Chapter 9-Jordan Converses With A Ghost
Jordan was wondering if he would still be able to keep up with the lessons and keep his regular studies up besides. There would be a lot more reading and writing before the year was out . He had wondered how the Professor seemed to know when the pressure was too much. He guessed it must be the experience Professor Snape had with teaching all these years. Jordan didn't want to seem like a wimp and back out of his studies and he went over his list one more time in his head as he drifted off to sleep.
He woke suddenly; He thought he had heard someone say his name. He thought it must be part of a dream and he settled down to sleep. Again he heard his name. He looked over at Kole who was sleeping peacefully his head tucked under the blanket.
Jordan sat up and put his feet down on the floor. A ghostly shape formed beside him on the bed, Jordan stifled a scream before it could escape. "Wha Wha What are you doing here?" he stuttered as the ghost finally settled into a recognizable form. "Who are you?"
"Sorry Jordan I didn't mean to scare you but I have been watching you in your classes and I do admire your spunk."
"Er what do you mean? Whoever you are." said Jordan who was wondering what was up.
The ghost chuckled a little and asked, "Are you enjoying your lessons?" His eyes gentle behind the half moon glasses perched perkily on his long nose.
"Yes I am." Jordan said all the while he was still wondering which ghost this guy was. He seen a lot of ghosts the first day he was here but didn't in all honesty remember if he saw this fellow.
"Yes indeed you are smart Jordan. How do you like your lessons with Professor Snape?"
"Fine sir, he took time out to give me a months detention so he could give me reading lessons." Jordan answered.
"Hmmm sounds nasty, to give a boy a detention to force them to learn," the ghost said with a gentle smile
"No Sir it isn't like that, he seemed to know I wanted to but was scared of reading and he doesn't seem as nasty as I've been led to believe but he does give you the feeling he could be." Jordan wondered why this ghost was asking him these questions.
"That is my Severus all right" the ghost said
"PPPPlease sir who are you?" asked Jordan
"Oh pardon me I do go on sometimes my name is Albus Dumbledore."
"The Headmaster that the Professor killed?" asked Jordan who was astonished
"Yes that is me, the one and the same." an amused twinkle came to the ghost's eye.
"But why are you here?" asked Jordan
"I Like to keep my eye on Severus to make sure he is all right and watch him at work" said Albus the ghost
"You have me confused sir." said Jordan as he scratched his head. He was aware of Kole stirring and sitting up in his bed and staring at the sight of Jordan talking to a ghost.
"I am sorry I have confused you but I enjoy watching Severus picking out the smartest and most challenging students and help them overcome personal problems."
"You mean you were around when he gave me the detention?" asked Jordan
"Yes I was." Albus watched the astonishment on Jordan's face.
"You knew he was going to give me the detention?" asked Jordan.
"I had an idea he was and I do heartily approve of his choice this year to give extra lessons to."
Jordan asked "So there are others beside me that he has helped over the years."
"You are smart, yes there are many children he has picked over the years for various reasons to help and he hasn't failed yet to pick the child with the greatest potential from every first year class." Albus told him.
"He thinks I have great Potential?" asked Jordan
"Yes he thinks you have great potential even with your reading fears. He wants you to learn to focus and concentrate on what you are doing, not just memorizing but actually understanding what you know. You have a great memory and use it well yet he thinks you can accomplish more as your confidence grows. I agree with him."
"Oh wow " Jordan said and Kole echoed the thought.
Albus looked over at Kole smiled and looked back at Jordan "Don't worry Jordan you are still on the right track and you will succeed."
"Why do you stay and watch what the Professor does asked Kole who was curious as to all the heard the ghost of a man that was killed by the Professor.
"I wish to see him to complete the mission he had set for himself and find the peace that has eluded him all his life." said Albus
"Sir why did he kill you?" Kole was definitely curious and took the opportunity to ask that question.
"Because I asked him to." Albus said as he faded away.
Kole and Jordan looked at each other and both of them got back under their covers.
Kole said to Jordan "who would believe us if we said we talked to the old Headmaster Albus Dumbledore."
Jordan answered "I don't know, maybe someone else who seen him themselves."
Jordan snuggled deeper in under his blankets and thought "I must have something going for me if even a ghost would take the time to tell me I'm on the right track. Wow."
The two boys drifted off to sleep thinking they had just had a very amazing day.
