Pride Crushed, Dignity Rising

 ~The Greatest Dignity is Not In Never Falling, but in Falling and Getting Back Up Again and Going On~  ~Quote by Confucious~

     It was hard, but I pushed myself to go into the Great Hall on Friday morning for breakfast with Ron’s encouragement.  Cheria, Ginny, and Hermione walked down with us.  Thank the stars that the Gryffindor table isn't next to the Slytherin table, but I could still see Malfoy there.  Crabbe saw us and poked Malfoy, who looked up.  His eyes widened a second, I think in surprise that I had the nerve to show my face here of all places, but then his face twisted into a cross between a smirk and a scowl.  I looked him briefly in the eyes, then turned to my own friends as we went to our places and sat.  My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking, but I felt a bit braver since last night.  At least I didn't mortify myself by breaking down again.    I still wasn't very hungry, but I made myself take a few bites.  The others ate as usual.  Ron and Ginny chatted on about Quidditch and tomorrow's match.  I gulped a sausage nearly whole and just hoped I could play well tomorrow.  Malfoy's the Slytherin Seeker and I had the feeling I'd have to watch my back at the game tomorrow.  Just then, Dumbledore had the announcements and one of them was the Voldemort had been spotted in some wooded areas near here, so there was a possibility that the upcoming Gryffindor retreat could be postponed.  Ohhhhuuhhhh...a bunch of us groaned, including our group.  I hope not, I thought.
     "I do apologize, but we have to verify that Quarry Grounds is safe.  I will give you the final word by Monday," Dumbledore added.  I gave him a weak smile.  I knew it wasn't easy for him either having to disappoint us.
     "So if it's postponed, when will it be?" Micheal Johns asked.
     "That I cannot confirm until Monday, I apologize," Dumbledore told him.
     "Ohhhh, shiiit..." Micheal muttered.  "Just when I needed a break from studying."   We were just about done with breakfast when the mail came.  Owls flew overhead, dropping letters and parcels and one came for us from Hagrid and I got a letter from my great-aunt Miranda just saying hello.  Hagrid sent an invitation for all five of us to come to tea that night.  We knew he'd gotten the okay from McGonagall for us to go over to his hut tonight and she smiled over at us.  We nodded thanks to her.  My heart was still rather heavy from last night, but I did feel a stream of light come into my heart getting these letters.  I made a mental note to owl Aunt Miranda tonight before bed as we got up and got ready to head to classes.
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     Thank the stars I don't have Supernatural Psychology on Fridays, but still I was a bit nervous around Malfoy.  Struggling, I barely managed to hide it, otherwise Malfoy would have had a field day.
     "So, Potter, so sorry you got your album back...in ashes," Malfoy jeered in a low voice in Deviation near the end of the day.  I winced, then struggled to keep my composure.   I could hear Goyle and him snigger and it made my spine crawl.  Just...ignore them, I willed myself, clenching my teeth and concentrating on Professor Trelawney coming into the class.  She gave a quiz that day, so I just concentrated on that.  I surprised myself by being the first to finish.
     "Goood..." Trelawney smiled at me as I turned it in.  As I sat, I noticed Malfoy was giving me an odd look.  It was kind of a mixture of outrage and maybe bewilderment.  I ignored him and concentrated on going over my notes for next week as I waited for the others to finish their quizzes.  Once the class ended and we headed to our last classes of the day, I heard someone call my name.  I turned, thinking it didn't sound like anyone in my usual group of friends.  It was Lavender and Parvati catching up to me.  They had two others with them, a sixth year and a fifth year.
     "We just wanted to tell you how courageous you are," Lavender told me once they caught up.  "After what Malfoy pulled last night, we worried that you'd be too distraught to face classes and all today."
     "Bravo, Harry," Parvati patted my shoulder.
     "It takes a lot of courage to get back up again after what you endured last night," the fifth-year, Jon Brusher put in.
     "Thanks," I blushed some as we walked to our last class.
     "It's high time someone showed Malfoy he can't push the rest of us around," the sixth-year, Sara Berman added.  Lavender and Parvati had this class, Muggle Studies with me, so the others parted and the three of us headed there together.
 "Thanks..." I told them again once we got to class.  "It makes me feel better knowing you're on the other side with me."  Class started and I did feel better, more encouraged.  If only I could be sure that the Quidditch match went well tomorrow.  Going through classes and getting regular classwork done is generally easy for me and especially this year, I'd been on the honor list with Hermione, but actually playing an active game like Quidditch is a different matter.  I just hoped I could concentrate on beating that Bludger away from my teammates.

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     We got to Hagrid's at six that night.  It was drizzling slightly and chilly, so Hagrid had a fire going and the hut had a cozy feeling.
     "'Ello, com'ny, how was this week?" Hagrid asked.  We looked at each other.  Harry seemed to be in better spirits and it was great that he was able to get up and go through classes and all after he was badly wounded last night, but he still was a bit down.
     "Eventful...interesting," Ron took a sip of tea and a huge bite of a chocolate lizard leg.  "Quidditch match tomorrow, are you coming."
     "Ohhh, yeh, definitely, I'll be there rootin' for yeh," Hagrid nodded, sipping his tea.  Fang, his dog, nosed into his lap, then went around licking each of our hands.  We talked some about the early part of the week, then Harry said softly, "Hagrid...yesterday..."  he cleared his throat and his mouth trembled some.  I guess Hagrid sensed Harry's distress, because he peered over in concern.  If I remember correctly, it was Hagrid that had given him that photo album that Malfoy destroyed.
     "Are you all ri', 'Arry?" Hagrid asked softly, putting a giant hand on Harry's small one.
     "Last night I wasn't..." Harry then told him about last night.  Harry couldn't hold back more tears, so the rest of us put in our comments.  By the time we got done, Harry had leaned on Hagrid, his glasses off, weeping again and Hagrid was stroking Harry's jet-black, thick hair.
     "I always figured Malfoy to be an arse just like his dad Lussus..." Hagrid muttered indignantly.  "'Arry, I'm so sorry, dear.  Malfoy's bullied you too long.  Maybe I could git 'im alone and give 'im a 'barrassment of 'is own..."
     "N-no, please, Hagrid..." Harry wiped his eyes and sat up, his thick brows relaxing from being slanted at the bridge of his nose.  "I'm...feeling better...than last..." a fresh sob burped up abruptly and Harry had to take deep breaths.
     "Tha's good, dear..." Hagrid got some tissues and handed them to Harry, who wiped his eyes, then blew his nose.  Hermione stroked his arm as Harry put his glasses back on.
     "Harry really showed a lot of courage today going to classes and all," I added.  Harry did seem to feel better having a good cry and we talked about the Quidditch game tomorrow.   It was late by the time we got ready to leave.  "I'll be rootin' for yeh..." Hagrid told us as we headed to the door.  "And 'Arry...glad you're keeping your chin up and went to classes and ever'thing.  If Malfoy tries anything funny tomorrow, I'll be on his arse faster than he can say pureblood."  We all laughed some.  Harry managed a weak grin as well.  "G'night..." Hagrid called.
     "Good night..." we called back as we headed back to our dorms.