DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Harry Potter except a Pottermore account, all the films and books :P
Set in the Marauders' Seventh Year at Hogwarts. Raina Matthews is a Hufflepuff student.
This school year was meant to be the beginning of a new era. Instead, I was pushed over by one James Potter, punched by one Peter Pettigrew and smiled at by a Sirius Black. Okay, so technically Sirius pushed James INTO me as we were walking up to the castle from the carriages, and Peter was trying to punch Sirius who ducked out of the way and I got hit... Also, when I say walking with, I mean they happened to be passing me and my best friend Cass when Sirius pushed James. But still... It counts.
Why does it count? Why didn't I go straight up to Sirius, James and Peter and give them a piece of my mind? If you're wondering this, then I can't help you. I don't know myself. It's this weird thing - whenever I go near Sirius I sort of seize up. Stupid I know. I mean, he is the school hearthrob and every girl at Hogwarts would kill to be his girlfriend so I should be running away from him right? And who could resist staying up all night wondering whether he saw me/noticed me/thought about me. Don't judge okay! I've had a two month summer consisting of gardening with my parents in the country. Give me this. Anyway who in the world can just turn off their feelings like that?
"What was that?" Oops. Did I really just click my fingers out loud? Crap. I can already feel the blush starting at my neck and making my face into a tomato. Damage control - I shake my head at Cass and bury my head in some scrambled eggs. "Whatever. Listen Rains. I'm not saying anything bad, it's just I really think you need to rethink the whole Nate sitch." Ew. Nate?
"How many times do I need to remind you! He's not my type."She'll probably ask who my type is then make some brilliantly witty remark about how I'm going to end up with a sea creature before changing her tact and trying to get me to think about him via a more mean way.
"Well, what is? A grindlehook? Babe, you can't go through the whole of school without even taking an interest in boys. People will think... you know..." About? Me? Why would they think about me? I mean, no one ever even acknowledges me unless it's to groan when I get a right answer in class. Which I rarely do anyway. I'm not stupid. I'm just more shy about school and stuff like that.
"What?" I should probably humour her.
"That you're a lesbian" I try not to laugh. Ever since we were in first year and Cass kissed Jane from Slytherin she's been worried about people thinking she was a lesbian. They don't even acknowledge eachother in the hallways.
"I'm not,... But what's wrong with that?" I think I'm the only girl in Hufflepuff who hasn't kissed another girl. Mostly at the express wish of Jake and his friends - The more popular guys. They graduated last year so soon it'll probably be Lucius and that lot.
"I know you're not. And nothing. Persay.. I just need to think about my reputation as well babes."
"What reputation?" Again Raina... Try not to laugh.
"My reputation as a hot, available Hufflepuff."Since when?
"You know, letting Amos Diggory touch your chest behind Hagrid's hut last summer during break doesn't give you that rep. It just means you let him touch you then go tell his friends about it." The only reason why she let him was because she heard he was going to be the Quidditch Captain this year. I mean, he IS the captain but still...
"Actually. I saw him two weeks into summer break and he said he liked me." I think asking for written proof of this won't go down too well... Hey!
"Wait. What? You didn't tell me any of this in any of your letters."
"That's because I was waiting for the right moment. You can't tell your friends you're dating someone until you've been going out for at least three weeks." Did she just say...
"Hey! Why was that plural? I'm your friend. You have one friend."
"Actually, a load of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor girls've been talking to me more now that me and Amos're a couple." What?
"You're a what? As in...Are you dating?"
"Yep. He asked me out like a month ago. I was so over the moon. We spent like every day together. We both passed our Apparition tests on the first go. Isn't that cool?" Hilarious.
"Yeah. Super. How come you didn't tell me?" If you don't keep her talking she'll stop answering your questions.
"Darling I said didn't I? You're meant to tell your friends. You're like my best friend so I thought it would be nice to tell you after everyone else. I thought you'd have heard by now to be honest I mean there's the most outrageous rumour going around school that we've been going out since Christmas. Isn't that crazy?" Yeah. You mean you forgot about me.
"Wait... didn't you say you were now a 'hot, available Hufflepuff?"
"Did I? Oh my gosh, I did. How silly of me. Listen... If Freddie Jameson asks if I'm really going out with Amos you tell him you have no idea okay? I'm getting all the girls to do it. Want to keep Amos on his toes. He hasn't exactly asked me to the Hogsmeade weekend coming up see, and I want him to know we're not official until he does." Freddie? Oh yeah... Cass's had a crush on him since forever. But wait... why would Amos know who I am?
"Uh-" Before I can get a word in she's walked off and Professor McGonnagal comes in.
"Miss Matthews, congratulations on your Care for Magical Creatures, Herbology and Divination results. I know I was a little sceptical about you taking the exams a year early but it seems to have worked out in your favour, Three O's at NEWT level! I do take it you're filling the spaces well?" To call this awkward would be an understatement. I hate having to talk to anyone I don't know... I do this thing where I seize up... quite like when I see Sirius actually... But with Professors I have to force myself. Yay.
"I was thinking of taking Charms at NEWT level this year Professor. With Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Ancient Runes I think I'll have enough on my plate so I doubt I'll have time for Astronomy too. I hope Professor Herringay won't be too annoyed with me."
"Of course she won't! Yes my dear, I completely agree. Last year must have been tough on you, I do agree, you need a little break in the workload will do you good. Well, here's your timetable." How many times can you say the word 'agree' in one sentence? I love Professor McGonnagal but still.
"Thank you Professor."
"You know, I still don't recognise Divination as a proper subject. For someone of your intellect to have taken it... It seems a little beneath you in my opinion." Pfft. Everyone knows she's hated Professor Fredricks since she predicted that she would fall off a tall tower onto a spike because Professor M rolled her eyes when she was reading a crystal ball.
"Well,... Professor, my mother took it when she was in Hufflepuff so in a way I'm just carrying on the tradition."
"Aah... Well, Yes, I will have to agree with you there, that is a solid reason to choose a subject. Especially when you're doing so well in all of the others." Exactly.
"Uh, Professor? I should get going. I'm going to be late for Potions otherwise..." Slughorn wouldn't care but there's no way I'm being stuck partnered with Sourgrape Snape again.
"Oh, I'm sorry, do go on Miss Matthews! Have a good day."
"I still don't get why McGonnagal's always smiling at you." Great. I'd rounded the corner when Cass came running up.
"I told you. She knew my mum in school."
"Oh yeah. Weird that isn't it. I mean, you'd think she'd be annoyed, what with you not taking her subject to NEWT level and all!" Remind me never to tell anyone she loves me because I took Transfiguration to NEWT level in Fifth Year. "Gimme your timetable then. Merlin's Beard! You're taking all the same subjects as Sirius Black now. Did you know that when you signed up for them? That's why you failed those other three last year isn't it? Jheeze Rain, you're such a stalker!" Yeah. Says the girl who literally followed him round for weeks and learnt his schedule so she could accidentally bump into him every two days for a fortnight.
"Who's a stalker?" Ew. Amos. Go away.
"Oh, no one you'd know."That's because no one knows me. Should I go and cry in an empty hallway or something. "Bye darling."
"Yeah. Bye."
Great. Even better year now. Ow. Note to self - Don't randomly bang your bruised arm into walls when running to the dungeons.