Extraordinary (Sign it Series; BOOK 2)

Chapter 46

Maddy, Fred, and George hadn't gotten into as much trouble as Maddy had expected, just having to manually clean the dishes during lunch for the next week. Professor McGonagall sent Fred and George on their way, but kept Maddy back for a minute, gesturing for her to sit in a vacant chair.

"Madeline," she began, and Maddy's heart twisted at the full use of her name, "I know you have an immunity, but you need to be more cautious."

Why? She didn't see the need to be cautious. If immunity truly meant she was safe, then clearly she was meant to push buttons. 

"Because security makes even the smartest people dumb, do you understand me?"

Maddy nodded, despite not actually understanding, and scurried away quickly when Professor McGonagall dismissed her, running as fast as she could to History of Magic.

As she ran, she felt her pocket heat up, and she stopped, reaching into it and pulling out her DA coin, which had 1.4.1996 18:00 engraved in it. Maddy nodded to herself, re-pocketing it, and bolted off again to class, hoping that Simon or Allie had her rucksack filled with books when she arrived.

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At a quarter to six, Maddy had to form an elaborate lie to slip away from Allie and Polly, with whom she had been studying for their Herbology test the next day. Simon had been at the Hospital Wing, as March waned and April arrived, the number of people had increased so much he spent every waking hour rushing around the Hospital Wing like Madam Pomfrey's little apprentice.

I'm going to meet Simon in the Hospital Wing, said Maddy before she shut her book and grabbed her wand off the table.

"We'll come too," Allie stated, starting to back up her things.

Maddy's eyes widened, and she shook her head vigorously. No, I'll be alright. The Hospital Wing is so full, I doubt Madam Pomfrey wants all the extra people.

Polly frowned, "If you say so."

I do, I do say so. Maddy awkwardly stood up and made her way to the portrait hole, climbing onto it as gracefully as she could with her heart beating out of her chest. Bye. She ran off before they could question her once more.

■□~□■

Harry had been teaching the older kids Patronuses, and Maddy felt a tug of jealousy in her chest that she couldn't do it. If she could cast a boggart properly before she even started Hogwarts, she couldn't see why she couldn't cast a patronus, but alas, the one time she tried as she, Simon, and Dennis Creevey awaited their own spell to practice, nothing happened and she nearly tossed her wand in rage. Harry had let her explain the charm once, like she had two years before, but it was clear she wouldn't be able to fully cast the charm for a while without rigorous training.

Harry made his way to the four younger students, and gestured for them to follow, leading them to a large closet in the corner of the room. When they saw it, Maddy's eyes widened in delight, her rage at not being old enough or adept enough in magic to cast a Patronus. Simon, on the other hand, groaned, clearly not as excited as his best friend at the prospect of meeting a boggart again.

"You three will be working with this boggart closet," said Harry. "Think of something extremely funny, anything that can make you laugh out loud even when you're sad. Then, point your wand at the boggart and say, Riddikulus."