Chapter Fifteen: Charms Is Not a Game, Contrary to Grandma Longbottom

It turned out it wasn't just a bad, but the worst one Erin could think of. In the privacy of their dorm, or even in a Gryffindor only class, Charlie tended to ignore Erin, which suited Erin just fine. However, whenever the Slytherins were around, Charlie would let out a string of insults and mockeries that the Slytherins found very amusing.

"I think you should give her another telling off," Albus said, ignoring Mulciber's jeers. "She seemed at a loss for words last time."

"It would only make matters worse," Erin said, glaring at the Slytherins. She noticed that they never spoke to Charlie or even stood too close to her; even now, they were a good two feet away. They only acknowledged her by laughing at her jokes or joining in on her taunts.

"Where's your little birdie, Erin?" a Slytherin girl called out. "Is it safe to walk around without her?"

Erin felt heat rise on her face. Ignore them, ignore them….

"Hey Nick, did you see they mentioned your dad's name in the paper?" Mulciber shouted. Nick stood still as the Slytherins laughed. "You think," Mulciber continued, "that he's the one who offed that Ministry wizard?"

Albus hissed, "Don't!" but Nick had already pulled out his wand and was pointing it at Mulciber. He opened his mouth, either to retort back or to cast a spell, and-

"Fighting, Grindelwald?" came an oily voice. Professor Baddock strode down the hall, his own wand out. Nick hastily stowed his away.

"Professor," said Albus, "they were mocking him-"

"Be that as it may, Mr. Potter, Professor Dippet made it very clear that there is no magic to be used in the corridors between classrooms. So that will be ten points off from Gryffindor."

"What!" Albus looked furious.

"And another ten if you don't keep your mouth shut. Please carry on to class," Baddock said, waving them on.

The three of them scurried to Charms class, away from the Slytherins' gleeful smirks. Erin met Albus' eyes and knew they were thinking the same thing.

Aristor was Nick's father?

They had Charms with the Ravenclaws, so Charlie resumed her "Erin-does-not-exist" persona. While Professor Flitwick was busy explaining Wingardium Leviosa, the levitating charm, Erin prodded Albus in the back with her wand. "Ask him!" she hissed, nodding in Nick's direction. Albus shook his head and mouthed, "You." Frustrated, Erin slumped back into her seat.

"Now, if you will all divide into pairs," Professor Flitwick said after awarding fifteen points to Ravenclaw for Rose successfully answering three of his questions in a row, "we can practice the levitation charm. Remember, swish and flick."

The class stood up as friends made their way towards one another. "No, no, don't make such a hassle- everybody sit!" cried Professor Flitwick in his tiny voice. "Weasley, you'll be with Thomas…. Lyths, pair up with Rade…."

Erin slid over beside a scrawny Ravenclaw boy with dark, curly hair. "Hello," he said. He spoke weirdly. "I'm Alexander Rade." He extended his hand. "Hello," Erin replied uncertainly, shaking it. His grip was firm.

"Wands at the ready!" Flitwick cried. "Your feather should already be at your desk."

Alexander had his wand out. "Lets see who can levitate their feather first, shall we?" he said.

"It's not a game," Erin said irritably, "it's just a lesson."

"But I like games," Alexander said with a grin.

Erin pulled out her own wand. Swish and flick, she thought. "Wingardium leviosa!" Even before the words came out of her mouth, she felt foolish. The incantation sounded childish and silly. The feather seemed to agree and remained lying on her desk.

Alexander, however, had managed to levitate his feather on the first try. It rose five feet into the air, above the heads of everyone else muttering the spell, and was awarded a praise from Professor Flitwick and five points for Ravencalw.

Rose was the second to levitate her feather. Professor Flitwick clapped his small hands in delight. "Oh very good, very good!" he squeaked. "That's another five points to Ravenclaw!"

The Gryffindors all hurried to earn their own house points. To Erin's left, Evan was muttering "Wingardium leviosa" with a fierce expression but kept forgetting the swish and flick. Albus and Nick didn't seem to be getting anywhere as well, although Nick couldn't have been trying too hard with his wand held loosely in his right hand and a bored expression on his face.

Erin raised her wand. Just concentrate… feel it…. "Wingardium leviosa!"

And quite suddenly, the feather rose until it was just about the height of Alexander's. She heard Professor Flitwick cry, "Wonderful Ms. Lyths, five points to Gryffindor… the rest of you can practice for homework."

There was a collected groan from the class. Erin looked at Alexander triumphantly. "I did it!"

"Yes," he said, turning to her with a lopsided smile, "but I win."