A Sharp Sensation

1

"Miss (L/N)," Matilda Weasley says warmly. "Lovely to meet you Dear!"

"It's so nice to meet you as well," You say, shaking her hand.

As Matilda leads you up the marble steps, you couldn't help but stare at the golden Hogwarts Crest on front of you.

"I trust your journey was safe?" The red-headed woman asks, a hint of fear in her voice.

You nod politely. "Yes Ma'am-"

She cuts you off. "Please call me Matilda."

You nod, flushing. You had only graduated from Ilvermorny two years ago, you weren't quite used to addressing other adults so casually when you hardly considered yourself an adult.

"I find myself worrying more and more these days," Matilda says solemnly. "I can't bear loosing another dear friend."

You had heard what happened to the Previous Magic Theory Professor, the man died in a horrible accident involving a student, you also heard of a goblin rebellion?

Matilda led you through a grand set of doors, and two your left you saw four massive hourglasses. The older woman noticed your curious stare and smiled.

"This is how we keep score of house points," She explained. "When a student goes above and beyond, their house is awarded with points."

"Are those little... Rubies?" You ask, drawing closer to the red filled hourglass.

Matilda nodded. "There's currently no house points as the term hasn't started yet, though I feel it will be quite the competition this year!"

You hadn't had anything like that at Ilvermorny; no competition or anything, simply magic. The two of you continue on to the next set of doors, a hallway bearing a bickering duo of armor leading to the great hall. Four long tabled covered in green, red, yellow and blue sat below floating candles.

"It's beautiful," You muse.

"I couldn't agree more, the students sit at their house tables and us professors sit up front at the semicircle of tables," Matilda explains, gesturing to the tables situated up front.

You began to squint, accessing the glint from across the hall. "Is that a golden owl?"

Matilda Weasley scowls. "It's The Lectern Phineas had chosen, he's always had an eye for the finer things in life."

You could sense an obvious distance of The Headmaster.

"No matter," Matilda says, clapping her hands. "We must get you to your new classroom!"

Using a mysterious green fire Matilda called 'Floo Flames' you are led to an empty room. What you could tell was once a well loved and decorated classroom, was now a deserted corridor.

"We had all of Eliazar's things packed up and..." Matilda Weasley sighs. "You're free to use the space how you wish."

You peer up at the beautiful buttresses that held up the cavernous ceiling and felt your spirits drop. This room once belonged to a beloved teacher, a teacher who had only passed a few months ago. You felt a great sense sadness wash over you.

"I am truly sorry for your loss," You say quietly.

Matilda simply nods, her eyes moist. "Let's get you to your rooms and get you situated, hm?"

Before Matilda could even turn to lead you out the door, a knock had interrupted them. You glance over your shoulder to see a tall, gruff looking man.

"Ah, Aesop!" Matilda says. "Wonderful timing."

The man glanced between you and the Deputy Headmistress uncertainly. "Phineas requests your presence in his office..."

If you weren't paying attention, you wouldn't have noticed the woman beside you clench her jaw. "Of course he did. Aesop, could I impose upon you to lead Miss (L/N) to the Faculty Tower?"

This Aesop looked at you with deep brown eyes, as if he was reading your soul. "Yes," he replied simply.

You reach out your hand in greeting. "Hello Sir, my name is (Y/N) (L/N)."

The man peered down at him your hand, his face betraying no emotion.

"Aesop Sharp, Potions," he said simply as he shook your hand.

"Excuse me?" You queried. "Potions?"

"I teach Potions,"  he reiterates.

"Ah, yes of course. As I'm sure you've gathered, I will be the new Magic Theory Professor," You say, starting a conversation.

Aesop peered over his shoulder at the empty room with an empty look in his eye. "Yes."

You felt your neck flush. Were you being awkward? You couldn't read this man, it was as if he were behind a stone wall.

"The Faculty tower is this way," Aesop Sharp says after a moment of silence.

You follow him, nearly running into his back as he started to limp.

"Are you alright?" You ask.

Aesop frowns slightly. "An old wound, nothing to worry about."

You flush. "I apologize, I shouldn't have pried."

"Perhaps I'll tell you the story another time," Aesop says with a sigh. "How about you? What's an American Witch doing in Scotland?"

You begin to turn in place as you walked. "Adventure," you muse.

Ever since you had graduated from Ilvermorny, you had been doing odd jobs to get by. Only when your old teacher had mentioned the opening when you crossed paths, did you apply. It was all by chance that you were here.

"I want to find myself, perhaps I'll find me here?" You ponder.

A hint of a smirk crosses Aesop's face.

"Hey, don't laugh!" You interject.

"No, no-" Aesop replies, his smile growing. "I simply miss being your age. The youthful adventure of finding yourself, what an exciting time."

You peer up at him, scanning his face. He didn't seem so old, you wanted to ask but you knew it would be rude so you resign to examining him. Chin length, brown locks with matching eyes and a hint of stubble. He didn't look so old, he was certainly handsome though. Your eyes stray to his hand, no ring. You didn't even know why you looked, but you found yourself curious about this man.

"How about you, have you found yourself yet?" You query quietly.

"I had..." Sharp speaks. "But I suppose I'm looking for myself again."

You clasp you hands behind your back, smiling up at the ceiling. "I truly hope you can find yourself happy."

Aesop's face hardened once again. "We'll see."