Under a Spell... - Book 2

Howler

But I didn't need too! Mrs Weasley beat me to it. The post had arrived.

Suddenly, a roar filled the Great Hall. "...STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT HAD GONE..." The voice rose over two more octaves, rattling everything on the tables.

"...LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT, I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME, WE DIDN'T BRING YOU UP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS, YOU AND HARRY COULD BOTH HAVE DIED..." Harry and a few others pretended not to hear.

"...ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED, YOUR FATHER'S NOW FACING AN ENQUIRY AT WORK, IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT HOME." It had finally ended.

My ears were hurting so much that I rushed out of the Great Hall needing as much peace and quiet as I could afford where I would let the barriers fall for a while.

I really wished I could apparate already but I had to wait another two years before Albus would let me learn how to. I could tell that he knew what I would do as soon as I learnt. I followed my feet until I was along the border of the forbidden forest just strolling not being able to hear anything this far away from the castle. I could hear some dim thoughts but that was just the animal side of things getting through now. "It will get better!" A voice muttered from behind me. I twirled round to be face to face with Severus. I involuntary muttered "How?" "Well you will soon be able to hold the barrier up without even realising you're doing it. It will become easier and easier." He confirmed. I smiled thankful "That's why I can't hear you very much, you almost always have your barrier up." He tilted his head to one side. "You've been listening?" He uttered. "I can't help it! I've been listening to everyone since I was about 19 and a half. It's so natural to do - listen in." I walked away, back up to the castle knowing the conversation we were having was getting a bit too personal for my liking.

I was racing to catch up on my homework as I had already fallen behind a great deal. I used my time-turner (hourglass necklace) quite a lot lately. I had even stooped so low to go back two more times as I would then be able to do my homework in record time and also sleep. The only problem was that I was currently doing my homework in my quarters while myself wasn't quite sure where to go. I knew Severus would be in classes all day however he locks his quarters up pretty tight. I contemplated where to go!

Hogwarts secrets - James - the Room of Requirement; seventh floor. I traipsed the corridors hoping I would find it. But no such luck! I just wished for a place to sleep and lo and behold a door appeared from the solid rock to form wrought black iron gates. I stepped through to find my ideal quarters, every house colour was on the walls, books lining one side of the room; charms and potion jottings hung there as well as weird objects and basically a drinks bar filled with old, dusty bottles. I only took in the one thing I wanted. A canopy bed filled with down feathers which I knew to be extremely soft. I relaxed burying myself under the king sized covers. After a good several hours, I checked the time to see it was well past dinner, I had missed nearly a day's worth of lessons. I was planning to time-turner back again so I wouldn't miss any of today's lessons. I slowly opened my eyes to adjust to the bright light of the infirmary with Madam Pomfrey or Poppy standing over me. As soon as I had some water for my croaky throat, I asked "What happened?" Poppy looked me over in a worried manner. "You've been in here for a few days as you had a bad fever and have been over-working yourself too much. Professor Trelawney found you within the Room of Requirement; asleep." She muttered. "Why did Sybill find me?" I questioned curious. "She hides her sherry bottles in there but she doesn't know that I know. I spotted her one time. I'll leave you to rest!" Poppy murmured going back to her room.

I went over the lessons I had missed:
One for Divination
One for Transfiguration
One for Muggle Studies
Two for Potions
One for Arithmancy
One for Care of Magical Creatures
Two for Defense Against the Dark Arts
One for Charms
One for Study of Ancient Runes

I knew I would have to catch up!

As soon as I was discharged, I would run round all the teachers and ask what I had missed! The last being Gilderoy Lockhart as I knew he would try to pull something.