How to Love

II. Smile

       She wasn't the prettiest girl in his opinion. The first day she sat beside Percy in front of him on the Gryffindor’s table didn't move him as much. He felt nothing special; just the joy of having another student in the house he belong in. She didn't left a mark to him and she made it easy for him to categorize her as one of the students of Hogwarts, just another face he will see in the Gryffindor tower, another person to try their products on. 

            As weeks have passed however, he can't help but notice her all alone every day. She would often be seen with a book in hand, sometimes reading and sometimes she would stare at her juvenile schoolmates. It intrigued him why a girl like her was all alone; surely she already made some friends? He didn’t really know the girl but by the fact that she was small, she was definitely a first year. That made sense to him; he shrugged the girl off knowing that she might be homesick or just shy. 

            A month had passed and to his much confusion, the girl seemed to be not making any plans on having friends. He, his twin and Jordan would still pass by her without a companion; carrying her books that was too heavy for her. Once, they asked if they could help her but she just looked down and shook her head, continuing to walk. 

            "What's her deal?" George asked. They were eating their dinner when he noticed the girl they wanted to help a couple of weeks ago eating alone at the far end of the table again. 

            "You should ask Ron, they might be in some class together," Jordan shrugged, glancing at the bushy-haired girl. 

            "She's mental, that girl," Ron said when he swallowed his food.

            "Why? Does she fancy Mr. Filch?" Fred grinned, earning a few fake gags from his friends. 

            "Worse, she likes studying! I swear to Merlin she knows everything a professor would ask to the class!" the little Weasley explained and pointedly at her.

            "What's wrong with that?" Jordan frowned and put down his goblet. 

            "She also likes to join in conversations acting all responsible and smart. She's infuriating, acting she knows everything," Ron exclaimed and started shoving chicken in his mouth.

            "She might hear you," Katie hushed. 

            "Oh let her hear me. I reckon it's better for her. Blimey, that's why she doesn’t have any friends," he chuckled.

            "Little mean Ronny, mum would kill you if she heard you insult what's-her-name?" George grinned. 

            "Hermione Granger," Harry finally said.

            "Hermione Granger? The know-it-all mudblood?" Draco joined in, he was talking from his table. Crabbe and Goyle laughed beside him. 

            "What did he say?" Fred stared at him in horror. 

            "Hermione's a muggleborn! A mudblood, Weasley!" Draco smirked. 

            "You are not to talk to any of the muggleborns like that Mr. Malfoy," Percy stated, his arm around Hermione's shoulder. 

            "Oh I'm scared," Draco sneered. 

            Percy smiled at him, "Charming, Malfoy." 

            He turned to his brothers, "As for all of you, you are not to make fun of your fellow Gryffindors."