9: Professor Mavis

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"The first day's half over...thank Merlin! I don't think I could take another second of Snape's lecturing," groaned Ron as the four sat at the crimson and gold table for lunch. He immediately started shoveling food onto his plate. "But mate, your comeback with Snape was gold! Say it again, I don't think its ever gonna get old."

Harry chuckled and made his voice dramatic. "There's no need to call me 'sir', Professor."

"You deserved the detention!" Hermione cut in. "Harry, you shouldn't be talking back to teachers like that!"

"'Mione, you're just jealous that you're not as clever," said Anna, winking at Harry when nobody else was looking. He just smiled and looked down. 

For some odd reason, she was extremely proud of Harry's comeback. So proud that she earned herself one for the same day and time for sassing Snape herself afterward, mockingly saying, 'Need some ice for that burn...sir?'

Needless to say, Hermione did not approve.

Speak of the bushy-haired devil, she narrowed her eyes and scowled. "I'm not jealous of anything, I just think it was really rude and if you keep it up-"

"Let him keep it up! Honestly, it's one of the most lovable things about him," Anna said but internally thought, 'and his eyes and kindness and smile and-'

As if reading her thoughts Ron smirked and said, "I doubt that's the only thing you love about him. So...how about that love potion in Slughorn's? I guess it's an interesting way to announce you two-"

"W-we aren't together!" stammered Harry quickly, his voice a bit nervous yet harsh. Anna frowned and rested her hand on her chin, feeling rejection flood throughout her again.

Just when she thought they were getting somewhere.

"So, what'd you smell, Anna?" asked Ron through a mouthful of potatoes.

She cringed before answering shamelessly, "Campfire, hot chocolate, lemongrass, and mint." She almost knew where they were all from. Campfire from the Burrow, hot chocolate because Sirius always made it, and lemongrass for Harry. She was unsure of where the mint came from.

"Hey! Harry! Anna!" a voice called from the doors of the Great Hall. They turned to see a boy in their year running towards them with a roll of parchment. They recognized him as Jack Sloper, Beater for the Gryffindor Quidditch team last year. He was a kind and likable guy - who got along with Anna quite well, mind you - but...

Well, let's just say he wasn't the brightest. 

Quite incompetent, really.

Like seriously, he probably didn't know the difference between a flobberworm and a hippogriff.

"Hey Jack, what's up?" asked Anna kindly, her frown replaced with a forced smile. She felt almost at ease to be talking to someone who didn't know her inside and out.

"This is for you two," he said, holding the parchment out. Anna took it and gave a curt nod, looking it over before handing it to Harry. "So...heard you two were captains for Quidditch? When are tryouts?"

"Not sure, tryouts are mandatory for everyone though, even returning players," said Harry, an edge to his tone.

"Never said they weren't, mate. You should have them Saturday after the Hogsmeade trip...speaking of which..." he trailed off and sat next to Anna, smiling. "Wanna go together, Black?"

Her grey eyes snapped up to meet his kind brown ones. In all honesty, she liked the guy as only an acquaintance and teammate, but something sparked in her as she felt Harry's gaze.

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