School Supplies
It wasn't parchment. It was too thin. It was crisp and white, with faint blue ruled lines. It wasn't rolled, but folded. It was covered in Miss Granger's smooth, round handwriting.
It was so… Muggle.
Instantly ashamed of herself, Minerva glanced around nervously, chiding herself. She didn't hate Muggles. She wasn't prejudiced against Muggle-borns. Miss Granger was her best student.
It was just so… unorthodox.
More satisfied now, she began to read the essay.
Once more, Minerva was surprised. She'd already noted that it was neater than the parchments piled on her desk, but she hadn't really expected it to be easier to read!
***
Filius had been warned. Minerva had spoken about it in the staffroom. He was quite prepared to receive an essay written on Muggle paper.
He didn't expect five.
He had been surprised to note that, while Miss Granger and Mr Potter had written the Muggle way, their constant companion, the youngest Mr Weasley, hadn't. His elder brothers, the dreaded Terror Twins had, however; as had Mr Thomas.
***
Pomona was torn. On the one hand, this Muggle paper was too thin, and easier to tear. It was too white, and dirt was far more obvious.
On the other hand, the Muggle pens seemed to have improved the handwriting of most of the class. She couldn't honestly complain about that.
***
Quirinus quailed as his Master raged. The long-suffering professor didn't understand the Dark Lord's anger, didn't know of the unpleasant reminder of writing lines at the Orphanage. He could only hope to weather the storm of the Dark Lord's displeasure.
And mark quickly.
***
Severus had heard the talk. He just didn't expect anyone to be brave – or foolish – enough to hand in their assignment on lined paper.
He was wrong. It was a Gryffindor, of course. Miss Granger.
He wanted to scowl, ignore the essay, and give it an automatic T.
But somewhere in the back of his mind, he remembered a red-headed girl glaring down at the parchment which refused to stay unrolled, hearing her mutter under her breath about useless quills and how she ought to just use a biro.
Granger got an E. She really deserved an O, but he did have a reputation to keep.