The Spark of Fate

Chapter 10

Following yesterdays events in Hogsmeade Jackson was eager to meet up with Professor Fig to let him know what happened. After his last class of the day he didn't want to waste anymore time and went searching the Castle for Sophie. He eventually found her stood outside the Great Hall chatting away with a group of friends. As he walked towards them Adelaide Oakes tugged on Sophie's cloak and flicked her eyes his way, Sophie looked and as she watched him getting closer she could feel the butterflies starting in her stomach again. With a smile he nodded hello to the group of girls and said, "Excuse me ladies, do you mind if I borrow Sophie for a moment?" all of them swooned by his handsome charm simply shook their heads and smiled back at him. As they went to walk away she could hear the girls starting to gossip and giggle, she quickly turned back and whispered with a smirk, "Shhh" Jackson hearing her asked, "What?" she replied, "Oh um, nothing. So... is everything okay?" he opened the door to go out into the courtyard and stood back to let Sophie go first, he smiled, "After you", "Why thankyou", "You're welcome. And I was thinking we should probably go and see Professor Fig, we need to let him know what happened in Hogsmeade" she answered, "Your right. He's not going to believe what we did to that troll!".

They arrived at Figs office and Jackson called out, "Professor, it's good to see you again" Fig let out a sigh of relief and said, "Oh thank Merlin your both in one piece. I heard about the attack. A troll? In hogsmeade?" Jackson replied, "Sir the troll was wearing armour" Sophie added, "And it had that dark glow, like the dragon collar". Professor Fig crossed his arms and furrowed his eyebrows, "Goblin silver. Ranrok used it to control the dragon, but how? And why send a troll to Hogsmeade?" Sophie answered, "It was there because of me, we overheard Ranrok talking to Victor Rookwood" Figs eyes widened, "Ranrok was in Hogsmeade? with Rookwood?" Jackson nodded, "Yes. The troll was Ranroks distraction so that Rookwood could get to Sophie. And he would have if Sirona hadn't stopped him in the Three Broomsticks". Fig sat down in his chair, his eyes scanned his desk from left to right as the list of questions reeled through his mind. Jackson broke the eerie silence that filled the office and said, "Sir there's something else you should know. We went to help Officer Singer take down the troll and...well...our wands started to glow!" Fig leaned back in his chair, "What? What do you mean glow?" Sophie replied with excitement, "It was a swirl of ancient magic that we were able to evoke some how using our hands" Jackson added with a proud smirk, "Sir. We destroyed the troll with one hit" Figs eyes widened once again, "Goodness. That is impressive. Well we can only hope you weren't seen by Ranrok or Rookwood, if they find out there is in fact two of you that holds this ability then you will both be at risk. We must be careful going forward" hearing the seriousness in Figs voice Sophie and Jackson glanced at eachother and contained their giddiness. Sophie asked, "Professor? Why would they need me?" Fig peered his eyes up from his desk, he answered, "I fear Ranrok wants whatever it is that is connected to these traces of magic you're seeing. He knows about your ability and he knew about the vault. It's evident that he has tasked Rookwood to follow our every move" Jackson called out, "He must be after the locket we found floating above the pensieve!" Sophie frowned and asked, "But why? What else does he know that we don't". Fig shook his head and furrowed his eyebrows once again, "Im not entirely sure, however I have been examining the locket for some time now and I managed to find something" he opened the draw of his desk and pulled out a large piece of parchment, "There was an inscription on the locket, when I read it aloud this map of Hogwarts appeared. Clever enchantment however, I do not know where it leads". Sophie noticing something on the map said, "Wait. Jackson do you see that?" he leaned over and replied, "I do. It leads to the restricted section" Fig looking rather confused glanced up at them, "How did you...." Sophie interrupted and pointed, "There's traces of magic there on the map" Fig rubbed his hands together and smiled, "Ahh. I knew you would see something" Jackson smiled back and asked, "Shall we go now?". Fig stood up from his chair and went and stood infront of them both, "I appreciate your enthusiasm but if our experience at Gringotts has taught me anything it's that the path were on is terribly dangerous" Sophie said, "But sir how dangerous could the library be? Perhaps we're only after a book" Fig answered, "Perhaps we are only after a book but we should be prepared for anything". The door to Figs office suddenly swung open and in swaggered Headmaster Professor Black, he abrasively called out, "Fig! I have work for you, come" Professor Fig shook his head and replied, "Headmaster I'm with students and my schedule is..." Black lifted his head up high and put his hands behind his back, "Your schedule will wait indefinitely as will your students. My office! Five minutes!" as Black strutted his way out of Figs office, Sophie and Jackson looked at eachother and rolled their eyes at his inconsiderate arrogance. Fig sighed, "That man is infuriating. I'm afraid our trip to the restricted section will have to wait. I will come find you both after I've completed whatever task Professor Black has for me".

Professor Fig left his office and Sophie and Jackson took a moment to contemplate everything they had just discussed. Jackson sat down in one of the chairs infront of the fireplace, "I guess we just wait here then" Sophie walked over to a cabinet in the corner of the room, admiring the dozens of artifacts Fig had collected over his many years at Hogwarts she saw a small frame with a portrait of a woman inside. She took hold of it and turned it over, the writing on the back read;

'In loving memory, Miriam'

She turned it back and gave a soft smile at the elegance of Miriam's beauty. Jackson noticed the unusual silence of Sophie and walked over to her, he asked, "Everything okay over here?" she placed the portrait back on the shelf and turned to look at him, "Yes. Everything's fine" he could see she was trying to be coy with her answer but she couldn't hide the concerned look on her face, he asked, "No it's not what's worrying you?", "It's nothing" Jackson put his hand on her arm, "Sophie, you can tell me". She looked up at him, she saw the sincerity in his eyes and completely gave into him, "Its just, ever since I got to this school I've had everyone watching my every move. I hear the other students whispering about me. Nattys been one of the only people who hasn't made me feel like some sort of freak even though I can tell she knows there's something I'm not telling her. I hate having to lie to her". Jackson knew exactly how she was feeling, he wanted nothing more than to boast to his friends about his new ability. He let go of her arm and said, "I don't know Natty that well that's why I didn't say anything the other day in the library. Sebastian knows her better than anyone, they're actually really good friends. I've already told him about our ability, maybe see what he says about telling Natty. You can trust him". Sophie stood there silently gazing at the floor, Jackson could still sense her concern, "That's not just it though is it. What else is bothering you. Is it Rookwood?" Sophie looked up at him in awe, she couldn't believe how easily he could see through her attempts to remain composed about everything on her mind, she replied, "Sort of. He has Ashwinders everywhere, how am I supposed to leave the Castle without being seen by them?" he put his hand on her arm once again and answered, "Rookwood will never get to you, we won't let that happen. We're in this together remember" she appreciated his words of comfort and reassurance, she went to reply, "I suppose it's a good thing theres..." Jackson interrupted her, unable to hold his thoughts in any longer he said, "Can I just say. You're eyes are...you're eyes are beautiful", "Why thankyou". Sophie could feel her cheeks getting warmer by the second, her palms were starting to sweat, she was usually unfazed when it came to flirting but something about him made her lose all of her composure, she said, "You're quite the charmer aren't you?" Jackson gave a cheeky smile, "I have my moments". Sophie glanced over at the portrait of Miriam, "Jackson. We have to help Professor Fig finish what his wife started. Surely you know a way we can get into the restricted section?" he nodded, "Actually I do. Sebastian's always sneaking around in there. Maybe he can get us in" surprised to hear about Sebastians rebelliousness she replied, "Oh?" Jackson grabbed her hand, "That's a conversation for another day. Come on, let's go and find him".