Gideon Drake and the Fire Within (Harry Potter Sequel/Spinoff)

Chapter Three: Parting Shot

Gideon Maxwell had hoped his very last day of primary school would be spent simply exchanging well wishes, playing games or maybe re-enacting the Year Six musical one last time. Unfortunately, his classmates had other ideas. After a vote, they decided on an extended PE session with the whole year group.

Gideon was sure it wouldn't be anything particularly strenuous or educational, but he would sooner just spend the time reading. Still, he could endure it knowing that the summer break would finally begin at three fifteen PM. He begrudgingly got changed into his PE clothes for the last time, and hastily re-flattened his long fringe of dark brown hair over his forehead.

After a quick warm-up followed by some games with bean bags and hoops, the teachers suggested a round of dodgeball, which Gideon despised. The pupils began to split into teams and Gideon waited patiently until his name was finally called, last, of course. He was used to that. With his health issues, he couldn't even be angry with his classmates for picking him last.

He had always been something of a sickly child and physical activities just weren't his forte. In fact, on the rare occasion when he performed well in PE, it was usually preceded by him requiring a puff from his inhaler.

Gideon wasn't disliked, but he'd never made any real friends at Johnston Primary. In his first few years at the school, his differences weren't that noticeable to the other children. It was only when they were seven or eight years old that his classmates started to notice Gideon's health issues—and odd looks.

He was easily the shortest boy in his year. He was also very pale. It was his eyes, however, that stood out the most. Gideon had heterochromia, which his parents told him meant he was born with two differently coloured eyes. His right was a deep blue while the left was a vivid green, with hazel around the centre.

Gideon didn't mind his left eye, he thought it looked interesting. Unfortunately, the contrast of bright and different colours against his dark hair and pale complexion was extremely noticeable. To Gideon's way of thinking, it made him look creepy. That was why he had grown his hair out enough to cover the right side of his face with his fringe, although, it didn't really make much of a difference.

When Gideon was younger, there were occasions when he was invited over to the other pupils' houses for birthdays, sleepovers and such, but something would always happen to him to ruin the fun, and his parents would have to collect him.

Whether it was because of his asthma, his anaemia, his allergies or simply being unable to keep up with the other boys, eventually the invitations just stopped coming. He soon found himself playing and eating alone most days. Then, the teasing began.

Gideon had begged his mother to let him be home-schooled on numerous occasions, but she always maintained her belief that it was important for him to learn about the Muggle world and mix with Muggle children. So, he adapted to the pressures of school life by keeping his head down.

He spoke only when spoken to in classes and found quiet areas of the playground to read or draw by himself during break times. When bullies targeted Gideon, he quickly learned not to fall for their provocations or even to react at all, and eventually, they opted for pretending he didn't exist, which was just fine by him. Johnston Primary School had been a lonely place for Gideon, but he had stuck it out knowing that it was only a temporary inconvenience.

After the dodgeball teams had been picked, Gideon decided to head to the back of the hall, where he wouldn't get in the way, and where he could avoid getting hit or having to throw for a while. It would at least look like he was making an effort to join in.

As he absent-mindedly made his way to the far corner, Gideon failed to notice the whispers making their way around the room. Jason Crawley was his team's Captain. He was also something of a bully, and top of Gideon's list of people he would not miss come three o'clock. As the two teachers engaged in conversation, it was Jason who called a start to the game, 'NOW!'