Have a Biscuit

Well, if there was any benefit to being kicked out Transfiguration class, it was that by the time the other students came streaming out of the doorway two hours later, she had been able to complete her Charms homework ahead of time.

"McGonagall wants to see you in her office," said Daphne as she exited the classroom with Tracey. "Nice Water-Making Charm, by the way."

"Thanks," said Oleandra glumly, as she sidestepped around them and re-entered the classroom.

Oleandra strode across the room and knocked on the door to Professor McGonagall's office at the back of the classroom, and upon hearing, "enter," she did just that. The teacher was sitting at her desk, rifling through some parchments.

"Take a seat," said Professor McGonagall, gesturing to the empty chair across from her desk.

Oleandra did as she was asked and looked up at Professor McGonagall.

"Convince me," she simply said. "Why should I allow you back in my classroom?"

Something about the way Professor McGonagall had asked her to reflect on her actions, like she had done something wrong, irked Oleandra in a way that she just couldn't stand. Before today, she would never have even dared to imagine saying the words she was about to say…

…But she was fifteen and frustrated and tired, and honestly, she was feeling rather confrontational today.

"Even if you kick me out of your class, that won't stop me from taking my Transfiguration O.W.L.," said Oleandra defiantly. "Take me back or don't, I can learn just fine from the books myself."

Professor McGonagall scowled; that hadn't been the answer she'd wanted to hear. And yet, she couldn't deny that Oleandra's words rang true; if she managed to pass her Transfiguration O.W.L. with setting foot in class all year, it would be very embarrassing for her, as the Head of the Transfiguration Department.

Of course, if Oleandra did do such a thing, there would be no way that Professor McGonagall would take her into her N.E.W.T. level class after that, but one didn't technically need anything other than an O.W.L. certificate in order to obtain the right to sit one's N.E.W.T. exam!

"Detention it is, then?" said Professor McGonagall sharply. "Shall we say, this afternoon?"

"I can't," said Oleandra helplessly.

Professor McGonagall's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets upon hearing Oleandra's refusal.

"And why not, pray tell?" she finally managed to say.

"Because I've already got detention with Professor Umbridge," Oleandra explained. "Tonight."

For some reason, Professor McGonagall's furious expression subtly softened. She pulled out a tin from under a pile of parchments and removed its lid, revealing its contents to her.

"Have a biscuit," she said brusquely.

Oleandra eyed them suspiciously. Had she laced them with something?

"Well, go on," Professor McGonagall said impatiently. "They aren't poisoned, if that's what you were wondering. I'll thank you not to judge me by the standards of your Head of House."

Oleandra gingerly reached into the tin and took one.

…

It looked like a perfectly ordinary custard cream to her.

"Thanks…?" she said, taking a tentative bite out of her biscuit. "I suppose?"

"You're welcome," said Professor McGonagall, before leaning forward in her chair and steepling her fingers. "Now, would you kindly explain your ridiculous behaviour in class?"

Oleandra discreetly took a look at her pocket watch. She would be late for Care of Magical Creatures unless she left soon.

"I was trying out the Water-Making Spell for the first time," Oleandra explained quickly. "And I've got a new wand, so I misjudged my own strength."

Professor McGonagall looked slightly impressed; that was a Conjuration spell, which was N.E.W.T. level magic. In truth, she recognized that Oleandra's natural aptitude for Transfiguration was quite impressive, it being even higher than Hermione's, so she was reluctant to let such a talent go to waste— it's just that she didn't very much care for Oleandra's attitude.

However, she knew Oleandra had helped her student Harry confront Dolores Umbridge, so she supposed her heart had to be in the right place…

"I see," Professor McGonagall finally said. "Well, as long as you promise that no further accidents of a similar nature shall occur in the future, I shall accept you back into my class. After all, it wouldn't do if you hurt yourself practising Transfiguration on your own. Very well then, you may go."

"That's it?" said Oleandra in complete disbelief. "No detention?"

"I daresay detention with Dolores Umbridge ought to prove punishment enough," said Professor McGonagall drily. "Good day, Miss Greengrass."

Scarcely believing her good luck, Oleandra quickly left before Professor McGonagall changed her mind. To be fair, Oleandra's perception of the Transfiguration teacher was slightly skewed, since she had nearly always encountered McGonagall out of class when she'd been up to mischief— that is, when teachers were mostly likely to issue punishments to her.

In truth, Professor McGonagall was not at all comparable to Professor Snape in terms of malice; they were both strict teachers to be sure, but she was hard on her students because Transfiguration was a dangerous discipline of magic; one that was not to be dealt with frivolously.

And unlike Snape, she was fair, which is why she had let Oleandra go— the Water-Making incident had been an accident, after all.

================================================================

Oleandra quickly ran down the steps to Hagrid's cabin, where the Care of Magical Creatures class was usually held. Without her Lethifold, she couldn't fly up and down the stairs any more, but at least she could now get some cardio in her daily exercise.

She arrived just in time for the lesson to begin, so she quickly rejoined Daphne and Tracey. A quick look around her informed her that Professor Hagrid was no more present than he had been at the feast. If he wasn't in sight, then he probably wasn't present; Hagrid was a rather difficult man to miss, as he towered over even Professor Dumbledore.

She briefly wondered where he had gone.

Then, Oleandra looked curiously at Professor Grubbly-Plank, the old lady who had apparently held the post before Professor Hagrid. It was her first time seeing the woman; she rather looked like a thinner version of Professor Sprout, except there was a perpetual frown stuck to her brow.

"Looks like everyone's here," said Professor Grubbly-Plank gruffly upon seeing Oleandra arrive. "Let's crack on then. Who can tell me what these things are called?"

She pointed to what looked like bundles of sticks on the ground. Oleandra looked at Daphne for answers, but her sister shrugged; it seemed like she had no idea either. Were the Fantastic Beasts hidden in the pile of sticks, or were they the sticks themselves?

Hermione seemed to know, however. Her hand shot in the air, prompting Draco to imitate her in a mocking way: by adopting the nerd emoji face twenty years before its official release, which caused Pansy to shriek in laughter.