Year 1 Chapter 2

It was finally Monday, the first day of classes. Hermione had insisted we get to our first class early so we could score a good spot up in front. I groaned at the thought of this, but left breakfast early to accompany her to class anyway. We were also joined by a boy named Neville Longbottom who feared getting lost to his first class.

"Oh hello Neville," Hermione smiled at the chubby boy with crooked teeth and pointed ears. Neville, whose hands were full with his pet frog in one hand and schoolbooks in the other, gave an attempt at waving. "Neville, this is Artemis, Artemis this is Neville," I smiled at him and he smiled back awkwardly.

We got to our first class, which was Potions. Hermione immediately made her way to the front.

"I heard about this class," Neville said quietly. "This is Professor Snape's class. I hear he's always wanted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Dumbledore would never let him. Serves him right," Neville looked just as nervous as I did. His frog seemed to agree too, and it escaped his grip and hopped around, knocking over beakers and cauldrons that were on every table.

"Trevor!" he clumsily tried to grab his little frog. I know I should have helped, but instead I took a seat in the back where I could hide from this Professor Snape character.

"Artemis, aren't you going to sit up here?" Hermione turned around in her seat to face me.

"No," I shook my head. I'm quite fine here,"

"Suit your self," she shrugged, and took out her Potions book. Other students began to trickle in and find seats. When Harry Potter walked in Hermione waved to him.

"Over here Harry!" she patted the seat next to her. He looked at his red haired friend named Ron Weasley, who Hermione had talked about all bloody night, and they both took the desk behind Hermione. I now wished I had taken the seat next to Hermione, so I wouldn't be so alone in the back.

I lost my opportunity to move, when Neville eventually took the seat next to mine.

"Found Trevor," he said breathlessly. He held up his croaking frog towards me.

"You should put him away Neville, you don't want him to get out again," Honestly, I just didn't want him to draw any more attention to our table.

"Yeah Longbottom, put that nasty thing away. There's already enough ugly in here," said a familiar arrogant voice. I turned to see Draco Malfoy walking in. I stopped myself from retching. Him and his friends took the desk behind Neville's and mine. Great.

Was it still too late to move next to Hermione?

Suddenly the doors slammed open and Professor Snape glided in. I knew it was him because he looked as vile as Neville made him sound. The class became quiet and listened intently to his "welcoming" lecture.

"Well look who we got stuck next to for the whole year," Draco said in a hushed tone. We've got Fatbottom over here, and little Rapunzel" his friends cackled. What a great view," he pretended to gag, which sent his friends into more laughter. "Excuse me, Fatbottom? I can't see behind your overweight head." Neville pretended not to hear, and kept his eyes on Professor Snape. "Hey, I'm talking to you!" Draco kicked the cage that Trevor was in, sending him sliding across the room.

I whirled around to face Draco.

"Stop it! Just leave him alone, will you?"

"Aw, did I hurt Fatbottom's feelings?" Draco pretended to pout. Neville's face turned crimson all the way up to his ears.

"Shut up Draco! Your jokes aren't even that funny!" I said a little too loudly. Suddenly I was shadowed by a large figure. I slowly turned around to see Professor Snape looming over me.

"Not paying attention, I see," He said, his voice dripping with icy venom. "Brave, for a first year, not to mention in their very first class too," Draco laughed, and Snape silenced him with a quick look.

"But it wasn't me Professor. Draco was making fun of Neville and he kicked Trevor!-"

"And a snitch too?" He leaned over me. His black hair hung over his eyes. "Detention ."

"What!"

"Would you like to make that 10 detentions Ms. Trimble? Because surely we can make it 10,"

"No Professor,"

I shut my mouth and Professor Snape finally walked away. I slumped down in my seat. Neville gave me a sorry look, but I ignored his gaze. Draco snickered and I crossed my arms and ignored this too.

"Nice going Rapunzel,"

Finally class was over and I packed my stuff and quickly ran to the next class.