The welcome back speech was going on and on, and soon I found myself drifting off. Professor Frost was saying something about some corridor being off limits this fall, which was interesting, but my attention was elsewhere. I was looking towards the Gryffindor table, zeroing in on a boy with dark hair. The pretty brown head of hair belonged to James Potter, who I fancied madly.
I watched as he talked to his friend, and cousin, Fred Weasley. Then he leaned around Fred and said something to the blond girl on Fred's right. She put her hand to her mouth like she was laughing, and then said something back. I wish I could be her, and get to talk to James. Too bad I was in Ravenclaw.
The ultimate irony was that my name was Viola Malfoy. Yes, that's right, Malfoy. And unfortunately, unlike my brother Scorpius, I was not popular or significant. I was the ugly duckling of the family: quiet, shy, and I lacked my mother's height and easy elegance. James Potter was out of my league. He was on the Gryffindor quidditch team, was outgoing, and I doubt I was the only 6th year girl who thought he was cute. And I was a nobody at this school.
Maybe I was a bit dramatic, but that's how it felt. At least I had my good friend May. I knew I could always count on her. And I did enjoy our classes and learning, which wasn't true of all Ravenclaws, despite the annoying stereotype. As Professor Frost finished talking I began to cheer up and wonder how my classes would be tomorrow.