Only The Beginning

Rookwood Castle

The heels of Olive's boots made a soft clicking sound as she made her way through the castle dungeons and down to the Map Chamber. Her thoughts were moving a mile a minute the closer she got, taking a deep breath she pushed open the large waiting door and slipped inside. She could hear Professor Figs voice bouncing off the walls, but it wasn't his usual soft spoken manner, his tone was almost pleading, begging to see reason.

He was speaking with the portraits of the keepers, they hadn't noticed her come in yet, but by the sounds of it, they had been discussing her. "She's much stronger than you think! You shouldn't underestimate her abilities." Figs hushed tone rang through the room, "I've been working with her for many months now and her aptitude for magic is something I've not seen before. She can handle it!"

"I understand your passion Professor, it can be such a beautiful thing to have such a student." Professor Rackham started.

"It can be...but-" Professor Rookwood trailed off as his eyes drifted to Olive standing at the end of the stairs.

Fig turned around, a look of surprise on his face "Oh, Olive. I didn't think you'd come so quickly."

"Good morning Professor, I hope you've been well." Olive smiled at him, hiding the fact that she had been listening to their conversation.

"Indeed, I have. I called you here because I was hoping you would have more information on Lodgok, we never quite got to finish our conversation the other day." Figs eyes signaled to the Keepers portraits, silently telling her that they hadn't believed him.

"Oh! Of course, Professor. Lodgok and Ranrok used to be close, but they had some sort of falling out. I had to retrieve a beloved goblin helmet to help Lodgok trick Ranrok to let him back into his circle, Lodgok has agreed to keep me informed about his wearabouts and what he's got planning. As of now, he says Ranrok is looking for something, but we aren't quite sure what."

The portrait of Professor Rookwood made a noise of contemplation, "That would explain the noise and activity at my estate."

"Rookwood Castle?" Olive questioned.

"Yes, I haven't been able to get a good look, but it sounds like goblins and wizards are poking around my home. I've been weary not to be seen so my portrait isn't destroyed and then I have no way of keeping tabs on the situation." The map under their feet began to glow, revealing a new location off in the distance. "My castle is the home of your next trial. Before you came, Professor Fig was trying to convince us you're ready for the next step, while we have been cautious, after putting two and two together, I think it's only right to send you in and put a stop to this search. We can't afford for Ranrok to find what's hidden here and make use of its power. You will need to head over there immediately."

"We wish you luck, Miss Whitlock." Professor Rackham stated.

Fig turned to her, a proud look on his face, "All right then, seems we have a trial to begin. We shall floo to Feldcroft and then make our way to the castle. Off you go." He ushered her door letting it shut behind him, "Those dammed keepers, they wouldn't listen to a word I was saying, I was trying to tell them how dire the situation was, I'm thankful you got them to see reason."

"It's fine Professor, we've gotten them to understand now. Let's hurry to Rookwood castle, if some sort of power is involved, I don't want this to continue on any further."

"I couldn't agree more, let's be off then." The pair disappeared into the green flames of the floo network.

-----------------------------------------------------

Olive wiped the sweat from her brow as she and Professor Fig trudged up the hill to the looming Rookwood Castle. The closer they got, she could see the camps they had set up around the perimeter and hear the goblins and wizards yelling back and forth at one another.