-October 31st, 1991-
"-then he also got a broomstick from McGonagall! A broomstick Pete! That's basically rewarding him for breaking the rules, and she doesn't even know about the duel they almost participated in!" Hermione told Petunia as they entered Charms class, her frustration palpable.
Petunia groaned as she sat down. "I know Hermione, but there's nothing we can do. Plus, Malfoy did deserve it. So let's just focus on lessons today."
Hermione harumphed, but agreed as Professor Flitwick bounced in.
"I think that all of you are ready to start making objects fly!" He squeaked, causing the room to arrupt in chatter. The had been excites about doing such a thing since they'd seen him make Neville's toad zoom around the classroom.
Professor Flitwick put the class into pairs to practice. Petunia's partner was Harry (which Harry seemed relieved, since Neville had been trying to catch his eye). Ron, however, was to be working with Hermione. It was hard to tell whether Ron or Hermione was more annoyed about this. She hadn't spoken to either of them since the day Harry's broomstick had arrived.
"Now, don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practicing!" squeaked Professor Flitwick, perched on top of his pile of books as per usual. "Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important, too -- never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest."
It wasn't an easy spell. Petunia swished and flicked, but the feather they were supposed to be sending skyward barely twitched. Harry got so impatient that he tried prodding it with his wand and accidentally set fire to it, which he then had to put out with his hat.
Ron was also quickly losing his temper as well.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" he shouted, waving his long arms like a windmill.
"You're saying it wrong," Hermione snapped, she also was in a foul mood. "It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long."
"You do it, then, if you're so clever," Ron snarled. Petunia wanted to go over there and slap the sense into him. Ron was almost never this grumpy.
Hermione rolled up the sleeves of her gown, flicked her wand, and said, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Their feather rose off the desk and hovered about four feet above their heads. Petunia bit back a grin at Ron's shocked expression.
"Oh, well done!" cried Professor Flitwick, clapping. "Everyone see here, Miss Granger's done it!" Ron glared daggers at the back of Hermione's head.
Ron was in a very bad mood by the end of the class.
