The entire Great Hall was filled with rumors about why Harry Potter and his best friend, Ronald Weasley, were late. It was just like it had been on the Hogwart's Express yesterday. I did my best to ignore it, but Cissy refused to shut up about it. She wanted to make sure that I knew every rumor that the students had created. I just nodded and eat my bacon, eggs, and porridge. I remembered when Snape came into the Great Hall just to hear their reasons for being late.
"Mail's here," Cissy said staring up at the ceiling.
I turned my glance upwards and watched the owls drop random packages, or small envelopes to various students. A large and proud white owl caught my attention. It flew towards me and dropped a letter in front of my plate. I picked it up and saw only one name-Draco M.
"What's he-"Cissy began but stopped when she saw Ron's red envelope. "A howler," she remarked in a low and excited voice.
I turned and stared at the end of the table to see what the big deal was.
"Open," a round faced boy said nervously. "It'll all be over in a few minutes-"
Ron, with a shaking hand, finally opened the letter. A loud screeching sound filled the Great Hall. I covered my ears but it didn't work.
"-STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THORUGH WHEN WE SAW IT GONE-"
The silverware was rattling on the table. The stone walls created an echo which made it worse. By now everyone was curious to see who had gotten the howler.
"-LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT, I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME, WE DIDN'T BRING YOU UP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS, YOU AND HARRY COULD BOTH HAVE DIED! ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED-YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU STRIAGHT BACK HOME."
I watched the envelope drop from Ron's hands and burst into flames. Some of the students chuckled, and some just went straight to gossip. I just shook my head to make sure I could still hear clearly. Once the faint ringing ceased I turned my attention back to Draco's letter.
"I wouldn't even bother reading it if I were you," Cissy muttered.
"Well, aren't you curious to see what it says?" I asked trying to invoke her curiosity.
Cissy didn't respond. Instead she just took a bit of bacon. I undid the seal and pulled out the letter.
Sorry about what I said earlier. Maybe one of these days you'll understand why I had to do what I did.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
"Uh," I muttered after reading it. "That's interesting."
"What is?" Cissy asked.
"Nothing, don't worry about it."
I did my best to keep Cissy from asking my about the letter. She just went on with her gossiping. After breakfast I made my way through the hallways of the Hogwart's castle. Luckily, Cissy knew were our next class was. It was herbology with Professor Sprout. It was across the lawn in a greenhouse.
"Hi," someone called out. It was Jean Reign. Keci Thomas was standing beside her.
"Oh, it's our first class of the year," Jean said enthusiastically.
"Are you always this-"
"Energetic," I finished for Cissy.
"There he is," Jean said joyfully.
I turned to see Professor Sprout walking with Professor Lockhart. Jean had a goofy looking smile and wouldn't take her off of him.
"Don't mind her," Cissy said. "She's just fancies professor Lockhart, like all the others do."
"What about you?"
"I'm not a follower," Cissy said in a low voice.
"Oh, hello there!" Professor Lockhart called out gleefully. "Just been showing Professor Sprout the right way to doctor a Whomping Willow! But I don't want you running away with the idea that I'm better at Herbology then she is! I just happen to have met several of these exotic plants on my travels…"
"Greenhouse three today, chaps!" Professor Sprout interrupted. I could tell she was quickly getting agitated by him.
Everyone began murmuring instantly. All of us had only been in Greenhouse one before. I was told that the third one contained far more dangerous plants. Professor Sprout unlocked the door, and the students began walking inside. I heard Professor Lockhart call out to Harry, and ask to speak to him. Professor Sprout took her place behind the trestle bench in the center of the greenhouse. I noticed the earmuffs resting on the bench.
"We'll be repotting Mandrakes today. Now, who can tell me the properties of the Mandrake!" Professor Sprout told the class.
Naturally Hermione Ranger raised her hand. "Mandrake, or Mandragora, is a powerful restorative," she informed everyone", it is used to return people who have been transfigured or cursed to their orginal state."
"Excellent. Ten points to Gryffindor," Sprout said back in her cheerful manner. "The Mandrake forms an essential part of most antidotes. It is also, however, dangerous. Who can tell me why?"
"The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it," Hermione quickly responded.
I really should have become friends with her.
"Preciously. Take another ten points," Sprout said. "Now, the Mandrakes we have here are still very young." She pointed to a row of deep trays, and everyone swarmed in for a better look. They were a purplish green color and appeared to be in clumps. "Everyone take a pair of earmuffs," she instructed and everyone did so. "When I tell you to put them on, make sure your ears are completely covered. When it is safe to remove them, I will give you the thumbs-up. Right-earmuffs on."
I quickly put them over my ears and watched Sprout put on her fuzzy pink earmuffs. I couldn't hear anything. Sprout pulled back the sleeves of her robes and grasped one of the plants firmly. She pulled hard to reveal something that looked like a horrific baby. The leaves were growing out of its head. I couldn't believe anyone would be able to cut up something that resembled a human. I could tell that it was screaming, or crying I wasn't sure, but couldn't hear it.
Sprout took a large pot from under the table and placed it inside. She quickly began filling the pot with soft dirt. It didn't take long for it to be covered up to its leaves once again. She gave the thumbs up and everyone quickly took off their earmuffs.
"As our Mandrakes are only seedlings, their cries won't kill yet," she said calmly. "However, they will knock you out for several hours, and as I'm sure none of you want to miss your first day back, make sure your earmuffs are securely in place while you work. I will attract your attention when it is time to pack up. Four to a tray-there is a large supply of pots here-come-post in the sacks over there-and be careful of the Venemous Tentacula, it's teething."
Sprout swiftly slapped a spiky, dark red plant as she gave her instructions. It had long feelers that were trying to sneak over her shoulder. Cissy and I were joined by Henry Beause and John-Claud Verese. Jean and Keci found two other Hufflepuff's to work with.
"I heard Draco sent you a letter," John said.
"So, what's the big deal?" I responded.
"It matters because of what he said last night. He called us mudbloods or blood traiters," John went on. "You can't honestly still want to be his friend."
"Well, uh," I fumbled with the right words. I wasn't sure what to say. "It doesn't matter, people make mistakes. It happens," was all I could say.
I quickly put the earmuffs on so I would hear his counter arguments. I knew Cissy would pip up with something eventually. I saw them talking with each other, but couldn't hear a word of it. I saw the other put on their earmuffs. We quickly began working on replanting our Mandrakes. It was interesting working without saying a word. Especially with Mandrakes that acted just like human babies. They squirmed, kicked, flailed sharp fists at us, grinded their teeth, it reminded me too much of babies. I shuddered at the thought of their future.
Afterwards, we all headed back to the castle. We had to wash off the dirt before going to transfiguration. Jean talked a mile a minute about wanting to go to Defense Against the Dark Arts class. She got distracted within minutes and ran off somewhere. After the wash, we went to class. I found it slightly difficult to transform a beetle to a button. A few tries, and I managed to get it halfway changed.
"A button with legs and feelers," Cissy scoffed. "I'm sure anyone would want to wear that on their coats."
"And how is yours coming along?" I said sarcastically.
She just frowned and crossed her arms. I watched Ron asking McGonagall for a new beetle. His wand has become broken, and he used some Spellotape to try and fix it. I thought it was funny to watch him try and do a spell with the broken wand. The lunch bell rang, and we were all glade for it.
I told Cissy that I was going to use the bathroom and would meet her in the Great Hall. I snuck off into one of the abandoned classrooms. I pulled out a blank piece of paper and fervently began writing a response to Draco's letter. I pretty much just questioned his reasoning for saying what he did. Why would he have to say things like that?
Before heading into the Great Hall, I pulled over a first year Ravenclaw. I specifically told her to give the letter to Draco, and to not tell anyone else what she was doing. Surprisingly, she asked me to pay for her services, and demanded a bit more for the secrecy. I sighed and gave her two gold galleons, and she was off. I waited a few minutes then made my way to eat some much needed lunch.
I took my usual seat next to Cissy. Jean sat on the other side of me, with Keci still tagging along behind her. Stuart took the seat across from me. We didn't talk much, mostly because we couldn't. Jean kept talking randomly about what she thought Lockhart would be like. I just nodded and grinned to myself. Once lunch was over we made our way to Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I saw Harry talking to some little boy who was holding a camera. It didn't take long for Draco to intervene.
"Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?"
Cissy stopped instantly to watch what was going to happen.
"Everyone line up!" Draco shouted. "Harry Potter's giving out signed photos!"
"No, I'm not," Harry responded angrily. I could see him clenching his fists. "Shut up, Malfoy."
"You're just jealous," the small kid piped up.
"Jealous?" Draco responded."Of what? I don't want a foul scar right across my head, thanks. I don't think getting your head cut open makes you that special, myself." Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were snickering behind him.
"Eat slugs, Malfoy," Ron said threatingly. I saw Crabbe and Goyle instantly stop snickering and began crackling their knuckles.
"Be careful, Weasley," Malfoy told him", you don't want to start any trouble or your Mommy'll have to come and take you away from school." He changed his voice to try and mimic the howler", if you put another toe out of line-"
A group of fifth year Slytherins laughed. Draco seemed to be enjoying the outbursts.
"Weasley would like a signed photo, Potter," he went on. "It'd be worth more than his family's whole house-"
Ron pulled out his wand. I felt my heart stop beating.
"Look out!" Hermione shouted.
"What's all this, what's all this?" Lockhart suddenly intervened. I allowed myself to breathe once again. "Who's giving out signed photos?" The professor jovially placed an arm around Harry's shoulders. "Shouldn't have asked! We meet again, Harry!"
"Why did he have to interrupt?" Cissy said bitterly.
"I'm glade he did. Who knows what could have happened," I said.
"You can't be serous."
Draco and his Slytherin friends walked past us. I saw a grin spread across his face. He merely took a quick glance at me then continued on his way. I watched them walk down the hall and out of sight. Cissy ran her fingers through her hair.
"You are one crazy girl," she muttered. "Come on, let's go to class."
She turned and began walking down the hall. I paused for a minute. I felt a tug on my sleeve and glanced down to see the same Ravenclaw girl. She held up a letter to me. Her black hair fell just past her shoulders. She was accompanied by a girl with blonde hair and green eyes.
"If you like him," the blonde headed Ravenclaw began", why don't you just tell him."
"Who said I liked him?" I quickly remarked. "Thanks anyway," I said.
They walked past me and headed down the hallway. The two girls parted ways. I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.
We're in different houses. You're in Gryffindor, and I'm in Slytherin. Trust me, it will never work out. Let's try and keep this from getting complicated.
Sincerely,
Draco M.
"Marina," Cissy called out.
I quickly hid the letter in my bag. I rushed through the crowd of students to catch up with her. I followed her to Lockhart's class. We took our usual seats in the back row. I noticed how all the girls seemed to be chatting about him. I just pulled out my textbooks and waited. Once everyone was seated he cleared his throat. He walked picked up one of the student's copy of Travels with Trolls and held it up to one of his winking portraits.
"Me," he said pointing and winking. "Gildery Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award-but I don't talk about that. I didn't get ride of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!"
A few smiled weakly at his comment. He reminded me of someone I used to know way back. An old celebrity I used to idolize, but found him to be a complete asshole.
"I see you've all bought a complete set of my books-well done. I thought we'd start today with a little quiz. Nothing to worry about-just to check how well you've read them, how much you've taken in-"
He handed out the test papers then returned to the front of the class. "You have thirty minutes-start-now!"
I glanced down at the paper. All the questions were about him. Questions like what was his favorite color, secret ambition, greatest achievement. I shook my head and checked the second page, still about him. I rolled my eyes and decided to do the best that I could. I was glade when he picked up the papers.
"Tut, tut-hardly any of you remembered my favorite color is lilac. I say so in Year with the Yeti. And a few of you need to read Wanderings with Werewolves more carefully-I clearly state in chapter twelve that my ideal gift would be harmony between all magic and non-magic peoples-though I wouldn't say no to a large bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey!"
He gave us another wink. I noticed Jean paying extreme attention to every word he said. I tried to forget about whom I associated him with, but was unable. I closed my eyes tightly, ignoring everything. I saw him in a dark tunnel, or cave like place. He was with Ron and Harry. Lockhart was passed out on the ground, but quickly got back up and snatched Ron's wand away from him. He tried to a spell, but it backfired on him.
"Excellent!" His loud voice pulled me out of my vision. "Quite excellent! Take ten points for Gyrffindor! And so-to business-" He bent over his desk and picked up a covered cage. He placed it on his desk. "Now-be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind! You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. All I ask is that you remain calm." Lockhart placed a hand on the cover. "I must ask you not to scream," he said in a low voice", it might provoke them."
Everyone held their breath. He swiftly removed the cover. "Yes," he went on dramatically", freshly caught Cornish pixies."
One of the students let out a raucous laughter. I leaned back in my seat no longer intrigued.
"Yes?" The laughing student said. "Well, they're not-they're not very-dangerous, are they?"
"Don't be so sure!" Lockhart said wiggling his finger at the student. "Devilish tricky little blighters they can be!"
The pixies were a vibrant blue, and were around eight inches I think. They had pointed faces and shrill voices. Now that the cover had been removed they were flying around. Pulling at the bars and making faces at the people closest to them.
"Right, then," Lockhart said loudly. "Let's see what you make of them!"
Before I even had time to think about what he said, he had released them. Cissy pulled me under the desk. The pixies were flying everywhere. They picked up a boy, by his ears, and lifted him into the air. Several of them flew out the windows. I covered my face to keep glass from getting into my eyes. Some grabbed an ink bottle and sprayed it on Cissy, missing me by inches. Pictures were being torn off the walls, books were being tossed.
"Come on now-round them up, round them up, they're only pixies," Lockhart shouted.
"Is he serious?" Cissy asked.
"I don't know," I said slapping one away.
"Peskipiksi Pesternomo!" Lockhart shouted.
"Is that even a spell?" I asked.
The pixies seized his wand and threw it out the window. Lockhart dived under his own desk. The chandelier finally gave way and fell. The boy had fallen where Lockhart once stood. The bell rang and I was immediately pulled out the door. Cissy pulled me out of the class and down the hallway.
"See," Cissy said", see why I don't fancy him."
I let out a loud burst of laughter. "You look so funny," I managed to tell her.
"Oh shut up will you," Cissy said and stormed away.
I finally stopped laughing. This had been the most fun I'd had in a while. I was just thankful to be back. I watched the boy, who had been placed on the chandelier, walk down the hallway. I was glade that he didn't get seriously injured.
I inhaled deeply and made way through into the courtyard. A large owl swooped down towards me. I untied a letter that had been attached to its ankle. As soon as the string was untied it took off into the air. I glanced at the letter, there was no return address. I opened it and pulled out a dirty piece of paper.
Dear sweetie,
Hope you made it to school all right. Why haven't you been sending back any letters? I have to go, write back soon.
Sinc
The letter ended. I reread the letter a few times. I knew I had to be reading this wrong. Someone was still sending me letters. Only this time, this person wanted me to write back. Who was sending them, and why. I shoved the paper into my bag and took off to find Cissy. One of these days, I was going to find out who this mystery person was.