Not Just Our Story

Chapter 11: (No) Thanks to Weasley

September 2, 1992

Draco Malfoy

I can't believe I tried to look for Potter in the train. A silly rumor, really, said she missed the train and had to take the Knight Bus with Weasley.

At lunch, I was walking around the courtyard with Crabbe and Goyle when I spotted her, standing next to Weasley and a rambling first-year with a large camera.

"All right, Harriet? 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?" he raised his camera hopefully.

Potter stared at him. "A---a picture?"

"So I can prove I've met you," Creevey said, edging forward. "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---" his eyes tried to look past Potter's bangs. "---and a boy in my dormitory said if I develop the film in the right potion, the pictures'll move." He drew a great shuddering breath of excitement.

"Er...just to be honest, Colin, I... have a fear of...um...well, I...I'd really appreciate it if you don't take my picture."

"Please, Harriet," he implored. "I'm taking loads of pictures so I can send them home to my dad. It'd be really good if I had one of you. Maybe your friend could take it and I could stand next to you? It won't take too much of your time. And then, could you sign it?"

I immediately spoke up. "Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?"

"N-no, no..." she stammered. Of course, she can't be persuaded to give a distinguished photo of herself... but I do want one. Perhaps a little push in the right direction would get her to give me one. "Everyone line up!" I shouted to the students. "Harriet Potter's giving out signed photos!"

"What? No, I'm not!" she cried.

Creevey piped up as he faced me. "You're just jealous."

"Jealous?"

Half the courtyard was listening.

"Of what?" I continued. "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."

Crabbe and Goyle sniggered.

"Eat slugs, Malfoy," barked Weasley. Crabbe stopped laughing and started rubbing his knuckles menacingly.

"Ron, he wasn't trying to be mean," Potter told him.

"He doesn't need to try to be mean. Can't you see what he's doing? He's humiliating you!"

"What he said was true, though," Potter quietly said, lowering her head and hunching her shoulders with her lips pursed. Seeing his friend making herself small, Weasley glared at me.

"Don't listen to him, Harry. He's just making you feel bad about yourself."

"Was telling everyone she's giving out signed photos such a bad thing?" I innocently asked.

"Maybe you want one, Malfoy," Weasley retorted, and I tried to look neutral.

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

Weasley whipped out his wand, but Granger shut her book with a snap and whispered, "Look out!"

"What's all this, what's all this?"

Lockhart came striding along. "Who's giving out signed photos?" He looked around and caught sight of Potter. "Shouldn't have asked," he flung an arm around her shoulders. "We meet again, Harriet!" She chewed her lower lip and her cheeks blushed red...and I must say, it was an attractive bit of color. "Come on then, Mr. Creevey, a double portrait, can't do better than that, and we'll both sign it for you."