Recollection

Six

Eliza's POV

Eliza was running late to class but didn't dare to increase her pace at the risk of breaking a sweat and ruining her hair and makeup. She hated being late but it was more important to her that she looked good. Of course her parents expected high marks from her but at the end of the day, she didn't need good grades to be a housewife.

She had hoped to stop by the hospital wing this morning to let Nurse Blainey know her headaches had returned but the episode she had yesterday left her more exhausted than she realized and she had overslept. She just had to make it through her first class and then she could stop there during her free period.

To her delight, Professor Sharp seemed to be late as well as he was not yet in the potions classroom. To her dismay, there was only one seat left open at a station with Imelda Reyes, Ominis Gaunt, and of course the person she promised to avoid, Sebastian Sallow. At least he'd be sitting across from her and not directly next to her.

She rolled her eyes as she crossed the room to take the seat, letting out a breathy sigh as she sat down and avoided making eye contact with the three of them. She mentally cursed Lilith for not saving her a seat. Her only friend in the class and she wasn't courteous enough to think about her as Eliza watched her flirt with some Ravenclaw boy who certainly wasn't pureblooded nor the man she was promised to.

"Eliza." Ominis spoke with a smirk on his face as if he was purposely trying to provoke her. Her head whipped around confused as to why he'd even talk to her. She knew he didn't like her and he knew she didn't like him. They didn't need to be civil. She didn't even know how he knew it was her who sat down. Despite being blind he always seemed to be the most perceptive person in the entire school.

"What?" She snapped at him.

He gestured his hands up in surrender, "I was simply greeting you, no need to get defensive."

Eliza hated how pretentious Ominis acted. As if he was better than her and anyone who believed in the pureblood values for that matter. With his blonde hair slicked back without a hair out of place and brand new uniform perfectly pressed he certainly reaped the benefits of the luxurious lifestyle his parents provided to him without giving them respect in return.

She bit her cheek and was thankful in that moment that Professor Sharp entered the room and gave her a distraction.

"Apologies for my tardiness, today we will be brewing Wigg-" he cut off his words taking a double-take at the station where Eliza sat looking between herself, Ominis, and Sebastian. "Brewing Wiggenweld."

Eliza decided to pretend that wasn't weird of him to do. She was beginning to notice a lot of odd things happening but didn't think too much about it. With the stress of planning a wedding at the front of her mind she didn't have time to waste worrying over some strange coincidences.

"But Professor, Wiggenweld is a fifth year level potion. That's too easy." Joshua Blight, the Ravenclaw boy Lilith was flirting with called out.

"I know, which is why you will each be brewing it from memory. No recipes, no notes, and no working together. Gather what you need from my stores."

Perfect, Eliza thought. Wiggenweld was simple, something she has brewed a handful of times. She could get it done quickly and get out of there as fast as possible. She'd had to find someone to switch seats with her for future classes, she was willing to even go as far as paying someone to switch. Everyone had a price after all.