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Chapter Six

*Author's Note: Thanks to blackshadesofthemoon for the comments, and hppotter01 for the votes! You made my day, and I am here to post Chapter Six :) (just to rant, I started writing this chapter in school because the ideas were flowing in my head)

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 The letter read (not to mention it was very short and curt):

Lucinda,

We are extremely disappointed because of what happened. Act well.

Narcissa Malfoy

 Lucinda groaned and stabbed the poor bacon (which has been sacrificed) with her fork, not actually eating anything. The others were reading their letters in delight (words like "Bloody hell, this prank is awesome!" and "Oh, I miss you, mom"). She let out a sigh, bigger than expected.

 "What's wrong, Cindy?" Newt asked.

 "It's just my parents, and they wanted me to be a Slytherin. They always nag me." Lucinda sighed again. She was educated that being a Slytherin is very honorable, but Lucinda found out that being a Gryffindor was way better.

 "At least you have a parent. I don't remember mine," Thomas said grimly. What did he mean? Thomas never said anything about not having parents.

 "What do you mean? You don't need to explain, but I haven't heard anything about it."

 "We all come from a foster home. Lived there since we were four or five," Teresa explained.

 "Oh," Lucinda said. She did not know - she had just assumed that the three all came from a Muggle family. That explained the question she had earlier.

 "We hate the place. You know what? That place's name is WICKED," Newt added. Lucinda thought she faintly remembered the name - WICKED, but it was too faint; Lucinda couldn't say something.

 "It's like finally in a real home-like place; never mind the studying, Hogwarts is so good," Teresa said.

 "Hey, that's because you're the smartest of us all!" Thomas playfully nudged Teresa, and the rest of the breakfast went as things like expectations or foster homes were forgotten.

 But the negative energy soon returned.

 "What's our first-period class?" Thomas asked.

 "Double Potions with the Slytherins. I don't like them much, especially Draco Malfoy and his minions - so snobby. No offense, Cindy," Teresa replied.

 "Hey, I only call her Cindy!" Newt argued, and the two started bickering. Thomas sighed as if that was a normal situation.

 "Stop that! It's alright, Teresa. I'm not on good terms with him, either. I was kind of glad that I wasn't sorted to the same House as Draco. But the thing is, Professor Snape - Head of Slytherin House - is well known for favoring Slytherin over other Houses. I bet he's going to take our points away for any reason. We have to be as unnoticed as possible," Lucinda laughed and soon said in a serious tone.

 The four First Years hurried away to the Potions classroom, afraid they'll be late.

 The Potions class was held in one of the dungeons. Professor Snape started the class by taking the register, and he stopped at Harry's name.

 "Ah, yes, Harry Potter. Our new - celebrity." Now that was one hundred percent a sarcastic comment. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle sniggered behind their hands. Professor Snape re-started calling the names and proceeded with the lesson.

 Professor Snape explained about Potions, and well... it did not go well. The comments were quite offensive, and Hermione looked desperate to prove that she was no fool.

 "Potter!" said Professor Snape suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

 Hermione's hand shot into the air; everyone looked baffled.

 "I don't know, sir," said Harry.

 "Tut, tut - fame clearly isn't everything." He also ignored Hermione.

 "Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" The Professor kept nagging Harry, then suddenly said, "And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter."

 Things did not turn well after that incident. Professor Snape put them all into pairs and set the First Years to mix up a simple potion to cure boils. He criticized everyone except Draco, and that seemed unfair, too. Then something more unfair happened.

 Neville managed to melt Seamus's cauldron, which resulted in him being drenched in the potion and moaning in pain because of the boils. Then Professor Snape said, "You - Potter - why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? I thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point you've lost for Gryffindor."

 Now that was very unfair of Professor Snape. Harry was about to say something, then Ron kicked him (which was deemed a smart move not to get any more points lost). 

 Thomas opened his mouth, probably to say something, then thought better of it and whispered something to Teresa. Teresa gave a slight nod.

 'It's probably something about how unfair Professor Snape is?' Lucinda wondered. At that time, it was the end of class. Everyone went out of the classroom with delight.

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Question: What do you think of Lucinda so far? Could you guess why I named her Lucinda (the reason is perfectly random though)?