Chapter Two
Hi again. It's morning now and time for class. Except this bed is really comfy and my private room is so nice, I don't wanna get up. Except I don't want Louis to take over the bathroom. Bed, bathroom. Bed, bathroom. Ugh. Bathroom it is.
Aaaannnnddddd yes! I beat him to the bathroom. Lucky for him, I don't take forever in the shower like some girls.
I am now sitting here in our common room. Breakfast is already half over and Louis has yet to come down. I'm heading for his room when I hear a knocking at the portrait hole. Should probably go see who it is. Though it wouldn't be Professor McGonagall because she knows the code to get in.
Like I thought. It's James Potter. Louis's best friend and partner in crime. Though he's discreet enough about the crime part that he was the one made prefect our fifth year.
"Hi. You didn't think to wake up Louis did you."
Umm, I don't think that was an actual question, but I was about to. I arch an eyebrow at him.
"Never mind. For future reference though, he never gets up on his own in the mornings. You literally have to drag him out of bed. If you don't want to be the one doing that, just come find me and I'll do it."
Alrighty. Good to know. Storing knowledge for future reference.
After thinking this, I realize that James has already gone upstairs to wake Louis. I'm heading for the portrait hole to go down to breakfast when I hear Louis call me name.
"Aurora. Wait. I want to talk to you before class." He's just poking his head out the door.
Does he not realize it's time for breakfast? I rub my belly, hoping he'll realize what I mean.
"I know." He turns back into his room. "James, will you go get us some food and bring it back here for us to eat?"
James comes out and heads for the portrait hole. "Fine. But don't expect this to become a regular occurrence."
"Thanks mate!" Louis calls out after him.
Looking back at Louis, I realize he's come down the stairs into the common room. He's also still in his sleepwear. Or maybe I should say lack thereof. Him. In boxers. I can see why the girls fall all over him. At least I have the tact so that he can't tell that I'm checking him out.
He plops down and the couch and pats the cushion next to him. What could he want to talk about? Because if he starts a pity party, I'm out of here.
"I wanted to apologize for yesterday. Again."
I grab a notebook and pen and start writing.
You're forgiven. You don't need to keep apologizing.
"Thanks. But that's not all I wanted to talk about." I arch an eyebrow at him. He correctly interprets it as a signal to continue. "I wanted to let you know that I really will keep your secret. You don't have to worry about me telling anyone."
Not even as pillow talk with some girl after you've screwed her?
"Ok. Let's set a few things straight. First, that is not appropriate pillow talk. Second, I don't actually talk to the girls normally spend time with. And third—and if you ever repeat this to anyone else I will curse you into the next century—I am a virgin. I have done a lot of things with girls, but I have never shagged one."
Wow. Got to say I wasn't expecting that one.
Don't worry. You keep my secret and I'll keep yours.
"Deal. Now I need to go get dressed because I don't need detention from McGonagall for showing up to class like this."
Oh, I don't know. She might be so blinded by your body that she'll forget about detention and just enjoy the view.
"Oh, so you think it's a good view?"
I merely shake my head and refuse to respond to that. Though I kind of walked right into that one.
A while later, James had shown up again, not only with food (Yum!) but also with our timetables. Turns out that the three of us had all our classes together, even Muggle Studies. Yes, I know it's pointless for a muggleborn to take Muggle Studies but it's so amusing! The looks on their faces when Professor Clearwater tries to explain things like vacuums and toasters to them. That class is beyond hilarious for me.
Our first class of the day is Defense Against the Dark Arts. I walk in and head for my usual seat, front and center. I adore DADA. It's my favorite class. Not only am I top of the class with my mastery of nonverbal spells, but Professor Longbottom is very nice.
Oh, I forgot to mention that. With my whole not talking thing, I had to master nonverbal spells as a first year. That's why McGonagall said I was a brighter witch than Hermione Granger Weasley. Though my brightness was born out of necessity.
Wait. Why is Louis sitting next to me? No one ever sits next to me unless it's the last seat available. And Louis always sits with James. Always.
"Hiya Uncle Neville!" Did he just say uncle?
"Louis. You know you're not supposed to call me that at school." Wait, but they're not related…
"Noooooo. I'm not supposed to call you that during class. And class hasn't started yet." Wow, smart aleck much?
My curiosity overwhelms me and I nudge him before scrawling on the corner of my parchment
Uncle?
"Oh yeah. He's just an honorary uncle. Not technically related. But we don't stand on technicalities in my family."
I nod. I wish I had honorary family members. It gets lonely just being me and Mum.
"Oh yes, Ms. Johnson. I heard about your new status. Congratulations. It's very nice having both of the Heads be from my house this year."
Awww. Professor Longbottom is so sweet. I give him one of my genuinely huge smiles so he knows I appreciate it.
It's a double period of DADA and by the time we get to the second half, it's time for the practical part. We're supposed to be learning patronuses. Not necessarily required school material but still really useful, even if only as messengers.
Only problem is, I can't think of a happy memory. At least, not one that's happy enough. All I'm getting is silvery wisps. Come on! Think! Happy memory, happy memory. Argh! I can't think of anything happy enough.
All of a sudden, a silver wolf bounds up to me and I hear Louis's voice say, "Don't worry. It takes loads of practice. No one gets it on the first try."
I stare as it fades away. Then I turn to Louis and cross my arms with an eyebrow raised. Not on the first try? Then what was that?
He shrugs apologetically. "Uncle Harry taught me a couple years ago. It took me ages to get more than wisps. You just need a better memory. It can't just be any happy memory. It has to be the absolute happiest memory you have."
The absolute happiest. Ok. Let's think. Nothing from my time at Hogwarts. Nothing actually since my dad died. So before then…
I've got it! This time, when I cast the spell, rather than getting a few wisps, the silver starts to grow into a shape. I watch as it forms a monkey?
"Is that a howler monkey?" Woah. Louis's right. That's a howler monkey. How did I end up with my patronus being one of the loudest animals on earth? "Guess that means that if you did talk, you'd never shut up."
Yeah, you're not getting away with that comment. I glare at him as I send my monkey flying at his face. He stumbles back and I can't help falling into fits of silent laughter.
