I told you I'd be quick! Star Wars was still good a third time by the way ;)
If you could leave me a review, you'd make me the happiest girl in the world! I'm kind of disappointed with the lack of reviews last chapters. It wasn't so bad, was it? :O
CHAPTER 26
'Ms Wiggleswade, your record at this school has been rather exemplary up till this point. You've only ever had one detention, your teachers are all full of praise about your accomplishments, your O.W.L.'s are certainly something to be proud about and you managed to bag a very prestigious internship over the summer.' Professor Flitwick said.
I was sitting in his office, looking at my hands as he talked to me. He was sitting on top of a stack of books. There were many books in the office. His desk was covered in them and there was barely a bit of wall that wasn't covered with a bookcase. It reminded me of home a bit, where the living room was positively filled with bookcases as well (not to mention dad's shop). All of the stone walls that were in fact bare in Flitwick's office, were scratched in with runes, charms of all kinds adorning the walls. I wish my knowledge of both charms and runes was better already so I could make out what it all meant.
'So tell me, Ms Wiggleswade..' Professor Flitwick said in his squeaky voice and I looked up at him, feeling embarrassed. 'Why did I hear from Professor Snape that you failed to make attendance in his Potions class after lunch yesterday?' He asked me. I hadn't a good excuse and I didn't have the nerve to lie to him anyway so I just stayed quiet, just shrugging instead.
Professor Flitwick sighed. 'Ms Wiggleswade, I was planning to call you into my office anyway concerning your class schedule. It's never my intention to discourage anyone from learning, but when talking about your personal health, I think it'd be wise to give up a couple of classes.' He said. I looked down again. I felt like a failure.
'I stress once again Ms Wiggleswade, I admire your enthusiasm and your determination, but you're sixteen years old and you need some breathing space as well.' He said and although I recognized his good intention, I only heard "you can't do it". 'Can I think about it a bit?' I asked timidly and he nodded. 'Of course. Let's meet in my office again tomorrow at..-' he opened a drawer and took out a folder labelled "sixth form", sifting through parchment. He pulled out my schedule. '-..at five-fifteen? Right after your Defence Against the Dark Arts class?' He suggested. I agreed.
When I joined my friends at lunch I found that they had already put some sandwiches aside for me. I bit into one quietly. 'What did the professor want?' asked Aurora. I shrugged. 'Just wanted to know how my schedule was going.' I said. 'Are you still taking nine classes?' Asked Marietta, who was sitting across from me. I nodded. She groaned at the thought. 'Can you imagine that, Cho?' She asked her friend, elbowing her and although Cho shook her head, smiling, the smile slipped off her face right after as she looked down at her plate. I saw that her food was untouched.
An hour later we were sitting silently in Defence Against the Dark Arts. It was easily my least favourite class at the moment. It was incredibly boring to have to sit still all class and read the chapters. It was only narrowly beat out by History of Magic, but only just. The only thing that was really good about the class was that it required very little extra work. We read all the material in class instead of out and the essays Professor Umbridge assigned were very easy to write because she really only wanted to see direct quotes from the chapters anyway. It required very little actual thought which left me more time for my other, more demanding homework.
A piece of parchment folded up in the shape of a little bird flew onto my desk and I looked up to see Felix across from the classroom, next to Thora Marple, which surprised me. He usually sat next to Peter Hollywood as the two were close friends. I raised my eyebrows at him and he motioned for me to read the note he had sent my way. I first looked at Umbridge at the front of the class but it seemed she was going over a book of her own and then I looked at the origami bird at the corner of my desk. When I reached out to touch it, it unfolded itself. I took it in my hands and read;
I'm bored
That was all it said. I rolled my eyes and I looked back at Felix but he was folded over his desk, not looking back at me and I turned back to the small piece of parchment, turning it over and taking my quill and ink out.
Don't let Umbridge catch you waving that wand around. She seems to hate the thought of magic, strangely enough.
I scribbled down. I carefully slipped my wand out of my robe pocket, tapping the parchment silently and it folded itself back up into a bird, taking off immediately. My eyes followed the flapping creation but in the middle of its flight it got struck down with a violent jinx, the parchment flaming up mid-air and falling to the ground in ashes.
My head snapped to the front of the class and I saw that Umbridge had stood up from her chair, her wand outstretched. She was not any taller standing on her feet, but that didn't hinder the intimidating figure she struck at that moment. She smiled an icy smile. 'That's one detention, Ms Wiggleswade. I'll inform you about the time and place. Now everyone, chop chop, back to your books.' She said to the class. Everyone had looked up curiously, craning their necks, but as she said it the Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff class bowed over their books again.
I sat on my hands and stared at the pages of my book, my ears burning. This would be only my second detention ever. The first one wasn't even my fault to begin with. What had I done? I didn't even have time for detention!
Felix was quick to apologize after class. 'I'm sorry Cecilia, I didn't mean to get you in trouble! I'll tell Umbridge that it was my fault.' He said to me, moving to turn back to the classroom but I quickly stopped him. 'Don't worry about it, she'll only put you in detention as well.' I said. He halted, the cogs in his brains working but I put my hand on his shoulder comfortingly. 'Really Felix, it's fine.' I said with a smile. He smiled back. 'Sorry.' He said once again. 'Maybe I can make it up to you sometime?' He asked and I shrugged. 'Yeah perhaps. You'll think of something, I'm sure of it.' I said and he grinned at me. I was glad I had managed to reassure him. 'Sorry.' He said once more and I smiled a small smile, shrugging my shoulders again. We both went out our own way after that and although I felt really bad about the detention I had gotten, Felix was a ray of sunshine and that made everything a little bit more alright.
Two books fell onto the table, right in front of me, startling me from my essay. I managed to not blot the ink before looking up in fright and saw that it was Aurora who had dropped the books, sitting herself down on a chair across from me. 'I would've made you rewrite my essay if I had ruined it in shock.' I told her and she chuckled.
It was late that evening and I was one of the only ones in the library. The nine classes were a heavy load on my shoulders and it was every second of every day that I had to spend on my studies or I couldn't even hope to keep up, let alone excel. I had seen a difference in my grades as well. N.E.W.T. classes were a lot harder than O.W.L.'s which is why you didn't pick nine bloody classes. I should've listened to others. They told me it would be too much.
'I came to teach you.' Aurora said as she pushed the two books she brought towards me. I frowned. 'Teach me what?' I asked, taking the books from her. 'French! Remember, I'd teach you, right?' She reminded me. The covers of the books were in agreement with her words. French for the Fledgling was the title on one of them and France et Français on the other. I felt my stomach drop. Yet another responsibility.
'I was thinking we could meet here every Monday night to go over the material and then you do the work over the week until we get together again the next Monday.' Aurora said, not noticing my inner panic. 'Yeah, alright.' I said reluctantly. Because I did want to learn French, I really did, but the overwhelming wall that was my schoolwork was already giving me anxiety attacks.
The next hour and a half till curfew was spent listening to Aurora as she detailed the conjugations and necessities of the verbs avoir and être, meaning "to have" and "to be". When Madam Pince announced to the study hall that the library would be closing in ten minutes, Aurora explained the exercises she had prepared for me and when we left I was burdened with yet another task for the week. I was thankful but the stress was rising higher and higher up my throat.
The next morning I nearly walked into the doors of the Great Hall as I was buried in my Potions book. Mathilda managed to yank me sideways just in time and I dropped my book. 'Cecilia, watch it!' Mathilda snapped at me as I bent down to pick up Advanced Potion-Making. 'You're doing yourself in, Cecil. It's not healthy.' She said as we sat down for breakfast. I just nodded, not putting the book away as I grabbed a roll and poured myself a cup of tea.
'What isn't healthy?' Adrian asked when he came up behind Mathilda. He kissed her on the cheek as he sat next to her, taking a bite of the apple he had carried with him from the Slytherin table right after. 'Cecilia has nine classes and it's too much.' Mathilda summarized. Adrian nearly choked on his apple. 'Nine fucking classes!? For N.E.W.T.'s!?' He exclaimed. I hid behind my book, not saying anything. Luckily right at that time the post came.
There was a letter from mum and dad as well as one from Aidan. I felt my stress-heavy heart jump up just the tiniest at the familiar scribblings of my big brother. I read his first.
Dear Cecilia,
First of all, I have grand news! I have been promoted! Buckling down and going the extra mile like I've been doing the past year was not for nothing. Before I was only allowed to do the glamour spells, execute the orders, that sort of thing. But now I'm not just a running boy, I'm a proper ads agent! Sure, I'm a junior so I don't get to say anything when the big men are talking, but I'm allowed to stand in the back of meetings now and me and my fellow juniors get to brainstorm about ideas all the time. It's a step up definitely.
How are you doing? How is Stacy? I heard from Aunt Odetta and Uncle Irving that she has landed herself in Slytherin. As a Gryffindor I can obviously not approve but I do hope she feels at home there. Mum is pleased at least. She told Aunt Odetta that Slytherin is "the best house", "the reason of her success" and the classic "Slytherin takes care of their own". I was sitting with them in the kitchen and told her how much better Gryffindor is. I was uninvited for dinner, although she re-invited me half an hour later after I had "learned my lesson".
Nina is doing well too. She is still working as a secretary here at the ads agency but I know that she has another job offer at a different company and I told her to take it. The only reason she is hesitating is because she will miss having lunch together in the lunch café around the corner every day. And making out in the supplies closet, that too.
I'll send you another letter later this week but this is it for now.
Lots of love,
Aidan
'Aidan got promoted!' I announced to Mathilda. Mathilda whooped. 'I knew it couldn't be long! He's so talented after all.' She said giddily, clapping her hands together. Adrian huffed, standing up without saying anything and stalking back to his own table. Mathilda looked after him only momentarily, turning back to me. 'I always find him so much more attractive when he's a tiny bit jealous, is that bad?' She asked me and I laughed. 'A little, yes.' I answered and she smiled pleasantly. 'It's great for Aidan though.' She continued. I nodded. 'Yeah, he worked really hard for it.' I agreed. 'Nina got a new job offer though.' I added. 'His girlfriend?' Mathilda clarified and I told her yes. 'Yeah, she was hesitant apparently, but Aidan told her to go for it.'
Mathilda looked back to the Slytherin table. 'Adrian is going to work for his dad after school.' She said. 'Is he?' I replied. I knew that Adrian's dad was a businessman of some kind, although I didn't know what it was he dealt in. I knew his mother worked at the Ministry of Magic. It was as non-descript a job as her husband's, something at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, some kind of advisor or something.
'Adrian doesn't say it but he wants to play quidditch really. Or be a Hit Wizard. He knows his dad will never approve though.' Mathilda whispered to me. She leaned forward on her forearms and I followed her example. 'He won't say a bad word about them, but his parents are really strict, Cecilia. He gets angry when I suggest they're too strict.' She murmured. I shook my head sadly. 'His family is old.' I said and she nodded. 'His dad wants him to be this heir of the name Pucey or something.' She huffed. 'It sounds like my mum's family.' I answered her.
'Mum always says she escaped.' I told her. 'She is forty years old and Grandfather is still trying to control her. They pretty much stopped talking after Grandmother died but he still forwards her owls with offers from business associates of his.' I told Mathilda. Mathilda thoughtfully drank her tea. 'I've been to your paternal grandparents' house but never to the house of your mum's parents.' She pointed out and I nodded. 'Yeah, we only ever go with Christmas too.' I said. 'It's this little castle here in Scotland, although not near as big as Hogwarts though obviously, but it's from back when the Reekes family was still wealthy and important.' I described. 'Now it's just great old Malcolm Reekes, patriarch of the Reekes family, living alone in an empty castle, one demented old house elf by his side. Most of the family heirlooms and furniture and all that are sold off in auction in the last couple of decades. Most rooms are completely bare. It's all a sham, seriously.' I said.
Mathilda put on a snooty face and voice, holding up her butter knife as if it were a pipe. 'Cecilia, my dear darling granddaughter, I do hope you will not direly disappoint as my two children have. Try and please my dead wife while you're at it and make a bloody load of money to bring back honour to the Reekes' legacy.' She said, making an effort to look extra silly. I laughed. 'My grandfather does not speak so familiarly to me.' I protested. 'He doesn't pay so much attention to me yet, although he strangely came to my birthday this year, you remember? Told me he was impressed with my internship as well as my O.W.L. results.' I reminded her and she nodded. 'He's sort of alright with Aidan though, although he wants him to marry one of the daughters of one of his friends, merge the families and all that. Aidan will never though.' I told her.
'Aidan has been together with that Nina for quite a while already, hasn't he?' Mathilda said. I shrugged. 'Yeah, around ten months now, I think. Ish.'
On the way out of the Great Hall after breakfast I spotted Stacy going down the stairs to the dungeons together with the other Slytherin first years. 'Stacy!' I shouted out and she whipped her head around, her pigtails swinging across her shoulder. I waved at her and she shot me a grin when she saw me. She said some quick words to her year mates and then ran back up the stairs. 'Hiya Cecil!' She said, swinging her arms around my waist to hug me. I hugged her back. 'How are you? Is Slytherin still treating you well?' I asked.
She nodded excitedly. 'Very well!' She replied. 'I've made a ton of friends already.' She gushed, grabbing onto her bag happily. 'I'm glad.' I said, a smile on my face. 'I thought we could perhaps have lunch or dinner together soon?' I suggested and she seemed to like the idea. 'We'll do that then.' I said. 'I have to get to the library now, but I'll see you soon, alright?' I said. We said our goodbyes and I went up to the library for a quick studying session before Muggle Studies in second period.
My only friend in Muggle Studies was Felix actually and we sat together near the back of the class. 'I still feel really bad that I got you that detention.' He whispered to me as Professor Burbage detailed the lesson plan for the day. I groaned quietly, putting my head to the table momentarily. 'Don't remind me!' I said before jumping back to attention, taking my quill and jotting down notes. Felix lounged back in his chair. He never seemed to take notes in class much.
'Has everyone asked their parents to sign the permission slips for the outing in November?' Professor Burbage asked at the end of class when everyone was packing up their stuff. There was a chorus of murmurs and we all piled out of the classroom.
'Are you not going down to lunch?' Felix asked as I walked towards the library. 'No, I still have some essays to finish.' I said vaguely. He looked behind him to all our classmates who were on their way to stuff their faces with food and then looked back to me. 'I'll go with you.' He said.
In the library I sat down at one of the tables in the middle, Felix sitting down across from. There weren't many people in the library, most of the students having gone down for lunch. Felix took out his Muggle Studies book. 'I suppose I'll start on Muggle Studies. You?' He said and I looked into my bag. 'It doesn't matter. I still have to do essays for almost every class.' I answered him jokingly. The joke hurt a little.
'I'll do as you do.' I decided, taking out my own Muggle Studies book. 'Have you done last week's already?' I asked him and he sheepishly chuckled. 'Take a guess.' He said. I chuckled as well. 'Well, surprise, surprise, I haven't yet either.' I said. 'You take too many classes, you know that right?' Felix pointed out and I grimaced at him. 'Yes, people have told me.' I said moodily and he laughed. 'Then why do you keep it up?' He asked and I sighed, resting my hands as they were fumbling through the pages. 'I don't know, I just don't know how to choose.' I confessed. He nodded understandingly. 'You just can't be an expert at everything.' He told me gently. 'You're right.' I murmured. 'I'll think about it.' I said genuinely. 'Now, let's get started at this ruddy essay!' Felix cried out, changing the subject. It earned him a hush from the librarian, Madam Pince. We hadn't been at it long before we got interrupted.
'Felix!' Someone called and we both looked up to see Thora Marple dashing our way. Thora was in Hufflepuff with Felix, in our year. I didn't know her well at all. I had once partnered with her in Potions in fourth year, but that was the most I had spoken to her.
Felix obviously knew her better. They were housemates and year mates and had been able to get to know each other since they were eleven. Which they must have considering that she dove forward and planted her lips right onto Felix'.
I was stunned into speechlessness as I witnessed the short black haired girl stick her tongue down my friend's throat. It must've been less of a shock to him because he returned her enthusiastic kiss although he cut it short after a few seconds, pulling away from her. 'Hey Thora.' He greeted her, his ears red. She was beaming. 'I was just getting a book for Herbology when I saw you sitting here and I just couldn't resist!' She called out. 'I have to go back though; Heidi is waiting for me. Or for the book, to be more precise.' She continued. She leaned forward once more to kiss Felix, shot me a grin and a wave (which I was too astonished to return) and ran out of the library again.
'You have a girlfriend?' I asked surprised. He smiled, a bit uncomfortable looking. 'Yeah, we've been going out since the beginning of the schoolyear. Thora confessed that she couldn't stop thinking about me all summer while we were on the Hogwarts Express.' He said sheepishly, a blush on his cheeks. I laughed.
'Aren't you a ladies' man!' I said and he chuckled. 'So how's that been going then?' I asked and he shrugged. 'Alright. Thora is really nice. It's funny, I hadn't really thought of her that way before but it's been going really well.' He said. We were quiet for a moment. 'Why didn't you tell me about her though? You've been together for, what? A couple of weeks already?' I asked. He blushed deeper.
'I was embarrassed.' He said. I leaned forward a bit. 'What for? I asked. 'I don't know.' He replied. We were quiet again. 'Well, there's no need.' I concluded. 'Having a girlfriend is no reason for feeling embarrassed. Having a boy you snog on a regular basis but don't have any other kind of relationship with, that's embarrassing.' I told him self-deprecatingly and I expected him to laugh but he just sighed.
'Thora wants to snog me all the time.' He said to me. 'Does she?' I asked and he nodded. 'Yeah. I'm not complaining but it'd be nice if we could talk a bit more too, you know?' He told me and I nodded. 'Yeah, I know.' I said. 'Talk to her about it. That's the only way to do anything about it.' I advised him and this time he did laugh. 'I'm guessing you don't take your own advice?' He asked me. 'I think we'd do well to get back to our studying.' I said, scowling (although it turned into a smile after a couple of seconds) and he chuckled, but turned back to his book, picking up his quill once again to make notes.
I kept looking at him and my smile slowly slipped off my face. Felix had a girlfriend. Then what prevented me from getting a boyfriend?
That evening after classes I made my way down to Flitwick's office. 'So, what are your thoughts?' The professor asked me after I had sat down across from his desk and had put my book bag down. 'I have thought about it and maybe it is indeed best to drop a few of my classes.' I said. Professor Flitwick smiled at me encouragingly. 'Nobody will think less of you for it.' He told me and although he was probably right, I still felt like a failure.
'I suppose I'll drop Astronomy and History of Magic then.' I said moodily. Professor Flitwick smiled. 'I must say I am relieved. I was frightened you'd want to drop Charms in order to get back at me for making you drop some classes.' He said and I couldn't help but laugh. 'I would never, professor. I love Charms.' I replied.
'Now, before you leave my office so you can have dinner, Professor Umbridge wanted me to inform you that you would serve your detention with her Monday evening after class.' He said. I blushed as he raised his eyebrows. 'I was thinking if I still had to give you detention for skipping Potions on Wednesday, but it seems she got in before me.' He said. 'It was silly, sir, it really was.' I told him. 'Yes, I believe you.' He said. 'But be careful, yes? We're living in a different world these days.' He said mysteriously.
I nodded hurriedly although my mind was rolling over itself trying to make sense of his words. Be careful of what? With who? What were "these days" and what was different about it? Why could no one talk straight, ever? But I also knew I was guilty of it as well. I never really said what I felt.
'Now, get out of here and have something to eat. Don't think I didn't notice you weren't at lunch this afternoon.' Flitwick squeaked, his tiny hands motioning for the door. 'I was only studying in the library, sir.' I defended myself. 'You'll one day learn that taking care of yourself is the most important thing.' The professor told me. 'Have the Flobberworm fritter! I know it isn't usually any good but I had it yesterday and the elves really outdid themselves.' He advised me. 'Thank you, sir.' I said as I left his office. I probably wouldn't have the Flobberworm fritter, but I felt like I'd eat anything really at this point. I was indeed very, very hungry.
Review?
I can't promise next chapter will be quite as quick but I'll try to not let it take as long as last time!