"Ah, Arya- please, have a seat!" The professor gestured to the large red chair in front of his desk. As she sat, Fawkes flew to her and perched on her shoulder. He nuzzled into Arya's neck, feathers raised. The rider calmly smiled and stroked the fire bird. "So, how are you doing my dear?" Professor Dumbledore asked casually while conjuring up a set of tea. "Sugar?"
"Please…Well classes seem to be going well; although I wish I could see what Andrew was doing with them…"
"And how about yourself?"
"To be entirely honest, I'm a bit worried about training Harry privately."
"And why would that be?" The 16-year-old witch sighed and sat back in her chair.
"I know he is developing feelings for me, when there cannot be any. It would cause too much of a distraction from his training, and my own fighting. That and-"
"And you are afraid that the prophecy will come true," he said with his infamous twinkle, "Arya, matters of the heart are what saved Harry in the first place, and you on several occasions. When you give into that, than a power far greater than magic comes to aide you: love. And we both know just how strong one can become- it has saved me many a time and it is what aided you in escaping from Voldemort, the love of your brother."
"I know Grandfather…but honestly, if it comes true, I could be what would end up killing him."
"Don't worry, it will all turn out the way it should- you'll see. Let's just hope that he will take the news in the best way possible." He looked on his granddaughter, a smile escaping his lips. "Now, what are you planning on doing with his first lesson?"
"I was going to start just by testing him. And then seeing what I'll have to work with."
"Marvelous! Well, why don't we finish our tea, and then you need to go join your friends down for dinner." Arya smugly smiled and continued sipping out of her cup.
"For homework- I expect all of you to practice silent spells! By the time I see you next class, I want to have a few of you successfully duel in silence. Dismissed!"
"My, my: aren't we getting this professor thing to our heads?" Arya mused at her brother as she approached him from the door. He rolled his eyes and scoffed as he put a few of the fallen papers back on the front table. "Well I'm off to dinner… By the way, are you trying out for quidditch?"
"I don't know…are we allowed to?"
"I think so. I mean we are technically sorted…and it would be good to test out our skills against one another again," she smirked. Andrew just laughed in response to his sister.
"Well, tryouts for us are tomorrow. Maybe I'll go. Go ahead to the grand hall; I need to finish up here." After saying goodbye, Arya made her way down the staircase to the grand hall- not before almost running through Nearly-Headless Nick who was giving a stern talking to Peeves. She suppressed her giggle at Peeves' mocking face, only to turn the corner to find none other than a particular blonde from Slytherin. "I mean even your Grandmother thinks you are pathetic Longbottom!"
Longbottom…Frank and Alice's son? "Mr. Malfoy, I certainly hope you have a valid reason for talking down to Mr. Longbottom. Actually," she cut him off, "Don't answer, because there is no excuse for that kind of treatment."
"I'm only pointing out the facts, Professor. He's a disgrace to the-"
"The what, pureblood's? Who cares about blood this day in age Malfoy? If you don't have some kind of muggle in you, then you've been inbreeding far too long. And knowing your lack of knowledge of muggle study- inbreeding causes genetic malfunction. So in actuality- having the 'purest blood' is not the best."
"Even if that is true, Longbottom is a disgrace to the wizarding community!"
"20 points from Slytherin. Try me for more Mr. Malfoy- maybe this will keep a hold on your language and attitude toward your classmates. If I hear this kind of treatment from you again- it will be more points and a detention or two. Is that clear?" Arya had backed Draco up against a wall, and had her face less than a foot away from his with Nevil simply looking on in shock.
"Crystal."
"Good- now go before I deduct more points." And with that the blonde turned sharply on his heel for the archway. "Now, Longbottom was it? You aren't Frank and Alice's son are you?" Nevil's face turned paler if that were at all possible.
"Yes actually…"
"Excellent wizards, and very nice people. You would have made them proud."
"But how would you know-"
"Just because they're at St. Mungos, doesn't change the person. From what I heard they were very kind- and exceptional aurors. And judging by the look of you, you just need more confidence in your ability. Now let's go to dinner, shall we?"
"Where have you been?"
"Had to take care of a little 'ferret' issue. Nevil is going to sit with us."
"See I told you Harry, nothing to worry abo- ow!" Harry forcefully nudged Ron in the arm, which just caused Arya and Hermione to laugh. "So…I'm ready for quidditch tryouts, aren't you cap'n?"
"Captain? Who's captain?
"Why Harry is of course. He's been our star seeker since first year- youngest seeker in a century!"
"So what positions are you needing?"
"Well I'm seeker, but I'm gonna keep Ron as my keeper, but we need two good beaters now that Fred and George left- and all our chasers are gone, but- wait…why do you ask?"
"I was considering coming to tryouts." Ron and Harry looked at each other as their shock turned to pure glee.
"Really?! Have you ever played? What are you looking for…" both boys jumbled and asked repeatedly.
"Well I'm not bad as seeker or keeper- but I've got a passion for chaser." Hermione just rolled her eyes to Arya.
"See, now this is all they're ever going to want to talk about." The girls just chuckled at the boys' excitement.