Hectic
I entered the kitchen ready to ask Jae Kim whatever it was needed to meet with Mundungus Fletcher.
“Hey! Are you ready for another day in paradise?”
“I should be used to this by now” I reply putting on my apron, not as ready to start with detention as I was to begin with looking for answers. After the soft is over I have the feeling that my hands are going to smell like ham for the rest of the day.
“So… Jae. Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what 's up? I don’t have much time since I’m meeting April Summers in the entrance of Slytherin’s House to give her some stuff they ask for… but I Can answer a question”
“Do you know how to get to Knockturn Alley?” He had been putting some sandwiches inside his backpack until I finished talking. I doubted if he was even paying attention to me until this moment. The way he was looking at me… I was sure I had his undivided attention.
I could see his face trying to decide if telling me war he knew was worth it. I was about to reel him that I would never tell anyone about this until he spoke again.
“The safest and fastest way I know of is to use the Floo Network”. It would be great if only I knew how to use the damn thing. “You’ll need Floo Powder, and a fireplace that’s connected to the Network”
“I actually saw Rakepick using Floo Powder near the end of last year, so perhaps she might be able to help me. I’ll make sure to ask her in class”
“Let me know if you need anything” and he rushed through the kitchen door.
I walked to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom directly after leaving the kitchen. As soon as Rakepick took her position in the front of the classroom I raised my hand and asked “Excuse me, Professor Rakepick. You mentioned teaching me how to use Floo Powder last year, and…”
“Why do you suddenly want to use Floo Powder?” She asked, looking at me curiously. I didn’t trust her enough to talk about my true intentions.
“To hold you to your word, Professor” I replied with more bravery than I expected.
“We will talk about it after the class is over,” she said after a couple of seconds. “But for class, I will need you to open the cabinet using the Unlocking Charm. You do know it right?”.
I stood up performing the charm and I immediately regretted it. In front of me there was a boggart with Voldemort’s form. It took me back to my third year and how awful I felt in the situation, but I was smarter now, stronger also… after using the Ridiculous charm Rakepick asked me to go back to my chair. A few other of my classmates did the same and we only stopped after a Hufflepuff girl almost passed out in front of a big ass spider. Maybe she was one of the students that were dragged to the forbidden forest once.
“Class is dismissed, except for you” Rakepick pointed at me and waited until all the students were out of view.
“You have a plan, and you will tell me what is it if you want me to teach you how to use Floo Powder”
“I need to get into the Knockturn Alley”
“You need or you want? I know professor Dumbledor has requested you no to get in trouble and definitely not to keep looking for the vaults”
“I need” after walking around me for a couple of minutes she finally speaks, but I shiver at her condescending tone.
“I will teach you, but if I allow you to travel there now, its denizens will tear your innocent soul to shreds” I tried to convince myself she just wanted to scared me, but I felt confident whether Rakepick was being honest or not, and right now she looked dead serious. “You need more training before you step foot in the Knockturn Alley. Head to the Training Grounds this afternoon”
“I will meet you there” and I left without saying anything else. I hated that witch.
***
“She told you what?” Rowan tried to not act surprised about my conversation with Rakepick, but failed, and I loved her for that, cause we share the same indignation about the whole situation.
“Can you believe her?”
“I don’t trust her, and I don’t trust Ben either. Lately it feels as if we couldn’t trust anyone” after having a bite of her sandwich she elaborated more “Except for you, of course… I trust you with my life”
“Right back at you, Rowan '' she smiled at me, but something in her gaze felt troubled. I could tell exactly why, though.
“So… did she say anything about the additional training?”
“I will meet her in like half an hour in the Training Grounds, but I’m not sure about what she’s planning… She is always planning something”
“Do you need me to keep an eye on her?” For a split second I wanted to say yes, but that would put her in danger, and that’s something I cannot live with.
“No, don’t pay attention to these problems. You will need time to study for the O.W.L’s” I swallow my last bite and hug her goodbye.
Sometimes she looks at me with sadness, sometimes with something similar to angriness and I can never figure out what I can do to change that expression on her. When we are together it is like everything is fine, but when I have to get into curse-breaker stuff everything changes.
I ran through the Training Grounds and felt surprised when I noticed that Bill, Merula, and Jae were also invited.
“Why am I here, professor?” Jae asked, looking uncomfortable.
“You are here, Mr. Kim, because as your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, I don't want you to die”
“Die…?”
“I know about your constant… visits to Knockturn Alley, and since everyone here wants to be working with courses or is not exactly trying to avoid them” she looked at Jae with the last part, “We will duel against each other”
None of us tried to complain, there was no point in doing it. Bill took his place in front of me and I smiled, he has always been a great adversary. Difficult to beat, but what was the fun in easy stuff?
Jae lost his wand against Merula and I defeated Bill just by a fraction of a second.
“This is why I avoid all forms of fiscal activity” said my Gryffindor youngest friend.
“That is something that must be corrected, Mr. Kim” said Rakepick. She looked at me then “After this, you will need to test your improvisational skills against a proper target”.
“I don't think I need all of this nonsense” I murmured walking behind her.
***
“I swear to god, Rowan, Rekepick it's trying to kill us”, she put her book down as soon as I collapsed on the bed.
“Did she make you set something on fire or some sort?”
“I had to set Snape on fire, and fight a freaking Chimaera”
“What?!”
“At least she gave Ravenclaw 20 points” I said against my pillow.
“Was that before or after the Chimaera?”
“Before, right after she found out I am a animagus”
“Wait a second, you need to slow down this conversation because I´m not getting any of this”
“Welcome to the club”, I started telling her about how Mr. Filch started to look for the one to blame for Snape's cape and I panicked, so I became an eagle. And also how Liz saved my life in the woods.
“A day you had”
“I feel completely drain of energy”
“Did you have dinner?”
“Not at all, it was way to late when I made it back to the castle”
“I saved you a sandwich”, but I was already trying to not fall asleep when I heard her say something far, far from her bed.