5 Tuesday

Noelle fixed her robes and sat back down on her bed. Today's classes worried her. Flying and Defense Against the Dark Arts. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy either of them, but she just worried all the time that she might fall to her death or be shot into oblivion. She knew her magic was powerful but she held back when dueling because of it.

Picking up the letter she'd written the night before, she held out the opposite arm. Thoth, her screech owl, landed on her arm and she gave him the letter, which he took in his beak. She walked him to the open window and threw her arm up, watching as he took off into the sky. He would take the letter to her father and be back hopefully by nightfall. Enclosed were her O.W.L results and a general "I miss you" and "I love you."

"Noelle, your friend is outside waiting for you." Margaret, a fellow Slytherin poked her head into the room.

She nodded and stood, making her way to the door. "Thanks."

If she thought she was scared of some of her classes, she hadn't even begun to understand Brooke's fear. Brooke was the type who was cheerful all the time but terrified of most foods, rides, flying, and anything that could cause her to fall ill in any way.

"You should have seen the potions some of us made in Snape's class! I swear I'm going to get cancer or pneumonia or melt my face off!" Brooke looked at Noelle, wide-eyed.

"You'll be fine. Madame Pomfrey is prepared for any eventuality where that happens, and besides, hardly anyone ever gets hurt. The teachers are meant to do just that, teach. Teach and keep the students safe. Not get them blown up. You'll be fine."

"Then how do you explain dinner last night? They were definitely trying to kill us then!"

"With what? The fruit?"

"Exactly! You know how gross fruit is!"

By now they'd made it to the yard where most students in their sixth year had already gathered and were picking up their brooms. "Only to you Brooke. Only to you."

They stopped by Kade and Paul, stooping to pick up their broomsticks as well. Noelle hoped to someday get her own broom. Perhaps it would help her to feel more at home in the sky as well, knowing the feeling of own particular broom over any other.

Kade leaned forwards to see both the girls. "Hey! Haven't gotten the chance to see you two yet."

Noelle smiled back. "I feel like the first week is always a bit chaotic as we get used to our new schedules."

He nodded. "I agree, they do seem to be. Wonder when Madam Hooch will get here?"

Noelle turned her head to look at him. "What was that?"

Kade raised an eyebrow. "I didn't say anything."

Noelle was about to respond that he most certainly had, but was interrupted by Madam Hooch's sudden arrival as she landed on the field, pulling her broom out from under herself and holding it out to the side. "Now now class, you know the drill, this is your sixth year after all. I want two lines on either side and I don't want to see anyone sitting on their brooms until I say so. Got it?" She blew her whistle and everyone scrambled into their lines.

As she waited, she saw a cluster of Ravenclaw students talking and laughing before breaking up to get in line as well. At their head was a tall boy with dark brown eyes and hair, and thin glasses. Kade waved to him with a smile.

"You know him?" Noelle asked, curious as to why the Gryffindor would be hanging with a bunch of Ravenclaw students.

"Yeah, his name is Azraeyn. He leads a type of Dungeons and Dragons game amongst a group of students. I usually play with them on Wednesdays." Kade looked briefly her way. "Actually, Noelle would probably enjoy that. I should invite her sometime."

"That sounds great! I'd love to play."

Kade looked confused. "Oh? Right! That's great then! I'll let Azraeyn know I'm bringing you tomorrow then!"

Again Noelle went to ask why she'd received such a weird answer, but Madam Hooch began the lesson. Her questions would have to wait.

Defense Against the Dark Arts didn't turn out as worrisome as Noelle had feared it would. Snape began the lesson, his voice drawling as he did so.

"Today, we will learn Expecto Patronum, a protective spell, commonly known for its uses against Dementors." Many students groaned at this and Snape turned a glare on them. "Unfortunately, many of you already know this charm from last year, where a CERTAIN student led an unauthorized class. Also unfortunately, some do NOT know this spell, as they were not included in such matters." He looked over to where all the Slytherins sat.

He of course was referring to Harry Potter's class the year before, where, when Professor Umbridge refused to teach any actual aggressive or defensive spells, he'd taken it upon himself to do so. However, as there were many students who would try and suck up to the staff and brown-nose their way into positions of student authority, those students were not included in that training. Since Slytherin's were already prejudiced against, none of their house was included.

Due to this fact, Noelle was very excited at the prospect of learning this spell. She'd heard that each Patronum was unique to the witch or wizard, appearing in different varying strengths and shapes. She smiled wide until she saw Azraeyn across the way, looking at her curiously. She blushed and focused on Professor Snape.

"In order to produce a patronum, you must access a memory. Hold it at the forefront of your mind. Stay focused in order to keep it steady and use it as a shield."

Harry stood at the back of the room, whispering to a few other students. Noelle leaned closer to hear. "A happy memory. The happiest you have."

Noelle tried to think what her happiest memory would be. Then she got it. It was when she first came to Hogwarts. The food was all so different and amazing, the magic was everywhere. And at that age, no one had cared about her lineage or ignored her because there was someone more interesting. It was truly magical.

"You will form a line and altogether you will show your patronum. Make sure to hold the memory in your mind and stay focused." Snape waved his hand and everyone lined up, pulling their wands from their robes. Noelle looked at the far wall and focused on her memory, waiting for Snape's signal. "You may begin."

A few students immediately brought theirs forth, having practiced the year before. Most of the Slytherin students and a few from the other houses, struggled, repeating the incantation and waving their wands around.

"Expecto Patronum!" Noelle said loudly. Nothing happened. She felt disappointment sink into her stomach. She shook it off. No. She just needed to focus on her happy memory. Feeling disappointment would ruin the effect as she was meant to be happy. She could do this.

Raising her wand once more, she tuned out everyone else. "Expecto Patronum!"

From her wand burst forth blue light, almost ethereal in nature, forming the shape of a creature. Swimming through the air as one would through the sea was a shark, working its way through the room and knocking other half-formed patronus out of the way.

Her mouth hung wide. What a powerful creature to have as her patronus.

Snape made his way behind her side. "Well done Ms. Lestrange."