Chapter Three
The flowers had bloomed all around the Hogwarts grounds adding a much needed splash of colour to grey stone building and equally grey stone paths. The various shades of greenery could only do so much, as lovely as it was.
Two girls walked around the grounds; one was laughing as she took out her wand and cast a spell to water a shrub that was looking a little worse for wear.
“You should have been Professor Slughorn’s face when we entered his classroom,” Lacie was telling the older girl who had moved on to examine a small grouping of flowers. “It was priceless, Alice. I swear he kept mixing me and Lily up, even though she is taller and our complexions are different.”
“Maybe it’s the lighting in the dungeon,” Alice joked as she tucked her wand back into her pocket. The Potions Classroom was never very well lit, despite the large windows.
“I think McGonagall might have said something but a certain group of friends showed up late and distracted her.”
“Peter and Remus as well?”
From what she knew of Remus he didn’t seem like he’d be one to be late. He was a studious boy, quiet around most people, except his three closest friends. He had looked a little pale as he entered the classroom; Professor McGonagall had let him take his seat. “Remus made it just in time. The other three weren’t so lucky.”
“Are you ready for your exams?”
“I hope so, how about you? You have more than I do! Didn’t you take three electives?” Lacie was looking forward to picking her own electives, however, she wasn’t looking forward to the extra time she’d need to dedicate to studying.
Alice brushed her shoulder length hair back. “Yeah, but I don’t think I’m going to continue with Care of Magical Creatures next year. After all, I’ll be taking my O.W.L.s and I don’t see myself needing that course.”
“I don’t think I’d take Care of Magical Creatures either. I was thinking of taking Arithmancy, Study of Ancient Runes, and Muggle Studies.” Lacie and Alice went closer to the Great Lake and sat down on the grass to soak up the warmth of the sun. “Lily said she was also going to take three classes and Marlene was going to two. I think my parents would have preferred if I only took two though.”
“Are they still concerned about your migraines?” Alice studied the younger girl, who was plucking blades of grass she spoke.
“Yeah,” Lacie leaned back on the palms of her hand. “I send them a letter every week or two. I think Flam is looking forward to a break over the summer. He was especially nippy last time I sent a letter home.”
“Are you doing okay?”
“Yep, only a few headaches so far and I can always visit Madam Pomfrey if it gets worse again.” Lacie didn’t want to talk about her condition anymore and decided to change the topic. “How is Frank doing?”
“He’s doing well.” A smile graced the older girl's lips. “He’s been pretty busy. His mother is expecting him to do very well on his O.W.L.s, especially since he was made prefect.”
“I wish him luck.” Lacie had few interactions with any of the prefects as she rarely needed anything from them. The few interactions were usually when they were patrolling the classrooms students used for practicing to see if everything was alright. “Does he know what he wants to do after Hogwarts?”
It was a topic that Lacie and her friends saved for late nights. After all, it seemed so far away. To leave the walls of Hogwarts and everyone goes in different directions. Lacie wasn’t sure what she’d want to do–definitely not an office job. She’d be fine at it, she was sure, but she wanted to be doing something more active. Something that would let her continue to practice and refine her magical skills.
“He’s been considering becoming an Auror.”
A gust caused a leaf to land on the surface of the lake. A ripple spread outwards and the reflection distorted. Alice threw in some of the grass blades that Lacie had pulled up and watched as some of them kept afloat while others joined the leaf in sinking.
Lacie finally replied, “He’ll do well in whatever he decides to do. He’s smart, you know that.”
“Yes,” Alice agreed with a thoughtful expression. “I wasn’t expecting it, but it makes a lot of sense. He would be suited towards that kind of work.”
“How about you?”
“I’m not sure, but I still have a little time before I have to talk to Professor McGonagall next year.”
The Bell Towers chimed and the girls fixed their robes before heading back into the castle. Alice left to go find her other friends before her next period, while Lacie made her way back to the empty dormitory. Lily and Marlene were likely still out with their friends from the other houses.
Both of them seemed to have a knack for getting to know people and had friends in various houses. Lily spent a good amount of time with her friend Severus, while Marlene had found friendships in Hufflepuff. Lacie wasn’t jealous, per say, but it did make her wish she was a little more outgoing. She envied their confidence.
Lacie chided herself. She should be happy for them and it's not like they didn’t make time to hangout with her. They shared a dorm room and shared their classes together; they saw each other plenty.
Picking up a novel, she found where she had placed the bookmark and became engrossed in the pages. It was a sweet adventure, but time must have flown by quicker then she had anticipated for she didn’t even hear Marlene coming up the stairs.
“Come on Lacie, it’s dinner. Lily is waiting for us outside the portrait hole.”