Third Person
It was a cloudy day when Noele woke, but as she dressed, she had a feeling something embarrassing would take place during breakfast, so she put her hair into a loose bun, her fringe falling in her eyes. With her school robe on, her shoes on, she grabbed her satchel and slid down the banister of the girl's dorm.
"Morning Nev." She hummed cheerfully, green-grey eyes soft.
"Morning Ellie. Let's go get some breakfast, before Ron eats it all." He responded, smiling back at her.
"And we still have to get our timetables for the year."
"And we can't be late."
And with that, the two friends race out of their common room, through the Fat Lady's portrait, down the hall and into the Great Hall. Swiftly walking to the table, they are beaten by their natural clumsiness, hitting the table with their shins.
"Bloody hell." Noele hissed. "Nymmy cursed me with her clumsiness."
"But I thought you both had natural clumsiness." Neville countered.
"Well played Nev." She laughed.
Eating their breakfast, quiet chatter flitted through the hall, only stopping when their head of house came to give them their timetables. "Mister Longbottom, Miss Tonks, here are your timetables for the year." Professor McGonagall spoke, giving them their timetables. "I hope to see even more work from Miss Tonks; it is always a pleasure teaching someone like you." And with a rare smile, that wasn't so rare for Noele, she walked away to hand out more timetables.
"How does she like you so much?" Neville whispered to her, watching with wide eyes.
"I don't know, maybe I remind her of someone?" She offered, cringing at her timetable. "Nooooo! We have Lockhart today."
"How bad is this one?" Neville asked with resignation.
"He's terrible. He's a ponce. He's a fake." She whined, eating some of her breakfast.
Hanging their heads, they finished, just missing the howler that was coming for Ron Weasley from his mother, and walked to Neville's favourite class, Herbology, only to groan as they caught sight of Lockhart talking with Professor Sprout at the Whomping Willow. "Let's just go to the greenhouse, I don't fancy having someone like Lockhart near me." Noele whispered to him.
Their pace quickened, escaping the ponce as they stopped before Greenhouse Three, they chatter as they wait for others to arrive, watching the Herbology Professor with the new DADA professor. "A galleon says she's waits for Harry to get in class." Noele propositioned.
"I'd lose all my galleons!" Neville countered with a laugh, shaking his head.
Grumbling about not gaining some galleons from her friend, they look up startled, Noele's hair momentarily turning a bright pale yellow, before turning back to her dark brown hair. Nudging his friend cautiously, they look around, before sighing in relief. "That was too close, thanks Nev."
Nodding his head to her, they silently watch their professor storm over, muttering about stupid professors and how they were giving her valuable advice. "This year, we'll be working in Greenhouse Three!" She directs them to the third greenhouse, Neville vibrating in excitement.
"I'm going to be terrible in Herbology. I'll be lucky to pass the O.W.L's in fifth year." She mutters to her friend.
"You never told me why you helped Harry and his friends last year."
"Well, I gave Hermione the book she needed before Christmas, told you to give Harry the chocolate frog card-"
"That's why you told me!?"
"-yes Nev, then I told Dumbledore where Harry was at the end of the year. Do you understand how weird it was for him to actually believe me? But, he's pretty brilliant, I was lucky he didn't ask me for proof, otherwise Harry could've died that night." She answered with a shrug, a smile playing on her lips.
Smirking at an annoyed Harry walking in, she wonders whether if she should talk to the DADA professor, pushing the thought into a box in her mind, she pulls her attention back to the professor, listening though never answering questions.
Hearing the bell ring, Noele practically runs out of her seat, grabbing her satchel and Neville rushing to one of her favourite subjects, Transfiguration.
"Why are we so early?" Neville whined, most likely annoyed that he was pulled away from his best subject.
"Because, we are sitting in the front. Besides, Professor McGonagall told me I have the highest grades for her class, discounting Charms, Potions and DADA. It's why I'm tied with Hermione for the first position of our year. And I usually am quick to finish, so I can help you." She answered with a bright grin, eyes alight in delight.
"Miss Tonks, Mister Longbottom, you're quite early." Professor McGonagall hummed, though there was a pleased smile on her aged face.
"Is it alright if I help Nev with his work today? I'm usually quick to finish and it would help him." Noele asked.
"I don't see why not." The professor answered, ushering them to their desks. "Just wait until everyone is here, I don't wish to explain over again."
Sitting down, they grab their textbooks and wands. Explaining the basic principle of Transfiguration. More students entered, waving at the golden trio with a shy smile, she turned back to Neville and continued to explain. "Transfiguration is all about intent, if you want your beetle to turn into a button, take a deep breath and envision it in your mind."
Muttering the incantation, she waves her wand and beams as her beetle transfigures into a silvery green and beaming reddish gold. She fistpumps in the air, a cackle leaving her as Professor McGonagall walks over, smiling at her favourite student and awarding 10 points for creativity.
Though her face flushes prettily as Harry gives her a congratulatory smile, waving at her. She sends him a small smile, tucking her dark brunette hair behind her hair, grey-green eyes looking away bashfully.
Neville, seeing his usually exuberant friend look away shyly, cranes his head around, repressing a sly smirk as one Mister Harry James Potter looks at his best friend with something akin to curiosity. 'Maybe, Ellie will prevent Molly and Ginny from giving Harry love potions.' He mused thoughtfully.
"Harry's looking at you Ellie." He laughed quietly, relishing in his best friends embarrassment.
Smacking him on the shoulder, she playfully sneers. "At least I won't be enamoured by a Ravenclaw." Her eyes taking a misty quality. "I hope you won't mind, but I shall be getting you in her good graces as soon as I can, Nev. You'll love her. She's like me, without the MA."
Neville visibly brightens; he could only imagine how his best friend felt. "Maybe you can teach her what you know." He spoke with a happy smile at her beaming face.
"She already knows what she is to you, but a lot of her housemates dislike her, she was even friends with the youngest Weasley, before she shoved her away for her planning. Remind me to thank her as soon as I can."
"Hi Harry, Hermione, Ron." Spoke Neville with a polite smile, though his warm eyes turned mischievous as he looked at Harry, who hadn't even acknowledged him, his emerald gaze entrapped with his best friends form.
"Heir Potter, Mister Weasley, Miss Granger." Noele acknowledged with a shy, gentle smile.
Her eyes swept over the trio, though if Neville weren't looking himself, he never would have seen the unnoticeable shyness in her eyes as her eyes caught Harry's.
"Noele, what have I told you? Call me Hermione, I know you grew up with those traditions, but we are friends." Hermione spoke with a smile, shocking Harry and Ron.
"You know her?" Ron asked confused.
Noele hid a sly smile, her eyes turning misty as she saw Ron and Hermione get together. 'What a story to tell.' She mused.
"I tie with her for first position. Not to sound high and mighty, but I have the highest scores in Transfigurations, Potions, Charms, and DADA." Noele answered with a bashful smile, cheeks flaming at Harry's gaze.
"Correct, now Noele, can you please call these two by their names?" Hermione asked.
Wide grey-green eyes looked at her. Darting towards her two best friends, they only nodded in agreement. "Alright, but only if you call me Noele."
A head of silvery blonde caught her attention. Beaming at her, Noele quickly excused herself; jogging to the girl she was looking for. Though a sliver of hurt panged in her heart, catching Hermione's departing words she was saying to her friends.
"Noele has always been odd. I don't understand how she gets such high scores."
"Luna!" Called Noele with a smile, the Ravenclaw turning around with her own dreamy smile.
"Hello Ellie, you look lovely in green." Luna smiled, Noele laughing.
"You look ravishing in purple."
The two new best friends walked to the Great Hall, their laughter catching others attention. "Harry will start to show his interest in your third year. What are your plans?" Luna asked, head tilted.
"Well, this year, I might try to get into Lockhearts ear and see if I can do some damage, help Harry with his Parseltongue, Nev will help too. I already told the twins to stand for Harry, which they would have done regardless. Maybe I can do some damage control." She murmured, eyes calculating.
"It wouldn't be a good idea to show your metamorph abilities." Luna advised with a knowing smile.
"But, maybe I can tell Harry. Telling everything about me would implement me in his life more carefully." She hummed.
Luna gave her a secretive smile. "I'm sure he will be more than happy to become your friend."
Noele gave a bark of laughter, catching teacher's attention alike, remembering someone else with that laugh. McGonagall looked as though she had seen a ghost. Dumbledore gave a knowing smile, a Potter and a Black in a friendship. He wasn't unaware of her abilities, a certain Black would always brag about them to his friends. Perhaps that was why Voldemort had such an obsession with her.
Snape looked as though he had swallowed a particularly bitter lemon. His dark, soulless eyes glaring at her in indescribable hate. Memories going swiftly in his mind, remembering a particular Black he detested.
"As long as he doesn't fall for what he does in the future, we will become very good friends."
Dragging Luna with her, they sit at the Gryffindor table, Neville sitting on right. Quickly introducing the two, she smirks as Luna and Neville turn a dark pink. "I believe this is where I say 'I told you so'?"
"Shut up Ellie." Neville grumbles half-heartedly, looking away from her.
Noele just smirks. Though, it soon turns to a frown as she remembers what class they have next. "Neville, be prepared to see how terrible Lockhart really is." She growls. "Stealing and making it seem as though he actually did those things."
Her head shot up; grabbing her belongings she walked out of the Great Hall and into the courtyard. Her eyes narrowed into slits. "You're giving out signed photos, Potter?" She heard her despicable cousin drawl.
"At least, he doesn't need his bodyguards." Noele retorted smoothly, standing in front of Malfoy and twirling her wand nonchalantly. "Of course, he's a much better and stronger wizard than you Malfoy. Not exactly hard."
The air between the two turned frosty. "Filthy Halfblood." He spat, steel eyes growing darker.
Her temper boiled over. She grabbed the front of his shirt until they were nose to nose. Her eyes flickered red briefly. "Listen here ferret; I'm sure Aunt Narcissa has told you about the temper of her family." She growled darkly. "It may have missed her, but it hasn't missed my mum, sister or me."
Draco didn't heed her words. "Line up everyone! Potter's giving out signed photos!"
Neville, who had only caught up to his friend, pulled her back until she was standing beside him. Of course, he was weary of how she was shaking and her fringe covered her eyes. "Let's go Nev, I'm not sure I'll be able to hold back."
"Hold back?" Malfoy taunted. "You're not even strong-"
He was cut off by his hair turning green and poufy. Her eyes bled red, only seen to Malfoy and Neville. "Let's go Nev, I need my patience for Lockhart." She marched away, not bothering with her prat of a cousin.
Unknown to her, Harry Potter was staring at her back in curiosity. 'How was she able to change her eyes like that?' He thought.
Fate smiled serenely to herself. It wasn't known to any but the Potter's, but they could only fall in love with their soulmates. She looked to the strand next to her, shining brightly, even though the owners had passed nearly eleven years ago. "Yes, I believe that their love will shine as strong, if not stronger, than their own. James, Lily, you would be proud of your son."
A short while later saw them in the class Noele dreaded the most. She did not want to be in the presence of the bumbling idiot. "Do you reckon I could skip and not get in trouble?" She wondered.
Her eyes glazed a pearly white, only to scowl. "Not worth running into Snape and getting so many points taken off. No thank you."
Neville tugged on her sleeve with a desperate frown. "Ellie, what happens to me in there?" He asked nervously, glancing at a smirking Draco Malfoy.
She gave him a dirty glare, her eyes glowing, as she answered her best friend, "Don't worry Nev, nothing will happen to you." She spoke louder. "Ferret is more likely to be hurt than you."
She smirked at Malfoy, who was glaring at her. Her hand was tightly grasping her wand, ready to fire a hex at his face within a second. Whatever hex was on her tongue was interrupted by the ponce himself. She watched, disgusted, as he entered his classroom, flouncing.
Ushering Neville, she turned her head slightly. A small crooked smile rose to her lips. She stood in front of Harry, who watched with wide eyes. She straightened his robes. "There you go; I doubt many would be pleased if you showed your robes were askew." She gave one last smile, before entering the classroom and sitting next to Neville.
Neville looked at his friend in confusion, before turning around and his eyes widened. A flushing Harry walked in, though he had a crooked smile as walked in. Emerald green eyes locked onto a certain brunette's back, his smile softening.
In a certain part of Heaven, James chortled at the sight. Lily, however, smiled widely. "He couldn't pick a better girl." She sighed, remembering how they would play as babies.
"Well, Padfoot was right about El. She would set her sights on Harry." James smirked, ruffling his untameable hair.
"More like, Harry would set his sights on her." Lily muttered, watching her son with a raised brow. "He's acting like you."
"Not entirely like me, love." He rebutted, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "He's acting like you too. All shy and the like."
"But, he's gone all red like you used to."
"Huh, you're right Lilyflower."
She elbowed him harshly. "Don't call me that."
"Sorry, love." He uttered painfully.
The whole class silenced themselves as Lockhart picked up Neville's copy of Traveling with Trolls, and held it up to show his own, winking face.
"Me." He said, pointing at it and winking as well. "Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League, and five-time winner of Witch's Weekly Most-Charming-Smile Award – but I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!"
Noele snorted inwardly, outwardly rolling her eyes. 'Please, only simple minded people or sheeple would believe you. Stupid, greedy ponce.' She thought.
He waited for them to laugh; a few people smiled weakly. Noele remained unimpressed, arching a brow.
"I see you've all brought a complete set of my books – well." He said brightly.
Noele glared down at the books, wishing she could set them on fire. So many gallons down the drain, and all for this garbage. She couldn't even call them books! They were an utter disgrace!
"I thought we'd start today with a little quiz. Nothing to worry about – just to check how well you've read them, how much you've taken in—"
When he had handed out the test papers he returned to the front of the class and said, "You have thirty minutes – start – now!"
She was a studious student, and while her visions showed her what he was like during class, she thought she might as well comply.
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favourite colour?
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?
What, in your opinion, is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date?
She lost it. Her eyes turned brown, a scowl on her pretty face, before she smirked deviously. She knew exactly what to write to get under his skin. She wrote down her answers silently, eyes mischievous as she answered the questions.
Half an hour later, Lockhart collected the papers and rifled through them in front of the class.
"Tut tut – hardly any of you remembered that my favourite colour is lilac. I say so in Year with the Yeti. And a few of you need to read Wanderings with Werewolves more carefully – I clearly state in chapter twelve that my ideal birthday gift would be harmony between all magic and non-magic peoples – though I wouldn't say no to a large bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey!"
'First; what kind of adult male would have lilac as their favourite colour?!' Thought most of the class, aka Noele and the boys.
He gave them a roguish wink. Ron and Neville were now staring at Lockhart with a look of disbelief on their faces; Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas, who were sitting in the front, were shaking in silent laughter. Hermione, on the other hand, was listening to Lockhart with rapt attention and gave a start when he mentioned her name.
"…but Miss Hermione Granger knew my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair-care potions – good girl! In fact" – he flipped her page over – "full marks! Where is Miss Hermione Granger?"
Hermione raised a trembling hand.
"Excellent!" Beamed Lockhart. "Quite excellent! Take ten points for Gryffindor! And so – to business—"
Noele smirked. He hadn't mentioned her results at all, regardless if she got all the questions right. Her comments probably did what she expected them to do. 'Good.' She thought evilly. 'Teach that ponce not everyone will bend to his will.'
He bent down behind his desk and lifted a large, covered cage onto it. Green-grey eyes narrowed and glared at both object and professor.
"Now – be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind (Here Noele snorted loudly, inwardly snickering)! You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. All I ask is that you remain calm.
Shaking her head at the people leaning forward, she stacked the books on the desk she shared with Neville, hiding their faces. At his questioning look, she answered, "Pixies. You would be held by your ears on the chandelier. I'm switching you with Malfoy instead. Any creature within their right mind won't hurt a Seer."
Lockhart placed a hand on the cover. Dean and Seamus stopped laughing now. Neville was cowering behind the stacked books and Noele raised a brow in annoyance.
"I must ask you not to scream." Said Lockhart in a low voice. "It might provoke them."
As the rest of the class held their breathe, Noele was daydreaming about the new muggle book her father got her. Lockhart ripped off the cover.
"Yes." he said dramatically. "Freshly caught Cornish Pixies."
Seamus Finnegan couldn't control himself. He let out a snort of laughter that even Lockhart couldn't mistake for a scream of terror.
"Yes?" He smiled at Seamus.
"Well, they're not – they're not very — dangerous, are they?" Seamus asked.
"Don't be so sure!" said Lockhart, wagging a finger annoyingly at Seamus. "Devilish tricky little blighters they can be!"
The pixies were electric blue and about eight inches high, with pointed faces and voices so shrill it was like listening to a lot of budgies arguing. The moment the cover had been removed, they had started jabbering and rocketing around, rattling the bars and making bizarre faces the people nearest them.
Noele raised a hand.
"Yes, Miss…" He trailed off.
"Tonks, Noele Tonks." She answered sweetly, taking vindictive pleasure at his now pale face. "I was wondering if, the reason you brought them here, we were going to have hands on experience?"
Noele practically begged him to ignore her, just so she could have a reason to use against him. Hook, line and sinker. Lockhart ignored her question like she hadn't even asked one.
Noele raised a finger at Neville, shaking her head with a smirk that even the Weasley twins would cower from. Her face was calm, unnaturally so. While she couldn't look far into the year, a limitation until she could fully learn her power, she had a feeling it would be good to have him be a bumbling idiot around her.
"Right, then." Lockhart said loudly. "Let's see what you make of them!" And he opened the cage.
It was pandemonium. The pixies shot in every direction like rockets. Two were about to seize Neville by the ears when Noele stared at them. The two pixies stopped and settled in her hair, playing contently with the strands. Several shot straight through the window, showering the back row with broken glass. The rest proceeded to wreck the classroom more effectively than a rampaging rhino. They grabbed ink bottles and sprayed the class with them, shredded books and papers, tore pictures from the walls, up-ended the waste basket, grabbed bags and books and threw them out of the smashed window; within minutes, half the class was sheltering under the desks and Noele was calmly sitting in her seat, letting the pixies play with her long dark hair.
"Come on now – round them up, round them up, they're only pixies!" Lockhart shouted.
He rolled up his sleeves, brandished his wand, and bellowed, "Peskipiksi Pesternomi!"
It had no effect, to Noele's great amusement; one of the pixies seized his wand and threw it out the window, too. Lockhart gulped, and dived under his own desk, narrowly avoiding the chandelier that gave way from the weight of the pixies.
The bell rang and there was a mad rush toward the exit. In the relative calm that followed, Lockhart straightened up, caught sight of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Noele, who were almost at the door, and said, "Well, I'll ask you four to just nip the rest of them back into their cage." He swept past them and shut the door quickly behind him.
"Can you believe him?" Roared Ron as one of the remaining pixies bit him painfully on the ear.
"He just wants to give us some hands-on experience." Said Hermione, immobilizing two pixies at once with a clever Freezing Charm and stuffing them back into their cage.
"Hands on?" Said Harry, who was trying to grab a pixie dancing out of reach with its tongue out. "Hermione, he didn't have a clue what he was doing—"
He stopped short, watching Noele hold a hand out to the pixie with a goofy smile and painted cheeks.
"Rubbish." Said Hermione. "You've read his books – look at all those amazing things he's done—"
"He says he's done." Ron muttered, Noele snickering in agreement.
Harry continued watching her with a goofy smile, which she was ignorant to.