Misty Swift and The Dragon's Pearl

Chapter Six It's Magic Sparks

Monday, 8th September 2014

The weekend was over and we we were not ready for the first day of school. I had slept in again and so we were all rushing to the great hall for breakfast. When we arrived we stuffed our faces, only Charlotte didn't, instead she was using a spoon to check her hair was fine.

"I'd like to make an announcement!" Charles raised his voice above the commotion of a typical Monday morning. "At the end of the year there will be a Colourful Talent Festival, you are all invited to come. It would be great if you all did." he smiled before sitting down again.

"Look at all of them! All the professors are whispering." Fern pointed out. Charlotte didn't look up from the spoon. I looked at the teachers at the back, they all had worried looks on their faces whispering to each other. I could just about hear them.

"The Colourful Festival, not again!" I heard Professor Wood telling Professor Culpepper.

"Theodor, must we go to the Colourful Talent Festival?" whispered Professor Mac Wright.

"Well, if you all wish to not attend...I did hope you would all go, but if you don't want to. I want you to unite two of the houses, by getting one person from each house to become very good friends." Dankwood told them. I was a little shocked and so were the teachers. Although I wanted to tell someone, I knew I couldn't.

Professor Richard was a strange man. But in a way he was an interesting character. He was an energetic person who seemed to be quite thirsty and a bit like a mole. The classroom was pitch black, we couldn't really see the professor, pale skinned, brown eyed with brown hair which had a red edge. He seemed also quite boney. But I guess I was the only one who noticed.

"Well today we are going to review last year." He paused and stared at us in a strange longing way. "Ah, get out your books, I guess it's better that we just start by showing some ways of defeating the dark arts. Let's pair you up. One student from Vulpix and one student from Ursus." he reminded me that Ursus was in the room. He pointed at people, pairing them together. Poppy and James ironically were put together. I was with Alex who I didn't mind, but he annoyed me about various things, since he was James's friend. The professor pushed the tables and got us to stand facing our partners, in two lines across the whole room. "Right, now that's done." he paused and stared at me inquiringly. "I want you to have a duel, this is the beginning moves," he showed us a step where he had his wand up, holding it in front of his chest. Then he swung his arm down to his side. He turned around and walked one step, then took another two steps, waited and turned around again. "Then you would cast the spell you want. But let's just use simple spells now. Let's say, spells just to stop them from being able to continue." he looked at everyone, who stared back. "We'll, go on, do it." He realised. Slowly everyone started, following his instructions and using the movements he showed us. When Alex and I started I was very nervous and couldn't think of what spell to use. I could feel Professor Richard glaring making me agitated, but I had to try to duel. We both turned around wands at the ready. Others were already casting spells. Alex seemed a little lost himself so I tried to take advantage.

"Elido!" I thought of the strategies we had used in the game at Poppy's house. Alex had opened his mouth to cast a spell, but fell unconscious to the ground.

"You won in one move! Good job!" the professor came to me nervously smiling. I was surprised he didn't tell me off for knocking a student out. My friends looked, grinning, I wasn't sure why though.

As we walked out of class, Charlotte had a huge grin across her face. "Who's the new teacher's pet?" she grinned even more and looked at me.

"I'm not a teacher's pet." I was a bit amazed that she would think that.