Chapter 273 - Busy Monday (1/2)
The ceiling of the Great Hall was serenely blue and streaked with frail, wispy clouds, just like the squares of sky visible through the high mullioned windows, the next morning. Chris, Ginny and Colin made their way to Gryffindor table for breakfast.
”You are not talking to Jason,” said Ginny taking a bite of toast. It wasn't a question.
”I know,” Chris shrugged, sipping her orange juice.
”Do you guys not together anymore?” said Colin surprised.
Before Chris or Ginny could answer, Professor McGonagall came to their table to hand out the schedules.
”History of Magic, double Potions, Divination, and double Defense Against the Dark Arts,” Chris read her schedule. ”Wow, we really are O.W.L.s students, huh? This just got suddenly zero to a hundred.”
”Hello,” said Luna drifting towards them. ”Did you get your schedules, I was waiting for mine. Looks like we just have potions together this year.”
”Yeah,” said Colin nodding. ”But there will be too pressure, Ron was telling me.”
History of Magic was a interesting subject if not for the teacher. Professor Binns, their ghost teacher, had a wheezy, droning voice that was almost guaranteed to cause severe drowsiness within ten minutes, five in warm weather. He never varied the form of their lessons, but lectured them without pausing while they took notes, or rather, gazed sleepily into space. Chris and Colin had always found this class fascinating as they both knew nothing about the magical world before their eleventh birthday.
As the bell rang Chris, Colin and Ginny quickly caught up with Luna and hurried to their potions class.
As they filed into the potion classroom, Professor Slughorn's great walrus moustache curved above his beaming mouth, and he greeted Chris with enthusiasm.
”Now then, now then, now then,” said Slughorn. ”So you all will be attending your O.W.L.s this year. I advise all of you to put your hard work in it. Today, you will make the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Turn to page fourteen in your books and begin. I do not expect a perfect potion from anybody but I will be marking it from O.W.L.s standards. Now off you go!”
There was a scraping as everyone drew their cauldrons toward them and some loud clunks as people began adding weights to their scales.
”That's not fair,” said Colin to Chris. ”You have made that potion before.”
”And you helped,” reminded Chris.
”I think, all four of us is going to get a good grade,” said Ginny.
”Maybe,” said Luna dreamily. ”This potion gives good energy.”
Chris barely needed to look down at her book to read instructions, as Colin mentioned she had made the Draught of Peace twice before. Hermione's notes had etched into Chris' mind from that time.
After half an hour, Slughorn started to look around, peering through everyone's cauldron. He stopped as reached Chris, Ginny, Colin and Luna's table.
”No less than an 'E', miss,” Slughorn smiled at Luna. ”What's your name?”
”Luna Lovegood, sir,” smiled Luna.
”Now, you?” He looked at Colin's cauldron.
”Colin Creevy, Professor,” Colin replied.
”Exceeds Expectations!” said Slughorn then turned to Ginny's cauldron. ”And you too Miss Weasley, an 'E'.”
Ginny smiled a little then Slughorn reached Chris' cauldron and a look of incredulous delight spread over his face.
”Outstanding! As I said, a gift in Potion making,” he said loudly. ”Excellent, excellent.”
Happy at Slughorn's reaction Chris head to lunch. Though he was a little too much enthusiastic, it was a lot better than getting snide remarks from Snape even after achieving a perfect potion. As Chris drew nearer to the Great Hall a voice called her. Chris turned around and came face-to-face with Jason Fawley.
”Hi,” said Chris surprised.
”Hi,” said Jason.