THE RAVENCLAW PRINCESS

chapter 5 - rivalry

Walking side by side after lunch on their first day, Charlotte and Lyra entered the potions classroom and took a seat at a table near the middle of the class.

"How'd you sleep, Ly?" Charlotte questioned as they removed scrolls and quills from their bags.

"Not that great but coffee always helps," Lyra responded knowing she'd be unable to lie to her best friend.

The classroom began to fill up and everyone settled in their seats as Professor Snape entered the room. Just before class could start Adrian Pucey and Terence Higgs burst into the room.

"Gentlemen, take your seats, quickly" Professor Snape tells the two boys gesturing to the only seats left open.

"You have got to be joking," Lyra muttered.

"Maybe it won't be that bad," Charlotte whispered.

As he and Higgs walked to their table Pucey rolled his eyes dramatically before dropping his bag on the desk in the seat across from Lyra. Instead of reacting as she normally did, Lyra decided to ignore him.

Professor Snape began discussing the importance of their fifth year, especially in potions. This year they would be taking their O.W.L. examinations and potions would have a written and practical exam. They had all heard this spiel from their other professors and would no doubt hear it again. It had begun to get repetitive and Lyra was utterly tired of it however Charlotte still seemed intent on keeping focus on Snape and seeing as Lyra's other option would be to engage in conversation with Pucey she opted to focus on Snape as well.

As hard as she tried to pay attention to the front of the class, something across the table would not take their eyes off of her. Abruptly she turned in her seat and glared at him. "Need something, Pucey?" she hissed.

Smirking, he muttered, "Just curious as to how someone with such low intelligence and standing managed to get into O.W.L. level potions.

Lyra rolled her eyes and quipped, "Funny, I was just thinking the same about you."

Charlotte elbowed her friend lightly and Lyra returned her attention to the front of the class. Professor Snape had given their table a stern glance but continued speaking. Lyra sank in her seat slightly. She was not a kiss-up but she did respect her professors and knew none liked being interrupted or having students talking while in their class.

As Snape's speech continued, her mind wandered to Mieko's comment from the feast. Snape could be about the same age as Lupin but it was hard to tell with adults. During lunch she and Mieko continued to steal glances at the professors table to notice anything else about the two instructors. While looking at them Lyra couldn't help but notice the stark contrasts between the two, even physically. Lupin had scars on his face and neck with dirty blonde hair that was cut short while Snape had a clean, pale face with dark, greasy waves that ended at his chin. But, the two professors had seemed tense last night and again during lunch. She and Mieko had noticed they never talked to each other nor even smiled, the latter of which at least all the other professors did.

As soon as class ended Lyra and Charlotte began packing their materials and headed up the stairs to Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin. Their required courses were about the only times the two girls had time to spend together in class. For electives the two held Muggle Studies in common but differed in Charlotte choosing Ancient Runes while Lyra found more of an interest in Care of Magical Creatures.

Lyra and Charlotte entered the classroom and found their seats on the bench behind George and Fred with Iliana and Mieko sitting on the bench in front of the twins. Class wasn't supposed to start for a few minutes and the twins had heavily invested their time in huddling around their bench with Lee to prepare their latest prank. Iliana and Mieko left their spots to stand in front of Lyra and Charlotte's bench.

"How was potions?" Mieko asked.

"Alright, except Pucey kept giving Lyra shit for existing," Charlotte replied offhandedly.

"The fact that she exists is shitty." The four friends snapped their heads back to see Adrian's smirking stoic frame walking up behind Lyra's chair.

"Pucey, I'm touched! My existence means so much to you," Lyra feigned gratitude. She shifted then, deadpanning, "truly, I'm so grateful."

At this point the twins, Lee, and most of the class had shifted their attention to the two enemies. Lyra and Adrian had been known to go toe-to-toe often and it was always a spectacle. Neither party played completely fair and now that both were prefects the rest of the class was curious to see how it would affect their dynamic. Adrian's friends had taken seats in the back across the aisle from Lyra's table, nonchalantly putting down their bags. Lyra stood to face Adrian while her friends remained seated but alert. Everyone knew Lyra could handle herself with Adrian, she had proven so countless times, yet her friends still eyed him warily.

"Tonks, you know I'd be grateful if you weren't a blood traitor spending all your time with filthy mudbloods."

Adrian knew the gravity of his words and thus was expecting something. Rage swept through the classroom, but no one else moved as quickly as Lyra.

Jaw clenched, Lyra's fingers swiftly pulled her wand from her robe and aimed it at Adrian's face. Adrian stood motionless and held a strangely neutral face looking slightly down at her expectantly. Higgs had stood with his hand on his wand but had yet to draw it. He knew he was greatly outnumbered but he was loyal to his close friends. The other boys behind Pucey nervously glanced between the two of them.
The twins were now up and standing by Lyra's right side. Mieko was behind Lyra looking over her shoulder at Pucey. Charlotte and Iliana had taken positions to her left, closest the door.

Charlotte glanced quickly at Mieko silently questioning him with what they should do. Charlotte knew with the friends she had that rule breaking would occur under her nose but this was of a different magnitude entirely. Iliana had kept her focus between Pucey and Higgs, clutching her wand firmly against her side waiting to strike if necessary. She never resorted to hexes if she could help it but this was Lyra and Pucey; she would defend her friend till the end.

Mentally shaking himself, Mieko gently urged, "Lyra, come on, he's not worth it."

Lyra's shoulders relaxed at his words and slowly pulled her wand back. Adrian opened his mouth but before he could speak, Professor Lupin's tall frame entered the classroom.

"My apologies for my tardiness-" He stopped momentarily glancing curiously between the Ravenclaw and Slytherin before purposefully walking between the two, forcing them further apart, and then continued towards the front of the class. "Nonetheless, if everyone will take their seats we can begin today's lesson!"