Chapter 26

They didn't follow me, but we had to go to class. Luckily, it was Potions. I tried to ignore the Pride, but they, mainly Potter, were trying to get my attention. When he couldn't, he got up to go get something, and he bumped into my cauldron. He didn't say anything, just smirked and dropped something in. I didn't see what it was, but it caused it to explode. It didn't cause very much harm, but my potion was ruined and so was my cauldron. Snape came over. I got a rag and got down on the floor to clean it up. Snape glared down at me. "Detention, Henderson. I will be seeing you here at 8 tonight. Do not be late." Then he went around, taking points from Gryffindor. I cleaned the rest of it up and threw it away. Then class was over.

History of Magic was boring. Hermione was taking notes, Ron was sleeping, and Harry was throwing spitballs at me. It was disgusting. Neville was trying to pay attention, but was failing. I was also trying to pay attention, but I couldn't with spitballs hitting the back of my neck every minute. By the end of the class, I was covered. It was gross. We didn't have anything after that, so I ran as fast as I could to the Slytherin Common Room. They didn't come after me, which was good. I cleaned up and waited for supper. I was sitting in my chair, doing my homework while I waited. I then remembered that the Pride was going to be there too, and then they would be after me. So I decided to skip supper. I was reading my book from McGonagall when I remembered that I had detention. I looked at my watch. 8:13. Shoot! I was late.

I ran to the classroom. I slipped in. Snape saw me. "You're late. You will be scrubbing the cauldrons. All of them. No magic. Get started." I didn't say anything, just nodded and got to work.

It was hard, scrubbing them all, but I managed. We didn't talk, just worked on our own tasks. He was working on a potion for later, and it was actually calming, listening to it bubbling and the little splash as another ingredient was put in. That, with the rhythmic sound of cleaning the cauldrons almost put me to sleep. I was very grateful, and also very tired, when I was done. I slipped out, not wanting to disturb him, and went to bed in my little corner. I fell asleep right away.

I regretted it in the morning, as I was stiff, but that meant that I was weak and that I should do sleep there more often. I skipped breakfast and went right to Charms. The battle between Granger and I, to see who could get it the fastest and best, was long since abandoned. If I beat her at anything, the others would be sure to find me later. So I always waited until she had done it before I tried. I usually could get it done on my second try.

After Charms, we had Transfiguration. I tried my best in that class, but I always made sure not to beat Hermione. Then we had lunch. I had to go, because after skipping supper and breakfast, I had to eat. I tried to get out of there quick, but the Pride got up and followed me. I tried to stay away from the Pride, but they found me.

"Hey, Weed." Potter sneered.

"What do you want, Potter?" I spat back.

He laughed. "Somebody has gotten a little bold, haven't they? Perhaps we need to teach her a lesson. Incarcerous!" Thick ropes bound me so tight that I couldn't move. "Immobulas!" Now I was bound with ropes and frozen. He just laughed, and then they ran off as if they heard something. They must not have, as nobody came. I tried to call for help, but nobody came.

Until I heard a ruckus coming down the hallway. The only one that it could be was Peeves. And it was.

"What have we here? Wittwe Weedy has got trouble." I interrupted him. "Help me, please. Please, Peeves. I won't tell on you for the rest of the year." I bargained.

He laughed and sped off. The freezing charm wore off, so I started struggling in the ropes, and finally got out. I looked at my watch. I was late for DADA. And I couldn't just skip it again, or I would have detention. So I hurried to class. I was very late, but blamed the stairs, and he seemed to believe me. 

"We will be working on our one-on-one dueling. As Ms. Henderson was late, she will help demonstrate. I will also need a volunteer. Ah, Harry Potter. Good idea." Quirrell stammered. I got up and walked to the front of the classroom and faced Potter. He can't kill me here, not with everyone else here. "Anything goes, but no killing." Quirrell said. Potter and I both nodded. We didn't say anything to each other, just glared. "Go."

Potter went first. "Expelliarmus!" My wand flew out of my hand. He approached me. "Yield." He demanded. "No." I growled back, then punched him in the jaw. Hard. He went down like a sack of potatoes. I picked my wand back up, then went back to my seat, ignoring Weasley and Longbottom who were glaring at me. 

Quirrell didn't say anything, just continued on with his lesson, then paired us up. I got Granger.  didn't say anything, just nodded my head politely at her. She returned it. We began our duel.