Convo. with Daphne. Outside the Great Hall, the corridor, outside the library.
Susan had just left the great hall after eating a hurried lunch. The incessant noise had started to make her head hurt and, really, she had some runes homework to finish. Susan double-checked her book bag as she walked quickly out into the entrance hall and didn't notice another person headed right toward her. Preoccupied, she slammed into them. "So sorry," she breathed before she looked up to see who it was.
Daphne walked down the halls, balancing some books she had checked out of the library to finish some homework. She had actually been on her way to the Great Hall for some food. She just hoped she didn't run into Pansy yet. As much as she knew they had to talk, she was avoiding her as much as possible. Daphne had been so lost in thought, she hadn't even noticed someone walking into her. The pile of books in her hands went flying, all falling on the floor with a pile of parchment landing on top of the fallen books. Daphne looked up and saw who bumped into her, noticing it was that one Hufflepuff girl, Susan Bones. With a sigh, she bent down to pick her fallen stuff up.
Glancing up, Susan was shocked to find out that she had walked right into a Slytherin! Daphne, Susan thought, that's her name. Realizing that she was just standing there with a shocked look on her face, Susan knelt down to help Daphne pick up her books. "I really am very sorry," she stammered. "I should really watch where I'm going next time." Susan laughed nervously, stacking up some books and standing up to hand them back to her.
Daphne suppressed a laugh. The girl began to stammer when she noticed who she had bumped into. "Calm down. I'm not Pansy," she told her with a slight smile. "I'm not going to bite your head off. Accidents happen." she shrugged. "I apologize for not looking where I was going. Too many books and I had a lot on my mind." Daphne took her books back, adjusting her weight with them and standing up. With her free hand, she offered it to the girl. "Susan right?"
Remembering the last time she saw Pansy and how she had acted, Susan thought, certainly not, Pansy would have tried to hex me around the castle and back again. Feeling slightly relieved, Susan shifted her book bag and reached out to shake Daphne's hand. "Yes, that's right," Susan answered. "It's Daphne, isn't it? I don't think we have ever met before." Susan smiled, wanting to make a good impression after her stuttering apologies. "Lots of homework, I'm guessing." Susan commented, eyeing the stack of books Daphne was balancing precariously in her arms.
Daphne smiled and stepped back so Susan could stand up without knocking over her large pile of books. "Yes, Daphne." She looked at the books. "Just a little bit of homework," she said, laughing. "It's really just to keep my mind off things." She started to walk down the hall, waiting for Susan to walk next to her. I don't understand Pansy's deal with Hufflepuffs. They're not that bad. Quite nice actually.
Susan fell into step with Daphne, thinking that it was odd to be talking to a Slytherin. A Slytherin who was very polite and nothing like she imagined a Slytherin would act. Though, she didn't have that many chats with Slytherins in the first place. "Is that because you have taken Potion of Effusio?" Susan asked curiously as they headed down the hallway. "Nothing like a long and complicated assignment to distract you, I guess." Susan said lightly.
"Oh yes, I took that yesterday. Horrible stuff." Daphne shuddered as she thought about it. Shifting the weight of the books, she held her head high, as was proper for a pureblood. She never slouched with shoulders always straight back and head held at eyelevel. When she talked to people, she looked them in the eye. She looked over at Susan. "I actually have a lot of drama going on for me and the homework keeps my mind off all that," she said calmly.
Just a bit curious but not wanting to pry because, really, that was just rude, Susan opted for a general reply. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said sympathetically. "I hope things turn out okay for you in the end." Susan wasn't sure what to say after that. She twiddled the end of her braid-an unconscious habit-and decided to ask about homework. "So, what do you have to work on?" Susan was usually nervous when talking to people she didn't know all that well.
"Oh, some Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures." She involuntarily cracked her neck, something she hadn't done in years since her mother had sent her to finishing school in the summer. "I suppose," she said quietly. Daphne decided she didn't want to think about all the bloody drama and Draco was avoiding her. "Where are you headed?"
Susan tossed her braid back over her shoulder like usual. "The library," she replied casually. "I didn't quite finish my runes translation last night. How is arithmancy? I'm not in the NEWT class, is it really difficult?" Susan thought the topic of homework was a safe one. Not usually outgoing, Susan still liked getting to know new people and she still wasn't sure what to talk about.
"Yes it's pretty hard. I'm not doing as well as I should be. You probably know my favorite class." Daphne laughed. She was the typical Slytherin, her favorite class was Potions for Merlin's sake. "Ancient runes comes pretty easy for me, so if you ever need help, I could probably help you."
Susan thought it over. Favorite class? "I would say potions," Susan guessed with a smile. She was sure all Slytherins liked potions. She had heard the whispers about Professor Snape and favoritism. "I love ancient runes and writing things in different symbols and solving them to find a hidden messages." Susan said happily as she usually did when discussing things that fascinated her. "Thanks for the offer, though, I appreciate it." Susan smiled genuinely.
"Oh it's no problem," Daphne said with a smile. "And that's correct. I mean, I really do like Potions. Most of my friends like it because Professor Snape favors the Slytherins and we get it easy but I find the mixing of potions and all that fascinating. I'd never pursue a career in it or anything, but it's an interesting subject. Runes is pretty fun too. I like challenging myself like that." They stopped in front of the library where Daphne decided she'd head back to the dungeons. "I guess this is your stop. It was nice talking with you Susan," she said with a nod.
Surprised that they had reached the library so soon, Susan turned to face Daphne. She noticed offhand that she was just about the same height as the Slytherin girl. "Yes, schoolwork never ceases," Susan grinned. "It was great talking to you as well, Daphne. We'll see each other around, I'm sure." Susan replied cheerfully, smiling in response to Daphne's nod. Who would have thought that she would have such a pleasant conversation with a Slytherin? Susan opened the door the library and walked in.
Daphne walked down the hall, still balancing her books. That girl was quite nice, she thought. Now back to the chaos called Slytherin.
The assumption that all Slytherins are mean and don't like anybody but other Slytherins, Susan thought, may not be true for all of them. We must remember that.