The Last Gaunt:Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone [Book 1]

Chapter VII: I know How he Is

Third Person POV

              At five, the three of them, Harry Ron, and Zach, left the castle and made their way across the grounds. On their way out Kieran was following Practically running behind them 
                                                                 "Ron wait up" Kieran called, But Ron Ignored him it was thanks to Harry and Zach that They stopped in their tracks and turned to face Kieran.
                                                                 "What do you want Cunningham?" Ron spat as if he and Kieran had never been friends. This hurt Kieran Deeply. 
                                                                  "What happened Ron, Why are you being rude" Kieran asked frowning "Ever since I got sorted."
                                                                  "I'm sorry, I don't speak with Traitors" He replied
                                                                  "What? How am I a traitor?" Kieran asked crossing his arms 
                                                                  "I thought we were both being sorted into Gryffindor" Ron spoked "But, I can see that the hat saw you would turn bad and placed you with all the bad people"
                                                                  "Is this why you've been ignoring me? Because i got into Slytherin not Gryffindor" He said frowing "Come on we've been friends since we were kids there is no way you think im bad" 
                                                                   "Harry let's go I don't wanna be here" Ron said as both Harry and Him left. Zach gave me a sypathetic smile as he walked back with Harry and Ron to who knows where.

                            An upset Kieran trudged back to the castle, weighed down by the evening's events. He had thought he and Ron were close friends, but being sorted into Slytherin had seemingly shattered their friendship from Ron's perspective. The hurt and confusion were heavy on his mind as he wandered through the castle's dimly lit corridors. In the school courtyard, Kieran spotted Theodore sitting on a stone bench, deeply engrossed in his textbooks. The faint light of a nearby lantern illuminated Theodore's focused expression as he worked through his homework. Kieran approached slowly, hoping to distract himself from his thoughts.
                                                                    "Hey, Theodore. Mind if I join you?" Theodore looked up, slightly surprised but nodded.
                                                                      "Sure, have a seat." Theodore said  Kieran sat down next to Theodore and pulled out his own books.
                                                                      "It's been a pretty rough night. How's your work going?" Kieran said trying to distract himself from what happened. Theodore shrugged, his eyes flickering back to his notes.
                                                                         "It's fine. Just trying to get ahead in classes." As Kieran began working, Hector walked into the courtyard, looking somewhat lost. Spotting Kieran and Theodore, he made his way over.
                                                                           "Is this a good place to sit? I could use a study buddy." Hector said sheepishly mainly asking Kieran "My sister isn't the best study buddy"
                                                                      "Yeah, sure," Kieran said, gesturing to a spot on the bench. "We're just working on some homework." Hector settled down and took out his materials. However, the atmosphere quickly became strained, with Theodore and Hector barely acknowledging each other. The silence between them was palpable, and it was clear that any camaraderie was missing, due to Theodore and Hector not sharing the same blood status.  Kieran attempted to bridge the gap by making conversation.
                                                                   "So, Hector, how are you finding Slytherin so far? I know it's been a bit of a mixed bag for me." Hector glanced up briefly, his expression neutral.
                                                                    "It's okay. I'm still figuring things out." He said before adding "It isn't easy when eveyone is out to get you for being muggleborn"  Kieran turned to Theodore hoping to change topics.
                                                                       "And you, Theodore? How are you enjoying classes?" He asked as  Theodore barely looked up from his notes.
                                                                      "It's fine. Just busy with homework." Said Theodore making  Kieran sigh, sensing the tension. Maybe he couldn't be the best one to try and get them to not hate each other. After all changing a purebloods way of thinking was more difficult than finding a niddle in a hay stack. The silence fell again, with Kieran feeling increasingly isolated. They continued working on their homework until it was time for dinner. As the shadows lengthened and the castle's ambiance shifted from the quiet of study to the bustling energy of the evening meal, Theodore and Hector packed up their things and prepared to head to the Great Hall. Without exchanging a word, the two left for the Great Hall. Kieran, however, was momentarily distracted when he saw Draco walking purposefully toward Great hall.Kieran noticed Harry , Ron , and Zach walking back toward the Great hall aswell. He then noticed where Draco was heading and it was straight towards the trio. Kieran decided to check what was Malfoy's intentions as he followed not too far behind. 
                                                                            "Oi, Richardson!" Malfoy called  Zach making him stop on his tracks, Harry stopped a few feet away from Zach and Ron stopped because Harry Stopped. The three of them turn to see and with Malfoy Crabbe and Goyle were following as well. 
                                                                            "What do you want Malfoy" Harry Said once the boy and the two buffoons' walked close standing close to Zach, As Harry got close.
                                                                            "I only want to Talk to Richardson here. Not you, 'Pottah', nor Weasel. " He said as the buffoons with Malfoy laughed. Harry didn't budge.
                                                                             "Harry It's Okay I-I can Handle M-Malfoy y-you should go eat and s-save me a seat." He said as Harry was reluctantly pulled away by Ron. They walked past and Ron noticed Kieran and glared at him before entering the great hall. Kieran got closer to listen into Zach and Malfoy's conversation. 
                                                                              "W-what do you w-want M-Malfoy?" Zach said stuttering earning slight laughs from Malfoy's Gooney. Malfoy did his signature smirk
                                                                             "The day I saw you with 'Pottah' and Weasel I thought you were a nobody, but then I sent my father a letter asking about you and your family. Would you believe my surprise that your from a well Know pureblood family from America. A very powerful one as well and- " He was saying as Zach interrupted.
                                                                           "Would you hurry and g-get to the point? I w-want to go eat and you are t-taking a long time t-to explain y-your purpose" Zach said as politely as he can as his stuttering made him sound scared.
                                                                         "You want to get straight to business? I like that Richardson. The offer I gave 'Pottah' on he train now stand for you Richardson. You could use more powerful and rich allies just as yourself. I can be that ally. This Includes protection. I and the rest of the Slytherin will give a exception to you. We wouldn't want you hanging with Blood traitors like Weasley's, or Half-blood like that 'Pottah' or even the disgusting mudbloods from Gryffindor and the other houses. What do you say?" He still had his trademark smirked with his hand extended waiting for Him to accept and shake his hand. Kieran Scoffed making the other realized he was there 
                                                                         "Seriously Malfoy?" Kieran spoke "Is that how you want to have him accept your friendship? By insulting the people who he is close with?" Kieran asked 
                                                                         "Mind your Own Business Cunningham, This is Between Richardson and -" He was saying but Zach interrupted. 
                                                                           "Thanks but no thank you Malfoy. I can't stand hypocrites and power hungry jerks like yourself. I prefer being with the Supposed Blood traitor Weasley and the Half-Blood Potter than being with a lausy git such as yourself and your big, ugly and dumb goonies." I said as his stutter and shyness dissapeared  "Now if you excuse me I better go eat" I added turning his back at Malfoy. Kieran stuck his tongue mockingly at Malfoy and followed right next to Zach 
                                                                            "Malfoy is the worst am i right?" Kieran said tried to cheer Zach
                                                                             "Yeah he is" He chuckled as they went into the Great hall.  Inside, Zach went to his table and Kieran went to Slytherin Table. though they could hear the small "My Father will hear about this" From Malfoy, that confrontation had gathered a crowd and some where surprised with Zach's reaction as he  went to Harry and Ron and to probably  explained what Malfoy wanted and what Zach  answered. Kieran on the other hand went to sit next to Millicent and Daphne since there were no other spots Kieran could sit. Just as the dinner feast started Kieran began having a conversation with both Millicent and Daphne asking them about how they were enjoying their first week here.
                                                                                "So, how's your first week been?" Kieran asked, looking at Millicent and Daphne. "Are you finding the classes and homework manageable?" Daphne, who had a composed and thoughtful demeanor, replied first.
                                                                              "It's been interesting so far. The classes are pretty demanding, but I'm enjoying Potions the most. Professor Snape's methods are... intense, but I think it'll be fascinating once we get into more complex mixtures." Millicent, who had a more blunt and straightforward personality, added,
                                                                               "I'm still trying to get used to all the reading. Herbology seems okay, but Transfiguration is already giving me a headache. The homework is piling up faster than I expected." Kieran nodded sympathetically.
                                                                              "Yeah, I can relate. I had a hard time keeping up with everything, too. It's definitely a lot different from what I was used to." He said before he added "Tho I am really enjoying Charms. I wish Defense agaisnt the dark arts was better"  Daphne looked thoughtful.
                                                                                "True, but it's all part of the adjustment, I guess. I'm excited to see what the rest of the year will bring. I've heard some really interesting things about the advanced classes."
                                                                               Millicent rolled her eyes slightly. "I'm just hoping I can keep up. There's so much to remember. But I guess we'll manage. We don't have much choice, do we?"
                                                                              "Do you have any favorite classes?" Kieran asked them
                                                                              "I'm liking potions despite it's dificulty" Daphne said smiling.
                                                                              "They all seem borring" Millicent said
                                                                            "Yeah.... but definately not as Boring as History of Magic" Kieran said making the girls agree with him. 

                               One thing that Kieran was hating was How Malfoy seemed to bully people like Harry and Obviously Hector. Luckily the Slytherin's and Gryffindors only shared potions together that was until one day a notice about flying lessons was in the dorm notice and Kieran read that they'd be having the class with the Gryffindors. Which he hoped Wasn't going to be something awful for Harry. Throught the week leading to Flying lessons Malfoy and other people began boasting about being good on a broomstick even Ron saying he used to used Charlie's old broomstick. Making the people who have never flied before feel abit insecure about themselves. Kieran caught sayings that Zach was the only Gryffindor who did not mind that they were having Flying lessons with the Slytherins. Kieran even saw a Pissed Zach walking towards the School courtyard so Kieran who happened to be alone walked to him 
                                                 "Hey! You looked mad" He said "What's wrong?"
                                                "Just the slimey git of Ron" Zach said as he sighed angrily "Just being a git saying all Slytherins are evil" 
                                                    " I mean thats what most families do..." He said before adding "Well most family who don't have family members in Slytherin. I mean Ron and I used to be close... but since I was sorted into this house he just began treating me differently" 
                                                    "oh tha slimey Git!" Zach huffed.
                                                    "Relax... I've known Ron... since we were kids... He will apologize sooner or later and we will be friends again" Kieran said smiling which some what calmed Zach. With that They each went to their respective common rooms. 

                                                              

                After that Interraction with Zach, Kieran was back in the common room as He listened to the other first year Slytherin, were still boasting of how food they were at Flying. Which caused Hector to get even more nervous mainly because he had never flown a Broomstick. So it was definately understandable his nervousness. At breakfast, on Thursday I was peacefully having my breakfast at the Slytherin Table with a nervous Hector next to me as we noticed Hermionie at the Gryffindor table probably boring peopel with fun facts from Quidditch thruout the ages. Neville was hanging on to her every word, desperate for anything that might help him hang on his broomstick later, but everyone else was pleased when Hermione's lecture was interrupted by the arrival of the mail. Malfoy's eagle owl was always bringing him packages of sweets from home, which he opened at the Slytherin table. A barn owl brought Neville a small package from his grandmother. He opened excitedly to reveal a remember all. Neville was explaining what it does when it turns red and his face drops as he was trying to remember what he had forgotten when Malfoy came and snatched the remember all out from his hand. Harry and Ron jumped on their feet. They were half hoping for a reason to fight Malfoy, but Professor McGonagall, who could spot trouble quicker than any teacher in the school, was there in a flash. It was good because who knows what kind of trouble could of happened if there wasn't a professor to stop Malfoy. Rudy, Zach's owl arrived with a small package and a letter with a few muggle Stamps, but Zach was no were to be seen. Which was a bit strange it appears that after him and Ron argued they have been rarely in the same room. Kieran let out a deep sigh before him and Hector were the first people out of the great hall.