Simple and Young

Sixth Year Chapter XXIV - Lessons

Professor Flitwick was instructing the students to practice their non-verbal spells.

Laura was still writing the instructions written on the blackboard onto her own parchment -she was had a slow handwriting- but her parchment kept rolling back. At some point, she got irritated and violently put her ink bottle on a corner to keep the parchment flat. But now, it was a strand of hair who kept sliding down in front of her eyes. She didn't bring any rubber bands, so, as she was turning to ask Peggy for one, she caught sight of George who quickly hid his wand and tried to act innocent. Well, well she thought.

They spent the rest of the lesson, trying to cast little spells to one another while to other wasn't looking. And if one was caught right handed by the other, they would silently giggle. Smiling at each other, pointing accusing fingers, and acting all defensive and innocent. Right before professor Flitwick had dismissed the students, George had once again silently tease Laura from the opposite end of the classroom and they had laughed at the other's trick, before their giggles fell down and paused for a second, looking at each other, smiling. They had hold their stares, looking more and more deeply in each other's eyes. Then, Laura had looked down, smiling even more as she heard her heart tampering inside her chest. When she had looked up again, she had seen George looking at his parchment, his cheeks pink, and repressing a smirk.

As the students got out of the classroom, Laura tried her best to listen to her friends' stories but her mind was still in that classroom, her eyes still looking at George. She glanced back over her shoulder, only to see George's face halfway turning back from looking over his own. Had he been looking at me? She couldn't help but hope. Shit, she thought to herself. I know he's a friend, but lately something has changed, and it's not hard to define. She shook her head to herself. Laura Belmont, you are once again in for some roller-coaster.

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A week later, Laura and her friends were eating their lunch, quickly finishing their essays for professor Flitwick that were due in half an hour. Laura had trouble focusing as she couldn't help but think that she was going to have another lesson with George, and might have another interaction like last week. Her focus was completely shattered when a small hand tapped Laura's shoulder. When she turned around she saw a Slytherin student who must have been no older than 12-years-old.

"Are you Laura Belmont?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?"

The boy just gave her a piece of parchment and walked away. Laura opened and read it.

Dear student,

It has been drawn to my attention that you would be interested in pursuing a career as a Healer.

You must know that, even if it is most of an honourable job, it requires hard work, patience and precision.

You are therefore invited every Tuesday at eight o'clock to receive training for healing at the Hospital Wing of the castle.

Sincere salutations,

Poppy Pomfrey

Laura smiled to herself, pocketing the letter.

The next Tuesday, she got out of the common room and walked to the Hospital Wing. There was a few sixth year students of all the different Houses.

"Very well everyone, gather around this table if you please. We will start by some theory, shall we?" said Madam Pomfrey to the students, starting the lesson.