TFA: Chapter 4: Jostling For Position

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> *"Daphne: He is the brother of CHARLUS POTTER! The-Boy-Who-Lived, the saviour of Magical Britain, The Gryffindor Golden Boy, The Beacon of The Light! If I allied myself with Potter, I would practically be waving around a sign saying that my family was going to jump camp to support Dumbledore."*
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> *Grace: I don't think you've been as observant as you ought to have been. I don't think allying yourself with Potter would ally you with the light side at all."*
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— Daphne Greengrass and Grace Weitts discussing Harry Potter's political leanings.

## Summary:

Harry Potter is studying ahead and looking for a silencing spell, Grace Weitts is laying down the law and talking politics with Daphne Greengrass in the Slytherin Common Room, and James Potter received a letter from his son.

## Plot:

**September 2nd:** Harry studied in the library, searching for a spell to silence his nightmares from the ears of his dorm mates. He went to the Great Hall for dinner, where he sat with his yearmates. They discuss how classes went that day, including Harry's advanced studies, Charlus Potter's outburst in potions, and Harry's eidetic memory.

After dinner, Harry returned to the library. Near closing time, he swears at his failure to locate a silencing spell. Professor Hurst overheard him, and after a brief reprimand and compliment, she offers to help him. Harry explains what he's looking for, and Professor Hurst teaches him the Anti-Eavesdropping Charm, *Muffliato.* Afterwards, she informs him that his curiosity is a gift, not a sin.

In the common room, there is a great deal of tension because Marcus Flint and Terrence Higgs are sitting in the part of the room normally occupied by Grace Weitts. Grace entered the common room with several of her friends, and confronted Marcus Flint. They speak cordially for a moment, before Flint and Higgs walk off. Before Grace sat down, however, the departing boys curse her. She spins around and deflects the spells. They dueled in earnest, using battle transfiguration and conjuration, shields, spells classified as 'Dark', and at least one spell from a family Grimoire. Grace fairly readily won the duel, and advised them that crossing her in the future might be bad for their health.

Grace walks up to Daphne Greengrass, who finished her potions essay, and conversed with her. Grace informed Daphne that she was not asked to look after Daphne, and that she just cared for her herself. They discuss Grace's sister, Charlotte Weitts, and how they miss her, before talking about friends, allies, and politics. Grace suggests that Daphne avoid the children of The Conservatives Leaders, and that she consider making friends with Potter. Daphne is confused by why Grace would suggest she do this, when Grace explains that Potter is a blank slate and is unlikely to side with The Liberals, and might make a good and powerful friend, and be tempted into joining The Neutrals.

**September 3rd:** James Potter receives and owl from Charlus Potter, after a poor night because of the stress of the Gringotts break in. Charlus relates that he got into Gryffindor and that Harry ended up in Slytherin. He intimates to James that there is something wrong with Harry, and that he is a 'right wanker'. He also displays his grasp of the depth and meaning behind everything Harry said, that is to say, very little of it.

James deflates a bit because of that, and then decides to do better and overcome his fear.

## Characters Introduced:

Terrence Higgs.

Marcus Flint.

Chronological Order