Chapter 8
Ara and Scorpius looked at each other, completely bewildered...
Ara and Scorpius spent the rest of Charms class worrying over Rose's sudden disappearance, Gavin Finnegan's odd behavior, and the stupid feathers flying all around the classroom. At the break, Ara and Scorpius headed towards the infamous classroom of Professor Natasha Pucey, for their next class, Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Albus and Emelda joined the two Slytherins, and Harper Hopkins, one of Albus's fellow Hufflepuffs, asked politely if he could join. Of course, Ara welcomed him with open arms, while Scorpius eyed him suspiciously.
Professor Pucey swept into the room, wand out and cape billowing.
"Good morning, class. I apologize for my slight tardiness, as I was disciplining a couple of troublesome students. I trust that this class will be trouble free..." she paused, staring at each student in turn. Suddenly, without warning, she sent a nonverbal stinging hex towards Ara, who quickly blocked it with an instinctive Protego.
"Very good, Ms...?"
"Araluen Zabini, Professor."
"Well done, Ms. Zabini. Ten points to Slytherin. You have a quick reaction time," she praised, but in the middle of her sentence, she sent a stinging hex towards Horatio McLaggen, who did not dodge or block it, yelping as it hit him.
"However, Mr..." the Professor paused, waiting for the student to inform her of his name.
"Horatio McLaggen," the Hufflepuff grit out.
"Mr. McLaggen clearly needs some improvement on his reaction time and spell avoidance. Ten points from Hufflepuff. With that in mind, I'm going to randomly send a stinging hex your way throughout the lesson, and pay attention to both the lesson and be aware. This is often times the situation we are faced when protecting ourselves from the Dark Arts: you must focus on many things but be constantly aware."
"Constant vigilance," Albus whispered to Ara, who smirked.
"Did you have something to add, Mr. Potter?" the Professor rounded on him, and Albus Severus Potter cowered next to Emelda and Harper.
"N-n-no, Professor," Albus stuttered, frozen in his seat.
"Then expect a stinging hex soon, Mr. Potter, for interrupting my lesson. Another ten points from Hufflepuff," she smiled maliciously, and Albus gulped. The other Hufflepuff girls and boys in the class grumbled about the ridiculousness of the situation. The Professor turned around to move onto the lecture, and Scorpius hit Albus upside the head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Albus whispered harshly, rubbing his head.
"You're supposed to say, 'I'm sorry, Professor. It won't happen again,' you Hufflepuff! Honestly, does anyone understand the art of charming a teacher besides us Slytherins?" Scorpius muttered.
"Mr. Malfoy, would you care to explain the importance of a shield charm?" Professor Pucey called on the fuming blonde.
"Of course, Professor. A shield charm allows the person who casted the charm to block most forms of spells, which proves as a useful defensive strategy," Scorpius said smoothly. "Often times, a shield charm is used with the spell, Protego."
"Very good. Another five points to Slytherin. It would have been ten, Mr. Malfoy, but you failed to pay attention earlier during the lecture."
"Ridiculous, I answered her bloody question perfectly and she still doesn't give me full points? Bah!" Scorpius cursed when the Professor's attention was elsewhere, criticizing some Ravenclaw's inability to block the hex.
"Oh shut up, already!" Harper said exasperatedly.
Before Scorpius could make a comment about Hufflepuffs and their stupidity, Emelda and Ara both kicked him underneath the table, and he resigned to grumbling under his breath.
Neither Slytherin saw Rose for the rest of the day, even during lunch and dinner. However, by the time they had trudged down to the Slytherin common room that night, they had both heard the rumors being spread about the obituary in the Daily Prophet. Both first years understood why Rose wanted to hide, especially with the gossip flying about. Many members of the other houses glared specifically at the Slytherins, as if it were Salazar Slytherin's fault that the great war hero had died.
Sighing heavily, Scorpius flopped down on the black leather couch next to the fireplace, dropping his book bag carelessly on the floor. Ara sat down next to him, and continued reading the Charms assignment in the textbook. Emelda flounced in, talking animatedly with Jayce, and the two joined Ara and Scorpius by sitting on the couch opposite to them.
"How has your day been?" Emelda asked cheerily. "Do you like your classes so far?"
"Charms was ridiculously easy, Defense Against the Dark Arts was slightly disturbing, and Potions was boring," Scorpius summarized.
"I am still mind blown by Professor Pucey's teaching techniques," Ara added, finishing the section and slamming the book shut with a flourish.
"Oh? And what are they?" Jayce asked curiously.
"Oh, you'll see soon enough," Emelda giggled.
"You had Transfiguration, right?" Ara directed her inquiry to Emelda.
"Mhm," she affirmed.
"How was McGonagall?"
"Strict as usual, and she assigned a twelve inch essay on the history of Transfiguration."
"Already? I guess that I'd better get started on it." Ara pulled out her parchment and textbook.
"Don't you have Charms, DADA, or Potions homework first?" Jayce asked.
"What do you think, mate? She finished all of it in class even when she participated," Scorpius rolled his eyes.
"To be fair, I only just finished the Charms reading," Ara pointed out.
"Still, you already finished Professor Pucey's sixteen inch essay? That's impressive," Jayce commented.
"How do you know what the assignment was anyways? I thought you didn't have DADA today?" Ara asked.
"Oh no, I didn't have it, I just heard from this kid," he motioned to Emelda, "when she was complaining about the assignment."
"Well it's super long!" Emelda huffed.
"So quit complaining already and just do it!" Scorpius huffed in the same manner, so that Jayce and Ara snickered.
"Well, well, well," Caymen said slowly, reminiscent of Professor Snape's slow and dry manner of speaking. "If it isn't my favorite set of Slytherin first years."
Lysander came up alongside Caymen, smiling a little. "I trust you've been doing well in Professor Pucey's class, Ara?" Lysander asked, winking.
"Excellently," Ara affirmed. "Thanks for all of the wonderful tips, both of you helped loads."
"Anytime, my young Padawan," Caymen grinned.
"And you didn't share with me, Ara? I'm wounded," Scorpius cried dramatically.
"There can only be one valedictorian," Ara laughed.
"Oh, so this is how it's gonna go? You didn't even bring up Head positions, where a boy and a girl could be honored? Fine then. Bring it on, Ara. First year is where it all begins, and it'll be going for the next six. Bring it," Scorpius challenged.
"You and Rose can compete for second place," Ara said with a straight face, and then burst out laughing two seconds later.
"You guys are ridiculous. There hasn't been a Slytherin valedictorian for decades. It's always some Ravenclaw," Emelda informed them.
"Besides, being a valedictorian automatically means you're boring. Even if you're Head Boy or Girl, that's already a boring title. And everyone hates those boring-ers," Caymen scoffed. "No, my young Padawans. You charm the Professors so they are extremely reluctant to punish you when you get into trouble."
"Notice how he said when, rather than if," Jayce snickered.
"Well I can't have my apprentices being a bunch of goody-two-shoes, can I?" Caymen snorted. "That's just preposterous."
"Obviously. After all, we just can't tolerate non-mischievous people. We don't mix," Lysander grinned.
"Clearly," Jayce snorted. "Have you guys seen Iridia or Gavin around?"
"That frigid bitch?" Emelda scoffed. "No, and thank Salazar for that."
"Don't be so harsh," Ara admonished her friend. "She might not be very nice, but maybe people haven't been nice to her."
"Don't tell me that we have to be nice to her even though she's a bitch. Are you sure you shouldn't be a Hufflepuff?" Emelda snorted.
"Sod off, Emelda," Scorpius growled.
"Ah, first year drama," Caymen tsked. "From what I've gathered, meaning observed or discovered in hearsay, Iridia is just a cold person, and nothing more. Gavin, however, appears to have some underlying threat in his personality."
"Say, Cave-man, I think we might have to befriend this threatening character," Lysander elbowed his friend.
"I agree. Well, off we are to go bother a certain Finnegan," Caymen smiled, leaving the collected first years to seek out the darker and perhaps more malicious Slytherin boy.
Unfortunately, on the other side of the castle, certain other Gryffindors were not enjoying their time, namely Amy Weasley and Elliot Applesmith, who were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their parents. Amy's parents stepped out of the floo first, stumbling into McGonagall's office with tear stains still on their cheeks from the Weasley Reunion. As soon as Kaelyn Weasley's eyes landed on her daughter, who was shamefully sitting with her head down, the screaming match began, much to the dismay of all those present in the room, including the portraits of Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore.
"AMY WEASLEY! WHY AM I IN THE HEADMISTRESS'S OFFICE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR INAPPROPRIATE PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION? WHEN YOUR UNCLE HAS JUST DIED! HAVE YOU NO RESPECT FOR YOUR FAMILY OR YOUR COUSINS? HAVE YOU EVEN SPOKEN TO ROSE TO SEE HOW SHE IS FEELING? WHILE YOU SNOG IN A BROOM CLOSET, THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY IS CRYING THEIR HEARTS OUT!" she screamed, while Charlie attempted to calm his wife down.
"Kaelyn, dearest," Charlie began, glaring at his daughter but putting a hand on his wife's shoulder.
"Shut up! You're snogging in a broom closet when your cousins are sobbing with grief! If that isn't the most despicable, disrespectful, disgraceful act you could possibly commit, I don't know what is! You ridiculous child! I thought you would be old enough to understand that others have feelings that you should care about! AND YOU!" Kaelyn rounded on Elliot, who cowered under her furious glare.
"YOU DARE EAT MY DAUGHTER'S FACE OFF WHEN I STRICTLY PROHIBITED YOU FROM HAVING ANY FORM OF RELATIONSHIP WITH HER? YOU ARE NEVER, EVER ALLOWED NEAR MY DAUGHTER AGAIN. YOU'RE A TERRIBLE INFLUENCE ON HER ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY, SO IF YOU CARE ABOUT HER OR YOUR OWN PHYSICAL SAFETY, STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!" Kaelyn screamed at the boy, who continue to shrink into his chair.
"Mrs. Weasley," Professor McGonagall began to intervene. "I understand your... ire in regards to the situation and the seeming blatant disrespect these two have had. But, do believe me when I say that Professor Natasha Pucey has taken care of appropriate... disciplining procedures. I do wish to remind you that this is not a serious offense, but for prefects," McGonagall glared at Amy, who clenched her jaw, "this cannot be tolerated. I was at first willing to give Ms. Weasley here a second chance, but your mother has brought up a very valid point. As a prefect, Ms. Weasley, you are supposed to be a role model for the other students here at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, your behavior that shows so much disrespect for your family members and your uncle's death is the exact opposite. I am forced to revoke your prefect privileges and responsibilities, for the moment. You may earn them back, as it is yet early in the year, but I expect no less than perfect behavior from you, Ms. Weasley."
Amy nodded sullenly, understanding.
"Do you have anything else to say, Mrs. Weasley or Mr. Weasley?" McGonagall asked.
"No, I've said all I wanted to," Kaelyn spat.
Charlie turned to Elliot. "Mr. Applesmith, I apologize if my wife's reaction was a little intimidating, but we do want the best for our daughter and you are proving to be an unhealthy distraction. Please be careful. Amy, we're going now. We'll see you at the funeral," he said offhandedly, and Amy flinched.
The two Weasley parents departed through the floo, with Kaelyn blatantly forgetting to say 'goodbye' when she stepped into the fireplace.
"Ms. Weasley, you may go. Mr. Applesmith, please stay here until your parents arrive," McGonagall dismissed her.
Amy shot Elliot a sorrowful look before exiting the Headmistress's office, but decided that checking in with her cousins was long overdue.
She climbed the stairs up to the Gryffindor Tower, seeking her various cousins. She'd have to later check in with her Hufflepuff cousins Molly, Dominique, Albus, and Lucy, as well as her Ravenclaw cousin Roxanne, but Rose was her first priority, and she needed to check on Victoire and James, too.
As Amy entered the Gryffindor common room, she rammed into Teddy Lupin, who for all intents and purposes, was her cousin as well.
"Oof," he grunted as he stumbled backwards. "Watch it, would you-" he stopped, realizing who it was. "Oh, it's you."
"Hey, Teddy. Sorry about that. Um, how is it going?" Amy asked nervously. She had never had a good relationship with Teddy.
"Since when did you care?" he asked viciously "So, did that dumb git finally stop sucking your face off long enough for you to give a damn about your family? Or did he break up with you so he could suck the face off of another airhead?" Teddy bit out, and then angrily pushed her to the side. "It's real fucking nice to know you care about your family!" Teddy shouted as he descended through the portrait hole.
Amy stood shocked still for a few minutes, involuntarily crying at Teddy's harsh words. The rest of the Gryffindors gave her space, torn between feeling pity for the red-headed girl and silently agreeing with Teddy's assessment. Shaking away her few tears, Amy glanced around the common room, looking for Rose. When Amy eyed Rose's roommates, she strode over to the two girls.
"Hi, do you know where Rose is right now?" Amy tentatively asked, unsure what their reaction would be.
"Well, we haven't seen her since breakfast this morning, but she would probably be in the library," Clara replied simply. Amy let out a breath of relief; she couldn't handle much more anger directed at her and was grateful for the simple answer.
"How about James or Victoire, if you know them?"
"No clue," Amelia replied this time.
"All right, thanks." Amy turned away and headed off towards the library.
Amy entered the library quietly, and glanced around the room. She spotted Rose in the far corner, buried into a book. Amy chuckled to herself. Typical Rose, she thought.
Rose didn't bother to look up as Amy pulled out a chair next to her. After a few minutes of being ignored and after around two page flips, Amy cleared her throat.
"What?" Rose asked without removing herself from her books. "James, I told you that I forgive you already, and that I don't want to talk about it. Why don't you just leave me alone?"
"Rose, it's me," Amy said quietly.
Rose finally tore herself away from her book. "Amy?" she asked incredulously. "What are you doing here?"
"Just checking in with you. You were here for me when I was feeling down. Can't I do the same for you?"
"What is there to talk about? He's gone, and it's tough, knowing he isn't coming back. What more can you say? We'll miss him, all of us, and me especially. But it won't change anything."
Amy was rather taken aback by the maturity Rose was exhibiting. "Well, it helped me get rid of any survivor's guilt I was feeling when I talked to you, so... Well, I don't know. If you ever feel like you need to rant or get rid of any illogical feelings, you know where to find me, okay?"
"I'll let you know if I ever feel that way," Rose said with a tone of finality.
"Promise?"
"Promise," she affirmed flatly.
Amy sighed and stood up, knowing she would not get any farther with Rose. She threw one more glance towards Rose, and then strode out of the library, intent on finding James. Amy accio'd the Marauder's Map from whichever Potter or Weasley had it at the moment, and searched the grounds for James Sirius Potter. Her eyes landed on the two feet alongside Alden Wood, headed straight towards the library, so she waited at the entrance, tucking the map back into her robe pocket.
"James!" she called as the two second-year boys rounded the corner.
James was momentarily taken aback. "Amy?" he asked hesitantly.
She bustled her way towards her cousin. "I'm so sorry James, I've been so insensitive. Are you holding up all right? With Uncle Ron's passing?"
"Shouldn't you be checking on Rose?" James asked numbly.
"I just did. She doesn't really feel that there's much to discuss."
"Well, then that settles it. We'll see ye at the funeral, if you care t' stop snogging fer a mo," Alden snapped viciously, settling deeper into his Scottish accent in his agitation. "See ye aroond, Weasley." With that, Alden tugged James past the shocked sixth year and stalked into the library.
"Oh, Uncle Ron, I'm so sorry. What have I done?" she sobbed.
The Weasley,s Potters, Longbottoms, Scamanders, Malfoys, Zabinis, and a few other families gathered together at the same burial area where they had stood together for Fred's death. Kingsley Shacklebolt himself presided over the funeral proceedings. Rose and Hugo clutched their mother's hands, tears running down both of their freckled complexions. Teddy, James, and Albus stood together, watching mournfully as another part of the Weasley family was broken away forever.
Amy, the eldest of the next Weasley generation, decided that she needed to say something. She needed closure, or else she'd feel guilty about her behavior forever.
So when the minister asked if anyone would like to share a memory, she tentatively raised her hand.
"Yes, Amy? Would you like to share something?" Kingsley asked kindly.
She nodded and stood up wobbly, shaking as she came to stand at the podium. She pulled out the scrap of paper that had been cried over for the past few days, crumpled and smoothed far too many times. Taking an uncertain breath, she began, staring out at the sea of black in front of her.
"Uncle Ron was one of many uncles in my family. But he was unique, in his own way. No, it wasn't because he was a war hero or the best friend of the Chosen One, but in the fact that he was completely ordinary and understood how it felt to be that: just average. He understood how it felt to be just... normal in a sea full of talented and brilliant people. He was a great wizard to me, not because he helped to defeat Voldemort, but because he helped me defeat my own insecurities. It's okay to just want to watch a Chudley Cannons game, or simply eat. It's the simple things that make life worth it, and Uncle Ron taught me the importance of it.
So, I'm sorry that I wasn't the most sensitive person during the beginning of this time of grief. I didn't even realize how disrespectful I was being. But I know for a fact that Uncle Ron wants us to move on and enjoy the simple life. Rest in peace, Uncle Ron," Amy concluded, stepping down from the podium with tears in her eyes.
She made eye contact with Rose, and she saw a softening exterior. She smiled grimly: all was forgiven.
AN: Before you get the pitchforks out and destroy me, I have an excuse! My parents blocked fanfiction because I was spending too much time on it, so I now have to post chapters up in the library. If you want to get chapters ahead of library-posting time, let me know if you're willing to go onto Figment or Wattpad to get the same story. How do you let me know? BY REVIEWING. SO PLEASE REVIEW, since it makes me happy and motivates me to update more. Thoughts on Amy? This was a pretty Amy-focused chapter. How about Professor Pucey? REVIEW.