Puppet Strings (Hogwarts x Reader)

Chapter 5

In no time at all, Defense Against the Dark Arts had become most people's favorite class. Only Draco Malfoy and his gang of Slytherins had anything bad to say about Professor Lupin.

"Look at the state of his robes," Malfoy would say in a loud whisper as Professor Lupin passed. "He dresses like our old house-elf."

But no one else cared that Professor Lupin's robes were patched and frayed. His next few lessons were just as interesting as the first. After boggarts, they studied Red Caps, nasty little goblinlike creatures that lurked wherever there had been bloodshed: in the dungeons of castles and the potholes of deserted battlefields, waiting to bludgeon those who had gotten lost. From Red Caps they moved on to kappas, creepy water-dwellers that looked like scaly monkeys, with webbed hands itching to strangle unwitting waders in their ponds.

There was no more mention of boggarts. Y/n didn't blame him—no doubt what had happened had to be reported.

Y/n only wished she was as happy with some of her other classes. Worst of all was Potions. Snape was in a particularly vindictive mood these days.

Y/n was also growing to dread the hours spent in Professor Trelawney's stifling tower room, deciphering lopsided shapes and symbols, trying to ignore the way Professor Trelawney's enormous eyes filled with tears every time she looked at her. She couldn't like Professor Trelawney, even though she was treated with respect bordering on reverence by many of the class. Some students had even started using hushed voices whenever they spoke to Y/n, as though she were on her deathbed.

Nobody really liked Care of Magical Creatures, which, after the action-packed first class, had become extremely dull. Hagrid seemed to have lost his confidence. They were now spending lesson after lesson learning how to look after flobberworms, which had to be some of the most boring creatures in existence.

Y/n's mood worsened. She'd been trying to corner Harry for weeks and every time Ron was there, pulling Harry away. It hurt, mostly because Harry didn't seem like he was fighting back very hard. She'd talked to Hermione about it, but the girl didn't know what to do.

"I tried to talk to them," Hermione had said. "Really, I did."

"And what did they say?"

"Ron....um....you actually might now want to know."

Y/n was scowling the rest of that day.

One day in October, Y/n had had enough. After classes, she marched right up to the painting of the Fat Lady that lead to the Gryffindor common room, huffing.

"What are you doing here?" the portrait asked, frowning.

"Coming to see my brother."

"Well, Slytherin's aren't allowed."

"They are if they have the password."

"And do you have the password?"

Y/n faltered. "Well...."

Just then, a tall ginger boy bounded up the steps. He stopped when he saw Y/n. "Oh, it's the Heir of Slytherin!" he said cheerfully.

"Excuse me?"

"Running joke last year about Harry. S'just funny now that there actually is a Potter in Slytherin."

Y/n fumed.

The boy laughed and gently pushed her shoulder playfully. She was surprised at the familiar gesture.

"Oh, come off it, I'm only joking. I know you're cool, Harry told us about you before you came."

Y/n's frown dissipated. In fact, she found herself fighting a smile. "I suppose that makes up for it. What's your name?"

"Awe come on, don't you recognize me?"