Chapter Ten: Auctorology

The class, both Gryffindors and Slytherins alike, were completely silent and still, with the occasional whisper and prod as they gazed in awe at the room. Although the teacher had not yet arrived, the room itself held of particular interest to Erin. It had antique objects hanging on the walls and on the shelves, some which clicked and emitted smoke, while in others Erin swore she could hear something that sounded like whispers.

The door flew open carelessly as a dark figure made his way into the room, his black cloak billowing behind him. Erin's first impression of the professor was that he looked like a very angry lion. He had black eyes (like Charlie's, almost), long gray hair with black streaks, and a mouth that was in a permanent snarl. "I am Professor Ender. Welcome," he said in a quiet voice that didn't make Erin feel very welcome at all, "to the first ever Auctorology class. What is Auctorology, you ask?" Ender said, although no one had asked. "It derives from the Latin word auctorita, meaning power.

"The study of power; do not take this subject lightly. This class has absolutely no internal connection to what you call," he made a distasteful face, "Defense Against the Dark Arts. Auctorology is a separate lesson, and although in the beginning we may seem to be going in the same direction as Professor Baddock, in the end of this year you will all become different people than what you are right now." Everyone shifted uncomfortably at those words. Ender clapped his hands once. "On that note, we shall begin the lesson."

He waved his wand, and the chalk began scribbling on the board: Lesson One- Elements. The class scribbled their quills to write this down, and then looked up at the professor, waiting silently and expectantly. "The elements," he said suddenly. "What are the elements?"

A girl in front of Erin raised her hand. "Name?"

"Charlie Zabini," the girl stated. Erin was taken aback. She hadn't heard Charlie speak all day. "Aren't the elements water, earth, air, and fire? Sir?" Ender nodded. "Yes, as Ms. Zabini simply stated, these are the four elements. However- and write this down- your assignment will be to write an essay on the fifth element."

"What is the-?"

Ender cut the girl off. "Hand!" The girl thrust her hand in the air and Ender nodded at her. "Candire Nuse," the Slytherin girl said. "Sir, what is the fifth element?" Ender smiled widely. "That will be up to you to find out, won't it? I expect at two rolls of parchment. This will be your big assignment for the year. I expect it to be handed in after the third semester." The class looked at each excitedly at the prospect of no homework until the end of the year.

Ender raised his hand for silence. "Alright, alright, moving onward; let us discuss the elements in a quick overview. Remember," he said, eyeing each of them squarely, "never underestimate the elements. They contain much more power than that foolish wand waving and big bangs." He used his wand as a pointer and indicated to the first element that had scribbled itself onto the board. "Water," Professor Ender said, "is a symbol of peace, harmony, wisdom and- most importantly- life. Where there is water, there is life. It holds the key to many inactivated healing sources that wizards have been trying for centuries to gain access too. Earth," he said, now pacing, "is stable environment; firm, stubborn like; symbolizing strength and ferocity, and the endless cycle of life and death. The earth releases everything, and in the end," he grinned wolfishly, "takes it back. "

Do you want to die? If you want to die, I will not hesitate in killing you…. It will be days until they find your body. Weeks, maybe. You will lay here, your life bleeding away, and eventually fade into the dust as though you had never existed.

"Air is the balance element; containing both the choice of good and evil, it constantly has a struggle of hope and terror; just like water, it is also a symbol of life- breath. Inspiration, intelligence, movement, and especially freedom- you understand what I am saying. And last, but nowhere near least, is fire. Fire is the only element," Ender's eyes were like coals, "that is extremely unstable. All of the others- water, earth, and air- contain a sturdy base. But fire is dangerous; it will eat anything its in path. And it symbolizes destruction and hate, warmth, love, sacrifice. Great power is needed to control fire, for fire makes no promises to one master, but turns on them all."

Mommy, Mommy, look what I can do!

Stupid girl! Don't you ever do that, you hear me?

Ender's eyes glittered strangely. "Now that you have a small overview of the elements," he said, "We will began our first physical lesson next class. The next time you arrive here, do not bring any of your books; it will be a thoroughly practical class." This got the class excited, and they all shifted eagerly in their seats. "Our next lesson, we will be working with stones; I have a bag here," he shook the bag he was holding. "Filled with different rocks I have collected over my journeys across the world.

"When I call you by name, you will come up and take a stone from inside the bag. We will be doing a very interesting experiment with them next week," he smiled at the thought, "so keep your stones safe. And there are no take backs!" he barked at the class.

Most of the class went up to receive their stones before Erin's name was even called. Nick was flashing his stone in her face, a pretty one that appeared to be multicolored when it was held up in the light. It was cold no matter how long Erin held it. "Ms. Lyths," Ender called from across the classroom.

Was it just her imagination, or did his eyes narrow when he called her name? She stepped forward to his desk to receive a stone, and felt strong, angry vibes come off from him. And sure enough, when she concentrated hard, she could see his dark brown aura with an angry tint of red just barely outlining it. He was furious and Erin had no idea why. "Just take one and get on with it," he hissed softly in her ear. His eyes were staring into hers.

Suddenly wary, Erin cast hers downward and stuck her hand in the embroidered bag, rummaging around for a stone she thought felt nice. Her hand wrapped around one, and she felt a small electric shock go into her body, and she pulled out the rock, smiling. But her smile soon faded away.

The stone was simple and ugly. It was a plain gray color, basically evenly shaped, with a musty smell as though it had been soaking in wet moss for a few hours. She frowned disapprovingly and walked back to her seat. She wouldn't let a foolish rock get to her.

Nick elbowed her. "Well, let's see it, then?" He tossed his own stone in his hand. Erin put hers inside the pocket of her robe. "I'd rather not." Nick smiled widely. "Is it that bad? You don't need to get upset over it; it's just a stupid rock."

"I'm not upset!"

But she felt another twinge of annoyance when Albus picked a glossy, emerald green one.

Ender stood up. "This bag carries hundreds and hundreds of stones," he announced to the disbelieving class. "It has been enchanted to appear smaller and to contain less. However, the stone you have chosen has been picked from many others. It reflects on who you are and what you will become. Think on that."

Albus was staring at his rock with a look of intense concentration, like many others in the class were doing. Erin whacked her book into his head, and Albus jumped back to life, scowling at her as she walked away with Nick.

"Was it just me, or did Ender seem to hate me?" Erin asked him, tearing her mind away from the silly rocks. Nick shrugged. "Nah, it was just you. It has something to do with your evil eyes…" She flinched, and Nick looked at her oddly. "I was only kidding. Don't take it personally."

She ran… ran through the woods, through the memories, through the past. Anything to get away. For what scared her most was that she had the eyes of a killer

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