Everlasting ⁂ Harry Potter [1]

Chapter Eleven

Olivia sat in her usual seat in the Charms classroom, watching as Hermione practiced the hand movements of the levitating charm; something they had been learning about in the last couple of classes and would actually try performing today. She wanted to be sure she had everything right. After watching Seamus' potion explode in Professor Snape's class, and earning Gryffindor a deduction of fifteen points, she didn't really want to bring the same consequences upon her own house because she may not have practiced enough Liv felt like she had it mastered enough to successfully perform the spell, but she still wanted to be sure.

"One of a wizard's most rudimentary skills is levitation; the ability to make objects fly. Uh, do you all have your feathers?" Professor Flitwick questioned, his eyes scanning over students who either nodded their heads, called out a simple yes, or, like in Hermione's case, rose their feathers into the air to show them to the professor.

"Now, uh, don't forget the nice wrist movement we've been practicing, hmm? The swish and flick. Everyone." The Professor showed the wand movement to the class one last time before urging them on to do it themselves. "Good. And enunciate. Wingardium Leviosa. Off you go then."

With that as their sign to begin working on the spell, the class became a cacophony of murmurs as people attempted to raise their feathers into the air. Liv too pointed her wand at the feather after practicing the wand movement a couple more times. She was about to give her first attempt a go, but had to lose her focus as she felt Hermione suddenly shift closer to her.

Curiously she looked over at the brown haired Gryffindor, wondering what had been the cause of her sudden movement. She had to move, because if she hadn't, Ron's rapid wand movements would have made Hermione's eyes levitate, not his feather.

"Stop, stop, stop. You're going to take someone's eye out." Hermione suddenly reached over to grab Ron's hand and stop his frantic waves. Ron gave her a questioning look as she continued to speak. "Besides, you're saying it wrong. It's Levi-o-sa, not Leviosar." She instructed with a pointed tone making Ron's face scrunch up.

"Your pronunciation does seem a bit iffy, but I'm sure you can get it Ron." Liv said in a more reassuring tone. She didn't want him to get discouraged.

"You do it then if you're so clever, Hermione. Go on, go on." Ron urged the girl. He had no issue with the way Olivia said it, she was actually nice about it. However, confidently, Hermione accepted his challenge, straightening up in her seat as she firmly grasped her wand.

"Wingardium leviosa." Hermione spoke clearly, her hand moving with precision as she focused on the feather. Both Olivia and Ron watched as the feather sitting in front of her now rose into the air with ease and began floating above their heads.

"Oh, well done! See here, everyone! Ms. Granger's done it! Oh, splendid!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed once he noticed the first feather fly into the air. Hermione's success made Ron drop his head on top of his book dejectedly. However, his head quickly snapped up as he, along with everyone else was started by a sudden explosion.

Looking at the source of explosion, Olivia's face scrunched up. She was beginning to wonder whether Seamus was exploding things and setting them on fire on purpose by now.

"I think we're going to need another feather over here, Professor." Harry mumbled, his eyes wide as he looked between Seamus' charred feather and his ash covered face. Liv had to cover her mouth to hold back a small laugh at the very obvious statement. Professor Flitwick cleaned up the mess, giving Seamus a new feather before instructing the class to continue on with their practice.

"I'll never get this." Ron grumbled to himself after a couple more failed attempts. The comment made Liv send him a sympathetic look.

"Come on, let's try it together. I'm sure you can do it." She spoke in a reassuring tone before raising her wand into the air again and motioning for him to do the same. He sent her a dubious look, but still did it and the two of them spoke the incantation in unison.

And it seemed like that was all Ron needed; a couple of words of encouragement, because the next thing that happened brought wide smiles to both of their faces. Their eyes watched as the two feathers lifted into the air together.

"Told you you could do it." She said happily reaching her hand behind Hermione so the two could exchange a proud high five. Both of them also thanked Professor Flitwick as he congratulated them on managing to master the spell.

"Expect me to turn to you if I don't understand something in class any time." Olivia laughed as she and Hermione walked through the halls of the castle, heading to their next class together. Hermione too let out a small giggle before replying.

"Of course, we could study together in the library. Make it a usual thing." Hermione offered politely. She always liked studying with someone else. In her case it promoted productivity.

"I'd like that very much." Liv said with a happy smile. Studying with Hermione seemed like a splendid idea. And she was sure they wouldn't just focus on the things that they were taught in class. After all, their interest in learning as much as they could about magic was something they had in common.

"It's Levioooosa, not Leviosaaaar." Their conversation was cut short as both Hermione and Olivia's attention was dragged towards the group of boys walking in front of them, Ron's voice mimicking Hermione in a mocking tone. "She's a nightmare, honestly. I don't understand how Olivia can stand being friends with her."

Liv felt a frown coming over her face, and quickly turned to Hermione wanting to reassure her she shouldn't be listening to a word Ron was saying. However, she seemed to be too late, because before she could say anything Hermione was rushing past her and the boys and heading off into the castle alone.

"I think she heard you." Harry mumbled hesitantly, feeling bad about upsetting the girl. Ron was about to reply, but was cut short as an angry face came into his field of vision as Liv appeared in front of him.

"That was a really horrible thing to say. She was just trying to help you. And honestly, not only can I stand being friends with her, but she is actually much kinder than you seem to be." Liv snapped at him angrily. She didn't even give him a chance to reply before turning around and rushing off herself, wanting to follow Hermione and reassure her friend that whatever Ron had said was completely untrue. 

Published: 05th July, 2020