Clandestine | Theodore Nott

Studying Incorrectly

Starla had felt homesick during her distance from Hogwarts. She thoroughly missed her room, seeing her friends every day and just being at the castle in general, she even missed the coursework. She had actually been enjoying doing her homework, she always felt so accomplished afterwards. Her grades had shot up during the fall, almost all O's, of course not in Herbology. After the whole chandelier-falling-and-window-breaking scenario, Starla had convinced her parents—in a very slick manner—to stay at the other manor during their three night stay in France.

The six Slytherins were in the middle of eating their breakfasts as a mass of owls flew through the high windows and into the Great Hall on their search for recipients. Starla was surprised when she recognised the large black owl flying toward her. It landed on the table, just missing Theodore's goblet. Her eyes widened when she noticed that her envelope was red. A Howler.

"STARLA SIGRID BLACK," the shrill voice of Jacquie Black voiced through the hall, "I WANT TO INFORM YOU OF THE FACT THAT I JUST YESTERDAY VISITED OUR ANCIENT LEGACY OF A MANOR IN FRANCE."

Starla's eyes widened.

"I DO NOT EVEN WISH TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS THAT YOU WERE DOING STARLA. YOU WILL BE PAYING FOR THE DAMAGE YOU CAUSED, AN AMOUNT FROM YOUR VAULT AT GRINGOTTS WILL BE PLACED IN THE REPAIRS..."

"AN AMOUNT FROM MY VAULT?!" shrieked Starla.

"I AM UNEXPLAINABLY ANGRY WITH YOU STARLA. HOW DARE YOU RISK TARNISHING OUR FAMILY?! YOU WILL CARRY YOUR NOBILITY RESPECTFULLY AND OTHERS WILL ADMIRE IT. THAT IS AN ORDER. DO A THING LIKE THIS AGAIN AND YOU MIGHT JUST END UP LIKE YOUR DISOWNED TRAVESTY OF AN UNCLE. HOW DO YOU EXPECT US TO FIND YOU A SUITOR WHEN—"

Theodore had burned the Howler. Even after the piece of paper had burned and a pile of ashes sat on the table Starla stared at the spot it had been on with wide eyes. The whole room was silent. She blinked, red faced. Everyone was watching her. Even Albus Dumbledore had raised his eyebrows. She was incredibly embarrassed. Why did her mother have to send her a Howler of all things? Worst of all, her mother had mentioned the chance of Starla's betrothal.

"Get back to your breakfasts you twats!" shouted Pansy.

Starla took a sip of her tea.

"The amount from your vault can't be that big, how much do you have in there anyway?" Draco tried to calm her down.

"I don't know, a lot..." Starla said mindlessly, as if she wasn't really listening to what she was saying.

"Star, love, it's not that bad, do you remember that one time in second year when Weasley got his Howler?"

She chuckled, half her brain was listening to what Theodore had said and half of it was thinking of the Howler. Then her smile fell, she groaned and closed her eyes.

"Why did she have to send me a Howler?" Starla rested her forehead on her palm in exhaustion.

"She could've just put it in a letter," Pansy rolled her eyes.

"Class in ten minutes!" Dumbledore's voice magnified.

"I'll be the talk of the school for this now..." Starla whispered regretfully as they stood up and walked out of the hall.

"I suppose you kind of already are..." Daphne pointed out.

"I don't want to be," scowled Starla.

"Life is a bitch and then you die," said Draco from next to them.

They all stared at him.

"Quite right," said Theodore.

"Is this some kind of mad way of telling us you're suicidal?" Pansy narrowed her eyes a bit.