The Spark {Book 5 in the Star of Gryffindor Series}

Chapter 7 - Reprimands

The Daily Prophet
Issue No. 101,844
17 September, 2021

Inherited Insanity?

Recently, workers from the Department of Mysteries have reported findings that they believe may show that insanity can be passed down to a person's children. They stated that several cases of madness in pureblood families have happened for consecutive generations. One muggleborn on the committee claims that this is due to something the muggles call "interbreeding," but the rest of the committee has discounted that notion...

...We here at the Prophet have only one question. Can this theory explain Astra Lestrange's unstable behavior? As most people know, her grandmother was the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange, one of You-Know-Who's most feared and insane followers. It certainly seems to be a viable explanation to us...

~~~~

"Okay, fine, not a duel. How about a broom race? Or a wizard's chess game? Mario Kart?"

"Go away," Marcus said, glaring at Elmer as he tagged along beside us in the hall. "Go away and leave my girlfriend alone."

Elmer looped his arm through mine. "She's my girlfriend, actually."

I pulled my arm out from his, rolling my eyes. Elmer actually made Marcus mad. I didn't really understand why (after all, literally no one else took the kid seriously), but I also didn't want to be the reason Elmer spent a week in the hospital wing, and as of right now, that seemed like a high possibility.

Elmer seemed a bit put out that I'd taken my arm back, and sped up so he was in front of us, walking backwards. "Fine, a battle of wits? I know I could beat you in that. Or Hunger Games trivia!" He grinned. "Pip can be the moderator, right?"

"Yeah!" Pip shouted from behind us, where he was struggling to push through the older students to keep up with us.

"And Astra will choose the most honorable, worthy man."

"If we're basing it on the Hunger Games, I choose Liam Hemsworth," I said, shrugging. "Sorry."

Elmer frowned. "Oh. That is a complication. Should have seen that coming..."

Marcus had stopped walking. "Who is Liam Hemsworth?"

I rolled my eyes again. "Just a muggle actor, and I was kidding. The movie is like ten years old. It's just funny because most people think he's hot still."

"I bet he's not," Marcus muttered. I ignored him and started walking again.

Pip had caught up. "I personally think Elmer would be a better match for you, Astra."

"Yeah, I mean, the height difference is exactly what I'm looking for in a man." Elmer frowned as I rested my elbow on his shoulder. Marcus also frowned, and so I gave Elmer a one-arm hug. "Not going to happen, Elmer. Sorry."

Elmer sighed. "You might say that now, my love, but we'll give it time." He waved and hurried off with Pip.

Marcus exhaled heavily. "That kid is so annoying."

"You get used to it." I shrugged. "Honestly, he's not that bad if you don't take him seriously."

"Why shouldn't I take him seriously? He's very interesting in stealing my girlfriend, if you haven't noticed."