Chapter 7
UNEXPECTED SURPRISE
Albus woke up bright and early the next morning. Today was the day he was going to learn about Defense Against the Dark Arts. He was sure he inherited his father's ability. Before class, Albus had a free period. He and Rose sat down at a small round table in the library. Albus twiddled his thumbs, and kept biting his lip.
"I'm so excited," Albus said.
Rose kept pushing her head farther and farther into her book. Albus stuck his hands in his pockets and felt something hard. He pulled out the object, and realized it was the chocolate Professor Grindle had given him.
"I almost forgot about this!"
Albus unwrapped the package, and started to put the candy in his mouth when…BOOM! Everything went black. Albus woke up with Rose and Professor McGonagall standing over him. His head hurt badly, and his arms felt burned.
"Are you okay, Albus?" Rose's voice rang through his head.
Professor McGonagall's arms heaved Albus to his feet.
"What happened," Albus said wearily.
"It seems someone has tried to well…" Rose stopped mid-sentence. She held up the chocolate card. It was in many pieces.
"Potter, who gave you this," Professor McGonagall said politely.
Albus looked at her. She looked really worried about him. Albus's throat felt clogged. It was so sore he could barely speak. Finally he spoke.
"Grindle. Professor Grindle."
McGonagall sped off down the aisles of books. Albus's eyes followed her until she exited out the door. Rose looked at Albus as if he had been hit by a bus. They left the library and headed for Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"This just doesn't make sense!"
Albus jumped at the sound of Rose's voice. She had been quiet for a while.
"Why would Professor Grindle want to kill you?"
Albus looked at her strangely.
"You don't think a bag of candy couldn't killed me do you?"
Rose's eyes gave Albus a "don't be stupid" look.
"Professor McGonagall said that poison was inserted into the candy to make it explode. Luckily, you didn't eat it.
Suddenly, Albus realized that Professor Grindle couldn't be trusted. Albus thought long and hard over this. While in deep thought, a voice rang out.
"Come on, or you'll be late for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Albus looked ahead. A professor dressed in beige was standing at a doorway. His hair was a dark brown and he had a small beige hat on his head. Albus rushed toward him, and ran into the room. When he looked around, he saw a chalkboard that read:
DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS – BASICS
Albus took a seat at the front. He was shaking as if someone had thrown him into a freezer.
"Good morning, my name is Professor Finnigan. I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Now I'm sure you all think this job is cursed, but fear not I've been working here for almost ten years."
Albus soaked in every word he was hearing.
"Please turn to page twenty-six and begin reading for me…uh…Mr. Potter."
Albus looked up. Professor Finnigan was smiling. His hat twitched a little.
"You're Harry's son? Yes? I went to school with him. Anyhow, please begin reading the basics on page twenty-six."
Albus flipped open his book and cleared his throat.
"Defense basics include safety precautions and awareness to the spell you are using. Jinxes and hexes are different forms of defense. Certain spells can be used to shield and protect…"
Albus stopped. His eyes glimpsed at the doorway. He saw Professor Grindle. He just stared at Albus. His stare felt cold and unnerving. Suddenly Professor Finnigan spoke.
"What is it Albus?"
Albus looked at the professor then looked back at the doorway. No one was there.
