Chapter 3
It was morning. Nelda hated mornings. 'Why does the sun have to be so bright in the Highlands' she groused to herself. She threw her arm over her eyes to try and get more sleep but felt her bed dip on one side. She opened one eye to see who dared to disturb her sleep and came eye to eye with tired emeralds gazing back at her.
"Nelda. Nelda it's time to get up. We have to get ready for breakfast. It starts at 7:30. It's 7 am now. Will you braid my hair back? I don't know how to. Please Nel." She pleaded.
She could feel Azalea poke at her arm and huffed in amusement. 'Is this what having a little sister is like?' she thought to herself. Nelda dragged herself into a sitting position while rubbing her eyes. "Go get my comb out of my trunk. It has enchantments to help detangle hair. I'll braid it for you Aza."
She sat there for about two minutes before Aza returned and handed her the comb. She patted the bed in front of her and told her to sit. When Aza settled herself on the bed Nelda began to gently comb out all the tangles. She proceeded to plait her hair into a Dutch braid, when she was finished with Azalea's she put her own up as well. After that they got dressed and started for the common room.
"Azalea where's Daphne? I didn't see her in the dorm room." She asked
"Daphne is waiting in the common room at the couch with Theo. Before I woke you up I peeked down to see if they were awake and waiting or if they left without us." She responded trailing after Nelda like a lost puppy. When they reached the common room, true enough, Daphne and Theo were there on a deep blue couch chatting about their respective dorm rooms.
"Theo! Good morning! Did you sleep well?" Azalea spoke in a chipper voice. She had a soft look in her eye every time she talked to him, almost as if she had all but adopted him on the spot.
The look of happiness in his eyes every time she turned her attention to him all but spoke that he had adopted her too. The quick acceptance he had shown both her and Azalea spoke to her how gentle of a person he seemed to be, she could tell though that underneath his gentle demeanor lied a darkness that would rise up to protect those he deemed under his protection. She could see hints of it every time he stared down someone who tried to get close to them while they were talking. He made her feel safe and she could only guess Azalea felt the same way.
It was about 7:25 when they all left the common room. They followed the older students to the great hall so they wouldn't get lost. They found an open spot near the middle of the table and sat down, Nelda and Azalea on one side with Theo and Daphne on the other. They filled their plates up with bacon, sausage, hash browns, and toast with butter and jam. Azalea poured Nelda and herself a cup of tea before offering the kettle to Theo in case he wanted some.
"What do you think our first class is going to be? I hope it's charms!" Azalea asked.
"I don't know. Personally I hope it's herbology myself. I always love working in my greenhouse." Nelda responded.
"I hope we get defense though my dad has told me that there hasn't been a good teacher in that class since the 40's." Theo muttered into his cup of tea.
Daphne raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at that. "Well I agree with Azalea. I hope we get charms. It seems like one of the most encompassing classes that Hogwarts has." she stated primly.
After debating which class would be best they noticed that professor Flitwick was handing out what looked like a schedule.
"Here you are lad and ladies. I hope you have a good first day." He said before continuing on his way.
"Well looks like none of us were right. Look here it says we have transfiguration first class followed by charms then potions. After potions is lunch then double herbology. After herbology do you want to find the library and go over what we learned today?" The soft voice of Theo drifted around where they sat.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Nelda replied earnestly.
After they were done eating they left the and strolled towards the direction of the transfiguration classroom.
"The map said that the classroom is class 1B on the ground floor. It shouldn't take too much time to get there. I wonder what we will be learning about today." Daphne expressed.
Azalea hummed. She had a light hold on Theo's cloak as he walked slightly in front of her to her right. She too was curious. She remembered that Ollivander, the wand maker, said that her fathers wand was exceptionally good at transfiguration. Her own wand which was king wood and griffin claw 12 3/4 inches stiff and unyielding. Ollivander was shocked when the wand chose her due to the fact that it had been unclaimed for the last hundred years or so. He did say it would be a good wand for offensive magic though.
Theo glanced back at Azalea out of the corner of his eye. He noticed that she seems to seek him out for comfort more than the others. If he had to guess it was probably her magic seeking out similar magic, maybe due to that fact that she was distantly related. Whatever the reason it didn't really matter to him. The fact that it was him she reached for made him feel fiercely protective over her, since he had no siblings or close friends growing up it was a completely new feeling to him. 'I should write to dad and let him know. I think he would like to meet her.' He thought to himself.
After they entered class 1B Theo led Azalea to a table that held four seats in the back and sat down at the end, dragging her into the seat next to him. Nelda slid into the seat next to her and pulled out the last chair for Daphne. They all pulled out a piece of parchment, a quill, and the textbooks for the class and waited for the teacher to show up. They did notice that there was a tabby cat that sat on the desk and thought it was strange but paid it no mind, after all cats go wherever they please.
When the clock struck 9 the cat leaped off the desk and transformed into professor McGonagal causing some of the students to gasp. She looked around the classroom and took note of what houses made up her class. The mix of blue and yellow was somewhat comforting to the older women.
"Good morning class. Today we will be turning a match into a needle. The incantation is on the board. I will be walking through to help students who need it. If you have a question then please raise your hand and I will get to you when I can. This might be difficult until you get the hang of it." Professor McGonagal lectured.
It took about 4 tries, but Azalea was the first one to compete it closely followed by Theo. When Azalea looked over she took notice of the fact that Nelda's wand seemed to be fighting her.
"Nelda did you get that wand at Ollivander's before school started" she asked softly so as not to be heard by others besides those who sat at their table.
"No. It was my fathers. Nan wanted me to use it and I didn't have the heart to tell it that it didn't feel right." Nel responded just as quietly.
"Ollivander said that the wand chooses the wizard and it looks like this one didn't choose you. It's okay to be your one person Nel. I think you need a wand of your own that fits you. Would it be easier if I wrote a letter to your gran?" she demurred.
"No I'll do it. I have to write her a letter about the sorting anyway. I want to tell her about the wonderful group of friends I made." she softly uttered with a brilliant smile that lightened the room. Her smile took on a mischievous note when she noticed the three others blush.
"I wish I had someone to write to about you guys. If I did it would be so long Hedwig wouldn't be able to carry it. I'm glad I met you guys." Azalea beamed at them. The amount of happiness palpable in the air.
Nelda filed that away in her Azalea file she started in her head. 'I think I'm not going to let her go home to wherever she is living now. She isn't being taken care of properly.' She thought before locking eyes with Theo who seemed to have a contemplative look in his eyes. Her eyes slid over to Daphne next. She still had a hint of a blush across her cheeks and seemed to be trying to ignore them but she could see a glimmer of happiness in her ice blue eyes. 'I really lucked out' she thought as she took in their camaraderie.
By the end of class Nelda could almost complete the transfiguration. Azalea helped to coach her through it. It wasn't easy for her though because she had to fight against the wand for it to even get close to working. She really needed to let her Nan know. As they stood up to leave she hooked her arm through Daphne's and threw her bag over her shoulder. Glancing behind her she could see Azalea doing the same with Theo.
"Onwards to charms my dear friends." Nelda said excitedly. Almost skipping in glee. Their first day was going pretty well so far.
"The map says it's on the third floor in classroom 2E. It shouldn't be too hard to find." Theo declared softly
It took about ten minutes to find the classroom. As they entered they could see most of the seats were taken though there was a table in the middle of the class close to where a group of Slytherins sat.
Once again Theo led Azalea over to the seats. He pulled out her chair and sat gracefully into the end chair. Nelda followed Theo and Azalea to the table and sat down before pulling the last seat out for Daphne.
As soon as they sat down professor Flitwick walked in. He levitated a chair and a couple books in front of the podium and climbed up.
"Alright students, my name is Fillius Flitwick. I am the charms professor. Today we are going to go over the levitation charm. Before we try the spell on the feathers I've brought to class we need to go over the correct punctuation and wand movement." He lectured. "Can anyone tell me what the incantation for this spell is?"
There were about six students who raised their hands including Theo.
"Yes mr. Nott." he pointed at Theo.
"The incantation is Wingardium Leviosa, professor." Theo's soft voice echoed around the room, his face a mask of calm indifference though there was a hint of warmth in his eyes when Azalea bumped her shoulder against his.
"Very good Mr. Nott took five points to Ravenclaw!" Exclaimed the professor happily.
The class passed faster than transfiguration did though she could feel the looks the other students were giving their table. Nelda knew that their friend group would look weird from the outside, after all there was an heir to a dark family, an heiress to a neutral family, an heiress to a light family, and then the girl-who-lived who freely talked to each one of them equally, not caring about which faction they were from. The easy way she accepted must Theo seem strange to the kids who were raised to believe that she was the paragon of light and goodness. It made the other kids weary and the Slytherins cautious.
As class ended she stood up and packed her bag and waited for the other three to finish up. Soon the four friends made their way out of the classroom. Nelda and Azalea glanced at each other before they both pounced onto Theo wrapping their arms around both of his and leaning against him almost making him lose his balance. At the sight of his stumble Daphne started to giggle behind her hand, her eyes sparking in amusement.
"Five points Theo, good job!" Azalea cheered, beaming up at him.
"Yea Theo, good job!" Nelda beaming up with a proud glint in her eye. She detangled one arm to reach back to Daphne and thread her fingers through the taller girls. She used the hold she had on her to tug her closer to the huddle they had going on.
"C'mon Daph join the Theo cuddle pile we have going on." Nelda giggled out. Causing the two other girls to break out in giggles. Theo looked up to try to hide the blush that was spreading across his cheeks. He could feel a warmth spread throughout his body. He wasn't used to blatant affection like this, especially when out in the open and not in the privacy of his own home.
"Alright, alright that's enough guys. Come on we need to make our way to the dungeon we have potions then lunch." Theo's soft voice was twinged with embarrassed contentment even though he didn't bother to fight his way out of the middle of the group hug.
"Alright everyone let's get off of him. We do need to make our way to potions. We don't want to crush him." Daphne spoke with a soft smile; she knew she was more reserved with affection than the other two girls but she was happy to be included. She was worried at first on the train because she sat alone and was a bit shy but meeting these three on the boat must have been fate. They just fit together like puzzle pieces.
The two other girls detangled themselves from Theo though Aza still kept a hold of his sleeve. Azalea reached over and grabbed Daphne's hand. Nelda threaded her arm through Daphne's free arm and allowed herself to be drug to the potions class.
This time the desks in the classroom only had two seats. The four kids looked around at each other. How were they supposed to choose who sat with who.
Sighing Theo drug Azalea over to one desk while Nelda led Daphne to the desk behind them after all that's how they've been sitting all day why change. Azalea looked behind her to see if the two other girls were fine with this but everyone seemed happy. She resolved to be Nelda's partner in herbology though.
Then the doors swung open and hit the wall behind it and a lean man with black greasy hair stalked in with his pitch blackrobes billowing out behind him. Azalea jumped at the loud sudden noise and clung to Theo's arm tightly before letting go.
"There will be no foolish wand waving and silly incantations in this class. As such I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion potion making, however for those select few who possess the predisposition I can teach you to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle of fame and brew glory and even put a stopper on death. Then again maybe some of you came to Hogwarts with abilities so formidable that you feel comfortable enough to not pay attention." The professor drawled out with a silken voice.
Azalea's head snapped up from where she was taking notes. Her eyes widened at the fact that this somewhat scary professor's attention was on her. She could feel Theo slip his hand into hers to offer a bit of comfort.
"Ms Potter, our newest celebrity. Tell me what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" His dark voice drawled out.
"Um, I believe that they are two main ingredients to the drought of the living death, sir." she muttered quietly squeezing Theo's hand and hunching in on herself. Since she was looking down and not into the professors eyes she didn't see the glint of surprise in his dark irises.
"Where Ms. Potter would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?"he asked again.
"S-sir, um, i-in the stomach of a goat I believe." She stuttered out before finally glancing up into Snape's dark eyes. She could faintly make out a flash of approval in his heavy gaze before she looked back down to her lap.
"Very good Ms. Potter and what is the difference between monkshood and Wolfsbane?" He purred out
Again her eyes flicked up through her eyelashes, an unsure look on her face as she shifted closer to Theo. She was sure that the professor could tell how uncomfortable he was making her. She was becoming more and more frightened of this man.
Snape found himself feeling conflicted. He could tell that this little slip of a girl was getting more uncomfortable by the minute. He could see that he scared her and he didn't know how that made him feel. On one hand this was Lily's child and that thought made a protective surge rush through him. On the other hand this was also James's spawn. Yet she looked almost exactly like Lily. In fact if her hair was red, he would think he was seeing a ghost. As soon as he made eye contact with her he couldn't help but slip into her mind and was appalled at what he saw. Dumbledore had promised that she was being taken care of. He didn't think living like a house elf was being cared for. The fact that the girl was forced to live in a cupboard was abhorrent and intolerable. He had made a vow to protect her and he inadvertently broke the vow due to Dumbledore's machinations. He would be having a talk with him tonight and this will not stand. He will not let Lily's sacrifice be in vain. Then, the soft unsure sound of the child's voice broke through his chain of thought.
"Um it's the same plant, sir. I-it's also c-called aconite." She replied haltinging as if unsure of herself.
"Well, why aren't any of you writing this down." He snapped. He stalked over to the board and slammed his hand onto it. "This is the recipe for the boils cure potion. I expect you know how to follow simple instructions. The ingredients are in the back of the room."
Azalea turned to Theo with an unsure look in her eyes. The look on her face practically begging for confirmation that she didn't do anything wrong.
"Do you want to get the ingredients while I set up the station?" Her voice came out shakey, like she was trying not to cry.
"Yea, I'll be right back. It'll be fine we can do this Azalea, you'll see." he reassured her, running his hand across her back as he walked behind her to get to the ingredients.
After he left she focused on setting the knives and the cauldron up. She also took out her dragon hide gloves and put them on. She then took out her scale, mortar and pestle, a crystal vial and a pair of forceps. She then looked up at the recipe on the board and wrote it down on a piece of parchment so that they could check off each part after they finished.
6 snake fangs
4 horned slugs
2 porcupine quills
Add 6 snake fangs to the mortar.
Crush into a fine powder using the pestle.
Add 4 measures of the crushed fangs to your cauldron.
Heat the mixture to 250 for 10 seconds.
Wave your wand.
Leave to brew and return in 33-45 minutes
Add 4 horned slugs to your cauldron.
Take the cauldron off the fire before adding the next ingredient.
Add 2 porcupine quills to your cauldron.
Stir 5 times, clockwise.
Wave your wand to complete the potion.
Then she felt as if someone was behind her. She whipped her head around and found herself staring into the swirling black eyes of the potions master. He looked over her shoulder at what she had written on the parchment and quirked an eyebrow.
"Ms. Potter, can I ask why you wrote down the potions recipe when it's already on the board?" he asked dryly.
"So when we're done with each step we can check it off sir." she uttered softly, still looking into his eyes. She
caught a faint twitch of his lips, almost as if he was fighting down a smirk.
"Hmm, carry on then." he drawled before sweeping past her.
Then Theo was there putting down the ingredients and putting himself in between her and the professor protectively.
"I got the supplies, are you ready to start?" He asked looking her over to see if she was alright.
"Yea. Look I even wrote it down so we could check it off as we go." she admitted shyly
"That's a wonderful idea Aza. Do you want to double check the slugs while I crush the snake fangs?" he inquired.
"Sure Theo." she said with a soft smile.
As they worked they checked off the steps they did, the constant reminder of where they were in the steps helped keep them on track. Behind them they could hear Daphne help Nelda through each step and resolved to tell them to write it down next time. Soon an hour passed and they were done. Their potion was a reddish pink color with pink smoke wafting up out of the cauldron. All in all she would consider this a success.
"Look Theo we did it! We actually completed it right. I heard a couple second years say that no one ever did it right on the first time!" She squealed as she threw her arms around him in delight.
"Yes Azalea I see."he chuckled out. "Let's vial it up and give it to professor Snape before it gets knocked over, okay?" He expressed with amusement, a smile curling up the corner of his lips.
She faintly flushed with the sense of accomplishment. She had completed her first potion. She had a feeling she would never get tired of this feeling. All it took was one class and she fell in love. She vialed the potion and practically skipped her way down to the desk.
Snape noticed her when she was about four feet away and raised an eyebrow at the look of accomplishment on her face. Her eyes were practically shining with happiness, the way Lily's did when she accomplished a particularly hard charm. Then he saw why. In her grasp was a perfect potion to cure boils. It was the best one he has seen in the first class in years. In that moment he recognized that she had a skill in potioneering he could either help flourish or stomp out. It didn't take much thought, he would help. There were too few potion masters in the world. It might be too soon to tell if this was a one off chance or not. He will have to keep an eye on her work. If by third year she continues with proficient potions he might offer to tutor her.
"Here professor!" She beamed up at him, temporarily forgetting that she was scared of him earlier in her happiness.
"Well done Miss. Potter. Take 5 points for exemplary work in your first class." Snape's smooth voice spoke quietly.
Azaleas cheeks flushed further at the praise, her eyes shooting down to the floor in shyness.
"Thank you, sir." she relied meekly.
She handed the potion over then spun on her heel, quickly walking back to Theo and locked eyes with him and beamed.
"He gave me five points Theo." She whispered when she reached him. He smiled at her and reached out to pat her head.
"Good job Aza." He praised with a look of pride on his face. He wrapped one arm around her and gave her a side hug. "Let's pack up and head to lunch,okay?" His soft voice calmed her down a little. She nodded into his shoulder then started to pack away her equipment. After her table was cleared off she skipped over to Nelda.
"Nelda! Nelda! I got five points! He said I did a good job on my potion!" She exclaimed, she wrapped her arms around the slightly taller blonde.
Nelda smiled softly at her and hugged her back. "I'm proud of you." She said into her hair. "Did you like making it?"
"Yea! I think potions are my favorite. I felt a real connection with it. Are there a lot of jobs involving potion making?" She inquired.
"I know you can become a potion master or mistress. There is also working in the department of mysteries, auror department, and medi witch. There is also becoming an apothecary owner. I suggest getting a mastery before any of the others though." Nelda informed.
"Do you think I could do it?" Azalea meekly asked.
"Yes." Nelda said with certainty.
"Oh before I forget, I wrote down the recipe on a separate piece of paper and checked off each step. I heard you had a bit of trouble with the quills so this might help you in the future." Azalea said looking up into Nelda's eyes before looking at Daphne to let her know that she was telling her too.
She released Nelda then reached for Daphne's hand. "Let's go to lunch Dee." Azalea said before leading her out.
While walking to the Great hall she reached for Theo's hand. She had a soft smile on her face as the two taller kids let her drag them with Nelda walking in the triangle they made. As she turned the corner she ran head first into another student. She started to fall back when both Theo and Daphne steadied her. She was about to apologize when she looked up. It was that rude redhead boy from the train.
"Well well, look at who it is. Are you still as stuck up as you were on the train? And look your hanging out with a junior death eater and a dark whore along with the Longbottom squib. You must be desperate for attention if these are the sorts you make friends with." Ron sneered
"Aah it's the ineffectual cockroach Nelda!" She said with fake cheer before turning back to Ron. "It must be difficult for you,exhausting your entire vocabulary in one breath. You know if I wanted to kill myself all I'd have to do is climb your ego and jump to your IQ." She snarled.
"How dare you insult me you-" Ron was cut off before he could finish.
"I'm not insulting you, I'm describing you. Now run along little boy, I have better thing to do then sit here and watch you waste oxygen. Speaking of oxygen I'm pretty sure somewhere out there a tree is tirelessly working to create it just for you to go and waste it. I think you owe it an apology, just like you owe your mother one for constantly reminding her of her biggest mistake she made every time she sees your face." She snarked before she tugged on Theo and Daphne's hands and stalked through the door to the Great hall with Neld trailing after them.
"Sometimes, some people need a high-five to the face. With a chair." She grumbled before letting go of Theo's hand and tugging Daphne to the other side of the table to sit across from Theo and Nelda. She heard a chuckle and looked up. "What?" She questioned
"I was not expecting that Aza. You seem so shy and meek I wasn't ready for the level of snark that came out." Theo admitted from across the table.
Azalea could feel herself blush. "Well I couldn't let him get away with insulting you three. He was being rude." She huffed as she poured all four of them a cup of earl grey tea. "I will not stand for anyone insulting my friends. He is lucky I don't know any hexes yet." She admitted.
All three of the other kids smiled at her. They really appreciated the fact that she was as ready to defend them as they were her.
While they ate lunch Nelda started on her letter to her gran.
Dear Grandmother
As you know we ran into Azalea Potter at the train station. I rode to school together with her and we became quick friends. I also made friends with heiress Daphne Greengrass and heir Theodore Nott on the boat ride over the Great Lake. We all were sorted into Ravenclaw, believe it or not. I know they are not from light families but they are wonderful people. Theo is especially protective of us girls.
About Azalea though. Can she come over during Yule break? I have a really bad feeling that she is not cared for at her home. The little things she lets slip leads me to believe that she may even be in danger of being hurt by her guardians. I think it may be in her best interest if we offer her sanctuary in our home as an allied house.
On another note, fathers wand does not respond well to my magic. It feels as if I have to force my magic through a closed valve. Even Azalea noticed. She pointed out that Ollivander said that wands choose the wizard not the other way around. I believe my magic may focus in a different field than my fathers.
About being in Ravenclaw, I really like it. They have their own library in the common room and the ceiling is painted with stars. Azalea, Daphne and I share a room with five other girls. I have not really talked to any of the other kids yet, I believe they are weary to approach us due to Theo and Azalea. As I said before Theo is very protective. He will glare at people who approach us that he thinks might bother us. It's kind of funny watching him and Azalea together. I'm pretty sure they adopted each other. I'll write again when I have time.
With regards,
Lady Nelda Longbottom
Heiress of house Longbottom
Countess of Orkney
She folded up the letter and put it into an envelope which she sealed with wax. She used her heiress ring she kept on a chain around her neck and pressed it into the wax before turning to Azalea.
"Do you mind if I borrow your owl Hedwig to deliver this letter to my Nan?" She inquired.
"That's fine Nel. She would probably appreciate the exercise anyway." She replied. "Do you want to find the owlery after herbology? We have about twenty more minutes before class."
"Sure that sounds like a plan." She replied
After lunch they made their way to greenhouse 1. When they made it to the door Nelda felt someone latch onto her arm. She looked down only to see Azalea looking back into her eyes.
"Will you be my partner in this class Nel? I remember you saying you enjoyed working in the greenhouse. I liked taking care of my aunt's garden when she let me out but I know nothing about magical plants." Azalea questioned. Her emerald eyes pleading.
"Sure thing Aza." She said softly. Another thing to file away. She didn't like the way she said 'let out' almost as if she was a prisoner.
For the first day professor Sprout went over the basics. She lectured about the different fertilizer and how some plants worked better with dragon manure instead of cow manure. She also laid out which plants we will be working with throughout the year, such as devils snare, asphodel,bouncing bulb, prickly bush, puffapods, and venomous tentacula. Besides that, she also went over the bug repellent potion and what the ingredients were that went into it and how to apply it.
After herbology they separated from the other two and roamed around the castle until they found the owlery. As soon as they stepped through the door Hedwig flew over and landed on Azalea's shoulder.
"Hey girl, do you think you can take Nelda's letter to her gran?" She asked as she stroked the snowy owls feathers.
Hedwig gently nipped her fingers and started to preen her hair before hooting and sticking her leg out expectantly.
Azalea chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes sweet girl." She cooed at her familiar.
After Nelda tied the letteronto the bird, Hedwig flew off. They watched her disappear before making their way out of the owlery tower, holding hands as they made their way to the library to rejoin Theo and Daphne.
"How are you liking Hogwarts?" Nelda asked the smaller girl.
"I love being here with you, Theo, and Daphne. It's brilliant! Before Hogwarts I didn't have friends and now I have three really good ones. I feel blessed to be honest. Also learning magic is brilliant. Plus potions! I can't wait to learn it all! And coming here aloud me to learn about my parents. I finally know their names." She admitted. "How about you? How do you like Hogwarts?"
"Like you I didn't have friends before Hogwarts. People thought I was a squib before I was six, so I didn't get to socialize often. I love being here with you, Theo, and Daph too. I really can't wait to learn all I can while I'm here." She answered
After she finished talking they came up to the library doors. "Looks like we're here. We should find the other two so we can discuss what we thought of today." Nelda reasoned.
Together they pushed open the doors and entered the massive room. To the left azalea spotted Theo and Daphne so she tugged on Nelda's sleeve and pointed them out.
"Over there. I can see them by the defense section." Azalea whispered before she started to drag Nelda over to them and sat down next to Theo while Nelda sat next to Daphne.
When she was settled she turned to Theo and smiled.
"We found the owlery, it's in the western tower." She informed the two who didn't go with them. "How is the library." She asked.
"It was decently empty when we got here. It seems only Ravenclaw may care to study." He replied dryly
"What class was your favorite today Daphne?". Aza asked.
"I was quite fond of transfiguration today to be honest, though charms was interesting as well." She answered in a quiet tone. "What about you Aza?" She asked.
"I love potions!" came her immediate answer. She looked over to Theo with a clear question in her eyes.
"My favorite today was transfiguration though I'm very interested in defense. I can't wait to see how that goes tomorrow." He admitted. "Nelda, what about you?"
"I liked herbology. I don't think I'll have an easy time in the other classes until I get a better fitting wand." She meekly said. "Do you want to study ahead while we are here? We can get a leg up on defense, transfiguration, and charms. If we decide and conquer I'm sure we can get decently far. I think two should take up defense. One for offensive magic and one for defensive magic. What do you think?" She asked.
"Sounds like a plan. How about Theo and I take defense. I think the two of us can cover it fairly easy. My wand is better at offensive magic than any other field. Theo do you mind if I take the offensive spells and you take the defense?" Azalea said before looking at Theo in question.
"Sounds good to me Aza."Theo replied.
"I'll take transfiguration then if that's fine Nelda. That'll leave you with charms is that okay?" Daphne asked.
"Yea. Charms was easier than transfiguration for me so that works out fine. Maybe we should find an empty classroom to practice in. I doubt the librarian would be happy if we start casting spells in here." Nelda pondered.
"Well there is a whole sixth floor wing not being used at all. The east wing. I'm pretty sure we would be fine there." Theo informed while looking at a map.
"So I think we should do this in rotation. Maybe Mondays should be defense, Tuesdays be charms and Wednesdays be transfiguration, Thursdays be defense again Friday's charms again and Saturdays be transfiguration again. Sunday's can be our off days or maybe a debate day. Something that isn't taxing so we can recuperate, ya know?" Nelda went on, a look of contemplation on her face.
"Seems good but we will have to revise it in our third year. That's when our elective will come into play. Speaking of electives, does anyone have an idea on what they will be taking?" Daphne asked looking around at the others at the table.
"I'll be taking ancient runes and arithmancy." Theo stated
"Same." Nelda agreed. "Nan said muggle studies and divination is a waste of time." She continued.
"I'll probably be doing the same. I might add care of magical creatures though so I'm still a little unsure." Azalea admitted
"So we are all pretty much taking the same electives. That's kind of convenient in a way." Daphne said.
"Do you know what classes we have tomorrow?" Nelda asked.
"Yea we got double defense in the morning then flying with the Hufflepuffs. Then we have lunch, then we are free until midnight. We have astronomy tonight. We have it every Wednesday." Theo answered.
A collective groan went around the table. Who wants to stay up and look at stars for hours. Why did they have to stay up till midnight anyway the sky got dark around 8:30. Why couldn't class be at 9 instead.
"So we all agree to nap after lunch right?" Azalea muttered.
"Seems to be the plan." Theo admitted.
Then the clock struck 6:30 and it was time for dinner. All of the people packed their bags to leave. The four friends joined in the rush to the . As they entered they noticed that there was a spot at the end of their table that was open so they rushed over to claim it before anyone else could. As seemed normal now Azalea poured four cups of tea to go with dinner and handed them out while Theo, who she sat with again, filled up her plate then his own. This time she ate a piece of Shepherd's pie with sautéed potatoes and a small bowl of oxtail soup.
After eating their fill, dessert popped up again. This time they engined a tangy lemon meringue pie. The tart taste of the lemon went exceptionally well with the floral undertones of the earl grey tea they drank. Soon the desert was finished and they headed back to their common rooms where they found an empty corner and sat in a circle.
"So does anything weird happen on a person's eleventh birthday" Azalea asked meekly.
Nelda felt herself tense up a bit. She was unsure of where this was going and she didn't want to admit who her soulmate was.
"Yea that's the day your soul mark appears, why?" Theo questioned.
"Soul marks? Do they typically sting as if you're being bitten by an insect?" She continued.
"Yea that seems like an accurate analogy. May I ask why you're asking?" Theo once again answered.
"It's just, I felt a weird feeling on the back of my neck when I turned eleven and I was in sure why that would be. So soul marks. What are they?" Azalea plowed on.
This time Nelda answered. "Soul marks are exactly just that, soul marks. They show who you are so meant to be with by appearing in the shape of their house crest with their name underneath. They depict your soulmate. Did no one ever explain this to you?"
"No, no one ever did. I still don't know who mine would be then. My aunt told me that it was nothing to worry about and to continue with my chores." Azalea revealed.
"When we go up to our dorms do you want me to check to see who it is and I can let you know?" Nelda offered her.
"Please." Azalea pleaded.
"You know Azalea every time I hear about your aunt and uncle I really don't think I like them." Theo remarked.
"I agree with Theo. They don't sound like nice people at all." Nelda said with Daphne nodding along.
"It's okay I don't like them much either and I know that the feeling is mutual. Hopefully one day I won't have to return back there." Azalea revealed with a wistful look in her eye.
Soon it reached 9:30. They agreed it was probably best to start getting ready for bed since they needed to wake up around 6:30 in the morning to get ready for breakfast. As they separated the girls wished Theo a good night and climbed up the stairs to the girls dorm and got changed into their night close.
"Okay Azalea come over here so I can see the mark on your neck." Nelda called when she was ready. She could head Azalea pad over to the side of her bed so she opened the curtains enough for her to slip in. Amazes sat at the edge of her bed and shifted her hair away.
Nelda inhaled sharply. There at the base of her friend's neck was a house crest. The crest had two red dogs at the top facing each other and underneath that was a crow facing the left. She knew this crest. And she knew the name underneath too.
Bartimus crouch jr.
The name sat underneath the crest in a sharp, neat, and elegant cursive. What awful luck the two of them had.
"Who is it." Azalea shyly asked.
"It's Bartimus Crouch jr. Azalea. He is a convicted death eater like mine is. They were put into Azkaban for the same thing."Nelda admitted. She could see the other girl freeze up. She could practically see the look of dismay without even facing her.
"What did he do?" She whispered.
"He along with my soulmate Rodolphus, Rodolphus's wife Bellatrix and Rodolphus's brother Rabastan tortured the aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom into insanity." She relied shakily.
Azalea let out a sob before flinging herself at Nelda, holding on to her for dear life. How could this be? How could her soulmate do such a thing? A death eater of all things, someone on the side of the man who killed her mother and father? Someone who tortured her best friend's parents?
"We have terrible luck with men don't we Nel?" Azalea muttered into her shoulder.
"Yea we really do. Do you want to sleep with me tonight?" She asked.
"Please, if you don't mind. I don't think we should be alone. Thank you Nel. For not hating me for this." Aza muttered again.
"We don't get to choose who we are paired with. I know this all too well. I would not hate you for something so completely out of your control. Now get under the covers and let's get some sleep." She said into curly black locks.
"Good night Nel."Aza whispered.
"Good night Aza." She said.