Chapter 113 - Trouble in Paradise (1/2)

By the time the Slytherins made it up to Professor McGonagall's class, it was time for the class to start. Just before Professor McGonagall closed the door Terry dove through the door and into the closest seat next to the door. Professor McGonagall arched an eyebrow at seeing the wheezing figure of Terry try to breathe.

”That was cutting it a little close, Mr. Greengrass,” Professor McGonagall gently chided.

”I know,” Terry panted as his still-damp hair pressed droplets of water against his neck. ”Sorry, Professor.”

”See to it that it does not happen again,” Professor McGonagall said, before heading to the front of the classroom. ”Now then, all of you shall be turning a beetle into a button. Please make sure to properly wave your wand and pronounce the proper spell.” Professor McGonagall raised her hand as a beetle was quickly deposited in front of them for practice.

Quickly everyone began to chant the already learned incantation and proceeded to do their best. It took Severus only two tries to properly transform the beetle into a button as he proudly showed Professor McGonagall. ”The both of you certainly do not disappoint, Mr. and Miss Prince, twenty points to Slytherin!” Professor McGonagall said with pride at having noticed the transformed button on Rowan's desk as well.

Severus's head whirls around to spot the perfectly transformed button on Rowan's desk. Severus raised an eyebrow and accusingly said, ”You were done before me, weren't you?”

Rowan innocently shrugs and says, ”Does it matter? We both got points.” In reply, Severus grabs another beetle and a single try properly transforms the beetle. Severus proudly puffs out his chest as Rowan lazily only tries thrice more while Severus transforms a dozen more.

With class almost over, Rowan loudly says, ”Make sure, Regulus gets to charms on time after lunch.” Terry in his corner flinches and instantly begins to pack as the minute class is over, he bolts out the door. Professor McGonagall was a bit surprised but does not comment as she finishes checking their buttons.

Leisurely heading down for lunch, the five of them take a seat and wait for Terry to arrive with Regulus in tow. It was quite the rare and funny sight to see Terry not only bringing Regulus along with him, but the rest of the Slytherin 1st years tagging along with him. Most of the older Slytherins chuckled as Terry snapped, ”Alright, shoo all of you! Either go sit and with your friends either here or at their house table. I'm no mama duck to be holding your hands!”

Most of the 1st years disperse to the Slytherin house table for lunch, but a few brave souls head over to friends sitting at other house tables. ”Brats,” Terry huffed in embarrassment as the 1st years still at the Slytherin table turn to gaze at Terry with gratitude.

”Terry will be taking Regulus to his next class,” Bethanie kindly said. ”If all of you keep an eye on Regulus, you can accompany him and Terry to your next classroom period, Charms.” The 1st years beam at Bethanie as though she was a goddess as they happily begin to eat.

Seeing Regulus remain standing Rowan says, ”You can go over and sit with your friends, Regulus.”

Regulus nervously nods his head as Rowan sighs and gets to her feet. ”C'mon Severus,” Rowan grumbled.”

”Wait, where?” Severus protested.

”To the Gryffindor table,” Rowan huffed as Severus instantly leaped to his feet.

”Blood traitors, aren't you? Sitting with the Gryffindor's,” a nasally voice said. They all turned to stare at the speaker, Quyen Crowley, who sneers at them.

”If I recall correctly Godric Gryffindor was a pureblood, but I wouldn't expect you to know that now would I, Crowley given your atrocious marks?” Rowan coldly retorted causing snickers to burst across the table.

”You, you!” Quyen hissed in rage as her faced turned splotchy red.

”Come now, Prince, no need to be so nasty,” a charming golden-haired, second-year boy said. Rowan glances over at Damien Mulciber, who smiles at her, but his smile does not quite reach his eyes.

”Keep out of it, Mulciber,” Terry growled as he leaped to his feet.

Rowan eyes Terry's reaction with interest as far as she was aware the two hadn't interacted much. But then again, who knows, what happens during the summer break. Perhaps, there was a fascinating tale there to tell as well.

”Enough!” The female Prefect said in warning as the table quieted down.

”C'mon,” Rowan repeated herself as Regulus and the rest follow after. Seeing Lily, Severus skips forward and rushes to take a seat at her side as Rowan glances at the girls.

We'll catch up with Willa and Mary,” Bethanie said as Silvia, Tiffany, and she headed over to where Lily and her friends were sitting with Severus.

Pausing to glance over at Regulus, Rowan says, ”It looks like your friends are heading over to sit further down the table.”

”Yes!” Regulus said, before hurrying down to sit where Letitia had dragged Barty and Dirk over. The first years instantly sit down and begin to chatter as they grab a bite to eat.

Terry sighs from behind Rowan and says, ”I don't suppose there is any chance, we won't have to sit next to Sirius is there?”

”Not really, he's waving at us,” Rowan drily remarked. ”We could pretend that we didn't see him and sit elsewhere, but I have the distinct feeling that he'd come right over.”

”Fine then, but if my hair gets turned pink again, I'll hold you personally responsible,” Terry threatened as he walked over to take a seat across from Black and the rest of the marauders.

Taking a seat next to Terry, Rowan nods at them in greeting as she hungrily stuffs a roll into her mouth. ”So, how have classes been going?” Lupin kindly asked.

Terry shivers and says, ”One word: Mandrakes.”

”Really?” Lupin said with some interest as the rest of the marauders listened in with interest.

”It's dirty and yucky and tiring,” Terry huffed. ”Trust me, it's not as fun as it sounds. Even Rowan came out of that dirty and tired.”

Lupin blinks and stares at Rowan, who nods her head confirming the story as she continues to stuff food into her mouth. ”Well, I guess it must be that bad,” Lupin finally concluded.

”What about you guys?” Terry politely asked as Pettigrew, James, and Sirius quickly lost interest and went back to eating their meal.

”Charms and History of Magic,” Lupin replied.

Terry winces at the last class as Lupin nods his head in agreement. Quickly changing the subject, Terry asks, ”So, did you sign up for the Gobbledegook class?”

”Well, it seems quite interesting to be frank,” Lupin regretfully said. ”But I don't think I simply could keep up with the course work. And you?”

Terry shivers with apparent horror. ”Most certainly not! But Rowan and Severus did!”

”I thought so,” Lupin answered with a smile.