Under their control

XIII

With only 45 minutes left for breakfast Ares hurried to her table. Plopping down between Kennan and another boy in his grade she grabs a strip of bacon.

"What did Mcgonagall want", Kennan asks looking down at her.

"To discuss qudditch and how it can't interfere with my class work", the girl responds with boredom etched into her features while reaching for eggs.

"You're the new chaser", the boy to her right asks. Looking up at the boy she watches as his cheeks blossom with a deep red.

"And you are", she quizzes with a raise of her eyebrows. He looks to his plate as his blush deepens causing Kennan to laugh.

"That, it Cedric Diggory and it seems he agrees with the HH list", Andon jokes from across the table.

"I'm, uh seeker", the boy she now knows as Cedric pipes up.

"Anyways I'm Ares, the new chaser", sticking her hand out she hopes to ease his awkwardness. After shaking his hand the girl turns back to her food prepared to take a bite. As her fork almost comes in contact she remembers Narcissa's face. Not sure how much longer the curse lasts for the girl takes a bite of her eggs. Immediately they turn to a burning powder making her clutch her goblet and gulp as much down as she can.

Hoping no one noticed she looks around only to find Andon giving her a questioning look. Looking away she avoids the concern in his eye and immersed herself into a conversation with Kennan. As the bell rings announcing the end of breakfast she excuses herself and finds her fellow first years. Near the entrance of the Great Hall she sees a few first years gathered. Skipping to the trio at the door she beams and clutches her hands behind her back.

"Hello", she greets in her dreamily cheerful voice.

"Good Morning Sweetheart", Yuni says back.

"H-hi Ares", Neville stutters out.

"So what have you all got first", Yuni questions the group.

"Charms", Blaise says from across the circle.

"Really me too, we can walk together if you'd like", Ares hurriedly says.

"Oh just my luck I have History of Magic", Neville pouts without stuttering.

"I'll join you, Ravenclaw shares that class with you lot", Yuni pipes up from beside Ares.

"Well then we best be off", Ares bids farewell as she loops her arm through Blaise's. Walking a few minutes in silence the wide smile never leaves her face unlike Blaise's refined smirk. Skipping the last few steps to the classroom she drags Blaise behind her while he tries to keep his composure. Sitting in a row at the back she plops into her seat and pulls out the chair next to her.

"Sit", she looks Blaise directly in the eye daring him to challenge her. Giving her a complient smirk he settles down beside the girl with his smug face. Both children sit with their backs straight. Ares delicately crosses her legs and rests her hands upon her closed notebook. Blaise sits with his legs slightly apart and a quill spinning in one hand. The two look absolutely pretentious and if you are to look too long Blaise will send a nightmare inducing scowl your way.

Professor Flitwick waddles in quite fast for such short legs. At his desk he climbs up a stack of books that stands where a chair should be. Pulling a large roll of parchment from out of his robes he calls roll. After making it through the list he begins a lecture about expectations and the curriculum. After class Ares slips into the girls bathroom and spins her turner twice. She slips out of the bathroom and heads to Arithmancy on the other side of the castle. After a long class much like Charms she runs to get to the bathroom on time. Getting inside just before her past self turns the corner she stands in the stall next to hers. After she sees her last self disappear she washes her hands and steps back into the corridor. With her free period she heads down to the lake to start on her homework.

Gentle movement is heard beside the girl making her turn to identify it. Locking eyes with Neville Longbottom she smiles at the boy and turns back to her work. Getting out parchment she works on her two thesis essays quietly. Neville sits beside her with his back against the tree as he flips through a book about plants.

"Do you think Ranksenberry Root mixed with Belladona would sell for a lot of money?"

"If you could lower the toxicity of Belladona it'd be the muggle equivalent of marijuana", Ares replies offhandedly as she continues her last essay paragraph.

"If you mix is before the Belladona has reached it's second level of maturity you can reduce the poisonous aspect", Neville replies while flipping another page in the book.

"You could sell that for a lot of money at parties", Ares supplies as she finishes her last sentence.

"What are you reading", the girl asks looking over Neville's shoulder.

"One Hundred Thousand Plants and How To Use Them", he responds flipping a page. Humming in response she reads over his shoulder until they hear the distant ring of the lunch bell.

"We should probably go now", Ares smiles gently and gathers her things. Shoving them into her bag she throws it over her shoulder before offering a hand to help Neville up. Smiling gently he accepts the girls hand and stands. Together the two walk side by side towards the Great Hall talking about whatever comes to mind. When they get to the doors the duo separates waving as Ares settles down beside Tansley. Placing her bag at her feet the girl looks at who she's sitting by and finds that the whole group is there.

"It's too early for this shit", Kennan comments from his place. Not sure why his voice is muffled the girl looks over at the boy to find that his head of now red locks rests on his plate.

"What happened to him", she asks slightly concerned seeing as he had brown hair just a few hours ago.

"Oh his potion exploded and dyed his hair", Conner pipes up.

"Hmm makes sense for him", Ares replies while reaching for her goblet.

Lifting his head from his plate he glared at the girl, "Now Snape hates me even more and Wesley won't look at me."

"Wesley? Wesley Hart", Thorton asks suddenly interested in the conversation.

"The fourth year Ravenclaw", Tansley adds from her spot beside Ares.

"Yeah, he probably thinks I'm a stupid loser", Kennan pouts slamming his head into his plate again.

"Well you kind of are", Braydon supplies receiving a harsh glare from most of the group.

"You can prove how smart you are when we beat his strategies in the Quidditch match in November", Andon reassures while patting Kennan's shoulder.

"Plus I should be able to fix your hair before dinner", Ares includes nonchalantly.

"Really", Kennan asks looking at the first year hopefully.

"Sure, just give until dinner and I should have a spell that will return your hair to its natural color", she elaborates with a comforting smile.

"Thank god we have someone smart in our group", the red haired boy merrily comments.

"I'm slightly offended", Tansley says between bites of her sandwich.

"Oh no", Susan suddenly exclaims pointing towards the door where a very mad looking Malfoy is stalking towards them.