Doesn't It Say Characters Lastingly Are Inaccurately Mine, Ever Rowling's
Hannah's writing is italicized, Susie's writing is emboldened.
Caring and Sharing
Chapter 1 – My Defeat
I am now officially cross. Yes, me, Hannah Abbot, one of the most tranquil (Susie's word) Hufflepuffs am cross. Why does my surname have to begin with "A"? It's so embarrassing. You have to pay attention to everything; if something happens, say answering teacher's questions, in register order I always get called first. Therefore I have to be listening; otherwise I get caught out…
Wouldn't it be nice to have a surname beginning with, I don't know, say… "M"? Yes, that sounds quite nice, Hannah McMillan.
"Oh, my God, you did not just write that." I look to where Susie's finger is pointing, and there, sure enough I see the horror. Why is this so bad? It is absolutely terrible, because I have just spent the last hour and a half, so that's since the beginning of History of Magic, defending my opinion. That is my opinion of not liking Ernie. Don't get me wrong, I like Ernie, but just not in the way Susie is saying I do. And she means in that way.
"Susie, I didn't mean it like that!" I blush while she smiles knowingly at me. Oh dear, now look what I've gone and done. I have no idea why she is so insistent that I like him. Actually that's not true – I have a fairly good idea why, I'm just not sure I like it . . . at all . . . that much . . . Here, let me explain: ever since the beginning of time, it feels, Susie has had a crush on Justin. She will never admit it though – I have no idea why – it's blatantly obvious, why can't she just admit it? Even to me, she pretends she doesn't – it's really silly, I've been trying to get her to say, but she keeps denying it. And because her levels of confidence are no higher than mine, double-dating has always looked a very nice option for the pair of us.
"Yes you did, Hanz, there's only one way that anyone could mean that." I gape at her, unable to come up with a suitable answer. Quick, Hannah, quick, before she starts singi-
"Hannah and Ernie sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Too late. The singsong whisper of my "best friend" makes those few unsuspecting pupils around us start to snigger. Of course, as caring and sharing Hufflepuffs, we normally avoid humiliating each other in front of others, but as this was purely a Hufflepuff lesson, they could enjoy the luxury of laughing quietly to themselves. I was grateful for the fact, however, that they did not turn round to stare at me as I blushed even deeper and sank down in my chair, hitting Susie on her arm. I was rewarded by an "ouch". How kind of her.
My guilty conscience getting the better of me, I rose back up again to hug her, to which affections she succumbed to and hugged me back. When Ernie turned round from his desk at the front (where thankfully Susie's song could not have been heard) to see what the laughter was about, all he saw was the innocent image of us lovely ladies. For which I am very glad. Let's just hope that we have no more "outbursts" before lunch.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Well, so far I have made it to the lunch table unscathed. I hope it remains that way – especially as there seems to be a coincidence in our place at the table . . . There just happened to be two spaces opposite Ernie and Justin. It's a funny thing, that, because when we were walking down the other side of the table, I was sure those two places had upside-down plates on them (meaning that someone had bagged the spaces). Never mind – at least I don't have to seat through a whole lunch of,
"You do."
Don't."
"So do!"
"So do not!" Or so I thought when we originally sat down.
This enrapturing scene has been going on for the past few minutes. The same past few minute's that the boys' forks have been froze midway to their mouths as they watch us with half amused, half curious and half exasperated looks on their faces. Slightly confused myself at this train of thought, I broke off our little battle of the wills.
"Three halves don't make one do they?" I enquired looking hopefully at my friends around me as if they might prove me wrong. I've noticed that at times where I want to be right I'm wrong, and at times where I want to be wrong I'm right. Gosh, what an amazing skill. I'm just full of these little treasures.
"No, babes." Ernie replied. I sighed dispiritedly as this time, my theory fitted in with the usual pattern of – Hang on, did he just call me "babes"? I looked quizzically at him – his gorgeous, high cheek bones were looking particularly- Hannah! At my mental scolding I made myself carry on in a somewhat more appropriate manner. Okay, so he was blushing. That may have been because he is now currently choking on his pie, or that may be because . . . Yes, because he is choking on his pie. So, deciding to give him the benefit of doubt, I made the most eloquent reply of,
"What? No, sorry, pardon?" I waited apprehensively for his answer, hoping my concerns weren't showing on my face. Judging by Justin's expression I think I was doing rather well seeing as I also had the difficult job of subtly pressing on Susie's foot lightly to stop her laughing. Oh, maybe I got a bit mixed up with my definitions of "light" and "hard". It's really a very easy mistake to make.
Having now swallowed his mouthful, Ernie repeated, "No, Hanz." I think I managed a small "oh" before turning my thoughts to myself, trying desperately not to notice the dip in my stomach – what on Earth was that about? I didn't let myself ponder.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
So, what was up with lunch, eh babes?
Oh, shut up – he said Hanz. I bet it was just you hearing what you want to hear because of this ridiculous argument of yours that is not, in anyway whatsoever true.
Methinks the lady doth protest too much! Hehehe. He likes you back, Hanz, besides he's really nice and quite fit too – nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean, know what I mean!
Susie! For the last time – it's not happening – la la la can't hear it. See – it's gone. Vamoosh, bye bye! Anyway I'm sure you don't think he's as fit as someone randomly sitting behind us so he can poke you in the back asking for a spare quill, say Justin . . .
Oh, when will you ever give up?
Never!
Okay, I'll tell you what – I'll admit I like Justin if you admit you like Ernie.
"Fine." I whisper to her, so as not to be overheard by any two boys in particular.
Oh. My. God. I do not believe I have just done that. I have just ruined all my hard work of five years, since first year, all in just one word. Why do I open my mouth? I think it must have a brain of its own. Yes, it definitely must have a brain of its own.
Now fully defeated, I turn back to reading about Colouring Charms. It would be a lot easier to understand if my edition wasn't in black and white. Looking at Susie's, I see that hers is fully in colour . . . and she seems to be smiling suspiciously . . . Oh that girl thinks she's sooo good, doesn't she?
Now all you need to do is press that tiny periwinkle button and type some words in the box – easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Love,
x Imperial Princess x
