Harriet Potter 1

Temper

At breakfast Harriet told them about her meeting with Dumbledore and the fact that she would be having extra lessons with Snape.

"Whar?" Ron blurted with a mouth full of toast. "Thas theridul."

Hermione however was pensive as she spread jam across her toast. "If Dumbledore wants you to learn occlumency he must be worried that Voldemort will try and attack you through your mind. I think you really need to take it seriously Harriet. If Voldemort is somehow able to access your mind that would be a disaster."

"Well if he does, maybe he can help out with my OWL exams. l heard he was a dab hand at charms."

Ron chortled through a mouthful of bacon. Hermione's lips, however were pressed into a thin line.

Her scar prickled angrily and she glanced up to the staff table to see Umbridge watching her unabashedly. Harriet stifled a pang of alarm.

"It's bad enough in potions classes. The last thing I want is extra time with Snape while he is trying to attack my brain. I don't know why Dumbledore just couldn't have taught me."

"Whatever his reason is I'm sure it was important" Hermione replied reasonably.

"Maybe he has order stuff to deal with" Ron added, also sounding infuriatingly reasonable.

Harriet held back the words that sat like dark poison in her mind. She felt like Dumbledore was definitely avoiding her, but saying it out loud sounded petty, as though she expected the busy headmaster to be available whenever Harriet desired it. As though she thought she was special.

George shot Harriet a grin and a wave as he passed "see you at practice!"

Hermione shot her a sideways look which Harriet studiously ignored.

"We have our first lesson with Umbridge today " Ron said, apparently finished eating.

"From what I've heard, this ought to be interesting" Hermione frowned "and Harriet, please try to control your temper in her class."

"Who me?" Harriet asked, eyes wide with mock innocence.

Ron snickered. "C'mon Harri or we'll be late for divination."

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That night in the common room Angelina cornered Harriet "for Merlin's sake Harriet! A whole week of detentions with Umbridge! Are you trying to make sure that we lose the house cup? You're good Potter, but you are not irreplaceable" and with that threat she turned on her heel.

Fred and George dropped into the armchairs on either side of her. George put a soothing palm on her knee and a thrill shot through her. "Don't worry about Angelina, we will talk to her. I heard Umbridge was being a right -"

"Hem hem hem."

The three of them jumped in alarm to find Ginny behind them with a wicked grin.

Harriet was instantly aware of George's hand disappearing from her knee leaving her skin cold in its wake.

"Would you like a nosebleed nougat on us? You can use it to get out of Umbridge's class." Fred offered.

"Give it to Umbridge and save us all the trouble" Ron replied.

"Maybe you should give one to Snape too while you're at it" Harriet groaned thinking of her impending occlumency lessons.

"Oh we have something special lined up for him" Fred grinned.

"Shampoo sherbets" George winked.

Harriet laughed with her friends until her sides ached.