Incendio

Chapter 9: Electricity In The Air

Samantha laid in bed, trying desperately to sleep. Tomorrow was final exams and Samantha felt confident in just about everything except Potions and Herbology. She was confident she'd pass, but it'd be by the skin of her teeth. She closed her eyes but found that she kept reciting in her mind the differences between Flutterby Bushes and Flitterblooms. Surely, she'd remember, it was a good thing she didn't need Herbology for journalism.

She opened her eyes and looked above her. She had pasted a copy of her small article above her bed so she could look at it. It may have been pushed to the back of the paper, not to mention it had been overshadowed by other news, but it was there. She, Samantha Fyre at fourteen, had written and published an article for the Daily Prophet. She'd even been paid for it. Two Sickles for her work, along with a letter from Barnabas Cuffe himself telling her she could have an illustrious career someday.

The last months of the school year had been rather exciting and fast for Samantha. The lessons she'd been taking with McGonagall had been paying off and she was sure by the next school year she'd be fully in charge of distribution within the school at least.

The final task of the Tournament was also tomorrow, and she wondered if she would be able to have her work recognized again. The Gazette was gaining readership again and the drama involving the Yule Ball had fully faded.

Samantha's job would be simple tomorrow. After the task she would interview the winner and their family. She was excited to be the one who would break the news to most of the parents. She took a deep breath. No matter what, she would have a busy day tomorrow and she needed to sleep. 

She eventually found herself completely in a deep sleep. She dreamt that she was interviewing a mermaid for their perspective on interspecies marriage. The article of course was controversial. Her greatest critic was Professor Snape who started stalking her while quoting potions facts.

When she awoke and after forcing a morning porridge, Samantha found that exams weren't the travesty she perceived them to be. She believed she may have done better on the Potions test than she expected and Ancient Runes was the easy breeze she expected. By the time lunch rolled around she was praying she would survive Herbology. Her stomach was turning and she felt fairly faint as she left her History of Magic exam.

"You alright Sam?" Neville asked following her out of class. "You look gray. Was it Snape's exam? Every year I swear he's going to find an excuse to expel me."

"You won't be expelled Neville, but if he tries to expel you, I'm sure I'm next. I think I survived that one though." Samantha admitted with a sigh.

"Then why are you so gray? Are you feeling sick? Honestly, there is no way you will fail Transfiguration. You are almost as good as Hermione." Neville insisted as they wound their way through the halls.

Samantha smiled a little and admitted to herself that he was just being nice, but she wasn't going to fail Herbology.

"Herbology terrifies me." She revealed. "You know I'm rotten at it. I keep going over my notes and I feel like I'm going to miss something."

"Do you need help?" He asked.

Samantha thought for a moment, Neville was pretty decent at Herbology. Professor Sprout often called on him for demonstrations. She was so used to him being behind in every class that she hadn't thought to ask him.

"Would you at least go over my notes?" She asked as they turned into the Great Hall.

"Of course." He smiled a little.

Samantha handed him her notes and waited for a response. 

"Well you've mixed up Flutterby Bushes and Flitterblooms." He said making Samantha's heart sink. "And the Wiggentree is good for protection not for prevention."