Deus Fax Machina

Unexpected Changes

The Garden

An afternoon glow fell as Sophie Fax sat opposite her teacher, Camilla. They sipped tea, their saucers balanced on the weather worn surface of the table between them, lost in Camilla's jungle like garden. Dappled sunlight danced through Camilla's dark curls, across her face and the table. While Sophie was only sixteen, Camilla could have been any age from thirty to fifty. Sophie didn't think to ask. After all, its rude to ask a witch her age.

As Camilla tried to teach Sophie to read her tea leaves, Sophie couldn't help watching the long shadows playing on Camilla's white dress, contrasting her dark skin.

'Sophie. Are you listening?' Camilla replaced her teacup with a clink.

'Yes,' Sophie placed her own cup on its saucer. 'But you know I don't believe this stuff.'

Sophie leant back in her chair and closed her eyes. She tried to catch the last few rays of the winter sun, before it dipped below the lilac trees. A breeze rustled the board leaves of the tall plants around them. Camilla shook her head as she poured herself a fresh cup of tea.

'I have something for you. Some important news.'

'Did my tea leaves finally say something good?' Sophie sat up.

Camilla took a scroll from her pocket and handed it across the table. It was a letter from another witch. No one else wrote on scrolls, or with a quill.

Camilla,

Hogwarts would be delighted to accept Sophie Fax as a new student, she will be safe with us. The current political climate in Australia may indicate that you would be safer elsewhere too.

There will be some issue with her schooling as she seems to be advanced in some areas, but your lack of wand use will hinder her to begin with; I believe placing Sophie in the school year below her age group may help some of these issues.

I am thrilled by your ability to pass on Old Magical teachings the way you have, many congratulations on your student, her abilities are an absolute reflection of your own. We will be in contact with you both soon.

Best of luck, as I fear times ahead will be difficult, and remember, you will always have friends at Hogwarts.

Yours, most sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster, O.M. (first class)

'Hogwarts? As in the school of witchcraft and wizardry?' Sophie reread the letter; she knew the name Albus Dumbledore but could not place it.

'That's right.' Camilla's eyebrows drew together.

'You want me to go to Hogwarts?'

'I think you have the potential to be a great sorceress.'

'Camilla, we aren't allowed to use New Magic.' Sophie laughed; go to Scotland, to learn magic? With a wand? Sophie had only just changed schools at the beginning of the year to be closer to Camilla!

'Not here we're not, and I have a feeling it won't be long before we cannot use Old Magic either.' Camilla sipped her tea, then swilled the remain leave.

'What do you mean? They can't trace Old Magic.' Sophie frowned as she looked at her own leaves.

'I've been hearing talk that they may be able to do just that. Things are getting stricter, Sophie. We need to be careful.'