Chapter 16: The Dreaded Prolonged Punishment

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The next day was torture for Morwen. It seemed to creep along like a diabolical snail. She sighed, knowing that sooner or later she would have to talk to Jimmi about their report. It was worth too much to simply pass up.

She groaned and slammed her head on the table. Why oh why was Binns so cruel? Perhaps he was really a lot more interesting than everyone implied. She sighed, when a realization dawned on her. When they were first sentenced punishments, Morwen could clearly remember Snape talking with Krum and Binns, Ravenclaw's head of house. Perhaps this is still the prolonged punishment? She mentally groaned, it made sense.

The class right now was Transfiguration, and Morwen kept going over ways to do the project and spend as little time as possible conversing with Jimmi.

"Miss Malfoy?" Came a voice that interrupted Morwen's thoughts, she looked up and saw Professor Piper.

"Yes?" she asked.

The professor gave her a reproving look, "I'm slightly disappointed in you, Miss Malfoy. Its clear that you did this five or so minutes before class."

Morwen blushed and took the paper to discover that she had only gotten half marks. She sighed, "I'm sorry, I'll do better next time."

Professor Piper gave a friendly smile and nodded, before continuing down the class.

After the time had ended, Morwen slumped out of her seat and headed over to Jimmi, "Look Potter." She said, "I don't want to do this with you, and I'm sure the feeling's mutual." She looked up and saw the same revulsion to the idea as Morwen had, "But it's worth too much to simply pass up, don't you agree?"

Jimmi sighed, he hated it when logic was used against him, even though he committed the same crime himself, "Yes."

Everyone had filed out of class besides Morwen and Jimmi, "Then here's what we'll do." Morwen stated, taking charge, "I'll cover the people who played a part in the downfall, and you can discuss the actual downfall itself, places, dates, ect."

Jimmi narrowed his eyes, "Why do you get to do the fun part?"

"Because I'm writing the contrasting viewpoints." Said Morwen.

"Well, maybe I want to write the contrasting viewpoints!" Replied Jimmi.

Morwen rolled her eyes, "I find that terribly unlikely. If you were handed an assignment like this you would spend about 5 or so pages idolizing your dad, and then move on to showing anyone who's ever been in Slytherin in a negative light!"

"Ya, well you would do the exact opposite!" defended Jimmi.

Morwen looked shocked, "I would not!"

"Would too!"

"Would not!"

"Would so!"

"Would not!"

"Children," came the Professor, "I don't know what it is you're arguing about, but please do it outside, I have another class coming in."

Sure enough, 4th year Hufflepuffs and Slytherins were entering the room. Morwen grabbed her books and left, Jimmi trailing behind her.

"Look," Started Jimmi, "I have a composition, you write about your side of the story, and I'll do mine. Then we'll split the rest 50-50."

Morwen narrowed her eyes, "I don't believe it, Potter actually sounded logical."

"Oh stuff it Malfoy," Jimmi said, turning around and heading towards the library, he had some researching to do.

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Morwen sat at night in the Common Room, trying to figure out a way to word her question to her father. Professor Krum had suggested that it was the best idea, and Morwen had decided on taking her advice. She chewed on the end of her quill, what to write, what to write.

She slowly wrote:

Father

How are you? I'm still extremely sorry for setting Mordred's room on fire, you'd understand it if you were me. You see, Leda and I were going through his stuff to find things to blackmail him with when we came across a book full of killing curses, after that, Leda's brother exploded Snape's dungeon and-

Morwen sighed and crumpled that parchment between her hands, perhaps that was not the best way to go around it.

She sighed and tried to write again.

Father

I know it's been a while since I've written, actually, since the Howler which you sent me because I set Mordred's room on fire because he has loads of books on killing curses, however that wasn't as bad as the fight I got into with Potter, in which I lost our house another 50 points-

Morwen slammed her head on her desk, this would be a lot harder than she thought.

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Jimmi sat in his dorm, eagerly re-reading the letter his father had sent him earlier that day

James,

How's school going? It's fine here, I've written to inform you that your mom and sister are well. We've decided to name her Ariadne Willow Potter, catchy ring isn't it? It's also the only name on the Weasley side that doesn't have Molly in it. It looks like she's inherited your mom's flaming red hair, which makes sense. She's a quiet little thing, she hasn't even cried once since I've been here. It's quite eerie actually, you, Gred, and Forge screamed your lungs out, so the quiet was unexpected.

Anyways, your mother sends her love and is waiting eagerly until you and your brothers get off for the holidays. Don't forget to focus on your classes, even if holidays are coming up. And I've informed your DADA substitute (A man by the name of Seamus Finnigan, an old classmate of mine) to keep you in line while I'm gone. ;)

With Love

Dad.

Jimmi suddenly wished more than ever that he was out of school. Even if the birth of his sister made him the middle child, he was still anticipating seeing her. He began to sympathize with Gred and Forge, it wasn't fair that dad got to leave early.

He heard the dorm's door open, and he looked to find Bert.

"Hi Jimmi," he said, slumping down on his bed, "What tcha reading?"

"A letter from my dad, my sister was born two days ago," Jimmi stated.

Bert nodded, "That's cool."

Jimmi opened his mouth to say something, but they were interrupted by Leif barging in. His now neon pink cat ran up to him, eager to see him.

Leif smiled, "Hewo wittle Misery." He baby talked to it, scooping it up.

Bert looked at Leif, "Hey, Leif, are you alright? You look kind of green."

Leif nodded, "It's that stomach problem, it's been irritating me lately."

Jimmi decided to join the conversation, "Perhaps you should go down to the infirmary?"

Leif looked up, apparently shocked that Jimmi had spoken to him, "Naw, Madame Weasley said she didn't want me coming in any more."

Jimmi looked rather confused at this, "Well, why not?"

Leif rolled his eyes, "She kept going on and on about how taking the labels off of her potions was terribly childish and rude."

Bert's eyes widened, "Why'd you do that?"

Leif smirked, "I collect labels silly!" both boys stared at him, "What? You don't believe me?" He opened his trunk, and sure enough, there were tons of labels in it.

"You are extremely weird," Stated Jimmi.

Leif smiled, "I know."

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Morwen smiled to herself as she headed up to the Owlry. "Congratulations on a job well done Ms. Malfoy." She beamed, happy that she had written a semi- decent letter.

She was shocked however, when she saw the other person in the room, "Mordred?" she asked tentatively.

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That's all folks! For today at least, sorry, I've had writers block concerning this story.

Next Up: Mordred and Morwen....DUN DUN DUN

Reviewers:

Blaise le poussin masque: Thank you for reading/translating. Working on your's 'There's a Character.' : )

Storms: Ha, no problem. I know how it can be. You! Update Smiles to Hide the Fears NOW! Lol, the deal still holds, I'll write chapters inbetween, but everytime you write one for Smiles, I'll write one for Crack a Smile. Lol. Hope you have lots of fun with your 'mystery man.'

Kaitee: Thank you, and I'm going to use Willow as her middle name it fits with the plants theme : )

Firefur: Mmmkay, I will ; )

Nev/Wormtail: yay! You win- A VIRTUAL PACKET OF RAMEN NOODLES!!!!

Toodles

!nym!