A/N Some of you may be asking about Rose or Albus starting Hogwarts, but they are a year younger than James, Jenni, and Fred. Therefore, they are at home with their family. I realized that I did my math wrong (surprise, surprise) with the year it is. It's suppose to be 2016, but with the math I accidently did it's 2017…so act like my math and years are correct and it is 2016, and I'll be a happy camper. Thanks! –Daisy97
The first week of school has nearly passed for Jenni and she couldn't believe it was Friday already and how much information she learned. Every first year was required to take the same classes, and Jenni, with an open mind, found each class to have its own uniqueness to the magical world. She found her favorite classes were Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. And, being the more studious person than her friends, she finished her Friday assigned homework, figuring she allowed herself more time to relax and hang out with friends between classes rather than stress over it minutes before class. However, her friends, namely James and Fred, didn't follow their studious friends plan and was working on their homework at the last minute (after having figured out what pranks to pull after lunch).
Jenni walks a small ways ahead of the boys, who are trying their best to write, walk, and discuss the assignment for Herbology as quickly as they can before the head into the greenhouses for the class. Once inside, Jenni sees that Melanie has saved three spots by her. Jenni grabs the boys by their sleeves and walks over to where Melanie is.
"So, they're still being idiots and not doing their homework with you?" Melanie asks casually.
"Clearly they would rather plan and pull pranks than pass classes the very first week," she replies with a sigh.
"Hey, hey, hey," protested James, "we are passing our classes as a matter-of-fact."
Jenni rolls her eyes at him, "Sure. Okay. I dare you and Fred to go a week without prank planning and work on your homework with me."
"You're on! Next week, it shouldn't be hard," Fred says confidently.
"Oh now, don't get too confident," Jenni warns. But, before Fred could object, Professor Longbottom enters.
"Hello students! I'm pleased to see you've all survived your first week at Hogwarts," he says with a bright smile, "now, if you'll form a line and hand in your essays about aconite, I promise to get them back to you sometime next week."
James and Fred looked sheepish at each other as they get in line behind Jenni. As she turns hers in Professor Longbottom flips through hers, "My, oh my. You had quite a bit to write about wolfsbane, didn't you Miss Palmer. Four pages worth! Well, I must say you have exceeded my first year standards. Congratulations."
"Thank you Professor," Jenni says politely. James couldn't help but look at his unfinished page assignment with pity as he handed it to Professor Longbottom.
Professor Longbottom sighs and says, "Mr. Potter, I would have expected a finished product of an essay after two days worth writing it." James looks up at Neville and nods, understanding his concern and walks back to his seat. He notices Fred got a similar statement considering the look Neville has on his face and Fred's saddened expression and he walks back to his seat.
Once all the essays were handed in, Professor Longbottom started his lecture on the Flitterbloom Plant and Devil's Snare. Class was closing to an end when Professor Longbottom said over the loud chatter, "Alright everyone! Before you leave, keep note that you will write an essay on the Similarities and Differences of Devil's Snare and the Flitterbloom plant! Due to me on Wednesday! Have a pleasant weekend!"
There were several moans and mumbles of protest towards the assignment as students filed out of the greenhouse and walked around for the ten-minute break until their next class.
"Why? Just why does he make us write another essay after we turned one in!" shouted James.
"Right! I would like to be able to breathe for once!" Fred said agreeing with what his best friend said.
The two boys continued their rant about essay writing for Herbology even as they made their way to Gryffindor first years' next class with Slytherin – Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Since the end of the Second Wizard War, the teaching position for the class was no longer cursed. And so, Professor Hept, now in his early forties, has kept the position for almost eighteen years. He is a tall, tan, green-eyed man with a broad stature and wisps of gray and brown hair. He is cherished by all his students who enjoy his way of teaching, and makes sure he develops a connection with his pupils. Jenni recalls one summer a few years ago, when she spent the night at the Potter's, Teddy would come over, and at dinner he talked on and on about Professor Hept and all sorts of defense styles and techniques he learned.
As the Slytherin's and Gryffindor's entered the classroom, Professor Hept greeted everyone as they made their way to their seats, "Good morning to all of you. Hope you had a delicious breakfast and first period. Today, I will teach you the Verdimillious Charm…"
The class continued with Hept explaining what the charm does to the opponent and its function. They first part of the lesson began with taking notes on the lecture, and with an hour left, the students practiced on dummies Hept had prepared.
The class was directed to get into groups of four, get a dummy, find some open space to practice, and practice while taking turns. Jenni, Melanie, Fred, and James became a group and immediately started practicing the charm. Professor Hept walked around, examining the students to see who was getting the hang of the charm. He found that a select few from both Slytherin and Gryffindor were figuring the charm out and nearly had it down.
With five minutes to spare of class time, he stopped everyone and told them it was time to clean up. But, before they were dismissed he pointed out the students who were doing remarkably well.
"I must point out that Thomas Aif, Isabel Cade, Maggie Lewis, Jenni Palmer, and Fred Weasley were all brilliant with casting this charm," Hept continued with a smile, "remind me to never be a part of a duel with any of these five, because if one of them casts Verdimillious on me, I'd be down in a heartbeat."
After Hept's praise, he dismissed the students who went to their next class. The Gryffindor's had History of Magic with Ravenclaw, and was taught by Professor Binns. How he was still around, Jenni and every other student wonders, seemed impossible.
Jenni saw relief on James and Fred's faces as Binns released them all to lunch. When the group arrived they found open places to sit and eat. Once they all sat down and piled food onto their plates they started talking all about their plans for the weekend, what they thought of school so far, and the assignments they have to work on over the weekend.
"I still can't get over the fact that we have to write another essay for Herbology," grumbled Fred, "apparently we are suppose to be 'scholarly' and get our work done in the 'appropriate time given,'" Fred quoted with a scowl.
After Fred finished his rant, various "hoots" were heard, and when Jenni looked up, she saw owls coming and flying to those who had mail. Jenni spotted Herbert flying towards Gryffindor table and landed in front of her and James. He had a letter addressed to both of them, so Jenni plucked it out of his beak, feed him some water, and he was off.
Jenni opened the letter, and read it with James.
Dear James and Jenni,
I hope the pair of you are doing well and are having fun at Hogwarts. Everything is how it usually is here at home, Al's reading or playing Quidditch with Teddy, Lily's doing her own thing and hangs out with Rose and Hugo when they come over. Your Dad's busy with Uncle Ron and their Auror business, and I'm doing my usual watching and writing about Quidditch for the Daily Prophet Sport section.
James, even though it's pointless to say, I hope you're keeping out of trouble with Fred. And Jenni, continue staying on task with your schoolwork (maybe you'll rub off James one year), but don't forget to have a little fun in between work. Merlin knows you two have already made friends. Anyways, I love you both and don't forget to write every so often.
Love, Mum
Once they both finished reading the letter, James turns to Jenni, "Fred and I will help you lighten up with fun this weekend."
"And by fun, you mean pranks?" Jenni asked suspiciously. James never gave her a reply.
"You'll see," he says with wink. Jenni wonders how he has all this charm for an eleven year old, and suddenly gets worried for when he becomes a teenager.
Lunchtime was coming to an end and time sped through the last three classes of the day: Potions, and double Charms. And, Jenni was particularly saddened that Transfiguration wasn't until Tuesday as well as Astronomy.
Dinner was it's usual foods, and Jenni wasn't all that interested because she couldn't help but think about Ginny's comment to her about work and play. "Was I too focused on homework? Do I really need to 'lighten up', as James put it," She thought, "maybe what I need this weekend is to join James and Fred with one of their pranks, just to help me relax after this first week of school. Besides, I could always do some homework before and after the prank." She convinced herself that she would help the duo with whatever they were planning for the weekend.
Later that night, as the Gryffindor house was either in their rooms or the common room, Jenni, James, Fred, Melanie, and Scarlett were near the fire playing Exploding Snap. Fred won, in which he gloated in Melanie's face since she almost always won.
"So what? You won, good for you, but I will win next time," Melanie said seriously, "well, I'm awfully tired, so I'm off to bed. Jenni? Scarlett? Are you two coming?"
"I will," Scarlett replied.
"I will in a bit," Jenni said while looking over to the boys.
"Alright then, see you in a bit. Just try to be quite, Beth isn't feeling too good and so she went to bed earlier. And, I think Hannah went up after talking with her sisters," Melanie stated. Jenni nodded in understanding.
Once Melanie and Scarlett were out of view, Jenni turned to James and Fred and said, "I'm in."
"With…. what?" James asked confused.
"With the prank you two bums plan on pulling tomorrow. Whatever it is, count me in," she replied mischievously. James noticed the rare sparkle in her eyes.
"You sure about this? It's not very…well…you," James said nervously.
"So what? I'm always up for a little fun. Besides, isn't that what you two are all about with your pranks and jokes? Fun?" she indicated.
The boys gave each other an unsure look and Fred said, "I guess you can come along."
Jenni perked up when she heard those words, "Excellent!"
"We're going to set up the prank tonight so that way it's all set tomorrow for lunch," Fred whispered to her, "so come down to the common room around 1 o'clock and be ready."
"Okay," she whispered back, "wait! What do I wear?"
The boys gave her a look, "What? It's a reasonable question," Jenni said defensively.
"Pants, jacket, and shoes should be fine. You don't need to dress in all black," James commented as he saw Jenni's mouth open to say something.
"Okay. 1 o'clock. I'll see you then," Jenni said excitedly.
As she walked away from the boys to go to her room, she couldn't help but be amazed at herself for being this bold and stepping out of her comfort zone. She, Jenni Palmer who always follows the rules, was about to help pull a prank.
