Chapter 11 – The Next Lesson

Mr. Weasley left on the Hogwarts Express when it brought back all the rest of the students, including Rachel and the twins. It was near the middle of January, almost Rachel's birthday, and Liz once again tried to wrap herself up against the cold to greet her before discarding most of her items. All three of them helped Rachel lug her trunk up the stairs; it seemed to have gained some extra weight over the holidays.

"I thought only parents put on pounds during Christmas," said Liz, pushing with all her might up the stairs to the dorm.

"Well, I got a lot of presents," Rachel explained.

"I…can…tell…" said Michael, who was doing the most work.

Rachel had gotten a lot of things for Christmas, as she showed them when they got upstairs. Quite frankly, Liz was bewildered. Rachel's parents had taken up all the good ideas that Liz had had for Rachel's birthday presents.

Eventually, January went on and Rachel's birthday rolled around. Liz ended up getting her—what else—a bag of candy. Michael was more creative. He had taken pictures of them at his house the previous summer and had cut and pasted them together. It was amusing to see Rachel's head on Liz's body, or Michael's feet on Rachel's legs. It was even more amusing because the pictures moved, and Liz's head did not seem to appreciate having to hold up Michael's arm.

They were talking and laughing and having fun when Liz suddenly grabbed Michael's wrist. "What time is it?" she asked frantically, looking at his watch. "Seven? I've got to get to the library! I have so much work to do!"

"What do you have to work on?" said Rachel.

"Something for Professor Magus. Bye!" And she flew out of the portrait hole, her bag slung awkwardly over her shoulder. The manuscript had been sitting idly in it for weeks, and she had vowed to have done more work by the time Rachel's birthday was over. That only gave her five hours, and two if she wanted to get back to Gryffindor Tower on time. When she reached the library, the only person there was the librarian, who tried to avoid eye contact with Liz. Ever since Liz had inadvertently set Michael's head on fire, the librarian had been terrified of her. Liz didn't mind too much, though; she worked best alone. When the required books were scattered out over the tabletop, Liz began to work. For some strange reason, even though she spent half an hour looking, she could not find the letter D. How ironic, she thought. D for Dragon. She finally gave up on that and worked hard with renewed vigor for an hour and a half. She managed to find all the letters E through K. She plugged them into the manuscript and looked at the result. The difference was substantial. Since there were so many E's, there were many less blanks. She began to try to pick out a few words until she realized it was five till nine. In a rush, she packed up her things and hurried back to the Gryffindor common room.

Michael and Rachel, surprisingly, had already gone up to bed. Liz yawned and followed suit, burying herself in her covers and falling asleep.

"Today," Liz announced, "we're going to teach you how to do the Colloportus Charm."

Chris looked at her blankly. Liz, Rachel, Michael, and Chris were standing right outside Hagrid's door, starting the latest lesson. Chris had a right to be puzzled. "I know Hagrid gave his permission to continue with these lessons, but do you think we should be doing it right outside his door?"

"We kind of have to," Liz told him. "Get your wand out."

"Why?"

"Because you need your wand to do a spell."

"No, why do we have to it right outside Hagrid's door?"

"We're not. We're doing in on Hagrid's door. Repeat after me—"

"We're what?" Chris interrupted her. "Why?"

"Because the Colloportus charm keeps doors closed," Liz replied. "And to do that, we sort of need a door. Is that all right with you?"

Chris sighed. "Fine. What do I say?"

Liz smiled. "That's better. Repeat after me. Colloportus."

"Colloportus."

"One more time."

"Colloportus."

"Good. I'll demonstrate." Liz raised her wand.

"Hang on. Why don't they demonstrate?" Chris asked, motioning to Rachel and Michael, who were hanging back.

"Because we don't know how to do it," Michael answered.

"You mean you're teaching me stuff you haven't even learned yet?" Chris asked, rounding on Liz.

"In class, no. But I've mastered it, and I'm sure you can too. Watch." She raised her wand again. "Colloportus!" With a squelching sound, the door swung shut. "See? It's that easy!"

"What was that?" Hagrid bellowed from somewhere inside the house.

"Nothing, Hagrid!" Chris called back.

"Are yeh sure?" They heard Hagrid's thunderous footfalls approaching the door.

Chris tugged on the door. "Liz! Open it!" he hissed at her.

"Finite Incantatem," Liz muttered. The door swung open, nearly knocking Chris off his feet. "We're doing fine, Hagrid," she told him as he approached.

"Good." He looked at them suspiciously before turning back. All four of them breathed sighs of relief.

"You try now, Chris," said Liz. "Colloportus," she added.

He brandished his wand. "Colloportus!" he said. Once again, the door swung shut.

"Now I'm sure I heard somethin'!" Hagrid shouted.

"Finite Incantatem," Liz said quickly. The door opened.

"Yeh're sure nothin' happened?" Hagrid asked once he came puffing back into view.

"Positive," said Chris.

"Absolutely," Liz added.

"All right," Hagrid said, still sounding highly suspicious. He turned and went back to whatever he was doing, throwing one more glance back over his shoulder.

"D'you reckon it's safe to try it again?" Michael asked tentatively once Hagrid was out of earshot.

"No," Rachel replied instantly.

"Neither do I," said Chris. "That was a quick lesson."

"All right, I've got homework," said Michael. "We'll see you, Chris." The three of them headed back up to the castle, where they read and did homework for the rest of the day.

February came in full force, and with it came the usual Valentine's Day fervor, which had Rachel muttering, "Lovesick," every few seconds as they passed a couple holding hands or kissing. Michael's reaction was a disgusted scowl, and so was Liz's when the couple happened to be David and Winnie.

One day, after Ancient Runes, Liz was hurrying to meet up with Rachel and Michael for Herbology when she heard loud, angry voices. They were coming from the top of a staircase. "What are you saying?" yelled a female voice. Liz recognized it as Winnie's.

"I'm saying I don't like you anymore!" shouted the other. It was David. "I like someone else! I've been trying to tell you for weeks, but you wouldn't listen to me!"

"Fine!" Winnie snapped. There was a second of silence, and then the bracelet landed at Liz's feet. "Fine!" Winnie repeated. She stormed down the stairs and nearly bowled Liz over. David followed a couple seconds later. He stooped to pick up the bracelet and spotted Liz.

"Hi," she said.

"Hello. Do we have Herbology next?" David asked her.

Liz couldn't believe it. Here he was, having just broken up with his girlfriend, practically asking to escort Liz to Herbology. "Yes," she stammered. They began to walk.

"So," said David. "The Valentine's Day Dance is coming up soon. February fourteenth."

"Yeah," Liz squeaked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "It is."

"And I was wondering…if you'd like to go with me." He stopped expectantly. Liz felt frozen. She couldn't move her mouth. "Liz?"

"Yes," she said. "Yes, I'd love to go with you."

He grinned. "Great. We're here."

They entered the greenhouse, and all the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs saw them walk in together. Then Liz seated herself next to Rachel. She couldn't stop smiling.

"Why were you with David? And why are you so happy?" Rachel demanded.

Liz didn't answer, and the smile didn't diminish for days. She was going to the Valentine's Day Dance with David Hannigan!