Chapter 126 - – Cousin (1/2)
Professor Adric furrows his brow as he tries to ignore the missive in his pocket from his cousin that seemed to be burning a hole through his pants. ”Potter! Ten points from Gryffindor!” Professor Adric tiredly snapped at the Gryffindor's antics. The dark-haired boy in typical fashion sullenly turns away as his pesky group of friends whispers in hushed voices.
”Now, I understand you are all excited in regard to the upcoming festivities, but that is no excuse!” Professor Adric hissed as his sharp eyes glanced at the clock at the wall that still had twenty minutes remaining. ”I want all of you to finish up your reports on your partner's spell work!”
The Gryffindors quickly rush over to the desks that neatly arrange themselves back into rows and take a seat. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Professor Adric took a seat at his desk as he recalled his cousin requesting his presence later that evening. Lips twitching in disdain, Professor Adric rose to his feet and walked over to observe the now stiff Gryffindor's hard at work.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Professor Adric sees a note on Potter's parchment that reads, ”So yes to the Deathday?”
Rushing over Professor Adric says, ”Your parchment, Mr. Potter!” Holding out his hand, the dark-haired boy presses his lips together and unhappily hands over the parchment. Professor Adric finds that there is nothing writing on the parchment but the requested notes.
”Here Mr. Potter!” Shoved the note back into the boy's hand. ”A most terrible chicken scratch, write it again!” Professor Adric snarled at having failed to find proof of the boy's plans.
Glancing up at the time Professor Adric finds with dismay that the time is up. ”Pick up your things and get out. Class is over!” Professor Adric snapped as he stormed out of the classroom leaving some rather relived Gryffindor's behind.
Rushing to his chambers, Professor Adric ignores the startled glances as he only pauses to grab his cloak, before storming off the grounds. Finally, long past the gates, he reaches the boundary lines and apparated away.
The skies were gray as Adric apparated in the shadows of London. Quickly making his way through the crowd, he slips into an empty alleyway that led to a hidden door. Taping on the door thrice in a circle, the door unlocked as he slipped into a tunnel that led out to the edge of town. There in the distance were grim colored magical shops as well as that of a pub by the name of Monarch.
With his hood pulled on high to cover his face, Professor Adric stepped into the seedy pub as he gestured to the bartender with one hand holding up his cousin's letter with the broken seal at the back. The lean bartender motions at him to head into the back as Professor Adric curls his lips and makes his way to the back of the pub. It does not go unnoticed that two rather butch wizards follow him into the back.
At the back, an old weathered man with neatly cut white hair shuffles a pack of enchanted poker cards. ”You play cousin?” Sanderson asked without glancing up.
”No, I don't believe in betting on any unknown odds,” Professor Adric said as he took a seat and slightly pushed his hood back to reveal his sharp-featured face.
”I thought so,” Sanderson apologetically said as he slid the cards into a neat stack.
Glancing up with his wolf-like eyes, Sanderson's lips twitch into a wolfish smile. ”And how goes the teaching cousin? Are the children still dunderheads or have they gone onto a higher path?”
Professor Adric snorts in derision at his cousin's futile attempt to bait him. ”I read your letter,” Professor Adric said as he threw the letter onto the table. ”And it says, nothing, but the meeting time. My time is precious as you said cousin, let us cease with the flattery, and talk.”
”I have a riddle so to speak,” Sanderson carefully said. ”I was told to follow the snakes and you are the only snake that I know.”
”Haha, very funny cousin,” Professor Adric said through gritted teeth. ”If anyone is a snake, it would be yourself.”