Percy Jackson and the Heir of Slytherin [Book 2]

11) Lockhart's Class

After lunch we went outside to sit next to our favorite Ash tree, Ashley. Now that Harry knew about the Greek world, Ashley could talk to him too, but she didn't seem to want to today.

Hermione read Voyages with Vampires at the foot of the tree while Harry and Ron chatted. I climbed up the tree.

I was surprised to find a quarter, but I didn't question it. It was an American quarter though, which was a little strange as we are somewhere in not America. To be fair, I'm not sure where Hogwarts is. McGonagall just said 'an undisclosed location' when I asked her about it in a letter. I just know that the train would have to go over water if it were in America.

I climbed down when I heard a voice, "All right, Harry? I'm — I'm Colin Creevey. I'm in Gryffindor, too. D'you think — would it be all right if — can I have a picture?"

It was the boy from the sorting. He was holding up a Muggle camera.

"A picture?" Harry repeated.

"So I can prove I've met you," Colin said, walking closer. "I know all about you. Everyone's told me. About how you survived when You Know Who tried to kill you and how he disappeared and everything and how you've still got a lightning scar on your forehead, and a boy in my dormitory said if I developed the film in the right potion, the pictures'll move." Colon drew in an excited breath, "It's brilliant here, isn't it? I never knew all the odd stuff I could do was magic till I got the letter from Hogwarts. My dad's a milkman, he couldn't believe it either. So I'm taking loads of pictures to send home to him. And it'd be really good if I had one of you... maybe your friend could take it and I could stand next to you? And then, could you sign it?"

"Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?" Draco walked you behind Colin, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.

"Everyone queue up!" Draco shouted. "Harry Potter's giving out signed photos!"

"No, I'm not," Harry clenched his fists, "Shut up, Malfoy."

"You're just jealous," Colin said.

"Jealous?" Draco said. "Of what? I don't want a foul scar right across my head, thanks. I don't think getting your head cut open makes you that special, myself."

"Eat slugs, Malfoy," Ron said.

"Be careful, Weasley," Draco sneered. "You don't want to start any trouble or your mummy's have to come and take you away from school. If you put another toe out of line—"

Some fifth hear Slytherins laughed at this.

"Weasley would like a signed photo, Potter," Draco smirked. "It'd be worth more than his family's whole house."

Ron pulled out his wand and Hermione shut her book, "Look out!"

"What's all this, what's all this?" Lockhart strode towards us. "Who's giving out signed photos?"

Lockhart locked eyes on Harry and threw an arm over his shoulder, "Shouldn't have asked! We meet again, Harry!"

Lockhart beamed at Colin, "Come on then, Mr. Creevey. A double portrait, can't say fairer than that, and we'll both sign it for you."

Colin took the picture just as the bell rang.

We all started towards the castle, watching Harry who was still awkwardly clasped to Lockhart's side.

"I have a feeling this is going to be a fun year for Harry," I said, heading towards Defense Against the Dark Arts with Ron and Hermione.

"Definitely," they said together.