Catch Me If You Can → George Weasley

Three

At breakfast the next morning, Apollo decided to sit at the Slytherin table with Adrian. He didn't care about the looks that were given him. He had the right to do whatever he pleased. Only first years were confused with this arrangement, but the older students all knew this was a common occurrence. The two friends sat near other members of the Slytherin Quidditch team. Not far down the table, the Malfoy boy seemed to be practicing his acting skills by recreating Potter fainting. How he learnt about that, Apollo didn't know, and he was worried that someone else would find out his secret. While it didn't seem that way, he couldn't help but be wary.

Apollo rested his head against his friend's shoulder. "Does that git ever stop?" He whispered in his ear.

Adrian chuckled. "Malfoy? No, he does not," He said, not bothered by the boy's close proximity. He just kept eating the pancakes in front of him.

Potter and his friends walked in, and it wasn't long before someone noticed them. It was a Slytherin girl with a pug face, Pansy Parkinson. "Hey, Potter!" She shrieked. "Potter! The Dementors are coming, Potter! Wooooooo!"

Apollo sighed, and stood up. He ignored his friend's protests and pleas for him to sit back down and not do anything. When it came to his personal wants, peace and quiet in this case, the blonde was not one to back down.

He walked up right behind the two making fun of the Potter boy. He tapped them on the shoulder. They both turned to face him, confused.

He shot them an annoyed glare. "Would you mind quieting down? Making fun of Potter isn't hiding your obvious crush on him." He aimed that at Malfoy, looking directly at him. "Nor is making fun of his friends concealing your obvious crush on the Granger girl," He said, this time to Parkinson. Both third years turned bright red. "Now, if you would shut up, for once in your privileged-ass lives, and let me eat in peace, that would be great."

"You-You have no right-" Malfoy started, stammering over his words.

If possible, Apollo glared harder. "Try me, bitch."

Adrian leaped up, deciding to stop his friend from causing any serious damage to the children and get himself expelled. He tugged on the boy's arm, muttering about how they aren't worth it. With a huff, Apollo let his friend drag him back to their seats.

"My father will hear about this!" Malfoy called after them. Apollo rolled his eyes and put up his middle finger over his shoulder, not looking back. He ignored the looks a few Gryffindors cast him.

"That was stupid," Adrian commented, raising an eyebrow at his friend in exasperation.

"And if you don't shut up, I'm going to go sit with Cedric for the rest of the year."

The brunette snorted. "Right, because he'll let you get away with that stuff too."

Apollo cast him a look. "Just eat your food," He said, refusing to admit that his Hufflepuff friend would be far worse than Adrian when he tried to tell people off.

With a triumphant grin, Adrian did just that. The remainder of the mealtime was passed in silence, at least from the third years, who kept eyeing the Ravenclaw at their table nervously.

As the end of breakfast neared, Apollo bid goodbye to his best friend and made his way up to the Astronomy Tower, where he had his first class. Astronomy was his favourite subject, by far. It felt like his one true escape from the world. At home, he would always sneak out without his father's knowledge and stare at the stars.

He had the class with only his own house, therefore none of his close friends were with him. He chose to sit on his own, a solace compared to the assigned seating in other classes.

Once every had settled down, the astronomy professor, Aurora Sinistra, started the first lesson of the year.

"Good morning, students. I see you're all still here," She sent a sideways look in Apollo's direction. She had caught him out in the astronomy tower a few times, a place he would go after receiving a letter from his father. They were never good, and most times he found himself upset over them. Professor Sinistra found him a few times, and learnt about his home life through these encounters. It was for that reason she did not give him detention.

"This will be an eventful year," Sinistra continued. "I will teach you a collection of new things. I expect you to all listen closely." With those lovely words of greeting, the lesson began.

Time passes quickly, especially with Apollo's love and fascination on the subject. Being dismissed early, Apollo decided to spend time in the Great Hall before he would inevitably decide to go back to speak to Sinistra. She was undoubtedly wanting to know how his summer went.

He sat down beside Cho Chang, who, it seemed, was also given some free time. They pair got alone fairly well, but to Apollo's surprise. He knew it was only because of one of their mutual friends, whom Apollo was not sure he could consider his friend, but they were on the Quidditch team together, so he had that going.

Cho sent him a friendly smile and invited him to join her conversation.

Cho talked about all the drama going on already. She always seemed to know what was happening around the school. Because she knew Apollo well enough to know he hated people, she took it upon herself to tell him that information. He was grateful for that. Not only did she keep him informed, but he didn't have to talk as much. At one point, she brought up the escaped prisoner Sirius Black.

"What do you think is going to happen with him?" She asked, looking away from the others at the table and at the boy beside her.

"I couldn't care less," Apollo replied bluntly. "I'm just annoyed with these dementors."

Cho nodded, in agreement with the part about the creatures patrolling the school grounds. "They'll be cutting down on practice time," She said, frowning at the thought. "I just got on the team, and I don't want to mess up."

Apollo couldn't help but admire her want to prove herself. It reminded him of himself. He put a hand on her shoulder, a gesture that didn't got unnoticed. "You'll do fine. I will fight all the dementors if they get in the way," He assured her. He removed his hand awkwardly, and directed his gaze down to the table, a light blush on his cheeks. He hated comforting people, it made him feel all awkward and nice.

The girl smiled at him. "Thanks, Apollo."

He didn't smile back, but she knew he was glad she felt better. This was how it always was - there no use in being offended at his lack of showing emotions.

The remainder of the class time passed by quickly. Apollo left Cho and her friends to go speak to Professor Sinistra, whom he had notice by the Great Hall entrance, looking at him. They went back up to the Astronomy Tower for a more private conversation, but soon enough it was time for it next class. It was Potions that came next... Potions with the Gryffindors.