Chapter 15: Mortifying Manners 

On Sunday afternoon the picnic between Lucy, Snape, Jessica and Shona went well...for Snape and Jessica. They were extremely happy but Lucy and Shona felt very awkward being there for once. So as soon as they could, they left Snape and Jessica to their own devices.

Lucy really didn't know what to say to either of them since they'd decided to get back together, even talking with Snape was starting to get a little awkward. So on Monday morning, Lucy got up, got dressed and immediately left Snape's quarters were Snape and Jessica were sitting. She didn't want to or need to talk to either of them and they didn't need to talk to her so she thought she might as well leave them in peace.

"Good morning, Lucy!" Dean sang as he joined her side. "I enjoyed Saturday night, did you?"

"As much as you did," Lucy replied. "What did you do yesterday then to entertain yourself?"

"I looked around for any threats to the gifted," Dean said proudly.

"Were there any?"

"None apart from the usual suspects."

"That's good, as long as there isn't anyone who's come to kill me I think we can say that we're safe from now on, yes?"

"I think that — " Dean began before an image suddenly shot across Lucy's mind of the hidden room. The hidden room in which Fred and George had showed her and the room in which she found Snape hiding the other day.

"Hi, guys," Shona said as she approached the two. She took one look at Lucy's blank expression before punching her in the arm.

"W-What?" Lucy asked in shock.

"You drifted off again, daydreamer. What have you seen this time?"

"The hidden room."

"The hidden room? Are you serious? Why'd you blank out just for that? That's just...nonsense!"

Lucy nodded in agreement. "You're right, it's absolute madness. But the thing is it feels like we need to go there. I don't know why we need to go there but it just seems appropriate."

"We can't miss breakfast for that!" Shona whined miserably.

"Yes we can," and with that Lucy began running towards the hidden room; she was on a mission.

When they arrived outside the hidden room, they stopped. Lucy and Shona both turned to Dean who looked worried about Lucy's sudden outburst. He looked between the two girls and waited for them to say something.

"Alright, Dean, we're about to go into this hidden room. But before we do we have to make you swear you won't take anything or you won't tell anyone about it," Shona said in a stern tone.

Dean put a hand over his heart. "I promise to never steal anything form this room and I won't tell a soul about its whereabouts."

"OK, he's good to go," Lucy agreed before the three of them ran up the stairs to the hidden room. Lucy didn't know what she was expecting to find but she hoped it was something good. It just felt like she was going to find something important up here...but she didn't know what.

"What are we looking for then? Or did your stupid dream not tell you?" Shona asked miserably thinking about the toast she could be scoffing right now if she wasn't here. 

"No, it didn't tell me which means we're going to have to search for whatever it is we need to find," Lucy replied, ignoring Shona's longing to get down to the great hall. 

"Does it relate to anything at all?" Dean asked as he peered behind the Mirror of Erised. 

"Not that I know of at the moment but I know — " Lucy thought for a moment. "That whatever the object is it's going to be on the left side of the room." 

"The left?" Shona almost shrieked in annoyance. "We could be here for days!" 

"The quicker you look, the faster you'll get down to the great hall for breakfast." 

"Deal." 

The three of them began searching through the shelves of the secret room, they didn't have the foggiest what they were looking for and even Lucy didn't know why she was searching through these shelves it felt like she just had to. It felt like if she didn't...she'd be missing out. It was almost like she had some form of OCD, pushing her to find whatever it was on the left side of the room. 

When Lucy had thrown a random book from the shelf, a stray piece of paper fell down with it. As if it was a reflex reaction, she grabbed the piece of paper and looked at it. This was it. 

"I-I've found it!" Lucy called over the noise of Shona and Dean chucking things from shelves. They stopped causing havoc and looked at her. 

"Great!" Shona grinned. "Can I go get breakfast now? I'm sure there's still — " 

"No, we have to read this," Lucy frowned and then looked down at the piece of paper, the text was as follows: 

Dear Lucy Eileen Snape

Finally, it is you who is destined to find it. This piece of paper is yours...do not lose it or damage it because your life could be a lot harder without this. Under no circumstances must you give this to a stranger, as soon as you read it you must put it somewhere safe where no one else will find it. Now please go on ahead and read this notice as it applies only to you. 

I understand that you are the one that is going to be defeating Lord Zuc, of course you cannot do this without help. Help will be given to anyone who deserves it and as you are facing a dangerous mission it is appropriate that I give you some help. I hope you find this useful...

— When you encounter Lord Zuc, ensure you have Merlin's sword (Excalibur) with you, it won't finish Zuc off but it will most definitely harm him. 

— You will also need your wand, obviously this is not part of Zuc's department but it's vital you use magic against him. 

— DO NOT GIVE UP. No matter how much you are injured you must fight Zuc, even if you've lost a limb. It doesn't matter; you have to keep going. 

— Lastly, you must make the BIG sacrifice. 

"Big sacrifice?" Shona read aloud. "What's that?" 

"Does that mean I have to do something like...smash the orb?" Lucy shrugged. "That sounds pretty big." 

"But you can't smash the orb, remember? You have to use the sword." 

"Yes, that's right I forgot. Maybe we do have to get rid of the orb in the end in order to kill Zuc?" 

"It seems legitamate so I'm agreeing with you — can I get breakfast now?" 

"Yes, Shona," Lucy rolled her eyes. "You can breakfast now." 

"Finally! Lets go!" 

The three of them made their way down to the great hall, Shona running ahead energetically while Lucy and Dean walked at normal pace. They were too mesmerized about the piece of paper they had found in the hidden room to strut along quickly. 

"It's just as well you had a vision about that, wasn't it?" Dean said as Lucy slowly tucked the piece of paper into the Half-Blood Princess' book. She felt it was safe there for the time being. 

"I think so, sometimes these visions can do more good than bad. It's just as well I didn't learn Occulmency properly, wasn't it?" 

"Occulmency?" 

And so Lucy explained to Dean all about the Occulmency her father had tried to teach her in her fifth year. Dean was on the edge all the time something about wizards was mentioned so he enjoyed Lucy's story very much. 

"Oh no," Dean whispered all of a sudden.  

Lucy frowned. "What is it?" 

"Here comes — " 

"Hey, Lucy," Matt smiled as he approached her. 

"Oh would you just leave me alone!" Lucy barked; she was fed up of the sight of Matt Jarvin. He had bothered her yesterday, the day before that and the day before that...he obviously wasn't going to give it a rest now. 

"What? I only came to talk to you!" Matt snapped back. 

"Your 'talking to me' consists of asking me out and bothering me! You can't even think of a good excuse as to why you love me!"

"I've thought of a good reason today," he smiled proudly. 

"And that is...?" 

"You have nice eyes..." he whispered smoothly, staring into her eyes. "And nice hair," he finished while touching her hair. 

"HEY!" Dean yelled and grabbed hold of his arm. "Get off of her!" 

"Calm down there, you never heard of love?" 

"I've heard of it but you don't love her!" 

Matt stopped for a moment, Dean thought he had won when Matt thought of the perfect comeback. "And you do?" 

"Of course!" Dean said boldly. "Of course I love her! I've always admired her!" 

"You've always admired her? You sound like some lovesick fan!" 

"Then what are you?" Lucy spat. 

Matt remained silent. 

"Well?" 

"I'm a proper admirer, I don't follow you around so much that I'm your number one fan."

"It appears that you are!" 

"I'm not there twenty-four seven like him!" 

"Dean is here to protect me! You're here to bother me and because you've been thrown out of two schools before as well!" Lucy began to walk off while Matt followed her and Dean. 

"Please just go out with me."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don’t want you."

"Yes you do."

"How do you know?!"

Matt continued to follow even when they were in the great hall; he was either very desperate or very in love. All four of them sat down in the great hall, Shona sober and solemn while Matt snuck a seat beside Lucy. He wasn’t meant to, of course, because he was a Slytherin. Lucy stared straight ahead and looked at the wall as Shona read the daily prophet.

"It's obvious you want me," Matt said in a silky voice and Lucy growled at him. Shona ignored them both. She sighed as the two argued loudly about Matt and, again, himself.

"You’re bothering me all the time! You’re too full of yourself!" Lucy hissed as Matt stood up.

"I am not!"

"SHUT UP!" Shona screamed and everyone fell silent in the great hall. Matt sat back down and Shona did too, while Dean just sat there awkwardly and munched on a piece of toast. He was peculiarly quiet. Shona slapped her paper to the side as the soft hum gained pace. She positioned herself like a news reporter about to tell bad news, with a very uncommon angry face.

"Right," she hissed, "Matt, you’re up your own backside all the time, you bully one’s weaker than you. All your friends are idiots and although you have an amazing body its not working."

Matt considered the harsh words before saying. "I’m that good looking?"

Lucy huffed and crossed her arms.

"I suggest you stay away," Shona warned.

"I haven’t done anything!" Matt recoiled. Shona stopped him despite his desperate attempt to regain himself.

"I know. Let Lucy decide what she wants to do without you following her! Then you can go on a trial date — "

"What?" Lucy gawped, Matt smiling and outstretching his arms in relaxation. Lucy didn’t look impressed. Matt looked at her in a confused way and Shona ordered him to follow her. Matt obeyed and took himself out in a cool way, leaving Dean and Lucy in peace.  Shona and Matt stood awkwardly in the entrance hall as Matt folded his arms.

"What do you want?" He asked and yawned. Shona ignored the sarcasm and spoke.

"I’m trying to help you here! You want a date with her or not?"

Matt frowned. "I thought you hated me."

"I’ve never hated anyone," Shona replied.

"What about Zuc?" He asked before a cruel smirk was plastered onto his face. "And your dad?"

"None of your business," Shona replied sharply as Matt raised his eyebrows. "I’ve never hated anyone."

"Right whatever," Matt muttered feeling he could argue with Shona. He then looked back into the great hall at Lucy but Shona smacked him on his head.

"Look, give her some space! Just calm it down and stop trying to impress her."

"You know — "

"It’s obvious," Shona stated and Matt looked a little taken back. He half grumbled something and yawned again

"So...um... how do I get her to like me?"

"You can’t make her like you."

"But you said — "

"Will you just listen!" Shona blurted out and Matt growled at her. "Just listen carefully."

"Right."

"Let Lucy do what she does and don’t bother her all the time. Sure talk to her, but not all the time. Just let her be.  But if you’re really up for a challenge...ask her on a date. If she wants you then go on a date, if she doesn't then that’s it. But trust me, she does like you."

"How do you know?"

"I'm her friend. Besides, the way she looks at you is a certain sign, she cant fool me."

 "Are you sure?"

"Yes but just go careful. You’ve probably upset her already. Ask her politely and she might accept."

"Why is she avoiding me? What if she doesn’t like me?" Matt blurted out.

"She’s just broken up with a long term boyfriend, she’s not going to be ready just yet," Shona stated something to Matt who for once had a worried look on his face.

"She’s had a boyfriend before?"

"Her dad didn’t lock her in his quarters all the time," Shona said and both chuckled but stopped after they realised they were getting along. "You don’t know about Fred Weasley?"

Matt shook his head. Shona told him everything and slowly Matt began to understand what she was going through. It was as though he finally understood why Lucy was so reluctant in talking to him...well, excluding the fact that he kept pestering her.

"So you’re not really helping chasing her around after that," Shona finished. Matt frowned again and looked a little puzzled.

"I didn’t know."

"I know. Are you going to change now?"

"I cant change, this is me. I’ll cut her some slack, but you can’t kill love," Matt stated as Shona headed back as Matt said his last sentence. "I thought she might want the taste of getting a boyfriend, I wouldn’t have done that if I’d know. I’ll stay back, McGuire, but don’t expect me to lay off her all the time."

"How did I know you were going to say that?" Shona muttered as Matt walked away to lesson. Shona turned back and saw Lucy looking out of the great hall worriedly; when she saw Shona she hid it away as if not looking at all. Shona sat beside her and Lucy pounced with questions.

"Is he going to — ?"

"He’ll leave you alone for now, I’ve tricked him into thinking you like him."

"What?!"

"Listen, this is a perfect opportunity to see whether you do like him or not," Shona explained and Lucy smiled.

"I get it," she said deviously and smirked. "It’s good to have a McGuire at hand, they’re the thinkers here."

"One who thinks quickest wins," Shona winked and laughed before getting her stuff and walking off, a glum face soon appearing as Ben walked in with Ellen. Shona walked quickly to avoid choking on the scene. Only Snape noticed this, who had just swept passed her to talk to Lucy, but thought nothing of it.

Sat next to Lucy was a glum faced Dean who now felt even more protective of Lucy. 

*      *      *

Matt took another deep breath. This was going to be fine. It was all going to be fine. All he had to do was approach her, it wasn't that hard was it? He was good looking, he knew how to ask her out but this time it just had to be a little bit more convincing. He just had to tell her sincerely, Shona had told him if he was nice he'd get a chance and he would take her advice. 

"Hey, Lucy," Matt said as he walked around the pillar just behind where Lucy was sitting on a bench in the Transfiguration courtyard. It was seven o'clock in the evening and he was ready to make his move. 

"Oh no, not you," Lucy cringed, slammed her book shut, stood up and began to walk away in the practically empty courtyard when Matt grabbed hold of her shoulder. 

"Wait, I want to ask you something." 

"That's what you always say to me! Oh why didn't I bring Dean with me?" 

"You don't need Dean, why don't you hear me out?" 

"Again, you say that every time." 

"I'm serious this time!" 

"Well then, you better hurry up because I'm a very busy girl." 

"OK..." Matt nodded before finally plucking up the courage. "Do you want to go on a date with me? Now?" 

"It's a little late isn't it?" Lucy murmured searching for excuses. "I mean it's seven o'clock! It's my curfew!" 

"Why are you still out here then?" 

Lucy stuttered. "I-I've only just realised what the time is! I got so lost in my book and didn't realise how late it was! Oh what will my father say?" She tried to sound dramatic and then leave but Matt wouldn't let her.

"Please?" 

Lucy turned around at his politeness, she was almost shocked that Matt Jarvin had manners...she didn't even think they registered in his dictionary. She placed her book back in her bag and thought for a moment. Shona did say that she had tricked Matt into thinking she liked him... 

"Well, as you asked so nicely — " 

"Great! Where do you want to go?" 

"Um..." Lucy thought for a moment. "Hogmseade is off bounds to us." 

"Not for me it isn't..." Matt laughed. "Where do you want to go then? Madam Puddifoot's teashop?" 

"Do you even know that place?" 

"Like I said, Hogsmeade isn't off bounds to me." 

Lucy was suddenly truly scared. "But it isn't well protected out there! And Zuc has access to the portal of England now!" 

"Hey," Matt said still not losing his bad boy persona despite his one word of politeness. "I'll kick his — " 

"It doesn't work like that." 

"Whatever," Matt ran a hand through his hair and Lucy frowned at him. "Shall we go?" 

"Whatever," Lucy said sarcastically, impersonating him as she ran a hand through her own hair. 

"Nice try, now lets go." 

Matt led the way out of school, right through one of the secret passageways so that they ended up in Honeydukes cellar. Matt jumped up first before pulling Lucy up quickly, Lucy was almost terrified about how strong he was. 

They made their way out of the cellar and into Hogsmeade where they walked to Madam Puddifoot's teashop. The last time Lucy had visited the teashop was with when she was dating Fred...she wasn't sure how she felt about this. 

Lucy then spoke up and she was surprised at how small her voice sounded. "Can we go to the three broomsticks?" 

"Why not here? It looks cool inside," Matt argued as he opened the door and the two walked in. They took a table and immediately got served as the place was empty. 

"What can I get you?" The woman asked. 

"Can I have tea, please?" Lucy muttered as it was the first thing that came to her head. 

"Coffee," Matt said and the woman went to get their orders. 

"Don't you use your manners here as well? Or do they not apply to the poor woman who has offered to get you a beverage?" 

"She asked and it's her job!" 

"I thought you were trying to make an impression here and not be the rude idiot that you are!" 

"Whatever," Matt finished as their drinks were placed on the table. 

"Are you going to answer me properly without being so rude?" 

"I told you, it's her job." 

"No, about being a rude idiot." 

"I am not a rude idiot...I'm just American." 

"No American is as rude as you, they are polite and well mannered unlike you. You are a disgrace to your state." 

"I am not!" 

"Sorry that was unfair, you are a disgrace to your country!" 

"So are you! You opened that stupid portal to England! Who the hell do you think you are insulting me when look what you've done! At least I didn't ruin my country!" 

Lucy looked at him tearfully. "I didn't d-do that!" 

"Yes you did! Look at you! Stop crying over something pathetic! You did that and you know it! No wonder the press hate you!" 

"I-I didn't do it!" Lucy protested, she couldn't help herself from crying. She gave up the fight and just sobbed in front of the school's idiot. She didn't want to give up but she just did...she wasn't strong enough for this. "I didn't..." 

Matt folded his arms and lent back in his chair, he turned away from Lucy and looked out the window. He had no idea what to do with emotional women, what was he supposed to do? Dry Lucy's tears for her? 

"I'm leaving," Lucy announced, she grabbed her bag and made a move. 

"Don't go!" Matt protested, he had managed to get Lucy on a date with him and he wasn't letting her go now. 

"I am going, I can't put up with you because you're a foul git who doesn't have any manners in the slightest! I can't believe I even accepted this — " 

"Stop," Matt held out his hand. He looked down and mumbled something. 

"Pardon?" Lucy asked. 

"I said I'm sorry," he sighed, rolling his eyes. "There, is that good enough for manners?" 

"If you meant it, maybe I'd forgive you. Making a girl cry is the height of bad manners. Especially over something she didn't do." 

Matt looked around for help before pulling out his wand, using the accio charm and a tissue appeared in his hand. He then slowly handed it to Lucy, she took it with thanks and dried her tears. 

"I'm not good at this, OK? I've never been out with a girl before. I don't even know what to do." 

"Maybe you could start off with being a little bit more polite? Use your please and thank you's a little more." 

"OK...try me." 

"Here — " Lucy passed him the salt shaker from the table and he took it. She raised an eyebrow but Matt didn't say anything. "What do you say?" 

"Thanks?" 

"Well, there's a start. OK, ask me for something." 

"Pass me the pepper," Matt clicked his fingers and pointed to the pepper that was nearer him than Lucy. 

"First of all, you do not click your fingers at someone!" Lucy snapped. "And where are your manners? Start that again." 

"Pass me the pepper...please." 

"Finally, we're getting somewhere. Perhaps now you know a few manners we could walk out of this place, walk back in and try again?" 

"If you want," Matt shrugged and Lucy glared at him. "If you so wish," Matt said and did not shrug his shoulders. The two of them walked out of the shop,  Matt pushed open the door and held it open for Lucy. She walked in. 

"Thank you," she granted, then Matt (feeling a little stupid) pulled out her chair for her as well. Again, Lucy remembered her manners in return. Matt sat down opposite her and took a sip from his coffee which was starting to get cold. 

"Now, how do you feel for actually using manners?" Lucy asked. 

Matt shrugged. "No different." 

"Will you stop shrugging! Honestly, were you born in a barn?" 

"Could say the same about you." 

"That is low, very low." 

"So you can throw a nasty comment at me but I can't throw one back?" 

"I'm trying to help you here and all you do is reject my help, throw up your barriers and act stubborn. You are not here for me tonight, I am here for you. You were the one who wanted to go on this date not the other way around." 

"McGuire said you liked me!" 

"You like me more than I — " (Lucy gulped.) "Like you!" 

"How do you know?" 

"You stalk me all of the time! I never go near you!" 

"Because you're not that type, besides you're a girl." 

Lucy stood up with lightning speed, grabbed her bag and left the teashop before Matt could protest. As she walked off, she could hear footsteps behind her as Matt was running after her. 

"LEAVE ME ALONE, MATTHEW!" Lucy yelled. 

"MY NAME IS MATT!" He called after her. 

"YOUR FULL NAME IS MATTHEW, STOP ARGUING WITH ME!" 

When Matt caught up, he grabbed hold of her and spun her around so they were face to face. You could see the anger in his eyes. "What is wrong with you!?" 

"What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you!" 

"Shut up!" Matt ordered. "You can't argue with me! Not even if you tried!" 

"Why ever not?!" 

"Because you're a female! Females are weak!" Matt snarled. This made Lucy shake with anger in the next minute she slapped him as hard as she could on his face, she swore she made him bleed. 

"IDIOT!" She screamed before strutting off through the castle gates, she ignored the security guards questions as she stormed up to the castle. She would have none of Matt's idiocy, especially if he mentioned anything with forcing women into the category of the weaker sex. 

Lucy was trying to save the Wizarding world and when she did she would prove Matt wrong, he would never call another woman weak again. If there was one thing she hated it was gender roles, you could be anyone you wanted to be. Men could go shopping if they wanted and women could go out and fight if that was their wish and neither a man or woman would be considered weak. Nobody should be considered weak. 

No matter what happened; Lucy felt sorry for Matt's future girlfriend.