PHANTOM FIGURES | harry potter

3. first lessons

Breakfast the next morning at Ravenclaw was wonderful. Aspen walked down the flights of steps alongside her roommates Padma Patil, a tall south-asian girl who had a turned-up nose, and Sue Li, a short east-asian who obtained very glossy straight hair and hazel eyes. Mandy, Lisa, and Morag trailed behind them.

Cho Chang, one of the students in the year above, explained to them where all of their classes would be located. First years were obligated to take Flying, Astronomy, Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Herbology, and Defence against the Dark Arts.

It came as a relief to Aspen when Cho told her loads of students had no previous knowledge about magic, and that she should not worry about being behind others. Cho explained they'd start small in each class and slowly work their way up.

"What's your blood status, Aspen?" Padma asked as she shovelled a spoonful of fruit into her mouth.

Suddenly, Aspen had a terrible thought. Would her new friends care if she was a Half-Blood? During dinner the night before, Aspen overheard students talking at the Slytherin table behind her, most of them bragging about how they were 'Pureblood', one being a particular blond.

"Aspen, you alright?" Sue waved a wand in front of her face.

"Oh, yes. Sorry." Aspen looked up. "Half-blood."

"Me too!" Sue smiled at her, easing Aspen's mind.

"I'm a Pureblood," Padma informed the two once she swallowed her food. "I'm not with that Prejudice lot though, don't worry!"

Aspen exhaled, relieved. "That is good." She changed the topic, wanting to avoid talking about blood status. "What class are you two most excited about?"

"Er, probably.. Transfiguration, I guess." Sue pondered. "Imagine having the ability to turn someone you hate into, like, a cow, or something." She waved her hands about as she explained, making Aspen and Padma giggle.

"I'm just waiting for Charms." Padma said. "I heard we learn how to make an orange dance across a table." She paused and furrowed her eyebrows. "Actually, it might've been a pineapple."

Aspen laughed imagining it. "Really?"

"Yeah," Padma nodded proudly. "This morning in the common room I saw a fourth year, or at least I think they were, showing their friend a picture from a previous attempt, years ago, after class."

"Knowing my luck," Sue said. "The fruit would probably end up rolling around."

"Do not say that. I bet your Charm skills are magnificent." Aspen patted her shoulder and finished her last bite of toast with jam.

Suddenly, just as Aspen began to wipe away the crumbs on her fingers with a napkin, an arm was slung around her shoulders and she smelt honey. She turned and saw a grinning Jasmine.

"Hey, Shaw," Jasmine retracted her arm and took a sausage from the table. "You excited for classes?"

Aspen nodded her head, and then looked at her friend quizzically. "Moore, are you sure you're allowed to be here?"

Jasmine bobbed her head confidently, and gave a thumbs up. "Some older guy named Cedric told me we could sit at any table we fancy, unless it's a formal meal."

From the corner of her eye, Aspen saw Cho's cheeks turn rosy. She observed the older girl, "Are you alright, Cho? Are you feeling hot?"

"Oh, thanks, Aspen. But I'm fine." Cho assured.

Aspen turned around back to Jasmine, she glanced at the Hufflepuff table that was in front of her. "You should probably go back, that girl looks like she's waiting for you." She inclined her head toward a red head who was staring at them.