Dark Wizard Collector: A Hogwarts Fanfiction

Chapter 16

Four o'clock rang and I was in the staffroom where a kettle sang in tune with an ancient grandfather clock. "Late," I muttered and poured myself some tea into a delicate china cup and saucer. Moments later, Busterforth hurried into the room with a weak smile. "Professor," I nodded and poured him a cup of hot tea. "Now, I would like to know more about what interested you to learn the Dark Arts."

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," corrected the uncomfortable man with a sheepish nod and sat down across from me.

"Yes, yes, I apologize; that's the second time I've done that." I straightened my posture and looked at the tea leaves that steeped in my cup.

A silence settled around us, till I looked expectantly at the professor. "Ah yes, well, my mother was a cautious witch and my father a daring rogue." My brow arched and I listened as he explained how he lived his youth in fear of the Dark Arts. All the while, I was internally shaking my head at the irrational apprehension he had for the best magic. We spoke pleasantly about defense techniques, but never a mention of the curses I dared to use. It amazed me how many truly interesting defensive methods there were that allowed the caster to easily overtake the attacker. Deep in my thought, I was working out the battle I had witnessed between Gellert and Dumbledore. A pang of pain caused me to wince when Busterforth explained the exact maneuver Albus and his brother Aberforth used to snap Gellert's curse away, leaving my love open for attack for a split second. My jaw tightened as I recalled seeing the Dumbledore brothers ensnare Gellert and lock him away in that forsaken fortress, Nurmengard, wherein Gellert has been wasting away. I bit back anger as I realized there would never be a way for me to undo the spell the brothers put on the greatest dark wizard in the world.

It was hopeless; my ultimate battle to win Gellert's heart by doing whatever I could to free him was futile. During the conversation, I resigned myself to try harder to let go of the unrequited love I held on to for so long. But I had been so obsessed with the handsome Professor Grindelwald that I needed to constantly distract myself from thinking about him. A sigh escaped me and I pressed feet against the ground to try and release the storm I had raging within me. Many times had it crossed my mind to use a memory charm against myself to forget the man that I first gave myself to, but I could never fully complete the chant. My heart was in pieces and the only thing that could, even slightly, cure me was friendship. That in itself was another problem for me. I was incurably independent and distrustful of others, which always put a wrench between my few attempts at friendship.

In front of me, was a wizard that I did not find attractive in anyway, but I used to think that the point of friendship was to make connections with useful beings. Another sigh seeped out of my nose and I admitted that I was not the most caring person in the world. Well, Tom also, I mused and wished my brother had more consideration for me and at least contacted me. It had been years since I spoke with him and it pained me to know of his hatred for his older sister. I better do something about that. I know I will strive to make friends with the least likely characters. Maybe that is just what I need to do, befriend those around me and not judge them so harshly.After all Maven, I chided myself, why did you create the alias Miss Maera Zeria? It is time you learned to make friends the right way, not with your head stuck in a book.

Thoughtfully, I folded my hands and smiled. "Well Mr. Busterforth, this has been an... enlightening discussion and I am glad to know that our newest professor here at Hogwarts is such an expert in the," I stopped and finished the last sip of my tea, "Defense Against the Dark Arts. I hope the students will learn plenty of useful ways to protect themselves from the dangers of this world. Now, I am afraid I have work to do. Ta."

"How right you are Miss Zeria. I am very pleased to speak of my findings with such a receptive colleague. Cheerio." The portly man smiled and stood to bid me farewell.