Disclaimer: I own no HP related things, just my characters.
Note: This chapter is mainly to point out Draco and Tammie are still on good terms and Draco has the potential to be good. And also to remind everyone Madison is a creepy professor. And Matt is hot. SiobhanPhelps: Again, so glad you're enjoying it, Matt isn't meant to be an annoying character (as you'll find out later) but yes, at the moment it feels like he needs to go away and him being hot is just 1/3 of the story. You think you hate Courtney now...you wait. And yes, Fred does seem to be giving Tammie the cold shoulder (his way of proving he's not entirely whipped?) Or does he not like her anymore? Questions questions. This will probably be the final chapter tonight but I plan to get a few chapters in tomorrow so be ready! =) You are the BEST for commenting on like, every chapter. Cheers!
The New Professor Fails
"Only if you want me to" I said quietly feeling warm again as I sat down in the empty seat next to him. "I mean, I'm not good at explaining stuff" I added.
"It's alright, I know what I'm doing, but I figured you'd rather pretend you're helping me than her" he nodded in the direction of Lavender who, in between shooting me dirty looks was having extreme difficulty vanishing her watch. "People are so immature sometimes" he said shaking his head.
"She's always like that" I told him as I watched him tap on his watch, though he seemed to be making no effort in the task of vanishing it.
Halfway through we were dismissed for break. I went straight to the bathroom, I had been holding it all morning and then walked slowly back to class. I sat with Matt as he continued to pretend he couldn't manage to vanish his watch, only tapping on it when McGonagall would look over. As it neared closer to the end of lesson McGonagall came over. Her Matt exchanged looks; clearly it was something they had discussed earlier but whatever it was she seemed keen on not letting anyone else know. She then looked down at his watch. He looked at me nervously; I had to hide my smile as I watched him tap on his watch and it disappear.
"Very good at helping him Miss. Allen, five point to Gryffindor" she said nodding at each of us before turning and walking back to the others. As soon as her back was turned he gave me a knowing wink which I couldn't help but shake my head at, though I was still smiling.
"You planned that" I said with small laugh.
"Maybe, but hey, it got us some points, right? Helping out the new student who didn't have a clue what he was doing" Matt said, this time his grin looked more sinister. "Thanks Tammie" he said getting up and moving toward the door.
"Anytime" I said as I turned and made my way out of the class, now focusing on my next lesson, which I assumed to be Potions. I looked back to see if Melinda was behind me but I was surprised to see her heading in the opposite direction with a group of Ravenclaws. "Where are you going?" I asked.
"Ancient Runes" she shouted back.
"I thought we have Potions next?" I shouted back. She sighed; looked around, said something to one of the boys and then walked over.
"No, I just said we had Potions together, I didn't say when; next time read first" Melinda exclaimed though I was glad to see a small smile even though she sounded annoyed. "Anyway, you have Defense Against the Dark Arts, I have Ancient Runes now. Potions class tomorrow" she explained pointing to my paper. "You should be off, you don't wanna be late" she added before turning to following a group of Ravenclaw. "Hey" I shouted again. She turned her head. "Thanks again" I said waving my paper as she nodded and headed off.
I only had a moment to start thinking about Hermione's look when I noticed Draco walking into class, I quickly followed suddenly noticing that he didn't have either Crabbe or Goyle next to him. I tried my best to ignore him and search for a seat but he grabbed my arm and pulled me into the nearest one, which happened to be in front of Matt. The Professor wasn't in the room yet so I took the opportunity to try and move seats, Hermione still had an empty seat next to her, I figured she was probably saving it for me, there was, after all her bag on it. I felt as if my cloak was stuck as I tried to pull myself out of the seat. I looked down to see what was going on and saw Draco gripping a handful of my robes. "Can I help you?" I hissed trying to pull out of his grip.
"If we ever need to talk it would be easiest if you sat with me" he said, his mouth barely moving. I wanted to snort but instead I fell back in my seat. I spent all summer listening to his annoying voice, I thought I'd be able to escape it during school; not to mention if it had anything to do with Melinda I figured it was best he talked it over with her.
"You ignore me during meals, you hardly say hello on the train, and now you might want to talk?" I said looking at him annoyed.
"I never talk to you and you don't seem to have a problem with it. You know I wouldn't talk to you in public like that" he said in a matter of fact way.
"You're a stupid prat Draco Malfoy and I'm saddened to call you my cousin" I said taking my ink, quill and a roll of parchment out.
"What's gotten into you?" he asked, now just as annoyed.
"Nothing, I'm just telling you you're dumb" I shot at him.
"Alright, well, you're a—" he started but the sound of the door shut up in a hurry. Professor Madison strolled to the front of the room. "It so lovely to see so many bright eager faces this morning" she said politely as she looked around the room. I looked around too, could no one really see who she was? Had I gone completely insane? I wondered as I forced myself to look back at the Professor. "Now, I know many of you have had your fair share of Professors in this classroom and therefore you're information has been somewhat…scattered, but I'm sure with the right amount of effort and positive attitudes you'll all be able to get A's or above on your O.W.L" she concluded looking around at the class again. A lot of them looked cheerful or even hopeful, which wasn't an expression I was familiar with often, especially considering who was teaching. "Now, I was thinking we'd start with something fun. Today we'll be covering the Patronus…" she trailed off to let the class whisper excitedly for a few seconds. Ontop of looking supposedly like my best friend she attempted to make the class fun, the likelihood of anyone believing me now was quickly dropping to chances less than zero. "Who can tell me what a Patronus is?" she asked looking around. Harry's hand, as well as Hermione's shot up. Instead she called on Lavender who looked slightly amazed that she was called on first instead of Hermione.
"It's a form that appears at the end of your wand when you think happy thought, it's preformed to get rid of a dementor" she quickly said, trying to sound as smart as possible. "And…er…depending on the happy thought determines the strength of the Patronus" she concluded.
"Very nicely done Miss…"
"Brown, Lavender Brown" she said proudly.
"Very nicely done Miss. Brown. In addition to what Miss. Brown said also note that the form of a Patronus differs for everyone, for example…" she pulled out her wand "Expecto Patronum!" she shouted as a white glow emerged from her wand. It took a moment for it to complete its form, I instantly recognized as it as an oversized bat. Why would anyone thinking of happy thoughts conjure up a bat? I wondered as I looked at the classroom, to many confused faces. "You're probably wondering why it's a bat. Well, when I was younger, I went on a trip with my parents and got lost in a cave; a group of cheerful bats kept company until my parents managed to find me." A few girls made "aww" sounds while I tried not to roll my eyes. "Now, how about we have two students try first? Each from a different house….ah, yes, you two in the back" I felt all eyes turn on me and Draco. I never much liked performing spells in front of other people, much less in an entire classroom. "Names?" she asked.
"Draco Malfoy" Draco said standing, his wand now in his hand. He shot me a look and I quickly stood. God forbid I embarrass him in class. I thought.
"Tammie—"
"Allen, ah, wonderful" she interrupted looking at me with a new expression. I wondered if she knew that I knew, but her expression didn't seem vengeful or angry, on the contrary she looked just as excited as Courtney. "Come, come, to the front" she said dragging us to the front of the classroom.
I looked at Draco who gave a slight shrug but turned to face the professor. "Whenever you're ready, Tammie would you like to go first?" she asked, though I somehow doubted it was a question I could reply no to.
"Sure" I said feeling less and less confident as I rolled up my sleeves and pointed my wand at nothing in particular.
"Remember, happy thoughts" Professor Madison said now standing behind me. Happy thoughts? I thought to myself. It was difficult to think of anything positive with a professor that wanted to murder you two years ago standing right behind waiting excitedly. "Um, can I have some room?" I asked in a low voice. I could feel her satisfied smirk as she backed away. I blinked several times as I searched for a happy memory; third year was full of surprises more than happiness. I was a witch, clearly that was a happy memory, but only because of the Malfoys and clearly that was more depressing. I felt a tingle of excitement as I thought about Melinda and I sitting in Dumbledore's office, after receiving our wands; that was surely a happy memory.
I thought of the conversation as we left Dumbledore's office and I felt myself smile, a warm feeling covering my face as well as my stomach flip. The first time I met Fred Weasley, he unexpectedly took my tie. I thought of more memories of him, when he asked me out, when he sat with me in the hospital wing, when managed to get detention along with Melinda and his brother George, our first kiss. I laughed out loud, bringing myself back to the classroom. "Expecto Patronum" I shouted, letting a steady flow of a bright white glow come from the tip of my wand. I watched it leak to the floor and almost laughed again when it took on the form of a fox. The tiger looked around, paraded itself for a moment, walked around my legs and then vanished.
"A tiger, well done Miss. Allen" I jumped as Professor Madison put her hand on my shoulder. "Mr. Malfoy, if you will" she said turning her back toward me. I couldn't help but notice her voice didn't sound pleased, she wasn't expecting me to conjure up a happy memory at all. Stupid lady. I thought to myself as I looked over to see Draco was trying his best not to smile.
"Expecto Patronum" he said pointing his wand at the ground. It took me a moment to figure out why Lavender had squealed in her seat and even longer to find Draco's Patronus. It was only when a bright glow emerged from under the desk did I see a small mouse running around on the ground. Even though Draco's Patronus was a tiny little thing it gave off a magnificent glow that would've ward off at least ten Dementors.
"A mouse, how, unexpected!" Professor Madison said, clearly disappointed Draco's Patronus wasn't something large or powerful. "Well, very nicely done, the pair of you. Five points to Gryffindor and Slytherin, you may take your seats." I couldn't help but give Draco a small smile as his Patronus disappeared and we hurried back to our seats. "Now, I'll be asking all of you individually to perform the same spell, one at a time. I think I'll let the Gryffindors go first; come on, up, up, form a line. Careful Mr. Longbottom, don't step on Miss. Brown's cloak now…"
"Good job" Matt said giving me a pat on the shoulder.
"Oh, um, thanks" I quickly responded feeling yet again, flustered. I had forgotten he was sitting behind us.
"I better join the others…" he said with a smile as he glanced over at the line. Clearly Lavender hadn't forgot he was in our class because she was saving him a spot in the line which he seemed to amuse him.
"He probably gets all sorts of attention" Draco said looking put out as Matt made his way over to the line, standing at the end, which seemed to not only annoy Lavender but also depress her.
"Maybe, I mean, he's kinda cute" I said as I tried not to look back at Matt who I had the sinking suspicion he was looking at me.
"He seems alright for a Gryffindor I mean. But I don't like him" I rolled my eyes; it was rare Draco liked anyone, let alone publically admit he did.
"Yes, I can't see you falling over him" I replied sarcastically. "Anyway, a mouse, what's up with that?" I asked quickly changing the subject.
"I don't know, I never casted one of those Patronus things before" he muttered bitterly.
"Oh, what were your happy thoughts about?" I asked. When I turned to look at Draco he looked like a kid who had gotten caught trying to sneak a cookie out of a cookie jar. All I could do to stop from laughing was look at Matt, who seemed to know exactly why I was smiling.
"What?" Draco asked angrily, his face now a deep red "No need to doubt you were thinking of that Weasley" he asked trying to sound angrier.
"Yeah, I was actually, but unlike you I'm not embarrassed by it" I told him flashing a smile as I tried to suppress the bubbling of giggles.
"Shut up" he hissed now looking bitterly at his parchment. I stopped laughing and focused my attention on the students performing their Patronus, or at least trying. Hermione had no problems summoning an otter while Harry seemed like a professional as he watched his Stag gallop around the class. I thought Seamus had done it correctly until the glow of white shone so bright I had to look away. When I looked back there was patch in the far wall, like it had been burnt through. Neville was a bit better, at least he managed to think of a happy thought and his wand flashed a few times before the professor patted him proudly on the shoulder and moved on.
