This chapter is written for the 'Magic Minds, Mushrooms and Maths' event on 'The Golden Snitch Forum.'

School/House: Beauxbatons - Barbegazi

Prompt: Math Lover - Write about someone passionate about Arithmancy

Additional Prompts

3. (character) Padma Patil

10. (dialogue ) "Don't you love numbers? They show the secrets to everything!"

Word Count (excluding authors note): 643

This is about Hermione and Padma becoming fast friends in their Arithmancy class.

Hermione excitedly entered the Arithmancy classroom. She had wanted to study Arithmancy the moment she learned that they offered it at Hogwarts. She tucked the Time-Turner inside the pocket of her robes before looking for a seat.

The tables were arranged in rows of seven and were all facing a large chalkboard at the front of the room. Hermione looked around for someone she knew. She saw a few fellow classmates including her roomate Fay Dunbar, a Hufflepuff named Hannah Abbott and Parvati Patil's identical twin sister Padma Patil.

Hermione decided to sit next to Padma Patil as the two had spoken on occasion and she seemed very nice. Even though Parvati and Padma were identical twins, Hermione thought they acted nothing alike. Parvati never seemed to like Hermione much whereas Padma always gave her a smile whenever they saw each other.

"Hi Hermione," Padma said warmly as Hermione sat down, "Are you taking Arithmancy as well?"

"Yes," Hermione smiled, "Don't you love numbers? They show the secrets to everything!"

"I know right!" Padma said happily, "You're the first person I know who thinks that as well!"

"Finally," said Hermione, "I've met someone who appreciates math."

Padma laughed, "I take it Ron and Harry don't?"

"Nope," she said smiling, "They don't like anything in school that involves work. They take such a long time to get their homework done."

"Isn't it hard being the only girl in the trio?"

"Well, not really. I'm pretty used to it by now. Although their lack of interest in school can really get on my nerves sometimes."

Padma smiled, "My sister is like that too. She thinks studying is a waste of time."

"Wow," Hermione said, "You two don't act alike at all."

"I know," Padma said, "We get that a lot. Sometimes I think we're complete opposites."

"Is it fun having a twin?"

"Yes, I really like it. I just wish we could be more like each other." Padma changed the topic. "So, what about you, do you have any siblings?"

Hermione sighed, "No, I'm an only child. I wish I had a sister. Like a younger one. That would be amazing."

Padma smiled, "I'm the little sister. Parvati is two and half minutes older than me."

"Does she ever say that just to annoy you?"

"Yeah," Padma said, laughing, "She always says, 'when I was your age I was doing', and then she says whatever she did like two minutes ago."

Hermione laughed as well, "That's funny."

Padma smiled, "So how excited are you for this class? It's our first class of the year!"

"What do you-" Hermione started to say, quickly stopping herself. Padma wouldn't know that this was the third class Hermione had been to that morning. "I mean, I'm really excited," she said as Padma gave her a suspicious look, "I've always wanted to take Arithmancy."

"Yeah, me too," Padma said, "When do you think Professor Vector will get here?"

"I dunno," said Hermione, relieved that the other girl had not questioned her about her blunder, "I hope she gets here soon."

"Me too, but I really like talking to you."

Hermione smiled, "I like talking to you too. You wouldn't mind if I sat with you in Arithmancy from now on, would you?"

Padma grinned, "Of course I don't mind. After all, you are the only person I know who appreciates numbers as much as I do."

At that moment Professor Vector walked in and told the class to get out their Arithmancy textbooks. As Hermione pulled hers out, she looked at Padma who was also getting her textbook from her bag. She smiled again and thought about how happy she was to have already made such a great friend.