-Chapter Seven-
Nightmares
Their first class after lunch was Defence Against the Dark Arts with Professor Retskope and the Gryffindors.
Of all his teachers, Al had to admit that Retskope was his favourite; even though he'd known Professor Longbottom for as long as he could remember, Retskope and Al had a connection few students had with their teachers.
Caleb Retskope was the Head of Slytherin House, a half-blood wizard who was on good terms with Al's father, Harry (who even admitted that Retskope 'knew his stuff'.)
Retskope was a world-traveller, and had saved multiple wizarding and Muggle communities from dark creatures and wizards. His companion on these trips was his older brother, Xander Retskope. Xander owned the wand shop in Diagon Alley, which he had bought from the late Ollivander. Albus remembered Xander as a very thin man who was close to his brother in age, with a welcoming smile and a strong smell of cologne to him.
Scorpius caught up to Al and Rose in the hallway outside of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Rose had dark rings under her eyes from staying up all night; she had been researching the tower that had appeared in the forest the night before.
"I just want to know why it's suddenly appeared here after all this time," she said. "Who's inside it, who controls it, that sort of thing…"
She yawned, and Al looked at Scorpius. "As long as it doesn't involve us stealing a sword from you common room and sneaking down to that thing, go ahead and read up on it."
They entered the classroom, and Retskope appeared behind them, although Al didn't remember seeing his teacher standing there.
This was probably because of Retskope's Time-Turner; he had one of the last few in the world around his neck at all times, in case of emergencies.
Retskope entered, his long hair in a ponytail appearing to be slightly shorter; he'd gotten a trim over the summer, and he now sported a small beard.
Albus smiled as his Head of House took his place behind the desk at the front of the room. He flicked his wand at the board, and chalk-written words appeared. They were starting on their study of non-tradable magical items, most of which were dangerous and dark.
After the lesson, which was mostly just copying notes, Retskope gave them free time. As many students whispered about the tower, Scorpius gazed out the window at it.
"How come if I can't see Thestrals, I can see the tower?" He asked as Al sat down next to him. Retskope was behind them, and he walked up. "I believe it has more complexity to it than what we see; I do not believe in Hodge's proclamation at the feast. I actually think that the tower reveals itself to those it finds worthy, or those it chooses."
Rose piped up. "Professor," she asked, "Are you saying you think that the tower has a mind of its own? A consciousness?"
Retskope looked at the students thoughtfully. "Perhaps," he said. "Perhaps."
A.S.P.
Al's other classes simply flew by; he had one class without Rose this year, which was Transfiguration with Professor Whitby. Whitby was Head of Hufflepuff House, and an Animagus. He could transform into a meerkat.
Transfiguration was also the last class of the day. Making his way to the common room, Al bumped into Scorpius, who'd been taking a bathroom break. "Hey," said Scorpius, "Where you heading?"
Al sighed. "I've got a headache," he said. "I'm going to try and lay down. Might miss dinner, actually."
Scorpius's stomach rumbled, and Al grinned. "Have my helpings," he said. Scorpius nodded. "I'll save you some, though. I'll bring them up and when you're awake you can eat."
Al nodded gratefully, and entered the common room. He fell asleep quickly in his bunk, eyes throbbing from the painful headache he had. However, his dreams were far from peaceful.
Like the first dream he'd had, the night before, he saw the large, dark tower in the forest. The letters and symbols engraved in another language that spiralled up the tower were glimmering with what appeared to be blood; it dribbled down the black bricks, onto the earthy forest floor beneath it. A pair of bright, cat-like eyes shone through the darkness at Albus…
Shooting up, Al found himself drenched in sweat and with such a hot fever his forehead burned. He looked around, and found Scorpius setting a plate down on the desk in the room.
"Sorry if I woke you," he said, turning to Al. "I just--"
He looked shocked. "Are you alright?" He asked. Al glanced in a small mirror on the wall under the clock; he was ghostly pale, and his hair was plastered to his forehead from sweat.
"I-- I need help," said Albus, deliriously. Scorpius ran over; Al muttered, "Ret-- Retskope…" and passed out, falling to his side off the bed. Scorpius broke his friend's fall, and stumbled. Both boys were sprawled on the floor. Al was unconscious, and Scorpius stood up, yelling, "Alan! Mitchell!"
Both boys ran in, looking scared when they saw Al. Retskope was in the dormitory shortly after, along with Madam Parvati. After waking Albus up with a small dose of bright blue potion, Parvati handed him thick, dark chocolate. He ate the slab quickly, and the colour returned to his face.
"Come," said Retskope. He led Al away from his friends and into the small office on the other side of the dungeons. They entered, and Retskope closed the door. "Have a seat," he said.
Al sat down, looking weary. He told Retskope what had happened, and what his nightmare had been about.
"I'll write to your father," said Retskope as Al finished. "He'll know what to do in this situation. For now, let me speak with the headmaster about what happened to you." As if on cue, O'Leary entered the office with a small smile. He nodded at Al, then looked grimly at Retskope. "Caleb," he said. "A letter will take too long to reach Mr. Potter. Instead, we'll use Floo Powder."
Al took this as his moment to leave. Retskope told him he'd speak with him later, and perhaps his father would come to help Albus, too.
