CAPÍTULO 7

Emma Nott woke up, the morning of her first official day of classes, in the mood to continue her sleeping and not going out of her bed. She felt completely out of place. Her roommates had spoken to her the bare minimum. It was more than obvious that they already had their little friend group form and that they didn't want someone with her surname join them.

Nonetheless, she went down to the Great Hall and sat at the end of Gryffindor's table, feeling lonelier than ever. She could see that her brother was in a similar situation at Ravenclaw's spot. They exchanged glances and knew they were thinking the same thing, that Hogwarts was the last place they wanted to be at, that it sucked just as Thomas had said the day before.

The siblings have always been close with each other, even with their three years of difference. Their family life hadn't been the best, especially because of their father, that's why they hadn't had another choice than to rely in one and the other. Theodore was a really strict father. He didn't like his children making noise, shout, play, or any other thing that was totally common for a kid or teenager. If they did something out of place, they were victims of his beatings, and their mother would always suffer the worst because she would always throw herself in front of her children to protect them. That was why, the Nott siblings had learned to suppress their impulses and always think before acting.

Even so, if Theodore Nott was having a bad day, there wasn't anyone who could stop him. Ginny was, most of the time, his favourite victim. He went even farther than just a slapped on the face, or a hair grab or even a kick on the stomach. On her he used his wand. He would casted a curse and made her cried out of pain until she run out of voice.

To cut a long story short, the Nott children were happy they have left their father, and his horrible habits, behind. But, they weren't sure Hogwarts was the best place to start over with a new life.

"Hello" Victoire Weasley startled her, facing her on the other side of the table. Emma raised an eyebrow with a questioning look at her cousin. After what had happened the day before she didn't expect to talk to any of the Weasley again, or at least for a much longer time. "Look, Emma, I'm sorry, we were wrong, we shouldn't have said all those things on the train. Dom, Fred and Patrick tend to say anything that crosses their minds without even taking a moment to think. We don't really believe you're dark wizards. It just that being a Nott doesn't have the best reputation. I mean, your grandfather was a well-known death eater, even if your dad isn't. Also, Durmstrang is known for teaching Dark Arts. So, please forgive us, it was just something stupid to say, we don't really believe you are bad people."

"They don't teach how to use Dark Magic, they just tell you about it, maybe they used to use it but not anymore. And we are well aware about what our surname means, however, we're also Weasley, our mom fought against Voldemort, she helped ending the war, just like our other grandfather, like our uncles, like all the Weasleys. You shouldn't label us for stuff that we have no control over. Nott is just our surname, nothing more."

"I know, you're right, and I love aunt Ginny, there is no way her children are dark wizards. So I'm really, really sorry. Please forgive us."

"Okay" answered Emma after observing her for a few seconds, concluding that she seem sincerely sorry for what happened.

"Great! Then, I'll be getting to class, I have Potions, see you later!" she said before getting up of her spot.

Emma imitated her cousin and also left the table, she had Herbology and didn't know very well how to get there, she needed those extra minutes to find the right classroom. She arrived to the greenhouse with some spare minutes, she was the first one there, except for the teacher.

"Emma!" he greeted, startling her.

"Professor?"

"I'm Neville Longbottom! I'm your godfather! It seems Ginny forgot to tell you, but, as you can see, I'm your Herbology teacher" he ended while spreading his arms to show her the greenhouse.

"Oh, yeah! Mom told me something about it." commented Emma feeling uncomfortable. This man was another one she didn't know but seemed to have a close relationship with her, just like the rest of her mom's family. It was overwhelming to feel obligated to build relationships with people she knew nothing about.

"How's Hogwarts treating you? Any problems?"

"It's okay, I guess" she answered without really meaning it.

"I'm glad. I notice you're a Gryffindor just like Ginny and I used to. I'm actually your Head house, so anything you need just ask me."

With that the chat was over, the rest of the students were making their way to their seats. Gryffindor and Hufflepuff were taking the class together, Emma noticed as she saw Teddy Lupin sitting next to her.

"Hi" the young wizard greeted her cheerfully.

"Hello"

"I just wanted you to know that I do not agree with what your cousins said yesterday on the train. Your mom is Ginevra Weasley; I heard the greatest stories about her. I know she fought at the Department of Mysteries, also when death eaters got into Hogwarts, she was a leader of Dumbledore's Army during Voldemort's reign of the school, and, lastly, she fought at the Final Battle. Your mom is a hero, there is no way in hell her children are dark." He said making her feel a little more relax. Everything he mentioned was well known through the Wizardry World, many books have been written about wizards and witches who fought against Voldemort, and her mother was almost always mentioned on those tales.

"Mm… thank you for saying all that"

"You're welcome."

Herbology was surprisingly interesting. The plants they were studying were different for the ones Emma had studied at Durmstrang, because they were at a different country, the flora was not the same. However, that meant she was a little bit behind and should study more, considering that that year she would be taking the OWLs. Teddy Lupin was her partner but, just as Emma, there was some knowledge missing, stuff that he hadn't learnt at Ilvermorny. Luckily, Neville knew their problems and helped them throughout the whole lesson.

The next class they had was DADA. Emma and her new friend walked together to the classroom. The teacher introduced himself as James Vans and Emma sent Teddy, who was again sitting next to her, a confused look.

"Your godfather is our professor?" she asked when she heard the name.

"Yes" he flushed "Nobody was supposed to know… can you please keep the secret? I don't want our classmates to think that James gives me better marks just because of that, or that I'm his favourite. Please, he also didn't want people knowing."

"Don't worry, who would I tell? I know no one here, well expect my family. In fact, you should talk to my cousins, no doubt they'll find out."

"Argh! I know! Me and my stupid mouth! I can't believe I talk about James. He specifically told me not to tell a thing."

"Lupin! Nott! Silence, class has already started!" the teacher made them shut up, surprising both. They hadn't noticed that the lesson was alredy being taught. "Good, thank you. As I was saying, this year you'll be taking the OWLs so during this course we're going to revise everything you've been studying since you entered Hogwarts, while learning new stuff. Today we'll be having a practice lesson, simple, just so that I can see how well you manage with DADA. Pair up and start with one of the most basic spells that can potentially save your life: 'Expelliarmus'. Take turns to cast it"

Emma and Teddy faced each other. Teddy was first, he hit the target without a problem, Emma was thrown back and her wand left her firm grip flying through the air, and the metamorphmagus jumped and grabbed it. They young wizard knew well what he was doing. Emma wasn't bad either, when it was her turn and cried Expelliarmus Teddy was amazed, she had been better than him.

"Excellent, Miss Nott!" professor Vans congratulated her, making Emma blush.

That had been the best lesson she ever had. DADA was way better than Dark Arts at Durmstrang. At Hogwarts it was practical and useful, while at her old school it had been theoretical and usually it wasn't helpful. Moreover, James Vans clearly knew his stuff and how to teach it.

At the end of the day, the news that travelled between the students was about professor Vans and his incredible lessons. It didn't matter the grade the student was, they all thought the same, James Vans was the best teacher at school.