Neurasthenia

The boy who lived || ii

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Date: 31st October 1981
Current Location: Privet Drive

A certain man appeared so suddenly with a loud crack, you'd have thought he'd just popped out of the ground. 

He was tall, thin, and very old, judging by the sliver of his hair and beard, which were long enough that he could tuck it into his belt if he wished. He was wearing long robes, a purple cloak that swept the ground, and high-heeled, buckled boots.

"HEADMASTER" Many students cheered happily except some Slytherin but the old man merely flashed a warm smile.

Tom Riddle could barely contain a sneer when he saw the old fool and his irritation seemed to deepen when he hear the rowdy Gryffindors and other younger students cheering when they saw him.

His blue eyes were light, bright, and sparkling behind half-moon spectacles and his nose was very long and crooked, as though had been broken at least twice.

Albus Dumbledore could be seen rummaging in his cloak, looking for something. He abruptly looked up and saw a tabby cat sitting on a wall, who was staring at him from the other end of the street.

"Minne!" The Marauders cheered making the said teacher glare at them but her lips twitched upwards to an unnoticeable smile.

He chuckled and muttered, "I should have known."

He seemed to have found what he was looking for, flicked it open, held it up in the air, and clicked it. The nearest street lamp went out with a little pop. He clicked it again – the next lamp flickered into darkness.

"Merlin's left saggy ball that is-"

"It's amazing"

"Brilliant"

"Spectacular"

"Can we have it, professor?" asked the Maradurs and the Prewett twins in unison.

People shuddered at the thought of them having one, imagining how much mischief they could be causing with those.

"Fancy seeing you here, Professor McGonagall." He spoke while continuing to walk, suddenly the cat turned into a rather stern-looking woman, who was wearing square glasses exactly the shape of the markings the cat had around its eyes. She too was wearing a cloak, an emerald one. Her black hair was drawn into a tight bun. She looked distinctly ruffled.

"Professor ruffled? Something's wrong because those two words just don't go together" said Lily and everyone agreed.

"How did you know it was me?" she asked.

"My dear Professor, I've never seen a cat sit so stiffly."

"You'd be stiff if you'd been sitting on a brick wall all day," said Professor McGonagall.

"All day?" When you could have been celebrating? I must have passed a dozen feasts and parties on my way here."

Professor McGonagall sniffed angrily and said. "Oh yes, everyone's celebrating all right," she said impatiently. "You'd think they'd be a bit more careful, but no – even the muggles have noticed something's going on. It was on their news."

The pureblood families along with the professor nodded in agreement. Even if they are celebrating they should at least pay attention to their surroundings and blend in to keep their world a secret.