Harry's Flower

Mom?

As we get off the train, I notice something. 

Harry, is that Hagrid?

"Hagrid!" He yells before I can finish.

I'll take that as a "yes"

He chuckled. Yeah

"Harry, Lo'us, well, com'on then, in the boats." Hagrid said with way too much energy.

M: Wow, it's huge. But where's the school? 

H: I think this is the school. 

 He was holding back a laugh.

"Um, what are you two talking about over there?" Ron questioned, startling us both.

"Oh, um, Lotus is asking where the school is," Ron smiled,

"Well, you're looking at it." He pointed at the castle towering above us.

"Holy crap," I whispered barely audible, but Harry still laughed.

H: She's beautiful.

I was thankful that the night had fallen, so he couldn't see the heat rise to my cheeks. Also, by that time we'd reached the boat dock, never having been in a boat before, I fell trying to get out, robe flying behind me, and my sweater slipped up, exposing some of my middle. Thankfully, Harry was behind me and caught me, yet in doing so, his fingers brushed against my bare skin. Eyes locking, we collected stray stares.

H: You okay? 

I heard while he lifted me up, helping me out of the boat.

M: I think so, thanks.

H: Any time. 

I looked around. Everyone had left, but us and Ron, who was grinning ear to ear.

This time, I was the one to warn him. "Ron, lose the dopey smile before I make you lose it." He paled, and Harry laughed .

H: Thanks.

With that, we went inside.

We were stopped by a woman who introduced herself as Professor Mcgonagall. She briefed us on what would happen next.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup." She told us to wait where we were, and behind us, someone started to speak,

"So it's true? Harry Potter is here. This is Crabe, and Goyle," The voice belonged to another first year, blond hair slicked back.

Lotus, be careful

"Mom." I whispered.

"And I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." I grabbed Harry's arm.

M: Harry, be careful, remember the letter? My mom warned us.

H: Don't worry, Lotus. I have a steel trap. 

He slid his hand down to mine, just long enough to give it a reassuring squeeze. Neither of us had noticed Ron laugh at Draco's introduction. He scowled.

"Think my name's funny, do you? Well, no need to ask yours. Red hair, and a robe that's definitely seen better days? You must be a Weasley. You'll soon see some wizard families are better than others, Potter. I can help you there." He held his hand out, but before Harry could take it or reply, I snapped.

"Draco, was it?" I stepped into view. To my surprise, he paled. I didn't back down. "Honestly, I don't care what you think. You're no better than a stick a dog picked up, let alone any of us." All around us, people were whispering, but I wasn't paying attention. Mom said,

I wasn't actually sick

I was so sure that the Malfoys had something to do with her death. I only turned when I felt Harry's hand on mine.

H: Lotus.

When I stepped back, he took my place. "I couldn't have put that better." His hand was still holding mine. The doors to the Great Hall opened and we were summoned.