Morning came, as is its custom, far too quickly for Addie's liking. The idea of rising early for classes was foreign to Addie, and for a moment she forgot where she was and rolled over to go back to sleep. The shuffling of the other girls in the dorm, and the increasing volume of the whispers finally alerted Addie and she leapt out of bed far more quickly than she had intended.
"Where are my socks?" She asked, louder than intended.
"Well good morning to you too!" A familiar voice greeted her cheerfully. "Have you met the others?"
"The other what?" Addie muttered wiping the sleep out of her eyes.
"The other girls obviously!" Hermione said with a cheer that could only be irritating so early in the morning.
Addie looked around the room. There were about four or five other girls she had never seen before, "Hi," she muttered vaguely still searching for her socks.
"I'm Parvati Patil," One of them said, rushing over. Addie immediately recognized Parvati as one of the fakest types of friends. She could see it in the way that Parvati eyed Addie's nails as they shook hands, and in the subtle glance she gave over at Addie's large pink trunk. Addie knew that if this was to be a friendship, it would be a political one.
"Hi Parvati," Addie said, warmly as ever, "Have you seen my socks?"
"You're wearing them," A different girl pointed out from across the room. Addie looked at her feet and realized that not only was she wearing her socks, but also her entire ensemble from the previous night.
"I knew that," She laughed, "I'm not really a morning person, you see..."
"I'm Lavender Brown," Lavender presented herself far better than Parvati, but Addie remained skeptical of them both. She sensed that behind Lavender's kind eyes and casual introduction was a girl seeking a way to get ahead.
Addie turned from the group of girls that had formed behind her and bent down to open the pink trunk that contained a fresh pair of clothes and all of her other belongings. She had received it, like most of her other more interesting items, from a former boyfriend of her mother. It was bright pink and opened to reveal space much bigger than the trunk itself. I had shelves overflowing with makeup she didn't use, and hair products she didn't need, but Addie, like a true White, liked to leave them there for effect.
"Let's see…." She said to herself, "Where's my eyeliner…"
"Can I use some?" Parvati asked anxiously.
"No," Addie replied shortly, digging through her clothes for a fresh set of robes. "I don't like people using my things."
My answer was followed by an awkward silence, only to be broken by Lavender.
"Did you guys read about Harry in the papers this summer?"
"Yeah, I did," Parvati replied darkly. "He's really gone mad hasn't he?"
Addie fixed her eyes on their reflections in the full-length mirror that she had pulled out of her trunk, and casually continued applying her make up, while listening very intently to the conversation going on behind her.
"Oh be quiet you two!" Hermione called from one side of the room. "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"We don't, huh?" Parvati giggled. "Well what about you Hermione you know Harry pretty well."
"Yes," Hermione looked at her sharply, "What are you getting at?"
"Well can you tell us what happened during the tournament?" She exclaimed. "You must know!"
"I only know a little, and even so that's Harry's business and not yours!" She scolded.
"I'm leaving!" Hermione cried. "Addie you can er—you can come if you'd like."
The look in Hermione's eyes compelled Addie to go with her, and as they left the girl's dormitory Addie could hear the faint whisperings of those whom they had left behind. Upon entering the common room the two immediately spotted Ron and Harry who was sitting with his arms folded tightly across his shoulders looking furious.
"What's wrong Harry?" Hermione asked, echoing Addie's thoughts.
"Seamus thinks I'm out of it," He replied angrily. "He believes the Daily Prophet."
"We'll—oh dear..." Hermione said looking a poster on the bulletin board, "What are they up to now?"
"What's that?" Ron asked looking at the paper. "Oh…"
"Lemme see!" Addie cried pulling the paper out of Hermione's grasp. It was an add for younger students to see Fred and George Weasley for some sort of testing. Addie laughed, "They're pretty funny, those brothers of yours!"
"Yeah they're funny alright…." Ron muttered.
"I can't believe Seamus!" Harry said loudly, bringing the attention back on himself. "How can he believe the Daily Prophet?"
"I'm sorry Harry, it must be tough," Hermione sympathized. "Lavender does as well."
"Oh, been having a nice little chat with her about me, eh?" he yelled.
"N—no Harry it's not like that I—" Hermione stammered.
"Harry don't have a fit. She stuck up for you like a true friend," Addie said. "And I'm surprised you have any friends the way you go around yelling at everyone you meet."
She allowed herself the satisfaction of Harry's surprised expression, and silently decided that she had won this round of fighting with Harry Potter.
"Sorry…" He muttered, cementing his defeat.
"You should be. Now let's get downstairs my stomach is about to eat itself."
The quartet walked down to the Great Hall, and Addie tried to be cheerful, but it was hard with Harry trudging along so sulkily. She was grateful to sit down to breakfast at the Great Hall, and encounter people who adored her without emotional baggage.
Halfway through breakfast the fifth year schedules were handed out.
"This is the worst schedule I've ever seen!" Ron exclaimed, nearly spilling his juice, "History of Magic, Double Potions, Divination, and Double Defense Against the Dark Arts. I could use one of those skiving snack boxes right about now."
"Why is that bad?" Addie asked, feeling like an outsider for the first time. "Oh, and I'm in Divination as well."
"That's some bad luck for you," Ron said. "It's the worst class I've ever had."
"The teacher always predicts my death," Harry muttered.
"Well it can't be that bad," Addie said, shooting a sidelong glance at Harry. "What about History of magic?"
"Even worse." Ron said after swallowing a large bite of porridge. "It's taught by a ghost, Professor Binns, and all you do is take notes. It's hell."
"And potions?" She asked anxiously, "Anything to worry about there?"
At this point, those around the table who had been listening to Addie's conversation all snorted with laughter.
"Everything!" Harry exclaimed. "Professor Snape hates me, and all the Gryffindors, for that matter! He only likes Slytherins, and especially Malfoy."
"Snape?" Addie asked, "Severus Snape?"
Addie's mother was not one for reminiscing, but when the mood was right, and Addie asked the right questions, she was usually able to procure a story or two from her mother's past. Most of these stories revolved around Lily Evans and a group of boys of which James Potter was apart. Addie loved these stories so she remembered every word, and she remembered the name Severus Snape.
"Yes…" Harry answered skeptically, "How did you know that
"Er—well—" Addie muttered, "My mother never has really told me much about her childhood, not sure why, but whenever she has she talks a lot about getting into trouble, and a lot of that trouble revolved around Severus Snape. I doubt he'll like me very much, either."
"Did your mother by any chance know—"
"You're mother and father?" Addie supplied; happy that Harry had finally realized. "Like I said, she never talks much about her childhood and things, but what I do know is that she went to Hogwarts and knew your mother and father. As the story goes, your mother and my mother were best friends."
Harry's face changed from curiosity to shock, "Your mum…was my mums best friend?"
"Yep!" Addie answered answered. "Actually, I have something I'm supposed to give you up in the dormitory. Remind me next time we go up."
Addie watched Harry eat the rest of his breakfast in almost an unbroken silence. Perhaps she had been too nonchalant in the mentioning of his mother? Addie had never experienced tragedy. Addie had never felt alone or victimized or even particularly unhappy. She stared at Harry, a boy who had been through so much, and slowly realized that she couldn't possibly comprehend what it must be like to carry that amount of emotional baggage.
The quartet finished their breakfast and hurried out of the Great Hall toward History of Magic. Unfortunately, Addie realized that Ron's analysis of the class was completely accurate and Addie found that she had dozed off only moments after class had begun.
"Class is over," He whispered. "Come on."
"What?" Addie asked groggily.
"Oh…." She mumbled, looking up to see the students filing out of the classroom. Addie followed Harry out to the courtyard; a light rain falling around them.
Thank God I used Anti-Frizz this morning. Addie thought. The rain would kill my hair.
Addie, who had no interest in talking at length about Professor Snape, decided to take this time to observe Hogwarts. Though the weather was unpleasant, she noted that the campus itself was breathtaking and smiled as students hurried through the rain, some attempting shielding spells, others just covering their heads. She had never been surrounded by so many people her age. Everything around her was new and exciting and she was beautiful and interesting and everyone wanted to befriend her. Life here, she decided, would be good.
Addie's thoughts, and the trio's conversation, were then interrupted by a girl's voice, "Hi Harry!"
Addie turned to see a pretty young girl standing nervously behind them. She had dark black hair that fell down to her waist and a nervous smile plastered upon her pretty face. Addie, a girl prone to intense scrutiny, decided that this girl passed all her tests with flying colors.
"H—Hi Cho" Harry stammered.
"H—Have a nice summer?" He asked.
"It was okay…" She replied softly.
Addie had seen enough pathetic attempts at flirting with her mother to recognize pathetic attempts at flirting elsewhere. The two stood awkwardly facing each other, shifting their feet in the muddy ground and making small talk. Soon enough, Ron, who didn't seem to realize what was going on, jumped in to harass the young girl about her Tornado's badge and drove her away.
Almost for the best. Addie thought, but took the liberty of hitting Ron on the back of the head anyway.
"Ow! What was that for?" Ron cried, rubbing the back of his head where she had hit him.
"Couldn't you tell what was going on?" Addie laughed, "What did you have to harass her about her badge for?"
"W—Well most Tornados fans only just jumped on the bandwagon and…"
"Oh Ron," Hermione scoffed, "Couldn't you tell she wanted to talk to Harry?"
"That's the bell…" Harry said sadly. Addie followed them down to a dark dungeon, each step making the prospect of ditching class more and more appealing.
"Oy! Addie!" A familiar voice called from across the dungeon.
"Draco!" She cried as she turned around, "Are you in my class?"
"That I am," He answered, smiling.
Addie walked over to him and took him in embrace, "So how have you been?"
"You're not really hanging around with Potter, Weasel and the Mudblood are you?" He asked, ignoring her question.
Addie was taken aback, "They're my friends. What's it to you?"
"I don't like them," He stated, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I don't want you talking to them."
"Since when do you tell me what to do Malfoy?" Addie asked angrily. "They're my friends just as much as you are! I'll hang out with whomever I please!"
"Well you won't be seeing very much of me then!" He exclaimed pushing her away. "I don't want to touch a mudblood lover."
Addie's temper, which had been on the verge of igniting, lit into flame and she whipped out her wand and pointed it right under Malfoy's chin, "And I don't want to touch a slimy, disgusting, jerk like you anyway Malfoy."
He stared at her with cold eyes. Addie could see the pug-like girl's satisfied grins in the background as she stalked off towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"What was that?" Harry asked, looking back at Malfoy.
"The death of an old friendship," Addie replied softly.
"You can't just attack Malfoy in the halls, you know," Hermione said critically, "We would all love to do that if we could, but you're going to lose us points from Gryffindor and—"
Addie raised her hand to indicate that Hermione should stop, "Don't tell me what to do. If I want to attack Malfoy I'll do it whenever, and wherever I please."
"That's the spirit," Ron mumbled as Addie threw open the door to the potions dungeon and took her seat.
Addie's fears about Professor Snape were confirmed and augmented by that day's potions class. As she looked up at his pale complexion, greasy hair, and dreary disposition she was positive that this was the man that her mother and friends had tortured when he was at Hogwarts. Addie then resolved to sit in the back and try not to be noticed.
"As I'm sure you already know," He said in a voice barely above a whisper, "We have a new celebrity in our midst," His heartless eyes staring directly at Addie, "This one even more trivial than our original."
"Excuse me?" She interrupted, her temper re-ignited, "I may be a lot of things, but trivial isn't one of them."
His eyes narrowed further, "What did you say?"
"I believe I spoke loud and clear Professor. Maybe you should get your ears checked," Addie replied. The class gasped collectively.
"Just like your mother, aren't you?" He spat. "Twenty points from Gryffindor for your disrespect, and next time it will be detention."
Hermione let out a self-satisfied grunt and Addie rolled her eyes. She already began drafting a letter to her mother in her head about Snape's behavior. She had never been treated so poorly. And how dare he suggest that she was in some way trivial or unimportant? Addie, determined to prove that she was not useless, followed the instructions on the board carefully to make a perfect Draught of Peace, by the end, only Hermione's potion emitted a more pure silver smoke.
Snape came over and scrutinized Addie's, searching for something wrong, then said, "Make no mistake, you will not be getting any special treatment in my classroom. No matter how pampered you are at home."
"As you can see by my potion sir," Addie replied coolly, "I don't make mistakes."
Addie watched as Snape travelled from potion to potion, praising or ignoring Slytherins and harassing or ignoring Gryffindors. When he arrived at Harry's potion, Addie thought she had seen the worst of Snape's maliciousness, but then he arrived at the potion of a boy sitting in the back of the room. The boy was stout and round-faced and looked terrified as Snape loomed over his potion, ripping it to shreds. Addie felt her heart go out to the boy, and couldn't help but notice that Draco was laughing the entire time.
"Now if you don't think your potion is utterly useless," He said maliciously, throwing the boy in the back of the room a glance, "Bring your Draught of Peace up to me."
Addie poured some of my potion into a glass, and brought it up to Snape's desk. As she waited to turn in her Draught of Peace, she felt an arm slide across her waist.
"I'm sorry Addie," Draco whispered in her ear, "You can be friends with the mudblood if you want."
"Make no mistake," She said, lowering her voice, "I will be friends with whomever I please, and you are not one of those people."
Addie had been taught to value very few things. She had been taught to value good hair days, a charming smile, and large vaults at Gringotts. She had been taught to value herself before others, her mother before anyone, and her pride before anything at all. Draco had wounded her pride, and there was no going back from wounding Addie White's pride.
She stormed angrily out of the classroom, Harry, Ron, and Hermione close behind.
"Oh I can't believe him!" Addie exclaimed as they walked to Divination. "How could he…what makes him think…arrrgh!"
"That's Draco Malfoy," Harry said. "That's why we hate him."
"Well I can assure you," Addie raged on, "there will be no more buddy-buddy stuff between us. To think you know a guy for fourteen years and then you see him in school and he's a totally different person."
"How did you know him anyway?" Ron asked. "I mean what with your mum being in the—well—you know."
"Well, she was in it at first, you see," Addie responded, "And I really know very little about it. My mother is a very private person, but I think it was actually sort of her job to hang around in those pure blood circles and figure out was going on. She was like a femme fatale of sorts, I suppose."
"That's so ironic, what with her going as Femme Fetale to the ministers Halloween party last year!" Ron exclaimed.
There was an awkward silence that followed, and Hermione snorted laughter into her hands.
"Well…I….err…read….Witch Weekly…saw article…" Ron stammered.
"It's okay," Addie laughed, "I know my mum's famous."
Addie attempted to remember the complex directions they were taking to get to the divination classroom, but it was no use. It took all her energy just to remember small details about the directions around Hogwarts, and as a result she had tuned out Harry, Ron, and Hermione entirely. When she finally gave up trying to remember her way she was just in time to hear Harry shouting.
"Will you two give it a rest? You're always at each others throats it's driving me insane!" He stormed off down the corridor.
Addie looked from Ron, to Hermione, then ran to catch up with Harry.
"Harry, hold on, what just happened?" She asked, putting her hand on his shoulder to slow him down.
"I just can't take their fighting anymore," He said. "You don't know them like I do they're always like this."
"Do you want to stop for a moment, or something?" Addie asked. She was not well-versed in how to help others, "I mean, you seem like you need a break."
"I guess you're right…" He muttered, "I just had…a really bad summer…"
"I heard about what happened," Addie said quietly, trying to be comforting. For the first time in her life, Addie experienced a desire to understand someone other than herself. It was a desire that was so foreign to her that she hardly knew how to act. She was thrust out of her comfort zone and into the bright-green scrutiny of Harry's eyes. He gave her a reproachful look.
"I'm not asking you to tell me any stories," She added hurriedly. "I just want you to know I understand. Well, actually I don't, but you can't let what happened in the past dictate your future, you know?" She was shocked at herself for expressing such compassion; it was not traditionally in her nature to do so.
Harry stared at her. His eyes traveled from the top of her head down to her shoes, but he was not, as most boys were, admiring her appearance. Addie realized that Harry was trying to get a sense of her. He was trying to decide whether or not he could trust her, and in that moment Addie became determined to prove that he could.
There was an awkward silence and then, "We're here…."
"What?" She asked; looking around. "Where's the door."
"Up here," He said pulling down a ladder from the ceiling. "Ladies first."
Harry stepped aside and let Addie climb the ladder into the strangest classroom she had ever seen. The smell of incense was overwhelming, and the heat smacked her in the face the moment she entered. Instead of desks the classroom was decorated with large poufs, and the only light came from softly flickering candles.
"Welcome to the most useless class you'll ever attend," Harry whispered, sitting in the pouf next to Addie's.
Addie and Harry maintained small talk until more students began shuffling into the classroom and sitting in the surrounding poufs. Finally, Ron appeared in the doorway.
"We stopped fighting," He said.
"Good," Harry murmured his eyes darting to the floor.
"But Hermione says it would be better if you stopped jumping down our throats at every moment," said Ron.
The classroom went silent as a tall, thin woman entered. Addie was taken aback by her appearance. Her hair and glasses were askew and her old robes hung off her body and dragged on the floor as she watched. Addie was shocked that there was a woman who held her appearance in such little regard. She spoke in a dreamy, far off voice, "Good afternoon, children."
"As most of you know, I am Professor Trelawney, and I of course know who all of you are," She said.
Why did I take this class? Addie thought.
The classroom split into groups for dream interpretation, and Addie soon realized that, once again, Ron's analysis of the class had not been far from the truth.
"Well you were right, Potter," Addie said as she jumped off the ladder from the Divination room, "That was the most useless class I have ever attended."
They laughed and met up with Hermione to make their way down to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
"S—So A—Addie," Ron stammered, "D—Do you fancy anyone? Here at Hogwarts I mean," Ron's attempts at casual glances over at Addie revealed his intentions quickly, and Addie could almost feel her self-confidence rising. She couldn't help but notice, though, that Harry was staring at her as well.
"I don't know," She replied coquettishly, "I don't know anyone well enough yet."
Ron looked slightly hurt.
"But I guess it's the people who I hang out with most who have the best chance," She shot him a small smile and a suggestive wink. Harry let out an involuntary cough and Hermione shot daggers at Addie from a few paces behind. Ron, however, put his hand up against the wall for balance as he recovered from the shock.
"Oh…" He said, his ears reddening, "That's good."
Addie smiled and allowed her hips to swing suggestively as they walked. She could feel the back of her skirt swishing along with her hips, and squared her shoulders to fully extend her body. Addie knew how to keep a boy's attention.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts…" She said staring at the classroom door. "Shouldn't be too bad right?"
"I dunno…." Harry said thoughtfully, "This new teacher, Professor Umbridge, seems a bit shady to me."
"Who is she?" Addie asked.
"Some woman that works for the Ministry," Said Ron. "She was at Harry's hearing."
"Whoa!" Addie exclaimed. "A hearing? What for?"
"Underage magic…"Harry muttered. His tone of voice kept her from questioning further.
"Well," Hermione sighed, "We'd better go in."
This classroom was even more revolting than the last. Not because of lights, smells, or decor, but because of the horrifying woman sitting at the front desk. She was wearing an unforgivably hideous pink sweater, which matched her equally hideous smile.
"Good Afternoon class!" Professor Umbridge said.
The response was few scattered mutters around the classroom. She looked around, squishing up her face in disapproval, making her resemblance to a toad even more noticeable.
"When I say Good Afternoon," She instructed, "You will reply, good afternoon."
She stretched her fat face into a smile, "Let's try again. Good afternoon class!"
"Good afternoon Professor Umbridge," They replied dully.
She tapped the blackboard and the words "Defense Against the Dark Arts A Return to Basic Principles" appeared.
Addie fell into day dreams almost immediately. She pulled out a small piece of paper and began a cartoon of Professor Umbridge which she intended to give to Harry. She had almost finished enchanting it under the desk when she hear Hermione's voice.
"Excuse me Professor, but there is nothing in the course aims about using defensive spells."
Addie looked up at the board, the original words were gone, and the "course aims" were now showing. Hermione was right, it didn't say anything about using defensive spells. Addie looked around the classroom, everyone's books were opened to chapter one.
She quickly opened up my book to some page in the middle of the chapter, and pretended like she had been reading all along.
"Using defensive spells?" Umbrige asked in a sickeningly sweet voice. "Why would you ever have to use defensive spells in my classroom?"
"We're not going to be using spells?" Ron exclaimed from the back of the room.
This argument continued, but Addie grew tired and continued her drawing, then she heard Harry from the back of the room, and she was compelled to listen.
"What do you mean we'll learn defense in 'a risk free way'?" Harry said loudly. "If we get attacked it won't be in a risk free way!"
Anarchy broke out in the classroom. Students hardly bothered to raise their hands before they shouted their opinions about the course aims. Addie, who hated being on the outside, decided to involve herself immediately.
"Aren't we going to have to perform spells on our O.W.L?" She asked. "Because if you expect me to walk into the O.W.L room without ever practicing the spells, you're out of your mind."
"And who are you?" Umbridge asked.
"Addie White," She replied proudly.
"Well miss White. The ministry believes if you have studied magical theory enough, the magic should just come naturally."
"That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. If a knowledge of magical theory could make you perform magic they wouldn't have squibs now, would we?" Addie scoffed.
"I think I'll be taking ten points from Gryffindor for that," She said, smile still intact.
"Eh do what you please," Addie once again attempted to tune out the commotion and focus on her artwork, but then she heard something that stopped her quill in mid-stroke, "Lord Voldemort."
"That will be ten points from your house, Mr. Potter"
The classroom had suddenly become eerily silent. Addie slipped her drawing into her desk.
"You all have been told that a certain, Dark wizard has returned. This is not true."
Addie turned to look at Harry, whose temper was rising visibly in his neck and face.
"It IS true!" Harry exclaimed, "I fought him!"
"Detention Potter!" Umbridge said sharply.
Addie sat up taller in her chair, aware that what was going on was far more than an argument between teacher and student. This was an argument between a backward ministry and a rebellion. This was what her mother was fighting for, this was what Harry's parents had died for, this was what Dumbledore endured abuse for, this was war.
"So you think Cedric Diggory just dropped dead for nothing, huh?" Harry asked. She could hear his voice quavering.
The mood tensed. Addie knew very little about what had happened at Hogwarts the year before, and she had no idea who Cedric Diggory was prior to Harry's speech, but judging by the mood in the room Cedric Diggory was the boy who had died the year before, and nobody had heard his name for a long time.
"His death," Umbridge said with fake sadness, "was a tragic accident."
"He was murdered by Lord Voldemort," Harry said. He was shaking. His vibrant green eyes were glowing, and he had a strange look on his face. Beyond anger, beyond rage, beyond any emotion Addie had ever experienced.
"Come here sweetheart," Umbridge said, pulling out a small roll of parchment, "Take this to Professor McGonagall."
He turned on his heels and stormed out of the room. Everyone looked shocked. Their mouths were hanging open, and they couldn't believe what they had just heard, but Addie, unlike the rest of them, was intrigued.