Like Rain to Fire

CHAPTER 2

Aged Thirteen

Lena Wagner grew cold.

Lena at Hogwarts was nothing like Lena at home. During holidays, she was happy to meet her family, enjoying the time she had with them and savoring all the parties her father threw in the manor.

Lena at Hogwarts, however, was much darker than that. She found that the best way to study and peruse her textbooks was when she was isolated and alone. The library was a great place for the silence she could never find. The courtyard had the best light.

Sometimes she wondered if maybe she should have been placed in Ravenclaw. Because of her interest in advanced knowledge, and her love for reviewing class notes.

Lena's grades were mostly the best in her year, especially Transfigurations and Potions. She was quick to learn hexes and jinxes in Defence Against the Dark Arts and became one of the most feared witches in her level within a month of her third year.

It was Transfiguarations class at the moment, and McGonagall was handing back papers from a quiz the day before, her wand swishing across the air, sending the papers to the students.

"I would like to acknowledge Miss Wagner for her excellence in this quiz. Ten points to Slytherin," the Professor said.

Lena gave a sincere nod. "Thank you, Professor."

"Of course, Miss Wagner."

Hogsmeade was no longer restricted to her year, and she was allowed to roam the village. But instead of enjoying a chat with friends over a butterbeer as her classmates all did, Lena headed to the little bookshop and searched for scripts or works on healing. She had this curiosity on how potions could heal magical illnesses and she had the urge to learn it immediately.

It was very useful during Herbology and Potions, apparently. She managed to impress Snape and was sent to Madam Pomfrey by Professor Sprout, with a piece of paper to explain the situation.

Lena did not feel sick, but she went anyway, holding a letter from Sprout to Pomfrey that she had not read. She passed the Great Hall, watching other students sit down for a meal, before reaching the Hospital Wing.

Lena had her hand over the brown door. It just felt appropriate to knock. So she did. There was no wrong in doing so.

A small "come in" was audible on the other side of the door, and Lena strode inside. The infirmary was just rows and rows of beds and partitions, and in the far end of the room was a work station for cures.

Madam Pomfrey was a middle-aged looking woman who wore red robes and a white apron over it. She was already scanning Lena for injuries but seemed confused to not find any.

Lena held up the letter from Sprout. "I was excused to come here. Professor Sprout says this is for you."

Madam Pomfrey read the letter easily. "Oh," she said, her eyes moving back and forth over the words, as though trying to confirm. "Pomona says that she finds potential in you," the matron said. "She's offered you a position here as my assistant. An apprentice."

She glanced at Lena. "If you're interested, of course."

Lena raised her eyebrows. "I'm only in my third year. Is that really allowed?"

"Well, Pomona has said so. I guess it is. So? Would you like to do it?"

Lena was calm, even with the exhilaration of the offer. "Yes," she said gently. "Yes, of course."

"Maybe we could start on Friday afternoon? That's when the clumsy Gryffindors have quidditch practice."

Lena nodded politely. "Wonderful."