A/N: Le gasp! Have I finally updated after many a moon! I do believe I have. o.o Please don't hurt me. It took forever because, well, crap happens. And I don't want to talk about it. But it's just the way life goes. Gotta roll with the punches and such. And no, I didn't get in a fist fight. Yet. -cough- If I did I would most definitely come out the victor though. I'm fiesty. -. Anyway, this chapter is like, two thousand words shorter (i think) and is a tad bit rougher. Also it's rambly. I cut out a bunch of boring jibberish, so it's better, but still. No explosions or anything. -sigh- So sad. If you see ANY mistakes, I beg you to point them out to me. Literally beg. Or if the flow stinkiths, inform me of that too. I'm also in the market for a beta, so if you are skilled in fixing mentally retarded writers giant mistakes and idiocy, please drop me a line. -
Disclaimer: It's so stupid how I put these up when i so obviously don't own anything except my secret stash of dust. It's an awesome collection. I'm sure you're jealous. Nyaaaa. -.
Chapter II:
I yawned widely and stretched, half my body hanging off the large four poster bed. My head hung upside down over the edge and my slender fingers scratched my lean belly as my toes curled, popping in a loud manner. Finally, I opened drowsy gray eyes to meet the gaze of three girls. I blinked once, twice, three times before my brain awoke and I let loose a shriek. My feet and rump flew over my head as I flipped upside down, soon finding myself in a scarlet heap on the cold wood floor. I warily looked over at the giggling females and carefully untangled myself from my blankets and into an upright position, trying to figure out where I was and get my puffed up tail down to regular size. Memories of a large, creatively built castle and a flamboyant old man filtered through the fog my brain was in and I grew a bit calmer as I remembered that I was in Hogwarts castle or, more specifically, Gryffindor Tower. The girls stared at me and I stared back blankly, not quite fully awake. A younger one, eleven or so, came around the bed to my side and looked up at me with curious eyes.
" Are you, like, a kitty or something?" Her soft, timid voice asked as large blue eyes stared at me in curiosity. Her light blonde hair was tousled and she was in ducky pajamas. Her young, innocent face made me feel a bit more relaxed and I released my now unfluffed tail.
I smiled in sleepy mirth. " I suppose you could say that." The curiosity on her face grew while my own turned pink under the scrutiny of the eleven year old. The other two girls stared at me as well and I found myself uncomfortable and ready to escape. I had never been allowed to show a human my ears and tail before and I was wishing for my hat very much at the moment.
" Uh, I have to go get ready now, first day at a wizard and witch school you know. Have to make a good impression!" I quickly grabbed the school uniform from my trunk (placing my now clean clothes from yesterday inside) and made a run for the bathroom, glad to escape the staring girls. Honestly, didn't they know that was bad manners?
Inside the very Gryffindor bathroom were four sets of showers, toilets, and sinks. I placed my uniform by one and jumped in for a quick shower. I wrinkled my nose unhappily as the warm water hit my skin, soaking me from head to toe. No, I did not like water. But showers were important. I didn't want to stink up the halls now did I? No, I didn't. I scrubbed myself clean and hopped out, drying myself with a fluffy towel. I changed into the uniform, which fit me surprisingly well, and looked at myself in the mirror. I smirked and stuck my tongue out at my reflection. I looked so… different. I frowned, feeling weird in wizard's clothes.
I bent down and made sure my shoes (a fancy human contraption) were properly tied. Never liked them. Shoes I mean. My people had never worn them and preferred loose, thin fabrics that allowed movement. Few knew this little fact though, for none had every really met one of my kind before. Liked to keep to ourselves we did. I examined my now dry and fluffy hair in the mirror and flashed a toothy smile at my reflection. The robes were flowy, and that was always fun. I did not, however, like the fact that the back was solid. I looked back at my trapped tail and sighed sadly. I would have to wrap it around my waist instead of just holding it up. Allowing it to be close to the ground was not an option. Humans just weren't careful when walking, the clumsy creatures.
I wrapped my tail around my slim waist and left the lavatory but immediately had to plaster myself to the stone wall as a horde of Gryffindor girls came shooting from the dormitories and into the room I had just vacaded. I blinked after them and slid back into the empty dorm room. I couldn't stifle the grin that spread across my face as I laid eyes on a thoroughly ruffled (not to mention disgruntled) Mauri. Apparently the girls had spotted her after I had left and felt she needed a good petting. I snorted in laughter before I quickly ducked, narrowly being missed by the flying feline. A light thud sounded as she landed behind me and with a dignified flick of her tail, began to groom as if she had never launched herself at me. I shook my head at the fuming ocelot before turning to grab my school bag and fill it up with my school books, quills, inkpots, and other things I would need.
I headed for the door but stopped to look down at Mauri, who pointedly began to clean her claws. I sighed and rolled my eyes as I waved good-bye and left the dorm. I slowly climbed down the stairs, a tad anxious on my first day. I pulled my schedule from my robe pocket and carefully examined it, dearly hoping the day would go smoothly. But, unfortunately, I had a flair for mishaps.
' Well Sammy girl, you'll just have to be extra careful.' I told myself determinedly as I entered the common room to see a few tired Gryffindors trying to get their things together. I stood there for a few minutes, unsure of what to do. The schedule said this was breakfasting time. Well, that sounded like a good idea, but how was one supposed to find said breakfast area? I chewed my lip in thought. The only thing I could do was follow my nose. ' Oh, that'll be easy. There's only a thousand new smells here.' I grumbled to myself.
" Hello Sam! Nice to see you up." The cheerful voice of Hermione made me jump and I turned to see her standing a few feet behind me. " I've been down here for two hours already getting things together for our first day." Her slightly bushy hair was in a fluffy ponytail and was dressed smartly in her uniform. A bag, which appeared ready to bust, was slung over her shoulder and she was slightly lopsided due to its weight.
I smiled at the witchling. " Morning Hermione! I'm glad I ran into you. Do you mind helping me find my way around today? I really don't want to end up completely and utterly lost on my first day." I finished with a nervous laugh.
" Of course I don't mind. We probably have some different classes, but I'll make sure you have someone to show you around. We'll recruit Ron and Harry to help." Right as she finished speaking, a sleepy, rumbling sort of voice spoke up from halfway across the room.
" Recruit us for what? I'm not going to the library on our first day Hermione." Ron stifled a yawn and looked at Hermione with heavy lidded eyes. Harry, whom had been right behind him, grunted his agreement. Both were in uniform, though a bit untidy, and had their book bags strapped over their shoulders.
The brunette huffed and glared at them reproachfully. " You know, I do go to other places besides the library. I was saying that you two would help show Sam here around and keep her from getting lost."
The tall, redheaded teen tried to hold back another yawn." Sounds good to me. What classes do you have?" Ron asked, turning to meet my gray eyes with his blue. " You got your schedule, right?"
" Uh yeah." I said, still having it clutched in my hand. I unfolded it again and looked down the lists. " Um, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, History of Magic, Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, and Transfiguration." I said, my eyes skimming across the neat handwriting.
Hermione looked ecstatic. " Ooh! You're taking Ancient Runes too?" She practically squealed while I blinked slowly then nodded.
Ron rolled his eyes but Harry, who had not been listening, watched as a small red head make her way across the room. Her rich, straight red hair was a tad bellow her slim shoulders. Brown eyes twinkled as she smiled and joined us.
" Hello guys, ready for breakfast?" She asked when she neared our group. She saw me and faltered a bit, seeing as I had cat ears and a tail. Though the tail was out of sight. That would be a fun surprise to spring on her later. I liked to 'spring' things.
I gave her a fanged smile and decided introductions were in order. " Hello witchling! I'm Sam. I got transferred here from another school." There, that was out of the way.
She smiled back, if not a bit cautiously, and replied, " Uh, yeah, hi. I'm Ginny, Ron's sister. I'm not sure we've ever had a transfer student before. Hermione?" Ah, obviously she too was aware that the bushy brunette was knowledgeable on quite a bit.
The questioned witchling thought for a moment. " I don't believe we have. I'll have to see if I can find a book on it." And I had no doubt in my mind she would. The girl was resourceful.
" Great, now that pleasantries have been exchanged, can we go eat now?" Ron grumbled and his stomach made a noise of agreement.
" Oh, right. We had better hurry, or else we won't have time to eat at all!" Hermione gasped as she stopped rifling through her bag for something. " Oh Sam, None of us are taking Care of Magical Creatures this year so—"
" Wait, I am!" Ginny interrupted. " Do you want me to show you where it is?" I smiled gratefully and nodded. Seemed like I had found me a good group to hang with.
" Okay!" Hermione exclaimed. " That's settled. Let's go eat." She said as she started for the portal, the boys trailing sleepily behind her.
Ginny and I brought up the back and we left the Gryffindor Common Room. The large painting of an equally large woman in pink swung closed behind us and we set out. Ron and Harry were talking about Quidditch, the only thing boys around here seemed to know about, and Ginny walked up to them to join in on the conversation. I was glad for the time to think. Today was sure to be tough; I had yet to go to a school where the first day wasn't. I was pretty good at a few things such as Transfiguration and Ancient Runes. But Potions and Charms? How was I supposed to know human magic? Why would I want to know how to make Potions? There were very few things that could poison me, and those things were all at home. But, I suppose anything is worth learning.
I had been idly watching where we were going, remembering landmarks so to speak, as we walked. I looked up to see huge double doors, the same ones the professor and I passed last night, and I smiled in recognition. Maybe I wouldn't get as lost as I thought I would. And with that cheerful thought, I entered the Great Hall. The large room was filled with four long tables (one for each house, perhaps?) covered in dishes and many students were already there 'chowing down', as the humans say. At the end was another table filled with what I assumed were all the professors. Professor Dumbledore sat in a large, ornate winged chair and was currently speaking with a gingered haired woman with square glasses. I followed my new house mates to one of the tables and sat beside Hermione with an empty seat on the other side of me. Excellent, more space. Didn't like to be boxed in.
I looked at the odd assortment of food and beverages before me and helped myself to the most edible looking thing there, an odd looking meat that smelled delicious. I popped a small piece in my mouth, finding it to taste as good as it smelled, and chewed as I looked around the room. The students at each table had different color ties and emblems on their robes and I realized that they must be their house colors. I frowned slightly, not really liking the separation. Things like that could cause problems.
' Problems indeed.' I thought in a detached manner as I raised a brow at a glaring girl from a table full of green and silver students. Her monkey like face sneered at me and I rolled my eyes at the childish action. I poured a goblet of orange juice while I pointedly ignored her and smirked to myself as I heard her huff angrily. I didn't even know the female and she was glaring at me like I stole her pudding. And I knew for a fact that I hadn't stolen anything yet.
My ears continually twitched as the volume in the room escalated and with it, my apprehension. I idly picked at my remaining food, suddenly feeling uncomfortable in the room of humans. Their scent saturated the air and I was starting to get a headache. Though I was used to the smell, I rarely was in a room so completely filled with them. Preferred the outdoors. I pushed my plate away and pulled out a random school book from the bag at my side, deciding a distraction was in order.
'Ah, the potions book.' I thought with a smile as I opened it up. ' I suppose it would be a good idea to glance over this. No use going in there with no idea what I'm doing.' My eyes quickly slid down the pages, taking in all the information and storing it away. I had to stifle an occasional giggle at some of the ridiculous things humans created. ' Humans are so strange.' I mused with a small smile as I read about a potion that cured chapped lips. Honestly, the simple thing to do would be drink some water and put on lip chap but no, they had to find something fancy.
" Hey Sam, It's time to get to class." I glanced up from the humorous book and into bright green eyes. I smiled and nodded to Harry, showing that I had heard him, and placed my book back into the bag.
I climbed over the bench and followed him out of the large room, wondering when half its inhabitance had left. I shrugged it off and slung my bag over my shoulder, bending slightly under its weight. Why we needed so many books was beyond my comprehension. I saw Hermione and the others ahead waiting for Harry and I to join them before setting off. Ginny had already left and Hermione looked quite peeved to have to wait, if her rapidly tapping foot was anything to go by. I said a quiet apology and we set off at a fast pace down the stone halls. I half jogged to keep up with the tall boys and saw Hermione was struggling a bit as well. But her face held a determined look about it and I enjoyed the quick stroll through the corridors in silence, though the need to hum was becoming curiously strong.
At a fork in the halls the boys said bye and ran off to the left while I followed Hermione to the right. At my questioning look she informed me how they had not managed to get into N.E.W.T. Level Potions. This worried me a bit. Was Potions so difficult that only the best got in? I worried my lower lip, causing the tender flesh to go red in irritation. Well, I was nowhere near the best, quite the opposite actually. Why did that old coot put me, a novice in all wizard and witch things, in a class only the best got into? No sense in that man's head at all.
We traveled downward into what appeared to be the dungeons and I wrinkled my nose as an assortment of unpleasant smells wafted up to me. The smell seemed a tad familiar and I frown, trying to place it. Though, I wasn't sure how it could be familiar. I didn't recall being in any foul smelling places in quite some time, though the room we had eaten in had been a tad unpleasant. Ponderings of why the smell was so familiar left my thoughts as we came to a door and Hermione threw it open and I followed behind.
The smell grew in intensity and I covered my nose in disgust. Unpleasant items littered the dungeon room and I was only mildly interested as to what they were. That in itself showed how much the scent was affecting me. Hermione motioned for me to come over and I joined her at the long, thin table she was sitting at. The stool wasn't very comfortable but I ignored my discomfort and after pulling out the objects I would need for the class, I placed my bag on the floor by where my ankles would be. I say would be for I was unable to touch the floor with my feet. I placed my feet on the stool rung instead and continued to examine the classroom.
I was surprised to see that Gryffindors were not the only students in the room. Slytherins, the ones in green and silver, were grouped together on tables near the back and to my delight, I spotted Draco. He was leaning over his table in a careless manner and was talking with a Slytherin girl in front of him, who was sitting backwards on her stool. As if sensing my gaze, he glanced up and stared at me with his piercing blue eyes. I smiled slightly and gave him a small wave, which he did not return. I arched a brow at his unfriendly manner and without a second thought stood and walked over to him.
He watched my approach with interest and something I couldn't identify, though to be honest I wasn't paying that much attention. How could I when I was in the worst smelling place in existence! " Well, if it isn't Sam, the transfer student. I almost didn't recognize you without your tail." A small sneer covered his handsome face and I blinked, taken aback by his not so friendly expression. Not to mention the fact that he said 'without your tail'.
" What do you mean, 'without your tail'? It's still there." And to prove my point, I unwound it from my waist and poked the tip out the bottom of my robes. " It's not like it detatches or anything. That would be rather peculiar, don't you think?" I watched the pretty girl he had been speaking to squeak in surprise and lean away from me, as if she might catch whatever she thought I had. My ears, which had been laying flat on my head in an attempt to block out some of the noise in the echoing chamber lifted up in Draco's direction as he spoke, causing another little squeak from the girl.
" Well, that's nice to know." His bored tone practically screaming sarcasm, " Now if you don't mind, I'd rather you go away. I was in the middle of a conversation." He sent a charming smile in the girl's direction and she winked at him in a sultry manner. I shuddered slightly, not sure I liked the human form of flirting.
" Oh, my apologies Draco, I was not aware. I suppose it is best I leave you then." I turned quickly on the heel of my shoe, doing a fun little spin ( a quirk of 'shoes') and scampered back to my seat.As I sat down, I ignored Hermione's questioning stare, not feeling the need to inform her of what I had been up to. ' I wonder what caused him to wake up on the wrong side of the giant magic castle.' I thought with a pondering frown. My sensitive ears picked up the sound of quiet steps below the thunder of talking students and I turned to look over towards the door, just a few moments before it flew open. The entire room immediately feel into silence as a man entered the room, a glower on his sallow face.
I stifled a groan as I ser my eyes on the tall, thin form of Professor Snape. He glared at the deathly quiet students before stalking over to his desk, his black robes billowing around him in quite the dramatic manner. I sensed more than saw ( I didn't feel that taking my eyes off the Professor would be prudent) the tense forms of the Gryffindors and the relaxed ones of the Slytherins. That was odd. I looked over at the professor in thought and stiffened when his cold eyes bore down into me. My ears flattened to my head and returned his glare with a polite, if somewhat blank, stare. He was definitely not a nice guy. Nope, not one bit.
Apparently, he did not like how I meet his eyes instead of cowering away in fear of being mauled or something of that nature. I form this theory because he stomped up to me. I tilted my head back to meet his gaze and, to his obvious annoyance, smiled in a congenial manner. His close proximity allowed me to take in his scent, which was quite a bit like the rooms. ' Oooh, that's why it's so familiar.' I thought was mental glee. Glad to have that puzzle solved, I turned my attention back to the glowering wizard. He was giving me a look of utter distain and motioned for me to stand. I did, though it did not make that much of a difference. I looked up at him, waiting for an explanation, which I got, kind of.
" As you all may have noticed, we have a new 6th year Gryffindor present." His upper lip curled, as if he had a nasty taste in his mouth. Perhaps he needed water, I thought idly. " Miss Samantha, you wouldn't happen to know anything about potions, would you?"His sneering face did not bode well with me. Not at all. . Indeed, I was almost positive that he wanted to make me look the fool and I gave him a disapproving look( giving the feeling of shame shame, go to the corner), which seemed to disturb him somewhat, much to my pleasure.
" I'm afraid not sir. But I didn-" He cut off my excuse sharply and I barely restrained my indignant huff. Though I did pout a bit.
" Perhaps you wouldn't mind informing me how you managed to get into a N.E.W.T level potions class?" I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, irked at how I had just been about to answer that before he cut me off. The right git.
" I didn't feel the need to take the subject, sir, but Professor Dumbledore did. I'm afraid you'll have to ask him why I'm here." I kept my voice polite and smiled up at him. He was obviously not used to being on the receiving end of a smile and he gave me an odd look before going over to his desk and picking up a stack of musty books and slamming them down in front of me. I sneezed and blinked book dust from my eyes.
" I am obviously not going to allow you, a bumbling novice, to do N.E.W.T. level potions in your current state of idiocy. You are to read all of these. When you finish a book, you are to come to me and I will test you to see if you actually did as you were told. I expect you to be finished with all five by the end of the month. I have also marked several potions I expect you to make and bring in samples."
The Slytherins snickered, enjoying the gruff treatment I was recieving (Lovely people, those Slytherins. Like drops of sunshine) but I ignored them, far too distracted by the tower of books set before me. Reading was a favorite pass time of mine and I was fairly confident that I could finish in the time allotted. An optimist to the bone I was. though I had once heard that optimists were just people too stupid to recognize reality from fiction. I think those people must've been pessimists.
I looked up at him and nodded my head in agreement. He glared down at me before swooping up to the front and began to write things down on the black board with his wand and telling the class how to make some odd potion that melted things or something, I had stopped listening to him. I put all my things back and grabbed the book meant for the first year. I smiled at the book and cooed at it before I began to read. Books had always been an obsession for me. They just smelled so good!
A little less than an hour and a hundred-fifty pages later, class was nearly over and I was still absorb in the book. Once I knew what the funny words were, they lost their humor. Though this saddened me, it was also fascinating. I was only dully aware that students were standing and bringing samples of their potions up to the front. Nor did I notice that my bag had slide a bit into the aisle and a portly Slytherin, who was bringing his sample up to the front, tripped over it. His sample flew from his hands and shattered on the edge of my table.
" Save the books!" I shrieked as I jerked the book out of the way and pushed the others over towards Hermione's side of the table. Unfortunately, to save the books I had used my arm to protect the musty volumes. Perhaps not the best idea I had had that day.
Immediately the table, not to mention my sleeve, began to disintegrate as well as some of the stone floor. I gasped in dismay and watc hed as my ruined sleeve slowly, bit by bit disappeared and was surprised when Professor Snape ran over (quite the speedy fellow) and grabbed my arm, ripping what was left of the sleeve off and uncorking a vial with his teeth all at once. I gave him a look, curious as to why he was ripping my clothes. Not that I was upset. It wasn't like it could get more ruined. He looked at my uncovered arm, hand posed to pour the potion on the appendage but stopped short of pouring as he looked at my pale arm with a mixture of shock and interest. He slowly replaced the cork and leaned closer to my forearm, scrutinizing it carefully.
Gasps and whispers filled the room. I glanced up and saw curious and mildly freaked out faces cranning to stare at my uncovered arm. Looking over at Hermione I could see that she was wearing the same look of incredulous disbelief. I blinked, not sure I understood what was going on and wanting to go back to my book, when it dawned on me. Hadn't the professor said something about the potion the others were making? I pondered for a moment, trying to recall the words I hadn't been paying attention to. Something about meltiness. Oh, acid. I paled slightly, suddenly very glad for my heritage and watched as the floor steadily dissolved as well as the table. ' Professor Snape should really stop that before we don't have a floor anymore.' I thought distractedly. But apparently he wanted to make sure my arm wasn't going to go anywhere.
Finally he released me and stepped back. " Twenty points from Gryffindor for tripping Mr. Glathers. Stay after class so I may have a word." Twenty points? What did that mean? Something bad I hypothesized as I saw the outraged faces of the Gryffindors. Don't know why they were so upset, it had been my fault I mused as I reached over and picked up my books from the desk as it suddenly collapsed, its leg dissolved into nothing. Hermione had seen this coming as well and had picked up her things from the table and stepped away. Professor Snape turned towards the ruined table and with a muttered spell, he repaired it along with the stone floor. He looked at my arm and muttered a second spell and my sleeve was repaired as well.
I sat quietly with my armful of books as the students filtered out after receiving instructions on homework and the like. I waved bye to a sympathetic Hermione and turned my gaze over to Professor Snape who was placing the vial in his desk drawer. The sudden quiet in the once crushingly loud room felt lovely on my ears and I finally took them from their pinned down position. After carefully placing my new books in my bag (just barely fitting too), I dragged it over to the professor's desk and waited for him to speak. He silently watched me for a few moments and I restrained myself from fidgeting. If he made me late for my next class, I would force him to write me a note or something. Though, he didn't look the type that could be forced into anything.
" Dumbledore has spoken to all the other professors and myself and has informed us that it is up to you to decide who shall know why you are here." He had an annoyed look on his face, as if he felt there was something incredibly wrong with giving a student (or Gryffindor, I had noticed he didn't seem fond of them) the decision to keep such information to themselves.
I bit my lip, not liking this situation I had found myself in. Though I didn't want to tell him anything except his need for a very long bath, I had a feeling he wouldn't stop pestering me until he got at least something out of me. I sighed and cracked my knuckles as I thought about my next words with great care. " I was placed here by my mother. She felt this place to be safest for me. I'm to keep a bit of a low profile, try and blend it and such, until she feels it's time to come get me. I had thought I would just hang out here, like a mini vacation, but The headmaster felt my time would be better spent learning about your culture. I suppose it'll be entertaining enough. " I glance towards the door in a longing way, wanting to go to my next class. " Sir, that's really all I feel I can say at this moment in time and I don't want to be late for Transfigurationso..." I looked at him pleadingly.
He glowered disapprovingly. " Fine, get to your class." Professor Snape waved his hand towards the door in a dismissal. Flashing a brief smile, I scooped my bag up and scurried out of the foul smelling room, glad to be on my way.
The door banged shut soundly behind me and I hurried up the stairs and into someone. I fell back a few steps before steadying myself and gave an unbalanced Hermione a curious look. She pushed her bushy hair from her face and looked at me in a worried way, awaiting for my report on what had happened in the classroom. I motioned for us to walk, her leading, and as we did I told her what had transpired in the classroom. I held back my answer, not wanting her to worry, and made it seem as if I did not answer. I had never liked lying, wasn't my forte, but in a pinch I could concoct something halfway decent. I mentally sighed in relief when she seemed to buy it and we continued our dash towards our next class.
Inside the Transfiguration classroom all the students were already there with their books out on their desk. The room was clean and bright and had a friendly environment, quite the opposite of Professor Snape's classroom. Assortments of cages littered the room in an orderly way and were filled with animals of all kinds. A few students looked up at our entrance and began to whisper in an obvious way. I rolled my cool gray eyes and went to sit in an empty desk, Hermione sitting down to my right. The moment I sat, the door swung open quietly and a familiar ginger haired woman entered.
Her no nonsense gaze silenced the room and she walked over to stand in front of her tidy desk to look around the room at the politely quiet students. I did not smell fear or dislike in this room, instead there was a respectful eagerness. Though a few were a tad on the nervous side. I looked at the professor in curiosity; she must be quite the interesting teacher to get a room of teens quiet without the use of fear invoking tactics. I reached down and got my book and waited for her to begin the class.
" Welcome back to Hogwarts. As nearly all of you know, I am Professor McGonagall. Now, I would like you all to open your books and begin to read chapter one while I have a word with our new student." I groaned, not wanting a repeat of potions. She motioned for me to join her in the front and to my relief, spoke to me quietly. " Do you have any experience with transfiguration Miss Samantha?"
I felt like laughing. Of course I did! I was in a transformed state at the very moment. " Yes ma'am, I have experience." I said as quietly as she had. She looked at me for a moment, as if gauging if I was being truthful or not. Apparently she believed me, for she nodded before speaking again.
" Good. Now, I am aware that you are a wandless magic user," Her face held an expression that told me she wasn't sure if she believed this or not either, " but I wish for you to follow the class. Just… get everything done, in whatever way you can. You may go sit." I nodded my head to her and returned to my seat beside Hermione, who was deep within a book at the moment.
She withdrew herself when the professor began to speak again. " That will do class. Now, today we will do a quick review of what we did the end of last year…"
The class went by without mishap, for which I was truly grateful. I got a few looks for doing magic without a wand but I ignored them and soon enough, everyone didn't seem to be so flabbergasted by my abilities. It was a tad difficult to follow the class seeing as I had to make things up as we went but I thought I did rather well. Though I knew the basics of transforming things (my mother had seen to that), making things up on the spot had its problems. But I was a curious girl, so there was no giving up for me. Not until I figured out how to transform a frog into a bowl. Eventually, I had convinced the disgruntled tree frog to do as I wished and found myself with a lovely china bowl, though it was still froggy green.
My other classes of the day, Charms and History of Magic, went smoothly. Though the teachers did ask me a few questions, they, much like Professor McGonagall, didn't draw attention to me. This I appreciated immensely. But they had also assigned quite a bit of reading as well. Though, unlike Professor Snape, they had been wiling to give me a longer amount of time to finish it all up. I had been confident that I would finish all the potions work in I had just left the History of Magic class and after shaking off the sleepy fog the teacher had placed me in, I went back to Gryffindor Tower, following the directions Hermione had given me befor going to the library. I had wanted to go with her (libraries smelled so good) but I had decided I needed to go up to the dorms. After giving the obese painting the password, Chocolate frogs, I climbed the stairs and was greeted by an empty room.
I smiled happily and went over to where my trunk sat and threw open the lid. For the longest time I had lived out of this trunk. My mother had said it was not safe for us to stay in one place long so I had never unpacked it before. I wasn't going to now, I didn't want to get settled in and have to leave the next day. No, that wouldn't do at all. The inside of the lid was covered with sketches of what I could remember of my home, my true home. I could not recall much about it but when I did I made sure to sketch or write it all down. I wouldn't allow myself to forget my past.
I tore my gaze from the slightly rough drawings and down into the jumbles of miscellaneous objects I had collected over the years. Small bags that held jewelry, baubles, and anything glittery laid at the bottom and on the top were clothes, books, and more books. I put all of the potion books but the first year in and slid the lid closed, relocking it with magic. Tossing my bag onto my bed, I left with the potions book tucked under my arm, intent on picking up where I unintentianally left off. I looked down at it's ratty cover, fingering a spot where a part of the cover had been ripped off. Definitely used more than once. I tightened my grip on it, a determined feeling settling inside me.
' I may not be here long, but I'm not going to waste what little time I do have by lazing about.' I thought to myself as I moved over towards my bed and settled myself cross legged in it's center. ' I only have one month for Potions, so I'm going to focus most of my attention on that subject. Hopefully Hermione will help me some on the sample potions and the reading tests shouldn't be too difficult if I read everything thoroughly.' I took a deep breath and opened the book to where I had so abruptly stopped and began to read.
A/N: Aaaand that's it! Bet you LOVED that, eh? No romance, no attacks, no mysterious disappearances, no nothin'! Well, she did get her sleeve melted off, but that wasn't all that frightening. o.O; I could have made it more suspenseful, but I didn't. So there. Ahaha. The next one isn't even started yet, but I feel myself motivated so hopefully I'll actually get something done for once! -GASP- I wanted to say something else... uuuuuuh, oh yeah! Nagging seriously gets me writing. Like, dude. OO So if I haven't updated in a long time, scream at me to get my ass moving. Or, if you prefer, my lazy ass. - Peace out humanoids! Oh, and I DID get lazy with the last bit. The sucky ending is not a horrible figment of your sick and twisted imagination. -salutes-
