I know. It's been too long since my last update. I am terribly sorry. I'd like to thank all of my reviewers, especially Sukaretto Miyuki, yours really made me smile. This chapter is dedicated to you.
"Who can tell me why there are so few Animagi in the world?"Albus sighed. He quite hated Transfiguration class, even in a different time with Professor McGonagall teaching it. Today was the Animagus lesson, also their first lesson in the past, a joy to behold- not.
"Because the process to become an Animagi is very difficult." Albus was surprised to here Rose speaking. They had agreed not to draw attention to themselves. "Just to achieve a part-transformation would take years of immense study and research," Rose finished.
"Five points to Gryffindor," Professor McGonagall nodded. The bell rang. "Class dismissed. And I want a thousand-word paper on this subject, on my desk by this time next week."
Al hurried to catch up with Rose, who was already out the door.
"Don't say anything about me answering a question, Al," Rose snapped as he reached her side. "You're too paranoid. Answering one question in class won't get us found out by our families."
"Keep your voice down," Al implored.
"See?" Rose sang. "Paranoia." She walked off to her next class, Ancient Runes.
Rose really could be impossible- in Al's opinion, anyway. To everyone else, she was a sweet little angel. He knew better.
"Hi, Albus." Al whirled around, almost expecting to see Harry standing there, accusing him of being from the future. But it was just Hugo. Maybe Rose was right, he was paranoid.
"Hey, Hugh," Al relaxed, and began walking alongside the first year. "How's it going?"
"Alright," Hugo shrugged. "Lessons are good, but I saw my dad once."
Al felt his heart beat faster. "Did he speak to you?"
Hugo shrugged. "No. But he looked kind of mad. And wasn't talking to anyone, just glaring. But not at me. So it's fine."
Al's heart slowed. "Good, Hugo, good. What's your next class?"
"Charms, so nothing difficult."
Al snorted. Charms was Hugo's best subject, he was Professor Matice's protégée back home.
"Just don't draw too much attention to yourself in class, alright?" Al reminded him.
"Don't worry, I won't," Hugo promised. He glanced at his watch. "We better get going, class starts in ten minutes."
"Alright, say hi to Lily for me," Al said as he started down the hall towards the Divination classroom.
Divination was in the North Tower, so it took Al almost all of the allotted time until class started. He had to run the last stretch to reach the ladder in time. He had almost made it when…oof!
"Watch where you're going," snarled a voice filled with high malice. Al looked up to the face of a blonde boy, about James's age, with sharp, angular features and a pronounced scowl. Al recognized those features- they belonged to a boy in his dorm, Scorpius Malfoy. So this was his father, Draco. Al's own father's worst enemy.
Malfoy laughed cruelly when he saw Al's face. "Oh, look, boys, it's the Potter lookalike," he guffawed loudly, talking to his two friends on either side of him. "Wonder if he'll die about the same time as Potter-five minutes into the first task?"
Al unstuck his throat. "Bugger off," he bit back. "And I'm not Harry Potter, so no excuse to pick on me, is there?"
Malfoy smiled viciously. "Ah, but there is. You're a Gryffindor. Probably a Mudblood, too. And that's reason enough for me."
That was a warning signal for Al. He quickly side-stepped the older boy, and darted up the ladder, entering the classroom.
"We'll get you next time, Mudblood!" Malfoy's voice rang out from behind him.
Al sighed. That'd been a close one. He turned forward, and marched into a dark but glittering room filled with poufs and high-backed chairs and table, each with a crystal ball on top of it.
"Hello, dear," a voice came from behind him. Al turned towards it- and almost jumped. It looked like a big, glittering bug. It took him a moment to realize that it was only his teacher, Professor Trelawney.
"Please take a seat," Professor Trelawney said mistily, gesturing to the chairs, all of which were occupied by students already. "I believe you are the odd one out."
"No he's not, Professor!" A voice piped up from the back of the classroom. Al turned. It was Colin Creevey, the boy from the feast two nights ago.
"Alright, then, Mr. Porter can be partners with Mr. Creevey.," Trelawney said. "Go on, then."
Al made his way to the back and sat down next to his new Divination partner.
"Hi, Al!" Colin said excitedly. "Did you know that Divination is a very wholly subject? That's what Professor McGonagall says, anyways. Did you have Divination at your old school? Did you…"
Al tuned out, letting Colin chatter endlessly about various subjects. At least he had a friend of some sort in this mess his life was becoming.
Sorry if it's not up to par- nothing really important other than the bit with Malfoy. Tell me what you think and…review!
Oh, and for those of you who read my story The Reading Box…I apologize for lack of update there as well. I swear that I'm working on the next chapter. It's jus taking longer than anticipated. If you haven't read it…check it out! Along with my other story, Back Again. Ah, shameless self-advertising!