𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 | Harry James Potter x Reader

YR 4 ☆•°~'* 05

❈🌠➵9¾♌ ⚯ 🗲━━━━━★. *･｡ﾟ✧⁺

Their first morning back at Hogwarts went by smoothly - they had Herbology first thing in the morning, then Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid introduced them to a new creature, but he wouldn't tell them where he got it, or where they originate from. He called them Blast-Ended Skrewts, and according to Y/N, they were completely useless. 

'You know, I reckon Malfoy's right,' said Y/N as the quartet went up the sloping lawns back to the castle, 'we should stomp on the lot of them before they start attacking us.'

'Glad you agree with me, love,' drawled a voice behind them. 

Y/N whipped her head back and saw a smirking Malfoy following them up the lawn, followed by his thuggish cronies and a disgruntled Pansy Parkinson. 

As Malfoy came level with them, Harry stuck out his foot and the Slytherin tripped on it, falling face-first into a puddle of mud. Y/N, Ron and Hermione howled with laughter at the sight. Harry had a satisfied smirk on his face as they set off for the Great Hall.

They sat down at the Gryffindor table and helped themselves to some food. Before Y/N had even put the spoon in her mouth, she noticed Hermione stuffing her face with potatoes and lamb so fast that Harry and Ron started staring at her.

'Er- is this the new stand on elf rights?' said Ron.

'No,' said Hermione. 'I just want to get to library.'

'What?' said Ron in disbelief. 'Hermione - it's the first day back! We haven't got homework yet!'

Hermione shrugged and finished her food faster than Ron. Then she leapt to her feet, said, 'See you at dinner!' and departed at high speed.

Harry, Y/N and Ron looked at each other with raised eyebrows, but didn't question Hermione's bizarre behaviour further. When the bell rang, Y/N, Harry and Ron set off for North Tower for their double Divination class.

It felt like they had been in the stifling room for hours, the strong perfume and closed curtains making Y/N drowsier by the minute. She glanced at Harry, who looked like he'd be falling asleep any second. Y/N stared at him, her eyelids feeling heavy, counting the tiny, almost invisible freckles on his face. 

'Harry!' Ron muttered suddenly. 

Harry, who was leaning his head on his arm towards Y/N, sat up so fast that he accidentally knocked his head against Y/N's.

'Ouch! Idiot,' Y/N grumbled, rubbing her head.

'Sorry,' said Harry guiltily, then he looked at Trelawney. 'What?'

'I was saying, my dear, that you were clearly under the baleful influence of Saturn,' said Professor Trelawney, a faint note of resentment in her voice. 'I think I am right in saying, my dear, that you were born in mid-winter?'

'No,' said Harry, 'I was born in July.'

Y/N snorted and Ron laughed, hastily pretending he had been coughing.

Half an hour later, they were analysing planetary charts according to their date of birth. Y/N read some of the interpretations and snorted.