I want a girl with a mind like a diamond

It had only been the first class of the year and already Selwyn knew the McLaggen girl was going to be trouble if nobody kept her out of trouble first.

Unlike most troublemakers, Dariela's problem wasn't that she was stupid or couldn't keep up. Rather, she was probably too intelligent for her own good. Selwyn knew well that a hell of a lot of Slytherins with that particular trait ended up in Azkaban at best. Others joined the Death Eaters. Some simply ended up dead.

He'd made an effort to tidy his office. It wasn't that it was messy as such, simply that Selwyn's basic unit of organisation was the pile. He piled papers and parchments on the ends of his desk, on the shelves of his bookcases in front of the books, on chairs or stools. Any empty space off the floor generally had a pile of something on it.

He'd managed to consolidate a few of them to free up a chair for Mia to sit in, but even now he was sure he wouldn't be able to find what he was looking for next time he wanted it.

With a glance at the clock, he noted that she ought to be here any minute, but he wouldn't put it past the girl to be late just to annoy him.

Okay, this is probably the first time since the beginning of time that Mia thinks she does not deserve to be called for an interview.
I mean, why is he even now angry? For God's sake, year has just begun. Mia has not even managed to unpack all her stuff, certainly did not have time to work out some problems.
Of course, that did not mean that the problems will not be done, but simply does not have time now for them.

However, with professor Selwyn she chats the most, since she spend most of her time with him listening to his boring speeches about her behavior. One she had to admit, he's always come up with a hell of a good speech. Almost never repeats what has already been said.

Mia is Mia, she does everything in her way. For this reason, made sure to get a couple of muffins from Hogsmeade before she went to the professor. Safe to say that he's an old friend, is not it nice to bring gifts?

She entered the office without knocking and sat down in the nearest chair.
"I see that you're tidying up. Honestly, it's about time," smiled innocently and put on the table a plate with muffins.
"I brought you a present, just to express my satisfaction with the new school year and our future meetings" smiled overly cheerful.
"Oh, do not worry. These muffins are low-calorie, you will not gain weight from them," she whispered, as if saying something very confidential.
"Okay. Why am I here? And before you say anything," she paused to emphasize the following words "I didn't first started and I'm not guilty."

Selwyn smiled at Dariela's entry.  He wondered whether she was trying to butter him up or get on his nerves.  Either way, it was clear she was nervous.


"Thank you," he said. "I'm sure Cu Sìth will love those. Though, I don't think he'll be concerned over the calorie content."


Selwyn frowned briefly at her denial of guilt.


"I'm your Head of House, Dariela," he said.  "You do understand that one of my responsibilities is to look out for your wellbeing, don't you?"


He really did wonder how many of his students knew this.  Perhaps he'd have to make an announcement.  He was sure most of them thought his role was to make their lives as painful as possible.


"It concerns me that there are people like you, respected in the House, doing silly things like what you did just now.  Do you know what saying you're not guilty before anyone has accused you of doing anything does?"

She looked at him reproachfully before she laughed icy.
"My pleasure. These are with fruit, they are extremely delicious. I'm sure you will enjoy in them" she rolled her eyes.
When he told her real name, it only led to the new rollover eyes and looked angry addressed professor. He just never learn.
"Mia, I am Mia. I've told you a million times to call me Mia. Do you have memory problems? I can write a memo for you if necessary?" she offered almost polite. Almost, that is the difference between her and other students.

"Yes, yes," she said, bored, "I know you are there to make us good and honest people, you are doing what is best for us, as other parent or best friend." she really knew that this professor is not a bad man, in fact, he is one of her favorite teachers.

"To my regret, this time I really do not know what the problem is. I'd like to take credit for what has already happened, if I know that I've done anything wrong," she said simply, shrugging. She lifted her legs and sat in the Turkish seat. She always feels like at home.

He just listened, amused, as she continued with her diatribe. Slytherins nowadays seemed to have no sense of decorum.

"That is exactly the problem, just Mia," he deliberately added the extra word to her name as though it were a title. If she wanted to lower her status by insisting everyone use a nickname, Selwyn had no problem with that.

"You see, nothing has happened. Although, by the way you jumped so eagerly to deny your guilt, I'm inclined to think you probably have been up to something. Perhaps I should investigate," he suggested.

"Do you see what I'm saying Mia? This house isn't only known for ambition. You have plenty of that, but you can't be cunning if you're not savvy. And it saddens me that practically all of Slytherin thinks all they need to get by is rich parents. There are Hufflepuffs with more cunning than you lot."

Privately, Selwyn quite liked Hufflepuffs, but he was taking a stab in the dark that Mia wouldn't appreciate being compared with them.

She looked at him angrily.
"Are you saying that I'm not smart enough?" she said angrily, but cold at the same time. How he dares. Hell, she's one of the smartest people in her generation and he knows that very well.
"I did not do anything, but feel free to explore. I'm sure you'll have fun," she smiled coldly.
In fact, he can find entertainment organized by Mia last night, but of course she will not say it to him.

She looked at him, shocked again.
"I never thought I could have anything, because my parents were rich! All I'm trying to achieve all alone, and you know it! And now even say that yellows pathetics are wiser than I am? Professor, I really do not want to listen that," she shook her head and then she almost jumped out of her chair and headed for the door.

"Dariela McLaggen sit down immediately."

Selwyn didn't bother to raise his voice, but when he was angry, he never needed to. People had a habit of taking kindness for granted, and they did not expect that kindness to run out.

His wand flicked, sealing the door shut.

"I have tried to be patient with you, Miss McLaggen," he said tersely, "but you continue to act like a spoiled child. So I shall treat you like one."

"Perhaps you can explain to me why I ought to show you any kindness at all when all you ever show me is disrespect," he said.

"You come to my classes and glare at me whenever I ask you to participate. Care of Magical Creatures is an elective. If you don't like it, don't come."

"I try to give you advice, and you throw a tantrum worthy of a two year old."

"Since you are so intelligent and so independent, you presumably don't act like this because you think mummy and daddy will get you out of it."

He leaned back in his chair.

"So, by all means, explain yourself."

He wasn't yelling at her. Damn, if he was shouting at her she would have sued him.
No, his voice was deadly quiet and something in that voice forced Mia to obey him without objection.
After all, he locked the door. How accurately she could get out?

She sat back in her chair in silence, trying to show him how much she is annoyed now.
Brat? He thinks she's a brat? Are you kidding me? However, she is still quiet. Even she knew when to shut up and just listen.

She looked at him again, determined to ignore him. Underlined her feet under herself and sat so.
However, he was silent, patiently waited for her to start talking.
If Mia sufficient knows him, she knows that he can always be like this. He's just one of those people with sick great patience.

"I want to fit in," she said at last, surprised how much those words are true.
"In your class I come because I want to know that. But I have long tried to become somebody. I have long worked to gain the respect of others, I don't want to destroy it now," she shrugged.
In fact, everything that was once important now become irrelevant.
Her only true passion is Quidditch.

"Uh huh," Selwyn replied.  

He'd never even been good at gaining the trust of people his own age, let alone a teenage girl.  Nevertheless...

"I think everyone worries about fitting in with the rest of Slytherin.  The other houses are all so prejudiced against us so it's twice as important to have friends in our own house," he tried to sympathise.

"That said, you must know I can't let you behave as you please.  In fact, the other houses' attitude is all the more reason for us Slytherins to be beyond reproach.  Do you understand what I mean, Miss McLaggen?" he asked.

She listened to his words uninterested.
Mia is known for her interest in something is .. how long? Five minutes?
No, probably a lot less.

When your friend tries to empathize with you and give you an advice, it's kinda cute, maybe even worth listening to, but when your professor attempts to be nice, then, it is simply ridiculous and perhaps even pathetic.
Her professor is not known for his empathy towards other people, why start now?

She nodded. "Okay, I get it. I need to fix my behavior on classes blah blah, can I go now? My training starts in half an hour, do not forget that I am captain, I have to get there in time?" she rolled her eyes and looked at him in anticipation.