Extraordinary (Sign it Series; BOOK 2)

Chapter 26

The rest of the meeting was filled with information Maddy already knew, and she zoned out, only half paying attention. Her eyes were wandering more around the dingy pub, feeling slightly bad because she couldn't seem to pay attention, after all the work they had gone through to be there.

She signed the paper Hermione had them sign second to last (She had wanted to do it first, but Simon had correctly assumed that if their names were last, it could be argued that they weren't at the meeting, just signed the slip after the fact.) And she, Simon, and Dennis made their way back to the Common Room in silence.

"Where were you all day? We've been looking for you," Polly asked as soon as the three entered the Common Room. Dennis quickly made his way up to the room. "You were gone before we were up, and —" Polly took in Maddy's appearance, and frowned. "You look much older."

I was out and about. Maddy told her, Simon translated from the seat he had taken on the chair.

"I don't think I'll ever understand what's going on in your brain," Allie muttered from Polly's side.

If you figure it out, tell me, because I'd sure like to know.

Simon rolled his eyes, and took out a toffee he had stored in his pocket. (At first, Maddy had thought it was one of Fred and George's, but it turned out to be a normal toffee.) "It wasn't really exciting, what we were doing."

Maddy nodded her agreement as she knelt next to the table, and pulled out a draw the others didn't know was there, and pulled a book out of it, and plopped back on the couch.

"How did you even know that was there?" Simon asked, as Maddy flipped open the book. It was hard covered, and the binding looked like it was breaking, and the dusty brown covering gave the book an ancient look. "Also, I thought you were reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?"

Maddy adjusted herself so she sat cross legged on the chair, with the book open on her lap. She just shrugged. Finished that already. And I put this there, so obviously I knew where it was. About the Dark Arts, because in order to beat the enemy you've got to understand the enemy. Though, I'm not sure Ms. Daisley knew exactly what book she was getting me from the library when I asked for it.

"How would she not know what book she's getting you?" Allie asked, frowning.

Maddy sighed and tossed the book across to Allie, who was sitting on the table, with Polly sitting on the floor.

"This isn't in English," Allie noted, flipping through the book, as if trying to find some English in it.

"Can I see that?" Simon asked her, before taking the book, and taking a good look at the cover. "If I'm correct —" He looked up, and handed the book back to Maddy, who opened it on her lap again. "— that's in Welsh."

Maddy nodded, confirming what Simon had said.

"I didn't know you spoke Welsh." Simon frowned.

I can't. Maddy told him.

"But you're reading Welsh?" Polly pointed out, confusion etched in her face at Simon's translation.

I read in English too, but I can't speak that either. I can't speak at all, actually.

Simon groaned, and rolled his eyes. "Let me rephrase my statement," he sounded almost exasperated, "I didn't know you understand Welsh."

Oh yeah. My grandma, remember the one that died before I was born?

"The Mathematician?" Allie inquired.

Maddy gave her a thumbs up, before flipping her page. That one. Though, before she met my grandfather, she worked at an insurance office in Cardiff. She taught my Dad when he was little, so he speaks it. He wasn't going to teach me, because I already had to deal with learning English and Sign Language, but when I was about six or seven, I found some of my grandma's old books, that included the maths ones, and was interested in it, so I can read and write it just fine. I don't do it much, though I should probably do that more, because I'm starting to lose some of it.