Would Molly Work?

"Homework is just to practice the fire-making charm. Have a good weekend," Professor Ballester's smooth, almost sleepy sounding, voice dismisses us as he moves to tend to a plant bed.

Waiting near the back of the greenhouse, I approach the curly short haired Professor once the classroom empties. Aside from the library, the greenhouses' have the best atmosphere in the school. The light being filtered through the glass overhead imbued the room with a pleasant light. Polin's and aromas of widely varying scents swirled together and merged with the fresh dirt to breed a welcoming feeling.

Having no other way to get his attention, I tap on his shoulder. My touch jolts him slightly, yet he turns around with his deep blue foggy eyes; blooming with cool excitement.

"You have a question?" he asks, taking his gloves off and running a hand through his, red hinted, brown short curls. Professor Rodrigo Ballester can only be described as a brilliant Italian muggle-born sloth with grandpa energy; which is weird because he's in his 30s. Both his ripped jeans and tie-dye shirt are covered in grass and dirt stains. His somehow pleasant forest smell links perfectly with his warm and inviting demeanor.

'Could Moly be a possible remedy to Sectumsempra or my brand?' I ask, hopefully, as he scratches at his scruffy beard. After doing some research, Herbology looked to be the most likely candidate to help remove the magical pain from Sectumsempra; I might not be able to get rid of the nasty scar across my face, but at the very least I can find a way to cure the pain.

It was difficult to tell someone about the torture but it was the only way to get an expert's help. I was going to try to talk to the Head of the Herbology Department, Professor Sprout, but she seems to be avoiding me.

"Reading ahead have you?" he asks, giving a quick chuckle in the beginning. His question paints my face red as I give a jerky nod.

"Unfortunately, It wouldn't affect either. The phantom magic pain you have from Sectumsempra doesn't look to be an intended effect of the spell, hence it isn't an enchantment so it wouldn't alleviate your pain. It's more likely that your rune would be disabled by Moly but that's not how Moly works."

'What do you mean?' his eyes brighten more at the follow-up question.

"Do you remember what the categories of spells are?"

Tilting my head back at the amount of writing I have to do, I sigh as I speed up my writing, 'Yes it was our first Charms lesson. There are two types of spells, dark and not. Non-dark spell types are Charms and Transfiguration. Dark spell types are Hex, Jinx, and Curse.'

"Moly only stops the effects of Enchantments- another term for Charms. Both afflictions you have are caused by dark spells. Sectumsempra is most definitely a Curse and your brand is probably a Jinx."

'But aren't Jinxes and Curses just Dark Charms?'

You could see the gears turning in Professor Ballester's head as he struggled to figure out how to explain, "All you need to know is Enchantments used to mean Non-dark Charms but years of debate and changing naming conventions has made Charms mean, sometimes, Non-dark Charms and some terms, like the definition of how Moly works, has kept its original meaning. It's hard to explain and a jumbled mess."

The disappointment of Moly not working fights with the satisfaction of learning more as I put on a brave face for Professor Ballester, 'Thank you for explaining.'

"While it is true that many magical remedies come from Herbology, I think you should talk with Professor Quirrell for ways to get rid of Sectumsempra. For the rune I'd say Sheda is one of the foremost experts in charms," he gives a small smile while giving his recommendations.

I knew it was more likely that DADA and Professor Babbling would give me answers but I don't trust Professor Quirrell and it just feels easier to talk with Professor Ballester about this stuff. He has just that air about him.

'I'll consider it,' is my last note to him as I leave the room. Early autumn air whips my artificially straightened hair around as I glide along the stone path. It's nice to get out once in a while. I keep my distance from the Whomping Willow as I climb the hill back into the main castle.

The juxtaposition of my two classes today dawns on me as I battle with the wind to close the door. First I had Potions with Professor Snape. It was fun; I had an answer for every question he threw at the class and wasn't behind.

While Professor Snape has no patience with students, doesn't seem to like kids, and shows undeniable favoritism, you can't deny his mastery of the subject, his clear explanations, and his complete control over his classroom. His playing favorites irritated me at times but hey, what are you going to do?

Professor Ballester, on the other hand, can be clumsy, forgetful, and lax. You would think that this would mean that the class is a disorganized mess but he never forgets the important stuff, his explanations aren't as clear at times but draw you in and get you interested.

The warm calm air about him makes the class feel like they can mess and joke around but do their work and be serious at the same time. Both work, but are very different. It's like going from drill sergeant to hippie.

The sight of Cedric coming toward me snaps me out of my comparison as the memory of him discovering my secret slaps me in the face. Without missing a beat, I turn on my heel and head in the opposite direction; hoping that he won't notice me before I can turn off this Hallway.

The amount of effort I've gone to avoid him is equal, sometimes less, to how hard he's tried to talk with me. I don't know if he's going to blackmail me or what but I'm going to delay finding out as long as possible.

"Catlyn! Wait up!" his yell echoed through the empty hall, stopping me in my tracks. I take a deep breath in and out as I turn around to face him; I can't run from the brother of my friend forever. My shoulders tighten as he approaches, readying for the beating, both physical or verbal, that might be thrown my way.