Custard Creams - DRARRY

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞

17 Sept, 1994

   Harry felt lost without the comfort of his wand, tucked securely in his robes. When he made his first visit to Ollivanders in first year, receiving his wand was life changing. The aura it brought with it and the connection he felt every time it brushed his fingertips couldn't be compared. It also made him feel powerful against the Dursleys when he returned home from Diagonal Alley; without he felt defenceless, like a squib at the mercy of a dark wizard, knowing what he could do if he possessed what was the most important and powerful weapon of all.

   Of course, he was being dramatic, getting lost in jealousy of his friends being able to cast the most common spells and charms. And losing his wand was partly his fault anyway.

   He and Malfoy got into an altercation late the night before. Their exchange of taunts and insults had rapidly shifted into exchanges of jinxes and hexes. Malfoy was first to walk away after Harry cast a dangling hex on him, causing him to fall flat on his face and blood to start flowing out of his crooked nose. He had paraded his way to the hospital wing, groaning loudly in pain and throwing nasty glares at Harry every time he turned a corner - who started reluctantly following after he realised Malfoy had hexed protruding red boils all over his face. Thirty minutes later, Harry's face was back to a few minor pimples and Malfoy's nose looked as straight and pointy as usual.

   However, they had found themselves facing an exhausted, frowning Dumbledore who, not being bothered to assign detention at one am, confiscated their wands; hurrying them out the door before Harry's mind could even comprehend it or make an attempt at protest. Malfoy had stared blankly at the wall before hastily turning towards the Slytherin common room, cursing furiously under his breath.

   And so Harry was now wandering half-heartedly behind his friends, kicking a small rock absentmindedly. It was Hogsmeade weekend, but after a morning of huffing to himself every time someone cast 'accio' or a simple cleaning charm, he really just wanted to sprawl on his bed with his face in his pillow and not move until Monday - when he would finally have his wand returned, snug in his grasp. His fist curled longingly at the thought.

   Unexpectedly, Harry found himself stumbling into a now stationary Ron and Hermione.

   "Harry!" Hermione scolded softly, an amused smile playing on her lips as Harry steadied himself. He glanced around, now realising they were in the middle of Hogsmeade, standing awkwardly close to the entrance of The Three Broomsticks as people squeezed past, grumbling about the trio.

   "Come on," Ron mumbled self-consciously after a group of sixth year witches glared nastily, and grabbed Harry's arm. "Rosmerta'll even be at us in a minute." Harry allowed himself to be dragged into the bar, Hermione strolling behind him.

   They squeezed past the group of sixth year Ravenclaws, whose polite smiles shifted disapprovingly in recognition. The trio turned to find their usual table was occupied by a group of third year Gryffindors, giggling mischievously as they tried (and failed) some spells from a seventh year spellbook.

   "Ginny!" Ron called, causing the red-haired girl to look up reluctantly. Some of her friends tried to hide the book cautiously, not wanting to be caught, while others snickered playfully at her annoyance for her brother.

   "What," Ginny leant back, crossing her arms and looking expectantly at Ron.

   "Um, this is our place," He started lamely, sounding less self-assured than intended. He readjusted his stance as if to try to look more authoritarian but Ginny just leant forward and shrugged tauntingly.

   "Doesn't seem to have your name on it."

   "Oh shut it, Ginny. We always sit here - now, now move it." Ron scowled, his cheeks pinking as one of her friends suppressed an obnoxious laugh at his increasing temper.

   "Potter!"

   Harry's entertained grin dropped instantaneously.

   He sighed inwardly; gritting his teeth and turning grudgingly. He was met, with no surprise, to a maliciously sneering Draco Malfoy, accompanied by a dumb-faced Crabbe and Goyle, and a sniggering Pansy Parkinson.

   "Aw, why so glum Potter? Is your seat taken?" Malfoy taunted, a fake pout plastered cruelly over his face which then broke into an amused smirk as Harry stared coldly at him.

   "Get lost, Malfoy! The nerve you have to come over here when you got Harry's wand taken away!" Ron remarked viciously, his cheeks heating with rage. Ginny's friends peered eagerly into the book again while Ginny herself glanced awkwardly at the irritated customers peering angringly at their table.

   "This doesn't concern you, Weasel. Stick your gargantuan nose somewhere else!" Malfoy spat, his features tight from irritation. 

   Before anyone had the chance to retaliate, however, a blinding light flashed from behind them. Harry's vision bled black, an intense feeling of propelling downwards hit him as felt himself being warped and twisted unnaturally. He tried to scream in terror but abruptly lost consciousness.