The Rest of the Prophecy | Harry Potter

The Anger

"Hello," she said as she sat next to Neville and across from a red-headed girl. Victoria stuck out her hand to shake the girls, "Victoria," she introduced herself. Victoria noticed that Hermione was sitting to the left of the girl and Harry to the right. She gave a soft smile to both of them. Ron was positioned on the opposite of Neville and Victoria nodded towards him. He did not nod back however, instead he scowled. 

"Hello and welcome to Gryffindor," beamed the red head. "My name is Ginny, Ginny Weasley."

"Thank you," Victoria said with a smile. "I wasn't really sure where I was going to end up, but I am certainly glad it is here." She fiddled with her thumbs as she spoke.

"Well, it is most certainly the best house," said Hermione. "We noticed that you were helping a that little boy in front of you though and thought for a minute you might be in Hufflepuff!"

"Oh, that was James," said Victoria smiling. "He was a little nervous, so we made a deal to help each other out through the sorting. As a matter of fact," she paused to look around. I was supposed to give him a thumbs up after the sorting but couldn't see him in the crowd." 

All Victoria could see where a countless number of heads bobbing up and down. The hall was filled with chatter, eating, and laughing as classmates reunited for the first time all summer. As she looked around, a streak of bright blonde hair caught her eye at a distance table. Knowing perfectly well who it was, she decided it best to stop looking for James for now.

"Well, that was very nice of you," said Ginny. "The whole sorting can really be so nerve-racking, especially if you are hoping for a certain house." She turned and gazed at Harry and said, "Isn't that right, Harry?"

Harry gave a slight eye roll before saying, "I didn't hope for Gryffindor this is where I was meant to be." He looked a little agitated to be sitting so close to Ginny, and frankly she looked just as aggravated if not more. "I mean, we both know it has worked out well for you considering you have dated almost half of the quidditch team."  said Harry. Ginny started at him in disbelief and was about to fire back when she was interrupted. 

"Could you two please not argue right now?" begged Hermione. "We just started back, and I really can't deal with it yet."

Neville leaned in to whisper to Victoria, "They've been fighting all summer, surprised they haven't broken up yet."

Victoria looked up at Harry, who must have heard every word Neville said. He looked at Neville and then the rest of the table and said, "Actually Neville, you bring up something that we all need to talk about, and I want to get off my chest." But just as Harry was about to speak, a silence fell over the hall and an elderly looking man took the center podium.

"Good evening all!" said the man who Victoria knew as Albus Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore began addressing the whole room, careful to look at each student as he did. "I hope that each of you has enjoyed your summer and are eager to begin a new year at Hogwarts. I want to extend a special welcome to all of our new students and new Professor of potions, Professor Horace Slughorn." He gestured to a pudgy, stout man at the teachers table before continuing, "I will not bore you with an extensive speech, rather remind you of a few things. One, always look out for one another. Two, get help when needed and never been afraid to ask. And lastly, be careful to whom you place your trust." Victoria could have sworn he was looking directly at her when he said the last point. "Enjoy your evening and stay jolly!" He smiled as he returned to his seat, his eyes lingering to the places where Harry and Victoria sat.

"Well, that was one of his better ones," huffed Ron. "So, Harry, can you please explain to us how you got that blood on you now?" He looked Harry up and down and waited for Harry to answer.

"Oh yea, I was wondering the same thing," said Ginny. "You always seem to be covered in blood."

"Victoria, is that blood on you as well?" Hermione asked.

Before Victoria could speak, however, Harry did.

"It's a long story, nothing really important other than Malfoy got to hit me." Harry eyed Victoria, as if asking her not to say anything more about the situation. She decided it best to let him do the talking.

"He what??" exclaimed Ron almost jumping up out of his seat.

"Really, no big deal," shrugged Harry. "I'll get him back on the quidditch pitch." He now gestured towards Victoria. "Victoria was there to help me and mend my nose."

"You know how to mend noses?" Hermione asked.

Victoria nodded and smiled at her.

"Wow, that is impressive!" she said. "You will have to teach me that, if you don't mind?"

"Of course, I'd love to show you" said Victoria while smiling. She was happy that the subject was moving away from her cousin and his abuse to Harry.

Ron peered around Neville to look at Victoria and asked, "So you just happened to be around while YOUR cousin was attacking Harry?" Victoria noticed that he put an angry tone on the word your and felt uncertain on how to best answer his accusatory question.

"Oh, well..." Victoria looked down at her hands. "It was odd timing, but I wasn't sure where Harry had gone off too." Seeing Ron roll his eyes she decided to quickly add, "I would've stopped Draco if I could, but it all happened so fast. I am really —" but Victoria was cut off by Hermione.

"Don't apologize, Victoria," said Hermione. "Ron here is just in a bad mood for no reason." She rolled her eyes at Ron who slumped down in his seat.

"Sure, whatever," scoffed Ron. Victoria saw Hermione kick him under the table.

Just then a loud voice called out, "All prefects, please report to the back of the Great Hall to take all first years to the common rooms!"

"We best be going then. Come on Ronald," Hermione said hopping to her feet. Ron slowly stood up after her. He still looked somewhat angry but didn't make eye contact with Victoria again.

"They really do make the strangest pair of prefects Gryffindor has ever seen," said Neville with a slight chuckle.  Ginny nodded her head and laughed in agreement.

"Wanna go with me to mess with them, Neville?" Ginny asked. Neville nodded and a smirk appeared on his face." I would ask you two to join us, but it looks like Professor McGonagall might need to speak with you." Victoria followed Ginny's eyes. She saw the Professor standing at the end of the tabling looking directly at Harry and Victoria, motioning them her way. 

"It does seem that way," said Harry. "We should probably go see what she wants." Without another word he left, and Victoria hurried after him. As she was walking away Victoria heard Ginny mutter, "Good riddance" under her breath.

Victoria caught up with Harry and they stopped directly in front of McGonagall who spoke first. "Potter, as you know Miss Black is a transfer student here, so I do not wish for her to grouped with the first years. Either way she must be shown around the castle." She continued to look at Harry as she spoke. "I would like you to show Miss Black around the castle because you both will be taking the same classes." She handed both of them theirs times table and turned to face Victoria. "Miss Black, I do hope you enjoy your time here at Hogwarts, we are thrilled to have you in Gryffindor." She gave Victoria a slight smile before continuing. "Mr. Potter will take excellent care of you I'm sure of it." She smiled at both of them before turning her back to leave. Just as she began walking away, she turned to Harry and said, "Oh, by the way Mr. Potter, you will be quidditch captain this year, so please let me know as soon as possible when you would like tryouts held."

Harry gave a nod and said, "Of course, Professor." McGonagall gave one last nod and strode out of the great hall. "Well, best get too touring," said Harry while giving Victoria a small smile.