Chapter 7
Ally rolled out of bed and got dressed quickly. She threw on a cloak, waved by to Houdini, and skipped downstairs. It was the first day of classes. Ally had woken up extra early to make sure she was ready. Ally was not surprised to find the common room empty, except for Draco. She ignored him and sat on the other side of the room and started flipping through one of her textbooks.
“What’s your problem?” Draco blurted out. Ally looked up at him, surprised. “Excuse me?” She replied. “You heard me.” Draco stood up. So did Ally. “I think the correct question is, what is YOUR problem? What did Ron ever do to you?” Draco glared at Ally. “You’re defending a Weasley?” Ally glared back. “There’s nothing wrong with the Weasley’s, and there’s nothing wrong with Ron. Leave my friends out of your sick jokes.” Draco sneered. “Don’t tell me you’re friends with that lot now.” Ally crossed her arms. “Why do you care who I’m friends with?” “I don’t.” Draco replied. A little too quickly, Ally noticed.
“What happened to the boy on the train?” Ally asked quietly. Draco frowned. “What boy?” Ally dropped her voice until she was almost whispering. “The boy who helped me up when I fell and gathered my things for me. The boy who talked to me about books.” Draco recoiled as if he’d been struck. “That’s not me.” He scoffed and sat down again. Ally picked up her textbooks. “That’s a shame then. I would’ve liked to be friends with that boy.”
Ally was out the door before she heard Draco whisper, “He would’ve liked to be friends with you too…”
A week later, Ally was in charms class, listening intently to Professor Flitwick. The class was about to learn their first spell! “Now remember what we’ve been practicing. The swish and flick.” The class repeated the words and waved their wands. Flitwick continued. “Repeat after me: Wingardium Leviosa.”
Ally spoke quietly. “Wingardium Leviosa.” She glanced at the feather in front of her as the rest of the class did the same. As everyone tried to make their feathers float, a gasp soon interrupted everyone’s concentration. Ally looked up and smiled. Hermoine’s feather was floating in the air a yard or two off the desk. As everyone applauded, Ally set her wand down and joined. She quickly picked her wand up again, took a deep breath, narrowed her eyes, and spoke. “Wingardium Leviosa.” Her feather began to float as Ally directed it up and up. She smiled as Flitwick glanced at her. “Miss Alliane LeStrange is the second student to make her feather float! Well done!” Another applause. Ally smiled shyly and looked up to see Hermoine smiling back.
***
A few hours later was brook flying class with Madam Hooch. The class had already been difficult. Ally had been one of the last to get her broom to behave. It was being very difficult in Ally’s opinion and had just refused to listen until she threatened to snap it in half. Then Neville Longbottom’s broom had gone haywire, leaving the poor boy with a broken wrist. Madam Hooch had taken him to the hospital wing, and is was from there that Malfoy started being a jerk.
He picked up the rememberal Neville had gotten recently. “Maybe if he had given this a squeeze, he would’ve remembered to fall on his fat ass.” Draco cackled, as did many of the students around him.
Ally whirled around and opened her mouth to give a retort, but Harry had already beaten her to it. “Give it here, Malfoy.” Harry strolled towards the other boy and reached out a hand. The students moved back, giving the two space. Draco smirked. “Or what?” He hopped on his broom and kicked off. “Or I’ll tell Professor McGonagal.” Hermione threatened.
Draco laughed. “You think I’m scared of her.” Ally gawked at the Slytherin boy. Harry climbed on his broom and took off, ignoring Hermione and Willow’s protests. Ally watched in horror.
A few moments later, Ally let out a whoop as Harry touched back down, holding the rememberal. She rushed towards him along with her friends and the other hogwarts students. “Good job, Harry!” Ron clapped him on the back, and Ally did the same. Willow hugged her brother, and Luna and Hermione cheered.
Their joy was short lived. Professor McGongall had caught them. “Harry Potter?” Harry turned to the teacher. She whisked him away and they watched their friend go, worried looks spread across the group. A moment later, Draco touched back down, smirking at Harry’s back.
As soon as McGonagall was out of earshot, Ally walked up and shoved Malfoy. The boy tumbled back, trying to regain his balance. “You jerk! Harry could’ve gotten hurt, and so could you! You could’ve gotten yourself killed or you could’ve broke Neville’s rememberal. What were you thinking?” She glared daggers at Draco. Draco recoiled in shock. He regained his balance and took a step towards her. “Ally, I-“ Ron was at Ally’s side in a heartbeat. “Don’t come any closer to her, Malfoy.” He shot Malfoy a death glare. Luna made her way to Ally’s other side. They were quickly joined by Hermione and Willow.
Draco looked at the group in surprise, then he looked directly at Ally. He glared back and whisked around, stalking back over to his Slytherin cronies. Ally turned to her friends. “Thanks, guys.” She smiled shyly. Ron wrapped an arm around her. “We’re here for you, Al.” The girls nodded in agreement. It’s nice to have friends. Ally thought to herself.