Circi | 2

TWENTY FIVE

"Not a date"

November 1996, 2 months later

As per usual, they had a new defense against the dark arts professor this year. Unlike the past few years she had been at the school, the new professor was their own Professor Snape which struck everyone as odd because, above his borderline abusive disposition towards most students, he was a talented potions master.

Some of the older students were quick to point out that this had been a position he had wanted for years now so it seemed awfully convenient for a new potions master to be appointed instead.

The new professor in question was one by the name of Slughorn. He was a relatively square man with cheeks that sagged with age. His bushy eyebrows made him appear as though he was always in deep thought and, whenever Circi caught him watching his in class he appeared to be thinking particularly hard.

After a week of classes, he approached her during a lesson while the class was brewing a potion. He inquired after her mother, especially now that her pardon had been made official and public.

"It's a shame, what happened," he had said with the same thoughtful look and a hint of shame, or was it grief, in his eyes, "she was a very bright witch. She could have done wonderful things if it wasn't for, well, you know. And your father," he tutted, shaking his head, "I was terribly sorry to hear what happened. He was one of my dearest students."

"Thank you, Professor." She wasn't sure how to understand his words and was thankful that he left after saying that.

The incident left a sour taste in her mouth and the rest of the week passed by slowly. As soon as Saturday came around it was decided that she would go into Hogsmeade with Leslie and Mica.

Wrapped in her new coat, scarf and hat, she pressed her gloved hands against Leslie's cheeks and patted his face.

"Why are you not ready?" She looked down at his cuffed trousers and the tucked-in turtleneck jumper. He looked warm, sure, but not warmth enough to go traipsing through snow. He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels.

"I'm not going, I forgot to say I have, um, a study date."

Raising an eyebrow, Circi considered it for a moment before nodding. Parting with a playful shove against his shoulder, she wished him look and left the common room. Sure, she wanted to know who his date was with, but if there was one thing she had learned recently, it was that she shouldn't push for answers.

Mica looked equally cosy, her cheeks flushed a faint pink against the cold air, but she was nonetheless happy to see her friend. She waved enthusiastically and snuggled deeper into her scarf.

"Where is he?" She looked over Circi's shoulder for their friend. Circi wiggled her eyebrows as she approached.

"On a date."

"Ooh," linking arms, the two left the courtyard and started down the snowy path towards Hogsmeade, "boyfriend number two?"

"Maybe, could be girlfriend number one?" This made Mica laugh shortly, she shook her head and wondered what type of girl Leslie could be attracted to. It never crossed her mind that he could potentially be attracted to both. She had only ever been attracted to one gender.

"You think so?"

"Why not?" Circi shrugged, looking at Mica as she watched the students who had left during the morning pass by them on their way back to the castle. "I wouldn't put it past him. Do you remember that Durmstrang girl?"