= Wands High =

Chapter 57 - 24 May 1998, Sunday

- Christopher Slade – somebody called him.

- Universal Law of Murphy – when teachers call you by your full name, it's never for good – Zadie murmured when they saw Professor Eliastos hurrying towards them. - What have you done now, bro?

- Honestly, no idea...

- I'm sorry for rushing you immediately upon entering the castle – the Charms teacher said when she reached them, – but I need you to come with me, Christopher.

- Okay... - Chris decided to not ask for more information; whatever the matter was, he was sure he'd find out soon enough. Instead, he handed his guitar case to the other boy. – Will you take this, Zade?

- Sure, man – the drummer nodded.

- Is everything all right, Professor? – Chris asked while Eliastos was leading him through the corridors.

- For now, yes. But we can use your help with... something – the Charms teacher responded evasively and proceeded with the silent stride.

The more they walked, the more certain did Chris become that they were headed for the hospital wing; the tiny dense ball weighing in his chest since Friday night suddenly felt as if it was getting heavier.

Just as he was about to once again ask what was going on, another turn of the corridor led them straight to a small group of people standing in front of the entrance to the hospital wing as if they were waiting for them. The ball in his chest went from dense to super heavy when he recognized Principal Ashdrake, Professor Phaedros and Professor Rupert.

- Let's get inside – Rupert, the school's Vice-Principal, suggested; for some reason he looked most uncomfortable of them all.

- Christopher, thank you for coming immediately – Ashdrake said once they all got into the staff room, the first of the several smaller rooms adjacent to the infirmary's main hall. Her voice was low and somewhat uneasy.

- Sure – he nodded. – I still don't know what this is all about though.

Just like Eliastos a few minutes ago, Ashdrake seemed to hesitate as if she was searching for the right words. The heavy ball started turning into a black hole ready to engulf his heart. It was a rare thing for the sharp, energetic woman to be hesitant.

- Principal... madam, please tell me straight... what's going on.

- Your brother... your older brother got hurt during his night patrol two days ago. We are unable to determine how exactly – our best guess is that he was ambushed somehow. We still can't figure out what sort of spell was cast against him either. At least, thanks to Professor Phaedros and Madame Morris, he's stable for now, and receiving the best care that we're capable of here, of that at least I can assure you.

"What the hell do you know then?!", was the first thing that he almost spat out, but Chris somehow managed to keep his mouth shut. If the combined knowledge and skill of the Innestrad Professors was not enough to figure out what had happened to Griffin, him making a scene wouldn't help at all. And it sure wouldn't make him feel better about the whole situation either.

The now supermassive black hole in his chest started devouring his lungs.

- Thank you... for taking care of him, Principal.

- That's the least we could do – Ashdrake nodded.

- Can I see him?

The adults exchanged concerned looks for a moment but before any of them could respond, Professor Phaedros stepped in, his cane producing sharp clattering sound on the floor, as if this whole time he had been waiting his turn to intervene.