Rough Around the Edges (Rookwood x Reader)

18- Battle Plan

(Author's note: Sorry for the shorter chapter! Thank you for your patience and continued support. It's hard to write and make content especially when your muse seems to be taking a break. I intend to continue my stories for as long as you'll read them so don't worry! Again, thank you for your patience and support, I wouldn't be here without all of you.)

"I told you, I'm fine!"

When Victor vanished you looked around to realize Biggins was also gone. Sharp was on his knee and examined you closely before letting you go. Both of you were splattered with black and dirt, his face was serious with a bit of concern as he got up to walk away.

"We need to find Victor!"
"No, we don't."
"What? What do you mean 'no we dont'?"

Sharp turned around to face you, his eyebrows furrowed but his expression somber.

"Victor is grieving, we need to give him time."

"We don't have time..."

"I know that, do you think I don't know that? But he just lost someone he cared for and we can find him later. Come."

"Where are we going?"

"Back to Hogwarts."

"What?"

"Quickly."

Sharp offered you his hand. As you took it, you turned back to the spot Ada died in his arms, you closed your eyes to hold in your tears before Sharp apparated you away.

When you landed you saw Professor Hecat pouring herself a cup of tea. You were in the DADA classroom.

"Ah, sooner than expected." Hecat eyed you both up and down before placing her tea aside. "Are you two alright?"

Before you could answer- Sharp waved his wand and cleaned you both up in a few seconds.
"Yes, we're okay, but not sure I can say that for the majority who were there."

"Well...The others should be here momentarily."

"The others?"

As you said that you heard the door opened and turned around. The Figs came in first, then Poppy with Amit, then finally Sebastian.

"MC! I've been so worried." Miriam came over with Professor Fig and hugged you gently. "What is going on? When Hecat reached out to us we figured things have gotten serious..."

"Did something happen with Rookwood, MC?" Poppy asked concerned.
"What is happening?" Amit asked after.
"Where have you been?" Sebastian rushed in- it made you slightly relieved he hasn't been successful in stalking you.

"Now now, everyone, please have a seat. We have some things to discuss." Hecat waved her hand and shut the door as she interrupted everyone.
"MC, I hope you don't mind, but Sharp and I decided it was best to collect everyone involved and really talk about the situation."

You looked over at Sharp who remained standing but nodded at you to sit. You walked over and purposely sat as close to Sharp as possible, the others joined you and looked at Hecat to continue.

"Time is of essence. To start, everyone in this room is somehow involved or informed about the situation at hand. The black substance, or Dark Mud, is as ancient as it is deadly."

"To summarize-" Sharp chimed in. "-the black substance is part of an old and dark magic practice that was never completely mastered. In the wrong hands it can be dangerous, but it's also dangerous if merely attempted."

"The constellations, as Mister Thakkar has figured out, were a sort of map on how to discover the original rune locations. Wizards and Witches who were aware of this magic have tried to rid the runes before-but to no avail."
Hecat picked up her tea and took a sip, the room was silent as we listened and absorbed the information.
"As the Figs have discovered, the runes are in relation to 'creation', which is why this is considered summoning magic. It has the potential to create creatures and perhaps more out of thin air- it is great power. Great...but dangerous."

"Biggins has carved the runes into his skin, which has been attempted before, but the difference this time is somehow he was successful in summoning the magic. As far as we understand, he is no longer Biggins, the magic itself has taken over and he will not be able to control it. He has disappeared and we need to find him before he does more damage."

"Any questions?"

There was a silence before Sebastian spoke up.

"I...I feel like there are a lot of questions to be asked here."

"What do we do? What can we do?" Amit added.

"You students don't do anything-" Hecat started. "-You are here to understand the severity of the situation and you are to stay silent about it."

Miriam stood up and approached Hecat. "Dinah, what damage can Biggins do? What are we expecting?" 

"That is the problem, Miriam, we don't know what to expect. This magic is unpredictable- think of it as a parasite, the best course of action is to destroy the host."

"This sounds dangerous." Fig looked at you with concern.

"Where is Rookwood in all this?" Poppy asked. Sharp glanced at you momentarily before looking back at her.
"Rookwood, although a colorful character, has the same goal as us. He is a powerful Wizard with experience in dark magic; we need him as much as he needs us."

"Where is he then?" Sebastian's voice was understandably skeptical.

Sharp took in a breath in the silence; you decided it was time to speak up yourself.

"We'll find him, and he will help us, I know he will. Right now we need to figure out a game plan for when we find Biggins again."

"We?" Poppy stood up now. "You can't possibly be throwing yourself into the center of danger?"

"Poppy, you know I'm more than capable-"

"MC this sounds like suicide!" Sebastian chimed in. "Getting involved is one thing, but placing yourself in the front lines is another. You can't do that!"

You were ready to defend yourself until you felt Sharp's hand on your shoulder, when you turned to look at him his expression was unreadable.

"MC is more than capable of taking care of herself. She has shown that countless times and I trust her capabilities. This may be dangerous, but if anyone should be trusted in battle, it would be her."

Although Sharp did not look at you, you smiled at him and told yourself not to reach up and hold his hand in front of everyone.

"Well then-" Fig stood up and walked over to you; placing his hand on your other shoulder. "What ever may happen, Miriam and I will be there to assist, we can't let you have all the fun now can we?" You giggled as he winked at you.

Hecat took another sip of tea before placing her cup down and looking at your friends.

"You three - I know better than to expect you to sit back and do nothing. As I said before you are to remain silent about this situation, but the more wands we have the better, you may assist when needed as long as you follow orders. Understood?"

The three of them nodded in agreement and Hecat nodded in turn.

"Then..." She nodded at Sharp. "Let us begin our tactics."