Tessa Brennan and the Cursed Light

Chapter 2

Professor Queastel cleared her throat, and the room fell silent.

"Now." Her voice was nasally and rough, like she had a particularly bad cold. "I presume you've all practiced diligently and read through chapter seventeen last night?"

Dale shot a knowing glance at Mark, who leaned back in his chair and shrugged.

Queastel sniffed and pushed her glasses up. "Since you all have, I'm sure you will have no problem with this pop quiz."

The room erupted in groans and mutterings as Queastel strut about the class, handing out sheets of parchment. Tessa dropped her head on the desk, muttering into the wood.

Kaden leaned over and nudged her side. "Tess. C'mon. "

"That's it, Kaden. I'm done. I've lost faith in humanity. Just leave me here to rot."

Kaden raised an eyebrow. "Look on the bright side. There's no way you can get a lower score than Akagi."

Tessa snorted, and was about to reply when the door was blown open and everything went white.

•••

Tessa woke up to the sound of voices. But they blurred together, as if underwater.

She tried to open her eyes, but they wouldn't budge. Panic soon gripped her like a rope, and she was about to shout for help when she began to distinguish the voices.

"...e's the only one who can."

There was the sound of shuffling feet, and then another voice could be heard. "Sir, I understand, but why not now? They will comply. I will make sure of that."

"Do not force them, Eris. They will see the light on her own. They all do."

"But sire-"

"Please. Do not call me that. We are all equals here, my friend."

"Right. Sorry, sire- sir." The person cleared their throat. "But they are stubborn. They may not want to be saved."

The laughter sounded like the tinkling of bells. "Oh, my dear friend. You have so much to learn. Everyone wants to be saved. After all, they know me better than anyone."

"Sir?"

"Another time, my friend. Another time. Now, before they come to- let us leave. I do not want to cause any problems.

This is not goodbye, Hogwarts. And to you: do not fret my dear, we will meet again. And then you will fulfill your prophecy. See you soon."

There was a sound like the whooshing of wind, and Tessa felt her mind go blank.

•••
Very short chapter! Oh whale.

Side note: Professor Queastel may or may not have been modeled after one of my previous teachers.