The Tale of a Hogwarts Student

Chapter Nine: Gryffindor Versus Slytherin

November fell upon Hogwarts and brought with it cold weather and Quidditch season. Meredith wrapped her red Gryffindor scarf tighter around her neck.
It was the day before Harry's first quidditch match. Meredith was sitting with Harry in the courtyard as he read the copy of Quidditch through the Ages that Hermione had gotten him from the library. Meredith had had to tell him to shut up when he started telling her about how many different ways you can get a foul. There were seven hundred.
The four friends now spent all their time together. Hermione managing to get them all through their homework made her Meredith's favourite of the group, otherwise she'd have been sent home shortly after Halloween for her poor grades.
Another thing Meredith loved Hermione for, was her little blue fires that she made for them all to warm their hands.
"Ron, stop hogging all the heat," snapped Meredith.
They saw Snape making his way across the yard. Hermione sweeped up the small flame, closing it into a jar and tucked it in her robe.
"What's that you got there," remarked Snape with his low nasally voice.
Harry showed him the book.
Snape tutted. "Library books are not meant to be taken outside." He snatched the book away.
"Five points from Gryffindor, Potter."
"Is that even a rule," muttered Harry, too low for Snape's retreating figure to hear.
"Did you notice his limp?" Harry continued, "I wonder what's wrong with his leg."
"I don't know but I hope it hurts like hell." said Ron bitterly.

That evening the four of them sat around the fireplace, Meredith working through her charms homework with Hermione, peeking at her scroll to see Hermione's essay. The noise in the common room was at an all time high and Meredith was finding it difficult to concentrate.
An escape came when Harry stood up, saying he was going to get his book back from Snape. Meredith decided this would be a great way to not only spend time with Harry, but also try and find Mafalda. She missed her sister.
"Your funeral, mate," Ron said, pulling over Hermione's scroll- which she promptly pulled back.
"I'll come with you, Harry," Meredith said, "I need a break from all this noise."
They exited the portrait hole together and walked towards the staff room, it was halfway towards where Meredith suspected the Slytherin dorms were.
"Is this really a good idea or are you just too restless and can't stop thinking about tomorrow?" Meredith asked slyly.
Harry sighed, "I do want my book back but yeah tomorrow is pretty terrifying to me."
"You'll do great!"
"Thanks Meredith I-"
"Just don't fall off your broom and plummet to your death," she finished sweetly.
"Thanks," groaned Harry, voice dripping with sarcasm.
They got to the corridor leading to the staff room.
"I'll see you later, Harry- I'm going to try and find Mafalda."
Harry looked at her with sympathy, knowing how difficult she found it to speak with her sister.
"Good luck," he said.
Meredith went deeper into the castle, wandering around the dungeons aimlessly.
She was just about to give up and head back to Gryffindor tower when she heard a voice go:
"Meri?"
Mafalda stood at the end of the corridor with Theodor Nott. She sent him away and walked closer.
"What are you doing down here?" she asked incredulously.
"I wanted to see you!" Meredith said lightly, trying to pretend that things were as easy between them as it used to be.
"Oh... right- well, was it for something specific? Did mom write another letter?"
"I just thought we could... hang out?" said Meredith lamely.
Mafalda looked skeptical but to Meredith's surprise she didn't automatically turn away, instead she led Meredith to an empty classroom and sat at one of the benches.
"Alright then," she said promptly, "let's hang out."
Meredith rolled her eyes.
"So you're friends with the famous Harry Potter now?" Mafalda enquired.
"Yeah, I'm guessing you heard about the troll?"
"Everyone heard about the troll."
"Well, we've been friends since then." Meredith smiled.
"That Granger is your friend too," Mafalda sneered, "Malfoy said she's a mudblood."
"Malfoy shouldn't say things like that," Meredith said crossly, "and neither should you."
Mafalda ignored her. "I've also heard things about our cousins. Did you know that they're looked down upon by a lot of the Wizarding community?"
"So? They're our family." Meredith was getting increasingly unhappy with the direction of this conversation.
"So, I've been trying my hardest to be accepted in Slytherin but it's difficult when not only are we related to the Weasleys but our father is a squib and our mother is a muggle." Mafalda had started pacing the classroom. "For the first couple months I was stuck between being friends with people to them debating whether I was technically a half-blood or a mudblood. And being your sister doesn't make it any easier for me."
"Me? What have I done- you should have told me what was happening!" Meredith stopped Mafalda from pacing another lap, trying to catch her eye.
"You're in stupid Gryffindor! And you fawn after Potter all the time. I can't exactly be all buddy buddy with you and be a loyal Slytherin."
"You're saying that you choose Slytherin over being my sister." Meredith blinked her eyes quickly, holding back tears.
"If you want to put it so bluntly- yes, I guess I do choose Slytherin."
Meredith didn't know what to say. Mafalda seemed to be waiting for a response and once she realised that Meredith wasn't going to give her one she turned to leave.
She paused at the door and said, "I'll always love you, Meri- you're my sister- but at school maybe we can just give each other space. It's just easier that way."
Meredith felt the tears slip down her cheeks, and she turned away from her sister.
"I love you too," she said, but it was too late. Mafalda had already left.