The Keeper's Snake // Sebastian Sallow

Anger

The day arrived when Fig would return to Hogwarts from London. Fiona had often wondered what the Ministry could possibly need from Fig that kept him away for two weeks. Ever since she and Sebastian discovered the Map Chamber, she was a bit antsy to get back there with the book she found underneath the library.

Fiona straightened out her skirt before knocking on Fig's office door.

"Come in!" Fig said from behind the door.

Fiona entered. The first thing she noticed was how tired Fig appeared. His eyes had dark circles under them. His skin had lost much of its shine. What in the world happened at the Ministry?

"Ah Fiona. Wonderful timing. I was just about to send you an owl. How have you been? Hopefully you have been focusing on your studies?"

"Good morning professor Fig. I've been doing well. I have been focusing on my studies. It's mad how much I could learn in 3 weeks. How was your time at Ministry? Why did they need to keep you for 2 weeks?"

"Well the Minister had many questions about our trip to Hogwarts. He found an unprovoked dragon attack rather odd, and he wanted to know how we escaped. I lied and claimed we apparated to outside of Hogwarts. I think he bought it. I did try to warn about growing goblin presence in the highlands. He wouldn't listen. I spent most of my last two weeks trying to build contacts with goblins in London who know Ranrok. I was trying to gather evidence of a growing rebellion. I'm frankly exhausted now, and with nothing to show." Fig sighed.

"Why would the Minister not believe you? That's is so odd." Fiona wondered aloud belfre pivoting to the main task on hand. "Would you like to see the Map Chamber now?"

Fiona led Fig underneath the dungeons and to the Map Chamber.

"I can't believe this has been underneath Hogwarts this whole time!" Fig proclaimed.

The two wasted no time in placing the book on a pedestal, full of wisps of ancient magic. Suddenly, the floor of the Map Chamber transformed itself into a map of the highlands. It was so dark it resembled the night sky, with one star, their current location underneath Hogwarts. Professor Rackham appeared at his portrait. Fiona and Fig approached the portrait and began speaking.

"Professor Rackham, good to see you again. This is professor Fig. He was with me at the vault in Gringotts, and his wife Miriam had been researching ancient magic, which is how she found the port key to the vault."

"Miss Moriarty, a pleasure to see you again. Professor Fig, pleasure to meet you. I'm glad our special student has a faculty mentor." Rackham stated.

"This place you built, it's incredible!" Proclaimed Fig.

"It was not a solo effort professor. Myself and the other Keepers also contributed."

"The Keepers?" Asked Fig, confused.

"They must be whoever are in the other empty portraits," Fiona answered, "the other man from the Gringotts pensieve, Charles Rookwood, he must be one too!"

"Well I see the sorting hat rightfully placed you in Ravenclaw," Rackham said gesturing to Fiona's robes.

"Yes professor," Fiona chuckled, "I've already read a bit about you and Charles Rookwood. I too just started Hogwarts this year, as a fifth year. That seems to be the mark of a witch or wizard who can wield ancient magic."

"You are correct." Rackham mused.

"Myself and the three other Keepers, who you will meet in due time, created the Map Chamber and trials to protect the knowledge of ancient magic and to make sure the one who wields it is prepared for what that power means."