Adventures of Beatrice the Basilisk

Chapter 22: Back to School Shenanigans

The second Beatrice entered the dorm with Onika after returning from the train station, she told her everything about her horrible Christmas break: from the note her brothers sent, to falling over on the ice, and the awkward Dippet X Dumbledore encounter (it might not have been all Hogrus' fault, but it was still traumatising). Adding a few white lies here and there to cover up the fact that she was a basilisk and lived under the school with a giant, talking pig, she was able to effectively convey her heartbreak. Onika was very understanding of her trauma, and supported her unconditionally; finally allowing Beatrice to stop worrying so much about the betrayal. Who knew 11 year olds could be so angsty?

The return of school gave Beatrice some respite from her angst and sadness. Not only was Onika back, which seemed to make everything a thousand times better, but the regularity of classes allowed her to distract herself from thinking about Hogrus.

With the return of classes also came the added stress and anxiety of homework. Coupled with this, each teacher reminded their classes that exams would be coming up in June, and exam preparations would be starting imminently. Beatrice, of course, thought it was way too early to be thinking about exams as it was January, meaning they were 6 months away. However, Onika seemed to feel particularly stressed about the tests and was enthusiastic to begin studying right away.

After a particularly gruelling potions lesson, Professor Slughorn yet again reminded the class that exams were on the horizon. Tom, who finally looked up from his baguette after munching it all lesson, widened his eyes. A couple crumbs fell into his 'Hair-Raising' potion the class was assigned to make, and the solution turned a murky brown.

"What do you mean exams?!"

"Tom, every teacher has said the same thing about exams all week," Onika looked at him with an 'are-you-serious' face. She had been taking none of his nonsense since stepping off the train.

"Erm Onika, first years should not be getting exams... We haven't learnt anything all year," Tom rolled his eyes characteristically while slowly packing up his potions apparatus; slopping the murky brown potion everywhere and causing his hair to stand on end. Beatrice dropped some of her utensils while trying to avoid getting splashed.

"Tom, just because all you do during class is eat baguettes, doesn't mean everyone else isn't learning," she huffed, trying to fit her cauldron into her day bag with little success.

Onika sighed, having already packed up her potions equipment, she was now standing with her arms crossed waiting. "Yeah Tom, some of us actually do what school is meant for and learn. Seriously, why do you even think we're here?"

"Oh I'm not sure, Dumbledore just came to the Orphan- erm I mean my house one day and told me to come here... Didn't he do that with you guys?" Tom squinted, focussing intently on rinsing his cauldron.

"What? No. I just got a letter... and Orphanage?" Onika inquired, her eyebrows raised as she peered at her friend. What a little journalist.

"Huh!? I didn't say that. You're crazy! You're literally making stuff up right now I can't believe you." Tom picked up his baguette quickly and rushed out of the classroom, shaking his head and leaving his cleaned cauldron sitting on their bench. (forgetful king)

"Hm... I'm onto him, Beatrice. This is the second time he's gaslighted me about being an orphan. I'm going to find out his secret if it's the last thing I investigate."

Returning to the common room, they could not find Tom anywhere. Let alone anyone else from Slytherin House. It was as if it had been evacuated.

"Where is everyone?" Beatrice asked as she and Onika made their way to their usual spot in the corner.