The following day there was such a blizzard all the outdoor lessons were cancelled. Penny however, had History of Magic, a lesson she detested almost as much as Flying. Not just because she wasn't interested in the subject, but Professor Binns' monotone voice was enough to drive anyone crazy. Generally Penny used the time to read a library book under the desk but on this occasion she hadn't got one small enough to hide. After around twenty minutes she could stand it no longer. She raised her hand.
'Yes Miss….?' Professor Binns asked, surprised by this unheard of occurrence.
'Black. May I go to the toilet Professor?' Penny asked. Professor Binns looked taken aback then annoyed.
'Your break times are for visits to the toilet' he huffed 'Lesson time is for learning' He finished before continuing his story of Alberta Toothill and her famous duel with Samson Wiblin in 1430.
'But sir' Penny said coyly 'I have…..lady issues' she said shifting in her seat. As she expected, Professor Binns blushed, or at least his pearly cheeks appeared to darken in colour.
'Oh…erm' he stuttered slightly 'Very well Miss Blade…off you go' He said before ruffling himself and continuing.
Smirking, Penny left the room quietly shutting the door behind her.
"Lady issues" she chuckled as she walked. She had heard the older girls at the orphanage use this excuse with men before. It seemed a topic they were so uncomfortable about, you could get them to do anything to avoid having to discuss the subject. She doubted the Professor would notice her absence after that point, but where to go instead? She couldn't go to the library, Madam Pince would have immediately reported her for playing truant. Outside was not an option in this weather. Finally she decided to return to her common room. Anything was better than spending the best part of another hour with Professor Bored-To-Death. Decisively she made of down the corridor, turning down the next corridor which was darkly lit. As she walked she suddenly tripped over something lying on the floor.
Swearing as she picked herself off the floor she turned to look at what she had tripped over. She stared. Lying as still as statue was Justin Finch-Fletchley, and floating above him, what looked like the ghost that often floated around the Gryffindor table. He didn't look like a ghost at that moment, he was dark and smoky. Looking between the figures Penny was torn. Part of her wanted to run away, she didn't want to be found here. Another part of her felt guilt over leaving Colin the time before. A third part was filled with morbid fascination at how this could happen to one that was already dead. She took a half step to examine the ghost before she heard footsteps coming down the corridor. Turning she spotted Harry coming down the corridor, who froze half a dozen paces away staring from Justin, to the ghost, and finally to Penny.
'Harry…' Penny began as they stared at one another. Before she could launch into an explanation the poltergeist Peeves appeared through a nearby door. He spotted the two of them followed by the two victims and quickly alerted what seemed like the whole school via his shouts. As the teachers examined them Peeves burst into song.
'Oh Potter, you rotter, teamed up with Black
The Parselmouth Pair,
They're on the attaaaaaaaaack!'
After much commotion the corridor cleared and Professor McGonagall lead them both down a series of corridors before taking them past a gargoyle and up a spiral staircase. First Harry went in Professor Dumbledore entering afterwards, whilst Penny waited with McGonagall. The tension only increased as the minutes went on, neither of them speaking. Suddenly the stairs shook as Hagrid raced past them, ignoring McGonagall's protests as he forced himself into the office on the other side. He reappeared a couple minutes later looking embarrassed. He gave Penny a strange sideways look as he hurried back down the stairs. Shortly after Harry re-emerged and he too went down the stairs, giving Penny a curt nod on his way past. McGonagall then ushered Penny into the office, closing the door on her way out.
Professor Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his hands resting on the table his fingertips touching. He smiled as Penny entered and ushered the seat across from him. On the desk was a large bowl full of sherbet lemons, which Penny frowned at, she had never seen the sweets in the wizarding world before. Noticing her gaze Dumbledore smiled.
'Help yourself, Persephone' he said
'Penny' she corrected automatically, reaching for a sweet as she did. She felt the Professor studying her face as she un-wrapped the sherbet lemon and placed in it her mouth. Finally she looked up to meet his gaze, her own wary, unable to determine what he was thinking. They sat in silence as they scrutinized each other.
'So Penny,' Dumbledore said finally, looking solemn 'Do you know why you are here?' He continued as Penny made a non-committal noise 'Why were you out of lesson?'
'I asked Professor Binns if I could go to the toilet' Penny answered quickly.
'As I understand it there is a girl's bathroom before you reach that corridor from Professor Binns' classroom' Dumbledore replied. Penny paused for a second as the consequences of that statement sunk in.
'That's Moaning Myrtle's bathroom' she said recovering quickly 'I don't like using them.'
'I see.' Dumbledore said, his stare piercing over his half moon spectacles. Penny shifted uncomfortably as she felt as if she was being x-rayed. She had a sneaking suspicion he knew she wasn't being completely truthful but refused to admit it.
'Look, my bathroom preferences have nothing to do with whether I had anything to do with that boy or the ghost, which I didn't' Penny insisted. Dumbledore's gaze drifted over her features, almost searchingly until he once again met her eyes.
'Very well.' He said finally 'Is there anything else you'd like to tell me? Anything at all.'
Penny sat silent for a moment, her thoughts racing through the image of Colin lying on the floor frozen, her guilt at leaving him, her own sense of lacking identity, people thinking she was the Heir because she was a Parselmouth, and her secret desire to discover more about her mother, despite never admitting that even to herself except in the dark of night.
'No sir, there isn't anything.'