The Black Pawn (R.L.)

40 - First Lesson

I picked nervously at my cuticles, my hands placed firmly in my lap as I sat in the corridor. The gargoyle at the end of it seemed to taunt me, it's stone wings spread almost possessively over the entrance to the Headmaster's Tower—like it knows that I don't belong up there just as much as I do.

I scoffed at the ridiculous personification of the ugly stone guardian, tipping my head back against the wall behind me. My lesson was to begin any minute. It was never intended to be something that gave me such grief, I'm sure, but the knowledge of going against my mother weighed heavily on my mind—or perhaps my hand. My gaze drifted down to the scarred skin, the paling scar almost reminding me of a star. It was comical to compare it to something so beautiful when in reality dark magic had caused the several points to spread from where my mother's wand had touched. I pulled the sleeve of my cardigan down over the damaged skin, instead trying to calm my thoughts by mindlessly tracing over the grooves in my wand.

"Miss Black?" Dumbledore's voice had me shooting onto my feet. He blinked in surprise, his hands tucked behind his back from where he stood. "I apologize, I didn't intend to startle you."

"I'm sorry, Professor." I apologized, quickly tucking my wand back into the pocket of my robes. "I was just preparing for our lesson."

"It appears so." He mused, pushing his half-moon spectacles further up his nose. "Well, then. After you." He gestured with a swish of his midnight blue robes.

I obediently walked ahead of him, allowing him to practically guide me up the stairs leading to his office. The room was just as active as I remembered, instruments ticking from all around me. I had to keep myself from focusing on the constant movement from the portraits or I was worried I may get overwhelmed. Particularly if I thought of the many spectators I'd have if this lesson did not go well.

One frame in particular seemed to be conveniently empty—as it always tended to be on the few occasions I had visited the Headmaster's Office. I tried not to dwell on if that was intentional, though perhaps my relative had chosen to limit his time in a place that had become...more inclusive...since he last had control.

"Pardon me, Miss Black, but it doesn't seem like you are very settled." Dumbledore walked from behind me with his hands behind his back, scrutinizing me from behind his spectacles.

I finally sighed at that, allowing my tense shoulders to sag just a bit. "Truthfully, sir, I have had all holiday to think about what these lessons might entail—"

"Who they might upset." My headmaster wisely interjected, a slight smile on his face as I gaped up at him. I should have known better than to think there was something the older man didn't already know. "I would be foolish to think your mother was a fan of mine after our last encounter." I nodded my understanding, chewing on my lower lip as I recalled that awful day. I never enjoyed my mother acting as she did at home around other people.

"I truly am sorry, Professor." I muttered, ringing my hands together nervously.

"Family is many things, but it is not everything." Dumbledore spoke after a brief pause. He let those words sit in the air for a moment before turning away from me.

I watched as he walked around the room, seemingly pondering his next action. I imagined he had some sort of plan for this afternoon, unless he simply wanted me here to talk about my family—which wouldn't be a complete surprise. It seemed to be a popular topic among many. Instead he turned to me with a smile. "I suppose we can start with something rather easy today." He seemed to jump directly into the lesson, thankfully leaving the more serious talk of family behind. "The shield charm."