Chapter 3:
Harry stared at her eyes, she wasn't bluffing. "Deal. I assume you did the one due today. I'm good, but even I can't pull an essay out of my arse in two minutes."
"Of course I did," she twirled her wand and three parchments flew out of her bag and into her hand.
Harry raised an eyebrow at her.
"What?" She smirked. "You can't do non-verbal?"
"We're not supposed to be able to, at least not until the end of next year."
"Aww," She patted his cheek. "How cute."
Harry slapped her hand away. "So what? You're an expert now?"
"Of course not, just a couple spells that I've nailed down. Here," She gave him her essay before focusing on her nails. "Check it, will you."
"You want to waste thirty-five galleons like that?"
"Oh, you're not charging me for this. Let's call it a professional courtesy, I want to see if you're as good as you claim."
"Fine," Harry gritted out before focusing on the paper.
Pansy was right about something, Umbridge's essays were a bore. Completely useless and unnecessarily long, it was pretty much copying what the book said and writing it down verbatim on the parchment. Still, he checked it as if it was one of his normal jobs. He was actually surprised by Pansy's prose. The essay flowed well and had the content Umbridge asked, it was almost perfect. She was a smart girl, the smartest behind Granger, and it showed. Harry had no idea why Parkinson would want him to do her homework, she was smart enough to know he was ripping her off and smart enough to get an Outstanding - and he didn't buy for a second that she didn't want to do it because she thought herself above it.
"Here," he said as he invited her to his side. "These paragraphs, take them out. They're useless and will do nothing but cost you your O."
"Why?" She snatched the parchment out of his hand. "These are correct."
"But they contradict the book."
"I don't give a shit if they contradict the book, this is correct and anyone with knowledge on Defence would know this."
"Yes, but Umbridge doesn't want the correct answer, she wants her answer."
"But it's-"
"Look, I don't give a shit what you do, Parkinson." Harry snapped. "Just don't blame me when she gives you a D."
Pansy shut her mouth before looking at him with distaste. "You know, you would actually be slightly likeable if you weren't such an arsehole."
Harry stared back, choosing not to reply.
"What are you two lovebirds talking about?" Draco mocked them as he loomed above his desk.
"Oh great, more guests. Please, stay, why don't I give you my chair while I'm at it."
"Always so territorial, Potter, you're kind of like a dog."
"Really? You're one to talk, you look like a blond weasel who fell on a vat of hair gel. And why are you people coming over to my desk!?"
"What's going on here?" Daphne asked as she, Theo, and Blaise joined them.
"Ugh!" Harry dropped his head on the table.
"Don't know, that's what I'm asking."
"None of your business, Draco."
"Are you sure you two can be here?" Harry interjected. "Won't your pets get lonely?"
"They'll manage." Malfoy deadpanned.
"Are we talking about Umbridge?" Theo asked.
"Did you guys do her essay? God, it was awful. I was sure Lockhart's quiz would be the worst assignment we'd ever get in this class."
"It wasn't that bad-"
"Are you kidding, Daphne? I fell asleep like twice while doing it."
"You guys are complaining about the essay? The classes are much worse. All she does is make us read!"
"Blaise, we've all seen you sleeping rather than actually reading."
"I mean, yes, but that doesn't mean the class is any better."
"I'm surrounded by morons," Harry said to himself, rubbing his temples.
"What are you on about now?" Daphne asked.
"Look, Umbridge is going to come back any second. So why don't you four go to your own desks, and we can talk about this later. In fact, we can even set a time for it so that I make sure I'm not there for it."
"Shut up, Potter."
"Malfoy, get out-"
"I said shut up!" He snapped before motioning towards the Gryffindor side.
Neville, Hermione, and Ron were huddled in the corner, it seemed that Hermione are Ron were trying to convince Neville about something.
"What do you think they're saying?" Asked Pansy.
"Probably trying to force him not cause another scene with Umbridge."
"Doesn't Longbottom understand that Umbridge wants him to do that?"
"He's an idiot."
"They all are."
"Can we stop talking about Neville bloody Longbottom!?" Harry bit out.
"I never thought I'd see the day," Malfoy laughed. "Harry Potter, jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
"Oh, please."
"I'm not! I'm just sick and tired of constantly hearing Neville Longbottom this and Neville Longbottom that. What's so bloody special about him!?"
"Ummm… mate, what rock have you been living under."
"Oh, you know what I mean!"
Before anyone could say anything else, the door opened loudly and Umbridge strutted in, walking towards her desk as everyone quickly sat on their respective desks. The toad-faced woman turned towards them, her sickly sweet smile ever present as she summoned all the essay from everyone.
"Now, children, open your copy of Dark Arts Defence – Basics for Beginners and read chapter three. If you finish the chapter before the period is over, you are to re-read it from the start. Any questions? No? Good. Begin."
Harry grudgingly opened the book, but couldn't get himself to begin reading. Draco had been right earlier, he was jealous - of course he was. Who wouldn't be. Neville bloody Longbottom. Perfect Neville. Daring Neville. The most eligible bachelor of the wizarding world and everything a guy should be. He was sick of it, all the praises sung for a mediocre wizard.
For the past five years, he'd stayed out of the spotlight, and it was by choice. It was the Slytherin thing to do, it was how you survived, under the radar. There was a reason why he never told people what he did on his spare time, why he didn't brag about his many skills, why he purposefully tanked his performance to stay on the average end. The biggest threat is the one you don't even know exists until it's too late.
But now, he wanted more.
Fuck being in the shadows, fuck letting everyone grab the spotlight, fuck not reaping the rewards of everything he'd sowed. It was stupid, it was the bloody Gryffindor side the hat had warned him about, but at this point, he didn't care anymore. He would prove himself, it was time the world learnt the name of Harry James Potter.