-THREE WEEKS LATER-
"Class dismissed."
Students quickly began to pack up their things and make their way out of the Charms classroom. Flitwick scanned the crowd of first years in search of a familiar face, and raised his voice a little to be heard over the noise as he requested, "Miss Lewis, might I have a word?"
The girl looked up from packing her things into her book bag and smiled. "Of course, Professor. Just let me go tell Beatrice that I'm going to be a minute."
"Why don't you invite her in? This pertains to her as well."
"Okay." Anna waited until the rest of the students filed out before disappearing into the hall. She came back a few moments later with a smiling blonde fifth year in tow. "Anna said you have some news for us, Professor?" Beatrice questioned.
"That's right. So as you know, Miss Lewis, I've been attempting to figure out a way to make it so that you can get around the castle without the need of assistance."
Anna nodded.
"Well, I've been working with Professor Babbling on the problem - she's the Ancient Runes professor - and I believe we've come up with a solution."
"Really?" Beatrice asked. "That's wonderful!"
Flitwick wordlessly waved his wand and summoned over a copper sheet about the size of a piece of paper. He handed it to Anna, and on closer inspection she found that dozens of ruins were intricately carved into its surface. "How does it work?"
"The ruins inscribed on the copper sheet act as a sort of anchor, to permanently hold the spells in place. I'll simply fix the sheet onto the back of your chair, and once I activate the spell work, you should be able to move up and down stairs without the need of assistance."
Anna silently handed the metal back, and with a nod the professor moved behind her to begin working. The was a sharp clang as the metal stuck into place, and Anna heard Professor Flitwick start to chant. Anna saw a flash of bright light reflect in Beatrice's glasses, who had been standing in front of Anna and smiling in excitement the entire time. It seemed to be a good thing, as Flitwick stopped chanting and hummed in satisfaction.
"Excellent! The spell work appears to be functioning perfectly." Anna turned to face the professor. "Now to test it. Miss Lewis, if you would be so kind as to try to climb those steps?" He indicated the series of raised platforms where the desks were located. "Just keep moving towards them, and you should start to ascend as you reach the stairs."
Anna rolled towards the stairs, feeling a sense of déjà vu as memories of getting to Platform 9 3/4 flooded her mind. However, just like passing safely through the brick wall, as she reached the first stair she felt her chair start to ascend instead of crashing. She smiled, making her way all the way to the highest point in the classroom before turning around to see the elated duo looking up at her from below. "It works!" She made her way back to them, where Beatrice immediately moved over to hug the younger girl in delight.
Anna looked over to Flitwick, who was watching the pair with sparkling eyes and a kind smile. "Thank you, Professor. Again."
"I'm glad I could help, Miss Lewis. And really, it was a wonderful bit of charm work to figure out. I do enjoy a challenge, as does Professor Babbling. I know you still have some time yet, but you should consider her class when you're a third year."
"I'd love to learn how this works - so I think I might just have to now!"
"Professor Babbling really is an incredible teacher, I think you'd love her." Beatrice added in, smiling.
Anna again focused back on the fifth year. "And thank you so much for all of your help, Beatrice. I know you don't need to hang around with me anymore, now that I can get around again, but I was hoping... well, can we still be friends?"
"Of course, Anna!" Beatrice hugged her once more. "I really enjoy spending time with you. And I'm still waiting to borrow that copy of Fahrenheit 451. I need to see if it lives up to your review!"
Anna grinned. "Oh, it does! You know what, I have a free period right now, let me go get it for you before I forget again..." The two turned towards the door, already engrossed in a new conversation.
"Bye, Professor Flitwick!" The girls chimed in unison as they left. The professor smiled at their retreating backs, closing the door behind them before preparing to tackle some grading before his next class.
