Chapter Text
“Let me make sure I understand this clearly before I go down to this ‘Map Chamber’ and demonstrate the proper wand technique for the blasting curse you seem to enjoy so much.” Professor Sharp cooly states, completely unphased by the groan you let out in response.
“Fig has been pushing you to complete these trials since before the beginning of the year, has sworn you to secrecy, and on top of that he doesn’t even bother to ask you about what the trials entail. And let’s not forget that at the same time he has actively encouraged you to investigate the biggest goblin rebellion since 1752 alongside one of the most dangerous dark wizard organizations in the Highlands?” He summarizes, not a drop of humor in his voice despite the fact that you find the entire situation to be a bit funny. It isn’t exactly common to see Professor Sharp in such a state, his concern only rivaled by his exasperation as he wildly waves his hands around.
“Well…when you put it like that it sounds pretty bad.” You lightly respond, only earning a huff in return as the former Auror makes an effort to remain focused on scanning the area around you rather than delving into another lecture.
You had already gotten an earful about your various extracurricular activities, such as your investigation and consequent arrest of Theophilus Harlow. While you knew the staff was somewhat aware of your investigation with Natty due to her injuries, when you finally laid out the full extent as well as your little adventures with Poppy it was clear that there wasn’t as much light shed on the situation than you previously assumed.
Needless to say, you got to meet Auror Sharp rather than Professor Sharp as he reprimanded you for quite some time for your ‘needlessly dangerous and obnoxiously foolish actions’.
“Trust me, it is ‘pretty bad’. I don’t know what is more upsetting at this point, the fact that Fig has been pushing you blindly to complete these ridiculous trials, or the fact that there are four other professors who know exactly what is going on but refused to tell you all the facts until it was too late.” Professor Sharp sighs, shaking his head in disappointment as you both continue to walk towards Hogsmeade.
Despite the walk being slower than you are used to due to Professor Sharp’s limp, the walk went by quickly as you recount everything that has occurred regarding ancient magic. Professor Sharp had several questions, and while he had been pretty respectful and quiet at first, as you got closer to current events he became more sardonic with his comments and questions.
“If I had to choose, I think I’d have to go with the Keepers.” You mumble, earning an exasperated look from the man. Clearly it wasn’t a genuine question, but you felt the need to answer it all the same.
After the intense argument between Professor Sharp and Professor Fig, you resolved yourself to try your best to ease the tensions between the two. Despite his many threats, Professor Sharp can’t kill the Keepers as they are already dead. Professor Fig on the other hand is very much alive and you’d like to keep it that way.
“Clearly you aren’t fully grasping how irresponsible Fig has been if you can make your choice that quickly.” He grumbles, rolling his eyes before scanning the area around you both once again.
Professor Sharp was already on edge due to the impending threat of Ranrok, but after you told him about Rookwood and Harlow he has become almost paranoid, constantly checking over his shoulder and around the area for danger as you walk towards Hogsmeade. He has even gone as far as to cast revelio here and there for good measure. You tried your best to convince the man that ashwinders and poachers were the least of your problems, especially on the safe pathway from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade, but he was quick to shut you down.
‘The only thing more dangerous than dueling Dark Wizards is to underestimate them.’ He had gravely stated, his face hardened as he was lost in thought. You are sure he was lost in the memory of his accident which led to his early retirement as an Auror, and so you quickly changed the subject back to ancient magic and your many abilities.
While you understand why he was worried, it was odd to have someone this concerned after being left to your own devices for the majority of the year. Professor Fig had even encouraged you to look into their operations once he found out that there was a tense partnership between Rookwood and Ranrok. Try as you might, it is difficult to ignore that it almost felt nice to have someone this concerned for your safety rather than the other way around.
Soon you are both entering Hogsmeade. Most of the storefronts are dark as they have already closed for the night, the only exceptions being the Three Broomsticks up ahead and Ollivanders. You aren’t surprised to see the tavern is still open, but Ollivanders must only be open due to receiving Professor Fig’s owl.
Professor Sharp opens the door, ushering your inside before swiftly closing it and locking up behind you. He remains by the door, gesturing for you to make your way towards the counter as he stands sentry. You understand his caution, but it still feels a bit dramatic. You are in Hogsmeade after all, what’s the worst that can happen?
Mr. Ollivander is nowhere to be found, and as you approach the counter you worry that the shop being left unlocked was a mistake. Professor Sharp is quick to pull out his wand, ringing the bell on the countertop and alerting the wandmaker of your presence.
You can hear what sounds like several boxes being knocked over, the muttered apologies from Mr. Ollivander getting closer as he comes from the back of the shop. He looks a tad jumpy, but you are sure that the anticipation of whatever wand he needs to make is the reason for his current state.
“Hello, Mr. Ollivander. I wondered if you might be able to help me with something.” You kindly request, the wandmaker crossing the counter and smiling in greeting.
“Ah yes! Eleazar- I mean Professor Fig, sent an owl informing me that you’d be coming. I would be long closed by now otherwise.” Mr. Ollivander replies, looking conspiratorially at you before Professor Sharp clears his throat.
Mr. Ollivander looks over at the potions professor, his expression almost nervous at the sight of the looming man before once again turning to address you. You shoot Professor Sharp a look of your own in response to his standoffish behavior but he seems unphased by your silent admonishment, simply raising an eyebrow at you before you turn back around the face of the wandmaker.
“Yes, well- He was a bit cryptic in his letter. Said you need to have a special wand crafted and you’d bring me the materials. I must say, this is quite the odd request.” He continues, trying his best to look nonchalant but clearly curious about the events leading up to this request.
“Yes, sir, I have them here.” You respond politely, reaching into your pouch and pulling out the various ancient artifacts you have collected from the trials. Mr. Ollivander holds out his hands as you gently hand them over, his expression one of awe as he inspects the materials.
“Oh, my. How extraordinary! Remarkable design…” He mutters, turning to place the artifacts gently on the counter behind him. He turns back to address both you and Professor Sharp, still seeming nervous in the former Auror’s presence.
“I’ll be honest, I have never crafted a wand in this fashion. I have repaired plenty of broken wands, of course. A young Aesop Sharp could attest to that. He was always getting in some sort of trouble one way or another.” Mr. Ollivander muses, giving you another conspiring look and even shooting a wink your way as Professor Sharp loudly sighs behind you.
You turn to look at Professor Sharp, the man shaking his head and looking briefly up at the ceiling in what you could almost describe as embarrassment. You decide to turn and face the wandmaker before you are caught, knowing that there are plenty of lines in your future if you push the professor’s buttons now. Mr. Ollivander seems pleased that he has thrown off the man, his nervous energy being dispelled in favor of mischief.
“But this? This is something else entirely. I think I can work with what you’ve brought me. Let me see what I can do.” Mr. Ollivander states, already moving with the materials towards the back of his shop.
You stand for a moment longer before you begin to anxiously pace. Whatever he is doing, you are sure it will take some time, strange sounds and the wandmaker’s quiet mutterings already filling the otherwise silent shop.
Professor Sharp continues to stand guard, drawing the curtains and looking periodically out of the windows before once again standing to block the view from the door. After your fifth lap around the shop, he flicks his wand pulling a stool out from near the counter and shooting a pointed glace your way. You sheepishly take a seat, bouncing your leg nervously as you continue to wait.
After another moment of leg bouncing and Professor Sharp checking the windows, you decide to break the silence.
“I have never broken a wand before, and I’ll have you know I duel quite a bit.” You casually comment. Professor Sharp quickly turns to look at you with a grimace at your chosen topic of conversation.
“You fighting for your life at every turn is not something I would brag about.” He clips. You are slightly taken aback, the almost sarcastic mood quickly turning uncomfortably sincere as you take in his words.
The silence is back, this time less palatable as you turn away to once again look at the empty space behind the counter and resume your nervous leg bouncing. Professor Sharp lets out a small sigh before his voice once again catches your attention.
“I wanted to be an Auror for as long as I can remember. It’s just something I have always felt I was meant to do. The action, the mystery, the danger- It was something I was yearning for before I even knew the profession existed.” He begins, still turning to peer out of the dark windows of the shop as he speaks. You are once again facing him, sitting up straight in rapt attention as he continues.
“Gryffindors might think they have a monopoly on bravery, but you’d be surprised by how many Aurors hail from the house of Slytherin. The ambition, resourcefulness, and determination often attributed to my house typically make great additions to the department- as long as the serpents can work through their false sense of superiority, that is.” He remarks with a small chuckle, looking almost amused as he thinks back on his former profession and colleagues.
“Anyway, my wand has a phoenix feather core. It is one of the most temperamental wand cores and almost can have a mind of its own, meaning it can take a lot of time and practice to fully tame.” Professor Sharp continues, before a voice pipes up from the back of the shop.
“Especially when the wizard wielding it is one known to push his limits.” Mr. Ollivander chastises, the sounds of his crafting still radiating from the back room. Professor Sharp lets out another scoff, rolling his eyes before continuing.
“I’d say to ignore him, but in this case Ollivander is right. In my early years I knew that being an Auror was something that only those highly adept with both offensive and defensive magic can achieve, therefore I was oftentimes attempting magic far beyond my skill level. The amount of times I splintered my wand from the exertion or cracked it during an unsanctioned duel is one I’m sure Ollivander still can remember though I cannot.” He states, nervously scratching at his jaw before once again being interrupted.
“Fourteen times!” Mr. Ollivander calls out, sounding almost smug. Everyone knew he was practically a wand encyclopedia when it comes to his former customers, though you doubt Mr. Ollivander gets to display this knowledge often.
“Don’t you have a wand to make, or do you plan on keeping us here until the sun begins to rise?” Professor Sharp shoots back, a low chuckle coming from the wandmaker as he returns to the counter.
You quickly stand, stumbling embarrassingly as your legs have begun to fall asleep from the uncomfortable chair. You elect to ignore the snort from the potions professor at your embarrassing action, looking at the wandmaker as he presents to you the green wandcase.
“It is done.” Mr. Ollivander simply states, slowly opening the case to show you his handiwork.
The wand is shorter than your typical wand, the dark wood encased in dark silver metal and delicate gold trim. When you got your own wand from Ollivanders, you could feel the warmth of your magic throughout your entire body the second the case was opened for you to test it. It was almost as though your wand was calling for you, a sense of a missing piece of you being found washing over your entire being.
While this wand is missing the feeling of belonging, you can feel the slight thrumming of ancient magic in the air as the wand radiates its own dull power even in its case. You wonder if Mr. Ollivander could feel the same energy, but he seems unphased as he once again closes the case.
“I should warn you that I’ve never seen a wand like this before. My suspicion, as Professor Fig implied in his letter, is that it serves a unique purpose. I doubt you shall find much use for it otherwise.” Mr. Ollivander comments as he gently hands the wandcase to you.
“Congratulations on the ancient paperweight.” Professor Sharp mutters, the wandmaker letting out a small sigh at the snarky comment. You choose to ignore the professor, instead nodding in understanding at the wandmaker.
“I understand. Thank you, sir. I know you could have closed and not helped me, so I appreciate it.” You kindly reply, earning a soft smile from the older man.
“Well at least someone here has manners. I am just glad that I got to work on such a unique piece.” Mr. Ollivander exclaims, shooting Professor Sharp an admonishing look as he moves to kindly lead you towards the door.
Professor Sharp takes one more look out the window before opening the door himself, stepping out ahead of you and motioning you to follow after inspecting the darkness around the shop. After you both leave Mr. Ollivander is quick to lock up, the light from the windows being extinguished as he properly closes for the night.
“Is there anyone you don’t have a problem with?” You quip, finally finding it appropriate to discuss the man’s behavior in the shop.
“I get along perfectly well with Professor Hecat, and I don’t have a problem with Ollivander. I just think he takes too much joy in treating me like I’m still a student.” He defensively replies as he leads the way onto the dark street.
You are about to continue teasing the man as you follow, but before you get the opportunity you suddenly bump into Professor Sharp’s back only steps away from the shop’s entrance. He is tense, his wand already drawn as he gets into a more defensive position. You step to the side to see who he is glaring at, when a familiar figure makes its way from the shadows.
Victor Rookwood steps from an alleyway and into the light of the streetlamps, his own wand being brandished as he holds his other hand out in a calming manner. You grip the wandbox tightly in your hands, almost holding it in a way to hide it from his prying eyes as he looks both you and Professor Sharp over.
“Here I was hoping to meet you alone. I went through all the effort of ensuring we’d have a moment to ourselves, though I didn’t account for your guard dog.” Rookwood sneers, his raspy voice sending chills down your spine as he walks out of the darkness.
“Careful, I’ve been known to bite.” Professor Sharp deadpans as he steps in front of you to partially block your view of the man, earning a snide laugh from the Dark Wizard as he continues his approach. As the distance between Rookwood and you shortens you quickly whip out your own wand, looking around for anyone else but finding the dark streets completely deserted.
“Come, come. No need for such theatrics.” Rookwoods tuts in disapproval of your action. “In light of what Ranrok knows, you must agree that our interests are aligned.”
“Our interests will never be aligned.” You spit back, taking a step to the side to see the sneering man more clearly. Professor Sharp tenses, holding his other hand up to stop your advance and subtly moving to block you from the Dark Wizard once more. Rookwood narrows his eyes at your statement, paying the on-edge professor no mind as he moves closer.
“You would let goblins take what is rightfully ours?” He questions, his voice dropping in disbelief at your statement. Professor Sharp raises his wand higher, the action causing Rookwood to pause his advance and shoot a sardonic look at the man.
“The final repository belongs to wizardkind. We would be fools not to work together.” Rookwood continues his tone forcefully light as he proposes the partnership. He continues to pace, getting a better look at you before narrowing his eyes at your hip where you are white-knuckling the wandcase.
“What’s that you got there?” He asks, pointing towards the box as he leans in to get a closer look.
“I understand that counting all six sides might be difficult for you, so allow me to assist. It’s a box.” Professor Sharp responds, moving to completely hide you from view as you quickly stash the wandcase away into your pouch. You know he is trying to draw Rookwood’s attention, but he is only successful for a brief moment as the Dark Wizard sneers at the him before once again addressing you.
“Might this sudden visit to the wandmaker have something to do with our-” Rookwood halts for a moment, shooting Professor Sharp another glare before continuing. “Our mutual pursuit?”
“Very subtle.” Professor Sharp scoffs, and you’re sure if he weren’t so focused on Rookwood in front of you he’d have rolled his eyes.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.” You state, trying your best to remain calm as Professor Sharp grows more tense in front of you, almost like a snake waiting to strike. Rookwood looks at you with contempt before stalking closer, his almost patronizing demeanor quickly turning dark.
“That repository is my birthright!” He shouts. You and Professor Sharp raise your wands higher at the action, the professor grabbing your arm to keep you behind him as Rookwood stops almost an arm's length away from you both.
“Charles Rookwood wouldn’t have wanted you near it!” You snap, Rookwood’s expression only turning more deadly as you give him a defiant look of your own.
“The arrogance.” Rookwood seethes before turning to pace once more.
“I should’ve known better than to try to reason with a child, especially one hiding behind the coattails of a cripple.” Rookwood spits, the comment only making Professor Sharp more tense.
“I heard great things from my many associates who survived your encounters, but now I see you are nothing more than a sniveling brat! A thorn in my side that should’ve been removed long ago. That power is wasted on you.” Rookwood hisses. The rage radiating off the man is almost palpable. Professor Sharp’s grip on your arm is almost painful as Rookwood taunts you both, but you are too focused on the Dark Wizard to even register the pain. Suddenly Rookwood stops his pacing, shooting a cruel grin your way before continuing.
“I’ve always said children should be seen and not heard.” He sneers, taking pleasure from the shocked expression on your face as you process the statement.
After all the heartache Sebastian put you through, after all the fighting and investigations into dark magic, he was wrong. A goblin didn’t curse Anne, Rookwood did.
You lower your wand, shock taking over as Professor Sharp loosens his grip, opting to push you back further behind him and towards Ollivanders.
“Get back inside.” Professor Sharp instructs in a clipped tone, not daring to take his eyes off the Dark Wizard in front of him.
You know you should listen to the man, or at the very least raise your wand once more to defend yourself, but before Professor Sharp or Rookwood can say anything else a loud cracking sound causes you to jump.
You feel a hand clamp onto your shoulder before the uncomfortable sensation of apparating attacks you from all sides.