He Who Must Not Lie

Chapter 8: Class in Magic History

"Good day Professor Slouch," si Melina na ang unang bumati.

"Good day Professor Slouch," sunod ring bumati sina Percival, Nero, at Luca. Nanatili lamang kaming tatlong tahimik.

Dali-dali kaming pumunta sa upuan. Wala namang sinabi kung saan dapat umupo ang bawat isa sa amin kaya naman doon na lang ako umupo sa kaliwang pinakagilid, ang pinakamalayong upuan mula sa pinto. Isang row lang kasi ang arrangement ng mga upuan.

"Sorry Professor Slouch for being late," it's Melina again.

"I'll let this pass since this is your first time running around the corridors. But for the next day, if anyone of you would be late, he or she must face the consequence. Understood?"

"Yes Professor," sabay-sabay naming sagot.

"So, for courtesy, I am Professor Zocorra Slouch. The Freshmen Coordinator and the President of the Sectioning Committee," inulit niya lang ang sinabi niya nang magpakilala siya noong bago magsimula ang Sectioning. "And I will be your Magic History Adviser throughout the year,"

Walang may nagsasalita sa amin at tutok na tutok lamang sa kaniya.

"I assume that you already know each other and I also know each and everyone of you so you don't need to introduce yourself anymore. It would take a long time,"

Akala ko for courtesy din dapat ang magpakilala kami ulit?

"So let's start our lesson," panimula niya.

Kani-kaniya namang paghahanda ang ginawa namin. Si Melina ay kumuha ng kaniyang quill at parchment. Ganun din ang ginawa ni Luca. Si Percival at Nero na sa gitna nakaupo ay inayos lang ang pagkakaupo. Kaming tatlo naman ay wala lang. Sa tingin ko maraming mababagot sa aming tatlo dahil hindi kami nagsasalita.

"Magic History. First I would like to ask you what is Magic History?" Una niyang tanong.

Agad namang nagtaas ng kamay si Melina.

"Magic History is the reminiscing of important past events happened here in Magic Dome," sagot niya.

"Of course," tugon naman ni Professor Slouch na parang ang nais sabihin ay "malamang."

"Other answers?" sabi pa niya at nilibot ang paningin sa aming pito hanggang sa tumigil ito kay Nero.

"Mister Umali. For you, what is Magic History?"

"Er− Magic History is...," saka siya tumingin sa sahig.

Kapansin-pansin rin ang pamumuo ng mga butil ng pawis sa itaas na bahagi ng kaniyang noo. Is his brain empty? Kahit man lang sana sabihin niya na lang ang kahit anong alam niya tungkol sa Magic History.

Hanggang sa nagtagal na ay wala pa rin. "Okay sit down," agad namang umupo si Nero.

"Miss Marvins was right. Magic History is rewinding back of time for us to know what had happened in our past. But why do we still have this? They say 'past is past, never been discussed'," ani Professor Slouch. "We still reminisce these events not just for us to know but also for us to remember where we did come from,"

Yeah. I never not remember my past. It is always in my head – kung saan ako nanggaling.

"But where did we actually come from? Where did magic originate?" muli niyang tanong.

Napansin kong kumunot naman ang ulo ng mga kasama ko. Napapaisip rin siguro sa tinanong ni Professor. But I have already my own answers.

"Mister Scamander. Any thoughts regarding my question?" unti-unti naman akong tumayo. 'Buti na lang talaga at nagbabasa ako.