Persephone Black

Chapter Three: The First Lesson

Persephone had made her way to the Great Hall for breakfast with ease by following the crowds of students who were as hungry as her. She noticed Draco at the end of the table, laughing with Crabbe and Goyle, and wanting to separate herself from her cousin, she decided to sit closest to the staff table, which then resulted in Professor Snape approaching her first. He had appeared out of the staff entrance, carrying a stack of parchment before making his way briskly toward the students.

"Miss Black," he said as a greeting, nodding his head, "your schedule."

"Thank you, professor," Persephone said, but Snape had left before she could finish her sentence.

Looking down at her schedule, she perked up as she read over her courses. Charms, defense against the dark arts, and then double transfiguration would take place today. Tuesday looked dismal with double history of magic and double herbology. However, she was looking forward to Wednesday which consisted of double charms, double potions, flying lessons, and astronomy. Double defense against the dark arts, transfiguration, and history of magic were on Thursday, and Friday would be wonderful with only potions and herbology.

Fantastic! She thought to herself as the morning post arrived, sending hundreds of owls to their owners. Persephone took notice of Aquila, her family's eagle owl, at once. She swooped through the crowds and first found Draco before taking off to land next to Persephone.

"Hey! Stop!" She said as Aquila nibbled at her bacon, "here, have some toast instead."

She took the small package of lemon drops and chocolate frogs before opening a short note from her aunt:

My Dearest Persephone,

I hope your first night was restful. Severus informed your uncle and I of you being sorted into Slytherin. I will inform your mother about the sorting when your uncle and I visit her this weekend. We are so proud of you and are thrilled to hear about your first week of classes. Please study hard and take your lessons with Severus seriously. He is there to help you. Enjoy the sweets!

Love from your aunt Cissa and uncle Lucius

Smiling at the letter, she folded it into a square, and shoved it into her notebook. Persephone was usually not one for sentimentalism, but having a connection with her aunt and uncle while away at school was of upmost importance to her. Returning to her food, she noticed a small, screech owl in front of her, holding its leg out impatiently. She took the small letter, unfolding it as the bird flew off.

Please meet me in my office after dinner this Friday.

Professor Snape

While the note was straightforward, Persephone spent the remainder of her breakfast contemplating if Snape even wanted to give her private lessons, or if he was simply doing what her aunt and uncle requested.

"Hey, what do you have first?" Came a familiar voice from behind Persephone.

"Charms. You?" She said, turning to face Draco.

"History. I should have time to show you to your class. Charms is on the third floor, come on."

They were almost out of the Great Hall when a woman's voice erupted from the Gryffindor table. 

"Weasley got a howler!" Draco sniggered, stopping to look at the scene. Persephone grinned, too, looking over at Ron Weasley, who was cowering as a red letter exploded in front of him. 

"YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT!" The letter shouted. 

"Looks like the Weasley family can sink lower than they already have. Remind me to write to father, I want to hear what he has to say," Draco sneered, turning to Persephone who was covering her mouth to hide her laughter.