Of Tethered Shadows: Ancient and Unforgivable

Chapter 10: Charms Class

"Lucy! Welcome to Charms, I just felt as a fellow Hufflepuff that I should show you where you can sit, since you're new here."

Lucy nodded, finding herself too overwhelmed to speak when her eyes spotted the Slytherin boy sitting down at one of the desks in the front. His nose was in the book she saw him carrying out of the library. The blonde boy had his leg up on the bench next to him, his palm against his face while shaking his head. She wished to whoever Merlin was that she would not be seated by him.

"Natty! Can Lucy sit by you?" Poppy waved over Lucy where a girl in Gryffindor robes was the only person seated in the back row. Natty wore a school uniform with a red tie with golden stripes wrapped around it like the other Gryffindors. Her black tightly coiled curls remained neatly combed up to her ear.

Natty smiled, waving Lucy forward.

"I'll see you later, Lucy. If you have any questions, I'm just right over there next to Sebastian," she pointed over to the Slytherin boy.

"Sebastian," Lucy said, not loud, but apparently not quiet enough.

His gaze flicked across the room, sharp and searching for who said his name, until it landed on her. Poppy walked away towards the desk he was seated at. Lucy felt her heartbeat skip when his eyes stared back into hers. Recognition appeared quick as a spark on his face. His mouth curved in a kind of half-smirk. Other students waltzed into the classroom, passing by Lucy during this moment. Leander and Samantha walked in last, still complaining about how long the class might go on for.

Lucy tore her attention away from Sebastian, walking up the steps to the back row where Natty was seated.

Lucy slid into the desk next to Natty, "Thank you."

"I'm Natsai Onai, but you can call me Natty. So, you are the new student? Have you met Professor Ronen yet?"

Before Lucy could answer, a man cleared his throat. The whole class turned to the top of the stairs inside the classroom, a man in purple robes appeared, his hands on his hips.

"Ahem! Shall we begin?"

He chuckled suddenly, the ambience becoming light hearted, " Welcome to year six of Charms. Now, this will be a crucial year in your education on the art of Charm work. But, I am confident that we will take hold with the passion and rigor requisite of such a challenge!"

He skipped down the steps, smiling wide at the classroom. His purple robes were trimmed in gold tied together with a purple bow tie and a matching headwear piece that sat on top of his short white hair.

He scratched his white beard, "Right! Now everyone, please open your textbooks to page five one seven!"

The enthusiasm of Professor Ronen made Lucy feel at ease, maybe this class going on longer than scheduled wouldn't be so bad if he kept this type of energy up every time. Professor Ronen crossed the room towards his desk, his arms behind his back. The students scrambled for their textbooks, the sounds of rustling pages and bags replacing the chatter before.

"But! Before we begin, can anyone here tell me the difference between the incantations of the Color Change and Growth charms?" His finger searched across the room, a smile wide on his face still.

The room grew silent, blank faces stared back at Professor Ronen's grinning face. Lucy looked over to Natty for the answer, Natty shrugged. She pushed her book towards Lucy, signaling for her to try and look for the answer. Lucy opened the book, searching through the pages.

"Anyone? Anyone? Hmm?" His eyes landed on Lucy.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah! I am afraid it is too late to study now!" Professor Ronen called up to Lucy, her cheeks burning from embarrassment.