For the next week, Albus had a terrible cold. It was extremely frustrating in class because he'd sneeze, disrupt the class, and the teachers would glare at him. Not that they didn't glare at him enough. The classes were boring so Albus would either read a book or fall asleep. The teachers hated both of those alternatives but Albus couldn't help it. His cold plus his relationship with his brother were making Albus miserable. James and Albus' relationship had gotten a lot worse. In addition to being called "snake," James had other Gryffindors put snakes in Albus' bag. One time, James enchanted Albus' quill to turn into a snake every time he tried to write with it. James also got his friends to bully Albus. They would push him in the halls, push his books out of his hands, or trip him in the hallways. Albus was fed up and numerous times he turned around to tell them off but Rhyleigh was always there to hold him back. Even though they didn't have the same one-on-one time together, Albus and Rhyleigh were still very close. Their tutoring sessions were going well and Rhyleigh was at the same level as her peers. They had created a system to help her keep up with the class and still practice reading and writing. During their tutoring sessions, they would go to their private classroom and both open up their books. Albus would read aloud and Rhyleigh would read along with him. At the end, they would talk about the subject and Albus would help Rhyleigh with her homework. If they still had time after that, Rhyleigh would read some of the books the Headmistress had provided. At times, Scorpious and Tevya would come in and help as well. They would help with spells, potions, and defense against the dark arts. Usually when they helped, the group would end up on the floor laughing at each other's different hair color or some new appendage. Albus also got back to his parents. He wrote them a long letter apoplogizing for not writing sooner and explaining what he'd been up to. He told them that James and him weren't getting along but didn't go into detail. Albus might've been mad at James but he wasn't a tattle-tail. He'd never hear the end of it if he did that, plus he was also in the wrong. His parents wrote back that they were disappointed they weren't getting along and that they'd be talking to them when they got back for Christmas break. After that, James and his friends bullying got worse. It was because of this bullying that Albus later reflected, helped him decide who he'd become. It was two weeks before Christmas break and everyone was in a festive mood. Albus was walking back from Defense Against the Dark Arts when Vander "bumped" into him.
"Watch it snake," he jeered. Albus ignored him and kept on walking.
"Where ya going? You think you're better than us?" Alex questioned. He'd come up on the side of Albus and had stopped him.
"I'm going to class," Albus mumbled. Vander and Alex looked at each other and smiled.
"No you're not," they said in unison. Alex smacked Albus' books out of his hand. Albus bent to retrieve it but Vander pushed him back. Albus landed hard on his rump and glared up at the two boys. Alex had picked up the book and was holding it like it was some sort of trash.
"I can't believe you read this trash," Alex taunted. It was his first year potions book. Albus got up and said, "Give it back." Alex and Vander sneered and tossed the book between themselves. Albus could feel the anger bubbling but he tried to suppress it.
"What's the magic word?" Vander teased. Albus sighed and said, "Please, give it back." Alex, who had the book, touched his finger to his chin like he was thinking.
"Mmmmm, no. PEEVES! Catch!" Alex yelled. Albus looked up as Alex through the book. Out of nowhere Peeves came through the wall, snatched the book, and floated away laughing maniacally. Albus turned towards the two boys, furious. They were laughing hysterically and Albus opened his mouth to yell them.
"MR. POTTER!" all three of the boys froze at the shout. Albus turned around to see his Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Professor Alden, striding towards them. Albus heard Alex and Vander curse and run down the corridor. Albus clenched his fists, angry that the bully's had gotten away and that he was probably getting in trouble.
"Follow me," Professor Alden demanded. Albus gather up the rest of his stuff and followed his professor.
"Peeves, give the boy back his book," Professor Alden said towards Peeves who was hiding behind the wall. Peeves stuck out his tongue then threw the book at Albus. The book hit Albus squarely in the face and Peeves laughed gleefully. Albus rubbed his sore nose and sent a glare towards Peeves.
"Oh wee little Potter's glaring at me. I'm so scared," Peeves said in a high pitched voice. He cackled and then floated off. Professor Alden was already in his classroom when Albus entered.
"Albus, you fell asleep in my class today," Professor Alden announced. Albus sighed and said, "Professor, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"But it will, won't it?" Professor Alden questioned. Albus didn't say anything because it was true. Professor Alden nodded and turned towards a bookshelf behind his desk.
"Well, let me ask you the standard questions. Are you staying up all night?" Professor Alden looked at two books, put one back and the other on his desk.
"No, sir," Albus replied. He looked around the room and admired the organized chaos. Professor Alden had decorated the room so that at first glance it looked like it was full of junk. However, on closer inspection, everything was labeled and if a student moved one thing, Professor Alden knew. He was a great teacher and usually kept Albus entertained even though he knew everything the Professor was teaching. Today had just been a particularly boring day and Albus had fallen asleep.
"Do your parents abuse you?" at Albus' shocked and outraged look said, "Didn't think so. Are you abusing yourself?" Albus was speechless. How could this professor ask him questions like this?
"I'm going to assume from your silence that the answer to that question is no?" Professor Alden asked still looking at different books.
"Yes! I mean no, I don't abuse myself," Albus said.
"Good, then that just means you're bored," Professor Alden said matter-of-factly. Albus was getting frustrated and angrier.
"Professor, if you're done asking questions can I go to my next class?" Albus asked, barely keeping hold of his temper.
"Not quite," Professor Alden said scanning the bookshelf, "Ah! Here it is!" He pulled a book out and set it on the large stack in front of his desk. He fell into his chair with a sigh and motioned for Albus to sit in one of the desks. Albus sat down and thumped his books on the desk angrily.
"I know you're mad at your brother but don't take it out on me," Professer Alden chuckled. Albus sighed and mumbled, "Sorry."
"Look, I know it's not been easy for you especially now with your brother acting like a git," Albus looked up in surprise. "First you were put into Slytherin which I can guess wasn't your fist choice, then your brother turns against you, and on top of that you hate class because it's boring." Albus stared at his Professor in wonder, he was the first to actually see what Albus had been going through. The professor laughed at Albus' expression and said, "So I'm going to propose a project for you." He thumped his hand on the stack of books. "You are going to read each of these books and write an essay after each of them explaining why you like them or don't like them. This will be added on top of your school work but I doubt you'll have a big problem with that. After you've read and written all of your essays, choose the subject you are most interested in and I will personally teach you that subject." Albus' jaw dropped in shock. Professor Alden smiled and said, "Well? Do you accept the challenge?"
"Absolutely!" Albus cried. He grinned and looked at the stack of books on the professor's desk. There were at least ten thick books and Albus loved the sight of them. Looking at them, Albus was itching to open one and dive into its contents.
"Then it's settled. You'll read these books and hopefully not be bored in class. Try to read and write discreetly. The other professors get really offended when you fall asleep or read something else in their class," Professor Alden said. Albus nodded and said, "Thank you!" Professor Alden smiled and said, "Go and get to class. I'll send these books up to your room, you can start tomorrow." Albus thanked him again and ran off to class. As Albus skidded into the classroom, barely making it on time, he had a feeling that he wouldn't be so bored anymore.
Sorry if this is shorter! I'm trying to at least write once a day for at least an hour but right now it's 1:09 and I should really get to better. There will be some more action coming up soon! Please review and tell me what you think! Oh and I've been thinking of, after this one scene (coming soon), I was going to fastforward to summer and then to second year. What do you think? Should I move kinda fast or would you rather I take more time with each year? Let me know what you think! Thank you for reading! XD It makes me so happy! :D
