Chapter 9
Flying Lessons
A month had gone by since James and I went to see Dumbledore. We were all well into our studies like Transfiguration, Charms, Potions Herbology, History of Magic, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Astrology. It was a Thursday and since October had come around, it was getting colder. "Flying lessons!" exclaimed James, "That's all! And we have them with the Slytherins!" I could tell that James was getting bored because first years weren't allowed our own brooms and not allowed to play Quidditch for our house teams. "I know James!" I replied while making notes for History of Magic, "You're not the only one who is disappointed." I added, laughing. "What?" he asked as if something was wrong with himself. "Not you! It was Sirius!" I started laughing my head off. I stopped laughing. Then three girls came bustling in the common room, panting, with books bags in the hands. "Lucius Malfoy!" Chloe panted, "Was looking for you. ". She then dropped "dead" into the chair beside Peter. "Who?" Sirius asked, who now stopped making faces from behind James. "One of Snape's friends." I answered darkly. "Oh. Let's go and um. teach him a lesson. Sirius smiled at James. "No, that's okay! I've got a plan of my own thanks." I butted in. "Like what?" Lily asked brushing her red hair by the fire. "Jinx his broomstick." I said plainly, then brushing my hair also. "When?" Lily asked. "Flying lessons!" grinned James, "Can we help?" he asked, which was more of a command than anything. "Maybe." I answered; I stopped brushing my hair, and then realized that Remus wasn't in the common room. "Hey! Where's Remus?" I asked curiously, but also with worry. "He said something about his mom being sick and he had to go see her." Peter responded. "He did seem a bit paler than usual also," Lily mentioned "And speaking of sick, that is!" she pointed at James and walked to our dormitory. I glared at James, and he shrugged. Jenny, Chloe, and I then marched to our dormitory. "Jeesh! Girls!" James remarked. "I heard that!" I replied, from the dormitory steps. I reached the dormitory door, stepped inside, and slammed the door. I turned to look at Lily to apologize because of James. "Anja, maybe you should take a break from James and the others." Lily wondered. I stared at her in disbelieve. Thoughts were running through out my head like crazy, but the one that stopped dead in front of me was, why did she want me separated from my brother and best friend? "Why?" I challenged, "Why do you want me to be separated from my twin and one of my best friends? " "Hey why don't we talk about this some other time." Chloe butted in, "Lily? Anja?" "Yeah!" Jenny agreed, trying to back up Chloe. Lily ignored their comments. "Because you don't have to be with them all the time. I wasn't saying you should separate." She mentioned hastily. "I just. I just don't like you brother, that's all." "Who would?" I added with a smile. "Sorry. I've just had a rough day, after Malfoy and Remus' mom being really sick and all." I added being meaningful. It was true. We all climbed into bed early that night. Now when I say we I mean everyone but me. When Chloe, Lily, and Jenny were fast asleep, I slipped out of my bed and walked quietly over to my trunk and opened it. And there, on the very top was my Invisibility Cloak. I had the whole school to myself and no one would be able to see me! So (as anyone would) I grabbed my Cloak and threw it on. I tiptoed out of the dormitory and down the stairs and into the common room. When I reached the common room, the only light was the glowing of the cinders in the fireplace. I walked over and stood there for a few minutes, pondering on what I could do to raise hell within the castle. I was still pondering when I heard someone coming sown the boy's dormitory stairs. Even though I had my Cloak on, I ducked behind the nearest chair. Down the stairs came James and Sirius. "Where are we going tonight?" Sirius asked in a hushed voice. "Anywhere. But you better take me with you or I'll tell mom and Professor McGonagall." I replied. Sirius and James jumped whirled around to spot me just taking off my Cloak. "What are you doing?" James had asked me as if I was crazy. "Well I was standing there beside the fireplace, but I was interrupted by the racket of somebody!" I said answering by brother's question. "Well we noticed that!" Sirius butted in, just in case we (as in James and I) start fighting (and I mean fighting) and also to embarrass me. "I think you might consider being a tad quieter!" I whispered to them, "You might wake every Gryffindor and will have to deal with McGonagall." I added. "What do you mean, just us?" Sirius asked. "It means, that we have to take the blame for her loud mouth!" James whispered with annoyance. "So where are you going?" I asked curiously. "I don't know. James?" "Let's ditch Anja and hex some brooms." James suggested. Sirius stood there and one of his famous grins appeared on his face. "Yeah, you could do that and then be the one on the bucking broomstick! ". I then pulled my Cloak over me and went out the portrait hole. They followed. "You can't be going out in the castle or the grounds by yourself!" Sirius whispered, as they caught up with me, only by using the sound of my footsteps to follow. "Why?" I asked. "Because." James' voice trailed off, "quick! Behind the statue! " James ducked behind a statue, while Sirius grabbed for my arm and pulled me behind the statue. "Why are we-" Sirius asked but was interrupted by me. "Do you know where we are? ". I didn't wait for an answer. "We're behind the phoenix statue!" James looked at me with confusion. "How-how did we get on the seventh floor?" James stopped. The footsteps were getting louder. There was a shadow on the wall, and it grew bigger and bigger and then smaller. The shadow told me that it was a person. But who would be up and about at this hour? Other than us, of course. The person's footsteps were brisk and orderly. "McGonagall!" Sirius murmured, as she walked around the corner. "Berti Bott!" the Professor said shrilly. "Now!" Sirius whispered. We all slipped out of the way just in time, before McGonagall could collide into us. The rest of the way to Gryffindor tower, we ran. When we reached the common room we all flung ourselves onto a chair each.
*~* The next day, after lunch we had flying lessons. " 'Bout time! " Lily and I were walking towards the castle for lunch after Herbology. "Why is your brother so loud?" Lily asked. "I have no idea, what so ever!" I answered, looking back to see James bragging about his Shooting Star. Lily and I spotted Chloe and Jenny sitting on the other side of the Great Hall. We "walked" over and sat down in between them. As soon as I had settled in: "Hey, Potter!" came from behind me. It was Lucius Malfoy. "What, scum?" I answered. Jenny started laughing her head off. "Shut-up, Mudblood." Malfoy said towards jenny. At this, I wasn't the only one up off the bench, on my feet and my wand pointing at Malfoy. Sirius was at my side, his wand pointing inches away from Malfoy's throat. "Take that back!" Sirius roared. I put my wand down and looked at Sirius, in bewilderment. I had never seen him react like this. I knew he was protective, but really! "Sirius, it's okay." Jenny whispered. "No, it's not." Sirius said gently taking his eyes away from Malfoy. "Mr. Black! Miss Potter! ". McGonagall was marching over from the teacher and staff table, "What is the meaning of this?! " "Malfoy here, was insulting Jenny!" Sirius yelled. Sirius had his arms in the air and everyone (and I mean everyone) had their eyes looking towards Sirius and I. I reached towards Sirius' arms and pulled them down. "Mr. Black and Miss Potter, you both have detention at 5:00 tomorrow, in my office." McGonagall said briskly, "And until then, I advise the both of you behave yourselves and head off to your next class." Furious with Sirius, I marched off to flying lessons.
*~* After flying lessons, in which I excelled according to Madame Hooch, I sat as far away from Sirius as I could. "He's trying to catch your eye again." Chloe warned me. "I know." I answered looking at the ceiling. "How?" they asked. "Because. You can't hear him eating or talking!" We all laughed. "So you're giving him the silent treatment?" Jenny asked. "Of, course! " "Too bad you have detention tomorrow. together!" Lily reminded me. "Why are we acting like fifth years?" I asked, all of a sudden. "Because we are mature." Lily said proudly. "Yeah, but I never have acted like a kid before." Jenny looked at me as if I had lost my mind. "What! We always acted like children when we were in the same school! ". Jenny was right. "Yeah. I guess." "Well, let's head up to the common room." Chloe suggested. "Sure." we replied.
Flying Lessons
A month had gone by since James and I went to see Dumbledore. We were all well into our studies like Transfiguration, Charms, Potions Herbology, History of Magic, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Astrology. It was a Thursday and since October had come around, it was getting colder. "Flying lessons!" exclaimed James, "That's all! And we have them with the Slytherins!" I could tell that James was getting bored because first years weren't allowed our own brooms and not allowed to play Quidditch for our house teams. "I know James!" I replied while making notes for History of Magic, "You're not the only one who is disappointed." I added, laughing. "What?" he asked as if something was wrong with himself. "Not you! It was Sirius!" I started laughing my head off. I stopped laughing. Then three girls came bustling in the common room, panting, with books bags in the hands. "Lucius Malfoy!" Chloe panted, "Was looking for you. ". She then dropped "dead" into the chair beside Peter. "Who?" Sirius asked, who now stopped making faces from behind James. "One of Snape's friends." I answered darkly. "Oh. Let's go and um. teach him a lesson. Sirius smiled at James. "No, that's okay! I've got a plan of my own thanks." I butted in. "Like what?" Lily asked brushing her red hair by the fire. "Jinx his broomstick." I said plainly, then brushing my hair also. "When?" Lily asked. "Flying lessons!" grinned James, "Can we help?" he asked, which was more of a command than anything. "Maybe." I answered; I stopped brushing my hair, and then realized that Remus wasn't in the common room. "Hey! Where's Remus?" I asked curiously, but also with worry. "He said something about his mom being sick and he had to go see her." Peter responded. "He did seem a bit paler than usual also," Lily mentioned "And speaking of sick, that is!" she pointed at James and walked to our dormitory. I glared at James, and he shrugged. Jenny, Chloe, and I then marched to our dormitory. "Jeesh! Girls!" James remarked. "I heard that!" I replied, from the dormitory steps. I reached the dormitory door, stepped inside, and slammed the door. I turned to look at Lily to apologize because of James. "Anja, maybe you should take a break from James and the others." Lily wondered. I stared at her in disbelieve. Thoughts were running through out my head like crazy, but the one that stopped dead in front of me was, why did she want me separated from my brother and best friend? "Why?" I challenged, "Why do you want me to be separated from my twin and one of my best friends? " "Hey why don't we talk about this some other time." Chloe butted in, "Lily? Anja?" "Yeah!" Jenny agreed, trying to back up Chloe. Lily ignored their comments. "Because you don't have to be with them all the time. I wasn't saying you should separate." She mentioned hastily. "I just. I just don't like you brother, that's all." "Who would?" I added with a smile. "Sorry. I've just had a rough day, after Malfoy and Remus' mom being really sick and all." I added being meaningful. It was true. We all climbed into bed early that night. Now when I say we I mean everyone but me. When Chloe, Lily, and Jenny were fast asleep, I slipped out of my bed and walked quietly over to my trunk and opened it. And there, on the very top was my Invisibility Cloak. I had the whole school to myself and no one would be able to see me! So (as anyone would) I grabbed my Cloak and threw it on. I tiptoed out of the dormitory and down the stairs and into the common room. When I reached the common room, the only light was the glowing of the cinders in the fireplace. I walked over and stood there for a few minutes, pondering on what I could do to raise hell within the castle. I was still pondering when I heard someone coming sown the boy's dormitory stairs. Even though I had my Cloak on, I ducked behind the nearest chair. Down the stairs came James and Sirius. "Where are we going tonight?" Sirius asked in a hushed voice. "Anywhere. But you better take me with you or I'll tell mom and Professor McGonagall." I replied. Sirius and James jumped whirled around to spot me just taking off my Cloak. "What are you doing?" James had asked me as if I was crazy. "Well I was standing there beside the fireplace, but I was interrupted by the racket of somebody!" I said answering by brother's question. "Well we noticed that!" Sirius butted in, just in case we (as in James and I) start fighting (and I mean fighting) and also to embarrass me. "I think you might consider being a tad quieter!" I whispered to them, "You might wake every Gryffindor and will have to deal with McGonagall." I added. "What do you mean, just us?" Sirius asked. "It means, that we have to take the blame for her loud mouth!" James whispered with annoyance. "So where are you going?" I asked curiously. "I don't know. James?" "Let's ditch Anja and hex some brooms." James suggested. Sirius stood there and one of his famous grins appeared on his face. "Yeah, you could do that and then be the one on the bucking broomstick! ". I then pulled my Cloak over me and went out the portrait hole. They followed. "You can't be going out in the castle or the grounds by yourself!" Sirius whispered, as they caught up with me, only by using the sound of my footsteps to follow. "Why?" I asked. "Because." James' voice trailed off, "quick! Behind the statue! " James ducked behind a statue, while Sirius grabbed for my arm and pulled me behind the statue. "Why are we-" Sirius asked but was interrupted by me. "Do you know where we are? ". I didn't wait for an answer. "We're behind the phoenix statue!" James looked at me with confusion. "How-how did we get on the seventh floor?" James stopped. The footsteps were getting louder. There was a shadow on the wall, and it grew bigger and bigger and then smaller. The shadow told me that it was a person. But who would be up and about at this hour? Other than us, of course. The person's footsteps were brisk and orderly. "McGonagall!" Sirius murmured, as she walked around the corner. "Berti Bott!" the Professor said shrilly. "Now!" Sirius whispered. We all slipped out of the way just in time, before McGonagall could collide into us. The rest of the way to Gryffindor tower, we ran. When we reached the common room we all flung ourselves onto a chair each.
*~* The next day, after lunch we had flying lessons. " 'Bout time! " Lily and I were walking towards the castle for lunch after Herbology. "Why is your brother so loud?" Lily asked. "I have no idea, what so ever!" I answered, looking back to see James bragging about his Shooting Star. Lily and I spotted Chloe and Jenny sitting on the other side of the Great Hall. We "walked" over and sat down in between them. As soon as I had settled in: "Hey, Potter!" came from behind me. It was Lucius Malfoy. "What, scum?" I answered. Jenny started laughing her head off. "Shut-up, Mudblood." Malfoy said towards jenny. At this, I wasn't the only one up off the bench, on my feet and my wand pointing at Malfoy. Sirius was at my side, his wand pointing inches away from Malfoy's throat. "Take that back!" Sirius roared. I put my wand down and looked at Sirius, in bewilderment. I had never seen him react like this. I knew he was protective, but really! "Sirius, it's okay." Jenny whispered. "No, it's not." Sirius said gently taking his eyes away from Malfoy. "Mr. Black! Miss Potter! ". McGonagall was marching over from the teacher and staff table, "What is the meaning of this?! " "Malfoy here, was insulting Jenny!" Sirius yelled. Sirius had his arms in the air and everyone (and I mean everyone) had their eyes looking towards Sirius and I. I reached towards Sirius' arms and pulled them down. "Mr. Black and Miss Potter, you both have detention at 5:00 tomorrow, in my office." McGonagall said briskly, "And until then, I advise the both of you behave yourselves and head off to your next class." Furious with Sirius, I marched off to flying lessons.
*~* After flying lessons, in which I excelled according to Madame Hooch, I sat as far away from Sirius as I could. "He's trying to catch your eye again." Chloe warned me. "I know." I answered looking at the ceiling. "How?" they asked. "Because. You can't hear him eating or talking!" We all laughed. "So you're giving him the silent treatment?" Jenny asked. "Of, course! " "Too bad you have detention tomorrow. together!" Lily reminded me. "Why are we acting like fifth years?" I asked, all of a sudden. "Because we are mature." Lily said proudly. "Yeah, but I never have acted like a kid before." Jenny looked at me as if I had lost my mind. "What! We always acted like children when we were in the same school! ". Jenny was right. "Yeah. I guess." "Well, let's head up to the common room." Chloe suggested. "Sure." we replied.