was wearing his moldy old tailcoat in honor of the occasion. Natsu was surprised to see that he added four chairs, two on either side of Master Makarov's. "But there are only two extra people," Natsu said. "Why's Goldmine putting out four chairs, who else is coming?"

"Eh?" said Gray vaguely. He was still staring avidly at Straight.

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 Master Makarov, 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 Master Makarov's left-hand side.