Gillygate - 2. Decidedly Un-charmed

Leaving my pursuer and his would-be conquest behind me, I went down an outdoor corridor. Following it along beside a courtyard, past young witches and wizards, into the arched opening of the castle. I walked beneath the swinging pendulum and made my way to Professor Barberry's storeroom. As head of Hufflepuff house and a jolly friend, he'd given me a key to it. I retrieved the rusted item from my pocket and opened the door. Squeezed aside to avoid the giant Tentacula plant whose vines were wriggling in place. I returned my borrowed things next to a gyrating cactus in the cluttered shelves and left.

"Five subjects this year, but I have to do homework in my study breaks. Lunch is the only time I can practice Herbology…" I twisted the lock with my key and pocketed it. Wondered if I had time to get a pumpkin pastie or tart from the Great Hall before Charms class.

I turned away when I noticed a flying paper crane. It stopped before me and started flapping in place, waiting for me to take it. As I tentatively held out my hand it unfurled itself into a small piece of parchment.

"What…?"

Fαirest one, you bring α greαt stirring upon me. Knoω only thαt these pαst months my heαrt beαts for you αnd no one else. Until ωe meet.

The handwriting wasn't my boyfriend's, who I'd been dating for over two years now. I didn't think this came from that horny Gryffindor either, Rodney. I walked to the stone wall and pulled out my wand. There was no signature, just a squiggle in the corner of the page. A prank?

"Revelio." Nothing happened. I hesitated before pointing my wand again "Aparecium." Still nothing. I put my wand back in my deep pocket and headed for the common-room instead.

I turned right down the kitchen corridor, through a nook I came to a stack of barrels. Middle of the second row and two from the bottom, I used my wand to tap quickly twice and then another three times. The lid swung open and I crawled through the space and into the common-room. Cosy and low-ceilinged, with well upholstered seats of yellow and black. Burnished copper reflected the warm lamplight, many small potted plants were sitting on tables and wall-shelves. They swayed while one of the stalks across the room was singing in a gentle and feeble voice.

Some younger students were reading and sitting by the fireplace, but no one I knew well was in sight. I stepped over the circular rug, past the tapestries and stained-glass windows. Up the step and into the dormitory, behind a faded curtain and arched entry to my four-poster bed. Sitting and pressing the letter into the wall above my pillow.

I pulled out my wand "Epoximise."

The paper glued itself to my wall beside an assortment of other homely photos and clippings. I sat and pulled a face. I'd never been popular, is this really because I duelled someone at the end of last year and won? Most Slytherins seemed to glower at me in the walkways now but I stick to myself so it doesn't bother me. I was just getting up and throwing over my bag-strap when the tolling from the bell tower let me know it was time for Charms.

I hurried out and made my way there. Waiting for me outside the room was a boy with black hair and glasses. We had Charms with the Ravenclaws meaning I got to see my boyfriend, Quintin.

"Hey!" I went to hug him eagerly, leaning up for a kiss but missing. Getting the underside of his jaw instead.

"Hey, Philkin." He was awkward, had never been one for public displays of affection.

"Did you write me a note?"

"No. What'd it say?"

"Weird stuff. It must've been a prank."

"Hm. Let's go in." He freed himself from my touch. Wasn't meeting my eyes.

Is something wrong? I frowned and followed him into class.

The desks were organized in a horseshoe-shape while Professor Roland stood in the centre, his wand at the ready to teach as soon as everyone settled in. He was a tall and olive-skinned man, with a gentle and pleasing voice. Decked out in his usual sapphire and white garbs.

"Alright everyone, today we're going to be transforming vinegar into wine."

From beside me Quintin felt distant, as if bothered by something. On my other side Kiena set down her book and quill before taking a seat. She was a fellow Hufflepuff and my best friend. A short girl with wavy brown hair.

"I want to start nonverbal spells already!" she whispered to me.

I gave a wry smile in response before looking back to the teacher. My boyfriend was acting strange and I wanted to know why.

o0O0o

spellman's syllabry

Revelio - Reveals Enchantments.

Aparecium - Revealing Charm.

Epoximise - Sticking Charm.