Chapter 4
My time to shine had arrived, at last. You see, today was the day Harry Potter visited the Wizarding World for the very first time. Of course, as the main character, yours truly would never pass up the opportunity barge in on such a historical moment! First impressions are everything people! Ergo-the last week I'd been plotting like a Bond villain up in my room all day. I could tell good ol' mom and pop were starting to get a bit freaked out by all the conspiring after day three. Alas, the show must go on.
Basically my plan was to "accidentally" bump into Harry when he was alone. Super smart, I know right?
So all morning I'd been stalking Harry and Hagrid. Very discreetly I might add. Thankfully after months of prowling these alleys, I was basically the second coming of Batman. Diagon was officially my bitch. So it was with ease that I slipped between shops and wizards alike and out of view.
Looking back at my prey, I noticed the time to strike was now. For Hagrid had left our very own BWL alone. Probably not the smartest decision, I mean wasn't he a high profile child in a new city with his own personal hoard of fanatics chasing after his curtails for clout? But like those old people always said, 'never look a gift horse in the mouse', so I stumbled forward, disregarding all thoughts of child endangerment.
It was with an Oscar worthy performance that I crashed into Harry. Actually, I might have been a bit overzealous with it because somehow I ended up right on top of his chest with us both splattered against the cobblestone floor like flies on a windshield.
Hearing a prepubescent groan, I quickly composed myself. Green eyes locked onto brown, widening in shock. For a moment I just sat there contemplating my life's choices. Somehow it had all culminated to this??
The boy I'd knocked over was around my same height, with black hair, pale skin, and lego ninjago Lloyd green eyes.
"I'm so sorry! Are you alright!?" I exclaimed playing up the shock as my chocolate curls fanned out around us.
Clearly not expecting such an occurrence, poor Harry was left stuttering out reassurances as his cheeks gained a pink hue. Realizing we were still on the crusty floor(probably home to thousands of ancient magical diseases), I scrambled up.
"That was a shock," I laughed out, cheeks dimpling with full charm and maximum sunshine aura.
"I'm Hermione Granger,” I stated as I stuck my hand out.
Remembering plan 3 part C, I quickly willed a soft breeze to perfectly sweep through my hair. Imagine Baywatch, but way cooler. Glossing over my previous attempts at this, which had created a mini tornado two inches from my face, the magic was fabulous and perfect for my movie-esque pose.
Thankfully, Harry wasn't one to leave me hanging and clasped my hand back allowing me to pull him up, "Yeah, no kidding. I'm Harry," he mumbled with a shy smile.
Wow, seems like he’s already afraid of a potential mauling if he name drops.
"Sorry about that, I was scrambling to get a book I forgot for school," I said sheepishly.
Harry perked up immediately, "Oh yeah, Hogwarts right? Are you a first year too?"
"That's right! I just learned about magic a couple months ago. No one else in my family has magic so I've been exploring everything."
"Me too! I just learned about it today actually.”
To say we hit it off like that time I got T-boned in an intersection by Taco Bell wouldn’t be too far from the truth. Once Harry realized he wasn’t the only one new to this world, the damn broke and suddenly he was all chatter. Fair enough, I mean he did basically just get kidnapped by a half giant.
“-and the letters just kept coming! Every day more and more until I thought the house might explode, it was totally wicked! Drove my Uncle absolutely barmy.”
Hearing about it straight from Harry, felt like watching your favorite movie but with the directors cut. Sure the story was the same but I also learned stuff I never knew before. Either it was new to the plot or maybe just left out previously. Who knows but I chose not to dwell on it. You’ll never catch me lacking. Besides, even if I didn’t have all the facts, my goal remained the same. Right now it was to make Harry my best friend and not Rons. Nothing against Ron, but nothing says side character like being the second bestie. Im not over here trynna gain some kind of complex.
Eventually we made it to Harry’s previously planned destination which turned out to be Madam Malkins. Harry didn’t seem to mind me tagging along. If anything he walked more confidently than when Hagrid had first skedaddled. Figuring I might as well go all in, I cheerfully strolled next to Harry as we entered the shop.
Before, during my planning era, I kinda drew a blank about what to do if I saw Draco Malfoy in the alley. Like wasn’t he some kind of racist?? As a character he was cool enough but I’d never been good and sitting back and watching people disrespect me. If a twerp wants to go, square up and be prepared to meet these noodle arms in the battle of the century. But all my contemplation fell by the wayside after I got my first look at the kid. If you thought I was a pale Victorian child, this guy took it to the next level. He looked like a bad sneeze might take him out with that almost too pale skin and hair. Harry might have been a skinny shortie but Draco had the look of someone who had been sheltered for life. I’m thinking Bubble Boy meets silver spoon. When his grey eyes locked on to us I could tell immediately, this kid was a brat. The kind that acts all cute to mom and dad but reigns terror when released upon the masses at recess.
Harry and I were kinda lost in our own world spilling tea so we unintentionally excluded Draco mean girl style.
“Yeah but Dudley is a total tosser, so when Hagrid gave him a pig tail it was like payback for bullying every kid on our block his whole life.”
“Sounds like a total loser, but how will they get the tail off? I mean imagine he goes swimming and everyone thinks he’s half pig? I could care less about Dudley-no offense-but sounds like it might impact you if the government starts sending people to run tests on the family that created the first pig boy.”
“Huh, you know I never thought-“
*cough*
We both turned simultaneously, showing a level of synchronization that seemed to shock the local make-a-wish kid for a second. Gathering himself admirably he continued on.
“I couldn’t help but overhear, you’re both going into your first year at Hogwarts? Well so am I. My name is Draco Malfoy.” He exclaimed while sticking out one hand to Harry.
Before my eyes I saw my dream of being the main character start to crack.