Chapter 14: Of NEWT's and Potions

I woke up with Lily shaking me and hurrying me to get up or I would miss breakfast. I felt like a zombie, because of the ingestion of alcohol, and also because clearly, I had a hard time falling asleep and missed a couple of good hours of sleep. I finally got up and went to the bathroom. When I saw my face in front of the mirror, I almost shrieked. There were dark circles under my eyes and my hair were a real mess. Marlene, who was putting on some make-up, looked at me.

- You poor thing. Let me help you real quick!

Too tired to protest, I just stayed there, pouting a little. I was just so tired, I swore to Merlin, if McGonagall would announce to me that I'll be off for the first period (which can happen, since our NEWTS year is less charged in terms of classes, but tougher in terms of out-of-classes work) I'll crawl straight back to bed. Marlene took my hair and easily put them in a messy bun on top of my head, which kinda suits me well, but I myself was unable to do it as good as she does. She then putted a small black line of eyeliner under my eyes and a little touch of mascara. I looked back at my reflection and it was undeniably better, not perfect, because I still just needed to sleep more, but it would do just fine, I guess. I don't put on make-up often, most of the time, it's Marlene who likes a little too much to take me as her doll. Thing is, I usually don't mind, because I was prettier after without any effort on my part. I was a totally and entirely assumed lazy person.

- Okay, now get dress so we can go eat, I'm famished! She said to me, pushing me out of the bathroom.

I managed to get dressed quickly, and I followed my roommates out of the dorm. James was waiting for us in the Common Room, getting up as he saw us coming down. He came to kiss Lily and walk down with her. When we arrived in the Great Hall, I spotted the rest of the boys eating and laughing. James went to take the seat at Sirius's side and Lily sat near to him. Remus, who was in front of them, patted the seat next to him on the bench, smiling at me. I obliged, returning his smile.

- McGonagall is giving this year schedules, he said. Did you decided to continue potions?

Remus knew how deeply I hate potions.

- No choice if I want to try to be an Auror for a career, I need to have impeccable NEWTS in potions too. Arf...

- I'm sure it will go well. Lily and me will help you with it, right Lily? He said, looking at her.

- Of course, hon. I'm sure you will even like that, she answered.

- I would not put a galleon on that if I were you, but thanks, guys, I replied, taking a toast and a jar of strawberry jam to garnish it.

Professor McGonagall gave us our timetables. My hopes and dreams were all crushed at once when I saw that not only didn't I have the first period off, but even worse, that I would spend my first morning of the term agonizing in double potions. Thing is, Potions are a real struggle for me. And to be an Auror, even before the three years of training, I first of all need to get an Outstanding or at least an Exceeds Expectations in my NEWTS in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms and sadly in Potions, too. I knew that this year I would have to double the efforts I put in my studies. I've always managed to have good grades, but this year would be different, because I NEED TO. If I don't, there's no chance I'll get selected. Few people are, and after that, the three years training are, as my parents told me, extraordinarily challenging. I looked back at my timetable while eating. I realised that the NEWTS year schedule was different. All of my five NEWTS subjects were double instead of being two times a week. And my schedule is lighter than before, seeing that I chose only five subjects. Monday, after lunch, I'm off. Then Tuesday, I have the morning off, then double Transfiguration. Wednesday, I begin the day with double Herbology, then off for the afternoon. Thursday, I have double Defense Against the Dark Arts in the morning and finally, Friday afternoon, I finish the week with double Charms. I planned to use all of my time-off to work and study, and with luck, that would leave me all week nights and some time off during the week-ends.

I did work very fast, that was one of my strengths. I didn't know why, I didn't need that much time to think before I wrote something. I can easily research, study and write two-times faster than the others. Now fellow students and teachers are used to it, but at first, when they saw me get out of an exam after less than an hour, everyone was thinking that I choked under the pressure and that I would flunk the exam. So, it was the same when it comes to doing my homework's and study, and that's why I'll be able to stay in the Quidditch's team this year, because we practice once or twice a week (and even three times a week when Potter get zealous). I'm not incredibly brilliant or clever, I do work for it, I study, practice and everything, I'm just faster to do those things. Sometimes, at particularly tough exams, I stay long after I'm finished, just because I don't want the others to resent me or to be pressured by my early leaving.

We finished eating and then quickly went back to our dorms to fetch our books and material for potions, well, except for Mary and Marlene who didn't take that class and were ever so lucky having the first morning off. We arrived a while later in potion class (in addition to not liking that class, it also was quite a long walk) and I seated myself in the first row with Lily, who is an insufferable fan of Slughorn, our potion teacher. And it was reciprocated, because she was an amazingly-good potion-maker. She was actually part of a very-close-circle of students who's Slughorn invite for get-togethers and parties from time to time, it was called Slug's Club. Only pretty talented students and those who were from famous families (or acquainted to famous people) were invited. Since I had nothing to do with famous people and also was very not a Potions-passionate person, I was obviously not invited. I didn't mind though, I can't say that I felt like I was missing out, and I didn't have much time left between school work, Quidditch practices and social life.

James, who usually was sitting at the back with his crew, took the place at Lily's other side, followed by a clearly annoyed Sirius, who clearly wasn't happy with the new seating arrangements. While Slughorn was introducing the NEWTS's year, I took a piece of parchment and tear a little piece to write on it.

What's with the long face? Afraid that it would get harder to mischief that close to Slughorn?

I subtly pushed the piece of paper to Sirius's hand with a movement of my elbow. Surprised, he looked at me, then at the paper, before he opened it under his cauldron. I saw his lips turning up a little. He removed the ink with a flicker of his wand and wrote something, before he gave it back to me.

Not enough sleep, being stuck at the front of the class because of Evans... But don't underestimate my mischief talents, or you could be the next victim...

Being unable to silent cast like him, I just wrote an answer under his.

I'm scared to death!

I gave it back to him with a smile. He opened it, removed the ink and wrote back. Slughorn was telling us we were to do an Ageing potion today. Sirius gave me back the paper before he rose up to fetch potion ingredients. I opened it before going myself.

Sounds like a challenge. You better watch your back. Thanks for the distracting new purpose, Meadowes.

Well, I don't know if I should be scared now. Those boys did have a lot of pranking experiences and I sure didn't want to look like a fool in front of the entire school. Ruminating about my smart-mouth, who often caused me trouble, I went to look for my ingredients and begin brewing my potion. Lily was giving me advices now and then and I noted all of them in my book, to study it in addition to the book for the NEWTS. Because she won't be able to help me then, won't she? I will be all alone trying not to suck at Potions and doing my best to get an ''E'' (Of course, I'm not foolish enough to think that I could get an ''O''). Somehow, I managed to accomplish an average-good mixture who pleased Slughorn. To be fair, he was so used to my mediocrity in his class that every time my potion is okay-ish, he's praising me. But, I sure as hell don't know how I could have accomplished the miracle to got an ''E'' last year, and I was more than sure that without more efforts, I would not be able to re-do the impossible. That's why I stayed after class to talk to Slughorn. After everybody left, I inspired deeply and went to see him as he was sorting vials for what I guessed was his next class.

- Heum, Professor Slughorn, may I speak with you for a minute? I asked him.

He turned around and saw me, then smiled encouragingly at me.

- Of course, miss Meadowes, about what?

- Well, about my future.

- What about it, dear?

- I'm planning to try to become an Auror, professor, and as you surely already know, I need to get very good grades in potions. I wanted to ask you if it was possible to...

I was trying hard to not make a disgusted face while saying it.

- If it was possible to get extra potions lessons? To practice more and to make sure I could have a chance to be selected? I finished saying, not without effort.

- Well, well, well, you're a pretty ambitious girl, aren't you? Wanting to follow your parents' path, I see? He asked, interested.

- You know my parents, sir? I asked him.

- I do, your dad was an exceptional potion-maker indeed.

- Well, it's a shame that I haven't inherited that from him, isn't it?

- A shame indeed... I do know you're a brilliant student, miss Meadowes, I think your biggest problem concerning Potions is that you're not passionate enough about it. In any case, I'll try my best to help you by transmitting you the passion, he assured me.

There was no way on earth that I would love potions. Just to stop hating it would be great, actually. But, of course, I kept those thoughts to myself, and just nodded. He opened his ingredients cabinet, where his lessons schedule was glued on the door.

- We could say, Tuesday or Wednesday night? He asked.

- Usually, Quidditch practices are Tuesday and Thursdays, so Wednesday would be perfect.

- Wednesday it is, then, let's say from 6 to 8? We would begin next week, he said, while noting it on his schedule.

- Fine, thank you very very much, professor Slughorn!

- You're welcome, dear. Have a nice day.

- Thanks, and a nice day to you too, sir, I politely replied before leaving.

I went back to the Great Hall for lunch. Lily kept a space for me at her side.

- So, she asked, did he agreed to help?

- He did, I said, taking a bowl of soup, with bread and cheese.

- Great, I knew he would help you! Now you're sure to kick your Potions's NEWTS! She said, squeezing my shoulder in affection.

- I sure as hell hope so! Because if not, the fact that I'll do two hours a week of more Potions for nothing would be really depressing.

- I still don't understand why you hate Potions that much, it's such a wonderful subject! She said.

- If you say so... I replied gloomily.

Thursday morning, I was pretty excited to go to my first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. I've heard in the Common Room that the new teacher was very nice and passionate. I entered the class positive that this would be a great class. I love this subject, of course, wanting to do a career of it. But within the years, I've had many different teachers (this position changes every damn year, like it's cursed or something), and some were very nice and/or good, and others were just plain awful. I do wish that I would finish school with a good one. As we entered, we were a little destabilized by the fact that there were no tables nor chairs. Instead, there were dummies near the wall at our right, and there was a comfy-looking spot the other side, with a thick bright orange carpet covered with a bunch of cushions. Not knowing what to do or where to go, we awkwardly waited in front of the door to be told what to do. Professor Rosewood entered the class at that moment.

- Good morning everyone! She said. Please, don't stand there like fools, come and sit on the cushions and make yourselves comfortable! She told us.

We followed her to the cushions and sat around her. I noticed her foreign accent and wondered where she was from.

- Now, let's get to introductions. Hi everyone, I'm Professor Eve Rosewood, I'm 27 and I'm from New-York, United-States!

Oh! Interesting! I rarely met people from there.

- I was looking for a new challenge, and Dumbledore asked me for this position, I was very happy to obliged! Now your turn, I would like you all to tell me your name, please!

Everybody presented themselves to her.

- Okay then, let's talk about how we will work here. I imagine that you're not use to this type of class's layout. It's this way just for your group, because at your age, I think that practice is the most important. Theory is also crucial, and be assured that you'll have readings and essays to do every week for my class, but I want us to maximise our time together by practical magic and defensive spells. Is that okay with you guys?

- Sure! I said with enthusiasm, along with all the others positive comments.

- Perfect! Then, let's go! Stand up you lot, let's see how you manage in duels!

The time past pretty quickly and, too soon for my taste, the class came to an end. I was getting my book and was about to leave when I heard the professor calling me.

- Dorcas, I would like to have a word, if you don't mind?

The fact that she was from America made her stand out from our other professors. For instance, she asked us if it was okay to call us by our surnames. We all agreed to it. I wondered why she wanted to talk to me…

- Of course, yes, I answered.

I followed her up the stairs leading to her office. It was very beautifully decorated, with floral tapestries and a lot of different plants. There was also a lot of magical instruments that I had no ideas what most of them were.

- Sit, please, dear, she said.

I sat on a green plush chair in front of her.

- I won't keep you long, I just wanted to know you better. I didn't say it in front of everyone, for obvious reasons, but I'm an ex-Auror from The MACUSA. I know your parents, because I've worked with them on many international cases. They told me that you would like to follow their paths, is that right? She asked me.

- It is, I said.

- I just wanted to tell you, that if I could help you get there, it would be my pleasure. Governments needs more people like your family in their ranks, she flattered me.

- Thanks. But may I ask you a question?

- Sure!

- Why are you no longer an Auror?

- Oh... I... I lost someone very dear to me... My husband, actually. 6 months ago, on a mission. We were working together, that's where we met, actually. And I tried to continue after, but it didn't work for me. So, I guess, for now at least, I will try to teach all I know, it will be my contribution instead of standing first line as I used to do… She finished.

- I'm... Very sorry for your lost… I said awkwardly.

- Thanks. We knew that this was a very risky business, you know? We made the most of it while it lasted... She said.

We were lost in our thoughts for a moment. She was right, this was a very risky career path that I chose, and I knew it. I had the same amount of fear than excitement about it. My parents did prepare me mentally that someday they could get hurt or worse... We talked about it often, but I guess you never really understand it before it hit you in the face (aka, you really lost someone). We discussed for a while, before I went to join my friends just in time for lunch. I repeated my conversation with Rosewood to Lily. We agreed that the professor was really awesome and that we were looking forward to her next class.

The first week of the term passed pretty swiftly. My new schedule, combined to sessions of homework's and studies when I didn't have classes proved to be very efficient. It was pretty boring, for sure, and I spent an awful lot of time in the library with Lils and Remus, but I was ahead in everything and had most of my nights off (Quidditch practices would begin next week too, like my Potions extra lessons).