Year Two: The Chamber of Secrets
September first is back again and Marie is ready for her second year. Secrets continue to pile up, the homework gets harder and she's finally able to play a real game of Quidditch. But there's hissing within the dungeon walls, whispering to her...
Chapter Four- Potions and Photos
Marie woke up in an excellent mood the next morning, excited for her classes to finally begin. She was dressed and ready while Millie and Pansy were still struggling to get a hair brush through their morning hair. The wavy haired second year simply gave them a wave, picked up her bag and practically skipped to the Great Hall for breakfast.
The hall was still relatively calm so she took the opportunity to munch on some toast and pull out her copy of Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart, skimming a few pages until her friends arrived. It was an easy going breakfast, the morning post came in a flurry of a hundred or so owls, Draco's mother delivering a box of sweets as she usually did. Only a few moments later was the tranquil morning shattered.
" -STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE- "
The dishes and plates of food rattled as Mrs. Weasley's voice shook the castle. Marie quickly covered her ears as did many other of her Housemates. Stealing a flying car from his parents? So the rumors were true. That's how Harry and Ron got to school. Probably why some teachers left the feast for a moment last night too. At least it meant she wasn't crazy when she saw the flying car when she was on the train.
" -LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT, I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME, WE DIDN'T BRING YOU UP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS, YOU AND HARRY COULD BOTH HAVE DIED- "
She stole a glance at the Gryffindor table, eardrums throbbing. Harry was doing his best not to look at the letter while only the top of Ron's forehead could be seen. Embarrassed most likely. If Tess or Remus ever sent her a Howler, she would be mortified.
" -ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED- YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT BACK HOME!"
A ringing silence fell as students slowly unclasped their hands from their ears, just to be safe. The letter fell onto the tabletop, ripping itself apart, the pieces burning and turning to ash. Some laughter leaked and the normal babble of talk filled the hall again.
"Well...that's certainly an interesting way to start the first day," joked Marie.
First class of the day was Charms which was a basic review of last year's learning. They were allowed to relearn a few charms they had a foggy recollection of, but it wasn't all that interesting. Second class was sure to be a bit more than typical review.
Next class was Herbology with the Ravenclaws and they were allowed in Greenhouse three due to their status as second years. Professor Sprout, a dumpy witch who wore a patched witch's hat on her flyaway hair, greeted them with her usual cheerfulness as they took their places at the large worktable that was cluttered with mounds of fertilizer and pots. Plants were already potted in front of them, the purplish green leaves mildly shaking. The three Slytherin girls shared an excited look, ready for the lesson.
"We'll be repotting Mandrakes today, chaps," began Sprout. Marie's eyes widened as she recalled the term from her summer reading, her pulse fluttering. She loved the new things that were always occurring at Hogwarts. Nothing could possibly be better than learning magic.
"Can anyone tell me the properties of a Mandrake?"
Marie raised her hand, standing on her tiptoes to be seen around Millie as the girl was taller than her.
"Yes, Miss Rogue?"
"The Mandrake is a very powerful restorative. It's used to return people who have been cursed in any way, back to their original states." She took a quick pause. "I think it may work with animals too." Professor Sprout smiled, pleased.
"Correct. Ten points to Slytherin," she said. "The Mandrake forms an essential part of most antidotes. It is also, however, dangerous. Who can tell me why?" This time, Millie's hand rose into the air.
"Miss Bulstrode."
"The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it," Millie said simply.
"Exactly, another ten points," granted Sprout. "Now, the Mandrakes we have hear are still very young." Draco was whispering to someone, asking what she meant by the "cry" and Marie elbowed him sharply in the ribs, holding a finger to her lips.
"Everyone take a pair of earmuffs." There was a rush from the boys, trying to avoid the pink ones while Marie rolled her eyes and picked up the fluffy pink earmuffs. As if the color pink would make them any less of a boy. Honestly.
"When I tell you to put them on, make sure your ears are completely covered," warned Professor Sprout. "When it's safe to remove them, I will give you the thumbs-up. Right- earmuffs on."
Marie snapped the earmuffs over her ears and the world was suddenly muted. She was almost childishly tempted to say something loudly so to test the silence. The teacher rolled her sleeves, grasped one of the tufty plants firmly and pulled hard. Marie gasped, as did some other students, their mouths opening as she couldn't hear their sound. Instead of roots as a normal plant would have, a small, muddy and rather ugly baby came out of the earth. The leaves were growing straight out of its head, awed Marie. It had pale green, mottled skin and was obviously crying at the top of its lungs.
Professor Sprout took a large pot from under the table and seated the Mandrake into it, burying him in dark, most likely damp compost until only the leaves were visible again, just as it had been before. She dusted off her hands, gave them all the thumbs up and removed her earmuffs.
"As our Mandrakes are only seedlings, their cries won't kill yet," she explained calmly, as if pulling a plant baby from a pot was no more interesting than plucking a dandelion. "However, they will knock you out for several hours, so make sure your earmuffs are tightly fastened as I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss the rest of your first day back. Don't worry, I'll attract your attention when it's time to pack up." She gave a quick slap to a spiky, dark red plant as she spoke, making it draw in its feelers that had been inching closer to her.
"Be careful of the Venemous Tentacula, it's teething. So, four to a tray, there's plenty of pots for everyone and the compost is over in the corner there."
As everyone divided into groups, Marie noticed that they only had three and the nearby Ravenclaws weren't exactly giving them the warmest looks. With a huff, she quickly grabbed Goyle's sleeve and gave a tug, leading him to their group. He looked down at her, surprised.
"Hope you don't mind," she laughed. "We're one short." He stole a look over his shoulder and saw that Draco and Crabbe had picked up two other Slytherins, filling their group count.
"Okay," he agreed.
As it turns out, it was a good idea to have Goyle on their team as the Mandrakes ranged from small to extremely large and weighed twice their size, and at least Marie needed the occasional help. Not to mention that they resisted coming out of their original pot and refused to go into the new one. Marie was extremely proud when she managed to wrangle a large one into its pot on her own, quickly burying it with compost.
By the end of class, everyone was easily covered in dirt, sweat and lightly aching. The House took a quick detour to the dungeons so to freshen up and carry on to their next class, which was Potions to Marie's excitement.
The Potions dungeons was just as gloomy as ever, pickled items giving off an eerie glow but this time, the second-year wasn't nearly as frightened as she had been the year before. In fact, she could identify some of the items that were displayed. She was about to take the open seat next to Millie when she heard a soft voice call her name. Turning around, she became face to torso with Gregory Goyle again.
"Oh, hello Goyle," she said. "Did you call me?" He nodded, though he didn't say anything else. Confused, she looked back to her seat and saw that Pansy had taken the available spot. So as she and Millie were sitting together, she saw that Crabbe and Draco were partners as well. Which left the two partnerless.
"Oh well," she sighed with a shrug. "Want to be partners?" He nodded again and they took the empty table behind Draco. Millie and Pansy both looked back and gave her a confused expression. The dark haired girl could only shrug as she pulled her hair into a ponytail.
Professor Snape entered the room with his usual dark flourish, robes whipping noisily. He turned to face his class and he didn't give that same sneer as he had the year before. If anything, he seemed a bit more at ease. Maybe it was just because it was his House, no other taint. Or maybe he was actually beginning to like them.
"I expect nothing less than perfection of this potion I am about to assign you. As you are my own House, I will assume that you have read the required reading and have committed it to memory," he began in his usual drawl. His dark eyes surveyed the room, taking each student into account. "I expect a complete Sleeping Draught by the end of class. You all should know where the cupboards are. Begin."
A test, recognized Marie. He was giving a test first day into the term and by Merlin she wasn't about to fail it. Thrilled with the excitement of proving herself to a teacher who was practically assuming that the class would be mediocre she hardly noticed that Goyle was sticking to her like shadow as she made her way to the student cupboards. She had gathered her arms full of supplies and placed them on their worktable, separating them into dry products and bottled fluids. It honestly wasn't all that complicated, straight forward with a slight twist ending. Nothing to worry about.
"What," began Goyle, swallowing thickly. "What do you want me to do?" She looked up from her motor and pestel, almost forgetting about him. She saw that his hands were curled into fists, slightly shaking and his complection paled when Snape began to walk about the room, checking the progress. She quickly pushed him the pile of dried Spanish estamia, a snarled root that was procured from the ancient trees of Spain, specially imported to Hogwarts for their class. If stewed right, it would give off the scent of harvest winds. Marie was interested to test that theory.
"Here. Start cutting these. Small, thin slices if you can," she instructed just as Snape started their aisle of cauldrons. After she was satisfied with the fine white powder she had forced, she began to add the droplets of the bottled fluid, very carefully. Too much would ruin the potion entirely.
"Mr. Goyle." Their teacher stood before them, though Marie refused to look up until she had finished measuring the liquids.
"Care to tell me how you are suppose to be slicing the estamia roots?" he asked, mouth an indistinguishable line. His eyebrows furrowed as he tried to recall what Marie had said.
"Small, thin slices, sir," he answered slowly. Snape nodded.
"Correct. So do tell me, what are those?" He pointed to the pile of roots he had already cut. Instead of the desired thin slices, there were hunks of the roots, so large and disproportionate that Marie had to gasp lightly at the work. Goyle lowered his head, refusing to look at either of them.
"I do hope that Miss Rogue can help you on this, or both of your grades will suffer drastically from this," he warned as he walked away.
Ignoring the wide eyed looks from Millie and Pansy, Marie rolled up her sleeves and pulled out her own silver blade. Pulling a pile of the mangled roots she reassured her partner.
"It's all right. We can fix this." In a flurry, she chopped away, creating the slices that were needed. Goyle could only stand aside as his fists clenched again, oblivious to Marie.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"No worries," she half panted as she rushed the roots over to the cauldron, dropping them inside as she murmured instructions. "It happens. Could you pass the acetylic please?" When nothing happened, she looked up to see that he was giving her a very confused look.
"The, um, red one," she simplified. He nodded and handed her the slender vile so she could pour its contents.
The hour raced on as Marie did over half the work and Goyle did what he was told, which was mostly passing her the items. They were forced to stop when the sand ran out and Professor Snape came around again, examining the work with a critical eye. Pansy and Millie passed as did Draco and Crabbe. Her heart pounded as he looked over their cauldron, the seconds ticking by slowly.
"Pass," he finally confirmed. "Though next time, I advise you to not rely so heavily on Miss Rogue."
"Yes sir," mumbled Goyle. He gave the potion one last look. "Five points to Slytherin, for being able to do the work of two people, Miss Rogue."
"Thank you, sir."
Class was dismissed and Goyle had taken off so fast it was almost as if he vanished. While she strolled down the hall with her friends to lunch, she was pulled off to the side by the ever familiar Quidditch captain. He was still a Prefect but now he was a sixth year and still as threatening as ever. Marcus Flint was a very tall, broad shouldered student with the strength of a mountain troll from Marie's observations. He had every right to be the Quidditch captain, he was perfect for the job. Not to mention he could match Oliver Wood's enthusiasm for Quidditch like no other.
"Listen carefully," he whispered. She looked up at him with her wide green eyes, almost alarmed by the secrecy. "We're having practice tonight, after dinner. Be sure to come quietly and don't attract attention to yourself. We're going to be the first practice of the year. We have a secret weapon in store." She nodded, making her ponytail bop. He gave her a heavy clap on the shoulder before he left and she returned to her friends.
"What was that about?" asked Pansy when she rejoined them. Marie gave a shrug.
"Secret practice I guess."
Millie was the first to smile. "Secret? Sounds exciting. Wonder what Flint's up to then?"
"Probably trying to one-up Wood," assumed Marie. "You should hear the two of them argue. It's like they're marrried." They shared a look and errupted into a fit of giggles.
Lunch was quick and they ventured out into the courtyard where the weather was becoming overcast. Marie made a face.
"That'll be fun to fly in." Her weather complaints were cut short when she noticed something peculiar.
A mousy haired boy was walking slowly, almost as if stalking a kind of prey. He was small, smaller than Marie and she remembered him from the Sorting and by his tie he was a Gryffindor. She quirked an amused eyebrow as he made his way across the yard, clutching a sort of Muggle camera. Following his gaze she saw that his goal was Harry Potter and his friends who were seated on a stone bench. Granger's nose was buried in a Lockhart book while Weasley and Harry were going on about something.
She nudged her friends and gave a nod towards the boy. They watched the scene and had to fit back a fit of laughter.
"Looks like a Potter fangirl," commented Millie. Pansy almost doubled over with a snort.
"Aww, I think it's kind of cute," defended Marie lightly.
"And what is that ugly thing he's carrying?" asked Pansy, wiping a tear from her eye. Marie squinted to get a better look.
"Kind of like a Muggle camera," she guessed. "Maybe he wants a picture?" The three girls giggled again.
"A picture with Potter?" said Millie. "I'm right, he is a fangirl."
It only took a moment for Harry to notice him and the boy's face flushed bright red.
"All right, Harry? I'm- I'm Colin Creevy," he said breathless, taking a step forward. "I'm in Gryffindor, too. D'you think- would it be all right if- can I have a picture?" he asked, raising his camera hopefully.
"A picture?" Harry repeated. The first year nodded.
"So I can prove I've met you," said Colin, taking another step. "I know all about you. Everyone's told me. About how you survived when You-Know-Who tried to kill you and how he disappeared and everything and how you've still got a lightning scar on your forehead, and a boy in my dormitory said if I develop the pictures in the right kind of potion, the pictures'll move." He took a shuddering breath to regain his wind, seeing as he hadn't paused for breath in his story.
"It's amazing here, isn't it? I never knew all the odd stuff I could do was magic til I got my letter from Hogwarts. My dad's a milkman, he couldn't believe it either. So I'm taking loads of pictures to send home to him. And it'd be really good if I had one of you, and maybe your friend could take it and I could stand next to you? And then, could you sign it?"
"Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?" Loud and scathing as usual, Draco's voice echoed around the courtyard. He stepped up behind Colin, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle who loomed over the first year.
"This'll be good," promised Pansy.
"Everyone line up!" Draco roared to the crowd, attracting as much attention as he could. "Harry Potter's giving out signed photos!"
"No I'm not," said Harry angrily as he got to his feet, fists clenching. "Shut up, Malfoy."
"You're just jealous," piped up Colin. Worry was sparked when Marie calculated that Colin's entire body was about as thick as Crabbe's neck.
"Jealous?" said Draco. There was no need to yell now, the entire courtyard was listening by this point. "Of what? I don't want a foul scar right across my head, thanks. I don't think getting your head cut open makes you that special, myself." Pansy and Millie lost it as they laughed aloud, finding Draco absolutely hilairious.
"Eat slugs," said Ron, reaching for his Spellotaped wand. The two tall second years stopped their laughing and Crabbe rubbed his knuckles menacingly.
"Be careful, Weasley," sneered Draco. "You don't want to start any trouble or your Mommy'll have to come and take you away from school. 'If you put another toe out of line'- " A group of fifth years laughed loudly as did the girls.
"Weasley would like a signed photo, Potter," smirked Draco. "It'd be worth more than his family's whole house- " This time Ron did whip out his wand and Marie's laughing stopped as she made her way over to the group of boys, ready to intervene.
"What's all this, what's all this?" Professor Lockhart was striding toward them, his turquoise robes swirling behind him. Marie paused for a moment, stunned by the famous author, but she quickly regained her wits and gave the Slytherins's robes a tug, trying to lead them away.
"Who's giving out signed photos?"
As Lockhart became distracted by Harry and the camera, Marie continued to pull the boys away even though it was funny. Draco smirked and pushed his platinum hair away from his face. Grey eyes excited, he turned toward Marie.
"So," he said, almost breathless. "Excited for practice tonight?"
"Hold on, how did you know about practice?" asked Marie, confused and slightly alarmed. Had someone already leaked the secret practice? "I didn't tell you about it."
His smirk only stretched, almost making a smile that he couldn't fight.
"Say hello to Slytherin's new Seeker," he introduced with a bow.
"Oh, um, can't say I was expecting that." She gave a wave. "Hello then."
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