Chapter 12

The professor who taught astronomy had a family accident and resigned temporarily. Dumbledore quickly invited another professor to teach them.

Her name is Cora Longbottom.

This professor had just started teaching, so Narcissa took her to see him.

"She's three years older than me, born in 1952. We often played together when we were little. She also has a younger sister, Mia Longbottom, but that sister is in Ravenclaw, in the same grade as you."

Professor Longbottom was easy to get along with, always smiling and seemed very friendly, and her astronomy class was more interesting than before.

On Hogsmeade Day, she went to the place again, but this time there was no one there.

Ayala waited there for two hours but the woman didn't show up, so she had to go back.

Wednesday.

Narcissa had gone to class early, her class started half an hour later, so she took her time and was in no rush.

Ayala almost bumped into someone as she walked out of the common room. It was a boy who looked about her age, a Gryffindor with thick brown hair that was well-styled and light blue eyes.

He smiled at Ayala.

"Hello, I'm Miles Wood. Like you, I'm in the second grade."

"Hello...Ayala Turner."

She couldn't think of any need for her to know this person, but it seemed that this person came here specifically to stop her. When he saw her leaving, he followed her. Ayala stopped and looked at him. He was different from other boys who only gave her love letters.

"Why are you following me?"

"The first class is Charms, and our two houses share it, so we're on the same route."

"Then why did you come to the cellar? It's far from the Charms classroom."

"Bring you breakfast."

It was then that Ayala noticed a package in his hand, which contained a fragrant sandwich.

"Specially brought for me?"

"Yes, want to try it? It's still warm."

He handed the sandwich over, Ayala thanked him, then took a sip and the boy followed her.

Wood didn't leave her until they reached the classroom. She chose a seat next to her. Evans was originally her partner, but when she saw the seat next to Ayala, she went to find someone else.

Wood didn't feel embarrassed at all and continued to chat with her with confidence. She chose not to answer any of his questions.

"Next period is Transfiguration, shall we join?"

“…”

The worst part was that Gryffindor had many classes with Slytherin, which meant she could hardly get rid of Wood.

At noon, Wood sat at the Slytherin table with murderous gazes on his face. Miraculously, no one chased him away. Narcissa said that Wood was from a pure-blood family.

Even in Potions class, he could overcome difficulties to partner with her, but he was a good student and did well in every subject, so Ayala acquiesced to his behavior.

Tomorrow morning, as soon as she left the dormitory, she would see Wood waiting for her with a hot breakfast in his hand. Seeing him meant that a restless day had begun. Even if Ayala ignored him, he could still talk for a long time.

He would follow her until she returned to the lounge, even if Ayala went to mail a letter. For the first time, she understood that Evans was probably just as annoying as Potter.

Even Narcissa didn't help her. She chose to let Ayala face it all alone...

Halloween arrived, and she was woken up by Narcissa. Unusually, Narcissa got up very early today. When she woke up, Narcissa was writing a letter to Lucius.

"You don't have classes this afternoon, so you'd better get up early and feel the festive atmosphere."

“…What kind of atmosphere is this?”

Ayala quickly dressed and went out. Sure enough, Wood was waiting there. In his hand, he had something other than breakfast, a gift box.

"What's this?"

"A Halloween present for you."

“…”

She took it silently and went back to the dormitory, put down the ink, and came out again...

"Let's go."

Ayala didn't know when she got used to the word "let's go".

Wood was still walking a step away from her.

"The first class today is History of Magic."

"...Looks like I can catch up on some sleep."

This time, Ayala persisted a little longer in class than usual. She was reading a potion book while Wood was talking beside her.

"I joined the Quidditch team a while ago."

"You actually have time to attend the tryouts? I thought you were wasting your time on me."

This was the first time he spoke to himself and Ayala listened to him and looked a little happy at him.

"After I send you back to the dormitory, I can still catch up."

Ayala nodded and turned a page while Wood continued.

"I'm a chaser."

"I remember this position was mainly responsible for the Quaffle?"

"Yeah, I was a little nervous. My brother is also a Chaser."

"Your brother?"

"Poppy Wood is four years older than me and is in sixth grade this year. I have a younger sister who is two years younger than me and will start school next year."

"I don't have any brothers or sisters."

"This is good, isn't it? No arguing, no grabbing each other's toys."

"Have you ever taken their toys?"

Wood's eyes suddenly widened and he denied it quickly. He was so nervous that he couldn't speak.

"No, it's my brother and my sister. They're stealing my toys."