Authors's Note: Thanks to those who've been reading, and I hope you enjoy Chapter 4!
DISCLAIMER: All normal Harry Potter stuff belongs to JK Rowling. The new stuff you see belongs to me. I'd offer to trade with her, but somehow, I don't think she'd go for that.
Chapter 4
The next morning came all too soon. A narrow strip of sunlight peeked through the crack of the bed canopy, falling directly on my face. I groaned and tried to roll over, but Harry was lying on my arm, and I couldn't really move without waking him up. Slowly, I tried to pull my arm from underneath him, when he stirred.
"No, don't go…" Harry mumbled with his eyes still closed. "It's still early…" He rolled over and tried to grab for me but smacked me in the head instead.
"Ow! That hurt!" I cried, rubbing my nose. "So that's the way you want to play, is it?" I rolled on top of Harry and began to tickle his ribs. It's one of his weaknesses, and incredibly funny to think that a guy who's faced danger so many times would squeal like a little girl when tickled.
"Ah S,S,STOP! AHHHHH!" Harry wailed. He tried to get away, but it was no use. I decided to give him a break and let up. Harry smacked me playfully as he tried to catch his breath. I smiled at him, about to say something, when we heard a snicker from outside the bed curtains.
"You boys all right in there?" An Irish accent called out. "We can leave the room if you want some privacy…"
"Shut it, Finnegan!" Harry and I both shouted at the same time, which only made us laugh more.
"Aw how cute," Seamus replied, "They're officially sharing a brain!" The other boys in the room laughed. I smiled at Harry, who was blushing.
"Alright Finnigan," I called, "You better watch it when we come out…"
"You're way past coming out, mate," another voice said. Again, the boys laughed.
"Ronald Weasley!" Harry cried with mock pain. "Whose side are you on?"
"Aw come on guys, let's get downstairs" Neville's voice broke through the noise outside. He seemed really eager to get going. I had a feeling it had something to do with Abigail, but I kept my opinions to myself.
"Eh, Longbottom's right," Ron agreed. "First day of classes, and we need to be prepared for the torture to come. That and I'm starving!" There was a cheer from the boys, and a loud shuffle of movement as they made their way out the door and down the dormitory steps.
"Well, I suppose we should get going. Can't lie about all day, can we?"
"I suppose not," Harry replied, "But especially not you, because I can't breathe!" I gasped, realizing that I was still sprawled across him. I quickly rolled away and threw back the bed curtains. Harry did the same thing on his side of the bed. He moaned as he stood up. "Ade, I think you broke something." He said in a mock whiny voice.
"Oh my poor delicate flower," I drawled, acting all sad, "We better be careful so you don't get all bruised…"
"Adrian, I'm not a fruit!"
I stifled a laugh. Harry walked right into that one. "Well then what, daresay, have we been dong for almost two years?
"You KNOW what I meant, you smart ass Yank!"
"Aw, but you love me!"
Harry sighed, "I suppose I do,"
"And I suppose I love you too!" I laughed, humming a song while I pulled out some clothes from a small dresser next to my bed. Harry made me so happy. I knew that other people probably thought we were incredibly sappy, but life was just so wonderful when I was with him.
I gathered up a fresh uniform, and headed to the lavatory that was connected to the dorm room. To the right was a room with sinks and mirrors and toilet stalls. On the left were the shower stalls. I got cleaned up quick, and then headed over to a mirror to make sure I looked all nice for my first day of classes. I straightened my tie and checked to see that my uniform was properly pressed and tucked. Then I pulled out my wand, and pointed it at my head. Muttering a few words, I waved my wand and was delighted to find that my hair had done exactly what I wanted it to. I studied my reflection, not entirely satisfied with how I looked. "Oh!" I cried out, and waved my wand one more time. My normally dark brown hair instantly lightened in spots, giving me awesome highlights.
"It must have killed you not being able to use magic all summer." Harry said, coming up behind me. His hair was all wet from the shower. "How on earth were you able to survive?"
"You're just upset, because no amount of magic will ever tame your hair!" I grumbled. It was true. I tried to do something about it once, but no matter what spell I tried, Harry's hair always went back to being unruly. Though honestly, it was part of his charm.
"Well, do you suppose we can go down to breakfast?" Harry asked, fighting with his tie.
"Here let me," I said, moving over to fix his tie. Harry was definitely one of those 'Leave the knot tied up' people when it came to his neckties. Lucky for him, I was always there to make the initial loop. "There!" I said with a smile, "You're perfect, let's get going!"
Harry chased me down the dormitory stairs into the common room. I was surprised to find someone sitting all alone on the couch, "Neville, didn't you go down to breakfast with the other guys?" I asked.
"No, I decided to, um, stay behind and wait…" he coughed, looking a little timid.
"Who are you waiting for?" Harry asked, but before he could get an answer, there was a loud burst of giggles from the girl's staircase.
"So THEN, I dared him to lick the pole, and when his tongue stuck, he cried like a baby!" Abigail said to Hermione. "I've never seen a boy scream like that my entire- OH! Good morning Adrian, Harry! Hi there Neville!" She waved excitably to him.
"Just what were you telling Hermione?" I wondered.
"Oh nothing Adrian, just a silly moment from your past."
"We've been compiling!" Hermione said. "Between sharing your childhood with Abigail, and spending your holidays with me, we've racked up quite a list!" I groaned. Girls were so impossible sometimes.
"Well now we can all go down to eat together!" Neville said brightly. He practically skipped over to the portrait and opened it for us, allowing the group to exit before him.
"My my," Abigail remarked with a grin and fake Southern accent, "Chivalry may be dead in the States, but across the pond it is very much alive!" Neville responded with a meek smile and a bow, and fell into step right beside her.
"I see someone is back to spelling their hair…" Hermione noticed.
"Oh, what do you think?" I asked, "I was thinking of going red today, seeing as I know you like it so much…" I had to look away as the color drained from my cousin's face.
"ADRIAN MICHAELS!" Hermione squealed as she punched me in the arm. "You keep your mouth shut, or so help me I will hex you into next Tuesday!"
The entire group roared with laughter as we entered the Great Hall. There were quite a few students eating breakfast, which I found surprising considering that it was still a bit early. 'Everyone wants to make a good impression on the first day of class.' I thought to myself.
Ron waved from the Gryffindor table. He had left some room by him for all of us to sit. Breakfast was enjoyable as usual. While we where eating, Professor MaGonagall came around to hand out class schedules. We compared classes at the table, and it looked like I'd have a pretty good year. I was taking basics: Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Gryffindors, but would probably team up with Harry. This was always nice because I was really good at Potions while he was able to help me out with some of the more advanced dark arts spells. Together, we learned a lot, and excelled in both classes. We also had Divination with Ron. My friends hated the art, but I always thought when used properly, it could become a valuable skill. I was taking Ancient Runes by myself, as no one but Hermione would have even considered taking the class. She, however, was in Arithmancy, a class I despised for its dull lectures and complicated use of numbers.
"Well, I've got to be off to a quick Quidditch meeting," Harry said, putting a hand on my arm. "Looks like I'll see you in potions!" he gathered his things and took off to another part of the Great Hall. I was watching him go when I felt something fall into my lap. It was a dark green paper airplane with my name written on it. I unfolded the paper to find a note:
Michaels,
I just wanted to know if you got permission from Potter study Ancient Runes with me. Of course, you could always just meet with me anyway. What Potty doesn't know won't hurt him.
Malfoy
I stared at the shiny silver handwriting. 'Draco was serious about all this' I thought. I quickly looked around to see if any of my friends noticed what happened. Luckily, they were all too preoccupied with their breakfast and classes to pay any attention. I quickly searched through my book bag and found a quill to write a reply.
It's too early in the morning for your tongue, Draco. I'll see you in class; we can talk there if this is so important. I haven't asked Harry yet, but I promise I'll get to it.
A.
I carefully folded the paper back into an airplane, and looked to make sure no one at the table was paying attention. Pointing my wand at the paper, I whispered, "Wingardium Leviosa" causing the airplane to hover in the air. With a flick of my wand, the note went zooming across the Great Hall and landed on Draco's plate. I watched him open the note. He smirked as he read one part, and then met my gaze to show he understood. Stuffing the note in his bag, Draco left the hall followed by his lumbering henchmen.
"Hey Adrian!" Neville yelled. My attention snapped back to the group. "Are you ready to head to class? We don't want to give Snape any reasons to take house points away." I nodded, still in a daze. "And guess what? Abigail said she'd be my partner. I think she's awfully brave, considering how bad I am at Potions."
"That's right!" Abigail said, putting an arm around Neville's shoulder. He looked like he was about to melt. "I'm gonna turn Nevvie here into a cauldron god!" Neville looked completely smitten. He suddenly came back to reality, whirled Abigail around and planted a kiss right on her lips. It lasted for a few seconds, before both broke apart short of breath.
"All right Neville!" Seamus roared. The others clapped enthusiastically. Abigail was speechless for probably the first time in her life. I noticed she was wearing an expression on her face that almost matched the one Neville had.
"Oh! How romantic is that?" Hermione whispered to me, "They're such a good pair."
"They are pretty cute," I admitted, "Though, I'm just glad Neville didn't kiss me every time I offered to help with homework."
"Oh you!" Hermione smacked me with a book she was carrying. Then she burst into laughter.
"Speaking of good pairs, are you and Ron official yet?" I asked.
"Well…" Hermione started to blush, "I don't think I've got a name for that yet. I think we both know we like each other, but"
"But you're both to afraid to make the first move" I interrupted. Hermione sighed and shook her head. "Oh Hermione, you may be the smartest person I know, yet sometimes you're completely daft… but don't worry, we'll get that boy to say he likes you even if it kills him!" I put my arm around her shoulder as we made our way to the dungeons.
"I will have silence," Professor Snape announced as he entered the classrooms. I quickly scrambled to an empty chair. Other students did the same, and the room hushed almost instantly. Snape looked somewhat disappointed, as if our immediate obedience prevented him from taking away house points. "Now" he began, pacing the front of the room. "I trust that no one forgot over the summer the things I have taught you. I've wasted too much time trying to fill your feeble brains with knowledge for you to go and let it fall out of your heads. If you don't already have a partner, I suggest you find one immediately, as we will begin NOW."
Snape surveyed the room, daring anyone who didn't have a partner to make a movement. He reminded me of a cobra threatening to strike. No one moved. "Turn to page 475, and start brewing a Befuddlement Draught. The ingredients and theories were in your summer reading, and any half-wit should be able to accomplish this task." I heard Hermione squeak. Clearly, she knew exactly what she needed to do. I thought back to my summer reading…Potions was my favorite class, so I made sure to pay attention.
'Befudlement Draught' I thought, 'Is designed to cause confusion and disorientation in the drinker. The materials used are known for their ability to enflame the brain…' It was almost like the textbook page was inside my head.
"Harry, we're going to need sneezewort, scurvy-grass, and lovage." I said, handing him a slip of parchment listing the amounts we would need for each ingredient. "I'll start warming the cauldron and making the base.
"Oh I'm glad you remembered," Harry replied. "I didn't have a clue what to do…"
Making his way around the room, Snape commented on each group. He stopped at the table Harry and I were sharing. "Make sure you pay attention, Potter" the professor said with a sneer. "If you don't spend all your time staring at Michaels with stars in your eyes, there's a small possibility he just might be able to teach you something." And with a snap of his robes, Snape was off to harass another pair.
"Oi!" Ron whispered harshly to me. He and Hermione were at the table nearest us. "I may be wrong, but I think somewhere in that remark was a compliment." I laughed and glanced at Snape, who was doing all he could to make Neville uncomfortable.
"How very brave you are Miss Williams," he said, "Taking Longbottom on as a partner is not only a potential academic pitfall, but will most likely be a hazard to your health. Though don't worry, I've got the antidotes on hand, for it is almost certain a catastrophe will occur." Snape left them, leaving poor Neville red in the face. Abigail put her hand on his arm, and whispered something to him. I turned back to my table, and Harry and I got to work on our potion.
"Harry, there's something I need to talk to you about," I said, cutting the sneezewort into thin slices.
"What's that?" he asked, looking up from the cauldron. There was a hint of worry in his eyes. I lost myself his stare for a moment, and then steadied myself.
"Well" I began. My hands started to shake a little, so I put down the knife. I didn't need to cut myself on top of it all. "Harry…I've been approached to tutor a student in Ancient Runes, and I was wondering what you thought about it."
"Oh? Is that all?" Harry sprinkled some scurvy-grass into the cauldron. Pink steam rose from the liquid.
"Yes. That's all. I just wanted to let you know, because it could take up some of my free time." My heart was racing. I couldn't believe I was doing this!
"Well, I think it's great. You're really good in that class, it's really kind of you to help someone else."
"Alright. I just wanted to run it by you to see what you thought. I'll let them know I can tutor."
"So who's the person, by the way?"
"Oh," I swallowed. "A Hufflepuff fourth year. You wouldn't know him." Harry smiled, but I had to look away. It was the first time I had ever lied to him.