Here is a list of things that I've never done:
•Received a detention.
•Sworn.
•Gotten less than an Exceeds Expectations on a test/exam/essay.
•Kissed a boy.
•Had a boyfriend.
•Flown a broom.
•Said anything bad about anyone (to their face).
•Handed in my homework late.
The list goes on, but I think you get the idea. Basically, I am the perfect child - I can do no wrong. Adults adore me, but unfortunately the rule is 'If teachers like you, students don't'. I mean, it's not like they hate me, more that they don't really see a reason for my existence. The 3 girls in my dorm (Samantha, Vivienne, and Ellie) are nice enough, but seeing as I've never had a proper conversation with any female that isn't a) a family member or b) Professor McGonagall, I don't fancy my chances of striking up a conversation with them. Come on, I've lasted 5 and a bit years here without saying more than 3 words to each of them. I'm not going to ruin that now! It doesn't matter so much anyway - I only use my dormitory for sleep. I spend my free time either in the library, or Ravenclaw Tower, my Common Room.
Speaking of which, that's what I was doing during a free period on the 18th September, a few weeks into my 6th year. I was reading my Charms book, seeing what I could do to get ahead this year. My boring straight blond hair formed a curtain across my face, offering me the perfect view of Roger Davies without being seen by him. That's right, Roger Davies. The most gorgeous boy that ever stepped foot into Hogwarts. Completely out of my league, of course. I just liked to look at him sometimes. I didn't want a boyfriend anyway - too much work, and I wanted to focus on my school work. Although, I doubted I'd find a boy that wanted me, even if I did want one...
I know that sounded like I'm fishing, but I'm not. That's just the way it goes - I'm not exactly the most desirable girl in 6th year, or any other year for that matter. I'm not, for example, Angelina Johnson. She has everything - beauty, brains, Quidditch, niceness. In fact, her and Roger Davies would be perfect for each other. They could be the next Hogwarts power couple!
Anyway, soon it was time to make my way to the final lesson of the day - Defence Against the Dark Arts. Our teacher, Professor Moody, was completely loopy. Apparently he used to be an Auror (Dark Wizard catcher) and rumour has it that once, when he was duelling with one of these Dark Wizards, he got hit right in the eye with a Jelly Legs Jinx, and his eye just fell out! Well, I have no idea whether that version of the story is true (I'd heard several) but he did have a really creepy glass eye in his right socket, so it must have had some truth in it. Some of the braver students called him 'Mad-eye' he was undoubtedly insane, he took the Dark Arts more seriously than any teacher I'd ever had. He'd even taken it upon himself to show us the 3 Unforgivables at the start of term. After that lesson, no one was going to mess with him.
He was teaching us the basics of duelling that lesson, and I realised in dismay that I would have to pair up with someone. Of course, I had no choice in the pairing. It was more like in PE in primary school, when someone would have to pick the teams. I was picked last then, and it wasn't any different now. So I went through the hour duelling my designated partner, Jessica Meadows, a pretty-but-spiteful Hufflepuff with an ugly look on her face. I suspect she drew the short straw out of her friends. Nonetheless, she did participate in the duel (albeit half-heartedly) without complaint.
I considered myself an OK dueller, seeing as it was my first time and my reflexes weren't great, so it was to my great surprise that I was asked to stay behind by Professor Moody. He led me into his office and gestured for me to take a seat. I obliged, whilst looking curiously around me.
The office was crammed full of the weirdest and wackiest things that you could possibly imagine. There was a mirror on the wall behind him that seemed to show faces of people that weren't in the room. There was a huge collection of phials stacked precariously upon shelves that covered each wall. I wondered in my head what was in them. There was also a large chest in the corner of the room, that seemed to violently shake every couple of seconds.
"Miss...?" Moody asked in his gruff voice, and I swung my head back to him.
"Tobknot." I enlightened him.
"Well, Miss Tobknot, I have a problem."
"A problem, Professor?" I was really worried now.
He nodded once. "All of your previous work in class and your homeworks have been excellent. However, your duelling today wasn't up to your usual standard. I'd say you're averaging on a low A at the moment."
I took in a deep breath. An A? I'd never gotten as low as an A before!
"Well, what can I do to improve Professor?" I asked urgently.
"I'd say relax a bit more. Duelling isn't about controlling every single movement you make! It's essential to get this right, Miss Tobknot, especially in the current climate! Constant Vigilance!" He was shouting now, both hands on his desk, leaning over it and snarling like a beast. I cowered back into my chair.
He seemed to snap out of his daze after a few seconds. He chuckled lightly to himself and sat back down.
"Go on then, get back to your Common Room." He ordered.
I briefly nodded, before hurrying out of his office, not taking any notice of the Sneakascope that had gone berserk on a table by the door.