Extraordinary (Sign it Series; BOOK 2)

Chapter 22

Maddy woke up rather early on Saturday morning, but she laid down for ten minutes, just savouring the fact that she didn't have any classes to go to. She dressed as she normally did, her leather jacket over a grey dress, black leggings beneath them, and her new transfigured fingerless gloves. All she needed to complete the look was combat boots, which she didn't own. She braided her hair into two sloppy french braids, not having the energy to make them look nice early in the morning. She slipped on her black trainers, and made her way quietly to the Common Room.

Simon was awake and all ready in the Common Room when Maddy arrived. He was kneeling on the floor against the wall, a cauldron boiling in front of him. Maddy went towards him and knelt next to him.

He didn't look up, instead adding an ingredient Maddy couldn't identify to the cauldron, and leaning over the book he had opened.

"'Mornin', Maddy," he muttered, grabbing a wooden spoon and stirring the cauldron's content. It was a teal colour, that swirled with every movement of Simon's spoon, entrancing Maddy. "Newspaper's on the end table, read the fourth page."

Maddy went to where he was indicating, and picked up the paper, idly flipping the fourth page.

She scanned through the article, her eyes widening at every word.

The Ministry has received a tip-off from a reliable source that Sirius Black, notorious mass murderer, is currently hiding in London. She read.

Simon was bottling the potion, and finally looked up, as he placed the bottle on the floor beside him. "What's considered a reliable source?"

Probably a Ministry official. I'm not sure. Did someone see him on our way to King's Cross?

"I'm not sure. Has to be someone who knew about it." It being Sirius's ability to turn into a large black dog at will.

A Death Eater! Maddy jumped in her spot. Wormtail, remember I told you about him, must've said something!

"He'll have to be careful. You ready to eat? I'm hungry. I've been up since six brewing this."

Can I ask why you're brewing a potion?

"You really think they'll let me brew potions in the Common Room?" He let out a small chuckle, "When you were somewhere, either with your tutor or detention, I can't remember, I went to meet Madam Pomfrey, and she's letting me brew some potions for her stock. Professor Snape even said I did a good job, but he didn't seem happy about giving me praise." He handed the bottle to Maddy, "Antidote for Common Poisons."

Maddy put the bottle in her jacket pocket as Simon cleaned the area he was working in.

"I'm ready."

About half-way to the Hospital Wing, Maddy tapped Simon on his arm, causing him to turn towards her. You going to be helping Madam Pomfrey a lot?

"You have your tutor session, and Quidditch when Fred and George leave most likely, it'll give me something to do." He rubbed his jade-coloured eye, and looked at Maddy with his sapphire one. "I've been thinking a lot during the summer. I want to help in the war somehow, and we need healers just as much as fighters. I'm not much of a fighter, not like you are at least, so this is my way of helping." They halted in front of the door, "Can I have the bottle?"

Maddy handed it to him, and he brought it into the Hospital Wing, passing it to Madam Pomfrey as she passed the door. She thanked him, and he went back out to where Maddy was spinning aimlessly in her spot.

She stopped and recentred her balance, and they walked to breakfast in silence.

■□~□■

Maddy and Simon ate alone at the edge of the Gryffindor table. Maddy stirred her yoghurt, occasionally taking bites.