10. Muggle Studies

It wasn't long before Ysabell's precious free periods were filled once more. A teacher had finally arrived to fill the vacant post of Muggle Studies Professor, and so lessons were finally starting.

Ysabell had had serious doubts about the subject from the start. To begin with, the subject's name didn't exactly give the impression of fun, interesting, action-packed lessons.

I really don't see why I have to take it. Why should I have to learn about muggles? I suppose the point is so that I understand muggles and accept them as equals, or some jargon like that. The only good thing I can say about it is that the work's going to be easy.

The small, mousy-haired Professor Timida did not appear a particularly imposing or authoritative figure to the class as she, well, timidly told them about the joys of Muggle Studies, and how whatever they had been taught by former teachers about muggles' inferiority was quite wrong. As she went on to explain how all wizards should treat muggles fairly and equally, Ysabell was forced to make links with her History of Magic lessons. But with one small exception. Whilst Professor Binns took hide nor heed of his students, Professor Timida kept glancing up at her students as though expecting them to interrupt and deny her claims, perhaps even attack her. She eventually ground to a halt under her students' polite gaze.

Ysabell was already planning ahead.

She seems quite nice, even if she is scared out of her wits. It shouldn't be too hard to befriend her, then at least I'll have one teacher on my side. All I need to do is be nice to her, be attentive and contribute in lessons – that shouldn't be too hard; I know enough about muggles to be a right little teacher's pet in this class.

Meanwhile, the Professor had plucked up the courage to start again. "Erm, well, I've been asked to discuss how muggles use and make energy with you this term. Um, does anyone know what muggles use as energy in their homes?" She looked around the class hopefully, and eventually a student broke the expectant silence.

"Er, isn't it electricity, Professor?"

"Yes, yes, that's right!" Seeming heartened by the fact that someone in the room seemed to know and care about what she was saying, she continued a little louder. "And does anyone know how they produce it?"

The silence was a lot longer this time. These were students who were new to the subject – well, that was if you didn't count the lessons last year as being muggle studies. Last year's lessons were probably what had put so many people off continuing with the subject this year; Ysabell's class contained only ten students, all of whom apart from her either knew nothing about muggles or were too shy to speak.

Eventually, the same boy spoke again. "Isn't it something to do with lightning, Professor?"

Oh for heaven's sake.

"Well, not quite," their teacher replied. "Does anyone else know?" she asked, voice full of false hope.

Come one Ysabell! This is your moment! Contribute!

"They produce it in power stations, Professor, by burning coal…" Ysabell trailed off. Professor Timida had given a little jump as she had started speaking, and was now looking at the before-unnoticed girl in trepidation.

Oh no. Not you as well. Please not you as well. What do they tell you all? 'By the way, one of the girls you are teaching is a known psychopathic murderer'? I'm not all that bad, you know. Why doesn't one of you take the chance to get to know me before you judge me? Unless you think you know all there is to know.

After that, the lesson degenerated again. They were all handed out worksheets entitled 'How muggles use energy' which they were supposed to fill in.

Primary school stuff, in other words. I wonder if we get stickers?

And then, for homework, they were given a sheet asking them to brain storm everything they knew about muggles.

Everything I know about muggles? I could write a textbook on that! Or maybe I should just do as they expect me to and write down a list of the best ways to murder them. Can't they at least give me the benefit of doubt?

"How was Muggle Studies then?" asked Luna, as they sat down to lunch together.

"A laugh. The work's ridiculously easy and the teacher's so scared of me that she doesn't dare even speak to me."

"What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything to her!"

"I meant in the lesson." replied Luna unconcernedly, stirring marshmallows into her soup with her spoon.

"'How muggles use energy'… what are you doing?"

"Eating."

"Yes, but marshmallows in tomato soup?"

"It tastes good, and Daddy says it improves your memory. Try it."

"Er, no thanks. I've eaten an awful lot of things in my time, but I still prefer to keep sweet and sour separate if I can, thank you very much. Not unless I haven't got a choice."

"Fair enough" answered Luna, raising another spoonful to her lips. "I hope you don't mind the sugar lumps I've put in yours then."

"What!?"

I don't advise sugar lumps in tomato soup. Marshmallows aren't too bad though.