Chapter 50: The Charms Competition
"Now then, dear students..."
I looked out over the classroom. Every child in it was watching me with a hungry, focused expression. They knew the end-of-year prize was being given out today, and they wanted it.
"As you know, the examinations were held a little earlier this year specifically so we could have this lesson. And you all know what's waiting for you here today. This is a competition for a prize, a genuinely valuable one, and since it's the end-of-year prize, I've decided to make things a little more interesting."
I looked over the students, who had all leaned forward, looking ready to spring at me if the prize appeared within reach.
"I have here a small pouch of Galleons. But no, don't imagine I'm simply going to hand out money. That would be far too dull."
My lips curved into a slightly mocking smile.
"This is simply to illustrate the value of what I'm prepared to give the winner today. To give you an idea..."
I tossed the pouch lightly in my hand.
"Three tickets to a British Quidditch League match. Not the Minister's box, but excellent seats regardless. Tickets to a wizarding music concert, a good act, for five people. A week in France. Or..."
I smiled.
"Two months of lessons with a private tutor. Not the finest, not the most celebrated, but a tutor who will walk you through the school curriculum in a way you can actually understand, chewing it up and handing it to you, as it were."
The students' eyes were shining.
"So, are you interested?"
"Yes!"
They answered in chorus.
"Excellent. Then let's have a small test. To begin, all of you will demonstrate the spells that were set for study in the second half of the year."
I began naming spells, and this time every one of them was performed with considerably greater quality than before. It was immediately obvious that the students had been practicing with the prize in mind. For both Flitwick and me, that was enormously gratifying.
"Excellent. Now let us try something slightly more demanding. As before, we will work through the supplementary reading..."
And the assessment continued. First spell. Second. Third.
After the fifth, students began dropping out in noticeable numbers, particularly those who hadn't managed to learn one spell or another.
"Yes, Miss Parkinson?"
I nodded to the girl who had raised her hand just before I called the next spell.
"Professor, if I have not learned the previous spell, may I still attempt the next one?"
"Of course."
I shrugged. "That is entirely your right. Though I will note, you appear to be the only one who thought to ask. The others either stopped trying once something didn't work, or were too shy to raise the question. In any case, Professor Flitwick and I impose no restrictions on which spells you choose to learn. Our concern is that you pass the annual examination, and this..."
I gestured at the competition.
"...This is purely a matter of whether you want the prize. Now, if there are no further questions..."
And I continued calling spell after spell.
"Right."
I looked out over the room.
"I believe we now have our main contenders for this half-year. Everyone else, please step back. Let us give Miss Abbott, Miss Parkinson, Miss Granger, Miss Daphne, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Nott the chance to show what they are made of."
The named students came forward, and I looked them over thoughtfully.
"You are all practically level. The gap between you is just two points, which may prove an advantage rather than a decisive lead. We have ten spells remaining, and as you can see, any one of you could win."
They nodded, tense.
After Pansy's question, a few students had re-entered the running. Nott was one of them. He had fallen behind by only a couple of points and still had a genuine chance. This was where the real contest would begin.
"Right... first spell..."
The assessment continued, and after ten spells a clear winner had emerged: Pansy Parkinson.
"Well... let us congratulate Miss Parkinson on her victory. What would you like as your prize?"
"The trip to France."
I gave an understanding nod and made a note in my small notebook.
"You will receive your prize tomorrow. But for now, congratulations."
"Thank you."
She smiled, slightly flushed, and dropped her gaze to the floor.
"Now let us all give a round of applause for Miss Parkinson..."
And every first-year applauded, causing the girl to turn quite pink.
With that, the lesson was over. I sent the first-years on their way, then had several more similar lessons to get through with the second and third years before I was finally able to rest.
"And what are you doing?"
Penny Clearwater came over and settled herself on the arm of the chair where I was sitting in the common room.
"Resting."
"Resting? That does not sound like you."
"Well, I have a very intensive summer ahead of me, so it does not hurt to rest a little now. Most students will have a perfectly pleasant time... some might do a bit of tutoring... but as for me..."
I shook my head. Despite the prospect of a grueling summer, though, I was not especially downcast about it.
There would be some genuinely enjoyable moments as well.
"Yes... you are studying under Professor Flitwick."
I heard a faint note of envy in Penny Clearwater's voice. I glanced around to confirm we were alone. Everyone else was almost certainly outside. Then I cast a quick Muffliato before speaking again.
"Well... you could too."
I looked at her carefully.
"...Not with Flitwick, of course. Tuition with a Master of his caliber costs a considerable amount. But..."
Penny closed her eyes and bit her lower lip.
"That one stings..."
"Does it?"
I tilted my head and narrowed one eye.
"As I see it, I have been fairly open with you this year about the fact that I am interested in you and willing to help you find your footing in the wizarding world. But every time I have made that clear, you have looked the other way. That was the exception, when I suggested sponsoring a business."
I shrugged.
"I... I am just frightened..."
She looked away, and for once she dropped that ridiculous little verbal tic altogether, which made me think she had retreated far inside herself. Or perhaps she had simply stopped noticing it.
"...frightened that in a few years things will go wrong between us, and... an investment like that... you would not do it for a stranger, even a friend. Which means there would be a contract. Well, there would be one anyway. You have already said as much, and we have not signed it yet..."
"There will be."
I nodded in agreement.
"But the terms will not be particularly punishing. Simply a portion of your income will be transferred to me until you have paid back three times whatever the House spends on your training."
"Three times?"
"Well..."
I shrugged.
"...as I said when I offered you the business contract, I need to see a return. So I am prepared to sponsor you, and even to cover your tuition. It would actually work in my favor. After studying under a Master, you would be in a far stronger position to open your own business."
"I..."
She closed her eyes.
"...blast it. Why does everything have to be like this? I even asked my mother, and she said grab this chance with both hands..."
She gave a faint, sad smile.
"...she even told me to spread my legs if it came to that. Actually, she said a great deal more than that..."
Penny shook her head.
"Your mother is a wise woman. She understands that, in most cases, offers like mine come with certain... expectations."
I pressed my lips together thoughtfully.
"...except that it wouldn't be in my interest to go down that road. For one thing, I'm not physically capable of that yet. And second, an employee who works wholeheartedly, who doesn't resent being coerced, performs better. Under those circumstances, you'd perform well, and might even decide not to buy back my share of the business."
"Draco..."
The girl's lips trembled.
"Don't go putting me on a pedestal, though. If you ever decide, of your own accord, that you wouldn't mind spreading your legs, I won't say no. Naturally, when we're both ready, physically and otherwise. So if that thought ever crosses your mind... and we're not in a formal relationship at the time... remember, that would be your own choice, not me playing the villain."
"Ha... and someone was hinting about a second wife... What, am I no longer good enough?"
"I was hinting, and I still have no objection. Just remember, for that, you'd need to get along with the first wife."
"I... blast..."
Penny shook her head.
"...I'm having this conversation with an eleven-year-old boy..."
"I'm mentally older."
I shrugged.
"Oh, that's very reassuring."
"Penny..."
"Enough! Stop! Just stop!"
She raised her hand to prevent me from saying anything further.
"Let's do it this way... I..."
She took a couple of deep breaths.
"I agree to the training contract and the subsequent business sponsorship. But it has to include a clause: if I decide not to open a business, then there's no sponsorship on your end, and consequently no debt on mine."
"Well... we could draw up that contract once you actually have a business plan ready."
I shrugged and looked at her with a satisfied smile.
"Stop smiling like that."
"You know... I'm considering imposing a financial penalty on you..."
"What?"
She looked at me in confusion.
"That ridiculous verbal tic of yours."
"Sorry?"
She still didn't understand.
"I'm saying you haven't been using that absurd little 'meow' for some time now. Meaning you're in breach of our wager. Which I believe calls for a punishment..."
I scratched my chin thoughtfully.
"I've got it."
A smirk settled on my lips.
"I'm going to hire a dance teacher for you. She'll teach you various styles of dance, which you'll perform for my viewing pleasure throughout the coming year."
"You... you... you..."
"Don't worry. Since I'm a man of property, you'll only dance for me twice a week, and only when I'm alone, or at most with Daphne present."
"You..."
"Yes?"
"You're a complete and utter brute. That's what you are."
"Too late."
I shook my head.
"You'll be learning to dance regardless."
"Fine, have it your way... but no more than twice a week."
Agreed.
I held out my hand and she shook it with a sigh.
"There. Good girl. I will write to my mothers and ask them to find you suitable teachers."
"I... thank you."
"Do not thank me yet."
I shook my head.
"Incidentally, which subject would you like tutoring in? Transfiguration, Charms and Spellwork, Potions, or Healing?"
"Charms... Charms and Spellwork."
"Understood. Then we will look for a Master in that field, and perhaps we will have a word with Flitwick about giving some attention to your studies as well as mine. But I am not promising anything on that front just yet."
"I understand..."
Penny nodded quickly, then glanced around and leaned in to press a small kiss to the corner of my mouth.
"...thank you..."
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