No Control | Percy Weasley

20

September first came faster than anyone realized. Audrey knew her work would only increase now, considering the school year was starting. She hadn't thought of what Hogwarts would look like now that Voldemort was out to get Harry.

Hogsmeade seemed rather gloomy and empty that day, only a few students were there, which made sense since not a lot of sixth years had turned seventeen yet and the seventh years arrived an hour after the sixth years.

This wasn't too bad for Audrey since it was easier to teach less kids how to apparate without chaos.

"I'm Audrey and I'll be teaching you how to apparate" She introduced herself.

It was a few days in that Audrey had learned everyone's strengths and weaknesses when it came to apparating.

"Ms. Abbot, you need to focus on where you want to go" Audrey said, "Your mind is wandering elsewhere"

"Sorry about that" Hannah Abbot said in a low voice.

"It's a long process and it takes some even months, for now I just want you to focus on where you want to go, we can perfect it slowly, no need to stress it" Audrey could tell the girl had been tensing about something.

After classes, she sent everyone back to the castle, "Hannah, you want to walk with me?" Hannah slowed her pace and let everyone go ahead and walked with Audrey, slowly, to the castle. "Is something bothering you? Is apparation stressful?"

"Um-not really" The timid girl said, "apparation is fine"

"Well, can I help you with something? You seem rather troubled" Audrey said, "I don't want to barge into your personal life, but you can talk to me, this is a safe space and maybe I can help you. I don't expect you to trust me but you can if you want" Hannah didn't say anything and Audrey was a little worried. She knew why Hannah's thoughts might be scattered all over the place.

A few seconds of silence later, Audrey sighed and spoke up again, "I know it's scary" she said, "I am a halfblood, my dad's a muggle, it's very scary not knowing what's going to happen. It's very scary to read the prophet and see all those names and just pray its not someone you know"

"Both my parents are muggles" Hannah said, "they don't understand this, they already feared it and now I can't bring myself to tell them what is happening here"

"Just stay in touch with them, write to them everyday and check in. That's all you can do" Audrey advised, "I'm here to talk"

"Thank you"

Days went faster as workload increased. A student splinched himself while apparating which had cut the classes short one day. One landed wrong on her ankle and had to be taken to the hospital wing. One couldn't even bring themselves to apparate after seeing the other to.

But, Audrey was used to it. She had seen worse cases, she had been in worse conditions during her time Apparating. It was one day that Hannah didn't come to class but Audrey didn't stress it, she was really busy with her school work.

Hannah Abbot had opened up to Audrey, all her students had. She had a charm in her, she knew how to make scared kids feel better, frustrated kids calm down and become friends with them, she wasn't much older after all.

It was after multiple days of her absence that Audrey went up to McGonagall, "I wanted to talk to you about a student, Hannah Abbot, she hasn't shown up in four days"

"She won't be joining you anymore"

"Why not?"

"Her mother.." McGonagall trailed off, "She sadly passed away"