Off the Pitch

Chapter 2: Billywigs

The first few days at Hogwarts went by fairly quickly. I had feared that I'd be behind everyone since they had already been studying here for four years, but it turned out that Ilvermorny and Hogwarts were pretty much on the same level. 

On Wednesday we had our first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, and I was beyond excited – it had always been my favourite subject (alongside with transfiguration and charms, of course). 

I sat with Fred, George and their friend Lee Jordan. He was, just like the twins, a funny guy with a passion towards causing mischief. 

"Good morning", a voice came from somewhere above us. At the top of a staircase in the corner of the room stood a fairly young male professor. He looked tired and scruffy, but had a kind smile and his eyes sparkled as he observed the class full of students. 

"My name is professor Remus Lupin", he said as he walked down the stairs, writing his name in the air with his wand. He then whipped his wand and the writing disappeared. 

"We will get straight to the point", he stated as he walked over to the other side of the room. 

"Today we will be studying –", he paused mid-sentence and pulled aside a veil, revealing a huge class cage filled with tiny sapphire blue creatures with wings on their heads. "– these." 

The whole class gasped in a choir. 

"Miss Urquart", the professor turned to me: "Care to tell us what these creatures are?" 

"Billywigs", I replied immediately, "It's a species often come across in Australia – they are quite common there, but are hard to spot in nature due to their speed." 

"Very good", professor Lupin smiled and continued: "Billywigs are pretty much harmless, but being stung by one may cause –"

He turned to the students, raising his eyebrows as he waited for someone to answer. 

"Levitation", Lee Jordan replied. 

Lupin pointed at him and nodded: "Exactly, Mr. –?" 

"Jordan", Lee said. 

"Mr. Jordan, good job." 

Fred and George observed the small flying creatures and glanced at each other with glimmering eyes. Lupin noticed their mischievous expressions and quickly added: 

"As fun as that may seem, we aren't going to purposely let them sting us." 

He glanced at the twins with a strict but somewhat amused look on his face. 

"Wait a second", Fred turned to me and lowered his voice: "How did professor Lupin know your name?" 

I shrugged: "I don't know, must have heard it at the sorting ceremony or something." 

Of course my grandmother had told her colleagues who I was, but I didn't want all of the students to know; I had no intention to become marked as the teacher's pet. 

The lesson ended up being extremely fascinating and enjoyable. Towards the end of the class, George managed to get stung by one of the Billywigs. 

"I promise it wasn't on purpose, professor!" 

Professor Lupin didn't seem convinced, but he wasn't angry either; he simply shook his head and smiled in amusement as he had to help George get down from the ceiling. 

"That was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson we have ever had", George gushed after we made our way to the Great Hall for lunch. 

"Yeah", Fred said. "I just wish I'd got stung, too." 

I snorted. 

"Worry not, brother", George said expressively, pulling out a small glass jar from his pocket. 

I stopped. 

"Are you out of your mind?" I lowered my voice and tried to hide the fact that I was actually quite impressed. A lonely Billywig looked at me through the glass. 

"Gee, don't be so dramatic", George said and negligently swung his hand. "It's for experimental purposes only." He then noticed my worried expression and added: 

"I'm not going to harm it, don't worry. I'll return it before Lupin even realizes it's missing." 

I shook my head but couldn't hold back my laugh. 

"What are you four up to", McGonagall came up to us. 

George quickly put the jar back to his pocket and winked at me. 

"Just the usual, professor", Fred replied innocently.  

"That's what I was afraid of", McGonagall sighed, but a slight smile flashed on her face. 

She then turned to me: "I need to have a word with you." 

I nodded. "I'll see you guys later", I said and followed McGonagall to her office. 

I sat down on the chair in front of McGonagall's desk. 

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked. 

"I was simply wondering", she started, "whether anyone has told you about the extra-curricular activities we offer here at Hogwarts." 

She looked at me over her glasses and continued: 

"I think it would be good for you to find something to... help you keep your mind off of things." 

"Well, I actually signed up for the Quidditch try-outs", I said. 

The older witch's mouth turned into a smile: "Brilliant. Wood is an excellent team captain, I'm sure you will get along very well." 

I smiled. "Is that it? I'm kind of hungry", I said as I got up from my chair. 

"That's it", grandmother nodded. 

As I got to the door, she quickly added: 

"Oh, and Amelia." 

I turned around to see her looking a tad worried. 

"I know Fred and George Weasley can be very charming", she said slowly, "but please be careful around them. They're known to cause quite a bit of trouble." 

I smiled shortly and closed the door behind me. 

McGonagall sighed and something smile-like flashed on her face.