Regulus Black the Potions Master

Chapter 21

Hermione smiled at the boy as she shook his hand, her cheeks a shade darker.

"And Ron Weasley," Justin greeted the redhead, "the flying car was yours, right?"

Ron just shook his hand without any great positive reaction, the Howler he received at breakfast was still on his mind.

"That Lockhart is the greatest, don't you think?" Justin commented.

And that was the moment Harry lost Hermione completely. She and the Hufflepuff boy spent the remaining time talking about how amazing the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was. Potter saw Ron rolling his eyes and huffing quietly every time one of the other two praised him.

Harry remembered how much Mrs. Weasley and Ginny admired the man, and he felt sorry for Ron having to listen to such devotion to a man who didn't seem all that special, coming from his own family.

When the class ended, the students were all tired and sweaty, and they headed to Transfiguration class. That's when Ron's problems arose, with his broken wand he couldn't properly perform any spells.

"Damn it."

"Write home asking for a new one," Harry suggested at the end of the class.

"And receive another Howler in response?" Ron said disappointed, "It's your fault that the wand broke..." Ron said, imitating his mother's voice through the Howler.

Harry just patted Ron's shoulder, trying to comfort the boy, which wasn't working, but Harry didn't know what else to do.

"What's the next class?" Harry asked, trying to change the subject.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," Hermione responded very excitedly.

Ron turned to the girl, grabbing the timetable she was carrying. The redhead looked at the paper and then at her with narrowed eyes.

"Why did you underline Lockhart's classes with little hearts?"

Ron knew that Hermione admired the professor, for some reason he didn't understand, but hearts were just too much.

Hermione pulled the timetable back, her cheeks blushing again. She simply ignored him for the rest of their lunchtime.

Ron just looked at her with disappointment for a few seconds before focusing on his food again.

Harry just stared at his friends while eating, everything peaceful. Then a flash almost blinded him.

Temporary blindness, Harry discovered, was caused by the flash of a camera. And that's how he met Colin Creevey, a first-year boy who was his fan.

Harry agreed to take a photo with the boy, there was no reason to refuse, even though he found it very strange that someone wanted a picture with him.

"Signing photos now, Potter."

Harry rolled his eyes just at Draco Malfoy's voice, he huffed turning to the blond who crossed almost the entire Great Hall to come and bother him. Quite a walk considering that the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables were on opposite sides of the courtyard.

"Everyone get in line," Draco shouted, attracting more students' attention, "Saint Potter is going to hand out autographed photos."

"I'm not doing it," Harry said angrily, "so shut up, Malfoy."

"You're just jealous," Colin's thin, fragile voice caught the attention of the older boys who were very close to the little boy.

"Jealous," Draco said, disgust evident in his voice, "Of what? The disgusting scar, no thanks. Having an open head doesn't make me special."