A/N: And here we enter third year, possibly their most important year besides seventh. Nothing particularly earth shattering in this chapter, but the count down is started. Just so you all know, 3.
Chapter 10: Sam
"I will not," said a voice from nearby.
"Yes you will," said another voice.
"No I won't," said the first voice.
"Yes. You. Will," said the second voice. "Will!"
"What?" said a third voice.
"Not you," said both the first and second voices in unison.
"Will not," the first voice said.
"Mate, you've got to ask her out sometime," said the second voice. All three voices sound familiar now.
"No I don't," the first voice said. I think it may be Scorpius. Which makes the second voice Dylan, and the third voice Will. Oh. It's the first day of classes, isn't it? Great. I blinked, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.
Dylan and Scor were at arm's length from each other in the middle of our dorm, brandishing various weapons. Scor's was a wand; Dylan's a pair of uniform trousers he should've been wearing.
"Are they fighting over a girl this early in the year?" Will asked. I shrugged. Like I'd know.
"No," Al said, coming out of the bathroom with a tooth brush in his mouth. "Dylan is contending that Scor ask out Rose, while Scor says he doesn't have to because, and I quote, 'It's my birthday'."
"It is my birthday, thank you," Scor said. "And I'll do whatever I bloody well please, and that does not include destroying my friendship with Rose."
"You wouldn't be destroying your friendship with Rose. You'd be making it better since you both like each other and want to get married to each other and have lots of sex and babies," Dylan said. "With each other."
"I do not!" Scor said. Dylan just raised his eyebrow. "I only want to do those things a little bit!" Dylan raised the eyebrow still further. "You sound like Lucy!"
Lucy had this conversation with Scor? Huh. Odd.
I wonder if you could charm inanimate objects to take on the personalities of people you know…
I grabbed my journal and flipped to the section of questions to ask. I scribbled it down. I probably just got ink everywhere. I so don't care.
"I'll see you all at breakfast," Al said, returning from replacing his tooth brush and grabbing Scor by the arm before Dylan could damage Scor. He dragged him down the stairs and out of the room. No sooner had they left when James and Fred barged into the room.
"Okay, so we're still on for tonight at the Tower, right?" James asked eagerly.
"Yeah, of course," Dylan said. "They're our best friends, too, you know."
"I know, I know," James said distractedly. "It's going to be mostly Gryffindors with a few members of other houses, like Em-"
"Em's going to be there?" Will and Fred asked in unison.
"Yeah," James said distractedly. "So it'll be pretty mellow all things considering."
"You're planning a birthday party for Ly and Scor in the Tower where it will be mostly Gryffindors and you think it's going to be mellow?" Dylan said. "Is there anything that isn't related to playing Quidditch in your brain or did the Bludgers knock it entirely out of you?"
"Quidditch, pranks and girls, mate, what more do you need," James said. "Anyways, see you all at breakfast." He bounded back out, followed by Fred.
"He's insane," I said. "I honestly think so."
"Nah," Dylan said, smiling. "He's in love."
"So, yes, he's insane," Will said. Dylan laughed and the two of us followed him to the Great Hall for breakfast. Our friends were desperately going over the time tables trying to figure out which classes to take.
"Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, History of Magic, Astronomy, Herbology and Defence Against the Dark Arts are still required courses," Rose said. "So, what will our two electives be?"
"Let's see…how about Care of Magical Creatures?" Lucy suggested.
"That's one down," Rose said, ticking it off.
"Let's not take Divination," Will said.
"Okay. So, Muggle Studies?" Scor suggested.
"Happy birthday!" Rose shouted, jumping up from the bench and hugging him. She seemed to realise what she'd done and they both turned pink before sitting down.
"Sounds good to me. Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures," Ly said, joining us as well.
"Happy birthday!" James exploded, jumping up and grabbing her. He hugged her to him and spun her around before setting her back on the ground. I see what Will meant about being insane because he was in love.
"Happy birthday, Lyra," Fred muttered, more to himself than anyone. Lucy stared at him quizzically. He didn't notice.
"Happy birthday, Ly, Scor," Em said from behind me.
"Thank you," Ly said, sitting down between James and Fred.
"Thanks, Em," Scor said. "Want to sit with us?"
"I'd love to," she said, exchanging significant looks with Lucy. "But I can't. All you Gryffindor goody-goodies would rub off on me and I'd lose my Slytherin edge. Just wanted to wish you birthday salutations. I'll see you guys in class, yeah?" she said. She turned and walked away. Both Fred and Will stared after her with glazed looks in their eyes.
I wonder if you can make a charm that would make somebody's eyes glaze over and then they could see whatever they wanted under the glaze…
I'd reached for my notebook when I remembered that was a Weasley's Wizard Wheezes product. I flipped to the "Charms I Like" section and scribbled it down anyways.
"Well, it's time for our first class of the day," Rose said. "Charms!" I smiled broadly and the lot of us got up and made for the Charms classroom. Professor Macmillan is one of my favourites. Namely because he teaches my favourite subject.
We piled in the door and sat down in the middle and front rows so that we were two deep, rather than spread out. About ten minutes in, as I was scribbling everything about Cheering Charms that Professor Macmillan was saying, he came over and pulled the book out of my hand.
"Sam, I appreciate that you're writing a novel, or whatever it is you're doing, but if you could not do it in my class, it would be greatly appreciated," Professor Macmillan said in a low voice. "And, about your summer homework, I'd like to see you after class." He turned and went back to his podium.
What about my summer homework? I did it perfectly. And now I can't take notes because he took my notebook.
I wonder if I could pull off a Summoning Charm and get it back…
I was about to try when Will grabbed my wrist and made me stop.
"What could possibly be wrong with your summer Charms homework?" he muttered to me.
"I don't know," I said.
"Because if you did it wrong, then we're all in trouble," he said.
Finally, the bell rang. The rest of my friends headed to break, but I stayed in the classroom that I felt had betrayed me. I approached the podium.
"Sir?" I asked.
"I looked at what you were writing," he said without looking at me. I realised he was staring at my notebook. "I'm sorry I thought you weren't paying attention in class. I've just never had a student take notes with that much enthusiasm before."
"May I have my notebook back?" I asked. He nodded distractedly, but didn't hand it back. "Professor?" I asked.
"Oh, right. Sorry. Here you are," he said, handing it over.
"And you wanted to talk about my summer homework?" I asked. I must have looked terrified.
"Yes. Step into my office, if you would," Professor Macmillan said. I followed him in. "Please, have a seat." I looked at it, concerned. "You're not in trouble," he said. I sat. He sat down in his seat and offered me a tin of biscuits. I took one.
"I know I did my homework properly. I did it well. Why am I here?" I said. He seemed amused.
"You're not one for modesty, are you?" he asked.
"Not that, I just don't see any reason to be modest when I know I don't have to be," I said. "It's really an honesty issue."
"Of course," said Professor Macmillan. "Sam, I haven't seen work like the work in your notebook or on your homework since I've been a professor here. My NEWT students don't have the brains combined to figure out some of the charms in your book. You've got a gift."
"Thank you, sir," I said.
He stood up and walked over to a cage in the corner. He pulled out a fat black rat, which hung limply in his hands and then sniffed around his desk for the tin of biscuits.
"This is Martha. She's very depressed. Do you think you could help her, based on today's lecture?" he asked.
"With a Cheering Charm?" I asked.
"Yes," he said.
"Well, yeah," I said. I pointed my wand at the rat and whispered the incantation. Immediately, Martha sat up and cleaned her whiskers with her paws. I swear she actually smiled before alighting upon the tin and prying the lid off. Professor Macmillan grabbed her by the tail and pulled her out, but not before she'd gotten a cookie. He shook his head at her and placed her back in her cage where she munched happily on her treat.
"Impressive," he said.
"Thank you, sir," I said.
"When I took your notebook, what was your immediate thought process?" he asked.
"I was going to try a Summoning Charm to get it back," I said. Like I said, I have an honesty problem.
"Well, do it," Professor Macmillan said.
"We haven't studied them," I said.
"So?" he asked. I pointed my wand at my notebook.
"Accio notebook," I said. It flew through the air and into my outstretched hand. Professor Macmillan looked delighted.
"Sam, how would you feel about having private Charms tutoring sessions with me, rather than taking Charms class with your peers who are not to your level? Even the brightest all around students in your year-"
"Rose and Scorpius," I said.
"Yes, even they aren't at your level. It seems such a waste to make you sit in that class doing nothing when you could be excelling, becoming the best Charm writer in the world. You have that potential you know," he said.
"I'm only thirteen," I said. "What could I do?"
"You just showed me that you've already mastered the fourth year subject matter, or at least half of it, and most of the subject matter for third year with only one class devoted to it. Mr Malfoy and Miss Weasley will take at least half the term to perform a charm like you did. Sam, I'm offering you an opportunity to go from greatness to excellence," Professor Macmillan said. "Without being held back by your peers. What do you think?"
What do I think?
I wonder if I could come up with a charm that lets people project their thoughts onto a wall so they could edit them…
"I think it sounds brilliant, sir," I said.
"Wonderful," he said. "Do Tuesdays after dinner work for you?"
"Should be perfect, sir," I said.
"Great. I'll just talk to McGonagall about changing your timetable so that you don't have to come to the normal class," he said.
"No," I said. "I'll still do the normal class." He seemed confused.
"Why?" he asked. I shrugged.
"So that I can help my friends with their homework," I said. He laughed and shook his head incredulously.
"Alright then. If that's what you want to do," he said. "Then I will see you on Tuesday," he said, shaking my hand. I nodded and grabbed my bag, walking out to the courtyard. My friends were standing in a circle by the far corner, the place we always stood.
"What'd the professor want?" Will asked. I shrugged.
"Wants to tutor me in Charms beyond what we're learning in class," I said.
"Really?" Rose said. "But we've only just started the year!"
"And I can already do a Cheering Charm," I said.
"No you can't, Sam. I know you're good at Charms and everything, but after one day that's impossible," she said.
"Maybe for you," I said. "But for me it's not." She turned red.
"No, you can't," she said.
"Yes I can," I said. "I can do a Summoning Charm too."
"But Sam, that's fourth year coursework," Scor said, joining our conversation.
"I know," I said.
"How could you possibly have known a Summoning Charm?" Rose said. "He says he can do Cheering Charms too," she added for Scor's benefit.
"He is to Charms as I am to Transfiguration," Will said. "Which we have next, incidentally. You've both seen me get it on the first try, right?" They nodded. "So why should he be any different?" Sometimes they treat me like I'm autistic. I'm really not. My mum and dad thought I was when I was a kid and had all the tests done. But they all came back negative. I think if any of them were more familiar with the Muggle world they would've said it by now, but they aren't. I guess I'm kind of glad for it.
"What are you talking about?" Dom asked, coming over. I smiled at her. She smiled back briefly.
I think I love her.
I wonder if I could make a charm that would make it possible for people to just intuit when someone likes them…
"I'm taking private lessons with Professor Macmillan for Charms," I said.
"Wait, you're leaving our Charms class?" Dom asked.
"No," I said. "I'm staying on with it, so that if any of you guys need help I know what you're studying."
"I don't need help with Charms," Rose said, storming away. Scor looked confused at me and headed after her. The bell had rung.
"Don't mind her," Lucy said. "She's just jealous."
"Oh, hey, Luce," I said.
"Congratulations on your Charms lessons," she said.
"Thanks," I replied.
"You know, Rose and Scor would believe you more if you showed them you're serious," Will said.
"Really?" I asked.
"Really," he replied. Rose was about ten feet in front of us through a crowd of people. I pointed my wand at her bag.
"Accio Rose's bag," I said. The bag flew off her shoulder and into my hand. She turned ready to yell that someone had stolen her things and saw me holding it. She stormed over.
"How did you do that?" she asked.
"With a Summoning Charm," I said. She looked furious.
"You can't do a Summoning Charm!" she insisted.
"Accio Scorpius," I said, pointing at him from where he was standing in the queue for Transfiguration. I believe he's six feet tall these days. He looked around in panic as he was dragged by unseen forces towards us. He got dropped next to us and almost fell over, but Will caught him. Rose's jaw dropped.
"You actually can…" she said in utter disbelief.
"Did I just get a Summoning Charm placed on me?" Scor asked, sounding utterly confused.
"Yep," Dom said. "I guess Sam was telling the truth all along. Although why you thought he wasn't is beyond me." The two of them stared at me in complete confusion. Dom, Lucy, Will and I turned and headed for the Transfiguration queue.
"Think there's any chance Professor Spinet will give me the same chance Professor Macmillan gave you?" Will asked.
"If you become a Chaser she might," Dom said. "She played for Gryffindor when she was a student."
"And maybe if she talks to Professor Macmillan about it," Lucy said, giggling about something.
"True, true," Dom said.
"What?" Will asked.
"I heard from Scor and Ly's mum that they're dating," Dom said.
"You heard that Scor and Ly's mum is dating his dad?" I asked. Dom rolled her eyes at me.
"No," she said. "I heard that Professor Macmillan and Professor Spinet are dating."
"Oh," I said.
I wonder if I could charm something so that it worked as a girl to guy dictionary…
OOooOOooOOooOO
"Happy birthday dear Ly and Scor, happy birthday to you!" we all sang. We were gathered in the Tower. They blew out the candles and smiled identically. Well, almost. Ly's smile seemed a touch more…mischievous. But that's because Scor's a good guy, whereas Ly is a wild card.
The cake was from their mum. She sent it via owl this morning. A huge stack of presents was mounded next to it. Most of them were from us, but some were from the other guests. The majority of Gryffindor house was here. And Em somewhere apparently. I couldn't see her, but I wasn't really looking. I was much more interested in the cake.
"I thought James said Em was going to be here somewhere," Fred said, walking by. Will regarded him suspiciously.
"Yeah, he did," he said.
"Come dance," said Roxie, appearing out of nowhere and grabbing Will's hand. She dragged him into the dancing crowd. Fred watched them go with a scowl on his face.
"Does he like my little sister?" he asked me.
"Er…" I said. Someone save me. I can't lie when asked a direct question. Please, someone save me.
"Hello, boys," said Dom, appearing out of nowhere like Roxie had. She looked amazing, as usual in a red tank top and jeans.
"You look great," I said, earnestly.
"Thanks," she said.
"I'm going to go hurl," Fred said, pointing in the opposite direction before disappearing into the crowd. Ly and James were slow dancing nearby. I can't tell if that's what made him nauseous or not.
"You just saved my life," I said. "Or rather, Will's life."
"How so?" Dom asked.
"Because Fred asked me if Will liked Roxie and I can't lie, you know that, I have to tell the truth, it's this compulsive need, and I almost told him but then you showed up," I said.
"Oh! Well that's good then," she said.
"Yeah," I said. "It would've been terrible if Fred found out that Will's in love with Roxie and then killed Will for it. For wanting to do dirty things to his little sister, that is."
"Dirty things?" Dom asked, sounding both amused and confused. Oh shit.
I wonder if I could make a charm that would make it impossible for me to tell anyone's secrets…
Read and review!