Safe House

Twenty Four

"What did you get?" Draco asked, snatching all three of our papers in Potions class.

"Excuse you, Isn't that private information?" I said as he examined mine to see what letter I got.

"You got an A? That's alright I guess, but It's not the top grade, you should try harder" He said, handing my paper back to me before looking at Theo's

"Oh and what did you get then, Malfoy?" Blaise asked him

"An O, as predicted, which is outstanding" He said loudly, making sure everyone else could hear him. "An E, Nott, hm" He said, Eyeing Theo up and down in a judgy way before handing his paper back "and A as well Zabini, well it seem's I've done the best"

"Are you quite finished, Malfoy?" Theo rolled his eyes "We still have a while to go yet, so shut up"

"I have awarded you with the grades you would have received if you presented this work in your O.W.L" Snape said, smirking whilst he walked around the classroom handing out our homework's. "This should give you a realistic idea of what to expect in the examination."

Snape then walked to the front of the class and faced us when he was out of papers.

"The general standard of this homework was abysmal. Most of you would have failed had this been your examination. I expect to see a great deal more effort for this week's essay on the various varieties of venom antidotes, or I shall have to start handing out detentions to those dunces who get a "D"."

Malfoy laughed and "whispered" to us "Some people got a "D" Ha!" but it was very obvious he was trying to be heard.

"Shut up, Malfoy" Theo told him

                                   •

"You alright?" Blaise asked me when we got our Defensive Magical theories books out in Defence Against the Dark Arts.

"I'm fine" I said using my robes sleeves to cover my hands as it was pretty cold.

"Are you sure?" He asked again

"I'm fine, Zabini" I said. "What's your problem?"

"Wands away" Umbridge instructed, only some had actually got their wands out, and sadly returned them to their bags. "As we finished Chapter One last lesson, I would like you all to turn to page nineteen today and commence "Chapter Two, Common Defensive Theories and their Deriviation". There will be no need to talk."

I began reading dully when Umbridge grasped my attention "What is it this time, Miss Granger?"

"I've already read Chapter Two" Hermione said.

"Well then, proceed to Chapter Three."

"I've read that too. I've read the whole book." I was watching the conversation, like the rest of the class as if it were that muggle sport that was played with a small green fuzzy ball.

Umbridge blinked rapidly before deciding what to say next.

"Well, then, you should be able to tell me what Slinkhard says about counter-jinxes in Chapter Fifteen."

"He says that counter-jinxes are improperly named" Hermione said "He says "Counter-jinx" is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable."

Umbridge raised an eyebrow looking impressed.

"But I disagree" Hermione continued

"You disagree?" Umbridge asked

"Yes, I do" Hermione said in a loud and clear voice. "Mr Slinkhard doesn't like jinxes, does he? But I think they can be very useful when they are used defensively."