I was right. It was a total struggle for me to even open my eyes. However, the clock in my room had begun to chime, signalling that it was time to wake up.
The minute my feet touch my soft rug, I'm jolted awake. I no longer feel sluggish and tired. Instead, I'm alert and ready to learn!
I immediately run into the shower, mentally calculating how much time I have. I woke up 45 minutes before breakfast, and I could only let my shower be half an hour long.
This becomes a problem as soon as I step into the sauna. The warm water massages my body, releasing any tension that I might have. I end up taking a 35 minute shower, and I quickly throw on my uniform. It consists of the usual jumper, skirt, and robe. Groaning at the curly red mess that is my hair, I just run my brush through it and quickly braid it into a (unintentionally) messy side braid.
I forgo any form of makeup (as I always do), and just swipe a clear, delicious tasting gloss onto my naturally pink lips. Unlike Lily, I don't see a need to coat my blue eyes in anything.
I reach for my wand and tuck it into my holster. Although the threat of danger had mostly passed after Voldemort's death, I felt comfortable knowing I always had easy access to my wand.
I poke my head outside, silently checking for Malfoy's presence. The Common Room was empty. I quietly sneak out. I'm not in the mood for a confrontation.
I settle right next to Irina, who glared at me behind her orange juice. I smile nervously.
"So, err, how was your first night back?" Irina glared.
"Let's just say, both suddenly wanted my opinion on their stupid arguments. Hale wants to use me as some sort of social status booster, while Landry wants to use me as a curse dummy of some sort. And this morning, I had to use the bat-bogey hex your aunt taught us to force Hale out of the bathroom. In conclusion, it was an utterly shit morning," She finished, reaching for some kippers. I laugh unsympathetically.
"Hey, it could have been worse. Remember when Landry practiced the flatulence hex. The smell didn't fade for days. Now come on, let's go get our schedules." Professor Flitwick, our diminutive charms teacher, smiled as he saw me and Irina. He seemed to have a soft spot for the both of us.
"Hello, Ms. Weasley. It seems that you are cleared for Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Defense against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and Ancient Runes. Congratulations on your high OWL scores, I am very proud of you," He addded quietly, beaming up at me. He quickly tapped a blank timetable and handed it to me. I smiled in thanks and waited off to the side for Irina.
"Alright, I have a free after breakfast, and a free after lunch. Isn't that great?" I exclaimed happily to Irina. She nodded, smiling.
"I think we have the same schedule, except I have muggle studies when you have Ancient Runes. Hey, when can I come visit your common room?" She asked, eyes bright with eagerness. I shrug.
"How about sometime over the weekend?" I reply, smiling gently. She nods reluctantly.
"Oh, alright. Now, where do you want to go?" She asked, stuffing her schedule carelessly into her bag.
"I'm going back to my room; I need all of my stuff," I reply, waving before beginning the trek back up to my room.
The first thing I have is Transfiguration with Hufflepuffs. We're reviewing how to vanish things in order to prepare for conjuring.
'You will have to successfully vanish at least 3 of these books. After you have vanished them, you may begin to read the theory of conjuring. If you have any questions about either part of this lesson, do ask. Remember, no horseplay. This is a dangerous subject, and I expect you all will treat it with caution. You may begin." Professor McGonagall returned to her desk after she had spoken, and there was a flurry of movement as everyone reached for these books.
I let out a loud giggle when I see the books. On the cover was a picture of a blond, wavy-haired wizard with blue eyes and a wide smile. He winked and waved occasionally.
It was Gilderoy Lockhart's book, "Gadding with Ghouls". Professor McGonagall raised her head from her desk and raised her eyebrows questioningly. However, I am laughing too hard to explain.
"That's- that's Gilderoy Lock-Lockhart," I gasp, succumbing to my laughing fit once more.
Dad had told me about the pathetic excuse of a celebrity. Mum, on the other hand, spoke less disparagingly of him. Whenever she mentioned it, Dad snickered and repeatedly laughed at her for fancying him in their second year. I shudder at the thought that mum had actually admired this tosspot.
"Yes, Ms. Weasley, I'm very well aware of that." McGonagall said impatiently. I immediately quiet down. Then, Professor McGonagall did the rarest thing she had ever done: she smiled.
"Yes, I know it's quite funny. Now please return to the assignment." I nodded obediently. The rest of the class broke out in whispers, but a few smiled at me knowingly. It seemed that their parents had told them of Lockhart's 'accomplishments'.
The rest of the day had passed quite uneventfully. After Transfiguration, I had Ancient Runes (an inter-house class), DADA with Gryffindors. Then I headed down for Lunch, used the free period to complete the Transfiguration reading, and Ancient Runes translations. Then it was time for Potions with Slytherins.
It was time to face Malfoy.
"Alright, students. Today, we will be jumping right in to Advanced Potions. The potion we will be brewing today is very advanced, so we will be working in partners. I have already chosen your partners for you. Please come see the list for your assignments, and then move to sit with each other accordingly. Then you will find out what you will be brewing for the next few months. This assignment will be a very big grade, so I suggest working carefully together." I rise and slowly scan the list, dread dragging my heart into my stomach. I come across my name, and with shaking hands, I run my finger along until I reach the name of my partner.
There, in Professor Grumber's small, straight handwriting, was the name Oliver Zabini.
Oliver Zabini. Not Malfoy.
I gasp in relief, and turn to find my new Potions partner. He, too, scans the list and smiles at me. He moves his things to my desk and leans down to whisper into my ear.
"Guess we're partners," he says softly, breath tickling my ear. I smile back at him.
"Guess we are," I reply. The teacher clears her throat, and I gaze around the room, checking other people's partners. Irina is partnered with Ryan Nott, a cute Slytherin who's good at Potions.
Malfoy, on the other hand, is partnered with the Irina's twin, Jasmine Finnigan.
Jasmine Finnigan is the exact opposite of Irina. She has sandy hair, green eyes, and utterly plastic breasts. Her breasts are about as real as her personality. She's an airheaded Slytherin slut.
Oh, and she hates my guts. Probably has something to do with the fact that I inspired Irina to stand up to her sorry excuse of a family member.
She's also Malfoy's notorious fling. However, he doesn't look that satisfied with his partner, while she's over the moon.
"Alright, settle down. Now, you will be brewing…" Professor Grumbers paused for dramatic effect.
"Polyjuice Potion!" I freeze. I knew that potion. It was insanely complicated and painful, even if the potion was brewed correctly.
And of course, my mum had brewed it in her 2nd year.
"However, we won't be starting today. Today, you will be researching this potion and writing an essay on how to brew it correctly and the effects of brewing it wrong.
"Be warned, if I catch any student using this for their own personal gain or amusement, I will be extremely angry. You will be begging for detention and house points after I am through. Does everyone understand?" We all nodded quietly. As much as we hated to admit it, Grumbers was scary.
Before the end of class, Oliver turned to me and cleared his throat. I tore my eyes away from the textbook to look up at him questioningly.
"So, err, Rose, do you want to meet up sometime to write this essay? I know it's due Wednesday, but I thought we could do it early?" Oliver asks casually. Too casually.
"Yeah, how about tonight in the library? After Dinner?" I ask, trying not to grin like an idiot. I had a small suspicion…
"Alright, perfect it's a date." He said quickly, then rising to leave. Before he left the room, he turned back and smiled.
I smiled back. I knew it.
Oliver Zabini had just asked me out on a date.
I'm halfway to my next class before another thought occurs to me.
I wonder what Malfoy's going to say when he learns that his best mate had gone on a date with his worst enemy.
Rose: 2
Malfoy: 1
Wow, double update! Enjoy and don't forget to review please! :)