Chapter IV: Charms and Confusion

It was hard for Ren to find her way around the castle. There were so many stairs and so many corridors and so many random doors in random places. Ren didn't know if she could ever learn to not get lost. Over the next week, she got lost at least five times in obscure corridors, and twice ended up in an unused classroom when she was looking for the staircases. She didn't know why she got lost—everything just sort of blended together in her mind. It was as if there was always something else on her mind—like her body's sudden decision to start glowing.

Seriously. What was up with that?

Professor Xavier told her she wouldn't glow anymore, but that didn't stop Ren from constantly checking her hands, to make sure that they weren't any brighter than they had been five minutes ago. It hadn't happened since that one evening, but she was still scared.

She didn't tell anyone what had happened. Only Scorpius knew, which was half a relief and half a burden. She didn't want to have anyone get hurt in her magical issues again, but she certainly didn't want to go through it alone.

Luckily, Scorpius had turned out to be an okay person so far. He actually approached her in the Great Hall most mornings, wondering if they could walk to their classes together.

"Do you know how to get there yet?" he asked on the morning after they met.

Ren shook her head. "I keep getting lost."

"At least I have some prior knowledge of the castle. My parents both went here," he said in explanation.

Ren smiled. It was good that she had a real friend now, especially one who knew the way around.

*()*()*()*

Charms class had not gotten any better since her first class, which Ren was thoroughly disappointed in. She had hoped that maybe it was beginner's bad luck. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a streak of bad luck. She copied the notes the professor gave them, and read the textbook, but when it came time to perform a simple charm, she didn't think she could do it.

"We will finally cast the Levitation Charm soon," Professor Yendlera announced as the bell rang to signal the end of class. "Please, reread the chapter pertaining to this charm. I don't want any buffaloes on anyone's chest! Pay special attention to the proper incantation, and I think we might try to cast it next class if everyone is prepared."

The Ravenclaws were buzzing about it as they left. From what Ren could hear, several of her classmates had already attempted the charm successfully.

"Have you tried the charm yet?" Scorpius asked, appearing beside her as the group moved to Transfiguration.

Ren shook her head. "I don't know what's going to happen. What if I levitate the entire room? Or blow my feather to tiny bits? What if my wand shoots out of my hand and it smashes on the ceiling?"

Scorpius laughed. "I'm sure it won't be that bad."

"It will be, trust me," Ren assured him.

"How about Transfiguration? Are you any good at that?"

Ren shook her head vigorously. "No. Didn't I tell you? Professor Dibbet gave me a detention on our first day. I caught my matchstick on fire. He made me write lines, saying 'I must act like my age and control my magic.' "

Scorpius looked puzzled for a moment, then said quietly, "I'm guessing you caused the fire in Defense Against the Dark Arts on the first day then, too?"

Ren laughed harshly. "How'd you guess?"

*()*()*()*

Transfiguration did not go well, either. By this point, all of the class was able to transfigure the matchstick into a needle...except Ren. The class had moved on, but Professor Dibbet would not let Ren advance unless she knew both the basic theory behind the spell and was able to perform it. She knew the theory backwards and forwards, but whenever she tried to do the spell, the match caught on fire or sped away from her across the table.

Needless to say, Professor Dibbet was not very happy with Ren's current performance. As head of Ravenclaw house, he had told Ren during her detention (and several times after failed classes) that he expected better performances from her.

Ren was trying, but it was difficult to get better at something she had absolutely no control over.

"Get out a sheet of parchment, we're taking notes today," Professor Dibbet announced. The class groaned, including Scorpius. Ren was relieved, however. One more day of taking notes was one more day that they did not attempt magic.

"Do you think it's ironic that I'm afraid of doing magic at a magic school?" she asked Scorpius quietly after class, while they waited outside the door to the Defense classroom.

He was about to answer when Rose walked up to the pair, looking at Scorpius accusatorially.

"Who's this, Ren?" Rose demanded.

Ren had a feeling she already knew who Scorpius was. They did have all their classes together, after all. But she humored Rose and introduced them anyway.

"Oh, right. Rose, this is Scorpius. Scorpius, this is Rose. Meet, fellow...Ravenclaws..." she said lamely, gesturing her hands towards both of them. Ren inwardly cringed at her own awkwardness.

Rose was almost glaring at Scorpius. "Scorpius Malfoy?" she said. Scorpius nodded. "My dad told me I should stay away from you," she said haughtily.

"Oh? And why's that?" Scorpius replied cooly.

Rose opened her mouth to reply.

"Rose, leave him alone," Albus butted into the conversation, "Your dad doesn't know everything about people."

"What made you such an expert?" Rose turned on him. "How do you know he's not a..."

"Not a what?" Scorpius demanded angrily. But before Rose could continue, Professor Xavier appeared and let them all inside the room. Scorpius and Rose glared at each other, Scorpius silently daring Rose to finish her sentence.

Like usual, the students gathered in a circle around Professor Xavier in the center of the room. "Break up into pairs, again, class. We are continuing that simple jinx today, but today we will focus on our wandwork. I want you to cast it again, but make sure you move your wand correctly, and you will get a stronger spell. Your partner can judge your effectiveness. Begin."

Ren immediately moved to the sidelines. She had started to appreciate being the odd numbered person in this class. Professor Xavier's method of teaching called for his students to read the theory of the spells before class, then when they got into class, they would partner up and they would practice the spells. Professor Xavier made Ren read the chapters, but she didn't practice magic during class. Instead, she sat on the sidelines and wrote essays on the theory while her classmates practiced.

Writing essays was hard. Ren had only written short paragraphs before, when she was in elementary school back at home. Thankfully, Professor Xavier would help her with what she was trying to say, when he wasn't helping the other students.

After class that day, he asked her to stay behind.

"How are your classes going?" he asked.

Ren shrugged. "They're okay."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Ren grinned and shook her head. "It could be worse, I guess. But Professor Yendlera told us we would be starting the Levitation Charm next class, which I'm looking forward to. We're supposed to practice the wand movements before class tomorrow."

He sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. "I don't know if that's a good idea, Ren."

"...you mean I shouldn't practice it?"

"That might be for the best. I don't know what will happen if you try and cast it."

Ren left Defense Against the Dark Arts, making her way to the Great Hall for dinner, a sense of dread filled her. What did Professor Xavier think would happen?