- Chapter 17 ~ {Rain, Shine, Snow, and Birthdays} ~ Airana's POV -

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"Anyway - Harry," said the giant, turning his back on the Dursleys, "a very happy birthday to yeh. Got summat fer yeh here - I mighta sat on it at some point, but it'll taste all right." -Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

...

I walked down the dormitory staircase quickly, hoping to get out of the common room without encountering a certain...

Someone.

But of course, life isn't that simple.

"Good morning," James said, drawing out the 'o' and 'r'.

"Get out of my way Potter." I growled.

"But I haven't even done anything yet!" He replied.

"You're blocking the bleedin' door!" I say, thoroughly irritated.

"Oh." A look of dawning washed over James's face, and he stepped aside. I sighed, and with a shake of my head, left through the portrait hole.

Unfortunately, James followed. As the Fat Lady swung open, I rushed away, fighting an internal battle with myself, confused as to whether I should slap James, or punch him, as he tailed behind me.

"Can't you just leave me alone?!" I say desperately, turning around to face James while walking backwards. "Do you have to follow me?"

"I'm just going to the Great Hall, like you." He said smugly.

I huffed. "Well can't you-"

Just then, James's face changes from arrogant to one of wide eyes. He runs forward, closing the 2 feet distance between us. I unconsciously wonder what he's doing, while at the same time, I realize that I was going to fall back, falling, falling, fall-

"Gotchya!" James said, catching me. I sway, one leg swinging dangerously, the other at the edge of a stair on the staircase. I breathe heavily, regaining my posture.

"That was close, huh? You shouldn't walk backwards like that." Said James, peering at me worriedly.

I nod slowly. "Yeah- and.. Er- thanks.." I swallow, leaning on the rail of the staircase.

"Are you daft!?" James says loudly. "You almost just fell all the way down the staircase, and now you're leaning on it- it could move any minute!" He grasps my arm and pulls me towards him, and makes me walk down the stairs like that all the way down until the very last step.

"I can handle myself, y'know!" I say indignantly, snatching my hand away.

"Clearly you can't!" Said James sternly. "You could've ended up in the hospital wing!"

"I would rather be in the hospital wing than have to deal with you!" I shout shrilly, running away angrily.

What I didn't see and hear was the way James was gaping after me, and the mutter of, "That bad, am I?" He shook his head and turned around, walking away, going the opposite direction I went in.

---

I stormed into the Great Hall, and sat stiffly at the Gryffindor table. Rose glanced my way with raised eyebrows. I tried my best to push Potter out of my mind, to make myself calm down, but it was useless. And so, I reached for a Daily Prophet, as reading always helped me cope with anger and sadness. I scanned the headline, hoping for something interesting that would take my mind off the argument I'd just had.

Sadly, it didn't go the way I wanted. My eyes read the front page, my lips mouthing the words soundlessly, eyes large with fear, and suddenly, I shrieked.

{The Other Golden Trio} - Year 1 - ϟWhere stories live. Discover now