b i u center Green Charms /b /i /u /center
Johnathan, Maybell and Copper darted from Dumbledore's office as soon as the three could. Dumbledore and McGonagal remained behind for some unknown reason, and the three had neither reason to investigate nor any desire. Once the spiral staircase began to spin beneath their trembling knees, Maybell spoke up. "I could have sworn that old man was dead."
Copper and Johnathan burst into laughter. "Why would you think such a thing?" Copper asked.
"He taught my parents, and he was apparently really old then too. It just seems weird that someone that old would still be alive. He should be dead. He's way too old to still be alive."
Johnathan looked shocked, "That's horrible. Why would you say something like that?"
"Because it's true." The staircase stopped and the three moved out the gargoyle towards the Great Hall, or what they assumed was the way to the Great Hall, the likes of which they still had yet to see.
"Maybe he's just prematurely grey." Johnathan said thoughtfully.
"What?" Maybell asked.
"Maybe he just has grey hair, the same way you have red hair and I have blonde. Maybe he's not really all that old, just prematurely grey. He doesn't have any wrinkles, and he doesn't limp and he acts young. Who says he's really all that old?"
"Hmm." Maybell pondered this until they got to the Great Hall. After the three had sat down and begun to eat, she finally turned and conceited. "I guess you're probably right."
In the middle of nibbling a beet, Johnathan asked, "'Bout what?"
"Dumbledore."
"What about him?"
"Being old, well, not being old. Eh. His age."
"You're still on about that! Wow, it doesn't really matter kid. He's alive, that's all there is too it. And he isn't going anywhere for a while. I suggest you just drop it." Copper nodded in agreement.
"I guess."
After dinner, all the first years were lead up to the Gryffindor common room by a prefect named Molly something-or-other. She guided each of them to their respective common rooms.
The next few days passed with little commotion. The new first years got used to their class schedule and their teachers. Gryffindor was paired with Hufflepuff for Charms, Ravenclaw for Transfiguration and Slytherin for Potions. They were on their own for Astronomy, Herbology, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Gryffindor was also paired with Ravenclaw for flying lessons, which would start later in the year.
Maybell's least favorite class of all was Charms with Professor Icarus and the infuriating Sirius Black. The class was a constant enigma for her from the very first day. It was in this class that she discovered that anything to do with Sirius Black spelt trouble, and this did not please her.
The first day of class went something like this …
"Settle down class, settle down!" A tall, skinny wizard with a button nose and stubby fingers stood in the front of the room as the first years filed noisily into the room. "Stop talking! Stop it!" No one was listening.
After ten minutes or so of the teacher's protests, the "good," students hushed the class down to a low whispering growl and the skinny man in the front of the room began to talk again. "My name is Professor Icarus, and I would like to welcome you to your first charms class!
"Before we begin the school year, I would like to tell you a bit about myself." In unison, the entire class slumped into their chairs, preparing themselves for another boring teacher lecture. "I was born and raised in Greece and studied under some of the best teachers there," Icarus cleared his throat nervously, "And over the years I've amassed quite an extensive library of spells from all over the world, most of them obscure little charms from eclectic countries and groups of fascinating magical people." Sirius Black's mouth hung slightly open and a sliver of drool fell from his lips as a loud snore sounded.
Professor Icarus continued as though he had heard nothing. "I met Professor Dumbledore on one of my travels through England, and after hearing my name, he immediately offered me a job here at Hogwarts on the dot. Well, I of course couldn't turn down the one and only Dumbledore, so, I accepted immediately and here we are today." Sirius Black fell off his desk with a loud snort, and then quickly composed himself, laying his head back on his hands to continue his nap. Copper snickered silently while Maybell and Johnathan stared at the boy with disgust and loathing.
"Mr. …" Professor Icarus looked down at a sheet of paper in his hands. Apparently not finding what he had been looking for, the Professor walked up to Sirius Black who was snoring softly and rapped him on the head with his knuckles, "And who might you be, young sir?"
"Sirius Black," He answered insolently, "What's it to ya?"
"Mr. Black," Icarus grasped the back of Sirius' shirt and lead him to the front of the room. "Why don't you tell the class something about yourself? Some of your obviously useless talents."
"Umm. Ok." Maybell sat back furiously. Instead of punishing Sirius for acting rude in class, this prat of a teacher was giving the stupid kid an opportunity to brag and show off even more. What kind of moron was this Professor; did he really think that this was punishment? If he did, he obviously spent too much time overseas and needed to get in touch with the real world. Sirius pulled his wand out of his sleeve, "Well," he said slowly, savoring his moment of glory, "I have this fabulous spell that I've been perfecting since … since … for a very long time."
"All right, Mr. Black," Icarus said menacingly, "With that fabulous introduction, why don't you tell us the point of your spell so I can decide whether or not it's really appropriate."
Sirius faltered and glanced at James who gave a nod of approval and encouragement. With that, Sirius jumped onto the Professor's desk, and before the angular man could say anything, Sirius said loudly, "To be completely honest, there really is no point to this spell, other than the fact its pretty fun." He swung his wand wide and at the last second flicked it away from himself while muttering what sounded like, "Fuoco lago!"
From the tip of his long wand an eruption of water came spurting out loudly. The water had a reddish tint to it.
With a loud shriek, Professor Icarus leapt onto his own desk, shoving Sirius Black off onto the already damp floor. His wand went spiraling away, soaking students in the near vicinity. Sirius went after his wand which was ricocheting off of desks and walls, but the rest of the class was standing in horror watching their Professor.
His features were contorting into an angular fashion, and his eyes were becoming narrower and narrower and were accumulating a deep black color. The most disturbing part however was his skin; it was turning green!
Sirius finally caught his out-of-control wand and turned to face the class with a triumphant grin on his face. His back was to the Professor. When he saw that the entire class was staring avidly at something behind him, he turned around slowly then leapt away in terror.
Icarus was circling the top of his desk, hissing loudly at the water. His finger-nails were growing longer and more gruesome by the second. They were long knives extending from his fingertips, and he began to scratch the edge of his desk with them, creating long, deep grooves of horror.
His head snapped up as his nails screeched across the top of his desk and glared at Sirius who was still holding his wand in one, shaking hand. "Geet OUT!" the creature that was once Professor Icarus shouted.
The students needed no other invitation. They opened the classroom door and flooded into the hallway and out to their respective common rooms. They were followed by a stream of the reddish water and the unearthly howls of their Charms teacher.
Once safe inside the common room, the Gryffindor first years divided into two camps. One, which contained Sirius, James and their two brutes, were laughing mightily about the events that had just taken place.
The other, containing Maybell and Johnathan were still frightened, but as time passed they were becoming angry with Sirius Black for causing this.
Finally, Maybell couldn't take it anymore. She stomped over to the laughing hyenas and pointed her finger right at Sirius Black's nose, "You could have killed someone you know. Making the Professor into some kind of … some kind of horrid creature like that! What kind of spell were you performing? Do you think it's funny? Transfiguring people into evil animals! What if Professor Icarus had turned on a student and … and cut them with those knife-nails! It would have been all your"
"Hey!" Sirius shouted, cutting Maybell off, "I didn't do that to him. All I did was shoot water out of my wand. That freaky, creepy teacher turned into a monster on his own. I wouldn't, and am not, responsible for any of his actions! He's the one who told me to get up there and show my talents."
"What, making water is a talent! Anyone with saliva glands can do that!"
Sirius didn't answer. He merely looked at James bewildered. James' expression matched his own.
"Argh! You are such morons!" Maybell threw her head back and then lunged forward, sending a projectile of spit right onto Sirius' shoulder.
"Oh my god!" Sirius jumped away, "You can't do that! You're a girl! Girls can't spit! Wha- … You … ahh!" He turned to James, "She can't do that can she?" James looked at Maybell, then back to Sirius, smiling broadly.
"I think she just did mate."
Maybell continued to glare at Sirius, which made him protest even more. "You're pathetic." She said quietly. "I shouldn't even bother with you. However." She inhaled deeply, "I think you should go make sure that the Professor is all right; he was fine until you decided to show off!"
"What! No, I can't go. I'm … I'm busy right now." Sirius answered quickly. "Besides, I'm sure that crazy man is doing just fine, just dandy. Now that I'm gone and all. You know, if I go back, that might cause some problems. You don't want me to go back. Nope, he might turn into something creepier if I do, in fact, I think I'll just never go to charms class again, it would be safer."
It was now Maybell's turn to laugh, "You're scared!"
"I am not!" Sirius huffed.
"You are too!"
"Are not!"
"Are too!"
"Are not!"
"You are so totally freaked out! Aww, the poor widdle pumpkin. He's frightened of the big, bad, charms teacher, isn't he! Poor thing. Maybe you shouldn't go after all; we wouldn't want you to wet your pants now, would we?"
Sirius gaped and tried to form words, but nothing would come. He opened and shut his mouth a number of times before finally, "Fine! But you're coming with me!"
"Wha-" Maybell was yanked by the arm abruptly by Sirius and dragged out of the room by Sirius. He marched the two of them determinedly towards the Charms room, Maybell protesting the entire way.
"It's not my job to make sure he's ok! I didn't do anything!"
"So?"
"So, that means you can't take me. Damn it, this isn't logical. LET ME GO!"
"Hmm," Sirius stopped; grabbed Maybell's other arm with his free hand and leaned into her face, "No." He continued to march to the Charms room, disgruntled Maybell in tow.
Maybell repeatedly tried to free herself from Sirius' grasp, and repeatedly failed. When they finally reached the Charms room, Sirius let go of her and the two stood side by side in front of the Charms room.
"You open the door." Sirius said to Maybell.
"No, you, this is your job!" Maybell hissed back.
"Well, you're closer to the door knob."
"You've got longer arms."
"Fine, we'll do it together."
Hand on hand, the two grasped the doorknob and pushed it inward, unbeknownst to the other, the two also covered their eyes and looked away. The door swung wide into the Charms room, but they were both too afraid to look.
Sirius opened on eye, "What do you see, Maybell?"
"Nothing, what do you see?"
"Nothing."
"Let's go back."
"Ya, let's go now."
"No!" Professor McGonagall's voice thundered from the room into the hallway. Sirius and Maybell turned rigidly around to face their formidable transfiguration teacher. "Come in," she said in a kinder voice. Professor Icarus, no long green and frightening, stood behind his desk again. The only part of his appearance that hinted at his previous state was his hair. It had a green tinge and was thrown in all directions and resembled an angry tree with knotted branches and therefore knotted leaves.
"Hello Professors" Sirius attempted, but his voice fell when McGonagal glared at him.
"What happened here Sirius? Why did Professor Icarus become so frightened; when he changes he doesn't remember a thing. What he does recall is what happened before he changed; and that was you getting into trouble for sleeping in his class."
Sirius didn't answer. "Well?" McGonagal placed her hands on her hips and stared down at Sirius. "Fine, since you don't seem to be cooperative, why doesn't Maybell answer for you?"
Maybell started, and then stared pleadingly at McGonagal. "It had nothing to do with me."
"All right, what did it have to do with, Ms. Shorter?"
"Do you promise I won't get into trouble if I tell you?"
"No." McGonagal said, "But I do promise that if you don't, you'll be in much more trouble than if you don't."
"Oh." Maybell shifted uncomfortably and took a breath. "Siriusmadealakeofredwaterthentheteacherturnedgreenandweallranaway."
"What?" McGonagal sternly glared at Maybell, "Maybell Shorter, if do not tell me what happened her I am going to put you into detention with your friend Haviland."
"Haviland, who's Haviland?" Sirius asked.
"Copper." Maybell said quietly.
"ENOUGH!" McGonagal shouted, making Sirius, Maybell and Professor Icarus jump and to the students' surprise, Professor Icarus squeaked loudly and turned a shade greener. McGonagal sighed heavily, and with a melancholy glance at Professor Icarus, continued without any anger leaving her voice "I want to know what happened, and I want to know … now." She spat the last word at the students, actually dampening their cheeks with her furious saliva.
"Ok. This is what happened." Sirius started.
"Sirius was sleeping in class," Maybell followed.
"Then I woke up because this crazy guy" He indicated to Professor Icarus, much to McGonagal's displeasure, "was leaning over me and breathing heavily."
"Like a bear." Maybell added helpfully. Sirius winked at her, luckily McGonagal didn't notice.
"And then, after I had woken up, he went back up to continue teaching the class, and I was paying rapt attention, because I was of course completely repentant for falling asleep during his class."
"And to be fair, Sirius wasn't the only one asleep, we all kind of were. No offence, but Professor Icarus is rather boring."
Sirius spoke over Maybell's last words, hoping McGonagal hadn't heard her, "Then Maybell, like a crazed madwoman, rushed to the front of the room with her wand brandished over hear head shouting 'Fuoco Lago!' and this red river came crashing down from the top of her wand, then the Professor went crazy, turning green and all, and Maybell ran out of the room laughing manically, so we all followed her, not wanting to stay in the room alone with Professor Icarus." Sirius rushed to McGonagal, ignoring Maybell's indignant protests, "It was terrifying Professor. Absolutely terrifying." He gripped McGonagal's hand and stared up at her with a face that he hoped showed strength and terror at the same time. "I did the only thing I could think of; I brought her back down here so she could fix the Professor, but obviously she's not needed. Nor am I." Sirius turned to leave.
Professor McGonagal gasped, "MAYBELL SHORTER! What is this! What in the world were you thinking?"
Maybell finally found her voice, "What! You don't actually i believe /i him, do you! That little snot is lying through his teeth!"
"Sirius Black!" McGonagal bellowed. "Don't you try to sneak off!" Maybell smirked as Sirius skidded back to her side. She opened her mouth to finally tell the Professor's what really had happened, but she was cut off my McGonagal. "I no longer care what happened here. They two of you are going to serve detention together. You'll be serving both days with your dear friend Copper; at least I believe that's her name. You are to report to the dungeons at precisely 7:00 Friday and Saturday night this weekend."
"Hey!" Maybell shouted, "I didn't do anything!"
"You refused to answer my questions and tried to help Sirius Black cover up, and despite the fact that he turned on you, that is enough to earn you detention. Now if you continue to argue with me and remain in this room, I am going to take two hundred and fifty points from Gryffindor!"
"Two hundred and fifty points!" Sirius yelped, appalled, "Professor!"
"I haven't taken it away yet, but I'm going to if you don't leave this instant!"
The two scooted out of that classroom faster than a bullet. Once in the hallway, Maybell pushed Sirius into a wall, "What was that about! Trying to get out of trouble by getting me in trouble! That was low!" Sirius stared at her blankly. "What?"
"You don't act like a girl."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean."
"You spit and push, next thing I know you're going to be punching me in the face."
"If you keep acting like a prat, you better cover your nose, jerk." Maybell stomped away, leaving Sirius leaning against the wall, massaging his shoulder where Maybell had pushed him.
Maybell arrived in the common room with a bang. She had slammed the portrait so violently upon her entrance that the Fat Lady was muttering muffled curses at her and making obscene gestures. She grabbed her books, left the room with the same ferocity as she had entered and prowled dangerously to the library where she slunk into a chair and ripped open her transfiguration book, u A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration, /u leaving anyone who saw here in a state of abject fear.
She buried her head into the first few pages of the text book, but slammed it after a few moments, causing Madame Brokski, the librarian, to glare at her. She grimaced at the librarian, and then muttered to herself, "I don't know enough to know what questions to ask. I don't even know enough to read the bloody text book. This is pointless." She stood in her seat and left her books in library and proceeded to wander the halls in a rage.
"How could he do this to me? Who does he think he is?" Maybell was so incensed; she began to talk to herself, "I'm not some little person he can blame stuff on." A little voice in her mind said slyly, i you tried to help him /i "Ya so, ain't gonna happen again." i but it happened once /i "Shut up. You suck." i I'm you, don't'cha know? /i "No you're not. You're some crazy mutant from space. Get out of my head!" Maybell ran into a solid object. Disoriented, she raised her head and found herself face to face with Albus Dumbledore.
"Good to see you're physically well, Ms. Shorter. I wish I could say the same about your mental health." His blue eyes twinkled, this served only to anger Maybell more.
"I'm fine." She huffed.
"So am I. Let's take a walk, I've been meaning to tell you about what I've discovered about your dear friend Ollie."
"Fine."
Maybell shuffled next to Dumbledore, her head angled towards to floor. Dumbledore ignored her demeanor and started to speak lightly and happily, "Now, as you know, Ollie obviously has enormous magical powers, more than your average hedgehog. I've had a few conversations with Mr. Ollivander himself, and I learned of how Ollie was once his magnificent sign. Magnificent is obviously an objective term." Maybell laughed, which invigorated Dumbledore, "So! I spent the last couple days observing your little friend, and put him in various situations, one of which inadvertently included my Phoenix, Fawkes. I have never before encountered an animal that could turn a phoenix into a golden statue, but you seemed to have produced one.
"Now, as to what I discovered." They reached the gargoyle that guarded the entry into Dumbledore's office. He spoke the password, "Laffy Taffy," and the two made their way up the stairs into his office. Once inside, Dumbledore walked around his circular desk and opened a drawer. Ollie jumped out onto the desk, blinking madly. Maybell ran up to him and scooped him up onto her shoulder. Dumbledore laughed and smiled, "You two make quite a couple, I must say. Now, as to what I discovered. Ollie is, and forever will be a hedgehog from now on. I couldn't find any kind of counter spell to turn him back into a sign, thankfully. Also, the only way anything will be turned gold by Ollie is if they are a. alive, and b. pricked by one of his quills, or if they merely touch something/someone who has been pricked by one of his quills. And, they only stay golden for an hour, two if it's their second time changing; three if it's their third, so on and so forth. Does that make sense?"
"I think so."
"Good! The second thing I discovered, Ollie glows when he is hungry, and as you said before, he only eats wood. I think this is because he was once wood. I could be wrong, but he doesn't seem to enjoy any other delicacy. He has quite a fondness for wooden coasters, I might add." Maybell smiled, "I figured there was something behind that." Dumbledore said quietly, "Beyond that, I'm not sure what else Ollie can do; other than the things I mentioned before, he seems to be a fairly normal hedgehog. Quite playful I might add.
"He's also quite protective and territorial. I've only seen a guard dog become so defensive around a Phoenix before; and as I said before I've never seen anything manage to curse or magically alter a Phoenix. However, Ollie managed to do so in defense of me. Fawkes, my bird," Dumbledore gestured to a large red bird sitting on a perch by his door, "Ollie rushed Fawkes as he flew to my shoulder and literally shot a quill at the descending bird. Poor Fawkes landed loudly on the floor and went skidding across it only to land at the feet of Professor Icarus who was just walking in.
Maybell stared at the hedgehog on her shoulder, attempting to digest everything that Dumbledore had said to her.
"I also heard from a little bird that you got into a bit of a run in with Professor Icarus." Maybell glared at the desk in front of her, too much information was being thrown at her by this happy, prematurely gray man. "Do you know why he changed the way he did?"
"He's a crazy green-alien-mutant-man from Mars."
"No."
"He's a psychopathic leprechaun in disguise as a teacher."
"That's actually close, but not quite."
"Whatever." Maybell closed her eyes, willing herself to ignore the man who sat in front of her, but it was in vain. He had more patience than she, and when she opened her eyes he continued.
"I know this is a lot of information to digest, Ms. Shorter, but it will make your life a little easier."
"Can't it wait? Tell me later, when I'm not … not …" Maybell searched for the word.
"Furious?"
"That's it."
"Ok, be expecting a call from me in the next couple of days to discuss with you what happened with Professor Icarus. Perhaps I will proctor your detention and tell you as you clean the dungeons."
Maybell slouched more in her chair and Ollie crawled into her lap and curled content against her stomach. This was a horrible way to begin the school year, and it was all Sirius Black's blood fault. Maybell vowed she would have his blood before the school year was over.
hr
Lia Tween – OMG! I love you so much::big hugs: and of course I'll review your story! I've actually already read the first chapter, during Spanish class, but I didn't get to review because my butt head teacher caught me not doing Spanish.
Now, I have to say that I LOVED your reviews because you made me go back and read what I wrote. When I read your first few reviews I was like .. "Wait, I wrote that? When?" Lol. You're also very observant, you've caught a lot of stuff people missed, which makes me very happy. I'm glad you laughed too.
I really want to thank you for the first review in particular, I hadn't realized why so many ppl were like "Oh she's such a Mary Sue," until you told me about that one paragraph. I fixed it and made my idea's clearer … I hope.
And … Here's the new installment. I just got a new job and final's are coming up, that's why it took so long. After finals though, I'll be completely free to write, write, write, so updates will be coming faster. (Also, the reason this is out when it is is because of your reviews. After reading the last three, I sat my butt down in front of the comp and told myself "You are not leaving until you finish this chapter." So, thanks for the inspiration I love you!
Laochra – I won't stop writing this anytime soon; this is my little escape from reality. It's so pleasant :floats off into lala land:
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Oh wait … back now … Thanks for the review! XD And thanks for putting me on your favorites list, I feel so special! XD
z'yiandria – I have an infatuation with the color red in general … lol.
Maybell will not fall in love with Sirius out the blue … I think that would be absolutely horrible and trust me that's the LAST thing I want from her! I would hate her if she did that … :shudder:
Btw, I'm glad you caught on to the fact that Maybell isn't really as detached as Sirius thinks she is, that's very observant and you're the first person to have noticed that, and to have examples. XD … however, I did that on purpose to develop a bit of Sirius' character, he'll develop from that a bit more. Also, when Sirius talks about her detachment, it's in later years. He comes to that conclusion later after more events. Brava though! I'm glad SOMEBODY noticed that :-D
Also, all of the people and things I introduce have some kind of purpose and meaning, either right there or later one. I don't always come right out and say "So and so is this or that," I try to veil it so people think about it.
As for Ollie … he does have purpose, and he was also the inspiration for the story. Without Ollie, there would be no "The Long and Short of It." I woke up at midnight a while ago with this idea of having a sign turn into a hedgehog and it evolved from there. I actually wrote the third chapter first, then went back and wrote the first two for character development.
As for it sounding like rambling, that was also on purpose. In so many words, I showed/said that both of those kids are incredibly arrogant and full of themselves, therefore setting them up for a fall, and not just for one another.
Thanks for the advice on getting anonymous reviews as well, I feel much better now …
All in all, thanks for the fabulous review … I love it when people give me constructive criticism! I had someone on the other site say, "Ur booorrrriiinnng" without any explanation to help me fix things. So, thank you, I really appreciated the help and I'm glad you caught on to some of the subtler elements.