[i]Oh, just wonderful[/i]. I said to myself, hearing his voice behind me. Couldn’t a girl just rest in peace for the evening? I slowly turned around, still keeping one foot in the door as if intending to bolt at any moment. Reluctantly, I also met his gaze since he’d had the decency to chase me down all the way back to the Common Room.

I listened to him attempt to explain himself, it was sort of adorable and dorky at the same time. He almost wasn’t coherent, and I could see that I’d shocked him in a way. Truth be told, he had done the same. I wasn’t used to having a partner in magic that matched me in my own year, I’d always just turned to older students, pestering them until they agreed with me. Generally it worked, since it was obvious I wasn’t going to give up. They had quickly learned that I was serious about it, with more than a few visits to the Hospital Wing courtesy of myself.

When he was finished, I turned around as if to go back into my dormitory. “Sounds like a personal problem, and studying with other people distracts me.” I walked inside, shutting the door right in his face. At least tomorrow I’d have the chance to escape the school. Thank goodness. I got myself ready for bed and fell into a restless slumber. Just like any other night.