Aza Sterlings

[19] Dark Sorcery

DARK SORCERY

It was finally Friday and I'm more than thankful for the shortened period we have. After Divination, I silently started walking towards the Great Hall. Matt was behind me, blabbering about how boring star patterns are.

"A wizard makes his own destiny, don't you think? Divination's the most useless component Liondalle can offer!"

Irritatedly, I turned to glare at him. He was curretly munching on a Bobber cookie--a cookie that tastes like raw meat! Seriously, why are they so obsess with those food?

"Well, if you're so great and mightly Mr. Pureblood, then you shouldn't be in school in the first place! Do the MidWorld a favor and shut your mouth!"

Matt Clintwood stared at me, wide-eyed. After a few seconds, he started laughing like mad man. He made sure no one was around before fetching out his wand. The next thing I knew, Matt started chanting a spell,

"Leviosa!"

In an instant, my books levitated higher and higher above us. I shot daggers at him. "Put. Them. Down. Now!"

He shrugged. "As you wish."

And with a flicker of his shiny black wand, my books fell down on my head! "Ouch! Ouch! Dammit?!" Matt neared me and whispered, "We'd be late for our first Dark Sorcery Class, Sterlings. Come on!"

Dark Sorcery? The heck? After picking up my books, I was about to stride away went Matt dragged me to the opposite direction. "WHERE ARE WE GOING?! CLINTWOOD!!!" I struggled with his pace. Did he use some kind of speeding charm or something?! This guy's impossible!

Several hallways and corridors later, we were in front of a large wooden door. Students stared crowding in to peak inside. When Matt let go of me, I heard some bits of unusual conversations from some Strayhounds.

"I though Divination's the last class on Friday?"

"Yeah. There's been a skip in our schedule that I haven't noticed before. The schedule for 'Dark Sorcery Class' only showed up a few minutes ago."

"This is nonsense! There's no such thing as Dark Sorcery Class.."

That left me in pure curiosity. When I saw Nat and Beau approaching the crowd, I immediately ran up to them. "Nat? What's this thing about the new class?" I inquired and read my sched. Well, that's odd.. Friday's class are suppose to be over with Divination Class! But now, there's some new writing below the piece of parchment. Dark Sorcery Class - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Natalina shook her head, looking confused. "I have no idea. The school never offered such a subject. This is weird.. What do you think Beau?"

Our grizzly haired genius frowned. "The Headmaster did this, that's for sure. But why on wands would he want us to learn the dark arts? The ministers prohibited such things after Sir Alexander died."

I agree with Professor Vines. I believe it is time.

Those words rang in my head. The headmaster approved of this alright.. This is what they were talking about yesterday! I have a bad feeling about this.

Moments later, our HA, Madam Viola Maxines, stood in front of the sea of perplexed students. She smiled uncertainly and spoke, "As you all have noticed, your Friday class this week will end in a surprise lesson from our new magical subject. Details will be discussed later at dinner. Nickerfoxes, Strayhounds and Chisslewings, I shall now ask you all to please.. behave."

As soon as she finished, the wooden door magically swung open. Madam Maxines stepped aside and we hesitantly entered the room. Inside, the walls were plain white. The room was big and circular. It's just as large as the Great Hall!

"A-Az, did you hear that?!"

Natalina held onto my arm, looking frightened by something. I shook my head, "What are you talking abou-----" my sentence was cut short when a blood curdling howl reverberated throughout the room. Most of us went into a fighting stance. A dozen wands were dangerouslg flashing. From the corner of my eye, I saw Beau and Matt looking calm and composed. As if the situation doesn't bother them! The perks of being a pureblood.

Suddenly, the source of that disturbing noise came out into view. I don't know how they got in, but one thing's for sure.. Those ang blood thirsty eyes!

"Shit!" Natalina cursed. The pure black hounds neared us. They had their teeth bared and those red eyes were looking at us hungrily.

Fear rose up my chest and I almost forgot all the spells I've learned from this week. Everyone panicked when the hounds howled once again.

"Lovely, aren't they?"

A man's deep voice came. We looked around until a Chisslewing pointed up the ceiling. My mouth gaped. The man, looking no more than in his mid-thirties, stood upside down! His robes were of crimson red and his eyes were dangerous.

He smirked at us and yelled,

"Tere Arcadium!"

From his wand, an ink black light came hurdling towards the dogs. It almost hit them. The creepy hounds lowered their heads and backed away. The man on the ceiling swiftly got down and composed himself.

"Good evening, students. I am Professor Versidius Vizor and tonight, I'll be teaching you how to wad off those Bloodhounds. Now, does any one of you have an idea about these dark creatures?" His eyes roamed the room. Every witch and wizard remained silent except for Beau who answered his question,

"I don't know much about them, but from what I've read in books, Bloodhounds are related to Penidogs in a way of magical composition. The only thing that separated the two is the fact that Bloodhounds are evil. They are believed to be originated from a misuse of ressurection magic."

Professor Vizor looked pleased. "Very well said, Mr. Bremingtons. I expect no less from an educated pureblood." He turned to us and with a wicked grin, the Bloodhounds moved forward again. They were ready to attack us!

"You may not like the concept black magic, but wizards can never close the realization that in desprate times, dark sorcery can be your only option. In the MidWorld, it's survival of the fittest. Always remember that."

His eyes met mine and I instantly felt a chill run down my spine.

***