Reality Bites Harry Potter

Interviewing the Initiates

Being the leader of the Gingerpuffs was a lot of work. Between handling any arguments among the members, making sure we keep out of trouble to stay on the teachers good sides, and making sure all missions run smoothly it was hard sometimes to remember the pros of leadership. But when Astoria Greengrass approaches me at breakfast the morning before classes start I quickly remember. "Shay, I wanted to talk to you. It's about the Gingerpuffs" she says and I look at her. "I was planning to try to talk to you eventually" I say and she smiles. "I have no doubt you did but I figured I'd take the initiative and approach you. I put together a list of reasons I think I'd be perfect for your group" she says, handing me a parcel. "You did her work for her? That's already a step in the right direction" Alex jokes and I roll my eyes at her. "Thank you, Astoria. I'll read over this and get back to you" I say and she pouts but walks away. "Why didn't you just tell her she's in? You already told us" Hannah says and I sigh. "Because we have initiation ceremonies for a reason. I like throwing parties and having the fun kind of dramatic situations. If I just tell her she's in that takes the fun away" I say and Susan rolls her eyes. "Actually, that makes sense. The reason the Gingerpuffs are praised so much is that Shay is choosy and they throw the best parties. It wouldn't make sense to just let any first year walk up, ask nicely, and get in" Alex says. I smirk. "I told you there's a method to my madness" I tease. Fred walks up and kisses me quickly before sitting next to me. "Homework already?" He asks, gesturing to the parcel in my hand. "No but good guess. Astoria Greengrass wrote out an application for the Gingerpuffs. She's definitely determined to get in" I say and he smiles. "Look at that, guys. The Gingerpuffs are the clique to join. Everybody wants to be a part of it" he says and I roll my eyes. "You make it sound like I'm head cheerleader or something" I mumble and he shrugs. "As far as popularity goes you kind of are the top tier" Pansy points out and I blush. As much as I loved our group I didn't like thinking of it as a popularity contest. I just liked having something special to tie all of my friends together, kind of like Dumbledore's Army but without honoring a gross old man who hides behind children. "I'm gonna go try and find Luca. He caught my attention at the sorting ceremony and I want to talk to him to see if he's worth adding" I say. Technically it wasn't a lie but honestly I needed away from the conversation that listed me as the queen bee. I'm not that kind of girl. I find Luca towards the end of the Gryffondor table, eating alone. "Mind if I sit here?" I ask and he looks up. "If you want but I highly doubt I'm the kind of company you keep. I'm not into preppies or jocks" he says and I frown. "What are you into then? Maybe animals like me or healing like my sister? How about pranks like my boyfriend or books like my best friend? I think you're judging us before you even know us and I don't like that. Just because we look different than you doesn't mean we actually are" I say and he looks down. "I didn't mean anything bad, I just don't do well with attention. I prefer to stay out of the spotlight" he says softly. "I get that. Trust me, I know the feeling of wanting out of the spotlight. If you're interested in the Gingerpuffs let me know, I'm still figuring out this years initiates so there's no pressure" I say, getting up to leave. "Is it true you're working with the animals? I heard that in the common room this morning, people gossip a lot about you" he says and I frown. "Yes, I'm working with Hagrid as his apprentice. But don't believe all the rumors, please. I've heard a few of them myself and they're not even close to true" I say, heading out to Hagrid's hut. "Does it ever get easier, dealing with rumor mills and popularity?" I ask and he laughs. "I don't know a thing about being popular but I can tell ya ignoring the rumors comes with time" he says, leading me to the back where Buckbeak is kept. I gasp. "He's beautiful" I say softly. "Be careful, he's hungry so he's a bit moody" he says. I take his food to his trough and feed him, backing away quickly after. I was respectful of animals but also aware most of them were wild and I was scared of that. "It'll get easier" Hagrid says when he sees my face. After he eats Hagrid walks me through how to approach Buckbeak. I bow to him and he bows back and I approach, gently petting him. "See? He loves you" he says and I smile. "How could anyone hate such amazing creatures?" I say softly and Hagrid nods. "You're definitely gifted with them, not everyone is as loving as you" he says. I help feed and take care of the other animals and then head back to the castle, finding Fred and spending time with him. I was determined this school year to be a better girlfriend and be there for him more. If only I had someone to help with all the group stuff. After dinner I head back to the dorms and lay down, knowing I had to be up extra early tomorrow to make the invites for Astoria and Luca. I still wasn't sure he'd accept but I wanted to try with him. I fall asleep quickly, thinking of how crazy this year was going to be.