Chapter 149 - Selecting Courses

Not long after, March arrived, and with-it spring began to return. But best of all the Easter holidays were once more upon them as the final break until summer was upon them. The 5th years and 7th years threw themselves into resting and having some fun as this would be the last bit of fun they'd have until exams were over.

The second year's, on the other hand, are given something new to think about. The time had come to choose their subjects for the third year. Sitting together in the common room, Terry glanced at the row of subjects. "Well, all I know is that I'm taking the easiest courses, Divination, and Care of Magical Creatures. There's no way, I can handle any of the other subjects."

"Yes, well, I think we're supposed to give them a bit more thought," Rowan grumbled. "This could affect our entire future."

Severus sighed and said, "Well, I'll be taken Divination and Care of Magical Creatures."

Rowan paused and suspiciously glanced up from her sheet. "Lily's taken both isn't she?"

Severus flushes and sputters in vexation, "No! Only Care of Magical Creatures!"

"Fine," Rowan said, before finally deciding on her two subjects and checking the boxes.

Trying to peer over her shoulders, Terry asked, "So what'd you decide on in the end?"

"Arithmancy and Ancient Runes," Rowan replied as Terry winced at the subjects. However, she knew that both of these subjects would suit her the best. She was quite good at mathematics and arithmancy was, in essence, the study of numbers. While ancient runes would come in handy in translation, and for theoretical spells and magic.

Glancing over at the table next to them, Rowan asked, "Have the three of you decided yet?"

"Mm," Tiffany nodded. "Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy."

Everyone blinked rather startled at that as Tiffany puffed out her cheeks in protest. "I may not look it, but my best subject while under tutors was arithmetic's!"

"What about the two of you?" Rowan asked.

Silvia sighed, "I'll be taking Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies."

"Muggle Studies?" Everyone said in confusion.

"I think I'd like to go into the Ministry of Magic after I graduate," Silvia honestly said. "To do that I'll have to head off to London each day. But more importantly, I'll be around muggles more often. I have to know how to properly blend in."

"That was actually well thought out," Rowan said in approval. "What about you, Bethanie?"

"Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies as well," Bethanie promptly said to the bewilderment of all of them.

"Are you sure about the Muggle Studies?" Silvia quietly asked with some concern in her eyes.

"We live in a day in age, where we will have to encounter Muggles at some point," Bethanie frankly stated. "I'd for one would like to not be embarrassed in the future, and be properly informed. I know that muggles know longer carry pitchforks or torches. In their stead, I'd like to know exactly what."

Rowan and Severus are a bit startled, but those having solely grown up in pure-blood households nodded their heads in utter understanding. After all, they'd had to deal with pure blood superiority since birth. And were relatively little informed on the actual state of the muggle world. It wouldn't be a bad thing to become properly informed.

Quickly changing the subject, they all began to play wizarding chess against each other with the winner playing the other winner. To their shock, the final two winners were Terry and Bethanie. But most shocking was the final upset where Bethanie trumped a flabbergasted Terry and won the match.

A frozen Terry had to be dragged away to dinner by Severus, who finally exasperated dumped an entire glassful of cold water down his back. Wet and sputtering only then Terry finally awoke from his stupor, but still, his pride was rather bruised. On the other hand, Bethanie was beaming the entire evening having finally trumped Terry at wizarding chess.

After dinner, Severus dragged Rowan over to ask Lily, what classes she'd finally decided on. Lily was talking to Willa and Mary out in the corridor and waved them over. "What did you pick, Lily?" Severus urgently asked.

"Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures," Lily replied as both Rowan and Severus got strange expressions on their faces.

Seeing this Lily giggled and says, "I bet you're both wondering why I'm taking muggle studies, huh? Well I thought it might be interesting to see how the wizarding world views us. Plus, it should be an easy freebie class to take. What about both of you?"

"Divination and Care of Magical Creatures," Severus eagerly breathed out.

Rowan calmly added, "Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."

"Blimey, well, I'm impressed," Willa said as Mary nodded her head as Lily and Severus began to excitedly chat.

Glancing at the naturally curly chestnut-haired Willa Sands with cappuccino colored skin and hazel eyes, Rowan says, "How about you two?"

"Divination and Care of Magical Creatures," Willa proudly said, before her voice dropped to a whisper, "I'm only taking Divination because of Mary here."

"Willa!" Mary MacDonald protested. No longer the shy witch of before, Mary was much more outspoken with dark brown hair and golden-brown eyes.

"Don't listen to her!" Mary huffed as she turned towards Rowan. "She may not look it, but Willa's really bad with animals! You should have seen her over the summer! My pet gerbil actually tried to attack her, and he's never bitten anyone before!" Willa huffed and crossly folded her arms over her chest.

"Willa's going to need all the help she can get to pass that class!" Mary teased.

Trying not to laugh, Rowan says, "Well, I can see how that could be a problem in the long run."

Willa flushed in embarrassment as Mary flashed her a smirk. "But anyhow, I'm taking Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. I'm actually rather good with most creatures, I'll have you know."

"I'll bet," Rowan muttered as they quickly begin to chat and catch up.

The rest of the time flows by quickly until she glances over at the time. "Mm, we best be going now if it's getting late," Rowan said as Willa and Mary glanced over at the time as well and nodded in agreement.

"Time to go now, Severus say goodbye to Lily," Rowan loudly interjected as she firmly clamped a hand on Severus's arm.

"But, we not-." Severus isn't even able to finish his sentence as Rowan begins to drag him away. "Bye, Lily!" Severus called out as Lily giggling with the rest of the girls called out goodbye.

Flushing bright red, Severus futility struggled to be released to no avail. Finally, Rowan released him once they were safely in the dungeons. "You didn't have to do that, Rowan!" Severus snapped.

"Next time look at the time," Rowan grumbled back as she said the password, "Tempus."

Huffing Severus stormed away to the boy's dormitories as Rowan warily shook her head. "Problems?" Said, a male voice at the side of her.

Glancing to her right, Rowan sees Wilkes rising from his seat. "No, just Severus being my younger brother," Rowan replied as she moved past him towards the girl dorms.

"Are you angry with me?" Wilkes suddenly said.

Pausing to glance over her shoulder. Rowan says, "No. There isn't a reason for me to be."

Wilkes slowly nods his head, before smiling, "I suppose it's nothing then. Goodnight, Rowan."

"Goodnight, Wilkes," Rowan replied, before heading up to the girl's dorm. All the while wondering what all that was about. It certainly was strange or maybe it was just her. But Wilkes didn't at all seem like himself as of late.