Chapter Five: A Bad Start To The Year

Tessa, Harry, and Ron had followed Percy with the rest of the first year Gryffindors after dinner had ended. He directed them to their dormitories, and after they all went to check out their new bedrooms, they changed and met back up in the common room. Harry and Ron were playing wizard chess at the moment, and Tessa was skimming through her Potions textbook.

"You know, we haven't even had our first official day here, and the drama's already started. I can't imagine what the rest of the year's going to be like at this rate." Tessa didn't have to look up from her book to tell that both boys had rolled their eyes. They're habits were very easy to pick up on. Ron shouted in triumph after beating Harry for the fourth time in a row before looking up at her from his place on the floor.

"It can't get that bad mate, its just school after all." Tessa rolled her own eyes at that and closed her book before standing and heading towards the stairs. "No Ron, it's a magic school, something's bound to happen eventually. Anyways, night boys!" With a quick wave she headed to bed, falling into an uncomfortable sleep.

The next morning when Tessa awoke, she almost forgot where she was. Well, until Hermione Granger, the girl she remembered meeting on the train, started yelling at her to get up or she'd miss breakfast. Taking a quick shower, she threw a brush through her hair, pulled on her clothes, and raced down the common room. When she got there, she noticed both Harry and Ron where already there waiting for her.

She said her morning greeting and then pulled the two boys along. She wanted to get to breakfast as fast as possible so she could get her schedule and find out when she had Potions class. Bounding into the Great Hall with the two boys behind her, she grabbed a seat and watched them as they shoved their faces full of food. Scrunching up her nose she sighed," Boys, honestly." Both boys looked up and her and shrugged before going back to shoveling food into their faces.

For the most part, breakfast was uneventful however; when the morning post arrived Tessa knew that wouldn't last. She recognized the red envelope immediately when it landed in front of her, and although hesitant to open it, she did anyways. She wasn't surprised to hear her mother's voice boom out over everyone's conversations. " Tessa Adriana Fays! You are a disgrace to our family name, do you hear me young lady!? Honestly, a Gryffindor of all things! Have you no respect!? You are in BIG trouble when you get home for the holidays!"

With that, the letter tore itself up. Tessa just stared at it a moment before sighing and continuing to eat. Harry and Ron looked at each other before Harry dared to ask her if she was okay. She just smiled it off and told them she'd be fine. After all, her mother was quite batty.

About fifteen minutes before they were to set out to find their first class; they were given their schedules. At that point everyone sort of forgot about what had just happened. Tessa scanned hers and then looked up at her two friends. "I have Transfiguration, Double Potions, Lunch, Flying Lessons, and Charms today. Then Divination, Double Defense Against The Dark Arts, Lunch, Herbology, and Muggle Studies tomorrow. How about you two?"

Both boys checked over their own schedules and replied," Same." With that, all three packed up their stuff and headed out to find their class together. After about twenty minutes of walking around, they realized they were late and started running. Ron flinged his bag over his should and started falling a bit behind. "Why does this school have to be so bloody big!?" Tessa just shrugged and continued to run.

After about another five minutes they finally found their classroom, bursting through the door out of breath. Ron looked around and noticed Professor McGonagall wasn't there and sighed with relief. "Whew! We made it! Could you imagine the look on McGonagall's face if she had of found out we were late? That was bloody brilliant!" Of course what Ron didn't notice was that during his little speech, Professor McGonagall had indeed appeared right behind him.

"Thank you for that assessment . Perhaps it would be more useful if I transfigured the three of you into pocket watches. That way one of you might be on time." Harry, trying to save Ron some embarrassment, simply told her the truth, we had gotten horribly lost. "Well," she started as she headed for her desk at the front of the room," Then perhaps a map? I trust you don't need one to find your seats." Blushing, the three of them sat down in the front row, and all Tessa could think was how very wrong Ron had been the night before.