Hogwarts Legacy: The Price of Power

Indecision 🌶️

Dracaena paced outside Professor Fig's old classroom the next day, her arms folded, waiting for the bell. Sebastian and Ominis were in the library, combing through the shelves for any mention of the mysterious D. Fotheringham, for the Room had surprisingly not given them any of his works, no matter how much each of them phrased the desire to read them. She supposed they had to know the actual names of any books he'd written for the Room to be able to provide them.

As she wore a groove in the floor, she pondered. She'd given up the class, what possible reason could she have for looking into a Magical Theoretician when she'd made it clear the class wasn't for her? Sure, she could play on the fact that it reminded her too much of Fig, but then why would she be looking? Perhaps she could pretend she wanted to take up the class again?

She grimaced. She'd rather not. Not only would it serve as a painful reminder of all she'd lost, but she really could do with the extra time not taking the class afforded her. She was behind enough as it was, the essays she turned in growing feebler and more rushed with each passing week. She'd barely scraped an 'Acceptable' on her last Charms essay, and the disappointed look from Ronen sent chills down her spine, for if anyone suspected, if anyone thought for an instant there was more going on in her life than just schoolwork...

The bell rang, and she jumped, ducking out of sight of the door. A moment later, students spilled out, chattering together. She had fifteen minutes before the next batch was due.

Dracaena sidled up to the door as the last stragglers hurried out, slipping inside and drawing a soft breath. The tall and slender Professor Reid was at his desk, his red hair in its customary ponytail, shuffling through a stack of parchment, and she cleared her throat.

"Professor?"

He looked up.

"Miss Hoctina?" he rose, a small, mildly bemused smile on his face. "I hadn't thought I'd see you in here again."

She nodded. "I know. I'm sorry I gave up the class, it was just a bit much, what with all my other studies."

"Understandable," Professor Reid beckoned, and she approached, her low heels clicking on the stone. "What brings you back here today?"

"Um..." she cast about. "I... in Charms, we're learning about atmospheric spells, and I thought that learning a little more about the theory behind them would be useful," she gabbled.

"Oh?" Professor Reid sat back behind his desk and indicated she take a seat herself. She did so. "That would be very useful. Atmospheric spells, as I'm sure you'll know by now, are temporary, as magic cannot permanently affect the power of nature itself. It's an area that's not fully understood."

"I thought so," she said, eagerly. "But I read a footnote somewhere, I can't remember in which book, but it was interesting. The author was a..." she pretended to think. "D. Fotheringham? Do you know the name?"

Professor Reid's brows rose, and he reached back to fiddle with his ponytail.

"I do," he said. "Dracus Fotheringham, I believe you mean? I think that particular Theoretician would be of little use to you regarding atmospheric charms, Miss Hoctina. His theories are purely speculative, bordering on insane, from the little I know of him."

"I... oh?" she tilted her head.

"Oh, he's brilliant, of course, just insane," Professor Reid clarified. "I don't believe he's ever delved into atmospheric charms, though, he tends to focus on hypothetical drivel about powerful, impossible magics." His eyes narrowed. "Is there a particular question you wanted to ask me?"

"Um, no," Dracaena pulled a smile onto her face. "I was just curious. I guess I got the wrong end of the Hippogriff."

Reid's smile was tight. "I see. Well, Miss Hoctina, if that's all you needed, I suggest you be on your way. I've got rather enough on my plate without indulging the curiosity of students who drop my class."