–Hey!†he said, breathlessly.
–Colin!†said Ritchie Coote. –Alright?â€
–Not going to bunk of this year, are you?†teased Jimmy.
–Nah, got a bit boring after a while,†he said, a little bubble of joy expanding in his chest as they all laughed and moved up to make a space for him. He looked down at his plate and saw that McGonagall had already delivered the timetables for the year, and the bubble burst. He had missed so much last year that he wasn’t sure how he was going to manage. It was true, that as soon as he had been un-petrified - or whatever it was Madam Pomfrey had done - Professor McGonagall had taken him aside and informed him that he would spend the rest of the term in extensive catch-up lessons, but he wasn’t sure how much he had taken in. It had been such a long summer, and he didn’t know if he could remember anything.
–You seen our first lesson? Double Herbology. Nice start to the new term,†said Ritchie.
–Nice? What’s nice about it?†grumbled Jack Sloper, yawning so wide he could have swallowed a pumpkin. Colin smiled, remembering how Jack had always hated mornings. He looked around at the group of boys who had let him back so effortlessly, as though it was natural, as though he belonged.
He hadn’t been sure, before he came to Hogwarts in his first year, what it would be like. He couldn’t tell how welcome he’d be. He hadn’t exactly been the most popular person in his Muggle school … he remembered people calling him a freak when he came in with a bald head because he hated washing his hair. They were even more perturbed when he returned the next day with hair that grazed his shoulders. That’s when they’d started calling him ‘Wiggy’.
It had always been different at Hogwarts: people seemed more accepting. He shovelled the last of the bacon onto his plate as he looked around at the noisy students crammed into the hall. They emanated an air of jubilance at being reunited once more, and he wondered if it was possible to ever feel left out in a place like this.
The Great Hall was half empty by the time he had finished, and he and the Gryffindor second years left together in the direction of the greenhouses. As they passed through the oak front doors and across the grounds a cheerful breeze danced around them, whirling in and out of the gangling arms and legs that signified the gradual growth of the young students. Colin caught sight of Ginny Weasley and hurried over to greet her. He had always liked her: she wasn’t embarrassed to talk to him, as many girls were; and although he blushed to admit it, she had the honour of having a tenuous link to the great Harry Potter.
–Hi, Ginny,†he said. –How was your summer?â€
–Hey, Colin! I haven’t seen you in ages!†Ginny said, beaming at him. –Yeah it was really good - my family and I went to Egypt!â€
–Wow!†Colin breathed. He had never ventured further than the Isle of Wight which, as he came from Southampton, wasn’t an impressive feat. –That’s amazing! I’ve always wanted to go somewhere like that. Did you see the pyramids?â€
–Yeah, they were so cool. Some of them were filled with all these cursed mummies from thousands of years ago, although Mum wouldn’t let me in those ones,†she said with a sigh.
–That’s still brilliant.â€
They had reached the entrance to the greenhouses now, and the widespread crowd bottlenecked through the small doors of Greenhouse Three. Everyone had fallen into an awed silence at the prospect of the wonders that this mysterious greenhouse held, and Colin followed Ginny, gazing around him. The walls dripped with thick, luscious foliage. Gigantic red bulbs hung heavily off one particularly shiny climbing vine; yellow flowers that looked like roses grew from a strange blue plant that seemed to be growing sideways. Colin had not yet got used to just how different everything was in the magical world.
He and Ginny filed in behind a tall girl with blonde hair that hung like a perfect waterfall behind her back. It seemed to emit a shimmering haze of light, and Colin could barely draw his eyes from it. It moved slightly as she walked and seemed to ripple in smooth waves over her shoulders. The spell was broken by Professor Sprout, who entered the greenhouse noisily, and seemed just has portly and grubby as the year before. Her business-like attitude always calmed Colin: he felt like he could trust her.
She rapped her wand against a large, earthy flowerpot to quieten the class, and began to speak. –Good morning, Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, welcome to Greenhouse Three. Now, normally for second years we would start the year by learning to re-pot Mandrakes, however after the events of last year, we seem to be running low. Glad to see you back, by the way, Mr Creevey,†she added breezily. Colin felt his neck turn pink with a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment at being singled out.
–So instead,†continued Professor Sprout, –we’re going to be studying the healing powers of the Fluxweed plant. Can anyone tell me what Fluxweed is?â€
There was a sleepy, surprised silence, as though no one had expected to be called upon quite so close to the start of term. Then a voice from Colin’s left spoke up. It was dreamy and calm and he looked over his shoulder to see the girl with the blonde hair speaking. –Fluxweed is the preferred food of an Erumpent. They can cause themselves damage very easily, so they often need it for its healing properties. And it’s also used in Polyjuice Potion if you gather it at the right time. Daddy says-â€
–Yes, well done, Miss Lovegood, you’re correct,†interrupted Professor Sprout, pursing her lips. The girl blinked and stuck her wand behind her ear. Colin stared at her absently as Professor Sprout lectured them on the properties of Fluxweed. He didn’t recognise her from last year, but that wasn’t saying much. He watched her pull a yellow sweet out of a pocket and suck on it, her eyes fixed attentively on Professor Sprout, and then he realised he was staring and was supposed to be making an effort this year. He dragged his eyes away from her and watched Sprout demonstrate the best way to uproot Fluxweed.
–I want you to work in groups of two or three to have a go at uprooting and deseeding these plants in front of you,†she said. –You’ll need to work together, because they like to dodge oncoming threats of attack.â€
Colin turned to Ginny and smiled tentatively, hoping that she wouldn’t be too revolted by the concept of working with him. She smiled back, and then turned around. The blonde-haired girl was gazing out of the glass ceiling. –Luna,†Ginny said loudly, –do you want to work with me and Colin?â€
–Ooh, yes, that would be nice. I didn’t think you’d want to work with me.â€
–Don’t be silly, of course we do,†said Ginny. –This is Colin.†She gestured to him, and he waved a hand.
–Hello. I don’t think I’ve met you before. Are you the boy who got petrified by the monster?â€
–Er, yes.â€
–It was a Basilisk,†said Ginny.
–No, I don’t think so,†replied Luna. –Of course, that’s what they’re telling everyone, but really it was a Graphorn. They just didn’t want word to get out that there was one in Hogwarts.â€
–What, so they said it was a Basilisk instead?†Ginny asked, sceptically.
–Well, they didn’t want to endanger the Graphorn, did they? It’s nearly extinct.â€
–I’d love to believe you Luna, really,†said Ginny. –But I was there in the Chamber. I saw the Basilisk’s dead body. It was definitely real.â€
Luna shook her head knowingly. –Graphorns have very powerful hallucinogenic poison that they can inject into their victims. It was probably a defence mechanism so you wouldn’t remember you’d seen it.â€
Ginny opened her mouth to retort, but Professor Sprout waddled over. –Less talking, more working, please,†she barked.
The three of them set to work trying to pin down the evasive plant. There was little opportunity to talk properly any more, but Colin’s mind couldn’t help but wander once more through the conversation. He had heard rumours that Ginny had been taken down into the Chamber of Secrets, but had never been sure whether to believe it or not. This was proof that she really had, and he assumed that the stories about Harry Potter saving her must therefore be true as well.
When the bell rang at the end of the lesson, Professor Sprout made a point to call out above the noise that their homework was to assess their efforts to uproot the Fluxweed and suggest areas for improvement. An audible groan concealed her final words and she scowled. –You’re not first years any more. We expect more work from you all this year, and I don’t want to see any half-hearted attempts. Exams may have been cancelled at the end of last year, but we’re not letting you off that easily!â€
The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws shuffled out of the greenhouse, and as they emerged into the open air Ginny hung back. –I just want to talk to Demelza,†she said. –You go on.â€
Colin glanced at Luna, and gave a shy smile. –What have you got next?†he asked politely.
–Charms, I think,†she said. –I do like Professor Flitwick, don’t you?â€
–Erm, yes, I suppose so.â€
–He’s the Head of my House and he’s awfully nice if we ever want to go and talk to him. He has tasty little cupcakes which he keeps in a small tin in case anyone’s ever upset. What have you got next?â€
–Oh,†said Colin, surprised at the abrupt change of conversation. He fumbled around in his schoolbag for the scrap of parchment with his new timetable on. –I’ve got Charms as well!â€
–Oh that’s nice, we can go together,†Luna said, and walked briskly onwards.
Colin hurried after, unsure quite what to make of her. He heard a snigger behind him, and then Jimmy, Ritchie and Jack caught up with him. They didn’t look at him. –Alright, Loony?†Jimmy called, his mocking gaze fixed on the back of Luna’s head. She didn’t reply. The three of them sped up and vanished through the front doors and into the Entrance Hall.
–What was that about?†Colin asked.
–Some people call me that. It’s a bit of a game really. They call me Loony and I don’t say anything. It keeps them happy.â€
Colin stared. –But … do you mind?â€
–I think there are more important things to mind about,†she said simply.
They climbed up the sweeping staircase and wound their way through the tangle of passages up to the third floor and the Charms classroom. Most people were already there, and Colin hastily flopped onto a seat at the back. Luna placed herself down next to him.
Professor Flitwick emerged at the front of the classroom from behind a tottering pile of books, climbed up to his usual position above the students, and beamed down at them. Colin could remember well his awe when first setting eyes on the tiny man. Of course, it hadn’t been such a shock as witnessing Professor Binns entering the classroom in his own unique way, yet Colin never seemed to get used to Flitwick’s height. Or lack thereof.
Flitwick began to take the register, and when he called Luna’s name Jimmy turned around with that same, sneering face to look for her. When he saw her sitting at the back with Colin, he nudged Jack, and the two of them doubled over in a fit of silent laughter. Colin felt his cheeks burn and he bit his lip, staring down at his lap. He thought he might have done something bad by sitting with Luna, but he couldn’t tell what exactly. She was a little odd, certainly, but surely that didn’t matter here. He thought everyone had friends at Hogwarts. After all, no one was normal in a school of magic.
He tried hard to listen to Flitwick give them a lecture about the importance of their second year, but his mind was branded with the sight of Jack and Jimmy laughing at him. He had thought that, after their instant acceptance of him earlier that morning, he was safe, but now his position among them seemed as precarious as Flitwick standing atop that wobbling pile of books. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Luna, wand tucked once more behind her ear, a dreamy look upon her face. He wondered if there was something about her he didn’t know: something that would sanction the mocking she seemed so accustomed to.
Flitwick set the class about going over charms they had learnt the year before, enabling Colin to forget his worries and concentrate. Luna seemed inclined to talk, but he turned his back very slightly, and pretended to be absorbed in his work. He prodded the teacup in front of him and muttered what he thought was the spell for levitation. The teacup shattered.
–You have to enunciate, Colin,†said Luna, kindly. –I used to have that kind of trouble all the time, but it comes after practise. It must be hard for you, having missed out on so much last year.â€
–It is.â€
–But then again, you get to make a fresh start. That must be nice.†She stared down at her own teacup.
Colin wasn’t sure what to say. –Did you enjoy last year?â€
–Yes, I suppose so. It was quite strange being away from home at first, but I got used to it. I was a bit worried about Daddy being all alone, but I wrote home every week, and I think he was alright.â€
Colin’s ears pricked. –Is your dad alone as well?â€
–Yes. My mum died when I was younger.â€
–Oh, I’m sorry,†said Colin. –I didn’t mean-â€
–It’s alright. It’s been a while now. What happened to yours?â€
–She left.â€
–Why?â€
Colin gulped. He didn’t talk about his mother much. –I don’t know. But she left when I got my letter for Hogwarts. I think she thought I was some kind of freak or something.â€
–Oh, are your parents Muggles, then? How lovely!â€
–Not really,†said Colin. His face had turned so red it resembled a sunburnt tomato. He had never confessed his fears to anyone before, and he didn’t know why they had slipped out now. He hadn’t even fully realised he blamed himself for his mother’s departure until he’d voiced it.
Luna fixed her eyes on him. –I don’t think it was >i>you she was worried about.†Colin shrugged. –I’m sorry. It must have been awful for you. How’s your dad?â€
–He went quiet for a while. Then he cheered up and we never spoke about it again. He’s got my brother Dennis, though.â€
–I’d love to have a brother. How old is he?â€
–Nearly eleven.â€
–Ooh, do you think he’ll get a letter for Hogwarts?â€
Colin looked over at her, his attention caught. He hadn’t considered Dennis ever coming here as well: he’d assumed he was the odd one out. He imagined showing him around all the secret passageways and looking out for him between classes. A smile slid involuntarily over his face. –I don’t know,†he breathed. –That would be great!â€
The bell rang before Luna could reply, but she beamed at him, evidently pleased at providing him this pleasurable thought. They packed away their quills and wands and turned to go, but then Colin heard someone call his name.
–Creevey! Walk with us!†It was Jack Sloper. He turned and saw Jack, Jimmy and Ritchie standing together, watching him.
–Do you mind if I…†he asked Luna, jerking his head over to his fellow Gryffindors.
–That’s fine. It was nice talking to you,†Luna said, her smile slipping slightly.
He walked back to the others.
–What were you doing with Loony Lovegood?†asked Jimmy, gazing after Luna with a smirk. –You know she’s barmy.â€
–She didn’t seem barmy-"
–Yeah, word of advice?†Jack interrupted. –You don’t want to hang around with her. She’ll use you for some kind of weird Quibbler experiment.†The others snorted.
–What’s a Quibbler?â€
–Don’t you know?†asked Jack. –It’s a magazine. Her dad runs it. Full of weirdo stuff, though. Make half of it up.â€
–Really?â€
–Yup.â€
Colin bit his lip and stared at the space that Luna had last occupied. –Probably for the best, mate,†mumbled Ritchie, who looked slightly uncomfortable.
–Yeah, you don’t need her when you’ve got us!†cried Jimmy. –Come on, let’s go to lunch.â€
It wasn’t until early evening that Colin saw Luna again. He was still with Jimmy, Jack and Ritchie and they were just leaving the Great Hall after dinner when he heard someone call his name. He turned around and saw Luna hurrying up towards him.
–I was just wondering,†she said, –whether you had thought about joining Charms Club. It’s really very good for practising charms, and you get all sorts of helpful advice from older students. It might help you get the hang of things better. We can go together, you know, and it would be so much fun.†She beamed at him, evidently thinking she’d done him a favour.
Colin was very aware of the others’ presence. His back burned and he felt their eyes boring into him. He heard Jack turn a stifled laugh into a cough, and sensed rather than heard Ritchie elbowing him to be quiet. –Er,†he began.
–Colin doesn’t need help with Charms; he’s got us,†Jack said.
–Oh, well of course, you can all come too if you want,†said Luna, misunderstanding him. –What do you think, Colin?†she said, turning eagerly towards him.
Colin looked down at his feet, unsure what to say. He didn’t see why his friends were so disdainful of her, but then again they seemed to be nice people and he knew there must be a reason for their behaviour. They had accepted him immediately, and he couldn’t just ignore that: it would be ungrateful. He opened his mouth, without any idea of what he was going to say, but before he could utter a word, Jimmy spoke.
–Can’t you tell he doesn’t want to talk to you?†His voice had a nasty tone that sharpened the edges of his words. –He’s just too embarrassed to say. He doesn’t want to go to some stupid Charms thing, right Colin?†It wasn’t a question: it was a threat.
Colin swallowed, but his throat was dry. He didn’t feel like he had a choice. Surely Jimmy was just looking out for him? –That’s right,†he murmured. He felt a hand on his shoulder as Jimmy patted him rewardingly, as though he had just proven himself worthy of his attention. Colin felt a rush of pride, and his doubts vanished.
Luna’s face wore a confused expression. –Colin?†she said quietly. –I thought you wanted to be my friend.â€
Jimmy laughed behind Colin, and Colin took his lead. –Why would I want to be your friend?†he sneered. –You’re Loony Lovegood.â€
He turned around with the others and walked with them out of the Great Hall, his sneer fixed on his face, but a twinge in the very pit of his stomach. He tried to ignore it, tried to pretend that he believed what he had said. These people were his friends, and they wanted what was best for him.
For the rest of that night the image of Luna’s round face lurked about in the corner of his mind, a profound look of loneliness etched into its very bones, the eyes following him as he turned his back. Try as he might, he couldn’t remove it fully from his mind. Try as he might, he couldn’t banish the thought that being accepted wasn’t always as easy as he had thought.