The Prisoner Of Azkaban (A Harry Potter Rewrite)

ANCIENT RUNES AND HAPPY MEMORIES

Monday morning started with Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid introduced them to Flobberworms. They were slimy little creatures which did nothing other than eat and sleep. Hagrid promised them they wouldn't be studing it for more than a week, which cheered them up considerably. Ria spent the class half-daydreaming about riding Buckbeak again at some point. In Charms, Professor Flitwick introduced them to Cheering Charms leaving the entire class in a rather happy state.

The good mood did not last long. As soon as the Third Years entered Divination, they were greeted by Professor Trelawney looking at Harry as if he was about to drop dead any moment. She kept up the look all through stating they would continue with Tessomancy and instructing them to pair us with different people than last class. When she took a look at Harry's cup, she let out a stifled snob, retired to her entirely too colorful armchair, and proceeded to ignore her students for the remaining fifteen minutes.

Ria's mood was further soured by Lisa Turpin from Ravenclaw, who she had ended up pairing with. Ria had never spoken to the girl before. After a few formal pleasantries, she started badgering Ria with questions about Harry and if they were together, and nothing Ria said would make her shut up. There weren't many people Ria couldn't stand but Lisa Turpin was definitely one of them.

Classes went on per usual. The end of Tuesday found Ria and Hermione walking to Ancient Runes together. The boys had gone back to the common room to finish their essays on Uranus.

"Wonder what we'll do today", Ria said to Hermione.

"What I am wondering is who is the fourth student?", Hermione replied.

"I guess we're about to find out", Ria commented, pushing open the door to their classroom.

She took a few steps inside, looked around, then stopped dead in her tracks.

"You have got to be kidding me", she muttered staring at none other than Draco Malfoy sitting on the desk furthest away from the one claimed by Hannah Abbot.

Malfoy stared back at Ria with an affronted look on his face, then looked away to stare at the wall like a petulant child. The action was so much like something her siblings would do; a part of Ria wanted to laugh. The rest of her was busy wondering if Malfoy had somehow taken it upon himself to hound her at every turn this year.

Before anyone else could comment on their newest classmate, Professor Babbling walked into the classroom in another Ruby-red robe which, Ria was starting to realize, was somewhat a signature style for the witch.

"Ah! Mr. Malfoy!", she said, smiling serenely. "I see you found the classroom alright! How is that arm of yours?"

"Perfectly fine, Professor. Thank you", Malfoy replied stiffly.

"Very well", she said then turned to Ria and Hermione who were still standing a few steps inside the door. "Why don't you girls come in and take your seats so we can start?", she said kindly. "I would also suggest any one of you three to partner up with Mr. Malfoy so we have even pairs to work on! I will be just a moment!"

With that instruction, Professor Babbling opened the door to the side of the classroom and disappeared inside what, Ria imagined, was her living quarters.

"I don't want to."

Ria turned to Hermione, just to find her staring at Malfoy with equal parts dread and disgust on her face. Malfoy meet her gaze head-on; an all too familiar sneer building on his face.

"You don't have to", Ria declared firmly, then finally moved her feet to where Malfoy sat, now outright scowling at her.

"No", he said with a sneer the moment she reached his desk.