Chapter 11: The Entrance Hall

Harry Potter had been waiting in the entrance hall for nearly fifteen minutes. He knew he was early. He’d deliberately come down early, partly because he didn’t want to keep Victoria waiting and partly because he hadn’t been able to sit still in Gryffindor Tower. He’d spent rather more time getting dressed than he cared to admit.

His wardrobe wasn’t particularly impressive. He owned a few decent things, but nothing that could compete with the expensive clothes some of his classmates wore on Hogsmeade weekends. In the end, he’d settled on a clean white shirt, dark trousers, a navy-blue jumper, and his best jacket.

He’d even made an effort with his hair. It hadn’t helped much. After ten minutes of attempting to make it lie flat, he’d given up. Ron had watched the entire performance with considerable amusement.

“Harry, it’s Crabbe. She’s seen you after Quidditch practice.”

“Thanks, Ron.”

“Just saying. She’s not going to care if your hair’s a mess.”

Hermione had been more encouraging.

“You look very nice, Harry.”

Ron had nodded.

“Yeah. Very respectable. Like you’re going to meet someone’s parents.”

Harry had thrown a sock at him. Now, standing near one of the great stone pillars in the entrance hall, Harry was beginning to wonder whether he’d been a complete idiot. Not because he’d asked Victoria out. He was delighted she’d accepted. But because he had absolutely no idea how the date was going to go. Victoria Crabbe wasn’t exactly predictable.

She could be funny, blunt, fiercely loyal, and surprisingly shy when he complimented her. She could also become furious in the space of approximately three seconds. He liked her. Rather more than he’d expected. But he was under no illusions about how easily things could go wrong. He checked the time. Ten minutes to ten. Still early. He leaned against the pillar and waited. The entrance hall was filling with students.

It was a Hogsmeade Saturday, and groups of third-years and older students were gathering before making their way down to the village. Some were wearing their usual school robes over ordinary clothes. Others had dressed more carefully, particularly those going on dates. Harry recognised several Gryffindors near the main doors, a group of Ravenclaw girls talking excitedly beside the staircase, and a collection of Hufflepuffs who seemed to be arguing about whether to visit Honeydukes or the Three Broomsticks first.

He wasn’t the only boy waiting for someone. A Ravenclaw near the doors kept checking his watch. A Hufflepuff was standing with a small bunch of flowers, looking increasingly nervous. Two Gryffindor boys were arguing about which of them had the better jacket. Harry smiled to himself. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one having an unusual morning. Then he heard someone say, “Bloody hell.” He glanced towards the staircase. Several students were looking up. Harry followed their gaze. And forgot what he’d been thinking about.

Draconia Malfoy descended the stairs first. That, in itself, wasn’t particularly remarkable. Draconia always looked immaculate. Even in her school robes, she managed to appear as though she’d stepped out of a portrait of some aristocratic family. Today she wore a stylish dark coat over a pale blouse and tailored trousers, her blonde hair arranged neatly. A few students glanced at her. Harry barely noticed. Because behind her came Georgina Goyle. And behind Georgina came Victoria Crabbe. For a moment, Harry simply stared.