The Complexity That is Hogwarts, Continues
I limped all the way down to the Great Hall. A combination of falling on stone and then having to sleep on it has given me a nice lump on my buttocks. My temperament was just as poor as my bottom. I had to plug my ears most of the night to block out the noises.
I sat down gingerly on the bench. Not many were here so early. 'Too drunk this morning.' I thought bitterly. I started to fill my plate up with food. Every movement felt like someone was stabbing me up my back. I tried to keep it off my face, but I could feel myself failing.
As I took a look around, I noticed Pattinson walk in. He was actually limping. I smiled through my pain. When he caught sight of me looking at him, he quickly looked away. Now I was smirking through the pain. I continued with my breakfast.
I was almost finished when the flow of students grew thicker. The tables were filling up. My bench started to shrink. If I knew where my first class was, I would go before someone sat with me. Then my book appeared at my elbow.
"That was a brilliant display last night. And Professor Jefferies will hand out schedules in a little while." Scorpius said softly. I smiled into my mug of coffee.
"Good morning, Exchange Student!" Albus sat on the other side of Scorpius.
"Al, you are such an idiot." Lucy mumbled.
"Good morning, you lovely people!" I said with a huge grin. They returned my smile.
"And we have Weasley, Malfoy, Manslayer and Potter." a man in his forties same up behind us. I shifted and Scorpius watched me, "Here you go, Miss Weasley." Lucy took her schedule, "Miss Manslayer." I paused for a half second and Scorpius took my schedule for me. Professor Jeffries did not seem to notice.
After Albus and Scorpius got their schedules, he left. Scorpius cleared his throat.
"Look, maybe talking about it will help. I don't have any classes with you, so I can't keep accepting papers for you." he chided softly. I slouched down. He shook his head in frustration.
"I have all my classes with her. I can." Albus volunteered, "At least until she is comfortable." he finished with a smile. I gave him a weak one in return.
"I'm going to see James." Scorpius got from the bench.
"Wait," I stopped him, "I'm going to need help up." Scorpius looked lost, "Just hold your hands out."
He held out his hands like I asked. My hands shook as I reached out to grasped them. I hesitated. A million thoughts went through my mind. I took a deep breath, like I was going to jump into a pool, and help it. I quickly grabbed his hands and let the feeling sink in.
"Not so bad, huh?' he inquired gently. I shook my head no. And I no longer needed to hold my breath.
He pulled me up gently and slowly. My ass screamed in protest and I grimaced at the pain. Lucy and Albus looked like they wanted to help, but did not know what to do. I really needed an ice pack.
"There you go, Kleine." he murmured for me to hear. I was standing fully on my own. I looked curiously at our hands.
"Funny, my hands have stopped shaking." I pointed out. Scorpius' face broke into a mischievous grin. I shot him an icy glare.
"I'm kidding." he half laughed, half spoke. He let my hands go, "See you three later." and he was gone towards James.
"I'll head to our first class." I stated, "I will find my way." Albus nodded his head.
"Have a great first day!" Lucy yelled. Some kids looked at me curiously. I waved over my shoulder.
The halls were fairly uncrowded. I was pleasantly pleased about that. I did not have to watch for anyone. And no one tried to touch me.
I entered my classroom and found a seat in the back. I was away from everyone and everything. I pulled my book out and occupied my time with reading. Starting where I was interrupted last night.
Albus sat down next to my about ten minutes later. I looked up from my book and gave him a smile. He returned my smile and surveyed the room. I placed my book in my bad.
"How did you sleep?" I inquired over the hustle and bustle of everyone coming in.
"Terribly. My roommates stayed up drinking." he replied bitterly.
"Yeah, after my run in with Pattinson, I slept in the bathroom. My roommates where otherwise engaged." Albus snorted. I giggled.
"What did my brother do to you to make you swear off Potters?" Albus ventured.
Oh boy, did he get cute when he got frustrated. I smiled.
"He falsely advertised his intentions with my hand." I replied matter of factly, "And I have not sworn off Potters." I retorted quietly, "I just got unbelievably nervous."
Albus' response was cut off by Professor Jeffries. He closed the door with a flick of wand and everyone quieted down. I started to get butterflies in my stomach. Now my new education was beginning.
One hour later and my brian was fiend. I'm going to fail. I am literally going to fail. My parents are going to disown me, I am not going to get a job. I just failed life. My future is sucky.
"Oy, Calesta!" a voice called me out of my depressed depths.
"Hmm?" I replied.
"How did your first class go?" James jogged to catch up to me. He was not even breathing hard when he fell instep next to me.
"I'm going to fail." I replied dramatically. James chuckled.
"It is not that hard." his silky voice almost had me convinced. Almost.
"I don't know, even Albus was making jokes about how awful I was. I shot him a sideways look. He gave me one to match, "Alright, fine. It won't be that bad. Just some adjusting." James started to go to poke me in the ribs and then stopped. I threw him a small smile.
"Anyway, Scorp told me your schedule, so I magically walked you here." James stopped outside my classroom. He dropped his voice, "He also told me about Pattinson. Did he hurt you?" his green eyes glinted with anger.
"No." I replied seriously, "But I did hurt him." I smirked.
"The Hat was right, you are Slytherin." I gave him a wink.
"I'm beginning to see why too." I said coyly, "Now git to class. I am not going to be on the receiving end of Molly when she hears why you were late."
"Alright." he responded softly, "Just be a little more confident, okay?" I threw him another wink, "See you later, Manslayer."
"Have fun in class, Potter." I replied as I stepped in the classroom to melt my brain again.
So, fourth year Charms with Professor Flitwick was awful. It was like my brain was a sieve and not a sponge. The only thing that was good in that class was that I got to meet Rose Weasley formally. Fred Weasley was in that class too. He was quite the trickster like James and Scorpius. Rose looked like she was going to murder him when he kissed my finders like JAmes did. I spent the rest of the class hunched over and cowering next to Albus.
Now is the portion of the day. My stomach grumbled. All this learning was using a lot of fuel. Or it could be the extensive treks to each class. The castle is huge! I am not used to walking this much just to get to each class.
As I sat down gingerly on the bench, Scorpius and Albus sat down on either side of me. I hissed in pain as I put pressure on the bruise. Albus' face went dark.
"That is it." he nearly snarled, "He is about to get his comeuppance." I cannot believe what happened next, because it even surprised me.
I lightly placed my fingertips on Albus' arm. I sucked in my breathe and stared at his face. His hazel eyes held my gaze and he was very still. What the hell is this family doing to me? I blinked once.
"He got what he deserved." I whispered ever so slightly, "He is still paying. He may even pay for the rest of his life. I kicked him pretty hard." I felt Albus relax. I lifted my hand and grabbed a sandwich.
My heart was racing. My back was dewy and I was a little light-headed. I had voluntarily touched a boy. A boy. Me. Calesta Manslayer. A boy.
So, to recover from what I had done, I bit down and ground my teeth together. I stood up slowly and painfully. I calmly walked out of the Great Hall and down to the dungeons. I kept checking to make sure no one followed me.
"Prowess." I muttered.
The door opened. I stepped in and looked around. Too many kids. So I decided to go to my dormitory. Too many boys. I went tot he bathroom, threw every locking charm I could think of on the door and sat on the floor against the far wall.
And ate my sandwich.