The Witch Queen of Avalon
A Harry Potter UNIVERSE/ Sasporilla Bucket Fan Fiction
by Darren Kelly
Chapter 18
"Sasporilla Bucket!" Professor Splatterpalette called out from inside the arts and design room.
Sassy came in carrying a long box wrapped in a cloth. Angelo Lazarus, pushing a cart with a custom Abbicum he designed himself to needs, Sasporilla’s and Rubeus Hagrid carrying a large wooden crate quickly followed her up. The giant of a man ducked as a stepped through the art and design room door. He walked over to the side of Angelo's cart and set the cart down gently.
"Why Rubeus Hagrid!" Professor Splatterpalette grinned from ear to ear with utter glee jumping from her chair. "As I live and breathe it seems like a life time since I've felt one of your hugs!"
The arts and deign professor ran to the giant hairy man and hugged him with all of her wonderful heart.
"Ello Perfesser Spla'erpal'e i's niwce ta see ya too!" Hagrid giggled hugged his friend back.
"To what do I owe this great unexpected visit?" Professor Splatterpalette asked.
"Well I was invi'ed, was'n I?" Hagrid smiled nodding at Sassy. "Sasporilla's asked me along fer help in her presentation t'day. Though I'm no' sure wha' much good I'll be fer anythin' more'n lift'n anythin' heavy? 'R gettin' anythin' down from th' top shelf ay? Ay?"
"Ah!" Professor Splatterpalette said wiping the smile from her face, becoming serious clearing her throat, and straightening herself. "Then I guess we'd best get started. Ms.Bucket if you would?"
"Thank you Professor." I will ask my assistants to kindly continue setting up my equipment for my second presentation."
"Yes of course." Professor Splatterpalette nodded.
"As you know Professor Splatterpalette I have had an issue with both study and build time this year." Sasporilla said.
"Ms.Bucket, I don't wont except any excuses from any students!" Professor Splatterpalette slammed her hand down on the table.
"Wha'?" Hagrid began amazed. "Now see here Dina tha'..."
But a single raised finger, Professor Splatterpalette called for the giants polite silence.
"I don't accept boy issues, girl issues, home sickness, partying to much, or fighting for your life against an evil gauntlet of magi for months!" The Arts Professor smiled. "So show me what you got kid! Dazzle me!!!!"
"I am prepared to do just that Professor!" Sasporilla smiled walking forward putting the box covered by cloth down on the table. Sasporilla unwrapped the cloth to reveal a rather plain Maple box with a brass plate engraved with a wand makers mark. BUCKET WANDS 001.
"Excuse me Rubeus?" Professor Splatterpalette called.
"Yes Perfesser?" Hagrid asked still a bit miffed with her snappy tone towards Sassy.
"Would you mind opening this heavy box for me?"
"No problem!" Hagrid said but mumbled under his breath the whole way over. "Talkin' tha' way too 'er af'er she wen' through all tha'? I means really? Have a heart!"
Hagrid easily flipped the boxes lid open to reveal a new pink umbrella! It was pinker than his original and its handle was curved and carved to resemble the head of a Flamingo. Its point was the same colour as the head but seemed to be notched in a pattern of three.
"It's magnificent Sasporilla!" Professor Splatterpalette smiled and clapped excitedly.
"Based on my original design it was easy enough to create once we got the wand creation device built." Sasporilla smiled. "I had quite the break through on its design in the lost city and past the information to my design team."
"That would be me." Angelo smiled and waved as he worked to connect the three modules together.
"Ok, let's see it in action then." Professor Splatterpalette said. "For a passing grade it must be functional."
"Well you see that's where I have a problem." Sasporilla said with a rye side smile. "You see I made this as a gift for one single person. It can only be picked up and used by them and it must first imprint on them. Like a Triumphant Broom seat."
"Well then you best gift it to that person then hadn't you?" Professor Splatterpalette smiled.
Hagrid stood oblivious to the implication until Sasporilla picked up the box and handed it to him!
"Fer me?" Hagrid's eyes widened. "Bu' i's no' Chris'mas. No' my Birthday. Why fer me?"
"Just because I wanted to make you a gift Hagrid." Sasporilla said. "Something to show you that I appreciate everything you ever did for me when I was at Hogwarts."
"This is th' mos' beau'iful gif' anyone’s ever given me." Hagrid wiped a big tear away from his eye. "I don'... I don' know wha' ta say. I loves i'!!!!"
"Well," Sasporilla smiled very giddy, "Give it a wave. Remember, when you first grip the handle, hold it firm for a second to allow the imprinting to take."
Hagrid reached into the box and grabbed the handle. There was a tickle, a tingle then a quick pinch.
"Ere now!" Hagrid said pulling his hand away. "That's a bit liwke a lil bug bi' i'n i'?"
"Unfortunately yes." Sasporilla pouted. "However it draws no blood. You’re not actually bitten. The spell just makes the wand truly yours. Only you can use it. If anyone else tries to take it or use it... well they'll regret the harmonic feedback."
"Tha's brillian'!" Hagrid said picking up the new pink flamingo umbrella wand and testing its balance, almost like a sword. He could feel it was in balance with him on all levels of his being.
"It is brilliant indeed." Angelo Lazarus said as he started hooking in the Abbicum.
"Mr.Lazarus!" Professor Splatterpalette smiled. "No opinions from the peanut gallery!"
"Sorry Professor." Angelo smiled.
"However I must agree." Professor Splatterpalette said "The addition of this feature to a wand could be a great selling point for a wand makers brand."
"Thank you Professor." Sasporilla bowed her head.
Rubeus Hagrid, since cleared of all charges in the great 'misunderstanding', as the Ministry of Magic had called the Chamber of Secrets incident, he had been able to study and practice magic. He'd gotten quite good at some spells and there was one he was just itching to show off.
Hagrid raised his pink flamingo umbrella wand out in front of him and began.
"EXPECTA..." Hagrid started. "Nope tha's no' i'. EXPECTO PAXO.... NOPE! NOPE... sorry. Jus' a sec.
Hagrid reached into his pocket and pocket and pulled out a handful of small bits of paper. He looked through them dropping a few on the floor until he found the one he wanted.
"O' course!" Hagrid chuckled holding the wand out straight clearing his throat spinning his wrist ever so slightly and saying so powerfully "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
The best that could ever be expected from the simple grounds keeper of Hogwarts is the results of a novice. The simple blue pulse at a wands tip. Instead a great ghostly blue snowy owl flew forth and flew around the room! It looped and soared until it returned to Hagrid, landed on the wand and dispersed.
Professor Splatterpalette walked over and snatched the wand from Hagrid.
"WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!" The Professor cast.
The harmonic feed back lifted the arts and design professor into the air to the top of the room then dropped her. Hagrid broke her fall in his big safe arms. Professor Splatterpalette was giggling like a schoolgirl.
"Perfessor!" Hagrid said taking back his pink flamingo umbrella wand. "Wha' were you thinkin'?"
"I was thinking some one had to test the anti-theft feature," Professor Splatterpalette laughed. "and I knew Sasporilla would never design anything deadly. I also knew with you around Rubeus I was never in any real danger. Put me down big fella!"
"Oh!" Hagrid smiled a bit embarrassed. "Sorry 'bou' tha'."
Professor Splatterpalette straightened her robes as she walked over to Sassy.
"Well well well Ms.Bucket." Professor Splatterpalette smiled. "I ask only one more test for your design.
"Oh?" Sasporilla said surprised.
"Does the umbrella work?" Professor Splatterpalette asked.
"Well." Sassy said. "Hagrid if you hold out the wand and check for a simple button? "
"WAIT!!!" Professor Splatterpalette screamed grabbing her heart.
"Wha's wrong Dina?" Hagrid asked.
"It's bad luck to open an umbrella indoors." The head of the arts and design department swooned dramatically. "We must take it outside to private terrace! REVELIO!"
Professor Splatterpalette waved her wand dramatically but nothing magically appeared, instead she walked over to a draw chord and pulled open some very colourful drapes revealing doors to her outer terrace.
"What?" Professor Splatterpalette asked. "Not everything is magical... sheeesh!"
Chuckling at her teacher’s bizarre sense of twisted humour, Sasporilla lead the way outside onto the large terrace.
Hagrid ducked as he walked through the terrace doors and joined them outside.
"Ok big guy." Professor Splatterpalette smiled. "Push that button."
Hagrid checked the handle for the button. It was deceptively simple and disguised. A small pink button in the pink wooden handle just slightly raised.
"Ah!" Hagrid smiled. "There we go!"
Hagrid held the umbrella wand up and pressed the button. The umbrella opened wide. Twice as wide as it looked as if it was designed to!
"As you can see the wand is also a fully functional umbrella designed for the wizards exact size." Sasporilla said.
"This'll keep th' rain off a migh' be'r than th' old one!"
"MODICUM TEMPESTAS!" Professor Splatterpalette cast a small personal storm cloud just over Hagrid.
The mini hurricane blew strong winds and struck with heavy rains. Though the terrace around Hagrid was getting soaked, under the umbrella was bone dry. The winds didn't even blow a hair on his beard out of place.
"As you can also see," Sasporilla sighed proudly, "when the umbrella is deployed a bubble of protection is deployed against inclement weather. As an added feature."
"A++++ Sasporilla." Professor Splatterpalette said hugging her student proudly.
"Ummm... Perfesser?" Hagrid asked looking up at the storm.
"Oh." The arts teacher cringed. "Sorry."
With a wave of her wand she dismissed the small storm. Hagrid pushed the button and retracted the umbrella.
"Hagrid?" Sasporilla asked, "When you bring an umbrella in from the rain, where does it go?"
"Usually in th' brolly stand by the door. Why?" Hagrid asked.
"Just give your wand slash umbrella a flip." Sassy smiled.
"An' catch i'?" Hagrid asked.
"Oh no no," Sasporilla insisted, "just let it fall. It will be fine. Trust me."
Hagrid flipped the wand. As it approached the floor the wand tip pointed down, the handle up. The wands triple split tip opened up and revealed three pink flamingo feet which the wand landed on firmly! The flamingo's head on the handle looked around finding the closest doorway and all three feet skittered the wand over to stand by the side of the door where it would stand on it's on own.
"Another feature of your new pink flamingo umbrella wand is that it is self standing." Sasporilla smiled. "It is enchanted to find the closest door in any place you go to set it down and stand beside it."
"Another three pluses Ms.Bucket." professor Splatterpalette said. "I can see the basic course was far to easy for you. We will have to put you in the advance classes next year and I'll have to go tough on you."
Everyone broke out laughing. Oh that crazy Dina and her whack-a-doodle sense of humour. However the Professor was only politely smiling.
"What's funny?" Professor Splatterpalette asked.
"You weren't kidding?" Sassy asked.
"Not at all." The professor smiled. "I think you could be the greatest wand maker anyone’s ever seen. The only way to make that happen is to push you the hardest I know how. So let's get ready for your next exam shall we?"
"No break." Sassy gulped.
"No rest for the best." The professor chuckled. "Should have brought cake!"
***********************************
There was about a twenty minute respite as they waited for Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle, from the maths and engineering side of her arts and design program, to join them in the arts and design exam room.
Professor Splatterpalette tapped her foot and her wand to a tune playing on a phonographicicon off to the side. It was her first, and though her family thought it junk, she had just refused to be rid of it. Instead she brought it to her office slash studio, where she could enjoy the beautiful sounds of the music she loved, while at the same time perhaps getting under the skin of some of those students who didn't know what real music was.
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle walked through the door hurriedly, looking disheveled and dripping with sweat.
"Sorry I'm late!" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle apologized. "Crazy day! You wouldn't believe it if I told you!"
"Your bacon butty exploded?" Professor Splatterpalette asked excitedly casting a deerstalker cap atop her head.
"What?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked confused. "No. I,"
"No no no," The arts professor said turning her wand into a pipe, placing it thoughtfully between her lips with a sluthefull squint in her eyes, "I love to solve a good mystery! By the state of your blazer, and the bags under I'd say you were up all night. Worried about someone, or something? You were worried about a...."
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle looked genuinely concerned about where Professor Splatterpalette’s line of deductions were going.
"...A CAT!" Professor Splatterpalette announced grabbing the math’s and engineering professors sleeve. "By the hairs on your sleeve I see it was a cursed cat which you thought merely sick but NO! IT EXPLODED! Not your bacon sandwich, that would have been silly, no that's why you gathered up all your papers in a hurry, stuffed them into the case and got out before you got governed in any more cursed cat drippings."
Professor Splatterpalette took a bow knowing she had figured out the 'case of the cursed cat.'
"No you absolute whack-a-doodle!" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle snapped. "Traffic is horrid and I had to run here. Thirty three blocks!"
"Well." Professor Splatterpalette said taking offence. "That doesn't explain the cat hair."
"Please don't." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked holding up his hand thumping his brief case down on the table. "Just don't"
"Fine." Professor Splatterpalette smiled Slipping a small bottle into her robes. "Sasporilla as you know this is the Engineering and design part of your course exam. As Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle used up most of your time making us wait you have three minutes left to make your presentation. GO!"
Sasporilla stood there dumbfounded. Three minutes? Was she kidding?
"Tick-tick, tick-tock." The Head of the Arts department tapped her wand on the table.
"Sassy!" Angelo whispered. "Shake a leg babe! You can do it!"
Sasporilla took a deep breath smiled and said. "Welcome to the future of wand making. No more will wands need to be pre-made and hours spent going through many models finding the best fit for the witch or wizard. Now all it takes is coming in to my machine, clutching this handle grip,"
Sasporilla walked to a handle sticking up from the first box on the floor. There was a slight glow. "The handle reads the bodies biorhythm and matches it to the magical rhythm of the witch or wizard and The machine matches the type of material for the wand which as we all know, creates the important harmonic needed for the core. However, unlike other wands my wands do not use parts of magical creature bought from questionable people to use as cores. Bucket wands use cylinder cores woven by elven weavers, employed and paid by me."
Sasporilla walked over to the second box. A cabinet folded up from it.
"From here you may choose your wand shape based on availability in your material. Woods, metals, crystals, stones etc. Prices vary based on extravagance and additional accoutrements. If you want inlays that may be available then it will cost extra."
Sasporilla swiped through a rolling stock tray of wands making several choices on her wand. Sasporilla no longer needed the wand she had been given. She missed her dear HOBBKNOB The conflicator. However this was about new designs and what she could deliver. It was time Sasporilla Bucket, of Bucket wands, had a new wand. 11 3/4 Ash and butterfly wood intertwined with an ornate brass handle with a pink jewel in the inlay.
As Sassy walked over to the third box she heard her professors arguing.
"This is a ridiculous show." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle snorted. "Cores woven by elves! Probably a house elf in the boxes just carrying the wand she designed."
"Shut up and watch Pennywhistle!" Professor Splatterpalette hissed.
The wand came up through a slot on an ornate wand stand.
"Now," Sasporilla said, "When I grasp my new wand it will bond itself to me. Unlike other wand makers wands, this wand will never be able to be taken from me, not even if I lose a duel."
Sasporilla grasped the wand until she felt the pinch and smiled. She picked up the wand.
"My new wand, HARMONY, is ready for your perusal and approval." Sassy said placing it on a flat presentation pillow and carrying it over to place before her professors. "As I said it is bonded to me so I ask you be very careful and do not recommend handling it. I recommend using a spell to levitate it to inspect it."
Sasporilla smiled and stepped back from the table.
"I think the process is streamlined and intrinsically mechanical. Lacking in the personal service of a traditional wand shop." Professor Splatterpalette said.
"If you believe that having no say in how your wand will look or feel in your hand before you buy it, knowing it will work and having an attendant there to walk you through the process help you along as you go. Which I could have explained had I more time!" Sassy snapped.
"No need to be rude." Professor Splatterpalette said. "I'm merely pointing out my point of view that an old style shop with a one of a kind wand designer will never go out of style."
"Well yes Professor there we agree." Sassy smiled. "I will also offer that service in my own shop when I open it in a few years. Custom wands, BUT with Bucket cores."
"Why Bucket cores?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked, "I know you are very 'SAVE THE MAGICAL CREATURES' and all that..."
" 'Ere 'ere!" Rubeus Hagrid cheered and applauded. Everyone looked over at him until he slowed his applause. "Sorry 'bout tha'."
"Bucket cores are," Sasporilla said folding her arms defiantly, "as I told you, woven by weaver elves. They are woven from the very fabric of magic itself. So unlike most wands, made by most wand makers, with cores taken from magical creatures, forced into the wands center, and tears at the fabric of magic itself a Bucket wands core weaves itself into strands of the fabric of magic making the wand more powerful and the core more stable."
"Rubbish." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said. "I know you have experience with such elvish weaving technique but...."
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle rubbed his mouth and chin nervously. He picked up the wand and inspected it. The wand sparked and snapped in his hand forcing him to drop it.
"I warned you Professor." Sasporilla said. "The wand has its own security. You simply can not take or use my wand. It's now BONDED to me."
"Well I for one am horribly board as I always am at these sort of exams," Professor Splatterpalette yawned. "I defer to your expertise in this matter Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle. What's your opinion on Ms.Bucket's wand machine of the future… thing-a-magiggy?"
"Well?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle rubbed his sweaty face and licked his lips nervously. "I wasn't given any time to really look over the equipment, or the schematics or the software that runs the Abbicum. Did you look over the wand designs on from the abbicum Professor Splatterpalette?"
"Oh yes." The head of the arts department said. "Average wand shop fair. No showcase work."
"Well Angelo," Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked, "if you have the schematics and software I'd be happy to take them with me and look them over tonight after my last exam."
"Well of course professor." Angelo said handing over a manila file folder. "It's all in here. Just please be careful with it. This is our only copy."
"Of course." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle smiled reassuringly snapped up his case with the plans and headed for the door. "I'll render my decision by official owl tomorrow. Good day."
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle walked past Christen sitting nervously in the hall, holding her painting that she had for her exam as well as a plain canvas and her paint caddy for her live paint exam. As well as the model, which she was expected to supply herself, her best friend in the world Daisy, who sat listening to Queen.
The Math’s and Engineering professor quickly made his way out of the arts and design building and sprinted quickly off campus. Raising his wand and casting Lumos, a cab pulled over and Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle climbed in.
"14793 High street please." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said.
The magical cab needed no driver. It simply drove him safely through the streets so the Professor could look over the plans. They were, as he had hoped, remarkable. Angelo Lazarus was a genius of technical design but the ideas of this girl, this... Sasporilla Bucket, were the ones of true artistry! This was indeed a passing grade, very much indeed.
The cab pulled up at his destination. The Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle paid the fair and turned to face a large half giant with heavy scars on face. The large man grabbed him by the lapels of his disheveled jacket and lifted him off the ground. He was carried over to a Hobgoblin in a finely tailored suit with salt and pepper hair. Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle pulled his wand nervously but the large scarred thug, holding him off the ground with one hand, grabbed the professor’s wand in his other large mitt and snapped it in two.
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle made let out a small whimper.
"Where is my money Pennywhistle?" The finely dressed Hobgoblin asked.
"I'll get it Horrobox." The Professor said. "I have the golden ticket right here in my bag see. As soon as I patent it, I have a buyer and then I'll have your money. Double your money. I just have to get inside to the patent office then let my buyer know it's done!"
"Ok." Horrobox the Hobgoblin said. "Three times my money, for testing my patients. This is what you get for having a problem with gambling. Lead the way."
The three of them walked through the front doors into the Avalon paten office. The older clerk behind the counter looked up.
"Take a number please and wait for me to call your number." The old clerk said.
"There's no one else here?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said.
"Rules sir." The clerk said pointing to a rule sign saying 'All patent applicants MUST take a number and wait to be called."
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle walked over to the dusty old ticket dispenser and struggled with it to pull one out. Number 47.
The sign above the desk read 46. The clerk pulled a lever and called out, "Number 47?"
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle stepped up to the window and tersely pushed his ticket forward.
"Thank you for your patience sir during our busy season." The old clerk smiled. "How may I help you?"
"I want to patent my wand machine." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said pushing the plans forward.
"Ah!" The old clerk said shakily putting on his dusty half spectacles as he pulled his wand. "REVELIO!"
The spell revealed the plans to be no more than a Corpus the Clown comic book! Worst of all it revealed, much to his chagrin, the old clerk was in fact...
"Dean Silversnow!" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle gulped nervously backing up.
"Professor." The Dean said hanging his head. "I didn't want to believe the accusations that you had stolen designs from students in past and then failed them?" Dean Silversnow shook his head. "If Professor Splatterpalette hadn’t taken your memory today as evidence to show me I might never have believed it! But this proves it, doesn't it? I'm ashamed of you."
"Look!" Horrobox the Hobgoblin sneered. "I don't care if your dad here is disappointed in you or not. I just want my money. So someone is giving me money, right now or some one's getting hurt."
"Oh really?" Said a big voice that drew the Hobgoblin's gaze up to the bearded smile of Rubeus Hagrid. "I don' think so."
One punch and the Hobgoblin flew across the patent office, through the stained glass window and landed on the sidewalk below. Followed soon after by his half-giant goon.
Hagrid stood in the broken stained glass window pain, looking at the damage, brushing his hands together.
"Sorry 'bou' tha'!" Hagrid smiled.
Sasporilla, Angelo and Professor Splatterpalette stood with Hagrid in the doorway. Behind them were four Avalon City police officers.
"Burndheart Bugbey Pennywhistle you are under arrest for theft, fraud and other charges to be brought upon you by the chief justice." The officers said placing the wizard in hand cuffs.
"Burny why?" Professor Splatterpalette asked truly concerned.
"Greed." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said. "Week will. Lack of any talent of my own. What else?"
"Take care." The head of the Arts Department said empathetically. She felt truly sorry for the pathetic creature he'd made himself. "I have to get back! I left poor Christen sitting in the hall with her friend, and they brought German chocolate cake! Now that is how you attend an exam Ms.Bucket!"
Professor Splatterpalette disapperated.
"Goodbye Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle." Sasporilla said, holding back the urge to slap him hard across the face.
"For what it's worth." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said. "A+ you two. Just brilliant!"
"Yes." Angelo said. "That's why we patent it the moment Sasporilla got back to Avalon city."
"I never had a chance did I?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked.
"No you didn'." Hagrid smiled said. "No' agains' ar Sasp'rilla!"
The police took the cuffed man out through the door.
"What were you thinking?" One cop asked him. "Trying to steal from the young woman who's going to be crowned Witch Queen?"
"The old one would have sent the Royal Guard for you rather than police you know?" The other officer chuckled. "And he was never seen again."
"Maybe a statue in the palace hey?" The first cop said and the officers laughed.
******************************
Professor Phenix drafted every student at Avalon University, not busy with exams, into a task force to search the university library. Every stack, every shelf every corner that contained a book, a scroll, a tablet, or an egg salad sandwich with a magical spell written on it was to be searched!
"We are looking for one spell." Professor Phenix told them. "A very ancient and powerful spell. One to break the curse of a gorgons gaze. The curse the Witch Queen Baba Yaga used to turn so many people into stone."
"How will we recognize it professor?" Laminate Cornition asked.
"You may not." Professor Phenix sighed. "That's the problem. However there may be something as small as a symbol of an eye or a snake or statue on the page. Maybe a person, stones, anything that makes you think for any reason 'We had better take a closer look at this' bring it here to me!"
The student groups broke apart and scoured the library all day and night in shifts while a group of scholars and professors looked through the books and scrolls that had been brought back. This went on for days until...
"Professor Phenix!" Marcus DaSilva called out from the Rose gallery above. "I think I've found something!"
"Good boy bring it here!" Professor Phenix shouted up to the perpetually needy young student who suffered from serious homesickness.
"No mam, you don't understand." Marcus DaSilva said. "I can't possibly bring this to you. You need to come here to see it."
"Very well." Professor Phenix huffed standing up with sore legs that were in desperate need of stretching and a walk anyway.
Rose gallery was so named as its stone work had finely carved roses along the marble walkways that overlooked the first floor from the fourth. A great statue of Merlin holding an open tome had been hewn out of rather ordinary milky quartz. One of the least impressive of his vestiges but none the less important for histories sake.
Professor Phenix got to the top of the stairs to the fourth floor and found Marcus DaSilva quite excited.
"I think this might be it professor he said." Pointing to Merlin's open book.
Professor Phenix turned to look and saw the same blank milky quartz stone book in the statue’s hand she'd seen hundreds of times before.
"Right then Marcus I don't see anything." Professor Phenix said taking a deep breath. "Explain yourself please?"
"Yes Professor." Marcus smiled. "When you were telling us to search every thing and mentioned 'TABLET' something about this spot just kept drawing my eye. So I came to it to investigate it. Multiple times! It wasn't until I tried a Revelio spell..."
Professor Phenix whipped around and cast "REVELIO!" on the open blank stone pages... which unsatisfyingly stayed blank.
With a long sigh of disappointment Professor Phenix turned to Marcus, "Perhaps I've worked you all to hard this week DaSilva. Time for a break."
"No Mam!" DaSilva smiled taking her hand pulling her to the back of the statues large head. "Please let me finish! It was here I found what was to be revealed... REVELIO!"
With a careful cast the spell revealed what looked like goggle ends for a person to look through in the back of the head.
"Look in to them Professor!" Marcus beamed.
Professor Phenix, with pure shock and pride at her first year student, took a look through the goggles which were obviously the eyes of the statue of Merlin. The Lenses were a pink hued clear rose quartz and only through them could you distinguish the Moon stone inlayed message in the pages of the book.
"Dear knights of the table round. Now at the time of the fall of Baba Yaga comes the time of FREEDOM! Here are the spells to undo ALL of the damage she has done. Use them well. Say hello to the young witch with pink hair for me. The Merlin."
"That clever old bugger." Professor Phenix laughed.
"Sasporilla Bucket!" Professor Splatterpalette called out from inside the arts and design room.
Sassy came in carrying a long box wrapped in a cloth. Angelo Lazarus, pushing a cart with a custom Abbicum he designed himself to needs, Sasporilla’s and Rubeus Hagrid carrying a large wooden crate quickly followed her up. The giant of a man ducked as a stepped through the art and design room door. He walked over to the side of Angelo's cart and set the cart down gently.
"Why Rubeus Hagrid!" Professor Splatterpalette grinned from ear to ear with utter glee jumping from her chair. "As I live and breathe it seems like a life time since I've felt one of your hugs!"
The arts and deign professor ran to the giant hairy man and hugged him with all of her wonderful heart.
"Ello Perfesser Spla'erpal'e i's niwce ta see ya too!" Hagrid giggled hugged his friend back.
"To what do I owe this great unexpected visit?" Professor Splatterpalette asked.
"Well I was invi'ed, was'n I?" Hagrid smiled nodding at Sassy. "Sasporilla's asked me along fer help in her presentation t'day. Though I'm no' sure wha' much good I'll be fer anythin' more'n lift'n anythin' heavy? 'R gettin' anythin' down from th' top shelf ay? Ay?"
"Ah!" Professor Splatterpalette said wiping the smile from her face, becoming serious clearing her throat, and straightening herself. "Then I guess we'd best get started. Ms.Bucket if you would?"
"Thank you Professor." I will ask my assistants to kindly continue setting up my equipment for my second presentation."
"Yes of course." Professor Splatterpalette nodded.
"As you know Professor Splatterpalette I have had an issue with both study and build time this year." Sasporilla said.
"Ms.Bucket, I don't wont except any excuses from any students!" Professor Splatterpalette slammed her hand down on the table.
"Wha'?" Hagrid began amazed. "Now see here Dina tha'..."
But a single raised finger, Professor Splatterpalette called for the giants polite silence.
"I don't accept boy issues, girl issues, home sickness, partying to much, or fighting for your life against an evil gauntlet of magi for months!" The Arts Professor smiled. "So show me what you got kid! Dazzle me!!!!"
"I am prepared to do just that Professor!" Sasporilla smiled walking forward putting the box covered by cloth down on the table. Sasporilla unwrapped the cloth to reveal a rather plain Maple box with a brass plate engraved with a wand makers mark. BUCKET WANDS 001.
"Excuse me Rubeus?" Professor Splatterpalette called.
"Yes Perfesser?" Hagrid asked still a bit miffed with her snappy tone towards Sassy.
"Would you mind opening this heavy box for me?"
"No problem!" Hagrid said but mumbled under his breath the whole way over. "Talkin' tha' way too 'er af'er she wen' through all tha'? I means really? Have a heart!"
Hagrid easily flipped the boxes lid open to reveal a new pink umbrella! It was pinker than his original and its handle was curved and carved to resemble the head of a Flamingo. Its point was the same colour as the head but seemed to be notched in a pattern of three.
"It's magnificent Sasporilla!" Professor Splatterpalette smiled and clapped excitedly.
"Based on my original design it was easy enough to create once we got the wand creation device built." Sasporilla smiled. "I had quite the break through on its design in the lost city and past the information to my design team."
"That would be me." Angelo smiled and waved as he worked to connect the three modules together.
"Ok, let's see it in action then." Professor Splatterpalette said. "For a passing grade it must be functional."
"Well you see that's where I have a problem." Sasporilla said with a rye side smile. "You see I made this as a gift for one single person. It can only be picked up and used by them and it must first imprint on them. Like a Triumphant Broom seat."
"Well then you best gift it to that person then hadn't you?" Professor Splatterpalette smiled.
Hagrid stood oblivious to the implication until Sasporilla picked up the box and handed it to him!
"Fer me?" Hagrid's eyes widened. "Bu' i's no' Chris'mas. No' my Birthday. Why fer me?"
"Just because I wanted to make you a gift Hagrid." Sasporilla said. "Something to show you that I appreciate everything you ever did for me when I was at Hogwarts."
"This is th' mos' beau'iful gif' anyone’s ever given me." Hagrid wiped a big tear away from his eye. "I don'... I don' know wha' ta say. I loves i'!!!!"
"Well," Sasporilla smiled very giddy, "Give it a wave. Remember, when you first grip the handle, hold it firm for a second to allow the imprinting to take."
Hagrid reached into the box and grabbed the handle. There was a tickle, a tingle then a quick pinch.
"Ere now!" Hagrid said pulling his hand away. "That's a bit liwke a lil bug bi' i'n i'?"
"Unfortunately yes." Sasporilla pouted. "However it draws no blood. You’re not actually bitten. The spell just makes the wand truly yours. Only you can use it. If anyone else tries to take it or use it... well they'll regret the harmonic feedback."
"Tha's brillian'!" Hagrid said picking up the new pink flamingo umbrella wand and testing its balance, almost like a sword. He could feel it was in balance with him on all levels of his being.
"It is brilliant indeed." Angelo Lazarus said as he started hooking in the Abbicum.
"Mr.Lazarus!" Professor Splatterpalette smiled. "No opinions from the peanut gallery!"
"Sorry Professor." Angelo smiled.
"However I must agree." Professor Splatterpalette said "The addition of this feature to a wand could be a great selling point for a wand makers brand."
"Thank you Professor." Sasporilla bowed her head.
Rubeus Hagrid, since cleared of all charges in the great 'misunderstanding', as the Ministry of Magic had called the Chamber of Secrets incident, he had been able to study and practice magic. He'd gotten quite good at some spells and there was one he was just itching to show off.
Hagrid raised his pink flamingo umbrella wand out in front of him and began.
"EXPECTA..." Hagrid started. "Nope tha's no' i'. EXPECTO PAXO.... NOPE! NOPE... sorry. Jus' a sec.
Hagrid reached into his pocket and pocket and pulled out a handful of small bits of paper. He looked through them dropping a few on the floor until he found the one he wanted.
"O' course!" Hagrid chuckled holding the wand out straight clearing his throat spinning his wrist ever so slightly and saying so powerfully "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
The best that could ever be expected from the simple grounds keeper of Hogwarts is the results of a novice. The simple blue pulse at a wands tip. Instead a great ghostly blue snowy owl flew forth and flew around the room! It looped and soared until it returned to Hagrid, landed on the wand and dispersed.
Professor Splatterpalette walked over and snatched the wand from Hagrid.
"WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!" The Professor cast.
The harmonic feed back lifted the arts and design professor into the air to the top of the room then dropped her. Hagrid broke her fall in his big safe arms. Professor Splatterpalette was giggling like a schoolgirl.
"Perfessor!" Hagrid said taking back his pink flamingo umbrella wand. "Wha' were you thinkin'?"
"I was thinking some one had to test the anti-theft feature," Professor Splatterpalette laughed. "and I knew Sasporilla would never design anything deadly. I also knew with you around Rubeus I was never in any real danger. Put me down big fella!"
"Oh!" Hagrid smiled a bit embarrassed. "Sorry 'bou' tha'."
Professor Splatterpalette straightened her robes as she walked over to Sassy.
"Well well well Ms.Bucket." Professor Splatterpalette smiled. "I ask only one more test for your design.
"Oh?" Sasporilla said surprised.
"Does the umbrella work?" Professor Splatterpalette asked.
"Well." Sassy said. "Hagrid if you hold out the wand and check for a simple button? "
"WAIT!!!" Professor Splatterpalette screamed grabbing her heart.
"Wha's wrong Dina?" Hagrid asked.
"It's bad luck to open an umbrella indoors." The head of the arts and design department swooned dramatically. "We must take it outside to private terrace! REVELIO!"
Professor Splatterpalette waved her wand dramatically but nothing magically appeared, instead she walked over to a draw chord and pulled open some very colourful drapes revealing doors to her outer terrace.
"What?" Professor Splatterpalette asked. "Not everything is magical... sheeesh!"
Chuckling at her teacher’s bizarre sense of twisted humour, Sasporilla lead the way outside onto the large terrace.
Hagrid ducked as he walked through the terrace doors and joined them outside.
"Ok big guy." Professor Splatterpalette smiled. "Push that button."
Hagrid checked the handle for the button. It was deceptively simple and disguised. A small pink button in the pink wooden handle just slightly raised.
"Ah!" Hagrid smiled. "There we go!"
Hagrid held the umbrella wand up and pressed the button. The umbrella opened wide. Twice as wide as it looked as if it was designed to!
"As you can see the wand is also a fully functional umbrella designed for the wizards exact size." Sasporilla said.
"This'll keep th' rain off a migh' be'r than th' old one!"
"MODICUM TEMPESTAS!" Professor Splatterpalette cast a small personal storm cloud just over Hagrid.
The mini hurricane blew strong winds and struck with heavy rains. Though the terrace around Hagrid was getting soaked, under the umbrella was bone dry. The winds didn't even blow a hair on his beard out of place.
"As you can also see," Sasporilla sighed proudly, "when the umbrella is deployed a bubble of protection is deployed against inclement weather. As an added feature."
"A++++ Sasporilla." Professor Splatterpalette said hugging her student proudly.
"Ummm... Perfesser?" Hagrid asked looking up at the storm.
"Oh." The arts teacher cringed. "Sorry."
With a wave of her wand she dismissed the small storm. Hagrid pushed the button and retracted the umbrella.
"Hagrid?" Sasporilla asked, "When you bring an umbrella in from the rain, where does it go?"
"Usually in th' brolly stand by the door. Why?" Hagrid asked.
"Just give your wand slash umbrella a flip." Sassy smiled.
"An' catch i'?" Hagrid asked.
"Oh no no," Sasporilla insisted, "just let it fall. It will be fine. Trust me."
Hagrid flipped the wand. As it approached the floor the wand tip pointed down, the handle up. The wands triple split tip opened up and revealed three pink flamingo feet which the wand landed on firmly! The flamingo's head on the handle looked around finding the closest doorway and all three feet skittered the wand over to stand by the side of the door where it would stand on it's on own.
"Another feature of your new pink flamingo umbrella wand is that it is self standing." Sasporilla smiled. "It is enchanted to find the closest door in any place you go to set it down and stand beside it."
"Another three pluses Ms.Bucket." professor Splatterpalette said. "I can see the basic course was far to easy for you. We will have to put you in the advance classes next year and I'll have to go tough on you."
Everyone broke out laughing. Oh that crazy Dina and her whack-a-doodle sense of humour. However the Professor was only politely smiling.
"What's funny?" Professor Splatterpalette asked.
"You weren't kidding?" Sassy asked.
"Not at all." The professor smiled. "I think you could be the greatest wand maker anyone’s ever seen. The only way to make that happen is to push you the hardest I know how. So let's get ready for your next exam shall we?"
"No break." Sassy gulped.
"No rest for the best." The professor chuckled. "Should have brought cake!"
***********************************
There was about a twenty minute respite as they waited for Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle, from the maths and engineering side of her arts and design program, to join them in the arts and design exam room.
Professor Splatterpalette tapped her foot and her wand to a tune playing on a phonographicicon off to the side. It was her first, and though her family thought it junk, she had just refused to be rid of it. Instead she brought it to her office slash studio, where she could enjoy the beautiful sounds of the music she loved, while at the same time perhaps getting under the skin of some of those students who didn't know what real music was.
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle walked through the door hurriedly, looking disheveled and dripping with sweat.
"Sorry I'm late!" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle apologized. "Crazy day! You wouldn't believe it if I told you!"
"Your bacon butty exploded?" Professor Splatterpalette asked excitedly casting a deerstalker cap atop her head.
"What?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked confused. "No. I,"
"No no no," The arts professor said turning her wand into a pipe, placing it thoughtfully between her lips with a sluthefull squint in her eyes, "I love to solve a good mystery! By the state of your blazer, and the bags under I'd say you were up all night. Worried about someone, or something? You were worried about a...."
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle looked genuinely concerned about where Professor Splatterpalette’s line of deductions were going.
"...A CAT!" Professor Splatterpalette announced grabbing the math’s and engineering professors sleeve. "By the hairs on your sleeve I see it was a cursed cat which you thought merely sick but NO! IT EXPLODED! Not your bacon sandwich, that would have been silly, no that's why you gathered up all your papers in a hurry, stuffed them into the case and got out before you got governed in any more cursed cat drippings."
Professor Splatterpalette took a bow knowing she had figured out the 'case of the cursed cat.'
"No you absolute whack-a-doodle!" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle snapped. "Traffic is horrid and I had to run here. Thirty three blocks!"
"Well." Professor Splatterpalette said taking offence. "That doesn't explain the cat hair."
"Please don't." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked holding up his hand thumping his brief case down on the table. "Just don't"
"Fine." Professor Splatterpalette smiled Slipping a small bottle into her robes. "Sasporilla as you know this is the Engineering and design part of your course exam. As Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle used up most of your time making us wait you have three minutes left to make your presentation. GO!"
Sasporilla stood there dumbfounded. Three minutes? Was she kidding?
"Tick-tick, tick-tock." The Head of the Arts department tapped her wand on the table.
"Sassy!" Angelo whispered. "Shake a leg babe! You can do it!"
Sasporilla took a deep breath smiled and said. "Welcome to the future of wand making. No more will wands need to be pre-made and hours spent going through many models finding the best fit for the witch or wizard. Now all it takes is coming in to my machine, clutching this handle grip,"
Sasporilla walked to a handle sticking up from the first box on the floor. There was a slight glow. "The handle reads the bodies biorhythm and matches it to the magical rhythm of the witch or wizard and The machine matches the type of material for the wand which as we all know, creates the important harmonic needed for the core. However, unlike other wands my wands do not use parts of magical creature bought from questionable people to use as cores. Bucket wands use cylinder cores woven by elven weavers, employed and paid by me."
Sasporilla walked over to the second box. A cabinet folded up from it.
"From here you may choose your wand shape based on availability in your material. Woods, metals, crystals, stones etc. Prices vary based on extravagance and additional accoutrements. If you want inlays that may be available then it will cost extra."
Sasporilla swiped through a rolling stock tray of wands making several choices on her wand. Sasporilla no longer needed the wand she had been given. She missed her dear HOBBKNOB The conflicator. However this was about new designs and what she could deliver. It was time Sasporilla Bucket, of Bucket wands, had a new wand. 11 3/4 Ash and butterfly wood intertwined with an ornate brass handle with a pink jewel in the inlay.
As Sassy walked over to the third box she heard her professors arguing.
"This is a ridiculous show." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle snorted. "Cores woven by elves! Probably a house elf in the boxes just carrying the wand she designed."
"Shut up and watch Pennywhistle!" Professor Splatterpalette hissed.
The wand came up through a slot on an ornate wand stand.
"Now," Sasporilla said, "When I grasp my new wand it will bond itself to me. Unlike other wand makers wands, this wand will never be able to be taken from me, not even if I lose a duel."
Sasporilla grasped the wand until she felt the pinch and smiled. She picked up the wand.
"My new wand, HARMONY, is ready for your perusal and approval." Sassy said placing it on a flat presentation pillow and carrying it over to place before her professors. "As I said it is bonded to me so I ask you be very careful and do not recommend handling it. I recommend using a spell to levitate it to inspect it."
Sasporilla smiled and stepped back from the table.
"I think the process is streamlined and intrinsically mechanical. Lacking in the personal service of a traditional wand shop." Professor Splatterpalette said.
"If you believe that having no say in how your wand will look or feel in your hand before you buy it, knowing it will work and having an attendant there to walk you through the process help you along as you go. Which I could have explained had I more time!" Sassy snapped.
"No need to be rude." Professor Splatterpalette said. "I'm merely pointing out my point of view that an old style shop with a one of a kind wand designer will never go out of style."
"Well yes Professor there we agree." Sassy smiled. "I will also offer that service in my own shop when I open it in a few years. Custom wands, BUT with Bucket cores."
"Why Bucket cores?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked, "I know you are very 'SAVE THE MAGICAL CREATURES' and all that..."
" 'Ere 'ere!" Rubeus Hagrid cheered and applauded. Everyone looked over at him until he slowed his applause. "Sorry 'bout tha'."
"Bucket cores are," Sasporilla said folding her arms defiantly, "as I told you, woven by weaver elves. They are woven from the very fabric of magic itself. So unlike most wands, made by most wand makers, with cores taken from magical creatures, forced into the wands center, and tears at the fabric of magic itself a Bucket wands core weaves itself into strands of the fabric of magic making the wand more powerful and the core more stable."
"Rubbish." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said. "I know you have experience with such elvish weaving technique but...."
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle rubbed his mouth and chin nervously. He picked up the wand and inspected it. The wand sparked and snapped in his hand forcing him to drop it.
"I warned you Professor." Sasporilla said. "The wand has its own security. You simply can not take or use my wand. It's now BONDED to me."
"Well I for one am horribly board as I always am at these sort of exams," Professor Splatterpalette yawned. "I defer to your expertise in this matter Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle. What's your opinion on Ms.Bucket's wand machine of the future… thing-a-magiggy?"
"Well?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle rubbed his sweaty face and licked his lips nervously. "I wasn't given any time to really look over the equipment, or the schematics or the software that runs the Abbicum. Did you look over the wand designs on from the abbicum Professor Splatterpalette?"
"Oh yes." The head of the arts department said. "Average wand shop fair. No showcase work."
"Well Angelo," Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked, "if you have the schematics and software I'd be happy to take them with me and look them over tonight after my last exam."
"Well of course professor." Angelo said handing over a manila file folder. "It's all in here. Just please be careful with it. This is our only copy."
"Of course." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle smiled reassuringly snapped up his case with the plans and headed for the door. "I'll render my decision by official owl tomorrow. Good day."
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle walked past Christen sitting nervously in the hall, holding her painting that she had for her exam as well as a plain canvas and her paint caddy for her live paint exam. As well as the model, which she was expected to supply herself, her best friend in the world Daisy, who sat listening to Queen.
The Math’s and Engineering professor quickly made his way out of the arts and design building and sprinted quickly off campus. Raising his wand and casting Lumos, a cab pulled over and Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle climbed in.
"14793 High street please." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said.
The magical cab needed no driver. It simply drove him safely through the streets so the Professor could look over the plans. They were, as he had hoped, remarkable. Angelo Lazarus was a genius of technical design but the ideas of this girl, this... Sasporilla Bucket, were the ones of true artistry! This was indeed a passing grade, very much indeed.
The cab pulled up at his destination. The Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle paid the fair and turned to face a large half giant with heavy scars on face. The large man grabbed him by the lapels of his disheveled jacket and lifted him off the ground. He was carried over to a Hobgoblin in a finely tailored suit with salt and pepper hair. Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle pulled his wand nervously but the large scarred thug, holding him off the ground with one hand, grabbed the professor’s wand in his other large mitt and snapped it in two.
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle made let out a small whimper.
"Where is my money Pennywhistle?" The finely dressed Hobgoblin asked.
"I'll get it Horrobox." The Professor said. "I have the golden ticket right here in my bag see. As soon as I patent it, I have a buyer and then I'll have your money. Double your money. I just have to get inside to the patent office then let my buyer know it's done!"
"Ok." Horrobox the Hobgoblin said. "Three times my money, for testing my patients. This is what you get for having a problem with gambling. Lead the way."
The three of them walked through the front doors into the Avalon paten office. The older clerk behind the counter looked up.
"Take a number please and wait for me to call your number." The old clerk said.
"There's no one else here?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said.
"Rules sir." The clerk said pointing to a rule sign saying 'All patent applicants MUST take a number and wait to be called."
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle walked over to the dusty old ticket dispenser and struggled with it to pull one out. Number 47.
The sign above the desk read 46. The clerk pulled a lever and called out, "Number 47?"
Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle stepped up to the window and tersely pushed his ticket forward.
"Thank you for your patience sir during our busy season." The old clerk smiled. "How may I help you?"
"I want to patent my wand machine." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said pushing the plans forward.
"Ah!" The old clerk said shakily putting on his dusty half spectacles as he pulled his wand. "REVELIO!"
The spell revealed the plans to be no more than a Corpus the Clown comic book! Worst of all it revealed, much to his chagrin, the old clerk was in fact...
"Dean Silversnow!" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle gulped nervously backing up.
"Professor." The Dean said hanging his head. "I didn't want to believe the accusations that you had stolen designs from students in past and then failed them?" Dean Silversnow shook his head. "If Professor Splatterpalette hadn’t taken your memory today as evidence to show me I might never have believed it! But this proves it, doesn't it? I'm ashamed of you."
"Look!" Horrobox the Hobgoblin sneered. "I don't care if your dad here is disappointed in you or not. I just want my money. So someone is giving me money, right now or some one's getting hurt."
"Oh really?" Said a big voice that drew the Hobgoblin's gaze up to the bearded smile of Rubeus Hagrid. "I don' think so."
One punch and the Hobgoblin flew across the patent office, through the stained glass window and landed on the sidewalk below. Followed soon after by his half-giant goon.
Hagrid stood in the broken stained glass window pain, looking at the damage, brushing his hands together.
"Sorry 'bou' tha'!" Hagrid smiled.
Sasporilla, Angelo and Professor Splatterpalette stood with Hagrid in the doorway. Behind them were four Avalon City police officers.
"Burndheart Bugbey Pennywhistle you are under arrest for theft, fraud and other charges to be brought upon you by the chief justice." The officers said placing the wizard in hand cuffs.
"Burny why?" Professor Splatterpalette asked truly concerned.
"Greed." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said. "Week will. Lack of any talent of my own. What else?"
"Take care." The head of the Arts Department said empathetically. She felt truly sorry for the pathetic creature he'd made himself. "I have to get back! I left poor Christen sitting in the hall with her friend, and they brought German chocolate cake! Now that is how you attend an exam Ms.Bucket!"
Professor Splatterpalette disapperated.
"Goodbye Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle." Sasporilla said, holding back the urge to slap him hard across the face.
"For what it's worth." Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle said. "A+ you two. Just brilliant!"
"Yes." Angelo said. "That's why we patent it the moment Sasporilla got back to Avalon city."
"I never had a chance did I?" Professor Bugbey Pennywhistle asked.
"No you didn'." Hagrid smiled said. "No' agains' ar Sasp'rilla!"
The police took the cuffed man out through the door.
"What were you thinking?" One cop asked him. "Trying to steal from the young woman who's going to be crowned Witch Queen?"
"The old one would have sent the Royal Guard for you rather than police you know?" The other officer chuckled. "And he was never seen again."
"Maybe a statue in the palace hey?" The first cop said and the officers laughed.
******************************
Professor Phenix drafted every student at Avalon University, not busy with exams, into a task force to search the university library. Every stack, every shelf every corner that contained a book, a scroll, a tablet, or an egg salad sandwich with a magical spell written on it was to be searched!
"We are looking for one spell." Professor Phenix told them. "A very ancient and powerful spell. One to break the curse of a gorgons gaze. The curse the Witch Queen Baba Yaga used to turn so many people into stone."
"How will we recognize it professor?" Laminate Cornition asked.
"You may not." Professor Phenix sighed. "That's the problem. However there may be something as small as a symbol of an eye or a snake or statue on the page. Maybe a person, stones, anything that makes you think for any reason 'We had better take a closer look at this' bring it here to me!"
The student groups broke apart and scoured the library all day and night in shifts while a group of scholars and professors looked through the books and scrolls that had been brought back. This went on for days until...
"Professor Phenix!" Marcus DaSilva called out from the Rose gallery above. "I think I've found something!"
"Good boy bring it here!" Professor Phenix shouted up to the perpetually needy young student who suffered from serious homesickness.
"No mam, you don't understand." Marcus DaSilva said. "I can't possibly bring this to you. You need to come here to see it."
"Very well." Professor Phenix huffed standing up with sore legs that were in desperate need of stretching and a walk anyway.
Rose gallery was so named as its stone work had finely carved roses along the marble walkways that overlooked the first floor from the fourth. A great statue of Merlin holding an open tome had been hewn out of rather ordinary milky quartz. One of the least impressive of his vestiges but none the less important for histories sake.
Professor Phenix got to the top of the stairs to the fourth floor and found Marcus DaSilva quite excited.
"I think this might be it professor he said." Pointing to Merlin's open book.
Professor Phenix turned to look and saw the same blank milky quartz stone book in the statue’s hand she'd seen hundreds of times before.
"Right then Marcus I don't see anything." Professor Phenix said taking a deep breath. "Explain yourself please?"
"Yes Professor." Marcus smiled. "When you were telling us to search every thing and mentioned 'TABLET' something about this spot just kept drawing my eye. So I came to it to investigate it. Multiple times! It wasn't until I tried a Revelio spell..."
Professor Phenix whipped around and cast "REVELIO!" on the open blank stone pages... which unsatisfyingly stayed blank.
With a long sigh of disappointment Professor Phenix turned to Marcus, "Perhaps I've worked you all to hard this week DaSilva. Time for a break."
"No Mam!" DaSilva smiled taking her hand pulling her to the back of the statues large head. "Please let me finish! It was here I found what was to be revealed... REVELIO!"
With a careful cast the spell revealed what looked like goggle ends for a person to look through in the back of the head.
"Look in to them Professor!" Marcus beamed.
Professor Phenix, with pure shock and pride at her first year student, took a look through the goggles which were obviously the eyes of the statue of Merlin. The Lenses were a pink hued clear rose quartz and only through them could you distinguish the Moon stone inlayed message in the pages of the book.
"Dear knights of the table round. Now at the time of the fall of Baba Yaga comes the time of FREEDOM! Here are the spells to undo ALL of the damage she has done. Use them well. Say hello to the young witch with pink hair for me. The Merlin."
"That clever old bugger." Professor Phenix laughed.
In memory of Robbie Coltrane - Our dearest Hagrid.
PLEASE REMEMBER
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, donate to J.K.Rowling's charitable foundation LUMOS! Link below! ( https://www.wearelumos.org/ )
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, donate to J.K.Rowling's charitable foundation LUMOS! Link below! ( https://www.wearelumos.org/ )