"Everyone be sure to grab a set of earmuffs. Place them on tightly! You're going to want them for this lesson." Professor Sprout handed each student a pair of earmuffs once the walked into class. Tori didn't know why they would need them, they're literally in a class about plants.

Tori stood next to both the twins on either side of her as the three of them listened to Professor Sprout's lecture. "Today we are working with mandrakes! You're probably wondering what the earmuffs are for so I'll explain. Once a mandrake is taken out of its pot and exposed to oxygen, they let out a piercing scream that can break almost anyone's eardrums. They scream so loudly and strongly, they can shatter glass when pushed up against it."

"What do you say we let a couple of these loose for our next prank?" Fred asked both Tori and George. "Did you not hear the part about screams that can break glass?" Tori whispered, looking between the two of them. The twins shrugged. "Doesn't seem,-"

"That bad."

"Alright! Make sure your earmuffs are on for this one! Ready everyone? Here I go..." Professor Sprout yanked the mandrake out if it's pot, exposing its roaring scream. Tori, like many others, clutched their earmuffs in pain. "Godric, shut that thing up!" She yelped. She watched Sprout place the creature into another pot and began filling it with soil.

"You still want to let that thing loose?" Tori turned to the twins, still clutching her earmuffs. The twins shook their heads simultaneously. "Nope."

"We're good."

"No one should ever..."

"Ever,"

"Listen to that thing."

Unfortunately, Professor Sprout commanded they take their mandrakes out. Tori grimaced at the ugly overgrown tree. She shoved it into the other pot, doing anything to shut it up. She buried it beneath loads of soil, hoping to stop the screeching. "Excellent job, Ms. Silvers!" Sprout applauded Tori, who felt a little sheepish. She only moved so fast so it would shut up, not because of what Professor Sprout said.

"I think that thing did burst my eardrums," Tori whined once they had left Herbology. They had a couple of minutes to get to their History of Magic class. Nothing ever really happened in that class, especially since their professor... wasn't exactly alive.

A brown owl swooped in overhead, landing on George's shoulder with a letter in its mouth. Tori gave the twins a confused look as Fred began to unfold the letter. The owl didn't seem to want to hang around long so it quickly flew off, leaving the trio to crowd around.

Fred skimmed the first couple of sentences and sighed. "Seems like we're staying here for Christmas." He handed the letter for Getting to read as they began to walk again. "Is everything okay?" Tori asked them, concern written all over her face.

The twins nodded, assuring her that everything was alright. The three of them walked into class just before the bell rang. Professor Binns would usually quickly begin the class, but today he stood before his students.

"Students, today we're going to have a bit of a different class than usual. Yes, we will still be going over the Medieval Assembly of European Wizards, but I have asked a few of my best students to come in and help you all out in today's lesson. Students? Come on in."

Tori and the rest of her class turned towards the door, watching many older students walk into class. Tori recognized a couple like Mae, Morrison, and... Avalon. She immediately covered her face with her hand, glancing at Alicia who was seated next to her.

Alicia put her arm around her friend, looking over to the twins. Professor Binn's began to speak with the many students standing at the front of the room. "I will be pairing each of you up with one of these students to continue your notes on the Medieval Assembly of European Wizards. Now, Mr. Hilliard with Mr. Towler, Ms. Haywood with Mr. Byson, Ms. Foster with Ms. Spinnet, Mr. Silvers with Ms. Silvers..."

Tori sighed to herself. Couldn't she ever get a break? Her brother was emotionless making his way next to her desk. Fred and George were staring daggers, but Avalon didn't seem to notice.

Binns continued to pair students up. Tori just sat there, staring at the dusty chalkboard. "Now, each of you will be working with our partners for the next week. You will start now!"

Tori moved over as Avalon took her place at her desk. He began to flip through the notes, stopping every so often. "Your essay must cover this entire assembly, the length depends on how big you write. Which, if I recall, is pretty large."

Tori looked up at her brother, almost shocked that he was acting like this. "It's changed a bit." She snapped, glancing over towards Fred, who was still staring angrily at Avalon.

"There's no need to be rude." Her brother muttered, only making Tori upset. "You want to talk about rude? I'll tell you about rude. It's rude when I find out my brother hit me in the head with a bludger and knocked me out for the next week. Don't even get my started about last year."

Avalon looked speechless for a moment, he stared down at his desk speaking quietly. "I didn't mean to hit you like that... I meant to hit your broom, just to spook you or something."

Tori said nothing. She didn't look at her friends, who're eyes she could feel starting at her. "Whatever. I'm sure you made mother and father proud." She muttered, turning back to her notes.

Avalon and Tori didn't speak much the rest of the class. They only talked about the lesson and said nothing otherwise. Professor Binns announced that class was about to end and to say goodbye to your partners.

"Bye," Tori muttered, watching her brother get up. Avalon sighed, "Bye." He was about to walk away when he suddenly stopped and looked over his shoulder at her. "Victoria? You have to water those flowers once a week to keep them healthy." And with that, he was gone.

Tori looked after him confused when it hit her. The flowers that had no card attached. Avalon gave her those? She couldn't imagine him visiting her in the hospital wing, let alone putting flowers by her bedside.

"Hey, you okay?" Alicia sat down next to Tori, who was deep in thought. Fred and George came over as well once Binns let them have the last few minutes to themselves. "What did he say to you?" Fred asked her. He still looked a little angry.

"Do you need to beat him up?" George our a hand on her shoulder, making Tori smile. "As much as I'd like to see that, I'm fine."

Her friends glanced at each other looking a little skeptical. "I'm serious. I'm fine."

okay so christmas will be next chapter!
just thought that i would show a bit more about tori and avalon

what's your opinion on avalon?