Bess:
I was allowed a full day of rest on Halloween that year. Dormé said that I looked tired and assured me that she could handle everything for the day.
I slept the day away, waking only to eat dinner, shower, go potty, and go back to bed.
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November first arrived, welcoming Chloe and me into our fifteenth year of life.
I had avoided lecturing any class of Jason's, but, Happy Birthday to me, my luck had run out.
Mother sent both of us girls shoe boxes full of assorted candy and pictures of Kendra. I asked Chloe to take the candy to my bed on her free period, but I had laced a few candy bars in my briefcase.
When I saw his face among my students of the hour, my blood ran cold.
Seeing Jason's face mocking me, his feet propped upon the desk and lazing backward, I reached into my bag and pulled out a "Kit-Kat." I tore the wrapper and took a small bite, the chocolate relaxing my shoulders, and the cookie crunch adding the pleasure of the moment.
It was time to try and face the music.
"Hello! I'm Bess. I'll take attendance at the end of the period per usual. Any questions before I begin the lecture on how to perform accio?"
"Oh, goodie, such a simple spell," Jason spat. My face grew hot at the scoffing.
"Professor Flitwick asked me to read this paragraph before giving you the chance to practice. Accio is a summoning charm. The wandstroke to perform accio is an arch. One says or thinks the spell followed by thinking about a specific object. Professor Flitwick says an example everyone in here should know is from the Triwizard Tournament when Harry called his broom with 'Accio, Firebolt.' Any questions so far? I'll do my best to help."
Why couldn't I keep my mouth shut?
I looked back at Jason. He smiled as if he had won the lottery. Then, he leaned over and whispered something to the kid next to him. Both of them were giggling.
"Jason, do you have a question?"
"Yeah. How did you get drafted to be a substitute?"
I felt tears sting in the corners of my eyes, and I knew I had to get the tears in check before everything went to pot.
"I can't do my real job. I'm trying to help where I might do some good."
"Ha! Whole lot of good, huh?"
"What can I do but try?" my voice caught.
Jason yawned. "You can try a bit harder."
"So in proverbial terms, 'I do not because there is no try?'"
"Bingo, Yoda," Jason scoffed.
"Conners, you will stay after class. I don't think right now is the time or place for this."
"Fine. Whatever."
The rest of the class was silent as his words echoed.
"Don't get snippy with me, Conners!"
Jason could have killed me with the look of hatred in his eyes.
"What?"
"You aren't a professor. I can get snippy if I want."
"I am of a higher rank, appointed by Dumbledore. I have the same authority as a professor."
"Rank means little to me. You should know that by now."
"Yes. But your house wishes you understood respect. One Hundred and Fifty points from Ravenclaw. Everyone but Mr. Conners is dismissed."
The class filed out. The other Ravenclaws gave Jason dirty looks as they filed past him.
But Jason just stayed in his seat, feet on his desk, leaning back, and hands on his head.
"What in the Mustafar are you doing?"
"Sitting."
I slammed my fists on his desk hard enough to make the chairs around him rattle. "Don't give me that crap. What is your problem?"
He still just sat, unfazed by my angry outburst, "You already know."
"In this setting, I am the authority. As of the first day back here at Hogwarts, I am paid faculty until I can return to my previous duties."
"Be that as it may, I don't like it."
"This isn't a cakewalk for me, Jason."
"Nor for me."
"All I'm asking for is your cooperation. You want me to die in childbirth? Fine by me, but in this setting, respect would be nice."
"I don't want you do die," he whispered.
"Good to know. Then you can put up with my ugly mug once in a while?"
"If I HAVE to."
"You will have to. After the twins are born, I'll be done for the year. Until then, I expect your behavior."
"Right…"
A clone peaked his head in the door, "Commander?"
I had forgotten I had a meeting.
"Yeah, yeah, Vox. I'm coming. Goodbye, Jason."
"Buh-bye," he sneered.
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T!" I hollered over my shoulder.
"Find out what it means to me!" he sang.
I scowled.
