Chapter 16:
I walked down the hall, trying to go through my lesson again, making sure I wasn't going to make a fool of myself. I was looking hard into a book, not paying attention and ran into someone, knocking them over and dropping my book. "Oh, forgive me." I saw, adjusting my glasses and pulling the boy up. He adjusted his glasses as well and we stared for a moment, realizing who the other was. "Professor Ice." he said in a monotone voice, quickly looking away from me. "Mr. Potter." I snipped back, in reaction to his tone. He looked pass me and went to go around, but my hand caught his shoulder.
"Harry, please talk to me." "There's nothing to talk about, Professor. You made me swear not to tell a soul, I haven't. You didn't say that I had to talk to you anymore, and I choose not to." I tightened my grip on his shoulder, my eyes narrowing. "I am not him." "But you didn't warn my parents. Or attempt to stop him." "There was nothing I could do. I had left that part of me behind, I never once thought he would go after them, they weren't dangerous to him. I never even spoke to him or anyone that aligned with him. I had no knowledge of him at all. There was nothing I could have down because I knew nothing."
"Yet your father murdered them…and left me with this scar, nearly killing me too. How could you not tell them who you were when they found out that he was coming for them?" I paused, I could've told them the truth once they knew he was after Harry, I could've stayed with them and assisted with their protection. I was gifted so much and my father might have paused at seeing me stand against him…there was a chance I could've saved them both. Harry saw my face and realized that I had never even thought about it like that. "So where were you when my family was being murdered?"
I wasn't sure how he would take where I really was, so I hid a small part of the truth. "I was with Professor Lupin. We were going to meet your parents for dinner, but that never happened because of what happened." his face softened, he must have understood my actions a bit more. I released him and sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Look, I'm sorry for the way I told you, I just felt like you would have put one and one together soon enough after what happened in the Chamber last year. I'll let you get to class and I'm also running late now. I hope we can talk again soon." he shrugged and took off running again, mumbling bye.
I turned the corner and stopped in front of my new door…to my classroom. I blew out a breath and twisted the doorknob, it creaked. The room was filled with students laughing and throwing things, completely not noticing me. I flicked my wand, making the windows blow open and gust swirl around the room. Papers and surprised gasps and screams got the students attention and I walked to the front of the class, the whirlwind dying out and windows shutting themselves again. Everyone launched into their seats and stared at me at full attention. "I am Professor Ice. Welcome to Elemental Magic 101."
I took out my wand and made a swooping motion, silently spelling the water from a vase out and into a circle floating around the room. The students looked in awe, I smiled, perhaps it would be alright. "I will show you the basic wand movements and spells, however, not everyone will be able to master this type of magic. It is difficult to learn and even more so to control. One tiny thing wrong and-" I blinked, the water instantly lost its form and soaked the floor. "-it falls apart. Now if that had been fire, it could've fizzled out simply or became a raging uncontrollable flame."
I used my magic to place the water back into the vase and conjured two stacks of books. "Please come forward and select a book, 'Intro to Elemental Spells' and go back to your seat." As they each got their books, I waved my wands, conjuring a small glass of water in front of each student at their desk. "We begin with water, it is easiest to control and more likely to not destroy anything. Water is able to break down earth, yet be gentle. It is powerful and it will have your respect in this class. Open your text to chapter 14."
Once everyone was there I instructed them to read it to themselves and then attempt the spell on their own before I showed them slowly and walked around, seeing who was getting it and who was not. A knock came on the door as I finished my round, opening to show Lupin with a serious look on his face. "Continue to study, do not use any magic until I return. I will know if you do and you will be punished." I walked to him and motioned for the office. "Is everything alright?" he shook his head slightly.
"I wish I could say that it was. There is news of Sirius Black." I paused, I had heard of the escape, but never thought he would come to Hogwarts… and for what? "Where is he?" "No one has made any recent sightings but there have been for a large black dog determined and unable to be swayed from its path. He could be hiding in plain sight in his animus form." I nodded, trying to figure out his reasoning for coming toward here. "I believe he is after Harry." I looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Why?" "If he truly is with he who must not be named, then perhaps he wants to finish the job that his master couldn't."
"Remus, he wouldn't hurt James and Lily's son, there must be a different reason." "Phoebe, he isn't our friend anymore, he is on the side of evil and we must protect Harry's life." I knew he was right, just in case Sirius was really evil now. "I have to get back to the students, but I will take caution and keep an idea on Harry." he nodded and patted my shoulder. "You also be careful, he is still powerful if he was able to escape Azkaban." "I will Remus, we will talk more later." he left and I walked out and continued the lesson.