A few days later our Hogwarts letters arrived, containing our first year grades and the list of second year school supplies. The whole Weasley family sat at the table as they opened the letters and the grade sheet. It was first the Twins' turn as Molly opened the letter with a scrutinizing look...
* Grades for Passing
O - Outstanding
E - Exceeds Expectation
A - Acceptable
* Fail Grades
P - Poor
D - Dreadful
T - Troll
George Weasley:-
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Core subjects-
Transfiguration: A
Charms: E
Potions: A
History of Magic: D
Defence against the Dark arts: E
Astronomy: P
Herbology: A
Elective Subjects-
Mugglestudies: E
Divination: A
Molly just gave a relieved sigh after looking at George's grades and Fred had gotten the exact same Grades. The next person was Ron, who looked green as Molly opened his grades...
Ronald Weasley
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Transfiguration: A
Charms: A
Potions: A
HistoryofMagic: E
DefenceagainsttheDarkarts: E
Astronomy: E
Herbology: A
Ron sighed heavily and sunk into the sofa in relief but Molly wasn't very happy with the marks and sighed unhappily, but regained her composure after Percy handed over his Grades with a proud look on his face. Molly opened it before shrieking and hugging Percy with joy as a scarlet coloured Pin with a shiny "P" fell out of the envelope. Percy did not seem to like the show of affection. But he was still proud that he was still the Prefect.
Percius Weasley
----------------------
Core Subjects:-
Transfiguration: O
Charms: O
Potions: E
History of Magic: O
Defence against the Dark arts: E
Astronomy: O
Herbology: E
Electives:-
CareofMagicalCreatures: E
MuggleStudies: O
Arithmancy: O
StudyofAncientRunes: O
"Well done Percy!" Molly gave him one last hug as Arthur who was silent the whole time came up to give him a hug too (much to Percy's displeasure) before turning to the table again, "Okay, who is next?" Everyone turned to me but Molly intercepted, "It is alright dear. You can take Ron's room to open it in private." She said smiling understandably.
"That's alright. You can open it." I said handing over my letter. Molly opened it and read out loud:
Harry James Potter
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Transfiguration: O
Charms: O
Potions: E
HistoryofMagic: E
DefenceagainsttheDarkarts: O
Astronomy: E
Herbology: A
Fred, George and Mr.Weasley whistled seeing my grades, Percy looked impressed giving me an approving nod. Mrs.Weasley was proudly showing it to Ginny as if I were her own son and Ron looked betrayed and shocked. "Three outstandings?! How in Merlin's socks did you get these? You were with me the whole time, when did you even study for these subjects?"
"I don't know." I shrugged, not giving him an answer.
×××××
"Diagon-alley!" In a burst of green flames I was whisked away from the Burrow's fireplace and pulled through the fabric of space before coming to a swirling stop inside another fireplace, which turned out to be the Leaky Cauldron's. An excitable Tom had helped me to my feet and greeted me enthusiastically.
"Harry!" I encountered a wild Hermione but failed to react as she rammed me with a hug. I took a critical hit to the face as she elbowed me across my chin in her haste to give me a hug.
I was immidiately swarmed by people who wanted to meet me but Mr. And Mrs. Weasley helped to navigate the crowd. We reached the street finally after pushing past the crowd in the brick arch/wall. The first stop was at Madam Malkin's to get my new robes (Ron got Percy's hand-me-downs and Percy, Fred and George got Bill and Charlie's old ones)
We had finished buying almost everything when we entered Florish and Blotts. I tried to make myself inconspicuous and mingle with the crowd but a hand grabbed me and pulled me in front of a bunch of flashes from different angles. *sigh* I sighed as Gilderoy Lockhart was blabbering about something so I turned a deaf ear and waited for him to stop talking.
"Are you finished Mr.Lockhart? You have to excuse me as I'm currently busy with some business of mine. I'm sure you are busy too." Saying so I walked away giving a small smile. That was wierd... he did not announce he will be the professor for this year. Guess the wings of the butterfly beats this time. I went back to the Weasley's and started browsing through the book sections.
Knowing what was about to transpire I waited and watched Lucius Malfoy making his way through the crowd towards Mr.Weasley, who had just paid for all the books and was about to leave the store. And like clockwork, insults were thrown right before a fist came crashing down on Lucius Malfoy which started a scuffle between Mr.Weasley and Malfoy.
I watched in amusement as they were broken up and sent to the sides. Malfoy smoothes his dress and reaches into his robes pulling out "The Diary". He walked haughtily towards Arthur before unceremoniously stuffing the book into Ginny's Cauldron before parting with another unsavory comment. I crouched and stretched my leg as Malfoy passed.
"Oof!" He fell flat on his face hopefully breaking his nose. I did not wait to see it and went to the Weaseleys. "Come on Mr.Weasley, scrapping with scum like that would hurt your reputation." Molly nodded her head vigorously, "See Arthur? I told you. What kind of an example would you set for the boys?"
Arthur looked totally rebuked so I added, "But that was one bloody good punch!" The twins, Ron and Arthur started laughing while Molly sighed in defeat walking to the next store. As we trudged along I walked next to Ginny, "Hey Ginny, why don't I carry that for ya? Seems heavy." Ginny nodded shyly and gave the Cauldron to me filled with books without question and walked on a bit quicker twirling her hair and fanning her face.
She has come a long way from when we first met. We play Quidditch, go gnome hunting, eat breakfast together since we both are early risers. But to be noticed by her crush would have made her happy, I guess. On that note, I promised myself a long time ago that I would not actively go after her like a scumbag re-incarnator protagonist who fucks pre-teen girls just because his physical age is the same as them. I might be a horn-dog, but I have lines that I don't cross.
I walked at the back of the group, sifting through the books until I found an unassuming black leather-bound book with nothing on it. I opened it... and sure enough, written on the inside cover were the initials, "T.M.R."- Tom Marvolo Riddle.