WC: 953
As Friday came so did the time for the fourth year Slytherins and Ravenclaws' first Defense lesson. Marnie had heard from Madison that Gilderoy Lockhart was really attractive. The three Ravenclaws entered the classroom and sat down, the rest of the class following them. Professor Lockhart made his grand entrance as he walked down the staircase.
"And I thought you were pompous, Fairchild," exclaimed Roger Davies.
"Like you're much better, Davies." said Max.
"Max maybe be a bit pompous but he's still a good friend." butted in Jaq.
"You have yourself a girlfriend, Fairchild."
Before either one of them could respond a quiz was passed out. Atticus looked a bit too excited and Marnie chuckled.
"You may start the quiz."
They turned over their papers.
"What type of quiz is this?" asked Atticus disappointed, looking at the quiz; it was full of questions about their new professor.
"The first quiz that we are going to fail." said Marnie
The group of Ravenclaws reluctantly answered the questions. At the end as they exited the class
Atticus exclaimed. "Well, he's a bloody idiot!"
"He's a pretty face, but no substance; it is a shame, really ." Clara sighed. "If he wasn't an idiot I might've fancied him just a little bit ."
"So, you don't fancy Roger anymore?"
"No, actually I started dating someone over the summer." answered Clara.
"You did?!"
Clara nodded as they walked towards the Great Hall for lunch.
"Marnie!" Madison shouted beckoning her towards the Gryffindor table where she was sitting with Neville and Ginny.
Marnie parted with her friends and walked towards her sister
"You just had Defense didn't you?" Madison asked excitedly.
Marnie groaned.
"I'll take that as a yes and I suppose, you don't share my opinion on him?"
"He's a foppish idiot, Maddie."
Madison snapped. "Well not everyone can be as smart as you or Atticus."
Marnie sighed and walked back to the Ravenclaw table and plopped herself down next to Atticus.
"Something wrong?"
"Madison has a crush on Lockhart."
"Didn't you already expect that?" said asked Jaq.
Marnie frowned as food appeared in front of her.
"I was hoping it wasn't true, but sadly, it is."
Atticus nodded in agreement. Lockhart was an idiot. The trio began eating.
After lunch they headed towards Herbology. You wouldn't expect it, but Jaq actually had a bit of a green thumb perhaps because her squib mum was a florist.
It was later that night,when the girls were alone in their dorm that Marnie asked for details about Clara's boyfriend
"So, tell us about the boy you met," she said stroking Nixie.
Clara grinned.
"His name is Diego Huerta and as far as I know he's a Spanish muggle. He has a younger sister named Alexandra. He's really attractive."
"Do you have a picture?"
Clara nodded and taking out the picture, showed it to her friends.
He was pretty attractive, the other girls thought.
-/-/
A few weeks later, Marnie was walking towards the Owlery to send a letter to her dad and stepmother. She really loved her stepmother despite all the fairytales saying that stepmums were evil. As she reached the Owlery she bumped into a familiar dreadlocked prankster.
"Hey Jacobs," he greeted her.
She smiled. "Hey Lee, I've told you, you don't have to call me Jacobs."
"It's just a habit."
She walked over to the nearest owl and tried to tie the letter to the owl's leg but it seemed that the owl didn't want to send any mail ; it was pecking and screeching at her.
"You need help there?"
"If you wouldn't mind."
Lee walked over and helped her tie the letter to the owl's leg. When they finally succeeded, the owl flew away hooting indignantly.
"Any damage?" Lee asked.
"It's nothing too bad," Marnie assured him.
He shrugged as they left together the Owlery.
"It's kind of ironic that I'm bad with birds when my house's mascot is an eagle."
He chuckled.
"So, have you played any good pranks lately?" asked Marnie. She had always enjoyed their pranks.
"Actually we're planning one right now. But it's a secret."
She nodded and as they reached their separate ways Lee asked.
"So, who were you sending the letter to?"
Before she could respond Nixie sauntered up from the left and meowed.
"Hey girl," she said greeting her cat with a loving caress of its fur and it purred.
"I guess I'll see you later, Jac- err, I mean Marnie."
"Bye Lee."
As he left Marnie picked Nixie up and walked back to the Ravenclaw common room. She answered to the riddle and entered.
"Hey Mari," Atticus greeted from the couch.
"Hey Atty," she responded as Nixie jumped from her arms.
He looked up at her. "Did everything go well with you mailing your letter?"
"Yes. Although the owl gave me a bit of trouble; it nipped me."
Atticus winced in sympathy.
"I had some help from Lee and then he accompanied me halfway." she said as she sat next to him on the couch.
"That was nice of him."
"Yeah, it was."
A few hours later it was time for dinner and the two of headed towards the Great Hall and joined Clara and Jaq at the Ravenclaw table.
"Hey you two!" Jaq greeted her friends.
"Hey Jaq!"
The group of Ravenclaws ate and chatted throughout the meal. Afterwards they walked back to their common room.
"So far we've had a quiet year." said Clara.
"I give it until Halloween,"said Jaq,"then all hell will break loose."
Marnie rolled her eyes and as they reached the Ravenclaw Tower, Atticus answered the riddle and they entered the common room. The five of them parted ways and walked to their respective dorms.
