Gerald
It took two days for the full extent of Caspian's bruises to show. When he told Weems he was good at duelling, this was not what he had in mind. He remembered looking in the mirror, deciding whether he should trust the muggle 'nurse' or if he should try to recall the proper healing spells himself.
He decided to go for the latter, reasoning it would require less time and far less sheepish explanations.
He was glad to report he was mostly successful in the Episky-ing of his injuries, though he still cringed whenever pressure was put on them. Xavier gave up on trying to convince him to visit the nurse, chucking him a tub of what seemed like toad wart paste given its pungent eye watering effect. But alas it wasn’t, it was something far better. Caspian swore on his magic that whoever was behind this strange Vix Vapour rub was a bloody wizard. He quickly found it eased just about any mild irritation. He’ll make sure to ask Xavier which vendor sold such a magnificent concoction.
But besides some lingering injuries, his first week of classes we're going well. Either from the content itself, the professor, his classmates, or some combination of the three. He found reasons to enjoy it all. That was true up until Mathematics that is. It wasn’t nearly as bad as his third year arithmacy (trust him, magic and number do not, and will not go together). But after he barely scrapped by, promptly dropping the course and swearing off numbers for the rest of his life, he was a bit lost now. If his performance in fencing and math were anything to go by, he would need to speak with Weem’s about needing some sort of accommodation.
But by far the class he initially dreaded most was Witchcraft and Sorcery. For a multitude of reasons.
One, he was a wizard.
It’s like if a murderer attended a class about how one gets away with murder. How much should they reveal? Should they downplay their talents to avoid suspicion? What if they accidentally stab a bloke mid lecture? All valid concerns in Caspian’s mind. Second reason, he didn’t know how magic worked in this world. Just because he was able to perform his magic doesn’t mean this world adheres to the same rules. He could very well be just as loss as he was in math. That brings him to his third reason. He promised Enid to help her in this class. Somehow, imaging her disappointed face when she realized he wouldn’t be able to, was worst than any anxiety he felt.
So he took a resounding breath when it was made clear that it would be more theory based than actual application. He was also pleasantly surprised to learn that some of the foundational rules he was familiar with still existed. For example, the Merlin Rules were just the 5 Principle Exceptions of Gamp’s Law’s. Where , food, true wealth, limbs, and magic-focusers (wands), could not be conjured out of thin air. He confidently assured Enid then and there, that he’ll happily hold her hand through the rest of the course.
He may have not have excelled in all his classes, but his first foray in Nevermore’s fitness scene was a resounding success. He was happy to be considered above average in strength even if it was only by a slim margin. However, his stamina was 'alarmingly low', to use their words. In his defence, why would a wizard need to run anywhere when floo powder and protkeys existed? Nevertheless, he reluctantly added a cardio regiment to his weekly schedule. As per other extras curricular, he declined Bianca's offer to train him in fencing. He was perfectly content with potentially forever being subpar in the sport. If anything, he much rather watch it than participate.
Specifically, he'd like to watch Bianca and Wednesday go for round 2.
It was perhaps the most exhilarating game he’s ever witnessed, second only the 2016 quidditch World Cup. He could feel the admiration and drive emanating off the two, their intensity holding everyones rapt attention.
They went blow for blow, a true spectacle of foot work and swordsmanship. Each duelist had their own style. Bianca was clinical and precise like a finally tuned weapon. As Wednesday was flourishing and grandeous, reminding him of those dragon matadors from those traveling shows. He was later disheartened but then relieved to find out that it was never actually a dragon, but a very convincing prop doused in a plethora of charms.
But the analogy still stood.
Muggle fencing shared some similarities to wizard duelling. It was more about speed, flexibility, countering and reading your opponents than just pure power alone. The foot work was familiar enough, perhaps if he actually gave it a try he might become decent. Maybe even good. But he suddenly remembered how that session ended, with Wednesday coldly staring him down. He shuddered. Perhaps it would be best not to stand out in that class
His nights were spent mulling over his notes and reading news papers that didn't move. He knew the solitary of his dorm or of the library would be a more productive place to study, but he found himself outside more times than naught. Consequently, he’d do less reading and more chatting with whoever caught his eye.
Enid was his most recurring guest by far, some how always finding him when his thoughts drifted to the blond werewolf. And it happened far to often then he’d like to admit. Talking with Enid made him realize he's never truly spoken with someone before. He was courteous and had great reprieve with his Hogwarts peers, but his mind was always set on whatever goal he was obsessing over at the time.
Enid somehow made him forget all of it.
When he was with her, he forgot about his plans for the day, future ambitions, his fucked up situation. They would talk till sundown if they could. Sometimes, they wouldn’t even need to speak, opting to silently study and mutter questioned every so often. He liked to steal glances at her bobbing head (really whole Body) at the music that emanated from he ‘earphones'.
The amount of enjoyment she seemed to get from her little contraption almost made him envy not having one. He got tired of dodging her question about how he went through life without the lack of ‘basic 21st century living’ as she put it. Enid apparently can’t imagine living a life without a phone. Though, she kept her usage to a minimum when she was around him, only pulling it out to glance at whatever caused the buzzing before promptly silencing it.
She seemed to exclusively use it when they were supposed to be studying.
He loved witnessing in real time how she’d sneakily pick up her device, swipe a couple times, giggle cutely to herself, kick back for a couple minutes before her eyes would go wide in horror. She would then promptly slam the phone on the table, slide it his way, and beg him to never let her touch it again.
He would never make any meaningful effort to do so, he loved hearing her small laughs.
He could get addicted to her smile, in fact he pretty sure he already was.
“Enid brings out the unhinged in you Caspian.” Xavier off handily remarked one time. It was after Caspian made an exaggerated sweeping gesture in conversation with her, knocking over Xavier's water colour tray in the process.
Enid was a breath of fresh air. She was warm and thoughtful whenever she mulled about what to eat for lunch. She was outgoing and bubbly whenever she felt like she had an especially cute outfit on (he personally thought she made everything look fashionable). She was pouty and fidgety when she was nervous, and loud and expressive when anxious. She tended to jumbled her words together when she excited, Caspian usually nodded along with an encouraging smile even though he didn’t understand a word she said. She was bright, kind, smart, pretty and…
And she was safely in a healthy relationship.
Even though Caspian didn’t know if respect had the same meaning as back home, he intended to uphold himself to those same standards.
If he was failing or succeeding, it wasn’t completely up to him.
He didn’t want to make things complicated for either party involved. Enid and Ajax looked happy together, if he tried to be selfish, it’d end poorly. The last thing he wanted was to be the cause of Enid’s pain. They all have their own inner battles to fight as is, no need to add another. Besides, the last thing he needs is an angry Wednesday breathing down his neck. So he’s fine with appreciating from a far, cherishing whatever time he could steal with her.
And it’s not like they were together 24/7, most of the time they were in a group either during break or in classes. They spent at most, 30 minutes a day alone together. During which, he soaked up every detail he could about Enid Sinclair.
In contrast, he never really spoke to Ajax outside a group context or when he’d eventually steal her way form him. Initially, Caspian thought he was just care-free and Enid was exaggerating his cluelessness.
But sure enough, the bloke was as oblivious as a puffskien.
That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing though, as they say ignorance is bliss, and just like a puffskien he held a certain aura that made him impossible to hate. He can see why Enid liked him.
Oddly, when he would chat with Bianca and her group, it was the most he’s ever felt at home. The whole dynamic between Divina’s graceful intensity, Kent’s brooding mysteriousness, and Bianca’s take-no-prisoners confidence, screamed Slytherin.
It was also one of the main reasons why Caspian never liked hanging out in the common rooms. Slytherin went through a major rebranding after the second Wizarding War. There were even talks about changing the iconic snake to an orange bear of all things. But through carful Ministry lead reformation, strategically placed classes, and monthly muggle-appreaction weeks, the Slytherin house of today looked nothing liked when Lord Voldemort reigned. Caspian quite enjoyed the change. He felt that the students of his generation's displayed what it truly meant to dawn the silver and green. An un ending, un ashamed, unhindered, unapologetic desire to achieve their dreams. That’s what Caspian believed Slytherin truly represents.
Non of this pure blooded nonsense and muggle inferiority complexes. To be a Slytherin means that it is not enough to wish or read about your fantasies, you must be able to live it. You cannot go through life following any other path that doesn’t aid in achieving you’re wildest ambitions. A Slytherin will do anything, becoming anyone to achieve that. Work like a Hufflepuff, face fears like a Gryfindor, or study like a Ravenclaw, whatever it takes, all to achieve that goal. Slytherin was a house of dreamers and believers and he was proud to call himself both.`
But of course, that would be all well and fine if everyone thought the same, but sadly, the world simply didn’t work like that. There were still lingering pureblood sentiments and ideals, mostly from the pureblooded heirs themselves. Unfortunately, they still believed they ran the school, and financially speaking, they did. It was a clash whenever the dreamers met the preppy purees (he wishes he came up with that joke). The common room was ground zero for such events that Caspian rather not be apart of. He did once, and it ended up nearly drowning the whole bloody house under the black lake. But it wasn’t like it was all easily avoidable. Some Slytherins were on the fence and most were all types of grey. So he always had to walk on egg shells when talking with his fellow house mates.
Bianca and her friends reminded him of that. He was always on edge with them, suddenly self conscious about everything from his posture to his hair. They would tend to say something that could be interpreted as passive aggressive, and if he wasn't on his A-game, he’d be left floundering like a drowning Joberknoll. The social anxiety was strangely nostalgic in a way.
Xavier was as Caspian initially expected, usually no where to be found. When he wasn’t in their dorms, he’d sometimes catch him in the quad or around the courtyard. Even then, he often opted to stay in his own world. But he was always a willing participant in conversation when prompted, and their conversation was easy. Usually about classes, due dates, general talk around school and of course, Wednesday. That was his relationship with the artist, easy yet non consequential.
Wednesday Addams on the other hand, was a paradox. She was everywhere and no where all at once. Sometimes it felt like he would go days without seeing her. Other times, she was everywhere his eyes just so happened to land on. It was jarring, it was like seeing a ghost or shadow. One that disappeared when the light came out. She rarely spoke to him anymore and when she did, he was practically fighting for his existence. Wednesday brought out the absolute worst in him. From testing his patience to dulling his comebacks. She had a way of tearing down any walls he constructed, leaving him exposed to her deep deadpan eyes.
She was somewhat tolerable, dare he say interesting to be around, when paired with literally anyone else for that matter. The frustration and anxiety he felt around her was easy to ignore with another person to talk to. And sometimes, especially with Enid, he would see her slip. He’d catch a glimpse of a normal misunderstood goth girl with normal misunderstood goth girl problems. Well, as normal as one could imagine Wednesday Addams being. He wished he had more time with that person, rather than this sherlockian-hell hound act she always put on for him.
Caspian, Ajax, Xavier and Enid were sitting in the quad, the weather finally easing up a bit to allow for an outdoors lunch.
“Yoooo have you guys seen this?” Ajax shoved his phone in-front of them, Caspian squinted at the headlines. “There's been a couple break ins at the jewelry store in town. The normies are scrambling to blame an outcast.”
Enid sighed, talking a sad bite out of her steak. “We’re not even allowed in town ‘until further notice’” she mimicked Weem’s proper accent. “How do they plan on blaming us?”
“They'll find a way.” Xavier muttered, eyes never leaving his sketch pad as he continued to scribble. “I’m not even sure how it could be any of our faults. Last time I checked Werewolves were pretty lousy cat burgule-”
“GERALD!” Caspian jolted in realization, his soup from his spoon splattering onto his shirt. At their collective startled stares, Caspian leaned on his hand nonchalantly, attempting to play it off as a cough.
“What?” Xavier bluntly asked.
“Oh um…Gerald he’s-he’s an old family friend of mine, a jeweller…I just realized I-I haven’t seen him in a while, I should probably look for him to make sure he’s safe.”
“Oh…ok.” The sound of scribbling and knife clattered began shortly after.
How did Caspian forget about Gerald? Scratch that, he knew exactly how his pet Nifler slipped his mind. He was bloodied port-keyed to merlin knows where and had to assimilate to a world without magic! But even then, one would think he’d remember the only other living remnant of his home.
However, Gerald was a new addition to his life, like a couple hours type new. He spent months researching an ancient Goblin mine hidden somewhere in the Forbidden Forest. It was rumoured to have a vault of goblin wrought gold in a perfect stasis charm.
And it was just sitting there!
When he was sure he pinpointed the right cave system, he employed some of his fellow money loving chaps to help venture for it. Caspian also had the bright idea to purchase a Nifler. He figured it’s natural knack for finding gold would prove useful in navigating the serpentine tunnels. Not to mention the usefulness of a beast who has specifically evolved to hoard gold.
It was like Niflers were put on this earth for this very purpose.
So he promptly stopped by The Brood and Peck shop in Hogsmede, parted ways with whatever was left of his galleons, and got Gerald on a discount. It was safe to say that Caspian was all in on this goblin tunnel raid. It was a fairly simple plan really. Get in, get the money, then drop out of Hogwarts to travel the world.
Of course, the universe just loved to punish simplicity.
Dire wolves chased them through the forrest, giant toads guarded the entrance, and rogue acromantualas infested the caves. By the time he felt like Gerald would be of any use, he refused to leave his cloak pocket.
It took exponentially longer without Gerald’s help, but eventually (by dumb luck perhaps), they stumbled close enough to where the Nifler started to stick it’s nose out.
The rest as they say, was history.
And now, Gerald was going to be history, if he was found by the muggle authorities before Caspian could get his hands on him. They would no doubt ship him off to some mad muggle beastoligist to be to be studied or worst…He shuddered, refusing to let his mind wander there.
He was partially relieved that he was still in fact alive. He didn’t actually know what Nifler’s ate or what they even did beside look for gold. He felt a pang of guilt in his abdomen before he was yet again engulfed by worry. He wasn’t sure where Gerald stood on the food chain in the woodlands here. He'd have to assumed there were at least 5 other animals who would even attempt to take a bite out of his furry friend. The fact that he’s survived this long in such a foreign area must be a good thing right?
“Lets start heading to class. Caspian, you alright? You barely touched your chowder?” Enid' wide eyes scanned him worriedl, placing a hand gingerly on his forehead. He was acutely aware of how unnecessary the action was, his mind unsure if the fluttering in his stomach was from Enid’s soft hand or from Gerald’s potential dire fate.
“Yeah I’m fine. I'll meet you guys in Professor Botficks, its the Seer class right, with the weird door?” At their nods he cleared his throat. “I know how to get there, I’m just gonna clean up a bit.” He gestured vaguely to his stained blazer.
He rushed his good byes before making quick work of his soup. He half jogged to the nearest lavatory, procuring his wand from his sock. He was about to scourgify the mess when…
“Why do you keep a ruler in your sock?”
Caspian jumped at the voice, his eyes landing on a lone boy sitting in the corner. The glasses on his face reflected the light emanating from his phone screen as he stared at him blankly. He recognized him as the boy Wednesday sometimes hung out with, Eugene.
“Umm…I use it to measure stuff…at a moments notice…”
Eugenes eyes traced along Caspian’s frozen outstretched hand. Caspian quickly retracted it away from his now curious gaze. When Ajax brought up his lack of pointy ears, Caspian took it upon himself to bewitch his wand to appear as a muggle measuring device. It would only show it’s self if one knew what to look for. He was quite proud of his handiwork, it was a quite advanced spell for his year, especially at the awkward angle he had to cast it at.
“What are you doing that you need to measure stuff so often? I don’t see you in the carpentry club? Or Mr.Skeels arts and crafts club, or Mr.Brown’s mathematics league, or-”
“Its frankly none of you’re business uhhh Eugene is it? What I do with my stuff… And may I ask what in merlins name you’re doing sitting on the washroom floor? ”
The boy averted his eyes, mumbling “Its quieter here…”.
Caspian can list 8 other spots that were in walking distance that suited his needs better.
Suddenly, Eugene’s eyes narrowed at him. “So what are you measuring right now?”
“I-uhh-um…” Caspian hesitated. It just dawned on him that this bloke was friends with Wednesday, he’d surely mention a weird run in with the new guy in the boys lavatory.
“I know you’re lying….” Eugene forehead creased seriously.
Caspian nostrils flared.“What are you talking about-”
“I know what that ruler is...What it really is…”
Caspian gasped. “Y-you do?….You…see it?”
“Not only that… I have one myself.”
What.in.the.bloody.hell.
“What?” Caspian shook his head, no it can’t be.
“Uh-huh, don’t worry, you’re secret’s safe with me. Our kind has to stick together.”
“Wait… hold on.” Caspian chuckled in disbelief. All this time he thought he was the only one, he was told he was the only one. “you mean to tell me Eugene…that you’re a wiz-”
“Assassin!”
Caspian froze in his approach. “I beg you’re pardon?”
“Assassin! I knew I couldn’t be the only one who played!” The boy spun his phone around, showing Caspian a video of what looks like a white cloaked human jumping off roof tops.
“Got my very own hidden blades, but they're up my sleeve." The boy drew up his blazer, revealing a pair of colourful pencils. “Comes in handy when I need to make marks on my bee hives.”
Caspian felt like he just got off the Hollyhead Whirly ride at Weasley-Whizzes. His mind drooling for a moment before recovering.
“Well...then ya caught me... as a fellow assassin, do you mind keeping this uhh..” He gestured between them. “secret between us?”
Eugenes eyes lit up. “Are you asking me to join your guild?”
Caspian sighed, looking at him for a long moment. “Yes if it means you keep whatevers….going on in this Boys bathroom room a secret, then yes I am asking you to join my guild Eugene.”
“ehhh Nah,”
Caspian jaw dropped to the floor.
“If I joined then you’ll be guild leader. My character is lone rebel who follows no one.”
He picked his jaw back up, throwing his hands up in disbelief, at the boy or the mind numbing situation he doesn't know. “Ok how about I join your guild then!”
Eugene scrambled off the floor. “Finally! Our alliance will be legendary! Do you, Caspian pledge to stay one's blade from the flesh of the innocent?”
“Yes.”
“You have to say ‘I pledge’.”
Caspian fought the urge to roll his eyes. ”I pledge.”
“Do you Caspian, pledge to draw not attention to oneself whenever possible?”
“I pledge.”
“And do you, Caspian, pledge to never, under any circumstance, compromise the brotherhood?”
“I pledge.”
“Then rise my fellow man, for today, you shall be reborn under the house that hums!…Of course giving you succeed through the Trial of A Thousand Cuts first.”
“Trial?” Caspian practically screeched, this was no bloody wizarding tournament. “Eugene, I have class in 5 minutes.”
“Ok fine, you bring up a good point… I guess we can do this some other time. But to join my guild, to allow me to share the burden of all you’re deepest darkest secrets, you must answer this final question.”
Caspian inhaled through his noise as slowly as possible, as if he could somehow draw the necessary patience needed form the very air around him. “Ok I'm ready…” At Eugene’s expectant silence he clenched his teeth. “I’m ready assassin leader…”
“Which Assassins Creed title, is the best?”
“The first one.” He said without hesitation.
“mmmmmmmm….”
“Eugene!”
“Alright, I’ll allow it.” The device on Eugenes wrist started to beep.
“I must go, my bees need me! See you later my fellow assassin.” Eugene pranced past him, but not before throwing couple jabs his way which he promptly jumped to avoid.
Caspian stood there, gaping at the floor in front of him for a solid minute.
He didn’t know what in the bloody hell an assassins creed was. For all he knew, he could've agreed to some ancient blood pact with the boy. But he quickly decided that Eugene was harmless enough, if not slightly unconventional.
Caspian made sure to check each lavatory door before muttering an annoyed “Scourgify”, the stain completely disappearing.
He stuffed his wand back into his sock, making a mental note to never use it on school grounds again.
He needed to find Gerald before the muggle authorities did. But how? The town was on lock down from all the students. His little foray in for extra supplies was not for another week! By then it could be too late.
It wasn’t too far of a walk he supposed, he could always go in the dead of night. But if the town's increase in security was to be believed, he’d spend more time and energy simply staying hidden rather than finding the Nifler.
He needs to speak with Weem’s about the situation.
He exited the washroom, jogging towards his next class. He can only hope Gerald was quick and sharp enough to stay alive just a little while longer.