Knowledge is Power

Chapter 21

Once the packaging from their respective turkey meals was cleared away, Severus's interest turned to the stack of books on his desk that Mag had left for him to borrow. Before he lifted the top book from the stack he hesitated, turning to the owl.

//I want to read for a while. What do you do for entertainment? Can you read or is there something else that you would like to do?//

The need not to neglect a guest was just as odd as having a guest, because most people annoyed him to the point he didn't want to be in their company any longer than he had to. Nightshade was interesting, though and one of the few people who could make him laugh. In a sudden stab of inner discomfort, Severus felt vaguely annoyed that he used the owl's name or thought of him as a person. It was too...personal.

//Right now I'm just gonna sit here and be full,// Nightshade replied.
//I'll probably watch your head while you read. It's a way for me to read too while getting your impressions. I never bothered to actually learn the stupid letters because I don't really give a fuck about most books. It's not as if I can use the magic in them.//

Severus nodded. That made sense. So while he read, Nightshade continued to lounge back against the stack of books. Eventually he sat up and began to preen. It occurred to Severus then to ask if he wanted some water to drink, because...owls drank water. When Nightshade expressed an interest in a drink Severus rose and set the book aside to go fill a beaker with fresh water which he placed on the desk.

//Sorry. I'm not really a pet person so didn't think about it...And of course you aren't a pet.//

//Damn right, Prof. I was gonna say that shit if you didn't. Don't worry about not asking me if I wanted water. IF I'd gotten thirsty I'd have asked for it. It's cool."

Severus frowned.
//Why is it cool?//
It was just really annoying and had no logic as a concept what so bloody ever!

//Because I wasn't really thirsty or anything,// Nightshade explained, then realizing that the man had understood him but not the point of using the word cool, he turned his head around sharply to glare.
//Oh hell fuck no, we're not starting this shit again!//

Severus raised his dark brows as high as a sky scraper, then shrugged and settled back down with his book. When it was time for bed, he rose and yawning, extended an arm for the owl.
//Where do you sleep?//

//On Mag's bed rail. You've got one of those, right?//

Severus nodded.
//It's a different style than those of students, but yes.//

It turned out one rail was as good as another for Nightshade and he slept well at the end of Severus's bed. In the morning, Severus sent Nightshade off with a note for Mag before heading to Breakfast. It was simply a rolled parchment with the words thank you written inside.
//Remember I'm only doing this so I can move back and forth between the two of you without attracting notice,// Nightshade reminded Severus firmly before he left.
//But I will never take mail to anyone else for you. Not like long distances and shit. It's just not what I do.//

//I think I can remember that,// Severus replied dryly.

When Nightshade found Mag in the great hall, she was talking to the Bloody Baron. She didn't seem nearly as interested in her breakfast as Nightshade was, so after dropping the parchment on the table in front of her, he settled down beside her plate and dug in.

The Baron was explaining to an interested Mag the proper way to read runes for guidance in one's past, present and future.
"There is also a rune cast that allows you to see the past, present, future, where your challenge will lie and where your help will come from," the Baron explained.

"It's a lot of symbolism, but once you learn to interpret the signs you will understand them and see them when they come."

"We were never shown that in Divination," Mag said.
"That's because your professor is rubbish most of the time and half mad all of the time," the Baron said scathingly and Mag smiled in agreement.

//I hope you don't want any more of this fuckin' sausage, cause I'm about to finish it,// Nightshade warned.

//Go ahead,// Mag replied before returning her focus to the Baron.

"So do you find these readings to be generally accurate," she asked.

"If the caster actually has some skill they are always accurate," the Baron said firmly.

"What makes you think I'd be any good at it," Mag asked.

The Baron nodded at the book in her hands.
"I have seen what you read through all your years at Hogwarts. One's talents are always connected to what one is drawn to. IN other words that which interests them."

"But I don't read much on divining," Mag objected, perplexed.

"You don't have to," the Baron explained.
"The runes impart their knowledge in a more round about way through understanding and interpreting symbols. Your interest in Celtic and Egyptian history, and in numerology and Arithmancy show your skill at reading patterns. What you do with the gemstones shows your skill at seeing what is and, when necessary magnifying it. Your skill in the Bardic arts show that you can feel your way into a thing and that is the most potent form of guidance for magic and for reading the runes. Get yourself a rune set and I'll show you how to read a cast."

Mag nodded.
"Alright. I'll go into Hogsmeade this weekend and get a set," she promised.
She wasn't certain she'd have an aptitude for reading into the future, but if the Baron thought she could, that was exciting in itself. It would be embarrassing if she had no ability for it what so ever, but at least it would've been his idea. Sadly that would make it no less embarrassing, she thought.

"Grand," the Baron said.
The fact that his smile was almost excited made Mag wonder if he may be actually looking forward to teaching someone. That made the prospect of learning even more exciting. The Baron knew a lot of old lost arts and the fact he was willing to formally teach her something was...special and she knew it.

She'd always considered him to be one of her few friends here at Hogwarts. She connected to so few people, and he was always interesting to talk to. Still talking about ideas and concepts wasn't the same as actually training her in an art in the way he'd learned it way back when. At the prospect she found herself more than ready for the weekend and that trip to Hogsmeade. What if she could use the runes to see something in future events that could protect Severus? That thought made her want to learn even more.