Ron and Harry were in the middle of an interesting game of chess when Hermione stormed downstairs with a hefty stack of books under her arms. The boys looked up from the chessboard and eyed her curiously as she stomped over and slammed her books down on a neighboring end table.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" Ron asked, hesitating on whether or not to rise from his seat to give her a good morning kiss.
Hermione sighed deeply and ran a hand through her bushy hair. "Look at the time! I didn't bother to set my alarm last night since I knew I didn't have a class to get up for today, but now it's halfway to noon and I haven't even prepared for tomorrow's afternoon class yet!"
Ron and Harry groaned and rolled their eyes.
"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, taking a moment to command his queen. "We've only got Care of Magical Creatures tomorrow. Do you really need to prepare for Hagrid's class?"
Hermione looked at him crossly and slid into a nearby chair. "Of course. Now, I know that our schedule this term is somewhat less grueling than what we've had in previous years..."
"Tell me about it!" Harry said, grinning. "No classes today, just one class tomorrow and Wednesday..."
"Thursdays and Fridays on the other hand..." interjected Ron, frowning.
"My point is," Hermione continued firmly, "I don't want either of you to think that you don't need to work hard. We only have two more years in this place and then we have our NEWT exams."
Hermione paused, tilting her head to the side in thought. "Harry, will you have to take the OWLs since you..."
"Since I missed them?" Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I suppose I'll have to talk to McGonagall about that."
Ron picked up some broken chess pieces and suggested, "I wouldn't mention it, Harry. Maybe you'll get away with not having to take them after all. Besides, we all know you're one of the greatest wizards. What do you need a stupid OWL exam for anyway?"
Hermione shot Ron another one of her looks and stated, "I thought the OWLs were quite stimulating. I'm sure you'd do just fine on them, Harry. Although, I'm sure you'd need to do a little preparing for them. I'd be happy to quiz you."
"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said, exchanging a knowing look with Ron.
At that moment, Majandra entered the common room and wandered over to the three. She threw her arithmancy book down on top of Hermione's stack and dragged a chair over to join them.
"How was arithmancy?" Hermione asked.
Majandra shrugged. "New teacher."
Ron called check mate and turned to the girls. "Wonder what Professor Somerset will be like."
"I suspect we shouldn't get too attached since he's likely to last only a year," Harry commented, clearing the board of chess piece fragments. "Well, Ron, what do we do now?"
Hermione tossed two books at them and ordered, "Study!"
One Dull Class
Author: Clara Devaki
Date: 12-29-02 14:45
Clara rolled her eyes as Professer Binns started his lecturing. That's all that ever really happened in this class. "Get ready for naptime..." She mumbled as her friends around her snickered. Clara smirked.
Next the black-haired girl started doodling on her parchment, slipping her hand into Draco's. That's pretty much what the rest of the class was like, with a snide remark here and there. History of Magic was what Clara thought of as the dullest class ever.
Newlyweds
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 12-29-02 16:01
"Good morning, Mrs. Weasley," Charlie whispered, planting a kiss on Helena's forehead.
She sighed softly and opened her eyes, smiling when she saw Charlie leaning over her. "Good morning, Mr. Weasley. Did you sleep well?"
Charlie nodded, grinning slightly. "I had something soft to snuggle with. It always helps, you know."
Helena laughed. "Does it?"
"Oh, yes!" Charlie was sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in a green bathrobe. He smiled at her and continued, "You see, we dragon keepers don't ever seem to get a good night's rest. We're always thinking about our job, the danger and adventure..."
"So, you're saying there's no danger and adventure in being married to me, Charlie Weasley?" Helena bit her lip and winked.
Charlie growled deep in his throat and pounced...
Later that day, Charlie and Helena decided to visit one of the casinos again. They stopped at a blackjack table and sat down to play.
"When do you think we should tell our families, Charlie?" Helena asked, sliding a few chips across the table to the dealer.
Charlie shrugged. "I don't know. Mum's gonna kill me." He paused, looking at his cards. "Hit me," he said.
Helena punched him in the arm.
"Ow!" Charlie winced and dropped his cards in order to rub his arm. "Not you, darling. I meant the dealer."
Helena giggled. "I knew who you meant, Charlie."
Charlie grinned weakly. "Remind me never to make you angry...again."
"That will be impossible, Charlie, and you know it!" Helena grinned and then resumed their prior topic of conversation. "Maybe we should talk to your mother first, then, before we announce it to the others. I'd hate for her to have to hear it from someone else first. She'd probably be all the more furious."
"You're probably right."
Charlie flipped over his cards and revealed that he had 21. The dealer slid some chips across the table at him. "Another game?" he asked.
"Absolutely," exclaimed Charlie. He turned to Helena. "We leave here tomorrow. How about we break the news to her over dinner tomorrow night?"
"Good idea," Helena said, silently hoping that Molly Weasley will take the news much better than expected.
After class, ;-) Cho wrote. Fynn grinned at her. Class was never-ending! It seemed like every second was droning by at ten time it's normal speed- or Professor Binn's walking speed- and that was, (no offence intended), extremely slowly.
Cho had sheathed the sketch neatly in between the pages of her notebook, smoothing the creases carefully. He held her hand and finally decided to listen to what was going on...for it seemed what had just transpired was a beautiful, beautiful daydream.
After class. He was happy.
The class finally ended on the stroke of ten o'clock, oh what torture it had been. First they reviewed things from last year, then they were introduced to a boringly easy new chapter, and then Prof. Sorcha had taken questions. Which, surprisingly enough, there were plenty of. When the bell/chimes rang, however, Cho was the first to stand up.
Quickly, Cho packed her books and took Fynn's hand again when he had packed his. They strolled out of the classroom, hands swinging, she led him to a corner out of the way and dropped her books softly, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting one right on his lips before hugging him tightly. Reluctantly letting go, she calmly picks up her books and takes his hand again, walking very close to him, "Shall we drop our things in the common room and go for a walk or something? I mean...Neither of us have class for the rest of the day...?"
MOM Headquarters: Business
as Usual
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 12-29-02 21:15
The meeting finally ends and I make a quick exit to my office. I have a huge pile of paperwork waiting for me. I feel as if it's keeping me from doing what I really want to do - what I am good at - working in the field catching dark wizards.
Dark wizards like the enigmatic Sorcha. I know, I KNOW I am right about her. The note from the Magical Evidence Office confirms it: the handwriting on the note left to me when Tennille was captured, and the one taken from the runes professor's offices are matches. The objects I confiscated are still being identified. Nevertheless, the handwriting match, well as the evidence I had told to Dumbledore, is strong enough evidence to present to court. Yet, when questioned briefly, Sorcha clearly had no clue what I was talking about. She was telling the truth and was genuinely puzzled at the few brief queries Dumbledore and I had asked. In the end, I had let her go.
Dumbledore had agreed to let me investigate further, and I had promised to keep him posted on what I find. Not for the first time I am grateful that he knows and trust me so well. I sue a duplication charm and make a copy of the report from Office of Magical Evidence, and send it with an owl to the castle. I also include a note saying that the report on the confiscated items is forthcoming.
What is most puzzling is that now I actually have evidence to prove my intuition, the testimony of the person in question doesn't fit . There has to be a reason. I just don't know what it is - not yet anyway. I will need to look through my back copies of "Aurors Orb" and some more advanced books to see if I can find anything to explain this enigma.
And there is always Lucius Malfoy. He is an entirely different problem, and hardly a recent one. He evaded justice once, claiming to be controlled. But he cannot evade justice forever. I am not afraid of him, and I am just as clever.
I try to push those concerns aside, and ignore other thoughts that are bothering me and take a file from my desk on the Koyla case. The trial is only the start of this problem. There are other sects of his located throughout Europe. I definitely don't want any of these hooking up with Voldemort. I will need to work with other ministries on this case. Still thinking on the issue, I remember that I haven't spoken with Viktor Krum yet. I don't know his Quiddtich schedule, so I can't just pay him a visit like I did Ethan. Taking a quill I write a quick note to the young man and send it with another owl:
Viktor, a chara:
When your schedule allows, can you please come see me, either in London or my Hogsmeade address? I can also see you in Ireland, if you are playing there anytime soon. I Have much to discuss with you.
Is mise le meas*
Dierna ni Ciaran.
* = yours sincerely
A Horrible Distraction
Author: Fynn Greenleaf
Date: 12-30-02 02:34
"A walk sounds fine, milady," Fynn said as he took Cho's hand, warm in his palm.
They strolled out - it was a fine day, sunny and beautiful as the girl beside him. "Runes was hellish!" Fynn said, turning toward her and grinning, as they walked around the grounds, at one point narrowly missing being hit by an errant Snitch someone had let out. "I'm afraid, Miss Chang, that you are a horrible distraction, and that in the interest of this student, (and all other male students), you'll have to walk around Hogwarts with a mask on to hide your utter, utter loveliness."
Cho laughed and replied, "Is that so, am I that distracting?" Her laughter was like spring water- tinkling and always a joy to hear. "Yes, you are indeed," Fynn said, smiling, as he brushed a strand of hair off her face.
Cho smiles and leans into his caressing hand, vocals soft so as not to disrupt the song of the birds or the sheer warmth of the day, "Well if I wore a mask...wouldn't that cause distraction as well?"
Fynn shakes his head slowly, "Not as much as your face does now..."
She grins softly, ruffling his fair hair, "Whatever you say, Master Greenleaf. I suppose I should do as you say, since you are a house prefect and all..."
He rolls his eyes slightly, "Bah, it's only a title. And besides, you being Head Girl means you outrank me." He nods to emphasize his point.
She chuckles, "As you put it, it's only a title..." she raises to the balls of her feet to brush her lips against his cheek.
Standoffish Baine
Author: Gabriel Baine
Date: 12-30-02 14:21
The sunlight passed through the thin windows and passed down upon the table of dark wood which Gabriel worked upon. One ray crossed the back of his neck as it passed upon the wood surface. A warming sensation passed through Gabriel causing him to shutter as it contrasted with the air about him. Laughter brought his eyes from the scrawling words before him and he looked transversely at the common room before him. The source of the noise came from several younger Ravenclaws gathered in a crowd around one whom was reading from an aged book. Gabriel didn't care to know what they found humorous and sent his eyes glancing around the common room instead. The stone walls faded in and out of the shadows and were a bright, gray tone where the natural light fell upon them. The walls seemed all about him and caused a slight amount of intimidation as he continued up them until the ceiling above. The fireplace flickered from as the flame burnt down, but the temperature of the room was remained chilly. Gabriel had been forced to don a sweater in order to alleviate himself of the disturbance of his discomfort.
He had withdrawn to the quietest area in the room, a table along the great windows in the room's back. Half the windows were hidden behind great blue drapery with bronze inscriptions embroidered in them, while others were pulled back and allowed light to flood into the room. A few scattered persons were about him, but Gabriel gladly disregarded them in exchange for the same from him. His only lesson of the day had been completed early in the morning and his studies were fulfilled and in his dormitory. Before him was his journal in which he had ceased writing to find the source of the commotion. He was displeased and wore his emotions blatantly across his face. Hermione's face continued to return to the forefront of his thoughts, the image of her sitting distantly at the Gryffindor table. Gabriel held no appreciation of this school's isolation of its pupils, and he felt victim to its restraints whereas his previous schools had allowed much freer interaction of its students. He hated this room, it was his prison. Once the inviting, giant light passed westward it would become a dreary gray room in the glow of flames placed about the room. Gabriel wanted to be with her. A few days had been theirs together to enjoy and that had been all. She probably was with him, them, right now in a probability. He passed his hand over his journal and began to turn back page after page. Clippings and pictures dotted the pages; he stopped when he found a picture of Hermione and himself years ago before his departure. He studied it: the setting, their sincerity with one another, the facial emotions, desperation of losing a loved one. He slammed the journal violently to a close causing some eyes to glance at him. He scrutinized his onlookers, he saw they felt him a stranger, but they enjoyed his gratifying structure and therefore desired his openness. Gabriel left all this to his back as he left for his dormitory. Gabriel doubted he could ever tear her away from any of them, never try to go out of her way to spend time with him, not with them around. The choice had not been his when he had to leave his best friends, and he'd done it three times in his life already. He knew he'd have to speak friendly with the others in this blue and bronze hell, but acquiring new personalities was low on his list with the omission of one recent relationship. Gabriel was sick with thoughts and he knew it was pulling him downward.
Simply Divine!
Author: Isolde
Date: 12-30-02 16:33
Stepping out of Greenhouse Four, Isolde pulled off her dragon-hide gloves and stuffed them into one of her pockets. She rolled up the sleeves of her robes and twisted her ponytail into a bun. When the sun shone as brightly as it did today, it grew extremely warm standing beneath the great glass panes of the greenhouses.
Pyrrhus, Azaelia and Alexis soon joined her outside, and the four Slytherins climbed up the sloping green lawn to the castle. Upon entry, Alexis parted for the common rooms while Isolde, Pyrrhus and Azaelia climbed the many staircases to get to the Divination tower.
Professor Trelawney floated over to them when they entered her classroom through the trapdoor in the floor. She studied them through her thick-lensed glasses and exclaimed mysteriously, "I Saw that you three would be arriving together. The Inner Eye tells me that by the end of class today, one of you will be rushed to the Hospital Wing."
Isolde, Pyrrhus and Azaelia exchanged amused glances and brushed past their odd professor to find some seats. "Twenty sickles it's me," Isolde whispered, rolling her eyes.
Azaelia shook her head. "Get real, Isolde. If anyone's leaving this place for the Hospital Wing, it's me."
"I'll be shocked if the old bat's right about this," Pyrrhus muttered. He winked at the girls and flashed a great smile at Trelawney, who gazed at the trio with a solemn look upon her face.
After the rest of the class arrived, Trelawney began her lecture.
Charms Class: Second
Group
Author: Prof Flitwick
Date: 12-31-02 17:07
I glance down at my hour-glass (which runs only 50 minutes) and discover the sand is about to run out. The students have been working diligently on their "Caliente" spells, and most are making good progress. With a few words of commendation and a promise to see them again on Wednesday, I dismiss the class. As they leave the room, I cool all the cups with a quick "Frigidus" spell and then refill them from a levitated pitcher. By the time I have finished my preparations (or reparations), the next group is straggling in.
With a glance at my notes and role book, I see that this is a very small class of only five of the fourth-year students. As the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws get settled in, I hand out a piece of fine parchment to each of them. "Good morning, class. Today, we will begin our fourth-year studies with the "Impervius" spell. However, to begin, I will ask you to employ one of the spells which you learned last year. Use the "Diffindo" spell to rip your parchment into four quarters. Once you have accomplished that, please write your name on each piece and set them aside."
I give them a few minutes to finish this activity, then continue with the lesson. "The "Impervius" spell is commonly used, or cast, upon an object to cause it to repel all other substances. It is far superior to those non-stick or water-repellant coatings so common in the Muggle world. Why is that, you may ask? Well, for one thing, the "Impervius" spell is odorless, tasteless, colorless, and can be easily reapplied if it begins to wear off. It is quite effective on rainwear and fine silk ties. However, do not use it on yourself... that is... on your skin. You see, this spell will also prevent the passage of air, and you could find yourself turning blue in a VERY short time."
"Now, the wand-form for the "Impervius" spell looks like this:" I turn to the demonstration board and trace the simple figure with my wand, leaving a trail of red splashes in its wake. "Please follow along and repeat after me; Im-per'-vi-us... Im-per'-vi-us... Im-per'-vi-us...."
"For today's lesson, you will take one of the pieces of parchment, cast the "Impervius" spell upon it, then dip the parchment into the cup of water provided at each station. If you have cast the spell correctly, the parchment will remain dry and the ink will not run. If your casting is imperfect, there will be "holes" in your spell. The water will cause the ink to run and you will have to try again. And so, if everyone is ready, please to begin."
I stand at my podium, observing their efforts. None of the students get it completely right on the first try. "Broaden out your wand pattern a bit, Miss Ye. You might try concentrating on the parchment, rather than just the name, Master McKenna. You're wanting to get full coverage."
10:47 AM
Author: Alexis Black
Date: 12-31-02 21:36
Alexis sat in an armchair in such a way that would very much upset her mother, if she were to see. She sat sideways, her legs over an arm of the chair and her back against the other, leaning to her left against the chair back. A thick, red leatherbound book lay open on her lap. Alexis' eyes were closed, however- her time before lunch occupied with sleeping instead of reading.
It will take some adjusting to get used to waking up for class at 8:00 in the morning!
And We Have Liftoff
Author: Majandra
Date: 01-01-03 10:25
Majandra couldn't help but grin as Ron rolls his eyes at Hermione's suggestion to study and promptly suggests to Harry, "Let's go down to the Quidditch pitch. You can help me practice for the upcoming team trials."
Harry took one final look at the mound of books Hermione has piled up then gives Ron an exuberant nod. The boys bolt from their seats to run get their brooms and are back downstairs and out of the common room before Hermione is able to do more than get out what sounds like a token protest. After the Fat Lady's portrait is once more in place over the house entrance, Hermione sits down and flips open a book while muttering about what will happen to those not prepared when the day of the N.E.W.T.s rolls around.
Majandra shakes her head in humor then opens her own book. She figures that although her next class isn't until Care of Magical Creatures in the late afternoon tomorrow, she can go on and get her Arithmancy reading out of the way for next week. When that's out of the way, Majandra plans on finishing up her daily letter to George and get it owled off. After that, who knows? Lunch maybe and a start on the next letter to George?
Majandra sighs loudly enough to cause Hermione to look up. Her friend smiles sympathetically. "Missing George will get easier to deal with as each day passes. You'll still miss him but the meloncholy should lessen. Find something to look forward to, like our first Hogsmeade weekend. I think Fred would let George out to play that day."
Majandra returns Hermione's smile with a grin of her own. "You are absolutely right. In fact, I'll add a word about that in today's letter. Counting down the days until I see George again is ever so much better than counting up how many days it's been since we parted."
Feeling greatly cheered, Majandra gives Hermione a hug. As she gives her attention back to her Arithmancy text, Majandra decides that this afternoon she'll make a Countdown to George calendar.
Close Encounters of
the Beck Kind
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-01-03 12:46
Ethan's first class proved to be quite successful. Each and every student listened to his opening lecture with great interest, prompting him to feel all the more confident about his new career choice.
After the Gryffindor and Slytherin first years left the classroom, Ethan took approximately five minutes to prepare for his next class - 2nd year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. As his eyes raked over the class roster, his stomach gave a sudden lurch. Ariella Beck, a younger sister of the late Kendra Beck, was among the students in this class. He fought back the bile that rose in his throat and forced himself to banish all thoughts of Bulgaria from his mind.
She was one of the first to enter the classroom, and Ethan, who tried so hard to stay cool and collected felt the blood drain from his face. He steadied himself against the edge of his desk and attempted to clear his mind, which hopelessly had strayed back to the terrible Bulgarian events of the summer.
Shaky and uncertain at first, Ethan managed to regain control of himself within the first five minutes of his second class. He introduced himself to his students, although the possibility stood that Ariella didn't need an introduction. While the new professor had never officially met the girl before today, it was likely that she learned his name during her visit to the Ministry of Magic when her family went to claim Kendra's body on that fateful day last summer.
If she did know him, she did not appear to be bitter that he had been unable to do anything to save her older sister's life. In fact, Ariella seemed quite pleasant and friendly...probably much like her sister had been.
Relieved that his first close-encounter with a Beck child went more smoothly than anticipated, Ethan continued his lecture with renewed confidence. Quills scribbled furiously upon parchment as he explained to the class that all of his second year students would be studying basic dark creatures. This meant that periodically, Ethan would be bringing samples to class for hands-on study.
Before dismissing the class, he held up the two second year books, Basic Dark Creatures by Winifred Wilder and Simple Defenses by Thomasello Haugaard and assigned chapter one in each book for next class.
As the second years filed out of the classroom, third years filed in. These were Gryffindors and Slytherins. As during the previous two hours, Ethan made opening announcements, called the roll, lectured briefly about the class material (intermediate dark creatures) and gave a short assignment from the textbooks (chapter one from both Intermediate Dark Creatures by Winifred Wilder and Intermediate Defenses by Thomasello Haugaard).
This hour flew by as the others had, and before long Ethan found himself in his office, reflecting on the morning. Technically, the hour from 11:00 to 12:00 was part of his office hours, but he knew better than to expect anyone on the first day of school.
If the rest of his classes and Beck-encounters turn out to be as smooth and easy-going as what he experienced this morning, teaching at Hogwarts won't be half bad.
The Future Unfogged
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 01-01-03 15:14
The time in the Divination classroom seems to creep by and is made all the worse by air laden with the sickly sweet odor of whatever incense Professor Trelawney has burning. Much to the classes' dismay, the first lesson unit of this year is the beginnings of advanced tea leaves reading. With the exception of a small handful of students (including those sixth year Gryffingoofs Lavendar and Parvati) few of the Divination students in any of the classes have ever been able to see much in any tea leaves.
Most pretend to be conferring with their texts, such as Unfogging the Future, while actually making up amusing tea leaves readings. The more dire the predictions are, the better of course. For the duration of class, Isolde, Lia and Py sit hunched over the tea cups making up one gruesome prediction after another while trying very hard not to fall onto the floor in fits of giggles. Suppressing laughter while drinking the various cups of tea in order to have leaves to read just makes their mirth even greater because at varying times one of them ends up snorting the tea up the nose.
Towards the end of class, Py notices Professor Trelawney gliding towards their table. Clearing his throat while pretending to focus on reading Lia's leaves, Py peers over to the text as if conferring with what's written there then gravely announces, "Azaelia, sometime in the very near future there is a spill of some sort. A bang up, cracking spill. According to the leaves, it could get very ugly indeed."
The fourth chair at their table is filled by the Hufflepuff Jet Obsidian, whom Pyrrhus has begun to notice is acting more like a good ole Slytherin than a Puffball, making Jet's company at least tolerable. Also seeing Trelawney swanning nearby, Jet picks up on what Py's doing. He pulls a serious face as he ponders Isolde's leaves. Rubbing his chin in a sage gesture Jet intones, "Miss Farnon, your tea leaves indicate that soon, very soon, someone dear to you will be in dire need of your assistance."
A hand comes down on one of Py's shoulders and another onto one of Jet's. They both look up to see Professor Trelawney beaming down at them. "Excellent boys, just splendid work! Class, take note of how well Mr. Fine and Mr. Obsidian have integrated the textbook information and the information I've personally given you with the actual reading of the leaves. Wonderful example of knowledge put to practical use."
She pauses as she peers owlishly around the room before adding, "Time is almost up. Clear your tables and wash your teacups and saucers. Read the next chapter, also dealing with tea leaves. Additionally, over the course of the next week, read the tea leaves of three students not in one of my Divination classes. Write a one to two page report on each reading and include drawings of any relevant images in the leaves. See you next week."
As they get up to leave, Py winks at the girls and even includes Jet in the mischievous look. The girls and Jet grin in return. As she moves to go through the trapdoor to the ladder leading from the classroom, Lia pretends to stumble. She lets loose an agonized howl as a loud crack echoes throughout the room. No one except Isolde, Py, and Jet notice that the crack is really the result of Lia breaking a quill in two.
Lia seems to stagger from the stumble and knocks into one of the Hufflepuff girls. That girl in turn loses her balances and bumps into someone else. Like a domino effect, one person after another falls into the next. Everything reaches a crescendo when the student nearest a tall stack of tea cups tips over and with arms windmilling sends the entire stack tumbling down. Shattered porcelain litters the floor in a mighty crash. All eyes turn back to Lia who is screeching as if in great pain. Next everyone stares at Isolde who has a firm grasp of Lia and who appears to be the only reason Lia didn't go toppling head first through the trapdoor opening.
A look of distress crosses Professor Trelawney's face only to swiftly change to a benevolent smile as someone points out in an awestruck voice, "It's true! Professor Trelawney said one of those three would have to be rushed to the hospital wing before class was over!"
The professor, that benevolent smile still plastered firmly in place, once again puts her hands on Py's and Jet's shoulders. "Mr. Fine. Mr. Obsidian. I'm so pleased you both were able to pick up on the same vibrations as I. Highest marks for both of you on this lesson as well as five points to each of your houses. Alas, Miss Bramble is now suffering. Miss Farnon, be a dear and rush your cousin to see Madame Pomfrey. Miss Bramble, I think you have now learned it is wise to heed divinations about your future. High marks for both you and Miss Farnon. Oh, and another five points to Slytherin House for Miss Farnon's nimble catch of Miss Bramble."
Professor Trelawney moves to have a broom sweep up the remains of the tea cups as the class slowly makes its way down the ladder. Once fully clear of the Divinations tower, Lia, Isolde, and Py fall all over each other laughing. As Jet Obsidian walks past doing his own sniggering, Py calls out, "Hey, for a Hufflepuff you aren't so bad. Ever think about seeing if you could change over to Slytherin?"
Jet's reply as he continues on his way is, "You don't know how much I wish I could. Thanks for helping make Divination entertaining today."
Giggling, the three Slytherins link arms and make their way to the Great Hall for lunch, already planning on what to make up to write in their Divinations homework. They also decide that they will work on the reports during their next class, History of Magic at one. That is, unless any of them decides that particular class is a great time for a nap.
The three enter the Hall, still bubbling with laughter. As they plow their way through an excellent lunch, the trio reach the consensus that so far, for a first days of school, this one has been pretty, bloody good.
