While walking towards the castle, Nigel felt carefree and at ease for the first time in years. obviously, he had felt happy before, but Nigel was starting to realize that he'd never felt truly safe while with Lilah, even when they were supposed to be happily going out, even when...yet somehow, after years of ignoring and neglecting them, spending a couple of hours with his fellow Hufflepuffs made Nigel feel completely relaxed.
Noticing that Cho had left them, Nigel wondered where she was intending to sit; after all she was really neither a teacher nor a student. Which reminded Nigel of Cho's odd behavior, when he asked her why she was at Hogwarts. The question seemed to discompose her, as if he had hit a nerve somewhere. Which led him to wonder what she was hiding and why. Then he was distracted by the entrance of the first years, who were just about to be sorted Nigel paid very close attention as Atley, Ball, and Brown were sorted, into Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor respectively. Soon however, his attention began to wander to the teacher's table, where Cho was sitting. Nigel gazed past the familiar faces till he found what he was looking for, an exquisite woman with thick dark hair and olive skin, whom Nigel had never seen before. She seemed intent upon talking to professor Snape, who looked rather embarrassed. 'I certainly hope she doesn't favor people like Snape of I'm doomed' Nigel thought to himself; because, this of course must be the new defense against the dark arts teacher. if she was taken in by Snape then she certainly was not qualified to tell anyone about resisting evil. With a feeling of foreboding, Nigel turned back to the sorting ceremony. Morningstar was sorted in to Slythrin and...
"Psssst! Nigel!"
He turned around to face a tall blonde with tan skin and blue eyes. "What Sally-Anne?" he whispered.
"Well like..."she began in a manner that betrayed her Californian origin, "Ron said that like..." Sally-Anne was obsessed with none other than Ron Weasley. unfortunately, Ron detested Sally-Anne more than just about anything, except perhaps spiders. "That over the summer..."
Nigel decided to try to ignore the fact tht everyone was staring at them because Sally-Anne had no appropriate sense of reserve and was talking during the sorting ceremony. Not that this was unusual, Sally-Anne's character, which had so alienated Ron, was exemplified by this sort of spectacle. During their 5th year, Sally-Anne was so appalled that the school had no cheerleading squad that she started one. She continually stalked Ron even when it became apparent that he was avoiding her. She insisted that Justin and Susan were in love with each other even after she started dating Justin and she continually was asking Nigel strip for her. She reminded Nigel of a windup toy or a bouncing ball. He was however quite used to Sally-Anne since they had been close friends during his earlier years at school. They said it was because they were both ousiders, a muggle and an American, but truly it was because Nigel was the only one who tolerated Sally-Anne.
Thankfully Sally-Anne was halted by the ending of the sorting ceremony and Dumbledore's beginning to speak.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts" Dumbledore began, "there are a few changes in the staff this year. First off, as he has a great deal of expertise in the area, Professor Snape has agreed to teach defense against the dark arts, which as you all know is prvoing to be a very important course and a difficult faculty position to fill."
Since Nigel's first year, they had not had the same defense against the dark arts teacher two years in a row. Snape certianally looked pleased with himself. that was to be expected however, since everyone knew that Snape had wanted that job for years, but until this year had been defeated.
"Since Professor Snape can obviously not teach both potions and defense against the dark arts, we are happy to have professor Charybdis with us this year to teach potions." Dumbledore indicated the woman Nigel ad had earlier thought to be the new defense against the dark arts teacher. She smiled at the hall and Nigel wondered whether having a new potions teacher was worth having Snape teach defense against the dark arts. "Also this year we will have miss Cho Chang here, studying to be a teacher, under the excellent tutelage of Professor McGonagall. Most of you know Miss Chang, as she graduated only last year and played for four years as the Ravenclaw seeker. She has also offered to supervise all quiddich practices. Which brings me to the next order of business. I regret to inform you that, due to recent events in the wizarding world, all students are to remain within the castle walls, unless supervised by a qualified adult. i know this is unpleasant, but it is vitally important for the safety of everyone in this trying time. Also, all classrooms in the west wing have been moved so as to make that wing available to anyone who is in need of it's sanctuary. Other that that, everything os normal."
The magical apparition of the food at Hogwarts never ceased to amaze Nigel. This was his seventh year at Hogwarts, but Nigel was still not used to a lot of things about living in a magical world.
"like Ron said like something about you like getting some shield thingie and like turning all glowy and like is it true?"
Nigel supposed that it would be too much to ask for Sally-Anne to leave that alone for more than a few minutes. So he dutifully replied, "Yes it is true" knowing that this answer would not be sufficient.
"So like, tell me about it"
"What do you want to know?"
"Like everything"
Nigel sighed and resolved to try his best to explain things. He notices that people where staring at him. So, not knowing what else to do, he began to explain about how the dark lord had attacked at Xenia and Sirius' renewal of their wedding vows and how he had pulled out the shield of Hufflepuff. He was flattered by the attention, though a little embarrassed.
"So does that make you the heir?" Susan asked.
"Well actually, anyone in the family can full out the shield" Nigel replied.
"Oh... well I had just heard that...you were...you know...the heir."
"Actually...I am, that just isn't what shows it." he added.
"He was starting to wish that everyone would just leave him alone. How could he tell them what had happened without sounding like he was bragging, and without explaining things that he was pretty sure no one was supposed to know about.
Then he heard, "Come one, leave poor Nigel alone. He has enough to deal with, without you all harassing him."
Nigel looked around fo the source of that heaven sent voice and found it was the angelic looking Hannah. He smiled at her gratefully.
After the feast, Nigel found himself walking nest to Hannah, "Thanks for earlier" he said.
"What do you mean? The train ofr at dinner? Cause I really hoped you didn't mind the second."
What about the train? Nigel wondered. "oh no. I really wanted them to stop. I mean as nice as it is to be paid attention to it felt like they were forcing me to be a braggart or something. I guess that sounds foolish."
"No...I mean they did have you backed into a corner."
Nigel smiled at Hannah and wondered how she seemed to know his thoughts. He felt so at ease with her, so at ease that he almost asked her about Cho when he felt a tap on his shoulder. he turned and found Lilah.
"You forgot this" she said seductively, giving him a big smile and handing him a package. Nigel felt extremely confused and turned to see Hannah walking off.
"Hannah! wait up!" Nigel called. She turned and waited for him but seemed extremely reserved after that. 'Darn Lilah! Why is it that everytime I'm enjoying myself dhe has to appear and ruin it?' He thought to himself. 'Hasn't she done enough damage?'
Nigel had not noticed that they had fallen behind; however, when he and Hannah reached the common room, it seemed that everyone was already there.
"Did you really?"
"Oh I just heard..."
"Was it terrifying?"
A swarm of girls surrounded Nigel and he felt about to drown. They were all reaching for him, talking at him, clining to him, gawking at him, and Nigel couldn't find anyway to excape from their clutches. Then, once again, he heard the same voice come to his rescue, "Leave Nigel alone! you're smpthering him! Really girls...you'd think you'd never seen him before!"
And the girls parted, and Nigel was left looking for Hannah, to thank her, but she was already up the stairs to the girl's dormitory. Nigel sighed. Was she suddenly avoiding him because she thought he really wanted to be the center of attention? he knew his excuses sounded weak but really he only didn't tell them off himself because he didn't want to hurt their feelings. For some reason, he had thought she had understood that, but now she seemed mad at him. Nigel turned around and headed to bed.
But he was not to escape so easily, when he reached the dormitory, Justin was waiting for him.
"Not now Justin. Just let me rest tonight!" Nigel pleaded.
"Certainly not. As your room mate i insist on knowing what transpired..." Nigel groaned, "Between you and Hannah"
Nigel felt a wave of relief rush over him. Trust Justin to know when to leave well enough alone, and to ask at all other times.
"Nothing" Nigel told Justin, "Nothing at all."
"Well I don't bloody believe that" Justin replied, "I see how you are together, and she asked Cho to invite you in today on the train"
"She asked Cho?"
"Yes, you idiot, didn't you know? Not that Cho seemed to mind. In fact I'd hazard a guess that you could have everything Cedrick had, if you know what I mean"
"Including an early death"
"Come off it, you understand me. But that wasn't what I was trying to say. Hannah would have invited you herself if she hadn't been too embarrassed".
"Embarrassed? Why?"
"well because she had just realized that things weren't over between you and Lilah, and she didn't want to seem to be flinging herself at you if that was the case....You know how Hannah is".
"She certainly seemed uncommonly assertive today when rescuing me twice from the mob today"
"You call that nothing?"
"well...um...so -How are things with Susan?"
"There is absolutely nothing between us as you well know. I mean I am going out with Sally-Anne"
Nigel laughed, "I know. I was just trying to have a little fun...or maybe I have just been hanging out with your girlfriend too much."
"Stop trying to distract me. If you don't want to talk about the summer, I'll respect that. but Nigel mate, we've got to be frank here".
"Fine. We were talking but then Lilah showed up and after that Hannah got all quiet and stated avoiding me...Wait a minute! what did you say about things not being over with Lilah?"
"Hannah said Lilah came up while she was talking to you before we got on the train and said some rubbish about a wedding, which made it clear that you and her weren't finished."
Nigle was extremely confused. After all, wouldn't he know if there was still something going on between him and Lilah, "Lilah was just being her Slytherin self, I guess. For some reason it seems that she can't stand to see me enjoying myself but must somehow manage to ruin it. I don't even remember what she said about, or at, the wedding. We broke up in March and there hasn't been anything between us since."
"Well she certainly convinced Hannah otherwise."
"What is what I don't get. Why would she bother doing that?"
"Nigel that's elementary. she can't Stand to see you fancy another girl. you do fancy Hannah don't you. Lilah sees you as her property, even if she really has no right to you, and she can't stand to see anyone else have you".
"Well I...Why?"
"So you admit you fancy her"
"What?"
"Hannah, you do fancy her."
"Well I..."
"Listen, I've been your roommate for six years now. You fancy Hannah. Don't worry, she obviously fancies you..."
"If she fancies me then why is she hiding from me?"
"I told you. She thinks you are still tangled up with Lilah. You said Lilah showed up right before Hannah got all quiet. What did she do?"
"Well se gave me a package...wait...where did i put it?" Nigel fumbled around for the package and discovered in was his formal robes from Xenia and Sirius' Wedding Vow Renewal. SHe supposed he must have forgotten them in all the commotion.
"Well those certainly look compromising" Justin commented. Nigel tried to explain but Justin pointed out how it must have looked to Hannah, "Listen to me mate. You've to to put an end to this. As long as you let her, Lilah will always get between you and other girls. You have to set limits."
"I broke up with her! What do you want me to do? Make here hate me? I doubt the would improve things"
"Calm down Nigel, I was just trying to help. It isn't really so bad. Cheer up, you seem to be becoming a second Cedrick."
"Great, I always wanted to die."
"No...I mean...You know perfectly well what I meant. Parvati and Padma came by right before you on the train and they were utterly preoccupied by giggling about how cute you were. i even saw some of the Slytherin girls looking."
"Great, something else I always wanted, another Slytherin girlfriend."
"Listen to me, I know this sarcasm is just your way of dealing with your embarrassment about being flattered. So just listen to what I have to day and then I'll shut up, for the moment. You can have whatever you want. All the girls like you; you're the Heir to Hufflepuff; you're head boy, and now you're going to be on the quiddich team. You're Cedrick, only the new and improved model. You can't just let Lilah spoil this because it boosts her self-esteem."
Noticing that Cho had left them, Nigel wondered where she was intending to sit; after all she was really neither a teacher nor a student. Which reminded Nigel of Cho's odd behavior, when he asked her why she was at Hogwarts. The question seemed to discompose her, as if he had hit a nerve somewhere. Which led him to wonder what she was hiding and why. Then he was distracted by the entrance of the first years, who were just about to be sorted Nigel paid very close attention as Atley, Ball, and Brown were sorted, into Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor respectively. Soon however, his attention began to wander to the teacher's table, where Cho was sitting. Nigel gazed past the familiar faces till he found what he was looking for, an exquisite woman with thick dark hair and olive skin, whom Nigel had never seen before. She seemed intent upon talking to professor Snape, who looked rather embarrassed. 'I certainly hope she doesn't favor people like Snape of I'm doomed' Nigel thought to himself; because, this of course must be the new defense against the dark arts teacher. if she was taken in by Snape then she certainly was not qualified to tell anyone about resisting evil. With a feeling of foreboding, Nigel turned back to the sorting ceremony. Morningstar was sorted in to Slythrin and...
"Psssst! Nigel!"
He turned around to face a tall blonde with tan skin and blue eyes. "What Sally-Anne?" he whispered.
"Well like..."she began in a manner that betrayed her Californian origin, "Ron said that like..." Sally-Anne was obsessed with none other than Ron Weasley. unfortunately, Ron detested Sally-Anne more than just about anything, except perhaps spiders. "That over the summer..."
Nigel decided to try to ignore the fact tht everyone was staring at them because Sally-Anne had no appropriate sense of reserve and was talking during the sorting ceremony. Not that this was unusual, Sally-Anne's character, which had so alienated Ron, was exemplified by this sort of spectacle. During their 5th year, Sally-Anne was so appalled that the school had no cheerleading squad that she started one. She continually stalked Ron even when it became apparent that he was avoiding her. She insisted that Justin and Susan were in love with each other even after she started dating Justin and she continually was asking Nigel strip for her. She reminded Nigel of a windup toy or a bouncing ball. He was however quite used to Sally-Anne since they had been close friends during his earlier years at school. They said it was because they were both ousiders, a muggle and an American, but truly it was because Nigel was the only one who tolerated Sally-Anne.
Thankfully Sally-Anne was halted by the ending of the sorting ceremony and Dumbledore's beginning to speak.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts" Dumbledore began, "there are a few changes in the staff this year. First off, as he has a great deal of expertise in the area, Professor Snape has agreed to teach defense against the dark arts, which as you all know is prvoing to be a very important course and a difficult faculty position to fill."
Since Nigel's first year, they had not had the same defense against the dark arts teacher two years in a row. Snape certianally looked pleased with himself. that was to be expected however, since everyone knew that Snape had wanted that job for years, but until this year had been defeated.
"Since Professor Snape can obviously not teach both potions and defense against the dark arts, we are happy to have professor Charybdis with us this year to teach potions." Dumbledore indicated the woman Nigel ad had earlier thought to be the new defense against the dark arts teacher. She smiled at the hall and Nigel wondered whether having a new potions teacher was worth having Snape teach defense against the dark arts. "Also this year we will have miss Cho Chang here, studying to be a teacher, under the excellent tutelage of Professor McGonagall. Most of you know Miss Chang, as she graduated only last year and played for four years as the Ravenclaw seeker. She has also offered to supervise all quiddich practices. Which brings me to the next order of business. I regret to inform you that, due to recent events in the wizarding world, all students are to remain within the castle walls, unless supervised by a qualified adult. i know this is unpleasant, but it is vitally important for the safety of everyone in this trying time. Also, all classrooms in the west wing have been moved so as to make that wing available to anyone who is in need of it's sanctuary. Other that that, everything os normal."
The magical apparition of the food at Hogwarts never ceased to amaze Nigel. This was his seventh year at Hogwarts, but Nigel was still not used to a lot of things about living in a magical world.
"like Ron said like something about you like getting some shield thingie and like turning all glowy and like is it true?"
Nigel supposed that it would be too much to ask for Sally-Anne to leave that alone for more than a few minutes. So he dutifully replied, "Yes it is true" knowing that this answer would not be sufficient.
"So like, tell me about it"
"What do you want to know?"
"Like everything"
Nigel sighed and resolved to try his best to explain things. He notices that people where staring at him. So, not knowing what else to do, he began to explain about how the dark lord had attacked at Xenia and Sirius' renewal of their wedding vows and how he had pulled out the shield of Hufflepuff. He was flattered by the attention, though a little embarrassed.
"So does that make you the heir?" Susan asked.
"Well actually, anyone in the family can full out the shield" Nigel replied.
"Oh... well I had just heard that...you were...you know...the heir."
"Actually...I am, that just isn't what shows it." he added.
"He was starting to wish that everyone would just leave him alone. How could he tell them what had happened without sounding like he was bragging, and without explaining things that he was pretty sure no one was supposed to know about.
Then he heard, "Come one, leave poor Nigel alone. He has enough to deal with, without you all harassing him."
Nigel looked around fo the source of that heaven sent voice and found it was the angelic looking Hannah. He smiled at her gratefully.
After the feast, Nigel found himself walking nest to Hannah, "Thanks for earlier" he said.
"What do you mean? The train ofr at dinner? Cause I really hoped you didn't mind the second."
What about the train? Nigel wondered. "oh no. I really wanted them to stop. I mean as nice as it is to be paid attention to it felt like they were forcing me to be a braggart or something. I guess that sounds foolish."
"No...I mean they did have you backed into a corner."
Nigel smiled at Hannah and wondered how she seemed to know his thoughts. He felt so at ease with her, so at ease that he almost asked her about Cho when he felt a tap on his shoulder. he turned and found Lilah.
"You forgot this" she said seductively, giving him a big smile and handing him a package. Nigel felt extremely confused and turned to see Hannah walking off.
"Hannah! wait up!" Nigel called. She turned and waited for him but seemed extremely reserved after that. 'Darn Lilah! Why is it that everytime I'm enjoying myself dhe has to appear and ruin it?' He thought to himself. 'Hasn't she done enough damage?'
Nigel had not noticed that they had fallen behind; however, when he and Hannah reached the common room, it seemed that everyone was already there.
"Did you really?"
"Oh I just heard..."
"Was it terrifying?"
A swarm of girls surrounded Nigel and he felt about to drown. They were all reaching for him, talking at him, clining to him, gawking at him, and Nigel couldn't find anyway to excape from their clutches. Then, once again, he heard the same voice come to his rescue, "Leave Nigel alone! you're smpthering him! Really girls...you'd think you'd never seen him before!"
And the girls parted, and Nigel was left looking for Hannah, to thank her, but she was already up the stairs to the girl's dormitory. Nigel sighed. Was she suddenly avoiding him because she thought he really wanted to be the center of attention? he knew his excuses sounded weak but really he only didn't tell them off himself because he didn't want to hurt their feelings. For some reason, he had thought she had understood that, but now she seemed mad at him. Nigel turned around and headed to bed.
But he was not to escape so easily, when he reached the dormitory, Justin was waiting for him.
"Not now Justin. Just let me rest tonight!" Nigel pleaded.
"Certainly not. As your room mate i insist on knowing what transpired..." Nigel groaned, "Between you and Hannah"
Nigel felt a wave of relief rush over him. Trust Justin to know when to leave well enough alone, and to ask at all other times.
"Nothing" Nigel told Justin, "Nothing at all."
"Well I don't bloody believe that" Justin replied, "I see how you are together, and she asked Cho to invite you in today on the train"
"She asked Cho?"
"Yes, you idiot, didn't you know? Not that Cho seemed to mind. In fact I'd hazard a guess that you could have everything Cedrick had, if you know what I mean"
"Including an early death"
"Come off it, you understand me. But that wasn't what I was trying to say. Hannah would have invited you herself if she hadn't been too embarrassed".
"Embarrassed? Why?"
"well because she had just realized that things weren't over between you and Lilah, and she didn't want to seem to be flinging herself at you if that was the case....You know how Hannah is".
"She certainly seemed uncommonly assertive today when rescuing me twice from the mob today"
"You call that nothing?"
"well...um...so -How are things with Susan?"
"There is absolutely nothing between us as you well know. I mean I am going out with Sally-Anne"
Nigel laughed, "I know. I was just trying to have a little fun...or maybe I have just been hanging out with your girlfriend too much."
"Stop trying to distract me. If you don't want to talk about the summer, I'll respect that. but Nigel mate, we've got to be frank here".
"Fine. We were talking but then Lilah showed up and after that Hannah got all quiet and stated avoiding me...Wait a minute! what did you say about things not being over with Lilah?"
"Hannah said Lilah came up while she was talking to you before we got on the train and said some rubbish about a wedding, which made it clear that you and her weren't finished."
Nigle was extremely confused. After all, wouldn't he know if there was still something going on between him and Lilah, "Lilah was just being her Slytherin self, I guess. For some reason it seems that she can't stand to see me enjoying myself but must somehow manage to ruin it. I don't even remember what she said about, or at, the wedding. We broke up in March and there hasn't been anything between us since."
"Well she certainly convinced Hannah otherwise."
"What is what I don't get. Why would she bother doing that?"
"Nigel that's elementary. she can't Stand to see you fancy another girl. you do fancy Hannah don't you. Lilah sees you as her property, even if she really has no right to you, and she can't stand to see anyone else have you".
"Well I...Why?"
"So you admit you fancy her"
"What?"
"Hannah, you do fancy her."
"Well I..."
"Listen, I've been your roommate for six years now. You fancy Hannah. Don't worry, she obviously fancies you..."
"If she fancies me then why is she hiding from me?"
"I told you. She thinks you are still tangled up with Lilah. You said Lilah showed up right before Hannah got all quiet. What did she do?"
"Well se gave me a package...wait...where did i put it?" Nigel fumbled around for the package and discovered in was his formal robes from Xenia and Sirius' Wedding Vow Renewal. SHe supposed he must have forgotten them in all the commotion.
"Well those certainly look compromising" Justin commented. Nigel tried to explain but Justin pointed out how it must have looked to Hannah, "Listen to me mate. You've to to put an end to this. As long as you let her, Lilah will always get between you and other girls. You have to set limits."
"I broke up with her! What do you want me to do? Make here hate me? I doubt the would improve things"
"Calm down Nigel, I was just trying to help. It isn't really so bad. Cheer up, you seem to be becoming a second Cedrick."
"Great, I always wanted to die."
"No...I mean...You know perfectly well what I meant. Parvati and Padma came by right before you on the train and they were utterly preoccupied by giggling about how cute you were. i even saw some of the Slytherin girls looking."
"Great, something else I always wanted, another Slytherin girlfriend."
"Listen to me, I know this sarcasm is just your way of dealing with your embarrassment about being flattered. So just listen to what I have to day and then I'll shut up, for the moment. You can have whatever you want. All the girls like you; you're the Heir to Hufflepuff; you're head boy, and now you're going to be on the quiddich team. You're Cedrick, only the new and improved model. You can't just let Lilah spoil this because it boosts her self-esteem."