Loyalties | Barty Crouch Jr

N.E.W.T Classes

September 4, 1978 - Monday

Monday morning had come along faster than anyone would have liked. Though it was nice to be back at Hogwarts, most students weren't looking forwards to getting back into their schoolwork. Leonora, on the other hand, was rather excited for it. The start of sixth year meant the start of N.E.W.T level classes, meaning a large increase in the difficulty, as well as the homework. She was ready for more of a challenge in her classes.

"I can't believe you're only taking five N.E.W.T classes," Illyria told Leonora as they walked to breakfast that morning.

Leonora shrugged. "I don't see a use for some of the other classes outside of Hogwarts, so is there really any use to take them? Plus, for the amount of work I'll have to complete, five is more than enough. That, on top of my prefect's duty, it would be too much taking any more."

"I suppose that's true," Illyria agreed, lightly nodding her head as the pair began ascending up the dungeon staircase. "Have you talked to Barty at all? Is he taking all twelve?"

"I'm not sure. He hasn't mentioned anything about his classes to me, but don't you think that would be way too much, even for him."

Illyria hummed in agreement as they reached the top of the staircase and walked the short distance to the entrance of the great hall.

They arrived towards the middle of breakfast, so the tables were already packed with students excitedly chatting away about their upcoming classes. Immediately, like every year in the past, Leonora's eyes instantly went to the Gryffindor table to look for her brother, before she remembered that he wasn't there anymore.

Sighing, she shared a short glance with Illyria before both turned their attention towards the Slytherin table.

The only open spot was at the end of the table, closest to where the teachers sat up at the front of the large room. The pair hurriedly made their way over with long strides, sitting down just before another pair of students was about to. They gave the girls a dirty look, scrunching their noses and furrowing their eyebrows, but left without a fuss. 

"Which classes are you taking?" Leonora asked the girl as she began plating up some eggs. She honestly wasn't sure if she could take any with her test scores.

Illyria sighed. "Well, I've talked to Dumbledore, and he's made exceptions for me."

Leonora raised her eyebrows. "Exceptions?" she asked, turning to face the girl. "What sort of exceptions? How?"

"Most professors don't take students who've scored below an E, so the classes I managed to score an A in, he talked to the professors and got me in; said he didn't want me retaking any classes with the fifth years."

"I see," Leonora began before taking a sip of pumpkin juice, wiping her mouth clean with the sleeve of her robe as she set the glass down. "Remind me, which classes were those?"

"Care of Magical Creatures and Charms. I've decided that this year I'm really going to focus on my schoolwork, like you and Barty do. I've already talked to Francis and he's more than willing to help me."

Leonora let out a small laugh. "Hasn't he been helping you already? Maybe Barty or I could help instead."

Illyria shook her head 'no.' "I don't want to trouble either of you." She took a bite of toast, chewing quickly to continue the conversation. "And yes, he has already been helping me, but I wasn't so focus on the work last year. This year, I will be."

Leonora glanced back over to the girl, an unsure look in her eyes. "If you say so."

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