Chapter 10: chapter x: Star vs the very bad weekSummary:In which things start good and then we have a very not good week.
Notes:Hey yall,,,, I'm really sorry for not posting last week! I was crazy busy and I wanted to finish the drawing I made of older!Star that's filled with bits and bobs of the future before posting, plus, this chapter did NOT want to write itself, but we're (probably) back on schedule! Don't worry if I don't post on Saturday, I'll be posting on Sunday.
Thank you all for the comments and bookmarks, I love reading them, so much heheheheh. And a few of you SOMEHOW hit the freaking nail on the plot, like PERFECTLY hit the nail. I was a little worried, like what??? are people just reading my mind? Heh
Anyways, I'm really sorry for the wait, but here it is!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter TextI should've probably been a tad more considerate of whoever had classes with Snape after my tiny bit of vengeance, and perhaps I should've felt bad for the man for what he had to go through in front of a bunch of teenagers- I knew getting laughed at sucked, but at the same time…
I just… didn't… care.
Phew.
Yeah…
Anyways, eh- I was about eighty-seven percent sure that he knew I did it.
How?
No clue, because besides the twins and Daph, no one looked at me, and Daphne would rather pull out her own teeth than admit that she knew I was going to do something to someone and still let me, and the twins wouldn't rattle on me out of sheer principle.
Thing is? I'm pretty sure the other professors also suspected it. Most of them would just look at me warily, but professor Flitwick was, as I was quickly discovering, down to see me torment others with clever uses of Charms.
"Ah, Miss McKinnon! A moment, if you will?" The boys stopped with me, but when I looked at the Professor and saw that it didn't seem anything serious, I patted Harry's shoulder.
"Do not put me by Granger's side." With a snicker, a nod, and a quick glance at Flitwick, Harry dragged a giggling Ron out with him while I approached the amused-looking Professor. "Is there something wrong, Professor?"
"Oh, no, no. You see, I have a colleague who's very attached to his robes," oh shite. "And recently it has been making these odd sounds, and my colleague cannot stop talking about it. Unfortunately, I have not been able to un-do the Charm." He smiled, eyes glittering maliciously and I couldn't tell if he was elated that Snape was so bothered, or if he was annoyed that the other professor wouldn't shut up about it.
"Oh? I don't understand what you're asking, sir."
Flitwick stared at me long enough that I was almost shifting the weight from one foot to another, nearly breaking eye contact like the beta bitch that I was, until he - honest to God - giggled.
My mouth clicked loudly shut once I realized I had been gaping at him, blinking in surprise until he wiped his tears of mirth.
"Ah, I apologize, Miss McKinnon. I should've been clearer, if you were to un-do the Charm, what would you do?"
I pursed my lips, studying the happy professor and wondering if he'd rattle on me. I was hopefully counting on him considering me one of his favorite students.
"Well… if I was to… do something like you're describing… I'd… find a way to look deeper within the threads."
Flitwick guffawed again, clapping and giggling while I was trying my damn best to not smile.
"Of course. And if you had to take a guess about why it triggered when it did?"
"Hmmm, I'd say that revealing spells don't find taped runes."
"Magnificent!" I couldn't hold back my smile when he looked up at me proudly, a shine on his eyes that had me blushing. This was Flitwick. The man is a goddamn legend and he's praising me, ok?! "Take 20 points for Gryffindor, Miss McKinnon."
It was my turn to cackle when he looked at me conspiratorially, rubbing his hands together before giving a resolute nod.
Did I just get points for fucking with a professor?!
"For what, professor?"
"For staying after class, of course. What else could it be?"
His smile was sharp, but his eyes were full of mirth and I wondered if Snape would've reacted like that to Fred and George with their amazing potions, if he was just a little less bitter.
"Thank you, sir!"
With one last chirp, I skipped to my next class, giggling the whole time, so happy that I barely paid any mind to Peeves chanting something while he followed above me.
He must've gotten bored with my lack of reaction, because when I glanced up before entering Quirrell's class, he wasn't there anymore.
I scowled at Harry when he saved me the very seat I told him not to.
At least he had the decency of looking apologetic.
"What did he want?" I ignored Hermione's glare at Harry while I sat down, ignoring Quirrell's stuttering greeting to me before he started the register, knowing I had gotten there just in time.
"Just to ask me some stuff. Guess what? Gryffindor is 20 points richer." Hermione made a sound, having clearly been eavesdropping even as I whispered. We glanced at her quickly before Ron beamed at me and raised his hand for a high-five. "Now I get to annoy Snape enough to lose- Present - to lose them."
They snickered while I had a feeling Hermione was gearing up for a rant by my side, it was only the fact that we were in class that she didn't burst out into one.
Small graces, I guess.
The walk to the Great Hall was done between laughs and plans about how to best lose the 20 points I had won, even as Granger stomped ahead. We caught up to her outside the hall, eyes glaring at the point counts. The glare, of course, moved to me once we passed, but I was getting very good at ignoring her, even if I felt like I was about to burst with all the words clogging my chest.
After lunch and homework, Ron dragged us outside so he could play chess with Theo, muttering something about being the only challenging player until now.
The silent boy was alone when we arrived, and I didn't lose any time to lay on the grass with my head on his legs even as he startled at our sudden appearance.
"What're you reading?" Harry nudged my side, sitting close enough to watch the other two have their silent game while I picked up the transfiguration book I nicked from the Hoard™, as I was calling it in my head.
"Dunno. Something about transfiguration." Ron made a disgusted sound that had me snickering while he complained.
"We just left class and you're studying already?"
"No, it just looked interesting. I don't have anything else to do!"
"You still haven't played for us." Harry reminded, raising a brow at me when I huffed annoyedly.
"Granger gave me trouble for playing in our dorm." Even though she had just arrived and I hadn't interrupted anything of hers.
It was basically a mantra at this point to just remind myself to keep quiet around her. Honestly, I'd be glad if we could co-exist in the same friend group. It was a little sad, seeing as she had been one of my favorite characters, but I think my fanon memories might've distorted what I thought she might be, that if I offered friendship she'd be glad about it, or that she'd like to have another smart girl as a study buddy, but she burnt every olive branch I've extended and I'd keep remembering that the reason she didn't like Harry with Snape's Potions book, wasn't because of the dangerous spells, but because it made Harry better than her at class.
She couldn't muster why people weren't as studious as her, but at the same time she hated when people were. Hermione didn't like to be academically challenged.
Again, disheartening.
"And I'm not going all the way to the dormitories and back just to play for you guys."
"So you'll read?"
"Yeah! I can teach you how to do it too, if you want?" Harry snickered at Ron's grumble while I smirked at the book, humming quietly when Theo's hand rested on my forehead after he made his move.
The book was interesting, it didn't seem like it had anything that should make someone hide it, but I was still at the start, so I'd save my opinion for later. I tried not to think about mum's lack of response to my letters, maybe I had been too dry on my last one? Or maybe she was just busy? She probably lost her bracelet and that was why she hadn't sent any messages to my ring, of course.
Right.
I twisted my ring with my thumb twice, stopping myself from completing the last one to send her a message. That was stupid. God it hadn't even been that long! Barely a week, it was fine.
Urgh.
"What do you think it's on the third floor?" My eyes snapped at Ron, who was too focused on the game and shouting pieces to see my sharp gaze on him. "Fred and George said there's a troll."
"They're always saying there are trolls." Ron snorted, glancing at me as I finally sat back up, scooting closer to Harry and resting against his shoulder as he also adjusted to press his against mine more comfortably. "I don't know. Maybe there's a puppy or something."
"A puppy?"
I shrugged at Harry's disbelieving voice, making a noise when I noticed the fork Ron was setting up for Theo. He needed to move his bishop, better force Ron to take it now than let the boy make his trap. Theo would lose, if it happened.
"A really cute one, I reckon." Fighting my grin at their snickering, I kept my eyes on the game, deeply entrenched on how Ron had set up a trap for the trap. Ingenious. "Besides, I bet it's actually to trap troublemakers."
"How so?"
"Why else would Dumbledore tell a bunch of kids and teenagers not to go somewhere? That's like dangling food in front of Ron and telling him not to eat it-"
"Hey!"
"-so maybe it's just to write us down? To pay close attention to those that can't follow orders?"
I was pulling that out of my arse, but shite, I needed something to keep them away from the corridor.
Thankfully, my crazy theories seemed to leave them thoughtful, it'd have to do it for now. Hopefully, it would quell a little of their curiosity.
Theo side-eyed me from under his fluffy bangs, a single raised eyebrow when I tried to smile innocently at him.
It was a bitch trying to lie to the Slytherins. It was a good thing they never called me out on it, though; Theo always seemed unimpressed when he heard me lie, Blaise mostly looked amused, like he was watching a puppy bite his hand thinking it was mauling him, and Daphne had a deadpan annoyed look, utterly done and without an ounce of patience.
They might not call me out on it, but they sure as hell made sure I knew I had been caught.
What was hiding in the third floor corridor was quickly forgotten to give room for Ron to talk about Snape and his treatment of me, as well as about the other professors and the classes.
Theo, as usual, responded by either shrugging, nodding, shaking his head, or making so-and-so waving.
The evening ended with Ron and Harry dragging me back to the Great Hall for dinner as I finally got to the part of why the book had been hidden.
Oh and how it made my little fan heart leap, it went into human transfiguration. And you know what that means?
That's right, it means that next year this girl is raiding some greenhouses and taking some mandrake leaves for some animagus transformation (transfiguration?)!
It was on our sleepy way to Astronomy that I decided that I should make a list of all the things I either needed to study, research, learn and try.
Pressed on Harry's side, as usual, and trying to wake myself for the class, I made a mental note of what I'd be jotting down as soon as I could get my hands on my notebook.
STUDY/LEARN:
Defensive Charms (ready for second year material? Might look into fourth year stuff?);PATRONUS CHARM (not blessed with Harry's protagonist protection, probably can't learn in a year, want to avoid ma boi getting targeted);Offensive spells;FiendfireAnimagus? (Question mark?? Might be cool? Give an advantage? Might be really cool?);Runes (before third year, need to find a way to protect Harry from the Dursleys - 5 from research);How to duel;Privacy charms;Real Occlumency;French and Bulgarian (for obvious reasons);
RESEARCH:
Divination branches (am I seer? Is this universe the same as mine, just with magic?);Soul magic (reincarnation);Transfiguration and Why I Suck at It;Does the timeline stay the same no matter how much I change it?Can runes be used to make someone invisible/not be bothered/forgotten about;Clan Head stuff;Politics (?)Lily Potter's house wards;Does Harry have anything else other than the Cottage in Godric's Hollow?
TRY:
fuck with Snape again;Put itching powder on Quirrell's turban;Learn the names of the house-elves;Befriend Granger;Warding my stuff (just for funsies);Convince Harry to spend the hols with me and mum;Get Ron and Neville new wands;Steal the Diary before Ginny writes on it;More pranks (made my heart beat faster very much enjoyed it, try to keep it harmless)Socialize Harry more? More support?Get through most of the Hoard;
Right. I really needed to jolt all of that down.
I stifled a yawn once we all dropped down on our pillows, rubbing my eyes and trying not to glare at Lavender for keeping me up when I had wanted to nap before the class. Jumping slightly when Professor Sinistra clapped once, raising an unamused brow at our tired faces when we turned towards her.
"I see some of you still haven't adhered to the nap rule." There was some grunting around, not that I really paid attention, trying to stay awake and all. "It's a good thing tonight you'll start mapping the stars-"
That time I heard the loud grunts.
★★★
Thursday had us all a little weary, even though I was excited at the prospect of flying later, what with how I had to save Nev from falling and ending up in the hospital wing during the first flying lesson. It wasn't just the tiring lesson a few hours before, the day was slightly gray and even with being used to the Scottish weather, I still mourned the temperature turning cold.
Besides, I had set myself up for the stupid task of having cake for Hermione's birthday later that day.
In my defense it wasn't so bad when I asked the elves, and I didn't really think , but hey, who knows, maybe this is what makes her stop breathing down my neck and trying to bait me into exploding on her.
Hopefully.
Neville smiled kindly at me, pushing the pumpkin juice jar away from my reach and exchanging it for the tea as I took a seat by his side.
"Thanks, Nev." His eyes twinkled when I patted his hand before I rested my head on his shoulder, stifling a yawn and blinking slowly at the table while I lazily put my breakfast together, sliding a few berries on Harry's plate in front of me and humming appreciatively when Ron absentmindedly handed me the honey without taking a break from scarfing down his food.
"Morning, Star!"
I blinked at Lavender, grumbling something under my breath that had her giggling when I started eating my breakfast with eyes closed, making sounds when I was asked questions, and slightly excited for History of Magic (or as was commonly known, nap time).
Not even the sounds picking up around me had me opening my eyes. I was pretty sure I had fallen asleep biting my toast with jam and resting my head on Neville, and that someone by my other side had stopped me from falling back.
I startled awake at the sound of something dropping in front of me, some plates - including mine - getting knocked either to the floor or around, ignoring Finnegan and Thomas' snickers at my reaction to finish biting into the toast and trying to understand what I was seeing.
There was a long and thin package in Harry's hands, and even without opening and with my bleary eyes, I could tell that it was a broomstick. The whisper of a memory from a movie, a chopped and quick scene drifted behind my eyelids while Harry scrambled for the letter on top of the package, I tamped it down, waving it away as if it was made of smoke and blinked faster, trying to clear my thoughts as I straightened.
Ron was leaning over Harry's shoulder, trying to read the note with him as I eyed the wrapped broomstick, a stab of suspicion itching the back of my throat.
Who paid for it?
Did McGonagall take it out of her own pocket as a gift for the Boy-Who-Lived? Because Harry certainly continues using the broom outside of school. Did the money come from Harry's vaults? If so, there were going to be problems.
If it came from the school's funding, then who the fucking hell approved to have the most expensive broom there is on the market (and it is expensive, I caught sight of it when doing my shopping and I nearly balked at it), and why the bloody hell was it wasted on a broom when they could've used all the money for people who needed it for their education?
You know, like Ron with his wand.
Hell, maybe even fucking afford for children who should not be returning home to their abusive guardians to be accommodated at Hogwarts.
I felt bitter.
Harry looked gleeful before he tried to hide his expression, handing Ron the note and making the boy moan enviously and I made grabby motions for the paper, confirming my suspicion of what was under the parcel.
DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE.
It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand,
but I don't want everybody knowing you've got a
broomstick or they'll all want one.
Oliver Wood will meet you tonight on the Quidditch
pitch at seven o'clock for your first training session.
Professor M. McGonagall
Fucking McGonagall.
I shot a dark look at the High Table, quickly backing my eyes away and trying to reign in my annoyance when I crossed eyes with Dumbledore. This is so going to fuck Harry's study schedule.
Handing the letter back to Harry, I quickly finished my half-eaten breakfast at their eager urges for me to hurry up!
Neville squeaked in surprise when I pulled him to accompany us, but the boys didn't bat an eye at it, by now used to having one of us drag the shy boy with us since he still doesn't believe we want him around.
Maybe we need another Slytherin to make his? I'm sure they'd be most protective of the sweet boy pudgy boy.
I almost regretted dragging the boy with us when Malfoy and shit for brains intercepted us.
God, this kid is annoying.
My hand clamped down on his wrist when he tried taking the package from Harry, smirking at his surprised 'eek' before I - weakly - pushed him a step back.
"It's too early for this, Malfoy. Move."
Ron and Harry puffed up by my sides in answer to Crabbe and Goyle cracking their fists. Malfoy's face was red, looking up at me in anger before squinting his stormy gray eyes at the package Harry had clutched closer to his chest once he realized it had been almost taken from him.
"That's a broomstick," His pointy face pinched in jealousy and spite as he flicked his eyes at me when I stepped in front of Harry once Draco had tried stepping closer again. "You'll be for it this time, Potter, first-years aren't allowed them."
"It's not any old broomstick! It's a Nimbus Two Thousand. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy? A Comet Two Sixty?" I bit back a groan at Ron's gloating, nothing good came out of baiting Malfoy. I couldn't see them, keeping my gaze locked on Draco and my other hand on a squirming Neville, but I could nearly feel Ron's smug grin to Harry. "Comets look flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."
"What would you know about it, Weasley, you couldn't afford half the handle-" nope. Nuh-uh.
"Were you raised in a bloody barn?" Draco's mouth clicked shut at my snarl, and once again his face reddened and he spluttered when I looked down my nose at him. "Was your mother so ashamed of having you as a son that she gave up on you before teaching you some manners?"
There was some stilled silence as he blinked up at me stunned and as Ron made some choking sounds behind me, Neville squeaked and Malfoy stared. My eyes snapped at Professor Flitwick appearing next to a still stunned Malfoy, and I had a slight feeling that he was this close of shaking in excitement.
"Not arguing, I hope?" From his tight squeak and the mirth shining on his eyes I knew exactly that he heard what was said, especially when he smiled sharply.
"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor." I rolled my eyes at Draco's words before snorting at the horror on his face when the short professor beamed at Harry, that hidden mischievous glint shining on his eyes.
"Yes, yes, that's right! Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Potter. And what model is it?"
"A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir," Harry's answer was choked out, like he was trying really hard not to laugh, and I loudly slapped my hand over my mouth to muffle my laughter when he spoke again. "And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it."
Dragging Neville with us, I finally allowed myself to laugh as the boys snickered and discussed the truth of what Harry had just said. Even Nev was giggling by my side, following me as I ignored Hermione's attempt at guilt-tripping the boys for breaking the rules, I even ignored her baiting me, it went one ear out of the other, didn't even register the words as I walked up the stairs.
We had to wait for Harry to leave the package in their room under the reminder that we'd be late if he opened it then, besides, he'd have a chance to ride it later at his practice.
The classes were a hazy blur, I slept through all of History of Magic with Neville by my side poking me when it was time to go, seeing as the boys were too excited about the broom to steer me around, Neville took the job by gently holding my wrist and getting me to walk.
By the time we had lunch and one last class, I was finally awake enough to remember my question from breakfast.
"I want to ask Professor McGonagall something, you can go on." The three boys shrugged and made their way outside, either already going to the training grounds or back to the dorm to change for the flying lessons. Said Professor raised a brow at me when I waited for everyone to trickle out, eyeing the way Granger scowled at me on her way out.
"Was there something you needed, Miss McKinnon?" She asked dryly, her accent so like mine that I was reminded me of the names from the families that pledged loyalty to my Clan. The McGonagall family was there.
Was that why she didn't like me?
Perhaps she didn't like the power imbalance, and I'd understand her being wary of a child with too much power on her hands. I too would be pissed if I was the Head of House and might be forced by magic to cater to the whims of a child.
"I've got a question, actually, ma'am." Plenty, actually, but I'd rather scratch my eyes out than ask her about Transfiguration. "Harry's broom… Who bought it?"
Silence.
McGonagall's lips thinned as she looked at me with something I couldn't quite understand. It wasn't anger, but maybe a little annoyed and wary?
"I don't understand your question, Miss McKinnon. What is it that you hope to achieve with it?" My brow rose at her biting tone, that was a little… hostile.
Alright, that's a little… unexpected.
And very much unwelcomed.
I felt my temper rising at it.
Fucking incompetent adults with too much power on their stupid fucking hands.
"I hope to achieve knowing that Harry's money isn't being used without his knowledge or consent."
Her brows shot up, cheeks reddening slightly while I jutted my chin stubbornly and challenged her to answer me, still feeling the burning in my chest at the uncalled hostility.
What was it with people wanting to walk over me and treat me like a walking talking doormat?
"I assure you, Miss McKinnon, that Mr. Potter's broom was a gift from me."
SEE? WAS IT SO FUCKING HARD TO SAY THAT INSTEAD OF IMPLYING I WANTED TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT?!
"Thank you for telling me, Professor."
I bit back, a clogging of frustration in the back of my throat at my constant treatment, hoisting my bag higher on my shoulder and stomping out lest I say something that would really get me in trouble.
For the rest of the day I was in a foul mood, flying took a little of the edge from it, but with Madam Hooch blowing her whistle repeatedly and threatening to not let me fly anymore if I continued to be so aggressive and fast about it, my mood continued dampening.
Not even seeing Harry's awed face at his broom had me feeling any better, the sight of it only a reminder of how I had been treated earlier. I understood that I couldn't be liked by everyone but- but, I had hardly done anything to earn the instant dislike.
Even Hagrid would be a little wary of me sometimes until he caught himself, and I'd be the one who left with more rock cakes because he felt guilty. I was doing fine ignoring it, Snape was the only one who actively acted on his dislike of me, after all, but being confronted with it by my Head of House left me feeling bitter.
Which was probably a bad combination to have with trying to socialize with Granger.
I won't go into detail about what happened, but let's just say that one of us ended up storming out to cry and, surprisingly, it wasn't her.
Needless to say, it was a bad day. A bad week, without mum writing back, with having my efforts being ignored, with the nagging feeling that I should know why they acted the way they did about me, and with my to do list screaming at me that I'd never have time to do any of the things I put down, even if we were barely a month in.
If the twins were surprised by me invading their room before they went to bed, they were great at hiding it, and Lee and Matthew didn't bat an eye at a crying firstie on their dorm searching for their roommates, so I had to believe that they were used to it or just too desensitized to odd things happening with the twins.
I hadn't paid attention to who circled my shoulder and let me cry on his side after I told them that Hermione had all but slapped the small cake from my hands and that now because of me Lavender and Parvati were angry with her, and how the professors were acting around me, about mum's lack of contact, how I had so much to do and there wouldn't be time-
It was a mess.
Lee and Matthew were suspiciously busy with their things, and Fred (scar above his right brow) was patting my head, humming lowly and the vibrations on his chest through my cheek had me sniffling while George was sitting on my other side, holding my hand and waiting for me to be done spilling my guts out.
There were a few moments of silence as I tried to stop the tears from spilling, pushing my face against Fred's side as he moved from patting my head to rubbing my back soothingly. I barely noticed that Matthew had crouched in front of me and was offering me a chocolate frog with the uncomfortable smile of a teenager dealing with a crying little girl.
Unsurprisingly that the twins knew what to do, Ginny always seemed closer to them than the others, anyways, but still a nice thing.
"Thank you." I hated how small my voice was.
I hated that this was all because of how other people treated me when I had done nothing to earn it.
A part of me wanted to.
Earn the treatment, that is. Act how they were reacting to, as if I had been mistreating Granger, or using whatever fuckery of old magic I had over McGonagall, be a bully and pantsy Snape in front of the class as he was treating me like.
Maybe fuck around and start my villain arc, who knows.
Biting into the chocolate, I pushed my face against Fred's side again, beyond embarrassed that I just dropped in before they were going to bed to just cry on them.
"Better?" His warm hand patted my back again until I nodded, still hiding myself and finishing the chocolate.
"I don't know why they treat you the way you do, Lils. And I'd say that you don't deserve it, but you already know it, don't you?" Another nod and George hummed by my side. "Is this about how you can't react?"
Wow they're just hitting nail after nail, huh.
"You can." Fred patted my back again.
"No, I can't." Finally pushing away and rubbing my cheeks free of the tears, I noticed that Matthew and Lee that both gone to bed and closed their curtains, giving us an illusion of privacy.
The twins had their serious faces again, brows set and eyes sharp as they waited for me to explain.
"I can't because- McGonagall is McGonagall, you know? And Granger- she's just… alone. She's alone and lashing out and if I prank her or if I'm mean to her it'll just make it worse and I don't want to make it worse."
"You'll still have to set her straight one way or another, Star. Just because she's feeling bad, it still isn't an excuse to treat you the way she has. Your feelings are no less important than hers."
But she's a protagonist.
I'm just… me. I had been taking the spot she was destined to, I had been warming her seat, and what would happen later if I unleashed everything on her? Then what?
I had no ties to the story that I myself hadn't created by befriending Harry.
I wasn't supposed to exist.
So who was I to hurt Hermione? To fight back?
"Right." Smiling tightly, I squeezed their hands before raising to my feet and wiping away the rest of my tears, feeling the anger and shame rising for getting worked up over- over a kid not wanting to celebrate her birthday with me.
I felt pathetic.
Fuck. Fuck.
I needed to get my shit together, the thought that Snape would catch on my weakness and pick me apart didn't do anything but remind me that most adults should just shrivel and die already.
Halting, I looked down at the hand holding my wrist, raising a brow at Fred as he looked down at me with all his seriousness, blue eyes sharp and narrowed.
"We mean it, Star." Pursing my lips, I nodded once again, grunting in surprise when he pulled me into a proper hug, resting his chin on top of my head and swaying us a little, and I allowed it to soothe me. Weird thought, but I missed mum. "Talk to us again if you need, alright, Starflower?"
Starflower.
I liked that.
"Alright… Thank you, Freddy." He squeezed me in surprise, but said nothing even as George snickered behind him.
"Anytime, Star."
The next day I didn't bother to mediate between them, I was still prickly about Hermione flat out telling me she didn't want anything from me the night before, and so if the girls wanted to tear into her for taking people's space, be my fucking guest.
"Er, Star?"
"Hm?"
"Why did your mum send me a letter?" I halted my movements, jelly dripping into my plate as I slowly looked to the side to see Harry bemusedly looking at the still closed letter.
"Maybe it's to tell you to keep your friend out of trouble-"
"Mind your own fucking business, Granger, and stop putting yourself where you're not wanted." I spat, finally sneering at her, ignoring the way she paled and flinched, I wasn't in the fucking mood for her snide comments, not that day and not about my mother. Fuck.
Taking a deep breath, I turned back around to Harry, who was fidgeting on his spot and looking at me worriedly and warily, almost afraid. I winced slightly, knowing that he was afraid of my reaction before I relaxed and shrugged, continuing to spread jelly on my toast, smiling a tad too tightly, but smiling nonetheless.
"Dunno, Harry. Maybe she just wants to get to know you? I speak about you guys a lot, after all."
"You… do?" I softened at the way he looked at his letter in wonder, eyes huge and shining behind his glasses as he peered at me again. My chest felt tight, and my next smile was more real before I nudged him gently and knocked my head with the top of his weakly.
"Of course I do, Harry." The boy smiled down at his letter and I gave him his privacy, though I was dying to know why mum had sent him a letter but not to me. It… stung a little. I tried to remember what I had last written, was it because I told her I had lost the ring? Was she mad because of it?
Ron was trying to read Harry's letter from the other side of the table when Harry chirped that she had also sent something to him, while Neville quietly observed me. I shot the shy boy a reassuring smile before hiding my face behind my cup, and we still had clan and House training with Daphne later that day… yikes.
"So… What did she want?"
I couldn't help myself, alright? We hadn't even reached the dungeons yet, but I was curious.
"Do you want to… have it?" I shook my head. I couldn't do that to him when he seemed so happy after reading it, the way he gently wiped away any crinkles and carefully put it between his books. He still reached for it when we sat down, and I almost pushed back before he glared at me. "Just read it."
I eyed the letter warily before doing as told while Harry turned to Neville to ask about the last Herbology assignment.
Mum's pretty handwriting greeted me and I couldn't help but smile at it.
Hello, Harry!
I feel as if I should introduce myself first, so… Hello, I'm Leanna McKinnon, Lillium's mother, as she hopefullyspoke about me before (or we will be having words). I'm a librarian and I like reading. I know, surprising, yes?
Well, Star has been mentioning you and your other friends so much it only felt right to send you a letter introducing myself as I have a feeling I'll be seeing you plenty.
Firstly, congratulations on making the team so young! It is an incredible feat and something to be very proud of, indeed. But do not feel scared to tell your professors if the training is getting too much and in the way of your studying.
Star has told me a lot about you and Ron, but perhaps you could tell me a little about yourselves?
What are your favorite hobbies? Favorite colors and subjects?
Ronald, thank you for pushing Star to relax. I know she says she loves reading and studying, and she does, but my daughter also has a very big problem of never relaxing.
I am beyond thrilled Star has found friends like you to take care of her when I can't.
Please, I am bored and would be delighted if you tattled on Star to me from time to time about all the mischief she's getting up to. I promise she won't get in trouble, but please amuse a lonely lady!
Leanna McKinnon
"Huh." I blinked my tears away and slid the letter back at Harry, who smiled knowingly and stored his letter again before Snape arrived and took it from him, placing it between his books again.
That was innocent enough, but I still felt like someone punched me in the chest. Now Ron's red face and determined eyes were explained.
Twisting my ring around thrice, I sent a single question to her, and I didn't know if I wanted to know the answer.
Why are you ignoring me?
Here is our Dumbass McKinnon, as kindly named by Apple, that's her name now pls only refer to Dumbass McKinnon, the bimbo, by it:
Now without the bad shadow work, lmao:
Notes:Here it is!
Let me know if the images are acting up, please? And,,, thoughts? I'M SHY WITH MY ART OK, PLS LEMME KNOW? Also, what did you catch in the drawing? That's around fifth/sixth year Star, and there are a FEW of the things I've already thought that WILL be a part of the story, but it's not EVERYTHING. But maybe, things to remember for later on?
Let me know what you thought of the chapter too? I'm very meh with it, there are very important things that I started with it, but I felt like I could do better, but I'm not really being able to, so I'm a tad frustrated, but it is here!
See y'all Saturday!
Chapter 11: chapter xi: if you're gonna be stupid you better be toughSummary:In which we learn something nice and get a real enemy.
Notes:Helluurr!
I'd apologize for missing a posting day, but most of you are going to say for me not to worry, so hurray because you're all incredible, so-----
Alright, this is the last chapter before the P L O T starts, and I feel like things are going to pick up very fast after this one.
Uhmmmm, I'll be honest and say that goddamn this chapter was hard to write and the reason I didn't post in the weekend was just that I rewrote it a few times because I just wasn't satisfied with it, but it is what it is.
OH, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE COMPLIMENTS ON MY MESS OF A DRAWING! A BUNCH OF YOU GOT A FEW OF THE HINTS FOR THE FUTURE! HEHEHEH I WAS VERY HAPPY! THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SWEET COMMENTS! <3
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text"Wait, they'll what?" Daphne raised her eyes from the notes she was taking, one blond brow rising as Ron snickered, and Harry followed my lead of being pleasantly surprised.
"They'll take your name."
"But… I'm a girl?" To say the purebloods of the table balked was being nice, Ron was looking at me like he couldn't believe what just came out of my mouth and the Slytherins looked a mix of appalled and amused. Leave it to the Slytherins to somehow better my mood after Snape's class, while still tilting my worldview upside down.
"You- What did you think would happen!? That you'd marry and let the Clan die?" Blaise wheezed, bent over the table and muffling his choked words on his arms. At least Harry understood my awe. "No- you- Out of everyone at the table, you're the one that wouldn't have to take anyone's name, swot."
"But- How?"
"Like me." Daphne shrugged, finally shaking herself out of her shock and pushing her notes away, and Harry and I knew that we should drop our note-taking to pay attention.
These lessons were morphing to them talking about important things that they learned when they were younger while everyone helped each other with their homework. Blaise helped Ron with History of Magic, Harry pushed his notes of Potions to who needed, Theo with Transfiguration, me with Charms and Astronomy, Daphne with Theory of Magic and DADA, and Ron with whatever was left, if we needed.
"Ron, did your parents tell you why most purebloods dislike your family?" Said boy stopped his copying to tilt his head in thought before scrunching his face and shrugging.
"Besides us being blood traitors, and dad not wanting to take his seat back in the Wizengamot, not really."
My fellow blond nodded thoughtfully, pursing her lips a little before looking between us, not so secretly satisfied with teaching us.
"It's also because the Weasleys are maybe one of the families that are actually blessed instead of cursed." Ron's brows raised to his hairline, and we exchanged curious glances before looking back at her. "You'll find the most pureblooded families have some kind of blood curse, it's why purebloods are usually single children. There are a few known ones, the Greengrass is that every other generation, it'll only be girls, hence, me and my little sister."
"The Malfoys are cursed to only have one child, just one heir, no spares." Blaise added, and I nodded slowly, remembering something about it from the Cursed Child, not that I actually finished it. "So are the Notts and a few others." Theo nodded at that, but didn't meet my eye.
"The Carrows come in magical twins, and when one dies, the other follows, and they're dumb as they are crazy."
"The Blacks have their madness-"
"-The Zabinis only have one male heir and they're usually infertile-"
"-Parkinson, only girls-"
"-Potter, mostly single children-"
"-Prewetts, magical twins again-"
"-Bulstrode, only girls-"
"-Crouch, single children-"
"-Flint-"
"Okay! We got it!" Blaise smirked at my hiss as I tried to blink away the haze of watching Daphne and him spout off their crazy family knowledge. "So most families have things with infertility and or single heirs or girls, alright- But what does that have to do with the Weasleys?"
"They're curse free." Daphne also smirked at our dazed expressions. "Their curse is only that by name, it's more of a blessing, really. I don't remember the story, but they were blessed with fertility. No matter what, the name carries on."
"Huh." Was Ron's intelligent response, face thoughtful as Blaise smiled at him.
"Either way, I just needed it as an example." Daph waved away the building talk about to happen between Blaise and Ron. "With so many chances of not having male heirs, or having them and not being to carry on the name, or just having one child, the Wizarding community doesn't care anymore about that schmuck on girls taking the name of others."
"My mother was born a Zabini, and even if I don't take someone's name and I'm the oldest, my sister will be head of the House." Blaise shrugged, not at all bothered by it as he settled back onto his chair, looking like an asshole prince who just told everyone he has no responsibilities. "Unless she wants to take someone else's name, then it goes to our youngest."
"You never told us you had little sisters, you twat!" I accused, throwing my quill his way, smiling at Theo's snicker even as Blaise dodged my attack. "When are they coming to Hogwarts?"
"They're not. Camilla will go to Beauxbatons and mum is deciding between Durmstrong or Academia Imperial to Valentina." He shrugged, a small smirk curling on his lip when I raised my brows. "Divide and conquer, this way we all gather our own allies."
"Right." Shaking my head, I turned back to Daphne, waiting for the rest of the lesson. "And how does that rule work?"
"It's not a rule, more like a… guidebook. You take the name of the one with a bigger social standing, so you wouldn't take anyone's name from this table. I assume you'd like to carry on the McKinnon name?" She raised a brow, smiling softly when I nodded resolutely.
"But what if, like, you married Harry?" The boy by my side squeaked, and I almost snorted at his cheeks getting darker, snickering when he sank on his seat at Daphne's shark-like grin. "Would he take your name or…"
"Nope, I'd take his and Astoria would have to carry on with the Greengrasses. It's not even just social standing, but also the understanding that the Greengrasses have someone else to carry the name while the Potters only have Harry."
"Not everyone follows it, and it's more of a common sense thing than anything else. Keeps the family name alive." Blaise tapped his knuckles on the table and shrugged again. "It also depends a lot on how the families and houses are structured. The Zabinis are matriarchal due to the male heirs being infertile, less of a headache. So are the Bulstrodes and Parkinsons."
"And if the heir is a single child and can't have children?"
"Blood adoption." Both of them said in sync, not batting an eye and I had to wonder just how many pureblood families were pureblooded only in name, and how they found ways to cling to it.
"It's… surprising ." At their blank looks, I shrugged, picking up my quill again and thinking it over. "I just thought- You know, with the whole threat of getting disowned I assumed it would be a big thing to let someone else other than a male heir keep the name."
"Well, there is a difference between taking someone else's name by marriage and being disowned, hag." Making a face at Blaise's wry tone, I flipped him off, lips twitching in a smile at his affronted face before Ron cleared his throat.
"So… The first goblin war?" We all turned to look at Ron and his more than a little red face.
So cute.
Later that day, I found myself tapping my wand against my lip and looking down at my list, face scrunched as I tried to decide what I should start with.
The Patronus didn't seem so important now, but I was no Harry and I doubted I'd take only a few months to master it, even if it was a Charm. And all the others were mostly study and too complicated or long term, like offensive spells- That's not so cut out, I'd need to research which ones and then, I'd train.
Sighing out, I raised to my feet after stuffing the list back into my bag, looking around the Room of Requirement and humming at the dummy that materialized.
Maybe I should just go through the ones I remembered then I'd search about them?
Putting my hair up while kicking my bag near the door, I took another breath and rolled my shoulders back, taking position.
"Stupefy!" My mouth twisted at the red light lighting up on the dummy's shoulder, who spun a little and returned to face me.
My aim was off.
That was a thing, huh?
Grumbling, I tried again and again and again, until I was successfully hitting its chest, smiling at the green light even if my hair was sticking to my temples with the sweat. It still wasn't perfect, but I was getting more green lights than reds, so it was a win.
"Hm… Levis- Levicorpus? Levicorpus!" The dummy trembled, but remained on the ground, as if something was missing and it probably was, my bet was on the wand movement. "D, D, D… Diffindo… Depulso… Deprimo…" My nose twitched, a smile pulling on my lips at the other dummies materializing without my prompting. "Thanks, I won't try those too much."
D for destruction, it seems. I thought wryly, taking a step back and aiming again. Well, if it explodes I can at least try my luck on Protego.
A good two hours later I was laying back on the floor, panting as if I had been running around, sweating like a pig and smiling like crazy despite the fact that I indeed had to try my luck on the protective charm against all the splinters and pieces flying my way and that a trip to Madam Pomfrey was very much needed for all my scrapes, cuts and bruises.
It still didn't feel like I did enough in terms of scraping defensive and offensive spells. Even with the room's help of dropping books plucked from the Hoard, it didn't feel enough.
Which was hilarious considering Harry's own repertoire of spells by the end of the books - that I remembered - basically consisted of the Patronus Charm, the Disarming Charm, Protego, and Stupefy besides the other basic ones. It was, again, safe to say that I didn't have Harry's protagonist's armor of being able to survive with such short resources.
Though it was saying something that the boy usually ended victorious despite that. It either meant that I had greatly overestimated the supposedly 'powerful' dark side, or that I was just being needless judgy and an overachiever.
Hey, who was to say that Harry just had some crazy good luck when encountering enemies too? Maybe it's a counterbalance, with how many times he ran into danger, it'd be the universe's way of apologizing by making said dangers weak ass bitches.
Let us not forget that despite having trained for almost a year, those were still fifth years, with no real dueling experience, who went toe to toe with the supposedly bests of the bests of Voldemort, who had lasted enough in a war against the magical police force until their leader got fucked over by a baby…
It's stupidly hilarious to think about it, actually. How pathetic to get thwarted by a bunch of teenagers.
Sure, they were just out of Azkaban, but c'mon.
I rolled my shoulders, lifting my wand without sitting up and trying to conjure any happy memory and pinching my lips at the panging hurt on my chest at the idea of my mum. Right, so… That is not going to work.
Scrunching my face, I searched for any other happy memory that mum wasn't involved in, as hard as it'd be.
Thirty minutes later I had a terrible headache and felt like I was going to throw up if I as much as cast a Lumos, glaring cross-eyed at the ceiling with having only managed to get a few pitiful tendrils of… brightness? It was surprising, but it wasn't light. It shone, sure, but it seemed like- Like that disturbance in the air around a flame, like heat waves? But it wasn't hot?
Welp, if anything at least my aim would get better with these visits.
★★★
I didn't really have an enemy. In fact, I didn't even hate anyone at school.
Hermione, despite the animosity, I still held out hopes for and was usually only annoyed by her overbearing personality, but I didn't hate her.
I didn't care about Draco enough to consider him an enemy or to hate him, he was just there. To be honest, I didn't even dislike him. Sure, he was a bully and an arse, but I didn't hate him. He felt a little like an annoying mosquito that you just couldn't slap away, always appearing in your line of sight once in a while to taunt you with its existence, but that you didn't care enough to put some effort into killing. If he wasn't constantly targeting Harry, I wouldn't have noticed him.
Shit, not even Snape or McGonagall. Sure, I had no amount of respect for either of them- but it wasn't… it didn't feel personal. It was merely my normal reaction to incompetent adults in charge of young lives, or to people with power that abused it and directly or indirectly affected children.
I didn't hate them. Snape was disgusting and I certainly disliked him and his whole existence, but besides the part he had in the building anger and frustration I felt about how I was treated, Snape didn't really cross my mind that much seeing as I only had to deal with him for half of a morning, he wasn't a constant presence as- say, McGonagall who I had more classes with.
All in all, besides feeling mildly annoyed - amusedly so -, I didn't think I had an enemy or someone I hated at Hogwarts.
Until I met Adrian Pulcey.
There was just… something about that Slytherin that grated. Of course, it might've also been because the first time we actually met - besides that one time he bared his teeth at me when I had sat with Theo at the Slytherin table -, he shoulder checked me, tripping me to the ground and then sneering at me, like the little fucker he was.
"Watch it, McKinnon. It's enough to have you leeching on our Slytherins, I don't have to deal with a squib whore's filthy daughter-" And of course, it might've also been that I got my first detention for exchanging blows with him in the middle of the corridor, but again, the boy just grated.
I'll admit that I hadn't even thought about hexing him to hell and back despite how I'd been practicing offensive spells that week, my first reaction was to just jump to my feet and throw myself at him for daring calling my mother a squib whore.
I hadn't even seen someone turning the corner, screeching about getting a professor, it made sense one would be around since I was on Hufflepuff and Slytherin territory, having just left the kitchen after talking the elves into putting a disgusting amount of pepper on the twin's chalices the next morning, I just… pounced.
My face burned and my ears rang and I idly heard someone gasp around me before I tackled Pulcey to the floor, much to his surprise if his undignified squeak was saying anything, and just… went to town?
It wasn't badass, that's for sure. But it was gratifying. After the third punch and second slap, he seemed to come to his senses and finally realize that a) he was bigger than me, b) I was a twelve year old awkwardly scrawny kid while he was a 14 - probably 15 - year old quidditch player, and c) I would continue beating the shit out of him if he did not stop me.
He got in a few punches and hair pullings himself as we rolled around kicking, screaming, spitting curses, scratching, and punching before we both flew into different directions and got pinned to the ground by a devastatingly strong force.
"What is the meaning of this!?" I was still struggling against the invisible force to go back to pouncing on that fucking twat to register that a professor had just caught me fighting and that Sprout was scary when angry. "Miss McKinnon, we do not resort to violence-"
"He called my mother a-!" My snarl was cut off as I continued screaming in silence, not caring that the professor had taken my voice.
"Yes, I quite heard it." Pulcey blanched slightly, his bruises already purpling - much to my satisfaction - and he seemed ready to piss himself at the Professor's stern glare. "Be assured that he will be dealt with accordingly, and so will you."
With a scowl, I bared my teeth at Adrian even as Sprout sighed tiredly and finally let us go, pinning us with a stern gaze that did not affect me with my lack of care for authority figures.
"Starting with, 20 points from Slytherin for appalling language and for fighting, and 25 points from Gryffindor for starting a fight." I huffed, not slightly bothered by losing five points in total to the 20 I had gotten us from Flitwick. Those points were mine to spend and if anyone gave me shit for it, we'd be having a problem. "Follow me."
Exchanging glares with the Slytherin, I sullenly wiped the blood from my nose and tried not to cringe at the pain around my face and ribs, moving to pick upu my bag and glaring down at my stained sleeve.
Well, Draco is already Harry's arch-nemesis, I guess I found my own.
I stamped down the childish urge to trip the boy as we both followed behind a tense Sprout, contenting myself to sneer back at him whenever he glared my way.
Fucker.
Promptly ignoring the wide-eyed stares and the whispers, I took notice of his flushing cheeks and didn't know whether I should feel offended that he was embarrassed for getting caught by a teacher fighting a first-year girl, or vindictive because of it.
"What, embarrassed to get your arse kicked by the daughter of a squib wh-"
"Miss McKinnon." Was my only warning to shut the hell up as we reached a faintly amused gargoyle. I bit my tongue in order to continue glaring at undesirable number 2 as the stone being stepped aside at the Professor's request, and despite (probably) not being a real living thing, it looked waaaayy too amused at the sight of us for me not to make a face at it.
It was only as I was walking up the spiral stairs that it finally dawned on me why Pulcey seemed on the verge of bolting or tearing up.
Holy shit, I was brought to the principal's office.
Not as hilarious when you realize that said principal was actually Headmaster Dumbledore, a scary powerful motherfucker with a scary powerful wand and scary powerful legilimens.
With arms crossed defensively in front of my chest, I kept my gaze up as Dumbledore watched us in slight disappointment while Sprout relaid what she walked on. I tried not to snort at her appalled wording of me tackling a hulking boy to the floor before proceeding to go nuts on him, it wouldn't do me any good if I actually got in trouble for it. Well, real trouble.
"I see… Lemon drops?" I stilled, letting my face blank and holding my breath to not burst into a laugh, and slowly took my eyes off the tall ceiling to the old wizard offering a bowl of candy.
"Yes, please." Happy that I hadn't squeaked, I accepted the candy with no small amount of humor while Pulcey squirmed on his chair and shook his head politely. "Thank you, sir."
Dumbledore seemed amused when I stuffed my pockets full of candy, leaving about half of it and I had the vague impression that Sprout suddenly looked very tired.
"What's going to happen, sir?" Adrian asked in a surprisingly level voice, not wavering despite his clear effort to not squirm. I didn't bother hiding my eye roll as I popped one of the sweets in my mouth, loudly crackling the paper when he opened his stupid mouth. "I was attacked after all-"
"Pussy-"
"Miss McKinnon!" I pursed my lips, but sent an apologetic glance to the only other adult from the school (besides Flitwick) that I liked, cringing slightly at her disappointed face and fuming glare.
"He is…"
My quiet mutter seemed to be heard by the big boss himself if the twitch in his beard was any indication, but he remained impassive while I adjusted on my seat again, sending one last glare at the sniveling Slytherin sitting beside me.
"Ah, Miss McKinnon, I understand that Mr. Pulcey's words were less than savory, but you must know that Hogwarts does not tolerate such a reaction." Blah Blah Blah "Tell me, was there a reason for you to react in such a manner?"
I had a feeling that petulantly saying "Because I ain't no bitch" wouldn't exactly work to keep me out of (more) trouble.
"I'm a firm believer that the answer to prejudice is a strong reaction." Forcing my face to smile innocently, I squinted my eyes with my fake smile before turning to cock my head to the side and look at Pulcey, who seemed more on edge than before with my eyes on him. "I am sure Mr. Pulcey will think twice about calling my mother- or anyone else's really, a squib whore, won't he?"
The room stilled, and I felt stupidly proud of the way he paled even further. The boy was looking awfully clammy underneath his bruises and the bits of dried blood.
I bared my teeth in a mock smile, ducking my chin slightly and leaning closer.
"Won't he?"
All in all the adventure ended with two weeks' worth of detention for us, though Dumbledore seemed smart enough to keep us separate. I'd be taking my detentions with Sprout while the blonde asshole would have his balls shined by Snape in thanks for getting me in trouble, I was sure.
Fuck Adrian Pulcey.
"Follow me, Miss McKinnon."
Sullenly doing as told, I slung behind Sprout and did my best to pretend I hadn't just been in a fight, despite my bruising jaw, knuckles, and the dried blood I had badly wiped away from my nose. At one point even the twins had come barreling with the masses to watch me trail behind the professor, eyes wide and mouths gaping.
The image had me snorting, and I watched the people none too discreetly start the gossip mill.
Fun.
A few more minutes and I found myself sitting in a stupidly cozy office, drinking hot chocolate and eating the most delicious biscuits I've ever had, not that I paid any real attention to it with both Flitwick and Sprout looking at me like disappointed parents.
It was a low blow to bring Flitwick into this, but it wasn't like the rest of the school wasn't aware that the only two professors I held any real respect for were the ones sitting across from me, the only other adult I had no problem with was Madam Pomfrey for the chewing she did on Hooch and her no-nonsense attitude.
"I am very disappointed in you, young lady." I shit you not, if I was a dog I would've flattened my ears and rolled over to show my belly with Flitwick's words. My stomach soured as I sunk into my comfortable chair, noticing the Helga Hufflepuff painting looking mildly amused at the scene before she left her frame. "I expected better of you than swinging fists like a heathen."
Oof.
"I'm sorry- I just… I didn't think."
And wasn't that something after almost two weeks of daily training?
Had I been someone else I would've wondered why that had been my first reaction when I preferred to ignore taunts aimed at me. It usually felt insanely more satisfying to tear at someone's emotions than at their faces, but I just… It didn't matter.
"Clearly." I flinched at Sprout's dry tone, taking a sip and not saying anything else, letting their dressing down continue. "I am not saying you are not allowed to feel anger, but you are not allowed to get caught in your reaction." I stilled, slowly lifting my eyes and trying to read them, but besides Flitwick's usual glint, neither of them betrayed anything.
"I… see." Was I understanding this wrong? Probably, there's no way that Sprout- Sprout was telling me not to get caught, was she?
No… She wouldn't, right?
Right!?
After a quick trip to Madam Pomfrey where I received yet another scolding, walking into the common room bruised and bandaged, to be greeted by cheers and congratulations was a little dizzying.
I was still trying to understand why so many people were patting my back and why the older students were pushing me around proudly when I was snatched from the fuss up into two shoulders, shrieking and clutching two redheads in surprise.
"Give it up for McKinnon! She who beat the crap out of Slytherin's best chaser!" Oh.
Arses.
My face felt hot when they finally let me down with all my squirming at the hoots and claps, getting grumpier by the second that me getting into a fight with a boy twice my size was earning me claps.
Sure, it did wonders for my ego, but if I had been someone else, would they be alienated by the positive response for getting into a fistfight?
"We knew you had some fire in you, but damn, Star."
"Oh, bugger off." The twins snickered at my growl as I shook them off, stomping to my corner where my friends were waiting with eager expressions. Harry halted his letter-writing when Ron jumped from his seat at the sight of me, a peek at his it let me know that he was writing mum, as he had been doing for the past weeks.
I could hardly get mad that she still hadn't answered me when Harry made starry eyes at every letter he received.
"Did you really get into a fight!?" I looked from my bandaged knuckles to the boy, one brow raised until he snickered and shrugged. "Fred and George were the ones that told us, I didn't know if they were lying."
"Fair." Harry slid to the side, letting me slump on the seat tiredly. "Got detention with Sprout every day for two weeks."
"It could've been worse." We all turned to Neville, who had his nose on a Herbology book. His eyes flitted to me and I was sure he was hiding a cheeky smile. "It could've been two weeks with Snape."
★★★
"Gloves on, Miss McKinnon." Dropping my bag under the bench, I sent Neville a confused look. The hell was he doing there? Sprout smiled at my face, patting Neville's shoulder when the boy ducked his chin and flushed. "Mr. Longbottom here helps me prepare the lessons for the next day, you'll do the same."
"That's nice… Do the lessons change every year, Professor?"
"It depends. You'll see something different than the current second years did, next year." Ah, there we are. I was wondering why I hadn't found any mandrakes when I was sneaking around the greenhouses for worms to put on Fred's shoes in response to the red hair I was sporting. "With smaller years we can afford to have more hands-on classes. I'm sure next year there'll be even fewer firsties. Now, watch how Neville does it. I'll be taking care of the carnivores, if you have any questions, just shout."
All in all, it wasn't so bad for a detention. Neville was quiet and a little embarrassed, but relaxed and confident nonetheless.
"You're really good at this, Nev." He flushed, but he really was. Like… magically so. My eyes traced how the plants we were setting up for the third years were curling and happily settling in their pots after Neville patted the dirt, some even moving to reach for him for one last scratch. "Like, really good."
"Oh- Thanks, Star."
"Hn." I looked from my plants to his, wondering if I was doing something wrong or if it was just his green thumbs. "Nev… Are you doing wandless magic?"
"What- N-no?"
He was.
"You are! Look!" Neville looked down at the plant he overmagicked at the startle, making a noise and gently coaxing it to uncoil. Giving it my full attention, I could feel the buzzing of his magic - whatever it was - as the plant slowly returned to its normal state, shuddering and reaching for the boy's fingers once it was done.
My friend merely shrugged, and I nearly slapped my forehead for forgetting that poor Neville also didn't have his own wand, having been so deep in my sulk and thoughts of how to approach McGonagall to ask about how Ron could get a new wand.
"Say, Nev… I forgot to ask, but what did Ollivander say when you bought your wand?" Cocking my head to the side, I pretended I hadn't noticed his flushing face while I repotted, glancing at his own work and trying to mimic him.
"I… I didn't buy a new wand. Gran had me use dad's wand. So- So I can be a little more like him." I swear- fucking adults.
"Oh, Nev… I'm sure your dad was a great man, but you don't have to be like him." My heart throbbed at the sweet boy shrinking on himself, blinking away his tears as I moved around the bench to press my cheek on the side of his head. It was telling how much these wizarding kids craved affection when he pushed his head back gently, putting more pressure. "You're amazing on your own, you don't have to be anyone else."
"I- I know I'm- I'm not good at magic like-"
"Shush." His sniffle had me melting as I knocked our heads gently. "I think it's because of your dad's wand, Neville."
If Sprout noticed me quietly explaining about wands and their loyalties the same I did to Ron, she made no move to stop us for taking a break on our work, though I had a feeling she saw how upset Neville was.
Neville was at least giving it a thought by the time Sprout returned to see if we were done and to free us. I stopped at the sink, washing my hands slowly and watching the professor check our work while my gentle friend waited for me, still deep in thought about what I told him.
"Um, go ahead, Nev. I want to ask Professor Sprout something, if you don't mind." He startled a little, stopping his nodding to bite his cheek a little.
"I- I'll just wait for you outside, so you don't have to come back alone."
Gods.
I love this boy.
Sprout was already waiting for me to approach her when Neville posted himself outside. It was darkening a little, already, with Winter slowly creeping up on us and the days getting shorter.
"Professor Sprout- um… Cedric Diggory said that- that if we- well, if we ever needed to talk you'd… listen… to us?" My face felt hot at her softening gaze, but I kept my head high as she guided us to a bench to sit down.
"Is this about why you reacted so strongly to Mr. Pulcey? You're usually much more… regal about such taunts."
"Oh- Well, I actually… I had a question and I'd ask Professor McGonagall, but- But she doesn't really like me and I didn't want to ask and then mess things up if-"
"Miss McKinnon, take a deep breath." Sprout chuckled, patting my hand gently as I held my breath. It was just… nerve-wracking to not know if you can trust your professors. The idea of asking something important to McGonagall had me breaking into hives, because how can I trust her to tell me the truth? "You can ask me anything and I'll do my best to answer it. And when you're ready to talk about why you reacted the way you did, my greenhouse will always be open."
I let my breath go.
Notes:surprise! a fun quick drawing I did last week of how much Star looks like [REDACTED]. By this point, we all know who [REDACTED] is, so I didn't feel bad doing it, so there it is!
Next chapter we're finally having Halloween, and I'd prepare for some emotional and raw subjects if I were yall.
I'll try to post this Saturday, but if I miss it, then I might consider start posting only on Wednesdays, akdnasdkjnsakdsan sorryyyyy
Let me know what you thought?