Before you met me, I was alright but things were kind of heavy, you brought me to life -- Fall 1991

I nodded.  "I'm glad I could help," I told her honestly.  "I hate bullies."  Then she asked about the hex.  I nodded at her.  "Oh yeah... I know it.  I've practiced it on Peeves once or twice... he was throwing spit wads at some students so I figured why not a better place to practice it?  It's a wonderful hex.  I could help you learn it if you want," I offered.  Normally when that was thrown into an argument, the opponent backed off.  No one wanted that.

I gave a small laugh, "Peeves can be so annoying sometime." I looked up at him when he offered to help me learn it. "You'd really teach me?" I thought of all the spells Father had tried to teach me and shuddered at his reaction when I could never get them right. "I'm not the best student." I said as I looked down and started bitting my nails. He should know that, I had taken a long time to get the last spell he tried to help me with, and it had been an easy one.

I shrugged.  "I'm patient," I assured her.  "And maybe it was the teacher more than the student."  Not that I was saying that the professors here or her parents or whoever helped her were bad, but sometimes they did not adapt to certain individuals.  I was not the best, but I tried to help people in different ways that would be best for them... not for a group, but the individual.  I tried to see past flaws to find the good... that was what my little brother always did.  Granted, he was four... but still.

My eyes widened as I instinctively looked around to make sure Father hadn't heard him. I wouldn't let Father hurt him when he was helping me so much. I took deep, calming breaths to make my heart rate go back to normal. We were at school, Father wasn't here, and Lincoln wouldn't get hurt. I forced a small laugh, hoping to distract him from my reaction. "I guess so." Father always thought I should be just like Draco, developing at the same time. I was a different person from Draco though, no matter what Father thought. "If you would be willing to be patient with me, I would like to learn that hex." I smiled up at him, hoping I wasn't asking too much again.

I nodded at her.  "I don't mind," I told her.  "Thinking that it might come in handy?" I asked, trying to joke about it.  Normally one learned hexes and jinxes to use against someone else whether in jest or cruelty.  Either way, there was a reason.

I gave a small laugh, grateful that he hadn't mentioned my reaction. I nodded, "I think it could." I said, a small smile forming on my lips. "Not that I want to hut anyone, it just good to know I think." I didn't want this stranger to think I liked to hurt people. I hated it, I just wanted to be able to defend myself so Draco didn't have to worry about me all the time.

I had a feeling there was something beneath the surface about this, but it was none of my business.  I nodded.  "That's true... the more you know when it comes to magic, the better.  You never know when you may need something -- whether it be the Bat Boogey Hex or the Point Me spell," I said.

I nodded, "I just hope that some day I can learn all those spells." I let my head fall slightly. I was disappointed in myself that I could never get the spells, and I knew that Father was disappointed in me as well. I didn't want him to become disappointed in me too. "I just don't want you to be disappointed in me when I can't do them." I said it so quietly, I wasn't sure if he heard me.

I shrugged, not thinking that there would be an issue.  "Everyone learns things differently," I said casually.  "If one way doesn't work, I'll help you figure out another way that may help you better."

I looked up at him, confused. "You'd really do that for me?" At home, it was Father's way or nothing. If he was willing to try different ways, maybe I really could learn everything and keep up with Draco. I figured Father wouldn't care at this point, I would still be the disappointment no matter what, but maybe I wouldn't have to be disappointed in myself anymore.

I was not entirely sure why she thought that was so far fetched of an idea.  I nodded slowly at her.  "Yeah," I said casually.  "It's really no big deal."  I really did not mind.  I helped a few of the younger Ravenclaws.  May as well help a Slytherin -- I did not really care about Houses.

"It's a big deal to me. No one's offered to help me before." I admitted as I let my head fall. Everyone in my family thought of me as the disappointment so they never helped. When I got to Hogwarts, I never bothered to ask anyone, figuring their response would be the same as my families. Apparently, I was wrong. "I'm sure it's because of my house." I said with a forced laugh. I didn't need him to ask any questions about what I had meant. Although he was doing pretty well so far, I didn't want that to change.

I sighed and shook my head.  "If it's really because of your House, then people really are daft and ignorant," I muttered, rolling my eyes.  I was not entirely sure if that was the whole truth, but there was no point in pushing the matter.  Maybe if we were friends for awhile or something, I might ask... however, I really did not want her to question me about anything she may see so I would most likely never ask.

I gave a small laugh, then suddenly looked around, hoping Father hadn't heard. Again, I had to remind myself that we were at schools and that Father wasn't here today. We was safe. I nodded slightly, "They can be." I agreed. I couldn't believe he was willing to help and be patient with me. "Where did you lean all your magic from? Did you teach yourself a lot?" I wish I could've but that wasn't part of Fathers plan for me. Although, neither was this and, right now, I didn't really care if this was or not.

I looked over at her and nodded.  "Yeah, I had to," I said, bitterness unintentionally in my voice.  "I mean, besides help with teachers here, anyways..." I hoped she would not ask any questions about it.  I really did not want to get into the details about that.  "But that's sort of why I try to help younger student... sometimes I don't think they get enough help."