~35~ DANCING CLOWN

"Today we'll review what you've learned last year and whether you all improved or not. After all, you are my responsibility and pride. Let's form a line start casting all spells I taught you." When professor Flitwick entered the class the first thing he did was to check our spells.

One by one everybody cast magic they learned last year. Some were able to cast magic easily while a minority were unable to cast durable enough you'd have expected from a Ravenclaw. I guess it's caused by their magic core and it was also his aim while asking us to perform.

"Granger, Hermione!" finally it was my turn.

Firstly I unlocked the door of a cage next locked it once more. After levitating a ball of heavy metal, I cast a bright Lumos before extinguishing it. Lastly performing severing charm, mending charm, fire-making spell and knockback jinx I finished my magic show with a perfect dancing pineapple floating over us and dancing.

My fellow housemates clapped their hands and praised perfect control of my magic power. Professor Flitwick was beaming and smiling as he was jumping on his feet and wrote some notes next to my name on his list.

I returned next to my friends and the only one on the line was Padma. She waved her hands as Sue and Lisa were hugging me.

"You were amazing," said Sue and Lisa added "Yes, yes. It was better than last year. I can't believe your Lumos became so big and you didn't misspell or got nervous. I got distracted and did worse than what I'd do as I've been practising during summer."

"Don't worry about it. You did great. There was only several students who performed better yet." I replied and returned her hug.

"At least we weren't idling during holiday or else…" Sue didn't finish her words and Lisa could imagine what would happened and stopped and they glanced at me.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" After teasing the girls it was finally the turn of our last member.

I smiled her and mouthed "Good luck" when I realized her nervousness.

Although Padma struggled when she made her pineapple to dance, she perfected her other spells and returned once professor let her go.

"I swear I don't want to see pineapples even if they are served as a dinner. I don't get why I should make it dance as it got no hands or feet." She was frustrated over her failure.

"Hey, Padma. What are you mumbling to yourself? Or did you imagine a dancing pineapple and couldn't cast magic like before?" Even though I tried to console her I couldn't stop laughing and was holding myself for fear of her revenge and tried to stop but couldn't and she was sending deathly glares which was making me laugh more.

"Stop it already." Padma was fuming in anger and after laughing for a few minutes I could control myself and stopped.

"Sorry Padma but as you know I can't control myself when I recall how you tried to dance a pineapple last year." We even called it 'dancing clown' because of its abrupt performance.

Everybody improved their spells and we could observe our possible rivals and partners who would earn house points and the best student of the year. Of course, I was the one who earned the most last year as a first-year. So my friends decided to earn more points and become the first in the group of second year. There was no prize except for fame and reputation but for eleven and twelve-year-old students, it was better than Galleons as it was a matter of honours.

"Listen to me, please!" We heard the voice of our professor who finished testing our improvements.

"As it's nearing to the end of the class we won't talk about a new spell but some minor mistakes you had while casting spells. So listen carefully." He was standing on top of his books as he was looking at the class.

"First of all, don't forget that your magic is still developing so you should never stop practising as it's a way to control your power better. Secondly, magic is about imagining that's why you should imagine what you desire before waving your wands. Thirdly, try practising incantations because not every word is English and memorize required wand movement…" When the professor was giving advice I was thinking about Room of Requirement.

Voldemort isn't in the castle and after obtaining his diary, there won't be any more casualty or problems during the second year. I should use my time wisely.

Last year we had all class joined by other houses but this year we only have six class together with other houses. Today we have Charms only for Ravenclaws in the morning and double Potions class with Gryffindors afternoon. I have two and half an hour before the potion class if I include the lunch break. So I should visit the kitchen and prepare a lunch box for myself before heading the room and return when it's time to go to the class. That's the plan for now.

"Hermione, Hermione. The bell rang, let's go." Padma shook my shoulders.

"Sorry, I was thinking of something. What were you saying?"

"The class ended and most of them left. Let's go," she stated while revealing the empty class.

"Thanks, Padma. Let's go." We returned to our common room and exchanged our gifts. I bid my goodbyes before leaving and told them I had some research so I'll go ahead and they shouldn't wait for me as I was planning to visit the kitchen.

"I'll go ahead while you unwrap your gifts. See you later."