CHAPTER 7
Through the first week, Cedric and Tulip met up and planned the newspaper/magazine or "Hogwarts Weekly" as they named it. They were going to present it to Professor McGonagall together this afternoon but Cedric has a quidditch meeting he couldn't get out of. So Tulip has to do it alone.
"You'll be fine. This idea is amazing and we planned it throughly." He said gesturing towards the file in Tulips arms.
She signed " I'll be fine" she said to herself. She took a deep breath and turned to her friend.
" Mcgonnagal loves me. All teachers do. Even Snape likes me. "
" That's true. You have devil's feather."
" Devil's what?" She furrowed her brows.
" Devil's feather. It means that you have this thing with you that everybody likes. Even if you don't like them back" He explained.
"Oh, thanks?" She said unsurely.
"It's a good thing, don't worry about it."
" I need to go. I'll see you at dinner."
She walked through the halls, imagining her upcoming meeting. They had choose McGonagall because she seemed more likely to accept this kind of project. Flitwick would have love it but he already has the choir, music and duelling club. She thought of Professor Snape, he did like her but he had no interest in extra curriculum activities. McGonagall was the best option, she had always been fair and kind towards Tulip. Tulip was her favourite Slytherin, if she'll be bold to assume.
She took a deep breath in front of the door. She knocked and entered. McGonagall was sitting at her desk looking through parchments. Probably grading the summer homeworks. She walked towards her desk and McGonagall look at her through her glasses.
"Yes, Ms. Ulster. Did you have a question?"
"Yes, uh...I wanted to ask for your opinion on a matter Professor."
Professor McGonagall put down the parchment in her hand and gestured towards the chair for her to sit.
" I have a idea on a extra curriculum. I was thinking how the communication between houses can be improved and I came up with this." She put her file on the desk and opened it for the Professor. She started to explain her project while showing the example one she and Cedric prepared.
" ...Quidditch, music band, interesting cases like Sirius Black, student gossip..." At the last one McGonagall cocked an eyebrow.
Tulip immediately started to defend herself.
" I really didn't want to involve any teen gossip, I want this to be a serious work. I want to write about Black because it is a serious thing but this is a school and it's for students. So Cedric suggested that if we didn't involve student's lives there wouldn't be much interest in this."
"Hmm... He is right I suppose. He is in fifth year, a Hufflepuff?" Professor asked to confirm.
" Yes. He helped me develop this idea. He will be writing the music band and quidditch sections."
" Who else is involved?"
" Right now it's just me and Cedric but I wanted to bring Colin Creevey, he is a second year in Gryffindor. Also there is a girl in second year Ravenclaw, her father is the head of the Quibbler. I thought she could help us with organising and publishing. Hermione Granger agree to help when she can and I'll bring a few more people if it's well recieved."
Professor turned the last pages on the file. She traced the title with her finger. "Muggles?"
" Yes. Wizards live among muggles but we hardly know anything about them. I thought it would be both educational and interesting. We can write about their improvements and their traditions."
Professor McGonagall hardly talked except asking her a few questions. She read the pages intently and stayed silent. Tulip anxiously waited for a respond. Normally in these type of situations she would use Legilimence to ease anxiety but after her conversation with Professor Lupin, she was extra cautious with her ability.
Professor McGonagall close the file and handed to Tulip. She stood up.
" Follow me Ms. Ulster."
Professor started to move to towards the door. Tulip stood there blinking. Her mind was blank with confusion. When she saw the Professor at door she walked a fast pace to catch up.
"Um, Professor? Where are we going?"
McGonagall turned left while answering. " To Professor Dumbledore's office."
Tulip gulped. Had she done something wrong? Is She getting expelled? What is going on? " Did I-uh do something wrong Professor?" She asked in a very small voice. They had reach the gargoyle statue. Professor turned to her and gave her that rare smile.
" No, my dear. Extra curriculums must be approved by the headmaster. Normally I would take this Dumbledore just myself but I think he would like to meet you himself."
Tulip's mouth made an "o" shape but her heart was racing like crazy. Talking this with McGonagall was something she could handle but the headmaster was whole different deal. She hadn't even talk to him before. He was one of the most powerful wizards in the world, although he seemed a bit... odd.
They entered the office through a circular staircase. It was filled with all sorts of small, silver looking objects. Tulip filled with a sudden want to examine them. Headmaster was also at his desk, he was reading a rather thick and old looking book. He looked up when he saw them entering. Tulip involuntarily cowered behind Professor McGonagall' s robes.
" Afternoon, Minevra"
" Hello, Albus. This is Ms. Ulster" Professor put a hand behind Tulip and brought her forward. Tulip didn't know what to do? Should she wave, bow? She gave the headmaster a small nervous wave and mumbled a greeting. The headmaster smiled down on her.
" She has an idea about extra curriculums. I think it's one of most brilliant ideas I heard in recent years. I thought you would like to hear it for yourself from the source."
Tulip's cheeks were flushed. She had just received the compliment of a lifetime. Even Hermione didn't receive this compliment from McGonagall. She was so overwhelmed by this she didn't even realise when Professor brought her in front of the desk.
"I'll let her explain it to you." said the beady eyed Professor before leaving. She left... SHE LEFT! Tulip gave a nervous smile before she started to explain. At firsts she stuttered but she collected herself quickly. Headmaster gave her much to go on than McGonagall. He asked and commented more and from what she observed he seem to like it.
" Why do you want to write about muggles, dear?" He asked after chatting for a while.
" Well, I think living among muggles and not knowing their way of life seems a bit silly. They have so many interesting things and traditions. It's wonderful really and most wizards knows very little of muggles. What little they know is mostly incorrect. I listen muggle music and even though it's in English, I still don't understand most lyrics."
Dumbledore stared at her intently. She suddenly felt like she was being attacked. It was like someone was trying to undress her. She realised it wasn't her he was looking it was her mind, he was trying but her walls were secured even more when she realised his attempt. She had never been on this side of it. It was so unsettling. She filled with guilt when she realised this was how she made Professor Lupin feel.
She didn't gave anything away but by now Professor must've realised that she was talented in Occulumens. So she opened her mind like opening the curtain. Not all the way through, just a small glimpse to the other side. Just enough for Dumbledore to hear this thought: " Can I help you with anything, Sir?"
Dumbledore gave out a good laugh. He looked down at her with his eyes twinkling.
" You have many talents up your sleeve Ms. Ulster."
" I like to keep it to myself, sir. Many would like to keep away from me other wise."
" I suppose you are right. Still it is a heavy burden you carry on your shoulders dear. I'm sure there are some who would stay by your side."
His words left her deep in thought. She pried herself from her mind and focused back on the headmaster.
" I'll prepare a classroom for your work, a house elf would be available to help with your project personally. Professor McGonagall will be your advisor on anything but before you publish I would like to see your issues first." he said.
" Of course sir. I'll send it to you when we ready it."
" If you don't mind Ms Ulster, I would be delighted if you bring it to me yourself. I would like to review it with you, perhaps over some tea." He suggested. Tulip's hearth raced with even more excitement. She nodded hastily.
" I would like that too Professor." She said smiling.
" I will send an owl when all is ready. It won't take long. Sadly our time today must end. It's almost dinner time." He said walking her towards the door. Tulip walked in awe all the way to the Great Hall. She tried to imagine what Cedric's face would be in few minutes.
Next day she decided she should gather her crew. So she made her way towards the Gryffindor table.
" Hermione isn't here" She heard the muffled voice of Ron Weasley behind her. She turned her head and said: " I'm not here for her." At this she saw Potter raise an eyebrow.
She heard one of them say 'Who' but she didn't bother to answer. She lost interest and look towards the little blond boy. She saw him down the table.
"Hey Crevey! Creevey!" The boy looked at her confused. She jogged towards him. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" She said. The boy looked at her warily but nodded non the less.
Potter ans Weasley cocked their head to see them but they couldn't hear a word. All they saw was Colin's furrowed burrows raising then him smiling and agreeing with whatever the Slytherin girl had said.
"What does she want with him?" Weasley whispered. Potter shrugged his shoulder. "Well, whatever it is it's no good." Weasley added.
"Colin seems excited." Potter stated.
Soon Tulip get up and walked back to her table. She threw Weasley a glare as if she knew what he was thinking.
Her search for the Ravenclaw girl was harder. She wasn't able catch her in the Great Hall. In the end she tracked her down with the help of some Ravenclaws. The girl was hanging out at one the green houses.
" Hello?" Tulip said approaching her.
"Hi" she replied turning to her. She was a peculiar girl, Tulip thought, Quibbler was a peculiar magazine but Tulip had always find it entertaining.
" My name is Tulip. You're Luna Lovegood, Right? Your father is the head of the Quibbler?" She asked. At the mention of her father Luna smiled.
"Yes, I am." She said. Tulip smiled and explained her project. Luna seem to be even more excited than Colin. When Tulip said she could write a section if she wanted, Luna let out a squeak and hugged her. Tulip awkardly petted her back. Sure, her crew seemed a bit out of sorts but so was Hogwarts.
For their work, they were given a big classroom on the west wing. Their house elf was named Tobbs and very sweet in Tulip's opinion. When she first saw the "Hogwarts Weekly" sign on the door of the classroom, Tulip was filled with a rush of pride. She felt useful for the first time ever.
