The Life of Portia Boyd

Chapter seven, The first plan.

It had been a month since the Forbidden forest incident. Portia hadn't seen James, Sirius, Lupin or Pettigrew in the grounds since that night. And it was just as well that she hadn't or she would end up getting a detention, like they did. It was now October and the news of the Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff quidditch game was all around the school As Portia had that heard Hufflepuff hadn't ever won against the Slytherins before, she felt this year was not going to be any different.

The Slytherin quidditch team had a tendency to be violent on the quidditch pitch and cheat any way they could. The only team who had any authority over them was Gryffindor, but they weren't to play them until April.

Homework was also a new thing on Portia's mind. Every lesson she had had after the first day had ended with the teacher giving homework out. It was hard to cope with it all, but Portia always managed to cope; she had nothing better to do. Sofia on the other hand, wasn't even doing her homework and if she did, it wasn't very good. Katie was sharing her homework out into a timetable. That way she always had spare time to do any other clubs, such as the new research club that gathered on a Friday night before curfew. Portia never actually knew what they did but she remembered Katie saying something about it the Friday before...

"We studied dragons today in research club," she beamed.

"Sounds great," said Portia half heartily, while doing a piece of charms homework.

"Haven't you finished that yet?" asked Katie.

"No, I need to add some information on how the charm is affected by heavy objects."

"You work too hard," exclaimed Katie, "You should get out more, go to clubs and meet new people."

"Don't hassle her," said Sofia from her bed. "Let her do what she wants."

"Have you done your homework for Flitwick yet?" asked Katie.

"Mind your own business," snapped Sofia and turned away from Portia and Katie. Katie smirked in a satisfied way.

Portia couldn't really remember if Sofia had actually done that home work or not, even if she did she still got a detention for something in that lesson. So did Katie, for hexing Severus Snape. It occurred in every charms lesson, but it couldn't be helped. Katie's temper always took over when Snape tried to put down Sofia. Portia never got involved, but Katie and Sofia never seemed to mind. They knew how important it was for her to do well in school.

Transfiguration got better as well. Sirius never stopped trying to be the joker of the class, but McGonagall had put a stop to his distraction by putting him on a silence charm to make a point about his loudness. After that he didn't try to take away the actual attention but he still made little remarks about certain practices and spells. Portia just learnt to ignore him, especially when he tried to start a conversation with her. She wasn't going to let her family down even more by not even making a conversation work with Sirius Black, so she decided not to have one at all. Katie's attitude to this was very positive, which made Portia more secure about herself. This new security was exactly what Portia needed to get her through the Friday evenings alone. Even though sometimes she wasn't truly alone.

"Hi," said a voice from above Portia, one Friday evening when she was alone in the common room.

"Hello," replied as she looked up to see a boy with sandy coloured hair looking back down at her.

"I'm Anthony Arch," the boy exclaimed.

"Portia Boyd."

"Oh I know, I think you're great in Transfiguration," he complimented.

"You do?" asked Portia flushing.

"Yes, I always try to ask for your help but... well lets just say I never get a word in."

"Well I'll be happy to help in anyway I can," replied Portia smiling. "Have you done this homework yet?"

"Yes I've finished all my homework, I'm up to date now," he looked at the window and back at Portia. "I'm just trying to find something to do."

"You can sit with me if you like; I'm nearly done though so..."

"No that's fine; I'll sit with you for a bit."

Portia moved herself up and let Anthony sit next to her. She then resumed her homework, finishing the last sentence of her assignment. "There I'm finished, I suppose I have nothing to do either now, I wasn't expecting to finish all my homework until tomorrow night."

"Weren't you going to go to the quidditch game?"

"No, I have no interest for sport like that," Portia sighed. "But I might as well go now; I have nothing else planned."

"Are your friends going?"

"Yes, I'll just sit with them I suppose, if they will let me," joked Portia.

"If they don't, you can always come and sit next to me..."

Portia smiled. "That would be nice, thank you."

"What would be nice," asked Katie, walking in from research club.

"Anthony said I could sit next to him to watch the quidditch match tomorrow," replied Portia.

Katie grinned and nodded. "Yes that does sound nice... very nice." Portia started to become unsure; what was going through Katie's mind? Anthony was obviously thinking the same thing.

"I'll leave you two then," he said, his voice now sounding shy. "So I'll see you tomorrow Portia?"

"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow... goodnight," she added.

"Goodnight Portia...." And Anthony was gone in a matter of seconds.

Portia kept her gaze on where Anthony had stood before her, before she turned her glance to Katie. "So, have fun again tonight?"

Katie nodded, with her grin still on her face. "I see you did as well."

Portia shrugged. "The same as every Friday. Do homework and wait for you to come back."

"Well usually when I come back, you're on your own. But tonight was different."

"What's so different about having somebody talk to me when I'm waiting for you?" asked Portia.

Katie shook her head and her grin disappeared. "Nothing, nothing of course." She rubbed her eyes and smiled sleepily. "Time for bed?"

"Yes I think so," Replied Portia, stretching her arms. "Hey, where's Sofia?"

"I saw her with some other Ravenclaw girl earlier," answered Katie. "She waved for me to come over, but I was in too much of a rush to get to research club."

Portia nodded and started to gather up her things. Katie grabbed Portia's books and led the way to their dormitory. "She'll be back soon, curfew is in five minutes," she said half way up the stairs.

"I know, but it's not like her to not come back before I've finished my homework."

"She's fine I swear, now can we hurry up before I drop these on my toes?" pleaded Katie.

Portia laughed and nudged her up the stairs, causing Katie to nearly lose her balance. After Katie had regained her balance and nearly pushed Portia down the stairs for revenge, they opened the door to their dormitory. Portia dumped her equipment on her bed and began to tidy them away.

"Where do your books go again?" asked Katie.

"Just leave them next to me, I'll put them away." When Portia had finished tidying her things away and she checked her watch for the time. "Its 9 o'clock, where is she?"

"I think she's coming up the stairs now," replied Katie nearly falling asleep on her bed.

Then the door creaked open and Sofia peered around the door. "Sorry I'm back so late, I was in the library."

"Oh, what for?" asked Portia.

"I was trying to finish that Defence against the Dark arts homework, but I couldn't find the book. I'm going to get a detention if I don't do it in time." Sofia slumped herself down on her bed and sighed. "Maybe I should have done it with you two on Wednesday."

"Splendid Sofia, glad you finally thought it was a good idea," mocked Katie. "Well I hoped you learned your lesson."

"Not that you really care Katie, but yes I have learned my lesson. I've managed to get some of it done but I need some idea for my conclusion." Sofia's glance turned to Portia. "Could you give me some ideas Portia?"

Portia bit her lip and sat on her hands. "I suppose... but isn't it cheating?"

Sofia rolled her eyes and laughed. "You're not giving me the answer; you're just giving me ideas."

"I suppose I can then," said Portia, smiling. "But I suggest you make it different to how I wrote it or Professor Sprite will guess we've exchanged answers."

Sofia nodded and lay back on her bed. "I wish..." she began.

"You wish what?" asked Katie.

"Nothing, it doesn't matter." Sofia didn't talk after that. Portia guessed she fell asleep, and it wasn't long before Katie and Portia were also fast asleep.

Portia opened her eyes slowly as she felt the morning sun on her face. Saturday was always a day she could lie in. She lifted her head and pushed herself up away from the bed, hoping to awaken her body. Arching her back she scanned the room looking for Katie and Sofia; both were sleeping. Portia managed to sit herself up and move her messy hair out of her face. Sometimes Portia hated the feel of her face in the morning. She got up and reached down for her trunk, which carried her clothes. Portia picked out a pair of trousers, a t-shirt, a jumper, a pair of pink socks and some underwear before making her way to the bathroom. After washing her face, Portia dressed and went back to sit on her bed. She wrapped her arms around her body to make herself warm, October winds had obviously taken effect today.

"Portia?" Katie asked quietly.

"Yes?"

"Oh good, I hoped you'd be up." Katie turned her head to look at Portia. "Dressed before me I see."

"Sorry, but I couldn't stay shivering in my bed for the morning."

"Don't be sorry, you're smarter than me." Katie pushed herself up and sat up facing Portia. "You're going today then?"

"Yes, I changed my mind."

"I thought as much, Anthony changed your mind, didn't he?" Katie laughed.

"I really wonder what goes through your mind sometimes Katie Taylor, I swear I do."

"Well I expect Anthony will try to kiss you..."

"WHAT?!" Portia was not expecting that!

"What's the noise for?" asked Sofia, glaring at Portia.

"He'll try to kiss you Portia, I hear my brothers talking about kissing a girl all the time," said Katie, looking confident.

"Oh really?" asked Portia interested. "What happens?"

"Well Jude said he asked this girl to sit next to him at a Quidditch match and he said he kissed her." Katie shrugged. "But then again he was in third year."

"I'm not ready to kiss anybody though," interrupted Portia desperately. "I'm only eleven!"

"Forget it then," said Katie. "If you're not ready, don't let him kiss you."

"That's exactly what I plan to do," replied Portia finally.

"Welcome to the Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin, the first game on the year," boomed the Irish accent of the commentator, Thomas Mcsheri. "And here are the teams."

Portia looked down to look at the two teams walk onto the pitch. One team was yellow and the other was green. She leaned back and let her eyes wander to Anthony, who was sat to the right of her. It had been the first time Portia had looked at him since they had met up in the Ravenclaw common room; if she looked at him long enough he could kiss her, which was not going to happen. "Who do you think will win?" asked Portia still not looking at Anthony.

"Slytherin always wins against Hufflepuff," said Anthony. "My dad said Hufflepuff have never won against them at Hogwarts."

"How come?" asked Portia, unaware that the game had started.

"Watch and you'll see," said Anthony.

Portia saw in the first five minutes of the game what Slytherin were good at; knocking people off their brooms. Two Hufflepuff members had been knocked off their brooms and suffered injuries. The referee didn't hand out any punishment for the Slytherin's at all. "Look what their doing Professor!" shouted a seventh year Ravenclaw girl. "They're nearly killing those Hufflepuffs." Portia had to agree with the girl, the Slytherin's were horrible.

"How horrible," exclaimed Portia as another Hufflepuff was hit by a bludger. "Can't anything be done?"

"The referee is siding with Slytherin; obviously Malfoy's father has some influence there," said Anthony, looking disgusted.

"What do you mean?" asked Portia.

"The Ref has been bought Portia; he's been paid to let Slytherin win."

"Can't the teachers stop that from happening?" asked Portia.

"Not without proof."

Portia sighed and watched the unfair game continue. Every five minutes a Hufflepuff was knocked to the ground. It was obvious the whole of the school (except the Slytherins) were against the Referee. And then suddenly...

"And it looks like some first year Gryffindors have come onto the pitch!" boomed Thomas McSheri. "Yes they have, and they're taking over the positions and ignoring the Referee!" Portia looked to see James Potter, Sirius Black and some other first years taking hold of the fallen brooms and flying through the air. The Hufflepuff seeker looked happy to see them. "And some black hair mess has taken the chaser's position!" continued Thomas. "He flies past the other chasers, dodges the bludger and... he's near the keeper, is he gonna shoot? HE IS 10 POINTS TO HUFFLEPUFF!" The crowd cheered as James Potter high fived Sirius.

"Can this happen?" asked Portia, clapping.

"I don't know, but it looks like Dumbledore is allowing it."

And all through the match the Gryffindor first years, scored and protected the seeker. And then finally, the snitch was sighted. "There go the seekers for Hufflepuff and Slytherin; it boils down to this chase."

"COME ON HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted Katie next to Portia.

"CATCH IT!" boomed Anthony.

Portia watched the seekers go; her eyes alert and her mouth open slightly. The Hufflepuff seeker's hand was nearest to the snitch. The seeker reached further and further... until... WHACK! The seeker had been hit with a bludger and the snitch was out of sight. "The seeker's fallen and the snitch is gone!" cried Thomas. "Wait a second; it's in the seeker's hand! HUFFLEPUFF SCORE 150 EXTRA POINTS FOR CATCHING THE SNITCH, THEY WIN BY 100 POINTS!"

The crowds were screaming with cheers, the first victory of Hufflepuff against Slytherin. Katie was jumping up and down in her seat. Anthony was punching the air with his fist and Portia was clapping harder than ever. This was something to remember.

"Hufflepuff are disqualified!" raved the Referee. "Cheating by acquiring other members from Gryffindor house, who are also underage...!" But he was interrupted.

"Be quiet Nullius!" said Dumbledore calmly through the microphone. "Or you'll be sacked!"

The laughs and cheers rang from all the houses, except Slytherin. Today was a very special day for everyone.

Portia had quite forgotten the plan about Anthony and walked with him back to the common room. They talked about the fouls and the goals in the Quidditch match that day. She was finally looking at him properly and laughing more. Katie was wrong; Anthony didn't seem to want to kiss her at all. "That second foul was so horrible though," said Portia for the seventh time.

"I know, you said," laughed Anthony. "But I still agree I'm sure the Ref will be spoken to about this match."

Portia nodded sternly and smiled. "It's been quite a day," she said. "I'm quite hungry."

"We'll go to the feast in a minute," replied Anthony. "I just want to ask you something." He suddenly seemed nervous. "Portia I was wondering..."

"I'm really hungry Anthony," interrupted Portia hastily. This was it, Katie was right; he was going to kiss her. "Let's go now please."

Anthony sighed. "Ok Portia, but I'm still going ask my question later on."

"That will give me more time to get away from you," Thought Portia. "You can do that, now let's go!"

They ran to the Great hall and sat down at the Ravenclaw table. Portia started to eat some sweet-corn when she felt something hit her back. "Enjoying yourself?" asked a male voice.

Portia turned to see a boy with bleached blonde hair looking down at her. "I was until you hit my back," confessed Portia.

"Yes I'm truly sorry," said the boy, obviously not meaning his apology. "I'm Lucius Malfoy. You are of course Portia Boyd."

Portia nodded. "My father wanted me to speak to you."

"Yes can you send this to your father please?" It was a command, not a question. "Do not read it, do not open it and don't let mudbloods read it."

Portia again nodded. "Yes, of course." And Lucius walked away. Portia felt all the Ravenclaw eyes on her; this was so embarrassing. She put the letter in her trouser pocket and turned to resume eating her dinner.

"Since when do you talk to Malfoy?" asked Anthony.

"I don't..." Then Portia had a brilliant idea. "Well my father influences me to talk to Malfoy all the time at home, I think he has high hopes for the two of us." Portia watched Anthony's expression turn from curiosity to disgust. "But I don't really talk to Malfoy, why did you ask anyway?"

"I was just wondering," replied Anthony changing his expression back to normal. "Its just not many people in Hogwarts like Malfoy and his family." Portia took a drink of pumpkin juice from the middle of the table as Anthony was speaking. "Mainly because a few years ago they had the last muggle hunt." Portia suddenly started to choke from shock on her drink. Anthony patted her back and she coughed some of the juice out. "I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were drinking."

"Muggle hunt! But there illegal in the British Islands!" stated Portia. She remembered her father talking about it to her mother.

"Well it wasn't when they did it," retorted Anthony. "It was the worst hunt in a century according to my father. They did all sorts of torture when they caught them; that's why it was banned." Anthony sighed and smiled warmly. "I really shouldn't be telling you this when you're eating."

"Well now I know not to get involved with a Malfoy," exclaimed Portia. "I never knew that happened and I wasn't aware that wizards could do such cruelty."

Anthony shrugged slightly. "Not all wizards can cause such pain and suffering, but as I see it within every black rain cloud there is a silver lining." Anthony started to get up slowly. "I wanted to ask you for a walk earlier, will you come with me now?" he asked.

Portia sighed and nodded, standing up next to Anthony and stepping over the seat of the table. She wasn't going to give in to any boy's kiss; kissing wasn't very nice in her opinion. A couple of years before she had witnessed her parents kiss for a brief moment. It didn't look very appropriate. "But just a small walk ok? My feet are hurting a little."

"Of course Portia, anything you say," said Anthony leading her to the corridor outside the Great Hall. It was surprising how quiet it was. Portia walked beside Anthony as they started to walk to the right. Anthony suddenly said, "Can I ask my question now?"

Portia nodded nervously. This was it, but there was still hope for her to run away.

Anthony looked very nervous as well; obviously he knew she didn't want to kiss him. "Portia..."

"Yes?" "There's still time!"

"I've been meaning to ask this for a few weeks now..."

"A few weeks?!"

"Yes," his cheeks started to flush a shade of red. "I was wondering if..."

"If what?"

"If you could..."

"If I could what?" Portia felt her insides hold tight together, as if she couldn't breathe.

"Ifyoucouldhelpmewithmytransfiguationshomework." Anthony flushed a deep scarlet.

Portia felt like she suddenly stopped breathing; the silence between them was deadly. "I... thought..." Should she tell him about what she thought he was going to ask? ...No! "You said you didn't have any homework left." Portia folded her arms suspiciously.

"I have, but I meant any following homework's we get," said Anthony, his voice quickening. "Like I said I've been meaning to ask you for weeks, But Sirius Black never lets me get a word in."

Portia let herself smile. Everything was beginning to make sense.

"And I didn't know how I could ask you, so I asked your friend Katie..."

"What!?" exclaimed Portia suddenly.

"I asked your friend Katie when it was an appropriate time to speak to you and she said Fridays evenings because you were always working that night..." Anthony raised a worried eyebrow at Portia. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."

Portia's jaw was nearly clenching against her teeth. "Yes, I'm fine. Yes I'd be happy to help with your transfiguration homework." She was starting to clench her fists as well. "May I ask what Katie exactly said?"

"She said that 'She'll be sitting in the common room alone for about two hours at the most, you'll be able to talk to her then.'" He looked very nervous again. "I haven't done anything to upset you have I? You look very angry."

"Oh no you haven't, Anthony would you excuse me for about ten minutes please?"

"Yeah sure, I was heading to see Professor Sprite anyway about our Defence against the Dark Arts homework," he started to walk away from Portia. "I'll see you whenever then?"

"Yes whenever Anthony," rushed Portia and sped off down the corridor. She ran to the common room and found Katie sitting with Sofia. "Hi Portia," exclaimed Sofia happily.

Portia glances at Sofia and ignored her. "Katie you planned it!"

"Planned what?" asked Katie, smiling innocently.

"Anthony talking to me, you planned the whole thing!" Portia was flushing red. "How could you?"

"Well I just thought Anthony was looking for some help actually, I never planned anything." Katie closed the book that was placed in her lap. "Why, what did he say I said?"

"Just what you're saying really," replied Portia sighing.

"Exactly, so are you going to help him?" asked Katie, grinning.

"Yes of course I will help him; he just never needed to ask you to get my attention."

Katie shrugged with little concern. "Oh well, what's done is done." Katie closed the book in her lap and grinned. "So?"

"So what?" snapped Portia.

"Did he try and kiss you?"

"No he didn't."

"Yes I knew he wasn't interested in that way, I just thought I would tease you." Katie put her book inside her trunk and lay back on her bed. "I think you've made a friend there Portia."

Portia perked her left eyebrow up and shrugged, not knowing what to say. Had Katie meant for Anthony to become her friend? If she did, what was in it for her? "I'm tired."

"Yes you've seemed to have had a long day," said Sofia from her bed.

"Why was Lucius Malfoy talking to you today?" asked Katie suddenly.

Portia explained about her father's involvement with the Malfoys and showed the letter Lucius Malfoy had given her. "He didn't want me to show it to anyone," added Portia, letting Katie examine it.

"I wonder why," muttered Katie. "I wonder if this has got something to do with the war."

Sofia looked confused. "War? What war?"

Portia realised again they hadn't told Sofia about the wizarding world war, again. "There's just a war going on in the wizarding world."

"Some dark wizard is supposed to be building up armies all over the globe to do his evil demands," added Katie. "My eldest brother Callum is joining a group to stop these people from hurting anyone."

"But why would that have anything to do with Lucius Malfoy, whoever he is?" asked Sofia.

"The Malfoy's are pure-bloods," stated Katie. "They want a so-called purity in our world, they want..."

"All the mudbloods dead," said Sofia, finishing off Katie's sentence.

Katie scowled and walked up to Sofia, pushing her back on her bed. "Don't ever use that term!" Her face was flushing red from anger. "You are not that term! You and the other Muggle-borns are worth more than that, do you understand?"

Sofia nodded quickly, obviously surprised by Katie's reaction. "I understand..."

Portia touched Katie's shoulder and made Katie face her. "Was there any need for that?" You know violence doesn't solve anything."

"You think I was being violent? There's worse!" Katie shook her head and sighed, losing her fire. "Look I'm sorry, to both of you. I'm sorry for being this way... But if everyone starts believing this rubbish about pure-blood will out, then there is no hope, and if Muggle-borns start believing that as well... we might as well surrender now."

Portia glanced at Sofia, who had tears streaming down her face. "There's no need for this Katie, you're making it worse."

"Will I die?" asked Sofia, obviously trying to remain calm.

"No," replied Katie calmly. "I won't let you die."

"Neither will I," added Portia, sitting by Sofia. "We're best friends, forever."

"Promise?"

Katie's lips curved slightly into a smile and placed herself next to Sofia. She moved her wavy hair out of the way of her streaming tears. "We both promise, nothing is going to split us up."

Sofia sniffled and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "I thought you didn't like me."

"Of course I like you, you silly billy."

Sofia then broke out into hysterical tears. Katie pulled her into a tight hug and started sniffing herself. "Stop it now; you're going to flood our dorm."

Portia joined in the hug, tightening her grip on Sofia. Was this going to be the rest of Sofia's life? Running away or crying into her best friends. No, it wasn't and Portia made that secret promise to herself. Nothing was going to take Sofia away.