Remember I update by the year but it has multiple parts, so be checking what chapter you're on so you don't lose your place. Please, please , please drop a comment on what you think. Thanks guys!
In the morning I threw a pillow at Keeli's face to wake her to get ready for the day. We wrestled the other girls for the bathroom mirror to apply the small amount of makeup we both had started wearing. For me it was a touch of mascara, Keeli taking it a little farther with a few swipes of lip gloss. We barely ate a morsel of breakfast as we bounced in our seats waiting for our schedules. Finally Professor Flitwick handed us the stack of third year girls' ones. I ripped mine open and quickly read the column labeled 'Monday'.
"Oh come on, double Charms?" I groaned. "Why can we never get a good first schedule?"
"At least we have some electives today."
"I guess. Come on, if we're lucky we can get seats next to Damian and maybe not fail this year."
The Charms classroom was already in a bit of a fuss as most of our classmates had already made it. Some paper airplanes soared through the air as kids passed notes while two Slytherins were playing a game of Exploding Snap that sent noisy cracks through the air every once in a while. We sat next to Damian and Louk and made small talk while we waited for the bell. Professor Flitwick scurried in the second it did, asking all of us to calm down. We started the day with taking notes on the Cheering Charm which was exactly as it sounded. Professor Flitwick said this spell would test our control of our magic as underdoing it wouldn't be strong enough, but overdoing it would leave the victim laughing uncontrollably for hours.
After the double lesson was our first Ancient Runes class. While only being three quarters of an hour I barely had time to talk to Cad before our new Professor, Professor Babbling, ran us through the basic numerology symbols which appeared throughout most magical runic systems. I felt like I was back in Transfiguration for a minute since the first thing we had learned was a new alphabet, but this was much more interpretive than Transfiguration. Not only was there a new alphabet, but also a symbolic number system (like a unicorn's single horn representing one) to get down.
Somehow we shoved this into an entirely too short lesson before the bell rang for lunch. Cad let out a low whistle as we walked down the steps together. "This class is going to be hard."
"It's said to be the hardest class behind Arithmancy."
"I might have bit off more than I could chew." he scratched the back of his head. "I might need some help if I have a hope of making it through the end of the year."
"I'm sure Professor Potter will let you switch classes. It's only the first day."
"You should know a Gryffindor can't just quit. Death before dishonor."
I rolled my eyes. "I can see, but remember this year is supposed to be a lot harder in general. I'll be busy with homework a lot for my other classes too."
"Too busy to help little old me?" he gave me one of his smiles.
"Fine, but you'll owe me."
"With pleasure." he hugged my shoulder before we split ways in the Great Hall for lunch.
"Are you ready for our first Care of Magical Creatures lesson?" I put a slice of roast chicken on my plate.
"Of course, but only because we Transfiguration after." Keeli took a sip of pumpkin juice. "Have you seen the schedule for tonight?"
"What? What's happening tonight?"
"Astronomy at eleven."
"You're kidding me!" I pulled out my schedule and groaned in horror. "We're not going to be able to keep our eyes open!"
"I think Louk might have some leftover Wide Eye Potion from the Cup."
"I hope so, because it'll be the only way I remember anything. Why do we get Monday lessons?"
"Someone had to I guess."
The bell rang and we headed with the other third years who had signed up for the class across the campus to meet near the hut that stood at the edge of the woods. Professor Shortwood was standing on the grass right at the entrance of the Forbidden forest in a field of pinkish mushrooms that seemed to be wiggling slightly.
"Good afternoon, students. Welcome to your first Care of Magical Creatures class! Now who can tell me what these are?"
"Horklumps." Cad said almost with an air of boredom.
"Correct Mr…"
"Mervin."
"Correct, Mr. Mervin." he said with a smile. "Do you care to elaborate?"
He looked slightly taken aback. "Well, their basically mushrooms. They attract gnomes."
"Precisely! Five points to Gryffindor! Horklumps are considered a single X by the Ministry of Magic so I figured we'd get them out of the way quickly so we can move onto more interesting things. Mr. Mervin is exactly right that they are pretty indistinguishable from mushrooms except for occasional movement and for the fact when you pull them out of the ground instead of mycelia, roots that mushrooms would spread into the ground for nutrients, they have tentacles which search for worms or other insects in the dirt. While fairly plain, they serve an important function to wizard society. Does anyone know what this is?"
My hand shot in the air. "Horklump juice is used in potions!"
"Precisely. Do you know what potions specifically, Ms…?"
"Hales. Lots of healing potions but the one that comes to mind is the Wiggenweld Potion."
"Exactly! Five points to Ravenclaw. Now today you all are going to be sketching these. I know it's dull and I'm sorry, but these are very important creatures to know. Our lesson Thursday will consist of extracting Horklump juice from them and I promise soon we'll move on to something a bit more exciting."
We divided into teams of four like she asked, our two teams just sitting very closely next to each other. I grabbed the Horklump by the bell of it's mushroom, twisted, and pulled like I'd seen described in countless Herbology textbooks. It came out of the ground easily and the tentacle wiggled in midair as it tried to figure out what was happening. When it could no longer find dirt the tentacles traveled upwards and started wrapping around my hand. I screamed and tried to shake it off but it just gripped tighter like a gross, fleshy octopus.
Louk jumped up and yelled 'Relasio!'. I felt a sensation like the flat of a blade scraping across my arm but the creature detached. Amber brought a stick from the forest and let the creature wrap it's tentacles around that so we could still sketch it.
"Thanks." I rubbed my wrist. "Guess I didn't consider it might attack me back."
"It's okay. Your face was priceless." Louk chuckled.
That was as exciting as class got, and as Professor Shortwood had said they were very boring. It was essentially just sketching a mushroom with a few tentacles and a mouth in the middle of the stem. The short class was more than enough for the quick sketch giving us a few minutes to chat after we turned them in. We had Transfiguration after that also with the Slytherins, so we headed with Damian and Louk up to the classroom where Professor Sallow already stood at the teacher's desk. Keeli was practically bouncing in her seat in anticipation.
"Welcome back, students. Today we will begin on studying the effects, importance, and processes of animagi. This will be a long but very important first unit, so make sure you are paying apt attention."
The rest was the usual Transfiguration boredom about spells and limitations but I took diligent notes, my one E mark on my exams floating around in my head. Finally after the short period we were allowed to leave and pursue our own fancies until dinner. We all headed out to our spot on the courtyard and chatted about our first day. Cad complained to anyone who would listen just how hard Ancient Ruins was just to be beat back by Louk who explained Arithmancy was basically just predicting the future with numbers. We all shuddered at the thought of the class being a cross between Divination and maths.
After dinner we did some homework in our dorm until ten thirty when we climbed up to the Astronomy tower for our lesson. While we'd learned the planets and their moons the last few years, now we were learning about each individual moon and their impact on the planets around them. It was long and boring work that I barely kept my eyes open through and to be honest I didn't absorb more than a few key facts. My bed seemed like a faraway dream most of the night.
Wednesday after classes was the first Potions Club meeting where instead of brewing we had to elect a new President as Elizabeth had graduated last year. We had one new member of the club who was a first year named Steven we welcomed, then had to decide between the two Seventh years of the group Alexis and Anthony. It was a dead tie between the two and they eventually decided just to split the responsibilities down the middle. With a few people graduated we only had nine people in the club nowadays but that didn't seem to bother anyone, especially me. Having so few people meant we each got our own potion's workbench.
I started on a sixth year potion called Volubill's Potion that altered the drinker's voice as I thought it might be funny to convince Cad to drink and make his voice super high pitched. There were different ingredients and procedures to add depending on the results you wanted so I knew it would keep me busy for a few weeks.
The rest of the week flew by in a dizzying whirlwind of homework and new subjects, leaving us all a little stunned as we relaxed in the sunshine on Saturday. Luckily Quidditch practice didn't start for a few weeks and we were enjoying the time we had together while it lasted. Damian and Molly were tossing a Quaffle back and forth between each other while the rest of us just laid down or talked. I was leaning on Louk's legs as usual as we read oo wrote on our essays, and he leaned down to sniff deeply.
"Are you wearing perfume?"
"Oh no, I got this new shampoo in Diagon Alley. Does it smell bad?"
"No, just different. What is it?"
"White anemone? I've never heard of them before, but they're really pretty." I drew a sketch in the corner of my journal. "Their white flowers with these beautifully contrasted dark blue centers."
"Of course you like a flower with navy blue in it." he rolled his eyes. "Do you Ravenclaws ever like any other color?"
"Keeli's favorite color is pink. And who are you to talk? The only color you wear more than green is black."
"Our school uniforms are black, I don't have much choice."
"I don't think I've ever seen you wear a color brighter than grey."
"Well you don't see me in my own clothes very often, do you?" he flicked my arm.
"I'm looking for Amelia Hales, Molly Jensen, and Damian Grey." A timid second year walked up to us with a stack of little parchment rolls all tied with purple ribbon.
"Yup." I raised my hand and he threw the tiny scroll into it.
He left the second he gave the others theirs but mine was open first. "What the hell is a Slug Club?"
"That's that little group Professor Slughorn always puts together. He used to do it to all the students but the Headmistress made him wait until third year to start. You mean you got an invitation?" Louk jerked up and read over my shoulder.
"You are cordially invited to an introductory dinner in the offices of Professor Slughorn this twelfth of September." Molly read from her own scroll. "What the hell did I do to get in?"
"You and I both." Damian looked at his like it had insulted his grandmother.
"Do we have to?" I asked Louk.
"It's a great sign for your future. He has a knack of picking out the students that will be the best. Profesor Potter was in it when he went here, as well as his wife who is the Captain of the Holyhead Harpies. Loads of others come through and every single one of them went on to be great."
"Yeah but I don't want to go somewhere without you all." Molly tossed it aside. "I won't go."
"He's my Head of House. I can hardly refuse." Damian slipped his into his bag.
"He is my Potion's teacher. I think I have to if I want him to keep being nice to me." I sighed and did the same. "I wish we could bring friends though."
"He throws parties sometimes. Who knows, maybe it will be fun." Damian didn't sound too optimistic.
"We've only been here a week and I'm already bored." Cad sighed.
"Excuse me? How on Earth could you be bored? I've barely had time to draw a breathe!" I exasperated.
"Yeah because you care about schoolwork, but it's still boring. Nothing exciting had happened."
"Aims almost got eaten by a single X creature." Louk chuckled, cut short as I slapped his leg.
I saw Cad's eyes drift towards the forest and I clicked my tongue. "Don't even think about it."
"I promised we wouldn't go until we learned that one charm thing for the Dementors. I haven't forgotten."
"I don't like the way you're looking over there." I defended my defensiveness.
"I wonder what's in there." he said softly.
"You know what's in there, Professor Potter told us. Dementors and huge spiders and werewolves." I rolled my eyes.
"And you honestly think those things can take on the eight of us?" he shot back.
"Eight? Excuse me I'm not stepping foot in there. It's a deathwish." Keeli shuddered.
"Even then, seven of us is a pretty big number."
"Oh yes, seven half-trained wizards. What could possibly take us on?" Louk rolled his eyes. "You Gryffindor's and your hairbrained schemes."
"Amelia tried an amatuer potion not knowing all that it would do to her." Amber defended her housemate.
"That was for research purposes." I defended.
"And I want to research what's in the forest." Cad grinned and started to turn it on me.
I immediately closed my eyes and looked away. "Nope, no sir. You are not convincing me out there. I want to live to be of age."
"You guys are no fun." I heard him pout.
"Because we have a sense of self preservation? Guilty." Damian chuckled.
The dinner bell rang and we all groaned to our feet. Afterwards Keeli and I relaxed in the common room to work on homework and chat with each other. Our new Head Girl, Eleanor Headey, came into the common room and called everyone to attention which was strange in itself. One of the sacred rules of Ravenclaw Tower was never interrupt anyone as you never knew when elusive inspiration had hit someone. Eventually those hiding out in the dorm rooms shuffled down and the common room was quite crowded.
"I hope everyone had a great first week. We're doing pretty well with fifty house points already, and both Professor Flitwick and myself want to see Ravenclaw pull it through again this year. So make sure we're doing what we can where we can! I'm arranging a study group in the library on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays for Ravenclaws to maybe get some help in the subjects you're struggling in a bit. If you have any questions make sure you come and find me. Alright everyone, have a good night." she turned around and left, three other seventh years followed her.
I exchanged glances with Keeli. "That was...new."
"She's just trying to do her best." I reasoned with a wary glance at the door.
Dorothy and Eunice were deep in discussion when we walked into the dorm but immediately quieted down when we walked in. Their looks were slightly panicky and I knew what they had been talking about.
"Eleanor?"
"Just sharing some thoughts." Eunice smiled as we closed the door, placing a Muffling Charm on it. "Some of the seventh years are rumoring she's going to be a lot stricter."
"You know we shouldn't take stock in rumors, but Heads don't have a lot of power as it is. There isn't much she can do even if she wanted to." I pointed out as I started changing into my pajamas.
"I wouldn't put it past her. She likes controlling people, and right now we're her underlings." Dorothy shook her head. "I just hope she doesn't crack down on the pets policy."
"Hey if she wants my grades in Transfiguration to come up she'll let them stay." I chuckled.
"We should at least give her a chance." Keeli finally resolved and we nodded in agreement.
That agreement was held by the entire house for less than a week. On Tuesday she posted an obnoxiously large poster on the common room notice board about the special study group that sang 'Eagles soar above the rest, because we always do our best' every time someone walked by. Thursday it was posted up again as well as her making the rounds during every meal to remind everyone. Friday she even came and talked to us personally asking why she hadn't seen us.
"I just think it would really be beneficial for you both to come. We have seventh years who have been through your year that know a lot of what you're struggling with." she gave us a sweet smile.
"Well, we already have a study group, Eleanor." I tried not to sound too sharp. "But it's multi-house, and we don't want to leave them out."
"You can study with them other nights. It's our responsibility as Ravenclaws to make sure we're doing the best we can. Our house has always been at the top of all academic subjects but these past few years we've slipped in that category."
"Well, we shouldn't want to drag down the other houses just because they're doing their best." Keeli added softly.
"Of course not, but I believe we're better than second or even third place. I'd really be pleased to see you all in the study group this Sunday. Don't forget now!" she shook her finger like we were a misbehaving kitten before walking off to join her friends.
As we walked up to History of Magic with Cad and Amber I gave Keeli a look. "I don't know how long my tolerance will last if she keeps up like this."
"Like what?" Cad asked from the step below us.
"Our new Head Girl is very adamant about us joining a Ravenclaw only study group she's thrown together, as well as making clear we are to get as many house points as possible."
"You all won the cup last year. Isn't that enough for you?" Amber teased.
"Not the way she's acting." I shook my head. "She said Ravenclaws should be at the top of every subject in each year and that we're 'slipping in that regard'. She didn't even care we already had a study group with you guys, just said the older Ravenclaws could help us how you couldn't."
"I'd like to see a single seventh year student that could take you round Potions." Cad snorted.
"She has a point though." Keeli defended. "I don't agree that it's a bad thing, but take our year for example. Damian and Louk are top of DADA and Charms, and Cad is leading the pack in Care of Magical Creatures. That's three subjects Ravenclaws aren't on top."
"She can get over it. I'd rather study with you guys than be shoved in a library to study their way. Besides, I doubt they'll throw me out a window if I need to work on my Cushioning Charm." I nudged Cad's arm as we stepped into the classroom.
Saturday was just the perfect weather for a walk around the lake before settling down to some homework. I was unsuccessfully trying to get Cad to focus on our Runes work but he was glancing off at the forest again.
"You know Tracey Moorey says when the invading army fell during the Battle of Hogwarts a whole bunch of creatures ran off into the woods? Acromantulas, giants, Dementors; everything He Who Must Not Be Named had on his side."
"You know Professor Potter told us to say Voldemort." I chidded softly. "Why are you so transfixed on the Forest, Cad?"
"Who wouldn't be? It's Forbidden, which means it's exciting."
"You're the kind of person who would stick their hand in a dragon's mouth just because someone told you not to." Molly rolled her eyes.
"This is different. You can't tell me you don't want to go in there." he asked Amber.
"Well that's not fair, she's another Gryffindor." Louk pointed out.
"Hey, we aren't all the same!" she protested before blushing. "But yes, I do. It's just so mysterious. You can't tell me you wouldn't want to get your hands on some rare ingredients or something that's in there, right Aims?"
"If I had to face down a giant to get them? Absolutely not."
"Yeah, because they're so interested in moonlace and unicorn hair." Cad gave me a sideways glance but I couldn't resist the bait.
"There isn't moonlace in the Forest."
Cad all too casually leaned back on his elbows. "Professor Longbottom says there is, if you know where to look."
"Oh, and you know where to look?" Louk shot.
"Perhaps." he exchanged a look with Amber.
"Even if she agreed to go, do you honestly think we'd let her?" Louk rolled his eyes. "You need some lessons in manipulation."
Cad just shrugged but shot me a wink when Louk turned back to his work.
Friday night instead of relaxing after our Care of Magical Creatures lesson with Flobberworms, I took a shower to get all the excess mucus off of me and slipped into a nice skirt and blouse. Damian had agreed to meet me in the foyer so I wouldn't be walking in alone and it wasn't until I was traipsing down the seven flights of stairs that I realized I'd never spent much time alone with Damian so I really didn't know what to talk about with him either.
He looked nice in a collared shirt, slacks, and a blazer. I noticed a few other kids in similar clothes waiting around. "Thanks for meeting me. I'll feel better if I don't walk in alone."
"I'm going anyway." he shrugged and offered me his arm.
I took it and we walked downstairs towards Professor Slughorn's office. The door was open so we walked right in. It was a pretty large room with a big circular table set up in the middle of the open space of the sitting room. A fireplace crackled in the background and a gramophone was playing soft jazz music. Professor Slughorn was standing by the door and welcoming everyone in as we arrived.
"Ah, Ms. Hales and Mr. Grey, so nice to see you. Is Ms. Jensen going to be joining us this evening? I was expecting you all to arrive together."
I shook his hand as my mind scrambled to come up with a suitable lie but Damian beat me to it. "Molly said she wasn't feeling well, but to extend her apologies."
"Jolly good!" he shook Damian's hand. "Well you two can take any seats you like. We should start in just a moment."
We walked around the table until we found two empty seats next to each other. Everyone else looked equally uncomfortable as they sat at the crisp white tablecloth. Luckily the person I sat next to I recognized as a Slytherin boy named Romeo from Potions Club. He gave me a polite nod as I sat next to him.
"I see he recruited you too." I gave an honest attempt at a smile.
"I've been in since last year when he saw me talk down a Hippogriff with a hurt wing. I expected to see you here for Potions."
"Does he just pick out people at random?" I looked around the room to take in the seemingly random assortment of people.
Romeo shrugged and took a sip from his glass. "Who knows and who cares? A Slughorn recommendation is as good as gold to most people."
"Who are you hoping to impress with it?" I asked curiously.
"Don't know yet, but whoever it is will take it."
Professor Slughorn walked up to the table so we all felt silent to let him speak. "Good evening, students. Welcome to some of you, and welcome back to most. This is just a little club I put together every year. Enough introduction though, why don't we all get to dinner?"
He clapped his hands and house elves appeared out of nowhere to serve us a first course of soup on fine china. We settled into our seats and he started up a conversation with each of us in turn. The casual dialogue was designed to give as much context about each student as possible while still feeling a little natural, but mostly I just felt like I was in some form of interview.
I was in because of Potions and Damian's family was very wealthy, a fact he seemed to want brought up as rarely as possible. There was a Ravenclaw third year who was good at Defense Against the Dark Arts and a Huffelpuff sixth year had a talent at Herbology but the rest seemed to come from wealthy or famous families. There was the son of a famous troll hunter, the daughter of a dueling champion, and the son of a popular broomstick designer Damian knew. The last member was a Slytherin fifth year Damian seemed to avoid at all costs, and she asked almost as many questions as Professor Slughorn. As the dessert round hit I was thoroughly ready to leave. After the initial conversation had died down we were talking amongst ourselves so I leaned in to Damian.
"Why didn't Louk get an invitation? He's good at DADA too."
Damian pressed his lips together and shook his head, gesturing to the Slytherin girl who was seemingly engrossed in her food and not paying any attention to us. "Do you want me to walk you back to your dorm after this?"
"If you wouldn't mind. It's a long walk." I noticed a nudge when I saw it.
He nodded as we finished the last of our cheesecake and Professor Slughorn started the long line of goodbyes. We were towards the end but his smile was still bright as he took our hands.
"It was nice to see you two here. And Amelia, I'll probably drop by Potions Club sometime next week if you have anything you want me to look at."
"Of course sir, thank you." I shook his hand before being dragged out by Damian.
He offered me his arm again and we headed up the stairs to the larger stairwell. The second we stepped in the foyer he glanced behind us and sighed. "Sorry, Loveday always puts me on edge."
"The Slytherin girl?"
"Yeah, she's a notorious gossip. Slytherins are a tight bunch, but she's a pariah amongst us. She loves getting the dish on everyone."
"Is that why you wouldn't talk about Louk?'
He nodded, still seeming reluctant as we started up the stairs. "Louk's family is pureblood like mine, but in the Second Wizarding War they made some tough calls. His Dad and Mom were newly married and trying to fit in. When Voldemort rose to power they left to live in the Muggle world to escape what would be expected of them by their families. Since they didn't really pick a side they both kind of shunned them. His Father tried to get in business afterwards but he was blocked by a lot of wealthy investors who disagreed with his choices during the war."
"That's what everyone was so mad about? That they left to save their own skin?"
"It was more complicated back then. Both sides needed supporters and anyone who wasn't with them was against them."
"What did your family do?" I asked softly.
A let an entire flight of stairs go by before he answered. "Like most, they hunkered down and hoped for the best. You know my estate is large and we used the guest houses to harbour Muggleborn children. Over the course of the war we protected almost eighty kids of all ages."
"That's really admirable." I smiled.
"It was before I was even alive, so no need to thank me." he shrugged. "We got less clout after the Battle of Hogwarts because of it so I've gone under the radar of most. Louk's family, however, got labeled as deserters."
"My parents don't like to talk about the war."
"I don't think anyone does." he shook his head. "And I don't want to know about it."
"You don't? I mean there were a lot of important figures and bat-"
"No." he cut me off and I felt his arm tense. "Some things are best left in the past. A lot of those kids my family helped still come around, and I wish I hadn't heard half of the stories they told."
"Well, thank you for telling me about Louk's family." we stepped in front of the Ravenclaw knocker.
"Hey, if he asks, you heard it from someone else." he smirked and waved. "Night."
"Night." I nodded and turned to knock the knocker.
"I have many keys but cannot open a single lock. What am I?"
"A piano." I yawned.
"Correct." It swung open and gave me passage to the common room.
Keeli was sitting at a desk and I leaned on it next to her, looking over at her Transfiguration work. "Evening."
"Hey, how'd it go?"
"Pretty boring actually, but Professor Slughorn said he'd stop by the Club next week to take a look at what I'm working on so I say it's worth it."
"Cool. You headed to bed?"
"Yeah. You coming?"
She shook her head. "I'm working on a report about Animagus Transfigurations for extra credit."
"Good luck." I snorted before heading up to the dorm.
