Chapter 13
~Harry Pov~
This place was massive.
Ron and I were running through the corridors of the school trying to find the "Transfigurations" class.
We over-slept and consequently our classmates decided to go on without us.
And it's not like this place came with a map.
I stopped and took a huge gasp of air followed by smaller ones...doubled over...hands on knees...just gasping.
My face was not red and sweaty.
I felt like I was about to give birth to my lungs through my colon.
Man, I was an unfit dude...I wondered if there was a spell that could fix that.
Then my thoughts drifted to Julia...I wonder if she was in class...
I wondered what she would think of this 'sorry-excuse-of-a-boy', gasping and wheezing like he was about to befriend the Grim Reaper.
I looked over to my left and Ron was also doubled over gasping.
I looked up at the door in front of us ,which adorned a golden plaque that stated: 'Transfigurations ~Proff.M.McGonagall'
Finally we found it.
Once we had regained some sense of structured breathing and stamina , Ron opened the door
We marched through , the first thing I noticed was a greyish tabby-cat sitting on the desk.
It had elegant patterns on it, tigerish dark stripes ran from certain parts throughout the gray fur sprouting from the M pattern on her forehead that most tabby's possessed...however this one had a cheeky glint in its eyes...almost as if it had a semblance of wisdom.
I shook my head.
What an odd thought.
I looked the cat once again.
It sat as though it had a sense of class, and its eyes narrowed like it was judging me...that expression on it's face creeped me out.
I swear that facial expression for a split second almost looked human.
It looks like McGonagall is late as well. Phew...looks like she will never have to know.
Hermione looked over at us and rolled her eyes,exasperated.
Ron breathed a sigh of relief before exclaiming "We made it , can you imagine the LOOK on OLD McGonagall's face if she found out we were late."
He was about to eat his words.
The grey-striped tabby leaped forward...transforming from cat to human.
Ron face paled and he looked like he was about to throw up before murmured, "Bloody brilliant"
The annoyed grey-haired lady in front of us replied," Thanks for the sentiments Mr. Weasley but maybe I should transfigure one of you into a pocket watch...or perhaps an hour glass... THEN at least you'll be on time for my lessons."
"We got lost", I muttered out sheepishly.
"Then PERHAPS a map" she tutted...motioning us to our seats...as I took my seat my eyes locked with a familiar pair that I couldn't stop thinking about since yesterdays feast.
~Ella pov~
After searching for what felt like forever (I had to go back another hour due to this place being massive and my inability to have some sort of magic GPS system , which probably would have been useful),I finally found the transfigurations class.
I quickly took my seat before everyone came in.
My legs were sore from all the walking I had done whilst searching for this blasted classroom.
I swear I'm going insane because I could have sworn that the stair case moved.
Actually...that would probably be the thing that makes the most sense in my life.
I mean it IS a school of magic.
But why would they have moving staircases? This place is massive.
If everything is moving all the time...how are we expected to get to all our classes on time?
It would be a total inconvenience, serving no purpose whatsoever.
Hermione came and sat next to me while I collected my thoughts.
"The staircases move you know, I read about it in Hogwarts:a History "Hermione stated , matter-of-factly, as though she were reading my mind.
Then Professor McGonagall walked in and asked us to write down some notes from the textbook and then blurted out a hearty "welcome to Transfiguration!"
I took out the book titled "A Wizards Guide to Transfiguration" by Jermie Blotts.
Then McGonagall did a demonstration by turning into a cat.
The whole class gasped in amazement.
The rest of the lesson went smoothly,until in came a wheezing Weasley and a dishevelled-looking Harry.
They must have also gotten lost.
I glanced at Hermione who just rolled her eyes ,probably thinking 'idiots'.
Hey...I would have been in their exact situation if I hadn't had the time turner...at least it didn't take them an hour to find the class, like me.
"Can you imagine the look on OLD McGonagall's face -"
Oh boy...
I looked up at Professor McGonagall , still in cat form ,but her eyes were laced with annoyance.
"-If she found out we were late", he finished.
He's about to have detention for a month.
Wait do wizard schools even have detention...or like do they hex you or something?
McGonagall transfigured herself back into human form.
Ron looked like he was just about to swallow his tongue.
His face paled instantly before he stated blankly, "bloody brilliant."
Professor McGonagall,although obviously annoyed, had a mischievous glint of pride shining in her eyes.
Like she has been wanting to show her skills for a long time and finally get recognition for it.
"Thanks for the sentiments Mr.Weasley, but maybe I should transfigure one of you into a pocket watch,THAT way at least one of you would be on time.,"
"We got lost," Harry said lamely.
"Well then perhaps a map," she muttered .
Harry's eyes met mine, his smile was contagious.
He went and sat in one of the only two available seats at the back.
Once the lesson had finished, we were headed to our 'Potions' class.
Ooooooh ,this is going to be exciting.
I've been looking forward to Potions all day.
Maybe I can get the antidote to a cure ,if Jhon Pierre tries to poison me, or maybe I can drink a potion and somehow come back as a ghost...I'll haunt him until the day he dies.
Sounds fitting...like hey dude YOU killed me , now suffer the consequences...
I'd just be as annoying as possible,singing the digits of pie over and over and over again until he goes insane.
Like what's he gonna do?
I'm already dead.
And I'm going to make it HIS problem...for all of eternity...I chuckled darkly as I took my seat...earning a confused look from Hermionie as she took hers.
Is she following me around?
I shrugged as I pulled out some parchment,a pen and Potions when Hermionie snatched my pen and stated snobbily." WHAT are you doing?"
I was confused "Uh...getting my stuff out for class."
"You can't use pens in Hogwarts"
"It worked fine in Transfigurations class," I retorted smugly.
"Yes but it's a Muggle invention, everyone got told in the letter from Hogwarts that all students MUST use a QUILL to write with."
"A quill...seriously like what is this...the 1800's?" I said sarcastically,trying to fight a laugh as Hermione produced a long feathered quill and ink pot out of her bag.
She reminded me of one of those old historical figures I had learned about in school , like Madame Currie.
Wait....how do I know if Madame Currie wasn't a witch?
What if the Salem witch trials were REAL witches being burnt ...my mind zoned out and went down a rabbit-hole of conspiracy theories.
Hey cut me some slack .
I only found out witches were real like Yesterday.
I wondered if my ancestors looked down upon me...like my dad did.
I could imagine them up in heaven all gathered for a light tea and saying, "Look she's got another one of THOSE conspiracy theories again, like shut up and give it a rest child,there are more important things to life...you're a disgrace.'
I gulped and shook away the thoughts ,when suddenly, a man dressed as the incarnation of death itself entered the room , shutting the windows with a flick of his wand, adding to the ambiance.
It was Professor Snape...dressed in all black robes, with his infamous dark greasy hair, and a crooked nose.
He gazed over the students with a look of disgust and disdain before his eyes landed on Harry for a split second then continued roaming around the classroom.
He stood front and centre , crossing his arms , a deadly glare in his eyes, and a dangerous tone in voice as he spoke very slowly, articulating every word with striking calculated precision...
"There will be no foolish wand-waving in this class!
I can teach you how to BEWITCH the mind and ENSNARE the senses.
I can teach you how to bottle fame,brew glory and even...put a stopper in death.''
For the first time, my eyes flicked over to my right and I saw that Harry had decided to sit next me (Hermione was on the left.)
He seemed to be hanging on to every word that Snape was saying and even began taking notes of what he said...with a quill ...which aggravated me because it looked like Hermione was right.
I looked over at Snape who fixed Harry with a gaze worth the fury of a thousand suns.
"-AND to NOT pay attention" , Harry was still writing down so I bumped him with my shoulder and he finally looked up...but it was too late...Snape had targeted him like a vulture on their prey...although the thing with vultures...is they know their prey is already dead before they attack.
I inadvertently gulped.
"Tell me Mr.Potter ,what would I get if I added a powdered root of Asphodel to an infusion of Worm Wood?"
Straight for the kill.
Harry reminded me of a deer caught in headlights.
Surprised and afraid...and honestly I don't blame him...Snape looked like a living in-the-flesh-version of the Grim Reaper.
Hermione immediately raised her hand.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
Of course, she would know the answer.
Ms.Know-It-All.
"I don't know," Harry uttered.
"Okay lets try again Mr.Potter ,where would I find a Bezoar?"
Harry looked even more flushed.
Hermionies arm raised up again .
"I don't know."
And what is the difference between Monkswood and Wolfbane?",he barked.
But once again...Harry responded with "I don't know."
Snape cocked an eyebrow, before venomously spitting out ,"pity...I guess fame isn't everything"
What does he mean by that?
I heard snickering behind me and I turned my head to find Malfoy and his goons.
I felt disgusted, they were loving every minute of Harry getting torn to shreds.
Like a pack of hyenas.
I tore my eyes away from them and was relieved when I finally heard the bell.
We had flying class next with Madame Hooch(Hermione told me her name.)
When we arrived outside the castle,we were met with an array of broom sticks , lined up in two rows.
"Step on the left side of your broom" she announced ,her voice traveling almost like a sports commentator.
"Raise your right hand over it and say up."
Everyone began chanting ,"up!"
My broom zoomed into my hand , so did Malfoys.
Hermione's moved a little but refused to go higher than the grass.
Harry's broom decided to be a bit stubborn at first but eventually made its way to his hand.
Once the majority of the kids had their brooms in hand ,we were told to mount.
"When I say 'Go' gently fly up" ,Madam Hooch instructed.
"Read.Set.G-" she started...but that's when all hell broke loose.
Before Madame Hooch could give the signal , Neville ( Hermionie also told me his name) suddenly was whizzed into the sky by his runaway broom.
His broom was bucking violently throwing him from side to side.
20...30...feet in the air and still rising but Neville held on strong.
Madame Hooch was screaming at Neville to stop his nonsense and come down...but poor Neville had no idea what he was doing.
He was twisted and thrown violently in the air, before he finally lost his grip and started tumbling towards the ground.
He was saved by the neck of his robe being caught on a spiked pire on the side of the castle ...stopping his fall momentarily ,before it ripped .
Neville came hurdling the rest of the way towards the ground, some round object falling out of his pocket.
He landed on the ground with a big 'thump'
I cringed. Ooh that sounded painful.
Neville cradled his arm as Madame Hooch came running.
"It looks like a broken-wrist,come help me take him to the infirmary,"she motioned to one of the students, who immediately sprang into action...helping escort him to the hospital wing.
Madame Hooch turned back with a final warning and a stern tone, "Nobody touches their brooms until I get back otherwise you'll be expelled quicker than you can say 'Quidditch!' ".
Quidd-what did she say?
What's that?
Once Madame Hooch was out of sight and hearing range, a certain blond-haired menace started snickering that infamous snicker...that I had heard back in the potions class.
He was flexing something in his hands...which glinted in the sunlight.
It was Neville's round ball that he dropped.
"Maybe if he remembered to fall on his flat ass-",he started saying whilst throwing the glass ball around from hand to hand.
"Give it here Malfoy," Harry snarled making his way to the front.
"No...I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find" ,he retorted cruelly before taking off with his broom.
Harry was about to get onto his broom and go after him when ,of course, Hermione interjected.
"Harry don't ,you heard Madame Hooch-" but Harry could've cared less.
He took off with lightning speed.
"Catch Potter!" Malfoy threw the ball towards a window which Harry dove and caught.
Then suddenly the sky turned grey...and lightning struck the ground...causing a loud 'crack' sound that raked throughout the grounds...which startled Harry causing him to drop the ball.
I didn't think. I just acted.
I mounted my broom and kicked off from the ground , catching the ball in my left hand with quick-reflexes.
The rest of the students started cheering as I made my way to the ground. As soon as I hit the ground I was hoisted off my shoulders as they carried me above their heads chanting "Gryffindor!"
I felt like I belonged , finally I had done something right instead of just causing problems.
That however did not last as I heard Proffessor McGonagal's voice ring out, "Miss Quirrel and Mr.Potter!"
I was dropped back onto my feet hurriedly by my classmates...but I once again felt numb.
The students were quiet as a mouse as Professor McGonagall trudged forwards.
Remember what I said about causing problems?
Lets add another one to the list, why don't we?
I gulped.
Looks like I'm getting expelled.