Chapter 2: Holy Crap- It's a Wildfire, Smelly Fish, and a Smiling McGonagall
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Hogwartian reactions and the disturbing smell of fish, including the introduction of Elle's friend. Oh yes, it is the Second Banter Battle of the series!
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The next morning at breakfast, Elle was sitting at her Ravenclaw table, keeping to herself as usual.
The news of the little clashing of the wits of Camberlin and Black had spread like wildfire.
She ignored the boys' glaring and the girls constantly trying to talk to her. Although it was her own fault for getting this highly unwanted and unappreciated attention, Elle's patience was slightly wearing.
She sighed with relief when the bell rang to get to classes. Quickly grabbing her needed books and stationary, Elle rushed out of the Great Hall, bowing her head low.
Oh, this was all too wonderful.
She had Transfiguration which was taught by Professor McGonagall with the Gryffindors first thing in the morning.
"Bitch," Thomas Grasely, a Gryffindor, hissed as she sat down in front of him.
"Shut up, Tom," Lily said irritated, sitting in her assigned seat next to Elle.
Elle was already scribbling down notes on some parchment when Lily started talking to her.
"Hey Elle," she said, "I thought that what you did the other day was brilliant. Someone really needed to take Black off his high horse."
She waited for any recognition from Elle.
There was none.
"And you burned his horse down," Lily finished.
Elle looked at Lily, gave her a small, quick smile and turned back to her work.
…
Elle was finished with her work ten minutes before the bell rang to start second period. Almost everyone was still working except for a select few that included Lily Evans and Amos Diggory.
She tried to look like she was busy writing so that McGonagall would not bother her.
But, alas, this disguise did not work.
"Miss Camberlin, would you be as kind as to approach my desk for a few words?" came a strict, sharp voice.
Elle closed her eyes for a split second, took a deep breath, and stood up.
Walking toward her Professor's desk, she bit her bottom lip. She heard once that Cambodians have a superstition that when you bite your lip, it means that someone's talking about you.
Erm…
Elle thought of that random fact in hopes of trying to drag her mind from the topic of punishment and the various assortments of them. Even as that stands true, people certainly were talking about her.
That, obviously, was to be expected.
"Yes Professor?" Elle asked calmly as she reached the desk.
"For the incident yesterday," Elle's eye almost twitched, "it should be expected that you receive a punishment."
Elle dipped her head into a curt nod, and then bowed it.
"But I believe that you have done the females at Hogwarts more of a favor than a disturbance," McGonagall said.
Elle looked up in poorly contained surprise.
"Professor?" she asked, slightly confused.
The bell for second period rang and students clambered towards the door.
Peering from above her spectacles, Minerva McGonagall addressed her student, "Miss Camberlin, if you had not noticed the size of Mr. Black's ego, then let me inform you of this: his ego had depleted immensely. I thank you for that."
McGonagall had led her to the door as they were talking.
As she was pushed out the door, Elle swore she saw the outline of an amused glimmer of a smile on the Transfiguration teacher's face.
…
The rest of the day passed much like the morning-
Girls congratulating her, boys glaring or calling her names, and teachers saying how much Black's ego had deflated. It seemed that all her professors were getting irritated with Black, and apparently Elle had been the solution of killing off all of his ego-manic attacks on other students.
But that didn't last for long.
After a few days, Black was more determined than ever to defeat Elle Camberlin, and his ego level shot straight up once again.
Oh boy.
…
"It smells like fish," Elle said to her best friend Adeline (Addy).
Elle scrunched up her face, making Addy laugh.
They were at Hogsmead, enjoying the last few days of warmth until the beginning of November.
What they hadn't noticed was the fact that they passed the Marauders.
Black being Black, of course, overheard the comment and had an insult at hand.
Oh, yeah, that's a surprise.
"Maybe it's you," Elle heard from behind.
She whipped around.
Guess what she saw.
Elle saw a Black speck that believed he could beat her this time, and the ego level was shot straight to the sky.
"And have you checked yourself?" Elle asked, raising an eyebrow, "Are you absolutely sure that the stink isn't just your failure to beat me one time? And now you expect to win this round."
Addy stifled laughs from this.
"Do your thing, Elle," she thought in her head.
A circle of onlookers had formed, about 87% of them Hogwarts students.
"Why should I? Only girls smell like fish," Black said casually, then snickering with James.
Personally, Elle thought that was pathetic.
Sirius didn't think Elle would be able to say anything to that. But don't underestimate a woman-- especially if that woman is Elle Sunhera Camberlin.
"You say only girls smell like fish? What do you call yourself?" Elle shot.
Once again, Black had been burned down from his high horse.
He got slightly reddish in the face.
"Are you implying that…?" Black started.
Elle raised an eyebrow. With a swish of her dark, thick tresses, Elle turned around and walked away.
Monday, however, was not better.
Hella yeah! This is what actually happened to me a few years ago. Except my best friend wasn't there and I wasn't in Hogsmead. And no, sorry to say, I was not partaking in witty banter with Sirius Black.