The next day, Leandra woke up in a sweat, as had happened so many times before. This time, however, a pair of dark eyes was staring at her, somewhat intensilly.
-Good morning - the girl said - Name's Parkinson. Pansy Parkinson.
-Leandra Potter - Leandra nodded at her.
-Potter, hurry up! - Greengrass called - You need a bath and some chocolate before class, you were kicking around all night.
Leandra blushed. So that was why Parkinson was looking at her weird.
-Nightmare - she said.
-Why, don't say, Sherlock Holmes! - another girl exclaimed - We hadn't noticed!
Leandra's blush deepened.
-Bullstrode, leave her alone, she isn't used to your dry humour - Greengrass chimed in - And who's Sherlock Holmes?
-He's a Muggle character - Parkinson grimaced - from the collection "Sherlock Holmes". Mother loves the books. Says Mr. Doyle is a genius even though he's a Muggle.
-My foster parents read the books - Leandra said.
Parkinson grimaced again.
-Can we please stop talking about Muggles? They make me uncomfortable.
-Sure, Parkinson, I have to get ready anyways - Bulstrode left the dorm.
Greengrass turned to Leandra:
-Don't listen to her, she's very sarcastic.
Leandra nodded, getting out of bed.
-You guys should get ready too - Parkinson advised - Breakfast starts in half an hour.
-Not all of us have to wake up at dawn to get ready, Parkinson - another girl cut in.
-We woke up at the same time!
-I couldn't sleep with Potter tossing around in her bed.
Greengrass rolled her eyes.
-Aaaaand that's Davis - she said - Off to the bathroom we go now.
Barely letting Leandra grab her clothes, Greengrass strode out the door of their dormitory.
-Wait up, Greengrass! - Leandra called out - Do you even know where the bathroom is?
Greengrass walked on to a door at the end of the corridor. It read "BATHROOM" in big silver letters.
-I'm guessing it's this one.
They got ready in a hurry, and managed to reach the common room just before seven. Bulstrode, who had left the bathroom some minutes earlier, was waiting for them.
-Took you long enough - she scoffed and lead the way to the Great Hall.
Once there, they spotted Draco, Vincent and Goyle sitting at the Slytherin and went to join them.
-Good morning, boys! - Leandra greeted with a smile - This is Bullstrode. Ready for the first day of classes?
Goyle grunted in response, going back to eating his eggs and bacon. Vincent, on the other hand, had a more ellaborate answer:
-Oh, I can't wait! I hope we have something interesting like Charms or Potions or even History!
-You're excited for History?! - Bullstrode exclaimed.
-Well, yes, of course.
-When are we getting our schedules? - Greengrass cut in.
As if on cue, uncle Sev put a hand on Leandra's shoulder.
-You'll be getting them right now, Miss...?
-Greengrass, sir.
-I take it your all first years, to be hanging around my goddaughter - he distributed schedules around - See you in class.
-Oh, no! - Draco exclaimed -We'll have Potions and D.A.D.A. and Flying lessons with Gryffindor!
Leandra slapped his arm lightly.
-Careful there, that's my sibling you're talking about. And I reckon the nice smart girl from yesterday was sorted there too. Granger, I think was her name.
-Granger? I don't recognize that name... Bet she's a Mud- OW!
-You deserved it - Bulstrode affirmed.
-Yes, yes, no name calling in front of the Bulstrode's, your mother loves Muggles, I know.
-Don't push it, Malfoy - Bulstrode calmly continued to butter her toast - If I do recall correctly, my father could beat yours in a duel any day. People do say I take to my father.
Draco was about to retort when Leandra cut in:
-What was the name you were going to call her?
-Something no one with two cells rubbing together in their brain would think to call another person, I bet - Zabini sat himself between Leandra and Greengrass - Good morning, everyone. Good to see you here, Milly.
-Same about you, Blaise – Bulstrode answered.
-I was going to call her a mudblood - Draco said, swinging his legs over the bench when Bulstrode attempted a second kick - Something anyone with two cills-
-Cells.
-Whatever, something anyone who has an education would know to call her.
-It's an insult for a muggleborn - Bulstrode explained - Some people think muggles are inferior and treat their blood like it's mud.
-Oh, that's a cruel thing to call someone, Draco - Leandra creased her eyebrows.
-Tell me, Leandra- can I call you Leandra? - Zabini asked.
The dead stare he got in response was answer enough.
-Potter, then. Wasn't your mother a muggleborn?
Leandra's dead stare turned to Draco.
-She was.
Draco looked like he wanted to be anyone but himself.
-Oh well, time to go to class! - Vincent suddenly exclaimed.
-It's eight, Crabbe, we only have class at nine thirty - Greengrass pointed out.
-Well, yes, but you know, getting the books, the material, our first class is Herbology you know? Plus, it's with the Ravenclaw, I want to get to reading before class, don't want anyone getting any of the points I could win.
And on he went, taking most people with him. Or at least, Draco happily followed. Leandra stayed behind, rolling her eggs around her plate, not really putting any of it in her mouth.
-Here- Zabini offered her a piece of bread with some kind of cream on it - put the eggs on it and another piece of bread on top, you can eat it on your way, and it's delicious. You're not allergic to tuna though, are you?
She shook her head no and did as instructed. The sandwich was, in fact, delicious. By the time they reached the common room to get their books, not only was she wondering why she had never tried it, she was also in a much better mood.
They got to the greenhouses without much trouble, with still half an hour to spare.
-Hello - the same girl who had handed her the note last night greeted her.
-Hey, hmm... I'm sorry, I think I might have forgotten your name...
-Oh, don't worry - she smiled - I'm Padma Patil. Are you excited for Herbology?
-I don't think we'll be learning anything interesting this year - Leandra answered - My godfather has quite the plant collection, but they seemed dangerous. I don't think we'll be touching those for a while.
-Oh, I wouldn't like to have to deal with very dangerous plants, do you think we'll have to?
-Of course we will - Zabini cut in - Mother told me they had an exercise with Whomping Willows back in her day. We will focus on less dangerous plants this year though.
-This is Blaise Zabini - Vincent cut in - and I'm Vincent Crabbe. I read some chapters ahead on the book this morning before getting to class, and don't worry, the worst we'll be dealing with is Devil's Snare.
They engaged in small talk about the year's curriculum while waiting for the teacher. Leandra's friends joined - could she call them friends already? - and some Ravenclaws too. Most stayed in their own little groups, chatting the time away. Only a couple huddled up in a corner, clearly gossiping about them. The two girls approached Leandra and her friends some minutes before class started:
-Hello? - one of them greeted.
Leandra looked at her and smiled.
-Hello, my name is Leandra Potter. What's yours?
-We all know who you are, Potter - the other girl replied.
-It was only polite of her to introduce herself - Greengrass said.
-Well, I'm Mandy Brocklehurst - said the first girl, running a hand through her dark hair.
-I'm Sue Li - the other one said.
-We think you should ask for a resorting - Brocklehurst affirmed.
-No, thank you.
-Do you like Slytherin?
-Yes, goodbye.
-So you really are a traitor, then?
-I said goodbye.
-Good morning, students! Everyone follow me into the greenhouse!
Everyone went their separate ways, and the girls didn't bother Leandra for the rest of class.
-Is this always going to be like this? - Leandra asked, one hand going to pinch her nose.
-Give them a week or two to get used to it, the news will die down - Greengrass reassured.
-Ok, class! Everyone get yourself a partner and stand in front of one table with them. I'm professor Sprout, I'll be your Herbology teacher, and before we dive into the magical world of plants, I need to lay down some ground rules.
The class was uneventful, and Leandra easily forgot about the incident as she took notes and talked with Zabini, who had somehow managed to be her partner for Herbology. The day didn't start out great, but she believed Greengrass. She just had to endure those two weeks until the novelty wore off.