Walking through the Hogwarts Express Harry looked for a place to sit. Ron and Hermione had left him for their prefect duties and would not be back until a couple hours later. After passing through nearly the entire train, Harry finally found a compartment with space. Inside sat Ginny, Neville and a blonde haired girl with large eyes and glasses on reading a magazine.
Harry poked his head in. "Mind if I sit here? All the other compartments are full."
Neville and Ginny both looked up at him. "Go ahead Harry. The seat's all yours," said Ginny. Neville mumbled the in agreement.
Harry went in and sat down beside Neville and across from the blonde.
Ginny looked between Harry and the blonde. "That's Luna Lovegood, she's in Ravenclaw."
Harry stuck his hand out. "Nice to meet you Luna, I'm Harry Potter," Harry scratched his head."Erm… well I'm sure you already knew that."
Luna tore her eyes away from the magazine she was reading, looked at Harry, and then at his hand. "Nice to meet you Harry, and yes, I already knew that," she said as they shook hands. After a moment of shaking, Luna dropped his hand and continued looking at the magazine in her hand.
"You do realize you're reading that upside-down?"
Luna's eyes flitted to Harry. "Oh yes, I'm aware of that."
"Oh, okay." And that ended that.
Slightly uncomfortable with Luna, Harry turned to Ginny and Neville. "So how were the holidays?"
Neville perked up. "My grandmother bought me a rare plant. It's got loads of cool features. If you poke it Stinksap comes out of it and covers everything around it. Not to mention how cool it looks when it squirms."
"That's brilliant Neville," said Harry, knowing how much his friend enjoyed Herbology. "Maybe you could show it to me some time."
Ginny wasn't so sure. "Eager to get covered in Stinksap are you Harry?"
"I'd still smell better than you," Harry shot back.
At the sight of Ginny fuming Harry was quite worried. "Ginny, I hope you know I was kidding, right?
"I've been dying to use this hex I just learned. Hope you're not volunteering," warned Ginny.
The rest of the train ride went in relative silence. Only interrupted by a cat running down the aisle and the food trolley. Ron and Hermione oddly enough never showed up. Harry made note to bring it up with them later.
"We should change into our school robes. We can't be that far away from Hogwarts," Harry suggested.
"You're right. Now get out and let me and Luna change."
Looking at the sleeping boy next to him, Harry prodded him with his wand. Neville woke up with a small shout and looked around in confusion. "Come one Neville, we need to wait outside while the girls change."
As the boys waited outside the girls changed.
"Neville, I dare you to take a peek inside."
"Blimey mate, Ginny would hex my jewels off if I pulled a stunt like that," Neville shivered.
After they had finished changing the girls let the boys inside and waited outside while the boys changed.
After walking into the Great Hall the students of Hogwarts took their seats at their house's table. Through the air floated lit candles and the ceiling was enchanted to mirror the view of the night sky. The hall quickly filled with the sounds of talking and laughter as those within exchanged greetings, pleasantries and summer news. At the Gryffindor table Harry sat in between Ron and Hermione about three quarters of the way down the table for the customary start of year feast. Ron looked at the currently empty table in front of him as if he was depressed.
"Ron, the food's coming mate. No need to look so sad."
Ron looked at Harry. "Mum forgot to pack me sandwiches for the train." He looked back at the table knowing those words to be enough to justify his mood.
Harry just patted Ron a few times on the back.
"Boys," stated an unamused Hermione.
The students around them - while not to Ron's degree - were all waiting for the incoming feast with great anticipation.
Harry looked up towards the staff table. "Ron, Hermione, where's Hagrid," said Harry with a tinge of panic in his voice.
"Are you sure you didn't just miss him," Ron asked, slightly anxious.
"Of course not, think of the size of him. It'd be impossible to miss him."
Hermione leaned towards Harry and Ron. "Maybe he's not back from you know - his mission - the one Dumbledore sent him on," she whispered.
"And who the hell is that woman in the pink?" she said , pointing towards the middle of the staff table. There sat a frumpy, stumpy and almost toad-like woman with dry mud brown hair and an unappealing pink cardigan covering her more sensible staff robes. Taking a sip from her goblet her face turned into a grimace.
"It's pumpkin juice. Who doesn't like pumpkin juice?" Harry exclaimed, watching her reaction. "You think we could sue her for not liking pumpkin juice?" he asked Ron.
"What's a sue?"
"Never mind that now Ron. Hermione, it's that Umbridge lady!"
"You act like I know who that is," Hermione replied.
"She was at my expulsion hearing. She works for Fudge!"
"You'd think she'd be able to afford some nice clothing, working for the Minister and such," said Ron, smirking.
As Professor McGonagall pulled out a battered ancient wizard's hat, the buzz in the Great Hall quieted down into hushed whispers. Eager to see the newest additions to their house several students from each house scolded others for talking. The hat then sung its song and the sorting began.
Professor McGonagall pulled out a scroll which listed all the first years on it. Total silence fell in the hall and the first name was called. The first first year went to Gryffindor and slowly the line of first years thinned. Finally the last first year was sorted into Hufflepuff, and Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and stool and quickly took them away.
Dumbledore stood up in front of the entire school. "Welcome first years, and welcome back all the others. There is a time for speech making but this is not it. Tuck in!."
Applause broke out for Dumbledore and for the incoming feast. Dumbledore sat down and threw his long beard over his shoulder to keep out of the way of his plate, for the food had finally appeared.
After all the students had finished eating and started to get restless, Dumbledore once again stood up and waited. As students noticed Dumbledore standing they quieted down and waited for his speech. By now Harry was feeling tired. The past few days his regular dream plagued him for longer than ever before and thusly the quality of his sleep went down. Harry considered going to Madam Pomfrey for some dreamless sleep potion.
"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now too."
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door.
"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"A new fifth year Gryffindor is within our midst. She will be joining you all tomorrow. Please give her a warm Hogwarts welcome, as I'm sure you've all received during your first year."
Dumbledore continued before being interrupted by Professor Umbridge who made her own speech. Perhaps the sole student to listen to the entire speech was Hermione who seemed to be drinking in every word. Harry struggled to keep his eyelids open, and paying attention to whatever Professor Umbridge was saying was completely out of the question.
When Professor Umbridge finished her speech, Dumbledore added a few words and dismissed the school. The sound of chairs scraped against the floor was almost deafening. Hundreds of students stood up and began filing out of the Hall.
Harry head straight for the door to the boys' dormitory after entering the common room. Inside Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan had reached the dormitory first and were in the process of unpacking their trunks.
"Hi," he said, opening his own trunk.
"Hey, Harry," said Dean, as he took what looked like a block of Honeydukes chocolate out of his trunk. "Good holiday?"
Harry paused. Truthfully, his summer holidays had been horrid. He had been attacked by Dementors, almost expelled from Hogwarts and suffered from the same dream every night. "Not bad. You?"
"Yeah it was decent," Dean laughed. "Boring mostly.
Dean turned towards Seamus who looked like he wanted to say something as his face was going pale. "Anyways, did you here about the new fifth year Gryffindor girl? It's odd that she's coming to Hogwarts just now. You'd think there be rules on it."
The colour returned to Seamus' face. "She must have either gone to another wizarding school or been privately tutored. Otherwise she'll have no clue what's going on," he added.
"Well if she hasn't done magic before I give her my prayers because she'll want out of this Hogwarts within the week," said Harry, finishing unpacking. "Just imagine what Snape will do to her."
All three boys shuddered.
Harry pushed his now empty trunk under his bed and pulled his pajamas on. Climbing into bed he took his glasses of and put them on the beside table. He extinguished the candle beside his bed and hoped he could sleep in peace for just one night.
Next morning Harry woke up feeling refreshed and alert. Heading down to breakfast he and Ron met up with Hermione in the common room.
"Harry, you're looking chipper this morning. Sleep well did you?"
"You have no idea," said Harry. "What do you think about that?" he added, pointing towards the common room notice board.
Pairs Dueling Tournament
Interested in improving your dueling skills?
Sign up with Professor Flitwick,
No previous experience required
"Blimey Harry, wasn't Flitwick a professional dueler in his time?" Ron exclaimed. "He could teach us loads on how to fight You-Know-Who," he paused. "Although we'll have to figure out who's pairs with who."
"I guess. I'm not too keen on duelling with a partner so we'll see," said Harry, as they climbed through out through the portrait hole.
"I think this is just what the school needs. With the Ministry sending that Umbridge lady to interfere at Hogwarts I'm not so sure if we'll even be learning Defense Against the Dark Arts in her class," Hermione said, as the three of them walked past the many portraits that lined the hall leading to the stairs.
"Oi! You there, hold on."
Harry, Hermione and Ron all turned around to see who had spoken.
"Yes?" Harry ventured towards the battered and stained frame that held the portrait of a brown haired skinny wizard with a large nose and thick bushy eyebrows.
"Did I hear something about the ministry interfering at Hogwarts?" the painting asked, looking rather peaky.
Hermione looked towards the boys with an expression of incredibility. "Yes, I supposed you did. What's it to you? You don't see too many paintings conversing with students do you?"
"They sent a woman who looks like a toad to teach us Defense," Ron blurted out.
"We paintings don't usually trouble ourselves with the silly issues students have," said the panting,incensed by the student's treatment of him. "However, there comes a time where we all must unite to fight an outside threat. To face the coming darkness and preserve the rights Hogwarts seeks to protect!"
The inhabitants of the surrounding paintings came out and looked towards the shouting, curious to see what was going on.
The painting stopped to catch his breath.
"Well, don't just look at me. Say something."
"You're a painting," Harry said dryly. "You're meant to be looked at."
"What Harry meant is that we appreciate your help…" Hermione looked to Harry and Ron for support, "and we'll get back to you as soon as we have more intelligence on hand."
"Yeah, what she said," Ron was quick to add.
"Well then, I supposed I can let you go now," the painting said slowly. "However come back to me the instant you get news!"
"We better be off now," said Harry.
"If you ever need to talk to me and I'm not in my frame, simply call my name."
"What exactly is your name?"
"Why you- You're speaking to Egbert the Egregious."
Blank stares looked back at him.
"Master of the Elder Wand, defeater of Emeric the Evil, vanquisher of darkness," said Egbert, getting angrier by the second. "Vanquisher of darkness?"
"Sorry, never heard of him," said Ron. "If you're were important I'm sure we'd know who you were. Anyway, nice talking to you Edgert." Ron dragged Harry and Hermione away from the painting.
"It's EGBERT! Why, the youth of today know no respect!" called out Egbert, as he watched the three leave.
Walking into the Great Hall for breakfast was quite the unusual experience. The usual loud conversations and laughter that was gone and instead the Hall was filled with whispers.
"What's going on? I've never seen the Hall so quiet at breakfast." Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table. Ron and Hermione quickly followed.
Dean took a seat across the table. "Remember when Dumbledore said that a new student had come to Hogwarts?"
"Of course, he said to make sure she felt welcome here. Right"
"Well, she's here, and it doesn't look like she's welcome," Dean said, motioning towards the very end of the table.
"What do you mean by that. She's in Gryffindor, how could she not be welcome," questioned Harry.
"You'll see for yourself." Dean got up and went to sit beside Seamus.
Harry, Hermione and Ron leaned back and forward to get a better look down the table to see the newest Gryffindor. It was a skinny girl with dark brown hair wearing her Hogwarts uniform. She was leaning forward over a single piece of toast, her hair covering her face. The seats around her were empty and the students sitting at adjacent house tables kept glancing at her with cruel expressions on their faces.
"Why is everyone looking at her like that? Like there's something wrong with her," Harry murmured to Ron and Hermione.
"Maybe because there is Potter," Draco spat as he walked by. "Haven't you seen her face? It looks like she was attacked by a werewolf. Bloody disgusting."
Watching as Draco left the Hall, Ron could only grimace. "Worthless git. Only he could be personally insulted by someone else's looks. I'm sure whatever she looks like it's not too bad." He piled eggs onto his plate. "I've missed this you know, the food. Mum's cooking is great but nothing compares to Hogwarts. You think they charmed the tables or something? I swear eggs never taste right outside of Hogwarts." Ron deep in thought over the quality of the food, kept talking despite not getting any replies from his friends.
"Harry… aren't you going to eat anything," Hermione said quietly.
"Yeah, I guess. It's just that girl seems familiar." Harry let out a deep breath. Shaking his head once, he focused on the food in front of him. Unlike Ron, Harry decided to go for the sausages. Piling several on he squirted them with ketchup and started to eat.
"Maybe you should go talk to her," Hermione suggested. "She's all alone you know.
"It's not like that Hermione. I just feel like I've seen her before," Harry protested.
"Still, talking to her couldn't hurt. Maybe you'll recognize her if you do."
"She looks like she wants to be alone." Ending that topic of conversation, Harry turned to Ron. "Did you notice that Hagrid's not back yet?" Hermione recognized the tactic and just smiled.
"I did actually, that damn Grubbly-Plank woman trying to steal his job. Who does she think she is."
"Ron!" Hermione scolded. "I have on good authority that Professor Grubbly-Plank is an excellent teacher."
"That's what all the girls say about her. I'm not surprised you think that too."
Harry turned to look again at the girl sitting alone at the end of the table. The toast had disappeared from her plate; all that was left were scattered crumbs. After a moment, the girl reached out a delicate hand towards to bowl of fruit. Hesitating right before the bowl, her hand started to shake. Another moment passed and the girl withdrew her hand, however her hand continued to shake on the table.
"Harry where are you going?" Hermione asked him. Unconsciously Harry had stood up and had taken one step towards the girl with shaking hands. Harry looked back, looked down at his feet, and then sat back down on his seat.
"Nowhere," he muttered.
Ron and Hermione both exchanged a look.
"We should be heading to class. Don't want to make a poor first impression on Umbridge."
"Come on Hermione, I'm still eating!" Ron pleaded.
"Well you better finish up in ten seconds otherwise I'm not helping you with your homework."
Ron blanched. "Alright, alright!" He quickly shovelled a few more bites of bacon into his mouth. "Am' r'dy" he said.
Harry gave one last glance down the table.
Professor Umbridge stood at the door of her room with a piece of parchment in her hand and a quill in the other. She was wearing the same pink fluffy cardigan as before but today she sported a black velvet bow perched on the top of her head. Harry watched as Parvati Patil attempted to enter the classroom.
"Name and house?" Umbridge asked her.
"Parvati Patil, Gryffindor."
"You may proceed," Professor Umbridge said sweetly, writing something on the parchment she help.
"Name and house?" Umbridge asked the next student who tried to get in.
"Lavender Brown, Gryffindor as well."
Professor Umbridge wrote again on the parchment. "You're free to enter."
Harry walked forward, heading for the door of the classroom. As he reached the door Professor Umbridge blocked his attempt to enter.
"Name and house." Her eyes flicked to his scar and back down again. Her faced turned into a grimace momentarily.
Not failing to notice Professor Umbridge's reaction Harry bristled in anger. "Harry Potter, Gryffindor."
"Please refrain from taking that tone with me. Now I'll ask you only once more. Name and house," Professor Umbridge tutted.
"Harry Potter, Gryffindor." This time in a monotone voice.
"That'll do. Proceed." A satisfied smile broke out on her face.
Harry walked through the doorway and looked around for a seat. Most of the seats at the front of the classroom, nearest to Professor Umbridge's oak desk had already been taken. It seemed that there were many students willing to make a good first impression on the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. The back rows were nearly completely empty in comparison. Harry decided that sitting as far as possible from the new teacher that seemed happy to antagonise him. Harry took off his bag and placed it beside the desk at the very far left back corner.
As he waited for the class to begin, Harry's thoughts strayed to the girl at in the Great Hall; He had so many questions. Had she really only eaten a single piece of toast? Why did her hands shake when she reached for the fruit? What would her scars have to look like for the entire Great Hall to be reduced to whispers and stares.
Interrupting Harry from his thoughts was the falsely-sweet voice of Professor Umbridge.
"Well, good morning!" she said, watching as the newest arrivals brought out their wands.
Her words were met with silence.
"It seems like none of you have any manners," she said with narrowed eyes. "First lesson of the year. Take notes everyone, you all seem desperate for any information to do with manners. As I was saying, first lesson is, when a professor greets you with "good morning," you're expected to reply with "Good morning, Professor Umbridge." Professor Umbridge waited a few seconds as if the students needed the time to process her words.
"Now, let's try that again, shall we? Good morning, class!" Professor Umbridge practically screeched.
A few students daydreaming about their beds jumped in surprise, Professor Umbridge's sudden raise in volume shocking them.
"Good morning, Professor Umbridge," most of the class chanted back at her, mostly out of fear for an even more volatile reaction.
"Very good." Professor Umbridge took a few breaths to calm herself and her face slowly became less red. "Now, there is only one student absent, a Miss Collins. Is anyone aware of the location of Miss Collins? Skipping class is punishable by detention and points taken."
Silence filled the room.
"Very well, weekend detention for Miss Collins and thir-"
Professor Umbridge was interrupted by someone softly knocking on the door to the classroom. Chairs scrape the floor as the class collectively turned around to look at the door.
"Come in," Professor Umbridge said in a sing song voice.
Every pair of eyes in the room watched as the door was slowly pushed open to reveal the same girl from breakfast. As she noticed the entire class watching, her eyes widened in fear and she quickly glanced backwards as if contemplating running.
Whispers quickly broke out in the classroom which only intensified her fear.
"Silence class. Now if you didn't want to be embarrassed you shouldn't have decided to be late," Professor Umbridge idly called out, searching her desk for something.
The whispering ceased, however the judgemental stares did not.
The girl took a step forward, her hands severely shaking and her eyes still wide with terror. Her chest breathed in and out several times per second. Harry realized that she was on the verge of having a panic attack in front of the class.
Raising his hand, Harry called out, "Excuse me, Professor Umbridge, when can we get going with the lesson? I'm so eager to learn from you but all these disruptions are slowing us down," as sincerely as he could.
Professor Umbridge was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. "Miss Collins please sit down, I will deal with you at the end of class."
Strangely to Harry, who was still observing the girl, she responded instantly to Professor Umbridge's command and sat down in the only available seat. Her hands, however, continued to shake as she held them at her sides.
Harry breathed in quickly as he realised the only seat left was the one directly beside him. He stared straight at his desk and awaited for the girl's imminent arrival.
After thirty seconds of waiting to hear the girl sit Harry could not refrain from looking to his right and see what was the hold up.
Harry choked on his own saliva as he saw the girl already sitting down looking directly at him. Her brown eyes met his and he saw an unrecognisable flash of emotion passed through them. Looking towards the right side of her face which had just become visible Harry was shocked to see a bright red ugly scar that extended from just below her temple to beside her chin. Professor Umbridge had began to write directions for the lesson on the board. Refusing to end the eye contact and concerned Harry whispered to her, "Are you alright."
The girl instantly straightened her back, clenched her hands and closed her eyes. After a few moments she almost imperceptibly nodded her head.
"Don't worry about Umbridge by the way, she's more bark than bite," Harry continued to whisper.
The girl relaxed slightly and opened her eyes. Looking at him, she didn't look fearful any more. Harry could only see wariness and a flicker of distrust behind her innocent brown eyes.
"I'm Harry Potter by the name. I supposed you already know that though… What's your name?" Harry asked her, still whispering as Professor Umbridge told the class to put their wands away.
The girl's head jerked away from his, breaking their eye contact. His question seemed to once again cause her distress. Her hands were squeezing the sides of her chair very tightly.
"Alright, you don't have to tell me," Harry was quick to add after seeing her reaction. "Anyways I should probably stop talking. Professor Umbridge thinks I'm some kind of teachers pet and it wouldn't do for me to be talking during class."
The girl's hands let go of her seat, but she did not turn back to face him.
Looking to the front Harry read the words off the blackboard.
Defense Against the Dark Arts
A Return to Basic Principles.
"Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather lacking," stated Professor Umbridge. "Not one teacher you've had so far has submitted their curriculum for Ministry review. Such irresponsible teaching has unfortunately led to you all being far behind the standard we expect to see in your O.W.L. Year."
"Now, you will all be pleased to know that, myself, working in tandem with the Ministry can help you rectify these problems. Copy down the following please."
Professor Umbridge tapped the blackboard with her wand and the first message disappeared. It was replaced by:
Course Aims:
1. Learning when magic can be used with the directions of the law.
2. Knowing when magic is unacceptable to be used.
3. Using defensive magic with a practical context.
"Please take outyour copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard," Professor Umbridge said while the room was filled with the sound of quills scratching. When every had finished had finished copying down the note Professor Umbridge spoke again. "Turn to page five and read chapter one, 'Basics for Beginners.' There shall be no talking."
Harry took out his copy of Defensive Magical Theory and turned to page five like Professor Umbridge had directed him.
Within moments Harry felt his eyes eyes drooping. The book was a load of rubbish. Harry must have read the first page ten times without processing any of the words.
"Miss Collins," Professor Umbridge's voice woke him up from his stupor. "Did you not hear my directions. You were to take out your copy of Defensive Magical Theory and read the first chapter."
The girl slowly slowly raised her head to look at Professor Umbridge who addressed her from the front of class.
"Do not ignore me, Miss Collins," Professor Umbridge said sharply after the girl did not answer. "Where is your copy of Defensive Magical Theory?" Professor Umbridge spoke as if addressing a small child, slowly and with extra emphasis on every syllable.
The girl looked back down at her desk with shame.
Harry felt a painful tightening in his chest as he watched Professor Umbridge mock the girl beside him.
"It seems that Miss Collins is quite the dull witch, seeing as she unable to comprehend my question," Professor Umbridge sighed melodramatically. "That will be deten-"
"Professor," Harry interrupted loudly. "She gave her copy to me since I lost mine on the way to class. She did nothing wrong."
Professor Umbridge looked at Harry with a piercing gaze. "Very well," Professor Umbridge said hesitantly. "Detention, Mr. Potter. See me after class. Please give Miss Collins her book back; You may use my copy for now." At this point the entire classed had stopped reading and were watching the exchange with interest. "Back to reading, everyone," Professor Umbridge said as she sat back down in her chair.
Harry stood up and walked towards the girl beside, stopping beside her desk.
"Here's your book back. Sorry for taking it," Harry said, amused at his antics.
Looking up towards Harry, confusion was evident in the girls eyes. She hesitantly reached out and took the book from Harry with her slender hands. For a brief moment their hands touched, and the girl's brown eyes widened in surprise.
Startled by the contact, the girl dropped the book. However, before it's impact with the ground, Harry miraculously caught it.
"That was a close one. Anyways here you go, for real this time."
"Mr. Potter. If you wish to use my copy of the book then you will have to come here and get it within the next thirty seconds."
Harry reluctantly looked away from the girl, her cheeks now dusted a faint red.
"Sorry Professor, I was just apologising to Miss Collins," said Harry, walking towards Professor Umbridge's desk.
Professor Umbridge looked up from the official looking parchment she was reading. Harry could just make out the words 'Ministry of Magic' written on the top.
"Next class you will have your own copy of Defensive Magical Theory. Do I make myself clear, Mr. Potter?"
"Absolutely, Professor." If you were a ghost.
Harry took Professor Umbridge's book back to his desk, opened it up to page five, and began to read the mind numbing passages.
"It takes a special kind of student to receive detention on the first day of classes," Professor Umbridge simpered, watching Harry and the girl sitting beside him. "Miss Collins, while I am aware that it is your first day attending Hogwarts, that is no excuse to show up late to class. Do you have anything to say in your defense."
The girl didn't even look up from the floor where her gaze currently resided.
"I didn't think so," Professor Umbridge said, irritation creeping into her falsely sweet voice.
Professor Umbridge turned her gaze to Harry. "Mr. Potter, forgetting your book on the first day of classes is equally as serious an event. Not to mention coercing a fellow student out of their own book. Have you anything to say in your defense?"
"Only that I'm sorry to have involved Miss Collins."
"Very well, if that's the case, you're both assigned detention with Mr. Filch. He's informed me that there are many trophies that require polishing. Please report to him next Saturday straight after dinner," Professor Umbridge said without sympathy. "Some honest labour should give you an idea of responsibility and prevent you from making the same mistakes again."
"Is that all, Professor Umbridge," Harry queried.
"Yes, you're both dismissed."
The chair beside Harry made a loud and horrible screeching noise as the girl stood up in the blink of an eye, took her bag and practically ran from the room, her long dark brown hair flying in every which direction.
Harry picked up his own bag and left the room as well, glad that class was finally over.
The rest of the week passed without much excitement for Harry. The most exciting thing perhaps were his interactions, however brief and one sided, with the skinny girl with long dark brown hair and brown eyes. Miss Collins, he mouthed awkwardly. Harry couldn't bring himself to call her by her last name, it just felt overly awkward to him. Not that 'the girl' was any better.
Harry was up early Saturday morning, and lazed around in his bed for a while. Getting up, he decided to go to breakfast. However ,he was unsure if it would be served this early. Figuring he could go back to bed if it wasn't, Harry put on his robes and started walking towards the Great Hall.
Looking to the portrait of Egbert the Egregious Harry sighed in relief when he was still dozing in his frame. The past week Egbert had insisted they (he, Hermione and Ron) talk to them every time they passed. It was becoming quite tedious now seeing as Egbert only wanted to know if anything horrible had happened at Hogwarts yet.
The Great Hall totally quiet and unfortunately devoid of any food. Just about to turn around and head back to his warm and comfortable bed, Harry heard a feminine sneeze come from somewhere in the Hall.
Cautiously, he took a few steps into the Hall. "Hello?" Harry called out. "Is anyone there?"
A thud came from his left followed by an alarmed cry and finally another thud.
Harry turned to the most peculiar site. The girl lying awkwardly on the ground stomach first with a book beside her. Her robe bottoms had ridden up to her knees, revealing her skinny legs to Harry. On her left leg was a jagged, angry red scar that extended from the back of her knee until nearly her Achilles tendon. It was similar to the one that covered her face, but much more in severity.
"Are you alright? That fall must have hurt," Harry exclaimed.
The girl put her hands against the floor and pushed herself up. She picked up the book and then turned to look at Harry, but refused to meet his eyes as red dusted her pale cheeks.
"So," Harry watched her antics, amused. "What were you doing all alone? I didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to wake up this early. Other than myself."
Harry took a step forward. "Not that you're stupid." He was wary for any signs of discomfort from her.
"Do you want to sit down? With me, I mean," Harry proposed. Looking at the book in her hands he recognized it as his first copy of Defensive Magical Theory that he had given her during the first day of class. He had bought another one for himself and given the other to
"We could read that together if you want. It's quite dull to be honest." Harry took another step forward. And another.0
With each step the girl's cheeks reddened. With another step Harry stood half a meter in front of her. Reaching out Harry took his old book out of the girl's hands, getting a gasp out of her. Grinning, he sat down at the table and motioned for her to sit down beside him.
"So which page were you on?" Harry asked, flipping open the book to a random place.
The girl sat down beside him. She reached over to the book and turned to page one.
"Well, that's a good a place as any to start," Harry said, favouring her with a smile.
Hello once again!
I hope you enjoyed chapter two. If you find any spelling, grammar, plot, sentence structure problems, please let me know.
Special thanks to the people who followed this story; it's nice to see that people appreciate what I'm writing.
If you have any questions or suggestions about characters, plot, the dynamics of Harry and Miss Collins relationship, or anything like that, send me a pm or review.
Many thanks,
Spicee