Disclaimer: The wonderful world created by J.K. Rowling does not belong to
me (unfortunately), but some original characters (the ones you don't
recognize) do belong to me.
The Differences Between Gryffindor and Slytherin
~*~*~*~*~
At breakfast the next morning, Professor McGonagall was passing out schedules to everybody.
Harry quickly glanced at the class list he had received during the summer:
Advanced Transfiguration
Advanced Charms Advanced Potions Advanced Care of Magical Creatures Beginning Dueling Beginning Studies of the Mind N.E.W.T. Level Defense Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T. Preparation
"I wonder what Advanced Care of Magical Creatures will be like," Harry said with slight apprehension.
"Probably bigger, badder beasts," shrugged Ron.
Hermione frowned at him. "'Badder' isn't a word, Ron. The word you're-"
"Okay, okay," interrupted Ron rolling his eyes. "Probably bigger, worse beasts, happy?"
Hermione didn't reply, but handed a scone to Preity looking mighty pleased.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall came down the row and handed them their schedules.
"Advanced Potions first!" groaned Ron in horror.
"I'm in your class," said Preity. "Don't worry-you won't be alone."
"Me too," said Harry.
They turned to Hermione who blushed. "I'm in N.E.W.T. Level Potions," she explained.
"Any other N.E.W.T. Level classes?" Preity inquired pleasantly.
"All, except Beginning Dueling," she said hesitantly.
Ron stared at her, stunned. His face was turning a pale green color. "Advanced Potions," he moaned.
"Hey, look," Harry said hastily. "Defense is after that. We're pretty well off in that class. We can look forward to it."
"We don't even know what the teacher's like," argued Ron. "We haven't even seen the teacher."
They made their way into the cold, dark dungeon as though they were descending into hell.
"Vite, vite!" chastised Preity lightly. "Jaldi karo. We'll be late."
"We'd better hurry," said Harry with reluctant accordance. "We don't want to lose House Points on the very first day."
Ron grumbled something indecent.
"Why don't you like Potions?" asked Preity, her voice sweet-but in a different way than Umbridge. "I always really enjoyed that class."
"The slimy git that's our teacher," muttered Ron.
Preity laughed musically. "He can't be that bad."
"Wanna bet?" asked Ron and Harry simultaneously.
Once they reached the dungeons, Preity took a seat-right next to Draco Malfoy.
"Preity let's sit over there," suggested Harry, pointing to the other side of the room.
"Why?" questioned Preity. "I think this seat is as good as any."
Draco turned and scowled at her with one eyebrow raised.
"This is the Slytherin side of the room," Harry elucidated..
"Alors? Why is there such differentiation between the houses?"
"There are differences," said Ron exasperatedly. "They're-"
The change that came over Preity was alarming. Faster than the eye could see, she stood and clapped her hand over his mouth.
"Listen," she hissed. "I have lived around sexism, racism, and biased behavior. I witnessed hate crimes. The first time I ever saw one was when I was five years old. People have called me evil. They-that's not important. What is important is people can take advantage of this sort of behavior. That's how Voldemort has ruined homes and relationships. There is a saying-which I'm sure you know quite well-it goes, 'united we stand, divided we fall.' And right now, this school is divided."
Before either of them could react, she was seated, once again amiable and gentle.
Their conversation couldn't be carried any further because of the footsteps that announced Snape's arrival. Hurriedly, Harry and Ron brushed into their seats.
First, Snape took role. Then, he lectured them.
"You are in Advanced Potions," he said as though they didn't already know. "You will learn immensely difficult potions that must be created just right, or they will fail. If they are made incorrectly, they can be potentially harmful or even-he slapped his hands upon the table, startling them-fatal.
"I cannot impress upon you the importance of passing this formidable class, especially for those of you aspiring to take N.E.W.T. Level Potions.
"Unfortunately, we cannot say how many of you will pass," Snape said with a vile smile. "Because over the years I have found many of you lacking the talent needed to brew complex potions."
He glanced lazily at Harry as he said the last sentence. Harry felt wrath boil up inside of him.
"Today," continued Snape in an acerbic tone. "You will open your books to page five and answer the questions I am writing on the board. They will be finished by the end of class, or you will come during lunch to finish them."
Turning, he wrote the questions on the board. When he was finished, Snape announced, "I have important work to tend to. I expect you to complete your work. And Malfoy, I'm leaving you in charge."
"Yes, sir," said Malfoy smirking. Harry groaned knowing hell couldn't be worse than listening to Malfoy's orders
The entire class was silent until Snape's door banged shut. Staring at question one (What are the properties of dragon scales?) Harry braced himself for Draco's orders.
"Hi, I'm Preity." She extended her hand, which Malfoy did not take. Casually she dropped it.
"Your name is Draco, is it not?"
"Yes," he replied shortly.
"You are a Malfoy?"
"Yeah."
"And your mother is Narcissa?"
"Yeah, so?" asked Malfoy defensively. "What about my mother?"
"My.mom knows her. They.were really good friends."
"Oh." Malfoy softened a little.
For a moment, both were quiet, and the only sound coming from them was the scratching of their quills. Then Preity laughed gently.
"What?" he questioned, peevishly.
"She must've eaten lots of lemons while you were in her womb."
"What makes you say that?"
"You're so sour-nimbu."
Malfoy glared at her, affronted. "Who're you to come here and start insulting my mother and me?"
"Tcha! I wasn't insulting you or your mother, I was only teasing you."
Ron grinned at Harry and whispered, "Ha, he deserves this humiliation!"
"Oh, by the way," continued Preity. "I heard the Slytherin table has a nice view of-everything. I wonder if I could join you there."
Ron's grin melted into a look of absolute horror.
"You can't eat there!" exclaimed Malfoy. "You're a Gryffindor!"
"Maybe it's time to change the rules," insisted Preity. "Besides, I'd like to get to know you more. You seem really interesting."
"Oh-b-but," stammered Malfoy desperately. "I-I'm skipping lunch. I-I need to go to the library and-um.study." "No problem," she put in cheerfully. "I'll meet you at the Great Hall and we'll go to the library together. Or if you prefer, we could meet at the library. Oh well-wherever you are, I'll find you. If my mind is bent on finding somebody, I do-that's why I'm so good at hide-and-seek."
"Okay, I'll meet you in front of the library," acquiesced Malfoy.
Snape came out of his office to collect the parchment on which they had answered the questions.
"Read chapter one and write me an essay on the usefulness of potions in life," Snape commanded as they packed up. "Two feet is the minimum."
As they left the room, they met with Hermione who had just come from N.E.W.T. Level Charms. In minutes, they explained the entire situation to her.
"What possessed you to try to make friends with him?" asked Hermione apprehensively. "He's really cruel and unkind."
"On the surface," replied Preity. "But bullies are often insecure or hurting. For Draco, I think it's both."
"Draco?" repeated Ron disgustedly. "Now you're on first name terms?"
"His whole family's evil," Harry told her. "Truly evil. I'm not meaning to sound biased when I say that."
"My.mom and his mom were best friends. His mom was actually born in the U.S. Unfortunately, Narcissa came here and married Lucius. He's forced her to support Voldemort."
They turned the corner and went into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
The teacher was a pudgy woman with a strangely insipid look in her emerald eyes. Her hair was chestnut and curled at her shoulders. A welcoming smile was plastered on her face.
Harry surveyed the class. Most of them seemed to be seventh years,
"Ah," she said breathlessly. "The N.E.W.T. Level Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I am Professor Alaleusi. You are in N.E.W.T. Level Defense Against the Dark Arts, which means you have shown enough prowess in Defense Against the Dark Arts to skip the Advanced Level, or you have successfully completed the Advanced Level. What ever it was, congratulations.
"Now, I have found that the wand affects how you perform which spell. Therefore, I would like to begin with a discussion about wands."
She pointed at Preity. "Miss-she glanced at the class roster-Mathur, please tell me what type of wand you have."
"Mahogany, eleven inches, with a core of unicorn hair," responded Preity promptly.
"Ah, yes. Wands of mahogany are excellent for protection spells. Unicorns, of course, are a symbol of purity. Therefore, your wand can be better used for defensive spells than offensive."
Her eyes, devoid of emotion landed on Harry. "And what type of wand do you have?"
"Yew, thirteen-and-a-half inches, phoenix feather."
Harry barely listened as she told him his wand was perfect for dueling and offensive spells. Somehow he couldn't forget her expressionless eyes.
After class, everybody was talking excitedly about how riveting and interesting her discussion about wands had been. Harry wondered if he was the only one who had noticed her eyes.
~*~*~*~*~
Vite = Quick; Jaldi karo = hurry up; Tcha = that 'tutting' sound people
make with their tongues; Nimbu = lemon.
A/N: Please review :]
~*Muhjse Apko Bahut Pyar*~
The Differences Between Gryffindor and Slytherin
~*~*~*~*~
At breakfast the next morning, Professor McGonagall was passing out schedules to everybody.
Harry quickly glanced at the class list he had received during the summer:
Advanced Transfiguration
Advanced Charms Advanced Potions Advanced Care of Magical Creatures Beginning Dueling Beginning Studies of the Mind N.E.W.T. Level Defense Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T. Preparation
"I wonder what Advanced Care of Magical Creatures will be like," Harry said with slight apprehension.
"Probably bigger, badder beasts," shrugged Ron.
Hermione frowned at him. "'Badder' isn't a word, Ron. The word you're-"
"Okay, okay," interrupted Ron rolling his eyes. "Probably bigger, worse beasts, happy?"
Hermione didn't reply, but handed a scone to Preity looking mighty pleased.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall came down the row and handed them their schedules.
"Advanced Potions first!" groaned Ron in horror.
"I'm in your class," said Preity. "Don't worry-you won't be alone."
"Me too," said Harry.
They turned to Hermione who blushed. "I'm in N.E.W.T. Level Potions," she explained.
"Any other N.E.W.T. Level classes?" Preity inquired pleasantly.
"All, except Beginning Dueling," she said hesitantly.
Ron stared at her, stunned. His face was turning a pale green color. "Advanced Potions," he moaned.
"Hey, look," Harry said hastily. "Defense is after that. We're pretty well off in that class. We can look forward to it."
"We don't even know what the teacher's like," argued Ron. "We haven't even seen the teacher."
They made their way into the cold, dark dungeon as though they were descending into hell.
"Vite, vite!" chastised Preity lightly. "Jaldi karo. We'll be late."
"We'd better hurry," said Harry with reluctant accordance. "We don't want to lose House Points on the very first day."
Ron grumbled something indecent.
"Why don't you like Potions?" asked Preity, her voice sweet-but in a different way than Umbridge. "I always really enjoyed that class."
"The slimy git that's our teacher," muttered Ron.
Preity laughed musically. "He can't be that bad."
"Wanna bet?" asked Ron and Harry simultaneously.
Once they reached the dungeons, Preity took a seat-right next to Draco Malfoy.
"Preity let's sit over there," suggested Harry, pointing to the other side of the room.
"Why?" questioned Preity. "I think this seat is as good as any."
Draco turned and scowled at her with one eyebrow raised.
"This is the Slytherin side of the room," Harry elucidated..
"Alors? Why is there such differentiation between the houses?"
"There are differences," said Ron exasperatedly. "They're-"
The change that came over Preity was alarming. Faster than the eye could see, she stood and clapped her hand over his mouth.
"Listen," she hissed. "I have lived around sexism, racism, and biased behavior. I witnessed hate crimes. The first time I ever saw one was when I was five years old. People have called me evil. They-that's not important. What is important is people can take advantage of this sort of behavior. That's how Voldemort has ruined homes and relationships. There is a saying-which I'm sure you know quite well-it goes, 'united we stand, divided we fall.' And right now, this school is divided."
Before either of them could react, she was seated, once again amiable and gentle.
Their conversation couldn't be carried any further because of the footsteps that announced Snape's arrival. Hurriedly, Harry and Ron brushed into their seats.
First, Snape took role. Then, he lectured them.
"You are in Advanced Potions," he said as though they didn't already know. "You will learn immensely difficult potions that must be created just right, or they will fail. If they are made incorrectly, they can be potentially harmful or even-he slapped his hands upon the table, startling them-fatal.
"I cannot impress upon you the importance of passing this formidable class, especially for those of you aspiring to take N.E.W.T. Level Potions.
"Unfortunately, we cannot say how many of you will pass," Snape said with a vile smile. "Because over the years I have found many of you lacking the talent needed to brew complex potions."
He glanced lazily at Harry as he said the last sentence. Harry felt wrath boil up inside of him.
"Today," continued Snape in an acerbic tone. "You will open your books to page five and answer the questions I am writing on the board. They will be finished by the end of class, or you will come during lunch to finish them."
Turning, he wrote the questions on the board. When he was finished, Snape announced, "I have important work to tend to. I expect you to complete your work. And Malfoy, I'm leaving you in charge."
"Yes, sir," said Malfoy smirking. Harry groaned knowing hell couldn't be worse than listening to Malfoy's orders
The entire class was silent until Snape's door banged shut. Staring at question one (What are the properties of dragon scales?) Harry braced himself for Draco's orders.
"Hi, I'm Preity." She extended her hand, which Malfoy did not take. Casually she dropped it.
"Your name is Draco, is it not?"
"Yes," he replied shortly.
"You are a Malfoy?"
"Yeah."
"And your mother is Narcissa?"
"Yeah, so?" asked Malfoy defensively. "What about my mother?"
"My.mom knows her. They.were really good friends."
"Oh." Malfoy softened a little.
For a moment, both were quiet, and the only sound coming from them was the scratching of their quills. Then Preity laughed gently.
"What?" he questioned, peevishly.
"She must've eaten lots of lemons while you were in her womb."
"What makes you say that?"
"You're so sour-nimbu."
Malfoy glared at her, affronted. "Who're you to come here and start insulting my mother and me?"
"Tcha! I wasn't insulting you or your mother, I was only teasing you."
Ron grinned at Harry and whispered, "Ha, he deserves this humiliation!"
"Oh, by the way," continued Preity. "I heard the Slytherin table has a nice view of-everything. I wonder if I could join you there."
Ron's grin melted into a look of absolute horror.
"You can't eat there!" exclaimed Malfoy. "You're a Gryffindor!"
"Maybe it's time to change the rules," insisted Preity. "Besides, I'd like to get to know you more. You seem really interesting."
"Oh-b-but," stammered Malfoy desperately. "I-I'm skipping lunch. I-I need to go to the library and-um.study." "No problem," she put in cheerfully. "I'll meet you at the Great Hall and we'll go to the library together. Or if you prefer, we could meet at the library. Oh well-wherever you are, I'll find you. If my mind is bent on finding somebody, I do-that's why I'm so good at hide-and-seek."
"Okay, I'll meet you in front of the library," acquiesced Malfoy.
Snape came out of his office to collect the parchment on which they had answered the questions.
"Read chapter one and write me an essay on the usefulness of potions in life," Snape commanded as they packed up. "Two feet is the minimum."
As they left the room, they met with Hermione who had just come from N.E.W.T. Level Charms. In minutes, they explained the entire situation to her.
"What possessed you to try to make friends with him?" asked Hermione apprehensively. "He's really cruel and unkind."
"On the surface," replied Preity. "But bullies are often insecure or hurting. For Draco, I think it's both."
"Draco?" repeated Ron disgustedly. "Now you're on first name terms?"
"His whole family's evil," Harry told her. "Truly evil. I'm not meaning to sound biased when I say that."
"My.mom and his mom were best friends. His mom was actually born in the U.S. Unfortunately, Narcissa came here and married Lucius. He's forced her to support Voldemort."
They turned the corner and went into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
The teacher was a pudgy woman with a strangely insipid look in her emerald eyes. Her hair was chestnut and curled at her shoulders. A welcoming smile was plastered on her face.
Harry surveyed the class. Most of them seemed to be seventh years,
"Ah," she said breathlessly. "The N.E.W.T. Level Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I am Professor Alaleusi. You are in N.E.W.T. Level Defense Against the Dark Arts, which means you have shown enough prowess in Defense Against the Dark Arts to skip the Advanced Level, or you have successfully completed the Advanced Level. What ever it was, congratulations.
"Now, I have found that the wand affects how you perform which spell. Therefore, I would like to begin with a discussion about wands."
She pointed at Preity. "Miss-she glanced at the class roster-Mathur, please tell me what type of wand you have."
"Mahogany, eleven inches, with a core of unicorn hair," responded Preity promptly.
"Ah, yes. Wands of mahogany are excellent for protection spells. Unicorns, of course, are a symbol of purity. Therefore, your wand can be better used for defensive spells than offensive."
Her eyes, devoid of emotion landed on Harry. "And what type of wand do you have?"
"Yew, thirteen-and-a-half inches, phoenix feather."
Harry barely listened as she told him his wand was perfect for dueling and offensive spells. Somehow he couldn't forget her expressionless eyes.
After class, everybody was talking excitedly about how riveting and interesting her discussion about wands had been. Harry wondered if he was the only one who had noticed her eyes.
~*~*~*~*~
Vite = Quick; Jaldi karo = hurry up; Tcha = that 'tutting' sound people
make with their tongues; Nimbu = lemon.
A/N: Please review :]
~*Muhjse Apko Bahut Pyar*~