Chapter Three:
( daily dose of school )

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

SPENCER LOVED THE WEEKENDS better than anything. It was a day to sleep-in, no classes, and it usually ended up with them resting. She and Ricky calmly sat beside Luna who rambled on about Nargles (which Spencer did not know what they were) before she disappeared who knows where. Their routine for the weekends usually went like this: first, wake up and eat breakfast at the Great Hall and then spend an hour and thirty minutes in the library doing homework. If they did not finish, then they would continue it the next morning. Luckily, the two Ravenclaws were quick to help each other out and make sure they did their work. They had to write two essays. Obviously, they were not given in Friday (probably around Thursday) and Spencer had started on it, but she did not finish it. The girl could easily write essays just with using her imagination or facts, depending on what it was she was writing about. However, her mind needed to form everything together and the day she started had been an off day because of her detention with Umbridge. One of the essays was on the Inanimatus Conjurus spell for McGonagall and the next was for Professor Sinistra's essay on Jupiter's moons.

The two were fairly easy in her opinion. Especially for Astronomy since Jupiter's moons were just a representation of its wife— Roman Mythology. There was a time she had also been obsessed with astrology that she read many books about it. The phase was over (although she still loved the skies), but the Ravenclaw could still remember its facts and theories. Professor McGonagall's took some time to read about, but after that it seemed easy as well.

From them, Ricky was struggling to do the Astronomy one. He kept asking questions left and right, but Spencer wasn't bothered by them. She finished her essays just in time and stayed to help her friend in them. To get herself distracted, she took a look of the notes she had done for Potions. The one class that Spencer had the most trouble with had been Snape's. Almost everything the book had written was abruptly wrong (in creating the potion not the facts of what it does). She remembered reading it her first year— and while the facts about the potions were right, the way to do it was not perfected. Potions was the class she was paced in averagely like every other student since it was Professor Snape that actually knew the correct way of doing it. He should be the one writing the books.

"That bandage looks cleaner than usual... how's your scar?" Ricky looks up from his work to distract himself. He needed a break to think more clearly and he noticed the difference of cover. The boy was glad that his friend no longer had to return to the toad's detention.

Spencer hummed before remembering what happened the night before. Her eyes wandered down to her hand as she thought back to the Slytherin. He patched her up nicely that by the morning she did not feel the same pain like the other days. She wondered how he knew how to do it correctly before waving it off her mind.

"Oh, yeah. It's actually good— I don't feel pain in it," she confesses, giving her friend a genuine smile. She motioned for him to continue his work and let herself be enchanted by the book of hexes and defensive spells. The young girl only glanced up when she heard someone clear her throat to get her attention. Spencer rose an eyebrow as she eyed the Slytherin robes in front of her.

Theodore Nott, a pureblooded wizard in the house of snakes, stood in her view. His father was known as an ex-Deatheater and yet the young boy could be said as charming. He always wore a smirk on his face, but stayed behind in the shadows. Different than Zabini's. While the dark-skinned wore a brooding expression as he watched from behind the shadows, Nott lets himself be seen. Spencer was surprise to see him take a seat beside her as if they were friends. She narrowed her eyes and gave him a questioning look.

"Do you need something?"

Nott's usual smirk appeared on his face. His eyes twinkled delightfully at the question. He took out his schoolbag and placed it on the table. It took a while until he took out his Astronomy homework. "I'm glad you asked, little Montague," he replies coolly.

Spencer gives him an odd look. "That was rhetorical," she huffs out. All he did was raise an eyebrow at her statement. This Slytherin, despite letting himself on everyone, was pretty mysterious. He did not necessarily have friends which was surprising because even Zabini had Malfoy. And he was the definition of a blank face. But Nott? The Slytherin boy was the perfect amount of being humble and hidden. He distanced himself emotionally while being there physically. Spencer slightly pitied him for that reason.

"And don't I know it. Any who, you're brighter and less annoying than others so I was wondering if you can help me with my essay," Nott offers up, his eyes barely glancing at the boy in front of him before staring at Spencer's eyes. A pleading look appeared in his eyes which fairly made him look innocent. Man, he really is charming, isn't he? His explanations still did not make any sense whatsoever, however.

The Ravenclaw glares at him in suspicion. "What do you truly want, Nott?"

The Slytherin looked taken back by her question and then scoffs. If Spencer was not mistaken, it appears as if a hurt expression flashed in his eyes. Guilt began spurring upon her stomach and as she noticed the Slytherin about to stand up to leave, Spencer grabbed his wrist lightly. The young boy stopped from what he was doing and stared back at her. A frown was present in her face as she motioned for him to sit down once more. Hesitantly, Nott obeyed.

"I'm sorry. It's not exactly normal to have Slytherins come up to me," Spencer apologizes, pursing her lips tight. The Slytherin eyes at her before nodding shortly.

He stays silent before he cleared his throat to gain her attention. "Truthfully, I came here because I don't like your sister and I thought I would show her that by hanging out with you. She's already made a move on Malfoy and I desperately hope I'm not next if he rejects her," he explains quietly. He was sure to take out a quill and ink to continue the essay he first talked about.

Spencer thought over his statement and then snorted in amusement. She turned toward her best friend and noticed that he had rose an eyebrow in questioning. The girl shrugged unknowingly which caused him to playfully roll his eyes. Spencer did think more about the situation, however. She knew for a fact that the Slytherin's father was a Deatheater, even if hidden. And since one plus one equals two, it would make more sense if the young boy followed the usual ideal. Except she felt bad for being rude to him.

Fortunately, the young Slytherin realized that he had not greeted himself well and took out his hand for Ricky to hold. "You're Adams, right?" Ricky stared at his hand unsurely before accepting it and nodding in agreement.

The girl smiled to herself in appreciation. Well, at least he did not look at her best friend in disgust as she expected him to do considering Ricky was a muggleborn. Theodore Nott may not have any actual friends, but maybe this could be the start of a new friendship.

･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

MONDAY MORNING, THE NEWS about Professor Umbridge inspecting each class (who knows when) was already out in the open. Spencer groaned loudly the moment she received the news. Ricky comfortingly rubbed his hand on her arm knowing how much his friend disliked the woman. If possible, the pink-toad lady and Morgana were at the same level of hatred. She already had to suffer in DADA and now the woman would be appearing in any of their classes at any time. Thomas Hardy, an English poet and novelist, had written that 'to every bad, there is a worse' in one of his infamous books. Spencer figures that also applied in this situation. It was that same gut-feeling after Cedric's body laid in the ground in front of them. Professor Umbridge may not be in alliance with the Dark Lord, but she was evil in ways that cannot be explained and that scared Spencer slightly more.

The young girl stood up along with her friend as the two continued on their day with their classes. Fortunately, the first few classes they had did not involve the woman at all. They dealt with their class of History of Magic, which presumably many students loathed the class, but Spencer did not really mind it. Well, Professor Binns did have a very boring voice, but the topic itself somewhat interested her. She thought of it as a history class that muggles tend to have about their own world. Sometimes the two histories intertwined together like the Second World War. Not many wizards took part of it, but the ones who did were mentioned in the class. She only felt pure disgust when on her own time she read a muggle book about the war and how it affected millions of people. Spencer took note that muggles could be extreme in many ways even without magic. She thought of the class topic interesting, but then again Professor Binns usually fell asleep in his own class to. Spencer took it upon herself to read through the book herself.

Another class in where Professor Umbridge did not make an appearance in was Double Potions. As stated before, the class Spencer had a bit more struggle with was Potions. It technically was not that she struggled with it, but it was the one class she knew that in order to do well she had to pay clear attention to the professor. Professor Snape had a strict rule that he has to punish Harry and his friends in any way possible. Which is why he separated Ron from him and placed the Weasley next to Ricky. Knowing that she would not be able to sit next to her friend, she looked around the room until she found an empty seat.

"Is this seat taken?" Spencer questions to the familiar boy already placed down. With his usual smirk on his face, Nott stares up at her with an eyebrow raised. He motions for her to do as she pleases. The friendless Slytherin scoots over and turns his head toward her.

"Have I an admirer?" He teases quietly, his eyes revealing whole mischief to be unraveled. Spencer huffs in fake annoyance until she chuckles lightly. There was something about the Slytherin that interested her. Not romantically, but something in her wanted to become friends with him? This surprised her since she knew well enough that he was not friends with anyone.

Spencer gives a playful wink. "You've got me, Nott. I have fallen for your charming personality and handsome features," she plays along. A genuine smile is placed on her lips as she notices the flash of surprise pass through his eyes. He narrows his eyes suspiciously as if she were planning something, but after analyzing her, his looks softened.

Once class starts and Professor Snape begins talking about grades, Nott whispers, "Why did you sit next to me? Granger was wide open and I figured you two were friends." He swiftly writes down his own name into a parchment paper to make it look like he was being a scholar.

Spencer glances at the curly-haired girl before shrugging nonchalantly. "I thought I could gain a new friend," she bluntly answers back quietly.

The Slytherin's nose scrunched up at the thought. "I don't need or have friends. If you're looking for something more..."

Her eyes narrow cautiously toward the boy. Although his words were quite clear, she could not help but notice how his eyes revealed much more. This time they darkened at the thought of his words... as if she was telling lies. His eyebrows were furrowed together revealing his doubtfulness to all around him. He was utterly alone and invulnerable or at least he made himself be that way.

"Maybe not, but I'm willing to become someone you're more than acquainted with without it being more," Spencer decides to answer him with the same smile as before. Nott stares at her in slight confusion before choosing to focus on the class work instead. The Ravenclaw's smile falls from her face and she sighs in disappointment. Her eyes scanned the words written in the board, reading it carefully before she made sure to get the correct supplies. They were to do individual work in order for him to properly see what they miss (while being rude about it) and correct them. Fifth year was OWLs exams which many professors have already gone over, including Professor Snape. Spencer hoped she was in a safe place and would do exceptionally well. Mostly to please herself since she knew her parents could care less about the grades and her for the matter.

She could not help but let her eyes wander down to her right hand. Spencer no longer held the same bandage that Zabini had put on her in her last day of detention. She took it off Saturday night and did not bother putting another one similar to how he had done it. The young girl knew how and which spell to use, but what was the point of it? Something that really irked her in the magical world was that injuries can be healed, but if there is a scar left..? That scar will linger there for the rest of their life. They become permanent and although it fades away, it never disappears. Even after death comes to greet her, this scar will stay in her hand to never be forgotten. It sickens her that in some twisted way, Morgana will never leave her side.

"Good work, Miss Montague. At least you surpass one thing that your sister has not," Professor Snape sneers toward the Ravenclaw. He was complimenting and shading on her at the same time, but not wanting another detention for a whole week, Spencer nodded sharply. It did not stop from the Slytherin beside her to notice the way her left hand curled up tightly beside his paper. He scoffs at the comment the professor did and gives her a concerned look.

Knowing that the girl would not tell him about her feelings, he clears his throat and tells her, "I suppose you would want to sit in the Ravenclaw tables, correct?"

Just like that, Spencer's smile began reappearing. Once she knew the class were allowed to leave, she held out her hand for him to grab. Nott stares at it blankly before sighing and accepting the fate he just announced himself into. Right in front of their peers, a new friendship was to be formed. The Slytherin's hand met the Ravenclaw's and the two walked toward Spencer's best friend (who had a very confused expression). Ricky rose an eyebrow in surprise before waving it off and began his usual rambling toward the girl (and boy too).

"I don't like Professor Snape, but it would have been interesting to see him shut down Umbridge," Ricky tells them with a clear smirk. His eyes seem to zone out as he thought about it happening. Spencer snorted in amusement but did not disagree.

"Snape? No, man. Imagine how it's gonna be with Professor McGonagall. I have total undeniable respect for that woman," Nott mentions, his lips slightly twisting upwards although it was clear he was trying to hide it. While Ricky did not notice his expression, Spencer with the vivid eyesight she had did. And really, it excited her to see him trying to open up to someone than just himself. Of course, she barely trusted anyone other than Ricky, but she did have others she considered friends. If she has to open up to the young Nott in order for him to gain an actual friendship, then she may be willing to do it. May.

Ricky nodded in agreement. "You know, you're right. You're not so bad, Nott."

The Slytherin smirks at him. "I can say the same about you, Adams."

The young girl beside them rolls her eyes. It was common knowledge to her how most boys usually interact with one another. Especially in public. "Did you know that men have been conditioned to not only hide their feelings, but to then cover up how much they're covering up their feelings? I read it in the book Differences Between Genders that I had found one day. One in six men believe that people, usually females, don't want to see them show emotions. It's considered some sort of weakness—"

Ricky sighs warm-heartedly and claps the Slytherin (who held a confused expression on his face) on the back. "Since it appears that you will be joining us, you must know that Spencer has a mind greater than ours combined. She has this thing... I forgot what it was called," he tried explaining momentarily, shrugging his shoulder at the end. The confusion in Nott's face did not vanish at all and instead he turned to Spencer.

The young Montague chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, it's called an eidetic memory. Or at least based off the research that I did it's what it's called. My parents would not want to try and see if it's true since this is something muggles tend to have," she continues, her lips pursing shut.

An understanding look passed through his face. "So what does that do? Is it like a disease or...?"

Her eyes widen in shock. "Oh, no! It's just some rare ability. Not many have it and if they do it's not rememberable as mine. Anything I have read is immediately embedded into my mind. It sometimes works with auditory situations as well, but not like my vision," she informs, urging the Slytherin to sit beside Luna. The other Ravenclaw looked up dreamily and waves at the boy before returning to her book. The Slytherin blinks in surprise before sighing and sitting next to her.

"That's actually cool. Pretty useful, huh?" Nott questions with an impressed nod.

Her thoughts return back to the words she repeatedly wrote on parchment paper. Not that cool. Instead of disagreeing, all she did was smile and nod back. And the three students continued their conversation, adding another memory to the books.

Well, sometimes it could be good.

･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

SPENCER'S WORST NIGHTMARE CAME true once Ricky and her entered Divination. She could not help but think how lucky Theodore is the moment she entered the room and noticed Professor Umbridge standing in the corner. He would not have to suffer staying double with the woman watching over them since he chose the other elective. Her eyes narrowed hotly as she trudged her way next to Harry. The two of them shared a distasteful look. It was slightly ironic how they have become friends to their mutual suffering and hatred for the woman. The class fell absolutely quiet at the realization of the pink-toad being in the same room that was not DADA.

             Professor Trelawney took a look around the room at the same time that she passed out Dream Oracles. The pink-dressed woman widened her smile which showed her sharp teeth. Professor Umbridge gave a morning and questioned if she received any note about the reason of her being there. The professor for the class nodded curtly and looked very disgruntled, turning her back on the other as she continued with her own job. With the same sickened smile, Professor Umbridge grasped the back of the nearest armchair and pulled it in front of the class so that it was a few inches behind Professor Trelawney's seat. She then sat down, took her clipboard from her flowery bag, and looked up expectantly, waiting for the class to begin.

             Spencer glowered silently and forced herself to focus on the supposed prophet than at the toad sitting in front. She also held herself back from rolling her eyes once their teacher demanded them to get into pairs and interpret their own dreams. Her eyes only wandered once toward Umbridge before noticing she was taking notes and then quickly looked back at her own book.

"Alright, tell me your dream," Spencer tells Ricky, urging him to start talking. Professor Trelawney strolled around the room and took glances at each student. Her best friend went to argue, but as he notices the woman draw closer he accepts defeat.

He clears his throat and lets his ears become a slight pink color. "Well... there was this guy and I together. We were having a date by the Black Lake," he coughs out, avoiding eye contact with his friend.

The young girl hummed in return and began doing her own calculations with his response. Although she did not believe in the whole 'predicting futures' idea, she might as well do the best of her ability. Not too much where it would give her more work, but enough to get the basics over with. She considered his age and added that to the day when he dreamt it while also including the number of letters of 'Black Lake' into her calculations. After staring into the meaningless words, she stares up at him and nonchalantly says, "you have a case of being oddly infatuated with Harry Pott—"

             Right away, Ricky quickly raises his hand and covers her mouth before she could finish her sentence. Spencer snickered quietly before noticing that the two woman were about to walk by them. Just as quickly, she cleared her throat and looked at the book in interest, hoping to be vague as possible. "According to this book, you are awaiting a happy and... terror course in life soon."

             Professor Trelawney manages to hear her last sentence and smiles widely as she takes a look down at the book and nods in agreement. "Very well, Miss Montague!" Ricky sends her an impressed look before he opened his own book and made it look as if he was about to ask his friend about hers.

             The woman continued along and was pestered by Umbridge in dozens of questions. Spencer tried ignoring their conversation, but she could not help but feel pity for the tongue-stuck professor not knowing how to answer the Ministry worker. Sure, she did not necessarily like her, but she was much more tolerable than Professor Umbridge. Their attention only fully went to them when Professor Umbridge asked her to do a prediction. Professor Trelawney widened her eyes hugely, pale began taking over her skin appearance. It appears that even adults were tired of the toad in the room. She felt bad to see the woman trying her best to try and prove a point to Umbridge, but as usual, the pink-faced woman only smiled and wrote on her clipboard.

             Spencer turned to Ricky with a hot-headed expression. "I'm going to hurt her one day," the Ravenclaw huffs out in full annoyance. Her friend was not sure whether to call it a lie. Especially since next class would be the very same one where she ended up with a whole week of detention— in the first week of school nonetheless. They did not bother to hurry themselves up to head to their destination. Truthfully, they saw no point to in it.

             The two of the arrived into the classroom with a solemn expression before Ricky went to the place he previously sat and Spencer made her way beside the brooding Slytherin. She had not communicated with him since Friday night when he bandaged her up. Her steps almost stopped midway before she decided to suck up her pride and sit beside him once again. For the first few moments it was completely normal, until she felt the antagonizing stare. Before she could retort anything toward him, her words go unsaid as she looks up to the wicked smile. How was it possible that in a class about defense... Spencer felt the most afraid?

             Professor Umbridge was humming and smiling to herself. Spencer grudgingly took out her Defensive Magical Theory book and placed it in front of her. Once again, she ordered them to put away their wands which made them realize how boring this class would stick being. The woman continued explaining that throughout the class they would read chapter two of the book— which Spencer had read already. If they were to read a book the whole lesson then what is the point in even attending them? Professor Umbridge sat down in her chair and looked around the room carefully.

             The Ravenclaw opened the book and only let her eyes skim around the words before sighing and glancing up. She could see that Hermione had also read the book (the two of them always seemed to be competing unintentionally, the Gryffindor more than her). The Gryffindor girl had her hand raised up in the air once more. Spencer was not sure why she felt her breathing get heavier. She was fine, wasn't she? Her eyes followed the toad-woman as instead of ignoring her, Professor Umbridge stood up and went face-to-face with Hermione. She could see that the woman had whispered a few words to the girl quietly in order for everyone else to not hear them.

             "I've already read chapter two," Hermione answers the question that they were not able to hear.

             "Well then, proceed to chapter three."

             "I've read that too. I've read the whole book, and I'm sure Spencer has too," the Gryffindor continues, sending a quick glance at the Ravenclaw. Spencer blinked in surprise before nodding in affirmative the moment the professor stared harshly at her. Despite the utter fear she felt, there was no way that the woman will see her lose confidence in herself.

             Professor Umbridge hums loudly. "Well, then, you should be able to tell me what Splinkhard says about counterjinxes in chapter fifteen," the woman calls on Hermione, turning her stare away from the Ravenclaw. Thankfully. Just as always, Hermione perfectly answered the question without hesitation. Spencer was starting to believe that the girl also had the same ability as her. She wouldn't put it past her. That or just really good memory because of how much she studies. The moment Hermione told the woman that she disagreed, Professor Umbridge's eyebrow rose higher and her gaze instantly became colder.

             In a loud voice, Hermione confidently nods her head. "I do. Mister Splinkhard doesn't like jinxes, does he? But I think they can be very useful when they're used defensively," the girl states her own opinion.

             Professor Umbridge stands up and straightened herself. This time, her voice no longer was in a whispered tone as she uttered, "oh, you do, do you? Well, I'm afraid this is Mister Splinkhard's opinion and not yours, that matters within this classroom, Miss Granger."

             Spencer's eyes narrowed at the comment. Her hand was about to speed up before it was abruptly stopped by a cold-blooded touch fixing itself on top of hers. She turned toward the boy beside her who chose to ignore her looks and stared at the scene in front of him with a bored look. Knowing he was not going to say anything to her, she clenched her jaw and turned away. Her thoughts brought in about five total outcomes. One of them ended up with her not getting a detention, but the other four did. The moment she heard Professor Umbridge take Hermione five points away, she decided to face it altogether.

             Ignoring the fact that Zabini was still holding her left hand, Spencer rose her right one instead. Professor Umbridge returned with her same smile as if she was glad to see that she was finally tuning in. That and eyeing of the scarred hand that she rose. Perhaps it was that anticipation that made the woman motion for her to speak up. Spencer could hear the sigh of annoyance coming from her partner.

             "Hermione did nothing wrong, Professor. And you cannot back yourself up by claiming Mister Splinkhard's opinion as fact. What is the difference if Hermione gives hers... if he is doing the same? That seems very hypocritical in this sense. Grindlewald once held his own opinion as well, but his were clearly against the Ministry's and he held much powerful as well if you decide to head with the simple answer that Mister Splinkhard is more educated," Spencer contradicts with a blank expression. Her eyes were narrowed sharp along with the tilt of her head.

             "In that case, Miss Montague, how about one more detention?" Professor Umbridge sweetly questions back. Spencer's face hardened at the word before shutting her mouth tight. Before the two of them could continue their conversation, Harry decides to intervene. From then on, class finishes the same as last time. With an entertained classroom and two students with detention (although Harry's is a whole week).

             Before the Ravenclaw could leave the room, her wrist was caught by Zabini's hand. She stared right at his dark eyes and rose an eyebrow in questioning.

             "Are you an idiot? All you're causing yourself is worthless pain, Montague," Zabini scoffs. He glares hotly at her before leaving the room. Spencer furrows her eyebrows in confusion before choosing to ignore what just happen and trail alongside her friend.

             Ricky raises an eyebrow. "What did he say?" He refers to the Slytherin boy. A few seconds pass once Theodore manages to get beside Spencer as well.

             The young Montague shook her head. "Nothing important," she answers, smiling lightly to show the boys that she was alright. As an instinct, her eyes wander to her right hand where the scar is visible. She does not let them see the frown take over her face. Once she stared back at Ricky, she noticed the concerned look on his eyes since he knew what Umbridge did during detention. With a simple playful roll of her eyes, he returned it with a smile.

             Maybe Zabini was right if she twisted his words around. All she was doing was completely and utterly worthless.

･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

             SPENCER GREW USED TO the silence that overtook the entire room during detention. The only sounds audible was the extra blood dripping from her hand to the parchment paper. Her only hope of continuing to rewrite the same words was her reciting the book of Analyzing Behavior which was written by an adult called Daniel Gray. The book itself was actually interesting as it held theories and studies about what signs or events makes the mind transform which made her own mind focus on that instead of the plain words she has written about a thousand times.

             Spencer walked up toward the Professor after Harry had done so and shows her hand. Umbridge smiles sweetly and nodded in appreciation of her work. Disgusting. The young Ravenclaw could not help but ask, "Is that all?" Referring to the fact that today would be her last day.

             Professor Umbridge chuckles lightly. "Oh, no. Morgana has brought to my attention that you have a tendency to 'act out'. I do not tolerate this behavior and for that very reason, I require for you to come this whole week as well with Mister Potter," the woman tells her with a small tsk.

             The color of her face vanished completely. All Spencer could do was nod numbly. She knew that she would be facing consequences, that is why she actually spoke up since she figured that out. However, to have her sister be the one to manipulate the professor into hating her even more? That both sickened and angered her. She muttered a goodbye before exiting the room. Spencer felt the sudden urge to head to the Astronomy Tower. That Friday night she had felt the most calmest and she wanted that sense once more. But to her surprise, Harry was patiently waiting for her outside so instead of heading up, she followed the boy to their dorms.

             Tuesday morning, Theodore chose to sit with the Ravenclaws for breakfast. He was still very closed off, but not as before since he did try and make improvements in opening up. Of course, Spencer was not expecting him to suddenly share his life story since she was not exactly sharing of her past with him either. Instead of wrapping her hand in a bandage, she kept it uncovered. It would look more suspicious for her to wear one after not having one the day before. Fortunately, it was not like her hand was the main of attention. That spot landed toward the Gryffindor table when they heard the Quidditch team captain for that particular house shout right at Harry's face. Spencer slightly grimaced at the fate of the poor boy, knowing that her yells were not helping with the pain of his hand. It only received more attention when Professor McGonagall arrived to the scene of the crime.

             "Can't they just lay off him?" Ricky sighs to himself. Theodore, while eating a simple apple, raised an eyebrow at his question. He turned toward Spencer in curiosity, wondering why the Ravenclaw seemed far distraught than he should. Spencer snorts in amusement and with her hand made a visible heart show up.

             "A crush on Potter? I'm a little surprise. Not much, just a little that it's him," Theodore pats Ricky in the back. The Ravenclaw boy could not stop his blood from flowing up to his cheeks. The three of them walked to Transfiguration after Charms finished and while Ricky went beside Neville, Theodore grudgingly went beside Zabini, and Spencer next to Hermione.

             A groan escaped her lips the moment she noticed the familiar woman sitting in the corner of the room. Spencer actually likes Transfiguration, but Umbridge just had to ruin the mood. She turned back after having a paper thrown at her. Her first instinct was to stare at Ricky before she realized he sat on the other side and so when she turned her eyes simply rolled at her new Slytherin friend. Theodore mouthed a few words to her (he said that he was right) which caused her to nod her head in agreement. Once she turned she noticed the surprised look from Hermione.

             Noticing the questioning look, Hermione let out a small awkward laugh and shook her head. "I just didn't know you were friends with Nott," she answers. Spencer stared at her oddly before shrugging her shoulders uncaringly. Truthfully, it was no one's business who she befriended. But she also knew that Hermione had not said it in a bad way so she did not antagonize the girl.

             Professor McGonagall marched into the room without giving the slightest indication that she knew Professor Umbridge was there, but if Spencer knew one thing was that the woman did not bother to care. Immediately after the respected professor entered, the whole class silenced down. She began ordering people around (like Seamus Finnigan to pass out the graded homework and Lavender Brown to pass out mice). Professor Umbridge blinked in surprise before using her 'hem, jem' technique to try and gain the woman's attention like she had done to Dumbledore. Fortunately, Professor McGonagall (Spencer loves her entirely) ignored her. Seamus handed back the graded essay and Spencer could not help but be proud at the 'O' as her grade.

             "Right then, everyone, listen closely— Dean Thomas, if you do that to the mouse again I shall put you in detention— most of you have successfully vanished your snails and even those who were left with a certain amount of shell have the gist of the spell. Today we shall—" Professor McGonagall begins her new lesson with some appreciation. A strict frown appears in her face once Umbridge lets out a 'hem, hem' to make the attention go toward her once again. This time, McGonagall did not ignore her and firmly snapped her head toward the bright pink woman. 

             "Yes?" said Professor McGonagall, turning around, her eyebrows so close together they seemed to form one long, severe line.

             Spencer clasped her hands together and hid the slight smile on her face. She watched with bright eyes at how the elder woman held herself up. If there was one professor that the girl would have been forced to choose, no offense to Professor Flitwick, but Professor McGonagall would be her first choice.

             "I was just wondering whether you received my note telling you of the date and time of your inspect—"

             "Obviously I received it, or else I would have asked you what you are doing in my classroom," Professor McGonagll interrupts her back, turning her back firmly on Umbridge. Many of the students exchanged looks of glee and the two girls smoothly hid their grins. "As I was saying, today we shall be practicing the altogether more difficult vanishment of mice. Now, the Vanishing Spell—"

             Once again, Umbridge interrupts, "Hem, hem."

             "I wonder," said Professor McGonagall in a cold fury, turning on Professor Umbridge, "how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods of you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."

             Professor Umbridge looked as though she had just been slapped on the face. She did not speak, but straightened the parchment on her clipboard and began scribbling furiously. At this point, Spencer figured she was just doing lines as she made them do. Sometimes, memories do well in lasting forever. Spencer sincerely hoped she would never forget this moment. If she could, she would marry Professor McGonagall in a heartbeat. A woman after her own heart. Brilliant, gorgeous, what else can someone want?

             Their own Professor seemed unbothered and instead continued, "as I was saying, the Vanishing Spells becomes more difficult with complexity of the animal to be vanished. The snail, as an invertebrate, does not present much of a challenge; the mouse, as a mammal, offers a much greater one. Spencer, can you explain why?"

             The toad-faced woman positioned herself with the quill all ready to make some bad comment about the Ravenclaw (or so she assumes). However, Spencer smiles politely and answers, "That would be because a snail barely has any speed, however, the mouse can move at a higher velocity. A moving target requires focus and skill in order to be hit."

             Professor McGonagall nods in agreement. "Very well, Miss Montague. Five points to Ravenclaw."

             The class began practicing their spells with the mice once the professor finished talking. Although Spencer did not succeed in the first try, it did not take much time for her to be able to make the mice vanish. She nodded impressively to herself before looking up to see that Professor Umbridge had not moved from her seat and has been observing from the corner. It should do her good that she is afraid of the best professor. When Professor McGonagall finally told them all to pack away, Professor Umbridge rose with a grim expression on her face.

             Spencer did not waste any time on leaving the classroom. She spent the rest of her day not trying to upset Professor Umbridge any further. After making some calculations in her head, she figured she would still end up with the week worth of detention because of her lovely sister, but she should at least make it out to be as if she were trying. During Care of Magical Creatures, Harry made another point in getting another detention all because he stood up for Hagrid. In that point of time, the toad-looking woman turned her head at her as if she was expecting a comment, but fortunately, Spencer ignored the look and continued with her work. She could sense another pair of eyes looking at her which she only assumed was Zabini for some unusual reason. The girl ignored that one too.

             For the rest of the week up until Friday, Spencer managed to stay silent during class (which surprised a few of them since she only answered questions when called on). For every class that Professor Umbridge inspected, she ignored her as well. Every night she would go with Harry to detention, and they both came out with a painful hand although none of them actually showed how they felt toward Umbridge. When her classes in Friday finally ended, she spent a little time with her two friends and barely explained that in Monday Umbridge had continued wanting her presence there. She did not explain why— how could she when it was her sister who made it be that way— and instead turned the conversation around to something else.

             Her steps stopped right before they went entered the classroom and Harry turned to her in concern. His eyebrows were furrowed closely together and his eyes scanned her face as if searching for an answer. Honestly, he never understood why she had to be punished as well. All she would do is say the truth, or at least expose Umbridge in the way she speaks. Only factual claims or opinions would come out of her mouth which twisted the words Umbridge had been saying and turning it against her. It was quite brilliant, but ever since the first day of detention he has seen something change in her. Confidence? Doubt? He was not sure, but he knew she did not deserve it. Harry grabbed her hand comfortingly and squeezed it before letting go and making his way inside.

             Professor Umbridge was already there waiting for them. She did not utter a word to them and handed the blood quill. Already accustomed to the rules, the two of them grabbed it and sat in their respective chairs as they continued with writing lines.

             I must be like Morgana.

             How is it that she will not just see the words printed in her hand for the rest of her life, but she will also clearly see them in her mind? Would life just be easier if she listened to the words? Become like Morgana and live the life one truly desires? Spencer thinks back to her sister, how her eyes brighten in the mention of pain, how she has never seen an actual smile but only a smirk. Morgana has never found it in her heart to care for her. Not even as kids. Except she felt like everyone wanted her to be like Morgana— even Snape has shunned her to be more like her. Spencer gripped the blood quill tightly and continued writing more deeper, ignoring the stinging that started to occur because of her rash decision.

             I must be like Morgana.

             The words deepened in her hand as it tried to heal, but only a deeper scar was left. Her jaw clenched and she forced herself to not think about any other philosopher in her head and look at the words. She would not become like Morgana. No matter how many times she is being pushed toward the way, no matter how her sister continuously brings her down, Spencer did not want to be like her. That was the only thing she knew for sure. Maybe she can hate herself for it, but no one can convince her to be like Morgana. Can they?

             The wicked woman called them up and immediately dismissed Harry. Her cold eyes met Spencer's and the familiar smile appeared in her face. She looked at the bloodied hand and while she noticed it was far more damaged than Harry's, Spencer knew she could care less as her smile deepened in appreciation.

             "I'm very glad your sister informed me of your behavior. It appears that this has made an improvement. You may go now. Perhaps you finally have learned your lesson, but do be aware that Morgana will contact me if you are not behaving," Professor Umbridge comments, her frozen face looking at her intensely. Spencer thought she would feel relieved, but at the mention of her sister having to report to her did anything except relieve her. The only thing she did was nod emotionless and then exit the room.

             Harry was waiting for her with a small smile. Spencer tried to return it though she knew it looked more like a grimace. Her throat began to feel like if something was stuck and she cleared it to bring his attention to her. "I'm gonna go clear my head, alright?" Her voice was barely heard, but she hoped he understood. Harry frowned momentarily before sighing and leaving on his own.

             The Ravenclaw leaned on the wall to try and think, but she suddenly felt a million thoughts run through her mind. Everything around her felt completely loud and she grabbed her hair in desperation, wishing for silence. She forced herself to walk up to the Astronomy Tower as she had been wishing to do for the whole week. Once she arrived, she placed her fist (or at least she tried since her jaw was not big enough) in between her teeth to force herself to not cry. Her eyes closed and she took a couple of deep breaths before opening them once she knew it was safe for her. Nothing could explain the surprise she felt when the moment she opened her eyes, they fell right to the standing figure who had his back turned from her.

             A couple of supplies were beside him and she did not have to think much on who he was. She already knew. Her hands wiped her cheeks in case any tears fell out and she slowly walked toward him. The thoughts that ran through her mind fell absolutely silent and the only thing she now heard was the wind moving the trees swiftly. She was not sure if she was thankful that he had not said a word, or if she should be worried. Her eyes lingered in the constellations in slight awe before she felt his own eyes on her.

             "Your hand..." his voice was low and she could have sworn she heard a concerned tone as well. Spencer stares down at the blood and as she places her hand onto the rail, she hisses slightly. Zabini pushes himself off from where he stood and motioned for her to follow him. Spencer at this point did not bother to care and did as she was asked. The two of them only walked to where the supplies that she noticed were there. Confusion swept over her face as she stared down at the small bowl. The Slytherin grabbed the murtlap tentacles and placed it in the bowl, stirring it until it became a yellow liquid. Once it turned into the familiar color, he pushed it toward her and said, "Soak your hand in that. It should help."

             Zabini did not explain why it would help, but mostly because he knew that the girl would know why. Instead, he stayed silent as she gently placed her bleeding, aching hand into the bowl and experienced an even better feeling of relief than the week before. Her hand stayed inside for a couple of minutes before she rarely felt the pain anymore. For a moment, she forgot that she was with Zabini as she grabbed her own hand and let her finger slightly touch the words in her hand.

             "I thought you only had detention on Monday," Zabini's words bring her back from her own thoughts. Spencer blinked in confusion before having an idea about what he meant.

             A fake chuckle escapes her. "Yeah, well, Professor Umbridge took in Morgana's kind words of advice and forced me to continue going so I could learn a lesson or two," Spencer mutters out bitterly. She expected for him to get defensive about his ex-girlfriend so she was surprise when all he did was sit down beside her with a sigh.

             Comfortable silence lingered in the air. The Slytherin stared ahead wondering who knows what while the Ravenclaw tried to clear her mind completely. He cleared his throat and then asked, "Morgana is the reason why you're still suffering?"

             The question he asks makes Spencer stop everything. She took in what he said and a frown fell on her lips. Is Morgana the reason why her hand is bleeding? Or the reason why Spencer has this deep disliking not just to her but herself? Merlin... Spencer did not like herself. Morgana was somewhat a reason for the two questions, but she knew it was not just her that was the problem. Spencer caused this to herself as well. She antagonized the woman which started her detention, it was just Morgana that encouraged it to continue happening. Spencer has disliked Morgana for ages, but after realizing that she is stuck in a unlovable household... she figured it was because of her.

             It was, wasn't it? She was not the perfect daughter, not the perfect friend. She was just Spencer. A disappointment with good memory.

             Zabini scooted himself closer to the girl and hesitantly wrapped an arm around the girl. Although the smell of what seemed like vanilla and... (cinnamon?) began getting stronger, he ignored it. However, a strong scent of peppermint and rosemary began hitting Spencer's nose lightly and she could only assume it was some type of shampoo or oil he uses. Spencer stiffened at the random touch before realizing that it was not her hand dripping blood, but it was in fact her eyes that released tears. The Ravenclaw girl rubbed her eyes to stop herself from continuing her emotional destress. It was not fair for the boy to have to try and comfort her and most specifically, she did not like crying.

             "I'm sorry. You're probably annoyed on having to be here for your ex-girlfriend's sister. I mean— for all I know you probably still have feelings for her and I hate her for how she makes me feel so goddamn broken," Spencer confesses, getting upset from her seat and choosing to stare out at the stars. Her hand continued rubbing on her face, her nose sniffing to try and quiet itself out. She shut her mouth tight in order to stop releasing too much information. Not even Ricky had heard her cry about this stuff and in midnight where she was most vulnerable, she was telling her hardships to a Slytherin, nonetheless the brooding Slytherin.

             The Slytherin boy shrugs. "You kept to yourself for so long. Even the strongest people cannot hide their emotions forever. It is easier for you to vent on a random person than to your best friend because you think you'll just be a problem," he reasons out not unkindly. He swallowed deeply and mimicked what she did as he stares out into the stars.

             "I never liked Morgana. She always put on this innocent look on her face when in reality all she wants is probably to smash a kid's face into a desk," Zabini jokes a little, glancing every so often at the Ravenclaw. Although his face did not show it, he was glad to see that the girl lightly twisted her lip up a corner. "You're not broken. This is a way your sister is trying to get to you, Montague. Don't let her win."

             "But what if she already has?"

             His eyebrows furrowed together closely. He eyed her carelessly and shook his head. "No, she definitely has not. C'mon, Montague. We both know you're way smarter than majority of the students at Hogwarts and that includes your sister."

             Spencer blinked in surprise of his words and a small smile appeared in her face. To get rid of the entitled therapy she just received, she teases, "Am I unraveling the true boy behind his brooding mask?"

             Zabini scoffs and turns away. "If you speak of this to anyone, you'll find yourself in a harsh position, Montague," he warns. Spencer hummed pleasantly knowing that it was just an empty threat (actually she did not know but she hoped her gut-feeling was right).

             (Maybe Zabini was right. In order to rid herself of the negative emotions, she needs to win Morgana both emotionally and physically).

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
this took forever to write but also i
hurt myself writing this lmao. idk but
it also affected my mood and i was literally
so upset that day. reminder, this account
will forever be supportive of the black lives
matter movement.