𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝐿𝑋𝐼𝑋.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙞𝙭𝙩𝙮-𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

HARRY AND RON hadn't gotten a high enough score in their Potions OWL, so they weren't in the NEWT class with Hermione and Caroline and many other sixth years. Caroline didn't really know Professor Slughorn, but she liked him. Of course, the first thing he said when he looked at her first last name was how much she looked like her mother, but that was to be expected. Caroline was enjoying the class. She didn't love Potions, she had always tolerated it, but maybe that would change.

Unfortunately, Caroline's light happiness was instantly deflated when Pansy Parkinson opened her mouth. The class was standing in front of Professor Slughorn as he began teaching. "Caroline, I can't see over your hair." Pansy said, quite loudly. Hermione frowned, glancing at Caroline, who had no patience for Pansy's monthly antics.

"So, move? There's a spot right there." she gestured to a fairly open space towards her left.

"I like my spot. Your hair's just too big." Caroline had been dealing with animosity from classmates in all houses since she was eleven. When she was that young, she didn't know why they picked on her and none of her other friends. It was Angelina Johnson who explained it to Caroline, knowing what the girl was going through.

Caroline rolled her eyes, Professor Slughorn noticing a change in her demeanor. "Something wrong, Miss Taylor-Jones?" the man asked kindly.

Before Caroline could open her mouth to speak, Pansy jumped in. "Sorry, Professor, I'm just having trouble seeing over Caroline's hair. I was here first, I don't think I should have to move. Frankly, it's a bit of safety hazard." Pansy spoke, Caroline's face contorting.

"'Safety hazard'? It's my hair, Pansy, it won't hurt you." Caroline said, people in their class now fully listening to the conversation.

"I just think she needs to tie it back." Pansy continued, ignoring Blaise Zabini whispering for her to shut up.

"Nearly everyone's hair is down, Pansy, yours included. This is the most pointless conversation I've ever had. Sorry, Professor Slughorn. Please continue." Caroline said, her hand twitching even more now that she was stressed out.

Hermione wanted to speak up numerous times during the situation, but Caroline wouldn't let her. Instead, she held Caroline's hand, acting as a substitute for Harry. Pansy didn't let Slughorn get a word in. "My hair's not bothering anyone. Yours is messy and unattractive." she spat.

Caroline scoffed. "Okay, Pansy 'Pugface' Parkinson." the girl said, students snickering in the background.

Slughorn frowned, unsure of how to handle the heated situation. "Well, if Miss Parkinson doesn't want to move, you could sit on that stool, Miss Taylor-Jones?" he suggested.

Caroline didn't want to enhance the argument and interrupt class further, so she grabbed the stool. "Carol, don't sit down. It's not fair." Hermione said, grabbing Caroline's wrist gently. It still hurt, but just for a second.

"It's fine. Sorry, Professor." Caroline sat down on the stool.

"That's quite alright," Slughorn said awkwardly, resuming the lesson. When he wasn't looking, Caroline raised her middle finger towards Pansy, the girl scoffing. "Attention to detail in the preparation is the prerequisite off all planning," Slughorn said, stopping when Harry and Ron entered the class. "Ah. Harry, my boy. I was beginning to worry. You brought someone with us, I see."