Headstrong

Chapter 23

Amanda was disappointed that not many people clapped, so she clapped the loudest, and she was happy that it seemed to encourage others to clap more.

She looked at Severus and saw that he was looking at Remus with loathing. She put the idea in her mind to make them put aside their differences later.

"As to our second appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his game keeping duties."

Amanda stared at the twins, stunned. She then immediately started to clap, applauding the half-giant. She was incredibly pleased.

"We should have known!" Fred roared. "Who else would have set us a biting book?"

Amanda laughed while George pretended to try and list people who would.

Albus spoke some more words, then they tucked into the feast.

At the end of the feast, Amanda left the twins and walked up to Remus. She congratulated him and apologised.

"I'm really sorry for my behaviour on the train. I know that you have encountered some difficulties over the years, and that this was probably the reason that you couldn't keep in touch."

Remus nodded and asked, "You remember the problem?"

"Yes I remember your furry little problem, Moony."

Remus chuckled, "OK, but please don't mention it to anybody."

"You have my word. I solemnly swear." She giggled. Remus laughed.

Amanda gave him a hug and wished him goodnight.

"Goodnight Godfather."

"Goodnight Goddaughter."

...

When she entered the common room, she handed the badge to the twins, winked and sat down next to them.

They grinned mischievously at her.

When Percy got his badge back, it was covered in a glitter and a sparkly unicorn sticker.

...

The next day Amanda made her way down to the Great Hall. She passed Pansy entertaining a group of Slytherins and had to ignore them as some of the older ones pretended to be Dementors.

She received her timetable and looked over it.

She saw Harry sit down next to her. "New third-year timetables," George said, as he passed Harry his timetable.

"What's up with you, Harry?" Amanda asked as she saw his face.

"Malfoy." Ron answered, as he sat down, glaring at the Slytherin table.

Amanda looked up time to see Malfoy pretending to faint with terror.

"That little ferret." Amanda said calmly, knowing she was meeting up with the four boys at a later time, so she would wreak revenge then.

"He wasn't so cocky last night when the Dementors were down our end of the train. Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?" George said.

"I don't remember that. But that's probably because I fell unconscious." Amanda said, sighing.

Fred nodded, "Nearly wet himself."

"I wasn't too happy myself," said George. "They're horrible things, those Dementors..."

"Sort of freeze your insides, don't they?" Fred said.

"Remind you of every bad thing in your life, and you wonder if you are ever going to get out of the darkness and be happy again." Amanda said, a faraway look in her eyes.

"How cheerful." George muttered.

Amanda got up and left the hall, before they could see the tears in her eyes.

...

That night, Amanda was curled up in a ball on the couch, her face buried in a pillow.

She felt like she was constantly stuck in a bad moment, never feeling happy, but always as if the world was going to come crashing down.

She saw the portrait hole open and her friends came in. They immediately spotted her, and they rushed over.

"Why did you skip dinner Amanda?" Alicia asked.

"I don't want to talk about it."

Fed up, the twins yelled in unison, "Amanda Lily Potter! Tell us what is going on with you this instant!"

Amanda sat up, wiped her eyes and looked at her friends.

"I'm sorry guys. I had a really difficult holiday, and the Dementors affected me really badly on the train. It was like when I have nightmares about the night my parents died, but instead, I remembered every bad thing that has ever happened to me. And at the moment, they are just continuing to float around in my head. It's like never ending torture." She had bowed her head, but now she looked up at them, scared of their reaction.

"It's ok." Angelina said, wrapping her in a hug.

"Yeah, if you want to talk, just let us know." Lee said.

Amanda was about to thank them when the portrait hole opened again, and Harry stepped in, with Ron and Hermione.

They told her what had happened in Hagrid's class, and Amanda growled. Draco was going to pay when she saw him next.