The sound of subtle whispers from nearby people studying and of books being pulled from shelves drifted throughout one of the most common libraries used in Dufftown.
Penn sat across from me at a study table. The rectangular table and four chairs were all made of light colored wood with a slight glossiness, giving them a more modern look. Penn stretched her legs out beneath the table, propping her feet up on the chair beside me and crossing her legs. She relaxed lazily back in her chair, looking bored as ever. "So, why exactly have we been here so long?" She sighed heavily.
I spread out some books on History of Magic on the table, moving Penn's cellphone to the side out of the way in the process."You're here so you don't flunk your upcoming test in History of Magic. You know how dreadful Professor Quinn can be when someone makes bad marks on her tests. And I'm here because I have to tutor Madeline. Did you remember to take the ringer off of your phone while we're here?" We kept our voices low so as not to cause any trouble, though it tends to annoy Penn sometimes.
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mum, I'll do ever so well on that great History of Magic test," she said purposely in a sarcastically cheerful voice. I grinned at her answer, unable to not find amusement in it. "And yes, I took the bloody ringer off. You reminded me enough before we came in," she said.
I opened the books up to the appropriate pages for both Madeline and Penn. "Just making sure," I lightly laughed. Penn's phone began buzzing on the table. I glanced over at it. The display light lit up with 'Edan'. What the hell? He's calling Penn? My mood suddenly shifted at the thought of past events. Penn thinking she slept with Edan after my birthday party. Edan leading her to believe they did sleep together when they didn't. Penn keeping it a secret from me. The whole time. We haven't spoken a single word about any of it ever since Edan blurted it all out in the cafe where Elliot works at. How could Penn keep a secret like that from me? Why would she? The whole thought created an angry buzz inside of me. I tamped down on it, trying to control it. My gaze drifted to Penn, who looked shockingly at her phone. She quickly grabbed it and pressed the ignore button, putting her phone away in her bag that hung from the back of her chair. "Are you and Edan friends now?" I asked evenly.
Penn's shocked, not to mention awkward, look upon her face drifted into annoyance now. "What? No, we hate each other. I hate him at least. Whatever he thinks I don't really care. He can go die inside one of his one night stands for all I care." The bitterness in her voice grew as she spoke in a little bit louder tone now.
A woman with curly gray hair glared at us from a nearby table. "Shhh!" she said, placing her index finger on her mouth to signal us keep it down or be quiet. Most likely the latter. Penn slowly shook her annoyed head. 'Sorry' I mouthed to the much older woman. The woman looked away, sticking her nose back into whatever book she was reading. Either she didn't notice what I was trying to tell her or she was simply ignoring me. Oh well.
I cleared my throat as quietly as possibly, taking a quick glance at the older woman to make sure she wasn't about to scold us again. Thankfully, her nose seems to still be stuck in her book. I took out my phone, checking the time. Madeline should be here soon. Looking at a highly annoyed Penn, my own annoyance kept yanking on it's leash. "Look, let's just try to get through this study session," I said as quietly as possible in order to avoid the older woman's frustration.
"Fine," Penn said bitterly.
I reached into my bag, taking out some spare pens for notes. Regular ink pens since both wizards and muggles use this library. Not really a precaution that's needed but one I think would be best used at the moment. No need to draw anymore attention to ourselves.
Someone's slender hand grasped the back of the chair beside Penn, pulling it out. I looked up, smiling politely at Madeline. She sat down on the chair, looking at Penn and I, smiling. "Hello. Sorry if I'm late. This library isn't too far from school but far enough. Lucas dropped me off," she said in what seems to be her normally polite and semi-cheerful voice.
Penn sighed, "Let's get this stupid work over with. Hey, Madie."
Madeline blinked. Perhaps she didn't know what to say and could sense Penn's mood at the moment just as easily as I could.
"It's alright. You're not late though, so don't worry about it," I said to Madeline. I slid one book in front of Madeline and another one in front of Penn. "If we all work quickly then we can be out of here sooner."
Madeline nodded with a nervous smile while Penn almost nearly grunted.
I sighed as I started writing practice questions on History of Magic for them. Feeling that leash on my annoyance almost snap while writing, I close my eyes. One breath in, one breath out. Slowly, I open my eyes and continue to write practice questions down.
Madeline read through the pages in the book I gave to her. She's going to be an impressive witch one day. Even if it's just in the written words.
I look over at Penn, where she's staring down at the same page she started on. Odd.
"Do I stop here?" Madeline whispered, interrupting my thoughts. I looked at the page she stopped at. "No, not there. Read four more pages, Madie, then I'll give you some practice questions," I said. She nodded in response and began reading again.
After this is over, I'm going to the cafe for a good coffee. I don't care where, just as long as it gives me some relief from this mess called life. And after the coffee maybe I'll go practice some potions and spells. That's one way to forget about everything for now.