'S Whatchall Want, Eh?

----Chapter 4: House Unity----


History of Magic class was indeed as boring as it always was. Harry and Ron spent their first class of the year dozing in their seats, waking only as the bell signaling the end of class rang loudly in their ears. Hermione scowled at them, obviously not approving of their slight nap in class.


The three slowly walked to their next class. Not that they could go any faster, seeing that everyone was piled around Harry trying to get a good look at him. Finally, Harry lost his patience and pushed his way somewhat viciously out of the group, Ron and Hermione following right behind him.


“You could have done that a little nicer. I think you scared a first year.”


Harry glowered at Hermione, “Who cares? They were in my way. We would be late to class if someone didn’t do something. And I wouldn’t miss Defense Against the Dark Arts for some silly crush everyone’s harboring towards me. Mad-Eye Moody’s back to teach, you know. The real one. And I hope he’s good. Judging by how his impersonator in our fourth year taught, he’s an okay teacher.” Harry stormed off towards the classroom, Hermione and Ron sprinting a bit to catch up.


Just as they turned the corner to go into the classroom, who did they meet, but the Prince of Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, also known as Harry Potter’s arch-nemesis, other than Voldemort. Malfoy was flanked by his two loyal side-kicks, Crabbe and Goyle, as always. Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson stood behind him.


“Malfoy,” Harry glared at Malfoy, as if daring him to make his mood worse.


Surprisingly, Malfoy just coldly looked at Harry, and didn’t say anything crude as he always did whenever those two met.


After a bit of a staring match between them, Harry sauntered into the classroom and took a seat in the front. Hermione and Ron glanced at each other, then Malfoy, before hurrying to Harry once again. Malfoy walked in and took a seat in the front too, except opposite sides of the Golden Trio. He saw Ron look at him warily before turning back to the conversation they were having.


“Harry, you need to calm down. No need to be all in a huff because of some attention everyone’s giving you.” Hermione patted Harry on the arm, hoping to extinguish some of the fiery aura that was surrounding him.


Harry took a deep breath, and calmed down a bit. “It’s just that... it’s so frustrating! I don’t want all this attention! I’ve had enough of it for a lifetime!”


“Harry, mate, we all know that. Doesn’t mean you can blow up at everyone, though.” Ron shot another glance at Malfoy, who was talking snidely with Crabbe and Goyle. He was conviced that Malfoy was planning something devious, since he didn’t respond with his usual, “Well well, famous Harry Potter, now even Hogwarts is part of your fan club.”


“Yeah, yeah. I get it. I suppose I did overreact a bit. This new thing of theirs better not obstruct my training and stuff.” Harry sighed. Before the end of the school year he had to know more spells than most Aurors know so that he could be prepared to face Voldemort. That was another reason Mad-Eye Moody was teaching here again; so he can give private lessons to Harry four times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.


“Shut your yapping mouths now!” A voice called from the back barked, banging the desk closest which happened to be Neville Longbottom’s, who gave a shocked squeak at the sudden noise.


Everyone turned around to see Mad-Eye Moody glaring at them with his good eye, and his other electric blue magical-eye was swiveling around dizzyingly, which made a lot of people feel sick to the stomach, even Harry who was used to Moody.


As Professor Moody limped over to the front of the room to his desk, he growled, “Let’s see here...Slytherin and Gryffindors, eh? Well well, this year will be interesting. Slytherins and Gryffindors are supposed t’ hate each other... yes... well, this’ll make them stand on tiptoes in fear of attacks... yes, they’ll learn better this way.” He reached the front of the room, everyone watching at him silently.


“CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!” he barked, making everyone jump about a foot into the air, except Hermione, Ron and Harry. Even Draco twitched a bit.


Professor Moody sat down on a wooden chair behind his desk which squeaked under his weight, “Well, I’ve been told to announce some things to this class. Apart from the old rules, new rules have also been enforced. Look in your respectable common rooms for the list. ‘N also, Hogsmeade trip slips are due in two weeks for our first trip. You seventh year students are to have a meeting on September twentieth about yer future careers.” Professor Moody paused here.


“There’s also a new tradition here in Hogwarts. House Unity.”


The students started murmuring to one another, wondering what this new tradition meant. Moody’s magical eye twirled around even more drastically.


“QUIET DOWN! The disrespect people have these days... Now, for House Unity, every three weeks, we’ll have a seating change for dinner. Students from each house will be mingled with other houses in order to encourage friendly chatter. These events will then be brought to an end with an hour of free time to do whatever you want in the Great Hall. School rules still apply during these parties and anyone who breaks them will be punished accordingly! And you better watch what you do! I’ll be watching! House Unity is very important, and everyone is to abide by the rules and have a good time. Get to know each other a bit more.” With that, Professor Moody finished the announcements and started sorting through his trunk for class.


Throughout the later half of the speech, the prattling slowly increased as everyone got wound up about this new event. Harry observed as everyone around him chattered about House Unity. As for him, he already knew about this. And, he was also told that while attendance was mandatory, he was exempt from going, but only if he was to be researching or doing something related to Voldemort, which is exactly what he planned on doing instead of going to some silly get together where everyone obviously won’t be leaving him alone.


Ron nudged him, “Harry, will you be going to House Unity?”


Harry shook his head, “No, are you? You and Hermione are exempt from going too, right?”


Ron and Hermione nodded. “Why don’t we go to the first one though? It might be interesting,” said Hermione.


Harry looked skeptical. Ron snorted, “What, so that everyone can make googly eyes at him another hour of his day?”


“I wouldn’t call it googly eyes, Ron...” Harry mumbled.


“Oh please, you can practically see the sparkles in their eyes,” Ron snorted. Harry frowned at him.


“Oh, come off it you two. Didn’t you hear the Sorting Hat? This might be very important in Voldemort’s downfall.”


“Yeah, but I’d still rather not go,” Harry said.


“Me neither,” Ron agreed.


“You guys, rea—” Hermione started, when suddenly Professor Moody barked, “Granger! Weasley! Potter! This better be information that can save the wizarding world in a second if it’s important enough to disrupt my class!”


The three hung their head sheepishly as they murmured, “Sorry Professor Moody.” They had failed to realize that announcements were over and class had already started.


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TBC!!

Author's Note: Eheheheh... *hangs head* I know I said there'd be some action... but guess that didn't fit into the plans. NEXT CHAPTER!! REALLY!! don't kill me! lol

YamiBakura: You amuse me to no ends. ^__^

Tryst: Can't have a story wivout ravaging sexy boys, now can we? *wink* It'll come soon enough... muahahahah *maniacal laughter*