Chapter 115 - Professor Adric (2/2)

Professor Adric eyes linger a little too long on Severus for Rowan's liking. ”Very well, then, you're up next Miss Prince.”

Rowan nods and turns back to face her opponent, Damien Mulciber. The golden-haired handsome boy smiles at her and says, ”May the best man win, Prince.” Rowan snorts and waits for Professor Adric to give the signal.

The instant Professor Adric gives the signal, Rowan roars, ”Expelliarmus!” A dazzling flash of scarlet light blasts Mulciber off his feet and into the wall.

Professor Adric narrows his eyes for a moment and says, ”Miss Prince, that was quite the powerful disarming charm. Most wizards and witches cannot produce sufficient power to use that spell until well into their fourth year.” Rowan's face carefully remains blank as the rest of the Slytherins stare at her with new eyes. ”But I suppose it is expected given who your grandfather is. Please give him my most warm regards.”

Professor Adric flickers his wand as he levitates Mulciber back onto his feet and hands him his wand. Mulciber winces as he rubs the back of his head and coldly eyes Rowan back. However, Mulciber rather than becoming angry he acknowledges his defeat. ”Good duel, Prince,” Mulciber said, before turning to gaze at the next pair. After all, Slytherins respected one thing above all, power.

The rest of the class is a bit more anti-dramatic as the rest of the pairs quickly finish off. With only a few minutes left in class, Professor Adric says, ”I expect a two-page essay on a personal evaluation of your own duels and that of others. And there must be actual evidentiary support to one's argument rather than mere envious criticism.”

That immediately takes the wind out of several Slytherins sails as they all answer, ”Yes, sir.”

Professor Adric dismisses them as they all gather their things from the desks at the back of the wall. Most of the Slytherins leave with cheerful whispers even those that lost as they discuss how interesting the class was and even possibly joining the dueling club.

Except for six of them, who are quiet. Having walked safely out of earshot, Tiffany violently shudders and says, ”Is it just me or does Professor Adric give you the creeps?”

”It's definitely not just you,” Silvia said as she held up her arm to show the goosebumps across her flesh.

”Personally, I'm more worried about Rowan and Severus,” Bethanie said as Terry nodded his in agreement. ”The way he was looking at them-. There was too much of a fascination in his eyes to be anything but the avid interest which is inappropriate for a professor to have towards his students.”

”I guess that means the dueling club is out of the question,” Terry pointedly commented patting Severus on the back in comfort. ”Anyway, you, sly dog, how many spells have you made?”

Severus flushes as he says, ”Just one or two more.”

”Just one or two more,” Terry mimicked. ”Do you know how hard it is to create a spell?! Can you believe this brat?”

Rowan chuckles as Severus fights off Terry's arms that are attempting to cling onto him. ”Yes, well, I have always said Severus is brilliant and powerful in his own right. In case, you haven't recalled, Severus did beat me out for the highest grade in our 1st year,” Rowan candidly remarked.

”That's because it was an overall cumulative grade,” Severus protested. ”You easily beat me in several subjects. If it wasn't for potions, you'd have gotten the highest grade in our 1st year, Rowan.”

Rowan shrugs and says, ”Don't sell yourself, short, Severus. I only beat you in said subjects by a few measley points. You're more brilliant than me.”

”Oh yes,” Tiffany chimed in with a knowing grin. ”Catching Narcissa Black unaware is a previously unimagined feat!”

The six of them loudly chuckle as they recall the pumpkin head incident. ”Definitely,” Silvia said in agreement.

”Well, at least we're free for the rest of the day,” Terry exclaimed. ”And what a first day it's been, I'm utterly beat.”

”Now, Terry, you still have to retrieve Regulus and take him to his Goblin class,” Bethanie directed.

”And don't forget to show the rest of the 1st years on how to get back to the common room!” Terry sighs and mutinously mutters something about nosy girls, before stomping off to go and retrieve Regulus along with the rest of the Slytherin 1st years.

Bethanie shakes her head and turns to say, ”Don't you two still have a class to get too?”

Severus sighs as Rowan says, ”Oh stop that! Lily will be there.”

Severus instantly perks up and says, ”Well, what are we waiting for?” Before eagerly darting off with his tail wagging behind him.

”You think he'd at least try to be less obvious,” Silvia remarked at Severus's disappearing figure.

”What can I say, he literally wears his heart on his sleeve,” Rowan sighed in exasperation. ”You would think that for a Slytherin, he'd be a bit more sly about it.”

”No,” Tiffany argued. ”My male cousins are that way too and they attend Durmstrang. I think it's all that testosterone really.”

”Well, I better get going,” Rowan murmured. ”I'll see you for dinner.” The girls call out their goodbyes as Rowan tiredly sighs to herself. It had been a long day and for once, she just wanted to go slump down into the common room's comfy chairs to rest. But she'd been the one who suggested the class and now she would have to deal with the fact that she'd dropped the rock onto her own two feet.