Author's Note: Wow, my first real piece in more than a year. Inspiration really does strike at the most unexpected times.
Sally-Anne Perks was terrified.
Of all the days to forget Magical Drafts and Potions in the common room, why today? Snape was sure to be in a foul mood due to the Slytherin Quidditch Team's recent loss to Gryffindor. If showing up without materials was unacceptable on a normal day, Sally-Anne didn't dare imagine the consequences of forgetting it today.
Better late with her book than on time without it.
Turn left at the portrait of Olrich the Old, behind the tapestry of Merlin…
Sally-Anne reached a tall staircase, and ran up it, two steps at a time.
What was the password again? Morior invictus? No, that was last week's…
Suddenly, the weight under her feet vanished.
…Tuesday! Merlin's bollocks, the vanishing step!
But it was too late. Gravity was already in control, and Sally-Anne was plummeting through the staircase towards the floor meters below.
All for a potions book. Oh, bugger me.
~oOo~
"Perks."
The dungeon was silent.
"Five point from Gryffindor for Miss Perks' callous disregard for schoolwork."
Lavender and Parvati shared a glance. Sally-Anne had run up to the common room to grab her potions book, and now she was tardy.
But she'd be here soon, wouldn't she?
"Potter."
"Here, sir."