Finally, when Doyle opened his big, fat gob, Ariel remembered why he didn't attend potions as a rule. He was considering getting up and walking out but he buried his head behind a book, determined to try and block out the Headmaster's words. They cut Ariel deeply. Whether it was the Professor's intention or not, it didn't matter. It still made his heart clench and drop into his stomach. A lump formed in his throat and he did his best to swallow it, and the emotions bubbling, down.
Imagine...being a freak of nature...
Ariel sucked in a breath and clamped his eyes shut. In that moment, he wished he hadn't. Visions of Jack, of Rise, of his mother, of his brother and sister, of his father...they passed before his eyes as if on a movie reel. Each one showed him exactly what he didn't want to see, proof that Doyle was right -- that he was a freak of nature. Ariel shook his head fervently behind the book, desperate to take the thoughts from his mind.
Just as Ariel was beginning to snap, a voice came to his rescue. He took his head out from behind the book to find that it was Elijah speaking. Ariel's eyes widened a little and he felt his lips twitch into a smile. Leave off Ariel. Three words that stopped the blonde from lashing out himself. Ariel closed his book and put it with the rest. He ran his hands over his face and sighed quietly to himself.
It was then that the door opened. The Werewolf looked up and watched as Amelia scuttled into the room, hugging her cauldron to her chest. Ariel found himself rising to his feet as she made her way over. He put his hand on the rim of the cauldron that she dropped so abruptly onto the table, preventing it from falling off. He quelled the kinetic energy in the other items, dizzy from the fall, and looked at Amelia when she spoke.
"He's being the same as usual," Ariel replied quietly. "So you haven't missed much. He's thought up some new material though. It's...impressive."
Not necessarily the right word...but effective none the less.
Wolfsbane. She had to mention Wolfsbane. Ariel's lip curled and he lifted his head, his eyes seeking out the Professor. He mumbled a quick, "Yes," to Amelia and opened his mouth to challenge the Professor's comment. Wherever the burst of confidence had come from, Ariel was grateful for it. He didn't want Krum to think he had all of the bollocks.
"Sir, how exactly can I tell people about being a freak of nature?" Ariel all but hissed before laughing coldly. "You are suggesting that...I am one?"