The Boundary of Magic

Chapter 9: Authority

         The incident's news spread like wildfire in the castle. It remained the topic on the tip of everyone's tongues for the entirety of the coming week, only to subside partially later. Drake, for once, was thrown into the school's spotlight, while yet, unlike ever, he remained reluctant to discuss the matter. The strife between him and Perce only grew tenfold, and his accusation did not lay unforgotten. There were suspicious glances that spared neither of the two while they were in class, or while they were strolling aimlessly.

         "Forget it, it'll die down soon. I really don't believe life proves to be so monotonous that this incident shall be prominent in the coming week," said Perce, as they were walking to the common room from dinner one evening, while Subash, which seemed like the hundredth time, was about to draw his wand as a first year girl who pointed towards them. She ran away, frightened, as he did so.

         "You may be right, but it's still ruddy annoying! When it was that Drake who did —"

         "You — you can't really be sure," put in Roger, who was walking with them towards the common room. Subash shook his head.

         "We may not have proof, but we know for sure that it's him!"

         "Who said we don't have proof?" Perce added softly, entering the common room.

         "What —" Subash freezed for a second, before barging in to keep up with Perce.

         "What in the whole wide stinking world do you mean by that?"

         "Calm yourself, Subash," laughed Perce, while Subash was still looking baffled. Roger had his eyebrows raised, and he exchanged a glance with Subash confirming that he knew only as much as the latter did.

         "Won't you explain?" Asked Roger. "We know we're stupid, what magic did you do?"

         "Magic? I did no magic this time. And you're not stupid either, for it's not something I guessed, but something I have."

         "Have? What do you have?" Subash asked, his voice lowering with his increasing curiosity. Roger too waited.

         Perce calmly took off his cloak, placed it aside, then comfortably placed a leg on the other as he sat in the chair by the fire. Subash and Roger exchanged glances again, this time with expressions of mingled amusement and annoyance.

         "As to that —" began Perce, and paused. He seemed to be thinking deeply. Subash flung up his hands in irritation.

         "Come on! Say it! It's not that hard to jabber a few words!"

         "Actually, no." Said Perce. Subash stared at him open-mouthed, while Roger stared from Perce to Subash. There was a silence for a moment.

         "Are you — kidding me, Percival Michael Jordan?" Said Subash, almost in a snarl. Perce raised his eyebrows at Subash at the mention of his full name, and chuckled.

         "No, I'm dead serious, Subash Shastri. Honestly, it's annoying how you don't have a middle name, I just don't get the effect you —"

         "Shut up! And tell us about the proof!" Subash ordered, a thick frown building on his forehead. Roger sighed, not knowing what to do if Perce was being so stubborn.

         "Don't get annoyed, my dear Subash, I have a reason. I intend to show it to a certain person of authority first, to decide whether it would be wise to show it to someone else," Perce said, smiling slightly. Subash's frown relaxed slightly, but he still was confused. Roger nodded. "I really don't doubt that that person would allow you to have a look," he motioned to the both of them, "but until then, I shall keep it to myself."