Charm Your Own Cheese (Open)

Jet sat at the back of the room, reclining in the uncomfortable desk chair, his arms folded on the too-small desk. His wand, 12 3/4 inches, Yew and Dragon Heartstring, lay across the work space untouched. He probably wouldn't be needing it.

Tutoring Charms was actually one of Jet's favorite things to do. It was awesome seeing the look on a younger student's face when they finally got a spell to work that they'd been trying at for ages. Today though, he was less psyched about it. He was supposed to have a free period. He could be outside getting some sun or down in Hufflepuff Common Room mowing whatever freshly baked treat the girls had come up with or even studying for his own classes (okay, that was less likely).

Instead, Flitwick had approached him about sitting in on the fifth year class to brush up on what they were studying so that he could help one of the struggling students.

Jet peered around, wondering who it was that had stolen his free time from him.

Sky quietly walked down the third floor corridor towards the Charms classroom. Being forced to sit in on a fifth year Charm class was going to be torture. Though she supposed she deserved it. She had been caught skipping class for a more favorable afternoon by the lake. She couldn't resist. The day had been too beautiful with the sun shining and the warm breeze. It had been the perfect opportunity to catch up on some time by herself.

Now, she was paying the consequences. She had been ordered to help tutor some of the younger students. Rolling her eyes at the thought, she entered the classroom. These students were bound to work her last nerve. Charms was clearly the easiest subject to master... who could really struggle with it? With a sigh she dropped her bag on the floor and slid into a desk at the back corner of the room. It could always be worse. Instead, she could have been cleaning. She wrinkled her nose and shivered at the idea. No, she much preferred having to tutor for a few nights.

The loud thunk of a bag hitting the floor broke Jet out of his daydreaming and he looked across the back row to see an older Slytherin girl taking a seat. Hm. She looked familiar, he had definitely seen her around. Definitely not from his immediate circle... was she a seventh year? Jet cast his mind around trying to remember and wondering what she was doing in the fifth year class.

Absently, he picked up his wand and twirled it between the fingers of his left hand while he peered at her, trying to put a name to the face.

Pulling her wand out of her bag, she casually crossed her legs. Her skin tingled a bit, and she got this overwhelming feeling that she was being watched. Turning her head, she took a glance around the classroom until her eyes fell on a Hufflepuff boy sitting on the other side of the room. She groaned inwardly at the sight of him. He appeared to be her age, so clearly she would not be tutoring alone. Considering his house, she also assumed he was here by choice... rather than circumstances like herself.

Shifting back to her original position she finally spoke, her voice seeping with annoyance, "You know, it is not polite to stare."

"Huh?" he blinked, straightening up.

"Oh, right. Sorry."

Jet felt heat creep up the back of his neck before he willed it away.

"Do I know you? It's just... you look familiar. And you're definitely not a fifth year," he said, glancing around the classroom. No fifth year girl he knew looked like that.

"I mean, hi," he said, shaking his head. Get it together, Jetson. It was like he'd never seen a girl before.

"Hi. I'm Jet," he smiled.

She kept her focus on the front of the classroom. All she wanted to do was get her punishment over with and be on her way, but here was this Hufflepuff trying to make small talk. Did he know her? She scoffed a bit.

"Way to be blunt. Perhaps rather than tutoring Charms you should be tutored on having some charm. To answer your question... no, you do not know me. I don't make it a habit of talking to people like you."

She knew she was being rude, but this boy rubbed her the wrong way. Perhaps if he had better manners he wouldn't be met with such an icy greeting.

"I'm Skylar... but everyone calls me Sky."

Jet just smiled and turned his head, feigning attention toward the front of the room and the diminutive Charms professor, while keeping up the flow of conversation. He was going over Silencing Charms, which Jet was adept at from messing around with his cousin.

"Forgive me, Skylar," he said, using her full name. If everyone called her Sky, then why should he be like all the others?

He thought for a moment, turning something over in his mind before adding, "Why waste time on pretty words when all their beauty, your beauty pales? Pretty words are not always true, and true words are not always pretty."

Reaching into his messenger bag, he drew out his notebook and wrote that down. Then, turning the page he scribbled a note, tore it quietly from the book, continually glancing up to make sure Flitwick wasn't watching, folded it and chucked it at her desk.

People like me?

Flinching as he called her Skylar, she rolled her eyes. Was he purposely trying to annoy her? It sure seemed that way. Then that line he tried to run on her... who was he kidding?

"Save your pick up lines, Puff... they won't work on me. Perhaps try running them on some of the fifth year girls." She suggested, motioning in front of her.

She glanced down as a note fell on her desk. Really? What was he? A first year? Groaning she picked up the note and opened it, keeping a cautious eye on the professor. If she got caught and in trouble because of this boy, she would torture someone. Probably him.

She scribbled back her reply and tossed it back, noticing the notebook on his desk. She tilted her head in curiosity, but refrained from asking any questions.

You have a reputation... playboy.

He tried, and failed, not to grin. Any other guy might've been insulted, even given up talking to her, maybe muttered a few choice words. But she had him pegged. It was definitely a line. A damn good one, but a line none the less. That's why he'd written it down. For all his talk about flowery words being a waste of time, in truth they were his weakness.

She was good, he had to admit. Most girls would've dropped more than their jaw by now. Even with his...

"Reputation?!" he said aloud, forgetting where he was.

"Jason," Flitwick squeaked at him cheerfully, "maybe you can help me with this particular demonstration, since you seem to be having trouble in this area."

Some of the younger students laughed. Jet shot Sky a look and pushed away from the desk, standing and striding to the front of the room.

Sky's eyes darted towards Jet as he read the note aloud. 'What an imbecile', she thought shaking her head. Flitwick obviously heard, and naturally addressed it. For a brief moment, she felt bad for Jet as the younger students laughed. She bit down on her lip to stifle a smile she felt coming to her face.

Leaning forward on the desk, she watched as he walked to the front of the classroom. In all honesty, he was an attractive guy. His reputation was known throughout the school. He used his words... lines, poetry, small sayings.... all to catch a girl's attention. She had witnessed it herself in the Great Hall many times. She was on to his game. Everyone was a conquest. It was amusing to watch him, especially when other girls fell so helplessly into his game. One would think they would have caught on by now and known better... then again, most girls were pathetic. A boy showed them a little attention and they turned into love sick puppies.

Jet stood at the top of the class and looked around at the assembled students. His eyes landed on Sky and he smiled and shook his head. He turned his body to face Flitwick, perched atop a stack of thick, leather-bound books, his wand ready.

"Alright now class, please watch carefully. Jason, if you would demonstrate the wand movement one more time..." he waited while Jet set swished his wand, doing so in slow-motion so everyone could see the proper technique.

"Yes, very good. Now, the important part. The word to silence all words. Students?"

"Silencio," they chanted in monotone unison.

"Excellent. Now," Jet grinned, seeing the twinkle in Flitwick's eye. He knew what was coming and had a sneaking suspicion that the Charms professor enjoyed these little demonstrations more than he let on, "what shall we make him sing?"

As Jet's eyes landed on her, she averted her gaze, watching as the students mimicked his actions and muttered the words. She tilted her head. Sing? Where was this demonstration going exactly?

"Professor.... perhaps... I'm a little teapot would be appropriate." She offers Flitwick a sweet smile.

Jet fought down a smirk and glanced at the professor.

"Thank you, Sky. I think that's very appropriate. If you would, Jason."

He let out a quiet sigh and shook is head, then turned his attention to the class.

"I'm a little teapot short and stout..." he tried not to laugh. "Here is my handle, here is my spout."

"A little louder, if you please."

Jet grinned, laughing at himself, and started singing at the top of his lungs, his eyes closed, the rock version of 'Teapot'.

"WHEN I GET ALL STEAMED UP, THEN I SHOUT: TI-

"Silencio!"

The rest of the words stuck fast in Jet's throat and a sort of muffled gasp escaped instead. He tried to laugh, but couldn't. Instead he just put his hands on his hips and nodded, smiling looking down at the floor.

She giggled a bit as he started to sing. Perhaps sitting in on this class wasn't a complete waste of her time. If only there were other seventh years here to witness this then perhaps the so called 'hot hufflepuff' would be knocked down a few pegs. Glancing around the room at the other students' faces she rolled her eyes. The girls were entranced by him. It figures that even public humiliation only made him more desirable.

Sitting back in her chair she watched as the charm was performed and sweet silence filled the room once more.

"You know, Professor, I think I prefer him this way," she smirked as the boys in the room chuckled.

Jet looked at Sky and let a slow smile creep over his features before turning his gaze back to Flitwick.

"Jason, you're studying non verbal work. Let's see it."

Pointing the wand at his throat he performed the finite.

"... me over and pour me out." He smiled.

"Very good. Time to pair up, I think," Flitwick said, glancing around the room.

Sky gave a surprised look as his voice carried out the rest of the song. Impressive. Non verbal work took practice... patience... skill. Perhaps there was more to Jet than what met the eyes.  

The students shuffled around the room as they paired up. She took the opportunity to stand and casually walk around the room, observing the students as they practiced the charm.  A few mastered it within the first few tries, though most struggled. Watching one particular boy fail miserably, she smiled and touched his wand hand gently.

"Here... let me help." She moved his hand in the appropriate motion a few times., demonstrating the way he was supposed to move the wand.

Jet watched the students pair up. He saw a couple girls steal furtive glances his way, but tried to ignore it. The class was even numbers, they'd all be paired. He stood off to the side and observed, surreptitiously watching Sky as she wove between the desks.

She stopped to help one of the students and Jet had to actually put his hand over his mouth and look away to fight down the laughter. The poor kid looked like he might pass out from excitement. Though Jet had to admit, he couldn't blame him.

Getting a bad idea, he walked over to one of the Ravenclaw guys who'd already mastered the charm pretty skillfully, and tapped him on the shoulder.

Leaning on Roger's shoulder, he glanced around before dropping his voice low, "Davies. I'll give you a galleon to 'accidentally' hit Sky over there with a silencing charm."

Roger looked over at her, way too obviously, and shook his head. "No way!"

Jet sighed and thought for a minute. "Alright. I'll give you private lessons in non verbal silencing charms." He raised his eyebrows.

This offer, Davies had to mull over. Jet knew his type. He'd get ahead of everyone else in the class, earn some extra points. Some Ravenclaws would fight dirty to get one up on each other.

"... how many lessons?"

Jet grinned.

Sky smiled as the boy correctly performed the charm.

"There you go. Excellent...." Her words caught in her throat with a gasp. Moving her lips, she willed the words to come out of her mouth but they wouldn't.

Turning with a glare she looked around for the culprit of the rogue charm that hit her. Whatever student was foolish enough to miscue and hit her would quickly learn to be more careful.

Her eyes landed on Jet and another boy. Narrowing her eyes, she quickly got a feeling this was not an accident. Unlike the Hufflepuff, she was not trained in non verbal charms. She was stuck like that until someone assisted in removing the charm that hit her.

If Jet was trying to get on her bad side... he had successfully executed that plan.

Jet's grin fell from his face as they were spotted. He put his hands up and shook his head in a 'not me' gesture, then glanced at Davies and threw him under the bus, openly pointing at the fifth year and shrugging as if to say 'You can't teach some kids.'

Roger looked at him with shock at his betrayal.

"Sorry kid," he said quickly. "Every man for himself."

Rather than avoiding conflict he walked right over to Sky.

"You're a pretty good tutor you know," he said conversationally, looking over at the student she had helped.

Glaring at the Ravenclaw boy, she mentally made a note to get back at him later. Though, secretly she knew Jet was to blame. Bribery of some form, perhaps. Smart thinking on the Puff's part to place the blame elsewhere though. She gave him credit for that, very sneaky.

As Jet approached, she crossed her arms and gave him a hard stare. He was complimenting her on her tutoring abilities. Why was he so interested in talking to her anyways? Clearly, there were other people in the room to discuss things with other than herself. Girls that probably would have welcomed his conversation. Speaking of other girls, she glanced around and noticed a few glares being sent her way. Rolling her eyes, Sky shook her head. Jealousy was not pretty on anyone.

Unable to speak, she took a seat on top of one of the desks and watched as the class was dismissed. Students quickly gathered their belongings and moved for the door. Her guess was they were heading towards the Great Hall or to the lake. Classes were over for the day after all.

Jet helped get the students out the door, along with Flitwick.

"No, that's okay professor. I'll clean up."

Professor Flitwick had seemingly not noticed Sky's predicament or that she was even still in the room. But he was no idiot. Flitwick was, in Jet's opinion, one of the smartest professors in Hogwarts. But although there were several great professors, he was also one of the most underrated. Which was part of the reason he was Jet's favorite.

Flitwick had an unassuming demeanor and a quiet genius that was equaled only by his generously friendly personality. He was Ravenclaw's Head of House because of his intelligence, but Jet felt he would fit right in with the Hufflepuffs too.

Strolling back into the room, he hopped up on a desk across from Sky, facing her. He took a moment to himself to study her a little more closely, with no one around and no class to interrupt. She really was... something. Hot? Well, yeah, but that wasn't it. He'd seen blonde hair and legs for days before. There was something else. Maybe in the way she carried herself.

"Let me guess. This was punishment for you?"

Sky gaped as Flitwick left Jet to clean up after class. Wonderful... just what she needed... to be left alone with a boy that obviously had it out for her. She wondered how long he was going to keep her mute for while she tucked her wand into her boot.

This punishment was going above and beyond what she deserved. Next time she wanted to skip class she would think twice. As he walked back towards her she raised an eyebrow. He really did have a problem with staring, didn't he? Shifting slightly, she pulled her skirt down a bit. She didn't particularly enjoy him looking her over in this manner. She wasn't a fool, she knew what boys like him thought when they looked at her.

She nodded in response to his question.

"That's too bad," he said sincerely.

"You really are a good tutor."

Jet glanced at the spot where she'd been assisting the fifth year earlier.

"Danny's been struggling with charms since the beginning of the year."

Sky shrugged, leaning over to grab her notebook out of her bag. She flipped to a blank page and scribbled something down on the page before turning the book to face him.


I'm just good at Charms. I got caught skipping class. Flitwick used that to his advantage.

"Flitwick's a smart guy."

Jet jumped up and started rearranging the classroom back in order like he said he would, using his hands rather than his wand.

"I thought Slytherins never got caught," he said over his shoulder with a smile.