Harry, Kat, and Spellbound ➩ Book 1 [Harry Potter] | #Wattys2016

[CHAPTER 11] Spooky News

After class, Kataleen found herself outside and met by Matrix, along with a boy just reaching his shoulders. Matrix was eyeing him warily, while the boy, looking amusingly proud and humble at the same time, was looking at her.

"Uh, Matrix, hey," she said, then turned her head around. Hermione, Ron, and Harry still weren't out, Harry obviously acting peacemaker as Ron and Hermione argued about something inside.

Matrix gave a tiny smile. "Uh, hey, Kataleen. Um, this is Irwin here. Irwin Mapco."

She looked at him with a smile, which faded as she saw his tie and badge colour, which was prominent of green. "Irwin. It seems that you're a... Slytherin?"

His pride faded, and his sheer humility remained as he nodded sheepishly. "But don't get me wrong, I'm not like the... other Slytherins. I'm Matrix's friend and wizard's chess buddy," he explained, patting Matrix's back.

Kataleen set her lips in a firm line. "Erm, sorry to say, but, I don't have much of a... liking, for Slytherin folks."

"I understand. No one does," Irwin nodded, crossing his arms. "But mind you, not all Slytherins are the type you know. Just because I'm a pure-blood I see it's not fair I was sorted this way."

"Irwin seems nice, so I became his friend," said Matrix, making her look at him. "That's also another reason why not much Gryffindors like me around."

"Oh, I see," she said, completely forgetting about the 3 left inside the Charms classroom. "Can I see your timetables?"

"Huh? Uh, sure," said Matrix, looking at Irwin. They both handed it over, and Kataleen immediately compared it with hers.

She handed it back some seconds later with a large smile. "Well, looks like we're going to the same class, Irwin. As for Matrix, why don't we all walk together and just separate ways at our respective classrooms?"

Seeing their confused looks, she huffed. "Irwin and I have Defence Against the Dark Arts up next. On the way to our D.A.D.A classroom we'll pass by the site of your flying lessons. So, we can drop you off at your study ground and then we'll just walk the rest of the way to our classroom. How about it?"

"It doesn't seem too bad," shrugged Matrix.

"But... Guys what would they think when they see two Gryffindors walking with a Slytherin?" Irwin whispered, eyeing sideways a group of Ravenclaw girls and a Hufflepuff boy who were glaring at them.

Kataleen and Matrix also looked at them, though briefly. "Nah, don't worry about them. Now come on, or we'll all be late for class."

As they walked, Irwin went on to say about how he was an outcast at his house. "Everyone would push down some Hufflepuffs and prank some Gryffindors and tease some Ravenclaw. Draco and some others once invited me, but I refused and told on them, which crossed them. From then on I usually do my work alone at my house."

"I see you fit for Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. Now how in the world would you get in Slytherin?" Kataleen commented as they made their way over a rocky path.

He shrugged. "I think I heard the Sorting Hat mumble something about how different I am from my parents, yet nonetheless have the Slytherin uniqueness in me."

"And I say that's preposterous," said Matrix, hands in pockets. "I mean, come on. I sat in the same compartment with Irwin on the train, and he seemed nice enough. The Sorting Hat made a big mistake."

"Mistake? Maybe not," she said, surprising them both as they stopped in their tracks. "I mean, I have full faith in that old hat. The teachers seem to have that much faith as well."