The Art of Persuasion

Chapter 5 : Passing of Notes

I've always thought of Potions as a troublesome class. I mean, Slughorn just goes around telling everyone to be just like Evans. Not what I'd call my cup of tea. Just what is my cup of tea, you ask? Hmm...anything without crazy professors or Slytherins is fine. I'm not a picky man.

These past two weeks, though, have been a grand time, Potions wise anyhow. Dear Evelyn likes to get worked up over the smallest things, such as cutting the whatever-type-of-root-it-is the wrong way or I'm not supposed to taste our project. It's just nonstop fun to see her throw her hands in the air and exclaim that I'm such a prat, an arse or my personal favorite, a mistake God made himself. It's quite amusing, really.

She's been a bit quiet this morning, so I was rather disappointed when she didn't do her usual routine. Perhaps she needed some encouragement. I looked to the front of the classroom to see Slughorn giving a lecture on the potion we're going to do today. He was far too focused on Evans to look at the back of the room. I reached for Evelyn's hair and pulled a blonde strand. She jumped a little and glared at me.

"Are you a little eight year old boy? Going around pulling girls' hair?" she snapped at me. I grinned at her being her normal self for once.

"I couldn't help but touch your soft, lush locks, dear..." I reached for her hair again. She swatted my hand away and snorted. I merely smiled in return.

"Are you expecting me to start swooning or turn bright red, perhaps?" she seemed to be challenging me. I'm not the one to back down on a challenge of course. I reached for her cheek this time and brought my lips to her ear.

"We all know that I drive you crazy, love." I whispered, unable to wipe off my grin. I assume Evelyn didn't find this funny, seeing how she stood up and slapped me.

"You, Sirius Black, are the most conceited, ignorant, man I've ever met!" she gave a huff of anger and turned to see the whole entire class staring at us. Slughorn's jolly smile turned into a disgusted frown. He cleared his throat to take the floor of the conversation.

"Problems again, Miss Hall, Mr. Black?" he questioned, cheeks somewhat red with I assume anger. I spoke up in my defense.

"Just a little spat, Professor. You know how women can be, quite angelic one moment and Satan's daughter the next! I do believe it's that time of the month, is it not, Evelyn dear?" I asked, enjoying her darkened mood. Slughorn, on the other hand, looked rather appalled.

"I can't believe you just said that, you...you...disgusting pig!" she shouted once more at me.

"I can't believe you can't take a little joke, love. Are you quite alright?" I asked, trying my best to mask my smile with concern. Apparently, it didn't work, because Evelyn's glare increased. I settled on a smile instead.

"That is quite enough from the both of you! Mr. Black, that type of talk is not permitted in my class and as for you Miss Hall do please contain your anger. You two have already had your warning, I do think a detention is appropriate for this disruption. See me after class." Slughorn did his whole dance and shout about how he expects more from sixth years. Evelyn was gaping at our sentence and gave me a dirty look. That look encouraged my next action.

"We'll take two!" I shouted from the back of classroom, catching not only Slughorn's attention, but also again the whole entire class.

"Two of what, may I ask, Mr. Black?" Slughorn was clearly frustrated, seeing how I was disrupting precious class time.

"Detentions, of course, Professor." I gave a mock sigh, as if my point was exact.

"Detentions aren't meant to be fun and games, Mr. Black, but if you love them that much, I'll give you three this week. Do you share your partner's attitude, Miss Hall?" Slughorn stared at Evelyn. Evelyn started to shake her head, but my hand couldn't help but yank her hair once more.