Chapter 9: A Howler and Rumors
Denise woke up, the same time as she always did in the summer…early. There was no way for her to get back to sleep, seeing as she was so accustomed to getting up so early. She got up quietly, putting on some comfortable clothes she could run in. Yeah, she was weird enough to continue running without being told to do so. She made it out of the room, putting her hair up into a ponytail as she went down the stairs. Armoroq followed out, complaining about the loud snores the girls emitted.
By the time she crossed the room, it was clear she wasn't alone. A cough announced the presence of one who was tucked away on one of the chairs, Denise froze. Slowly, she turned to look, seeing Harry. "I…um…hello." She said to him awkwardly.
"Hi." He merely said. Locked in silence, the minutes seemed to lengthen.
"I was just…heading out for a run. I've…well, it's been a habit all summer." Why was she stuttering? Because I really hope it's not against the rules to leave the common room so early… she told herself.
"Run? Like exercising sort of run?" he questioned.
"Er, is there any other kind?" she smiled. Her smile faded when she remembered what Draco had told her. He said to avoid the golden trio, but Harry didn't seem all that bad.
But he said something that she definitely didn't expect. "Running from something you fear." There was another long silence, and Harry was staring at the rug, as if interested in the unique patterns.
"That's…true." She had remembered her fears about being an orphan forever, and that no one would accept her. She was always a loner, besides Matt, but she always wished for more friends.
He looked at her, "How long will you run?"
"I don't really know. I was hoping once or twice around the castle."
He gaped at her, "That's a big distance to run the whole way. Sure you can manage it?" Denise wondered what was with the questions, or why he should be concerned.
"I've gotten used to running five times around a mansion; will that be able to manage it?" Her voice grew just a tad stiff with annoyance. Armoroq was bored listening to them, so he sat near the entrance.
"Er, right, that seems….wow." She guessed he wasn't the type to keep in shape as detailed as she did. Draco mentioned something about him playing quidditch, so that should probably be a fair amount of exercise. She knew from experience. He was wearing a T-shirt, and the muscles in his arms looked good enough. WAIT! Why am I looking at his muscles! She hurriedly looked away, a little too fast though.
"Hey, um, are you okay?" he asked, making her jump.
"F-Fine! I'm gonna go now. See you!" with that she took off, not bothering to hear his response. Armoroq made it out just in time before the portrait swung closed.
It took her a while, but she finally made it out onto the grounds, doing her best to remember the way back. She began to run. She went along the wall the surrounded the grounds, along the edge of the forest, though still far enough away, and along the lake. The whole way she was lost in thought.
Why was I staring at him like that? Well….it was kind of hard not to. What am I saying! I don't like him, nor will I ever like him! The last time I had a boyfriend, it all turned out in despair. But what is it about him that makes me want to stare in amazement? It took her forever to change the topic in her mind. Armoroq was listening patiently as he ran with her. He did not interrupt at all.
Armoroq, why do you think that everyone seemed to turn against me when I was placed in Gryffindor? She asked, finally addressing him.
You really should keep your ears open pup. Pup had been a nickname for her on occasional moments, but it seemed he had been using it more often. It's obvious that everyone suspected you to be Slytherin because they think you're blood-related to the Malfoys. They also suspect that you have a nasty attitude, so thus didn't like your placement in Gryffindor. Armoroq was in his full form as he ran, basically because it could last longer than a puppy's body.
These people are too judgmental. She remarked. They headed back up to the castle, going back to the common room. She got lost once, but Armoroq followed the faint scent they left on the way down. It was then with Armoroq commented the castle smelt funny, making Denise laugh. A few people stared as she went by, either in anger or fear. Denise put it to the back of her mind.
They headed up to the dorm, where Denise got changed in some casual black jeans with a white short-sleeve, which had lines on it like a tiger pattern. She combed out her hair, leaving it down. After that she headed down for breakfast, though Armoroq was still full from all the food she snuck him at the welcome feast. He just followed, not wanting to be alone.
People stared again, and it was really beginning to bug her. What was their problem anyway? Whispers echoed around her, and she caught things like, "Malfoy," "fights a lot" "scar…" and occasionally "really pretty". (Which she only heard from guys) She doubted she was the one being called pretty. It must've been some other girl…right?
She had finally made it to the Great Hall, sitting at the Gryffindor table. She purposely put her back to the other houses, wanting to just ignore all the stares that were sure to come. The scent of scrambled eggs, bacon, and a fresh biscuit filled her nose, followed by a pleasing smell of White Chocolate Mocha. It was just what tempted her currently. She finished off her mocha, but could only down half of her plate. By now more people were waking up and coming in.
Soon enough, Neville came up. "Hiya Denise." He sounded a little down.
"Hey!" she replied. She waited until he was done eating to speak again. "Erm, is something wrong? You sound a little sad." she asked.
"Well, I always forget to pack something…and when Gran sends it, she might send me a howler."
"A howler? What's that?" she asked. It didn't sound good. Just then, hundreds of birds swooped in, delivering parcels and letters everywhere. An owl stopped by her, dropping a blood red envelope on her lap.
"That's a howler!" he squeaked, a little louder than he should have. People turned, watching her. "Quick, you have to open it right away, or the results aren't pretty."
"Oh come on! It's a letter!" She snatched it up and began to open it. It flew into the air in front of her, folding itself into a mouth.
"WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED!" Shrieked her mother's voice. "DRACO OWLED US AND SAID YOU WERE IN GRYFFINDOR! IF THIS TRUE THEN YOU HAVE DISGRACED THE NAME OF MALFOY! I DEMAND TO HAVE YOU PUT IN SLYTHERIN! THIS CANNOT BE! YOU HAVE TAINTED OUR NAME!" It went on like that for another few minutes before ripping itself to shreds.
A moment of silence, then Denise did something that surprised them all. She laughed. And she continued laughing for a few minutes as everyone wondered if she had gone insane. Her laughter was slowing, and she pulled out a piece of parchment, some ink, and a quill.
"Dear loving mother," Denise said loud enough for all to hear. "You may demand to have me in Slytherin, but I demand to stay in Gryffindor!" Some people gasped, others just stared. "I don't give a damn on what you think, or what anyone else thinks. I trust in the sorting hat's decision, and I'll stick to that, thank you very much! Signed, your dearest daughter!" She was still chuckling as she folded it up and gave it to the bird, telling him to deliver that to Narcissa Malfoy.
Some people laughed, others stared in shock, or in annoyance, but a couple people whooped for her. Denise caught Dumbledore's twinkling eyes as she stood. At which she and Armoroq left, Neville grabbing his parcels and following. "Wow Denise! That was amazing, standing up to your mother like that. Maybe a bit foolish, but amazing. I can see why you're in Gryffindor."
"Why thank you Neville. I" she was cut off as someone tackled her into a hug from behind. She was so caught off guard that she flipped the random attacker, sending him/her to the ground. She stared at Matt. "Oh my gosh! I am so sorry! But you just startled me so much!" She helped him up, dusting him off a bit.
"That's all right. I know how to fall." He was referring to the special way of falling in martial arts. You'd always have to slap the floor with your forearm to help absorb the shock of the fall. Yeah, it kind of hurts your arm on the harder falls, but the worst you'll get is a bruise…usually.
She hugged him, "It's so great to see you again! I still can't believe you're a wizard!"
"And I can't believe you're a witch!"
"Oh! Matt, this is my friend Neville. Neville, this is Matt." She introduced.
"I remember you, from on the train." He patted his shoulder.
"Er, yeah. I'm guessing this was the girl you were talking about right?" Neville asked, gesturing Denise.
At his nod Denise gave Matt a sly look. "And what exactly were you saying about me?" she tried not to laugh a bit. She never knew what he would've said though, for Luna had just come over.
"Hello." She said in a sort of dreaming tone of voice.
"Hi Luna! Hey, this is Matt, Matt, this is Luna. She's in fifth year but she's cool." They talked about many different subjects as Luna and Neville showed them around the castle. When they made it to the Owlry, Denise was somewhat shocked to find Spirit there. "Aw Spirit! How are ya?" She asked, holding out her arm for her to land on.
I've been better, the owls are a little full of themselves, but most of them are pretty nice. Spirit nibbled her ear affectionately. And how have you been?
Denise gave a short, mental explanation of what's been going on, getting sympathy from the hawk.
Don't you worry one bit, things will lighten up. Denise felt a bit better, but had to leave before anyone suspected anything. They parted, and Denise continued along with her friends.
Friends…Denise sighed, just happy to have made a few, and seeing an old one.
They had been walking along when a Slytherin boy came up to them, addressing Denise. "So, rumor is you start fights."
Denise looked skeptically at him, "And you think this rumor is true because?" She remembered last night when Lavender and Pavarti pretty much accused her of always starting fights, so she was sure it was them that made up the rumor.
"Well, everyone heard what you did to that 7th year Gryffindor." He shook his head.
"I didn't do anything to him!" she protested.
"The whole school knows, give it up." He hissed. She wanted nothing more than to hit him right then and there, but she knew she couldn't. If she had any chance of getting a good rep around here, it would mean putting up with this. To punch him would only confirm what people thought about her.
Matt was about to say something, but Denise held up her hand to stop him. "Who are you to accuse me of such things?" she asked calmly, but threateningly.
"So sorry!" he remarked sarcastically. "The name's MacDougal. Morag MacDougal."
"Well, cheap James Bond imitation, I don't start fights. But if you ever start one with me, I sure as hell can finish it." As she said this, she walked forward towards him, smirking devilishly as sparks seemed to emit from their glares.
He smirked back. "Is that a threat?"
"Just for you." She replied. Denise walked off, her friends following and throwing glares at the Slytherin. Euan came up to them, "I saw the whole thing. It's people like him that show why you're not in Slytherin." Everyone agreed as they headed down for lunch.
Many people jeered at her, mocking her, and wanting to see if she'd start a fight. She took it all though, even replying kindly in some cases. Sure, her blood boiled each time, but she knew it would take a lot more than pointless taunting to provoke her. She spent her day with her friends, learning her way around. It took them forever to get her out of the library.
She didn't have much for dinner; she had a headache from all the pests that tried to get her to fight. Eventually, she just went up to her dorm and strummed random melodies on her guitar, including the Scooby-doo theme. Night approached fast, and soon enough, she was under her covers, imagining how tomorrow, the first day of classes, might be like.
A/N: Whee! Authors note! I am very pleased to announce I have 7 reviews! And each review has made me a happy person. If I plan things out just right, I should have one of the most dramatic scenes up in about, hmmmmmmm…...3 more chapters! After that, well, I'm getting a few ideas on what to do, wondering how to top it! winks but still, you shall all have to wait, but even so, the next chapter shouldn't be so bad. I think I'll title it, "The Potions Master" and it's about the whole first day! OOOoooOOOooohhh! What'cha gonna do now! OMG! Who was the boyfriend that she said she used to have! and what exactly happened between them! Nervous? Excited! Bored? ((If you're bored, then why the heck are you here?)) lol, Just kiddin'. Today was the last day of our Thanksgiving holiday, so tomorrow, in class, I'll jot down ideas of what to put in the next few chapters while the teachers aren't looking! looks around cautiously ((But you didn't hear it from me!)) Hehe, whatever, see ya! leaves before anyone who cares what'll happen hurts her for leaving them at a ponderful spot ((is ponderful even a word! .o0 ))