20 Predjudice

Zach turned to his friend. "What do you think I should buy for my cousin's birthday?"

Alfred shrugged as he dug into is bowl of slightly-melted ice cream.

"I dunno what girls like. And she never struck me as the girly type anyway."

"Some help you are," Zach grumbled as he finished the last of his Twister lolly. "Maybe I should check with Uncle George. I wonder if he would give me a straight answer?"

Suddenly, Alfred started frantically tugging on his sleeve. His friend wasn't looking him, however, but at something past his shoulder.

Zach turned around, and felt heat prickle up his neck as he blushed.

"Uh…h…hello, Miss Adelgrief."

"Hello Mr. Potter, Mr. Thomas." Hettie beamed at the pair as the boys jumped to their feet. "How are you two doing today?"

Alfred beamed. "We are great! We are here for a bit of fun. Do you wanna join us?"

Hettie pretended to give the idea great consideration. In truth, she wanted to sit and spend some time with the pair. How easy was it, to be friends with a squib? Did that handicap cause problems in their friendship? Zachary was easy to talk to while they were at the Ministry of Magic, but she wondered what he was like outside. And this was a perfect opportunity.

She finally answered. "Yes, I would…"

Her sister popped a bubble with her chewing gum, interrupting the trio. She grabbed her older sister's arm and tugged.

"I want some butterbeer and raspberry ice cream. Come on!"

Helpless, Hettie was pulled backwards towards the The Leaky Cup's front door. She maintained eye contact with Zach as long as she could, and managed a small wave with her unencumbered arm before disappearing into the recesses of the shop.

~~~~

Hettie was a bit exasperated with her sister. "Stop pulling, Tilly! You'll yank my arm off! And I was talking to them!"

The younger girl loosen her grip slightly, but continued pulling Hettie into the shop. She tossed her bright curls.

"I don't care. One of them is an ugly cripple; the other one is wearing a cheap robe. They are nothing like us. Did you say one was a Potter? Grandfather always says we should only associate with our own kind." The girl looked out the window with a sneer. "You'll only lower yourself. And how come you know them anyway?"

Finally extricating herself, Hettie rubbed the red mark on her wrist. "Those two saved my life last month when I was attacked by a dementor. They held them off long enough for me to get to safety."

Tilly scoffed, tossing her blonde curls. "No way a squib could hold off a dementor. Only Enoch is strong enough to protect us!" Her voice quickly changed from whiny to hero-worship. "Grandfather said he protected the entire party without help from any Ministry of Magic wizards! Grandfather really likes Enoch. You should marry him. If you don't, I will! That will make me the favorite."

She turned to the counter to look at the ice cream flavors. "Oh look, they have butterbeer icecream! That's what I want! Two scoops."

The little girl's attention was easily changed, but Hettie could only focus on one part of her prattle. Did her grandfather really expect Enoch and her to become a couple? She wanted to make her own choice of relationship, not be forced into anything.

Hettie stared out through the window at the now-empty table outside as thoughts whirled in her head. Her reverie was broken by an insistent tug on her robe. "Order and pay, sis! My ice cream is melting!"

The boys were gone, and her day got noticeably grayer as she pulled out her money purse.