Chapter 4
How could a ghost go missing? He obviously couldn't be sick, or with a family member, or dead. And of all ghosts, Professor Binns had never skipped a day of school in both life and death. Legend has it that one night he died in his sleep, and the next morning he came to teach as a ghost. After all that, how could he just disappear?
After about ten minutes of panic, Headmistress Knott and a few other professors arrived. "If I could have your attention, for a minute," Knott began in her soft, but commanding voice, "due to the fact that we are unable to locate Professor Binns at this time, we will be cancelling the lessons until he returns. We ask that each of you either use this time to study, take up another class, although it will probably be with different houses. We are terribly sorry for the inconvenience and hope to find your professor as soon as possible. I will be in my office if you wish to change your schedule today." Without another word she turned and left.
"She must really be worried if she's asking us to change classes already," said Albus. Just then Scorpius came running into the classroom. "Dude, where've you been? " Nash questioned. "I, um, slept in a bit, I was a little tired after, well, you guys know," said Scorpius gesturing to Albus and Nash. That was weird, first Professor Binns goes missing, then Malfoy comes to class late. He never skips class. I decided to butt in, "No, I really don't know, do you care to enlighten me?" "Maybe another time, Rose," he responded curtly, "Anyway, what's gone on here? Where's everyone going?" "Didn't you hear? The ghost went missing!" said Leena. "You're joking right? A ghost can't just go missing," he said. He genuinely seemed as if he had no idea. He must worse than I originally thought. I mean, he had to be behind it. He has never been late to a class before. The conversation between my friends went on for a while, but I politely excused myself to go see the Headmistress Knott about my schedule. I can't believe all my friends bought his little act. I don't know what he's up to, but I was going to figure it out.
I was so lost in thought that I guess I didn't hear footsteps coming up behind me. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and instinctively threw my best right hook at my "attacker". When I actually looked, I found McLagen laying on the ground. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," I apologized, helping him up. "Wow, Rosie, I knew you didn't like me, but I didn't think you hated me that much," he said somewhat half-heartedly. "I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to; actually I've been wanting to talk to you about something…." I began. "I've been so lousy to you the past few years, and you did nothing to deserve it. I was wondering if maybe on the next Hogsmead trip, you wanted to maybe get a bite to eat or something." "Really?" he asked doubtfully. "Of course, I was kind of hoping to show you that I'm not as big of a snob as I've been to you recently. After all, we're going to be spending an awful lot of time together." I said. "So, it's not a date then?" he sighed. "We'll see how it goes and then we can decide if it was a date or not," I said. "Okay, well, great! So I'll see you next Saturday then?" his questioned. "Yes." "Well I've got to run and get something for my, so I'll see you later," he said cheerfully. That's when I noticed his eye was starting to turn a nasty purple and black color. "I'm so sorry about that," I said again. "It's okay. It was worth it," he smiled, with his dazzling white teeth and without another word he rushed off.
When I finally made it to the room where Knott's office was, I stood outside realizing that I had not been paying attention when they announced the password to the prefects. I stood there for a while hoping that eventually someone would either come in or out that could help me. Fortunately, someone did: Unfortunately, it was the person who I least wanted to see. "Forgot the password?" Scorpius asked, with mock genuine concern. "No, I just wanted to stare at this lovely wall," I snapped. "Okay, suit yourself," he smirked and whispered the password that opened the passage way. "See ya, around Rose," he taunted. After a second of debating, I sacrificed my pride and hollered for him to wait for me.
Thankfully when we arrived Knott was already prepared for us. "It's a good thing the both of you are here because I wanted to talk to the both of you about something," she started. After a million possibilities ran through my head, she finally responded. "The both of you scored a perfect grades on your potions, history of magic, and defense final exams last year, and got near perfect scores on all of your other tests," she paused as if waiting for some reaction from us. When she got none, she continued. " Normally in this situation, I would be suspicious of cheating, but because I know you two, I know that you would never do that. However, it seems as if you are both not being challenged enough and that is why I have arranged for extra lessons for the both of you with various professors to challenge your abilities, in place of a History of Magic lessons." "What?" we both gawked. The last person I wanted to spend more time with was that bloody Malfoy. "But, Headmistress—" I began. "No objections, now your first class is in two days and I expect you both to be there, if not you will receive detention just as if you were to skip a regular class."
I was shocked, honored, and disgusted all at the same time. Why did it have to be the very person whom I hated most? Why couldn't it be Nash or even Mc Lagen, that I had to spend extra time with? Today, turned out to be a very interesting first day back.
