Breakfast And Noise

~~~(POV: Alexander Aevum)~~~

~~~(Location: The Grand Hall)~~~

~~~(Date: September 3rd, 1991)~~~

~~~(Time: 8:07 AM)~~~

The Griffydor table slowly fills as the time for breakfast is upon us. I'll admit, I'm famished. I look at the other tables and notice the other houses are sitting with each other. I didn't think they would all be intermingling on the second day.

That's a nice twist. I look toward the table for the teachers and see Albus whispering to the potions professor, Snape. None of my business, so I'll focus on the coming food.

After a minute, someone walks beside me and taps me on the shoulder. I turn and see that it's Daphne Greengrass.

The same girl was sitting next to me in DADA.

"Mind if I sit here?"

I look towards the Slytherin table and see some of the first years glaring at me. Among them is Malfoy.

"Don't worry about them. If I want to sit with a friend from a different house, I can."

A slight grin appears on my features.

I wasn't aware that we were at the friend level yet. She notices my grin and realizes what she said. She looks away for a second to gather herself.

"So? May I sit here?"

She looks at me, getting over her slight embarrassment.

I scoot over slightly and tilt my head for her to sit. She does, and before I can ask her something. Albus stands up and makes a small announcement about how yesterday was a grace period for the first years.

Now we'll be expected to reform to the higher demands and time-consuming schedule.

I have no problem with that. I won't be in class the majority of the time anyway.

That is if I can get away with that.

After talking, he claps his hands, filling the tables with breakfast food. Instead of talking, both Daphne and I fill our plates with food.

As I'm eating, I feel like someone is staring at me. I look around slightly and see Granger glaring daggers in my direction, however, not directly at me. It's to my side.

I turn and see Greengrass glare right back. I wonder what the problem is between them. I sigh and decide to distract Daphne from the staring contest.

"What's it like being in Slytherin?"

I want to keep her occupied with tough questions. She stops staring at Granger and looks at me. She raises an eyebrow at my question.

In truth, I'm hoping to find out some valuable information I can use to make Malfoy focus on me more. Who better to ask than someone in Slytherin?

"Well, sometimes it's fun. Most of the time, it's just purebloods and rich kids bragging. Not to mention it's rather dark and gloomy. It's a dungeon in the Slytherin dorms and common room."

Nothing I didn't know already.

"What's it like being a Gryffindor?"

Interesting. Asking the same question I asked her. I'd be worried she's spying on me for Malfoy if not for his glare.

He'd have a cocky and confident look when Daphne talked to me. Not a disapproving and angry one. He's too easy to read and cannot hide his emotions. I doubt he'll ever be an accomplished Occlumens.

If he does, it won't help anyway. I'm a talented Legilimens.

"It's honestly the best. There is always something to do or talk about, and the atmosphere is always upbeat. Most of the kids in Gryffindor are poor and muggle-borns. So we all have each other's back. It's lik-!"

I'm speaking honestly as I talk about Gryffindor. It's a place I didn't know I was missing out on.

Before I can continue talking, a plate slams down next to me.

I turn to see a very frustrated-looking Granger. She looks past me and at Daphne.

"You know, most Slytherins would never talk to a Gryffindor. Let alone sit with them during breakfast. Makes me wonder what your intentions are..."

Granger is coming right out of the gate with the questions. She must think that Daphne is spying on me for Malfoy; if she only looked at Malfoys face, she'd see that's not the case. Granger looks at me next.

"Are you sure you can trust her? She's friends with Draco."

The next thing I know, Daphne slams her fist on the table and stands up, ready to yell. This isn't what I expected.