Young Love in the Great Hall
Chapter 1
Hermione Granger lugged the heavy charms book out of her bag. She had a three-foot essay due in two weeks. Professor Flitwick had just assigned it that morning so she figured she'd better get it started. A fourth-year Ravenclaw glared at her as she thudded the book against the shiny wooden table in the library. She sat down and adjusted her robes around her. Sighing, she pulled out a quill and a fresh roll of parchment.
The Benefits and Dangers of Bubble-Blowing Curses
Bubble-blowing curses have been around since the seventeenth century when simple soap bubble curses were commonly used, up to the present, where witches and wizards now have the option of inflicting bitter-tasting spells or fruit-flavoured bubbles for their willing friends. The ever-popular slime bubbles are often used against our enemies. All of these bubble-blowing spells are an effective way of momentarily debilitating your opponents, increasing your getaway time, or providing entertainment at a party.
But these seemingly harmless spells can be dangerous. Just ask Amber Willows, a London witch whose tongue accidentally swelled up from a concentrated kiwi-fruit solution. She—
Hermione abruptly broke off as she heard shrill voices approach from behind a row of bookshelves.
"Well, everyone knows they all go to Slytherin. That's probably where he'll end up."
"Yes, but there was that boy from Beauxbatons—"
"Well, Beauxbatons. That's a whole other story."
The voices faded as the two girls shuffled through the sitting area and moved on behind another bookshelf.
Hermione shook her head and pursed her lips. She hated it when people were loud in the library. She dipped her head down and began writing again.
had to be taken to St. Mungo's for a—
"Hermione!" She heard heavy footsteps behind her and turned impatiently. At this rate she would never finish the essay.
It was Ron. His face was flushed and his orange hair fell messily over his eyes.
"What is it, then?" Hermione asked.
"It's Neville! He's stuck in the boys' washroom!"
"Stuck? In the boys' washroom?"
"He's stuck to the sink! We don't know what happened."
"Is he alright?" Hermione's eyebrows furrowed.
"Yeah, he's alright, just stuck. He said he thinks he's been there for about half an hour. We can't get him off!"
"Alright, I'm coming." Hermione quickly rolled up her parchment and stuck it in her bag along with her quill. Her robes swished as she stood up and briskly started walking out of the library.
"Which washroom?"
"Third floor."
"Is he…decent?" Hermione asked before they went into the bathroom.
"Yeah, don't worry. He wasn't, though."
Hermione frowned and pushed the heavy door open.
Harry, Dean, and Seamus were crowded around one of the sinks. Neville was bent over, his head in the bottom of the sink. His brown hair was soaked. His hands were holding the sides of the sink and he looked absolutely miserable. The three boys turned and stood up at Ron and Hermione's entrance.
"Can you help?" Seamus asked hoarsely.
Hermione strode over to the sink. She whipped out her wand. "Arreto Teneo."
Neville immediately came unstuck. He stood up shakily and clutched the side of the sink for support.
Hermione turned to the other boys. "Honestly," she said crossly, "it's a simple cementing spell. What are you, first-years?" She turned to Neville and her voice softened. "Are you alright?"
He nodded as he shook the feeling back into his hands. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
Ron looked sheepish. "I'd stick it to the Slytherins."
"Malfoy, I bet," interjected Harry.
"Wait, said Hermione, "you don't know who did it?"
"No," said Neville. "I was washing my face. I guess I didn't hear over the tap running. Someone just pushed me down into the sink and yelled something. Then I was stuck. Then…" He flushed deeply. "Then they pulled down my—"
"Yeah, we know," Dean said.
The next morning at the breakfast feast in the Great Hall, Dumbledore made an announcement.
"You may have heard rumours about a transfer student coming to join us. In fact, in two weeks, we will have a student coming to stay with us from Durmstrang."
A murmur arose from the four house tables. Students turned towards each other excitedly, eager with speculation.
Dumbledore held up his hand. "All right, quiet down, quiet down." He smiled. "It is a very exciting occasion, yes. The student's name is Julian Tention . He is a sixth-year student. I would like all of you to give him a proper Hogwarts welcome." Dumbledore smiled and sat back down at his spot at the teachers' table, his robes billowing around him.
All four tables erupted into spontaneous chatter. That must have been what those girls were talking about in the library yesterday, Hermione thought.