The crowd's reaction to Asher Hawthorne's name was different from the reaction that had followed Liam's.
There was surprise, but not disbelief. There were whispers, but not the same stunned confusion. After everything Regulus had just revealed about Liam's performance and the reason for his drop, the second years seemed to accept that someone had to occupy the space above him.
And among those still remaining, Asher was one of the few names that made sense. He had always been one of the strongest in their year. His blue flames had never been something anyone could dismiss casually, and his intensity during combat was known even among students who disliked him.
If Liam had fallen to third because of the time he spent unconscious, then Asher being above him did not sound impossible on paper.
Still, the acceptance in the crowd did not make the moment simple.
