Classes
Monday 2, September 1991
It was the first day of classes, so naturally all of the teachers wasted their time doing ice breakers. One thing about me, I hate those stupid games. They are all pointless, but like everyone else I endure them simply so we can all move on in life without a fuss.
The only hitch, everyone was whispering about me in the halls, and all of my classmates gave inquisitorial looks. I assumed it was because of my dad, with all of the older students hating him. Come to find out word of my new found friendship with Tom spread like wildfire.
Even though people already didn’t like me I decided that I had to stop letting it get to me. It was dumb and pointless and now no one would say a word to me if they weren’t my friend. Unfortunately by the time dinner came around the first years that had potions that day (my classes alternate depending on the day) were glaring at me. I won’t have my fathers class until tomorrow so I really have nothing to say to these people. I just hope that his class is not as bad as people say that it is.
Tuesday 3, September 1991
Potions is my last class of the day so I sat anxiously in each of my classes waiting to see why so many people hate my father and by extension me. I had potions with draco so we walked to class together. “Do you think his class is really as bad as people say it is?” I ask nervously. “Honestly I don’t know, your father seems pretty strict in his classroom, but we’ll just have to wait and see… I doubt that it is as bad as you think though” Draco reassured. “Thank you I needed to hear that” I reapplied. And with that we walked into his classroom.
“There will be no foolish wand waving, or silly incantations in this class” my father says coldly to everyone in the classroom, and immediately I can tell that this is not the same man who has raised me. He put on some persona, my father comes across as mean, cold, and disliking of children. This upsets me because I know how nice, happy, and caring he can be so why doesn’t he act that way?
Draco noticed that this upset me and he gave me a tentative smile before looking back to the front of the class. The whole class my father would not look me in my eyes despite my distinct staring at him. As class was coming to an end I stopped paying attention and started to doodle on my paper for the last few minutes of class. My father had stopped lecturing and I had finished the homework he had assigned and turned it in. This however was not satisfactory to my father so he walked up behind me and asked loudly
“What is it that you think you are doing”
“Doodling because I have all my work done.”
“This is unacceptable behavior. If you finished the assigned task you are always to come and ask what else you can do for me. Five points from Slytherin”
I didn't respond at first to this because I was shocked he would be so cold to me, but I kept my face neutral and replied “Yes, professor”. After that the bell rang and I quickly packed up my things and walked by to my dormitory not waiting for Draco. Eventually he caught up to me and said “Look I know that your upset about your dad being an absolute prick to you and other students during class but leaving me behind isn’t going to fix that” He was clearly angry that I had left him and for that I was sorry But I didn't say it I just replied with “I don’t want to talk to anyone right now Draco.” he respected that answer and let me walk away.
Once I got into my dorm room, I couldn’t stop myself from crying. It was hard for me to accept that my father might not be the man that I thought he was. It is very possible that my father is cold, and unkind. That he may have just put up a charade, a mask if you will to try and give me a good childhood. But now the charade was over, the mask was off, and it unmistakably felt like a part of life was officially done, and I could never go back to the way that it used to be.
By the time I was done crying I realized that I had entirely missed dinner, but that was fine by me, I didn’t want food anyways. So instead I just started to unpack my trunk and get ready for bed.
Before I could start getting ready for bed someone knocked on my door. “Who is it?” I called out. “Riddle, now open the door.” he sternly replied. As requested I opened it, and found that Tom, Mattheo, and Draco were all outside my dorm. “Why are all of you here?” I ask. “ You weren't at dinner.” Tom replied. “Okay, and what's the big deal? I didn't feel like eating.” I answered. “What’s the big deal… I told you to eat with us at meals, and Draco said that you were pretty upset after your fathers class so we were all worried.” Tom said rather sternly. “Well you don’t need to be, I’m fine.” I replied. “No, you're not. So you are going to come with us, to get some food.” Tom said, and I could tell from his tone that he wasn’t requesting that. I take a deep breath before saying “Fine, I’ll come with you.” and with that we set off for the kitchens.
After they all watched me eat, making sure that I ate every last thing on my plate, they walked me back to my dorm and bid me goodnight. Even though I feel like absolute shit because of what happened in my fathers class, deep down it was really nice and thoughtful of those boys to spend time with me, and make sure that I knew I could always rely on them to be there for me.