Disclaimers: See the first chapter.
Snippets From the Potterverse
Chapter 40 - Drama Queen
Hannah Abbot was a drama queen.
There was nothing to be done about that. It was kind of a family thing, she supposed. It ran in the blood. Both her older sisters were drama queens as well. Her elder brother was a drag queen, but that was another story entirely. One that Hannah didn't feel inclined to discuss. But we'll forgive her.
Unfortunately, she had the habit of picking the worst times to get dramatic - not that she could help that, either. It was just a part of being an Abbot girl. Once she had gone mental at the party celebrating Cedric Diggory's being chosen as school champion in the Triwizard Tournament, declaring that Harry's and Cedric's joint election as Hogwarts champion meant disaster for everyone in the form of lions and badgers running loose and killing people with their magical lazer vision.
Wait, no. That was Looney Lovegood's prediction.
Hannah had been more concerned about the potential drama behind what she was going to wear to the party. She had had a rather large crush on Cedric, just like every other girl at the school. He was just too damn good-looking for his own good! She had burst into tears upon regarding her vast wardrobe consisting of only whites, greys, and blacks (with yellow-and-black striped ties for colour). It was a predicament Parvati Patil would have sympathized with. In the end, a thoroughly depressed Hannah had remained in her dormitory with only her best friend Susan Bones for company, unable to face Cedric at all. It never occurred to her that all the other girls had the same problem.
By now, most of Hufflepuff House were used to Hannah's outbursts and periods of paranoia. Susan, by now a hardened veteran, could even smile at Hannah's ramblings. Not even Professor Sprout was worried.
Until one day near Halloween.
It was a typical day at lunch for the Hufflepuff table. Most were gamely wondering what had happened to those delicious burgers and sausages they had been eating a few weeks back. No one knew all the meat salvaged from the dead Basilisk was gone. They also didn't know they had been eating Basilisk. Hannah and Susan were sitting with Ernie Macmillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley at one end of the table, poking at shepherd's pie. Hannah detested shepherd's pie.
Why do I have to eat this? she asked.
Because it's all they have, Justin said, picking the hamburger from his pie and putting it aside on a napkin.
It's so gross, Hannah complained. Hamburger, mashed potatoes, and corn are all very well and good, so long as they're separated. But when you mix them together - she wrinkled her nose and tossed a blonde pigtail over her shoulder.
It's only shepherd's pie, Ernie said with a shrug, shoveling it down like there was no tomorrow.
It's like the - the - the rat poison of all foods! Hannah declared, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead in a dramatic gesture. Susan rolled her eyes. Another one of Hannah's famous acts was coming on.
I can't stand it! It's like eating slop! Hannah continued in a loud, carrying voice. People all around the Hall were turning to stare. The mashed potatoes are just so warm and runny - I can't even begin to describe what disgusting things they remind me of -
Ernie looked down at his plate and pushed it away in a hurry.
And the corn! It's so old and tough. My brother was right! They just take the yellow, old teeth from the bins at the dentists' and tell you that it's corn! Hannah shrieked. And the hamburger! It's so chewy! I bet it isn't meat at all! It's just all the fat and gristle wadded into little bits!!
Susan jumped up, clamped a hand over Hannah's mouth, and dragged her from the Great Hall. That put an end to her shepherd's pie ramblings, but it also put an end to everyone's appetites as well.
It also made a lot of work for Filch, as many people had to hurry to the bathroom after reflecting on Hannah's declaration. Not all of them made it in time.
Eurgh.
