Denying Draco

11 - Secrets Of The Darkest Arts

'Today, class, we are going to ascend higher to higher learning, by learning Ascendio!' Professor. Flitwick announced, letting out a small chuckle of amusement at his pun. 'My apologies, I couldn't help myself! I hope everybody is prepared for some mild flinging of the person!'

'He's so adorable,' Poppy murmured, to where Hermione was sitting just to her right. She had been overjoyed to arrive at her next class of the day, Charms, to find that she shared this subject with Hermione. She also knew Professor. Flitwick very well as he had taught her charms for the past six years and she thought he was a brilliant teacher.

'Would anyone care to remind us all what Ascendio does?' Flitwick asked.

Hermione raised her hand. 'It flings the caster high into the air, Professor. It can also be used underwater to propel the caster to the surface.'

'Thank you, Miss. Granger,' Flitwick replied. 'So, let us begin!'

The class took out their textbooks to begin some initial study of theory and as Poppy's eyes fell onto the page in front of her, her thoughts drifted back to what had just happened in the Room of Requirement with Draco earlier on. She could still not believe she had allowed him to touch her like that and she was beginning to wonder if it had been stupid of her. She could not deny that it had felt good, as much as she felt slightly sore, but his distant behaviour afterwards could not stop her questioning why he had engaged with her in such a way.

'Poppy?' Hermione peered down at her, making Poppy sit up straight and turn to her friend.

'Sorry!' Poppy forced on a smile as she saw the curious expression on Hermione's face. 'I was lost in thought.'

'About what?' Hermione asked.

'Oh...nothing really,' Poppy murmured, turning the page in her textbook.

Hermione didn't push but Poppy knew she was aware that she had something on her mind.

Charms class continued with study of the charm before the Professor dismissed the class after informing them that in their next class they would be performing the practical of Ascendio.

Hermione and Poppy walked to the Great Hall together and arrived to find Ron and Ginny sitting with some other Gryffindors eating lunch.

'Where's Harry?' Poppy asked, as they all took a seat. She watched as Ron and Hermione glanced at each other.

'Probably just busy,' Ron mumbled, before stuffing food into his mouth.

'What's on your mind, Poppy?' Ginny asked.

'Oh, it's nothing, just still trying to take all of this in,' Poppy lied, picking up a Cornish Pastie.

'Worried about Harry?' Ginny questioned, which caused the other three to all turn and look at her in confusion. Her tone was strange and Poppy could not help but feel that Ginny was being passive-aggressive, which she chose to ignore for fear she could be overthinking.

'Why would I be worried about Harry?' Poppy asked. 'I only asked where he was.'

'Okay,' Ginny murmured, returning to her food.

'Okay then...' Ron hummed, feeling uncomfortable, turning to look at the Cornish Pastie in Poppy's hand. 'You going to eat that?'

Poppy glanced down at it and realised her appetite was no longer present. 'No, here.' She handed it over to Ron and wiped off her hands before grabbing her bag from the floor. 'I'm actually gonna' go. I want to grab some books from the library. See you guys later.'

She left the table, hearing Ron question Ginny as she walked away and Poppy tried to push it out of her head. She had other things to focus on.

Reaching the library, Poppy began her hunt through the aisles for a book that would explain more about what her uncle had told her. She hunted for an hour, before she reached the restricted section and hesitated. Older students had permission to read from the restricted section, but Poppy figured there would be nothing about such dark magic in a school library. Nonetheless, she continued her hunt.