Evelyn Riddle and the Chamber of Secrets

After our first class —which was Double Herbology, where we repotted some sort of devilish-looking plant called a Mandrake— and a slightly boring lunch, my friends and I went outside to the courtyard before Defense Against the Dark Arts. I can't say I'm necessarily excited for it, considering who our new Professor is, but whatever.

    Hermione sat down on the steps to read one of Lockhart's books while Ron, Harry, and I talked about Quidditch. After a few minutes of chatting, Harry seemed to notice something behind Ron. I looked up as well, and saw a first year holding a camera. His face turned red once Harry spotted him.

    "All right, Harry? I'm-I'm Colin Creevey," said the first year. "I'm in Gryffindor, too. Do you think... would it be all right if... can I have a picture?"

    "A picture?" said Harry confusedly.

    Colin went on to rant about how much he knew about Harry, and then about how cool he thought the magical world was. Honestly, I thought he was pretty sweet. It was also amusing to see Harry's face throughout the boy's speech.

    "Maybe one of your friends could take it and I could stand next to you? And then, could you sign it?" finished Colin.

    Before Harry could reply, though, a certain idiotic leech decided to burst into our conversation.

    "Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?" Malfoy was standing behind Colin, and on either side of him were his silent-as-always friends, Crabbe and Goyle.

    "Everyone line up! Harry Potter's giving out signed photos!" Malfoy called out to the courtyard.

    "No, I'm not," said Harry, his face flushing. "Shut up, Malfoy."

    "You're just jealous," Colin added, glaring up at the blond as well.

    "Jealous? Of what? I don't want a foul scar right across my head, thanks. I don't think getting your head cut open makes you that special, myself," he answered, while his cronies snickered.

I glared at him.

    "Eat slugs, Malfoy," spat Ron.

    "Be careful, Weasley. You don't want to start any trouble or your mummy'll have to come and take you away from school." Malfoy then continued to say in a high-pitched voice, "If you put another toe out of line—"

    Saying I hate this guy would be the biggest understatement of the year.

    "Weasley would like a signed photo, Potter," Malfoy continued. "It'd be worth more than his family's whole house—"

    At once, Ron whipped out his wand —which had broken due to the car crash and was now only staying together by a few sticks of tape— and aimed it at the leech in front of him. Before he could hex him, though, Hermione whispered sharply, "Look out!"

    "What's all this, what's all this?" said the voice of Lockhart not even a moment later. "Who's giving out signed photos?" He then noticed Harry and threw his arm around his shoulders. "Shouldn't have asked! We meet again, Harry!"

    Malfoy smirked as he disappeared into the crowd that had gathered around us, and now was quickly dispersing. I shot him one last glare before he could totally vanish, though.

    "Come on then, Mr. Creevey," Lockhart prompted. "A double portrait, can't do better than that, and we'll both sign it for you."

    Colin snapped the photo just before the bell rang. Lockhart then whisked Harry away, going toward a different entrance of the castle. The latter sent our friends and me a pleading look, but all we could do was gaze back at him sympathetically before falling into step with the crowd.