Raised with Magic
Chapter Twenty-one: One Step Up
Mum and Dad looked awfully scared and shaken when they came to the infirmary. Secretly, I really appreciated their worry. I shouldn't, it's mean of me to take any sort of pleasure out of their worry. Either way, I don't think that they could read anything on my face because they were having a conversation with the women I now knew as Madame Pomfrey.
Madame Pomfrey told them that I had I fallen unconscious due to lack of oxygen before Fawkes could pull me out and that there was still a chance that I might revert into a state of shock. This all added up to being forced under the care of the woman for observation until "further notice".
Luna seemed unconcerned and only told me it was all the more reason for me to learn the underwater barrier we had been working on. I must admit that I feel more than a little foolish for not trying the barrier when I had gotten pulled in. The way that Luna was looking through me made me think that she knew this. She always looks through me, I think I am supposed to be bothered by this. I think.
The way she looks through be really doesn't matter though. I'd rather have Luna around and looking through me then her being away. Unfortunately, the woman made them all leave before I got "excited" and told them it was "for my own benefit". Mum didn't fight after that.
I had been sitting alone with nothing to do for nearly an hour when Professor Snape came in. He didn't say anything and only handed me a copy of Submersed Danger by Allison Seed.
"Thank you." I told him and when he didn't make to say anything back, I added what I had really meant. "For this, for helping me when Fawkes brought me to your classroom and for my Birthday gift." The Professor nodded, silently. He was also eyeing Fawkes who has been perching protectively by my head. "How are your classes going?" I tried, knowing it was a desperate plea to have someone to talk to. Fawkes is a good listener but it's not the same as having someone who will speak back.
He gave a dramatic sigh, but sat down all the same. "The entire lot of students are dunderheads. None of them have any appreciation for Potions." I didn't know how to respond because I didn't know him well enough to judge how he would react to each of my possible comments. I highly doubt that their was that little talent amongst his students, but the disappointment in his voice could not have been forged.
"I was reading Athenian Potions the other day and the volume introduces the idea that Potion brewing is not a test of competence but confidence." He smirked at my tactic. I guess he understands me a bit more than I understand him.
""Leroy also argues in Egyptian Potions that squibs could properly brew potions." His voice hissed with disapproval of the thought.
"I thought Squibs could." I received a disappointed and surprised glance.
"Don't believe Ross Leroy. When most of his factual work is true, he takes great liberties with his opinions."
"I wasn't basing off Leroy. Merlin knows he was hypocritical enough in Potions of the Caribbean. What I meant was I think Squibs have power, but can not channel that power through a wand. If squibs were completely muggle they would not be able to see dementors."
"What makes you think that squibs can see dementors?" The disappointment was gone and we were back on the comfortable debating level that works for us so well.
"How to be Successful Even Though You're a Squib by Braelyn Fattius (Name by Missevilprincess)." He laughed and I didn't know how to react or what to say.
"Good heavens child, do you do nothing but read?" I went still. "Why on earth were you reading a squib self help book?" I didn't like that he was laughing at me. Too many memories of the other children laughing at me for that very reason surfaced.
"I don't sleep much." I answered honestly and more than a bit defensively. "I normally only sleep about four hours, so I read. Not that I don't enjoy reading and do so at other times as well. But, I didn't know what a squib was so I read the book and to be fair it really was interesting." I've been suffered through insomnia since what happened, at least 2/3rds of the time. The rest of the time I sleep like a perfectly normal child.
I was grateful that the Professor didn't make a big deal about the fact I don't sleep much. After all, I hadn't told Mum and Dad. I also only knew what insomnia was because two years ago I suffered through it for a few months after Jared had chosen a particularly scary movie. My doctor told my parents that for whatever reason I would most likely be prone to insomnia on and off throughout my life.
"And besides reading, what do you do?" His question was a silly one. I do what everyone does.
"I teach myself sign language, I play or train with Luna, I go on expeditions with Dad and I hang out with Fred and George. Mum teaches me Potions and I teach Luna and myself muggle academics. I write back and forth with Jared, I explore Hogwarts and spend time with the people here." See, it was a silly question, I do normal stuff.
We sat in silence, I counted the minutes, eleven. "Will you bust me out?"
"And why would I do that?"
"Because I'm a step up from Dunderhead students." I piped with my best smile.
Four hours later I was found in the Potions lab by an angry school mediwitch. I had a blast and I learned a lot from Professor Snape. This was completely worth the scolding.
* The book title How to be Successful Even Though You're a Squib by Braelyn Fattius is the creative work and is to be credited to Missevilprincess.