My name is Arthur Kirkland. I am a sixth year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm also a Slytherin, pureblood if it really makes a difference. It obviously doesn't seem to matter to the person following me and calling my name.
"Arthur! Hey, Kirkland! Wait up!"
I continue walking, eyes forward, pretending not to notice. Of course the voice belonged to a classmate, and an irritating one at that. Well, less of a class 'mate' and more of 'just another student'. Alfred F. Jones. He says the F stands for Freedom, though I think Fool suits him better. Jones is a Gryffindor, chaser for their Quidditch team, which is bad enough, but it isn't the end. The worst thing is that he's American, of all things. Strutting around as if he owns the place, and the popularity to support it. Honestly I'm surprised his glasses fit him, at the rate his head is swelling.
"Arthur!" he cries as he reaches me, slinging an arm around my shoulders. I push him off instantly and step away, a scowl adorning my features.
"What?" I snap, not bothering to hide my annoyance. Is five minutes of peace too much to ask for? Rolling my eyes at the kicked-puppy face he makes, I finally stop to face him. I tap my foot to show my irritance, displeased with the fuss he's making. All I want to do is revise for my lessons and improve my grades. Not that I can do it with this idiot around.
"Are you coming to the game this afternoon?" he asks. Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about the last Quidditch match before Christmas being today. Gryffindor versus Slytherin.
"No," I answer simply, bored. "I don't have much interest in Quidditch, plus I have studying to do." Ignoring his crestfallen expression, I shift the books in my arms to emphasize my point.
"Seriously?" He crosses his arms and leans against the wall. "Not even to support your house?"
I shake my head and shrug. "Nope, we have exams coming up and I need to get some work done, as well as that Charms essay." By the sudden change in his expression from disappointment to shock, I can deduce that he had forgotten about it. Why am I not surprised?
He scratches his neck, laughing nervously. "You haven't even looked at a textbook outside of class this week, have you?" I smirk, amused.
"I was busy!" He protests, "Plus working is boring," he adds, as if to justify himself.
To busy being the Quidditch hero, as usual. I sigh, knowing that he's just as stubborn as I am. I turn away and continue on to my original destination, the library. "If that's all, I'll be going. Bye, Jones." Hearing a snort of protest I shake my head again, but don't bother to look back. Hopefully the git won't follow me, I've had enough of his obnoxious yelling for one day.
"Wait!"
Here we go again. "What now, idiot?"
"Let's make a deal." He smiles his annoying smile, the one that everyone else seems to love for some bizarre reason. I mean, all he has to do is flash his teeth at a passing group and they'll be at his side in an instance. It's rather stupid, to be honest. I can't see why anyone would be caught dead with him.
"What kind of deal?" I ask curiously, though I think I may regret opening my mouth. This can't be good.
"If Slytherin win the game today I'll leave you alone, I promise."
Sure you will. Not.
"But if Gryffindor win then you have to spend a day in Hogsmeade with me." He continues, and my eyes widen.
Of course there's a but. There always is with him.
"I- No! Wait, what-?!" I stutter, immediately apprehensive. There's no way in hell I'd ever want to spend the day with him! That's for all his 'fans' to do, not his rival! At least I hope I'm his rival because I'd rather not like to be considered his friend. Or even his acquaintance. In fact, I'd rather not have anything to do with him at all. Now if I can only get out of this stupid-
"Great!" he grins, ignoring my splutters of disapproval. "See ya, Kirkland!" he waves and walks off, whistling cheerfully. I groan, running a hand through my hair. What on earth just happened? Nevermind, there would be no chance of changing his mind now. Muttering under my breath I shrug, walking up the nearest flight of stairs and trying to make sense of the events of the past five minutes.
Pretty soon I reach the library alone, thankfully. Looks like he gave up annoying me for the time being. But there's no doubt that he'll be back again tomorrow. Or sooner. There's no telling with that arse. It's a wonder he has any friends at all. Well, minus the swarms of girls fawning over him constantly. Yes, Alfred F Jones. Hogwarts heart throb. He's kind, cheerful and helpful, no wonder he's always walking around in a group of students trying to be his friend. Even if it's only to share in his so-called 'fame'. Actually he's just kind of a prat. A very big prat.
I find a quiet seat towards the back of the room and spread my parchments over the available space. Pulling out my Charms paper I start to read through what I have already written, muttering darkly every time I spot an error or something that is clearly inaccurate.
"Damn." I groan, using my wand to erase an entire paragraph and rewriting it again. After analysing it once more, I'm finally satisfied and move onto writing the final page.
I glance at my watch, 14:32. The game starts at 16:00, if I'm not mistaken. Plenty of time to finish, no need to rush. Grabbing the nearest text book I open it to the correct page, and begin making notes on the chapter to add to the end of my essay.
Maybe if I'm lucky I can finish this before the game, so I can head back to the common room which will most likely be empty and quiet. Perhaps I can get some reading done and have some time to myself, possibly write a letter home to my parents to let them know I'll be spending the holidays here at school in order to catch up on and perfect any remaining work I need to do before classes start again in January. Christmas is always cheerful at Hogwarts, and the majority of students go home for a few weeks so the corridors and grounds are peaceful yet happy at the same time. Usually I go home to my family to have traditional Christmas celebrations, but last year I stayed at school because of OWLs, and have decided to stay again to have some time alone.
The next time I check my watch it's already 15:47. I didn't realise, but at least I've finished.
And by the shouting drifting through the open window, the game has finally started.
