During breakfast the next morning in the Great Hall, Zita allowed us to take more time to chat and prepare since it was our first day back. It was ideal for me because it allowed me to talk with my friends about my courses.

"Geeze, we're barely in any classes with you, Rollie," Edna said.

All four of us had our papers out on the table, comparing them like a Venn-diagram.

"We're all in Herbology with Professor Longbottom," Daphne pointed out. "But it's with the Ravenclaws, blech. Hopefully, Agatha is in there to entertain us. I know you're not excited, Rollie, but at least you and I will have History of Magic together."

"Sorry, Daphne, there's more to it than just a lack of excitement. Unless I can find another professor teaching that course, I can't do it. I have to talk to Professor Sprout or Zita because I just can't."

My three friends stared at me with sympathy and nodded.

"We understand, Rollie," Bran said. "But his class really wasn't that bad if you're worried about-"

Edna hushed her brother and scowled. "Understand where Rollie is coming from, Bran." She shook her head.

"It's okay, don't worry about me. I'll be fine, and I'll figure something out," I said.

"The rest of your schedule is a mix between brutal and easy," Daphne observed. "Astronomy, hard, Arithmancy is... probably one of the hardest electives possible. Why on earth did you pick it?"

I shrugged. "I thought it sounded cool."

"What about it sounded cool?" Daphne asked.

"The word arithmancy."

"You didn't bother to ask someone what the subject was all about?"

"I thought it might be about werewolves or something."

"I think the word you were looking for may have been lycanthropy?" Edna guessed.

"Aw shit," I sighed.

The ghostly friar came floating from the center of the table, singing, "Laaanguaaaaaage, Mr. Magpiiiiiieeeee."

"So what did I sign up for?" I asked.

"I don't think you'll like it. It's a focus on numerology and predicting the future using numbers. A lot of mathematics is involved," Edna explained.

"Aw great,” I sighed. "Well, Daphne, I'm sorry. Have fun in History of Magic if you can. I mean that sincerely. I'm going to try and get my schedule flipped around. See you all later." I trudged up to the front table where all the professors had finished their breakfasts.

"Rollie! Good ter see yeh!" Hagrid beamed. "How was your Christmas?"

"Hey Hagrid, it was good." I smiled, his enthusiasm was infectious. "How was yours?"

"It was terrific! Glad yeh enjoyed yourself. By the way, yeh should come by the hut soon. I finally got the photo I took o' yeh, an' tha' golden snidget developed. I should receive it by an owl sometime soon. Perhaps this week!"

"I'd love to drop by," I smiled. "Could I ask you a small favor?"

"Anything!"

"Do you mind getting professor Sprout's attention for me? I have to have an important conversation with her, but it looks like she's wrapped up in the middle of something with Professor Longbottom, and I'd hate to interrupt."

"Sprout!" Hagrid boomed, and she stared up at him and came over to us.

"Yes Hagrid?" she asked.

"Rollie here wants ter talk ter yeh."

"Everything all right, Rollie?" She stared at me with concern.

"Uh, can we chat in private? Now? It's urgent," I said.

"Sure thing. Is it all right if we go to my office?"

"Absolutely."

The two of us walked through the flagstone corridors until we reached her room, which had wooden floors and wide windows. Every surface was covered with a succulent. None were identical. Some of them were multi-colored flowers, and others were plants that curled like a piece of art. Before I took a seat, I checked to see if the door was open.

"Sorry, Rollie, I don't mean to rush you, we can take our time talking, but I must remind you that classes will start in about an hour. With that said, what can I help you with?"

"Professor Sprout, did Zita tell you what happened with Professor Hawthorne and I back at Huntshrow?"

She took a deep breath, frowned, and nodded.

"Well, I'm sure it was just an oversight, but I'm enrolled in his History of Magic, and I don't feel comfortable being in the same room as him."

"Has Zita assured you that Professor Hawthorne has been on his best behavior and had an excellent rapport last semester with the students?"

"Yes, but, please, I'm really sorry, I just can't do it. I don't understand why this happened. If it wasn't a mistake, it just feels like a cruel joke." My eyes were brimming with tears.

"It's okay, Rollie. I understand. It wasn't a mistake because every fifth-year student must take History of Magic. It's a required course, and Professor Hawthorne is the only one teaching this semester. How were your grades in history back at Huntshrow?"

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"They were some of my better marks, actually."

"I just worry about your O.W.L. exams this year." Professor Sprout gazed at the snow-covered Hogwarts field, deep in thought. "It's good we're having this meeting, albeit it's a little early yet, but it might be better for us to discuss now... Rollie, what would you like to do with your wizarding career?"

“Like, for my future?"

She nodded.

"Uh well, honestly, I hope to go pro with Quidditch."

She grinned and exhaled. "Even if you are talented on the Quidditch field, which I agree, you are, it's never a guarantee. Those chances are slim. But with the help of academics, we could foster another area of interest for you that could lead to a prosperous career. Now, are there any subjects that excite you?"

"Um... Not too many. Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid was cool, I learned about so many new animals. Hagrid has a lot of knowledge of that stuff, and we even get to interact with the creatures."

"Ah... Perhaps it might be good to switch you over to another semester of Care of Magical Creatures?”

"Oh uh, definitely, I would actually really enjoy that."

"But you can't necessarily do the same curriculum as last semester. We'll have to work out a special independent study with Hagrid or something of that nature."

"I'd be willing to do that."

"What I'll do is talk to Zita about this to confirm right now, and perhaps we can get it situated today and not draw much attention to it."

"Oh, and uh, I actually have another request. I accidentally signed up for Arithmancy, is there any way I could swap out of that too?"

"Rollie..." Professor Sprout stared. "I can't redo your whole schedule. Have you ever taken an Arithmancy course?"

"No. But I thought I was signing up for something like Lycanthropy."

"I see. Well, just remember that electives help expose students to new disciplines. Perhaps you might find that you have a talent and passion for Arithmancy."

"I fantasize about playing Quidditch or flying on hippogriffs. I don't daydream about doing equations." I chuckled, but Sprout wasn't amused.

"Be that as it may, I can only get you out of History of Magic. You might find that you enjoy Arithmancy, though. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to talk with Zita to get her confirmation."

"Sounds good. I'll be in the Hufflepuff common room."

I hung out in the dormitory with the other students as they all got ready to go to class. I pretended I was running late and stayed back as all of them filed out. The place was empty by the time the first class started. I waited at a table until Professor Sprout came in.

"Good news, Rollie. Zita accepted the request, and she wanted me to tell you that she's sorry you were put in that situation in the first place," Professor Sprout said, standing by the entrance.

"It's okay, just glad everything is all worked out. I was worried there for a moment," I said.

"Understand. I was also able to pull aside Professor Hawthorne too."

"Oh? What for?" My heart plummeted into my stomach.

"Well, I just wanted to let him know that you transferred out, so he won't call your name for attendance or seek you out for a detention when you don't show up."

"Ah, yes, of course, thank you for doing that."

"Enjoy your first day back, Rollie. Oh! There's one last thing. It’s something Zita wanted to me to tell you."

"What's that?"

"She wants you to find an apprenticeship this summer involving magical creatures. So you'll still have to organize an independent study with Hagrid while also searching for any opportunities. Any questions?"

"Uh no. Thank you again very much for everything you've done."

"I wish you good luck for the semester." Professor Sprout walked out of the common room, and I rushed back up to my bed and took a nap. A weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

All of my classes had an easy introductory day. I was excited to go to Arithmancy, hoping for another easy "first day back" lesson. It was shared with the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs on the seventh floor of the castle. Professor Vector eyed every student that came in and arched her brow when she saw me. I assume it was my mohawk that surprised her. I thought it was strange how no one in the class talked upon arrival. In all of the others, the respective houses chatted amongst themselves before the professor started the lecture. The atmosphere of her classroom almost felt like a funeral. I sat next to Clark, who was the only other Hufflepuff I was remotely close with.

"'ey, don't get too comfortable," Clark whispered. "You've never had Vector before, but she's a lot like Shacklebolt. She'll shuffle us all around so we sit next to a Gryffindor."

"Damn," I whispered back. "I know it already, I'm going to despise this class."

"Why did you pick it?"

"Long story."

"Silence, everyone," Vector said, even though it was only Clark and I whispering. "I have your seating charts ready." She pointed to the center table in the front row. "Rollie Magpie. Sitting next to you will be Magdalene Berry." She continued with the seating chart until everyone was settled.

I hated sitting in the front row.

"Hello." Magdalene smiled at me. "How are you, Rollie?"

Maybe it won't be so bad.

"Good, how was your break?" My lips curved up. Then I remembered her boyfriend was Oliver, and I spun around in my seat, but he was nowhere to be found.

Just as Magdalene was about to answer, Professor Vector cleared her throat and said, "I know a lot of professors on the first day like to go over the syllabus and an overview of what they'll be teaching for the semester, but I think that will waste too much time since we have a lot to learn. The fifth-year at Hogwarts is arguably one of the most important years, and I must prepare you for the O.W.L. examinations the best I can. And don't get your hopes up. There will be homework assigned at the end of today's lesson, and every lesson for that matter."

The hour lasted forever. Professor Vector stood a few feet away from a blackboard with her wand pointed at it, drawing equations with countless numbers and letters, explaining things that were mostly foreign to me. Panic built in my chest.

I had to pass this course. That was going to be the baseline goal for the semester. Finish this cursed course, no matter how poorly I do, just pass. You can do this, Rollie.

During an introduction to a concept, I understood it at first, but Professor Vector was speed-teaching as if she was in a race. I lagged behind. When class was over, it didn't register in my head. My brain short-circuited as I scrambled to take notes to keep up with her pace.

"Do the equations at the end of chapter one, section three. That will be your homework. Have a good day everyone." There was no smile or warmth to Professor Vector's delivery. The class shuffled out while Magdalene took a moment to pack up her belongings.

"See you later, Rollie." She waved and strolled out of the room.

I was the last to leave, as I slammed my notebook shut and chased after Magdalene. "Hey! I have to ask you something!"

"Yeah?" She turned around.

"Do you have any idea what's going on in Arithmancy? That stuff is way over my head, and I couldn't keep up. I'm wondering if it's just a me-thing, or if anyone else felt that way?"

"Oh, I already have a pretty good grasp on the subject, but it definitely is the hardest elective you can take at Hogwarts. Do you think you need some help?"

"I'd be willing to take any help I could get. Do you know anyone who would want to work on this homework with me or if there are any tutors?"

"I could help you." Magdalene shrugged. "They say the best way to learn a subject is to teach it, so it’d help me out too." she smiled.

"A-are you s-sure? I feel bad. I don't want to take up too much of your time."

"Nonsense, I'd be happy to. We just…” She frowned slightly. “We just can't study in front of Oliver, that would probably drive him crazy." She laughed.

I joined her with a fake laugh but I was disappointed. What kind of boyfriend gets jealous over two people studying? "Why couldn't we? We're just doing homework?" I said.

She lowered her chin and gazed at me with a smirk. "Rollie, c'mon. You know he doesn't like you."

"Yeah, but just because he's an insecure shi-- ...knucklehead doesn't mean you can't be friends with me, no offense."

"A knucklehead?" She cracked up. "I’m hardly offended." She smiled, and a laugh slipped out. "Why don't we meet up here this evening after dinner to do the homework?"

“Uh-uh, yeah, that'd be really cool," I said.