Welcome to the Jungle

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or Glee. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter Forty-Eight: Somebody That I Used To Know

When Puck rocks up at school with a mohawk, it turns heads. Most people would have already seen pictures; if not on Facebook, then courtesy of Jacob Ben-Israel's WMHS centric gossip blog, but there's nothing quite like the real thing. It's something akin to a car wreck: people just can't look away.

Puck had received the haircut the day prior, in the company of Leanne, Flora, and Harry himself, and as Puck preens under the attention his new haircut earns him, Harry's still struggling to come to terms with the fact his friend had actually done it. He looks sort of ridiculous, but under the impression it makes him look more badass, Puck loves it.

"What did Ms P say?" Harry queries. They're at their lockers, Alison Prescott nowhere in sight..

"Nothing," Puck answers, chuckling, "She wasn't impressed though. You should have seen her face!"

"I can imagine," Harry acknowledges. He gathers up the things he'll need for his next few classes, shuts his locker, and slumps against the closed door, "I can't believe she didn't make you shave it off."

"I guess she wants me to get it out of my system before I finish high school, or something," Puck shrugs, clueless, and shoulders his backpack, "But whatever, who cares why, right?"

Harry absently hums his acknowledgement. "I guess so."

They split before the loitering Hall Monitor can give them grief, and Harry makes his way towards the Social Studies class he shares with Matt. His friend is already there, flirting with Angelina Johnson's little sister, and Harry opts not to bother him. Instead, he drops into his seat and produces the things he'll need for class, and settles in to await their teacher's arrival.

Matt splits from Tiana and drops into the seat beside Harry's. "I have news."

"Yeah?" Harry glances at him, expectant. "What is it?"

"Quinn and Finn are back together."

Harry rolls his eyes, irritated and long-suffering, and glances towards the front of the room. Their teacher still hasn't arrived. "What the hell, Rutherford! Are you running a gossip column now?"

"Nah man," Matt denies, unruffled, "Santana and I are tight, you know?"

Harry nods, but doesn't pry further. Matt and Santana have made no strides towards labelling whatever they've got going on, and although Harry - like the rest of their friends - has wondered about it, he hasn't pushed for details. It's none of his business, and after everything with Cho and Cedric, and himself and Quinn, Harry's a bit burnt out by it all. Furthermore, Harry's pretty sure not even Matt and Santana know what's going on with them, and maybe it's better that way. Less pressure, or whatever.

In any case, Matt's relationship - such as it is - with Santana means he's got a direct line to the Finn and Quinn show, and he's apparently got no qualms about keeping Harry updated with all of the gory details of a pair who are quickly becoming one of those couples.

"Thanks for the head's up," Harry sighs. He won't be startled by their PDA's in the hallway, at least, and he can't wait for the day the sight of them stops mattering to him. It's not that he still has feelings for Quinn, and nor is it that he still misses her in any notable way, shape, or form. Rather, it's more the fact it grates on him, knowing that Quinn has been able to let him go so easily. Arrogant it may be, but Harry doesn't like the thought that he's so effortlessly replaceable (by Finn Hudson, no less). Moreover, to be reminded of the fact on a regular basis? He hates it, and as such, Summer can't arrive soon enough.

It'll be nice not to have to see Quinn Fabray and Finn Hudson every day. It's weird, because he and Quinn had been friends at one point, had bonded over books and movies and music, but somewhere along the way, they'd lost that foundation, and there was no going back now. Not after everything that had happened between them. It's unfortunate, but Quinn wouldn't be the first friend Harry's lost as a result of actions taken, and he doubts she'll be the last. It's simply the way of things, and Harry had come to terms with the fact a long time ago..

"No problem," Matt answers, nonchalant, and turns the conversation to work, and in particular, a detailed explanation of everything he hates about his job at McDonald's. Harry tries to commiserate, but his work at the Steam House isn't the worst thing out there. Moreover, he hates it even less with his decreased hours, and at the end of the day, he's made some pretty awesome friends from the place. Even Penelope and Gemma, and to a lesser extent, the other team members who aren't his age, or aren't WMHS classmates, or maybe aren't as close to him as Ron and Hermione. They're still friends, and they still make the Steam House an enjoyable place to work, and Harry can't and won't forget that.

Somewhere in Matt's tangent, their substitute teacher arrives, and quickly leaves them to their own devices. It's the start of term, which means Harry doesn't have a backlog of assessment or homework to wade his way through, so he reluctantly starts the Maths homework he'd been assigned that morning. All the while, he and Matt's conversation continues.

"Why don't you look for another job?"

Matt gives him the side eye, expression unimpressed. "This is Lima, dude. Do you know how hard it is for fifteen year olds to get jobs here?"

Harry blinks, bemused. He'd fallen into his job at the Steam House as a result of the fact his mother owns it, and he has never actually considered how different his peers' experiences would be in comparison. He's never had reason to. "No?"

"It's fucking hard."

"Won't get anywhere if you don't try."

Matt sighs, inexplicably weary. "Maybe during the Summer. I can't be bothered right now."

Harry shrugs. "Suit yourself."

Their conversation has brought Matt's mood down, so they don't talk much further. Instead, Harry somehow completes his homework between the distractions provided by the rest of his classmates, and then occupies his last few minutes of class by doodling a cartoon caricature of Puck (and his new haircut) in the blank margin of his worksheet. He only remembers afterwards that the worksheet in question is supposed to be handed in to his teacher during their next Maths class, and ink isn't exactly erasable.

"It could be worse," Matt reasons on their way to the Foreign Language Department, "Could be Mr Vaughn."

"God, he'd have me in detention until Commencement!"

"Exactly!" Matt laughs, but adds, "Anyway, I wouldn't worry. It's good. He'll probably like it."

"That'll be the day."

As usual, they split when Harry reaches his classroom, and Matt meanders towards his Spanish lesson as though he has all the time in the world. His teacher, Mr Schuester, is a pushover of the highest order, and his students can get away with practically anything. Furthermore, Schue is also one of those teachers who tries hard to be a friend to his students, and most of Harry's classmates shamelessly take advantage of him as a result.

As he reluctantly shuffles into the Japanese classroom, Harry can't decide if he pities Mr Schuester or not, but either way, Harry envies those of his classmates lucky enough to take Spanish, or even luckier enough to avoid their Foreign Language requirement entirely. Most of his teachers are hardasses with high expectations, and to court their disappointment? It's not worth the trouble. Not when such trouble would involve even more work on his plate, and a meeting with his parents and the WMHS Guidance Counsellor to boot. He's got enough to worry about as is, after all.

-!- -#-

Author's Note: The school year is wrapping up, and so is Part 1 of Welcome to the Jungle. I'm thinking Chapter 50 will be the last, but I may be wrong. Depends on the muse, but I've only got two more plot points to write out, so…

Anyway, thanks for reading.