The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

45. Let's Get Ready To Rumble

Most days, Sloane found Hogwarts classes dragged. Not because she disliked learning.

Quite the opposite. She loved learning. Loved discovering new things. Loved hearing different opinions and theories.

But usually she found herself watching the clock. Waiting for the next lesson. Waiting for lunch. Waiting for the end of the day.

Today, however, seemed determined to do the exact opposite. 

The hours were disappearing. Vanishing. Flying past so quickly she could barely keep up. And she knew exactly why.

The meeting. At three-thirty. Every time she thought about it, her stomach flipped. Not with fear exactly. More excitement. Anticipation. Nervous energy. The kind that made it impossible to sit still.

Which was unfortunate because her first lesson of the day was Potions.

And Potions required a lot of sitting still.

Thankfully it was a theory lesson.

Because if Professor Slughorn had asked her to brew anything today, there was a very real possibility she would have accidentally exploded half the dungeon.

The sixth-years sat around large circular tables as Slughorn enthusiastically lectured from the front of the room.

"And so," he declared dramatically, "the Scintillation Solution is most commonly used in healing and diagnostic magic."

Sloane blinked. Scintillation Solution. Right. That was what they were studying. She hurriedly scribbled down a note. Then immediately found herself staring at the clock again.

Five minutes had passed. Only five. Merlin.

Her knee bounced under the desk. 

Beside her, Draco was taking notes neatly and methodically. Of course he was. Blaise was doodling something suspiciously resembling Slughorn riding a Hippogriff. And Theodore Nott looked asleep.

Sloane tried to focus. Really. She did. Unfortunately every time she managed it, her brain immediately wandered back to the meeting.

The board. McGonagall. The Minister. Questions. Presentations. Possible disasters. Possible successes.

What if nobody liked their ideas?

What if—

"Sloane?" She jumped.

Professor Slughorn blinked at her. "Would you care to answer?"

The entire class turned. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. Sloane immediately sat up straighter. "What was the question?"

Several students laughed. Even Draco's lips twitched.

Slughorn chuckled. "The primary purpose of the Scintillation Solution?"

Thankfully she'd been listening. Somewhat. "Diagnostic magic, Professor."

"Excellent."

She exhaled slowly. Crisis averted. Barely.

When the bell finally rang, she practically flew out of her seat.

Her next lesson was Charms.

Which should have helped. Unfortunately Professor Flitwick announced something that immediately increased her stress levels.

"Revision period today, everyone!" The tiny professor beamed. "As your examination is tomorrow."

A collective groan filled the room.

Sloane dropped her forehead onto the desk. "Oh no."

"You'll be fine." Hermione had already opened three textbooks.