Birdie

Chapter 2

Violet's PoV:

"I'm gonna cry. We've got potions next." Molly vented as she picked up her transfiguration books and strode to the door.

"It could be worse. We've got the new teacher, Slughorn. He could be okay." I  stated hopefully. Izzy made a face at that.

"Anyone's better than Snape." I couldn't imagine anyone being worse than him.  It took me until fifth year to not be absolutely terrified at just the thought of getting a question wrong in class.

We were about to leave the classroom when Professor McGonagall's stern voice called my name. "Oh! Miss. Robin? I need a word quickly!" she called from her desk. I bit back a sigh and slowly turned to face her. McGonagall was arguably one of the best teachers at Hogwarts. Is it weird that I've always looked up to her?

After exchanging an anxious glance at Molly and Izzy, I insisted, "You both go ahead," to which they both nodded reluctantly and left the classroom. Molly mouthed 'Hurry up'.

When all of the other students had eventually found themselves out of the old door started over to Professor McGonagall's desk. Questions instantly started to whirl around in my head. Have I done something wrong? I better not already be behind in transfiguration.

McGonagall cast her eyes on mine through her spectacles. A hint of a smile pulled up her lips. "Miss Robin, I just wondering if you could do me a favour."

"What is the favour, Professor?" I remarked curiously. Don't be to tutor someone. Don't be to join any weird club, and please, please don't be to play Quidditch. Flying around and failing humiliatingly to hit a ball doesn't sound like my idea of my ideal pastime.

Professor McGonagall noted my anxiousness and probably decided to get on with it. "The female prefect for Slytherin has already landed herself or should I say launched herself into a quidditch accident." she tutted disapprovingly once and then continued. "So I was wondering if you could take her place in patrolling the Hogwarts corridors at night once or however many times a week Professor Snape assigns you to do so. You will be accompanied by with male prefect, Draco Malfoy until the female prefect recovers. I have already cleared it with Professor Snape and Professor Sprout."

My eyes widened at the favour that I would have to do. Did she not think to ask me before clearing it with Sprout and Snape? Draco? I'd take Quidditch over him any day! This is worse than any tutoring or club. Patrolling with Draco?

"Correct me if I am wrong Professor but I already need to patrol the corridors for Hufflepuff. I can't possibly do double patrolling." I tried to keep my tone calm but Draco?!

I said a silent prayer that McGonagall's stubbornness somewhat lessened over the summer.

McGonagall nodded curtly whilst stacking a pile of parchment down on the mahogany desk.

"Let me worry about that, Miss Robin. I have asked quite a few other pupils but not one has accepted. I trust you and I know that you are sensible and will be able to patrol with Draco when necessary." she answered.

It seems that she already has her mind made up and nothing that I could say to her would stop her. Besides, I don't want to get in her bad books. I can't handle extra transfiguration homework.

"I'll do it." I agreed unwillingly. McGonagall clasped her hands together and looked up at me in admiration. "I knew that I could count on you. Thank you very much, Violet," she concluded. "You may go to your next class now."

I kept a forced smile on my face and turned to step out of the doorway but her voice made me pause.

"And who knows, Miss Robin. It might be good for you both."

-

'It might be good for you both' I repeated mockingly in my head. How can anyone be so far off something? That was all my mind consumed itself with as I made my way to Potions. Well, it was all I was thinking of until I walked in the door to find everyone surrounding desks in groups. Great. nothing like easing students into to first lessons through group work.

"Ah! Miss Robin, how nice of you to join us! I understand that you had to speak to Professor McGonagall so I forgive your tardiness." Professor Slughorn called from across the classroom as he made his way over to me. The older man waved his hand enthusiastically and told me to join a group of five which contained the students: Molly, Izzy... Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy.

Dread built in the pit of my stomach. You've got to be kidding me. It's like the universe loves watching me suffer. I bet McGonagall planned this to break the ice between myself and Draco.

Izzy and Molly looked downright miserable. Why did Sarah have to choose Muggle studies instead of potions? Maybe then we could all been in a group without Draco and his servants

"What'd McGonagall speak to you about?" Izzy inquired and propped herself so she was sat on the table.

"Later." I mumbled and stood beside her.

"Get down!" Slughorn asserted mere seconds later and indicated for Izzy to get off the desk. At least his voice wasn't as sharp as Snape's.

Izzy huffed and landed on her own two feet and then set down my new school book in front of me on the desk. I went to thank her but when I looked up she was rolling her eyes and Molly seemed to be avoiding my gaze.

Crabbe let out a laugh which set Goyle and Draco off as well. What's going on now? Can't I catch a break without something weird happening?

Deciding to ignore it, I dropped my eyes nonchalantly to the notebook in front of me. I attempted to shake off any suspicion and turned to the first page to begin to write the date. Once I had dipped my quill in the midnight ink and pressed it lightly against my page... nothing. Literally nothing. No words of ink bled onto my sheet of parchment.

Izzy broke the silence. "That's not even a good prank, Malfoy! We literally saw you cast a spell on her ink! Schoolboy error. Next time at least wait until no one is watching, you arse."

A scoff involuntarily escaped from me as I tried to ignore Draco's eyes on me. I could see his desire for a reaction. All he wanted was a rise out of me. A rise that he wasn't going to get.

"You haven't got anything to say, Birdie?" Draco interrogated obviously amused with himself.

Izzy rolled her eyes. The amount of times that I have seen Izzy roll her eyes in five years is honestly uncountable. "That's because Violet is a sane person. You're just a waste of space!"

This time I looked up. The mockingly innocent facade in Draco's eyes switched to annoyance as he addressed Izzy. "Did I ask you to speak? I didn't think so."

I grabbed Izzy's fist when she clenched it so hard that her knuckles turned slightly white. Molly just watched. Her eyes turned as huge as Draco's ego. If that was possible.

"Izzy..." I warned under my breath. At hearing me talk Draco grinned and leaned back in his chair with his arms folded against his chest cockily.

"Aww... how sweet. You're so quiet that I almost forgot what your screechy voice sounds like." That caused a reaction from Crabbe and Goyle because once again they burst into laughter. It literally wasn't even that funny. I wonder if they believed that Draco would do something to them if they didn't laugh at everything he said.

"Did you hear the good news Birdie?" Draco grinned at me as his hair flopped over one of his stone eyes. With a ringed hand, he flicked it back into place. "You get the pleasure of my company at nights now too. Some would pay for that."