The Mundane Annoyance of School Uniforms-Year 1

When Harry Potter was young and naïve, he believed himself to be an optimist- with a dash of pessimist thrown in of course. No matter how bad life with the Dursleys could be, there was also a silver lining. He could have been left on the doorstep of a murderer, or old crack house for example. He could be living on the streets instead of in the worn cupboard under the stairs, where at least it was warm during the winter. He could have never received his Hogwarts letter- no matter how hard Uncle Vernon had tried. But as grateful as he was for Hagrid's visit and his introduction the magical world, he strongly despised its choice in uniform right now.

Fumbling with the slip of silk around his neck, he craned his chin back further in an attempt to see what he was doing in the mirror, muttering under his breath. Ties. Of all the extraordinary things Hogwarts had to offer, they had to force their students into something so mundane. If he had been going to Stonewall High he wouldn't have to wear one of these neck traps. The shirts were horrible enough with the top buttons done up, why did it have to press against his windpipe as well? Slipping the last length of the fabric through his fingers, he let them hover there for a moment as he took in the mess of knots he had produced before ripping it away again, swearing loudly. Now if there was one thing Harry Potter knew how to do, it was swear. Dudley had been an excellent teacher.

"Bloody hell Harry, what's wrong? I don't think even Fred and George know those words."

Ron's head appeared in the mirror behind him as he tried to unpick a tighter knot. Holding up the piece of mashed fabric in frustration, Harry watched as sympathetic understanding washed over his new friend's face.

"Ah, ties. Yeah, they're a nightmare."

"For the life of me, I can't figure out how to do it. Does this little bit go this way and through here, or does the big bit? And don't get me started on the different types of knots! What's a Windsor knot compared to a Pratt knot?" Slamming his hands against the sink edge, he huffed in annoyance, blowing a bit of his fringe to the side.

"Mate, honestly I don't know what half what you just said was, but if you're having trouble, you could just ask. I mean, I'm not entirely confident that this is right, but we could always ask Percy. I rather trust him on this matter than the twins." Ron was murmuring from the doorway, holding his own sloppily tied tie in his hands. "Though he might be busy with prefect duties…and I don't know where on the castle he would be. Possibly breakfast by now."

At the mention of food, Harry's stomach grumbled, a feat he wouldn't have thought possibly after having gorged himself after the feast last night. Sighing, Harry turned around to exit the bathroom, ushering Ron along with him back through their dorm, still muttering about his older brothers. Maybe if they went down to the common room or the Great Hall, they'd bump into an older student who'd be able to help them. He should have noticed last night that everyone bar the first years had this damning piece of fabric in their house colours neatly folded around their necks. Maybe they could teach them a spell that did that for them. Brightening up slightly at the thought, he left for breakfast, Ron still musing beside him.

Twenty minutes later, after having gotten lost amongst the maze of corridors, the two boys stumbled into the Great Hall, relieved to find that breakfast was still in process. Settling themselves amongst their fellow Gryffindors with a muttered 'morning', Harry started to pile his plate with whatever he could reach, searching for Percy amongst the students as he did. Unfortunately his gaze caught Hermione's, who was looking at him and Ron with a thoughtful frown. Giving her an incredulous look, hoping she'd turn away, his stomach sank at seeing that instead she got up and walked over to them.

"Good morning Harry, Ronald. You're a bit late for breakfast you know."

"What, really? Wouldn't have guessed. Thanks Hermy." Ron gasped sarcastically through a mouthful of bacon and eggs. Scrunching her nose up in distaste, she turned away from him and pointed at Harry's bare neck.

"Where's your tie?"

"In my pocket."

"What's it doing there?"

"Dying hopefully."

Ron snorted beside him as Hermione continued to look displeased.

"Well, put it on. We don't want to lose house points on the very first day because of your poor uniform. Same with you Ronald."

"Will you leave us alone if we do Hermy?"

"Hermione. And yes, just as soon as you've tidied yourselves up. You're letting down your fellow Gryffindors." She sniffed. Glancing up and down the table, Harry wondered if she needed to borrow his glasses. The rest of the house was seemed to be half dressed shambles as well, blurry eyes shooting her looks of annoyance. It was too early in the morning to be enforcing proper dress code. Grumbling he pulled out the balled mess of fabric from his pocket, ignoring her wince at its crumpled state. Looping it around his neck, he went to tie it when he hesitated. How'd it go again? Looking across at Ron, he saw the same stumped expression mirrored back at him. The older students were hiding amused smiles behind their hands, as they watched the three, some with pity. Seeing that Hermione was starting to tap her foot in annoyance, he turned back to her, noting her perfectly folded tie resting against the collarbone. The words were out before he could even filter them.

"How'd you tie yours?"

The stunned look on her face along with the snorts of disbelief and laughter along the table caused his cheeks to flush.

"You don't know how to tie a tie?"

"Do you think it'd be hanging limply around my neck if I did?" He was pleased to see she flushed slightly at this as well. Turning to Ron with a flick of curls, she inquired the same thing, only to see him hold up his pathetic attempt. They watched as she scanned them again, before looking over the rest of their year group, all looking at her in wonder as well.

"Does no one really know how to tie a simple piece of fabric?"

The whole house seemed to shake their heads in unison. Huffing, she rolled up her robe sleeves before gesturing to Harry. "Stand up."

Not wanting to push her, he awkwardly scrambled to his feet, watching nervously as she fiddled with the length of the tie before swiftly demonstrating how to tie it for him. Within seconds he had a perfectly balanced tie resting around his neck. It didn't even press against this windpipe too much. Amazed, he ran his hands over the still rumbled material, before looking back at her in wonderment.

"How'd you do that?"

"Can you teach me?"

"And me!"

Hermione and Harry looked around as the rest of the first years (and a few older students too) started clambering over their seats and housemates in an attempt to get to them, waving their own ties in the air. Puffing her chest, Hermione stood to her full height (which was only a little taller than him) and instructed them to form a line. Sinking back into his seat beside an equally stunned Ron, they watched as she manually tied everyone's tie for them, demonstrating the technique over and over again. Some students from the other houses sneakily joined in, gushing their thanks to the girl once she was done. Eventually the last student scurried away, and Hermione assessed her house. Spotting Ron's still poor attempt, she swooped in and corrected it before stepping back and clapping her hands together.

"Right, that's better. Now I expect your ties to be perfect tomorrow morning- all of you." She bossed to the now neatly presented Gryffindors before nodding her head once at the two boys as she trooped back to her seat, busying herself in returning to her breakfast. Slowly the hall returned to its morning hum of utensils clinking and students talking. Reaching for a jar of Marmalade, Harry glanced back at Hermione who happened to be looking his way. Catching her gaze he mouthed 'thanks' before turning to Ron, engaging him in the talk of Quidditch and what their classes would be like, not noticing the pleased blush grace the girl's cheeks.

Yes, Harry thought as he happily munched on his breakfast, he was an optimist. And if he could survive the Dursleys he could survive whatever Hogwarts would throw at him. Even if was a silly piece of fabric.