October came, sooner than anticipated. The workload increased steadily – the first years hadn't anticipated that either.

"Just LOOK at Wednesday!" Amy complained, pointing to the little agenda book she had taken to carrying around. "Three tests, all bound to be difficult, and almost in a row!" Tia, Mia and Lucy high – fived each other. Amy scowled. "What're you so happy about?"

Mia smiled. "We aren't slaving till ten o'clock at night, doing homework." Amy, being of a highly mature nature resorted to sticking her tongue out at them. Tia stuck hers out back.

And so breakfast - time passed, Lizzy rolling her eyes, and Lucy and Mia resuming eating. The bell rang, and every student grabbed their bag and scrambled to lessons.

xxvx

Tia was honestly trying very, very hard to keep her eyes open, but it wasn't working. Having woken up feeling frozen in the morning, Tia had put on a sweater over her customary shirt, as well as tights under the skirt, and all of this under her robes, and unfortunately, it was the perfect toasty temperature for sleeping. And the perpetual droning of Professor Binns' voice wasn't helping her combat drowsiness either. Attempting to stifle a long yawn, Tia settled in a more comfortable position, deigning to take notes. Mia, at the desk on her left, was playing with a pencil. Lucy was taking notes. The soft pattering of the rain...feeling so cozy...the hazy lights...oh dear.

"Professor?" she said briskly.

"Yes, Iyvburned?" wheezed the old ghost.

"May I go to the toilet?" the question roused sniggers among the class.

"Of course."

"And my name is Ryburn," Tia corrected Binns.

"Off to the toilet, Ryburn," Binns rasped. She went.

She gasped when the cold water hit her face. It was positively glacial. Drying her face and hands thoroughly, Tia appraised herself in the mirror.

She wasn't that bad looking, right? There was no reason Woodhouse would not like her. But, maybe next year. When she was twelve. Eleven was a bit early to start dating, in her opinion. Wannabes like Jessica Parkinson were just in for the money, the fame...

Brushing her hair out of her face, Tia went back to resume the boring torture that was history of magic. Perhaps if the teacher were a little more...lively, the class would be more fun. Perhaps.