Drop in the Ocean

After the satisfying meal at the Opening Feast and the friendly banter in the Girl’s Dormitory at the Ravenclaw tower, they were back to the Great Hall during breakfast Joyce shrieked at the sight of the schedule.

“WHAT!!! Our first period on our first day, is DOUBLE POTIONS with GRYFFINDOR!!! Are you sure it’s Tuesday today?” Joyce exclaimed.

“Yeah. Tell me about it. I really don’t care whom we’re with but Snape to begin a term with?? That would be like… hell roasting with You-Know-Who.” Celeni said in reply.

“Well, at least you’ll have some positive light because you’ll see that… that Oliver Wood.”

“Whatever Joycee. I still think that you’re holding too much of a grudge.”

“Drop it Cel, look, here’s Ethan, Sean and Penny. Let’s walk together to our first class.”

So they all went to Snape’s cold dungeon. The similarly cold teacher had a snide smile as the unloaded their cauldrons with the ingredients they might use.

“Good morning class. Today is the day you begin your sixth year. Your sixth year with me. And you know that the art of Potions is a hard art to learn. Your advanced levels will require you to work in pairs.”

With that, Celeni lets out a tiny squeal of joy.

“However, if you think that this would make your tasks easier, don’t flatter yourselves. I will assign your partners and NO housemates will be paired together.”

Silent mourns and sad sighs filled the room.

“Percy Weasley. Here, with Penelope Clearwater.”

Penelope stood up beaming and winked at Celeni and Joyce.

“She’s sure lucky.” Joyce whispered to Celeni. “You would probably want to be with Oliver Wood.”

Celeni sat still in silence as Snape continued announcing the names.

“Jenny Biggerstaff and Joyce Cadogan.”

“Ooh… I hope she’s nice. I’m sure that she’s way better than Wood.” Joyce said.

“I think you’ll like her. She has half-half heritage too. Like you.” Celeni reassuringly replied.

“Cool.” Joyce said and listened anxiously as the name of the first member of the next pair was announced.

“Oliver Wood and… Ethan Bloom.”

“Too bad Cel. OK, I’ll go to Jenny now.”

Eventually, Celeni was paired with Michelle Oz and they started taking notes from Snape’s long lecture. It’s a good thing that Michelle was a good person to work with.