A Feast and Frustrations

Harry and the others watched as Dumbledore greeted the giant lady, who they soon learned was named 'Madame Maxime'. After Dumbledore noticed that many of the French students were shivering slightly, he allowed them to take a seat, which they did so at the Ravenclaw table. Madame Maxime sat in a seat to the side of Dumbledore, towering above the other staff members.

Those in the hall watched as the Durmstrang Delegations made their way to the place where Dumbledore stood. As the delegations drew closer, many of those within the hall began to whisper excitedly.

"Krum!" Ron exclaimed, his voice suddenly hoarse, "That's Victor Krum, that is!"

Many others in the hall whispered in excitement. Harry even saw a few older female students fighting over a piece of lipstick, which they intended to use in order to procure an autograph.

"I hope the delegations don't act that way when they see me." Harry whispered to Tonks, motioning towards the group of girls. Upon catching Harry's line of sight, she laughed gently, before turning back to Harry.

"They won't, don't worry. Most people I know think about you the same way they do with Dumbledore." she said quietly, as Dumbledore introduced the hall to the newcomers.

"In other words?" asked Harry.

"With awe or reverence. That's how I used to, you know. Same with everyone I know."

Harry smiled widely at that, turning to look at Tonks.

"There is no need to bow, my dear mortal." Harry said jokingly in a deep voice, causing Tonks to blush slightly, as well as attempt to hide her laughter.

"You're very different from what I expected, you know." whispered Tonks, as the two of them turned back to Dumbledore, "Anyway, most of the people in the auror office know about your annual adventures, Dumbledore had to tell the Ministry by law. The only person who is supposed to know is Madam Bones, not even Fudge should, but most of the Aurors have heard parts of the conversations.

Madam Bones practically forced us to keep quiet, we're not allowed to say a word about it to anyone. But a lot of the office doesn't believe it, I don't think they like the idea of a kid being better than them - "

" - It was almost entirely luck, but go on."

"Right. Anyway, we never really heard much about whatever happened last year, Madam Bones think's Dumbledore's hiding something.

But in our part of the ministry, people think you're like a reincarnated Merlin, because we know better than most how difficult it is to deal with those things. But the public thinks of you the same way, because - "

" - They're sheep, yeah, I know." Harry quietly interrupted.

"Not the words I was going to use, but yes." admitted Tonks. They sat in silence for a few minutes as Dumbledore continued on with his introductory speech, before one of the Aurors behind the staff table motioned to Tonks.

"I need to go; the feast will begin soon, I need to go." she said, waving goodbye to Harry and scratching Hedwig gently behind the ear. Tonks, as well as the rest of the Aurors, made their way to the entrance and departed. Harry turned back to the front of the hall, finally giving Dumbledore his fullest attention.

" - a few basic rules to the Tournament, which are to be discussed after the feast. But for now, let us begin to eat!"

Dumbledore waved his arms in a sort of bizarre gesture, the once empty plates now filling up with food. Harry turned to Hermione, putting food onto his plate as he did so.

"Did he say anything important?" he asked casually, ignoring the look of annoyance that had etched itself onto Hermione's face.

"Maybe you would know if you had been paying attention!" Hermione hissed.

"He didn't, just introduced the headmaster and headmistress from the other schools. Also introduced two ministry folks, Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch, I think." said Dean, "He said he'd talk about the important stuff like rules after the feast."

Harry quickly inspected the staff table, and sure enough, Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch Sr. were both seated. Bagman was chatting happily to Mr. Crouch, seemingly not noticing that the man seemed interested in just about everything other than what Bagman was saying.

Whoever thought having those two work together would be a good idea.

The majority of the Gryffindor table had begun to eat, with only Ron refraining from doing so. Instead, the redhead was looking around the hall, particularly at the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables. When his eyes returned to the Gryffindor table, his eyebrows rose upon seeing the faces of his peers, their eyes all locked onto his form, clearly surprised.

"What?" he asked, as he began to dig into the food.

"What could possibly have been more important than you filling yourself to the brim with food?" asked Fred.

Ron's eyes narrowed at that, before he looked at all the Gryffindor faces nearby him (the fourth, fifth, and sixth years). When he spoke, his voice was dark and foreboding.

"We've got to see the delegations properly, don't we? If we're going to be champions, we ought to know the enemy, right?"

"Oh, shut up, Ickle Ronniekins." said George.

"'Know the enemy', what's this rubbish?" added Fred.

"You don't understand!" Ron exclaimed indignantly, "You've got to know the strengths and weaknesses, it's like chess! Krum's going to be Durmstrang Champion for sure, but we need to know more about Beauxbatons! Just wait for them to remove their bloody scarves, we'll know by then."

It was at that moment that Harry decided to tune out of the conversation.

.....

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