I rolled my eyes as I saw Marlow disappear into her class. I didn't really know her that well, but I felt like she either didn't hear me, or was just ignoring me.
Now, when I say "I don't know her", I basically mean that like the rest of the school, I know her for being the smartest student currently at Hogwarts. Her exam scores for the last three years have shocked even the professors but that was about it. However, apart from seeing her around school or making the one-off joke around her that I had learnt to understand that she didn't find to be amusing, I didn't know much about her.
As I walked back to my friends, Clive turned towards me.
"Why did you run back after Marlow?" he asked. I shook my head, brushing away his question. I wasn't going to tell anyone, let alone him, as to why I had to run back to speak to Marlow. It was too embarrassing. "Fine then. Don't tell me." He said. Frowning, he added, "I hope you're not pranking her. The poor girl's already been bullied enough through first year and most of second year. Besides, she hates your guts and will definitely get back at you."
I rolled my eyes. To think my own best friend would have more faith in me.
"Calm down! It's not what you think! I... just can't tell you what it really is!" I said, trying to smile apologetically. He stared at me for a while and a I stared back. I knew for certain that he was hoping I would tell him what the matter was.
I wasn't.
Finally sighing, he turned his gaze away from me.
"Look, I said that I would help Madam Pascale in the library so I need to go. Don't do anything stupid, okay?" He said. Then, he turned around and walked towards the library. Michael and I, on the other hand, decided to go back to the common room. My next class was after lunch and so was his. We had about an hour and a half.
"Poloffinia" Michael muttered to the portrait before we stepped into the common room. Stepping in, I first caught sight of a group of girls sitting and chatting. I caught sight of my girlfriend Madison. She was talking to a friend. Her pale blonde hair was tied behind her back.
"So the root has been proved to be Peruvian as the studies found. Evidence has also proven that the root comes from Peru." She explained to her friend.
"So evidence is peruvian the theory right?" I said grinning. She just looked at me blankly before sighing and starting to pack up her papers.
"That was terrible, Henry."
"I know." I grinned. She rolled her eyes at me before walking up to me.
"I'm so sorry, Henry! I have Arithmancy so I'll only be able to see you later." She kissed me on my cheek and then left through the portrait hole. My shoulders slumped. Madison barely ever had time for me now days. I thought I'd get used to it from last year but it still hurt to know that we barely spent any time anymore.
"Cheer up, mate. I'm sure you guys can spend time in Hogsmeade this week!" Michael said, patting my back. He probably picked up on my mood even though, I probably couldn't go to the town this weekend. But, to make sure he didn't grow suspicious, I just smiled weakly before going towards the chair near the fire.
I had Defence Against the Dark Arts in a bit so I decided to take out my textbook. It's all the way on the table. I thought to myself.
"Accio book" I said with a wave of my wand. The book flew from the table and landed in my lap. I summoned it to start reading but then Marlow's words came back to me. You still can't transfigure ... after seven years!
I looked down at the book.
Remembering Ms. Flutterfield's words, I muttered the incantation, focused hard and tried to transfigure the book into a pillow. I focused on changing the properties and waved my wand. As it started transforming, I thought I had succeeded, but then I realized that it was transforming into a marble block. I had always been hopeless at transfiguration but because my dad forced me to, I still had to take it last year. He even convinced Professor Flutterfield to let me into her class.
I stared at the marble, starting to think of the conversation I had had with Ms. Flutterfield and Mr. Darrow.
"I am going to have to remove you from transfiguration if you don't improve your grades this year, Henry." Ms. Flutterfield told me. "I agreed to letting you take the class despite your O.W.L score as per your father's wishes. And Professor Darrow tells me that you are slipping in potions too, Henry!" She ran a hand through her short, coppery brown hair.
"You need to start doing better. How will you get a good job once you graduate? And Henry, remember that you also won't be allowed to play Quidditch like this.
"That is why we have decided to take matters into our own hands." Mr. Darrow said, entering the room at that moment. "I chose the brightest and smartest student from my house to help you."
"And who might that be?" I had asked. The two professors smiled at each other before looking at me and saying in unison.
"Marlow Frankfurt, of course." My eyes had widened to the size of saucers. They were going to get a fourth year to tutor me?
"But Marlow's three years younger than me. Can't I just ask Madison to help me?"
"Madison Hardy? Your girlfriend of three years?" Mr. Darrow had asked, raising an eyebrow.
"If she couldn't teach you anything in the last three years, how will she teach you now?" He said, sending me a questioning look.
"Besides, her Transfiguration scores are only just letting her pass." Professor Flutterfield added. "And Marlow's already started learning spells from the higher years- she likes to come at times for extra classes."
"Look, Henry, just tell her to come to the dungeons before lunch, alright? She should also have a say in this decision to make it fair. Promise me you'll tell her? Otherwise Professor Flutterfield is going to have to ban you from Quidditch."
"Oh, god." I said, snapping out of the flash back.
"Reparo" I muttered to fix the block back into a book.
As I started reading, I could only hope and think of one thing-
Hopefully, Marlow was coming.
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Hey guys!!! So chapter 2 is out!! Tell me what you think and please vote!!
Bye!!!
-K :D
