The Hufflepuff

Two

As the sun rose the next morning the Hufflepuff common room began to fill with students busying themselves with getting ready for breakfast and the first classes of the year. Eleanor and Cynthia had already changed into their robes and were curled up by the fire crackling merrily away. The fluffy white cat Ollie, is a purring ball of fur in Eleanor's lap.

"I wonder what classes we'll have today," says Cynthia, hugging a steaming mug of hot chocolate close to her body.

Before Eleanor can reply a house elf appears in the middle of the common room, looking around for a brief moment, his big round eyes landing on Eleanor.

"Ah Miss," he says in a bright, chirpy voice, "Professor Snape would like to see you in his office before you go to breakfast."

His message delivered the elf leaves the room as suddenly as he had appeared and Eleanor sighs, glancing at the clock on the wall.

"I should probably go now then."

Handing Ollie over to Cynthia she exits the Hufflepuff common room and makes her way down to the Potion Master's office where both Professor Snape and McGonagall along with the Slytherin Prefect Malfoy are waiting.

"You wanted to see me Professor?" She says, knocking on the door to his office, a feeling of dread in her gut that she got whenever she was around the disgruntled potions master.

"Come in, Miss Wicks. I assume you two know each other," Professor Snape says as Eleanor takes the spare seat beside Malfoy.

They both glance at each other, the pale sneering face of Malfoy looking Eleanor up and down scathingly.

"Not well." She says, answering for both of them. "But yes, we are acquainted."

From the side of the room McGonagall steps forward, her face set into her usual stern gaze, "It has come to our attention that the two of you are wanting to pursue alchemy class for your NEWT next year."

Eleanor glances sideways at the pale boy whose pointed face lightens a little at the mentioning of this subject. "I did mention my interest at the end of the year to Professor Snape, but that was only to see if it would even be possible," he says.

Professor McGonagall continues to talk, allowing Professor Snape to continue to sit in sullen silence in his seat.

"Normally we would leave any discussion of NEWT subjects until careers advice later in the year, however, considering the nature of this class we feel it would be best if we make you aware of the requirements now to give yourselves the chance to prepare for your OWLs."

"Therefore," says Snape, finally joining the conversation and cutting off Professor McGonagall, who stares scathingly at him for just a second, "We have decided that you each could improve your grades - Eleanor in Potions and you Draco in Transfiguration and since you will be the only students taking alchemy together it has been... suggested by the headmaster that you each tutor one another in your weaker class, to ensure that you receive the grades required to enter alchemy next year."

Eleanor and Draco each realise at the same time what they're being told, a look of absolute disgust spreading across both of their faces. Obviously sensing refusal, McGonagall steps in again.

"This is not negotiable. If you wish to obtain the passing marks you will agree to tutor one another, Miss Wicks will provide you Mister Malfoy with assistance in Transfiguration and Mister Malfoy will help Miss Wicks with Potions. Agreed?"

McGonagall stares evenly at the two of them over her spectacles as they wordlessly nod their heads in defeat.

"Good, now you may go to breakfast. I trust you will be capable of working out a time to discuss the details further with one another yourselves."