Like the Stars in the Sky

Chapter Eight

Sebastian

"Next, you will stir in 10 oz. of Powdered Moonstone, slowly. Going too fast will result in an improperly brewed Veritaserum." Professor Sharp instructed as he walked, passing each potion station, inspecting our cauldrons. I measured my Powdered Moonstone, dumping it into my cauldron. I stirred slowly, my head resting on my hand, propping it up. I stared absentmindedly at the back of a certain auburn-haired Ravenclaw. I thought about the book we'd found, and how we could break the spell on it. I suspected it had a particularly strong enchantment on it.

"Now, what is so interesting about the back of Miss Harward's head, Mr. Sallow?" Sharp stood over me, keeping his voice low, as to not embarrass me in front of the whole class.

"Nothing, professor." I quickly moved my gaze back down to my cauldron.

"Good. I can't have any of my top students getting distracted."

I felt my chest swell a little with pride. Sharp smacked the back of my head.

"Not you, her."

I felt my cheeks redden a little. I knew he was only jesting, I was one of his top students. Piper had gotten top marks in all of her classes our fifth year, and I'd scored highly as well. I knew I was smart, but I rarely applied myself to my studies enough to reach my full potential. I often found other things to apply myself to throughout the school year. I glanced back up at her, and watched her laugh in response to something Natty, the other student at her station, said. I felt something in my stomach. I quickly went back to my potion.

---

"Very well done, Mr. Sallow." Sharp held the vial containing my potion up to his eye. "Could have used a little more focus, though." He said pointedly.

"Sorry again, professor." I took the vial and went back to my station, starting to clean up after class had been dismissed.

"Yes, Miss Harward?"

I glanced up, seeing Piper standing at Sharp's desk.

"I have a question for you, it's confidential. May I ask you privately?"

Sharp agreed, and I watched them step into his office, closing the door. I strained to hear, but couldn't. I went back to cleaning up. After a few moments, the door to Sharp's office opened.

"Thank you, professor. I'll get back to you as soon as I speak to Professor Weasley."

Piper walked over to me, leaning on my table.

"What happened over here?"

"Briggs happened."

The other student at my station, Finch Briggs, was somewhat clumsy, and had spilled his potion on himself. He'd gone up to the hospital wing, leaving me to clean up his mess.

"Oh, is he alright?"

"Probably." I said flatly. I didn't know why, but Piper worrying about Briggs made me annoyed.

"Here, let me help you with that." She leaned down, grabbing another rag, helping mop up the leftover potion.

Once we finished, we walked out, heading for our next class, Transfiguration, together.

"So...what were you talking to Sharp about?"

She flushed a little.

"Nothing."

"Oh come on, don't hold out on me."

"It really is nothing." We paused for a long moment before I couldn't stand the silence anymore.