Chapter Nine
Professor Weasley laughed at the blunt confusion the young witch had looking at the book and raised her finger up as she corrected her. “A field guide, to be more specific and why not give the book a try and open it.” Professor Weasley goaded which prompted a look from the child.
Aspen rolled her shoulders back as she grasped the book in her hands and took a quick look over, noting the ruggedness of the pages bound within and the soft and new leather, light brown almost orange in color. Beginning to open the book to take a look at its contents, Aspen was startled slightly as she felt the book rumble under her grip before jumping out from her grip and rose a foot or two above her in the air. The book burst into life as the pages rocketed out of the cover, spells and pictures and even a few cut or folded into the shape of animals she’s yet to see or learn about whirled above her, flying and flitting away from her and into the halls of the school. The slight commotion caused some of the students that were eating, including the little den of snakes waiting for her return to breakfast, to look at the pages flying out the grand doors and into the castle grounds. Once everything that could have escaped the book did so, it did one last shake as it sputtered out and fell back into Aspen’s waiting hands.
Blankly staring at the book in her hand, she found herself in disbelief because of course a book she thought was merely a book was a field guide that magic-ed what it seemed all of its knowledge out of itself. Hearing the doors in the background shut close as the last page flew out and the students below resumed their meals, Aspen looked back up at Professor Weasley with the same owl eyed expression on her face from the night before. “Forgive my hasty judgment then.”
A kind smile graced Professor Weasley’s face as she waved the young girl off. “I’m sure half of your year would have the same reactions. Now, this is a wizard’s field guide and it will help keep track of what you’re learning so that you master all that’s expected of a fifth year. You would be wise to take full advantage of this exceptionally valuable resource.”
Aspen just nodded as she gave her professor her rapt attention before looking back down taking in the finer details of the book, admiring the logo of the school emblazoned on the cover before opening it up once more to flip through the pages that stayed put. With her eyes fixated on the map she was perusing, she asked her next question. “Thank you, Professor. Truly, but what do you mean it will ‘keep track’ of what I’m learning?”
Professor Weasley just gave a coy smile befitting of someone up to slight mischief and waved her arm. “Perhaps seeing it in action will answer any question you may have. However I won’t take up anymore of your time. After all I’m sure your fellow Slytherins are wondering where you are as breakfast will be ending in the next half hour. I shall fetch for you afterwards and show you more of the guide. For now, enjoy your meal.”
With that, Aspen found herself whisked away back down the steps and dropped back off at her table, snug in her spot between Ominis and Sebastian. Ominis seemed to be in the midst of nursing his tea still and reading a book and Sebastian was shoveling down what seemed to be a plate full of sweets and pastries, chugging mouthfuls of coffee in between to wash everything down. Imelda and Nerida, eating a bowl of oatmeal and bread with butter each respectively, were the first to acknowledge her return and shoved her plate back towards her encouraging the girl to eat.
“What did Professor Weasley want?” Imelda's question which caught all of their attention as they watched the snowy blonde fifth year pull out her new prized possession. Setting the leather book down in the middle of the table, Sebastian was the first to pick it up and look it over eager to see what the book had entailed, the cover being one he didn’t recognize. His excited nature was quick to drop from his face when he flipped through countless pages blank aside from the occasional tip here and there to help navigate the castle and three different maps. The confusion spread across the friend group and Imelda just turned back to her new friend and raised an eyebrow unamused and waited for a proper explanation.
Aspen just gave an amused huff and began re-explaining everything that was just told to her. Imelda’s face took on a calculative look whilst Nerida just grimaced slightly at all the traversing Aspen would have to do and Ominis was just listening quietly.
Sebastian eventually moved from the maps and skimmed the book at an impressive pace before a flash of disappointment showed on his face before replacing it with his easy going grin. “Well, its a proper bummer that there’s nothing to exciting in there but if there’s anything new that pops up or you need to ask us something, feel free to show us what's changed.” he offered which aspen thanked with a smile of her own before Ominis made a noise of surprise which caught the attention of the whole group, all eyes on him.
“I’ll have to say Sallow, that may be your first good idea yet thus far. I didn’t think you had it in you.”
Laughter erupted from their end of the table whilst eyes landed on their boisterous group and the Sallow boy standing trying to defend himself as the girls just laughed at him.
“Ominis I’m not as brain dead as you take me for and I am capable of offering the right kind of help when needed!”
Eventually the small den of snakes finished up their meals and stood up, Aspen’s schedule in hand and walked her out the Great Hall as they used some of their time to take her to the Central Hall.
Nerida eventually took up the mantle as the tour guide of the group. “This is the Central Hall and would be almost like the heart of Hogwarts. If you ever find yourself lost, just try and make it back to the Central Hall and it’ll be easy to regain your bearings. Fair warning, there is always something going on here so try not to get too distracted or pulled into someone else’s shenanigans.”
As the group walked, a paper airplane whizzed by them before making a loop in the air and straight towards Aspen, stopping dead still in front of her face before slowly drifting down to her awaiting hands. Gently unfolding the paper she began reading the note out loud, realizing that it was from her professor.
“Now would be a great time to try out that new field guide of yours. Come find me at the Magical Theory classroom. Open the book up to the map portion and point at it with that wand of yours. I’ll be expecting you shortly.”
With a small noise of acknowledgement, Sebastian stepped up and stood off to the right of the girl, standing over her shoulder as he reached around with his wand and was quick to locate the desired classroom. Almost immediately Ominis was quick to turn his head to the noise of gold speck almost like a magical firefly zip through the air, bobbing and weaving through students who didn’t notice its fleeting presence pass them or move out its way. “By the sounds of it, there’s a location charm on the map to make it easier to navigate. Seems to me you grew on Professor Weasley if she’s included that charm in that book of yours.” Ominis said kindly and Nerida quickly voiced her agreement. “That would be a fair assessment. Whilst a kind and amazing professor, she also isn’t one to coddle students. Not to say any of the professors here are like that if I’m being quite honest.”
Imelda quietly fixed Aspen's robe albeit a smidge rough in her movements before pushing her forward as Sebastian and Ominis began heading a different direction .“We’ll make sure to save you a seat in Charms!” Sebastian called out before getting another swat on the head as he inadvertently yelled in the other boy’s ear. Ominis also called out (though more projected rather than yelling) and tacked on “Do try not to be late!”
The girls just giggled as the three watched the boys walk off, bickering like an old married couple before Imelda waved Nerida and Aspen off. Hooking her arm through the smaller arm she began dragging Aspen off to follow the trail of gold dust the charm left behind before explaining that she had a class on the way and would walk with her till her stop.
True to her word, Nerida eventually parted ways with Aspen who had to go through a few crowds of students before eventually arriving at the end of the wispy golden trail at the door of the Magical Theory classroom. Recalling the steps and turns she took to get there, she raised her hand to knock when the door creaked open and showed Professor Weaseley smiling as she held up a tea pot and gestured for the young girl to take a seat with her.
With a happy grin on her face, she stepped in while closing the door behind her and watched the trail of gold dust dissipate. Briefly taking in the eccentric classroom and its décor, she took a seat and blew on her cup of tea before taking a sip as her professor took a sip of their drink as well before setting the porcelain cup down with a soft clink.
“I take it you made it here well with little problems along the way?” The red haired woman asked as Aspen grinned and nodded, her legs slightly swinging under the chair she sat on. “Yes ma’am. I had a bit of help from my friends with the map and Nerida walked with me before she parted ways to go to History of Magic.”
Professor Weasley simply smiled before continuing on. “I’m glad you are getting along with your fellow Slytherins and a good bunch as well. As for the Field Guide I am most pleased that the book is already serving you well. I know I certainly would have appreciated something like that when I was a student.”
Aspen held back laughter at the face of resignation her professor had as she further went on about the boring study group she was forced upon when she was younger before switching topics back to the book.
“Using the Guide will also train you to be alert to your surroundings as it will give you opportunities to practice your magic while educating yourself about wizarding lore that others would have learned growing up within the communities and families practicing magic.”
Aspen tilted her head and gave her professor all her attention before timidly raising her hand up to her shoulder before voicing her question. “Wait, so you mean to tell me that the pages that flew out the book earlier were pages that were going to help me learn more outside of the classrooms? How am I meant to collect all of them?”
The older woman chuckled before calming down the student. “Not to worry, we don’t expect you to get all the pages by the end of year. It’ll be a project for you for the years you attend here and for you to keep after you graduate. As for the how, I believe Professor Fig has mentioned you became quite apt with the Revelio spell. Whenever you stand by a page or its near its general vicinity you should hear a little chime to alert you. From there it's up to you if you want to look for it or save it for another time. I’m sure with due time that book will be filled to the brim with notes and pages even outside of the ones we set up for you.”
The old lion just watched amused as Aspen began flipping through the pages of her book as if she was going to uncover something right then and there when a soft chime could be heard in the still room. Going still, the young snake looked up at her professor only to see her cleaning up the tea cups they had used with a flick of her wand, shooing her off.
Quick as a snitch, Aspen practically flew to the end of the classroom and casted a Revelio in the general area. With her loaner wand tightly grasped in her hand, fingers running up and down the slightly worn out handle that was keeping the wand together. Within a blink, she found herself face to face with a page detailing the stack of books kept there that were actually unmovable due to some freak accident a previous student had. Dumbfounded, Aspen shoved the page into her book, tucking it under her arm and with both of her now free hands tried to pick a book up.
“What the hell?” The young girl was confused and astonished that the page was indeed telling the truth. Aspen continued trying to topple over the tower of textbooks when a throat cleared itself behind her causing her to jump slightly and looked behind her to see an amused Professor Weasley with a raised eyebrow. “Whilst it is amusing to see your reaction to the tower of textbooks that are stuck to the floor for who knows how long, I would prefer if you kept your astonishment to words appropriate around your professors.”
The Slytherin just flushed slightly, the pink on her cheeks showing easily through her alabaster skin and gave a meek nod. “Sorry about that. Nasty habit I picked up from the Home back in London. I’ll do my best to work on it.”
“I suspect you will but I wouldn’t be surprised if it worsens since Mr. Sallow seems to have taken a shine to you along with Ms. Reyes.”
Aspen felt a snicker build up at the new info on her group of friends but gave a cheery smile and nodded, humming a noise of affirmation before her professor decided to change subject.
“I know you probably would rather forget about what happened on your way to the castle and for that the school and myself deeply apologize you got caught in that. If you ever need to talk to someone, your professors are always here to talk or even willing to get a mind healer over for you if you'd so please.”
Aspen felt herself freeze a bit and forced her smile to stay present as her mind briefly flashed back to the dragon attack she went through.
‘Right, a man still died yesterday. A dragon went rampant and I… I almost died just last night.’
Aspen felt a chill run down her spine and wrapped her arms around herself as she forced the reply stuck in her now seemingly dry throat.
“R-right…Thank you professor.” Aspen’s once full voice now trailed off and as she stood there in front of the immovable tower of texts, her mind raced as she recalled everything from the day prior. From the dragon to the deadly statues to a power hungry goblin, there were multiple instances
where her life was at risk and all of that was shoved to the back of her mind as she let herself forget it all by allowing the magic to sweep her away.
The older woman saw the young girl grow still and silent and felt her own heart squeeze at the sight. As a student, Aspen should've just enjoyed the thrills of learning in the halls of the castle and done the typical Hogwarts student shenanigans here and there. Not witness a man die in front of her on her way to the school having been personally escorted by one of their own.
Sighing, she placed a gentle hand on the blonde’s shoulder and watched dazed eyes snap back into the present and fixate themselves on her before asking “Aspen dear, do you want to talk about the dragon attack. I know the gist of it by Professor Fig but he seemed rather tight lipped about anything that happened afterwards. Everything I’ve gotten out of him was terribly vague and short. I suspect it due to wanting to let you talk about it so I’m asking now. Did something else happen after the attack?”
The young snake nearly shed their own skin when they felt the women place a gentle hand on her shoulder that didn’t drive their claws into her and felt herself hesitate when thinking of what to say. On one hand her and Fig did decide to keep the events after the attack to themselves till they found out more about what they found themselves caught in but on the other hand this was one of her teachers.
She knows things are different from the Home and most certainly everyone has been so far leagues better than the regular folk back in London and aside from the headmaster, not a single one of her teachers reminded her of the governess that would whip a ruler on them or doled out cruel punishments ill befitting of the smallest offenses the students accrued.
Thinking about it, she weighed the decision, chewing away at her bottom lip worried of offending her teacher. In the end, she trusted Fig far more than she trusted Professor Weasley shook her head. Little flyway's that framed her face bounced as she denied anything else happening on the way back aside from a futile attempt of searching for her lost luggage.
A soft “I’m sorry.” finished off Aspen’s denial and while she could tell there was more going on underneath the story she’s been told by both child and fellow teacher, Professor Weasley relented and nodded. “Very well, just know if you ever do want to talk with someone, we’re here for you.”
The older woman was about to continue on when the door to the classroom creaked open announcing the arrival of the Magical Theory professor causing both heads to turn towards the noise.
Unamused at the uncanny timing of the man walking in, Professor Weasley deadpanned and looked at the man. “Speak of the devil, your ears must be burning hot.”
Already figuring that his colleague was trying to learn more about what happened to them past what he fed to her, Fig grinned. Feeling smug and wanting to annoy his fellow lion more, he put on an obvious look of confusion and kept the act going. “Oh? And why is that?”
Matilda Weasley could tell the older was doing it to get on her nerves and just let out a huff of unamused air before composing herself and swiftly moved on. “Yes. Ms. Rosewood and I were just discussing how her first night was and how the field guide works. It also seems you have provided our new fifth year with a more than solid foundation in the basics of spell-casting.”
Fig let out a soft but full laugh that filled Aspen with some pride before feeling a hand land on her head as her hair was pat, ruffling her hair slightly. Fig continued on as he went around his desk and began organizing his papers getting ready for his first class of the day. “Ah. Well I’m afraid I can’t take all the credit there. They’ve a rare aptitude for magic and learning it seems.”
“I look forward to seeing them in action then. Very well, enough chit-chat. I need to get to class myself lest I let one of the third years transfigure themselves a new tail if I leave them alone for too long. I’m sure Professor Fig will see you out and make sure your headed off in the right direction Ms. Rosewood. I’ll be seeing the both of you later.” Professor Weasley dusted off her skirt and began walking out the door to head to her assigned room when she paused in the threshold of the door.
“Oh do be on the lookout for another letter from me in the near future Ms. Rosewood, I will be arranging a trip to Hogsmeade for you to help recover some of the item’s lost.”
Aspen nodded as she too also went back to her stuff, gathering up her few meager items before turning to Fig when Professor Weasley left the room. “Good morning Fig- um, Professor Fig.”
The older man just snorted softly before replying back to the morning greeting. “Good morning Aspen, I was hoping to catch you before you immersed yourself in studies for the day. Did I hear you masterfully evade Professor Weasley’s questions regarding what happened after the dragon attack?”
Aspen just smiled sheepishly and nodded. “You did, sir. Though I feel a little bad at having to deceive Professor Weasley. She’s been so kind to me so far…” Aspen admitted as she played with the hem of her sweater vest. Fig sighed, feeling bad for being the one who told her to not tell anyone else but him but he felt it would be in their best favor and to keep solid with his choice tried his best to reassure the girl.
“Yes, I can imagine so but even if Professor Weasley suspects something, which I’m sure she does as she is an astute and brilliant witch, it is still right to keep the details to yourself for now. If the situation worsens or anything else pops up where the two of us need to let someone else know I can say with full confidence she will be one of the first few to know along with a few of the other professors.”
Aspen listened and chewed at her bottom lip once more as she relented easily into Fig’s reassurance before standing by the door as Fig continued on, crossing his arms over the front of his body. “The truth of it as it stands is we don’t know where this path we’ve embarked upon will lead. It may require a bit more– flexibility– with your time than she would be willing to approve of. Not to mention she still is our deputy headmistress here at Hogwarts and may feel obliged to share any details with the headmaster that would be better left between us.”
At the reminder of the headmaster they had the pleasure of meeting yesterday prior to her sorting and grimaced in understanding of wanting to err on the side of caution and limit the people they tell. “That is a more than fair point. I understand.”
Chuckling Fig began walking the young student out the door and faced her in the direction of the Charms classroom. “Good. Now as capable as we both know you are, this special ability you possess obliges you to be as well trained as possible. Thankfully you also have the benefit of an exceptionally skilled team of witches and wizards here to guide you. So never shy away from asking questions. Now I’m sure you’ve quite a day ahead of you with what classes you have today plus a trip to Hogsmeade for supplies- including your own wand. If you have time later I would love to hear how your first day went over some afternoon tea before dinner?”
Aspen, being led out, listened to what Fig had to say and grinned at the prospect of spending some one on one time like they used to before the summer ended. “I would love to Fig, I’m sure I’ll have some stories to tell you of whatever shenanigans I get into.”
Laughing, Fig ruffled her hair and pushed her gently forward. “I’m sure I’ll just be delighted to hear all about it but you best head off now before the first thing you tell me later on is that Professor Ronen had to give you detention for being tardy.”
Aspen jumped and realized how long she had been there and nodded before calling out a swift farewell and retraced her steps whilst fumbling with her book to get her map to help guide her. Fig just watched her robe billow out before her as she disappeared around the corner. Chuckling, Fig walked back into his classroom and began finishing up his own preparations for the day.