Extraordinary (Sign it Series; BOOK 2)

Chapter 45

As March approached and passed, Maddy stayed with Ms. Daisley for Defence, and it was like her little heaven. Ms. Daisley let her use spells, and let her teach herself, and Maddy adored having the freedom to practice her favourite subject as she saw fit.

One March afternoon, when the temperature was perfect for Quidditch, Maddy sat in Ms. Daisley's classroom, giving a demonstration for Professor McGonagall and Professor Umbridge.

Professor Umbridge seemed especially in a sour mood that day. It was Firenze's, the new Divination teacher, first day, and that dampened Umbridge's mood immensely. Maddy couldn't wait to be out of the office and onto the pitch for the practice she had later that evening.

Professor Umbridge questioned, Maddy answered, and either Professor McGonagall or Ms. Daisley translated. Professor Umbridge had suggested they use the translation spell, but Maddy declined.

Umbridge's face twisted as if she smelt a rotten egg when the question on werewolf bites came up, and Maddy nearly pounced. She was only restrained by the glance of Professor McGonagall that wrapped a web around her, keeping her in place.

Maddy passed the examination, with the help of Professor McGonagall who made sure Umbridge didn't have any foul play.

Maddy exited the classroom and sent a crude sign behind Professor Umbridge's back that only Professor McGonagall saw, but by the Transfiguration teacher's grin, she wasn't going to do anything about it.

■□~□■

Allie and Sam's birthday fell on the last Saturday of March, and because most of the Hogwarts population was at Hogsmeade, the first years spent their birthday by the lake, bundled in soft jumpers and hats against the wind.

Polly and Maddy had planned a picnic, and Allie and Sam were told to wait by a tree, waiting until the two girls returned with a blanket and a basket of food. Simon and Rose were helping get the supplies, and when the four returned, Allie was convinced Simon would collapse from the amount of bottles he had in his arms.

Allie grabbed a bottle of Butterbeer, popping open the cork and taking a large swig as Rose and Polly set down the blanket so Maddy and Simon could put down the food and drinks. Maddy held her arms out as a form of 'tada' as sat down, flipping open the lid of the basket.

Allie sat down beside her, Polly grabbing a bottle as she laid down on Allie's other side. As they ate, Maddy and Polly had gotten sandwiches, cold cuts and a plain cheese one for Maddy, and Remus's chocolate which had been sent in the mail, they stayed silent.

Rose tucked a strand of hair behind her air, as she spoke to break the silence. "What do you think about everything?"

Everything was a broad term.

What about everything? asked Maddy, and Simon quickly translated. The four Gryffindors rarely hung out with the two Hufflepuffs and their sign was less than satisfactory.

"I know it's been a full month and all, but with Harry Potter saying the war is starting. I never got to ask you."

Allie tugged at her braid, "It's scary, isn't it? I get thrown into this new world, only to find it on the brink of disaster."

Sam nodded along to his sister's words, "The last month has been pretty terrible. The amount of people I've had call me a slur?" He shivered.

Maddy gulped down a sip of butterbeer, and balanced it precariously between her knees. People have been calling you slurs?

Allie translated and answered in a soft voice, "Yes. I've been scared to walk alone in the corridor because I always have someone shouting at me. It's always, 'You're an abomination!', 'You're brother and you oughta rot in hell', or something like that. I hadn't even realised wizards believed in hell."