The feast went above its usual standards, but I was not eating a bite. All around me, my fellow students dug into their meals heartily while I was falling asleep at my plate. It was dark out now and my brain went into autopilot. I buried my face into my arms like I did when I went to Muggle elementary school. Besides being darker, my arms blocked some of the sounds and I accidentally fell asleep.
I was dreaming about living in a house completely made out of Jell-O when someone shook me awake. My head shot up and I was met with Professor Dumbledore's warm, but piercing gaze.
"My dear girl, are you quite all right?" My mouth formed to make words, but no sound came out.
"Well, you see... I was... I apologize..." I stuttered, berating myself for being an idiot for falling asleep in the middle of the Great Hall. Everyone else had left the room and it was only the professor and me. He smiled gently.
"There's no need to apologize, Miss Dewitt. It could happen to anyone. Off you go to what I hope is much more comfortable than our tables to sleep on," he inclined his head. I nodded gratefully and made my way to the Ravenclaw common room and into my dormitory. I slipped back into a slumber from which I never wanted to wake up.
I woke up to the dull-grey of dawn. My first day of my last year and I was awakened by my internal alarm clock. I let out a melancholy sigh. I wanted to prolong each moment, but I knew that was unwise. No wise person ever wished to slow things down. I put on my robes and headed into the common room. The room covered in books, chairs, and tables, all devoted to working, had not changed. I was really going to miss it. Something inside my head snapped. I could both be depressed about leaving and waste all my time or I could be happy and enjoy moments. I chose the latter.
"Good morning, Luna," I flopped down happily next to my latest friend. "I'm excited about classes, aren't you?"
"Yes, but I don't think I'm going to like our new teacher, Professor Umbridge," a frown cut across her dreamy expression. "She doesn't seem like the kind of teacher who'd talk about nargles." I nodded in agreement and wondered what kind of woman Umbridge is.
"I'm going to go down for breakfast. Would you care to join me?" I invited. She shook her head.
"No, thank you. I'm not hungry right now, but I'll see you later." I stood up and went to the Great Hall to find my sister at the Hufflepuff table. She was already talking with a group of her friends about some party they were going to have to kick off this new year the 'right way'.
"Anna, what do you think of Umbridge?" I interrupted her conversation. She turned to look at me, dislike strong in her eyes.
"That horrid witch?" she asked in a sugary-sweet tone. "Why, I think she's absolutely a God-send, when she's actually a Ministry-send. Oh, and her clothing options are atrocious." I smiled.
"You don't like her."
"What gave it away? Was it the frown?" she said in a mock-guilty tone.
"Yes, that must be it. You can go back to your conversation now. I'm sorry I interrupted."
"No, Jenny, wait. I need to tell you something!" Anna said excitedly. "You know those new shorts I bought this summer; the green and blue ones? Well, I'm wearing them right now and it feels like I have a cloud on my butt!" I stared at her and burst out laughing.
"Duly noted," I grinned. "See you later." I headed over to the Ravenclaw table and grabbed a slice of toast. Then I remembered I had toast yesterday. Then I decided I did not care that I had toast yesterday, I just wanted to... oh, my God. A blush crept up my cheeks and I turned away from the High Table. Snape was glaring at me like he did to everyone, but I couldn't look him in the eyes without fear I'd turn into a blathering fool.
The man already thought I was taking up the air that he was worthier to use, I didn't want to give him more reason to dislike me. I actually respected him and tried more than usual to overachieve in his class. My thoughts turned to Anna for a moment. I love how when our parents are gone, we freely use swear words, but when they return, we turn into innocent little angels. If I could describe my feelings towards Professor Snape, it would be strings of swear words; I only swore when I was frustrated or trying to illustrate a point. Flitwick was handing out schedules and I glanced over the beginning of mine.
Divination, Charms, Transfiguration, Astronomy, Double Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. I scowled. I did not get into Advanced Potion Making. Why the hell not? I was smart enough! I jumped out of my seat and stormed up to the High Table to give Professor Snape a piece of my mind. My mouth curled into a disgusted sneer.
"Professor Snape, do you have a moment?" I asked with a tone of politeness. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my sister staring intently at me. I didn't alleviate her curiosity. He glared at me with contempt.
"Funnily enough, I don't. Now sit back down unless you wish to have points taken away before classes have started, Miss Dewitt." I held my ground.
"Sir, I would like to ask you something," I stated coldly. His jaw clenched and he rolled his eyes.
"What do you want?"
"I want to know why I'm not in your advanced potions class. I specifically requested it and I want to know why you denied me a spot in the class, sir," I hastily tacked on the 'sir' before he really did take points away from Ravenclaw. I wasn't one to put anything past Snape. A few of the teachers had swiveled their heads to listen to Snape's reply.
"Because you don't deserve to be in that class, Miss Dewitt," came the soft response. "You haven't done anything to earn that spot." That's when Professor Sprout chimed into the conversation.
"Actually, if memory serves me correctly, Miss Dewitt showed an admirable knack for knowing plants, which are used often in potions." Snape's expression froze.
"Be that as it may, Miss Dewitt isn't nearly smart enough to do well in that class."
That's when Flitwick joined in. "Miss Dewitt is a Ravenclaw; she can do anything she puts her mind to." I smiled gratefully at him and he returned it. I was surprised at how many of the teachers thought I should be in Snape's class.
"Very well," he spat. "Miss Dewitt, you've been drafted into my advanced potions class. Don't make me regret this." I beamed delightedly.
"Thank you, sir. You won't regret this!" I said, regressing to the Ravenclaw table, still smiling. Anna walked over cautiously; she was afraid I was going to explode or something.
"You talked to Snape and you look happy afterwards?" she asked, astounded. "Let me guess, he told you that you were too smart to teach anymore and you officially don't have to take Potions."
"Nope, just the opposite."
"You have to take all Potions?" she asked in horror. I rolled my eyes in exasperation.
"No, Snape put me into his advanced class."
"When is that?" she inquired. I opened my mouth to speak, but I didn't have the answer. I shrugged and went back up to the teacher's table. I waited for Professor Snape to look up and notice me.
"Why are you back up here? I'm not changing your schedule to all-Potions," he snapped. My eyes widened at his tone shortly.
"I was merely wondering when the class was, sir. I didn't want to be late."
"First hour. Don't you read your schedule, Miss Dewitt or have you forgotten how to read over the summer?" he hissed.
"Thank you, Professor, you've been most helpful." I made my escape while I still could. I had better watch my step around Snape, because there was no doubt in my mind that he would make me pay for embarrassing him this morning. The warning bell rang and I speed-walked towards the dungeons.
Quickly, I took a seat in the back of the room, praying I would remain invisible. I went that one time to a teacher for help. It was not so bad, but I did not wish to repeat the experience. I practically begged for a spot in this class. Snape swept into the room and glanced around. His gaze settled on me, his mouth curving into a smirk.
"Miss Dewitt, take a seat in the front row," he commanded. I controlled my expression from going into one of shock and walked carefully up to the front row of desks. I took a seat to his left and cringed. There were a few other Ravenclaws in here and Hufflepuffs, but there were no Gryffindors and only two Slytherins. I hated the seating arrangement.
"Now then, today we will be brewing the Essence of Dittany. You have one hour. Begin!" he snarled. The class set to work, flipping through their textbooks and cutting ingredients. Twenty minutes later, Snape overlooked our potions. Of course, he started with me.
"Tell me, Miss Dewitt, how are you supposed to stir the Dittany?" he asked silkily. I swallowed and glanced down at the page in my book.
"Stir clockwise nine times every four minutes and then change erection -I mean direction!" I winced at my slip up and bit my lip. The entire class spluttered with laughter until Snape demanded silence. Oh, damn. I had really messed up this time. Apparently, Snape did not need to try and trick me into messing up because I did a bang up job on my own.
"Would you mind repeating that last part, word for word, Miss Dewitt?"
"I said, 'stir clockwise nine times every four minutes and then change direction', sir. Is there something wrong, Professor?" I asked, not willing to meet his eyes. His tone became cold.
"I would appreciate it if you kept your sexual remarks to yourself from now on, Miss Dewitt. Five points from Ravenclaw and be grateful it isn't more." Tears threatened to overflow, but I turned my mind into a logical machine. I detached myself from my emotions and continued to work on the Dittany as if none of that had happened. Five minutes before the bell, Snape surveyed everyone's work.
"Detention, Miss Dewitt," he said smoothly, waving his wand over my potion, making it disappear. I gasped.
"What? Why, Professor? I didn't even do anything!" He raised an eyebrow.
"I do not tolerate cheating in my class and a point from Ravenclaw for your cheek. I expect you here at five o'clock." Snape's accusation stung and my defensive side emerged.
"Excuse me, sir, but I didn't cheat!" I cried angrily. "I didn't even talk the entire hour except for when you talked to me, and I'd hardly call that cheating!" My eyes were burning with tears and I closed them to prevent them from falling, but they did anyway. I hated this class; it was so unfair.
"A week's detention, Miss Dewitt. Don't talk back to me," he snarled and the bell rang. I ran off, leaving my things behind accidentally. I didn't want to go back and get them, but I had no choice. I dragged my feet to return to the dungeon classroom. I hesitated at the door.
"I forgot my stuff," I muttered as an explanation. He simply glared at me as I picked up my bag. Suddenly, I turned on him. "Sir, please believe me, I didn't cheat!" My vision blurred again and I furiously blinked. "I'll do the detentions, but I didn't cheat. Professor Snape, please I beg you, don't ruin my reputation."
"You'll do the detentions, and yet you still plead your innocence?" he smirked. "That proves you're guilty." I sighed.
"Never mind, Professor. Have a nice day," I told him. He gave me a weird look. Snape insulted me and I told him to have a nice day. That probably threw his mind into a loop. I trudged off to Charms.