Chapter 75: Silver Tongue (2)
The second half of November passed rather uneventfully for Catherine. She found herself torn between her academic commitments and her 'private projects,' which were increasingly consuming her time. Amidst this balancing act, the young witch managed to prepare the Bacchus Bliss Elixir on the following Saturday while also instructing Hagrid in the art of sponge cake baking. To her relief, the potion turned out exactly as expected, in stark contrast to the unfortunate creation resembling granite that the Keeper of the Keys produced.
However, Catherine's other pursuits didn't yield favourable outcomes. Despite her persistent attempts, her efforts in healing remained unsuccessful. Another session with Dumbledore offered little promise, leaving Catherine feeling increasingly frustrated. While the Headmaster remained unfazed, the Gryffindor's growing anger mirrored her disappointment in the face of her futile endeavours.
'Wasn't I supposed to have a terrifying amount of power due to the fucking demon?' – she mused, irritated, abandoning her attempts to heal her injured finger – a lingering reminder of last week's Potions mishap – 'I can't heal myself, I can't make the damn quill levitate… and on top of that, there's zero information about that witch Pyrrhia in the Library!'
Indeed, despite the many hours spent, scouring through the vast collection of tomes within the Hogwarts library, Catherine had yet to uncover any reference to Pyrrhia, and the mentioning of Fire Mages in general was scarce. While the Restricted section was always an option, and a very tempting one, the black-haired Gryffindor preferred not to resort to another clandestine midnight expedition unless absolutely necessary.
'It's nearly impossible to slip in undetected, anyway. Especially since Thorne is stuck to me like a Bowtruckle to a tree!' – thought the young witch, annoyed, and glanced at her wristwatch – 'I don't understand what's with these people lately! I don't have a single minute for myself! If it's not Thorne, it's Malfoy, or the Slytherin harpies, and if they are not around, Greg is!'
The third-year rose from her seat, meticulously packing her notes into her already brimming schoolbag alongside a hefty tome entitled 'A Guide to Concealment Charms' by Professor Percival Blackwood. She marched through the familiar corridors of Hogwarts, arriving at the Ancient Runes classroom with plenty of time to spare. Retrieving her dictionary and textbook from her bag, along with two rolls of parchment, a bottle of ink, and her cherished eagle quill, she settled into her desk.
After a swift review of her assignment—a peculiar translation of an ancient poem about the unlikely love between a wizard and a Siren—Catherine stifled a yawn. Half-heartedly, she extended her hand above her quill, a habitual gesture rather than one of genuine expectation.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" – she enchanted clearly. To her utter astonishment, the quill ascended roughly thirty centimetres above the desk, lingering in mid-air for a fleeting moment before gently descending to rest upon the wooden surface."
"I can't believe I finally did it!" – the young witch murmured, still trying to comprehend the magnitude of her success.
"You know, one of the first signs of madness is talking to yourself." – Snape's raspy voice snapped the black-haired girl out of her trance.
"I'm not talking to myself!" – she hissed, furious when she realised her face was flushing.
"Tell it to your stupid grin." – retorted the Slytherin boy, as he settled into the seat beside Catherine. She merely pursed her lips, lifted her head defiantly, and proceeded to ignore him for the remainder of the lesson.
Severus felt a pang of disappointment. Pausing at the door, he had noticed the Gryffindor witch already inside. Witnessing her wandless magic left him unsettled. Try as he might to convince himself that Catherine Plantier was merely an arrogant Mudblood with average abilities, her display of power shattered that illusion. While he could dismiss her Potions success as luck or Slughorn's assistance, the wandless spell, performed when she thought herself alone, defied explanation.
That's why he decided to disregard the clear ethical conundrum and instead, hope his unpleasant remarks would goad the girl into a duel. It was exactly what he needed, but, simultaneously, he didn't want to be the one to draw his wand first, being painfully aware that Lily would not look lightly at it. Regretfully, Catherine simply ignored him, engrossed in checking her homework. Frowning, Snape followed suit, stewing internally over his failure to provoke the Gryffindor.
'If it were Black or Potter, it would have been a done deal by now! What's wrong with her? I know she's not afraid, so what could it be?' – thought the black-eyed boy – 'Too bad! At least she usually duels fair and square, unlike her friends who can't face me unless they are in a group of three!'
Catherine spent the class blissfully unaware of Snape's thoughts; otherwise, she would have likely granted his wish immediately. The young witch was too elated to pay him any attention, and eagerly anticipated finding a quiet spot to practice the spell once more. As soon as Professor Oakenscript dismissed the students, she dashed through the door.
The girl was still practicing in the Gryffindor Common Room when Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter returned from dinner that evening. After the initial success, there were several fruitless attempts, but the last two times were successful again, and Catherine was over the moon with joy.
"I told you she was busy doing some kind of homework!" – said James, rolling his eyes behind his round glasses.
"Flame, why did you skip dinner?" – asked Sirius, irritated.
"Dinner?" – the young witch blinked, confused.
"Yes, dinner!" – the boy snapped – "You remember? That thing that happens at the end of the day, when we get food inside our stomachs, so we don't starve."
"Very funny!" – Catherine shook her head – "And I'm not doing homework. Look! Wingardium Leviosa!"
The boys stared at the quill, levitating above the low table, conveniently moved in front of the fireplace.
"You did it!" – exclaimed James with adoration – "Now teach me how to do it!"
"Hold your Thestrals!" – Sirius interrupted his friend – "I'm not saying this is not remarkable magic! It truly is! But you can't skip meals because you're engulfed in a spell or a potion, or Merlin knows what kind of crap! Next time, I'll drag you downstairs myself, whether you like it or not!"
Catherine's green eyes flashed dangerously, but she swallowed her sarcastic remark because the care on Sirius' face was so sincere, she felt completely helpless. Instead, she smiled at him and patted the space next to her on the carpet.
"I promise, I'll try to be more careful! Come take a seat! We have a lot to discuss, and I locked Nyx upstairs, so she won't be bothering you."
Sirius blushed, realising his friend had accurately interpreted his worried glances around the room. He cleared his throat and quickly sat down, determined to demonstrate that he wasn't afraid of some overgrown pussycat. James, Remus, and Peter, all made themselves comfortable, pulling out various books and assignments they were supposed to finish. However, in reality, Sirius unfolded the familiar parchment, and they all began quietly discussing some last missing details before proceeding with the necessary enchantments.
Catherine consulted Professor Blackwood's book before drawing her wand and tapping the parchment.
"Glyphis Revealo!" – she commanded, and the map's outlines shimmered with faint silver light – "Now, speak the password and touch the map with your wand."
Sirius complied immediately, grinning as he lightly tapped the parchment.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!"
Remus sighed audibly, though his exasperation was drowned out by James' laughter and Peter's giggle. Catherine decided to pretend she hadn't heard. She threw a quick glance at the book and back at the map which was no longer glowing and appeared just as it was before the spell. The young witch rose her wand again.
"Obscurio Secrete!" – she said, and the map began to glow once again.
Sirius didn't need to be told twice what to do. He tapped the map with his wand for a second time.
"Mischief Managed!"
The lines on the parchment vanished instantly, leaving it blank. Sirius smirked, glancing at his friends' focused expressions.
"Lady and gentlemen, we are officially in the map business! Now we need just a few more enchantments before casting the Homonculous Charm and have all our journeys around the castle secured!"
"Yeah, just a few! Most of which we haven't even figured out how to do yet!" – James teased his best friend.
"We will!" – Sirius answered confidently – "What's the Library for?!"
"I would say for finishing your Transfiguration homework and avoiding detention." – Remus chimed in mercilessly.
"Fuck!" – swore Sirius, jumping as if a whole swarm of Glumbumbles was chasing him – "I forgot detention with McGonagall!"
"When did he get detention with McGonagall?" – asked Catherine, confused, as she watched Sirius dart through the portrait hole.
"Yesterday!" – Remus replied, annoyed – "Honestly, am I the only one paying attention?"
"Yes, Moony!" – chuckled James and ruffled his friend's light brown hair – "You're such a good boy, I wouldn't be surprised if you become a prefect one day!"