38. Rictusempra

“You will be learning the tickling charm today,” Flitwick announced to the class, “So everyone partner up, please.”

While Ron and Hermione partnered up, Harry was stuck working with Neville.

After learning the incantation and wand movement, the class set to work on successfully completing the spell.

“Five points to Gryffindor” Flitwick announced. Harry just completing the spell correctly thought that he had earned house points, for once. Sadly, Harry was mistaken. It was Hermione who was receiving the points, despite the fact that Ron was not laughing as hard as Neville was.

“Rictusempra.” Harry bellowed causing Neville to fall into fits of laughter, once again. Flitwick walked past Harry and Neville without a word.

Professor Flitwick continued to comment on how well all the other students were doing with the spell, but never recognized that Harry was doing well.

“I guess a teacher always does have favorites and least favorites,” Harry muttered to himself, as he exited the class a few minutes later.

Slouching into an armchair in the common room, Harry set to do the homework that Flitwick had assigned them, despite the fact that he knew he would get one of the lowest marks on the assignment.