First Impressions
The "L" word. Deanne Jenkins wouldn't dare say it out loud. It tasted like acid on the tongue, but there was no way around it: she just wasn't attracted to guys. Never had been. The idea sent her off on a merry-go-round ride that she didn't want to take, spinning nauseously to who knows where.
Everything became clear (or shall we say, confusing) the day she met Nymphadora Tonks. She'd seen the girl with bright pink hair get sorted into Hufflepuff… and fall down on her way to the table. Deanne had thought it was kind of adorable, the way Tonks blushed when she gained back her balance. It made Deanne want to introduce herself right away to this strange yet intriguing girl. As it happened, though, they were in different houses. Deanne belonged to Gryffindor, and because Tonks was a true Hufflepuff, Tonks rarely spoke during classes.
After an autumn Potions class, Deanne finally found an opportunity. Tonks had lagged behind to gather up her items.
"Need some help?" Deanne asked.
Tonks nodded appreciatively. "Thank you. I'm Nymphadora Tonks, by the way. But please don't call me by my first name."
"Oh, I already knew who you were," Deanne replied with a smile. She told Tonks her name, and the two girls kept busy putting ingredients into their bags while they talked. "Remember your little spill at the Sorting?"
"Don't remind me," said a bashful Tonks. Even through the low lighting, Deanne noticed that her cheeks were red again. "I already had a bad day in here. Snape can't stop taunting me for two seconds, I swear. He's so terrible!"
"Isn't he?" Deanne agreed, smirking again. "He failed me miserably on the last essay. And what's with that oily hair, eh?"
Tonks snorted. "But the look works so well for him!"
"You really should try to insult me when I'm not around," said a drawling voice behind them. Tonks and Deanne jumped a foot. The Potions master had appeared right at the very worst moment.
"I see you've managed to make a friend, Miss Tonks. Jenkins must be a bad influence on you. Sad to say that you'll be spending time together in detention, for your inexcusable comments. Ten points from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff."
Tonks bowed her head. "Sorry, sir."
The girls solemnly walked to the door. Outside the Potions classroom, a fit of laughter erupted from their guts. They had to lean on each other to stop from collapsing.
"That did not just happen!" Deanne chortled. Tonks slapped herself on the knee as she continued laughing.
