Dark Wizard Collector: A Hogwarts Fanfiction

Chapter 40

The Staff Room was a cozy parlor with several arm chairs sitting before a hearth and an ancient grandfather clock whose pendulum rocked back and forth with a mesmerizing rhythm. A moment passed where my mind was enraptured by the marvelous invention. The attention I held so religiously upon the ticking clock was broken when a figure reflected within the polished black wood. I spun with a start to see the Ancient Runes professor approaching me. "Pardon me, Miss Zeria; I did not mean to startle you. That is quite a clock there, is it not?" The wizard's gravelly voice brought me fully out of my trance; I nodded in agreement.

"You seem to know what makes this clock so intriguing. Tell me Professor Alduin, how come you by such knowledge?" I jested with dark grey haired man.

The navy blue robes the professor wore shimmered as he shrugged his broad shoulders. A smile pulled at the side of his tight lipped mouth. "Call it... intuition. That clock has been at Hogwarts since the time of the Founders. It's said that Rowena Ravenclaw designed it, Salazar Slytherin crafted the metal pieces, Helga Hufflepuff found the wood and carved it, and Godric Gryffindor assembled the whole. Quite a masterpiece that clock is, if you ask me." The man of about sixty observed the clock again with satisfaction and then trained his eyes on me.

"Well," I breathed, intrigued by his tidbit of history, "you do know your stuff. Why are you so silent at mealtime conversation? I would enjoy hearing others than professors Flitwick and Sprout rambling." I straightened my posture and watched him walk to the hearth.

"I would ask the same thing. My eyes tire of Hagrid and Madame Hooch." He smirked. "Join me for lunch today." Professor Alduin's hazel eyes did not ask me; they commanded me.

"If you will excuse me, but my presence has been previously engaged to Professor Busterforth." I lied with a false regret.

Alduin's slender fingers rapped against the stone hearth in slight annoyance.

"Ah! And there he is now." The volume of my words ascended and flagged down the fat wizard who readily walked over to me. "Professor, let us off to lunch; shall we?" I pressed Busterforth from the room with a backwards smirk at the handsome wizard whose hazel eyes followed me with intrigue. "Bertram, do tell me, would you rather have the green houses cursed now or sometime during the week?"

After a bit of stuttering, Busterforth managed to let out an answer. "Whenever you so wish."

"Honestly, I don't think cursing anything is a good idea right now, especially because of the murder of that school owl. Dumbledore spoke to me and I think there is a better way for you to impress Professor Sprout. The magic that killed the owl was not performed by a student. Hence, we must be wary of any witch or wizard that may want to do harm to students or adults. Defense is necessary, and harmless planned pranks are not tolerated at such a time." I instructed and the beady eyes of the professor glinted.

"Very well, that is a wise thing to do. Yes, yes." He nodded his light brown haired head, "I quite agree we should focus on any strange happenings."

We sat down at lunch and spoke of things we enjoyed, like silent walks on sunny days even with the cold nip of winter upon our faces. The new professor had grown on me and his largeness and plain face no longer bothered my eyes. Looking over to Professor Sprout, I noticed her watching Busterforth and me. Her gaze met mine and I smiled. Something was not right; she did not smile back. A chuckle escaped me as I recognized jealousy. "Bertram," I leaned over to the wizard at my side. "I believe Pomona thinks you and I fancy each other." The man blanched and I chuckled, "Have no fear, sir. This may just help you in your advances toward her heart." Raising my glass of pumpkin juice to my lips, I could not help but smile.

"Maera, do you really think so?" Busterforth sounded anxious and he stared down at his plate, unable to look over to Professor Sprout.

"Do calm yourself," I laughed, "and just take every day as it comes."

The wizard looked up at me and nodded, "Yes. Quite right." His chubby face smiled kindly and the green of his small eyes grinned. "Thank you. That's very considerate of you." A pause fell between us and I continued eating a salad before me. "You know Maera; I was rather frightened of you when I began teaching here at Hogwarts. But it seems that I am never in want of surprise here at this establishment."

Astonishment overcame me like swift winds changing the skies. "I don't know what to say." A weak and nervous laugh escaped me. "Umm, if I was ever inhospitable to you; I apologize. I've never had friends before."

With a glance of disbelief, Busterforth held up his water goblet and said, "Then here's to friends."

"To friends," I agreed, and took a sip from the polished gold goblet.