Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters belong to J.K. Rowling. They are used without permission, and no money is being made from this story. All original characters are my creation.
Lessons Taught, Lessons Learned
Chapter Four: Because of Her Homework
Trista went to History of Magic and, unfortunately, Patrick was also taking NEWT level History of Magic. She sat in a seat in the back hoping he would stay up front, but he didn't. He gathered his things and walked back to join her.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked. Trista shrugged noncommittally. Patrick sat down and grinned at her, "How do you like Hogwarts?"
"It's fine, I suppose," Trista replied.
"You'll get used to it," Patrick told her. "I'll help you."
"I don't think I need your help," Trista replied.
"How about a free sample of my help?" Patrick suggested, and then continued without waiting for a response, "See, this class is the best class for catching an extra hour of sleep if you stayed up late studying. Professor Binns doesn't pay much attention to us; he just drones on and on. So, all you have to do is stay up long enough to write down the subject matter of the day and then you can doze off until the bell."
"Oh," Trista replied, not really caring, "I think I'll just listen to Professor Binns, thanks. He might mention something that's not in the books. An interesting fact or something."
"I doubt that," Patrick replied as Professor Binns floated into the classroom to begin class. Patrick lowered his voice to a whisper, "You'll see what I mean."
Professor Binns took roll and then immediately began lecturing the class in most dull voice imaginable. Trista jotted down the subject matter and tried to listen carefully, but after only a few minutes she was bored out of her mind. She looked over to see that Patrick was resting his head on his arms. He turned his head toward her and grinned.
"Told you," he whispered.
"Are they all like this?" Trista whispered.
"Yep," Patrick confirmed, "Never even changes the tone of his voice, Professor Binns."
"So, what else should I know?" Trista asked.
"Well, that'll cost you," Patrick replied.
"Cost me?" Trista repeated, "Cost me what?"
"A date," Patrick whispered.
"A date?!" Trista whispered loudly and several people turned to look at her.
"Yes, a date," Patrick replied, "One date on the first Hogsmeade trip of the year. Just that and I'll tell you all I know about surviving Hogwarts."
"How much can you really tell me?" Trista asked.
"Say 'yes' to the date and you'll find out," Patrick replied.
"Fine," Trista replied, "One date, that's it."
"Excellent," Patrick replied, grinning.
"But I won't hold your hand or anything like that," Trista whispered quickly.
"As you wish," Patrick replied.
Trista ignored Patrick for the rest of class and hurried to the Great Hall for lunch as soon as the bell rang. She squeezed herself between Gertrude and Isabella and began fixing herself a plate. Just as she was about to start eating, Patrick appeared.
"Ladies," he greeted them, and then turned to Trista, "Meet me in the common room after dinner, Trista. And don't forget about our date."
Flashing another quick grin, Patrick strolled away to join his friends. Trista felt herself go red with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
"You're going on a date with Patrick Fannon?!" Allie exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yeah," Trista replied and shrugged.
"How'd you manage to get a date with him so quickly?" Allie asked, "He's the most popular boy in Hufflepuff!"
"He asked me," Trista replied, "He offered to help me learn about Hogwarts in exchange for one date."
"Wow," Amy said dreamily, "I wish I were you."
"No, you don't," Trista mumbled thinking of the secret hidden beneath her robes.
"Do you think we should talk about our Herbology project?" Isabella suggested, "I think we should each have a specific task to do."
"What do you mean?" Gertrude asked.
"Well, since Trista was the best at doing Sol Solis and Vesper Conticinium, she should be in charge of providing sunlight for it," Isabella explained, "And you're really good at controlling your Aguamenti spell, Amy, so you can water it."
"What about me?" Gertrude asked.
"You can make sure it has fresh, clean soil every week," Trista said, "And Allie can keep track of how much it grows."
"We all have to do that," Allie interjected.
"I know," Trista replied, "But if you keep track of the actual measurements, it'll save the rest of us time. We can put up a blank bit of parchment on the wall near the plant and you can record its measurements on that."
"Oh, okay," Allie agreed.
"That just leaves me," Isabella said. "What can I do?"
"Why don't you try to research ways to help it grow better?" Trista suggested, "I bet we'd get extra points if we had the biggest snargaluff."
"Oooh!" Isabella exclaimed, "Good idea, I'll see what I can find!"
With that, Isabella grabbed her bag and hurried out of the Great Hall. Trista and the other girls finished their lunches, but had no time to discuss the snargaluff any further because the end of lunch bell rang and they had to go their remaining classes.
--
At dinner that night, Professor Grinkleby stood up to make an unexpected speech. He raised his hand to signal for quiet and waited until the students had turned their attention to him.
"I am pleased to announce that this year we will be having a very special event," he said. "I would have announced this during my speech last night at the opening feast, but I wasn't certain it would be able to happen. However, I have since learned that it will."
"What is it already?" a boy from the Gryffindor table shouted.
"I'm getting to it, Mr. Potter," Grinkleby said. "This year, we will have a Halloween Costume Ball!"
The students cheered and Grinkleby waited for them to quiet down before continuing, "Before you all get too excited, this ball is for fifth years and higher only. I'm sorry," he continued as the fourth years and lower began complaining, "This is the only way the Ministry would allow us to have the ball. Now, those of you allowed and able to attend should listen carefully. As this is a Halloween Costume Ball, you will only be allowed to attend if you arrive in a costume. The costume may be anything of your choosing so long as it's tasteful. Madam Malkin's in Hogsmeade has agreed to set up a schedule so that any student wishing to attend can consult with her or one of her assistants about the costume they would like to wear. The schedule will be posted on the bulletin board in your house common rooms. Now, enjoy your meal."
As soon as Grinkleby was seated, the food appeared on the table and there was an outbreak of noise as everyone began talking about the ball.
"What sort of costume should I do?" Isabella asked speaking to no one in particular.
"Do you think I should ask Scorpius to go with me?" Gertrude asked throwing wistful glances in his direction.
"Are you going, Trista?" Amy asked.
"I don't know, maybe," Trista replied. The truth was that she was already trying to decide on a costume idea. This was probably her only opportunity to let her wings out without revealing her secret.
After she finished eating, Trista excused herself to go back to the Hufflepuff dorm. She sat in a large, overstuffed chair and waited for Patrick. He arrived a short while later, joking and laughing with his buddies. When he spotted Trista, he immediately walked over to her.
"Ah, so you remembered," he said pretending to be impressed.
"Of course I did," Trista replied.
"Well then, let's get started shall we?" Patrick replied, taking a seat in the chair next to hers.
"This had better be worth it, Fannon," Trista said threateningly, "Because if it isn't, I'll cancel the date."
"Oh, it's worth it don't worry," Patrick replied.
"We'll see," Trista said.
"Of course," Patrick replied and grinned. "Let's see, the first thing you should know is that the Slytherins think they're all that, but on average they have the lowest marks in the entire school. The Gryffindors and the Ravenclaws are nice. Avoid Mr. Filch if at all possible-."
"Mr. Filch?" Trista interrupted.
"He's the caretaker," Patrick explained, "Angriest man ever, I do believe."
"Okay, go on," Trista said. "What about the teachers should I know?"
"Your experience with the teaching staff will vary from mine," Patrick replied. "You shouldn't try to pull a fast one on Professor Hinglestone, the Transfiguration teacher, she'll see right through it. Literally, she has a magic eye. Professor Longbottom is relatively lenient. If you forget your homework, he'll let you bring it by later. Professor Silfersked is our Head of House and the Charms teacher; well, you remember. He's nice, but a bit wishy-washy at times. Last year, he taught us how to make tea cups grow legs and walk across our desks and he demonstrated by making every tea cup grow legs and dance. Then, he started on a story about growing flowers in his garden. We ended up with only fifteen minutes to practice the charm. What? What's so funny?" He stopped because Trista was stifling a laugh.
"What do growing flowers have to do with tea cups walking?" Trista asked.
"Nothing as far as I know, but the man gets wishy-washy," Patrick replied.
"He seemed fine today," Trista said recalling the Charms lesson.
"Well, it's the first day and I said he gets like that at times," Patrick pointed out. "He's not like that always. Anyway," he continued, "Professor Sinistra, the Astrology teacher, is a bit hard of hearing, but she's a good teacher. She's patient and she'll help you have a problem. Professor Shields, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, is very strict. Don't show up late to his class or it's detention for a week."
"I don't plan on it," Trista said. She remembered how domineering Professor Shields seemed just while taking roll call.
"See that you don't," Patrick replied and continued, "Then there's Professor Moss, the Potions teacher. He leaves us to our own devices mostly. He only steps in if you're about to make a big mistake. So, that's all of the core classes, what electives are you taking?"
"None," Trista replied, "You've done all my classes."
"None?" Patrick repeated confused.
"Well, since I was homeschooled, I only studied the core lessons," Trista explained. "I never learned anything about the care of magical creatures or divination or anything like that. I don't even know what electives I'd be interested in."
"I see," Patrick replied. "Let's move on then, shall we?"
"I have homework I need to do," Trista replied, "Can we finish tomorrow?"
"It's a date," Patrick replied, grinning.
"No, it's not," Trista corrected him.
Trista picked up her bag and went back to the sixth year girls' dorm. She sat on her bed and started on her homework. She tried to concentrate on her reading for Defense, but her mind kept wandering back to the conversation she'd had with Patrick. She hadn't said much; mostly she just listened, but she…had she enjoyed herself? With a Muggleborn? Was that why she insisted on continuing it the next day? No, she decided, it was because she had homework to do.
It was because of her homework.