Afternoon with friends ((anyone))

[Nasser Salah G6]

It had been a long day, especially long for Nasser because they had double Potions. It was not that Nasser did not like the subject, which in fact he liked and excelled in, but with such a biased teacher, the lessons were strained and demanded great concentration. Nasser knew that if he made a mistake, even if it was small, he would be humiliated in front of his whole class, and the Slytherins would have the time of their lives. Snape was not one to leave such a chance, and even when Nasser's potions were made accurately and precisely Snape would only grunt as he looked at the cauldron, a cold look in his eyes as he made no comment.

Nasser had gone to the common room study, but found that he had too much of a headache to study in the middle of all the noise. The library, one of Nasser's favourite places in the school and where most people looked for him if they wanted anything was where Nasser thought he would go next, but on second thoughts he threw his books into his dormitory and raced out to the Hogwarts grounds where he sat down on the steps in front of a small garden, enjoying a few moments in the fresh air away from everyone. This morning after Arithmancy a Slytherin seventh year had insulted Nasser and stormed out of the room before Nasser had even realized what had happened. Though Nasser had long ago learned to live with prejudice against muggle-borns, he wondered that no one had taken the Sorting Hat's song to heart. Voldemort was back and nobody could deny that fact now. He soon would be powerful as ever, and if wizards and witches ever needed to work together now was definitely the time to do so.

Nasser stared straight ahead of him lost in his thoughts when somebody sat down beside him and looked and said "Penny for your thoughts". Nasser looked up to see who was talking to him, a little startled to see who it was.

[sethia]

Sethia had just had a wonderful class, Care of Magical Creatures, she adored Hagrid, yes he was a bit gruff but he had a sweet heart, that and he loved animals as much as she did. Today they had done threstals, she had been one of the few people who could see them, having seen her family die. Threstals were amazing to her, though to some they were hideous beasts that were frightful; to her they were mysterious. Sethia had many animals on her farm in Yorkshire, horses, cows, sheep, but that was just he domestic animals, she also had wild rabbits, foxes and a few birds she fed, her aunts said she had a magical touch when it came to any living thing. Sethia was the last to leave class as usual, “Thanks Hagrid, that was great,” she said and she picked up her note books and other items to leave, she got a typical Hagrid farewell and then she was off.

Sethia walked up the slight slope that lead away from Hagrid’s hut, she then began to cross the lawns back to the castle, she had no other classes till that evening, which was Transfiguration. She walked up the oak doors and once inside she headed for the Hufflepuff common room, her refuge from the Slytherins of the school. Sethia was what most Slytherins called a “mudblood,” she was born to muggle parents and she was the only witch. Her aunt had raised her since she was young and now England was her home, she had been born in Minnesota in the United States. She got to the common room, it was virtually a den of nothing but noise, everyone seemed to in there today, all talking and arguing and what not, Sethia knew she would never get any work done in there. She went to her dorm room, she was a writer and had all intentions of working on her book, but the noise that echoed from the common room below was too great for her to concentrate she had to get out.

Sethia grabbed her special notebook and her quill and ink, she would find some quite corner of the grounds to work she decided. Sethia left the noise of ht Hufflepuff common room, it slowly vanished ad the porthole closed behind and her and she walked down the corridor. Sethia walked briskly down the stair and out the door, and onto the grounds, she looked around, the garden seemed a good choice at that moment, so she directed herself in that direction. Sethia was walking in the small garden when she saw a familiar person seated nearby, she walked over with a smile, “Penny for your thoughts?” It was Nasser and he looked like something was bothering him.

[Nasser Salah G6]

It was Sethia Wagner who had spoken. Sethia was a year younger than Nasser, but he saw her in some of their classes and though they had never spoken much and both were rather shy, Nasser had always felt she was someone easy to talk to. Perseus had mentioned her once or twice to Nasser; he had taken her to the ball. Nasser had thought that to be a brave move on her part to accept his invitation to go with him, especially that she was a muggle-born like himself.

In their last Arithmancy class they had been sitting together but then class was not really a place for conversation except maybe in the few minutes before the class started or after it ended, especially that all three were conscientious and hard-working students.

Looking up into Sethia's kind greenish-yellow eyes, Nasser smiled and replied "They're not worth a penny. I just finished my Potions class and was thinking of Snape. He was having one of his worse days, and as you know that's saying something. I had a bit of a headache and thought I'd come out here and get away from the noise in the common room. What did you have just now?" he asked, and then noticing the notebook in her hand he asked her another question "Do you have some work to do?"

[sethia]

Sethia looked down at Nasser, she had classes with him and had spoken to him once or twice, but never a real conversation. Nasser was friends with Perseus she knew, a Slytherin boy whom she had made friends with and had even attended the ball with, everything had been a whirlwind when he asked and she had not even thought about repercussions to such an undertaking. They had received more than enough glares and shocked expressions when they arrived at the ball together, but the night had in all been a wonderful one. Perseus had proven himself a very different type of Slytherin and she found that refreshing. She was a muggle-born and very proud of it, she would not trade her heritage for the entire world, and she was aware that Nasser was also a muggle-born.

Sethia smiled as Nasser said that his thoughts weren’t worth a penny, “Oh, Snape,” she said with a change in her happy demeanour, she took a seat next to him, “He was having a bad day? Well that can’t be good. Snape is a task to handle when he is in a good mood, though his moods can never really be called ‘good’.” Sethia rested her book in her lap and tucked her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear, “Oh I had Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid, it was wonderful as usual. Do you care for that class?” Sethia knew some people had a problem with Hagrid and his teaching methods but she didn’t, she found it an original way of learning and she was all for that. Sethia followed Nasser’s gaze to her book, “Oh no, I don’t have work, this is just…” she trailed off, she had never really told anyone about the book she was writing, ti was had a lot to do with her family and their deaths, a basic Biography of sorts with some fictional parts.

Sethia thought about it for a second and then finally spoke, “It’s a book I am writing. I started a little while ago and I hope to finish it before I leave school.” She gave Nasser a small smile. “So are you going to spend the rest of the day out here, or do you have classes later?”<br>

[Nasser Salah G6]

"Oh I don't have any more classes. I believe there's a Divination class in a few minutes but I don't take that. I chose Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy and Study of Ancient Runes to take as extra subjects after my third year. I know that Seers can be very useful, especially in the hard days we're living right now, but they're very rare and I don't think I have that talent," replied Nasser, answering Sethia's last question.

Patting the spot on the steps beside him Nasser asked her "Would you like to sit down for a bit ? If you don't have anything to do, that is. About Care of Magical Creatures, I love that subject. I don't know Hagrid personally, I mean I've never spoken to him outside our classes but I like his way of teaching. Its true that some of the creatures he like to show us are sometimes a bit too interesting, but he's teaching really well this year now that horrible Umbridge woman isn't trying to evaluate his performance every lesson. We were always raising some animal at home- rabbits, pigeons and hamsters. You can imagine of course how interesting I find magical creatures in comparison to muggle pets, not that I don't like them. What did Hagrid show you today? "

He wondered whether he should ask her about her book; her face had suddenly changed when he had mentioned it and he do not want to seem too inquisitive. He waited to see whether she would sit down or not.

[sethia]

((Sorry I took a bit to reply, I had not realised that you had responded.))


“I don’t have any more classes either, at least for a while, I have transfiguration late this evening, and that’s it. I don’t particularly care for Divination; I already know I don’t have the gift of second sight, so why try? I am better with animals, than matters of the unreal universe. I commend anyone who can look at the sky and predict the future, but I have no inkling of skill in that field.” Sethia shifted her book in her lap a little. She was looking at some flowers, dandelions, that were growing nearby, when Nasser asked her to sit, “Sure,” she said as she took her place next to him, “I don’t have anything better,” she said with smile.

“Really?” she asked when he told her he loved Care of Magical Creature, “I adore the class! I think Hagrid is such an original teacher. I do know Hagrid personally; I often help him with the animals he teaches us about, just because. I know his choice in subjects for class can sometime be…more than we can handle, but I understand that he can control them and thinks we all should be. If more people cared about animals like Hagrid does, there wouldn’t be a problem. It is just a matter of being careful and doing what he says, you won’t get hurt that way.” Sethia’s face squinched up when Nasser brought up Umbridge, “I hated her. She made every class with Hagrid unbearable, always looking over his shoulder, making him nervous. He so wanted to make a good impression and show he could do the job. Sometimes I just wanted to throw a blast-end skewter at her and let her handle it for a while. I bet she couldn’t, but I can, because of Hagrid.”<br>
“I live on a farm and there are lots of animals there, muggle animals, but my aunt is thinking of moving to a wizard town she heard of, so I can have some magical creatures around, like floggerworms, blast-end skewter and stuff like that. I can’t keep them around now. Can you imagine the uproar if we had a visit and someone saw those things? There would be a huge commotion.” Sethia looked at Nasser politely, “Today we did Threstals, amazing creatures. They are almost skeletal, but complete fascinating.” Sethia was sure Nasser had to know about threstals, and what was required to see them…to see someone die, “I stayed after to help him with them a little, and then I went back to the dorm.”<br>

[Nasser Salah G6]

Nasser noticed the enthusiaism in Sethia's voice as she told him about how she liked to help Hagrid. Her beautiful eyes lighted up. Nasser smiled as she sat down beside him. He had wanted to take a break from everyone by going out, but he was glad Sethia had come to sit with him. It was nice to have a conversation with her, and Nasser laughed out loud at the thought of her throwing a blast-ended skewrt at Umbridge. "Yeah... there are times I felt like doing that myself. You're right Hagrid does know how to deal with magical creatures. I think its really good that someone with so much hands-on experience should teach us. There isn't a magical creature he doesn't know about."

"Oh you did Threstals today?" said Nasser, knowing this was a bit of a touchy topic. "We did them at the beginning of the year because Hagrid thinks they might come up on our OWLs." Nasser did not ask her if she could see them. He knew there was some tragedy connected with the death of her parents. Nasser himself could see Thestrals, but not because he saw a member of his family die. It had actually been his mother's friend; Nasser had been with him at the hospital and they had been in the same room when the poor woman died of cancer.

"I would like to get to know Hagrid personally. He has a kind heart, enormous as he is." said Nasser, remembering the first time he had met Hagrid back in his first year. Hagrid was one of the first magical people Nasser met in the magical world. Nasser intially had been shocked and rather scared of him. It didn't take long for him however to know the real Hagrid, and learn to like and admire him.

[sethia]

Sethia smiled, it was fantastic to hear someone praise Hagrid and share her opinion of him, “It is so great to hear someone talk about Hagrid like that, other than me of course. We could have both taught Umbridge a lesson then,” she said with a laugh. “Hagrid is the best with animals. He has the greatest experience, we could all learn so much from him, but people can’t seem to get past his appearance. I don’t believe there is a creature that he doesn’t know, and if there is I am sure he will learn about it soon enough,” again she smiled. Nasser was nice to talk with, she had not come across that many people who she could relate to, but Nasser seemed an exception, she was really having a nice time talking to him.

Sethia’s eyes shined as Nasser brought up the threstals, “He was right to teach you about them, they are remarkable and he is probably right about them coming up on you OWLs…well our owls, but you will be sitting them before I do.” Sethia relished the fact that she was one of about two people who could see threstals in her class, but to tell the truth she would have traded that ability if she could get her family back again. She had seen them that day, her brothers, mother and father coming to pick her up from a friend’s birthday. The truck driver was drunk, and didn’t see them; she stood there at the top of the driveway and watched has her entire family was wiped out in one swift bang. She still has difficulty with it even now.

Sethia had lapsed into memories of that awful day when Nasser said that he would like to know Hagrid personally, “You should. He is really a wonderful person. His heart is as big as he is, and I like it like that.” Sethia remembered meeting Hagrid as he brought the first years over the lake to the castle, it was her first year. She had marvelled at his size the instant she saw him, but soon that sweet light that shone in his eyes eased her uneasiness and later they became friends. “Maybe some day, when you have time, you can come with me to help Hagrid? Meet him that way.”

[Nasser Salah G6]

Once again a deep sadness appeared in his new friend's lovely eyes. Nasser's heart went out to Sethia, and he wanted to ask her what was the matter. However it was just too early in their friendship for him to ask her, and as much as Nasser wanted to help her loose some of that sadness he decided to wait a bit.

Their conversation however quickly became lighter as they moved onto another topic: their mutual admiration and respect for Hagrid. "Yeah... I'd like that ((just as soon as we get a Hagrid RPer )),"answered Nasser. "So what other subjects do you like? Do you have any hobbies? I play the piano. I spend some of the happiest hours of my life playing and listening to classical music," said Nasser his deep green eyes lighting up and he smiled happily. "Tell me Sethia did anything ever happen to you before that made you think you had any magical abilities? I mean before you received your letter?" inquired Nasser.

[sethia]

((Yeah, can’t wait to see who they get for Hagrid.))


“Well great then. The next time he asks me to help out and let you know, so you can come along.” Sethia looked around a little and then back at Nasser, “I love Transfiguration and Charms, and Herbology is not a bad subject either, it can be very helpful. I know most people can’t get passed the fertilizer and planting and all that comes along with Herbology, but it has really helped me, living on a farm and all, when there is a problem with one of our crops.” Sethia was really enjoying talking to Nasser, he showed interest in her as a person, very few people did that. Sethia found that people get caught up in appearances and pretences rather than getting to know people, like she liked to do.

“My hobbies are reading, writing,” she raised her book a little, “I love to swim and be with my animals…I have more animals than friends. I find it is kind of hard to make friends here, especially as a muggle-born and with all these purebloods that hate people like me.” Sethia’ eyes glazed a moment as she recalled the first magical thing she ever did. “I was four,” her tone became more subdued, “It was the day my family died…I blew out all the windows in my friend’s house without even trying, it just happened. Things like that happened when I was upset, I can control that now, Hogwarts has taught me that.” Sethia wanted to change the subject from herself, “How about you, what was your first experience with magic?”

[Nasser Salah G6]

"Yeah I like reading too. I love reading in the Hogwarts library, sometimes I lose track of time though when I sit there and read. You like to write? That's cool. What do you write about? " he asked. "I come from Alexandria which is right by the sea. Where I come from almost nobody doesn't know how to swim." Nasser thought of Egypt, his eyes shining as he did so. Nasser loved Hogwarts, and wouldn't give it up for anything, but he sometimes missed his homeland. Most holidays he would go back to Egypt for a few days, and Nasser liked to think he had the best of both worlds.

Nasser was moved by Sethia's reply to his question about her frist magical experience. Nasser looked at the fourteen-year-old girl, wondering how a person could get used to living with so much pain. He admired her strength. Nasser came from a large family and he was one of seven children. He knew how much he loved his family and how close they all were, and he couldn't begin to imagine what it must be like to loose so many people you loved. Nasser smiled a little remembering his first magical experience and said "I was six and my brothers and sisters and I were playing hide and seek. One of my brothers was trying to catch me and I ran until I reached a wall with a plant growing over it. I was staring at the leaves thinking and wishing that if the plant was to grow a bit I could get hold of it's leaves and scramble up the wall. I was staring at it practically willing it to grow and then suddenly it did. I was more scared than excited as I watched that happen, and I didn't tell anybody about it. You see nobody in my family is at all magical. When I got my Hogwarts letter 5 years later and came here, a lot of things which happened to me were finally explained. I was beginning to feel a bit weird, and I felt relieved when I understood why I could do such impossible things."

[sethia]

Sethia smiled, she often found herself losing track of time while reading in the school library, in fact many a time she had looked up to find that she was the only one there. She looked at Nasser, “I love to write. I write about different things, my life, school, poems, songs, anything really,” Sethia didn’t say that she was currently writing a book of her life, from the time she found out she was a witch, and she hoped to finish it after her last year at Hogwarts. “Alexandria, Egypt? Wow!! It must be beautiful there, pyramids, camels.” Sethia looked at Nasser, he had that far off glaze that she got when she thought of her home in Yorkshire, she smiled.

Sethia listened as Nasser began to tell her about his first magical experience, “I understand how that is Nasser, I felt weird after that happened, people looked at me strangely, but then my aunt Hett came for me and took me to England and she just all that weird stuff go, being a Wicca, she really wished she could do what I was doing. She has been very supportive with it from the first day, and I love her for it, I don’t think anyone else would have handled it that well.

[Nasser Salah G6]

Nasser was glad to hear that his new friend had someone who supported her that much. Her Aunt Hett sounded like a fine woman, and Nasser was happy that such a person stood beside Sethia through the sad times in her life. Nasser was about to tell Sethia about Egypt when he noticed it was getting a bit late. Sethia had a class that evening and it was time they got up. He stood up and smiled and said "Well Sethia.... its time we got up. Let's walk inside together and then we'll go to our common rooms." Sethia jumped up and the two walked inside. Nasser smiled to himself as he realized that he had just found himself a new friend.