The Clockwork Locket || SIRIUS BLACK

The Most Annoying Stare

"Look at this," Alice said in dismay, shoving her schedule into Cassie's face and narrowly avoiding the spoonful of porridge that was currently on its way to her mouth. "Double Charms and Double Potions? All before lunch?"

Cassie didn't immediately respond, letting the porridge sit on her tongue for a moment as she quickly scanned Alice's schedule, relieved to see that they had almost precisely the same classes together, save for the fact that Cassie's electives were Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures while Alice had Divination and Muggle Studies in those blocks.

"At least we'll get it out of the way first," Cassie said optimistically. She pointed to a blank spot on their schedules. "And we get a break between the two."

"I guess," Alice said, tracing her finger up and down the parchment before landing on 'Defense Against the Dark Arts.'

"D'you reckon this new teacher is going to be any good?" she asked. Cassie followed her gaze up to the staff table, her eyes picking out the newest addition of a tall, severe-looking blonde witch, who Dumbledore had introduced the night before as Professor Claudia Carlisle.

"Dunno," Cassie said, shrugging. "She looks like she's constantly sucking on a lemon though, so I wouldn't get your hopes up."

Alice nodded distractedly, her gaze now resting on Frank Longbottom, who was sitting some way down the bench from them. Grinning slightly upon this observation, Cassie went back to her porridge as Professor McGonagall swept up and down the Gryffindor table, passing out timetables as she went.

"Jones – where is Harper Jones? Ah, yes, there you are – tuck in your shirt, Jones, we are not slobs in Gryffindor House!"

"Yes, Professor," Jones muttered, tucking in his shirt and quickly adjusting his black robe to cover the failed attempt as McGonagall walked on.

"Potter," she said, coming to a stop behind James Potter and glowering disapprovingly at his untidy black hair. The professor must have sensed this was a lost cause already though, as she just handed him his schedule.

"Now, Potter, I expect you to be on your best behavior this year," McGonagall said sternly, fixing him with her piercing gaze as he looked back to her innocently. "I just hope that your friend Mr. Lupin will help to keep you out of too much trouble."

Curious, Cassie looked at the sandy-haired boy across from Potter, her eyebrows rising when she noticed the prefect badge pinned to his robes.

"Professor, you know I wouldn't dare think to get myself into trouble," Potter said, widening his hazel eyes in mock-earnestness. "Everything that's ever happened to me has just been unfortunate circumstance."

Professor McGonagall said nothing, though her lips twitched slightly when everyone in the vicinity chuckled under their breath at his words.

"Best behavior, Potter," she replied. "And that goes for you, too, Mr. Black." She eyed the boy sitting next to James with equal intensity before sweeping off down the table, and Cassie watched them share a grin as she left.

"Good one, James!" Peter Pettigrew sniggered, his round face lit up in admiration. Cassie rolled her eyes before going back to her porridge. Four years later, and Pettigrew still acted as if Potter and Black were the greatest things since sliced bread.

"We should get going soon," Alice said, glancing at her watch. "Classes start at nine, and I don't want to be late our first day back."

Cassie nodded, draining the last of her pumpkin juice and standing as Alice gathered her book bag. The two girls started out of the Great Hall, bypassing James Potter as he belched loudly on command. Cassie wrinkled her nose as those nearest roared with laughter, wondering how that could even possibly be funny.