I looked around the entrance to the school. There were students everywhere. Then I saw someone standing against the wall as the students shuffled into the castle. I approached him cautiously, not expecting what I saw. What I had thought was a scarf from standing far away was actually a cat. A very ugly cat indeed.
The man holding the cat was no pretty picture, either. He had on a raggedy brown coat and pants. His unshaven face looked scratchy and he had stringy hair that probably hadn't been washed in a long, long time. It went down to his shoulders. Also, the man's teeth didn't do much for him. Over all, he looked like a homeless man with a job he was not cut out for.
Nevertheless, I walked up to him and said, "My name is Annabeth Chase. A Mr. Hagrid told me the headmaster wanted to see me."
The filthy man replied, "The name is Filch. Full name Argus Filch. Follow me."
Mr. Filch was rather blunt. He didn't make small talk or attempt to put me at ease with the many twists and turns through the castle corridors. But that was fine with me. He didn't seem the type of person one would have an intelligent conversation with. Finally, we reached the end of a hallway where the statue of a creature that resembled a Gryphon.
"The password to the headmaster's office is highly secretive and you won't want to be dishing it out." Mr. Filch said. I nodded, not wanting to open my mouth in case I gagged. Mr. Filch smelled as disgusting as he looked. He continued to say, "Acid Pop."
I was about to ask, "What kind of password is that?" when the statue moved. I inhaled sharply as the Gryphon started to turn and spiral upwards revealing a staircase up to the higher levels of the castle. I watched, amazed, as I stepped onto one of the steps and felt myself sailing upwards. When I stopped moving I climbed the remaining steps until I reached a door. I took a deep breath and readjusted the strap of my backpack on my shoulder. Then I knocked.
From inside a voice said, "Come in."
I entered the room and silently gasped at the wonder of all of the objects in the room. The architecture defining the room was prominent, with pillars placed proportionately around a raised platform that had a detailed wood desk sitting there. Behind it were many shelves of books. The rest of the walls were covered in paintings that— were actually moving! I started to smile as I turned round in one spot, taking it all in. It seemed the office of an esteemed scholar. I knew I would like Dumbledore.
Someone cleared their throat behind me. I whirled around to see a very old man. He was thin and tall, with long silver hair and beard. He wore long, deep purple robes and a cloak that swept the floor. His bright eyes shined behind half-moon spectacles. I immediately felt a deep respect for the man, even though I didn't know what he had ever done in his life.
"You must be the young demigod Chiron sent to help me." Dumbledore said. I nodded as he pulled out his wand. I looked at it wearily. I knew it held great power. Power, I myself would never harness because I did not have wizard blood. He raised the wand and said, "Colloportus."
I spun around just to see the door close and lock behind me.
"You could have asked me to do that, you know." I said while turning back around. Dumbledore smiled slowly. He walked to his immaculate desk and leaned against the front of it, folding his hands in front of him.
"Ah, yes. I could have. But I suppose I wanted to impress you, Ms. Chase." Dumbledore said. He moved around the desk, saying, "Please, sit." He motioned the one of the chairs in front of his desk. I took the chair and we both sat down.
"So," Dumbledore went on. "What god or goddess are you the daughter of?"
"Athena." I confirmed.
"Ah, how proper. Chiron sent you, a battle strategist, to assist me."
"You are a well-informed wizard." I said. "But yes, that is most likely why I was sent."
"You will be teaching classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, if it pleases you." Dumbledore informed me.
"What exactly should I be teaching them?" I asked. He paused, as if to gather the right words.
"Teach them how to compose themselves in a battle, show them how to fight physically and mentally against an enemy. But most of all, teach them strategies that will occur in a real war, as there will most definitely be one in the future." Dumbledore let that sit in the air for a few seconds.
I took a deep breath then said, "I don't say this as if it will make you feel optimistic about the future, but to reassure you. I have been through two wars myself already. I have literally fallen into the deepest depths of hell and have been through countless battles. I will do my best to teach the students here what exactly they will be dealing with, so that they can be prepared. So that they don't have to feel the initial shock of not knowing what to do when someone threatens their existence."
I paused. "I swear it upon the River Styx."
