Unaddressed Letter
A cold breeze shocked everyone as they stepped outside the castle today. The days were getting colder, and the leaves were beginning to turn red and yellow. The students who were too insouciant to wear their robes correctly on most days now were holding them close to themselves to contain any warmth they could. Most decided to spend their free time inside, where all the fireplaces around the castle roared greatly - except for one student, of course.
“And then, get this,” Enoch drew a squiggly line in the soft dirt beneath him with the tip of his wand. “because I made this movement, when apparently I should’ve been making this movement,” he drew another, slightly different line in the ground. “I got marks off. Now how ridiculous is that?” He huffed, setting his arms on his knees as he shook his head.
He looked over at the beast sitting patiently beside him as he was knelt down to its level. He let out a sigh. “How ridiculous is it I’m complaining about my school work to a kneazle?” He asked the air.
The kneazle in question made a ‘mwrp’ sound and rubbed her head into Enoch’s knee. He smiled fondly at her and patted her head in return.
“ Excuse me? ”
Enoch jumped to his feet at the sudden sound of someone’s voice. He looked over to his left and froze when he realised the voice belonged to Professor Howin. “Mr. Edevane, what are you doing in there?”
His mouth was wide open, racking his brain to think of a proper reason why he was inside the kneazle pen. He knew the true reason why - he was visiting Persephone to keep her company, but he knew Professor Howin didn’t share the same opinions about the kneazle’s condition as Poppy did, and he didn’t want to get her into trouble about it.
“I, I was just playing with the kneazles,” he stammered, waving vaguely around to the multiple cat-like creatures at his feet.
Professor Howin raised an eyebrow. “Ms. Sweeting didn’t put you up to this, did she?”
He struggled to act natural. “No, Professor, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I mean, I was just, I had free time and was bored and-”
“Save it." She put a hand up. "Step out of the kneazle pen and get to class. The hour is almost up.”
Enoch took his cue and hurriedly, while also tripping in the process, exited the pen. He gave a respectful nod as he passed Professor Howin.
“And I don’t want to see you inside the pens outside of class again, do you understand?”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Where were you? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Enoch ran into (literally ran into) Sebastian as he ran up the stairs. He looked up at his friend, who stared back at him with a concerned look. Enoch had to stop to catch his breath.
“I was outside.”
“In this weather?” Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
“I was doing something for Poppy.”
For a split second, Enoch could’ve sworn he saw Sebastian scowl before looking away, continuing to walk up the stairs. Enoch walked aside him.
“I’ll have you know,” Sebastian started after a moment of silence. “I’ve been searching. For anything that can help us with Ominis.”
“And? Did you find anything?”
They rounded the corner and entered the Charms classroom. A few students were already there, sitting at the lined tables all talking with one another. Enoch and Sebastian both made their way up to the back table lining the wall and sat down, continuing their conversation.
“I found something in Professor Weasley’s office,” Sebastian spoke with a whisper close to Enoch’s ear.
Enoch’s eyes widened. “Her office ? You went in there?”
Sebastian tried to hide a smirk as he opened his charms textbook. “I asked her for help on our last assignment so she invited me into her office. Then I ‘accidentally’ transfigured the globe sitting beside her window into a putty that fell all over the floor. As she was turned around dealing with it, I took a quick, sneaky glance around her desk.” He sucked in his lips trying to stifle a laugh. “And then I took this.”
Sebastian reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper and set it on the table in front of them. Enoch picked it up, examining it. It was folded neatly and pressed with an important looking stamp on it, but was torn open. He was concerned at the thought of Sebastian opening it, but understood that it looked important and definitely could be of use to them. He then unfolded it to read its contents and see just what Sebastian stole that he thought was valuable.
Must have before the 15th of October
2 hearts (one sheep, one calf)
4 lungs (doesn't matter which)
1 liver
Do not let students see
Enoch read it over a couple times with furrowed brows, wondering what exactly it was he was reading. He looked back up at Sebastian, hoping for more information.
Sebastian only looked back with hopeful eyes. Enoch thought he was probably thinking the same thing, that he himself probably could give him more information upon reading the note.
"I don't understand," Enoch finally said.
"Exactly. Just what is Professor Weasley getting delivered? What are those organs being used for? And why can't students see it?" Sebastian went on a tangent theorising. Enoch only grew more confused.
"So are you saying this is a letter Professor Weasley hadn't sent out yet?"
"It appears so, that's her scribble, I recognize it from all the comments she leaves on my homework." Sebastian scratched the side of his chin, glaring down at the parchment still in Enoch’s hand. "But I just don't understand what they're being used for. It's definitely important."
"Isn't she going to realise this is missing?" Enoch asked, now realising the fact Sebastian stole an unopened, unsent letter straight from her desk.
"Probably already has. She would never suspect me, or any other student, of stealing from her, though. She probably thinks she just misplaced it."
"You're putting a lot of faith into her..." Enoch muttered, worried about his friend's misdeeds. He folded the paper back up and handed it back to him. "But what now? It has no name addressed, so we don't even know who she was going to send it to."
Sebastian sighed. "It's talking about animals. Maybe we can try Professor Howin, since she's the beasts teacher?"
"I dunno," Enoch muttered, remembering his earlier encounter with the professor. "She doesn't seem to like me at the moment."
Professor Ronen started class and the two boys quieted down about the mysterious letter to pay the proper attention. Although, Sebastian was getting antsy in his seat. He couldn’t focus on class as his mind wandered. What could possibly be the reasoning for that letter? His mind kept repeating as it flew and fluttered around any possible explanation. It wasn’t until Enoch had done something that his thoughts finally quieted down inside of his brain.
Maybe not quieted down, more like changed subjects.
“And I ask all of you, what is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?” Professor Ronen looked around his classroom joyfully, waiting for an eager student to raise their hand. Once he realised no one would take the chance, he took the liberty of asking someone directly. “Mr. Edevane, do you perhaps know the advantage of using spells nonverbally?”
Enoch looked up at Professor Ronen at the sudden calling of his name and began to stutter. “Oh, uh, the advantage is, um, another person won’t be able to hear what spell you’re casting before you cast it, right?”
Sebastian stared at his friend as he answered the question. He noticed Enoch had a habit of picking at the skin by his fingernails when he’s nervous, or taken off guard, and that’s exactly what he was doing. It was one of the many quirks Sebastian had the privilege of learning about his friend the past year he’s known him. It was something he quite liked to take notice of, whether or not he liked to admit it at the same time.
“You are correct, that advantage comes into great use when you are doing such spells you learn in your Defence Against the Dark Arts class, however I assure you you will find such use valuable to you the same in Charms. In today’s lesson...”
All of the students gathered at the Great Hall that evening for supper, going about their day as normal. Sebastian was quieter than usual, still trying to understand what the letter he stole earlier was about. He had mentioned it to Ominis to update him on their progress. Ominis only scolded him for stealing from a teacher and told him to put it back. Sebastian obviously declined.
“In any case, Professor Weasley has been treating me a lot nicer this year,” Ominis said, absent-mindedly playing with his potatoes. “She usually just gives me the same attention she gives everyone else, but this year I’ve got full marks in her class even though I know I’ve not been giving my best. I really think she’s being lenient on grading my homework.”
“There’s one plus with being a Triwizard champion, then,” Sebastian replied happily. “I say use it to your advantage, stop turning in homework and see how far she’ll go.”
“Maybe she’s worried too,” Enoch theorised before glaring at Sebastian for his not-so-nice suggestion for Ominis. “And instead of stealing from her, maybe you could’ve asked her outright. She probably wants to help Ominis just as much as us.”
“Trusting in people gets you nowhere, Enoch. Especially professors. And especially the deputy headmistress. Imagine we just ask her to tell us what the task is and she keeps a closer eye on us to not cheat. She may be concerned, but you know how she is. She follows the rules.” Sebastian stabbed his roast beef with his fork forcefully and then began to mutter under his breath. “ All these bloody rules, all meant to be broken, I’d say. ”
Enoch rolled his eyes and focused on his food instead. He knew it was a losing battle trying to convince Sebastian on anything . That was one thing that frustrated him about his friend, if he had an opinion on something, you better not have a different one.
“Excuse me, students, I’d like to have a word if you all would bring your attention to me.”
Speaking of Professor Weasley, she stood up at the podium looking down at all the students still eating their supper. In Enoch’s opinion, he thought she should just become the actual headmistress, considering she works a lot more than Professor Black, who currently was not paying her any mind as he looked entranced with the dinner in front of him at the staff table.
“At the end of this month, we will be hosting a small party for All Hallow’s Eve. As you all know, we have an annual feast that night, but since we are hosting two other schools, we thought it’d be a perfect idea to make it a little more special. But keep in mind, this is not to be confused with our celebration of the Triwizard champions during Christmas time.” She smiled, taking a pause.
“What celebration?” Sebastian whispered to Ominis, thinking he knew about whatever Professor Weasley was talking about.
“I don’t know,” Ominis answered, unsure. Whatever it was, it made him nervous. It made him think about the tournament again, which made his legs feel like jello and his hands shaky.
“During the feast, we ask everyone attending to dress in typical masquerade fashion. A mask is required by each student. There will be the typical feast as always, but with some music and dancing and getting closer with our guests, encouraging everyone to let loose and have some fun outside of your stressful classes. Please, as I will reiterate, we want everyone to attend and have fun ."
Enoch had a sick feeling in his stomach about the revamped feast party. By how Professor Weasley was overselling it, he felt that she did it on purpose considering the first task is next month. Maybe this is a calm before the storm type of situation, and the staff of Hogwarts wanted the students to feel more at ease with whatever messed up competition they're going to host.
Glancing over at his friends, he was sure they felt the same sick feeling. He only hoped his premonition was just nervousness.
And as the days went by it was even harder for them to just go about as normal. For Enoch especially, his plate was full. From his usual class schedule, helping Ominis at Crossed Wands, trying to figure out what the first task was with Sebastian, visiting Persephone for a week now, all with a ton of homework and studying piled on. It was only mid October, yet this year was turning out to be very hectic.
Enoch was in the middle of basically running to his next class from the library when he ran into Deek, Professor Weasley's house elf.
"Oh, sorry Deek," Enoch apologised as he repositioned the books he was holding after almost dropping them.
"It's alright. Oh, where is Enoch headed? Has Enoch been keeping up with his classes this year?"
Enoch put on a reassuring smile. "Yes I have, Deek. Have the beasts in the vivarium been doing well?”
“Oh, oh yes. Deek has been taking good care of them all summer. Deek is going to check on them shortly, Deek just came back to school.”
“Just came back?” Enoch asked curiously. “Where did you go?”
Enoch saw for a split second Deek was about to answer, before his eyes grew wide and started shifting around. “Oh, Deek cannot say. It appears Deek has said too much. Deek will be going now.”
Deek began to traipse away clumsily as Enoch stood there in thought. After a moment, he spun around to stop Deek. “Wait!”
Deek stopped in his path and looked back up at Enoch with his hands picking at each other. “Yes?”
“You didn’t just go see Professor Weasley, did you?” He questioned, hoping he was right.
Without answering, Deek just turned back around and sped off faster this time. Enoch took a step as to stop him for a real answer, but deemed it unnecessary. He knew he was right, he knew Deek was the one that delivery letter was for.
Enoch watched as Deek walked off with a smirk growing on his face. This was perfect . Whatever that note was about, it was so obviously addressed to Deek. He should have known, since there was no name written on it. Of course Professor Weasley would use her house elf for a delivery. And now that Enoch knows Deek had already made his delivery, he was itching to find Sebastian immediately and tell him the good news.
And after his class was over, he ran once more towards the Great Hall. Supper time was beginning soon so he knew Sebastian would be there fairly soon. Enoch could barely sit still during his ancient runes class thinking about his encounter with Deek. He hoped this would mean they were one step closer to helping Ominis with the first task.
Enoch entered the hall and smiled once he spotted his two friends already sitting at the Slytherin table, chatting over their meals. He jotted over with a proud grin and stood beside Sebastian, not wanting to sit down.
“Well you look happy about something,” Sebastian teased, looking up at Enoch.
“Of course I am,” Enoch spoke. “Because I just found out who Professor Weasley’s letter was addressed to.”
Sebastian’s eyes went wide just as he was about to shove a spoonful of peas into his mouth. “Really? Who?”
“Her house elf. And we need to go to Professor Weasley’s office right now.”
Sebastian glanced over at the staff table, where said professor was quietly enjoying her meal. As soon as he pieced together what Enoch was insinuating, he smiled deviously. “D’you want to come with, Ominis?” He asked his friend, sitting across from him.
Ominis had a weary look on his face as he answered. “And what if you two get in trouble? Why can’t you just wait until supper is over and you can ask her yourself?”
Sebastian jumped out of his seat with an energised huff, itching to leave already. “Suit yourself. We’ll be back.”
The two boys raced down the halls to get to her office. They attempted to get there in a hurry, carefully avoiding Peeves the poltergeist as he floated down the halls in search of any unsuspecting student outside of the Great Hall to pull a prank on. They made their way through the courtyard and into the Transfiguration classroom, Enoch making sure the coast was clear before they entered.
“It doesn’t look like anyone’s around,” he explained as they quietly entered the classroom.
“Of course not, everyone’s at supper. You are worrying too much.” If Sebastian was alone he’d already be barging into her office as if he personally lived there, but he tried to keep his urges under wraps and follow his friend obediently, no matter how overly precautious he thought Enoch was being.
“I didn’t really think this far,” Enoch muttered as they made their way to the end of the classroom. “What exactly are we supposed to be looking for? Do you really think we’re going to find whatever it is her house elf delivered in her office?”
“It’s worth a shot, anyway. There’s got to be something.”
They approached her office door and Sebastian tried opening it, quickly realising it was locked. They looked at each other as if to telepathically decide who was going to try unlocking it first. It didn’t take long for Sebastian to declare himself up for the job as he took his wand out of his pocket and aimed at the doorknob.
“Alohomo-”
“ Not so fast, Mr. Sallow.”
The boys jumped at the sudden voice and spun around to find none other than Professor Weasley standing right in front of them, with an angry look on her face and her hands clasped in front of her. She glared at each of them over her half-moon glasses, and Sebastian hurriedly stuffed his wand back into his pocket as if it was never out in the first place.
“Professor,” Enoch stuttered, raising the pitch in his voice. “We were just wanting to see you in your office.”
“During supper?” She cocked an eyebrow. “When you both know I would be eating in the Great Hall?”
Enoch gulped, and Sebastian tried to look as calm as ever, something he was very good at faking. Something that Enoch was really envious of sometimes.
“You’re here now, aren’t you, Professor?”
Enoch looked over at Sebastian in shock of what he said, but Sebastian himself didn’t have any regret on his face.
“It appears I am,” Professor Weasley retorted. “Well, when two students suddenly left the Great Hall after something of mine mysteriously disappeared when I was helping one of the two students just a couple of days ago, I had to see what they were up to.”
Sebastian’s mirage faltered. She knew he took the letter, and that surprised him.
“Now is there any particular reason you two were after my letter?”
Both of them stayed quiet for a few seconds before Enoch decided to speak up. “Please, Professor, we’re only trying to help Ominis with the tournament.” Enoch could almost feel how frustrated Sebastian was with him after opening up so easily, but he felt he had to. They were caught with no other explanation.
But Professor Weasley looked confused instead. “And you think my letter would help you with that?”
Now it was time for the boys to become confused. “Is... that not what it was for?” Sebastian asked, warily.
“Of course not,” she responded as if it was completely obvious. “That’s why I was so bewildered once it was missing from my desk after you, Mr. Sallow, visited my office. What could you possibly want with haggis?”
“Haggis?” The boys asked in unison.
“Yes,” she cleared her throat and straightened her posture. “I was feeling homesick for a dish my grandmother used to make me as a young child, and wanted to make it for Madame Auclair and Headmaster Romanov to show gratitude and hospitality.”
Sebastian and Enoch looked at each other absolutely befuddled at the fact they were both completely wrong about the letter. “But,” Sebastian started, looking back at Professor Weasley. “Why did the letter say not to let any student see?”
Professor Weasley chuckled. “I felt that a house elf carrying various bloodied and fresh organs would not be a pretty sight to any of our young students, I didn’t want to upset anyone’s stomachs.”
The boys, Sebastian especially, started to feel fairly dumb over the whole situation. And not only were they so far off from the truth, they were also right back where they started, not knowing anything about the first task. It was all a complete waste of their time and effort.
“Professor,” Enoch started again. He thought that since they already came this far, he should just get straight to the point and ask. “Can you tell us anything about the first task next month?”
Professor Weasley looked back at them with a saddened expression. “I’m truly sorry, boys. I cannot help you in that regard.”
The boys now had their heads hung low, realising all their efforts thus far have truly been in vain. Professor Weasley stared at them both with tight lips, and they took that as their cue to leave her classroom. They had just passed her when she spoke up again.
“If I can give you boys any more advice over the matter,” she paused, and they both looked back to her with hopeful spirits. She looked back at them with a reassuring smile, and seemed to look at Enoch specifically. “I believe in times like these we should receive all the help we can from those who are close to us.”