The Spark of Fate

Prologue

Professor Eleazar Fig stared out of the window of his office. He watched patiently as the sun slowly disappeared behind the tall mountains, the sound of students heading to their common rooms quickly faded and the Castle became eerily quiet. He let out a sigh, "Finally". He walked to his desk, flicking his scalf to one side he started opening a rather large package that had been sent to him by his close friend and Ministry of Magic official, George Osric.
The package contained a stack of journals that had been tied together with string along with some sort of container with a symbol on it. He took the note buried under all the wrapping, held it into the quickly dimming light of one of the candles on his desk and squinted. It read;

Eleazar
I received these journals from your wife before she passed. She sent them to me in hope that I would be able to help her with any information the Ministry knew about Ranroks activities. The journals mention she had been investigating his last known whereabouts at Rookwood Castle. Before I could respond she sent me the container, but with no correspondence. I'm presuming it's because she had to get rid of it quickly however I am unsure of how to open it. I'm trusting you will want to read Miriam's research and I have full faith in you're expertise to find a way of opening the container. If you do manage to open it, please let me know what you find.
George

Fig whispered to himself, "Oh Miriam. What did you get yourself into now". He held the container close as he sat his in chair, after some inspection he noticed it was made of Goblin metal but was unsure what the swirling symbol represented.
Fig had spent all night reading his wife's journals, the sun began to creep over his shoulder, as he woke the smell of burnt wood from the fireplace started to fill his nose and the sound of students hustling through the marble corridors got louder and louder. He stretched, rubbed his eyes and with a swing of his wand the kettle on his desk began to rise pouring itself into a beautifully made china cup. Professor Fig took one big sip of his coffee, he brushed his wife's journals into a pile and placed them in a box under his desk, along with the container.

Her research of Rookwood Castle explained that Ranrok had made a discovery there, a powerful magic that he was harnessing using Goblin metal. She included details of her knowledge of ancient magic with countless drawings of the swirling symbol matching the one on the container she had found. She mentions how she thought it may hold some sort of connection to the magic Ranrok had discovered and how it might just be the only way he can be stopped. Professor Fig knew he had to finish what his wife had started, he crossed his fingers together and stretched his arms out in front of him. He reached for his quill and began writing;

George
Thank you for sending me Miriam's research. I believe she was close to finding the answers she was looking for about Ranroks activities and I would like your help in making sure I finish what she started. If you could, please search the Ministry records for anyone who has knowledge of or a connection to the use of ancient magic as they may have the answer to opening the container. I will need their help if we are to have any chance of stopping Ranroks rebellion. I will meet you at the Ministry soon.
Eleazar