Never Say Never

Never Say Never

Chapter 6 Potions and Herbology

The next morning I woke up and went down with Hermione to the Great Hall.

On the way down Hermione and I were talking.

When I brought up the topic of yesterday and how fun it was, Hermione asked, "Annie, do you like them? Harry and Ron I mean."

"Well, they are nice and all. I just don't know Harry as much as you and Ron, that's all. Do they like me?"

"Yes, Annie, they sure do."

We smiled at each other as we entered the Great Hall.

"Hey Hermione, Annie, over here!" Ron called out from where he was sitting. We joined him and Harry.

Suddenly an owl flew down in our direction and landed in a bowl of cereal.

"Bloody bird's a mess," Ron said as he removed the envelope from the owl.

The owl got up and flew off.

"Ron, is that your owl?" I asked.

"Not really. We share it."

He held up the envelope, and a look of fear spread across his face.

"Look everyone! Weasley got a howler," Seamus said. Everyone started laughing.

"Oh," I said when I saw it. I knew what a howler was. My mother got one from grandma when she heard that mom wasn't going to be a healer like her. But she forgave mom and accepted her choice to be a designer. She wasn't complaining especially when mom got married. They saved money on the wedding dress, that's for sure. I love my grandma and grandpa. They are the ones who got me interested in music. Now I play the piano, the violin, and flute.

"I've gotten one before. It was terrible," Neville said.

Ginny just came in and sat near us. "Hi, Annie, what's going on?" she asked.

"Ron got a howler." I said.

She nearly choked on her juice.

"What are you waiting for? Open it," Harry said.

Ron looked nervous and paused for a moment to think about it. Finally, with trembling hands he slowly opened it. But, it was faster than that. It quickly unfolded itself and started yelling at Ron about stealing the car and warning him that if he puts a toe out of the line he'll be going home right away.

"Ginny, dear, congratulations on getting into Gryffindor. Your father and I are so proud of you," it said before tearing itself into pieces. Ron looked stunned while Ginny looked plain embarrassed. The whole place was quiet for awhile, but soon it went back to its usual self.

We talked while we ate, but halfway through, Hermione got up.

"Oh no, I've left my Herbology book back in the common room, and Herbology's straight after Potions. I'd better go get it. Be right back guys."

"D'you want me to follow you Hermione?" I asked.

"Oh, it's all right. Thanks anyway...I'll meet you three at Potions," she said before running off.

There Harry, Ron and I sat. I admired the Chudley Cannons badge on my robes, which Ron had given me.

Ron broke the silence: "Annie, are looking forward to your first lesson with Snape?"

"Seriously, he can't be that bad, right?"

Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"Yes, he can," they said together.

Lee, turned to me and asked, "Hey, Annie, are you trying out for the free spot in the Quidditch team?"

"I don't know," I replied. "I'm not a superb player, so I'll need training."

"Well, I would certainly train you, Annie, but I don't play. Sorry," Lee said.

"Thanks, Lee," I said.

"I'm sure you'll get in anyway," he said.

I smiled at him and thanked him again.

"I would train you, too, if I knew how. Sorry to disappoint you, Annie," Ron said.

"Hey no problem. I mean, there might be another spot free for next year or something. I could train over the holidays," I said before returning to my food. I actually was quite upset about it, but there really was nothing that could be done.

Harry who was busy playing around with the food on his plate looked up at me.

"I...err..." he said.

"Huh?" Ron said.

"I...err...meant we've got Potions class now. We'd better go."

We got up and the three of us walked down the dungeons to our potions class. When we reached our classroom, there were quite a lot of Gryffindor and Slytherin students waiting outside the classroom. There was this group of Slytherins gathered around this fair-haired person who was talking.

When they saw us coming, this fair guy with blond hair gelled back pushed the people out of his way. He was followed by two big blokes like they were his bodyguards. He must be an important person or something.

"Oh no," Harry said.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Malfoy," he replied.

"Brace yourself for an encounter with a real nut," Ron said as the three guys walked up to us.

"Ah, Potter and Weasley," blondie said.

"Malfoy," Harry said.

"What d'you want Malfoy?" Ron asked.

"Who's your new friend?" he asked, looking at me and smiling.

"None of your business Malfoy," Ron said.

"Hey...I'm sure she is perfectly capable of speaking for herself. So what's your name then?"

"Annie James." I said. I didn't like that smile he had...it was really annoying.

"Hi, Annie. I'm Draco Malfoy. So you're new, huh?" He was still smiling. It was more like a smirk. Was he making fun of me? Whatever it was it really was annoying. Harry took a step forward. Right then Hermione came up.

"Sorry I'm late." She stopped in mid-sentence when she saw everyone staring at Draco and I. Draco turned to look at her, and he gave her a look of disgust.

"Granger," he said.

"What are you doing to my poor friend, Malfoy?" she said.

"Nothing, unless you call getting to know her a crime."

"Getting to know her isn't the crime...you are Malfoy," Hermione said.

"You know what, Granger, you think you're so smart, but you're nothing," he said.

"Leave her alone, Malfoy," Ron said, getting his wand out. I noticed that it was crooked and stuck together with tape.

"Don't, Ron. Just leave him," Harry said.

"Stop it, guys. Don't get mad over something really small. It doesn't matter. Calm down, Ron," I said. Harry nodded at me for helping.

"Annie's right. Let's just get to class," Harry said.

Ron put away his wand reluctantly.

"Too afraid to fight is it Weasley? Yeah, I knew you were," Draco said, and his fellow henchmen laughed. So did the other Slytherins.

"Come on, guys," I said and led the way into our classroom.

"I'll be seeing you around, James," Draco said.

I ignored him.

Potions class was horrible and so was Snape. He was very scary. We had a lecture on the history of Flobberworm mucous and its uses. He didn't even acknowledge me much. Well he did say, 'Ah, a new girl.' But that's all. I was sitting with Ron, and we played hang-man. I was beating Ron. Perhaps it was because his answers were real easy. After Potions, the four of us headed to Greenhouse 3 for our first lesson with Professor Sprout.

"Could you believe the nerve of him? I'd like to pulverize him one day," Ron said.

"Yeah, well he's not worth it," Hermione said as they both walked ahead. Harry and I were together.

"Hey, Annie, thanks for stopping the fight. I wouldn't want to get into trouble at the start of the year -- well, at least more than we are in already. I've still got a lot more detention with Lockhart," Harry said.

"Well, I didn't stop it, Harry. I just told Ron to calm down."

"Hey, it worked." He continued, "You don't like Draco...do you?"

I pretended to puke. "No, he acted like he was all hot and like he's like a babe magnet. Not a very good first impression for Annie James," I said.

Harry smiled. "Yup, that's Draco. Get used to him after awhile."

I laughed.

"How did you meet him?" I asked. He smiled at me.

"I'd tell you now, but it is quite depressing actuallyHey, Annie," he said.

"Yeah?" We both stopped.

"Do you still need coaching for...err Quidditch? I started playing last year. I'm a Seeker, but I know the exercises for Chasers and how to play and such."

"That actually would be great," I said, smiling.

"Great, when are you free? Since you've got awhile more till the tryouts, we should get to it as soon as possible. Do you have your own broom?"

"Well, so far I'm free everyday, and I do have a broom. A Shooting Star to be precise," I said.

"Great, how about today right after school?" he asked.

"Err...well, yeah, I guess."

"Great, I'll meet you at the Quidditch pitch. Wear something which you can really move in," he said.

"Well, if I do get in do you think Fred and George would protect me from the Bludgers?" I asked.

"They'd better. I don't think they'd want you to get hurt," he said.

"If they don't, I'll have to get heaps of wizard crackers and throw it to their heads won't I? And it won't be pretty."

Harry smiled."Hey let's hurry. I think we're late."

We both ran to our class.

Class was really interesting. We learnt the basics on medicinal plants. I actually listened this time. Class finished quickly, though.

Time goes by when you're having fun, I guess.