Wednesday morning, Harry, Ron, Dean, and the rest of the sixth year Gryffindor boys went to the common room together. Somehow they had all woken up about the same time. Ron and Harry looked for the girls. They were no longer surprised to see Gemna wide-awake so early. Hermione and Ginny were with her and a few other girls. From the looks on their faces, they were obviously discussing levitation. As the two boys separated from the rest of the group and headed over, Hermione, Ginny, and Gemna did the same. They met in the middle of the room. "So…" Ron said. "Sleep well?" Harry bit his lip and did his best not to hint anything of what they discussed.
"Very," Gemna answered. The other two girls looked at each other, also trying to conceal their plan. "Unfortunately, I did accidentally sleep in an hour late. I was up at six instead of five. But I've made up for lost time."
"Lost time? What could you have missed at five in the morning?" Ron asked, accidentally in a rude tone.
"Oh…things. What I did or do is not important. At least not right now," Harry and Ron didn't turn to look at each other, but they knew exactly what the other one was thinking. 'What's she getting at?' "We better get to breakfast. It's almost 8:30." Gemna and the girls turned towards the portrait.
Harry and Ron told her they'd catch up with them at their first class. After being sure they weren't going to come back, they rushed over to the other three guys. "So have we got anymore takers?" Harry questioned.
Dean began to count off people on his hand. "We got John, Michael, Josh, and Colin. 'Course they're all fifth years, but it's better than nothing."
"Good. We better get to breakfast now. I'm starving and we only got half an hour until class." The others agreed with Harry and they all went to breakfast in the Great Hall.
After Arithmancy and Astronomy, the five students decided that they would go get some homework done to leave the night open. There was plenty of time until Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry and Hermione worked on Arithmancy with Ginny; she appreciated the help since they had already taken that class already. Gemna and Ron were urged to go spend some time together since their work was already done. Ron was more than happy to go with her, and Gemna didn't mind either. The two of them went to Ron's dorm and sat down on the floor instead of beds. Ron regretted how uncomfortable he was feeling being alone with her. "So Ginny tells me you have a brother from Romania," Gemna said as Ron sat down by her.
"What? Oh, oh yeah. Charlie. He works with dragons," he responded.
Gemna smiled and asked, "Do you enjoy having so many siblings?"
"It's okay. Little confusing sometimes, but they're all great. Ginny's the only girl in our family besides Mum; Charlie is always cool when he comes home to visit us; we don't see Bill much, either, because he's in Egypt; Percy is kinda disowned at the moment, long story; and Fred and George are cool. They dropped out last year and opened a joke shop. Mum and Dad aren't too happy, but they're still really good guys. I think I mentioned everyone," he said with a chuckle (ARE YOU HAPPY NOW TERESA?!)
"Wow," she said. "That's a lot of people. I feel so bad for Harry that he's stuck with that Aunt and Uncle of his. And I hear his cousin is none to brotherly either. You're really fortunate to have such a large family. Try to be good to them. You never know when you're gonna need a shoulder to cry on."
They looked into each other's eyes for a moment as a smile grew on Ron's face. He suddenly felt like she was more connected to him the family he just described to her. As he was about to lean in to kiss her, Harry and Hermione came in. Gemna hadn't noticed Ron's attempt, so he wasn't too embarrassed. "Hey guys. Ginny already left to Herbology. We better get going to our class too," Hermione said as the two of them stood up. "We only have ten minutes."
"Ron and Gemna picked up their stuff. "Yeah, let's go. It's going to be quite a follow up to the last class." Though none of them mentioned it, they all couldn't help but think of Gemna and her gift.
When they walked in, the volume of the room dropped significantly as students turned to Gemna. Though they had seen her in other classes, it was somehow more interesting to see fighting and defenses spells cast Indegicly then a simple transfiguration or charm. She paid no attention and sat down with the others in the corner again. Professor Courtlynn came in moments later in her vivid blue cloak and sat on the edge of her desk. "I hope everyone's practiced the blocking charm from last class. You will all be tested on it today." They all moaned of displeasure and quickly pulled out books to study. Professor Courtlynn continued, "I've asked my boyfriend to come in and demonstrate muggle fighting. He practiced such sports as wrestling and boxing, which many of you have heard of, I assume. No? Well, those who haven't they're both sports and ways of fighting. Muggles are confusing like that sometimes. Brian!" she called as her and the rest of the class looked towards another door that was previously unnoticed. A few moments later, a tall, muscular blond, who looked rather similar to the professor herself, emerged and stood with his hands behind him next to his girlfriend. "This is Brian, my boyfriend. I will call you up one at a time and he will try to fight you as muggles do. You must block immediately with the spell or we will be unnecessarily filling beds in the hospital wing. Now, who's first?" Everyone in the class looked paranoid as she picked up the list from her desk and read. "Ah, Draco Malfoy."
Everyone turned to him as Crabbe and Goyle high-fived him and he headed towards the front. "I can do this, easy," he said, smirking.
"Mr. Malfoy, I would just like to remind you that the stronger the punch or kick is, the stronger your block must be," Professor Courtlynn said as she turned from Brian to him.
"I can do it," Malfoy said proudly. "No problem."
"Alright," Brian said. They stepped closer until they were about a yard and a half from each other. "Ready?" Malfoy nodded with the evil I'm-better-than-everyone-else-smile he always had. Before he could utter the first syllable, Malfoy flew back into a carefully placed pile of pillows. "Sorry man," Brian said with almost a smile.
The teacher gave him a hand in returning to his seat. Malfoy buried his face in his hands. The only part of him injured was his ego. "As you see class," Professor Courtlynn said, returning to the front of the room, "this charm is not as easy at it looks. Malfoy was not injured from pure luck. The next one to underestimate the strength Brian has will not be so lucky. Muggle fighting is more powerful than you think. Anyway, next is…Gemna Rodemlovt."
The class went dead silent as Harry, Ron, and Hermione smiled at Gemna and she walked up to Brian. She stood across from him, smiled sweetly, looked directly into his eyes and said, "Ready when you are."
"Oh, you must be that Indegic girl. I've never fought an Indegic. Sure you'll be alright?" Brian asked rather nicely.
"I'm sure. And if I'm not, it's but my own fault for not being prepared. Go ahead." Brian threw a sidekick at Gemna as she forward-looped her wrist and yelled, "Beknah!" He fell right over and it seemed like time had frozen in the room for a minute as everyone stared. To their surprise, Gemna walked over and helped Brian up. "Sorry. Didn't mean to knock you over."
"That was great!" he said as though he saw it, rather than experienced it. "Most people just block. You mastered the repletion portion of the charm! Jean, honey, if you don't give this girl a perfect score, I…."
"Of course she's getting a perfect score. Miss Rodemlovt, that was a fantastic performance," Professor Courtlynn said as she jumped back up from the edge of the desk. "Class, I hope you were all paying attention. It had nothing to do with Indegica, so don't start thinking that. She remained calm and used inner strength to overcome a force. I expect everyone else to do equally well, or as close to it as possible. Next, Hermione Granger."
At the end of class, Hermione had done as equally well as Gemna, and Harry and Ron scored slightly lower marks because they merely blocked the attack, rather than repelling it. Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy all ended up in the same predicament as Malfoy, giving them C's for attempts. Professor Courtlynn promised this was the only assignment where she wouldn't allow herself to give lower than that grade. Neville, Courtney, and Lavender managed to block Brian at the last moment, yet were still please to get higher than many of the Slytherins. Dean, Emilia, Maria, and Seamus just barely pulled off about as much as Harry and Ron. As yet another Slytherin made a failed attempt, the bell rang and they were all off to Potions. As the students filed out of the room, everyone, except Slytherins, complimented Gemna and Hermione on their amazing skills.
"The only reason we are doing this lesson," Professor Snape said agitatedly, "is because the Headmaster insists. If it were up to me, you wouldn't even have this page in your books. Go to page twenty-eight. The potion won't be ready for use until next Tuesday, but you will all be starting it now. Potter, Weasley, get up here." As Ron and Harry walked briskly to where Snape stood, an enormous stack of books was shoved into their hands. "Give one of these to everyone," Snape commanded. "I'm giving you all a muggle book of nursery rhymes so there is no way you can take advantage of this potion. The Litrarra Potion will give you complete knowledge of the book you put in it, and I'm not having anyone take an easy A. I put together a list of partners so you all can't find someone, though I doubt this would happen anyway, who knows the book." He flicked his wand and a list of names levitated in front of him. People stood next to cauldrons as he called out names. "Granger and Goyle." A devilish look grew on Goyle's face as Hermione slumped over. "Thomas and Parkinson." Dean rolled his eyes. "Potter and Malfoy." They both clenched their fists and stomped over to the cabinet to get supplies. "Rodemlovt and…Weasley?" Snape was taken back at how he had arranged this. "Well I'm sure I had some good reason for pairing you two. Perhaps you can both manage a passing grade this way. Next…." As Gemna and Ron walked over to the counter by Hermione, she winked at them and slid her wand back into her pocket.
Nothing was more satisfying then the look on Snape's face at the end of class as they were all putting their potions in a dark nook for storage. Every single group, even Neville and Crabbe, had created the first part of the potion perfectly. Snape tried his best to think of excuses to take away house points, such as missing a spot when cleaning the cauldrons out, or not putting the jar of Blorble tails back perfectly aligned. Everyone was rather relieved when it was time to go to lunch.
"Can you believe Dumbledore's letting us make a potion that we could use to never have to read another book again?" Ron said in delight as he spooned coleslaw onto his plate.
"Really?" Ginny squealed. "You've got to get me the recipe for that!"
"I doubt we'll be able to use it very often," Hermione sighed. "When Gemna and I were walking out, we overheard Snape saying that he's gonna have us tare out the pages for the recipe and instructions as soon as the potions are handed in."
"Damn! That's just not fair! I was sure we could have used this to get out of studying for finals." Ron rested his head in one hand while making random shapes in his lunch with the fork in the other.
"I can't wait to see Hagrid next hour," Gemna said almost randomly.
Harry was a little confused. "Not that we don't like Hagrid or anything, I mean, he is one of our friends, but why are you so anxious to see him?"
"Well, last week, before you all got here, we were discussing dragons in Romania and he mentioned someone named Charlie. He never mentioned it was your brother," she said as she smiled at Ron and Ginny. "Small world, isn't it? The way everyone knows someone you know." She giggled as she shook her head.
The four of them broke up to talk to Ravenclaws about the levitation classes. Every single one of them they trusted enough to tell accepted. Unfortunately, an increase in why the two houses were mingling so much grew and they began questioning the Ravenclaw students. The Gryffindors had made good choices. Not a single one revealed the secret. Though Dean muttered something to Harry about how odd it was that Malfoy looked so content as he leaned against a tree without questioning a single person.
As Ron went to agree with this remark, Hagrid emerged from the back of his hut and motioned them all in to the hopefully makeshift classroom. "Today yer all going to be working with some very interestin' creatures. They're called Flucks." The whole class was snorting and biting lips to hide extreme bursts of laughter. "Now don be laughing at 'em." Hagrid said over the incessant giggles and chuckling. "I didn't come up wid thur name. That was Dr. Crayson. They say he was a bit drunk at the time, but once ya all learn bout 'em, I think yull see that it fits. Now, these are rather dangerous creatures. They may look to some of you what are known as ducks. But I tell ya all, these aint no ducks. The name is a combo of the words Flaming Ducks." Gemna giggled at what the portrait of the Fat Lady might say if she knew the password was an actual creature. "Today ya all are gonna be drawin diagrams of them. You'll be needin them gloves from your shopping lists and a block of ice from over there." The table that was covered in jars last class was now replaced with something resembling a combination of an inflatable pool and a giant glass. "I'll let you discuss things with each other s'long ya all do yur own work. Once you got your boards from over there," he pointed to a pile of wooden boards by the entrance, "and everythin else is set up, come ter me and I'll get you a Fluck. And I don wanna here anotha word bout the name!" The class couldn't help but crack up. Hagrid had to be right about that Dr. Crayson being drunk.
After about twenty minutes, everyone had a Flaming Duck sitting on a block of ice with a wooden board propped up next to it. Ron moaned as he kept having to cast erasing charms on his to get rid of wrong lines or misspelled labels. Harry's Fluck, he felt, resembled too much of a small tree. Hermione got it pretty close, but then Malfoy purposely shoved her and her ink spilled all over. Hagrid took ten points from Slytherin and gave Hermione a new board to use. Gemna's resembled the creature more than the creature itself. She had colored it with a charm no one was fortunate enough to overhear, and she enchanted it so it spoke the body part when you pointed to it, rather than writing all the names. Of course, she didn't make the flames real, but the whole image looked realistic enough that the Fluck she was modeling it after kept waddling into the board, trying to make contact with it. Cho and her clique congratulated her as Hagrid presented the display to the class and awarded Gryffindor the ten points Slytherin had lost. They could all hear the bell in the distance as the applause died down and went off to their next classes.
Transfiguration went by pretty quick, Harry mentioned as they sat down to dinner. The butterfly project from the previous day came out pretty well. A few enchantments and wand waves, hand waves for Gemna, and the room filled with gorgeous butterflies. Even Malfoy himself was in awe. They were about three times as big as normal butterflies and acted like flying cats, rubbing up against peoples' arms and legs. Professor gave everyone passing grades, even Neville who had accidentally given his and Lavender's a third wing. "We've had some cool projects so far," Harry said after a couple bites of spaghetti. "I hope it's a sign of a good school year."
"Oh," Gemna said, "I have a feeling this year will be very enjoyable."
After dinner, a meeting was called in the boys' dorm again over levitation. All trusted Gryffindors of fifth and sixth years attended. Which meant every single one of them. Hermione, Gemna, and Ginny did the guys the favor of tidying up the room first, in turn for them doing the rest of their homework. Just as Neville put his quill away, students began to file in. everyone sad in a mob on the floor, with the exception of Harry and Gemna who stood in front of everyone to present the fine details. "Thanks for coming," Hermione said to everyone as they signed a piece of parchment when they walked through the door. She pulled the same trick as last year and hexed the paper so no one could give away the secret to untrustworthy people. Once everyone had arrived, she locked the door and Harry began presenting the situation. "Thanks for coming, everyone. Now, I would like you to all know that a charm has been put on the paper you all just signed. Anyone who betrays the group by revealing the secret, well, they won't be too happy. Anyone who is at this meeting and wants to invite someone else, they must consult us first. Anyone who is here now and has changed their minds about registering for levitation lessons, come to us afterwards and we'll be more than happy to assist in a memory modifying charm. Anyways, Gemna, would you care to explain the rest?"
Gemna smiled at Harry and turned to the group. "Ginny and Ron are passing out forms. Please fill them out and return them tonight with the requested fee." There was some light whispering as the two Weasleys handed out papers. "Our first class will be next Friday. We will tell you during that day just where to go for it. The following people are to meet Hermione and me in our room after this to become assistants. With over thirty of us, we'll need a lot of assistants. Ginny, Emilia, Courtney, Maria, Shania, and Michelle. The following guys will meet here tomorrow night with Harry and Ron. I may stop by to help. Colin, Jared, John, Nick, Josh, and Seamus. I'm aware some of you may protest as to why you were not chosen. It was a tough process, but I had to check everyone's auras to see how easily you could pick up the talent. Everyone not called will have to learn solely through the classes. All other information on levitation will be revealed during the lessons. Please complete the forms before leaving and return them to us with one Sickle. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all next week at the first class."
There was an immediate increase in volume as Gemna and the others walked over to the door and made sure to collect the correct items from everyone, checking off the names on the lists. Hermione reminded everyone to keep their mouths shut as they left. Once everyone was gone, Hermione and Ginny rushed back to the sixth year girls' room to begin training the six new assistants. Gemna agreed to go back in a few minutes after she discussed something with the guys. "Why weren't Neville and I chosen?" Dean questioned, doing his best not to be rude.
"I told you, you're not going to be able to learn it as easily as the people I selected. I can't just pick the people I talk to the most," Gemna answered as Ron handed her the stack of forms he collected.
"But nearly all the girls you chose are in your room," he protested.
"Yes, and I had a tough choice with that. It's easier for girls to levitate than guys, so the number of people to choose from was greater. Look, I better be getting back. Ron, I'm sorry we didn't get to finish that conversation before. We'll hang tomorrow in Divination. Professor Trelawney said we would need partners for tomorrow. See you all in the morning." She hugged Harry one handedly, as he was closest to where she was standing, and left.
As they watched her walk away, Dean turned to Ron. "Did that give you enough time?"
"Yup," he answered. "I feel kinda bad bout it, but I slipped the extendable ear in the pile of papers. I put that invisibility charm we learned a while back on it so she won't find it. Don't worry bout getting it back. It'll dissolve in a few hours. Fred and George modified it."
Dean closed the door and locked it, Ron dug through his stuff to get the other end, and Harry, Neville, and Seamus made themselves comfortable on the edge of the two beds in the most central point of the room.