THE ARISE OF A LITTLE SISTER[Percy Little sis of boy who lived (Book 1)]

CHAPTER 17 : WHY ME???

LAIA POV

You know, after that night—after we saw that three-headed dog, which I heard about from my mum's bedtime stories about Greek gods—Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of the Underworld, the realm of Hades. But that's fictional. Who am I to complain? Maybe if you had told me there was a wizarding world before I got my Hogwarts letter, I... I wouldn't have believed it. But look at us now. I'm a witch myself. For Muggles, the wizarding world is fictional. But here we are. It's not good to be judgmental. For sure, the gods are fictional. Or maybe they're dead, right? Okay, that's off-topic. Now, what I don't understand is why they kept the three-headed dog in school. Even if it's a wizarding school, it's still a school. I don't understand. But Harry filled Ron and me in about the package they took from Gringotts, how Hagrid told him to keep it a secret. So, we concluded that whatever's inside that package is still guarded by the three-headed dog, Big C.

We spent a lot of time wondering what could possibly need such heavy protection.

"It's either really valuable or really dangerous," said Ron.

"Or both," said Harry. But all we knew for sure about the mysterious object was that it was about two inches long. We didn't have much chance of guessing what it was without further clues.

Neither Neville nor Hermione showed the slightest interest in what lay beneath the dog and the trapdoor. All Neville cared about was never going near the dog again. But I'm not going to blame him. I know he's braver than any of us. Hermione was now refusing to speak to Harry and Ron, but I don't think they seem to care about that. Maybe she's a little bossy, but she's sweet and caring. I just want to give them time to understand that if they want to become real friends. If I say or interfere in any way, then it's like forcing something. But I just believe that it's going to be okay. They will make a great definition of real friendship. I'm sure of it. For now, we are in the Great Hall. When the owls flooded into the Great Hall as usual, everyone's attention was caught at once by a long, thin package carried by six large screech owls. Everyone was interested to see what was in this large parcel and was amazed when the owls soared down and dropped it right in front of Harry, knocking his bacon to the floor. They had hardly fluttered out of the way when another owl dropped a letter on top of the parcel. Harry ripped open the letter first and passed it to us. I think he's lucky he read the letter first, because it said:

DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE. It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand, but I don't want everybody knowing you've got a broomstick or they'll all want one. Oliver Wood will meet you tonight on the Quidditch pitch at seven o'clock for your first training session.

Professor M. McGonagall.

"A Nimbus Two Thousand!" Ron moaned enviously. "I've never even touched one."

We left the Hall quickly, wanting to unwrap the broomstick in private before his first lesson. But halfway across the Entrance Hall, we found the way upstairs barred by Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy seized the package from Harry and felt it.

"That's a broomstick," he said, throwing it back to Harry with a mixture of jealousy and spite on his face. "You'll be for it this time, Potter. First-years aren't allowed them."

Ron couldn't resist. "It's not just any old broomstick," he said. "It's a Nimbus Two Thousand. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy, a Comet Two Sixty?" Ron grinned at us.

"Oh, this boy has his own way," I thought. "Comets look flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."

"What would you know about it, Weasley? You couldn't afford half the handle," Malfoy snapped back. "I suppose you and your brothers have to save up, twig by twig."

Before we could react, Professor Flitwick appeared at Malfoy's elbow. "Not arguing, I hope, boys?" he squeaked.

"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor," said Malfoy quickly.

"Yes, yes, that's right," said Professor Flitwick, beaming at Harry. "Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Potter. And what model is it?"

"A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir," said Harry, and I fought not to laugh at the look of horror on Malfoy's face. "And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it," he added, and for me, spending more time with him is rubbing off on him. We headed upstairs, smothering our laughter at Malfoy's obvious rage and confusion.

"Well, it's true," Harry chortled as we reached the top of the marble staircase. "If he hadn't stolen Neville's Remembrall, I wouldn't be in the team..."

"So, I suppose you think that's a reward for breaking rules?" came an angry voice from just behind them. Hermione was stomping up the stairs, looking disapprovingly at the package in Harry's hand.

"I thought you weren't speaking to us?" said Harry.

"Yes, don't stop now," said Ron. "It's doing us so much good."

Hermione marched away with her nose in the air, but not before she said, "You too, Laia."

I started to call after her, but she didn't like to listen. I don't think that broomstick is more important than my friend, so I said:

"I'll catch up with you guys later. Bye. Enjoy your first lesson, Harry." With that, I left and made my way to the library. And yes, I found her there. She was burying her head in a book. Surprise!

I approached her slowly and sat next to her. "Hey, I don't want you to miss your happy moments with your friends just to check on me," she said.

"Why, what... Listen, Hermione, look at me. You're my friend too, you know? And... Yes, I know, you're right. I know you care about them. That's why you asked them to stop. But you know, they just don't get it. That's it. Give them some time, ummm..."

"Thank you, Laia. It actually means a lot," she said and smiled.

"That's what friends are for."

After that, we chatted about Hogwarts history, and then she searched for a little read and got a really big book, written by some legendary lady who wrote the bestselling children's book. But of course, even adults are really addicted to that great book (guess who?). She drowned within the pages again, and I decided to do my homework for Professor Hecate's lessons. I searched for Occlumency and finally found a book. It said:

"The magical defense of the mind against external penetration. An obscure branch of magic, but a highly useful one.

Occlumency was the act of closing one's mind against intrusion. It was ancient and had existed since... It could prevent a Legilimens from accessing one's thoughts and feelings or influencing them. A person who practiced this art was known as an Occlumens.

It involved clearing one's mind—making it 'blank and empty'—in order to prevent a Legilimens from perceiving one's emotions and thoughts. More advanced Occlumency involved suppressing only the thoughts, emotions, and memories that would contradict whatever the Occlumens wished a... believed.

This produced a 'faux' layer of mentality that could totally throw off the perspective of one using Legilimency into thinking that the said layer was the legitimate one, whilst its bona fide counterpart lay deeper within. Hence, it was not obvious that Occlumency was being used, even if the person was lying. It required a great deal of willpower, as with resisting... as well as a high degree of mental and emotional discipline. It was also one method of resisting the influence of..."

And I searched for more and took notes for reference. I don't think this is just a lesson for first-years. But why me???

Quote:

"Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect."

Luna Lovegood; The Order of the Phoenix

Hey, my dear Potterheads, how are you doing? Oh my gods, holy Poseidon! We've reached the middle of our book one. I'm so grateful for all your support. Thank you so much for your consistency and thanks to each and every one of you. Once again, thank you. See you very soon. Wait till next Wednesday for the next chapter. (Spoiler alert! You know what's going to happen.)