Lessons
Charms
Wren was excited to attend Charms class with Professor Flitwick. She overheard Jane telling the other first years that Professor Flitwick was the best at teaching it. She went together with Rowan to class and walked over to the short man to introduce herself.
"Pleasure to meet you, Professor Flitwick," Wren beamed. "I'm really looking forward to Charms."
Professor Flitwick smiled back, "You're Wren O'Rourke. If you're anything like your brother, you will do just fine. He was one of my most skilled students. That being said, he was also one of my most rebellious students. Are you going to follow the rules?"
Wren was slightly taken back by Professor Flitwick's demeanor but answered politely, "I haven't decided yet, professor."
"Very well, Ms. O'Rourke," Professor Flitwick stated. "Please have a seat. Class is about to begin."
Wren sat next to Rowan, who chose to sit in the front row. She didn't mind since it meant she could study the professor's movements easier than from the seats in the back. She set her book to the left and her wand on the right.
Professor Flitwick welcomed the students. "Welcome to your very first Charms Class at Hogwarts. I will be your instructor, Professor Flitwick. Please pay close attention to the instructions, and take great care practicing the spells you learn. Today we will be learning a very important spell known as the Wand-Lighting Charm. This charm is useful in dark places, whether you are searching a shadowy room for hidden dangers or trying to find a scroll that rolled under the sofa."
"Lumos!" The tip of the professor's wand lit up. It was quite bright that Wren had to shield her eyes until Professor Flitwick turned off the charm.
The class practiced saying Lumos and the wand movement separately for the first half of the lesson. In the second half, they had to attempt the spell.
Rowan groaned at her fifth casting attempt, "Wren, it's your turn. I haven't seen you try."
"Because I was too busy watching you," Wren giggled, picking up her wand. "Lumos!"
"Well done, Ms. O'Rourke. That's the best execution of the Wand-Lighting Charm I've seen from a first-year in quite some time," Professor Flitwick praised upon Wren's excellent first attempt. "Ten points to Hufflepuff."
"Already earning your first points," Rowan smirked at Wren, who blushed. "You're a natural."
"Thanks," Wren replied shyly. "Anyways, we have potions next. Impressing Snape will be harder than this."
Potions
Wren hurried from the bathroom to get to the dungeon for Potions with Professor Snape. She ran past the barrels leading to the Hufflepuff home and noted two familiar people in front of the classroom.
"Admit it," Merula huffed. "You did something to Wren!"
"I didn't!" Rowan protested.
Merula frowned, "Then where is she?"
"Here I am," Wren beamed, hugging Merula.
Merula groaned, "Where have you been? I didn't even see you at breakfast."
Wren smiled, "I had breakfast in the kitchen, then went to Charms, and I just came from the bathroom."
Merula rolled her eyes, "Let's go find our seats."
"Is she always like that?" Rowan whispered to Wren.
Wren nodded, "Yep but that how she shows she cares. With Merula helping us in Potions, we should ace this class."
After finding some seats, the class heard Snape walk in. He was frowning which seemed to be a permanent feature of his. The class fell even more silent when he stood at the front to address them.
"This is your first Potions Class and based on the bewildered look in your eyes, this could very well be your last," Professor Snape stated, glaring at his students. "Unlike your other classes, this is not a place for foolish wand-waving and intolerable screeching of mispronounced incantations. You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. Ensnare the senses. Bewitch the mind. Keep your mouths shut. Today you will produce a simple Cure for Boils Potion. Know that I expect perfection. And know that there will be severe consequences for failing to meet my expectations. Let us begin."
"Are you planning on looking into those Cursed Vaults while we're here?" Merula asked Wren as they grabbed their journals and gathered around Snape for the demonstration.
"I'd rather not," Wren replied. "I plan on keeping my head down and excel academically while having fun."
"But aren't you just a bit curious?" Merula questioned as she pulled Wren to a spot where the three could see.
Wren didn't reply as Snape started his demonstration. She focused on taking notes and getting the potion's recipe right. Once Snape was done, it was their turn to attempt making the potion.
"Will you consider it?" Merula suggested as they mixed their potions. "It'll be an adventure."
"Won't it be dangerous?" Rowan pointed out. "We'll lose points or even get expelled."
Wren sighed, "I'll think about it, Rula. Oh, it's almost done."
"I'm eager to see your attempt at the Cure for Boils Potion," Snape informed as he crept up from behind.
Wren waved her wand over the cauldron and waited for Snape's reaction.
Snape hummed, "Hmm. Perhaps O'Rourke isn't absolutely incompetent after all."
Wren turned to Merula with a smile. Merula sighed and reached over, stroking Wren's hair.
"Congrats, Wren," Rowan beamed. "Hardly anyone ever brews this potion correctly on their first try... What is Merula doing?"
"Praising me," Wren purred. "I'm hungry again."
Rowan's eyes widen, "But you ate during the break."
Merula rolled her eyes, "We have lunch next and Wren's a food monster. Never stops eating. We can discuss the Vaults."
"Fine," Wren pouted. "I hope I can get ice cream before the third lesson."