Chapter 43: Back to School

My stay in Bulgaria seemed to be shorter than it actually was. I wanted to stay longer with Viktor but it was already time to go back to Hogwarts. I stepped into the fireplace to Floo to Hogwarts bearing my father's specific instructions. What Mother predicted came true. My father wanted to be an active participant in this war, but he wanted me to consult the headmaster first. My father always knew that Dumbledore headed a group called the Order of the Phoenix, those who are willing to fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

"You'll never believe what I learned from Charlie…" Nikki bit down her Licorice Wand. They were casually sitting near the fireplace in the Ravenclaw Common Room.

"What did he tell you?" Ianthé rubbed her temples. (I did not get any sleep the night before… wink wink)

"That his older brother Bill Weasley is getting married."

"Really? To whom?"

"You won't believe this --- Fleur Delacour."

"I heard from Andy that Fleur's working in Gringotts…"

"Yeah and Bill also worked there as a Curse Breaker. He asked for a desk job so that he can get closer to Fleur. They went out eventually."

"Is that all?" Ianthé raised an eyebrow at her best friend.

"Charlie asked me to be his date for the wedding. He said he would owl me regarding the exact date for the wedding."

"Really?"

"Listen, I know you have tons of beautiful dress robes. Could I borrow one for the wedding?"

Ianthé smiled, "Sure! You need to look pretty to impress his family."

Nikki smiled wistfully, "Yeah…."

"By the way, the twins owled me. They sent us Shield Cloaks and Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder."

"Cool! So, what happened in Bulgaria?" Nikki asked winking.

"Nothing! My parents were there."

"Oh…. No you-know-what, I presume…"

Ianthé hit Nikki with her bag, "You have the dirtiest mind! Of course not!"

During dinner in Hogwarts, I noticed the significant change in Draco. It was very unnerving because obviously, there's something wrong with his plan. I understand Dumbledore's reason not to confront him. It was his family's lives on the line, that's why he seems to be under a tremendous amount of pressure.

"Check this out!" Nikki exclaimed to Ianthé as she dragged the latter to the bulletin board.

Apparition Lessons

If you are seventeen years of age, or will turn seventeen on or before the 31st August next, you are eligible for a twelve-week course of Apparition Lessons from a Ministry of Magic Apparition instructor. Please sign below if you would like to participate. Cost: 12 Galleons.

"Do you want to sign up?" Nikki took a quill out of her bag and signed her name.

Ianthé shook her head, "He has been teaching me to Apparate. I have been Side-Along Apparating before…"

"Okay…" Nikki shrugged.

Another day of Potions class, Nikki and I were struggled with Golpalott's Third Law regarding antidote-making. I noticed how all of us seemed to struggle with this lesson, even Harry Potter, the overnight Potions extraordinaire. It seemed like he was brilliant at Potions without Snape. Harry had this sudden rush of idea regarding bezoar… I wonder why I never thought of that…..

"So, how's the Apparition Lessons?" Ianthé lay on a large couch by the window in the Ravenclaw common room.

"Fine, I guess. The official's really annoying though… Three Ds…"

"Huh?"

"According to him, there are three Ds in Apparating," Nikki rolled her eyes, "Destination, Determination, Deliberation…"

"Hm… I suppose it's similar to what Viktor taught me… He told me to imagine the place where I would Apparate to, then take a deep breath, then gather up all the energy I have to disappear from the place where I was standing to the next place."

"Well, of course you won't get annoyed if the one teaching you is as hot as your boyfriend! Rather than that old man who looked like he's threatening to disappear."

Ianthé laughed at Nikki.

"If only you could say that man…. Dunghead's the tamest of the nicknames the others had made for him…."