I stood outside the castle as I stared at the students walking forward. Many people has casually pass by, some curiously glance and the others greeted me before walking inside the castle.
It was still cold, but the winter vacation has finally ended. Many students are returning to Hogwarts. Wearing my black robes, the usual Hogwarts uniform and the Hufflepuff tie on the collar, I stood and waiting for someone. A few more minutes, I finally saw them.
" Ronald!""
I can hear their enthusiastic call from the distance. They excitedly approached and enveloped me on a group hug, not minding the other students who stared at us.
" It's good to see you all, again." I said before ushering them to go inside just like the other students. Even I want to talk, I don't wanted it to be in front of the curious students and under the cold wind and snow. Who knows what would happen if what I said to them got into the rumor mill of Hogwarts. Just thinking about it left a bitter taste on my mouth. While walking, I can't help but notice that they keep looking at me curiously. They look like they wanted to say something.
Finally, after a few minutes of walking toward the Hufflepuff Common Room, Hannah can't bear to keep her mouth shut and the burning curiosity in her eyes.
"Ronald?"
"What is it?"
Hannah look at me with her eyes widening in excitement. " Is it true that Hagrid is keeping a dragon then it grow too much and burn his hut and Harry helped him plus your twin brothers calling your other brother to give the dragon who apparently named Norbert? " She asked while looking she came out from a long distance marathon. Eh, I never thought that she can say so much in a few breaths.
Under their attention, I can feel a headache forming on my head. I wonder how did the news of it have manage to get out? Also I wondered why the heck the thing that was supposed to happen later in the Movie happened earlier than expected? It was supposed to happen after the Quidditch started again right? Maybe being put into the Hufflepuff and Harry Potter being in the Slytherin and acting like a mystery and different has now started to affect the timeline. The Plot was really starting to get screwed.
" Yeah, It happened." I sighed and they look at me disappointed.
" why didn't you tell us? " Hannah pouted.
' I don't want to fuel your curiosity further' I said inside my mind. If I blurted it out, I'm certain that they would be angry. Hannah look at me like she was about to cry.
" It's unfair!" Justin protested beside me. He was now glaring daggers, If glares could kill, I would already be dead.
After that, they decided to continue interrogating me on the happenings during my winter vacation at Hogwarts. How I told them that I was completely uninvolved with the Dragon Incident other than being related to the Weasley Twins and Charlie. They laughed when I told them how much I suffered during Percy's perfect bonding plan. They were also curious about the Mirror but they were disappointed to learn that it was now gone on that Old classroom.
" I also wanted to look." Susan said while wondering what would she see in the Mirror.
" Artifact like that are dangerous." Ernie said. After a few moments of pondering and putting a thoughtful look on his face. " Through I wondered what is an artifact like that doing in Hogwarts?"
The Kids were silent. A few minutes, Susan decided to change the Topic. It just happened that the Topic wasn't better for my ears either.
" Did you know that Until now, the Culprit that stole something important at the Gringotts was still unknown? " Hannah asked while smiling.
" Nope." I put my best disinterested expression.
" Put an interest on the topic, will you?" I didn't bother answering her question, she pouted while the other muttered 'kill joy' and 'mood killer'. The rest of our walk were a quiet and silent affair that I enjoyed and appreciated.
It was just when we arrive in the Hufflepuff Dorms that something has happened, Ernie look at me. Surprise, Shock are evident on his face. " Wait!!" He glared with his light blue eyes, and pointed his right fore finger at me with accusing stare. " You went to the Third Floor Corridor!! " He realized and shouted.
The Other Hufflepuff students look at us. Maybe I shouldn't have told them about the Mirror. I gestured for him to keep quiet. Under the other students gazes, I decided to bring them on a secluded place. Where else could it be, Other than the Kitchen?
After we arrived, I notice that they are staring at me weirdly. " I never thought, that you would dare to go at Third Floor Corridor." Ernie finally said. He looks like he can't believe that it was really me.
Arranging the book on her hand, Susan smiled. " Ronald, you were always quiet and obedient in front of the Professors. We never thought that you like to seek trouble. "
They shook their head. I wonder if this is considered OOC at this point. I'm not good at acting and I wondered why the heck did the System wasn't still pointing out if I'm acting as OOC at this point.
" I'm just curious what was about on the Third Corridor since It was forbidden."
" True, we were also curious." Justin said while he requested some warm chocolate drink from the House elves.
After that, Hannah reasoned that just like my Brothers I would always have a mischievous side on me. The rest added some things and requested some snacks from the House Elves for their own. I also decided to have for myself. Our casual talk and conversation of the things that happened to us during the Winter Vacation continued.
.......
During the Middle of the January, After all of the Students have returned, The Lessons has continued. On the First Year Hufflepuffs, we have pass our homeworks to the Professors.
" Good work as usual, Mr. Weasley." Professor McGonagall smiled slightly as she receive my homework. I nodded my head slightly, as I felt the tip of my ears turned red and returned to my seat. Ernie and the others were snickering under my predicament. I glared at them and they started laughing. Through some Hufflepuffs were laughing while the other were just staring, It was different for the first year Ravenclaws. They were glaring and competitive as always in terms of Academics.
I sighed. When wouldn't I become treated as an Enemy by them?
On the other classes, the same thing has happened other than History of Magic. No one bothered to pass homework to Professor Binns other than the few existing hardcore bookworms in the Ravenclaws.
....
Other than the lessons, the fight for the Interhouse Cup for Quidditch continues. The Slytherins continued their winning streak while it was decided for us the Hufflepuff that we are in the Fourth Place. No one blamed the Hufflepuff Team for losing since the other houses were just too good. Their Hardwork didn't paid either since the Other Houses was also working hard ( and working hard to cheat and scheme for the Slytherins) just like the Hufflepuff team.
In the end the February, March and April pass
eventually with the Lessons and Quidditch matches. There was zero interaction with Harry Potter which was very fortunate. I also keep avoiding the Weasley Brothers and unfortunately become the Victim of Fred and George sometimes in their pranks. There was also the misfortunate situation of encountering Draco Malfoy sometimes. Every time it happened, I keep getting tired of his intentions of riling me up and teasing me of how 'poor' we are and how we are a bunch of Blood Traitors.
My patience was limited so I return his verbal insults with sometimes ended with him leaving and enraged because I just teased him looking like a Ferret.
The Month of June has finally arrived and it was now time for the Final Exams. A few more weeks and I would manage to end the First Year safe and still alive.
I should have thought how wrong I was, famous last words for someone as careless and stupid like me.