Into Virgust: The Witch

[15] The Crime at the Winter Festival

chapter fifteen: the crime at the winter festival

Louise has been staring at the parchment for a long minutes. Nag-iisip kung anong paraan ang gagawin niya rito. He knows that Nixie is still hesitant to tell others her secrets and that talking cat. He knows that she's selfish on taking responsibility. And he sometimes tolerating her. Ngunit tama lang ang ginagawa niya. To let Nixie spill the tea, it's her right, afterall.

"No one knows others bet kundi ang mga sa kanila lang," bulong niya habang nilalaro ang panulat na hawak niya.

He's planning to sabotage the game.

"Finite Incantatem," he whispered as he swing his wand.

"Ambre?" He flinched nang isa sa kasamahan niya sa dormitoryo ang tumawag sa pangalan niya. He anxiously look at the one who spoke.

"You're studying at this hour? Dude, let yourself rest," saad nito na natatawa kahit halata sa boses nito na inaantok na siya.

"I'm practicing charms." Iyon ang na-isip niyang idahilan. Napabangon naman ang kausap niya.

"Ambre, dude. Don't do something dangerous. Are you trying to blow this room up?"

"Felix, ano ba! Ayaw mong magpatulog?" Saway ng isa sa kasama nila. "Oh, Louise. Masyado nang late mag-aral, let us rest." Bumalik ulit sa pagkakatulog ang dalawa.

He pointed his wand again on the parchment and tried to erase Nixie's bet. Pinalitan niya ito ng kaunti na tama lang para hindi siya matalo. Ibinalik niya ito sa loob ng kanyang bag at saka nahiga sa kanyang tulugan.

Ayaw niyang ipagsabi ni Nixie sa iba ang tinatago niya. He's a keen observer too and he noticed something strange on the group. Hindi sa pinagbibintangan niya ito sa isip niya ngunit wala lang talaga siyang tiwala. She's obvious.

"You messed up, Louise. I did tell you! Na sasabihin ko na sa kanila." Napahawak nang mahigpit si Nixie sa kanyang bonete dahil sa inis.

"Ako dapat ang matatalo, hindi ba?" Tanong nito at tumango nang tahimik si Louise.

"I knew it! but how am I so bad at making bets?" Pagsisingit niya nang nakangiwi. Louise just tap her head and smiled. 

"Let bygones be bygones. Isa pa, no one knows that I cheated, except us," aniya saka ipinamulsa ang kanyang dalawang kamy sa magkabilang bulsa ng kanyang trench coat. 

“If you disregard doing this, hindi lang ikaw ang pagagalitan ng propesor mo. Have mercy on me, won’t you?” The girl with a short said on a student and turned around. She smiled when she saw the two and approached them.

“Shawk, Ambre,” ani nito nang makalapit ang dalawa. Nixie looked at Louise who is curious too.
“Professor Dy asked us to hand over your assignments,” saad niya saka inabot ang dalawang scroll ng pergamino sa kanila. “Your potion teacher wants all of the first years to collect those written inside it.”

Napangiwi ang dalawa. Nixie looked at the parchment with disbelief. Lists of herbs and ingredients were written on it. She just then realized that the festival isn’t time for relaxation. Magagamit yata nila ang buong araw sa paghahanap ng mga sangkap para sa kanilang klase.

“Is there any consideration for this?” Mabuti at naitanong ni Louise. Monique lets out a big sigh and put her both two hands on her waists.

“Same reactions. Professor Dy is being unreasonable. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.” Kausap nito ang kanyang sarili. “Just do your thing, I also don’t know the answer. Bye!” Aniya saka umalis na sa kanilang harapan. They also saw prefects handing scrolls to the first year from their perspective houses.