The Three Brothers: The Cure

Colin Creevey

14th October 1992

"Heya Harry!"

Harry closed his eyes as he groaned inwardly. Not now, please. Opening his eyes back again, he discreetly looked for the source of the voice that had called out for him, so that he could avoid it and slip by to his dorm instead. He tried covering himself behind Ron's taller frame—all so that he couldn't be spotted by Colin Creevey.

It had been more than a month since term started, and Harry had already had enough of Colin to last him a lifetime. Colin—a muggleborn first-year Gryffindor—had read and heard all about the great Harry Potter before arriving at Hogwarts. Ever since term began, he had taken to following Harry around like a devoted little puppy in between classes and mealtimes—even sitting in the stands during their Quidditch practices and clicking away photos of 'Harry Potter in action.'

On one day, Colin managed to muster his courage and approached Harry to ask him for a signed photograph—just like those celebrities that Aunt Petunia gossiped about. Before Harry could politely refuse him, Malfoy—who had overheard the conversation—dropped in with his usual fresh air, taunting Harry about selling signed photos. If that wasn't enough by itself, Professor Lockhart had to overhear the bloody words 'signed photos' and step in to toot his own horn, insisting Colin take a photograph of them both. This all was too much for Harry; he slipped past both Lockhart and Colin, avoiding them as much as he could ever since.

"Harry!" Colin called out again, waving his arms as he made towards where Harry was; Harry made a mental note to not use Ron as camouflage in the future. Realising it was better to get it over with quickly, he took a deep breath before facing his overexcited fan.

"Yes, Colin?"

Seeing the look of nervousness on Colin's face, Harry began to regret asking that question. If whatever Colin wanted had the boy gripped in nervousness, it wasn't bound to be any good.

"Oh—I was—I was wondering," Colin began, sounding more unsure than he had previously. "I was wondering If I could take that picture of yours? I already developed the one with Professor Lockhart you see, but your face isn't clear enough in that one."

Colin was sounding desperate now, trying hardest to convince Harry. "I want to send it to my dad, you see—and my younger brother—so, can you—"

Harry decided to interrupt him before he could word his request any further.

"I'm sorry Colin, but I really need to be going to—to the library."

Ron looked at Harry incredulously; they had just returned from there, having spent three hours studying Transfiguration with Hermione. He obviously didn't want to go back, but a look from Harry silenced him for the moment. Colin, however, was not discouraged by Harry's excuse.

"Oh, that's great! Can I come too? My dad will love a picture of Harry Potter studying in the library. You don't even need to sign it!"

"I—you don't want to take a picture of me in the library. I'll just be staring at a book, or writing some notes. It'll be the most boring picture possible. Isn't that true Ron?" Harry replied as he kicked Ron in the foot.

"Ow—yeah, yeah. You don't want a picture of Harry studying," said Ron. "He—He dozes off quite a lot. Isn't a pretty sight. He looks like a—like a sleeping iguana."

The instant those words left his mouth, Ron's eyes closed and his face took on an expression of regret. Colin's, on the other hand, took on one of wonder and amazement.

"Iguana? That's so cool! Please, can I—"

Harry turned to Ron with a betrayed expression, and Ron mouthed a silent sorry. Before Colin could rope Harry into a photoshoot, someone interrupted them.