Chapter 706 - Rachel Grimond Ⅳ (1/2)
Later that evening after the first to fourth year Slytherin's had been sent off early to bed, the common room is bustling and packed to the brim with the entire fifth, sixth, and seventh years. The common room is filled with hushed whispers as everyone discusses why Professor Slughorn has requested the presence of all three higher years. It must have been something awfully important for him to dare disturb the studying of the seventh years.
In one of the corners of the common room, the familiar six friends gather together. Terry idly scratches his chin in thought, before turning to speculatively at his friend/roommate. ”So, what exactly is going on, Severus?”
Severus folds his arms and thoughtfully frowns. ”I have no idea, Professor Slughorn didn't mention anything like this to us this morning during our meeting. Whatever it is, it's probably something he just thought up of at the last minute.”
Terry has an inquisitive expression on his face at Severus's response. He wasn't the only one as Silvia's gray-blue eyes flash before commenting out loud. ”Well, whatever it is, it must be important enough that Slughorn even has the seventh years present.”
Rowan pointedly keeps her face blank and follows their curious stares over to gaze at the curious but irked seventh years. They didn't stare too long lest they acquire the unwitting wrath of the 7th years. It was like gazing at an angry dragon, one just knew the encounter wouldn't end well.
”Well, it can't be all that bad,” Bethanie finally pointed out. ”With N.E.W.T.'s coming up, whatever it is, it can't affect the seventh years too much.” Still, that was not a very assuring thought or comfort.
”Fair point,” Terry murmured in agreement.
Frowning Tiffany shakes her head causing her strawberry blond bobbed hair to whirl around for a moment. ”I don't know if it's quite as simple as that either. If anything, I'm betting it has something to do with the influx of transfer students,” Tiffany bluntly pointed out.
Rowan shoots Tiffany an assessing measuring glance. Ever since, the death of Vasco, Tiffany seemed far more intelligent than in previous years. Then again, Tiffany had likely hidden this shrewd part of herself from her fiancé and society. It would make sense considering everything and Tiffany was a Slytherin after all.
They did not have much more time to speculate as they all go quiet at hearing the common room entrance swing open. Quickly the large, bulky figure of Professor Slughorn appears revealing his velvet-covered body. His gooseberry-colored eyes gleam in the candlelight as do his golden buttons on his waistcoat while stroking his still gleaming walrus mustache.
Closely following behind him is the figure, Professor Eponine Mortimer. Her stiff, straight hair is cut short to her shoulders. She was shallow-skinned, nearly flat-chested, but with a surprising angelic face. There was little doubt in anyone's mind that she was related to her cousin, Terry Greengrass.
Most of the Slytherin fifth years and up hadn't really interacted with the new Potions Professor, who solely taught the younger years. However, from ears dropping on the conversations of the younger years the though Professor Mortimer was strict, she had a rather mischievous side much like her younger cousin, Terry Greengrass. If a potion's class properly behaved itself, she'd throw in an enjoyable potion for them to learn in the next class period such as a bubble potion. Surprisingly, this type of incentive was more than anything else taming the Gryffindor's and other rambunctious children into properly behaving themselves during potions.
That and they all recalled the proposition incident. Despite not having been involved, they all knew that the 3rd years' went straight after that. Professor Mortimer was no pushover, unlike Professor Slughorn which spoke volumes about her.
Clearing his throat loudly, Professor Slughorn's second chin wobbles from the force. He clamps his stubby fingers around his velvet jacket as he begins to speak. ”Good evening, children,” Slughorn said. ”I'm sure that you've all met, Professor Mortimer. She is an excellent potioneer in her own right, who is teaching potions to the younger years.”
The older years all nod their heads at her with respect including Terry pointedly flashing his cousin a smirk. Professor Mortimer must have noticed because she smirked right back at him. The two cousins sported matching grins, before composing themselves.