Chapter 10 – The photo.
It was coming to the end of Harry's Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson, and he was trying to think about what he was going to say to Professor Figg after the lesson. He reached into his pocked just to check for the fourth time that he still had the photo album there.
"Alright class." Professor said "You pack your things and go, I'm sure you have better things to do during lunchtime, then to spend them sitting in here doing your homework, which, by the way, is to write a two page report on page three, in for next lesson please." She stood up at her desk to watch to the room empty. Harry was still sitting in his seat at the back of the room.
"Is there a problem Harry?" She sat down at her desk to mark some work.
"No Professor, it's just I wanted to talk to you about something." He stood up and walked round to her desk.
"Oh really. Do you have a problem with the Homework I set?"
"No, I've got a photo of you with my parents on their wedding day." Harry reached into his pocket and showed it to her.
"Ah yes, that was a wonderful day. Beautiful weather too." She paused. "What exactly did you want to know?"
"About you and them." He said shyly looking down onto the desk.
Professor Figg pulled up a chair for him to sit on. "Your parents were in my year at school, you can sit down you know, I don't want your legs falling off now, do I?"
Harry sat down on the cushioned chair, feeling himself sink down into the red velvet.
"Your mother was my best friend, we did everything together. I was her maid of Honour at their wedding."
She chuckled as she looked down at the photo, Harry moved closer. He was used to hearing mainly about his father, so this was something different.
"She was a wonderful woman, very spontaneous and athletic. That's how we met actually." Harry could imagine this easily, soon as Professor was always walking around in trainers. "In an athletic event, before we even came to Hogwarts." She scratched her head, as if thinking carefully about what she was going to say next. "But she was far better than me. Always pushing herself until she achieved her goal. While I, on the other hand, spent most of my time having fun with magic rather then sports." This, however, Harry could not imagine. He assumed things would be the other way round.
"You don't have to look so worried Harry! I'm not going to tell you anything scary, or anything that'll scar you for life!" They both giggled, and Harry relaxed a bit more, although still intent about finding out more.
"I'm sorry Harry, but I don't think I can tell you anything that you haven't already heard." She paused again, "I'm sorry if you're disappointed, but there isn't much to tell. She was very talented, especially for a Muggle-born, and was very much like your father. Anyway Harry, It's lunchtime and I'm sure you want to get some food inside you before your next lesson, so you best be off."
Professor Figg stood up and waited for Harry to depart before sitting back down to mark their homework. Harry casually walked down the corridor to the Great Hall for Lunch, thinking about his parents. He missed them a lot, and would give anything to see them again. Then he looked at his watch and saw that he only had fifteen minutes left before he had to be back at the Common Room. He rushed in to the room that was quite empty which made it seem even bigger, but he caught sight of Ron and Hermione at the far side of the Gryffindor Table, who seemed like they had been waiting for him to arrive.
"Harry where have you been?" Hermione stood up and rushed over to him. "We've been waiting for ages for you!"
"I had to talk to Professor Figg about something. I'll explain it to you if I could just sit down to eat something first. I'm starving!" Harry and Hermione sat down with Ron, who was happily treating himself to his seventh helping of, what looked like, mash potatoes and sausages, he was obviously taking advantage of not having to go upstairs as soon as he had cleared his plate.
Harry took a clean plate and helped himself to some food of his own. Then he told Ron and Hermione about the photo and what Professor Figg had told him.