Chapter Text
You could hear Professor Fig’s voice echoing in the hall leading up to the Map Chamber. As soon as you received the letter that your mentor wanted to go over your progress with Lodgok, you made your way down below the dungeons of the castle.
“You would be wise not to underestimate this student” He said, clearly having a minor debate of sorts with the Keepers. “Their aptitude for magic is beyond anything I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been teaching quite a long time.”
You felt your cheeks grow warm with the praise. While you haven’t been able to spend as much time with the professor lately, what with you running around looking for goblin helms, searching Salazar Slytherin’s Scriptorium with Sebastian, and helping Natty investigate Harlow, it was nice to hear the confidence he had in you. You worried after the first trial that Professor Fig was growing to resent you, as he practically ignored you afterwards in favor of doing his own research as you did the same. The hurt from his lack of care after the trial entered your gut, before you pushed the feeling aside. He was here and he was defending you from whatever Professor Rookwood said prior to your arrival.
“It is a joy to have such a student.” Professor Rackham added, eyes crinkling with mirth as he thought about his own time as a professor. Clearly Professor Rookwood was thinking the same, though his expression grew more troubled as he reminisced.
“It can be…” Professor Rookwood added, his tone matching the seriousness of his face.
As you drew closer, your footsteps alerted Professor Fig to your presence. He turned, hands folded politely in front of him as his face brightened up.
“Ah, there you are!”
“I received your owl. I was able to speak with Lodgok, the goblin I mentioned before.” You provide, ready to get this conversation started and move onto the next trial.
“What did you learn?” Professor Fig asked, his eyes sparkling with interest in any information you can give.
“He and Ranrok were close once…but they had some sort of falling out.” You start before the slightly suspicious face of your mentor stills you.
“You believe he can be trusted?” Professor Fig asks, concern creeping into his voice.
“He isn’t as forthcoming with information as I would like, but he seemed trustworthy nevertheless. While it is difficult to know really, Sirona Ryan trusts him.” You reply. While Lodgok didn’t do anything to earn your distrust, it was difficult to tell if he was a true ally yet. Only time will tell if your partnership will grow stronger or fall apart.
“Well, that's something I suppose. Supposing he can be trusted, will he help us get to Ranrok?” Professor Fig asks. He seems eager to move forward after your explanation. You both have no choice but to trust the goblin for now.
“I retrieved a stolen helm that he hopes to return to Ranrok in order to regain his confidence. Hopefully when he is back in Ranrok’s good graces he can help us get closer.” You reply, regretting that there isn’t much more to contribute than the small amount of information on the matter.
“Sounds like you have been busy. Let’s hope your efforts result in our learning something about Ranrok’s plans.” Your mentor states, clearly just as unsure as you are in the moment but making an effort to press on despite it.
“Lodgok did mention that Ranrok is searching for something, but he couldn’t say what.” As you say it, you are unsure yourself about the truth of the statement. Couldn’t, or wouldn’t? Luckily Professor Fig doesn’t seem to have the same thought, so you continue. “Perhaps that helm will yield some answers.”
“Ranrok is searching for something? I feared as much.” came the deep voice of Professor Rookwood. “I’ve heard an unusual amount of activity, both goblins and wizards I surmise, when visiting my portrait at my castle.” He continues, sounding more disturbed by the news as he pieces it together in his mind.
“Would this be Rookwood Castle?” You ask, sure that you already know the answer.
“My former residence, yes. The castle is also the location of your next trial.” He replies, not bothered by your redundant question. You are sure the man would have less patience if you were not a student. As you stare at the castle in the floor map, you realize that you will need to give Professor Rookwood the news of his descendant.
“I’m sorry to tell you this Professor but Victor Rookwood, evidently your descendent, is a dark wizard in league with Ranrok.” You inform him, speaking slowly as you were nervous to break the news to the man. He blinked in surprise before responding.
“My descendent…a dark wizard? I’m afraid we’ve no time to waste. Despite the obstacles that clearly await you, you must get to Rookwood Castle immediately.” He speaks, his voice accelerating as he gives further instructions. “Not only is it the location of the next trial, it is home to a source of power that would be devastating in the wrong hands.”
You can tell he is disturbed that ‘the wrong hands’ refers to his own bloodline. Even so, you can’t help but worry about needing to sneak into another trial, this time potentially swarmed with both goblins and dark wizards. The last trial really took a lot out of you and while you have grown stronger since then, you are unsure if you can really handle whatever comes next.
“I do wish we had the luxury of time; however, I do not doubt your abilities.” Professor Rookwood must see the worry on your face, as he speaks uncharacteristically gently with you. “Find my portrait there as soon as you can.” He instructs. You find yourself filled with fresh resolve from the minor pep talk. Rookwood was a bit stern with you at first, but even he seems confident that this is a task you can complete.
“Very well, sir. I’m on my way.” You reply. After a wish for luck from both portraits, Professor Rookwood walks off, presumably to await your arrival at his castle. Professor Fig quickly turns his attention towards you.
“No time to waste. I’ll meet you at Rookwood Castle.” With that last statement, Professor Fig is off, quickly making his way out of the Map Chamber. You find yourself both relieved that this will be another mission that your mentor accompanies you on, as well as worried about the trial that lies ahead. Remembering the pain that resulted in you needing to seek help mending broken bones, you decide it would be best to brew as many wiggenweld potions as possible before meeting Professor Fig at Rookwood Castle.
You rush out of the Map Chamber, eager to get to the room of requirement and brew at your many potion stations. You walk up the spiral staircase swiftly, eventually making your way out of the dungeons and into Central Hall. It is fairly early in the morning and due to it being a Saturday there aren’t many students wandering the halls. The few you do see are dressed in plainclothes rather than their uniforms, and you are glad you did the same. You typically wear something more comfortable and easier to move in when adventuring outside of the castle, so for once you don’t stick out as you walk up the stairs past the library.
You approach your favorite portrait, a young man playing the mandolin, as you make your way towards the astronomy tower. You give him a nod as you walk closer to him, the wizard nodding back as he continues strumming his instrument. ‘ Oh to be a handsome musician in a painting’ you muse to yourself.
Just as you turn the corner up to the side entrance which would lead you to the Viaduct, you hear him stop his strumming. That is highly unusual, as even when you are sneaking around the castle at night he is gently playing his music. You peer down the stair railing to see the portrait focusing on Professor Sharp making his way up. It seems the musician holds something against the man as he turns to avoid making eye contact with the potions professor.
He looks to be in a rush, his limp making his steps more prominent in his eagerness to get wherever he is heading. Suddenly, as though he can sense your eyes on him, he looks up to meet your gaze.
“Can I help you?” He jabs, causing you to quickly turn around and continue the trek upwards. You open the door, eager to get away from the man but he calls out for you to wait. There is a chill in the morning air as you hold the door open, so you move to pull your house scarf tighter around your neck.
“It seems we are both headed the same way this morning.” He says, walking through the open door. While he has a limp, you doubt that he really needed you to hold the door open. It seems Professor Sharp is in a sour mood today.
Ever since he helped you after the first trial, you noticed he has made more of an effort to speak to you both in and outside of class. At first you thought it was to make sure that whatever potion he gave didn’t have any adverse side effects, but as you interacted more you realized he might just be keeping an eye on you.
It isn’t a secret that the other professors seem skeptical of how much time you spend away from the castle. Luckily, Professor Fig has your back whenever any serious concerns arise, but some are less willing to accept his excuses than others. While Professors Garlick and Ronen seem more than happy to accept his explanation that exploring the world around you is the best teacher, Professors Weasley and Sharp were less than thrilled.
You walked past the small gardens leading you to the Viaduct Entrance next to the former Auror, reaching a hand out to touch the nose of the familiar hippogriff statue along the way. Professor Sharp raises an eyebrow at the action, making you feel a bit silly for doing such a thing in the first place. It always makes you feel lucky somehow, but maybe that is due to your newfound affinity for the creatures after befriending and rescuing Highwing.
“Where are you heading, sir?” You ask Professor Sharp, trying to break the silence between the two of you. He continues to look forward, taking more steps in silence before responding.
“I need to speak with Professor Fig about something urgent.” He answers, seeming unhappy about needing to speak to the man. After walking in on a conversation between the two men, you witnessed Professor Sharp’s poor reaction to your mentor's concerns on goblin activity. While it may have been a one time disagreement, it seems you correctly assumed the relationship between the two men was rocky at best. While Professor Fig would never talk about his opinions on other professors with a student, when you asked about it your mentor made it clear it would be best to steer clear of the ever-suspicious potions professor.
“Oh, well I don’t think he is on school grounds today, Professor.” You respond. Professor Sharp quickly turns to look at you, and you internally wince as you realize your mistake. That wasn’t something you should know.
“And why, praytell, do you know about the whereabouts of Professor Fig this morning? Surely you haven’t seen him today.” Professor Sharp asks, his gruff demeanor turned suspicious.
“Well, no I haven’t seen him today but I saw him yesterday. He mentioned that he would be away for the day.” You quickly reply, trying your best to sound casual to avoid this conversation devolving into an interrogation. Professor Sharp narrows his eyes at you for a moment before letting out a huff.
“Of course he takes a day off to galavant who knows where and doesn’t inform anyone.” He mutters under his breath. It takes everything in you not to laugh at the indignant expression on the man's face. If you are looking to meet Professor Fig at Rookwood Castle, getting detention scrubbing cauldrons in potions was something you needed to avoid. Your expression must betray how humorous you find the scenario, as Professor Sharp lets out another frustrated sigh.
“I figured that his classroom was where you were headed, seeing as you spend a lot of time with Fig.” Professor Sharp states. Apparently, the interrogation wasn’t avoided after all.
“No sir, I am borrowing a telescope from Amit for some stargazing later tonight. He mentioned leaving it in the astronomy tower and I figured I should get it before someone else does.” You respond. Lying, evidently, is a skill that you have been working on lately. You had to lie to Professor Weasley on your first day at Hogwarts, lie to your friends about ancient magic, and now you must lie about both trials to Professor Sharp. His words from your last encounter rattle in your mind.
‘Do you really mean to deceive me right now, because if that is the goal I hope for your sake this isn’t your best effort.’
The memory of his disappointed glare has you fighting the urge to cringe as you tell another boldface lie to the man now. If Professor Sharp doesn’t believe you though, he does an excellent job of hiding it. You get a light hum in response from the man as you both continue on in silence.
“Sir, if Professor Fig isn’t here, why are you still walking towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts Tower?” You question. His raised eyebrow immediately makes you want to slap yourself. There is no way for you to be more suspicious with that line of questioning.
“I’m already halfway there, might as well visit with Professor Hecat while I wait for Fig to return.” Professor Sharp responds, holding the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Tower open for you to enter first.
Of course, you were aware that the two former ministry employees were close. The two professors always sit next to each other in the dining hall and can be spotted conversing in the hallway whenever they pass one another. If you had to guess, when the poacher situation was brought up after your first trial, Professor Sharp most likely filled Professor Hecat in. She seemed particularly determined to work on your protego reflexes for a week following the incident.
This time you hum in response. Your imitation of the man’s earlier reaction caused him to let out a soft chuckle. He nodded at you before parting ways, him heading into Professor Hecat’s classroom and you continuing towards the Astronomy Tower.
You quickly make your way up the winding staircase, waving in greeting to Nearly Headless Nick as you pass him in the hall. You check the hallway both ways before standing in front of the entrance for the room of requirement, rushing in to make all the potions you need for the trial.