A.J RYAN IN THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Chapter Seven - Start of Classes

I had met my roommates last night – Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet. They had been sitting near me at the start of year feast and were part of the group of people listening in when I talked. They were very welcoming, and after half an hour of chatting I excused myself to go to sleep.

This morning I had woken around seven – the usual time I got up – but the others were still fast asleep.

I paused as I walked across the common room when I saw Fred and George's notice on the board.

GALLONS OF GALLEONS

Pocket money failing to keep pace with your outgoings? Like to earn a little extra gold? Contact Fred and George Weasley, Gryffindor common room, for simple, part-time, virtually painless jobs. (We regret that all work is undertaken at applicant's own risk.)

I gave a snort and continued out the portrait hole. I wandered off to the special bathroom assigned to the Prefects. The bathtub was like a small swimming pool with multiple taps to choose from. I decided to start on one side and work my way around, it would probably take the year to use them all.

I returned to the common room and glanced towards the noticeboard, Hermione was pulling down the twin's sign. Ron and Harry were with her. I headed for the Great Hall ahead of them.

Terence walked towards me once I climbed down the marble stairs into the Entrance Hall.

A bunch of fourth-year Ravenclaw's hurried past, after they gave a nervous glance at the stairs. Terence's greeting was caught in his throat as he watched them march between us. I turned to look who was on the stairs – Harry.

"Yeah, we really ought to be trying to make friends with people like that," Harry said sarcastically as he, Ron and Hermione walked past us.

I smiled and finally turned to Terence. "Hey."

"Hi, how's your first morning going?" He grinned sweetly.

"Yeah good. You heading to breakfast?" I pointed at the door to the Great Hall.

"Yeah." He turned around and we walked in together.

I looked at my table on the other end of the hall and back to his. "Do you think we can sit together?" I asked tentatively.

He shrugged, "Why not." He took my hand and marched me over to the end of the table where his friend Aaron was.

"Hey A.J." Aaron greeted as I was pulled down between the two.

There were a few muffles and glances my way until Terence spoke up.

"She's with me." He took advantage of this to put his arm around my shoulder. "Got a problem with that?" He shot defensively.

They turned away as hundreds of owls came fluttering into the hall through the high windows. The ceiling of the Great Hall was a cloudy grey, and the owls dripped cold droplets of water as they delivered letters and packages to their owners.

Terence's arm didn't move from around me as he pulled a plate of toast towards him. I leaned against him and settled for some water and crumpets.

Then the Professors started to shuffle along the house tables handing out schedules. I stood to leave for my own house table, as Terence finally dropped his arm from around me.

"See you soon." He smiled. Aaron smirked at his smitten friend.

Professor McGonagall smiled and waved her wand over the timetable before handing four sheets of parchment to me. I took them and went and sat down at the table.

I eyed it while I listened to the conversation around me.

"And speaking of your Skiving Snackboxes, you can't advertise for testers on the Gryffindor noticeboard." Hermione stared down Fred and George.