When Piper woke up she was in an unfamiliar room. Damp air emanated from the desk in front of her, giving the illusion of glowing dark wood. Like a vampire, Professor Snape stood in front of her. His hands were crossed in front of his murky black cloak, and not a single muscle twitched. Piper wondered if she could tip him over and his body fall flat like a plank. In fact, she waddled on over behind the desk and held her finger out inches away the professor's arm. "What do you think you're doing Ms. Shay". He said it robotically, making Piper turn 50 shades of red.
At least she thought she did. Her mind was clumsily spinning in circles, disabling her ability to decipher fantasy from reality. "Ms. Shay" he spoke. "Whuu? Whyemmihere?" her mouth was stiff. "Professor McGonagall informed me of your incident, and will be holding your detention." Piper was looking around, and had noticed there were no windows in the gloomy little closet. "Your punishment would usually form in the deduction of a Hogsmeade visit," he rhythmically stepped around the desk towards Piper. "But, since you're in my house," he paused, placing his feet down and standing upright. "I'm willing to make, an exception. Madam Pince and I have made a little agreement. She needs help in the library organizing books. Every Tuesday and Thursday during Study Hall you are to work up there, following the Madam's every order. You will continue to do so for the rest of term. Understood?"
Piper gave a meek nod and exited the office.
"So I have to give up my entire study hall to sort through books!" When Piper said it aloud, it didn't sound too bad. In fact, it would have been just what she wanted before she came to Hogwarts. "Well at least I get to go to Hogsmeade…" Moaning Myrtle sighed dreamily and drearily. "I wish I could go to Hogsmeade"
Later that day Piper sat alone at dinner in the Great Hall. Looking to her right she spotted Draco, a tough boy in her year who was obsessed with Harry Potter. Or, he talked about him all the time. "Did you see Potter showing off his new "special" broom? The sender must have taken pity on him. My father would have bought me that broom, but I don't want it, which is the only reason why it's not mine… His poor Weasel friend took a ride. I'll bet you that broom costs more than his whole family's house!" he sneered to his meaty friends Crabbe and Doyle. Piper sighed and looked towards the entrance hall. She watched as Hermione and her two friends entered in the middle of a heated discussion. Then, Hermione's eyes caught Piper's. Piper didn't look down. She had nothing to be ashamed of. She thought for a second that her vision must have been impaired, for Hermione was walking in her direction.
"Hello", said Hermione humbly. Piper didn't blink. "I'm sorry." There was a pause. Hermione continued. "I was rather unfair to you, and over something that I realize now that you can't help. I pushed you, I sneered, I-" "I know what you did" Piper replied flatly. "Anyway, I hope you'll accept my apology. I deserved every bit of you-" she paused to search for the right phrase. "Words". The bitter look on Piper's face loosened at the adequate apology. She even stifled a smile.
"Alright" said Piper. She didn't really want anything more. "See you in potions.
Now, Piper had read enough books to know how this went. Hermione would apologize, and Piper would forgive her and forget everything that Hermione ever did, and they would become best friends and live happily ever after. She would NOT let herself get caught up in predictable and cliché plots. No. That wasn't how she rolled. She did feel a little bit pleased and warm inside, but she wasn't going to love her from there on out.
"And she apologized! Just like that!" Piper beamed at Myrtle. She didn't day anything. "I just wanted her to realize how horrible she was". Myrtle gave a partial duck down under her stall. "That's nice" "Yeah it was! I mean, she's pretty smart actually." Myrtle's throat tightened up. Her voice sounded like one very unlike hers. She dropped down an inch. "I have potions with her tomorrow morning!" "That's good. Piper, I-" "I wonder what her friends are like!" "Today I visited the Gryffindor bathroom and-" But whatever happened in the Gryffindor bathrooms got drowned out by Piper's talks about Hermione. This time though, they weren't about how rude she was, or how many times she kicked piper in the hall. They were indeed, positive. "Okay, I know what you're thinking, but I won't completely give in to her apology. I can just admire her for now." She tried to make herself mad at Hermione again, but it wasn't easy. "Piper-" "Oh! I must go now! We have Care Of Magical Creatures!" Piper exclaimed excitedly. And with that she ran out the door. "Bye…" Myrtle said weakly. Piper didn't come back that week.
A/N: Again SUPER short chapter I know I know, but I'm going to make them longer. These chapters were written last year so things will change. Thank you so much for reading! The next chapter should be up soon!