Ambrosia couldn't be happier to get off the train. The past few weeks had been some of the worst she had ever had. If it hadn't been for Maggie and Eldon she would have gone crazy. Fortunately that was all behind her now. Taking a deep breath, she linked her arms with Maggie and made her way to the Carriages that would take them up to the castle.
She was glad to be back at Hogwarts, she really was. But if there was one thing she was not looking forward to, it was the detention she had to do with Black.
Sitting in the Great Hall was nice, if not a bit strange. It was kind of weird being the observer this time. Seeing the nervous and somewhat terrified looks on the new first years was almost nostalgic. She could hardly believe that it was only a year ago that she was standing there, waiting for Professor McGonagall to call her name and place that disgusting hat on her head. It felt like much longer. And now she had a whole new year to look forward to, and a group of new students to torture. And if that didn't brighten her mood, the food that appeared soon after sure did!
Breakfast was the usual affair. After eating (and guarding her food from Maggie, who, despite there being more than enough food on the table, decided that Ambrosias food tasted the best), dodging the owl post and receiving her timetable from Professor Slughorn, Ambrosia decided to head back to the dungeons for some last minute unpacking and relaxing before classes started. She didn't even make it outside of the great hall before she was stopped by Professor McGonagall. Ambrosia sighed. She already knew that this was going to be about the detention she received last year.
"I assume you know why I am here?" the professor asked. She had a large, disapproving frown on her face. Ambrosia wondered if she ever smiled. She gave a small nod but stayed quiet.
"Good. Now, follow me. Once we have collected Mr Black we can discuss the details of your detention more thoroughly!" And with that they were off.
They eventually found Black in the Gryffindor Common room, slouching in a chair by the fire. After a quick word from the professor they were off again, this time heading for McGonagall's office.
"I hope you know how seriously we take these matters. It doesn't matter that it was the end of the year, no student is allowed out of bed after hours!" Professor McGonagall glared at the students standing in front of her. The fact that one of them was from her house was even more upsetting. After all, she wanted to win the house cup this year, and behaviour like that from her students would hinder that goal.
"Now, you will serve your detention tomorrow after classes. Professor Slughorn will be expecting both of you to be on time, so don't be late!" This she said while throwing a pointed look in Sirius' direction, before dismissing them.
As Ambrosia was waiting for Professor Slughorn in front of his office, she couldn't help but feel nervous. She had never had detention before. She had never been properly in trouble before. Of course it didn't help that Black was leaning against the wall opposite her, eyes closed and a content smile on his face like he was used to being in this type of situation. Then again, she thought he probably was. After all, the Marauders were known as pranksters, even by the teachers that loved them so much. She scowled, looking away from him. She still couldn't quite believe that he was a member of the Black family. It was simply shameful. No wonder Father had turned down a dinner invitation from them. Father. She didn't want to think about him. Didn't want to see his disappointed and angry face. It would just make her feel worse. She needed to distract herself from those types of thoughts. And unfortunately, Black was the only distracting thing around.
"What do you suppose our punishment will be?" she asked him reluctantly. She didn't want to talk to him, but it was better than brooding in silence. Black had opened one eye and scowled back at her.
"We're going to be with the potions teacher. What do you think our detention will be?!"
Ambrosia hoped it would be something simple, like helping Slughorn make potions, but a sinking feeling in her gut told her that it would be something a lot less pleasant and a lot more dirty!
Scrubbing clean all the cauldrons in the potions classroom was not how Ambrosia pictured spending her night. But that is exactly what she had been doing for the past two hours and now her knees where sore, her back ached and she couldn't feel her fingers anymore. Why where there even so many cauldrons to begin with and what were they putting into them?! She could at least take comfort in that this was her last cauldron and after she scrapped the grime from its depths she was free to go! Black was already finished and was leaning against the doorframe, waiting for her to finish as well. In fact he'd been finished some time ago, but had to stay behind and wait for her before he could leave. Damn him and his boy muscles.
"God, hurry up will you? I want to get at least some shut eye tonight!" said Black, tapping his foot impatiently. Ambrosia frowned into her cauldron. If she looked at him she might snap and punch that stupid look off his stupid face.
"You could have helped me with these, instead of just standing there making stupid comments." The foot taping stopped, before starting again but louder than before.
"Oh my god, why are you so annoying!?" Ambrosia picked up his discarded cloth and threw it at his face. Black gave a little smirk as he easily caught the cloth.
"Maybe I was just born to annoy you!" He pushed himself off the wall, threw the cloth into the sink and walked over to where she was busy scrubbing the cauldron and trying her best to ignore him. "But I'll make you a deal. You tell me why you were crying and I'll leave you alone for say, the rest of the week!"
