The Muggle Experience

THE MUGGLE EXPERIENCE

[Chapter 1]

Muggle Studies! His eyebrows shot up so high it was a miracle they didn't disappear altogether. This couldn't be right! A mistake, this was all it was, a terrible mix up at Hogwart's administration office. He muttered under his breath something like 'those administrative witches needed new pair of eye-glasses, those that gave 20/20 vision'.

He frowned in annoyance, as he browsed disbelievingly at the parchment's contents with the list of subjects. There was a new ruling from the Ministry of Magic that all young witches and wizards from pure wizard families must take up this course. It was to promote an understanding of the non-magical community so that we could co-exist in harmony.

He made a face at the word: No exceptions! He thought darkly, that was the reason why we chose to be hidden from their view for so many centuries. So, that both parties could be out of each other's hair.

He just knew that this debacle was from none other than the Headmaster of Hogwarts. The old wizard was indeed, cracked up beyond repair. He should be locked up in a padded cell at St. Mungo's with that ludicrous memory impaired Gilderoy Lockhart.

Glancing back at the parchment, he blanched at the word 'Mandatory' next to the hated subject. He'd even closed his eyes and willed it to change to 'Optional'. But, it remained as it was. It didn't stop there. He felt the comings of a headache when he caught the next line.

'Your student counselor for this course is Miss Hermione Granger. She will be your guide to all things related to the Muggle-World. Your student counselor will bring you up to the current topic before you can join the actual classes. Your student counselor will evaluate your progress from time to time and your counselor's reports will be taken into account by the school and the ministry. Your tutorials will be thrice a week for two hours. You may fix the date and time according to your classes and activities schedule with your counselor.'

His jaw-dropped, his mind went blank. It was when he regained his senses that he managed a choked, "No. Not her. Anyone, but that Know-It-All!" He groaned inwardly, as he continued perusing in agony at the rest of the parchment's contents.

'Should you fail this course, you fail the entire year. To proceed to next year, you need to obtain a 'Pass''.

"What the...!!" He shook his fist, grumbling, "This is sick. They're all sick." He felt a little green. Why Muggle Studies? He gritted his teeth, positively grounding them.

Sinking into his bed, he crumpled the parchment without realizing he'd set it afire with a thought. "Ouch!" He let go of the burning parchment. It fell onto the floor, in cinders.

His grey eyes narrowed at the austerity of it. His upper lip curled in dislike at the glaring burden of learning an uninteresting low-level subject unworthy of his time, effort and devotion. He didn't like it. Not one ounce of it and that included being 'counseled' by that Know-All-McGonagall-Wannabe!

It was degrading. Malfoys did not associate themselves with Muggles and/or all things Muggles. They were an inferior species. He'd rather be eating slugs for a month. No, that was Weasley's department being always the pitiful loser. He'd rather get into Potter's skin for a month. Now, that's a thought...or maybe under his skin.

Oh, well...no point for him to prattle about it. What's done was done. He'd have to face the fact and endure it.

=====

"Harry, Ron, I'm so excited. I've been chosen as Student Counselor for Muggle Studies." Hermione beamed at them, imparting her good news to them after Charms, as they walked down towards the great hall for their lunch.

Harry regarded his friend with a slight twitch at the corners of his mouth. Hermione was an over-achiever. He didn't complain much because if he didn't understand anything, he'd only have to ask her. Anything to save him time from going into the library unless he was doing his homework or studying for exams.

The girl was a well of information. There was no other way to describe her, except that she's truly a walking and talking dictionary. It was an obsession and compulsive thing in her, which often drove Ron over the edge.

"You're not the only one," Ron remarked looking at her.

Hermione stared at him. "You? But, you don't have any clues on Muggles." Then, pinked when she saw the scowl on his face.

"What about my dad? He's a total nut about the subject. I've picked a few things up about Muggles from him." Ron glowered at her. "And I've you for a friend." His face showed a slight hurt.

"Yes, you're right Ron. I'm sorry." She put on a brave face. "Well and good for Mr. Weasley. But, you've got to be among them to understand what it's like to be a Muggle." She looked desperately at Harry for support.

Harry cleared his throat. "Ahh, yeah...Ron. She's right."

Before Ron could retort anything, Harry shook his head at him. Ron clamped his mouth and blew an exasperated breath.

"Uhh, Hermione..." Harry waved a small parchment at her. "Ron meant me."

Her eyes widened in excitement, clasping her hands in delight. "Oh, Harry. Congratulations!" Then she frowned. "But, how...you didn't take Muggle Studies."

Harry smiled at her and confessed. "I volunteered. Professors McGonagall and Begg approved because I've led a Muggle's life having lived with my Muggle relatives and Begg immediately signed me on."

"Oh," She nodded and then she noticed the impish glint in his green eyes. She didn't know that he was capable of such trait. But there it was shining behind his round spectacles. "Harry, I don't like that look of yours. Who did you get?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Blaise Zabini." He smiled widely. "I bet she'd be rolling in defiance."

Ron had a dreamy look in his eyes. "I'd say, we've a privilege over them, Hermione." Then he looked disappointed. "I wish I was chosen."

Harry's eyes sparkled in impish resolute. "Well, I'm all for it. One valid and solid negative remark and it's bye-bye you're stuck as a sixth year for the next year."

"Goodness, Harry!" Her eyes widened in shock having to hear this nice boy who's her best friend the one who'd never hurt a fly but was every dark wizard's dream to see him destroyed, ranting subtle vengeance. "You're getting just as bad as Malfoy."

"Hermione, he's only telling the truth. Good on you, Harry." Ron punched his fist up in the air in gusto. Shifting his gaze to Hermione. "Who did you get?"

She did then frown, gave them her 'don't-you-dare-laugh' look. "Draco Malfoy."

They both looked stunned. Ron was first to recover.

"His Royal Pratness!" His eyes shining with merriment, "This is your chance to trounce him."

"I'm not Evander Holyfield." She glared at him, her eyes flashing in disapproval.

"Huh?" Ron looked puzzled. "Never heard of the wizard before."

Harry suppressed the desire to laugh. "It's because he isn't. He's a boxer. He's a muggle." Harry patted his arm. "I really think that picking up a few things from Mr. Weasley isn't enough."

"That's what I keep saying since our third year. He should've taken up Muggle Studies." Rolling her eyes at them. "But does he listen...No!" She stomped away (lunch was forgotten) leaving them standing there in the great hall looking at her with raised eyebrows.

Ron glanced at Harry, clearly bemused. "Doesn't she know that I've got the opportunity to learn it this year with it being mandatory?" He shuddered involuntarily while shaking his head. "Sure glad I didn't get her for my counselor. Deep waters, that one."

He brightened all of a sudden. "I heard that he couldn't swim." He said it with some degree of mischievousness that made Harry chortled. "Just as well, if she couldn't trounce him, she could always drown him..."

=====

Hermione and Harry walked side by side to the second floor with Muggle Studies modules in their bags. They found other student counselors with their charges, mostly Slytherins and Ravenclaws being a close second.

They spotted Colin Creevey, who waved at them and they haven't a doubt that he was a student counselor. Hermione waved back and Harry nodded at him. Then, Colin was back concentrating on ushering a fourth year Ravenclaw girl into the second room to the left.

They were about to join the remaining student counselors who were waiting for their charges when two loathsome Slytherins blocked their way. They were none other than Draco and Blaise who was clinging on Draco's arm like a leech.

Harry's head jerked in irritation, then rebuked sarcastically. "Malfoy, you're lucky you didn't get me."

Draco raised an amused eyebrow. "Why, Potter I didn't know you had that sort of feeling for me. I'm truly flattered."

"Drop dead, Malfoy!" Harry said this through clenched teeth. "As if I would ever...Bah!"

Draco's mocking smile widened, his eyes shifted to Hermione and slowly accessing her from hair to her shoes. He was surprised, she didn't look like what he'd thought or expected. She looked somewhat different, a pleasing kind of different.

Hermione looked uncomfortable being scrutinized but she held her ground, looking at him squarely in the eye, challenging him and he felt almost compelled to oblige.

Harry caught on this silent challenge, and beckoned Blaise to follow him. "Ready for your first lesson?" But, his eyes were focused on the two opponents. He could feel the subtle tension between them.

Blaise sniggered and still held on to Draco's arm. "We wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to...err, live peacefully with those muggles."

"Good, but first you've got to release his arm." Harry pointed at her death-grip on Draco's arm.

She had the grace to blush and released Draco's arm. Draco patted her bottom affectionately and she giggled.

Harry was annoyed but he didn't show it. "You'll find some good things about them."

"Of course, all information about them would be useful for us to annihilate them." Draco wasn't looking at Harry. He was looking at Hermione.

Though, he didn't say it. She knew what he wanted to say. It was evident in his eyes. And Mudbloods too. Hermione's eyes shone in disgusted contempt. She walked pass them, approaching room number fourteen.

Without so much of a glance she said, "You're so nearing failure, blond ferret." Then, she entered into the room.

Harry stood there with a broad satisfied smile on his face. Blaise gawked and blinked disbelievingly at the smooth put down. Draco just stood there like a statue with no expression. His eyes were the only animated feature, their grey depths turned stormy, as they followed the rigid figure of his counselor.

"You've threaded on a sensitive issue. Congratulations!" Harry whispered happily into his ear. "And on your first day at Muggle Studies." He chuckled couldn't resist himself.

"I'll be in seventh year next year...and guess what you'll still be in sixth year. So keep it up, Malfoy!" Harry had the sudden urge to laugh and he did so heartily as he entered into room number ten with Blaise following him into the room, looking miserable for Draco.

Draco stood there, stock still and expressionless. He was seething inside, his veins very nearly exploded upon hearing that Mudblood calling him a 'blond ferret' and Potter was having a field day at his expanse.

Meantime, the Fat Friar, the Hufflepuff's ghost wandered into this corridor and almost went through him when the ghost suddenly halted. "Good Gracious! A statue of Draco Malfoy here!"

He frowned at Draco. "He hasn't done anything worthy to warrant such honor. But, get on peoples' and ghosts' nerves. I'll speak to Sprout about this. She'll bring it up to either Dumbledore or McGonagall. No use speaking to that callous Snape. He'll do nothing but give that irritating sneer."

He peered closer, grudgingly marveling at Draco. "Lucius must have spent a fortune on this. It looks surreally alive."

Draco turned his head and faced the Fat Friar. "I am alive!" His eyes glittering in rage, storming off and disappeared into room number fourteen.

If ghosts could turn paper white than they must have looked exactly like The Fat Friar. He was shocked beyond reasoning and went livid. "Well, I never...this is the limit! Behaving like a statue and scaring ghosts out of their wits..."

He floated away, mumbling about how the wizards from the Far East dealt with individuals like Draco. He would be cursed with the thousand years curse and be put in a bottle and whoever found the bottle would be granted three wishes...

[ to be continued ]