Most Unusual
Just A Penniless Writer
Disclaimer: Not mine. Neither of them.
Author's Rant: I'll admit it. I've been influenced. A great deal. By anime. In fact, I was into anime long before Harry Potter. As for my influences, I drew upon the wonderful animes of Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi and the great, the crazy FLCL when dealing with the characterization for Tony.
Jareth and Sarah will play moderate roles, just not quite yet. Patience, grasshopper.
As I previously warned, this is a highly experimental story for me, on several grounds. My having an OC will no doubt diminish the following for this story. In fact, I fully expect there not to be any. But should you choose to stay and read, I do appreciate it.
I'm rambling...and I'm tired. In that good way, but still...
Enjoy if you can.
Edited: 10.27.05 -- Canon accuracy, grammar, and assorted idiocy
Third Chapter: Troublesome People
Two weeks into the school year, several records had already been broken. Most of them were in some way connected to one Antonius Williams.
"I'm only saying, Albus, that it is mighty suspicious," Minerva spoke to him under her breath at dinner one night. "He's accumulated more points in two weeks than Miss Granger. I had thought that impossible."
"The staff was warned such a thing might occur. I see no reason to be worried over his progress."
"There is something off about that boy that you are keeping from us."
"If you wish to know more about him, why not speak with him?"
"I would but I am wary of looking at him."
Professor McGonagall would later swear that the Headmaster's eyes twinkled even brighter.
"And why would that be?"
"I overheard Miss Granger warning Misters Potter and Weasley about his eyes."
"Ah, so my assumptions were correct."
"Albus…"
"It is nothing, Minerva. You will notice that Mr. Williams is amiable with most everyone…with the exception of Miss Granger and her friends as well as Mr. Malfoy and his companions. While I understood Mr. Malfoy's reasons, I was curious as to Miss Granger's friends. I wasn't certain if she would note the pattern before she fell victim to it, but I can see that she is indeed the brightest witch of her age."
"So she was correct in saying his eyes give everyone an inclination toward friendliness?"
"Yes, she was most correct, though there are some other accompaniments she may be unaware of."
"Your warning is finally becoming clear. You knew the other professors would likely fall prey to his…ability."
"He has been sworn not to make conscious use of his power without just cause. Any favor given to him is through natural means. He is quite the charming child."
Professor McGonagall could merely draw her lips into a harsh line as she turned over this new information. As it had been some time since the last time she had researched, she knew she would have to take Miss Granger's example and search the library for more information. After all, it was best to be prepared.
Hermione Granger was not amused.
She had mentioned offhand in a General Meeting that flying classes that extended beyond the first year would be nice. As she had never quite grown accustomed to broom flight, she would find it quite beneficial and knew a few others who would be grateful for the extra help. Madam Hooch had been positively radiant at the idea. As it had turned out, the Flying Instructor and Quidditch coach had been vying for years to add Remedial and Advanced Flight to the curriculum. Hermione's words had only strengthened her position.
However, there simply wasn't the time to have several new classes added so, in an effort to compromise, it was determined that Flying would be extended into a double period with first years only for the first half while older students would be welcomed to join for the second. As it had been Hermione's comment that brought the change into being, she was required to participate and help Madam Hooch with organization.
It wasn't that she did not appreciate that her words had been taken seriously or even that she did not have the time to do such that made her sigh with frustration. It was simply that she was now scheduled to be helping with one of the few subjects she wasn't the best in. In fact, her flying skills were downright laughable. A week of private practice with Madam Hooch left her capable but it still wasn't pretty.
So it was that she arrived at the end of the first half of Broom Flight with determined though weary shoulders. The sight that greeted her was one that would be sketched into her mind forever.
Tony Williams, the latest Boy Wonder and the Slytherin whom had beaten her records of 'Most Points Awarded' in the Day, Week, and Two Week categories, was hanging onto his borrowed broom for dear life… from a height of a mereten feet off the ground. Realization hit her like the Knight Bus.
Slytherin's new Prince was afraid of heights.
She wanted to laugh. It was rude and mean and downright nasty. Had Ron or Harry been there, she would have reprimanded them for laughing. And she still wanted to laugh.
But, seriously, the child was torture. He had half the school wrapped around his little finger. It was so bad, Hermione was sure she'd never seen Professor Snape looking so positively enthused, not that she could blame him had she been in the same position. Tony Williams made being a Slytherin acceptable again.
Still, as much as it bothered her that he had an unfair advantage over the rest, as much as she wanted to laugh at his misfortune, she simply could not. Instead, after a slight hesitation, she approached, pulling her wand out as she did.
However, she never got the chance to cast any spells as the school broom, sensing the lacking confidence in its rider, chose that moment to buck, sending the young Slytherin downward and straight onto Hermione.
As accustomed as she was to scrapes and trouble from her experiences with Harry and during the War, it still hurt to have an eleven year old boy land on her.
And, as luck would have it, that happened to be the very instant that Malfoy was walking by, for whatever reason, and spotted the pile that was Tony and Hermione.
"Granger, really, are you truly so desperate?"
She wanted to hit him, really she did. Or maybe provoke him enough so he would admit his true allies in the war. Anything to make Draco Malfoy go away and leave her last year at Hogwarts in peace.
But something stopped her, kept her from hauling herself up and doing what her sense of justice ached to do. There was a boy on top of her and he was undoubtedly crying. His sobs were quiet, a step past sniffling, and, as he rolled to the side, he was cradling his left arm. Her Head Girl attitude kicked in immediately and she moved to where she could examine his injury even as she called out for someone to fetch help.
"Are you hurt?"
"My…my arm…"
Sure enough, despite the shortness of the fall, he had landed so perfectly that his arm had indeed broken. Grabbing her wand from where it had fallen, she performed a few small charms to lessen the pain until he got to Madam Pomfrey.
"Come now, let's get you to the nurse," she said in soothing tones as she helped him up and began leading him back towards the castle.
"Can she fix it?" he sniffled.
"Of course she can. She can fix most anything. She'll have you better in no time."
"But…it hurts…"
Perhaps she was only jaded, but she didn't think she had heard anyone so pitiful since Draco Malfoy was (justly) attacked by the hippogriff. Of course, at least this was a real injury and Tony didn't seem to be pretending to be in more pain than he was. Rather, it seemed as if the boy had no experience with physical pain.
"Oh, it's not so bad, really. Just a scrape on the knee compared to what happens during Quidditch games."
"I don't scrape my knees."
"Sure you have."
"No, I haven't," he insisted.
"Stubbed your toe then? Tripped? Hit a door? Smashed your funny bone?"
"No, never."
"How could a boy your age go without injuring himself?" she asked with a bit of exasperation.
A knowing grin slowly, seamlessly replaced the pained look on his face.
"At home, no one would dare let me be hurt. Dad would never allow it."
She had nothing to say to that. On one hand, it sounded so pretentiously Slytherin, it was just about right. On the other, there was most definitely something off with the statement.
As she was gathering her thoughts for a reply, she arrived at the Hospital Wing just in time for one of the students that regularly came to her Study Sessions to run into her.
"Hermione! I was looking for you before that curse hit me…I have Quidditch trials and can't make the regular time. Do you have time to go over the Potions readings with me earlier today?" the younger Hufflepuff asked with wide pleading eyes.
"We can go over my schedule once I get him settled," she answered as she led Tony to the bed Madam Pomfrey directed her towards. As the nurse performed the necessary spells to reconnect the bones, he turned curious eyes toward his 'savior'.
"Do you have Study Sessions for every year?"
She was hard pressed to avoid meeting his mismatched gaze and only nodded.
"I did not know."
"That's probably due to your house. I'm afraid I could never get Slytherin to participate. The flyers I post in all the common rooms always seem to disappear before the first day ends. Of course, anyone is welcome. I help first years on Tuesdays and Thursdays atfour in the afternoon if you are interested."
He merely smiled with all the charm he could muster. She still averted her eyes.
Turning, Hermione bid him good luck, Madam Pomfrey good day, and proceeded out of the wing, trailed by the anxious Hufflepuff.
Told his healing was completed and that he should rest before dinner, Tony lay on the little bed and thought of the seventh year Gryffindor. What a difficult one she was by refusing to allow him his advantage! It seemed if he was to continue with his plan of befriending the school, in preparation for his political future, he would have to find another means of persuasion.
The study group showed possibilities. In fact, the study group was an excellent idea!
As he deemed that problem solved, he turned his attention to those two subjects that so frequently fill the minds of young boys: dinner and homework.