Legacy Disowned - Book 1

Chapter 21 - Fitzgerald's Trial

The air was heavy with incense in the Divination Classroom, the clouds of smoke swirling around the ceiling like those reflected in the crystal balls the class was currently peering into.

"Mr. Clopton, please turn your shape reference right side up," Professor Onia was sighing, rubbing her temples. "Honestly I don't know how...."

Maggie stifled a laugh from her table near the back, where she sat with Imelda and Poppy, struggling to stay focussed on their own crystal ball.

"Look," whispered Poppy, nudging Maggie in the ribs with a wink, "I see you having an intimate rendezvous with Headmaster Black. Scandal!"

"Please," Maggie gasped playfully. "Let that one come true!"

"I don't know..." said Imelda mischievously. "I think this thing must be broken because I see Prewett getting his broom two feet off the ground without falling flat on his face."

Maggie feigned a sigh. "Too bad... You might be right, cause I see us passing our Divination O.W.L." All three of them choked, fighting the urge to dissolve completely into giggles.

"Alright, ladies." Professor Onai called out, getting their attention as she was bringing the class to a close. "Remember to practise your scrying techniques for next time. Dismissed."

The girls gathered up their things before each sliding down the silvery ladder in turn. Just as they were reaching the bottom of the spiral staircase, a timid first-year came up to them, clutching a note.

"Miss Darling? Professor Fig asked me to deliver this to you," he said, handing her the envelope.

"Thanks, kid." Maggie flashed the boy a crooked smile before ripping open the note and reading. Fig wanted her to meet him in the Map Chamber as soon as possible.

"Everything alright?" Poppy asked.

"Um, yeah," Maggie replied quickly. "Just something I need to take care of. You two go on without me. I'll see you later."

Maggie headed to the dungeons of West tower as quickly as she could. When she pushed open the door to the Map Chamber she found Professor Fig already there, speaking to the old portraits.

"Miss Darling," he said, looking up, "I was just informing the Keepers about your discovery regarding the drills."

"We must hasten our efforts," Niamh said, nodding gravely. "We need to complete these trials swiftly."

"Agreed," Rackham added with a deep sigh. "However, there's a bit of a problem."

Niamh grimaced and continued, "I'm afraid the third trial is located in the Headmaster's office. I had hoped that when someone was ready to take part in the trials, there would be a more accommodating Headmaster... but Professor Fig feels it is unwise to confide in Professor Black and I must say I agree."

Maggie had to fight to suppress a grin. Perhaps Poppy's vision wasn't so ridiculous after all. She caught Professor Fig raising an eyebrow at her out of the corner of her eye and cleared her throat.

"Great," she said, sarcastically. "I'll just surprise him with a little pop in."

"It is not ideal," Niamh confirmed with a sigh. "It won't be easy, but I believe a resourceful young lady such as yourself can find a way."

To Maggie's surprise, Professor Fig suddenly chimed in, "I think I have just the thing. Let's head to my office."

Maggie looked round at him, bewildered. "Alright, let's do it," she said, eager to hear this plan.

"Good luck, Miss Darling," Niamh called after them. "I'll be waiting for you in my other portrait."

Back in Fig's office Maggie found herself feeling uncharacteristically sceptical. Her mentor's plan, in its entirety, was to get Black's own house elf to give her the password to the Headmaster's office. There was already one huge problem.