I got up from the best night of sleep I'd ever had. I pulled my curtain back and got into uniform, clipping the bronzed eagle pin on my robes. When I looked around I noticed most of the other girls were either still sleeping, or just starting to stir. The only exception was Lisa, who was already up.
I creeped out of the dorm, and down the stairs into the common room. It was still early, a cluster of older student's huddled near the library, and Lisa and Anthony sat in a far corner. Lisa sat in a armchair scribbling away at the work her mom had given her, while Anthony was focused intently on the couch.
I walked over to my year mates. As I approached Anthony turned to me and gave me a smile, while Lisa again looked stressed and tired as she worked.
"Morning." Anthony said quietly, I nodded.
"Morning" I said, I motioned to Lisa who didn't even notice me. "How long?" I whispered.
"She was here when I got here, and the older years said she was here when they got here to." Anthony replied.
I nodded and quietly sat down next to Anthony, I caught a glimpse of the book he was reading. "The History of the Chimaera." I looked at him in confusion and he shrugged.
"I found it in the library." He said as he motioned to the nook on the other side of the chamber. "Thought it sounded interesting."
"What is a Chimaera ?" I asked.
"A bloodthirsty creature with a lion's head, the body of a goat, as well as the tail of a dragon." Anthony replied.
"That sounds...terrifying."
"Oh, it is, the book was telling me about a guy who..."
"I don't need to know." I said holding out my hand.
"Suit yourself." Anthony replied, shrugging and eagerly returning to the book.
I began through my notes I'd taken over the summer. We still didn't know what classes we'd have today, or if we'd be attending with another house. I was crossing my fingers that we'd share something with the Gryffindor's, but until Professor Flitwick passed out schedules, there was no way of knowing.
"...stupid..."
I looked up and turned to Anthony, he motioned to Lisa, who looked ready to strangle someone. She was beginning to turn red, and she was whispering under he breath.
"Stupid...not..adding..."
"Lisa?" I asked, and the girl turned to me in fury.
"What?!" She asked loudly, we both looked at her in shock. While the older student's turned to stare as well. When she noticed it was me she froze and the rage on her face faded. Replaced by guilt, and nervousness.
"Sorry...sorry." She said quickly.
"Are you okay?" I asked her.
"Fine...just. I'll see you at breakfast." She said, then stood up, gathered her thing's and quickly walked to the dorm. I looked at Anthony confused.
"When we told her what happened to you and Harry...let's just say she didn't take it well."
"Why?"
Anthony just shrugged. "No idea.
The common room began filling with more and more people, and some of the student's headed for breakfast. It really started to feel like the first day.
"Are you ready?" Anthony asked me.
"I hope so, I've been taking notes. I'm still nervous though."
"I am to." He admitted.
"Really?"
"Yeah, despite my confidence, now that it's all happening. Lets just say I have a lot to live up to."
"I hope the others get here soon." I said, as more and more older student's headed for breakfast.
Thankfully Michael and Terry joined us, though both were clearly tired. Morag, Padma, and Mandy all followed closely after, each looking more awake than the boys. Finally Lisa returned, she looked less angry and frustrated, and more nervous and twitchy.
"Why do we have to get up so early?." Michael asked as he stretched and yawned.
"What was so important that kept you up last night?" Padma asked the two tired boys.
"Uh..."Terry said awkwardly.
"We were..." Michael tried.
"Quidditch, they were talking about making the house team." Anthony said, Mandy and Morag giggled while Padma just shook her head.
"First year's don't even have brooms."
"Well...I don't have a logical defense for that." Michael eventually conceded.
"Me neither."
"At least you're honest." I said, as Padma rolled her eyes.
"Any way's, let's get to breakfast. I want to see what classes we have today." Anthony eagerly said, and headed for the door.
Everyone stuck together, though I noticed Lisa was in the back of the group and had since her outburst been almost silent.
Hogwarts was indeed massive. Thankfully Anthony knew the was perfectly, and we arrived at the great hall with no issues. I noticed that my nerves about being late were misplaced. Sure our house was almost entirely here, and a couple of the older Slytherins were up. But other than Hermione and Percy, the Gryffindor table was completely empty. Hufflepuff was even worse, not a single student had arrived.
"How did you get this down so quickly?" Padma asked Anthony as we sat down.
"I didn't. My parent's bought me a map months ago. They explained memorizing the path from the common room to the great hall was key to early success."
"Thank merlin for your parent's." Morag said as she got a slice of toast on her plate.
"Indeed." Mandy added.
As we ate I noticed a small trickle of student's appear in the hall. More Slytherin's appeared, and finally some Gryffindor's and Hufflepuff's. I noticed Cho sat down near us and turned to her.
"Cho?"
"Ah Sarah. Good morning." She told me cheerfully.
"Good morning, I have another question."
"Why our most of the other table's empty?" She guessed and I nodded.
"Most of us like to get to the library before breakfast ends. There not late, where just early. Does that make sense?" She asked and I nodded. "Good, now I've got to go talk to Madam Hooch. You guys have a good first day." Cho then stood up and eagerly headed up to the head table.
Breakfast continued and Professor Flitwick started handing out schedules. He finally got to us at the end of the table and gave us a big smile.
"Ah our first years. Welcome, welcome. I'm sure you'll all make fine additions to our house. Nice to meet you officially." Professor Flitwick told us.
"Good to meet you to Professor." Anthony said.
"Ah, Mr. Goldstein, how our your parents?
"Doing well sir." Anthony said.
"Good. Well let's get you your schedules."
Professor Flitwick reached into his robes and started handing them out.
"Miss Turpin, and finally Miss...Potter." He said my name with a hint of sadness.
"Thank you sir." I said as I took the envelope. He nodded, gave me one last glance, then headed off, and I began to wonder.
"How long has Professor Flitwick been teaching?" I asked Anthony.
"He taught your parents, if that's what your wondering." Anthony replied, and I looked at him. "My parent's were older than yours, and he taught them." He finished, I nodded. First McGonagall and now Flitwick. At some point I'd ask have to ask about my parents...
I pushed the thought aside and opened the envelope and unfolded my schedule. We started with Defense against the Dark Arts, then had Charms. Had a break for Lunch, Transfiguration, and finally Herbology with the Slytherins.
I cast a nervous glance at the Slytherin table, then turned back to the schedule, looking for any classes shared with Gryffindor. We had astrology on Tuesday's at midnight, no Gryffindor's in History of Magic, the last class of the week was potions on Friday. We had a double period with...Hufflepuff.
"Well that sucks." I said annoyed, Padma nodded.
"Not one class with our twins, yet we have the Slytherin's three times a week in greenhouse." She added.
"I wanted to talk to Harry at some point. But he's still not shown up." I said glancing over at the Gryffindor table.
"Probably got lost." Michael speculated, and I sighed.
"Probably."
Breakfast continued and Harry and Ron showed up. Before I could talk to either of them a massive wave of owls swooped in and caused me to jump.
"It's just mail." Terry told me, I nodded and took some deep breaths. Of course I hadn't gotten anything, so Uric just ate some crumbs off my plate. When mail finished everyone started to depart the hall. And I realized classes started in ten minutes. By the time I found Harry, we didn't have enough time other than a quick...
"Meet here during lunch?." I asked in the entrance hall.
"Yeah." Harry replied. He and Ron then scurried off to Transfiguration with the other Gryffindor's. While we headed towards Professor Quirrell classroom.
"The other Potter?"
"Could you get your brothers Autograph?" A Hufflepuff called out to me. I pretended not to hear and sighed.
"This is annoying." I said.
"This will pass." Anthony assured me.
We entered it with a few minutes to spare, and we all found our seats. We all clenched our noses at the smell of Garlic.
"I heard he angered a vampire in Romania, that's why it smells like Garlic." Michael said, we all looked at him skeptically.
"Who told you that?" Anthony asked.
Before Michael could answer, Professor Quirrell walked in and looked around at us all. He took role while fidgeting his fingers. His stutter seemed worse than last time, and I felt horrible for him. What had that sabbatical done to him?
"W...welcome to your f...first year of d...defense against the d...dark arts. I...I am Professor Q...Quirrell. A p...pleasure to meet t...this years class of R...Ravenclaw's. I was o...once in y...your seats."
"You were in Ravenclaw sir?" Mandy asked, clearly not convinced.
"I...I was indeed. Now b...before we get s...started. Any q...questions."
Terry's hand shot up, and Professor Quirrell nervously looked at him.
"M...Mr. Boot."
"Where did you get that turban from, sir?" He asked.
"It was a r...reward from an African p...prince. I got r...rid of a l...loathsome zombie for h...him." He replied, at that everyone looked at Quirrell with renewed interest.
"How did you pull that off sir?" Michael asked as he and everyone else was leaning forward in
"Heh...Uh...lovely w...weather today." He replied, his face going white and looking even more nervous than he normally did.
All of us looked at him with a mix of pity and confusion. This was our defense Professor.
"Any o...other questions?" He said looking around.
"Is it true a vampire from Romania is after you?
At that the already nervous Professor froze in terror, and all the color drained from his face. Michael thought it was funny. I for one felt horrible for the man. He'd gone out into the world and returned like this?
"Um...First can anyone t...tell me what c...chapter one says a...bout..."
Professor Quirrell stuttered his way through the rest of class, going over chapter one basics, occasionally asking a simple question from the reading. I noticed everyone was either bored sick of the lecture, or secretly scoffing at the man. And though the lecture had been...frankly horrible. I could relate.
I remember standing before classes and giving presentations, I remember Dudley and his friends mocking comments under there breaths, I knew how fear could paralyze and make you look like a fool...
I knew how Professor Quirrell felt.
"...and remember to t...turn in your h...homework by f...Friday. "
Class ended and everyone rushed to stand. I saw Mandy wake Morag, while Michael and Terry whispered and laughing about something.
"Well...on to Charms." I heard Anthony say as he stood and began to stretch. He and the others began to file out.
"I'll catch up to you, I need to ask Professor Quirrell about something." I said, all of them looked at me in shock. Anthony mouthed, about what? I waved them off and he shrugged and the others left.
I walked up to Quirrell, who sat behind his desk nervously writing something.
"Sir?" I asked quietly, he jumped and looked up.
"P...Potter?" He asked nervously.
"I just wanted to let you know...what Michael and Terry asked you was inappropriate. I'm sorry your first class back involved...that." I said, Quirrell looked at me aghast.
"I know how it feels to be...bullied. It's not your fault ...you know. You tried to better yourself, whatever happened on the sabbatical is your business. I just wanted to let you know, I'm sorry."
"Thank y...you for the kind w...words Potter." He eventually said. I nodded and smiled at him.
"You have a good day sir." I said, I turned and left, leaving a completely befuddled Professor Quirrell behind.
I caught up my housemates at the doors of the Charms classroom. When Anthony saw me he gave puzzled look.
"What could you have possibly asked Professor Quirrell after...that?" He asked me, clearly unimpressed.
"Something on the reading." I replied, Anthony just shook his head.
"He was a joke." Michael said as he and Terry noticed me.
"A bad one." Terry added.
"Come on guys. He's a Professor and a member of our house."
"He's an embarrassment on our house." Michael replied.
"Just stop...please." I begged.
"Why do you care so much?" Terry asked me.
"Because I know how that feels."
"To teach a horrible lesson?" Michael asked astonished.
"To be bullied." I replied, Michael and Terry shifted nervously, while everyone else looked at me again in shock.
"You can't bully a teacher." Terry said uncertainly.
"Call it whatever you want. Laughing at someone who clearly had...something bad happen to them. I've lived that multiple times."
Everyone was silent for a moment. I saw Lisa again avoid looking at me, and Michael and Terry eventually relented.
"Fine, we'll lay off Professor Quirrell." Michael said.
"I just hope he teaches better." Anthony said.
"He won't if all we do is laugh at him." I finished.
At that moment the door's to the Charm's classroom burst open. We all filed in as Professor Flitwick greeted us warmly.
"Ah my first year Eagles. Welcome, welcome." He said pleasantly.
The classroom consisted of three rows of chairs facing the front. On Flitwick's chair sat multiple books so he could see over the desk. Much like Professor Quirrell had done, Flitwick started class by taking role. When he called my name, he looked at me like he'd done earlier. Again it was a look of sorrow and sympathy.
"Now." Professor Flitwick began as he finished rollcall. "Before we begin I'd like to officially introduce myself. I was once a world class dueler." There was some amazed faces at that." But I left that life a long time ago. I've been teaching at Hogwarts for over thirty years..." So he had taught my parents. "...head of Ravenclaw for the past twenty. As I'm sure you've heard by now, anytime any of you need anything. My door is open. Any questions?" Flitwick looked around the room. "Good, now let's begin."
"Who can tell me what a Charm is?"
A few hands shot up and Flitwick looked pleased.
"Miss Brocklehurst?" Flitwick called.
"A Charm is any spell which adds a element to something. Like the ability to fly to a broomstick. Charm's differ from Transfiguration in the sense that they don't change to object itself, just make it do something new."
"Well done Miss Brocklehurst, five points to Ravenclaw."
Mandy beamed and everyone was quite pleased.
"Now lets begin by taking notes on..."
Professor Flitwick began going over all the basics we would need to know. All though we were all disappointed we'd not be trying spells until at least Halloween, it was still and enjoyable lesson overall.
As class ended I again lingered behind. I needed to know...
"Again?" Anthony asked as he noticed me.
"I need to ask...about..."
After a few seconds it dawned on him, and he nodded.
"Of Couse." Then he and the others headed off to lunch. Like with Quirrell, I walked up to Professor Flitwick's desk. However instead of jumping like Quirrell had done, Flitwick looked at me and smiled.
"A question over the lesson Miss Potter?" He asked.
"No sir...it's just. You said you've been teaching here a long time." I began awkwardly.
"I hope I don't look that old." He joked.
"It's just...did you know my parents?"
The joking and smiling face faded and the more sorrowful one I'd seen returned. There was silence for a moment, until he finally spoke.
"I did know your parents Miss Potter." He finally replied.
"What were they like?" I asked. The tiny Professor looked down, he actually looked...angry.
"Hagrid did mention." Flitwick said under his breath, then turned back to me. "I would be delighted to tell you about your parent's Miss Potter. Right now I have errands to attends. Why don't you meet me at my office Saturday afternoon?" He asked me.
"Yes sir, thank you." I immediately replied.
"Of course, now you best run along. Wouldn't want you to miss lunch."
I nodded and made my way to the Great Hall. To my delight, Harry and Ron were already in the entrance hall. When he noticed me Harry waved me over.
"Sarah, Sarah. Over here." He said calling me over.
"Hey Harry, Ron. How are you, I know you were disappointed with us being separated?" I asked Harry.
"I have to admit...I saw it coming. After hearing the song, and what the houses represented. I thought you'd be in Ravenclaw." Harry told me.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I was more worried for myself than you. I had no idea where I would end up. I was just worried..."
"You'd be in Slytherin?"
"Yeah."
"Any way's, how's your morning been?" I asked.
"Other than almost getting detention from Filch, fine." Harry replied.
"What happened?" I asked.
"We thought the out of bounds corridor was a classroom. He thought we were trying to break in." Harry said.
"The only reason we didn't is because Professor Quirrell was passing by. He convinced Filch to let us go." Ron added.
"Well that's one way to start the school year." I said.
"Yeah, anyways, what about you?" Harry asked.
"I've been good. No run in's with Filch yet." I replied smirking.
"How's Ravenclaw?" Ron asked me.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed it, I really like most of my year mates."
"Good, we'll be coming to you for homework." Ron said, partly joking, part serious.
" Of course I'd help. Now how's Gryffindor been?"
"Amazing." Harry answered immediately.
"Other than having your older brother be prefect." Ron added, rolling his eyes.
"Everyone's really nice. Even if Hermione's a little..."
"Annoying." Ron stated firmly.
"She tried to help Neville find his toad." I pointed out.
"She's still annoying. Annoying and bossy." Ron said firmly.
"Anyways, what classes do you have next?" Harry asked me, changing the subject.
"Transfiguration, then Herbology with the Slytherins." I replied, at the mention of the Slytherin's both Harry and Ron faces contorted into annoyance and worry.
"I can't believe we share classes with the Slytherin's, but not each other." Harry said annoyed.
"Yeah, when I saw the schedule, I was disappointed."
"Percy said it's a rotation. His year has herbology with Ravenclaw, and Potions with Hufflepuff." Ron added.
"Really?"
"Yeah." Harry affirmed, annoyed.
"So we just drew the short end of the stick." I commented.
"It sucks, at least until third year with electives." Harry commented.
"Well we'll just have to make times between classes and such."
"We will." Harry said firmly. "Any way's we best get to lunch."
"We better." I replied,
We made our way into the hall and departed. I sat down next to Lisa, who still seemed nervous and guilty around me, and started listening to Anthony ramble about theories on Chimaera tear's and there effects on the senses.
"I'm just saying. If we could get the mixture right..."
"Please, enough." Michael begged him.
"You guys have no vision." Anthony replied, rolling his eyes.
"Mate, you've been rambling on this for the past fifteen minutes. Please, just give us a moment." Terry added. Anthony pouted but said nothing.
"How'd your talk go with Professor Flitwick?" Padma asked me gently.
"Good. I'm going to speak to him on Saturday." I replied simply. She nodded as lunch passed. We all got up and headed for our next class.
We arrived at the Transfiguration classroom and sat down. Professor McGonagall took role, then turned to us all sternly.
"Transfiguration is complex, and can become dangerous. I would not tolerate any fooling around in this classroom, understood?" She asked us sternly, we nodded. Then she turned her desk into a pig and back. Everyone looked at the women in amazement.
Unfortunately we wouldn't be turning desk's into pigs in the near future. First we took some complicated notes that made even Anthony look confused at times. She then pulled our a box of matches and handed each of us one.
"Now, you will be attempting to turn that match into a needle. If you took good notes, and after enough practice, you should be able to. Any questions?" She looked around and no one spoke. "Good, begin."
This class was the first time I had ever used my wand. unfortunately for me, I couldn't do anything, not that anyone else could either. Sure Anthony and Lisa turned there matches silver. But no one was able to to actually transform the match.
"Study your notes, do the homework. And the match will transform. Now off you go" McGonagall told us and we filed out of the classroom.
"That was...difficult." Anthony admitted.
"At least you could do anything to your match. Mine burst into flames, twice." Michael said, as he wiped off ash from his hand.
We rounded a corner and stepped into the light of the courtyard and headed for one of the greenhouse door's, as we entered we saw that the Slytherin's had already arrived. Draco, Crabbe and Goyle stood together in the corner, Malfoy looking oddly proud of himself. A pug faced girl noticed us and scowled when she saw Padma.
"Well, well, well. I'm surprised you didn't end up in Gryffindor with your sister Patil." She said with clear dislike.
"Good to see you to Pansy." Padma replied, rolling her eyes.
Before any more back and forth, Professor Sprout walked in. Like the other teachers she began to take roll. When my name was called, it wasn't the Professor who reaction I noticed. But the Slytherins.
Daphne Greengrass, a beautiful girl with snow white hair looked intrigued. Blaise Zabini, a tall, vain looking black boy, amused. Pansy Parkinson, the girl who Padma was speaking to, annoyed. While Draco looked, conflicted. He eventually settled on glaring at me, while my housemates looked utterly confused.
This must all stem from what happened on the train...
The class itself was standard garden work. We'd learn about magical plants and there abilities. Throughout the lesson Draco and the other Slytherin's seemed to be sizing me up, I countered by pretending I had no idea what they were doing, or why they were glaring.
I played dumb.
After class ended we all exited the greenhouse. As soon as we were our of Professor Sprout's view I heard footsteps quicken behind me.
"Potter." Draco called, he Crabbe and Goyle came stomping over towards us. While Anthony looked annoyed.
"She's not getting Harry's autograph Malfoy." Anthony said, clearly the two also had known each other before school.
"Like I would ever want her brothers autograph." Draco spat back, before turning to me. "And you, you think after what happened on the train that you could just avoid me?" He asked annoyed.
"Happened on the train?" I asked, continuing to play dumb.
"Yeah, when Weasley's rat bit Goyle."
"Oh my gosh Malfoy, such the drama queen." Anthony told Draco, smirking at the boy's furious reaction.
"Stay out of this Goldstein." Draco replied venomously.
"Just get to the point Malfoy?"
"The point is, if she and her brother think, that they can cross the Malfoy name without consequences, they are gravely mistaken. Potter's or not." He said the last part glaring at me.
"Mal..."
"Anthony, if Draco here has a problem with me. Then he is of course free to voice those concerns." I said as I held up my hand. He looked at me confused. "You guys go to dinner, I'll sort this out." I said. Although confused, everybody began to head off, Anthony gave Malfoy one last glance.
"Don't do anything stupid, Malfoy." He warned. My housemates left, leaving only me and the Slytherin trio. Draco looked a little surprised I'd sent my friends off. But I knew I needed to squash this, now.
"So, if I may ask. How did me and Harry offend you?" I asked. Draco crossed his arms annoyed.
"Come on, your brother didn't tell you? I tried to reach out, to help you two. And your brother chose that pathetic Weasley."
"All I was told was someone came into there compartment while I was gone and threatened them. I didn't know who it was, or anything else." I lied.
"Threaten? No. Me, Crabbe and Goyle went to meet the famed Potters. I only got angry because Weasley laughed at my last name." Draco said.
I could tell Draco was telling the truth, the way he seemed so furious about the fact confirmed it.
"I'm...sorry. Harry and Ron didn't tell me anything like that." I said. My apology put Malfoy off. For the first time he didn't look at me angrily, or annoyed. But confused.
"Your sorry?" He asked me, and I nodded.
"If what your saying is true, and I do believe it to be, then I am sorry that Ron laughed." I said, Draco was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Well...at least you have some common sense. Not being in Gryffindor confirms that." He told me smirking.
"Listen...whatever happened between you, Ron, and Harry. That's you business. I for one have no desire to get into a school child rivalry over some insults I wasn't even involved with."
"I guess what they say about Ravenclaw's having brains is true. Fine Potter, you are no longer my enemy. But unless your brother apologizes, he's still going to be."
"Aren't Gryffindor's and Slytherin's supposed to hate each other anyway? Even if this whole inccident didn't happen you'd still be rivals."
"True. But this makes your brother a special case."
"Everyone seems to think so."
"Hm, Crabbe, Goyle. Lets go." Draco ordered as he and his goons marched off.
I headed for the great hall for dinner, satisfied with how I'd handled Malfoy. Even if Harry wouldn't agree, I had no desire to join in on the Slytherin, Gryffindor rivalry. Truth be told I saw why Harry didn't like Draco, but just because he acted so much like Dudley, didn't mean I couldn't manage him.
I arrived at dinner just in time to hear Anthony continue his ramblings on Chimaera tear's.
"Come on, just think about I..."
"Please, Anthony. I don't care about Chimaera tear's effects on sight or sound. Please..." Begged Terry. I had to hold back a laugh.
"You sure are dedicated about this." I told Anthony as I sat down.
"I wish some others were..." Terry and Michael just rolled there eyes. "So what did Malfoy want?" He asked.
"Something happened on the train between him and Harry." I replied.
"Typical Slytherin, Gryffindor rivalry." Anthony said shaking his head.
Dinner passed and we returned to the common room. Everyone nervously glanced at each other was we approached the eagle door knocker. Michael boldly knocked and the eagle spoke.
"Feed me and I live. Give me a drink and I die. What am I?"
We all stood there nervously looking around at one another. What ate but didn't need to...
"A fire." Lisa's voice surprised me, yet the knocker was satisfied.
"Well reasoned." It said and the door opened. We all filed inside and everyone spread out. Lisa immediately raced to the dorm and came back out with her packets, Anthony sat down on the couch and got back to his Chimaera book. Michael and Terry headed for bed. While the rest of the girls went back to the dorm.
I got to work on Transfiguration homework, and began to struggle through. It was hard, and annoying, and not all what I thought magic would be. Still I was having a better time than...
"Stupid math, stupid algebra." Lisa muttered. I looked up and saw her much like this morning. Anthony looked up from his book and looked at her, concern on his face. We then turned to each other.
"Do you think we should help?" I mouthed to him.
"I guess." He mouthed back.
I cleared my throat. "Lisa." I said, she nearly jumped and was clearly annoyed. But just like any other time she realized it was me, she quickly turned nervous. And avoided eye contact.
"Yes?" She quietly asked me.
"Do you need our help?" I asked her.
"I...no. I'm fine. I just..."
"Do you our help?" Anthony asked her again, and this time she finally cracked.
"Please." She finally said.
As she handed me her worksheet to look over, I understood why she'd been having so much trouble. This wasn't stuff elven year old's should know, this was high school level.
"You don't have to if you don't want to." Lisa quickly told me, I shook my head.
"No, you need help. Still, this will be difficult." I said as I handed the worksheet to Anthony.
"My Mum as high standards." Lisa replied, and I nodded.
"I can tell." I said, as Anthony looked thrilled.
"Muggle worksheet truly are incredible, and this is a pencil?" He asked as she handed him one.
"Yes."
"Fascinating, so fascinating."
The three of us sat for hours. Anthony thrilled at every problem, Lisa stress dropping the more we did, I wondering how Lisa would survive seven years of this and Hogwarts at the same time. Finally Lisa turned to us with a grateful expression.
"You just helped me get through a weeks worth. Thank you." She said.
"No problem." Anthony said as he stood. "I'm going to go check on Michael and Terry, see how productive they've been." He said the last part jokingly and strode off, and I turned back to Lisa.
She still seemed nervous around me, but not nearly as much as last time. I knew now was the best time.
"I've been meaning to talk to you." I said.
"About?"
"Ever since we got here you've been so...nervous and guilt stricken around me. It's just...where going to be spending the next seven years together."
"Oh...it's nothing." Like earlier she tried to deflect.
"What's wrong?"
"...It's just. I complain so much about my muggle work from my mother. Then I figure out...what happened to your parent's. I feel...guilty for being stressed. I mean, sure the work is hard. But it's nothing compared to what you've gone through."
"You had nothing to do with my parent's death." I said confused.
"I know. It's just, the first time I met you I ranted about how horrible my day was, then Anthony and the other's tell me about your life, your brother's life. It make me feel petty."
"Lisa, the work your mother gave you would stress anyone out. I know having a crazy dark wizard kill your parent's and attempt to murder your brother is...worse. But avoiding talking to me, or even looking at me because you feel petty. That's more stressful at the moment than my parent's death."
"I...guess that makes sense."
"Good, just. Try and act normal around me. Like I said, where going to be sharing a dorm for the next seven yeas. I would prefer to be friends with you, not...whatever we've been."
Lisa took a long breath. "Your right."
"Good, besides, it should be easier without that packet breathing down your neck. At least for a while."
"Very true."
I looked out the window and noticed the sun had gone down. I turned to Lisa.
"How long were we working on that?"
"About three hours."
"Three people, and that still took three hours?"
"Like I said, my mum has high standards."
I just shook my head, then yawned.
"I think I'm going to take a page out of Michael and Terry's playbook and get some sleep." I said as I stood up and stretched.
"Well, good night." Lisa told me.
"Night." I walked back to the dorm and found Padma and Mandy chatting quietly. While Morag was already in bed. I pulled the curtains around my bed. Got out of uniform, and prepared to do this all over again tomorrow.
And it would be worth every minute.