Chapter 10
I wake the following morning, just in time to have a late breakfast. We have our first transfiguration lesson today. I'm looking forward to this lesson as I've heard Professor Mcgonagall teaches it. We file into the room, and she is standing at the front waiting, patiently, for us all to take our seats. She does a quick headcount and I can see that she is worried that Harry and Ron are missing. She begins the lesson after writing a short note and banishing it somewhere. "Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned." Both potions and transfigurations lessons have started with dire warnings. I make sure to pay close attention to what is being said. Professor Mcgonagall instructs us to copy down the Transfiguration alphabet and to do so quietly. As most students shuffle around to find the parchment from their bags, they miss the Professor transforming herself into a cat and sitting herself on her desk. WOW! What a fantastic display of magic.
I'm about halfway through the alphabet when the doors to the classroom open and in run Harry and Ron, I look over my shoulder and shake my head, at least they've deigned to turn up to the lesson at all. They come to a stop next to the empty desk they are supposed to sit at. After a few puffs of breath Ron says, rather stupidly in my opinion, "made it, can you imagine the look on old Mcgonagall's face if we were late?" At that point the 'cat' leaps off the desk, and before it can hit the floor it transforms flawlessly back into Professor Mcgonagall. That is so impressive and a great way to catch out students that are late for class. She approaches the boys, a stern look on her face. Before she can get a word out Ron's blurts "That was bloody brilliant". Honestly that boy has no filter.
"I thank you for that assessment Mr Weasley, but perhaps it would be more useful if I was to transfigure Mr Potter or yourself into a pocket watch? That way one of you might be on time". Ron looks down sheepishly, Harry however, looks the Professor straight in the eye and informs her that they "got lost". The professors rather witty retort to that statement is "then perhaps a map. I trust you don't need one to find your seats?" The rest of the lesson passes by in almost silence, with the Professor making sure we have copied the alphabet down correctly.
Once the lesson has finished we all head out to the greenhouses, for our 3rd Herbology class of the week. I'm glad Neville is in attendance this time. We are covering Devils Snare in this lesson. It's a magical plant with the ability to constrict or strangle anything in its surroundings. How pleasant, I shudder in revulsion. It prefers a dark, damp environment, if one was to come into contact with Devils Snare, not panicking is key, but it is vital to remember this little rhyme - Devils Snare, Devils Snare, it's deadly fun, but will sulk in the sun - so exposing the plant to sunlight or fire should make it release you. I, hope, to personally never come into contact with this particular magical plant.
I head to the great hall when class is over, for lunch. I grab a couple of sandwiches and chat with Neville some more. He's the only friend I've made so far since we've been here. I've tried with a few of my other classmates, but they don't seem to be bothered. I tell Neville about my parents and what my life was like before finding out I was a witch and coming to Hogwarts. He explains he's always known he was a wizard and that his gran encouraged any magic he displayed, not that it was much. He doesn't mention his parents, so I don't pry. But there is a sadness in his eyes, I can sense there's something, some kind of story waiting to be told, but until he's ready to tell me, I'm not going to push the subject.
After lunch we both head to Charms class, it's time to learn and attempt lumos and nox. Professor Flitwick, gives a brief reminder of the pronunciation of each and also the wands movements required. Then he tells us to give it a go.
I look over at Neville, who's my partner for today's class. I move my wand in the loop de loop type motion and whisper under my breath "lumos" amazingly the tip of my wand glows with a bright white light. I can't take my eyes off it. It reminds me of a sparkler on bonfire night, I'm tempted to move my wand around and start spelling things in the air, I manage to resist and then move my wand in the crest of the wave and whisper "nox" and the tip of my wand goes out. I look over at Neville, he's staring at me, with his mouth open, I smile and blush and indicate that he give it a go. As he starts the loop de loop motion with his wand, I notice the loop part wasn't very pronounced; it was almost like he moved his in a straight line. As expected nothing happened, when he says "lumos". He looks at me, again, I can see he's disappointed that he didn't manage the spell the first time. "Neville, Professor Flitwick did say many students don't manage the spells on the first attempt. Try again, this time make the loop more pronounced, like so" I advise, I wave my wand in the required movement to demonstrate what I mean. He gives a nod of his head, looks at his wand, takes a deep breath and tries again, this time he's successful. His wand tip ignites, his smile is almost as bright as his wand. He beams at me, I smile back "you have to put it out now Neville" I remind him gently. I show him the wand movement again, and watch his face change as he concentrates on what he needs to do. He makes the crest of the wave movement and says "nox" and his wand tip dims slowly and goes out. He's overjoyed he's managed to do it. We practice together a few more times and we both manage to do it again, first go. Professor Flitwick praises us both on a job well done and asks us both to show the class. Neville blushes but brandishes his wand and manages to do it again, even with the eyes of everyone in the room on him. I'm so happy for him. "Hermione, thank you for helping me, that's the first spell I've been successful at, if it wasn't for you I'd probably still be struggling" I can see the sincerity in his eyes. I pat him on the shoulder "I only gave you pointers Neville, I didn't do the actual magic, that was all you" I realise I must try and keep him confident. I suspect he struggles so much because he doesn't believe in himself. I take a look around at our peers, most of them have now managed the spell, and are lighting and extinguishing their wands at will, including Harry and Ron. As the lesson draws to a close everyone in the class has successfully managed the spells and Professor Flitwick is praising us all on a job well done. He dismisses us a little before the class is supposed to finish, as a "reward for doing such excellent work".
History of Magic is next, Professor Binns enters the classroom this time by rising through the floor and his desk and continues on from where he left off last lesson. I diligently make notes, but he never seems to take a breath, not that he needs to, as he's a ghost, I remind myself. Most of the other students are asleep or doodling on their parchment. I find the subject hard going, Professor Binns' voice doesn't change in pitch or inflection through this whole monologue, just one monotonous drone as he recites important facts, events and dates.
I'm glad when the lesson is over. My hand had started to cramp towards the end from my furious note taking. I head back to the common room so I can drop off my bag before dinner. As I head up the stairs to our dorm, I'm following Lavender and Parvati up the stairs. Time to try and make friends again.
"Hey guys, how're you enjoying the lessons" I enquire
They both look at me, "alright I guess, history of magic is dead boring" Lavender says, laughing at her own joke. I laugh along with both of them, and Parvati pipes up with "yeah, dead boring". I roll my eyes at her attempt at the same joke. We make a bit more small talk, and then make our way down to the great hall for dinner.
Today, I opt for the tuna pasta bake, with a side salad and an apple for afterwards. My mother instilled in me the need for a healthy and balanced diet from a very early age, and I don't intend to break the habit whilst I'm here. I find the conversation between Lavender and Parvati tedious, but as I really want to fit in and make friends, I contribute where I can, and laugh in all the right places. I'd much rather be in the library researching Gringotts before curfew.