Chapter 4
Transfiguration
"Welcome to Transfiguration, first years. I don't tolerate nonsense in this class, do you understand? Anyone who breaks the rules will be punished." Professor Mitchell glared down at the terrified first years. As Mitchell's gaze scanned the room, Mia was sure the woman paused on her for a moment longer than everyone else. It was just her luck that her very first class was with the Slytherin House head. "Now pay attention, I'll only do this once."
Mitchell turned to a raven perched on a stand next to her desk; she pulled out her wand and waved it at the bird. It promptly turned into a writing desk. The students gasped, and Mia gulped. That may happen to me if I'm not careful. Mitchell waved her wand again, and the bird returned to normal.
"Transfiguration is intense and complicated magic. To preform magic on the level you have just witnessed requires understanding the nature of the spell first. With that being said we'll start with this," Mitchell tapped the blackboard with her wand and complicated letters and figures appeared on the board. "I expect you to memorize at least half of these letters by next class."
Mia was sure she heard groans throughout the classroom which received a glare from Mitchell. The class grew silent as they took notes. Pulling out her paper and quill Mia wondered if she should take notes too. I didn't realize this was first-year work… Should I pretend I don't know it?
"Is there a problem Ms. Hestia?" Mitchell glared down at her, and Mia jumped out of her seat. The class snickered as her face grew warm from embarrassment.
"N-no professor," Mia answered her voice shaking.
"Are you above taking notes Ms. Hestia?" Mitchell's nostrils flared.
Mia swallowed. "No… It's just…"
"Just?"
"I already know the Transfiguration alphabet," Mia finally admitted.
Mitchell's eyes narrowed. "Is that so? Then you can prove it."
Mitchell waved her wand, and the board wiped itself clean. "Since you seem to have it memorized, then you can rewrite it for everyone."
The class murmured in worried tones, many of them hadn't finished writing the notes down. Mia had a choice, recreate the notes for the class or botch them. If she didn't rewrite them, the class wouldn't have the material they needed and her classmates would hate her. On the other hand if she showed just how much she already knew, Mitchell might ask her how, which could lead to other questioning. Ellie who was her desk mate stared at her horrified. I've already drawn enough attention to myself from last night… Ellie stared down at her half written notes, tears in her eyes. Uh…
Mia held her little shoulders high and marched up to the blackboard, meticulously she wrote out exactly what had been on the board a minute ago. When she finished she slowly turned back to the class, they stared at her open-mouthed. Mitchell wasn't looking at her, but at her work. The woman appeared thoughtful and finally pursed her lips.
"Where did you learn this?" Mitchell asked confirming Mia's fear. The best thing would be to tell part of the truth.
"My grandmother taught me…" Mia explained.
"Your grandmother?" Mitchell tapped her finger on her arm as she considered her statement. "Interesting, it's correct. Ten points to Hufflepuff."
The class whispered excitedly at Mitchell's sudden award. Mia stood at the front of the classroom confused. Wasn't she trying to make an example out of me?
"Back to your seat Ms. Hestia," Mitchell snapped and Mia jumped hurrying to her seat. "Ms. Hestia, since you already know the lesson you can start on the next one. Read chapters one through three and write a summary for next time."
Ah… I think that's more work than the rest of the class. Oh well. Mia pulled out her book and started reading the first chapter. Ellie looked at her perplexed until she continued taking notes. After class, Mia meant to retreat to the common room since they were free for the afternoon, but she felt a tug on her robe. Turning, Mia found Ellie standing there shifting her feet looking uncomfortable.
"Yes?"
The girl looked down at her shoes and rubbed the tip of her shoe into the stone floor. "Can you… Can you help me learn the Transfiguration alphabet?"
Mia tilted her head. "Help you learn it?"
Ellie nodded again and mumbled, "I'm good with writing. I could help you with your paper … If you'll help me with the alphabet."
Mia smiled. Truth be told, she knew many languages, but English was still new to her and that made writing it chanllenging.
"Ok," she agreed readily, Ellie looked up at her excitedly.
"Great! Um… What was your name again?" Ellie twiddled her fingers.
"Mia Hestia," she chuckled.
"Boo."
Mia jumped and dropped all her books, spinning around she found Erike standing behind her. He was guarding his face just in case. Ellie stared at the older Slytherin confused.
"How was class with good ol' Mitchell?" Erike asked his eyes shining from his prank.
"If you're going to make sneaking up on me a habit, maybe I should wear gloves, so I don't break your nose." Mia pouted at him. "And class was ok. She gave me ten points."
"Mitchell… gave you ten points… on your first day in class?" Erike took a step back and held up his hands. "Are you actually really smart? I don't want that rubbing off on me."
Mia stomped her foot, but she couldn't help but laugh. Erike was probably the most likeable Slytherin that ever existed. Ellie was looking back and forth between them eyes wide.
"Oh, this is Ellie my roommate. This is Erike, we met on the train." Mia introduced them.
Ellie looked him up and down. "Erike… Melbourne?"
Erike's eyes lit up, and he grinned. "You know me? I didn't realize I was famous among the first years yet."
"My brother said to stay away from you. That you cause trouble for everyone." Ellie grabbed Mia's arm and tugged. The girl was stronger than she looked; she dragged Mia down the hall away from Erike. Mia looked back at Erike who gave her an over flourished bow. Mia rolled her eyes, but waved goodbye. Soon they rounded a corner and Erike was gone from sight.
"Ellie, he's not following us. You can stop pulling on me now." Mia's arm was hurting. The other girl stopped and let go of her embarrassed.
They stood in the hall awkwardly.
"Are you friends with him?" Ellie finally asked her eyes as big as saucers.
"Friends?" Mia hadn't considered it. "I wouldn't say that…"
"My brother told me he does really dangerous things and to stay away from him."
Mia's brow furrowed. "Dangerous things?"
"Yeah, he convinced one student in his first year to drink a fake flight potion and jump from the top tower. Thankfully, a teacher caught him. Also, he convinced a first year to release animals from the magical creature's class. They started breeding, and the students were finding little white mice all over the school for months. Last year he came close to expulsion when he convinced someone to set off something in the Slytherin common room blowing half of it up. There are lots of other things too—," Ellie continued with her list of charges against Erike.
What Mia didn't like about each accusation was how it always sounded like he manipulated someone else to do these acts for him. There's got to be more to this story. Mia listened quietly as they made their way back to the common room. There was one thing she could say about all his exploits. Nothing he'd done was more dangerous than what she could do to someone. He does seem to invite trouble though… I should stay away from him. I'm already pushing my luck as it is.
