DADA - Lesson One (First - Fourth Years)

Finley had, in truth, been looking forward to getting back in to Defence Against the Dark Arts. With his lessons with Professor Ellingston back in full swing too, his non-verbal magic was getting stronger. Not perfect, of course, Finley still had a very long way to go, but the simple spells were beginning to work without having to say the incantation.

But seeing the lesson for today, the colour in Finley's cheeks was gone in an instant.

He'd barely noticed Naomi step forward until he heard her voice, strained in the moment of trying. He wanted to go to her, to help, but he knew that he would only be a burden to her, not helpful. Waiting until she was done, Finley offered his best friend a small smile in what he hoped to be a well done, watching as she moved away from him and the professor followed soon after.

Waiting for someone, anyone else to step forward, Finley took a deep breath, and stepped forward himself. His head was screaming at him not to do it, but his feet had other ideas. Finley's hand gently gripped his wand, though he never raised it, his body beginning to tremble as if it already knew what was coming.

The trunk before the Ravenclaw trembled, and Finley took half a step back, his breathing shallow, and eyes alert. Only a moment later, it opened and Finley's eyes were reflected before him. In a taller man, who looked similar to Finley in many ways except the hair colour. The man before him could not be identified as anyone other than Finley's father, but he was a confident man, standing straight and looking imposing.

Finley's eyes fell to the floor only a moment later, his body trembling.

"You can't even look at me, can you, boy?" The man asked, though the voice was more imposing than Finley could remember his father ever being. "Not that I want you to, you're nothing, boy. You can't even pass your tests, can you?" The voice continued, and Finley could feel the tears prickling his eyes in that moment.

"The weakness is ever present as well."

"R-" Finley's voice cut off, catching and making it difficult to breath for a second.

"You can't even put one word together!" The voice continued, mocking him in much the same way his father had over the years. Showing clear disappointment in the fact his son had never been capable of finishing one sentence without falling over his words.

"R-Riddikul-Riddikulus!" Finley tried again, but nothing happened.

A mean laughter filled the room. "That's right, boy. You're ridiculous, and that is all you will ever be to anyone."

"Riddikulus!" Finley shouted, moving his wand in the correct manner. Anger was flooding through him, embarrassment tinting through at the thought of everyone seeing this. But mostly, fear drove Finley on to getting rid of the thing that haunted him.

The next moment, in the place where the image of his father had been, a mouse appeared, squeaking in the place of the man who'd been talking, and Finley allowed himself a small smile. Only breifly, before he turned away. Hurried away from everyone without looking. The door was the only place Finley was going to go. And without checking with Professor Newbury, Finley let himself out, in search of the nearest bathroom as the nausea hit him hard.

He'd never told anyone here about his parents. What they were like.

But now... he didn't have any where to hide.

And that terrified him more than anything.