Protection In The Dungeons

Waffles, And Mental Moody

     I snuggled into my comforter, enjoying the sun's first rays. I looked at my clock, seeing that I had only a few minutes until my alarm rang. I groaned. I didn't want to go to class today. I wanted to sleep in.

My alarm rang, and I sat up, turning it off. I was getting ready to get out of bed, but I realized that the summer holidays had just begun. I flopped back into my bed, and pulled my comforter back up to my chin.

I closed my eyes to just rest them, and I woke up an hour later. I heard Snape calling me.

    I jumped out of bed, I threw on my clothes, and ran downstairs. Snape gave me a slightly amused look. "You slept in."

     I began to defend myself. "I didn't mean to! I was just resting my eyes, and next thing I knew-I was waking up again..." I looked down, ashamedly.

     He raised an eyebrow."That's a dangerous game to play, don't you think?" His eyes twinkled with a very rare expression. If I hadn't known him as well as I did, I would have mistaken his teasing as scolding. "Sit down, please. I made breakfast."

    I sat down, and he placed a plate in front of me. He had tried his best to make my favorite American breakfast: waffles with chocolate chips, and assorted berries.

     "What's this for?" I looked at him confused.

    He smiled. "Have you forgotten? Well let me remind you..." he placed an envelope in front of me. "Go on, open it."

    I obeyed, and opened the envelope. I saw a handmade birthday card.  "I haven't celebrated my birthday in years! How did you know?"

    His smile widened at my surprise. "I'm your legal guardian. Of course I have access to your records. That being said, happy thirteenth  birthday, Katria."

    I hugged him tightly. I couldn't remember the last time I had celebrated my birthday, if I ever had.

    He patted my back, chuckling. "I got you something."

    I looked up curiously. He produced a long yard long box, wrapped in brown paper, and tied in string. I opened it carefully, to reveal a shiny, new broom.

    "A nimbus 2001?" I couldn't believe my eyes.

    He nodded. "You'll be able to try out for quidditch next year. I wanted you to be prepared."

    I smiled. "Thank you. It's beautiful!"

    He nodded. "You're very welcome. Just don't ride it without supervision, and make sure you learn how to balance on it before you go higher than twenty feet. Do you understand?"

    I nodded. "So I don't fall off. Understood."

   He sat down at the table. "Let's eat before your waffles get soggy."

    We ate for a little bit, until a knock was heard at our door. Snape opened the door to see Dumbledore smiling outside our house.

    "Ah, Albus... what brings you here?" He greeted him with about as much enthusiasm as a child that was told that he was grounded.

    Dumbledore smiled. "We have decided who the defense against dark arts teacher for this coming school year will be."

    Snape perked up a little. "Yes?"

    Dumbledore chuckled. "It's not you, my boy."

    Snape glowered at Dumbledore. "Why did you come here to tell me that I have not been given this job... again... for the fifteenth time?"

     Dumbledore smiled. "You see, I thought you'd like to know who our new teacher is."

    Snape rolled his eyes. "Enough with the games, Albus. Who have you hired?"

    Dumbledore chuckled and replied. "Alistair Moody."

    Snape looked shocked. "You can't be serious!"

   Dumbledore. "Obviously I'm not Sirius, Severus. I'm Albus. Have you been drinking, my boy?"

    Snape rolled his eyes. "Thats not what I meant, and you know it, Albus."

    Dumbledore's smile somehow got bigger. "I know you and Alistair don't get along Severus, but-"

    Snape cut him off. "But nothing! He's mental! And you're mental if you want to have him teach classrooms of CHILDREN!! This is one of your worst ideas ever! Worse than the pumpkin spice potion you tried to convince me to make last Halloween!"

    "Severus my boy, I know what I'm doing. Trust me." Dumbledore replied. "Also, that potion would have been a hit with the kids if you had just made it. You're such a party pooper."

   Snape sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Are we done here, Albus?"

   Dumbledore nodded. "Enjoy your summer holidays, Severus."

    Snape closed the door behind the older wizard, and sighed, relieved. "Great! He's gone."

    I laughed. "Pumpkin spice potion?"

    He shuddered. "I don't want to talk about it."