I awoke the next morning after being hit with an unidentified object.
"Oi! Wake up!" Angelina told me, brushing her hair. "You don't wanna be late our first day back."
I grumbled something unintelligible as I threw her pillow back at her and stood up, rubbing my eyes. I took a quick shower and changed into my uniform: white collared shirt, rolled up to my elbows, loose tie, black skirt, and black low-rise converse. I left my naturally curly hair to rest lightly on my shoulders and cascade down my back.
After I finished tying my shoes I ran down the stairs with Angelina and Alicia.
"Finally," Fred said as we reached the bottom.
That earned him a punch in the shoulder. It was still way too early for me.
Fred rubbed his shoulder while George chuckled and I let a smirk cross my face. He stuck his tongue out at me and I returned the favor.
We finally reached the Great Hall and I took a seat between the twins, as usual. I piled eggs, bacon, and toast onto my plate and began shoveling it into my face.
"I swear," George began, "It's a wonder you're not the size of the giant squid yet, with all that you eat."
"Thank Merlin for my fast metabolism," I told them, grinning.
It was at that moment that Professor McGonagall came around giving everyone their timetables. I looked at mine and noticed with a groan that we had potions first thing in the morning. Fred and George had the same thing, which was no surprise- we've always had the same schedule since first year.
"I don't think I can handle Snape first thing in the morning," I told them.
"Me either," they groaned together.
"Hey," I heard a distinct Scottish drawl behind us. I'd know that voice anywhere. I used to have dreams about that voice. Not to mention the boy who accompanied it. Too much information? Okay. Got it.
"Hey Oliver," we all greeted. He sent me a quick smile before he sat down next to Angelina and began talking to the team about when their first quidditch practice would be. I used to have the biggest crush on Oliver, but then I realized that the only steady relationship he'd ever have in his life was between him and his broomstick. Wow, okay that sounded much creepier than I meant it to.
I suddenly felt a prickling sensation in the back of my neck, as if I was being watched. I looked up at the staff table and my breath caught as I made eye contact with Professor Lupin. He smiled politely at me, before resuming a conversation with Flitwick. I could feel my face heating up as I looked down at my plate. Why am I blushing? He's just a teacher. Stop it, Ella. Stop this nonsense right now. I wonder what he smells like. I bet it's really nice. Like books, and parchment, and knowledge. Yes, that's exactly how I imagine he would smell. I wonder how close enough I'd have to get to find out... Oh god, why am I even thinking about this? What did I tell you about nonsense? Aaaand now I'm talking to myself in my head like a crazy person. Peachy. I hope you're happy, Lupin.
"Hellooooo,"
"Ellllaaaaa,"
It was at that moment that I realized that Fred and George were standing and staring at me, waiting for an answer.
"Uhh, huh?" Was my eloquent reply. They rolled their eyes.
"We said-"
"-come on-"
"potions is starting soon-"
"-and we don't want to be late."
I jumped up, grabbing my bag. "You're right, no one wants to feel Snape's wrath this early in the morning"
We made it to potions just in time and I took my usual seat between the twins.
Snape entered the room and a hush went over throughout the students. He began droning on and on about OWLs and how we were going to spend the year preparing for it. He literally spent the entire class talking about it and I was bored out of my mind. Transfiguration was much the same, actually.
After Transfiguration was DADA. As we were leaving McGonagall's classroom, I realized that I had stupidly forgotten to pack my DADA book. Arrrgh, I'm such an idiot sometimes.
"Guys, I forgot my book in my room. I'll have to go back and get it," I sighed.
"Okay, we'll save you a seat," George said.
I nodded
"Hurry back-"
"-we wouldn't want you to be late." They wore identical smirks.
I shot them a look of disbelief. "Me. Late? Boys, you don't know me at all." I shot them a wink and heard their chuckles echoing the hall as I began running back to the dorm. God, I really needed exercise. Maybe I'll start waking up early and go for a run around the quidditch pitch. Ha. As if. Once I had reached my dorm, I found my book sitting on top of my bed. Panting, I grabbed it and shoved it inside my bag. Ugh. So. Tired.
I checked my clock and realized that class would be starting soon. Very soon. Sod it, I'm not running all the way back down there, I'd just done my running for the whole month. So, me being the lazy individual that I am, walked to the DADA classroom. The door was shut. Class must have already started. Shrugging, I pushed the door open and tripped slightly over my own feet as I entered the room. Once I had regained my balance, I glanced up and noticed that the entire class was staring at me, some chuckling at my lack of grace. I flashed them a cheesy grin and my eyes met Professor Lupin, who was giving me an amused look.
"Lovely of you to join us." He said
"Sorry I'm late professor. I left my book in my dorm, so I ran all the way up there to get it, and then I was really tired and out of breath, so I just kinda leisurely walked back down here at my own pace. I wouldn't have been any good in class if I'd passed out from exhaustion." I explained to him, shooting him a smile that was backed with just a hint of mischief.
He laughed lightly. "It's quite alright, Miss…" He trailed off, wanting me to fill in the blank. Oops, I forgot that he didn't even know my name.
"Cooper, sir. Ella Cooper."
He smiled at me and finished his previous sentence. "Miss Cooper, but try not to make a habit of it."
"I wouldn't dream of it, sir." I sent him a smirk and sat in the empty seat next to Fred, hearing his and George's quiet chuckles.