She Said What?

Chapter 4: I Look Forward, Look Back

A/N: I am going to warn you right now – the way my outline is looking, the pace will be a little slow for the next few chapters. My reasoning for this? I want to make it nice and easy to start out, because I want to establish relationships and patterns and habits and things like that, get the story started out right so I can go places later without alienating you.

I know for me personally, the beginning of the year always feels kind of uneventful because I'm so busy adjusting to how everything's changed. But don't worry – it won't be dreadfully slow and I should hopefully retain your interest in this bumpy beginning period. I merely want to inform you beforehand so you don't get terribly annoyed with me.

Be open to something a little different than what you're used to and try to enjoy this, guys.

Xx

September 10

8:15 AM
Status: Slacking off in Charms

This morning at breakfast has been a subject of rousing and passionate debate between Alice, Livvy and I.

Well, maybe not debate. But we certainly had a good discussion this morning at breakfast.

Today was Livvy's day to come and drag me out of bed, something she chose to do very early in the morning, meaning that I was awake in time for a leisurely breakfast with my friends. We three took seats at the Gryffindor table amongst the noise and clatter of metal utensils, tired but cheerful and considerably talkative.

"So...how are you two?" asked Alice, helping herself to some eggs. "Ready for class today?"

"Yes," said Livvy, satisfied. She had taken great pains to complete all her homework last night, because she's obsessive about keeping pace in coursework. Much more so than me or Alice, anyway. "I am definitely ready."

"Sorry, maybe I ought to have rephrased," said Alice. "Lils, are you ready for class today?"

Alice, like me, knows perfectly well that it's not even worth asking Livvy if she's prepared, because she will be. She always is. It's one of those things we differ on quite wildly.

"I suppose," I said with a sigh. "I'll have to do that History of Magic thing during lunch though. By eleven o'clock at night, I was not in the mood to discuss the importance of Uric the Oddball's various quirks. I did do the outline the essay though."

"That's something," said Livvy encouragingly, petting my shoulder.

"I did the essay, but I didn't write the antidote for Potions," grumbled Alice. "You wanna help me with that during lunch, Lils? I'm rubbish with antidotes. And Potions in general."

"Okay," I said. "Then can you proofread my essay, Liv?"

Livvy sighed. "Fine. But you owe me."

"Five Galleons of chocolates, whatever you want when we go to Hogsmeade," I promised her.

"Done," said Livvy. We have a three-way shake on it, nodding, before returning to our breakfasts. I, in particular, was starving, but that's nothing new.

Two hard-boiled eggs later, I took a swig of orange juice and then said, "So, you guys, I need your help with something."

"You're already in five Galleons of debt, plus the ice cream you owe me from last week – I don't think I can offer you any more help without feeling bad," said Livvy.

"You're an angel," I replied serenely, "but this is different. It's not essay proofing or anything."

"Excellent, I'm listening," said Alice.