THE PRIDE by Lisa Turpin

Do you really want to hear about 'The Pride?' Because I sincerely doubt it. Although, I am very much so bored at the present moment in time, so I may as well tell you. 'The Pride', it is such a cliché name for the group of the four most talented students in seventh year. Or more truthfully, the most talented student in each house, as the other members are Mr Ernie McMillan of Hufflepuff, Mr Draco Malfoy of Slytherin, and Miss Hermione Granger of Gryffindor.

See what I am referring to? They told me it was a honour to be included in 'The Pride' Excuse me, but they are highly mistaken if they think it is a honour for me to be likened to a Hufflepuff, a Gryffindor and a Slytherin. I mean, Ernie Macmillan! A Hufflepuff! If they were so inclined to establish a specialist group, they should have respected the members enough to choose the truthful talented ones, naturally all Ravenclaws. We are simply the smartest house. That is all there is to it.

Hermione and Draco may have been acknowledged with the top marks of the year, for all the previous years, fiercely competing with each other to have the title of 'the best'. It is quite depressing to observe the two of them. Last year, when Draco got the highest marks, and Hermione as humble second, Hermione snapped her wand in half, and vowed never to perform magic again. She soon went back on her word when she had to fight the Dark lord and save Harry Potter.

If I felt inclined to, I could beat either one of them. Anyone from Ravenclaw could. However, we choose to save ourselves for when it really matters. For what will happen to us when we do not have the Hogwarts grounds to protect us anymore.

I don't study. I don't pay attention in class. I don't do homework. All of that bores me. I don't see the point if I do not fail, and apparently am the smartest in Ravenclaw.

I wish I wasn't, however. That way I wouldn't have to part of 'The Pride', and wouldn't have to be involved. It is just that I do not like clubs. I immensely dislike teamwork. Every person who I share an idea with could be the person who will betray me. The only exception to my lifelong pledge of never becoming involved is this journals club. Don't get the wrong idea. I certainly did not join to become an active member of the school community, to share my wisdom with my fellow students, or to have something to remember my final year by. I joined simply to have something to relieve my boredom in class. I joined for myself. I don't make friends, I use acquaintances

Some professor is telling me to open my book to page 418. "How to perform complex funnelling charms." Oh please, give me some credit. I sure hope that the pride will go beyond the NEWT level. If not, I'm afraid it will be more painful than charms at the moment. Can you believe, we have been given these muggle contraptions known as 'bean bags' and are instructed to funnel little white foam 'beans' inside them using the charm. How insulting to my intelligence.

I'm supposed to go to a meeting for 'The Pride' now. Sure it won't be thrilling, but I'll try to write more of this journal thing in there. I'm sure my brain won't be stimulated by anything that goes on in there. Although Professor Dumbledore will be taking the meeting, and he would realise if I was slacking off like I always do. He's too wise. Though, not wise enough to realise "The Pride" is a bad idea.

Hermione and Ernie were already sitting in the round room when I entered. Hermione was reading a thick book, and Ernie was practicing with his wizard chess set. Even if I wasn't absolutely against clubs, the wizarding chess club is something I would never venture anywhere near. Chess gives off such Hufflepuff vibes. So intelligent draining, moving pieces of charmed stone around black and white squares. You open your self up to a chance of failure.

Draco finally entered the room. I thought he purposefully 'forgot' about it, so he could stay in the Slytherin common room. However I gave him too much credit. Instantly, the death glares between Hermione and Draco commenced.

Thankfully, soon enough Professor Dumbledore came in and distracted the pair of them by mentioning…

…Exams

"This group is not for preparation for your Exams, the NEWTs. If anyone needs extra preparations, it is not you four. Within this room, you will gain the knowledge needed to deal with our changed world. Call it extension work, if you must, however this is working toward more than your individual futures. Within this room, we will be working towards the future of Magickind!"

Impressive speech, hey. Not enough to impress me though. I never get impressed

Dumbledore was looking expectably around the room. Ernie, who was looking wide eyed, was speechless. No wisdom that the world missed out on there. Hermione had this thoughtful and satisfied expression on her face, and Draco was looking extremely sceptical, something I could relate to.

I just said I could relate to Draco Malfoy, didn't I.

I do not have a prejudice against Slytherin like the rest of the school does. I base my prejudices on more than simply what word the sorting cap screams those many years ago. Just what word it didn't shout, for example, "Ravenclaw".

"Now if you would excuse me," Professor Dumbledore said "I need to grab my quill from my office"

Once the door had creaked shut, Draco was the first to speak.

"What the hell does that old fool think he's up to? Using students to fight the Dark Lord! He doesn't have the brains himself, I guess. But no one can win against the Dark Lord."

He did have a point I guess. How could a Hufflepuff contribute to the downfall of The Dark Lord? Hermione, however did not agree with Draco at all. Perhaps because it was simply Draco, but I think not.

"How dare you" She screamed. "How dare you insult Professor Dumbledore! If he believes we can defeat you-know-who, I have complete faith in him. The only mistake he's made about 'The Pride' was inviting you to join!"

I cannot be bothered to include all the immature bickering between the Gryffindor and the Slytherin. I simply could not degrade this piece of parchment by writing out those pitiful insults.

After those childish insults had run out, the death glares continued, icier than a dementors chill. Ernie, looking very uncomfortable with the situation, unwisely, just as a Hufflepuff would, chose to break the silence by saying

"I hope this club doesn't take up too much of my study time. I'm considering giving gobstones away as it is."

This simple, so Hufflepuff-like statement was the start of yet another fiery debate.

"Oh Granger, you better quit now, if you want any chance of beating me. You need all the time you can get."

"Don't you have any morals Malfoy? Oh sorry, I forgot. Of course you don't, you're a Slytherin. Do you honestly think who gets top is more important than the existence of magickind?"

"So I'll have no competition then? Not that I would have anyway"

"Anyway, I don't have to study much to beat you."

That's basically how the rest of the meeting went, even after Dumbledore came and took charge. Hermione and Draco were at each others throats constantly, and Ernie, he was so serious, but his Hufflepuff manner spoilt it. Ravenclaw would dominate any day over these mortals. I would dominate, if I could be bothered.