Chapter Text
“He’s an alright guy I suppose.” Ron sighed dramatically as he sat on the school train with Hattie, Hermione, Daphne, Ginny and Dudley.
“Do my ears deceive me?” Hattie asked raising her eyebrow. “Is Ronald Weasley complementing Draco Malfoy.”
“He’s still a git.” He huffed. “But not as bad as I thought he was.”
“I’m proud of you Ron.” Hattie said amused, Ginny smiled.
“Yeah, okay. But what of it? Not like we’ll be seeing each other much.”
“I doubt that,” Daphne said. “Hattie, Hermione and I were thinking of having some more inter house unity.”
“Inter house unity?” Dudley asked.
“Yeah, you know, making friends between the houses. It would lowered the tension between houses and after graduation it would make the wizarding world more united. There will always be purists or those who are pro-change but we need a good balance between them.” Hermione said.
“You sound like a heretic.” Ron informed her.
“Well if that’s what we have to become to change things for the better, then that’s what we’ll be.” Hattie said.
“I think it’s a good idea.” Ginny offered. “I mean, there are good values in the past, but there are also good value in modern things.”
“Exactly,” Daphne nodded. “We need a good balance of both.”
“Well good luck getting those changes at school.” Ron said.
“We’ll do it.” Hattie said determinedly. “Our first step is more friendships between Gryffindor and Slytherin.” Ron gave her a disbelieving look before shaking his head.
HPHPHPHPHPHP
Hattie was quite glad she was reasonably well liked among the second years, and some of the older students as well. Her classmates didn’t dismiss her idea of inter house unity, instead they agreed with her and that it should be something they work on. They were a little weary about starting it up with the Slytherins, but Hattie had a good argument towards it. She and Daphne were friends, and Malfoy was coming around. Ron even admitted that Malfoy was someone to have a good talk with once you got past his walls. And on top of it, if they, little second years, started showing more interest in the other houses and befriending them, then the older students will feel shamed into doing the same, and the first years will be encouraged into it.
“But it will take time.” Lavender said looking over at the Slytherin table.
“It will,” Hattie agreed. “I don’t expect it to happen immediately.”
“It’ll be slow but better to start now then to never start at all.” Hermione agreed.
“Mmm alright.” Parvati agreed and Hattie smiled.
“Only for you Hattie,” Dean said honestly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hattie asked skeptically.
“If, say Ron suggested this? I’d not agree so quickly.” Seamus informed her.
“Oi!” Ron complained through a mouthful of dinner getting the others to laugh.
“So, what do you think of that Lockheart bloke?” Seamus asked.
“He’s a prat.” Hattie said immediately.
“He is not, haven’t you read his books, look at all he’s done.” Hermione disagreed. Hattie stared at her blankly for a long moment.
“Or all he’s said he’s done.” She corrected her. “Hermione, just because someone writes something down doesn’t mean they did it themselves.” Hermione scowled at her.
“You can’t disprove that he did it.” She said stubbornly. Hattie sighed but let it drop. They continued with their dinner before heading off to the dorms for bed, Hattie pinned up her photos and put her things in her small desk. “It’s going to be exciting this year, isn’t it?” Hermione asked her as they finished arranging their beds. Hattie glanced at her and smiled.
“Course it is.” She agreed. “Next year more so though, we can pick new classes.” Hermione looked excited at that.
“I can’t wait, maybe I can look into the different classes offered this year and start studying.”
“Hermione,” Lavender complained. “It’s just the start of second year, no need to rush into our third.”
“But there’s so much to learn.”
“And we’ve got a lot to learn this year.” Pavarti soothed her. “You can’t rush education.”
“She can try.” Hattie said teasingly and Hermione smiled sheepishly.
“Well, I’m going to get to bed early.” She said climbing into her bed. “Good night.”
“Night Hermione,” they chimed and slowly settled into their beds. Hattie sat on hers and pulled out the old copy of the Animagus transformation, as well as a notebook with her ideas and thoughts scribbled down into it. She stayed up reading and making notes for a good portion of the night before putting away her things and settling for bed.