Reactance | James Potter

"I'M GIVING YOU the remainder of the hour to begin your essays," Slughorn repeated to the class for the second time. He stood at the front of the room, just beside his desk. There was an anxious look to him as he glanced around at the students, most of whom weren't listening — already dissolved in their own private conversations. "This isn't a free block. I've allowed you to sit with your friends, yes, but too much chatter or distraction and you'll be right back with your partners.  .  .  ."

   Hardly anyone spared him a glance. He already seemed to be regretting his decision as he opened his mouth again to say something more, but then ultimately decided against it. Instead he shook his head soundlessly, walked around his desk and sat down.

   Olivia was pulling her things back out of her bag. She had stuffed them inside haphazardly, seconds after Slughorn's lecture had ended and he had announced the plans for the second half of the double lesson. She was in a rush to leave seeing as, already, Remus and Peter were turning their chairs around and engaging James in conversation.

   She was quick to grab what she needed and stand up, just managing to narrowly squeeze by Sirius as he came to take her place. Only he and Remus paid her any mind, smiling at her lightly in passing.

   Now she sat in the far back of the room, her chair tucked in beneath the front of Lily's regular table. Snape had beat her to Sirius' seat beside Lily. Olivia glanced at them — dissolved in discussion — as she rolled out her crumpled parchment.

   She tried to smooth out the wrinkles, cursing at the blot of blue ink near the bottom corner that she had spilled in her haste. There was more caked around the ink bottle's lid; It coated her fingers and stained her skin sticky.

"I'm feeling quite good about the Transfiguration practical!" Lily was saying with excitement. She tucked her long, straight hair behind her ear. She didn't seem to notice how Snape was admiring her, studying her every move through his heart-shaped eyes. Olivia, however, she noticed. "Professor McGonagall let me in on a little clue of what'll be on it."

   She lowered her head, glancing around suspiciously to see if anyone was listening in. Of course, no one was. The closest group to them was a trio of Hufflepuff boys, who were tables away and talking loudly over one another.

   She gestured for Olivia and Snape to lean in close. Only Snape obeyed. At once, he got as near to her as he could — until the end of his nose was mere inches from her cheek.

   Lily said, in a rather dramatic whisper, "Two words.  .  .  . Bird. Conjuring." Then she straightened up again, smiling joyfully. "Isn't that exciting? I've been practicing every night, of course. Oh, I hope I'll be ready."

"You are," said Snape reassuringly. He reached out his hand a few inches towards hers on the table, but refrained from actually touching her. Olivia watched silently, a disgusted sink to her lip. "You're a very talented witch. You underestimate your abilities, that's your only weakness."

   Lily gave him an adoring look. "Thank you, Sev. That's very kind of you to say."

   Olivia leant back in her chair, turning her chin so neither of them would see as she rolled her eyes. In doing so, she caught sight of the Marauders at her usual table. None of them, except for Remus, had so much as a piece of parchment out. And even Remus looked like he was having trouble concentrating.

   James talked animatedly. He waved his hands around, laying nearly half on top of the table. Peter, across from him, was leaning away to avoid getting clipped accidentally.

"D'you think he's told them?"

At the sound of Lily's voice, Olivia faced her again. Lily was glancing from Olivia to over at the Marauders. Snape went very quiet, eyeing the profile of Lily's face in apprehension.