Chapter Text
Entering the Map Chamber without a summon from Professor Fig felt wrong. You had waited quite some time to hear from your mentor regarding the third trial, as he usually takes the time to check in on the portraits and summon you when there is news.
While you initially offered to check in on the Keepers yourself when Professor Rackham first showed himself in the Map Chamber, Professor Fig insisted that he will take the responsibility. His reasoning was partially because you had a lot to do as a new fifth-year, but also because he wanted to ensure he was present for any and all instruction from the Keepers. You naturally put your trust in the man, but you have grown restless as the snow begins to fall more everyday.
Weeks have come and gone, and with winter break approaching you decided you should take the time and check in on the portraits yourself. As soon as you descended the spiral staircase and opened the impressive doors to the Map Chamber, you saw Professor Fitzgerald beckoning you closer, a small smile on her face as she watched you quickly scurry over to her massive portrait.
“Welcome back.” She greeted, giving you the time to make it all the way to her portrait before speaking once more.
“Hello, Professor, I have news. The goblins are looking for something: another ‘repository’. They’ve built drills to help with their search.” You informed her. Typically this was something that you would discuss first with Professor Fig, but he was unusually unavailable at the moment.
Professor Fig has been a bit off since the last trial. In fact, you haven’t really seen or heard from the man since that night. You made sure to give Professor Fig a couple of days before approaching him again, hoping to somehow discuss your concerns from the argument you overheard between him and Professor Sharp. However, when you went to his office after classes were out, Professor Fig was nowhere to be found.
You were informed later that night when a letter from the man was delivered that he had once again been summoned to the Ministry. Apparently, there were still inquiries surrounding the dragon attack and Mr. Osric’s death. Professor Fig assured you in the letter it was just a routine follow up for these types of incidents, and simply instructed you to continue your studies in his absence. While it was odd for him to inform you after he had already left, you decided to shake it off and wait to speak to Professor Fig once he returned.
Unfortunately, once he returned things were no better. You would go to his classroom to find it empty, the portraits in his office being rather unhelpful when you ask if they saw the man that day. Then there were the times you did get to his office while he was there, but the door would be locked and he would ask you to return later. It only took you ‘returning later’ a couple of days in a row to either find the door still locked or the man missing entirely to get the message.
Either he was busy working on something on his own, or he was avoiding you due to Professor Sharp’s confrontation. Either way, it only took you two weeks of failing to meet Professor Fig before you decided to give him his space. Now it has been a little over a month and you still haven’t seen him, the dull pain of abandonment settling into your gut.
To make matters worse, Professor Sharp seemed to also be on edge lately. While he didn’t retreat into his quarters like Professor Fig, he seemed far more irritable as time went on.
You could hear him interrogating Garreth about missing potion ingredients after class one day, not letting up on the boy until Garreth mentioned getting his Aunt involved. His mood only soured from there, and at one point he even turned his suspicions onto you. You understand his reasoning since you have been pinned as a magnet for trouble by the man, but even after explaining you have plenty of ingredients to brew your own potions he only seemed more upset. You don't even know what boomslang skin is!
Now you are being avoided by one Professor while under the suspicious eye of the other.
You are snapped out of your musings when Professor Fitzgerald let out a troubled sigh in response to your statement.
“Most troubling.” She gravely stated, looking deep in thought herself.
“Professor, are these repositories like the broken container I found at Rookwood Castle?” You ask, interrupting her silence.
“They are. I fear we have no time to lose.” She responds, rushing to confirm your query before quickly moving on. “Have a look at the map.”
You have to fight yourself to not roll your eyes at the redirection. It seems she is keeping the tradition of both giving you the bare minimum when it comes to information, as well as pushing you to rush through the trials like the Keepers before her. You suppose it isn’t any of their faults. It is Ranrok who caused the rush for you to master ancient magic.
You look back at the map behind you, looking for any new highlighted structures or symbols. After a moment of confusion, you notice that the tallest tower on the outline of Hogwarts is glowing brilliantly against the dark blue background. You look back at Professor Fitzgerald in confusion, causing the former Headmistress to smile in amusement.
“Fortunately the next trial is fairly nearby.” She comments, her voice failing to hide how humorous she found the situation.
“It’s Hogwarts? But…where?” You wonder aloud.
“As you know, I was Headmistress in my time. My portrait hangs in the Headmaster’s office, like the predecessors before me and those who followed after. In fact, I witnessed Professor Black learn of your arrival.” She informed you, her eyes twinkling with mirth as she thought about the snobbish headmaster learning of the late addition to the school.
“Wait, is the next trial in the Headmaster’s office?” You ask, fearful that you already know the answer. Professor Fitzgerald grimaces slightly before answering.
“It is. I had hoped that when the time came for one to complete these trials, the occupant of the office would be of help to us.” She paused as she seemed to carefully consider what she is willing to divulge to a student.
“Unfortunately, this headmaster seems wildly unconcerned with anything but himself. You’ll need to access the office while he’s away.” She finishes, her face twisted in disdain as she thinks of the man.
If that was Professor Fitzgerald pulling her punches, you would pay thousands of galleons to hear her unfiltered opinion of the man.
“I understand…very well. I’ll find some way to get in.” You reply, already thinking about how you would manage to complete this next trial without getting expelled.
“Good. I shall meet you in my portrait there. Until then.” The former Headmistress states, smiling politely at you before walking off. The other Keepers seem to have nothing to add, only offering their own sympathetic smiles in regard to the challenge ahead. You bid the other Professors farewell before starting the long walk up the stairs.