Manan: Magic is in you (episode 21)

Hey guys….

It’s morning…. The girls are waiting for the boys in common room…
The boys arrive and they all leave outside to search Richard…

Abhi: We must be fast coz from today your classes are starting and you four cannot afford to be late…

They nod and search Richard… But he is not locatable… Suddenly Nandini remembers something and stops… All turn to look at her… She whistles really loud!!!

Within five seconds, Richard comes popping with Nick out of nowhere… All are amused as well as shocked except Navya and Abhi as they knows that Richard has told Nandini to whistle whenever she need him in a certain way…

Nandini: Where on Earth were you hidden!! I have been searching for you…

Richard : Sorry Boss!! (The guys and Muklya are hell shocked… Nandini glares him) oh sorry.. Nandini!!

She smiles :Well… I want to know something (he nods) what happened yesterday?? Why were two houses merged and we weren’t allowed to go out??

Richard worriedly :Nandini,a big problem occurred… There are some secret passageways for entering or exiting Hecate which are used only during emergencies… But thankfully it has not been used for like past 20 years… But yesterday it was opened… And the thing to worry is that none of the faculty or students used that… Some one had intruded last night and we don’t know for what motive… But the person was seen running away from your common room… Oh BTW, you guys saw anybody suspicious…

Dhruv: Actually…—

Alya: No… We didn’t… We were outside witnessing the first shower…

Dhruv and others look at her…

Nandini: Thank you for letting us know…

Richard nods and goes away… Only after giving a shying and blushing look to Navya who smiles weirdly… Nandini, Abhi and Dhruv suppress their laugh… Cabir also notices Richard’s expressions…

Cabir: Why was he giving you looks as if he is a bride and you are his groom??

Nandini could not control longer and laughs out loud… Navya passes a death glare to her…

Cabir: are we supposed to know something??

Nandini: No Cabir… Nothing… Ha but if Navu tells you then I don’t know…

Cabir looks at Navya questioningly… Nandini again laughs… Navya throws daggers at her through her eyes… Abhi and Dhruv are busy suppressing their laugh… Mukti, Alya and Manik look on clulessly…

Navya: What?? Let’s go now… We have classes from today…

She moves ahead quickly to avoid questions… Abhi, Mukti, Alya and Dhruv bid bye to others and go to their respective class…

Cabir: So… What do we have first??

Manik: Transfiguration…!

Nandini: Hey… That’s VP Malhotra’s class…

Manik: No… The subjects are changed this year… And I think Mom also got changed…

Nandini: Then who is going to be the Professor..??

Cabir: Let us go and find out…

They all nod and go towards the Transfiguration class…

THE TRANSFIGURATION CLASS…

MaNan and Cabir reach the class and relax thinking that they’re late but the Professor is more late than them…Nandini and Cabir go and sit beside Navya…

Manik searches for a place and finds beside a girl… She is Soha…

Manik: Would you mind me sitting here?

Soha(elated seeing Manik) :No… Why would I??

Manik thanks her and sits beside her…he is beside Nandini who is on the other row…

Cabir: Where is Manik??

Nandini doesn’t reply… Navya looks at her glaring someone… She shakes her…

Navya:Nandu…Cabir is asking.. where is Manik??

Nandini(fuming) :Busy with his new friend..!!

She fumes seeing Manik mingling with Soha who is introducing him to Riddhima…Manik in order to shake hands bends and kind of comes over Soha… He doesn’t seem to notice but Soha looks at him intensely while Nandini Burns and fumes seeing him thus…

Navya and Cabir looks at Manik and Soha and smirks: Why are you feeling jealous?? I know he kissed you but it was not out of love… And you are not his girlfriend that he isn’t allowed to sit with any other girls…

Nandini glares her :Why am I supposed to be jealous…I am not… It’s just that he roams around with us… And he knew how Soha behaved with me… Then also he is mingling with her..!!

Cabir smiling :You are jealous!!!

Nandini: I am not!! (She then looks at table suspiciously) guys,is it not strange that that butterfly is not moving from nearly fifteen minutes!! So strange!!!

Navya: Where??( She looks at it and widens her eyes) Nandu!! It’s not an ordinary butterfly!!

Nandini and Cabir looks at her suddenly… Navya points them to look forward… they follows her gaze… both of them are stunned… The butterfly flies and sits on the chair and turns into Vanshika!! All the students gasp…

Nandini: She is an Animagi!! I never knew it!!!

Navya:I already knew it..

Nandini gives a HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME look…

Navya: Don’t give me that look…Amms refused to let you know about it…

Nandini glares at her…

Vanshika: Well because it’s the first day,so I am excusing some of the late comers but that doesn’t mean that it will happen always… Am I clear??

Vanshika says looking specifically at MaNan and CaVya… They nod…

Vanshika: Well many of you are aware of the term Transfiguration… For the ones who are not,don’t worry,I will explain… Transfiguration means transferring the objects from one form to another… It can be a living to living,a non living to non living,a non living to living or a living to non living… Yes… But make note that you cannot use these spells just for your selfish motives as it is highly offensive… So the first free advise to you guys as your Professor as well as Principal is always think before you are using a spell on someone… The results may not necessarily be in your favor… Am I clear?? (All nod) Good now… Now,for your first lesson,take out your wands… And point it towards the birds kept in front of you… (All do the same) Well you all have to change that bird into a designer glass… The best and the most unique design will be awarded… So just let your imagination and creativity flow… It is very important for practicing magic… Alright, now coming back to the lesson…  Pointing your wand at the bird start imagining the glass of your own design,shape and colour and say the spell Potirifors…!!!

Vanshika does that first and shows to her students… They are awestruck seeing a beautiful long and slender glass in front of them with butterfly and floral patterns… They all clap out of amazement… She asks her students to do it themselves now… For convenience she repeats the spell…
All the students start practicing the spell…

Navya’s glass comes out to be the most artistic whereas Cabir’s comes out to be the simplest one… Nandini turns the bird into silver designer glass signifying royalty whereas Soha’s glass was a thick short wine glass made of glass with designer carvings signifying ambition… Riddhima’s is same as Soha’s… So they do high five…

Navya:hey…look Manik’s and Nandini’s glass are the same…

Everyone turns and sees that MaNan and CaVya are surprised…while Vanshika smiles…

The class dismisses and Parvati turns into butterfly and flies away…. Ragini tried to go to her but Parvati was little quick….

Manik comes to Nandini, Navya and Cabir… He congrats Navya and greets Nandini who gives him a cold shoulder…

Nandini: I am going for the Potions classes…. If people have time from their friends, then they can join me…

She says about moves ahead… Manik is clueless at her indifferent behavior… He turns to Navya and Cabir who are having a hard time controlling their smile….

Manik: What happened to her??

Navya: Nothing… She is just moody…

Manik: No… I know it’s not normal mood swing… Tell me…

Cabir:Broooo… You sat with Soha!! And mingling with her!! When whole college knows what happened on the orientation day!! You are a criminal…you committed a very big crime…abhi police aati hi hogi…tujhe lejayegi..

Manik: Ooohhh… She was jealous??

Navya: No… She was irritated… I mean she said so… Coz you know we all stick around together and you know about Soha still you were mingling with her… So she said that she felt irritated… Ok I am going now else she will eat me up!! You both also come soon…

Manik and Cabir nods and after Navya goes behind Nandini,They smirks…

Cabir:broo…kuch toh hua hai…kuch hogaya hai..agar nahi hua toh Aage hojayega…tu apna soch main to chala…apni vali ke paas…

Manik: So Ms.Murthy… No no no… The Nandini Murthy was jealous..!! But why… It will be fun to find that out… But let me play along…

He again smirks and goes behind Nandini, Navya and Cabir…

THE POTIONS CLASS…

All the students are there in class except Manik and Professor… Nandini is sitting beside Navya and Cabir on a bench of four… She looks here and there for Manik but is not able to find him…

Nandini (in mind) :At least now he doesn’t need to go and sit with that Soha… (She then sees Soha and Riddhima sitting together and waiting) she must be Waiting for him only… What if he really sits with them again… Wait a minute!! Why do I care?? Are Navya and Cabir right? Am I jealous?? Aarrrggghhh… No… Why would I be… The Nandini Murthy cannot be jealous of anyone… It’s just that he is my friend… Ok not really… But still he sticks around with us and he knows about Soha still he has to mingle with her!!! Idiot Malhotra… (She sees him entering) There he comes… The so called Junior Malhotra… Frowning Brat!!

CaVya: NANDINI!!!!

Nandini: Ouch!! What!! Why are you both screaming??

Navya: we have called you for like 10 times and you aren’t responding!! Shift a little let Manik sit beside you or else you are going to spend this class also fuming!!

Cabir:yaaa…she is right…you are going to burn the benches by your anger…plzz don’t do that.. I am still young and on top of that(slowly whispering so that only Nandini can hear) still trying to hit on your sister…

Cabir smiles…and Nandini lets out a small laugh…Manik understands and smiles…while Navya looks confused…

Nandini looks up and sees Manik standing there smirking and glares at Navya for saying such… She shifts and Manik sits beside her…

Nandini:  I was not fuming!! I don’t care if people make new friends and roam around with them…

Manik smiles while Navya nods sarcastically… Nandini shakes her head muttering something and takes out the book…. She looks at Manik who is waving to Soha who is turning back and smiling… She again fumes and purposely bangs the book on the desk in process of keeping it… Manik and Cabir gets startled and looks at her… Navya looks at her unbelievably.. She bites her inner cheeks and acts innocent… She looks at three of them turnwise, shrugs her shoulder and looks straight… Manik smirks at her antics while Navya palms her forehead… and Cabir smiles…

Manik (in mind) :Why is she jealous?? Animosity with Soha is only the reason or it is something else?? I have to check..

He then smiles gives a side glance to Nandini… She is busy showing her artistic skills on a paper… He looks around to find that no one watching them and Navya is reading something with full concentration and Cabir is staring her… Manik lifts up his hand tucks the hairs on her face behind her ear…

Nandini was sketching to pass time when she felt a hand on her face… She knows that it’s Manik so her hand stops at it’s place and a shiver runs down her spine… Her heart starts beating abnormally… The bold Nandini becomes nervous… She then senses him coming towards her… She closes her eyes…

Manik goes close to her whispers huskily in her ears only audible to her…

Manik: I am not friends with Soha… I don’t even like her but I don’t hate her as well… But if you have a problem,I won’t go to her… Relax..

Manik moves away from her and redoes her hairs as it was before… He then looks in front smirking…

Nandini can feel her heart pounding… She opens her eyes and looks at him turning to his side and sees him smirking… She looks at other side and smiles so that he doesn’t see that…

Navya just looks up for her usual glances and sees Cabir staring her and blushes…when she notices Nandini smiling… She leans and looks Manik smirking… She then looks ahead and thinks…and shows the same to Cabir..

Cabir(whispering to Navya): Did we miss something interesting?? Naaah… They can’t kiss again that too in front of whole class… Then what Happened between them??

Nyonika enters the class… They all look up at her… She smiles at all…

Nyonika: Well… I may look calm but trust me,the looks are sometimes deceiving… First Potions class… Let me tell you all that it’s not something for which you have to use your wands or say some spells… Just follow the rules and who knows you will be the next Potions Master… Well while making Potions,you are going to learn discipline as well coz making Potions requires strict discipline… Am I clear? (All nod) Ok… Now before we start,I have an assignment for you all which you are going to submit by the end of this month… It’s a group assignment and be really sure while you make your group… Because you are going to work with only that group till the time you pass out from Hecate … The group will be of four students each… Make the group and name it… Submit me the names till tomorrow… Then I will tell about the assignment… And yes… Be really serious about this assignment as the grades are going to be included in the practicals… Rest you will know tomorrow… Now stand up all of you and please go to the table…Four at one table and for now the bench partners are going to be a group…

They all follow her orders and stand at the tables… They see a gas burner,various apparatuses and ingredients on the table used for potion Making…

Nyonika: Open ADVANCED POTION MAKING, chapter number 3… THE BOIL CURE POTION… The ingredients are kept on the table… Follow the instructions which I give and help out each other… Everyone must participate… First, pick up the ingredients necessary and keep them separate from it…

Nandini (whispering): I don’t know half of the ingredients… How am I going to do this??

Navya (whispering) :Even I don’t!! Manik and Cabir, can you please??

Both nods with gratitude and they all look at the list of ingredients….

BOIL CURE POTION

INGREDIENTS:
–> 2 G NETTLES (DRIED)
–> 0.2 G SNAKE FANGS (CRUSHED)
–> 4 HORNED SLUGS (STEWED)
–> 3 PORCUPINE QUILLS

Manik and Cabir pick up all the required ingredients and keeps it aside… They all then look at Nyonika…

Nyonika: Done?? (All nod) Ok… Good… Now listen carefully… cures boils, even those produced by the Pimple Jinx….It is an elementary potion… Because it’s your first class and you all need to know the technique for Potion Making,I am showing you all… From next chapter,I won’t… Ok??(all nod) good… Now follow my instructions and look at me…
1) place horned slugs provided up front- stewed overnight in 500 mL water and reheat for ten minutes…

(MaNan and CaVya wear the gloves and follow the instructions… Navya switches on the burner, Nandini fills the water in the cauldron and Manik places slug in it to heat it…)

2)add nettles and stir clockwise for five minutes…

(Manik adds the ingredients while Nandini, Navya and Cabir stir turnwise…)

3)add snake fangs and stir counter-clockwise for 7 minute…

4)Ok… Now allow the mixture to boil for ten minutes then, remove from fire….

(Cabir carefully puts down the cauldron)

5) ok… Now we are almost done… It’s an important step so listen carefully and look… stir clockwise for two minutes then, add porcupine quills and stir five times clockwise then, five times counter clockwise… Like this…

(Nandini goes to stir it but Manik asks for the spoon… She gives him… He stirs accordingly and asks Nandini to put the last ingredient… Navya and Cabir counts the stirs…)

Well we are done… The last stir will tell who all are successful in your first lesson… Look at my cauldron… (She stirs it two time clockwise and two times anticlockwise… Pink Smoke starts rising from her cauldron) Are you seeing the color of this smoke?? This will indicate your success… Now follow the last step all of you…

They all nod and Manik stirs the mixture accordingly while the other three stand behind crossing their fingers… After Manik is done, they look expectingly towards the cauldron… Pink coloured smoke starts coming out of it…
The four of them jump out of happiness and cuddle into a hug…

Nyonika looks at them and feels proud… She beams with happiness but cannot show it as everyone knows Manik and Cabir are her sons…
The four break their hug and look at Nyonika… She nods in appreciation… The four smile…
Soha, Riddhima and  two other girls also completed the task successfully… They also get appreciated while Nandini roles her eyes seeing overdramatic Soha… Manik and Cabir notices it and suppresses their laugh… Navya looks at them and asks ‘what’ in sign… they signs to look at Nandini and Soha… She does and even she suppresses her laugh…

THE HERBOLOGY CLASS….

The students enter the Herbology class wearing their aprons,gloves and a shower cap like cap…
MaNan and CaVya look around the room in awe as they see greenery everywhere… And because there is greenery everywhere,there are numerous butterflies flying all around… It’s literally like a huge garden with every species of plants… Soil beneath their feet and Greenery everywhere… It’s the Herb Room…Nandini looks at each of the butterflies…

Nandini: Navu, just look around once and see if Amms is one of them??

Cabir: You speak anything Nandu,she has to take other classes… Why will she come here?

Nandini: To keep an eye on me… You don’t know our Amms… But she knows me well…
She smiles sheepishly…

Navya:yaa…Amms,mom and dad are always.. tensed because of her…she is the devil of our house…

Manik and Cabir smiles…Manik thinks she is definitely female version of Cabir…

Manik: Any idea who is the Professor??

They three shake their head…

Manik: Ok… Let us take a round then till Professor arrives…

They three nod and the four roam around in the Herb Room… A flower fascinates Nandini and she goes to touch it… Just then Mansi pops up from behind the plant and glares her…

Mansi: Miss Nandini Murthy… Looks can be deceiving… The plant by which you are so fascinated is actually a killer plant… As soon as you touch the flower the leaves will show it’s blade and your hands will be a pool of blood in no time…!!

Nandini gets startled by her sudden appearance and says out of reflex :Mom!! At least inform before you appear… I almost got a cardiac arrest!!!

Mansi glares her… Nandini realized what she said…Manik, Cabir and Navya giggle silently…

Nandini: Sorry Professor Murthy…

Mansi nods… She looks at all the students and raises her wand… She swings it in the air and green glittery dust comes out of it… It flies to some of the creeper stems and they start moving… The creeper stems slowly starts forming numerous formations and in no time,a number of Herb chairs and desks are ready in the room sufficient enough for all the students to sit… She then taps her wand twice on a tree beside her whose roots creeps towards her and form a table and a chair for her… She signals her amused onlookers to have their seats…
The students come out of the magical trance and close their gaping mouth… They amusedly nod and take their seat Nandini, Manik, Cabir and Navya sit in one line…Soha sit behind Manik and Riddhima behind Cabir… Nandini frowns seeing Soha again…This time even Navya fumes seeing Riddhima staring at Cabir…

Mansi: Hello class… I am Professor Mansi Murthy… Your Herbology Professor… Well just now you have arrived from your Potions classroom so it is important for you to know that Herbology and Potions go hand in hand… Herbs are grown for Potions and Potions cannot be made without herbs… Well Herbology is the study of magical and mundane plants and fungi… Many plants provide ingredients for potions and medicine, while others have magical effects of their own right… So because just now my students have come from Potions classes,then let me introduce all of you to a Herb related to Potions… It’s called a BOUNCING BULB… And as the name suggests,so it is kept in a cage…. One by one,get up and pick a cage from the Green-Case…

They all follow her words… After all the students are seated,she continues…

Mansi: Good… Now before working with it,it is important for all of you to know about the thing you just picked up… So open the book ONE THOUSAND MAGICAL HERBS AND FUNGI… Chapter number 4… The bouncing bulbs… Now I would like one of my students to stand up and read aloud whatever is written in about the bouncing bulbs… Ms.Vardhan, if you please??

Riddhima nods and stands up… She starts reading…

Riddhima: Bouncing Bulb is a magical plant which jumps around if it is not restrained…. Bouncing Bulbs’ main stem is a disproportionate purple bulb, with a bunch of leaves growing on the top….. Young Bouncing Bulbs are small enough to handle,but mature ones can reach the size of doorways…. Bouncing Bulbs can be aggressive when they feel threatened; they jump towards the possible attacker and try to hit it…. A simple Knockback Jinx could stop a young Bulb, but a mature one would require using the Fire-Making Spell to wither it, because it is quite strong….Bouncing Bulbs are a necessary ingredient in the Pompion Potion, a potion which encases the drinker’s head in a pumpkin….

She reads fluently and loud enough for everyone…

Mansi: Ms. Vardhan this is going off topic,but I must say… You have a gifted speech… Your voice and speech can be your weapons… And let me inform you that it is a very good sign for a leader… (Riddhima nods and gives a formal smile… She sits…) Any Questions??

Cabir raises his hand…Mansi nods…

Cabir: Professor are the bulbs dangerous in case they go out of control??

Mansi: No…. They are not… As you heard and read,small bulbs can be stopped by a simple knockbavk jinx and larger ones by fire spell… So they aren’t dangerous but sometimes they can hit you if not handeled carefully…

Cabir nods…

Mansi: Ok… Now all of you open the cage carefully and try to handle the bulb… Don’t be nervous if you are not able to manage it… I am there for help and moreover the bulbs are small so it won’t be a problem…

All nod and open the cage learning to handle the bouncing bulbs… One student left it by mistake and it hit him on his face… The student started shouting and Mansi had to stop the bulb by the jinx… While scene was troublesome for the victim student,it was amusing for the rest of the class…

After the class gets over,it’s lunch break for all… All the students proceed towards the dining assembly to have their lunch when Riddhima calls out Manik’s and Cabir’s name… The four turn…

Riddhima: Manik..Cabir…!!

Both nods…

Riddhima: Actually, Soha wanted to ask you both but for some reasons I am asking… Would you both like to be members of our group for Potions assignment??

They were about to say something when a fuming Navya speaks…

Navya:No…Cabir promised me…to be along with me for the assignment…so.. it’s a noo from Cabir…

Cabir looks surprisingly towards Navya…and smiles widely seeing how she is showing her right on him…while Riddhima fumes..

Riddhima(controlling her anger):no problem.. and what about you Manik??

Nandini: No he wouldn’t like to… (Riddhima, Cabir, Manik and Navya look at her with different emotions and expressions) He is already working with us and hence is in our group with Navya, Cabir and of course ME!! And as you know,a student cannot be in two groups at a same time so it’s a NO from his side… Convey this to your friend and excuse us… We have to go to the dining assembly…

She turns in full attitude and goes three steps ahead leaving Manik, Cabir and Navya stunned while Riddhima clueless… She returns and holds Manik’s and Navya’s hand from her either hands and pull them with her and Navya holds Cabir’s hand…leaving Riddhima behind… Navya looks at her unbelievably while Manik follows her smirking…and Cabir is smiling at Navya…

Riddhima clutches her fist in anger…
Harshad witnesses the scene and comes to Riddhima… He keeps a hand on her shoulder…

Harshad: What happened?? What were you talking about to that Lady storm??

Riddhima:Nandini Murthy?? Nothing… She is a little weird… Don’t know what’s her problem… Always carries so much attitude…and that Navya Murthy as well… Never mind… Leave them… Let’s go to dining assembly… Aryaman and Soha must be waiting for us…

Harshad nods and smirks looking at the direction where Navya went…

Harshad (in mind) :Attitude huh?? This is going to be fun!!

DINING ASSEMBLY…

Abhi looks on unbelievably at Nandini who is sitting quietly for a change and is literally killing her food with fork and knife…
Mukti, Alya and Dhruv are also not able to believe it while Manik, Cabir and Navya are busy suppressing their smile…

Abhi: Ok… I can’t take it anymore… What have we missed?? How this miracle happened?? Why is this devil sitting quite??

Dhruv (with sympathy) :And murdering that delicious pie!!

Manik, Cabir and Navya look at each other and shrug their shoulder…
This irritates the senior four even more…
Just then a cute girl with curly brown hairs comes and sit beside Manik…

Nandini for the first time looks up from her plate and looks at the girl who is trying to mingle with Manik and fumes even more… Navya and Cabir notices her and smiles…
Manik from the side glance notices her expressions and suppresses his smile… He also talks sweetly with the girl to irritate her more…
Nandini’s grip on the fork tightens and something strikes her mind… She kicks the girl from under the table… And continues her actions so that no one doubts…

The girl screams :Ouch!!! What was that… Oh my goodness it’s hurting so much!!

Navya looks at Ragini unbelievably and Cabir tries not to laugh as they understand her trick…Manik also looks at her open mouthed and there she reacting all innocent as if nothing happened… The senior four look at girl cluless….

Nandini: I think you should get up from there and sit somewhere else… The place isn’t suiting you that’s why it’s hurting you…

The girl dumbly says :I think you are right… Ok Manik, meet you later…

Nandini frowns as the girl goes and Lakshya nods… She fumes even more…

After the lunch is over, MaNan and CaVya go towards their next class…

THE DEFENSE AGAINST DARK ARTS CLASS….

The students enter the class waiting for their Professor…
The same girl with curly brown hairs comes to Manik and again tries to mingle with him… Navya has not accompanied them due to some stuff and is a little late so Nandini is having a tough time controlling her anger and Cabir is silently enjoying it… Unable to do anymore she advances towards them and literally pulls Manik towards her and drags him to a corner,almost dashing him with a pillar…Cabir sees them with wide eyes… She comes close to him and locks him in between her arms… Before she could look into his eyes,he closes his tightly out of fear that he will be punched anytime now…

Nandini: Listen to me carefully… You are going to stay away from that girl… Am I clear?? I don’t like her and she is so sticky… How can you bear her… I am telling again… Stay away from her… If she comes to you,you go away from her..!!

She says and realizes their position as they are only inches apart… She removes the arms lock and turns around…Manik opens his eyes and holds her wrist to stop her from going…

Manik: Why…?? She is not Soha… And you didn’t fought with her… So why you don’t like her? Infact she is cute…?? Are you sure you are not jealous??

Nandini (without turning) Whatever… But you stay away from her… She is not Soha but she is her friend… I saw her with her… And anyone related to Soha is not liked by me…

Manik smiles and leaves her hand…
Nandini goes away from there to Navya who has arrived by now and was looking for them…

Manik (smiling) :Naah… Every reason cannot be Soha… There is something else which you don’t want to accept… But what is that… I will know it from you only..!! Ms. Nandini Murthy…

He goes to Cabir who was staring them with open mouth..he hits his head…

Manik:Close your mouth stupid…

Cabir:brooo…that was really intense…oh my god…means there is definitely something…

Manik smiles and they go and sit beside Nandini and Navya respectively…

Raj enters the class and all look at him… Manik also moves his glance from Nandini to him and his expression changes at once from smile to grave…
Nandini and Navya notice change in his expression…Cabir gives a pity look to Raj… he just nods back..

Navya (whispering to Nandini) :Why is Manik frowning seeing Professor Raj Malhotra?? Isn’t he his Dad??

Nandini (in Same tone):I don’t know… Even I saw the change in his expression… We will ask him later on… It’s not the right time…but try to talk to Cabir…

Navya nods and asks Cabir he just said even he doesn’t know about why is he behaving this way but…he saw this chang in Manik since they were 5 years old..Navya conveys this to Nandini…

Manik is looking everywhere but Raj…Raj is hurt seeing his behavior like this even in class but he cannot do anything…

Raj: Well,I don’t believe in giving long lectures and passing time so we will directly jump onto our lesson… Take out your books everybody… DARK ARTS DEFENCE: BASICS FOR BEGINNERS… Chapter number 1…. CURSE OF THE BOGIES… Well this is going to be a mostly practical class so never forget your wands and books… You all will be given a puppy as a subject and you are going to use the curse on it to see the effects yourself… Ms. Murthy… Read whatever is written regarding the curse in the book… Make sure to be loud enough so that it reaches everyone’s ears…

Nandini and Navya gets confused whom Raj was asking to read…

Nandini: Professor are you talking about me or Navya??

Raj smiles:Navya…please read..

Navya nods vigorously and starts reading: the Curse of Bogies is a curse that gives the recipient a strong cold, that can make him or her collapse if not treated, as well as an extremely runny nose…. No further casts of this curse have any additional effect on the target, except the Tria version, but if the Duo  or Tria modifiers are used in addition to the Uno variation, then the version of the spell with the highest power will take effect….

Raj: Who can explain this??(Nandini raises her hand…) Yes, Ms.Murthy… Go ahead…

Nandini: It is the cold causing curse which hampers the health of the recipient… The curse is not dangerous unless it is used three times it’s power on the same recipient… However the duo variation which means two times the curse’s power can also prove fatal when it is used on someone who is already cursed by uno variation and has not been treated with a counter-curse…

Raj nods in appreciation… Nandinibsmiles… Soha is fuming over Nandini regarding Manik’s matter and fumes even more when Raj appreciates her… Riddhima somehow holds her back…

Raj: Very good… The Murthy sisters are really the ones to be called as beauty with brains… Impressive Ms. Murthy… Anybody in the class knows about the counter-curse of the CURSE OF BOGIES..??

No one answers for a long time…Manik is busy frowning whole folding his arms across his chest…
Raj sighs and turns around on the board to write something… He is about to say the counter curse just when he hears a voice which is of Manik…

Manik (still in Attitude and not looking at Raj) : The PEPPER-UP POTION… (Raj turns around) the pepper-up potion is the counter-curse for the curse of bogies… This potion can cure every type of cold even if it’s created by using dark magic…

Raj nods and turns around… He writes the incantation on the board for the students so that they can pronounce the curse properly…

Raj: Now… Read what’s written on the board and repeat after me like this…. MUCUS AD NAUSEAM…!!!

He swings his wand in the air as if drawing a water droplet and points it at his puppy… The puppy at once starts sneezing…

Raj: You all need not worry about the puppies as we have a good stock of pepper-up potion… And in a month more is going to come… So follow as instructed…

They all start practicing the curse…

THE CHARMS CLASS…

After the DADA classes are over, The students walk towards the Charms classroom…
Nandini and Navya are excited but Nandini is more excited…Cabir notices her excitement… Manik is all quite since the last class and is just walking along with them…

Cabir: You both are excited for this one especially Nandu!! Why??

Nandini:Of course I am… This class is going to be fun… Dad will be there… And he is a distinct personality… Amms says that I went on him in terms of mischievousness… When he was younger… He used to do all sorts of pranks just for fun… But of course… She also says that I am way ahead of him…

Manik smiles listening to her blabber but still is quite…Navya sees something and stops in her track suddenly…

Navya:Nandu, Cabir, Manik… You three go to the class… I will join you after five minutes…

Nandini: But where are you going?? Tell me,I will also accompany you…

Navya: Why? Will anyone kidnap me on the way to washroom??

Nandini smiles sheepishly… She nods…Navya goes in the direction where she saw something leaving MaNan and Cabir…

They are going towards the class…Nandini notices that Manik is all quite… She thinks something…

Nandini: How come Mr. Arrogant Frowning Brat Malhotra is back to his role…. From morning I was roaming with a person who was opposite of all these words… Don’t know where he went?? Have you seen him??

Manik and Cabir smiles listening to her…Nandini also smiles…Cabir leaves them alone and goes to their class

Manik: He had went for a break but has returned now… Why are you asking by the way? Were you missing him???

Nandini: No… I was not… (Manik looks at her at once and sees her looking in front and suppressing her smile… He also smiles and looks in front) He was just a little different from the usual one… So….

Manik: So…??

They keep walking… When Nandini comes close to his ears and whispers… Manik starts getting goosebumps…

Nandini: So… Maybe I liked him…

Manik stops in his tracks…Nandini smiles and walks ahead leaving a stunned Manik behind…

Manik stands there in shock… A shiver runs down his spine remembering that Nandini came close to him… That chill gets him out of the shock… He smiles…

Manik: She is electrifying…

Manik realizes that he has to go to the Charms classroom… He runs towards the class…
As he enters the class,he sees Nandini sitting on a chair and she kept her bag on one chair on her right and Cabir next to her has kept his books on the chair next to his… He smiles seeing her…Nandini realizes that he has entered the class and smile… But she doesn’t look at him…
Manik looks at her… He then hears Soha who is calling him to sit beside her… He looks at Nandini who says nothing but just moves her bag from the chair and keeps it on her lap… Manik smiles seeing her… He signs Soha that he will next time and goes and sit beside Nandini… Soha fumes… Nandini smiles…Manik bites his lips to control his smile but is unable to… He is about to say something when Navya comes there…and sees that Cabir has kept a sit for her beside him..

Navya: Oh… You kept a seat!! How sweet…

Cabir smiles and Removes the books from the chair and keeps it on the table…Navya sits beside him…

Suddenly a quill appears on the table from nowhere…

NavNi smiles seeing it :And… Dad is here…

She looks up and Ansh apparates into the class….

Ansh: Welcome to the Charms classroom my dear lovelies… Oh My Goodness… I can see some really beautiful faces here and so I have a welcome gift for them… (He flicks his wand and a red rose appears in front of every girl in the class… They all smile…) And some really handsome personalities… (He again flicks his wand and a yellow rose appears in front of all boys… It bursts and petals falls on all of them… They all smile… And thank them…) Well no need to thank… If the mind is happy,then the lesson is taught and learned better… So let us start from the very basic Levitation Charm… Well this spell Levitates, moves and manipulates the target… Now follow after me and swish and flick your wand as you say the spell and point it at your quills… Like this… Wingardium Leviosa…!!!

He does the action and his quill starts moving up in the air and moves as he moves his wand…

Ansh: Now practice all of you correctly (All practice it) the leviation charm works only for non living things… Remember to pronounce the spell correctly else it may—- (There is a blasting sound… BOOOOOMMMM!!!) Blast… Oooh… I think I am late in telling that…

As Ansh was speaking,a girl does the charm wrong and her quill blasts…. All burst out laughing watching her and Ansh’s expressions…Ansh also joins them….

Share
Published by