Making Magic (n.s.)

second years

FALL

Returning to Howarts for another year still excited Niall, despite some of the hardships he faced last year.

He was excited to see and talk to Luke, and he was also a little antsy to see how Harry would act around him. Would he ignore him? Would he talk to him? They weren't even really friends in the first place, but Niall appreciated the company when Harry wasn't being rude and obnoxious.

But part of him thought that Harry could possibly change, either for the better or the good. Maybe he would be kinder this year and Niall could befriend him? He did defend Niall before the end of last year too. Or maybe he would completely ignore Niall and call him what all the others did.

However, Harry didn't plan on doing anything with Niall. At all. He decided that it would be best if he just pretended Niall didn't exist so his friends wouldn't joke about him hanging out with Hufflepuffs anymore.

So when they all arrived in the Great Hall, Niall with Luke, clutching the taller blonde boy, and Harry with Louis, his arms crossed, it was a little tense.

They watched the first years be sorted, just like how they were last year, and Niall found himself smiling at their reactions and standing up and cheering loudly when another Hufflepuff was welcomed.

Harry found himself watching Niall.

Niall eventually made eye contact with Harry once, and before Harry could look away, Niall threw a little friendly smile at him, hoping that maybe it would make Harry hate him less.

But the truth was, Harry didn't hate Niall, he just didn't know how to be friends with him. All of his other friends and most of his family discriminated against muggle-borns, and he couldn't imagine how they would act if they found out he hung out with Niall all the time.

So what was he supposed to do?

For those first three or so months, Niall almost avoided Harry, scared by all of the looks his friends would send him, even though he and Harry hadn't yet talked. 

However, one crisp October evening, Harry decided to take a stroll through the grounds himself. He tucked his green and silver scarf into his thicker robes and stuffed his gloved hands into his pockets. He felt around for the pen that was mostly always with him, the one that Niall gave him last year. He didn't know why, but he always felt a little better when he had it, almost like a good luck charm, and he used it regularly. 

He was stomping on the crunchy leaves when his eye caught someone sitting under the Whomping Willow. Once he saw that it was Niall, his heart starting racing, nervous for the small blonde boy. 

Harry advanced towards Niall, hesitantly. "Niall," He whispered. "Niall."

Niall looked up, his wide blue eyes meeting Harry's. "Oh, Harry." 

"Niall, what are you doing?" Harry asked urgently, and hushed. "Get away from there."

Niall just looked up at the seemingly calm tree, smiling a little and leaning back against it again with his book. "I'm fine."

"Niall, that thing is going to kill you!" 

Niall rolled his eyes and smiled. "It won't hurt you if you're nice to it, you know." 

"That's not true." Harry scoffed. 

"Yeah, you're right," Niall smiled. "I pressed the knot near the base, which renders the tree immobile. It's still alive and okay, it just won't become violent."

Harry approached Niall and sat under the tree with him slowly. "Where did you learn that?" 

"Hagrid." Niall said.