Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
What The Bloody Hell Did I Sign Up For?
The next morning, the headline in the Daily Prophet was another piece written by Rita Skeeter. The title read: Bartemius Crouch Senior to Plead Guilty. But in the shuffle of eating breakfast and collecting class schedules from our heads of house, I didn't have time to read it.
Lupin just finished sorting out Fred and George's timetables before turning to me. Leaving my brothers to clap hands and celebrate the free morning they had until charms class at 10:00. "Miss Weasley", Lupin said in his typical approachable friendly manner. "One moment please. I have your OWL results right here". In Lupin's arms was a stack of parchment that he quickly leafed through. Probably all the sixth years' OWL results, based on this current conversation. "Let's see here", Lupin said as a placeholder while he took the time to read his selected piece of parchment. "Ah yes, you did quite well". I tried not to preen under the praise. Although there was nothing I could do to stop my cheeks from flushing; remembering the embarrassing meeting I had with Lupin last year. "Exceeds expectations in Defense. I knew you had nothing to worry about. An outstanding in Charms, no surprises there. And an Outstanding in Potions. That's an accomplishment you should be very proud of. Are these still the subjects you would like to continue?"
"Yes, sir", I answered; watching as Lupin tapped his against another piece of parchment; this one blank. How was he managing to hold all this stuff without dropping anything?
Lupin gave a satisfied nod as he glanced over the second piece of parchment. "No time conflicts. Excellent. And if I'm remembering correctly, there was a fourth class you wanted to take. What was it?"
"Yes, sir", I agreed; trying to ignore Fred and George calling me an overachiever behind Lupin's back. "I wanted to take ancient runes". I failed in ignoring the antics of my fellow brothers and threw a piece of bacon at the two of them. Something that Lupin kindly ignored. Honestly, you'd think Fred and George would want me to continue on with ancient runes. That knowledge would probably be useful for some of their joke products at some point. And Adrian's family business relied heavily on ancient runes, so…
"You received an exceeds expectations in Ancient runes as well", Lupin said as he read. "That'll do", and he tapped the second piece of parchment with his wand a second time. Looking up, giving me a full view of his scarred face, Lupin asked. "Are you planning on being Professor Flitwick's teacher's assistant this year?"
In the background, Fred and George continued to compare me to Percy. Sadly, I was out of bacon to throw at them. "Yes, sir. Flitwick agreed to it last year. Is it… still possible?"
"Oh, of course", Lupin assured me as he handed me the second piece of parchment that contained my timetable for the year. "Just talk to him before you leave the hall to figure out what times you'll be working with him. And if that makes you late to potions, have Flitwick write you a note as well". With that said, Lupin moved on to the next Gryffindor sixth year.
"What's your schedule like?" Fred asked as he tried to read the timetable in my hands upside down.
"Ugh", I complained after taking a moment to see what my courseload was shaping up to be. "Potions first thing in the morning again on Mondays and Wednesdays with a double on Fridays". Why did potions always have to be first thing in the morning? It was life's cruel joke that kept reoccurring since my first year. "We have defense and charms together. And Ancient Runes is after lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. What about you?"
"Transfiguration is on Tuesday and Thursday mornings", George supplied; eating the very same piece of bacon I'd thrown at him.
"Herbology's on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well", Fred said. "Right before lunch".
I frowned; finding myself faced with something I knew was coming but didn't feel prepared for. "We'll be crossing paths a lot less this year". At least we shared two classes. But… still. In our first year, time was hardly spent apart. And now as sixth years, there would be moments where we'd be on opposite ends of the school.
"None of us have anything for the sixth class block", George said; reading my mood. Fred nodded as he plucked my timetable from me with one hand while reaching into his book back with the other. "Let's reserve that time for us", George proposed.
"I'll make it official", Fred agreed as he finished fishing out an inkwell and quill.
"Wait", I said. Although, a bit reluctantly. "I haven't shown my schedule to Flitwick yet. What if that's when he wants me to help him with his classes?"
But it was too late. Fred was already writing something on my timetable. "There", he said; sounding very pleased with himself when he handed the parchment back to me. "Now, it's on your schedule", he said; waving his quill in my face. "So, there's no getting out of it".
In the last class block on every day of the school week, Fred wrote:
The Weasley Triplets' Hour
(And sometimes Lee)
It was silly. It was embarrassing. I'd never change it. "That means", George began but he waited until I was looking at him before continuing. "No running off with Pucey. If Ron or Ginny need us, we can turn it into family time. But it's Weasleys only".
"Lee doesn't count", Fred added. "Since he might as well be an honorary Weasley".
With the right side of my lips quirking upward, I only had one comment. "Mr. Filch is going to hate the sixth class block before the year is out".
After finishing the last few bites of breakfast, Fred, George, and I went our separate ways. Fred and George to the common room to make the most of their free hour. While I wandered over to Ravenclaw table. Flitwick was currently occupied with his sixth years, so I ended up taking a seat next to Luna; not wanting to interrupt him.
My choice earned me a few questioning stares from Ravenclaw's residents, but as far as Luna was concerned it was perfectly natural for me to join her for breakfast. "Did you try the strawberries this morning? It must have been a good crop this year".
"Uh… no", I answered slowly; having not expected to be pulled into a conversation so quickly. And without so much as a good morning. "I stuck to toast and bacon".
Luna hummed absentmindedly as she took a sip of pumpkin juice. "Pity".
"Ah, Lovegood. There you are", Flitwick squeaked as he finished with one student and scurried over to where we were sitting. "I was looking for you before I started with the sixth years. But never mind. You're here now. Here's your schedule". Flitwick said in one breath as he held out a timetable for Luna to take. "Hurry along now", he urged as Luna moved at a sedate pace. "Don't be late on your first day. And good luck in divination".
It wasn't until Luna had her book bag dangling from her shoulder and a handful of strawberries in her hand as she meandered in the direction of the doors that Flitwick turned to me. "What are you doing here, Weasley?"
"Professor Lupin said to talk to you", I explained; feeling a little worried that Flitwick didn't seem to know the reason why. "About the teacher's assistantship-"
"Oh! Yes, yes", Flitwick cut me off as his eyes sparked. "Let me see your timetable", he ordered as he held out his hand. Luckily, I hadn't put it in my bag so it took no time at all to hand it over. "Potions, Defense, Ancient Runes", he read as his eyes darted all over the parchment. "And charms. Good, good. What did you get on your Charms OWL?"
"An outstanding", I said as I rubbed the back of my neck.
Flitwick's eyes made contact with mine and he beamed. "That's a good start, Weasley. That's exactly the type of mark I'd expect from someone seeking an apprenticeship with me". Wait… Apprenticeship? Who said anything about that? I thought the plan was for me to be his assistant to see if I liked teaching.
Turning back to my schedule, Flitwick started tapping it with his wand. "The fourth class block is my planning period. And I see you have that time open. That'll be excellent. You'll be able to learn firsthand how I plan lessons and grade assignments. We'll also be able to tackle some extra lessons for you when the workload allows us the time". Extra lessons… What?
Flitwick briefly paused with his lips pressed together as he thought. "Hmm. Your mornings are full most of the week. And I have the older years on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. It would be better to have an aide with the younger students. They need more supervision and would be more likely to listen… ah, yes. I'll be teaching the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff first years during the fifth class block on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. That will be the class you'll aid me with". Flitwick gave my timetable one final tab with his wand before handing it back to me.
"Not to worry", he assured me with a bit of levity. "I left 'The Weasley Triplets' Hour' undisturbed". Oh, Merlin. "And you'll still have quite a bit of open time to tackle an appropriate amount of independent study". Independent study? My brain was processing at a slow rate, barely keeping up with the words coming out of Flitwick's mouth. "I have a list prepared for you", Flitwick said as he dug through his own stack of parchment. "Just a few books and articles I'd like you to read at your leisure. They should all be available in the library… ah, here it is". Except Flitwick didn't hand me a mere list. If I saw this monstrosity without any context, I'd guess it was a catalog of every text Hogwarts' library carried. What the hell?!
"This will help you as well", Flitwick continued; adding a square of parchment to the small novel I was already holding. "As a NEWT student, I trust you'll use it responsibly", Flitwick said sternly; voice dipping a little as he gave me his best 'don't cross me' expression. On top of the stack I was holding was a permission form complete with his signature that promised me access to the restricted section. "Now, as a NEWT student, you're not required to conduct a thesis project. But it wouldn't hurt to start thinking about it sooner rather than later. Let me write you a pass for Professor Snape, and I'll see you at 10:00. Oh, this really is exciting, Weasley". Flitwick was enthused as he did just that. Seemingly unaware of the horror etched on my face. "I used the summer to devise a whole course of study for you. I knew you would do excellent on your OWL. Yes, yes. Stick with me, Weasley, and I'll make you a charms master before you accept your first teaching position".
Flitwick handed me the pass with one more thrilled smile before scurrying off. It took me several more moments before I managed to haul myself to my feet and drag myself down to the dungeons. As I made the trip, one question kept playing in my head stuck on repeat. What the bloody hell had I signed up for?
I made it to potions on time, but just by a hair. Making the pass Flitwick gave me unnecessary. But that didn't stop Snape from glaring at me as if I had trodden through the flower beds of his garden. The class size was significantly smaller than in years past with everyone spread out. Most sat one to a table; giving them ample room to work. Since it looked like we would not be sharing cauldrons as NEWT level students. Despite that observation, I still slid into the seat next to Adrian.
There was no time to say anything before Snape began lecturing, so Adrian wordlessly helped me set up my workstation; asking questions with his eyes. I nodded in response as Snape rose from behind his desk and stalked to stand center in front of us all. I'd have to tell Adrian all about Flitwick after class.
"I admit", Snape started in his usual dark drawling countenance. Oh, good. He hadn't lost his voice after running the sorting last night. The entire student body will be relieved. "It is shocking to see so many of you have managed to progress in potions. Most students do not possess the mental acuity and discipline needed to achieve Outstandings". A few students started to straighten their spines and perk up at the unexpectant praise. But most of us knew better and waited for Snape to drop the other shoe. "Usually, my NEWT classes have a roll sheet in the single digits. I will have to see what I can do to remedy this… surplus". Anyone dumb enough to believe we were about to see a new side of Snape was immediately deflated.
Snape turned on his heels and took two long strides until he was standing on the left side of the room. As all NEWT classes were intermixed, there were no longer sides assigned to specific houses. For example, on the left side of the room sat Cedric, Roger Davies, and Miles Bletchley (to name a few). "Potions at the NEWT level requires dedication. To be successful, you'll need to read text not assigned, and brew potions I will not be teaching in class. That is the bare minimum. Anything less and teaching you will be a waste of my time".
Making sure to give the right side of the room the same treatment, Snape stalked to stand in front of the table Adrian and I occupied. The same one we've sat at since our first year. "My expectations are incomparable to other members of staff. I will not be bothered by questions you should have learned the answers to during the last five years of your education. I will not hold your hand. If you are not up to par with the curriculum I have planned, I will make sure you are aware. Careless mistakes will not be tolerated, and only perfection holds merit".
After successfully stressing out a room of sixteen and seventeen-year-olds, minus Adrian who had already sat for his NEWTs before, Snape withdrew his wand and waved it at the chalkboard behind him. "Today, you will be attempting the wound-cleaning potion", Snape announced as directions appeared on the chalkboard. "If done correctly, it should take forty-five minutes to brew. Further instructions can be found in your textbooks on page twenty. Pay close attention. Your homework will be to write a two-foot essay on what you did correctly and what you did poorly to be turned in on Wednesday". Snape took his time to stare down anyone brave enough to look at him. "Begin", he said after a moment; releasing us to get on with our assignment as he returned to his desk.
As our classmates moved to collect the ingredients they needed that weren't included in our kits, I turned to Adrian and let out a puff of air. "I'm starting to regret my life choices".
Adrian scoffed as he rose from his seat. Placing a hand on my shoulder, he squeezed. "You'll be fine. You passed your OWL like everyone here", Adrian assured. As if his confidence in me was the only thing I needed to hear to cure any self-doubt. But what Adrian didn't appreciate was that he was coming from a very biased viewpoint. Snogging someone on the regular did tend to cloud their judgment. "I'll fetch the ingredients if you light our cauldrons", Adrian suggested.
I agreed with a singular nod; reaching up to massage my temples. Technically, we weren't potion partners anymore. Seeing as we now had to manage a cauldron on our own. But Snape hadn't said we couldn't help each other. As Adrian went about his task, I used my wand to ignite small flames under each of our cauldrons. Merlin, between Snape and Flitwick, I'm not sure I'll make it to graduation.