What it is to be a Gryffindor

You know, I realized something today. There is a Ravenclaw as bold as any of us.

Her name is Lisa Turpin. She is pretty nondescript-brown hair, brown eyes, and freckled skin. She always seemed to be the nervous one in the few classes we had with the Ravenclaws. But today she did something that made everyone gape: she sat down at the Slytherin table.

At first we all thought it was a mistake. I mean, no one really likes those Slytherins, so what reason is there to? But then our bewilderment gave way to shock. She actually meant to. She leaned over to say something to Nott. I mean, the nerve! The Slytherins were as shocked as we were. Except for Nott- he just gave her an odd, calculating stare.

It’s weird how I think of the Slytherins as a separate entity. I mean, there are the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and then the Slytherins. I guess it is because they are so obnoxious. That there could be another reason only occurred to me today.

Naturally, I looked over at Parvati. Her mouth was slightly agape, and she looked stunned. Hermione had one eyebrow raised, and was whispering something to Harry about "house relations". Harry wasn’t listening- he had rather a closed, far-away expression, like he was considering something and finding it wanting. Ron had a scowl- clearly he did not approve of whatever Turpin thought she was doing. Seamus and Dean were talking quietly to each other. They kept on looking at Lisa and shaking their heads, and appeared to be arguing.

The younger ones seemed to be less affected. Weasley was scowling, but she did not look like she was entirely disapproving of the affair. The little MacDonald kid interested me the most. She kept on quietly eating her eggs, seemingly mindless of the silence that resounded in the room. Once she looked up, though, and looked at each of the tables in turn for a long time. Then she returned to her breakfast.

Grudgingly, I looked over at the Slytherins. Nott had started talking to the Ravenclaw. Malfoy was trying to imitate Natalie and not look interested, but you could tell that he was. Stupid git never was good at subtlety. I’ve never wondered why the Slytherins don’t ever win the house cup. Zabini was outright staring. The odd thing that struck me was that they did not order her away- and they all looked ready to curse her when she first sat down. I was really amazed, and quite impressed by Turpin’s bravery. A dove in a nest of serpents.

I wish I could be that brave. But why do I think such things about a Ravenclaw? I didn't know they were anything but smart. I think that perhaps I should talk to Parvati. Is it okay to talk to the other houses or what? This is really confusing. I wonder what is so odd about it, too. Have we so estranged ourselves from the other houses that we will not deign to talk to them?

I don't know. Snobbish, stupid, and egotistical, that's what I thought about the other houses. We Gryffindors are in the right. Hasn't that been proven to them yet? Or are we not?

I've never thought about being wrong about this before. I wonder- Is this what they think we are?

Suddenly I saw myself from someone not in Gryffindor's point of view. Or rather I saw my house. I suddenly noticed how we hardly ever talk to anyone but each other. How we appear to believe we're on a pedestal. I remembered with a shock that Hermione conveniently looked for everyone but Slytherins for members of the D.A., even though not all of them have proved to be evil gits. How my entire house was ever so condescending toward Hufflepuff. How we never bothered to ask the Ravenclaws for help, but turned to others of our house, for surely no Ravenclaw could have the intelligence of one of the Weasleys, who would also conveniently distract you. How-

Susan Bones tapped me on the shoulder. Corporeal Patronus, I thought. How could I have been so stupid?

"Are you all right, Lavender?"

I nodded weakly, jolted out of my reverie.

"Yes, I'm fine- just a bit surprised, you know."

Susan nodded, and walked away, back to her fellow Hufflepuffs. I saw her on the way, though. She smiled briefly at a Slytherin, of all things!

The walls seem to be breaking, and before they've finally fallen, I'll make sure someone else knows that we have bravery, kindness, courage and courtesy too.

I'll make sure they know that that's what it is to be a Gryffindor.