Chapter three is finally up. Sorry it took me considerably longer to update. By the way, this story takes after Voldemort failed to killl Harry as a baby and before Harry went to Hogwarts. So basically that means no marauders and no modern characters. The professors are still around, of course. Read and Enjoy.
Everyone slowly filed into the Great Hall, heading for their appropriate house tables. This only served to remind me what house I am in, which I'm not exactly thrilled to be apart of.
You see, I'm in Hufflepuff. As you all know, there are four houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff. Each house has certain characteristics that the sorting hat looks for when sorting you into your house.
Gryffindor is where all the brave, strong, and loyal witches and wizzards go. Ravenclaw is for the intelligent, tactful, and witty bunch. Slytherin is more for the dark and sneaky wizzards.
Which leaves Hufflepuff for all the left-over witches and wizzards who have none of the above admirable (or not in slytherin's case) qualities listed above. So basically, all Hufflepuff people are nobodies. Heh. Funny how that clearly describes what I am to my fellow pupils.
Of course, there are some exceptions to the "left-over nobodies" Hufflepuff complex. That exception would be one William Durriken.
If I failed to mention before, he's walking perfection. He's a God. Good-looking, intelligent, and popular. I think the sorting hat was playing a rather cruel practical joke when it put William in Hufflepuff, house of the lame.
...Anyways I must find a seat. Preferably by nobody. I settled with a random seat towards the middle of the riddiculously long table by three people I knew woudn't talk to me. The first was a snobby looking girl with her nose stuck in her charms book. The second was an especially timid looking boy who peered around nervously. First year, I bet. The last was face-first down on the table, sleeping.
I didn't much like sitting in the Great Hall. That's why the only time I am ever in the Great Hall is the very first day back. Other than that, I normally eat outside during the fall and spring and I eat in my dorm during the winter.
I gazed around the big hall somewhat like a first year would, with wide eyes and tight lips. Why were there so many god damned floating candles? I mean seriously now, hasn't Dumbledore heard of lights?
Then I laid my eyes upon Nearly Headless Nick, who was floating down the length of the Ravenclaw table. As my eyes followed him, another pair of eyes caught mine in his wake.
It was Euan.
I just stared blankly at him and he stared back at me much the same way until finally he winked at me and grinned.
I could feel all my blood rushing to my cheeks again. What was with all this winking today? Why are guys winking at me? Especially ones I haven't even ever talked to before. This is so weird. Too weird... I know! They're mocking me. They feel bad for me because I have no social life.
Ah! I smacked my head down on table, resting my forehead on my arms. I just wanted to hide from everyone for the rest of my education at Hogwarts. Why must I lead such an utterly pointless life?
I peeked through my hair to see if Euan had looked away yet. As it happens, he hadn't yet. He was still staring at me, with a confused expression on his face. How did this kid end up in Ravenclaw, anyways? Seriously, he's not one of the brightest bulbs in the bunch.
Oh. Now I understand what happened. I get it now. I finally understand all. Maybe I'm the enlightened one now. Anyways. The sorting hat accidentally mixed up Euan and William when sorting them into their houses. Of course the fact that they're a year apart doesn't help prove my theory, however. Eh, whatever.
A clinking sound echoed through out the Great Hall and everyone ceased chatter immeadiately to look up at Dumbledore, who was hitting a spoon against his goblet.
What happened next, I can't really say. This is because I fell asleep. I think Dumbledore went off on his spiel about a new year and the dark lord is gone and blah blah blah blah blah. I'm sorry, but the man bores me to tears. It's the exact same speech every year. After hearing it for the first time six years ago and blocking it out for the last five, I sure as hell wasn't going to start listening now.
I woke up just as everyone was beginning to get up and head to their dormitories. This is when I realized I fell asleep through dinner too. Damn and I was hungry. I quickly grabbed a pastry that was left out from dessert and shoved it into my pocket. I felt like a fatty, all despite the fact I had skipped dinner.
When I had finally reached the common room, I speed walked past everyone up the stairs to get a bed. Once again, I wanted to be by myself. I knew of a room in the dormitory that only had three beds in it. Most people didn't want to sleep in that room because they couldn't have all their friends in there with them since there were only two beds left after I took the third.
I lazily threw my bags onto a chair in the corner of the room and fell backwards onto the bed. I stared up at the blank white ceiling and finally realized I could think straightly and all to myself.
William Durriken winked at me today. He actually winked. He was probably just being friendly and all, but... I wasn't really sure. Maybe he was flirting with me, but I don't want to get my hopes up, which is exactly what I'm doing. Sigh.
What's with Euan, too? I don't get it, I've never talked to him before and now he's hanging around me and talking to me like he knows me or something. I just don't get him, he confuses me. One minute he's groping me and the next he's talking to me like a normal human being (which he's incapable of being for long periods of time).
Eh, it's nothing for me to worry about. I'll just conclude that William was just being friendly and Euan's just harrassing me for no particular reason. Sounds about right to me. I've got potions first thing in the morning with Snape, that ought to be lovely. Not.
The next day.
I hear birds chirping. Why are there birds chirping? I want them to shut up. Seriously I'm trying to sleep...
With my eyes still closed, I rolled over on my bed and faced the window. I swear I can feel light penetrating my eyes. Is someone shining a god damned flashlight in my eyes?
I opened my eyes slowly, squinting at first. No one was shining a flashlight in my eyes. It was the sun pouring through the window.
Oh my God. What time is it? Am I late for class on the first day? I hate walking in late to a class, everyone stares at you. Maybe I should just stay in my room all day, claim I'm sick or something...
Two girls walked down the hallway of the dormitory, chatting about how excited they were about classes later. Guess I'm not late after all.
I got up off the bed and realized I had slept in my clothes. Ugh. I really musn't do that. I walked over to my bag and pulled out my hideous uniform. Knee-length yellow plaid skirt, white polo, gray sweater vest, and my black robe.
Thank God for robes, they cover up most of my hideous uniform. I pulled on my flats and grabbed my book bag and rushed out the dorm. I actually made it early to the Great Hall, where there were only small groups of people scattered about, chatting.
I quickly grabbed some cereal and a carton of milk and left without a word to head outside to the grounds. Besides the fact that I'm anti-social and can't stand eating in the Great Hall, I actually like it outside. There's fresh air, sunlight, and the lake. Even the Forbidden Forest adds a nice touch of greenery, I must admit.
I sat down on the grass by the lake and pulled out my schedule. I've got potions first, then charms, then DADA, tranfiguration next, followed by herbology, care of magical creature, and last but not least advanced divination.
I love divination. It's my favorite class. Everyone sees it as just staring at tea leaves and life lines on people's hands. It's so much more than that, though. Divination is using the resources you already have to predict what will happen next, and most people don't get that.
I was thrilled this summer when I got my letter and saw that I was going to be taking advanced divination. It's going to be tough, but I think I can handle it. After all, it is my favorite class.
I absently spooned the cereal I had grabbed into my mouth and stared at the edge of the forbidden forest. It looked so... peaceful. Which is weird because everyone knows it's loaded with dangerous magical creatures. I wonder what's on the other side of the forbidden forest?
The bell signaling that first class would begin in five minutes rang through out the school and echoed out onto the grounds. Guess that meant I better be on my way.
I have potions first. With none other than satan himself, Snape. Yay.
I arrived, as usual, early to potions and had my choice of what seat I wanted. I chose a seat all the way in the back where hopefully I could hide behind my cauldron and Snape would never see me. But of course, Snape had to see me as he came out of his ingredients closet.
Snape coming of out the closet. Ha ha ha. That's funny.
Ignore that. I do not have ADD. Anyways. Oh yes, Snape spotted me (I'm surprised he can even see anything over than giant hooked nose of his) and proceeded to sneer. I hate it when he does that, it's so... creepy. Like it sends chills down my spine. I imagine I'd get the same kind of feeling if a rapist looked at me. That's even more creepy. I really mustn't think about these things.
"Seems as if Ms. Bramson has made it early to her first class. Trying make a good impression, perhaps?" Snape said with a pompous little laugh. I seriously hate him.
Of course this was a rhetorical question so I didn't even bother answering. I just blushed furiously and continued to set up my cauldron. Then I set my bag on the desk next to me so no one could sit by me. I am such a loner, it sometimes depresses even me.
More and more people walked in, carrying their cauldrons. Most were from Gryffindor, but there were a couple Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, too. Luckily, there were no Slytherins. I think somebody might actually like me up there.
Snape just stood silently by his desk, watching everyone like a hawk. Which is slightly ironic, considering that his nose could be a beak. Anyways. Finally the bell rang and class could begin. I wanted this period to be over with as quickly as possible.
"As you all ought to know, this is your sixth year of potions. You all know my rules expectations-" Snape had begun to say but he was cut short by someone bursting through the door.
It was Euan. He looked into the room to see everyone seated and Snape at the front of the class.
"-especially about being on time. twenty-five points from Ravenclaw." Snape finnished bitterly with a crooked smile.
I could hear several Ravenclaws moan.
"Not already..." I heard someone, probably a Ravenclaw, whisper to their friend.
"Erm... sorry." Euan managed to mumble, glancing at Snape but mostly staring at the floor.
"Just take a seat and don't disrupt me again." Snape snapped back.
Euan slowly looked up, scanning the classroom for an empty seat. He found the only empty seat left and smiled. That only empty seat left you're wondering about? Yeah, It's next to me. Damn.
Euan walked briskly down the aisle towards the empty desk next to me. He swung his bag over his shoulder in the process, which knocked people's stuff over. Dear lord this guy was clumsy.
Seeing as I had yet to remove my bag from the empty desk, Euan stopped in front of me and looked at me with big, sad puppy dog eyes.
"Can I sit next to you, please?" He said in a sadly sweet little boy's voice. He was totally playing this up.
This wasn't fair. There was no way I could say no when the whole class was staring at me and he was acting all innocent. I couldn't say no even if I wanted to, though. It was the last desk after all. What was I supposed to do? Tell him no and make him sit on the cold dungeon floor? No, I think I'll pass on looking like a bitch it potions, thank you very much. I'll leave that job to Snape.
"Er... yeah, go ahead." I mumbled, moving my bag off the desk. I just wanted everyone to stop staring at me. I practically felt light-headed cause all my blood was going straight to my cheeks.
"Thanks." Euan whispered in reply with a wink as he sat down next to me. Ack! This winking must stop! Why must I be winked at? I positively hate this whole winking thing because everytime I'm winked at, I blush.
After Euan had sat down, Snape went off on his little speech on how we all basically sucked because we're not in Slytherin. I chose to ignore him, however, and flip through my potions book. All of a sudden, however, I heard a light tapping on my desk.
I looked up from my book to see Euan tapping my desk, lookin forward as not to draw attention to us. Next to his hand, was a folded scrap of paper. A note? Oh great now he's writing me notes. And I bet he's going to do this all year, too. Should I read it or shouldn't I?
Euan's tapping began to get impatient, and I gave in. I carefully picked up the note and unfolded it under the desk so Snape couldn't see. I was afraid of what it was going to say and if Snape saw the note and took it. The man's such a little prat he'd read it aloud to the whole class. Then I would proceed to melt into a puddle of embarrassment and death.
Anyways. I unfolded the note and read the only word written on it.
"Hi." was all Euan had wrote. Well, actually, it's more like he scribbled it. He has horrible handwritting apparently.
I just kind of stared blankly at the note for a bit before turning to Euan, a clearly confused expression on my face.
Euan began making some sort of hand gesture on the desk, but I didn't understand so I just continued to look confused and shrugged. Euan sighed quietly in annoyance.
"Write back." he mouthed to me.
He wanted me to write back? This was so pointless. I honestly can say that I just really don't get this boy. I swear he's not a Ravenclaw. He must secretly be a Hufflepuff, considering how stupid he is. And yes, I did realize that I just bashed my own house.
"Why?" I mouthed back to him.
"Just do it." he mouthed back in reply, starting to get a little frustrated.
He turned away from me and casually looked back towards the front of the classroom, as if we hadn't been communicating at all. Perhaps he belongs in Slytherin instead, with him being sneaky and all. Naw, he's too dumb. His extreme stupidity overcomes his sneakiness, he's definetly a Hufflepuff.
I can be so cruel sometimes. But hey, I just insulted myself in the process so it all evens out.
Right, so now I have to reply to his note. What am I even supposed to say? This was completely frivolous. You know what? I say screw him, I'm not writing back. I simply folded the piece of paper back up and tucked it into my book bag. Euan glanced at what I was doing from the corner of my eye and frowned. That was all that he could do at the moment, thank God. I just wanted him to leave me alone.
Once it was getting close to the time the bell was going to ring, I packed up my belongings quickly. I was ready to jump out of my seat and run when class was over. I didn't want to have to deal with Euan anymore than I had too.
Finally, the bell rang and I sprang out of my seat and dashed for the door while everyone else was still packing up their stuff. Euan, on the other hand, had caught on to my plan and jumped up after me in pursuit.
Just as I reached the hallway, I felt a strong hand grab me by my elbow and jerk me back. Dammit. I didn't have to think twice to know who that hand belonged to.
"Hey, why didn't you respond to my note?" Euan asked, his one eyebrow raised.
"Um..." I needed time to think a bit. Should I pretend I didn't understand his hand gestures or make up some lame excuse about not wanting to get in trouble? I chose the latter, figuring I wouldn't seem as stupid.
"I, er, just didn't want to get into any trouble. You know how Snape is, watching everyone like a hawk and all. I didn't want to take any chances or anything." I mumbled in response.
"Oh... okay." Euan seemed a little hurt and disappointed, but I didn't really care much. Shut up, I have no soul.
"Well I guess I better be off-" I began but was cut off shortly by Euan.
"What class do you have next?" Euan asked.
"Um... Charms." I replied cautiously.
A giant grin spread on Euan's face. This could not mean anything good.
"Well what do you know? Me too!" Euan exclaimed happily.
Dammit. Someone out there must really hate me. I mean seriously now, one class is bad enough, but two? What did I do to deserve this? Sigh.
"Shall we walk together then?" Euan continued, the smile having still not evaporated from his face.
"Yeah, sure... I guess." I replied flatly. I didn't want to be in the same class as him, let alone walk to class with him.
As we walked together in silence (well, actually I was being silent. Euan babbled on about everything and nothing.), I cast occassional glances at Euan. Why did he want to be around me so bad? I really just don't get him. All I've done so far is treat him coldly, but he only seems to grow warmer towards me in response. Maybe he just wantes to be friends or something with me. Ha.
I stared at Euan one last time before we entered Charms together, and I just hoped people wouldn't think me and him were together. At least I only have potions and this class with him. So I should be able to manage... right?
Several hours later, right before advanced divination.
AH! Oh my God! HE'S IN ALL MY CLASSES EXCEPT DIVINATION! Noooooooooooo! How can this happen to me? I mean sure, one class is okay, two was pushing it, but six? That's just plain intolerable! And I'm sitting next to him in every class, thanks to him choosing to sit next to me. Ugh.
At least he's not in advanced divination, thank God. But just you wait, I bet he'll get moved up or something during the middle of the year and I'll be stuck with him in every class. Where he'll pass me notes, which I'll refuse to answer. And blab on about nothing until I go senseless.
He's a bit... overbearing. Okay, I lied. He's EXTREMELY overbearing. I just want him to shut up. Permanently. Maybe I should sew his lips shut. You know, with a needle and strong thread. And I mean, I don't think it would be necessary to use any anesthetics, seeing as I believe he already talks to the point of his mouth being numb and all.
I can't believe I was just actually thinking about crudely sewing a living person's mouth shut with a neddle and thread. Without anesthetics at that, too. I'm such a cruel human being. I don't deserve to live.
Right, so I'm finally in my favorite class of all time, divination, and I'm away from Euan. Yay I think I can finally breathe. No seriously, It's hard to breathe around that guy when he's SUCKING IN ALL THE SORROUNDING AIR to talk. Mmmm, air. I am not odd. Leave me alone.
So I just walked into the classroom, and I must find myself a suitable table. I may sound picky, but I'm actually just gonna throw my bag onto any random table. And so I do.
I really like this classroom. It's high up, and there's lots of candles. It's cooler up here for some reason, too. Which is completely ironic considering heat rises and there's about a billion candles burning everywhere.
Wait. Candles need oxygen to burn. If there's a billion candles, burning up oxygen, then I can't breathe. Again. Dammit, when it's not a blackhole (aka Euan), it's plasmatic matter (fire, to simplify it). Maybe God wants me to die by slow suffocation. That's an awfully cruel death.
Or maybe I just think too much. Naw.
Professor Trelawney walked into the room with a dazed expression on her face, as usual. She was draped in several shawls and wore a long skirt. The woman could use a serious wardrobe make-over.
No, let's think about this. I could give her an amazing makeover. Clothes, hair, make-up, the works. Then maybe she'd be hot. And Severus might fall in love with her or something. Alas, if only Snape wasn't gay. Damn, now I can't fulfill my life dream to hook-up two teachers at Hogwarts. Eh, it's their losses not mine.
I continued to stare blankly at the odd looking professor Trelawney until someone walked up in front of her and blocked my view. Only, I'm quite glad this person blocked my view for two reasons. One, Trelawney is a sight for sore eyes (very sore eyes). Second, It was the embodiment of a Greek god blocking my view.
In case you haven't guessed yet, it's William Durriken. Looking just as handsome as usual, may I note. He was talking to Trelawney at the moment, his back facing me. I took this as my chance to gawk freely at his unearthly beauty, seeing as he wasn't facing me.
William had so much charm and charisma that even Trelawney couldn't seem but help to blush. He laughed light-heartedly and walked away to find a seat, making Trelawney grow a few shades redder. If only he used his charisma and charm on me... Sigh.
William casually sat down at a table with a guy from Gryffindor and two girls from Ravenclaw just a couple tables down from mine. He immeadiately took up chatting with them and I couldn't help but admire his strong and muscular jaw.
A couple stragglers walked in and then the bell rang. It took Trelawney a full five minutes before she had realized that the bell had actually rang, as she looked to be in a dream-like state. Maybe she can sleep with her eyes open. That'd be kind of creepy.
"Why hello, everyone." Trelawney spoke, opening her arms as if to embrace the whole room.
After waiting a few second for a response, and not getting anything except for a few coughs, she continued.
"This is advanced divination. I expect far more from you than my other classes. I know that many of you are seventh years and I can't stress enough how important divination will be in your lives after Hogwarts..." Trelawney trailed off.
I think that's where I lost my interest, for I don't remember much else. For the rest of the class, I just idly took glances at William and flipped through my divination book.
An hour later.
"And that's how serving tea with leaves in it helped me save the prime minister." Trelawney finished proudly.
However, I along with the rest of the class, had completely missed her story because she had lost our interest five minutes into her speech. No one had a clue as to what she was talking about or what point it had.
Then, blessed be, the bell rang. I didn't have to jump up from this class, seeing as Euan wasn't in it. I lazily began putting my stuff back into my bag as William was passing by my table with a small group of friends. In my nervousness of him about to walk past me, I knocked a quill off my table.
William stopped right as he was passing my table and picked it up for me, outstretching his hand to me.
"I believe you dropped this, miss." he said with a warm smile. And then I proceeded to melt inside and turn a feverish shade of scarlet in my cheeks.
"Oh, um... thanks." I said, carefully retrieving the quill from his hand. Just as I was pulling my hand away, William curled his fingertips up against my hand, running them along the length of the underside of my hand lightly. It was so casual, but he defintely did that on purpose. He didn't have to curl his fingers up, he could have just dropped his hand away.
He smiled again, staring at me just a second longer than he should have and walked away with his friends. I could feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest. What was all that about? Look, I know it was probably nothing, but it meant a lot to me because I've never had any contact with a guy before. I am not pathetic. Leave me alone.
When I finally got back to the common room, I dreamily fell back onto my bed and stared out the window blankly. Did William maybe like me or something...? Probably not but I dunno. That wink, the way his fingertips curled up against my hand, and his smile that was overly warm and long-lasting... I can't help but get my hopes up.
Onto my dark thoughts now. No, I don't mean where I think about dominating the world with a twenty-five cent knife. You sick diluted person, you. I would never think abuot anything like that. I mean about Euan. He's in six out of seven of my classes. And I sit next to him in every class I have him in. I can already barely deal with him as it is. How will I survive this cruel tragedy?
At least my last class was my little piece of heaven of earth. With William playing the role of Adam, of course. Mmm I wouldn't mine seeing him walk around naked.