Sunday 8th
September
Saturday went by in a flash. I overslept, due to the lack
of sleep on Thursday night for Astronomy catching up with me. I completely
missed out on breakfast. By the time I woke up, they had cleared everything
away. Jed managed to convince his cousin, Vince, to swipe me a blueberry muffin
from the kitchens. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t see inside the
kitchens for myself, but Jed and Vince explained to me how the kitchens are
supposed to be out-of-bounds for students, so I guess I should count myself
lucky that Jed’s cousin was willing to break the rules for me.
As the morning passed
by, Jed and I attempted to practise our Defence Against the Dark Arts spell
that Professor Quirrell had taught us yesterday. However, after hours of trying
to get it to work, we realised that neither of us actually knew any Dark Arts
spells to test the shield against. Not only that, but our Defence Against the
Darks Arts lessons wasn’t until last period on Tuesday, whereas all of our
other classes are before it, so we should really have started with their
homework first.
In the afternoon,
whilst Jed hung out with the guys, I sat with Josie at the Ravenclaw table in
the Great Hall. I got a few strange looks from people – mostly glares, but I didn’t
care. I wanted to sit with Josie.
I almost forgot to
mention that on the weekends, we don’t have to wear our uniforms. I know this
probably sounds judgemental, but I kind of liked that we were allowed to wear
our own clothes so that I could see what everyone else was wearing. At first, I
was a little self-conscious. Having thrown my blue hoodie on over a t-shirt and
paired it off with a worn pair of jeans, I was afraid that everyone would think
that I was a bit of a slob, but it turns out that a lot of kids were just in
jeans and a t-shirt, so it didn’t bother me. I spotted Josie wearing black
trousers and a black t-shirt with a pink guitar and bright blue musical notes.
I so wanted that t-shirt. It looked so cool compared to my plain, faded hoodie.
Josie and I were
trying to help each other out with our History of Magic homework, when the
blond haired Ravenclaw guy (whom I have seen Josie with a few times) slid
himself down beside Josie and joined us. “Arh,” he said as he tapped her book.
“History of Magic. Isn’t Binns a saint?” he said with sarcasm. Josie and I both
laughed. “It’s worth studying though,” he told us. “You learn some pretty
interesting things.” I smiled and nodded.
“Fabian, this is MJ,” said Josie as she
pointed at me.
“Arh, so you’re the famous MJ that I’ve
heard so much about,” he said with a laugh. Josie laughed too as she turned
towards me.
“Melanie, this is Fabian,” Josie said
with a smile. “He’s in Third-Year and has been showing me around.” Stretching
across Josie, Fabian held a hand out towards me.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you, MJ,” he
said as we shook hands. “Any friend of Josie’s is a friend of mine. I’m not
prejudice against anyone. I believe everyone’s heart begins pure – it’s just
the choices that you make along the way which define you.”
Fabian stayed with us
for a bit, while he grabbed some lunch. He tried to give us some pointers about
various spells, classes and teachers. I didn’t really get a lot of what he
said, but Josie seemed to. She smiled along with him, like I did, anyway. As
Fabian announced his departure to go and help one of his friends with their Arithmancy (which sounds a lot like Muggle Maths and
although Josie told me that it is similar, apparently it isn’t like it that
much at all), he said to Josie, “Catch you later, okay?” with a smile as he
scruffed up her hair.
“Hey!” Josie giggled as she tried to
push him off and flatten her hair. I have to admit, meeting Fabian was nice. He
did seem a little weird, but I’m glad that Josie’s got other friends looking
out for her when I’m busy in Slytherin. I liked seeing the two of them
interact; it was like a big brother looking out for his little sister – it was
sweet.
*
Today was pretty interesting. I got to meet one of Jed’s
friends. Well I guess I wouldn’t exactly say friend-friend, more of an
acquaintance. It was the really tall guy who I saw in Diagon Alley and who led
us to Hogwarts from Hogsmeade train station.
The path that led to
Hagrid’s hut was steep. Gripping Josie’s arm I walked backwards for a moment,
trying to see whereabouts we had sat at the top of the hill the other day.
Turning back around I noticed that the grass seemed to thicken. “I need to warn
you both,” Jed said as we neared the hut. “Don’t mention his height – he’s
rather sensitive about it.” Josie and I agreed in unison.
Bringing his fist up
to the door, Jed gave three big bangs. “Yeh,” came a deep bellow from inside.
“Who is it?”
“Hagrid,” Jed called. “It’s Jack
Edwards, the Magic Advisor Leonard Edwards’ son. I’ve brought some friends to
meet you.” There was a thud from the other side of the door. I grabbed onto the
edge of Jed’s jacket. Footsteps. Josie took a step back. Then there was
barking.
“Back, Fang – back!” roared a voice
from behind the door. Josie squeaked as she clawed her fingers into my elbow.
“Back Fang!”
There was clank,
followed by a deep scraping – like something being dragged over wood. The
latch, I guessed. There was a gruff grunt and then the door swung open.
Standing in the frame was that huge man that I recognised. Up close, his dark
eyes appeared nearly as big as my fist. His mane of messy brown hair outlined
his face enough to make him look like an actual lion. The wind gushed as he
swung an arm out, patting Jed on the shoulder. “It’s good t’ see ya Jeddy
Bear,” cheered the giant. “Long time no see.” I couldn’t help but snigger.
‘Jeddy Bear?’ Even Josie eased her grip and laughed at my side.
“Hagrid…” muttered Jed as he gripped
the back of his neck. “Can the Jeddy Bear stuff… it’s just Jed now, okay?”
“Alright,” chuckled Hagrid. “Alright. I
wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front a ya friends now, would I?” he said
noticing the pink increasing on Jed’s cheeks.
“Come in now. Come in,” said the giant
as he stepped away from the doorframe. “Make yerselves at home.”
Stepping inside, this
small, little hut showed a huge comparison to inside the castle. In the far
corner lay a bed covered with rags. In front of that was a splintered, wooden
table, filled with chipped cups, saucers and plates. Straight ahead was a small
cooker – the front greased and charcoal stained. I forced myself the biggest
smile that I could manage. I didn’t mean to pity him; it was just that, well he
didn’t seem to be treated very fairly. A huge man squished up in this old
cubbyhole, whilst everyone else was given the luxury of the castle.
“Hagrid, I’d like you
to meet MJ,” Jed announced as he pointed at me. “And Josie,” he said poking a
thumb in Josie’s direction.
“Pleasure to meet yer both,” grinned
the giant. “Now, I’ll j’st put the kettle on. Would you like tea?”
“Yeh, please,” said Jed as he sat
himself down on a chair at the table.
“‘N’ what about you girls?” asked
Hagrid.
Smiling Josie shook her head and said,
“I’m fine thank you,” as she perched on the seat next to Jed. Hagrid shrugged
as he turned to me.
“Yes please,” I said nodding, whilst I
dropped into the seat next to Josie.
While the kettle
boiled on the stove, Hagrid placed a plate full of little rock cakes in front
of us. “Help yerselves,” he said as he walked back to the kettle. “Fang” he
sighed, kicking his boot at the rug. I actually had to double take. I know when
we knocked on the door, we heard a fierce dog, but when we came inside one was
nowhere to be seen. Well, curled up in a ball on the rug at the giant’s feet
was a big, brown dog. My forced smile grew excited as the dog stirred. “Yerh
can’t sleep, yer big lump,” joked the giant. “We gots company.” Upon hearing
the word ‘company’ Fang seemed to spring to life. He bounced up from off the rug
and bounded towards me. Throwing himself at my chest, Fang licked my face. I
laughed.
“Well it’s nice to meet you too, Fang,”
I smiled at him, as I scratched under his chin.
“Aye, a lass that’s good wiv animals.
You’ll do good in Care fer Magical Creatures in yer third year,” said Hagrid. I
couldn’t help but beam at this. “That is if yer pick it.”
Whilst I played with
Fang, I heard Hagrid and Jed having a rather interesting conversation. “So Jed,
me boy,” said the giant as he brought over our drinks. “Has yur father ‘eard
anymore ‘bout legalising dragons as pets?” he said with a laugh as he plonked
himself down on the chair between Jed and me.
After taking a sip of his tea, Jed
laughed back, “Sorry Hagrid. He doesn’t think so.” At this the giant’s smile
drained from his face. “But,” Jed added with enthusiasm. “If he finds out, then
you’ll be the first to know.”
“At a boy,” smiled Hagrid, as he raised
his cup to Jed’s. The two clonked cups and the giant chugged his back. Taking a
look at me, Hagrid said, “If yous must know, I love animals, me.” He said this
with such a warming smile that I felt my eyes tingle a little. “I love all
creatures. Always willin’ to give ‘em a home – ‘specially when no one else will
give ‘em a second look.”
Having been staring at
the table the entire time, Josie looked up. She smiled at Hagrid and even gave
a little nervous giggle when he grinned back at her. Taking another gulp of
tea, Hagrid slammed his cup down on the table. “Merlin’s beard,” he whispered
as he stared at Josie. I watched as her eyes widened. “You look familiar, my
dear,” he said leaning forwards. Prodding his elbows on the table, Hagrid
rested his chin on his fists and gazed at Josie. Seeing him stare, she shot her
eyes down on the table. “It’s the eyes, isn’t it?” said Hagrid. “Those grey
eyes…” He leant back in his chair and examined her more.
This was interesting.
I had assumed that Josie was Muggle-born, like me, but I guess I was wrong. I
pushed Fang away, as he slobbered in my ear, not wanting to miss anything. I
looked from Josie to Hagrid, then to Jed, whose eyes widened – I think he was
just as intrigued as I was.
Swinging his arm
across his chest, Hagrid clicked his fingers. “Do I know your mother?” asked
Hagrid, as he scrunched his mouth up to the right. The pink left Josie’s
cheeks. We all stared at her waiting for an answer. “Maybe your father then?”
Still Josie said nothing. She just stared down at the table.
“José…” I whispered, tilting my head
towards her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m sure I must,” Hagrid insisted.
“‘ow’s about a clue?”
“No,” exclaimed Josie, refusing to
break her stare with the table. Her hands, in her lap, were clenched tight and
they shook as her stare hardened.
“Okay…” said Hagrid with a hum. “Then I
suppose I’ll ‘ave t’ guess then.”
“No,” Josie cried. “You don’t know
them,” she said teary-eyed. Looking up, Josie glared at Hagrid. “You don’t know
them, okay?” Hagrid’s eyes widened as he looked from Jed to me. I shrugged at
them. I was just as surprised as they were – probably more so.
Seeing the colour rush
back into Josie’s cheeks, I knew I needed to create a distraction for her.
Something… anything, to get her mind (and everyone else’s) off what just
happened. Fang flopped a paw on my shoulder and pressed his cold, wet nose
against my cheek. “Say Hagrid,” I said in the jolliest tone I could muster.
“What sort of breed is Fang?”
“Argh, now I’m glad ya asked,” said
Hagrid with a smile as he turned himself around to face me more. He held out
his hand and Fang leapt towards him. “He’s a black boarhound – not many a his
kind left now, ya know.”
“Yer Hagrid,” added Jed, trying to make
the conversation more, well I guess the work would be conversational. “Tell ‘em
about how you rescued Fang as a pup.”
I wanted to listen to
Hagrid’s story, I really did, but as he went on all I could think about was
Josie. I’d never seen her act like that before. Okay, we’d only known each
other a week, but… that was so out of character. I wanted to put a hand out and
comfort her, but I told myself the best thing to do was to leave her be.
‘She’ll tell you when the time’s right,’ I convinced myself. Although how long
that may be, I’m scared to think. Even when we were ready to leave Josie still
wouldn’t say anything. She just kept her head down and never made eye contact.
I’m so glad that we have Herbology second lesson tomorrow, so that we can see
if she’s okay.
- Josie -
