At breakfast, Belle and Ginny sat with the other 7th year girls from their dormitory. Belle spoke a bit with Demelza Robbins, who was in her Arithmancy class, but didn't say much. Belle felt relieved when the owl post arrived and she could hide behind the Daily Prophet. Belle had figured out how to pay the owl this time and enjoyed sticking the little bronze coin into the owl's money pouch.
This morning, the seventh years had double Defense Against the Dark Arts. Those who had qualified to go onto the N.E.W.T. level that is, as Belle recently discovered. Not everyone could take the advanced level courses. That's what Hermione had been talking about in her dream the night before. The dots were connecting slowly but surely for Belle.
Belle also had Ancient Runes later in the day along with lessons with each of the professors after each class. She'd be able to go to lunch in-between the two sets of classes and lessons, so that was a relief.
A shadow fell over Belle as she read the Daily Prophet. She looked up to see a giant man with a wild black beard and brown overcoat. She jumped a little at his appearance.
"Hello, Hagrid!" Ginny greeted the giant brightly. "How are you doing?"
"Doing well, Ginny," Hagrid said in a booming voice. "Doing well." He put his hands on his hips and looked at Ginny and Hermione sternly and continued, "Why haven't the two of you been to visit me?"
"It's been crazy!" Ginny said, shaking her head. "Start of term and all that. But we'd love to. Does late afternoon today work for you?"
"Sure!" Hagrid said, his stern expression transforming into a broad smile. He hadn't been truly angry then. "See you then."
He stumped off towards the high table where the professors all sat. Belle raised her eyebrows at Ginny, who mouthed, "I'll tell you later." Belle nodded.
"We better get going," Ginny said. They stood up and began making their way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. None of the other girls who'd been sitting with them followed. It appeared they weren't taking this class.
"That was Hagrid," Ginny said as they exited the Great Hall. "He's the gamekeeper and teaches Care of Magical Creatures. We're not taking that class. It's an elective. He's a good friend of ours."
"You're friends with a professor?" Belle asked, slightly confused.
"Well, he wasn't always a professor," Ginny said. "And he has a special bond with Harry that has now extended to the rest of us."
"I see," Belle said, not really seeing, but accepting it as fact of her new life that she didn't have the background to know.
As Belle and Ginny entered the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, they found that it already had students sitting at desks, ready for the class. Ginny led Belle over to a pair of vacant seats and they pulled out parchments and quills.
"Professor Dawlish," Ginny whispered. "Used work for the Ministry of Magic, but he was dismissed after participating in the previous regime. He's now here teaching to atone for going along with them. Professor McGonagall decided to give him a chance since he has a niece who attends Hogwarts. He says that they'd threatened to hurt her, or worse, if he didn't cooperate with them. It's kind of her. We also probably desperately needed a professor for this class since they never stay long in this position."
Belle didn't understand a lot of what Ginny said. She made a mental note to check her Field Guide later about this Ministry of Magic Ginny mentioned.
Professor Dawlish entered the room. His tall figure draped in simple flowing black robes.
"Good morning class," Professor Dawlish said. "Today we'll discuss defensive magic against Inferius. It will be a theoretical lesson, so no need for wands."
Some members of the class groaned. Ginny shrugged. "He hasn't done many practical lessons," she muttered. "I don't know why people are surprised."
Belle fell into the habit of taking notes as Professor Dawlish spoke. The class period went swiftly by and as the class ended, Belle found herself still writing down things that had been covered in the class. She remained in the class as the other students packed up their things.
"I'll see you later," Ginny said, smiling.
Belle waved at Ginny and waited for Professor Dawlish to acknowledge her. As the classroom emptied, Professor Dawlish turned to Belle.
"Now, I hear you require some additional lessons," he said. The lesson turned out to be Dawlish referring Belle several books to read and requesting that she write an essay detailing what she learned about defensive magic.
While Belle loved to read, she wished she had more time to investigate her mother. As Belle left the classroom, she checked the time. It looked like did have some time before lunch to go read a bit more.
Belle took out her Field Guide and made her way to the library. She found a table and thought about what she wanted to do. Did she want to be a good student and get started on her homework? Or did she want to see what else she could find out about her mother?
Curiosity about her mother won out. Belle hadn't the faintest idea where to start though, so she began to wander the stacks. What would Hermione do?
Should she ask the librarian? To be truthful, the librarian seemed intimidating.
Belle retraced her steps to the place where she'd found the student records previously. She found the book where she'd found her mother's name before and decided to take another look.
As Belle skimmed through the pages of the student records, her eyes narrowed in concentration. The names and dates seemed to blur together, but she couldn't find any additional mention of her mother.
Perhaps this was a waste of time. She didn't know where else to look and the prospect of all this homework loomed over her.
"Looking for something?" a familiar voice said.
Belle whirled around to find Draco Malfoy leaning against a bookshelf. Her heart pounded as she took in his tall and elegant form.
"Nothing in particular," she said evasively, closing the book.
"You're looking at student records from the 1700s," Draco commented. "Why?"
"Just curious," she said, putting the book away. "Not that it's your business. I better go." Belle dashed away from him as fast as she could.
Luckily, he did not follow.