A/N: Please R&R!
Disclaimer: Hogwarts isn't mine. It wouldn't fit in my purse.
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The thick flakes drifted slowly towards the already snow-covered ground, resting there without imprint. The sky was forebodingly dark with snow, making it seem as if the castle had been engulfed in a vast blanket. All the window panes were frosted with heavy ice and no student was seen without their cloak and scarf held fervently against the cold, despite the various fires that had been lit throughout the castle.
The first week of snowfall had been great fun. Snowballs were bewitched to follow various professors, as well as peers; brave combats were fought with the long icicles found decorating parts of the castle grounds; armies of snowmen strategized in the on-going war of forts and castles that students had played; not to mention the escapades the younger students had held on the frozen edges of the Great lake. The latter had been brought to a grinding halt by the threatened detentions after a first year student had fallen into the lake and spent half a week in Hospital Wing.
At first the professors had permitted the gaieties, but after the first week and a half of continuous snowfall the castle had settled into a depressing level of cold. The charms that had been thawing pathways through the snow to classes located outside of the castle had stopped working as effectively, now the only lesson held outside was Herbology in the green houses. The classes held in the dungeons and lower chambers of the castle had become unbearably cold and fire hearths that has remained unlit for years, even centuries, were blazing bravely against the freezing cold. All students were advised to remain inside the castle at all times possible due to the negative temperatures of the weather outside. The temperature had been dropping steadily until now, as the end of the third week of snowfall, the enchanted thermometer erected by the main doors threatened to make Hogwarts history.
"...Miss Sathren, Miss Sathren!"
Tessa sat upright in her chair with a start, only to find herself face to face with her Care of Magical Creatures Master, Professor Tithwillow. There was an interesting, large bird with scales that reflected a different colour each time the creature moved sitting cockily on the Professor's shoulder. Its orange eyes glowed slightly as it regarded Tessa's long, golden hair with interest.
"... in comparison to the weather may make you drowsy,"
Tessa tore her eyes away from the bird-creature in realization that Professor Tithwillow was still lecturing her.
"It'd do you well to remember that this is not a daycare center and I absolutely will not tolerate sleeping during my lessons."
The bird-creature swayed, cooing merrily, as the Professor crossed her arms over her chest and awaited Tessa's reply. There were giggles from the Hufflepuff girls sitting behind Tessa.
"Yes Professor Tithwillow, I'm sorry," Tessa said abashed, carefully smoothing her cloak out she picked up her abandoned quill.
"Very well then," smiled the Professor, "Now class, who can tell me the eating habits of this beautiful Besymme that I have here?"
The scaled bird tilted its head as it gravely surveyed the class with its fiery eyes.
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"Tess! Hey Tessa, wait up!" Zamina landed at the bottom of the staircase with a graceful jump, her black curls bouncing happily as she caught up with Tessa. "Guess what! Oh, you'll never guess!" she laughed grabbing Tessa's hands, forcing her to drop her bag and spin in breathless circles.
Tessa couldn't help but smile as she gasped, "What? Tell me."
Zamina sat down in a heap of cloak, giggles and black curls, managing to still look attractive judging by the boys that had paused on their way to the Great Hall.
"Clear off, Slytherin girls are out of your league!" Shouted Tessa in their direction, causing a collective murmur among their now scattering audience. She returned her gaze back down to Zamina, who was still slumped on the stone floor oblivious to the cold and looking gravely at Tessa. Tessa sighed. "Well, are you going to spill or not?"
Zamina stifled a smile. "I, Zamina Zeneth, have successfully devised a fool-proof plan to win the attentions of Alexander Marvino."
Tessa smiled widely as her best friend broke into further giggles. Alex was only the cutest boy in third grade Slytherin House. "And how, pray tell, shall you accomplish the said task?"
"With this!" laughed Zamina as she waved a very old, crumpled page in front of Tessa. The page looked like it had been ripped out of a spell book.
"Where did you get that?" Tessa asked quietly, checking that nobody was still listening in on their conversation.
Zamina replied nonchalantly , "The Library."
Tessa almost dropped the books she had been gathering in shock. "Mina! You're supposed to borrow whole books! Madame Horne's going to kill you!"
"Shh," the black-haired girl looked around conspiringly, "This isn't from a book we're allowed to see, let alone borrow. Besides, I went through a lot of charms trying to get it off that shelf without Madame Horne noticing. She would have caught me too, if it wasn't for that Salone Bull. She accidentally knocked down a whole row of very old books, that klutz."
Tessa held out her hand and helped Zamina to her feet, trying not to laugh." Fine. Let's go celebrate your success with lunch."
The two girls went to find seats at the Slytherin table, still giggling.
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