DISCLAIMER: Not my characters and not my setting. Storyline? That's mine!
CHAPTER 9: Distractions
I slept very well that night. So well in fact that I didn't wake up until 15 minutes before the beginning of my first lesson. Alicia and Katie had done me the courtesy of letting me sleep. When I noticed the time I jumped up. The two of them were no doubt down in the Great Hall having breakfast. I didn't have time for a shower, thank god I had one last night, I just got dressed quickly and pulled my hair into some sort of an acceptable arrangement.
By the time I got out of the common room first lesson had already begun. Thankfully it was Transfiguration with McGonagall. She at least wouldn't deduct house points unlike other teachers. I got to the classroom and went inside.
McGonagall just raised her eyebrows at me and said "Next time try and be a bit more punctual Miss Johnson."
I nodded. "I'm sorry Professor, I just overslept." With the last word I glanced accusingly over at Katie and Alicia. I could see they were trying to hold down their laughter.
"Well, take a seat then so I can continue with the lesson."
I sat down quickly. When McGonagall had turned around I whispered over to my friends "Why didn't you guys wake me?"
Katie giggled. "We thought you needed more sleep after your extra practise," she said. I was about to retort when McGonagall gave us one of her looks and I decided to drop it for now and try to pay attention.
It was lunch time before I was able to bring it up again. Alicia, Katie and I were sitting in the Great Hall tucking into some pumpkin soup when I asked, "How did you guys hear what Oliver said to me?"
"We're experienced gossipers Angie," said Alicia innocently. "We have an ear for these things."
"Anyway," Katie continued. "How was it?"
"Fine, thank you very much," I replied smiling. The two of them started giggling. "What now?" I said irritably.
"Oh well someone's not exactly cheery today," a familiar voice said behind me. I turned quickly.
"Oh, hi Wood. I didn't see you there. I am cheery, it's just these two imbeciles here are being very childish, once again." I said. I hated when he turned up like that, out of nowhere.
"Let me guess," said Alicia turning and facing Wood, "you've come to make sure that we don't forget that Quidditch practise is on tonight, right?"
Wood looked hurt. "Am I that transparent?" he asked, then grinning. "Well since you obviously haven't forgotten I suppose I don't have to tell you. I'll be going then."
"Wait!" I called, suddenly feeling as though I didn't want him to leave but I wanted him to stay here. Here with me. "I mean wait." I said a little quieter. "Why don't you join us for lunch?" I shot Katie and Alicia a piercing look as they started to giggle again.
"I'd like that," Wood replied smiling. He sat down next to me. "That is of course if these two hyenas here don't explode on us with laughter" he said nodding in the girl's direction. Now I was laughing but Katie and Alicia had shut up looked rather insulted. Oh well, they could handle it.
The rest of lunch was thoroughly enjoyable. Wood and I talked about this and that, mainly Quidditch, which was alright but the little games we were playing, unnoticed by anyone else, with our feet were a lot more fun.
After lunch I had Potions, the worst subject by far. Well that's not entirely true, it's just the teacher, Professor Snape, is the absolute worst guy imaginable. Anyway, in this particular lesson I was having some trouble concentrating, mainly because I kept thinking of Wood. I was in so much of a daydream that I didn't even realise that instead of putting one drop of dragon's blood into my potion I emptied in the whole bottle. Unfortunately Snape noticed.
"Johnson! What do you think you're doing?" he roared. I was jerked out of my dreams with a start.
"I.I.didn't mean to" I stammered looking distraughtly at my cauldron.
"Well that's just not good enough," he said angrily. "Dragon's blood is very rare and we only had limited stocks. Now, thanks to you, we have even less. See me tonight for detention!" And with that he flicked his wand and my cauldron was empty. I didn't know what to do. I could feel the tears in my eyes.
"Don't cry!" I thought to myself, "That's what he wants."
I somehow managed to hold my composure but Snape's shouting really affected the rest of my day.
Quidditch practise wasn't any better. I was really off form. I kept missing the goals and dropping the Quaffle. Wood actually got quite annoyed at me.
"What's wrong with you today Johnson?" he asked. I didn't answer. "You do know that we have a match coming up, don't you? He continued. I nodded. "Well at this rate there's no way we're gonna win that cup!" he said and turned to walk off. "There's no point practising anymore tonight," he called back at us. "Maybe Johnson will feel like trying tomorrow." He headed back to the castle. I just stood there. I knew Wood was crazy about Quidditch and the cup but I would have thought that he could have been a little nicer. I was his girlfriend after all.
"It's alright Ange," Katie said trying to comfort me.
"Yeah, I know," I said sadly. Not only had Snape ruined my day but he had also now contributed to the fact that Wood was angry with me. What made it worse was that I had to go to detention with the monster now. "I'm gonna go," I said.
I left my team-mates standing on the pitch and headed off to Snapes office.
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I was actually going to make this and the next chapter one chapter but it was getting on so now you will just have to wait until the next one. Shouldn't be long. Sorry bout that, please review anyway. Thanks guys! L.A.
