บท 52: I'm Fine
Seeing Art's red puffy eyes, the centaur frowned and asked, "You are a student from the castle?"
Art didn't answer but simply nodded.
"The forest isn't a place for you to explore."
"I know but it is quiet here. Helps clear my mind." Art said quietly.
"What does a young foal like you have to clear your mind about?" the centaur asked.
"Just old memories…"
"Firenze! What are you doing talking to a human? Disgraceful!" another centaur yelled, coming out from behind a tree.
"Enough Magorian, he is just a foal." Firenze said.
"I apologize, sir. I mean no disrespect. I was just lost." Art said tactfully, making his way out of the forest.
Magorian scowled at Artland but felt it was beneath him to answer a human.
"I will guide you out." Firenze said, following after him.
Magorian stomped in anger as he watched Firenze leave with Art.
"I apologize for getting you in trouble." Art said, looking at Firenze.
"Magorian is stuck in the old ways and still hates humans." Firenze answered staring through the forest.
"It is fine. Centaurs, merpeople, goblins and the list goes on. They all have reasons to hate wizards." Art thought back to the books he read about wizards slaughtering other creatures.
"You aren't wrong but I am hopeful for the future. Children like you are the future Mr. Cason."
"How do you know who I am?" Art asked surprised, knowing that he never said his name.
"Oh even us centaurs know about the genius from the castle. Rumoured to even be more talented than Dumbledore or the Dark Lord." Firenze said with a mysterious smile.
"Just rumours, nothing more." he answered nonchalantly.
"Maybe Mr. Cason but there is a war coming. We have read the stars and know it is coming. You will lead a side, whether you win or lose is still undecided but the stars have foretold us this much." Firenze said sternly looking at Art.
"A war? I look forward to it." Art's face turned dark, the Boggart was still fresh in his mind.
Firenze looked at Art with a slightly worried look on his face. "War means casualties on both sides Mr. Cason. Remember that."
"This is as far as I will take you. Please be more careful in the future." Firenze said before disappearing into the forest.
Art silently thanked the centaur and walked toward the castle. The sun was setting so it should be around supper time. Art knew he was going to be in trouble for missing classes and running out of Lupin's class.
Artland decided to avoid the Great Hall and went directly to the kitchen and asked the elves for some food. He then headed for the Room of Requirements to avoid the twins and wait for them to fall asleep.
Artland faced four dummies with a short sword in his hand. His golden eyes gleamed with battle intent as he stomped on the ground hard and dashed towards the dummies, his body low to the ground. Two of the dummies wielded staffs while the other two had short swords. The dummies split up and attacked Art from three different sides. Art remained calm and dodged the first staff attack and jumped over the dummy landing behind him. He quickly swung his sword and slashed the dummy in half.
SMACK
A staff smashed into his side, causing him to grunt in pain. He grabbed the staff and stabbed the dummy throw the chest. The remaining two dummies wasted no time and slashed their swords at his head and back. Art raised his sword and blocked the one aimed at his head.
Art almost fell forward as the sword slammed into his back. Thankfully the swords were blunted and not lethal or Art would have been injured badly. Art quickly kicked the dummies feet out and stabbed it in the chest before tackling the remaining one. His sword pierced the dummies forehead, finishing off it off.
"Shit that hurt." Art groaned lifting up his robes, showing a blossoming bruise.
It was already late into the night so Art decided to head back to his dorm hoping that the twins were sleeping. Leaving the Room of Requirement, Art headed back but was met with McGonagall outside of the portrait.
"It is quite late Mr. Cason, I was about to turn in but the Headmaster asked to find you and bring you to him." McGonagall wearily said, clearly she has been waiting for him.
"It has been a tough day and I am tired professor. I apologize for making you wait but I am going to bed." Art said firmly, walking past her and into the common room.
Art entered his dorm and saw the twins were fast asleep so Art collapsed into his bed and passed out.
Art woke up early the next morning before the twins woke up and headed to the Headmaster's office.
"The Headmaster wanted to see me." Art said to the gargoyle not wanting to guess candies.
The gargoyle came to life and jumped out of the way allowing Art into the office. Entering the office, he saw Dumbledore sitting behind his desk writing something on a piece of parchment.
"Good morning Art, I was just about to head to the Great Hall for breakfast." Dumbledore said cheerfully.
"You wanted to see me professor."
Dumbledore's face turned a little sober as he placed the quill down and looked at Art's face carefully.
"Professor Lupin told me what happened and I wanted to see if you were alright."
"I'm fine professor." Art answered plainly.
Dumbledore looked at Art's stoic face before sighing deeply. "Well you gave the students quite a scare. None of them have seen Voldemort before, Boggart or real."
"I tried to tell Professor Lupin but it was too late. I will apologize to the class." Art said.
"No need for that Artland. But I can't promise that the student body won't talk about you."
"Let them talk."
Dumbledore nodded before dismissing Art from his office.
Before entering the Great Hall, he took a deep breath and braced himself. When he walked into the Great Hall, the sound completely died as everyone stared at him. Ignoring the stares, he made his way to Gryffindor's table and sat in between the twins. George placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed, not saying anything before continuing to eat.
Art was thankful and filled his plate with food before digging in. The Great Hall was filled with mutters as their eyes went back to their food and only threw Art an occasion glance.
Fred and George didn't say anything which was out of character but Art was thankful.
"Come on. We have double Potions this morning and I don't want to piss off Snape." Fred said, finishing his breakfast and grabbed his bag.
Art nodded and put his fork down, following the twins out of the Great Hall.
"Did you hear his Boggart turned into You Know Who?"
"I heard it showed his dead parents to."
Whispers were heard as he walked out of the Great Hall. The twins glared at them causing them to shut up and look away.
Art smiled and tapped their chests for them to stop. Cedric stood up from Hufflepuffs table and joined them out of the Great Hall.
Once they left Cedric grabbed Art's arm and stopped him. "Are you okay?" his eyes searched Art's face.
"I'm fine man, thanks though." Art said with a smile.
"Good." Cedric let out a sigh before throwing a hard punch to his chest. "Run away again and I will kick your ass. We were worried about you."
Art rubbed his chest, numbing the pain. "I hear you. Won't happen again."
The twins let out a chuckle and patted Cedric on the back. Apparently they felt like hitting Artland as well.
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Dawson
Dawson I have been busy with harvest lately but thanks to some snow I should be able to get back to a normal schedule until the snow melts.
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