Freaks: Year Two

Stuck In The Floo Network, Stuck In The Middle Of NOWHERE!!!

Referenced torture, emetophobia.

"Harry, sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"Everything!"

"That doesn't really clear up anything dear," his Mother, Celestina told him from where she was sitting on the couch in the living room. She had picked up her son from Platform 9 and ¾ to immediately notice the panic he was in and now they had been home for about an hour and he still had yet to tell her what was the matter.

"Did you get in a disagreement with Jasper?" Celestina asked.

"What? No," Harry said.

"Okay, so what's the matter?"

"Everything."

"Can you be a tad more specific?"

Harry let out a heavy sigh, slouching on the couch. "I got asked to tutor a first year student in History Of Magic."

"That's amazing, I'm so proud of you," his Mother smiled, but his reaction was still confusing to her. Harry had always wanted to do something along the lines of tutoring when he was in school and he had finally gotten that chance. In his favourite subject too! "So what is the matter?"

"It's a Slytherin!" Harry exclaimed. "I have to tutor a Slytherin!!"

"What about Slytherins?" his Father asked, coming into the living room, a glass of water in hand.

"I have to tutor one!"

"You got asked to tutor a student? That's great," his father said. "Why do you look so upset?"

"It's a Slytherin Ro," Celestina said.

"Yeah, I am not really following..."

"Slytherins are awful!" Harry exclaimed before his Mother could even get the chance to answer. "They don't like halfbloods or muggleborns or muggles, they only like purebloods that believe in the blood purist ideology and now, I was so stupid that I never checked who I was tutoring so now I have to go in to the new term with tutoring a kid who hates me for my blood status! It's just horrible! I can't believe I didn't realise...it was so obvious."

"Well, maybe you can talk to the professor about your feelings," Harry's Dad tried. "I am sure he wouldn't force you to tutor someone who is hateful towards people who are halfbloods."

"But how do I know for sure?" Harry asked.

"Well, that's why you have to talk to him," his Mother said. "Maybe it won't be as bad as you're thinking. The kid could be nice."

"The kid is a Slytherin."

"Well, the child is also eleven," Harry's Mum pointed out. "They could just be a nice little kid who needs tutoring."

"And if they aren't?" Harry asked.

"Then talk to Professor Slughorn like your Dad said," Celestina said. "I am sure he'll take in your concerns and if he doesn't, tell us."

Harry slowly nodded, but his nerves had not been lessened. He really didn't want to worry his parents more than he had. Maybe his Mum would be right and if she wasn't, he would just have to tell Professor Slughorn his worries like his Dad had said. Maybe it would be okay. "Okay."

He still hoped he wouldn't have any nightmares that night.

Alabaster had waited until every student had exited the train, and then waited even more until almost the whole platform was empty before finally exiting the train.