I watch Carter breathing slowly, his chest rising and falling. The room is almost silent, but I can hear Miss Anne shuffling around in the background of my thoughts. It's been about 3 days since the accident, but he hasn't opened his eyes yet. Miss Anne says that he isn't in a comma, but might not wake up for a while.

I still cringe every time I see him. His face is mostly okay, except for a cut he got on his chin. The night in happened, his arms and legs were covered in so much blood, I almost fainted. I may be a Gryffindor, but seeing so much blood sendt me into short-term shock.

Miss Anne's potions, and healing spells have cleared him put pretty well, but it is still easy to tell that he was badly hurt.

I glance over at Marlee who is gripping my arm tightly. Her head rests on my shoulder, but her eyes are wide and alert, ready for Carter to wake up. I watch her for a while before moving, and she sits up, but doesn't let go of my arm.

She looks exhausted, so I ask, "are you ready to go?"

She shakes her head, "I think I'll stay here a while."

I nod, understanding that she doesn't want to leave Carter's side. She let's go of her grip on my arm when I get up, and it leaves a red mark. I laugh lightly, and she smiles too.

I wave goodbye to Marlee and Miss Anne and move quietly out the door. My footsteps echo in the empty halls, which is unfamiliar compared to class days. I sigh to myself, trying not to think about Carter. I still can't believe that someone should do something like that. He could have been killed. But what did they care, no one has confessed to doing it yet.

The common room is empty when I arrive. I hadn't realized that it was so late. I groan, thinking of all the work tomorrow, and double potions with Professor, and Headmaster, Schreave. I trudge up the stairs to the dormitory, hopefully not making to much noise. My eyes are already dropping by the time I make it the the 5th year dorm. I slowly push open the door. The other 4 girls are already sound asleep in their beds looking peaceful.

To tired to change, I get into my bed with my robes still on. I glance sadly at Marlees empty bed next to mine before shutting my eyes for good, and drifting off to sleep.

...

The next morning I wake up to find Marlees bed still vancant. My heart dips for her. Carter may be a really good friend of mine, but I can tell that Marlee has strong feelings for him and won't be leaving his side for a while.

Mary, Lucy, and Emmica, are chatting quitely on Lucy's bed, and Tuesday is still asleep. I go in to join their conservation, seeing as there is nothing better to do while waiting for breakfast.

"Hi America," Emmica greets me with a friendly smile.

I plop myself onto Lucy's bed, "hi girls."

"Any news on Carter?" Mary asks.

I shake my head, and they all give sad looks. ""I feel so bad for him," Lucy says.

"He doesn't look that bad any more," I say, "Miss Anne healed him pretty well."

"That's good," Emmica says.

I nod slightly, "so what were you talking about before I came over here?"

"Oh," Mary pulls out a copy of the Daily prophet, "news about the criminal Gregory Illéa."

My eyes widen, and I take the paper from Mary, "I heard about him..." I whisper.

"I read about him in the Quibbler in the way here," Lucy says. "Apparently he attended Ilvernmorny in the states, and was clearly obsessed with the dark arts."

I gasp, "I didn't read that far! What else did it say?"

She shrugs, "just that he has a shady history. He abused his daughter, and was thrown into Azkaban for following his son to London, and then murdering him and his wife."

Mary and Emmica both make an uncomfortable sound. My heart beats fast. The prophet covers what Lucy said, and recent sightings.

"It says he was seen in Hogsmede 2 days ago!" I shout nervously. Tuesday stirs in her bed.

"I know," Emmacia says, "isn't it horrible?"

Lucy is trembling a little bit. Mary gives her a hug, "it's alright Lucy," she says softly. Lucy nods, but still shakes.

Emmacia looks at her sadly, "you'll be okay."

"What's wrong?" A voice interrupts. A turn to look at Tuesday. Her hair is messed up, and her eyes have dark circles under them. "What's wrong?" She asks again.

I hold out the daily prophet for her to see. She takes it tiredly and scans through the article. She yawns, "I heard about him," she says creasing her eyebrows, "can't he like, do something funny with the force of magic?" She waves her arms around to demenstrate.

Emmacia laughs lightly, "that's what I heard."

...

After breakfast, I walk with the girls to potions. Marlee hasn't shown up yet, so I try to enjoy my time with my other friends. "Ugh," Tuesday says annoyed, "I hate potions."

Emmica agrees, "and we have doubles!"

"Oh, please don't remind me," Lucy says, "I can't stand 20 minuets with the Head and Potions master."

"It's kind of weird that he teaches potions and is the headmaster," Tuesday says, "it makes him scaier."

We all nod as we enter the potions room and take our seats. Emmica sits next to Tuesday in the very back row, and Mary, Lucy and I take our seats infront of them in the Thrid row. The chair to my right is empty when I glance over, expecting to see Marlee. I frown but turn back around to talk with Lucy and Mary.

Suddenly, the door slams shut in the back, making me jump. "Silence," a deep voice rigs out. All conversation stops. The Professor moves smoothly to the front of the classroom as if he truly was a snake. The light breeze from his motion makes me shiver. I scan the other Gryffindors around me. We all look bored, and uninterested. But the Slytherins on the other side of the room look eager to hear what he has to say. "You won't be needing your potions books today," The potions master says slowly.

There is a moment of movement and quite sound. I quickly slip my book into my bag. There is a sharp rap on the chalk board. He taps is knuckle 4 times on the board and says, "Polyjuice Potion. 2 hours to prepare, alone. Go."

I look at the board and rush to the ingredients cabinet before everyone else. I snatch the Knotgrass from the top shelf, and pull out 3 vials. Leeches, powdered bicorn horn, and boomslang skin. I quick walk back to my desk, and start to put each of my ingredients into my cauldron. After about an hour of stiring and adding, Professor Schreave calls our attention to the front.

"After you have completely finished the first four steps you my come grab your share of fluxweed on my desk. I picked it freshly last night on the full moon, do not lose it."

I rush to the front of the classroom and grab the green plant placed upon Professor Schreaves desk. When I turn around, I find my self face to face with Celeste Newsome. I glare at her, and she snarls at me, "get out of the way."

She spits in my face, and my eyes narrow. I move to the side, letting her pass. I go back to my desk, cursing Celeste and her ugly little face.

Then I add my fluxweed to the potion, which looks unpleasant, and makes me want to throw up. I look up at the board again and give a sigh of relief. "Done, are we?" The potions master breaths in my ear.

"Yes Professor," I say, "I just need my lacing flies, and a place to let us sit." He leans over my cauldron and peers at the liquid inside.

"Hip," He sprinkles a few lacing flies into the pot and then gestures to the side of the room when a long table is set up. "Bring your potion to the table spot where your name is, you may leave early."

"Thank you," I say, and pick up my cauldron and place it in a square that is labeled; America Singer.

When I get back to my desk, I pack up my things, wave a goodbye to my friends, and hurry out the door.

| Yay! Another chapter finished! I hope y'all weren't waiting too long! Who's ready to see some Asperica action?!

Oh, no one? Okay that's fine...MAXERICA FOREVER!!! I really don't want to write about Asperica, but I have to. Just hang on friends, Maxerica will be sooner than you know it! |