Chapter 66 - Rumours and Revelations
The following couple of days passed much as usual.
Then, my application to fast-track the next four years of Hogwarts and sit an examination every six months had somehow escaped the circle of people who were supposed to know about it and now the entire school seemed to know.
Every corridor I walked through had whispers with students staring and even the portraits had started discussing it.
After all, a fourth-year student trying to complete the next four years of Hogwarts studies in two years was shocking.
Some students were curious while some thought I was mad to even think of something like this.
But some people seemed personally offended specially the older students. A few of them acted as if I had insulted them and belittled O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams.
I ignored most of it as I had enough things to worry about already.
On the third day since school started, I was leaving the library when someone called my name.
"Arthur."
I turned and found Percy Weasley there with a stack of books under one arm and a very serious expression on his face.
"Hello, Percy."
He adjusted his glasses.
"Arthur, I need to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Is the rumour true?"
"The fast-track examinations?"
"Yes."
"It is."
Percy's eyes widened slightly which for him was practically an explosion of emotion.
"You are serious?"
"Completely."
For several seconds he simply stared at me.
Then he said carefully, "Arthur, please don't take this the wrong way, but is this because you believe you are superior to the other students?"
"What?"
"Because if it is, then-"
I interrupted him and shook my head immediately.
"No, Percy. Not even remotely. What in Merlin's name are you even thinking? I have never thought about any of this. Everyone is a unique individual and have their own specialities. Why would I even look down on anyone? It's just that I need to graduate from school because of some personal reasons."
"Can you explain?"
"Not really."
Percy looked disappointed.
"I see."
"But I can tell you this," I added. "I am not doing this for records, fame, or because I think I'm better than anyone."
He remained silent for a moment, then finally he nodded.
"I believe you."
"Thank you."
Percy adjusted his glasses again.
"You know, Arthur, this might be the first time anyone has attempted something like this in Hogwarts. You would become the first in the school history."
I shrugged.
"I haven't really thought about it."
Percy looked horrified.
"How have you not thought about it?"
"I just haven't."
He stared at me as though I had confessed to disliking books. Then, after a moment, he smiled slightly.
"I suppose that's one reason you might actually succeed."
"Maybe."
He nodded.
"Well. Good luck."
"Thank you, Percy, for trusting me. You are one of the few people, including Professors, who has guided me from the start. And I am very grateful to you."
As he walked away, I could see he still looked half-shocked and half-proud, almost like one of his younger siblings had done something impressive.
A few mornings later, I was eating breakfast at the Hufflepuff table when I heard someone calling my name.
"Arthur!"
I looked up.
Harry was practically jogging toward me. Several Gryffindors followed behind him. And Harry, being Harry, started talking before he even arrived.
"Arthur, Arthur, these are my friends!"
He pointed rapidly.
"This is Ron!"
Ron waved.
"This is Hermione!"
Hermione nodded politely.
"This is Neville!"
Neville smiled nervously.
"This is Dean."
Dean grinned.
"And this is Seamus."
Seamus raised a hand.
Harry barely paused for breath.
"The castle is amazing, Arthur! The moving staircases nearly made us almost late twice already. Professor Flitwick is brilliant. Professor McGonagall is strict. And Professor Snape, he is so scary. The ghosts are real. The food is incredible. The common room is-"
"Harry."
"Yes?"
"Take a breath."
"Oh."
He took one. Then immediately continued.
"The common room is fantastic."
I laughed.
Around me, several Hufflepuffs were openly staring. Apparently watching Harry Potter run over and chatter excitedly at me was not something they had expected during breakfast.
I greeted Harry's friends.
"Nice to meet all of you."
Then I looked at Ron.
"How's your pet?"
Ron brightened immediately.
"Great!"
"Good."
"Thanks again for the gift."
"You're welcome."
Then I asked casually,
"And how's Ginny?"
Ron groaned. I instantly knew something amusing had happened.
"She's fine."
"Only fine?"
Ron sighed.
"She's obsessed with her cat."
"So she likes it?"
"Likes it?" Ron said. "She carries it everywhere."
"I'll take that as a yes."
Ron nodded, "Oh, definitely."
Then I asked, "How's school treating all of you?"
"It's brilliant," Ron said.
Hermione looked pleased.
Neville nodded.
Harry grinned.
"It's great."
I glanced around but could not find the little Dursley in the group.
"Where's Dudley?"
Harry pointed toward another section of the hall.
I followed his finger.
Sure enough, Dudley was sitting with a completely different group of Gryffindors.
They were laughing loudly.
One of them had nearly fallen off a bench.
Harry lowered his voice.
"Arthur, you need to do something."
"About what?"
"Dudley."
I looked back at him.
"What has he done?"
"He hasn't done anything."
"Then what's the problem?"
Harry pointed again.
"Look at them."
"What's wrong with them?"
"They're reckless!"
I laughed but Harry looked offended.
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
"Arthur!"
I shook my head.
"I'm not stopping him."
Harry stared.
"Why not?"
"Because he's having fun."
"But-"
"Harry."
He stopped.
"You and Dudley are children."
Ron snorted and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You're supposed to do slightly reckless things."
"Really?"
"Slightly reckless."
I emphasized the word.
"Not dangerous."
Harry thought about that.
"Fair enough."
Before I could say anything else, Ron suddenly frowned.
"Wait."
He looked between Harry and me.
"Arthur, how do you know Harry anyway?"
Before I could answer, Harry groaned.
"Ron. He's my brother."
Ron blinked.
"What?"
"Cousin," I corrected, "But basically we are brothers."
Ron's eyes widened. Several nearby Hufflepuffs nearly dropped their breakfast. Most of them were only discovering this now.
Ron looked astonished.
"I didn't know that."
Harry looked equally surprised.
"Actually, Arthur, how do you know Ron?"
"Percy has been helping me since my first year."
Ron immediately nodded.
"Oh. That makes sense."
I smiled.
"His family's been very kind to me."
Ron looked pleased.
Then I pointed at Harry's untouched breakfast.
"Go eat. Your class starts soon."
"We have time."
"I don't want you to be late for class."
"Don't worry Arthur. You know me, I am not so undisciplined."
"I know you that is why I don't worry about you. But I still have to maintain the big brother persona, right."
Harry made a face at me
Then, before I could say anything else, he grabbed a piece of toast and ran back toward the Gryffindor table.
"See you later, Arthur!"
"Don't be late!"
"I won't!"
"That's exactly what someone who's about to be late would say!"
Harry laughed louder and disappeared into the crowd.
I shook my head.
Around me, my Hufflepuff classmates were still staring. Corin finally spoke.
"Arthur."
"Yes?"
"You never told us Harry Potter was basically your little brother."
I looked at them and replied, "No one ever asked."
Jack cracked his knuckle, and tried to give a menacing stare, "You need a thorough beating."
I snorted, "As if you could beat me."
Callum joined, "Not alone, but together. NOW."
He yelled the last word and several of them plied up on me to take their little revenge. I was surprised and overwhelmed by them.
"BLOODY CHEATERS."
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End of Chapter 66 - Rumours and Revelations