A Young Wizard's Journey - Prisoner of Azkaban

Extra Lessons

'Ves, if you don't get down here, I will just buy another owl. One that will be less stroppy.'

Ves clicked her beak angrily.

'It's literally your job! You get treats and stuff for it and you do literally nothing else all year 'cause all the people I write too are at the school.'

Ves turned her back on him.

'It's like one a day if that! Look, take this one and I promise you won't have to do any tomorrow.'

It took her a few moments, but Ves begrudgingly turned back around to face Y/N and fluttered down onto his bed. Y/N stroked her head and then tied his letter to her leg.

'Gin asked for a response as soon as possible or I'd leave it and you know that. I do feel bad,' said Y/N.

Ves clicked her beak at him, but he could see that she had lost her conviction. She nibbled his finger and then spread her wings and flew out of his open window.

Y/N sighed and sank back into the chair in front of his desk.

It had been a very long summer. The elation of finally closing the Chamber for good and slaying the basilisk had caused the first week to pass by in a blaze. Y/N spent a lot of time attempting to prepare for his upcoming classes, but it had proven difficult with his excitement. Once that elation had worn off however, it had suddenly sunk exactly what he had to look forward to.

Two months with nothing more than written communication with his friends. Originally, he'd thought it would just be his best friend Hermione Granger that he'd be missing out on seeing, she'd gone away on holiday with her parents to France. The two still wrote back and forth regularly using the journals that Y/N had had specifically made for a Christmas present in their first year. Both were enchanted with a Protean charm and allowed the users to write anything in their own and have the other change to match, meaning every time one of them wrote a passage, the other's journal updated to reflect it.

He flicked open his journal and read the last passage he'd received from her:

'I was eight last time we were here, but it seems like a completely different country! I've never noticed the subtle signs of magic before, always just thought I was seeing things or tricks of the light, but we've seen so many small shops and information areas that tell you all about the history of magic out here. It's weird to see so many things that we aren't even taught!

I've rewritten my entire essay for Professor Binns. I hope he won't be upset but it's already two rolls of parchment more than he asked for. He normally seems quite happy when I write extra though, I don't think anyone else bar us do.

I really do miss you. This place is lovely, but I might see if I can convince Mum and Dad to bring you along next time. There's so many things here that I know you'd love. Also, I've sent Ves back to you, but with a different gift. I've decided to save your birthday present till I'm back with you so I can see your reaction. It's a little late I know, but hopefully getting it will help you forgive me.

I'll see you really soon, I promise. I've managed to pick up some floo powder whilst walking around so as long as your mums okay with it, I'll come and visit the moment I'm back. I'll be travelling from the Leaky Cauldron because we can't exactly hook our house up to the Floo Network.'

Y/N finished reading it, beaming. He missed her dearly, but he was very happy to hear that she was having such a wonderful time. And it was endearing to see her talking about trying to take him along next time. He knew Hermione wouldn't be back until the last day before term was due to start, but even an extra day was enough. He'd been psyching himself up all summer for asking her to go out with him. Even though he knew the answer, or hoped he did, it was still nerve-wracking. He glanced over to the pack of fudge that Hermione had sent back with Ves and smiled as he placed his journal down.