Term 2

Saeraphine

Term 2

CHAPTER 1
by Saeraphine

And did you see when they... ???

It had been some weeks since the students of Ilvermorny had reunited briefly for the Yule Ball and holiday festivities, during which a niffler had attempted to abscond with several pieces of value from the students and professors alike. As NicolaMichelle93 and MzHill08 reunited at the Star’s Rest Inn in Williamstown, preparing for their first journey to Ilvermorny as returning students, they began talking excitedly, recounting the events after the niffler was discovered in the tree on the dias:

Professor Arielluma, realizing this was the creature that had taken her necklace, had attempted to catch it with a summoning spell, but the niffler, its eyes opening wide at being discovered, had quickly ducked, jumping from the center tree to the slightly smaller tree next to it, causing the spell to instead catch the silver garland adorning the giant pine. As the spell activated and pulled the garland towards Ariel, the 40-foot, snow-covered tree began to teeter forward with a groan, looming above the students as it threatened to crash down. Arielluma had immediately disengaged the spell, seeing the result, but the tree was already in motion.

Headmistress Saeraphine, gathering the satin skirts of her crimson gown and rushing forward, had withdrawn her wand from concealment at her thigh and cast suspendisse in the same motion, attempting to suspend the tree mid-fall. Those pupils still directly underneath began to flee and Professors Rbratt06 and Arielluma were casting forceful push spells at those frozen in fear, attempting to move them to safety. Only after being dangerously positioned under the falling pine, straining to slow the almost full ton of its weight, did Saeraphine realize she had miscalculated her spell’s strength.

“Dapper!” Saeraphine had shouted frantically over her shoulder, but he was already in motion to assist her, having finished casting his protection spell. He had sprung to action as soon as the tree began teetering, casting protego over the students in harm’s way, protecting them from the delicate glass ornaments slipping off the tree and raining down to the ground, which were now shattering onto his shield spell instead of on their heads. With Dapperwulf joining the Headmistress and adding his strength to the spell, the combined actions of the professors had successfully stopped the tree’s descent and prevented any students from being harmed.

All four members of the faculty had worked in tandem to right the tree, and just as the pine was settled back into place, the students let out shouts as the niffler appeared, only to scurry off again into hiding. Headmistress Saeraphine, covered in melting snow and pine needles that had fallen from the tree, moved a damp lock of hair from her face and looked at the equally snow and pine-covered Professor Dapperwulf, the Head of Wampus, Ilvermorny’s Wand Maester and Dueling Master. But his role that she was seeking now was Head of Security, and with much vehemence in her voice aimed at the creature causing this chaos, she ordered, “Cease its pilfering, if you please, Professor.”

After a grin and a bow, Dapperwulf had removed his emerald doublet and motioned to his overly eager Wampi kittens.... But what proceeded next was an overzealous farce, for even though the professor was undoubtedly about to have outlined a sound plan for the creature’s calm capture, the Wampi, having just been given permission to pursue, spotted the niffler again over his shoulder and impatiently rushed to pounce immediately. They jumped over tables, ducked between students and family, up-ended food trays and spilled jeweled punch onto poor bystanders, all while their Head of House cursed under his breath quietly, rolling his eyes.

Professor Arielluma leaned over to Rbratt06 and, barely able to hide her snickering, said “So rambunctious. I guess Yumesoraki spiked their punch with catnip after all…”

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Old and New

MzHill and NicolaMichelle had just begun giggling, remembering the looks of regret and fear on the faces of the Wampi at the ball as Professor Dapperwulf had, struggling to hide a twitch while taking in the mayhem wide-eyed, admonished them for creating such a mess. Vatrilla13, a returning Wampus student, slid onto the bench beside them with a happy “Well met!” to which they just burst into more fits of laughter, remembering the tinsel that had been stuck in her hair. “Okay, where are you hiding the gigglewater?” Vatrilla asked, rolling her eyes and looking under the table.

“We don’t have any of that here,” said Violet, the kind, elderly squib the founders of Ilvermorny had befriended long ago when they first began settling in the area. She had brought over steaming mugs of apple cider for the three. “But here you go, loves. This should help pass the time while you wait for the rest to get here.” Always happy to see her and grateful for the warm drinks, the students tried to pay her, but she refused to accept their coin. Thanking her heartily, they invited her to join them.

“How were your holidays?” Vatrilla asked Violet, blowing at the top of her mug.

Violet smiled, but the look seemed bittersweet as she pulled her shawl more tightly around her shoulders. “It was nice. It really was. After you wizards went up to the castle, William and I hosted our own festivities here at the Inn for the townsfolk. We’ve had such a good year, what with Professor Rbratt’s help with our harvest, and you all helping us get chartered. But…” her eyes grew glassy as she pursed her lips, and she seemed hesitant to burden the students with her thoughts.

NicolaMichelle pushed her to carry on. “But, what? Tell us what’s on your mind. We want to listen.”

Grateful for the offer of a kind ear and seeing the openness of their faces, Violet continued. “I miss my daughter, Stella. You three weren’t students yet when the Ilvermorny founders came to our town and cured the pox that had taken her. I’m so grateful I didn’t lose her husband William, too. I don’t know what I would have done. He is forever a son to me. But this was our first Christmas without her, and it was… well we’ve made new memories. I wish she could have been here to see what we’ve accomplished - this town that William has established, and our alliance with Ilvermorny. I think she would have been a fine addition to the Pukwudgie house.”

After a moment of silence, MzHill quietly raised her mug. “To Stella,” she said, nodding at Violet, “and the loved ones she left behind.” The others joined in the toast as Violet tilted her head, her heart warmed by these witches she held so dear.

Violet patted the shoulder of the witch closest to her. “You are sweethearts,” she said as she began to get up, struggling to stand fully. One of the new students rushed over to support Violet by the elbow as she was rising. “Oh, and another one to add to the ranks! Hello, dearie. Who might you be?”

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Some things are best left forgotten.

Soon the Inn was filled to bursting, and Violet’s mood had been brightened by the jovial students that were excitedly telling her of their adventures they were up to while away from school (and in some cases, trouble **cough**CaptainBoing**cough**.) Elinors was re-enacting parts of her successful one woman play she’d put on for her family during the break, while Westpancake and Coop925 were sharing tales of an author they had met, and Sue_01 was showing off a new accessory a family member had gifted to her.

After ordering another cider for her and Violet, SusanMFindlay asked, “Where’s William? I thought he’d be here to welcome us back.” The founder of Ilvermorny’s allied No-Maj settlement hadn’t appeared all evening, and it was getting quite late.

Violet grimaced for a moment, settling back into the chair by the hearth. “One of our suppliers has decided they’d rather not do business with Williamstown. They’ve… heard rumors.”

“Rumors? About what? The school?,” Susan prodded.

“Not exactly,” Violet explained. “It seems that someone has been spreading the rumor that they were assaulted by ‘demons on broomsticks’ in our town. And…” her face and voice was obscured by her mug as she took a sip, “... this someone is a pompous shite if you ask me that shouldn’t even be able to remember anything of that night.”

Susan gasped. “Brandifew?”

Violet nodded affirmatively. “Unfortunately, if I’m correct, yes. They said some unhinged, disheveled aristocrat-impersonating man with a ridiculous wig was telling anyone who would listen.”

“But like you said, his memory was wiped. He shouldn’t be able to remember anything. Not unless someone reversed the charm, but, I don’t know if a No-Maj mind could withstand that…” Susan’s voice trailed off, deep in thought.

“I’m not sure what happened, but whatever it was, it’s spelling trouble for Williamstown. There have been some unfriendlies we’ve had to deal with in the recent weeks. Self-proclaimed witch hunters randomly showing up in the town.” Seeing the look on Susan’s face, Violet spoke quickly to reassure her. “Oh, don’t worry, my dear! We’ve moved them along quickly. There’s no one here now. And anyway, they wouldn’t be able to spot a witch unless you did magic right in front of their faces. They are terribly misguided.”

Taking another sip, she returned to the subject of Brandifew’s rumor mongering. “Anyway, the way the supplier described Brandifew, I doubt he believes the stories, but there are those that do, and so the supplier is using this as an opportunity to renegotiate a better deal.” Violet sighed. “We shall see what comes of it. We’ll survive, we always do.”

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To the Castle!

The next day dawned bright, the skies clear and sunny, but with a chill to the air. Violet, taking William’s place while he was away, escorted the students to meet Urthbert, the small, spiked pukwudgie that would take the First-Years the rest of the way to the castle. Noting her advanced age and wanting to show respect for the town’s elder, the Ilvermorny faculty had charmed a sleigh in advance to hover above the snow and move along a predetermined track, following along charmed stones buried in the ground. After Violet was settled under the furs, Riverpond25 gave the sleigh a gentle push to start it down the charmed path.

Walking behind and beside the sleigh, the students set out for Ilvermorny. The new students, not knowing what to expect, watched the floating sleigh warily, as if it might explode at any moment. After a brisk walk, Urthbert was finally spied waiting ahead.

The child-sized creature looked impatient as ever, his spines raised, even though the group had made surprisingly good time through the snow. “This is what I’ve been waiting out in this frigid weather for?” he asked incredulously, rolling his eyes. “You might as well have told me to sleep in, for all the good they’re going to do at the castle.”

Violet’s face hardened and here voice took a very maternal air, “Urthbert, now I’m not going to have any of your lip, you hear me? This is probably one of the best groups we’ve escorted to you. Why, Kassiesjourney even already knows how to transfigure her mug into a comb. If you haven’t got anything pleasant to say, you just hold your tongue, understand?”

Urthbert, scowling, stuffed his hand into his mouth.

“Uh… what’s he doing?” lollipoplindz whispered. Being a first year, this was her first time meeting the pukwudgie.

Barely containing his laughter behind his hand, Wulfkat replied, “I do believe he is quite literally, ‘holding his tongue’.

Huffing in frustration at his childishness, Violet admonished, “Oh, come now. These students can’t wait all day out here in the cold! Start leading them already!”

Narrowing his eyes but not removing his hand from his mouth, he turned and started walking in the opposite direction. He was about 30 ft away when he realized no one was following. Turning back to the waiting group, he shook his head as much as he could and gestured largely for the students to follow, like he was addressing a large group of very dull onlookers.

Some students giggled at his apparent frustration. Saying their farewells to Violet and starting the sleigh back towards town, the students began the last part of the journey to the castle. It was a rite of passage of sorts for the first years to make the journey on foot, like the Founders had done, but newly returned student _Bunnytown was looking forward to traveling to the castle Pukwudgie style.

She watched as the Horned Serpents disappeared through the large waterspout, then the Wampi through the flames, and the Birds through the small tornado. Finally, it was the Pukwudgie’s turn. As she ventured forth towards the bending trees, following behind Tahm42, she couldn’t help but tense as she passed underneath, not sure what to expect. Trudging through the snow she pulled her cloak closer and …almost slipped on the stone floor of the Pukwudgie common room as her face was immediately warmed by the cozy temperature of the castle. RaeBeeBaby helped her regain her balance, the snow on their boots quickly melting into a puddle. “That was so fast!,” Bunnytown said in surprise. She turned around, but there was no sign of the forest they had left behind. “There wasn’t even a pull of a portkey. How does that – OOMPF!”

Bunnytown was interrupted by a towel being thrown into her face, muffling her words. Pulling the towel off, she looked over to see another small pukwudgie glowering at her. “Not even two seconds in the castle, and you’re already making a mess!!! If you can breathe, you can clean!,” chided Grandmam, Urthbert’s kin, motioning to the growing wetness on the floors.

With a good-natured laugh, Bunnytown took off her cloak and sat down her things before wandering over to give the wizened old pukwudgie a hug. “Yes, Grandmam. It’s good to see you too.”

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Let us begin!

Urthbert looked like he had done nothing more than take a leisurely stroll outside, but the first years behind him were panting like they had dashed the entire way up Mt. Greylock to Ilvermorny’s castle grounds (and knowing Urthbert, he may have inadvertently forced them to do just that, not realizing the toll his pace was taking on the first years, and the first years probably too shy to speak up to the irritable pukwudgie.) Upon reaching the edge of the forest and entering the clearing, the students felt a slight resistance.

“What was that?” Soulfood77 asked, turning to stare at the spot where she had felt the twinge of pressure, but seeing nothing there.

Urthbert had finally released his tongue when Violet was well out of sight, and distractedly answered the question. “Wards. Tied to the Guardians. You’ll see.”

Soulfood wanted to ask him to explain about these “Guardians”, but she gasped in astonishment as the castle could be seen ahead, rising like a majestic ornament on the pinnacle of the mountaintop.

The gleaming white-grey stone of the castle covered in the ice and snow of the winter season made it look like a veritable winter palace as it sparkled in the setting sunlight. While Hogwarts was built to withstand the harsh weather of Scotland, Ilvermorny had been built to allow maximum appreciation of the wondrous view and natural beauty surrounding it, and the huge windows placed all around the castle reflected the outside wonderland, almost making it look like the landscape continued inside. The castle itself seemed to seep into the land, the ground cut away behind it so the lower levels were exposed in the rear of the massive structure. From various towers and Stella’s Stele, (aka the 7-story astronomy tower), the achromatic winter white was broken up by bold banners of cranberry and indigo trimmed with gold, the school colors of Ilvermorny.

Following Urthbert wordlessly to the main entrance, they walked between the large open redwood doors and into the foyer. Climbing the few steps to the main level, they passed a room on either side, each filled with gleaming trophies. Finally Urthbert stopped the group in front of four adults standing in front of another set of massive, intricately carved redwood doors set into a large hallway.

Starting from the students’ right, a woman in a light, olivine green dress with her brunette locks pinned up neatly smiled kindly at them, while the woman next to her in the deep gold, bracelets of different colored stones stacked on her wrists, looked at them with curiosity. Beside the curious one, a tall woman with shockingly purple hair wearing rich teal observed the first years with a keen interest, seemingly analyzing the details available to her upon this first glance. The man in dark reddish purple and extremely pale hair next to her stepped forward from his leaning against the door frame to survey the students with a grin.

The purple-haired woman addressed the students, smiling widely. “Welcome, all of you, to Ilvermorny, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Headmistress Saeraphine and the Head of Horned Serpent.” Gesturing to each professor standing with her as they inclined their heads towards the students, starting with the woman in olivine, she introduced the first years to the other faculty. “This is Professor Rbratt, Head of Pukwudgie. Beside her is Professor Arielluma, Head of Thunderbird. And to my right is Professor Dapperwulf, Head of Wampus. Soon, you will proceed into the chamber behind us, called the Statuary, to be chosen by one of the Guardians of Greylock.”

Seeing the looks of nervousness flit across some of their faces, she quickly reassured them. “There is nothing to worry about. It is only our sorting ceremony, where the Statues that Ilvermorny was founded around and that continue to aid in our protection, will choose which house you will benefit from joining. But more on that later. For now, be welcome! I’m sure you are famished from your trek! Place your belongings in that alcove, and let’s proceed to the Welcome Feast!”

As the first years followed the professors into the Great Hall, they heard the chatter of the assembled returning students that had beat them to the castle. The room had high, cathedral like ceilings with huge windows all around the rectangular area. There were doors that led to a surrounding outside wrap around terrace that would be perfect for enjoying a relaxing lunch in the warmer months. Filling the space were large circular tables, and the students seemed to sit where they pleased, the first years noting that the houses were intermingled. Returning students called out welcomes to the first years, and noting their uncertainty of where to sit, invited them to their tables.

Proceeding to the dias at the front with the already seated Urthbert, Grandmam, and Urthbert’s Grandpap, the teachers took their seats as the headmistress waved her wand, and plates filled with all sorts of foods appeared on the tables. “Let Term 2 begin!”

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Saeraphine

CHAPTER 2

by Dapperwulf

First Nights can be Overwhelming

“Has anyone seen my wand?” called 6andromeda9. “I swear, if that bloody Niffler has escaped again…. accio wand!”

“No, no, I saw him earlier in a pen down in the Professor’s office. Besides, they’re really only attracted to shiny objects like...oh! Over there!” RaeBeeBaby pointed towards the cupboard, whose doors were shaking as something from within banged against them, desperately trying to get free. She walked over and gingerly opened the doors. 6andromeda9’s wand flew out from underneath several sweaters, causing various shoes to spill out onto the floor, and to her hand.

“There you are!” She sighed, slumping down to sit on her bed and eyeing her valise with displeasure. Turning back to her friend, she asked, “Have you finished unpacking yet?”

RaeBeeBaby grumbled, kicking one obviously empty bag under the bed while hauling another up to begin on it. “No, late start. Heyllana and I stopped off at Professor Rbratt’s office to talk with her about this new class, and then Tahm42 stopped me in the hall because Quidditch tryouts are this week and we got to talking about that and then that Wampus ghost, PaulaKro, accidently came through the wall and went right through me, which caused me to drop my drink...” She pulled several thick sweaters out of the bag, tossing them on the bed. “Like I said, it was a complete accident and she was ever so apologetic, but, Merlin’s frilly knickers! Ghosts are cold when they go through you! Anyway, so no, still have all this to do.”

The door banged open as MaraOfNamaah bustled through, her arms laden with books and papers, a look of terror on her face. “Did either of you do the reading over the holiday?”

“Reading?!” Both girls cried out in unison. They looked worriedly at one another and then back at their housemate. “You mean there was assigned reading over the holiday?” panicked 6andromeda9.

MaraOfNamaah set her pile down on her bed with a loud thump, several of them sliding to the floor. “I don’t know!” she wailed in a near panic. “I don’t remember anything being said, but I heard Professor Dapperwulf talking to Arielluma about hoping that some of the students had done their reading over the holidays and I just know I’m going to be behind! And everyone’s going on and on about Quidditch and there’s more classes this term than there was before and all the Wampus and Thunderbirds are already starting to talk about Dueling Club and ……”

RaeBeeBaby grabbed her friend by the shoulders. “Stop. We all just need to stop. And breathe. It’s the first night. And it’s...overwhelming us.”

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Crouching Thunderbirds, Not-so-Hidden…..Dragons?

“Okay, so we have a free period right now and then Potions with the Horned Serpents next, right?” asked Sinnybri, rummaging through her satchel for her class schedule.

“Right. And then lunch, and then Charms after that.” Geminiswede ran her finger down her own copy of the schedule, double-checking. “So what would you like to do with our free time?”

Sinnybri pursed her lips thinking. “Responsible students that we are, we should probably go ahead and start on our DADA homework, but……”

Geminiswede grinned at her friend. “But….?”

“Have you checked out the new enclosures they’ve built in the back of the castle? For the Magical Creature Menagerie? They even have paddocks for the dragons now so that they’re not roaming the countryside unchecked.”

Geminiswede’s eyes grew wide. “Nooo! That is so cool! Can we go see them?”

Sinnybri laughed. “That’s exactly what I was thinking!”

Together, the two flung their satchels over their backs and raced down to the lower levels of the castle, robes whipping out behind them. The winter air was cool and crisp, but thankfully there was none of the bitter, biting, wind that there had been the day before and it was almost pleasant to be out-of-doors. As they made their way down to the dragon paddocks, they heard a trumpeting cry of something quite large. Sinnybri grabbed Geminiswede’s arm, holding her back. “That was ….loud.”

Laughing, Geminiswede nodded. “That’s probably Dante,” she shrugged, referring to the enormous Hebridean Black that had been adopted by Wampus House. “You know how he gets when he’s annoyed by something.”

Sinnybri laughed, a bit shakily. “Yeah. He’s always made me a bit nervous. It doesn’t take much to annoy him.”

“Puck. She annoys him,” grinned her friend. It was true that the little speckled Welsh Green of Pukwudgie House - they continued to insist she had been named for Shakespeare’s mischievous fae, rather than a shortened form of their House - seemed to take an inordinate amount of pleasure in taunting the larger Black. “And of course Touchstone is simply above it all.”

“Yeah, well, Professor Rbratt says he’s the oldest, so, more mature, I guess. Horned Serpent would get the Opaleye. He’s just so regal looking. And acting.”

“Aww, well, just give our little Magellan time. He’s still pretty much a baby.” The Thunderbird’s little Norwegian Ridgeback, had been just shy of seven feet when the school term had let out for holiday, still a stripling, and the Birds were mightily protective of him.

Turning the corner of the castle though, they were greeted with a sight that did not include a small, juvenile Ridgeback. Instead, the dragon was nearly twenty feet in length, his black scales and bronze horns glistened in the morning sunlight as he yanked again at the charmed tethers around his neck that Professor Dapperwulf was intensely concentrating on while Professor Rbratt spoke soothingly to him as she attempted to perform a physical.

“Umm, Professors? May we be of any assistance?” asked Sinnybri.

Rbratt looked up hopefully. “Yes! Definitely!” She let out a tired chuckle. “Your Magellan has grown quite a bit over the holiday. I was trying to give him a bit of a check-up, but he’d much rather be off romping in his paddock, I’d gather.”

Geminiswede stepped up, her eyes gleaming at the dragon as he gleamed and glistened in the light. He seemed to notice her attention and ceased his struggles in order to preen a bit. “He’s...beautiful!!”

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And on the menu this evening we have...

“Oui, he’s beautiful. And quite the handful, so, Professor, if you wouldn’t mind while his attention is currently elsewhere?” Dapperwulf, his voice slightly strained, gently prodded.

“Oh! Right!” Rbratt06 hurriedly went back to her examination. Magellan arched his neck so that the scales would catch just a bit more of the sunlight and flexed his wings so that the two Thunderbirds were better able to make appreciative noises, running their hands over the thin membrane with admiration.

The sounds of voices carried on the winter air, reaching them before Talhonjik and Westpancake came around the corner, large wooden tub filled with huge slabs of meat between them. “Hi guys!” Talhonjik called out, struggling to adjust her grip on the tub. “Did you come to see Magellan? He’s grown a lot, hasn’t he?!”

Geminiswede laughed. “That’s an understatement. He’s going to be big!”

Westpancake grinned before turning to the Professors as the two put the tub on the ground. “Sorry we took a while, Professors. I know you said he prefers beef, but all Grandmam had in the kitchens of enough quantity was mutton. She said the shipments are late, but that this should suffice.”

Rbratt glanced over at the tub. “Yes, as long as it’s a decent size beast, and plenty of it, he’ll eat it just fine.” She smiled up at the preening dragon, patting him on the shoulder. “He needs plenty of calories and protein to reach his adult size.”

“How big will he get, Professor?” asked Westpancake, grabbing Talhonjik’s arm and pulling her back away from the tub, which Magellan had just noticed.

The Pukwudgie Head of House thought for a moment, considering. “Given his current growth rate, he should reach the maximum of thirty-five feet in length when he’s fully mature, I’d say.”

“Wow,” murmured Sinnybri, just as Magellan plunged his snout into the slabs of mutton. He sniffed, rooting around for a moment and then threw his head into the air and roared, jets of flame shooting out of his mouth. Rearing up, he jerked hard against the bonds that held him.

Cursing vividly in several different languages as he was yanked forward, Dapperwulf focused harder on the charmed tethers. “I think the mutton is not to his liking.”

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FOLLOW THAT DRAGON!!

At the second burst of flame and eardrum-shattering roar, the windows to the Astronomy classroom flew open as Professor Arielluma and several students from her class leaned out of the tower to see what was going on. At that second, the tethers shattered. Professor Rbratt yanked Sinnybri and Geminiswede to the ground as Magellan’s wings snapped out and began to flap. Dapperwulf swiftly dodged as the dragon whirled around, the long tail with its rows of spikes sweeping out behind him, threatening to impale the wizard.

Westpancake and Talhonjik flattened themselves against the castle wall, trying their best to become one with the stone. Taking a few running steps, Magellan lept into the air, wings beating hard as he climbed into the sky. Dapperwulf stood back up and watched for a moment before turning and glancing up at the window.

Spying one of his Wampus in the class, he motioned. “Vatrilla13! The charm you learned this morning! Avifors! Set it to follow that damnable beast! We’ll be right behind!” Vatrilla nodded once, swiftly, and seconds later, a vivid blue light flashed and a sleek peregrine falcon shot from the classroom and took after the dragon’s retreating form.

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Saeraphine

CHAPTER 3

by Saeraphine

Pursuit

“Don’t get too close!” Dapperwulf shouted over the whipping wind to the students racing with him to keep track of the errant dragon. The school had erupted into a flurry of activity upon Magellan’s escape, and Professor Dapperwulf had immediately taken a contingent of students to follow Vatrilla’s falcon via broom, communicating that he’d send a messenger back when the dragon had stopped its rogue trip. Vatrilla’s charm had worn off after the first few minutes of pursuit, the transformed quill falling to the earth below, but Dapperwulf’s group had managed to catch up sufficiently enough to keep Magellan within eyesight.

The small tracking party had been chosen for speed, each member having the potential to be a seeker, and they stayed low to their brooms, slowly gaining on their target, who occasionally slowed to attempt to roast a deer or other wildlife, but only succeeded in catching fire to a few squirrels, small birds, and the trees they were nestled in.

The adolescent dragon had already covered about 20 miles. Although it wasn’t a straight line the entire time, he was consistent in continuing east. Dapperwulf realized what would be in Magellan’s path if he continued on his current course - the large No-Maj town of Deerfield. He knew there was no way to mobilize the entire school in time for Deerfield to escape completely unscathed if Magellan chose to attack, but he hoped they could limit the damage as much as possible.

Motioning to one of the Thunderbird ghosts helping with the pursuit, Dapperwulf quickly relayed the message he wanted danzrlove to take back to the school.

Before danzrlove could break away to deliver the message though, Soulfood77 yelled, “You said he’s trying to feed, right? What if he can smell the cattle farms on the outskirts of Deerfield, and that’s what’s drawing him, the ones out past the town?”

Dapperwulf thinking Soulfood was trying to say that Magellan was only heading towards the cattle replied, “It’s possible. But he could attack the town before he gets there. You need to go, now!”

Pressing on, she made her point. “Yes, but what we need is time, right? So bring the cattle to him!”

Exasperated, not having time to explain how long it would take to migrate an entire farm’s worth of animals, Dapperwulf realized they didn’t need the entire farm. Instead, they needed just enough to satisfy a growing dragon.

Back at the castle...

Professor Rbratt gathered medical supplies, dictating to some of her more advanced students in healing what to prepare. Magellan may not be an adult dragon, but he was still large enough to raze an entire town if he felt so inclined. She thought back to when they had faced off against the dragon under Gaunt’s control, and shouted to Pandasurprise, “Burn salve is well and good, but don’t forget they have claws. We need poultices to stop the bleeding!”

Professor Arielluma and Headmistress Saeraphine were busy teaching the remaining students passable obliviate charms. “With the current climate, the witch hunters and such, we need to keep strict control over what is remembered,” Saeraphine instructed gravely as Arielluma corrected the wand movements of Kassiesjourney.

Satisfied her corrections were being heeded, Arielluma added, “If they’re No-Maj, they get obliviated. No exceptions. They may say they didn’t see anything, but we can’t be sure. You will all be advanced obliviate casters by the end of today.”

Just then, danzrlove burst in. “We found him,” the messenger huffed. “ He’s heading towards Deerfield.”

Arielluma and Saeraphine looked at each other, horrified. The hope had been that Magellan would only go a short distance, just enough to feel he was free from the school, but Deerfield was one of the most populated towns in the area, and one with the most anti-witchcraft sentiment.

“Professor Dapperwulf and the others are still pursuing,” danzrlove continued after a swig of water from the jug Grandpap brought over. “We think Magellan’s going to the cattle farms. If they can, the Professor and the group are going to try to distract the dragon with the cows before he gets to the town, but they’re still figuring out how to get them in his path before Magellan gets to Deerfield.”

“We’ll never make it in time,” Arielluma whispered to Saeraphine. “There’s no way for all of us to catch up before Magellan reaches the town. And once the townspeople see him, they’ll try to attack, so even if Magellan might head straight to feed, he’ll be provoked and retaliate. They don’t stand a chance!”

_____________________________________________________________________

Left with no choice...

The headmistress sorted through the possible solutions, striving to remain calm. In the limited amount of time available, she chose what she believed to be the best possible course of action. “Ariel, I need you to lead the remaining students to Deerfield. You don’t have time to worry about stealth or obliviating - fly as fast as you can. If all goes well, you can worry about finding anyone who spotted you on the way back.”

Noticing her distinct lack of the use of “we” in those instructions, Ariel searched Saeraphine’s face. “What are you going to do?” she asked suspiciously.

Taking a deep breath, Saeraphine explained. “Rbratt and I are going to each grab our top-ranked student and apparate with them to Deerfield. Rbratt and her student will attempt to ward the town while I and mine will hope we have enough time to set up the cattle distraction.”

Ariel looked like her eyes were going to pop out of her head. “What? You’re going to just appear in the center of a town that hates witchcraft, practically alone, with a dragon on the way, steal some cows, and what, ask them politely to let you save them with your ‘wicked devilish powers’?”

“Most of the students can’t handle apparating that distance alone, and the ones that can haven’t been to Deerfield enough to do it safely. And we have to do something. Dapper gave us the best chance of a solution but there’s absolutely no way they can outfly a dragon. Rbratt will have to try to put up the quickest ward of her life, and she’ll need the student’s help in encircling the town.” Saeraphine looked resolute. “Ariel, we don’t have time. If this fails, we’ll need all the help possible to control the damage.”

Only pausing for a second longer, Ariel exhaled sharply and curtly nodded. “Fine. Don’t get burned - by idiots or dragons.” And that was all she said before walking away and shouting to the students to grab their brooms.

Saeraphine ran her fingers through her hair and went to find Rbratt and their best students of the term.

_____________________________________________________________________

Think Fast

Rbratt, Saeraphine, and their two students Jgundz and Fragilemoondreamer appeared with a crack in the woods outside Deerfield to the southwest, Rbratt having suggested that the time they would have saved appearing exactly where they needed to in the populated town would have been negated by the panic they caused. With a quick exchange of good lucks, they separated, Saeraphine and Jgundz hopping on their brooms to circle further south towards the farms in the east, while Rbratt and Fragilemoondreamer headed on their brooms to the north to begin the warding circle that would hopefully raise a shield powerful enough to withstand dragonfire.

Rbratt and her student, reaching the northern-most point on the outskirts of town, landed outside of a small shack. Digging into her bag, Fragilemoondreamer quickly handed the professor the clay anchor with a quartz stone to be buried. While the professor embedded the ward charms into the clay, Fragilemoondreamer pointed to the ground and cast defodio, gouging a hole into the frozen ground. The dirt sprayed up like it was lifted by a small explosion. Rbratt, finished enchanting the anchor, placed it in the hole, and helped Fragilemoondreamer cover it up with the displaced earth. Hopping on their brooms, and heading to the next cardinal point, Rbratt let her wand hang at her side as they left to make an arc, her power trickling out the tip to connect this anchor with the next like a string.

They didn’t see the small child peering curiously out of the shack, looking at the spot where the pretty stone had been buried…

To the East…

Saeraphine and Jgundz made a running landing, disturbing the sheep grazing a few feet away. Seeing the bulky bodies of the beautiful bovines they were looking for. “How many cows do we need?” Jgundz asked, shying away from a cowpie she almost buried her foot in.

“Grandmam said probably about four,” Saeraphine said, casting a levitating spell on the closest cow available. The cow immediately started making noises of distress and the others began to get skittish, shying away. “Oh galloping gorgons! Jgundz, hurry and cast before they run off!”

Jgundz flung her spell at one large heifer, and was barely able to lift her off the ground while she mooed angrily. The others now began to scatter, and Saeraphine secured her second cow, another plump one, but they’d have to give chase in order to catch a fourth, and they didn’t have the time to be wrangling cattle. “Just… just get one of the sheep. They’re smaller, but maybe he’ll be satisfied. We have to hurry!”

To the West (and traveling quite quickly East)...

Dapperwulf and his group had tried their best to pass the dragon while giving him a wide berth, but with no luck. They could see Deerfield in the distance, and Dapperwulf hoped the school would arrive to back them up in time. He was going to have to do something drastic, and being unwilling to risk the lives of the students with him, he was about to motion for them to fall back when he saw two figures on broomsticks land in the distance and the ground blast up.

Magellan noticed the blast of dirt, and changed his course slightly to head towards this new disturbance. Rbratt and Fragilemoondreamer hurriedly buried the feather that would act as the East anchor. Seeing the dragon getting closer, Rbratt pointed her wand towards the north, willing her power to complete the circle, and shouted “Protego Maxima!” The ward took effect, slowly rising to encapsulate the town in a protective bubble. As the shield rose higher, Rbratt and Fragilemoondreamer looked up hopefully, willing it to close in time before Magellan could ram against it, possibly shattering it, or perhaps even squeeze in and proceed to the town. The ward inched higher and higher and then… completely disappeared. Rbratt felt a tug to the north, knowing that’s where the spell had failed, but unaware it was because a small child who had spied them earlier now had a pretty quartz stone she had dug up, and was happily breaking it out of the clay.

“P-p-professor…” stuttered Fragilemoondreamer as Magellan let out a loud roar, now only a small field away, with Dapperwulf and his students following not far behind, their yells of warning unable to be heard.

Suddenly, a cow went flying, legs in the air and mooing loudly, past their heads. It was flung straight at Magellan. The dragon’s focus shifted from the humans to the cow hurtling towards him immediately, and he barrel rolled to snatch the cow from midair like it was nothing more than an insect, flaming it at the same time, killing it instantly in the searing heat.

Landing in the field, he began to munch happily while a stunned Dapperwulf and crew looked on to see two more cows and a sheep being placed gently in the dragon’s line of sight. Magellan left off his feasting to catch the other cows that began to run off, pouncing on them like a cat, but when he came upon the sheep, the flames died in his mouth. Magellan made a strange, strangled roar, and then what could only be described as a soft cooing noise. Crawling forward to sniff at the sheep, his snout low to the ground, he lightly bumped the sheep, making it baaa in protest. Standing straight up in front of the only slightly perturbed sheep, Magellan then dropped to the ground and rolled onto his back, showing his belly and pawing at the air playfully towards the sheep.

“Oh… oh no...oh my goodness, you have got to be joking…” Rbratt said as Dapperwulf, Saeraphine, and their students joined up with her.

“What in Salazar’s name is going on?!” Dapperwulf asked, his eyes wide in astonishment at the kitten-esque dragon in front of him - the very same dragon that he had just been about to try to take on single-handedly in order to save a town that wouldn’t thank him for saving it.

Rbratt’s hand was covering her mouth, and her head was turned towards the ground her shoulders shaking. Saeraphine put her arm around Rbratt, realizing the fear of the almost dragon attack had gotten to the professor, causing her to begin crying silently. But then she heard the giggle in her voice as she raised her head, and realized Rbratt wasn’t crying but laughing, almost hysterically.

“I know why he reacted so aggressively now,” Rbratt managed to choke out. “Magellan wasn’t just hungry. He…” she collapsed in a fit of laughter, the absurdness of the situation combined with the adrenaline from the moments before briefly incapacitating her.

Dapperwulf, still on edge and scared Magellan might act up again any moment, asked exasperatedly. “What?? He what?!”

Finally, Rbratt spit it out. “He’s ready to mate. And it looks like he’s courting that sheep!” Getting up, laughing again at the astonished looks on the faces around her, she brushed herself off. “Don’t worry, he’s got food and a potential,” she giggled, “love interest now. He’ll stay wherever she is - or is the sheep a he? Oh well, one thing’s for sure, Deerfield is safe enough, but I bet they’ll have plenty of questions about the failed warding, so it’s a good thing Arielluma and the rest are on their way.”

_____________________________________________________________________

No Rest for the Wicked

After an exhausting rest of the day obliviating almost anything that moved, and with Magellan safely back in his paddock, the sheep in tow, the students and staff made their way back into the castle. Or so they attempted to do, only to be stopped by a rather irate, small, spiney taskmistress. Fuming, Grandmam blocked the main entrance doors, her arms outstretched. “Will you look at you lot!!” she shouted. “Covered in dirt, sweat and grime. Wanting to drag the snow in too, I imagine? Bring in a little bit o’ nature to compliment the decor?”

She threw her hands up. “Oh and yes, what wonderful decor it is! Robes thrown about everywhere --”

“We had to get our winter gear--” AEK0812 tried to interject.

Grandmam continued on, unfazed, “--potion bottles left unstoppered--”

“We needed to pack our kits and hurry--” piped up Ssilver215.

Raising her voice even louder, “NOT TO MENTION YOU’RE LATE FOR DINNER!”

“There was an emergency--” supplied Cardbucfan, only to receive the full glare of Grandmam.

“Emergency or no, you lot need to respect your elders. When we take the time to make you food, you should be here to eat it! And we pukwudgie are not your house-elves, you know!” Grandmam finished with a harumpf, crossing her arms angrily and turning her head haughtily up and away.

Headmistress Saeraphine walked to the front of the crowd, and used her best pleading voice. “Grandmam, we deeply apologize for leaving this chaos behind, and for being so incredibly rude as to not send word we would be returning late for supper due to chasing down a dragon and saving an entire town.” Only those who knew the headmistress well would have been able to hear the sarcasm in her voice. Saeraphine continued on, cajolingly, “We will clean up ourselves and the castle, posthaste. But could we please gain entry and possibly sample some of your delicious food before beginning?”

Grandmam, not turning her head to look at Saeraphine fully but opening one eye to look at her, sighed and uncrossed her arms. “Fine. But you finish your chores before bed. And you all enter through the stables and clean off your boots!”

Saeraphine, knowing when to pick her battles with the prickly perfectionist, nodded her head graciously in acquiescence while Arielluma shook her head and motioning to the students. “Alright, guess we’re going this way. Follow me. Maybe we’ll all get a nice bag of oats, and ooo! A carrot! Wouldn’t that be special…” Arielluma finished, her voice trailing off as she led the way.

____________________________________________________________________________

Dragon Diaries, Pt 1

But soft! What wool through yonder pasture breaks?
It is the cuddly, and Sheep is the softest!
Arise, cuddly soft, and kill the envious … not soft Puck,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou this fluff art far more soft than she.
Be not her fluff, since she is envious.
Her hardened hide is but sick and green,
And none but fools do preen it. Cast it off.
It is my Sheep; O, it is my love!
O that she knew she were!
She baaas, yet she says nothing. What of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold; 'tis not to me she speaks. (I will eat who’er it may be.)
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her soft brown eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her chomping cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she chews her teeth upon the grassy land!
O that I were a blade of grass sprouting from the land,
That I might touch those teeth!

_____________________________________________________________________

Saeraphine

CHAPTER 4

by Dapperwulf

CLEAN ALL THE THINGS!!

Coop925 and Angelious strained as they worked together to lift the half-burnt tree off the road. Slowly, the tree lifted and, wobbly, floated to the side, clearing the wagon trail. Teams of students had been working all day, cleaning up the damage that Magellan had left in his wake. While they were fortunate that the young dragon hadn’t reached the town, he had still left quite the noticeable trail back to the school, one of burnt and tail-trimmed trees. “How much more do we have to do?” moaned Angelious.

Coop925 sat down heavily on a nearby stump and ran his hand through his beard, sighing. “At least another three or four miles, probably a dozen or more trees in all.”

Angelious groaned, slouching against a tree. “I’m exhausted. We’ve been at it forever. My muscles in my back are killing me. Who knew using magic would actually make your muscles hurt?!”

“Yeah, well, they’re not going to move themselves, so I guess we should get back at it. Sooner done and all that.” Coop dragged himself off the stump and stared off down the road, stretching his own back.

“Hey, I just remembered, one of the other Thunderbirds mentioned something about a potion she’d gotten from one of her cousins, that would ‘relax’ you. I think she tossed it in one of these bags.” Angelious pulled a knapsack off her shoulder and set it on the ground, rummaging through.

“Yeah?” Coop raised an eyebrow. “If it’ll relax us enough to make it through the rest of our work load, I’ll take a double.”

“Uh-oh.” Angelious lifted out a green bottle, the smiling label turned to grin at her friend. “Is that what I think it is?”

Coop’s eyes widened. “Gigglewater?!” he laughed. “Well, it would relax us! But, somehow, I doubt the professors would approve of us partaking on the job.”

Angelious looked worriedly at the bottle. “Will we get in trouble?”

“Not for having it.” he shook his head. “But for drinking while we’re supposed to be working? And while close to Deerfield? Yeah, that would get us in trouble.” He motioned to the side of the road. “Either put it up and save it til tonight or pour it out. Come on, let’s get this mess finished.”

Angelious nodded and considered the bottle. “It’s my first year here. I’m not taking any chances.” Taking the bottle, she threw it as hard as she could. The bottle arched through the air and landed with a ‘Splosh!’ into a nearby creek.

_____________________________________________________________________

Gigglewater

Violet smiled at the students as they downed the cool tumblers of water and pumpkin juice. It had been unusually hot that January day. Well, hot for January at least, but combined with the strenuous labor they were performing to try and clean up the wreckage, they were definitely hot, tired and very, very thirsty. Though they couldn’t remove the burnt and toppled trees near as quickly as the wizarding folk could, Violet had asked several of the townsfolk from Williamstown to join in the clean-up as well, and a small handful of children had jumped at the opportunity to assist her in carrying pitchers of drink and baskets of snacks for the workers.

Two small girls took the tumblers back from Holladaytime and lollipoplindz, packing them neatly into the basket. “You two run along now,” urged the older woman. “Tell your mother I’ll be by after a while. These creaky old bones don’t walk quite as fast as they used to.” They nodded and, hand-in-hand, ran back down the path towards the village. Violet smiled after them.

“Thank you for bringing us refreshments, Ms. Violet.” Holladay said. “I’ve never been around many Muggles, I mean, No-Maj before, but I must say, the people of Williamstown are much more relaxed around magic than I was led to believe.” lollipoplindz nodded in agreement.

Violet pursed her lips in thought. “Aye, but remember, dearies, Williamstown was founded by the families of wizarding folk. Even if some of us have no magic, we grew up around it. Pray don’t be getting it into your heads that all No-Maj are of the same mindset. The folk of Deerfield especially would not take so kindly to your wand-waving.” She looked sternly at the pair.

“Yes ma’am.” They chorused, slightly unnerved by the surprising seriousness her tone had taken.

“Right. Well, just stay with your schoolmates and listen to the professors. They’ll keep you safe enough.” She smiled warmly, giving Holladaytime a quick hug around the shoulders.

Picking up the pitcher at her feet, she made her way to the nearby stream. Kneeling to rinse it out, she paused, staring at something as it floated down stream. “What in Merlin’s name? Lollipoplindz! Do be a love and bring that bottle over here, will you? ” Lollipoplindz gave her wand a swish and a flick, proud to show off her charms skills and the bright green bottle lifted out of the stream to float to Violet’s waiting hand.

“Gigglewater? What is gigglewater?” mused Lollipoplindz.

Violet shook her head laughing. “Wizarding alcohol. Well, however it got in that stream, I dare say it doesn’t need to stay there.” She uncorked the bottle and poured it into the stream. “There. I’ll carry the bottle away with me to throw away later. Yes, dear?” She glanced up at Holladaytime, who had tapped her shoulder, staring wide-eyed across the short body of water.

Following her gaze, Violet spied the wide-eyed young woman standing just a bit down stream from them, her hands covering her mouth. The girl turned and fled into the woods, heading in the direction of Deerfield. Violet stood watching her go, her heart sinking with every step the girl took. “Go get the Headmistress for me. Quickly now.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Dragon Diaries, Part Deux

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art
Not in lone splendour grazing on the hill this night,
And watching, with soft, brown eyes apart,
Like nature's patient sleepless eremite,
The moving grasses at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's swollen hills,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors;
No yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's fluffy wool,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken baa,
And so live ever or else swoon to death.

“Merlin’s flea-infested knickers!! Someone shut that bloody dragon up!!” yelled Arielluma. Several Thunderbirds peered, bleary-eyed, out of their dorm rooms as their Head of House’s Patronus bounded down the hall, the bright blue kitten making it’s way speedily to find the Headmistress.

The keening wail of Magellan could be heard throughout the school. Students, faculty and Pukwudgie alike all buried their heads beneath their pillows in an attempt to block out the sound. A first year Horned Serpent had to be taken to the Medic’s chambers, her attempt at charming the cotton balls in her ears to block the sound having resulted in cotton plants to take root and begin sprouting from either side of her head.

The kitten Patronus skittered to a halt outside the dragon’s paddock, and delivered its message to Saeraphine and Rbratt before vanishing. “Well. That was …….colorful.” mused Saeraphine as she watched the kitten fade away.

“What, in Salazar’s name, is that damnable beast up to now?” growled a voice behind them. Dapperwulf and Yumesoraki came out through the carriage house door, the latter covering her ghostly ears against the frightful cacophony while the Dueling Master looked as though he was ready to commit murder. “They’ll be able to hear him all the way to Deerfield!”

“Or back in Scotland.” whimpered his apprentice.

Rbratt sighed. “I know. I’m not exactly sure what’s going on. He appears to be fine, and so does Sheep, but I just don’t know why he’s making that noise.”

Yume winced again. Then perked up. Listening intently, she floated towards the paddock fence. “Professors, did that….did that note just repeat?” The others frowned and listened closer.

“It did...and there it is again!” Saeraphine murmured.

Dapper stared at the dragon, his expression unreadable. “Do you mean to tell me, after chasing that bloody lizard across the countryside all bloody day, we now have to listen to him…...sing a love song to that feckin’ sheep all bloody night!!!??”

The ladies snickered as he threw up his hands and stalked back inside.

_____________________________________________________________________

Something Wicked This Way Comes

“Aye William, ‘tis fine. We’ll be sending the shipments your way as soon as the lads get them off the ship then.” The grizzled merchant smiled fondly at the young man, who returned it.

“My thanks, Robert. I just wish I knew why these rumors had started. Trade is important to the small towns in the west, something like this can really hurt us.”

“I know, I know. But no worries, lad. Some of these doomsayers would have us believe there’s a witch around every corner.” He laughed heartily, clapping William on the back. “I heard one group talking that there was a whole school of ‘em up your way in fact!”

William choked on his ale, covering it with strangled laugh of his own. “You don’t say? And who would be spreading that kind of nonsense?”

“Tosh,” Robert waved a hand dismissively. “Some bloke in here yesterday. Said there’d been some trouble up in Deerfield. That a witch had uprooted trees and whatnot. Claims a girl from that village saw her waving a stick and causing things to fly about and that she was student at some school from those parts. Oh! That’ll be him over there.” he gestured with his mug to a mountain of a man standing by the bar. “Said the town elders had sent for an official investigator from the governor to come check things out. He’s here to take care of it.”

William smiled. “Well, he’ll find a fairly quiet little countryside, I’m afraid. There’s a small finishing school of sorts, and of course the primaries for the wee ones. Everyone wants their children to have an education after all, but a school of witchcraft? Ha! You think they have potions class?”
The two men clapped one another on the back, laughing til there were tears in their eyes at the mere suggestion. As the conversation moved on, William glanced over his shoulder to signal the tavern girl for another pint and took in the man Robert had mentioned.

His heart sank. Ivan stood there. The same man who’d followed Brandifew to Williamstown with the intent to cause no small amount of harm. But how? He’d seen the Wampus students take him away in chains. He needed to get back to Williamstown so he could send a raven to the school. Now.

_____________________________________________________________________

Saeraphine

CHAPTER 5

by Dapperwulf and Saeraphine

Tidings

Laughter and chatter filled the air as the students and their professors made their way to the Great Hall for supper. Tantalizing smells wafted through the air, causing mouths to water after a day of hard studying. Saeraphine stood laughing with a group of students from her class by the door, Asrai50 excitedly gesturing as she told a story about her first night in the dorms. Fragilemoondreamer was thankfully stopped from walking into a column by Rbratt06 as she much too busy watching Cardbucfan and My_Butt tumble over one another in a giggling race down the staircase.

Taking a sip of her wine, Arielluma turned to Dapperwulf with a grin, then froze. The Wampus professor had sat up suddenly, his eyes going distant. Pitching her voice low, she touched his arm. “What crossed the wards?”

“Someone. No ill intent, but something’s not right. Get the others, meet me by the door.” With that, he tossed his napkin to the side and swiftly left through the side door.

Rising, Arielluma caught the Headmistress’s eye and motioned to Dapperwulf’s retreating form. The Headmistress nodded and linked her arm through Rbratt’s. “Professor, a word if you don’t mind. In the meantime, Grandmam, if you would please go ahead and start supper without us so that it doesn’t get cold. And tahm42? You mentioned that you and some friends had been working on a school song? Perhaps you would be willing to serenade the students?” Tahm42 smiled and nodded, motioning for a couple of others to stand up with her.

The ladies swiftly exited the Great Hall and hurried to the main entrance to the castle, where Dapperwulf stood with an obviously exhausted William. “What’s happened?” Saeraphine asked, her brow knitted in concern.

“Ivan’s back.” Dapperwulf said, his voice tight with anger. “It seems once we turned him over to the No-Maj authorities, he managed to weasel his way to freedom somehow. William saw him down at the port. He’s being sent to Deerfield by special appointment of the Governor to investigate a charge of witchcraft.” He turned a hard eye back towards the school. “It would seem one of our students was seen using magic during the cleanup last week.”

“Violet sent word of that.” Saeraphine nodded thoughtfully. “But I was under the impression it had been dealt with.”

“Obviously not.” Arielluma frowned. “We’re going to need to find out who saw it and obliviate them.”

“Professors!” Ejwilliams88 came running out, a raven riding her shoulder, flapping its wings to stay upright. “This just arrived. Grandpap said to bring it to you immediately.” She handed the small bit of parchment to Rbratt.

“Oh! OH NO!” The Pukwudgie Head sank to the stone steps, her face ashen. Silent, she held the note up to the Headmistress.

Saeraphine took a second to read it. Her hand dropped to her side, the note fluttering to the ground. “William…….” The man looked up at her, fear etched across his face. “They’ve taken her. They’ve arrested Violet for witchcraft.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Someone DO Something!

“They can’t just take her, can they?!” Ejwilliams said aghast, looking at the professors.

“They already have,” Saeraphine said consolingly, trying to keep her own emotions in check.

Ejwilliams’ eyes searched the people in the room. “But… but we’re going to do something right? We can’t just let them take her!”

Arielluma shifted uncomfortably while Rbratt was still attempting to recover from the news on the floor. Saeraphine looked at West with concern, but it was Dapperwulf that spoke, level-headedly presenting the facts. “These are witch hunters, given authority by their No-Maj government. We cannot barge in, wands out, and attempt to overpower an entire town, because she is most certainly on her way to where they’ll be putting her on trial. All of the accused are currently being whisked away to Salem to face a tribunal of their No-Maj magistrates, or so my ravens tell me. We risk exposure on a grander scale than we’ve ever had to manage. Salem is at least ten times more populated than Deerfield--” but Ejwilliams didn’t wait to hear the rest of Dapperwulf’s explanation, thinking that his argument for caution was instead an argument for inaction. She whirled before the tears could fall from her eyes and left the professors staring after her as she took off.

As she wandered the halls blindly, looking for a place to be alone, she ran into Tmeadows08. “Ej? What’s wrong? Are you okay?!” Tmeadows asked with concern.

Knowing that she could trust Tmeadows (and not knowing if Violet’s arrest was meant to be kept secret anyway) Ejwilliams relayed the news. “... and the professors aren’t even going to do anything about it!”

“Surely that’s not true!” Tmeadows replied in disbelief, leaning back against the wall for support. Violet was like a grandmother to all the students. She was the first one to welcome them when they arrived each term to the Inn, and the last one to wish them a safe journey home when they left.

“You should have heard Professor Dapperwulf. He was so calm. It sounded like he didn’t even care, and he was just giving reasons not to act!” Ejwilliams leaned against the wall next to Tmeadows. “We can’t let this happen. We have to help her.”

Tmeadows wracked her brain, considering. “But what can we do? If she’s already on the way to Salem--”

Ejwilliams interrupted hurriedly. “But what if she’s not?! The professor didn’t know for sure, he was just guessing. If she’s still in Williamstown, if they’re waiting till morning to take her…”

“Then we still have a chance to save her before things get out of hand!” Tmeadows finished for her. “C’mon, if we leave now, we could go down and be back before curfew. Just obliviating a couple No-Maj? After all the practice we had because of Magellan, we could do this in our sleep!”

Their minds made up, the two students hurried to retrieve their brooms.

_____________________________________________________________________

Plans

The night wind whipped through their robes as the two students flew at breakneck speed towards Williamstown. Landing at the back of the Star’s Rest tavern, they stowed their brooms in the shed and hurried inside. Jackson, the bartender and William’s right-hand man, was polishing the long oak bartop in a remarkably quiet and empty tavern. He jumped, startled when the students rushed in. “What are you two doing here!!??” he hissed, coming around the bar and hustling them off to the kitchen. “Don’t you know there’s witch hunters about?!’

“We know!” argued Ejwilliams. “We got a raven saying they took Violet!”

“Aye! I sent the bloody bird! But I sent it to your professors. Why haven’t they come instead of sending students?”

“Ej gave them the raven and they weren’t going to do anything!” cried Tmeadows. “We thought if we acted quickly, we might could rescue her before they left town!”

Jack shook his head. “I couldn’t even risk sending the message until after they were gone. There was too much of a chance they’d find out where the school was, or even that there was a school! They’ve been gone for almost six hours. They left a group of men here who were headed on to Deerfield. Once they left, I was able to get the raven off.”

“Six hours?” moaned Tmeadows. “We’ll never catch them!”

Ejwilliams ran her fingers through her hair, exasperated. “Jackson, have you got a map?”

The burly man nodded, motioning towards a shelf near William’s desk in the back corner. “Aye, William has a few in his top drawer.”

“Great.” Ejwilliams rummaged through the drawer and found the one she was looking for. Unrolling it on the table, she studied it for a moment. “If they’re really taking them to Salem, they’ll be taking this route most likely.”

Tmeadows leaned in to look. “If we flew fast, we could intercept them about here.” She said, pointing at a spot.

“There’s quite a few of them.” Jack said, shaking his head. “More than the two of you can handle.”

Ejwilliams looked up, meeting Jack’s eyes. “Yeah, well, there’s a good many more than two of us.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Panic

Ejwilliams and Tmeadows flew swiftly towards the back of the castle, ready to sneak in through the creatures entrance. Night had fallen, and it was difficult to see in the darkness, causing Ejwilliams to land almost directly on top of one of the dragon’s feeding tubs. She pulled up at the last second, but her feet were too low and the tub toppled over with a loud metallic clang. Touching down on the ground, the witches froze in fear, waiting for someone to come investigate the noise.

After a few tense moments of waiting and struggling to not breathe, not even think, for fear of being overheard and their rescue being thwarted before it began, they realized the only sound in the darkness was the snort of Magellan in the paddock behind them. It seemed they had luck on their side - the only thing roused was the Thunderbird dragon, and not suspicion.

The two witches made their way quietly inside, already planning who to recruit for their covert mission. Magellan watched them leave with one bleary eye. He snorted again, and began to reposition himself, opening his wings slowly so as not to disturb his precious Sheep in the corne…

Magellan snapped awake. The corner Sheep usually settled down in for the evening was empty, filled with only straw and not sweet, sweet fluff.

He looked around him frantically. Had he rolled in his slumber and crushed her?? His long neck craned to survey his flank. He lifted his tail, then his clawed feet, fearfully expecting to see smushed wool trapped underneath him. With a relieved sigh through his nostrils, he realized there was nothing underneath him but the usual ground.

But quickly, the relief turned to panic. Where. Was. SHEEP???

If she was in danger, surely her panicked baa’ing would have woken him. Besides, the stick-wavers did a decent job of keeping the area relatively clear of danger. He pondered the possibilities left - if not danger and abduction, then… His nostrils flared in anger. Then deception. If she wasn’t taken, then she snuck off. And what reason would she have to sneak off? His mind was doing backflips and seemingly winning some ill-thoughts race as he jumped to a conclusion.

Sheep was seeing someone else.

His head snaked to survey the sleeping Puck next to him with suspicion. Then he readjusted his wings as he shook his head. No, not Puck. Sheep wouldn’t go for someone like Puck. She was insufferably annoying, thinking her pranks on him were the epitome of hilarity.

His paddock was too far away from the other dragons to search for Sheep among them. He tried to deduce which it might be. Touchstone was very aloof. Very standoffish. Maybe Sheep was attracted to his quiet reserve? But no. Touchstone was much too haughty to appeal to Magellan’s down-to-earth Sheep. She enjoyed the simpler things in life, like a drink from the water trough on a warm day, or the pleasure of standing and doing absolutely nothing but munching on grass from the field for hours while staring unseeing into the heart of the universe.

No, Sheep did not have time for Touchstone’s false philosophy while she saw the patterns of the universe in everyday life. That only left Dante. Magellan’s eyes narrowed. Dante. The smug jerk. He thought he was so cool. A rebel. Magellan scoffed. Yeah, he’d be just the type of dragon to try to steal Sheep away from him, just to prove he could.

Magellan paced around his paddock, certain he’d find Sheep in Dante’s area. With an aggravated sigh, he decided there was only one thing for him to do. He needed to confront them both.

Stretching out his wings and pushing off the ground, he flew into the air… and promptly hit the magic barrier the wizards had placed over the enclosure to keep him there after his last adventure unsupervised. He growled in frustration. He’d been trying not to tip the wizards off that the barrier was too weak to hold him, but this was an emergency. He needed to see SHEEP. Repeatedly, Magellan smashed the barrier until finally, the spell weakened enough for him to slip through into the sky.

Landing in Dante’s paddock, Magellan swiveled his neck around furiously, searching for any sign of Sheep. Dante was snoozing. Or pretending to be, Magellan thought cynically. Magellan huffed and roared, a small jet of flame escaping. Dante still did not stir. Stomping around, searching thoroughly, Magellan made an incredible ruckus. A couple lights could be seen coming to life within the castle. But what wasn’t seen was Sheep. She was not in Dante’s paddock.

Magellan’s anger turned to panic as he realized maybe he’d had it all wrong. He let out a whine as he lamented ever having doubted his precious soft love. He heard wizards approaching, but he could not be caught before finding Sheep was found! Striking a heroic pose, Magellan thought I’ll find you, my love!

Dante turned his head to watch this foolish display as Magellan took off into the night. Teens, Dante thought, shaking his head in laughter and rolling his eyes. The drama now passed, at least in his paddock, Dante settled back down to rest.

_____________________________________________________________________

Saeraphine

CHAPTER 6

by Dapperwulf and Saeraphine

Circles

Dragon Diaries, Chapter Three

Everytime I think of you, I always catch my breath
And I'm still standing here, and you're miles away
And I'm wonderin' why you left
And there's a storm that's raging through my fiery heart tonight
I hear your name in certain paddocks, and it always makes me smile
I spend my time thinkin' about you, and it's almost driving me wild
And there's a heart that's breaking down this long distance line tonight
I ain't missing you at all since you've been gone away
I ain't missing you, no matter what I might say
There's a message on the wind, and I'm roaring you this signal tonight
You don't know how desperate I've become
And it looks like I'm losing this fight
In your world I think I have meaning, though I'm trying hard to understand why you’d leave
And it's my heart that's breaking down in this forest tonight
I ain't missing you at all since you've been gone away
I ain't missing you, no matter what the other dragons say
Ain't missing you, I ain't missing you
I ain't missing you, I ain't missing you
I ain't missing you, I ain't missing you, ain't missing you, oh no
No matter what Puck might say, I ain't missing you...

Magellan flew in ever increasing spirals around Ilvermorny, his head twisting and turning, looking everywhere for Sheep. Oh, what could have happened to her? He let out a moan, banking on the north wind to fly low over the forest. Could someone have grabbed her? Snatched her from the safety of the paddock in the dead of night and spirited her away? He roared his defiance at whoever would have dared, the jet of flame lighting up the night sky.

Who? Who would have had the audacity? The stick wavers….um, weezards, Touchstone called them, the elders knew the second a squirrel so much as crossed the borders they’d set up….they wouldn’t have allowed someone to sneak in and take his beautiful, sweet fluff.

A thought flashed through his mind. What...what if Sheep had left of her own accord? What if she wasn’t seeing someone else, what if she’d simply grown tired of him?! Oh the horror! Had he done something to drive her back to the pastures from whence she came?!

Moping, his head and his heart heavy, he started to fly in an arc, trying to search for his lost love. As he passed a large herd of deer bounding through the tall grass of a nearby meadow, he snatched two up, devouring them quickly, before snatching a third and eating it mindlessly as he flew.

_____________________________________________________________________

Be prepared!

The castle was a flurry of confused activity at the troublesome Magellan escaping yet again. No one having seen the direction Magellan took off in after leaving Dante’s paddock, the professors were making plans to take contingents of supporting students in the morning and split up, each leading a search in a different cardinal direction while the pukwudgies oversaw the castle. While the professors gathered those that would accompany them, quietly and quickly, Ejwilliams and Tmeadows recruited fellow students to help save Violet from the witch hunters that had stolen her away.

Bridie_Bird grabbed every map she could find in the Horned Serpent Sanctuary library that had anything about Salem and the surrounding areas. Her satchel was filled to brimming, but a prepared witch was a successful witch. Gawworthington at a portable desk nearby scoured the most recent editions of their wizarding paper, The Greylock Crow, for any mentions about the witch hunters and their movements, attempting to glean useful information that might aid in Violet’s retrieval.

Lollipoplindz and Mspeck910 stuffed their packs with any medical supplies that may be useful from the medical storeroom near Pukwudgie. Thinking of what Grandmam would say if she caught them, Mspeck910 cringed. Lollipoplindz was whispering promises to the vacant desk of the Mediwitch’s office to replace anything they used and apologizing profusely for the intrusion.

Over in the Thunderbird exploration closet, LavaDoll was doing some impressive wandwork, catching the items Lucidream9339 was flinging her way and packing them neatly in the packs they were creating for the group to brave the winter nights they may be facing. “Do you think we’ll need the self knotting ropes?” Lucidream asked as she tossed the broom-mounted compasses to LavaDoll. “Better to have and not need, I think,” LavaDoll said absently, directing one floating compass into each bag.

Patrolling the halls, keeping an eye out for the professors was Aprilsshowers81, doing her best to look like she was about normal business while Cpanus substituted their dulled practice weapons with those of a keen edge in the armory. Not all in their party were trained to wield them yet, but if nothing else, they could look menacing, right? Cpanus just hoped Professor Dapperwulf didn’t notice this infraction. He wasn’t exactly the most forgiving of the professors.

Among the chaos of the escaped dragon, their preparations complete, the group of students slipped out unnoticed, heading east, determined to intercept the hunters before they could take Violet all the way to Salem.

_____________________________________________________________________

An Unexpected Encounter

The next morning, looking surprisingly alert for having spent the night sleeping in the great outdoors during a northern winter (very much due to the excellent packing of LavaDoll and Lucidream9339), the group swiftly flying towards Salem, maps and broom compasses giving them the straightest route. “At this speed, we should be able to intercept them about right here.” Shouted Bridie_Bird over the wind, trying to point at the map to Tmeadows. The map flapped about, nearly covering her face as she struggled to hold it straight.

“Perfect.” Tmeadows shouted back. “If I remember correctly, that’s in the middle of a forest. The likelihood that we’ll be seen by anyone else if we have to engage them is …LOOK OUT!!” The group scattered as a snallygaster flew up from the trees, screeching it’s horrific cry.

LavaDoll rolled on her broom in a move that would have made Professor Rbratt beam with pride, as the beast swooped at her, it’s metallic beak snapping inches away from her hair. The snallygaster cried out again, gaining altitude before tucking it’s scaly wings and diving back towards the students. “We’ve got to get away from this thing!” shrieked Ejwilliams. “It’s costing us time!”

Cpanus angled her broom towards the creature as it flew past, taking a swipe at it with her sword. The thing dodged at the last moment, banging into Bridie_Bird, who in turn, banged into a nearby tree. Her satchel quickly became entangled in the branches and with the snallygaster turning back to dive straight at her, she pulled out the blade she’d been given and sliced through the straps. Taking off like a shot, she looked behind her to see the foul creature attacking the satchel with a vengeance. Unnerved, but at least rid of their opponent, the group hurried forward.

Some time later...

Professor Dapperwulf and his selected group flew in a broad V pattern, spread out and eyes sharp looking for ‘that Bordel lizard’. Spying something swinging on a nearby tree top, Holladaytime broke formation to check it out. A leather satchel, the Ilvermorny crest stitched in Madame Van Moorten’s neat handiwork, swung in tatters from the limbs. “Professor!” she yelled, catching the group’s attention as she pulled out one of the shredded parchments.

Seeing what she was holding, the group swung back around and slowed down. “What in the name of…. Holladaytime!! Behind you!!” Angelious screamed, as the snallygaster, having seen the new intruders, relaunched its attack. Holladaytime cried out in pain as the sharp, razor-like claws dug into her shoulder.

“Confringo!” shouted the Professor, making a distant note to teach this spell as soon as possible in his next class. A huge firelike blast shot from the tip of his wand , making contact with one of the the creature’s massive wings. The explosion knocked the snallygaster away from its victim and sent it spiraling down into the black forest below.

Quickly, Angelious swooped to Holladaytime’s side, wrapping an arm around her to support her. “She’s wounded pretty badly, professor.” She murmured, checking out the wound. “Those claws went in deep.”

Dapperwulf frowned, glancing down into the forest where the beast had fallen and then back at the satchel. “You three,” he said quietly, motioning to Rosetigger, Dharmangel and RedDragon09. “Take her back to the castle as quickly as you can. The rest of you, split into two groups, one to meet Arielluma and the other to the Headmistress. Tell them Magellan didn’t come this way. Join their search parties.”

“But how do we know?” asked Rosetigger.

“No snallygaster would have stayed in the area with a dragon on the loose. Quickly now, go.” The professor waited until the students went their separate ways, before turning back to the limp and torn bag. Picking it up, he examined the contents. Maps…..with Salem and another intersection on the route circled in red ink. “By Salazar’s magic…..” Throwing the bag down, he whirled his broom around and took off as fast as he could.

_____________________________________________________________________

Bargains and Carrots

As Dapperwulf sped through the forest towards the point marked on the map, he cursed himself for not having stopped to explain to Ejwilliams that the staff was not going to let Violet be tried as a witch. If the professors had made sure to reassure her that - after careful planning - they would act, then he wouldn’t be chasing down his students, nervous as to how he would find them.

He’d stopped and apparated as far as he comfortably could, and honestly pushed himself more than he should have, trying to lessen the head start the “rescue party” would have had after he realized he hadn’t seen certain students at the hurried breakfast the school had had before setting out. But covering such large distances was incredibly draining. Finally, he admitted to himself that not only was he not familiar enough with the surrounding forest to continue safely, but it would do no one any good if he showed up to the possible confrontation too weak to hold up his wand.

He thought he was getting close to his destination when he spotted two figures up ahead on the ground. Oh gods, he thought. Those are Ilvermorny robes… He landed at a run, and approached the students. One was propped against a tree with another kneeling over her. Without the wind whipping past his ears, he could hear the sounds of shouting up ahead.

Lucidream9339, wand drawn, whipped around upon hearing the noise of Dapperwulf’s feet crunching the snowy ground as he raced towards them. She visibly relaxed, relief clearly etched in her features at seeing the professor. “Thank Merlin,” she cried, lowering her wand.

Dapperwulf saw Mspeck910, laying limp against the bark. He dropped to the ground and grabbed for her wrist to feel for her pulse.

“She’s just knocked out!” Lucidream9339 quickly reassured him, realizing how this must have looked. “We should never have brought those No-Maj weapons without knowing how to use them properly!” She said vehemently.

“Tell me what happened.” Dapperwulf said bluntly, not having time to waste.

Lucidream’s head hung as she began to explain. “We were over confident. We surprised them, and most of the witch hunters fled onward, but one stayed to fight, so we split up too. He was able to wrench the sword away from Mspeck and knocked her out using the pommel, then fled. I couldn’t just leave her to chase him!”

Dapper sighed. He didn’t have time to assist either, not if there was fighting ahead. With a quick wave of his wand, he cast warming charms on them both. It was all he could do in the limited amount of time. “This will keep you both warm for at least 24 hours, possibly longer. Hopefully we’ll be back before then. If not, do your best to get back to the castle.” He didn’t even wait for her to reply, uncoiling into action and taking off towards the conflict.

He didn’t have to fly much longer before he found them. Students on brooms were clashing with mounted witch hunters. Some of the horses, obviously not meant to be warhorses, were rearing in panic, their eyes rolling while the hunters tried to stay in control. Dapperwulf immediately joined in the commotion, petrifying a hunter who had just managed to knock Ejwilliams off her broom.

“STOP!” A man yelled. The professor, trained in the fighting arts, wasn’t about to stop in a situation like this, just because someone yelled it. He flung a curse at another nearby hunter, then heard Ejwilliams whimper as the voice yelled again, “STOP! Stop now, or she dies.”

Turning, Dapperwulf saw EJ with a dagger to her throat, Ivan being the wielder and threat maker. “You?!” Ivan said in surprised delight. “Boys,” he said over his shoulder. “This is a real treat. We have here one of the head warlocks himself.”

Dapperwulf sneered at the derogatory term, but didn’t bother correcting Ivan. “Ivan, I thought you were enjoying the king’s hospitality for your crimes against Williamstown.”

“Oh, I was. But it seems need has arisen for a man with my… skillset,” Ivan replied, smirking. “Dark times, eh?”

“Indeed” replied Dapperwulf, eyes scanning, taking in the surroundings. There were wizardfolk against the No-Maj hunters all over, but all had frozen uneasily to watch the scene before them, ready to resume at any moment.

Ivan addressed his hunters again, still holding EJ hostage. “Now the old woman, we’ll get a decent price for bringing her in. The child, eh, we’ll see. But this one,” he nodded towards the professor. “We’ll eat like kings for quite awhile after turning him in.”
Dapperwulf finished his assessment. The students could probably end up overpowering the hunters eventually, but not before suffering possible devastating damage. Like what EJ faced right now. And all because the staff had failed to explain to their charge that they would not leave Violet to rot in a Salem cell. The safety of these students was on his head. Decision made, he readied his Slytherin trained tongue.

“Ivan,” he said almost casually, bored. “I think we have a deal to be made.”

Ivan chuckled. “Aye, that we do. Like you and all your little demons surrender to us now.”

The professor looked at him and raised his eyebrow. “Oh? What, so you can sell us all to be tried? Collect your finder’s fee? You don’t have enough men to take all of us all the way to Salem.”

Ivan, tilted his head, an evil grin crossing his face. “Then we’ll just have to thin out the numbers, won’t we?” He pressed the dagger closer to EJ’s throat and she inhaled sharply.

Dapperwulf tensed, gritting his teeth. He lowered his head and glared at Ivan. His voice was low and edged with unquestionable steel when he replied, “Do that, and I promise you, I will return the favor, starting with you.”

The two men stared at each other, both waiting for the other to make a move. When Dapperwulf saw Ivan swallow, he knew he’d gotten to him. “There is another way out of this,” Dapper offered. “Free the woman and the girl. Carry on your merry way.”

“Hmm,” Ivan said, pretending to consider it. “But then we came all this way for nothing. A man’s got to eat. You understand, right?”

The professor hadn’t expected this vile man before him to have agreed to his suggestion. But he’d already prepared himself for that. While he was willing to go to extremes to make them pay if they harmed one of his students, he was willing to do something drastic to make sure that didn’t happen in the first place. Time to dangle the carrot. “Then I propose a trade. Them. For me.”

One of the students behind him gasped, and Ivan looked surprised by his words as well. He considered it, then his eyes narrowed. “So you can bewitch us after they’ve all gotten away? No, I think not. Not both.” He raised his chin smugly. “I’ll make you a deal, but there will be no counter unless you want to resume negotiating in blood. I’ll release the girl, and let her friends leave with her, in exchange for your most well-behaved company. But to make sure it stays that way, we’ll keep the old woman. You misbehave, she’ll suffer the consequences. What say you, warlock?”

Dapperwulf breathed deeply and stared at Ivan. “Agreed,” he said. Slowly, not wanting to startle anyone into misguided action, he bowed with a flourish leaving his eyes on Ivan the whole time, placing his wand on the ground. Unbuckling his belt and laying that on the ground next to it, he relinquished the rest of his weapons. He waited, bowed, while watching for Ivan to release EJ. If Ivan chose not to follow through with the deal, he’d be able to quickly reach his wand.

Ivan’s hand with the dagger slowly pulled away, and he held it up, palm out in a gesture of cooperation. “Go on, girl.” EJ slowly walked away, shaking slightly from the fright. She looked as if she was about to say something to the professor as she passed him, but he shook his head at her tightlipped. Better not to let the chance of any information the hunters could use be said.

Standing again, Dapperwulf clasped his hands behind his head. “Go home, children” he said simply. With that, the hunters began edging forward to take him prisoner.

_____________________________________________________________________

Saeraphine

CHAPTER 7

by Dapperwulf and Saeraphine

Ugh, Teens...

“Baaaaaaaah”

“Shush now, dearie. You’ll be disturbing Dante and I dare say, he’d have a far different idea of what to do with you than that young fop Magellan.” Hearing his name, and annoyed at being awoken so early in the morning, Dante lifted his head to blink bleary-eyed at the intruders. Grandpap was leading that infernal, oh-by-my-fire-so-tasty-looking sheep that lived with Magellan past his paddock and towards the empty field that housed the odd couple.

Dante snorted, small tendrils of flame curling around his nose. That young idiot had kept the whole school out for almost two days looking for him while he, in turn, looked for the fluffy bit of mutton. Shaking his head, he stood, and ignoring the shouts from Grandpap, opened his wings with a snap and leapt into the air.

“Easy now, Magellan…….come on sweetheart. That’s a good boy.” Rbratt and her crew eased their way closer to the distraught dragon, a large hunk of deer meat dangling like a carrot in the air in front of them. “Care for a bite, Gellan? Come on now…” Magellan morosely eyed the treat that hovered in front of him and with a sigh, turned away.

Kisame29 looked at the professor worriedly. “How are we going to get him back if he won’t eat the meat with the sedative in it?”

“I’m not sure, to be honest.” Rbratt shook her head, looking concerned. “But we…...is...is that….DANTE?”

Students and professor scattered as the huge dragon landed in the clearing, shaking the ground. With open mouths they watched as he stalked over to the smaller dragon with what could only be seen as a stern look and sat down in front of him. “Are you done sulking and acting like a little wyrm, yet?”

“You shut up...you! Sheep is missing and nobody seems to care! All they want to do is stop me from leaving!”

“Yes. Because you’re an immature, boorish idiot who gets into trouble when he’s left alone.”

“Am not!!” Magellan’s head whipped around and a burst of flame shot towards Dante, who sat calmly.

Quicker than a snake, the Wampus dragon’s front claw whipped out and ‘booped’ Magellan on the nose. The young dragon’s head jerked back in surprise, eyes going wide. “Your mutton is back in your paddock waiting on you. The elder spiny male had her, I’m not sure why….for that matter I’m not sure why anyone would do anything with a fluffy nibble like that except eat it, but who am I to judge?”

Magellan stared at Dante, not hearing the majority of the words being said. Sheep. Sheep was back at the paddock. His Sheep. She was safe. Leaving Dante still rambling, Magellan whirled around and took off, flying as fast as his wings could carry him back to Ilvermorny.

“What in Rowena’s name?!” Kisame29 exclaimed. “He’s getting away again!” Dante turned and considered the weezards. The young ones seemed upset, but the professor and a few older ones were looking at him curiously. Gently, he leaned his great head down and bumped Rbratt in the chest with the tip of his nose. The move almost bowled her over, Jm216 and Lemurcat12 catching her. The black dragon seemed to laugh almost, before looking in the direction of the school and then back at the group. The professor nodded thoughtfully and before long, the tired group was back in the air, following Dante towards home.

Several hours later, they landed in the field near the paddocks. The Headmistress’s group and Professor Arielluma’s crew were strengthening the wards around the paddocks so that no further mishaps would take place.

“What happened?” Rbratt asked, panting slightly from the swift flight. “We had found him, but then Dante showed up and it was the oddest thing, it almost appeared as though he told Magellan to go home!”

Saeraphine’s brow quirked in amusement. “So that’s where he went. Grandpap said he left when he was bringing Sheep back to her paddock after cutting that nasty burr from her wool.” She sighed, turning back to survey the completed wards. “Thankfully it all ended alright. Just a few sleepless nights on our part.” She paused. “You haven’t seen or heard any word from Dapperwulf, have you?”

Rbratt shook her head. “Not since we all split up. Why, hasn’t his group returned?”

Saeraphine nodded worriedly. “His group has. He hasn’t. They ran into a spot of trouble with a snallygaster and Holladaytime was wounded. She and two others came back here, but the rest of his crew came to either Arielluma or myself. There’s been no sign of him. “ She scanned the horizon and lowered her voice. “They said they found a satchel. From one of our students, hanging in a treetop.”

Rbratt frowned, confused. “But all of our students were with us…..” Her eyes grew huge. “Oh no…..you don’t think? They wouldn’t have gone after Violet by themselves would they?” The Headmistress gave no answer, but continued to watch the sky, fear etched across her face.

_____________________________________________________________________

Giving Up

Dapperwulf shuffled through the snow, tethered to the back of one of the hunter’s horses. It had been seven restless nights since his “capture”. He was cold, hungry, and had twisted his foot after getting it caught on a hidden tree root. The cold helped numb it, but he began to get concerned that maybe it was too numb. At least the hunters weren’t dragging him along; that was a merciful stroke of luck.

He’d seen Violet shortly after he’d surrendered. She was kept in the back of a wagon, bound. (No doubt the kindness of not forcing her to trudge through the snow only born from the hunters’ wish to hurry up and collect their finder’s fee.) Her hair was disheveled, and she looked pitiful, her bony frame seemingly more exaggerated after a couple nights spent in the extreme cold, not even allowed near the fires of the hunters. The only thing that had strength was the glare she gave them as they passed by.

The dagger-like glare gave way to surprise when her eyes had found the professor. Her jaw dropped, then quickly shut, and the mask of defiant hatred had been swept away by tearful relief. But then she’d seen the rusty irons clamped around his wrists, and Dapperwulf’s heart ached to see the look of despair that crossed her face.

Still, he’d gotten to speak with her briefly then, and did his best to give her hope. Her voice had been hoarse and had a slight tremble he hadn’t heard in it before. She was obviously suffering from dehydration, her eyes and cheeks having taken on a sunken look. She admitted to Dapper that they hadn’t let her drink from any of their waterskins, and she’d been eating the snow sparingly when the dryness of her mouth was unbearable, but the cold it caused inside her scared her more than the thirst.

He looked to her wagon now. The hunters fed them once a day, but it wasn’t anything of substance, especially not when battling the temperatures they were. She sat huddled, not even able to wrap her arms around herself against the chill with the rope tightly around her wrists. Her eyes were barely open, and Dapper worried what would happen if she fell asleep now. The wind had picked up something fierce, the branches of the barren trees creaking, threatening to drop on the hostile party below. It seemed to Dapperwulf that a storm was brewing, but when he tried to tell the man holding his tether this information, all he received in acknowledgement was a yank to the rope, forcing him to stumble and wince at the sudden pressure on his foot.

However, sure enough, not even an hour later, the party had to halt their progress as a strong winter storm obscured the path ahead. The hunters were scrambling to make camp while Dapperwulf and Violet were left to huddle together for warmth, Ivan wandering over to “guard” them, when really he was just leaving the work to the others. “I can’t take much more of this, Professor,” Violet said, teeth chattering. “I just can’t. I’m too old for this. I just want to rest.”

Dapperwulf spoke smoothly, like he was trying to console a forlorn child. “Come now, Violet. You mustn’t talk like that. That sounds like you’re giving up.”

She looked him square in the eye and replied, “Dapper, I already have. I can’t rot in a cell. I won’t let those be my final days.”

Dapperwulf looked at her, perplexed. Hesitantly, he asked, “What… what do you mean?” Something in her voice had scared him. He could see Ivan’s ear turn towards them, listening over the wind.

“I haven’t used the snow to drink for the past five days. And the food they’ve given me, I’ve thrown it aside when they weren’t looking. I’m sorry, I should have given it to you, but I was afraid you’d try to stop me.”

“Violet…” Dapperwulf hissed. “Please tell me you haven’t.” She looked at him, lips pursed together, silent. “Oh, Violet, you’re killing yourself. This isn’t the solution at all!”

Ivan interjected himself into the conversation now, disgusted. “Damn right, it isn’t! We don’t get paid if there’s no one to make it to trial!” He raised his hand as if to strike her, but Dapperwulf maneuvered in front, ready to take the blow, saying “Wait!”

Surprisingly, Ivan did. Maybe because he wanted to hear what the wizard had to say. Or maybe it was because, even disarmed and shackled, he still knew Dapperwulf could be a threat. “What, warlock?”

“Look at her. She’s was already frail when you took her. Now you’ve left her out to freeze, denied her water, and she’s taken it upon herself to help you hasten her death due to your mistreatment. You can hit her and curse her for ruining your payday. OR…” Dapper looked back at Violet and swallowed. So much hinged on him being able to convince Ivan to accept this next option. “Or you can let me use my wand - still bound!” he added before Ivan could interrupt. “And let me cast at least a warming charm on her. You can even hold a knife to her throat while I do it. I’ll cast them for your whole group, and her last. Just let me try to save her. Look at her, if she falls asleep now, she mightn’t wake, and then where has your investment gone?”

Ivan chewed at his cheek. Dapper could tell he didn’t like the idea of arming the wizard, but he also was greedy. Dapper hoped greed would win out over caution. It so often did with men of Ivan’s kind. Finally Ivan spoke. “If you try anything, I’ll slice her open, you understand? She’s about to die anyway, so don’t think I’d hesitate just to get the few pounds if she’s worthless now.”

Dapperwulf’s shoulders slumped in relief. “You have my word as a gentleman. Nothing more than warmth.”

Ivan spat in the snow. “You’re a demon, warlock. But I have my insurance, so we’ll see how good your word is.”

_____________________________________________________________________

No Tomorrow

Exhausted, the professor finished casting the warming charms on all of Ivan’s men, though it had taken no small amount of reassurances that the spell would do them no harm. In the end, it was the cold that convinced them to allow it. Finally, his dagger’s edge laid against Violet’s bared throat, Ivan nodded grimly that he could cast the charm on her as well. Dapperwulf could see her visibly relax a slight bit once it took effect.

Even in the shelter of the circle of trees the hunters had set up camp, the storm still raged and the charm gave only some measure of comfort. With a sad smile, the professor started to turn the wand on himself, before it was snatched away by one of Ivan’s men standing at his shoulder. The professor started to whirl about on the man on instinct, but Ivan’s cruel laugh brought him up short. “Wouldn’t do that if I were you, you white-haired devil.” The blade of the dagger pressed tighter against Violet’s throat, bringing a whimper from her lips.

Slowly, Dapperwulf straightened and looked back at the man cautiously. “I was only going to cast the charm on myself. That’s all.”

“Aw, now. I didn’t say anything about you getting to cast nothing on yourself. Here,” he all but threw the frail woman to the professor, who caught her as she fell, pulling her close. “You can keep her close tonight, mayhap she’ll keep you warm enough.” The men laughed and two of them muscled the professor forward as he hoisted Violet up, stumbling on his foot, and carried her to the tiny, lean-to tent that was to be their prison for the night.

Setting two unfortunate souls to guard them, Dapperwulf spread his cloak out as best he could, pulling Violet tight against him and wrapping it around the two of them. Leaning his back against the tree that supported the tent, he sighed and settled in for the long night.

“Dapper.” Violet’s whispered voice woke him. He blinked, forgetting for a moment where he was. “Are you awake?”

“Yes.” He answered her softly, seeing the men outside shift in their positions.

“I just wanted to thank you for the warming spell. You shouldn’t have wasted your magic though.”

“Nonsense. It’s keeping you warm. It’s no waste…” he argued.

“No, son. Warming charm or not, I can feel the cold seeping into my bones. There’s no charm against death, my friend. Even an old Squib like me knows that much.” She stroked the ragged threads on his doublet. “This old body has been hurt too badly this week past. I’m not going to last the night.”

“Violet! Hush, don’t say such things! You’re going to be fine...I…” He pulled her tighter against him, tears starting to well up.

“No, no, I’m not, I’m afraid. Tell the others how sorry I am that I didn’t get to say good-bye, will you? And how much I loved them. Especially William. Tell him I’ll be with Stella.” She shifted uncomfortably. “I just wish it didn’t hurt so badly….but they’ve not been exactly gentle.”

Dapperwulf bowed his head, lips pressed together tightly. Swallowing, he barely whispered. “If you are in pain….and you’re sure…..I can …….help. Make it so you simply sleep.”

She smiled up at him weakly, raising her hand to pat his cheek and nodded. “If you would be so kind, luv.”

Reaching into his doublet, he pulled out a small vial filled with a silver liquid that glimmered softly in the darkness. Violet’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of it. She gave a small chuckle. “Who knew it would come in such a beautiful form?” Dapperwulf smiled weakly and broke the seal on the vial, helping Violet to press it against her lips and drink a small sip of the contents down. She sighed lightly and leaned her head back against his chest. “Good night, darling.”

Later, hearing the sound of the professor quietly weeping, one of the guards stuck his head in and cursed. “Well, there went part of our pay. Blasted old bat’s dead.” He eyed his companion. “Guess we better be telling Ivan.”

The other looked at him angrily, before staring back at the tent flap. “Might we should bring the warlock to him for questioning, too. Seems to me like he should have done a better job keeping our investment alive.” The pair grinned toothily at one another before entering the tent together.

_____________________________________________________________________

Stained Snow

One of the guards gripped the shoulder of Dapperwulf’s doublet as he pulled him towards Ivan’s tent, the other guard carried Violet’s limp body. Ivan, hearing the commotion as the other hunters began to jeer opened the flap and stuck his head out, wondering at the commotion. He took one look at the party travelling towards him, and his face contorted into a snarl. “What has happened? Tell me the old woman hasn’t croaked.”

The guard carrying her lifted her head up for Ivan to see her slack jaw. Reaching out his hand to her neck, he felt for a pulse, but got nothing. “She’s still warm though.”

Dapperwulf, his voice broken, supplied. “And she will be for some time. The warming charm, remember?”

Ivan moved towards Dapperwulf in a flash and backhanded his face. Gripped his clothing, Ivan pulled him up to mere inches from his face, gritting his teeth as he spoke. “Aye, I remember, demon. It was supposed to keep her alive.” Ivan shook the professor, pointing at Violet and shouting, “Does she look alive to you?!”

“No,” Dapperwulf whispered, glaring now at the scum before him. “But she would have been, had you let her be in WIlliamstown. Her death is on you, not me. But that never mattered to you anyway. I’m glad you won’t get the pay for her. She was worth so much more than what you would sell her life for.” Ivan’s eyes grew wide with rage seconds before the professor’s head snapped forward, slamming into the hunter’s nose. Blood sprayed across them both as Ivan stumbled back a step, leaving his legs spread just enough for a well-placed kick to take out the side of his knee with a loud crack.

Ivan howled, as his men leapt forward, yanking him out of Dapperwulf’s reach. The professor went down beneath them, still swinging as the group rained blows and kicks on him. With a growl, Ivan pushed the man off of him to limp forward and yank two more off of the professor, only to aim a kick of his own to the side of Dapperwulf’s head, stumbling a bit on his injured leg.

The professor’s eyes fluttered as he tried to focus on the ground beneath him, pushing himself up, but his arms gave out as his head began to swim. There was a rushing sound in his ears, and he vaguely registered the snow underneath his cheek as he lay there, the parts of his body that had been beaten on fire with pain. “What are we going to do with the woman?” he heard one voice ask. “Should we throw her in the wagon?”

“And waste the horse on hauling extra dead weight? Hell no. Leave her there. She’s of no use to us now…. No, you idiot, don’t waste time burying her, the ground is frozen solid anyway. Let’s just get moving. Grab the demon, throw him in the wagon.”

Dapperwulf recognized Ivan’s voice as the ground began spinning underneath him. Rolling onto his back, the air coming out in steaming bursts, Dapper smirked at the morning sky above before it faded to darkness.

_____________________________________________________________________

Saeraphine

CHAPTER 8

by Dapperwulf and Saeraphine

Discoveries and Paths

Previously, back at the castle…

As the other students made their way quietly into the Great Hall for luncheon, the pukwudgie elders stood in conference with the Headmistress and her staff. “Aye Ma’am,” Grandpap nodded to Saeraphine. “We’ve confirmed the missing students and the good professor hasn’t returned either.”

The Headmistress nodded and motioned for them to oversee the others in the hall, turning to stride purposefully to her office, Rbratt and Arielluma at her side. “We have to find them. There’s no telling the amount of trouble they could have gotten into confronting witch hunters.”

Rbratt stopped suddenly. “The brooms.” The other two looked at her questioningly. “The brooms,” she continued. “I put a tracking spell on all the brooms. Dapper had helped me design it. Just in case a player got blown off the field during Quidditch during a storm or something, so we could find them easily.” She motioned excitedly. “It’s tied to a map I have in my office! We can track their brooms and find out where they are!”

Filled with renewed hope, they raced to the professor’s chambers. Once there, she only needed a moment to select the correct scroll from her shelves, rolling it out flat on her desk. A flick of her wand later and the map sprang to life, showing a detailed rendering of the countryside..and ten brooms speeding into the clearing on the school grounds.

Not soon enough, after a grueling day and night, the faculty, together with a phalanx of the older students, tore through the darkening sky towards the spot where the students had last left Professor Dapperwulf and Violet. The Headmistress had been forced to threaten most of Wampus House not to follow, promising expulsion to those that didn’t obey as they argued fiercely their right to mount a rescue for the pair. The students finally, and sullenly, obeyed, retreating to their common room with the pukwudgies promising to maintain guard.

The party slowed as they reached the location of the fight, staying mounted on their brooms, wands lit as they spread out to fan the area. “That storm that came through didn’t help matters,” Arielluma mused. “But I think I can make out wagon tracks leading down the main road.”

Moving at a steady but slower pace than before, they followed the road before being forced to make camp. Over the course of the next couple of days, they found evidence of the hunters and their captives; small bits of evidence left from a campsite, a thrown horseshoe, a doused campfire and the like left near the roadside. Finally, on the third day, a cry went up and NInthnarnian shot forward, leaping off her broom before it had even come to a stop to rush forward and dive towards a pile of snow. The others hurried towards her as she knelt, sobbing, a tattered figure held gently in her arms. Softly, Rbratt pulled her away so that the other teachers could take the limp form of Violet up.

Saeraphine waved her wand over Violet’s figure, murmuring a spell. Perplexed, she frowned and ran the spell again. “Professor?” She glanced up at Rbratt who left the students to comfort one another to come to her side. “See what you make of this, if you please?”

The potions professor looked closer and smiled softly. “Dapperwulf, you Slytherin *kitten*, you.” She said softly. “Right. You three, Trkyvic0327, Supercatie80, and MaralynManson. Come with me and Arielluma. We’ll take Violet back to Ilvermorny with us, Headmistress.” With a nod, they mounted up, readying to assist.

“Um, Headmistress?” Saeraphine turned to see Zumbaforever holding the broken remnants of Dapperwulf’s wand in her hands.

Saeraphine’s eyes grew dark. “Where did you find that?” She asked tightly. The young Wampus pointed to an area just beyond the trees, where a knot of students gathered looking at the ground. They stood and backed off as she came up. Blood, frozen bright red still, was splattered across the ground. Slowly, the Headmistress stooped and picked up a handful of the red snow. “A lesson children, that our dear Wand Maester taught me one day while I had tea in his study as he was working. Chestnut wands are attuned to family lines. To the blood of their owners.” Taking the broken wand from Zumba, she laid it on top of the snow in her hand, and cast a complex incantation. The group backed up a step as the wand rose up, glowing with a dark reddish hue. “Lead us.” Saeraphine murmured, and the wand took off, following the main road. “Mount up!” she growled, wiping her hand on her cloak and unknowingly staining it. “Now we hunt the hunters.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Blackness

The jolting of the wagon over a rock woke Dapperwulf. Stifling a moan, he opened his eyes a sliver. His head felt as though all four dragons were doing a dance inside his cranium and the bright winter sun did little to relieve the pain. Rolling onto his back, he winced. Broken rib there, he thought as he forced his eyes open to take in his surroundings.

The upper stories and rooftops of several buildings could be seen, a few made of brick or stone. His view was suddenly blocked as Ivan rode alongside the wagon, leaning over his saddle to sneer at the professor. “Awake now are you, demon? Did you have a nice nap?” Dapperwulf kept silent, simply staring back at the man, staring at his newly bruised and misshapen nose with a small degree of satisfaction. Ivan chuckled. “Oh you can act all high and mighty for now. Don’t matter to me none. We’ll be turning you over to the Magistrates in just a bit. They’ll make you sing all about that bloody school of yours. Tell us where to find all the other little demons.” With a harsh bark of laughter, he spurred his horse forward, leaving the professor alone with his thoughts and a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach.

A very few minutes later, the wagon halted. New voices became audible, rising and falling, mixed with Ivan’s as they drew nearer to where he lay. “My men can all vouch for it, sir. He’s one of the leaders of them what’s been casting the spells that have plagued the good people of Deerfield.”

A sterner voice answered. “We shall be the judge of that.” There was a pause. “It would appear that he has met with violence on the road.”

Ivan’s voice gave another chuckle. “Aye, well, seems he didn’t want to come peacefully to answer the charges brought against him, now did he? He injured several of my men, myself as well as you can see.”

“Bring him inside. I’m afraid I cannot simply take your word for it you understand. He must be examined first.” Ivan grumbled something about money well-earned, but kept it quiet enough that the other man didn’t hear.

Dapperwulf felt someone grab his legs and yank him towards the rear of the wagon roughly. A set of callused hands grabbed either arm and he was half-carried, half-dragged into a small stone building set against a much larger structure. The inside was warmer and dimmer, both things a blessing in the professor’s mind. A hand, less rough this time cupped his chin, raising it. “Sir, do you understand the charges brought against you? They are serious crimes indeed.”

His voice rough, he whispered back. “The only crime I’m aware of is the murder of a gentle woman from our town, and that guilt lies with the men who brought me here. I have done nothing save try to protect others from ruffians and thugs who would intimidate and threaten old women and children.”

The man’s voice was gentle and polite. “I understand. Still, you do stand accused. You understand we must still examine you for the signs of evil-doing, yes? Can you open your eyes for me please?”

Dapperwulf did and the man holding his chin gasped, stepping away from him. “Eyes as black as the pits of Hades itself…” Confused, the professor glanced at a nearby mirror on the wall. His eyes were blue, not...black. Almost completely black. The pupils were so dilated that no trace of blue could be seen.

“Wait..” he started.

“Throw him in a cell. We need no further proof.” The tall man turned his back, deaf to the wizard’s arguments. In the opposite corner, Ivan grinned broadly.

_____________________________________________________________________

Hope

Rbratt and Arielluma instructed the students that had accompanied them to stand back as they used levicorpus to float in Violet’s body into the infirmary. The students didn’t know why they weren’t returning her directly to William, her next of kin, but suspected it had something to do possibly with the warming spell that was still placed upon her. If they returned her in a state like that, well, witchcraft had already caused enough problems for Williamstown.

The professors laid her form gently into the bed and Rbratt whispered to Maralyn, “Fetch me the blue vial on the second shelf to the right as soon as you enter the supply cabinet.”

Maralyn ran with haste to get what she asked. Picking it up, he saw a large open dragon’s eye drawn on the label. Curious, he headed back to the others. “Professor, isn’t this--”

“It is.” Rbratt said simply, taking it from his hands. As Arielluma held up Violet’s head, Rbratt removed the dropped and let one single drop fall into Violet’s slack mouth. Odd that she hadn’t gone rigid as corpses usually do by now…

The professors watched Violet intently, seeming to be waiting for some sort of reaction. Getting antsy, Supercatie80 asked hushedly, “What are you looking for?”

“We thought… maybe…” Arielluma sighed, sharing a look with Rbratt. She gently laid Violet down onto the pillow. Her voice straining with witheld emotion, she instructed the students, “We’re all rather tired and have had quite a week. We’ll return Violet to Williamstown in the morning. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind spending one night at Ilvermorny before...” but Arielluma’s voice failed her and she couldn’t finish the sentence.

A weak voice chimed in, “Well, as long as I get an extra blanket, and possibly a fluff for my pillow, I don’t see the harm in it. And I do hope we’ll set out after breakfast. I’m positively starving.”

With gasps, everyone had turned to the bed. Violet gave a very weak smile, looking back at them. In a flurry of activity, Violet was fetched extra blankets, tucked in tight, had her pillow fluffed, and had a hot broth brought posthaste. Although the hour was indeed late, and it had been a long day, those that had escorted Violet back to the castle gathered around with renewed energy and joyful tears. “But… but how?!” Trkyvic0327 asked incredulously.

Weak as she was, after taking many breaks to eat and drink and rest her voice, Violet had laid out the entire tale for them. How Dapperwulf had been taken prisoner, how he had talked to her subsequent nights, attempting to devise a plan for escape. And when the blizzard hit, he seized his chance, putting his best bet into motion.

The hunters had searched him for weapons, but they were No-Maj. They didn’t think to check for hidden pockets that might have a small secured vial contained in it. No they, had just felt for knives and such. They weren’t looking for the small amount of dragon sedative all the professors had left with on their quest to return Magellan to the castle. Dapperwulf had hoped to slip it into the hunter’s food, but as they neared Salem, that became less and less of a possibility.

And so, Dapperwulf had whispered urgently his plan to Violet as the foul weather eclipsed their party. Dapper would give Violet the sedative. It was meant to incapacitate a dragon. If he got the amount just right, a drop or two should slow Violet’s body down to where a quick examination would fool the unwise. This, Dapperwulf explained, was why he couldn’t try the trick for both of them. He would do his best to distract the hunters and keep their attention focused on their more valuable prisoner.

Within Ivan’s hearing, Violet was to lay the foundation for her “demise”, in an attempt to help make her passing go mostly unquestioned. She’d not been starving herself, but the hunters wouldn’t have cared to pay attention to the old lady they were figuratively marching to her death. She would moan and groan and act the part.

The whole plan though would have been for naught if they discarded Violet to freeze to death in her deep slumber. Which was why the warming spell was crucial. Dapperwulf didn’t even suggest this plan until he had the excuse of the weather to attempt to get his wand.

The only part left to chance was whether she would be found before the warming spell wore off. It was a calculated risk, but Dapperwulf posited, knowing the Headmistress’ almost sure flare of temper due to her protective nature regarding those of the school (she was originally Slytherin, after all, and Slytherin protect their own fiercely), that at least someone would be sent to investigate after the failed student rescuers returned with their news of his surrender. He reiterated to Violet that this was a plan that, if it went wrong, would go very wrong.

“But I told him, either way, that plan was hope. If it failed, I would have been none the wiser, after all. But if it succeeded, well… look what hope has wrought.” She finished, her shoulders relaxing as she finally finished the story. Then her relaxed look faded. “But poor Dapper…”

“We’ll get him back, don’t you worry about that,” Rbratt said fervently. “The Headmistress was already tracking him when we parted ways. She’ll send a student back when there’s anything to report. You just focus on healing up. You may be alive, but you are certainly not well. Rest now. For all of us.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Epilogue

The cloaked figure sidled out of the entrance of the stone building once the newest inmate was locked up. No one remarked on his presence or his silent exit, knowing who he worked for - the most zealous anti-witchcraft official in all of Salem. Setting off down the the cobblestone road, narrowly avoiding a bustling delivery boy who had his head down bearing a heavily laden sack against his shoulder, the cloaked man turned the corner and knocked on the first plain green door on the right.

A tidy manservant opened the door just wide enough to survey the stoop beyond with a suspicious eye. The cloaked man dropped his hood, and recognizing him immediately, the manservant allowed him entry into the home, with an “Ah, Henry.”

Shrugging off his cloak and handing it to the man, Henry straightened his waistcoat, asking, “The Master?”

“In the study,” the man replied, hanging the cloak. Henry proceeded down the bare hallway, obviously knowing his way around the home. Raising his hand to knock on the oak door, he waited patiently as the occupant inside called out “Wait” and then a few moments later “You may enter.”

Henry opened the door to reveal a room of curiosities. Vials of ingredients he’d never heard of before, books in languages he’d never seen, devices that seemed to be wonders of their modern age - meaning he had no idea how they functioned, but the Master, someone with a vast scientific knowledge, seemed to. Putting away a bottle filled with a silvery, highly viscous liquid, like that of blood, the Master spoke without looking at Henry, licking a drop of the liquid away with a tongue flick to the side. “You have something to report.” It wasn’t a question, knowing Henry wouldn’t have interrupted for another reason.

“Yes, Master. You had described one of the people you had been on the lookout for? A man with pale hair, pale skin, French? Well, Ivan just brought in a man matching that description for trial on charges of witchcraft. He was insisting he has blue eyes like what you mentioned, though all we saw was blackness, but he came from around Deerfield.”

The Master looked up sharply at this news, and asked insistently, “A name, man, did you get a name?!”

Henry swallowed, noting the manic look in the Master’s eyes. “Yes, when Ivan collected his fee, he named him as ‘Dapperwulf’.”

The Master stood up, a considerable effort considering the large amount of girth that required moving. Henry saw the Master wince, and knew the chest wound still hadn’t healed. “It’s him. It’s one of those damned wizards, finally captured outside of that castle.”

Henry inclined his head, seeking instruction. “What would you like us to do, Master Gaunt?”

Gaunt surveyed him with a greedy gaze, and rolled her shoulders. They still got stiff, even though the scars from the dragon’s claws had healed over. The poison from the pukwudgie arrow she took to her chest however, that was proving trickier to counteract, and only her daily dose of unicorn blood seemed to weaken its hold on her mortality. She smiled darkly, her thin lips revealing a multitude of teeth, as if she was about to bite. “Why, find him guilty, of course. Justice must prevail.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Saeraphine

On to Term 3!