"I hate my dad," Harry said for about the hundredth time to Joel and
Kristina. They were sitting in the common room alone. Francesca ran to send
her father an owl about how unfair life was being to her. Harry sulked in
the armchair his father had once sat in, not like he cared anyhow. Kristina
leaned forward.
"Harry, you don't hate him. Its just he was pretty popular and sure your going to hear a few small things here and there, but its not so bad!" she said trying to cheer him up.
"She said, 'I almost went for a Potter', like, like I'm just like my father. Well if I had a different last name say Snuzzlepuff, things would be different. I wouldn't be recognized on the streets," he said burying his face in his hands. Joel snorted.
"With a name like Snuzzlepuff, I think you would be recognized!" Joel kindly pointed out. 'Some friend' Harry thought coldly.
"Its not like she isn't bad looking. I wouldn't mind being close to her," Harry said to himself. Joel was laughing to hard to understand Harry and Kristina just didn't want to listen. It didn't make her feel very good to hear him talking about her like that, when just months before they kissed at the last family and friends get together. They vowed not to tell anyone, and they agreed it meant nothing, but there was something about Harry. Sometimes it seemed as if Kristina was the only one who saw him for more then just another Potter . . .
"I know father is going to be crushed!" a familiar whiny voice cried out. Francesca was back and didn't know anyone was in the room.
"What would he say if he found out I almost went for a Potter, he'd flip, what would he say? Maybe he'd say- "
"Follow your heart." The voice made Francesca jump and fall. Harry rushed over to her.
"Are you okay? I didn't mean to startle you." Francesca couldn't speak. He had to most gorgeous eyes. A shade of green she had never seen before, they were so-
"Should I get the nurse?" Kristina asked pushing Harry aside, looming over Francesca. The smile was now gone from her face. Stupid girl over here ruined a perfectly good moment.
"I'm fine!" she snapped at Kristina and stood up. "And now I'm going to bed. Goodnight Harry, Joel, and Raggedy Ann." Harry watched her go up the stairs with a glow.
"Did you see how she was looking at me? She was staring into my eyes!" Harry gloated over Joel. Joel gave Harry a high five, but Kristina remained collapsed on the floor from when Francesca pushed her. Raggedy Ann? Was she really just called Raggedy Ann. Maybe she wasn't good enough for Harry, maybe Harry was better off with Francesca. Whatever it was, it left a horrid feeling in the pit of her stomach.
*
The rest of the week was great until Harry got his potions class on Thursday. The potions teacher was an older man named Professor Snape, and from what he heard, was in a very bad mood so far this year. Harry could hardly wait to see the old geezer. He knew the seats they chose would be permanent, she he made sure he sat next to Francesca. Francesca had no objection to it. Kristina was forced to sit with her gross brother who had such a sick sense of humor it could make anyone want to gag. She reminded herself whatever makes Harry is best when a man, obviously Professor Snape, walked in. Snape looked the same as he did years ago, only with grayer hair and more wrinkles. He eyed the class carefully.
"Mister Potter," he said in a cold voice that shook Harry Potter the first any day, but it had no effect on this Harry. Sure, there were the stories of Snape from his father, and this Harry hoped his fathers reckless behavior wouldn't affect how Snape acted towards him.
"Professor Snape," Harry said coolly. Francesca fanned herself and let out a happy sigh, like it was 100 degrees and a nice cool breeze had just swept through. Kristina rolled her eyes and faced the front again.
"I had your father-" Snape began, but Harry had to stop him.
"Professor, I know my father wasn't the brightest bulb out there, but could we just forget about him? Living in his shadow isn't exactly fun for me. For now you can call me Mister Snuzzlepuff until you realize I'm nothing like my father." A few people seemed impressed; Professor Snape sat on the edge of his desk and folded his arms.
"Alright then, Mister Snuzzlepuff. I see you don't like the spotlight. But with a name like Snuzzlepuff I don't see how you will be ignored." A few people laughed, Joel for one laughed the loudest. Snape jumped up and got in Joels face.
"Ah, a Weasley." Kristina raised her hand.
"Professor, may I ask when we are going to get to the educational part of class? I haven't studied all summer for this you know," she said impatiently. Strange enough, a smile curled over Snapes face.
"And a Granger, how lovely. Its like the old gang." Joel spoke up.
"Actually, we are twins. Our parents are Ron and Hermione." Snape nodded barely then spotted Francesca.
"You must be a Malfoy. Sitting with a Potter, eh? Bet your father is going to go mad about that one." Harry turned red. He was just a Potter again. Francesca felt outraged as well.
"It is neither the business of you or of my fathers who I sit with, now is it?" she asked arms folded. Joel looked at her.
"Don't worry Francesca, he's just bummed he didn't get to be Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher . . .AGAIN!" The class roared with laughter.
"SILENCE!" Snape yelled. For the rest of the period none of the four spoke. They were all too scared.
*
Early the next week, after Harry and Francesca had become new friends, not the friends who stay up late to make out, but the tell all their secrets (except for one big one) friends, Harry and Francesca had both received letters from their fathers.
IDear Harry, How proud I am that you have made it for more then a week in Hogwarts. We heard the Malfoy girl was placed in your house. Filthy, worthless people they are. I do not want you to mix with a girl like that. No matter how nice and sweet and sexy and tempting she is, don't do anything with her! (Yeah dad, what can I do at 11?) She is probably just like her father, a ruthless, no good, sack of- your mother says hi. We are both so proud. Please do keep in touch; unlike you I never got letters on a regular basis because-I Harry crumpled the letter up without even reading that rest. Francesca was also reading Harrys letter and he knew she was hurt by the line, 'filthy, worthless people they are'. It was now Harrys turn to see what the wonderful Draco Malfoy had to say.
IMy Dearest Francesca, I still cannot get over how that stupid hat put you in Gryffindor, the pussy house (language dad! LANGUAGE!) Well now is no better time to say this, but stay away from that pussy Potter. (Oh daddy.) I'm tilling trying to contact the new headmaster. But I know she wont make an exception. Curses to Headmaster McGonagall. I bet if pussy Potter asked his son to be moved it would be done in a heartbeat. Fuck them, those goddamned Potters. If I ever saw Harry again I'd-I Francesca crumpled her paper as well and laughed weakly.
"Our friendship, DEFINATLY has to remain secret," she said tossing the letter to the side. Harry nodded and agreed.
"Harry, you don't hate him. Its just he was pretty popular and sure your going to hear a few small things here and there, but its not so bad!" she said trying to cheer him up.
"She said, 'I almost went for a Potter', like, like I'm just like my father. Well if I had a different last name say Snuzzlepuff, things would be different. I wouldn't be recognized on the streets," he said burying his face in his hands. Joel snorted.
"With a name like Snuzzlepuff, I think you would be recognized!" Joel kindly pointed out. 'Some friend' Harry thought coldly.
"Its not like she isn't bad looking. I wouldn't mind being close to her," Harry said to himself. Joel was laughing to hard to understand Harry and Kristina just didn't want to listen. It didn't make her feel very good to hear him talking about her like that, when just months before they kissed at the last family and friends get together. They vowed not to tell anyone, and they agreed it meant nothing, but there was something about Harry. Sometimes it seemed as if Kristina was the only one who saw him for more then just another Potter . . .
"I know father is going to be crushed!" a familiar whiny voice cried out. Francesca was back and didn't know anyone was in the room.
"What would he say if he found out I almost went for a Potter, he'd flip, what would he say? Maybe he'd say- "
"Follow your heart." The voice made Francesca jump and fall. Harry rushed over to her.
"Are you okay? I didn't mean to startle you." Francesca couldn't speak. He had to most gorgeous eyes. A shade of green she had never seen before, they were so-
"Should I get the nurse?" Kristina asked pushing Harry aside, looming over Francesca. The smile was now gone from her face. Stupid girl over here ruined a perfectly good moment.
"I'm fine!" she snapped at Kristina and stood up. "And now I'm going to bed. Goodnight Harry, Joel, and Raggedy Ann." Harry watched her go up the stairs with a glow.
"Did you see how she was looking at me? She was staring into my eyes!" Harry gloated over Joel. Joel gave Harry a high five, but Kristina remained collapsed on the floor from when Francesca pushed her. Raggedy Ann? Was she really just called Raggedy Ann. Maybe she wasn't good enough for Harry, maybe Harry was better off with Francesca. Whatever it was, it left a horrid feeling in the pit of her stomach.
*
The rest of the week was great until Harry got his potions class on Thursday. The potions teacher was an older man named Professor Snape, and from what he heard, was in a very bad mood so far this year. Harry could hardly wait to see the old geezer. He knew the seats they chose would be permanent, she he made sure he sat next to Francesca. Francesca had no objection to it. Kristina was forced to sit with her gross brother who had such a sick sense of humor it could make anyone want to gag. She reminded herself whatever makes Harry is best when a man, obviously Professor Snape, walked in. Snape looked the same as he did years ago, only with grayer hair and more wrinkles. He eyed the class carefully.
"Mister Potter," he said in a cold voice that shook Harry Potter the first any day, but it had no effect on this Harry. Sure, there were the stories of Snape from his father, and this Harry hoped his fathers reckless behavior wouldn't affect how Snape acted towards him.
"Professor Snape," Harry said coolly. Francesca fanned herself and let out a happy sigh, like it was 100 degrees and a nice cool breeze had just swept through. Kristina rolled her eyes and faced the front again.
"I had your father-" Snape began, but Harry had to stop him.
"Professor, I know my father wasn't the brightest bulb out there, but could we just forget about him? Living in his shadow isn't exactly fun for me. For now you can call me Mister Snuzzlepuff until you realize I'm nothing like my father." A few people seemed impressed; Professor Snape sat on the edge of his desk and folded his arms.
"Alright then, Mister Snuzzlepuff. I see you don't like the spotlight. But with a name like Snuzzlepuff I don't see how you will be ignored." A few people laughed, Joel for one laughed the loudest. Snape jumped up and got in Joels face.
"Ah, a Weasley." Kristina raised her hand.
"Professor, may I ask when we are going to get to the educational part of class? I haven't studied all summer for this you know," she said impatiently. Strange enough, a smile curled over Snapes face.
"And a Granger, how lovely. Its like the old gang." Joel spoke up.
"Actually, we are twins. Our parents are Ron and Hermione." Snape nodded barely then spotted Francesca.
"You must be a Malfoy. Sitting with a Potter, eh? Bet your father is going to go mad about that one." Harry turned red. He was just a Potter again. Francesca felt outraged as well.
"It is neither the business of you or of my fathers who I sit with, now is it?" she asked arms folded. Joel looked at her.
"Don't worry Francesca, he's just bummed he didn't get to be Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher . . .AGAIN!" The class roared with laughter.
"SILENCE!" Snape yelled. For the rest of the period none of the four spoke. They were all too scared.
*
Early the next week, after Harry and Francesca had become new friends, not the friends who stay up late to make out, but the tell all their secrets (except for one big one) friends, Harry and Francesca had both received letters from their fathers.
IDear Harry, How proud I am that you have made it for more then a week in Hogwarts. We heard the Malfoy girl was placed in your house. Filthy, worthless people they are. I do not want you to mix with a girl like that. No matter how nice and sweet and sexy and tempting she is, don't do anything with her! (Yeah dad, what can I do at 11?) She is probably just like her father, a ruthless, no good, sack of- your mother says hi. We are both so proud. Please do keep in touch; unlike you I never got letters on a regular basis because-I Harry crumpled the letter up without even reading that rest. Francesca was also reading Harrys letter and he knew she was hurt by the line, 'filthy, worthless people they are'. It was now Harrys turn to see what the wonderful Draco Malfoy had to say.
IMy Dearest Francesca, I still cannot get over how that stupid hat put you in Gryffindor, the pussy house (language dad! LANGUAGE!) Well now is no better time to say this, but stay away from that pussy Potter. (Oh daddy.) I'm tilling trying to contact the new headmaster. But I know she wont make an exception. Curses to Headmaster McGonagall. I bet if pussy Potter asked his son to be moved it would be done in a heartbeat. Fuck them, those goddamned Potters. If I ever saw Harry again I'd-I Francesca crumpled her paper as well and laughed weakly.
"Our friendship, DEFINATLY has to remain secret," she said tossing the letter to the side. Harry nodded and agreed.