Bordering on Insanity
"Speech"
Thinking
Normal
"Spell"
"Andromeda. Wake up. Classes start in half an hour."
Med groaned, and buried her head in her pillow.
"Andromeda. Andromeda."
The last word was said firmly, like the speaker had been getting impatient, but that was impossible, because the reader would know Arelia never got impatient.
"Andromeda!"
"Go to hell." Meda mumbled into her pillow. Of course, it sounded more like guh to huu, but Arelia got the gist of it.
"Now, now," Arelia reprimanded. "You are a lady. A rather pitiful one, it must be admitted, but a lady, nonetheless. Now, get up and start the day."
Meda grumbled, but blearily did as Arelia said. When she opened her eyes, the sight of Arelia's light blond hair welcomed her.
"Merlin, my eyes! Can't you put that lemon coloured mop away?"
Arelia looked offended for a second, but her features silkily arranged themselves into a pleasant face.
"Now, Andromeda, go and get ready."
Meda scowled at her. Merlin, I hate that name. Why did mum decide to name us all after A's? After Ames, Alister, Amadeo, Amyko, Archie, Arnie, Albert and Arelia, couldn't she decide to have a bit of diversity? Well, she could have named me Anchoret. Thank Circe Father had a past girlfriend with that name.
"Now, Andromeda!"
"Fine!"
Meda trooped to the mirror and looked at it blearily. Sometimes, she was jealous of Arelia, for being so perfect. Arelia's hair was always immaculate; Meda could never control her hair. Arelia was perfect in every subject; Meda was only good at Transfiguration, Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures. All professors adored Arelia; they all abhorred Meda, with the exception of Dumbledore and Slughorn. Arelia was just perfect. Meda looked at her reflection. She had black hair that was actually brown, eyes that were the same as her hair, a nose that was too big for her face, pinkish, thin lips, and arching eyebrows that added to her 'scornful' attitude. In all reality, she was plain, while Arelia turned heads. Even as children, we never liked each other. We were just too different, I guess. While I read a few books, I always was climbing trees, and playing with mud with my brothers. Arelia was always a perfect lady, the only one in the family who could tolerate Mother's long, droning speeches about etiquette, and how, they mustn't forget that she was once an Alouette, which were a powerful, pureblood family in France.
Meda finished getting ready, and pulled her hair into a ponytail, as Arelia cast a critical eye over her.
"Not bad, I suppose."
"Who the hell cares?"
As they walked to the Great Hall, Meda tried to lose her. Every morning, Arelia insisted on walking with her to breakfast. People turned their heads as they walked by, and while Arelia soared by gracefully, Meda glared at them all, and sent them scurrying. As always, she got reproached for doing so.
"Honestly, Andromeda. I don't understand why you love to make the entire population of Hogwarts hate you!"
Meda responded by smirking at her, and hurrying down to breakfast, where she sat by Myrtle. Ah, Myrtle. The bullied, lonely girl, yet possibly my best friend. It was true, Meda didn't have many friends, but she was very protective over them. She leaned back and surveyed the area around her. At the Gryffindor table, Bilius and Hagrid were talking. Good. I'll have to make it up to Bilius for being friendly to Hagrid. At the Hufflepuff table, the Diggory twins were the point of focus there, as they cracked a joke. Pushovers, the lot of them. She looked at the Slytherin table, where Tom Riddle sat, surrounded by his followers. ******** Tom Riddle. I hate him. I'll murder him one day. She saw Abraxas Malfoy chatting to Cygnus Black, Arelia's new flame. And just like a spark, it won't burn long. Hmm… Abraxas Malfoy. Another follower of Tom Riddle. Idiots. Abraxas, noticing Meda watching him, winked at her. Meda responded by sneering at him. Stupid Malfoy. Meda returned to eating her breakfast.
"Myrtle," she said suddenly, as Myrtle liked to eat her breakfast quietly.
"Yes?" Myrtle asked, looking at her from behind her thick glasses.
Myrtle really is pretty. Her hair is a lovely colour. She'll start getting attractive soon, and then boys will be all over her, and then comes the broom closets. Damn it. Of course, I'll probably say worse when she does start, but still…
"Oh, nothing. Actually, where is Leander?"
Myrtle giggled, and placed her fist in her mouth to stop her from laughing.
"What?" Meda hissed.
"Oh, nothing. Nothing except Davis is trying to get Leander agree to "tutor" her."
Myrtle wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, but Meda was too distracted, looking over the Ravenclaw table for Leander. She saw him, and fell off her chair laughing.
"You are aware that sounds like cackling, right?" Myrtle was glancing at Meda over her book.
"You say tomahto, I say tomayto." Meda sang.
"You've watched that movie?" Myrtle looked surprised.
"What moo-vie? Sounds like something a cow would say."
A passing girl raised her eyebrows at her. "Honestly," she muttered, and flounced off.
Meda stuck her tongue out at her, and scowled. "Honestly," She mimicked.
"Mimicry doesn't suit you, Meda." Myrtle said wisely.
Meda stuck her tongue out at her too, and walked over to where Leander was siting, seemingly befuddled.
"But you can't summon people. It doesn't work!"
Meda, grumbling, dragged Leander away from Davis, who, disappointed, returned to her own table.
"What did she say to you?" Meda demanded, when Leander sat down.
Myrtle tried not to look, but was peeping over the top of her book.
"Well?"
"Something about saying Accio hottie. She has wrackspurts everywhere! It's horrible!"
"Indeed," Meda agreed.
Myrtle looked at the time. "Class!" she shrieked.
Meda scowled again. "Oh, yeah. Better get to that. C'mon, Leander."
And with that note, she stalked down the hall with Leander following.
Myrtle sighed, and concentrated.
"Carpe Retractum" She cast again, to no avail. Myrtle sighed again.
The tall, young Professor Lanchester strode down the aisle towards her.
"Try again. Ms. Jones."
Myrtle weakly smiled. "Yes, professor."
"Carpe Retractum." Nothing came out of her wand.
The professor did not look concerned, however. "Try flicking your wrist when you cast. Like this." The professor demonstrated, and orange ropes seized the frog Myrtle was working on, and brought it back to the professor, who caught it in one deft move.
"Now you try, Miss Jones." Professor Lanchester said, putting the frog down.
"Alright." Myrtle felt queasy. "C-carpe Retractum!"
A spark flew out, and the frog was prevented from escaping by a thin, black rope.
"Well, that's a start! Keep trying, and you'll soon get it."
Professor Lanchester looked at her encouragingly, and Myrtle smiled, happier then she had been in a long time. She didn't know why, but happiness just filled her up, and soon she was just itching to try the Grab and Seize Charm.
"Carpe Retractum!" She cast, and suddenly, the frog jerked violently towards her.
"Good job! Now, you try, Miss Hornby."
Hagrid smiled at her, and cast the charm himself. His frog moved quickly towards him, bound by a long, thick, red rope. Hagrid was a natural at Charms, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. Animas just tended to gravitate towards him. Hagrid is a great friend. You couldn't find a more loyal friend, but he is absolutely horrible at keeping secrets…He is really kind and caring though.
"Yeh a'right there, Myrtle?"
"Yes, Hagrid, thank you."
Professor Lanchester suddenly jumped. "My, my, it is time for your next class! Off you go!"
Myrtle scrambled to get her books in her bag, and tripped. Olive Hornby and her friends started laughing, and Myrtle turned red. Ducking her head, she got up and raced to Herbology, with the Gryffindors. These days, the Ravenclaws had everything with the Gryffindors. Professor Dippet thought it wise that Gryffindors and Slytherins didn't have classes with each other, and so made the Gryffindors have classes with the Ravenclaws, and the Hufflepuffs with the Slytherins. Professor Dippet is wise, even is his older years. I can't believe he's over three centuries old! Here comes Greenhouse 3. Professor Beery looked at them all, beaming. He was an old teacher, and was not in his right mind, but had a tremendous skill with plants.
"Welcome, welcome everybody." She greeted them. "Today we are learning about how to harvest puffapods. First, what is a puffapod?"
Myrtle stretched her hand high into the air, silently willing the Professor to pick her. Please pick me!
"Yes, Miss Jones?
"Puffapods are large, fat pink pods with seeds that burst into flower if dropped."
"Correct!"
Myrtle smiled, as Hagrid mouthed good job at her. She loved Herbology. Actually, come to think of it, I love all my classes, even potions! Really, this isn't surprising for a Ravenclaw.
Armando Dippet sighed. Leaning forward, he looked at the four students sitting in his office. Cygnus Black, Leander Lovegood, Arelia Rosignal, and her sister, who was a frequent visitor to his office, Andromeda Rosignal.
"May I ask, what brought you here this time, Ms. Rosignal?"
Andromeda scowled. "I was provoked, Professor."
Arelia shot up. "No, you weren't!" She looked at him. "Professor, Cygnus and I had nothing to do with this! Andromeda is just overreacting over nothing."
Andromeda stood up. "It's obvious that the only reason Black's with you is so he can get into your pants!"
Leander looked at her. "But she's wearing a skirt, Meda."
Meanwhile, Cygnus Black had turned pink.
Arelia turned red. "You have no right to meddle in my relationships!"
Andromeda snorted. "You're going to gain the reputation of a-"
Arelia looked furious now. "Go on, I dare you."
Right as Andromeda opened her mouth, Dippet shouted. "Silence!"
Finally, it was quiet.
Professor Dippet began. "I don't know what happened, but each of you will be getting a detention. I am very disappointed in all of you, especially you, Ms. Rosignal. You are a model student!"
Arelia looked abashed. "I can promise it won't happen again sir."
Dippet nodded. "And you, Ms. Rosignal. You have sat in here too many times. I must ask you, to try and prevent yourself from coming in here again. We had this discussion last year, and you have made improvement, but barely any. Try harder."
Andromeda looked mutinous, but agreed.
As the students began to leave, Dippet stopped them. "One more thing," he said. "Professor Dumbledore will send notice about your detentions."
Andromeda stomped out, Leander following. Like a gentleman, Cygnus motioned for Arelia to go first, and closed the door behind him, nodding to Dippet as he did so.
Dippet sat with a sigh. "My, oh my, Ms. Rosignal is-"
"A pest!" said a snooty voice.
"Phineas, please."
Dilys Derwent began to speak. "Dear, find yourself a hobby. You're going to need one soon, with Ms. Rosignal in her fifth year."
"Well, think positive! She'll only be here for a couple more years!"
The portraits murmured in agreement.
"YOU DID WHAT?" Myrtle shrieked.
Meda winced, and put her hands over her ears. "Don't be so loud!"
Myrtle took her glasses off and started polishing them, muttering to herself. Finally, she looked up. "This is a new record. Second week back, and you already have a detention."
"Well done, Rosignal." A new voice drawled, and Myrtle groaned internally. Meda and Tom Riddle stood there, glaring at each other. Neither moved, until Meda tried to stab him with a knife. Fortunately, Riddle sidestepped, and Meda crowed triumphantly. "You moved! That means I win!"
"Meda, honestly?"
"You better listen to the mudblood." Walburga Black crooned, and Leander had to hold Meda back as she tried to viciously murder her.
"Bitch!"
Both the Ravenclaws and the Slytherins froze, and turned to look at Meda.
Leander and Myrtle cautiously edged back.
"She's going to die. In a vicious way." Myrtle whispered.
"Should I compose her epitaph? Here lies Meda, a girl who had too many Wrackspurts in her brain."
"Yep."
Walburga Black started to make her way towards Meda, who was standing tall.
"What did you call me?" Walburga asked, in a low, dangerous tone.
"I called you a bitch."
"Didn't your mother teach you to respect your betters?" Now, the whole school was watching, including the teachers, who seemed shocked. Arelia made as if to get up, but was stopped by a grinning Albert, who was her brother in sixth year.
"Didn't your mother teach you not to lie? Have you looked in a mirror lately?"
It was at times like this, when Myrtle wondered how Meda got into Ravenclaw, and not into Gryffindor. The entire population of Hogwarts obviously agreed with her, as they ranged from looking frightened, to looking gleeful.
Walburga shrieked, loudly.
Meda smirked, tauntingly.
She's got a death wish.
Walburga pulled out her wand, mirroring Meda. Realizing things were about to get nasty, everyone edged away.
The two witches nonverbally dueled, and seemed to be at the same skill level as each other.
The professors started to rise, and Meda shouted, "STUPEFY!"
Walburga dodged out of the way of that one, and into the way of a purple spell.
Myrtle mentally applauded Meda on her strategy.
What was once Walburga Black, was now a yellow chick. The entire school, except for some of the Ravenclaws, and most of the Slytherins burst into cheers.
Life was perfect.
"FIFTY POINTS FROM RAVENCLAW! FORTY FROM SLYTHERIN, FOR THIS OUTRAGEOUS DISPLAY OF DUELLING!"
"Another ten from Slytherin for unwanted prejudice, no?"
Professor Dumbledore added, siding up to Professor Merrythought.
"And, thirty to Ravenclaw for an amusing show, and an excellent display of spells. Congratulations on your Transfiguration."
Professor Dumbledore then slided away, humming to himself, while the Slytherins looked on furiously.
Meda smiled, enjoying herself, but not for long. Arelia glided up to her.
"You could have seriously injured her!
"I wish!"
"Meda, don't joke."
"She insulted Myrtle! Are you so close-minded, you'll accept the stupid prejudices against muggle-borns, just like ol' Cygnie?"
"His name is Cygnus, and no, I don't!"
"Then surely, you wouldn't judge me on doing what I did?"
"There are better ways of dealing with it!"
"Then what was I supposed to do? Just ask her to stop?"
"Precisely."
Meda stopped and looked at Arelia incredulously.
"You know what, whatever. C'mon Myrtle, Leander, Hagrid. Let's go.
They walked to the library, leaving Arelia behind. As soon as they reached a table, Meda looked around, carefully.
"Alright." Meda leaned in. "Here's the plan. We humiliate Walburga Black, Druella Rosier, and Tisiphone Greengrass, so much, that they'll never call Myrtie a mudblood, ever again.
Myrtle shook her head. "No. Not happening, at all."
Meda looked disappointed. "Why not."
"Because!" Myrtle said. "You know they'll just hurt us even more! And Druella Rosier is dating Tom Riddle"
"More like shagging." Meda snickered.
"You don't get it!"
"Tom Riddle meddles in things he shouldn't be meddling in."
Meda, Myrtle and Hagrid looked curiously at Leander. "What do yeh mean, Leander?" Hagrid spoke.
Leander simply smiled, and continued reading his book.
They continued to talk, but nearby, sat Tom Riddle, his heart racing. Exactly how much did Lovegood know?"