Chapter Six

[Koalingo Academy]

Chapter Six

As they left the Golden Hall and started down the grandstand-sized steps after breakfast, the atmosphere had returned to relaxing, the sun was still shining brightly overhead and the whips of wind that had begun the previous night had completely subsided, casting rays of warmth upon everyone. Godric always found great humour in seeing the first years, they were always so particular about their uniforms, where as the rest of the grades, having gotten used to the attire; the novelty having worn off; were dressed much more comfortably and loosely.
The new lot of Saphricorn Prefects were already present and they looked no more happy about being at the meeting then their predecessors would have, Aurora Velvetblossom was only too happy to point out to Godric, that her younger sister, Iliana, whom was a fifth year Saphricorn, had aspired to prefect, though looking at Iliana, Godric could see she was far less then pleased to be there. Aurora Velvetblossom waved to her sister, whom replied with a wave behind her back, trying not to let anyone else see it.
The Emerindyl prefects reached the Saphricorn’s and they all sat down together while Madame Tweed bustled among the first years lining them up to her liking.
“So you’re the new prefects?” Godric spoke looking at the Iliana, not able to catch the gaze of the seventh year prefects Dwayne Robson and Alma Arrigton.
“For this week,” Iliana spoke looking towards Madame Tweed defiantly.
“You don’t expect to be prefects longer the that?” Godric asked offhandedly, he also turned to watch Madame Tweed.
“Not really…” she spoke and then turned to look directly at Godric, “We all had a meeting last night about her,” she tossed her head at Madame Tweed and Godric turned to look at Iliana once more, “We wont take her rubbish this year, if she wants a fight, we plan to meet her challenge,”
“Iliana, don’t go doing anything stupid,” Aurora Velvetblossom looked at her younger sister; her face was white with concern.
“Oh no, Aurora, that’s exactly what we plan on doing,” Iliana grinned, Godric smiled, though Aurora Velvetblossom looked worried, and so he didn’t allow her to see his smile.
“Welcome to Koalingo Academy first year’s, I’m sure you all slept well last night?” Madame Tweed finally brought everything to order, Godric listened to this first question, wondering if it was an idle question that she didn’t expect an answer for, or if she was doing it to show the prefects she was keeping an eye on them all; “Your home for the next seven years of your educated lives,”
“She seems perfectly certain that everyone plans to stick around for their DINGOS, what if they all disappear after their KOALA’s?” Alex muttered and was promptly shushed by Elouise, siding into the assembly inconspicuously, shoving Alex in the side.
“Where were you?” Godric whispered to her curiously.
“Never mind, I’ll tell you later,” she shushed him as well as they strained to hear Madame Tweed over the noise floating down from the classroom windows.
“Koalingo Academy offers the very best education available in this vast and very beautiful country of ours and we are proud of our fine tradition of delivering the highest marks in the DINGOS ever since Koalingo Academy was established all one-hundred and sixty students from each graduating grade have performed to the best of Ministry expectations, producing the best marks of all eight Australian wizardry high schools,” Madame Tweed was telling the first years, whom all seemed a little confused as to why she was telling them when their DINGOS were more then half a decade away, Godric admired their ignorance to the future; “A tradition we hope to keep for years to come,”
“Oh good – so no pressure then?” Alex mused causing the nearby Saphricorn prefects to snicker, and Elouise give him another hard shove in the ribs and a hissing “shush!”
“Thus you may all rest assured that you all have the privilege to learn at the very best teaching facility in the country,” Madame Tweed droned on. Godric wondered if the first years were as bored with her speech as he was.
His eyes strayed to the blue sky above, which had large incredibly fluffy looking white clouds moving slowly in the breeze not present on the grounds. He spied several Kookaburra’s flying into one of Koalingo Manor’s highest towers while several others flew out, these were the mail birds, which brought things to and from their student owners. Godric wished he could fly away with them, at least they didn’t have to listen to Tweedy going on about how good the school was, sounding as if the school’s success had been all because of her, and not of the Headmaster’s and Headmistresses it had had from the beginning. His hand slipped up his chest to a round medallion about the size of a muggle twenty-cent coin with a silver gillyweed inside the outer silver ring. It was a gift from his father in his third year, it was an animagus charm, which allowed him the power of transformation into any creature he wished at will. It was very rare, and one of his finest treasures. He quickly removed his hand from the medallion, realising he was willing himself to turn into a kookaburra and fly away.
Lord Emerindyl and the other founders were at the mini-assembly also, standing on the courtyard in front of the Ameraid fountain, behind Madame Tweed; looking forward at the first years. Godric looked along at them; his father looked to be thoroughly enjoying the speech, while Lady Saphricorn, his mother, was staring blankly into space looking as though she’d charmed her eyes open but was sleeping. Lord Ruberagon was watching Madame Tweed with great intensity, as if he were willing her to shut up. Lady Ameraid was not looking at Madame Tweed at all, but was looking down into the first row of first years. Godric looked down to see whom, but they all looked the same from the back.
“I forgot to ask,” Godric whispered to Aurora Velvetblossom not wishing to be scolded by Elouise, “How did that Russel boy end up in Emerindyl?”
“Huh?” Aurora Velvetblossom jolted and looked at Godric as if she had just been sleeping, though Godric distinctly saw her gaze was directed at the seventh year Herbology class working in the garden not far from the entrance courtyard, it was a Ruberagon and Saphricorn class of seventh years, though no one he knew too well, “Oh, Jack? Well when Lady Ameraid didn’t seem prepared to give in, your dad suggested a swording duel,”
“He didn’t…” Godric stood flabbergasted before looking back noticing Professor Heidburg, whom was introducing himself to the first years.
“Yep… Lady Ameraid looked livid but she turned him down, and gave in,” she told him glancing back at the Herbology class for a fleeting second before looking back towards Professor Heidburg, now preparing a chart of famous muggles, which Madame Tweed was forcing away, telling him they didn’t have time for a muggle studies lesson.
“I don’t think it helped their friendship any,” Aurora Velvetblossom spoke keeping her eyes on Professor Ngera, whom was introducing herself now.
“Does that matter?” Godric muttered, knowing full and well what he’d think of his father if he and Lady Ameraid did form any relationship.
The period wore on slowly, the prefects were all positively dead in their seats as they stared at the introductions unfolding before them, none of them very interesting, though there was one moment when Professor Darkmoon seemed to momentarily lose control of his wand, which shot out of his hands, and wrote in the sky, ‘RUN FOR YOUR LIVES, THIS GUY IS A NUTCASE’ which most found to be quite funny, though Godric distinctly saw Professor Darkmoon clipping a little chain around his wand when he walked off putting his wand back in his pocket, Pete the Moss was not with him. The other staff members included, Professor Douglas, an intern from the magical teachers college, he’d been a student of Koalingo Academy and graduated in Godric’s third year. Professor Malfurious Than, whom was teaching a new subject after giving up on Arithmancy, which had been abandoned by it’s previous Professor, whom went nuts when all of her classes failed their exams devastatingly and she swore never to teach again, though no one ever told her they’d all used Arithmancy calculators which didn’t quite work. Professor Gardiner ducked over from her seventh year class for a brief few minutes while she hastily introduced herself wiping a soil-covered hand across her sweaty forehead making her look very grubby indeed. The four founders then had their turns, telling everyone the classes they taught, Lord Emerindyl was currently teaching History of Magic, while Lady Saphricorn taught Care of Magical Creatures, Lord Ruberagon announced he was now teaching Defence Against Dark Arts and even slipped that he thought Professor Vade (whom was not present) was a complete incompetent Defence Witch. Lady Ameraid announced that she taught classes on telepathy, though reminded them all, with particular emphasis to the Emerindyl first years, that she only taught Ameraid’s. Professor Ruberagon, Lord Ruberagon’s son Rob; told them he was teaching the duelling class, which was now open to first years as well, though Madame Tweed sniffed awfully loudly as if she was deeply annoyed at this, not that Rob paid any attention to her.
They were running late by the time the bell sounded for first recess, half of the Professor’s had not yet been introduced, though most of this half were teaching and those that had come from classes were not in the best of moods, making those who would normally be quite nice Professor’s to seem like a bunch of grumps. They were given their recess in the entrance courtyard so they were not lost in the crowd clambering towards the Golden Hall, and those wandering off in the gardens to enjoy the last days of summer. And when recess ended a very cantankerous Dilemma made his way to Godric, Aurora Velvetblossom, and Alex whom were standing surrounded by forty Emerindyl first year’s.
Godric spied Aurora Celeste and her Ameraid Prefects leading the Ameraid first’s towards the edge of the Entrance courtyard and called loudly enough for Aurora Celeste to hear them, “Ok, everyone, let’s head for the gardens and get some fresh air,”
Aurora Celeste sent him a contemptuous look, Godric knew she was heading for there and wondered if she’d still try for it.
“You think we should tell Tweedy?” Dilemma spoke looking over his shoulder to where Madame Tweed was standing chatting with some of the School Governors, and to Godric’s horror, Forellius Crudge had arrived.
“No, she’ll find us, come on,” Godric turned to the gardens and led the way off the stone courtyard trying to ignore the scowls he was getting from Aurora Celeste.
“Ok, everyone want to follow Godric, please” Aurora Velvetblossom called to the forty first-years and the small heard of green moved off after Godric. Godric made his way to a clearing of lush green grass with four walls of garden beds on every side and a small pathway into it, it was very secluded and undoubtedly where Aurora Celeste had planned to bring her group.
“Ok, gather around please,” Godric called over the sea of green as they filtered into the area and stood in front of him, Godric proceeded to count to make sure everyone was there, finishing his count with Jack Russel, “Ok, lets see, groups of ten please, if you can split up, ten of you go to Alex, ten to Dilemma, and Ten to Aurora please,” he called pointing to each of the other three and then to himself, they split up slowly, some less sure about who to go with then others, in the end he had a group of five boys and five girls, Jack included,”
“Ok, well over here please,” he led them to the far corner, while the other three took the lead and they split off to small area’s, “Ok, well the purpose of these activities are to get you all well acquainted with one another, and of course me, my name is Godric and I am the seventh year Prefect for Emerindyl house, so if you ever need anything just come see me, or one of the other three you’ve just met, you’ll get a chance to talk to them all later on, and you’ll meet the other two Prefects, whom aren’t here, Elouise Snape, and Lucy Cortez, later on during the day, so how about we started with getting to know one another,” he reached into his bag and pulled out a roll of toilet paper, some of the students looked aghast at the roll, though some of them seemed to think it was rather funny, “Ok, a circle please,” he asked them and at once they formed a circle, Jack Russel ended up on Godric’s direct right, “Ok, pass this around,” he spoke passing it to Jack, “I want you to take off as many little squares as you would usually use when you go to the toilet,”
Again he got disgusted looks from the group, but with a reassuring, “Come on, it’s just a game,” Jack took some squares off with a smile and passed it on to a boy to his right.
“This is a get-to-know-you activity?” one of the girl’s spoke hesitating when she got the toilet paper, “What about privacy…”
“You don’t have to seriously take what you use, just take a couple, it’s ok, I promise, you’ll understand soon enough,” he smiled and that seemed to be enough for the rest of them whom ripped the paper squares off and handed it back to Godric whom put the toilet paper back into his bag, “Ok, now everyone has some…” he looked down the end to a small boy who was grinning with more then a handful rolled up in his hands, obviously showing off, Godric grinned, “Ok, now for every square you have in your hand, you have to tell everyone here, one thing about yourself,”
The boy who went overboard literally fell over, everyone laughed at him, Godric smiled. He remembered Alex doing the exact same thing in their first year.
“Ok, Jack, do you want to start?” Godric smiled down at him and he seemed hesitant though he smiled back and nodded, Godric couldn’t help but think something about his smile was oddly familiar, almost comforting.
“Ok,” well Jack started looking around at everyone, “Well I have five squares,” he took a deep breath seemingly seriously considering his choices of information he should share, “Well um… I lived with my mother before I came here, my father died before I was born,” he told them ripping off two squares and pocketing them, “My name is Jack Russel, my birthday is August 22nd,” he ripped off two more sheets of toilet paper and pocketed them, “And… I lived in New South Wales before I came here,”
“Ok,” Godric smiled and nodded to the boy after Jack.
“My name is Davis Hurt, I’m from W.A”
“My name is Anna Williams, and I’m from Western Australia too,”
“My name is Gemma Carriage, my family’s from Queensland,”
“My name is Alan Tighe, my family live in Tasmania,”
“My name is Erin Little I live on the South Coast in New South Wales”
“My name’s Rebecca Smith and I live here in Victoria, not far from this mountain,”
“My name is Richard Strathmore, South Australia is my home”
“My name’s Kimberly Sullivan, my family live in Canberra, muggles, you know,”
Everything had definitely lightened up considerably by the time ‘John Gallagher’ rattled off his thirty-seven things about himself, also capping off with his announcement that he lived in the Northern Territory, making Godric happy to see he had someone from every corner of the country, and they all seemed to realise that they had things in common and were not completely alien to one another.
“Ok, now telling everyone else about yourself is the easy part,” he smiled at them all as some of them groaned seemingly mortified that there could be something worse, though Godric smirked, “Now you have to try and remember it all,” he was pleased to hear sighs of relief.
“Mr Emerindyl,” came a voice from the pathway off from the clearing, he looked over to see Forellius Crudge and Madame Tweed standing their, some school governor’s were watching Alex as he played a game with the first years where they had to tackle one another and try to steal their socks,
“Isn’t that the Minister of Magic?” Richard Strathmore spoke up when Godric answering to their call seemed to instruct all of the first year’s to look as well, “I’ve never met him before, no one in my family has,”
“Your not missing anything I assure you,” Godric muttered as he gestured for them to stay, and walked over past Aurora Velvetblossom’s group to the Minister.and Madame Tweed, “Yes?”
“That’s; ‘yes sir,’ Mr Emerindyl,” Madame Tweed told him looking slightly abashed at his abruptness.
“Not necessary Hortensia,” Minister Crudge placed his hand up to her carelessly, “So, Mr Emerindyl, how are you feeling this morning?”
“I’m sorry?” Godric looked at him slightly confused, how was the Minister of Magic to know he had been void of energy the previous night.
“Well surely witnessing the death of a friends sibling has had some toll on you?” Crudge went on and it dawned on Godric that he was talking about the holidays.
“Oh, well yes, but I can handle it, thank you for your concern,” he said as politely as he could, he still hadn’t forgiven the Minister for the letter he had written instead of actually being there for Rea and her mother.
“That’s good to hear, then you should be fine to give a statement some time today?” Crudge added as if this was quite a normal thing to say.
“A statement? For what?” Godric looked at him rather anxiously, wondering why he had to give another statement, “I already gave a statement to the Auror’s after it happened,”
“Yes and now you’ll give a statement to the Ministry, whom will be doing a full inquest into Mr Sinister’s actions,” Madame Tweed butted in and Minister Crudge nodded.
“Your investigating Lucius? Does he know?” Godric looked from the Minister to Madame Tweed and then back at the Minister, “Does Lord Ruberagon know?”
“They will know soon enough, I’d appreciate it if you kept this under your hat until Mr Sinister has been notified, of course? It’s not yet official, but it shall be by this afternoon, at which point we’ll need you to give a statement to a ministry official,”
“Would you like me to do it Minister? Then you will not have to call someone else in,” Madame Tweed asked him in a falsely sweet voice, reminding Godric that she was still a Ministry official.
“Would you Hortensia, that would be grand, there you go Godric, Madame Tweed will interview you this evening,” Minister Crudge tilted his head before walking off towards the other school governor’s.
“My office after dinner Mr Emerindyl, you know where it is” she tilted her head curtly and followed the Minister of Magic.
Godric turned on his heel and walked back to the first year’s, which were now all looking slightly angry and divided, Jack at the head of one group and Richard Strathmore at the head of the other group.
“Is something wrong boys?” he spoke in the casually formal tone he had inherited off his father.
“He was insulting you,” Jack looked furiously at Richard.
“He insulted the Minister of Magic, I had a right to,” Richard stared defiantly right back at Jack.
“He is the son of Lord Emerindyl and Lady Saphricorn, he’s allowed to insult the Minister of Magic,” Jack retorted still looking furious.
Godric sighed, “Ok, that’s enough, both of you calm down, please reform the circle and sit down,” the two boys continued to glare at one another, neither wishing to take their eyes off the other first. However they did manage to regroup in one circle and Godric walked around passing them little white paper cards which were folded in two, “I don’t want you to look at your cards just yet, and don’t let the person next to you see what it is,” he spoke before he walked back to the head of the circle at Jack’s side, “Now, this game is called ‘Discrimination’, I was going to split you into groups of blue eye green eyes, but I think I’ll split you as groups of democrats and royalists; whether you support the Ministry or the Monarchy, on your cards, it tells you what you are, but again I don’t wish for you to look at them just yet,”
“Then how are we supposed to know what side we should be arguing for and against?” Richard Strathmore was looking confused and annoyed; possibly thinking the game was beneath him.

[Koalingo Academy]

“You should know in your hearts what you are, and argue for that,” Godric told him.
“A democrat,” Richard Strathmore muttered with a mumble of agreement from half the ten.
“A royalist,” Jack Russel muttered with a general agreement from those whom remained.
“Very well,” Godric gestured towards them, “The ground floor is yours,”
He sat there as they all stared at one another stupidly for a while, though Richard seemed the most eager to continue arguing, “He should not insult Minister Crudge, he is our countries democratic leader,”
“And his father’s been the countries support for more then two millennia – he is also royalty and therefore overrules the Ministry,” Jack argued back.
This of course set Richard and Jack off and the entire ten of them started arguing so loudly that the School Governors, the Minister of Magic, and Madame Tweed came waking over, the other three groups of Emerindyl students fell silent as they followed them over and watched, Aurora Velvetblossom looked anxious, possibly wondering if she should do something, while Alex and Dilemma seemed to have faith that Godric had it all under control.
“The Ministry is the democratic rule, they’re there because that’s who the wizards of Australia wanted to lead them, therefore they should have sovereign rule over the country, and no royal should be allowed to speak ill of them it all comes down to respect,” Richard was nearly shouting, the School Governor’s looked aghast at the topic of conversation where as Minister Crudge was grinning at Richard’s last announcement.
“The ministry have done nothing but foolish things in this country for the last two thousand years, they nearly had the entire country destroyed with their stupid move against the giants, who saved us there, huh? Neither you or I would be standing here today if it was not for Lord Emerindyl,” Jack shouted back, “The Ministry are fools, and anyone who follows them over the Lord’s and Ladies is just as foolish,”
Minister Crudge’s smile faded at once and he started towards the boys, but Godric stood and cut him off, “That enough boys,” he walked into the middle of the circle, and Crudge backed off, “Ok, so as you see, your different views have led to dividing you all, and no doubt our bystanders have heard the arguments and are sharing their own thoughts under the noise of you two bellowing at one another,” Jack went slightly red, looking ashamed, whereas Richard looked angry with Godric, “Ok, open your cards, and read what they say,”
The ten opened their cards and read them, the others standing beyond them, including the school governor’s were all trying to see what the cards said.
“What’s this supposed to mean? You are Australian,” Richard mocked reading out his card for everyone who’d listen. Minister Crudge backed off looking solemn; Madame Tweed was glaring at Godric, though he ignored her and the School Governor’s were all smiling.
“Think about it Strathmore,” Jack spoke up as he showed his card said the same thing, all of the ten first ear’s turned out their card’s and all of them had exactly the same thing, “We’re not democrats or royalists, we’re all Australian,”
“Exactly, for it is our different beliefs that divide us, and I am not saying you’re not allowed to have beliefs different from everyone else, but I am saying, that you will each need to find a common ground if you hope to co-exist with these different beliefs, and that common ground is ultimately what you all are, you are not democrats or royalists, you’re not an Emerindyl or a Saphricorn, or a Ruberagon, or an Ameraid, but you are all Australian, and that alone should be enough to make you see that we are all on the same side and that fighting among ourselves only hurts ourselves,” Godric told them, the school Governor’s applauded, though Crudge did not make any sort of facial expression at all, and Madame Tweed still looked livid.
Alex was smiling, as was Aurora Velvetblossom, and Dilemma smirked, the first year’s all seemed to understand and Madame Tweed walked off to the path with the School Governor’s and Minister Crudge.
“Ok, Alex, you want to play a game with the whole group, I want to go have a word with Tweedy – see if we impressed the School Governor’s,” Godric smiled, Alex gave him a thumbs up.
“Ok, everyone, big circle! Let’s have a game of the Whomping Willow!” Alex cheered, Dilemma groaned, and Aurora Velvetblossom threw Godric a pleased smile.
Godric walked to the gathered Governor’s, Minister, and Madame Tweed, at once each of the half dozen School Governor’s shook his hand, “That was very impressive Mr Emerindyl, very impressive,” one of them congratulated him.
“You’re to be commended young man, very few could handle such a controversial conversation like that with children that young and still manage to come out of it making everyone happy,” one of the female School Governor’s Shirley Wirrimah clapped him gently on the back, “You should consider a position in the International Co-Operations department, I worked their in my younger years, you’d be a good diplomat,”
Godric didn’t know whether to feel good or not, he was still a little confused where his future career was considered, though his voice sounded with a polite, “Thank you,”
“You truly are a credit to this school Mr Emerindyl,” another said, “Good luck with your DINGOS,”
“Thank you,” he said gratefully before watching Minister Crudge lead them off, leaving Madame Tweed behind with Godric, “Well that went well,”
“Don’t even begin to think you’ll be getting off so easily, that could have very easily have turned on you and made us all look like complete idiots,” Madam Tweed spat at hi at once, taking him by surprise though he stared at her definitely, recovering almost instantly.
“You mean, making you look like a complete idiot,” he said without thinking, though he covered for it at once, “The fact of the matter is, the School Governor’s think I handled it perfectly, you’re off the hook Tweedy, for now anyway”
“Well you certainly are confident about yourself,” she hissed back, “Don’t be so sure things will go in your favour next time,” she turned on her heel after tossing him one last filthy look, “See you in my office tonight seven o’clock sharp,”
Godric smiled triumphantly, he’d gotten one over her for now, and he knew she did not approve of the monarchy verses ministry topic, but he had the School Governor’s backing for now, he was momentarily invincible.
Alex’s voice floated back into Godric’s head as he looked back to see what Alex was doing with the first years; “Ok! Put your left branch in, pull your left branch out, put your left branch in and shake it all about! You do the Whomping Willow, and you turn around, that’s what its all about!”
*
During recess Godric sat with the other prefects at the end of the Emerindyl table while the prefects spoke about them at the opposite end, trying, and failing dismally to escape Dilemma’s keen ear that was relaying everything to Aurora Velvetblossom and Godric.
“That Strathmore chap still doesn’t like you,” Dilemma told Godric in a low whisper as he tried to listen to them without making it look obvious, “And I think Jack has a crush on you, Aurora”
“Dilemma, stop being so immature,” Aurora Velvetblossom snapped, though it was impossible for her to hide the flattered embarrassment from her eyes, “If you want to be part of their conversation, we wont hold it against you if you go join them,”
“Give me a little more credit…” Dilemma looked at her in mock innocence, “If I wanted to join them I would hardly wait for approval,”
“Well you have ours, nonetheless,” Aurora Velvetblossom repeated and Dilemma made to reach the orange-juice jug to his far right before grabbing the table instead and sliding along the wooden seat with a smirk, “I hope he watches out for Christina Seymour, she’s even more insane then Wally… she was in my group this morning, when we did the toilet-paper game, she giggled with every square she pulled off…”
Godric chuckled quietly to himself, he had completely forgotten about Christina Seymour.
“I hope he gives himself a splinter doing that one day…” Elouise growled as she joined them, having only just arrived from class, “Arithmancy was ghastly, Alex, we have a tonne of homework already,”
“Remind me why I chose Arithmancy? I don’t even like numbers,” Alex muttered as he used his fork to shovel potato off the top of his shepherd’s pie.
“You know you can get plain pies without the potato on them,” Lucy announced watching Alex with a disgusted look at the pile of potato, melted cheese, and chives; he was loading onto a napkin by his plate.
“No, but then the meat wouldn’t have that potato tang to it,” Alex announced before covering the bare top with tomato sauce. Lucy watched him revolted and somewhat baffled.
“You chose Arithmancy because you copy off me all the time,” Elouise looked at Alex in the type of way, Godric was used to seeing her look at Dilemma.
“Ah yes… I remember now… I think you need to do more work though, I barely scraped a ‘B’ in our last lot of homework last year,” Alex mused taking another generous bite from his pie. Elouise looked at him shaking her head pityingly.
“If you pass your DINGOS next year I would be wondering what jinx you placed on your examiners,” Elouise tossed a disgruntled look across the table at him. Godric smiled when he noticed Lucy giving Alex a look almost exactly the same.
“Well maybe I wont be hanging around to get it, next year? I mean, Godric leaves at the end of this year, I’m of-age, Godric will be out in the real world, he might be looking for an assistant or something, and who better then his best mate?” Alex spoke, sounding as if he’d thought about it a lot.
“You don’t even know what Godric has planned to do when he graduates, what if he becomes a Professor, huh? You can’t work in this school if you’ve not got the qualifications,” Elouise snapped.
“Research assistant,” Alex answered as quickly as if he’d thought about the different careers Godric would take, and what he could do to be a part of it.
“Oh, you’re hopeless…” Elouise rolled her eyes and stabbed her fork into a carrot stick in the freshly made recess salad now in front of her, “You didn’t think to give a thought about me, of course, you know we two are supposed to be head prefects for Emerindyl next year, you don’t think I might need your help, then you could stand by your friends and still get an education,”
“Hmmm… no, I like my play better,” Alex took another large bite out of his pie before quickly wiping away the gravy at his mouth’s edges.
“Good day young leaders,” Lady Saphricorn nearly sang as she appeared behind Godric’s back, she draped her slender arms over his shoulders as she looked down onto them all, Godric could feel her nails digging gently into his shoulders in an almost tickling fashion, “How did your first sessions go with the new lot?”
“It was great,” Alex spoke first still smiling, the extra spots of gravy throwing more expression into his grin, “We played games, got to know one another, had a political debate on monarch or ministry… you know, all the usual things,”
“A debate?” Lady Saphricorn’s voice sounded slightly less cheerful and Godric could feel her fingers had stopped moving.
“It was all sorted in the end though,” Aurora Velvetblossom put in quickly, “Godric impressed the school governor’s with his ability to handle such matters,”
Godric felt her fingers begin to move again, “As I knew he would,” she leant down and kissed him on the forehead, her sleek white hair falling in front of his eyes, and for a moment, everything froze; ‘I hear the Ministry is bringing a suit against Lucius Sinister for the death of Rea’s brother, has old Crudgey told you yet?’ came the voice of his mother, though everything to his site had seemingly frozen in time, the white hairs still covering his face, and his mother’s warm lips still upon his forehead. ‘Yes, he and Hortensia cornered me during the first session, I have to attend a meeting with her this evening, she’s going to be taking another statement from me – why cant she just take the one I gave to the law officers?’ Godric’s voice sent back to his mother, they were having a telepathic conversation, which excluded all others, even time. ‘My guess is they are trying to set you up if you misword it, try and find scandal in it, you know they don’t like having Robby here teaching, they still believe in all that codswallop about him being some horribly evil wizard, Lucius is just a patsy here for the downfall of the Ruberagon family, it will not go well though, the Sinister family name is well-known and well-respected across the country, but they are of Ruberagon decent; the ministry will pull out all stops to convict Lucius,’ Godric heard his mother’s voice again and was silent for a moment while he thought; ‘Why go for such a large target then, why Lucius?’ ‘Well we don’t know why they seem so sure of themselves as yet, With Madame Fines on emotional leave we have no one in the Minister’s office that will relay to us. Though I think we would be safe to write it up as Ministry foolishness, after all my son, look who is leading them – I’ll follow you to the meeting, not as myself of course, Hortensia would not allow that, I promise you, but I’ll be there,’
It was as if something pressed play on a paused movie when his mother’s lips left his forehead; “Godric has a way with people I only wish I had,” she finished and Godric had to backtrack a moment to remember what his mother was talking about, “And I’m sure Madame Tweed didn’t like seeing Godric getting close with the school governor’s,” Lady Saphricorn threw them all a wink, Godric saw in the reflection of his golden plate, before she nodded farewell to them stopping short only to ask Elouise to come and see her at the end of lunch, before disappearing to the staff table, where Madame Tweed was not present.

At the beginning of the next session, Godric made his way to the library entrance with the first year’s, Elouise had not yet arrived back from her promised meeting with Lady Saphricorn, and by the sounds of it, Professor Vade was already in a very bad mood.
“That’s CLASS time, do you not understand what a BELL is? Do you not understand you leisure time in this LIBRARY is over and now you must attend your all important CLASSES,” Godric could hear her bellowing while he stood keeping a reassuring smile with the lined up first year’s al looking horrifically at the library door.
Aurora Velvetblossom, having chosen bravely not to attend this session, had agreed to help prepare for the barbeque lunch. This would leave only Godric and Elouise to show the first year’s their first taste of the school library, though when at last a helping face appeared in the corridor outside the library, Godric was slightly confused to see that it was not Elouise.
“Dilemma?” Godric asked when he saw Dilemma side up to him and the first years; no school bag with him.
“Elouise came and pulled me out of Transfiguration, told me, I’d have to help you this period, she’s got something else she has to do, but she didn’t seem to happy about it,” Dilemma announced when he stood spying into the library, dodging when a few second year’s came running out accompanied by Professor Vade’s mad screaming.
“Professor Vade is not exactly in the best mood, Dilemma,” Godric spoke warningly looing through the door himself, “So behave yourself for once, ok?”
“Godric,” Dilemma pulled an expression of mock-hurt, “You say that as if I never behave myself…”
“You don’t,” Godric cleared up the fact that he had no silly thoughts about a well-behaved Dilemma Pendragon.
“And what are you doing here Mr Emer… oh… yes… the first years,” Professor Vade had poked a snarling face out into the corridor, but immediately composed herself, possibly in a hope to not have these first year’s hate her from the word go, not that Godric expected she’d care either way. She sighed, “I had forgotten about this, very well, enter,” she spoke stepping out into the corridor, the door standing open. Godric gestured for the first years to enter, and slowly and somewhat apprehensively, they all walked into the Library.
The library was massive, in a bid to keep all of the books in the library in the sight of the librarian, it had been built with no floor between the first, second, third, and forth levels, merely allowing a very narrow lanai around the walls, each of which was accompanied with three ladders on runners per wall. The library was so tall it was rare for a student to venture to the forth level for books, something they usually had the librarian do for them, it was not rare for friends to dare one anther to climb to the highest point of the library and swing off the ladder holding onto it with only one hand and foot.
“Hey Godric,” Dilemma sided up to him with a grin when they entered and all stopped in the biggest clear area of carpet before the librarian’s desk, “Do you remember in our third year when Gordon Gargoyle dared me to climb to the-“
“Quiet!” Professor Vade snapped and Godric smiled.
“Now,” Professor Vade smiled turning back to the first year’s with a smile on her face which did not look at all natural, “For those of you whom are exceedingly dense, this is the Koalingo Academy Library, now who can tell me what you can find in a library?” every hand shot into the air, “And the first Emerindyl to answer ‘books’ will lose five points for their house,” every hand dropped except one, “Yes young man?”
Godric looked to see the one hand in the air was that of Jack Russel’s. “Knowledge, both well-worded and age perfected,”
“Age perfected… yes… some would call it out-of-date, however you’ll not find an out-of-date book in Koalingo Academy, books are updated when they become redundant, of course the most important redundancy throw-out was that no less then sixth and a half years ago, when almost every history book in this library had to be destroyed or re-written,” Professor Vade went on, “Of course some of these books have been archived to show future generations of the ignorance we suffered for more then two-hundred years,”
“I love how she threatened the loss of five points if they answered wrong, but never awarded five points when Jack was right…” Dilemma whispered in Godric’s ear, though Godric had noticed Professor Vade’s eyes flicker towards them and did not dare reply.
“The library hours are six in the morning until eleven o’clock at night, though of course, you lot, being first year’s, have a curfew of nine-thirty until your third year, after which I believe it is increased until ten-thirty, but of course that means you’ll have plenty of your own time in which you may spend here, but I do punish those whom are out after hours, even if the library is still open, I do not support rule-breaking,” Professor Vade explained, Godric could tell she was just itching to go beyond the role of librarian, “Now, let s go on a little tour around the library so I can give you the basic layout as it was given to me this morning,”
Godric heard her voice sound slightly more angry with her last sentence before the first year’s started slowly off after Professor Vade, whom was telling them all where to find certain books, with an almost sarcastic tone about her. Godric followed uninterestedly and Dilemma followed with a grin, it was easy to see he was finding great joy in Professor Vade’s torment.
The minutes drew on slowly and half a period later they were all back at the librarian’s desk greeted by a very pleased looking Madame Tweed.
“Good afternoon Profess… oh, sorry, librarian,” she continued to smile, not bothering to hide the triumph she too seemed to find in Professor Vade’s torment. “I was wondering, could we have a word?”
Professor Vade looked at Madame Tweed rather icily, though she nodded curtly, “Godric, they may have free time to browse the library,” Professor Vade announced waving her hand carelessly at the first year’s before walking to the door of the librarian’s office and leading Madame Tweed inside.
“What do you suppose that’s about?” Dilemma’s eyes strayed to the glass walls either side of the office door, curtains were promptly pulled over them by Professor Vade.
“I don’t know,” Godric spoke carelessly, not looking at the office at all, “At any rate, it’s none of our business,”
Godric saw out of the corner of his eyes that Dilemma was rolling his eyes at him, but for the moment he did not care to retort, “Free time, guys, if there is anything you find interesting on your tour, or any questions you think of, just ask Dillema or myself,”

[Koalingo Academy]

For a moment not one of the first year’s stood stationary looking at one another as if they all wanted something but did not wish to be the first to leave and get it, but when Jack shrugged and skulked off down to one of the corridor’s on his own, the atmosphere seemed to clear up and the others followed.
“What are they saying in there?” Dilemma whispered to Godric siding up to him slyly, “Come on Rick, I know you could listen in if you really wanted to,”
Godric rolled his eyes at Dilemma, truth be told he did want to know what was being said in the office, but knew if Professor Vade caught him, which was unlikely, he’d be in for it with Madame Tweed. To hide the temptation he walked off on Dilemma heading for the first year’s perusing through the bookshelves silently.
“Languages?” Godric spoke quietly and calmly when he caught up with Jack Russel, whom was the only one not in the aisle full of books on ‘Easy-to-Perform Spells’, “You aren’t eager to learn some magic? Most first year’s cant wait,”
“Well… I was brought up around magic, so when I do get a chance to perform some magic, it wont be the first time,” Jack spoke not looking directly at Godric, drawing out another book, “I like languages, but there’s one in particular I’m very interested in, but I’ve never been able to find anything on it,”
“Do you know what it’s called?” Godric asked reaching into the higher shelves out of Jack’s reach and flipping through a book on Egyptian Hieroglyph’s.
“It is Ancient Wizardry ‘Eostnelier’ chiefly used in this country up until the arrival of the British muggles, from what I’ve read, unfortunately apart from the name of the language, I know nothing more on it,” Jack went on, placing the book he had, back upon the shelf and reaching for another, Godric placed the book on Egyptian Hieroglyph’s back in it’s place, knowing full and well Jack would not find anything on Eostnelier in the school library in public view. The only book he knew of that had the key to the language in it, was in his father’s office.
“You’re studying the Eostnelier language?” Godric watched him for a moment trying to look as if he had heard no more on the language then the boy had, when in fact Lord Emerindyl had taught him in his younger year’s and Godric could speak it fluently, “Good luck there, as far as I know, most of the texts were destroyed when English took over,”
Jack shrugged, “It’s worth a try anyway,”
Godric watched him as Jack removed another book, and something about the boy forced Godric to have sympathy for him, how he would be exactly what this boy was looking for, an open book to an ancient language, which he could not find any information on. Though Godric had been sworn to secrecy long ago, as he knew exactly what power this language had. And apart from the four founders, to Godric’s knowledge, everyone else who could speak it was now dead.
“Well good luck, tell me if you find anything, sounds interesting,” Godric shot Jack a reassuring smile, he looked up at Godric for the briefest moment, but didn’t say anything before looking back into his books.
“No no, you’ve got it all wrong, you don’t do it like that, it’s Lutum,” Dilemma tapped Richard Strathmore on the head with his wand and the boy’s hair turned yellow, much to the humour and veneration from the surrounding first year’s who applauded him.
“Did you actually mean to only turn his hair yellow? That spell should have turned him completely yellow,” Godric spoke quietly in Dilemma’s ear.
“Lets say I did…” Dilemma answered back unsure.
“Finite,” Godric chanted and Richard’s hair returned to its normal scruffy light brown.
“As a general rule of magic, successfully performing a spell requires more then just saying a few words. How the spell is spoken – for instance; how confidently – can have great consequence. Casting a spell can require an enormous amount of energy so a wizard’s power is an important factor,” Godric told them all with a sideways glance at Dilemma, “You are all very new to magic, so don’t be too disappointed if your magical ability is not quite as you’d hope, there is no such thing as simple magic for beginners, each spell should be treated with a degree of respect,” he raised his wand to Dilemma, whom looked suddenly horrified, “Flammeus,” Dilemma promptly turned completely red. Godric smiled. A door behind them creaked open and Godric turned to see a very disgruntled looking Madame Tweed and Professor Vade walk out of the librarian’s office wearing a scowl.
“I will be back to see if you are performing your job correctly, librarian,” Madame Tweed spat, “Being fired from your Defence Against the Dark Arts post and being placed in the library is enough evidence for me to wonder if you deserve any place at this school,” and with that she stepped out of the library silently, with no door to slam shut, it was less then dramatic.
Professor Vade remained scowling at the library entrance for a while until she realised she was being watched by thirty-nine first year Emerindyl’s as well as Dilemma and Godric.
“Mr Pendragon, what have you done to yourself now?” she looked at Dilemma aghast. Godric looked at him slightly horrified that he had not taken the spell off him before Professor Vade saw.
“Um… sunburn Miss,” Dilemma made up quickly.
“And your clothes?” she said looking at his usually green and gold robes which were now completely red.
“It’s bad sunburn miss,”
*
The other Emerindyl prefects laughed very loudly later at the barbeque lunch while Godric and Dilemma told them of their period in the library.
“Thank god the Ameraid’s walked in when they did,” Dilemma was still red in the face, but from embarrassment, Godric had removed the charm from him, “She didn’t really have much time to be angry with us, Ameraid’s are her house group remember, and besides, we did kind of take up much more time then we were supposed to,”
“What did stuck up Celeste have to say about you impeaching on her time in the library?” Elouise narrowed her eyes as she asked, Elouise, like Godric, didn’t care too much for Aurora Celeste; she was never exactly nice to them.
“She didn’t have enough time to say anything, we were due at the Quidditch Pitch,” Dilemma announced as he launched into the story of how they saw a group of Grindylow’s sneaking into the Ruberagon stands and loosening the foundations so that the stands swayed dangerously.
Godric, whom had lived it all, was growing ever more silent as he laid back on the grass just beyond the Entrance Courtyard, where they were sitting among many first year’s whom were eating their sausage sizzle and chatting noisily against the very soft, almost powerless breeze that flew through the poplars along the garden paths. He closed his eyes from the glare of the sun and was focusing on this relaxing sound when something caused him to sit bolt upright.
“BE CAREFUL YOU CLUMBSY HUMANS!” a screech sounded across the grass, which caused many of the first year’s to look. Godric closed his eyes in hope, ‘Please, don’t let it be Henry…’ though when he got up and moved slowly through the poplars, Alex, Elouise, and Dilemma on his eyes fell on a group a wizards holding their wands up to a large gumtree which had a soft glow about it. It was hovering above a hole in the ground, where Henry stood moving his arms about, “BE CAREFUL, SHE’S MY BELOVED, YOU HURT HER, I BITE OFF YOUR-”
“He brought it to Koalingo… I cant believe they let him bring it to Koalingo,” Alex stared at it open mouthed, “It’s a tree! Why can’t he find himself a nice lady-imp,”
“Are you sure you’d just want a female version of Henry around as well?” Elouise said in awe as they watched the tree roots of the gum worm their way into the ground as if they were alive, “I’ve never seen a tree do that before,”
“It’s a charm, the only way to get them in,” Godric told her as the tree was finally set down and Henry began moving the soil around the base of the tree with such care it looked as if he thought each handful of the soil was a precious gift, “Well at least he’s keeping away from me,” Godric shook his head staring at the imp with immense dislike, “Come on, I think Aurora and Lucy are on their breaks,” he let go of the poplar branch which swung back into his view before he turned and walked back to where Lucy Cortez and Aurora Velvetblossom were standing waiting for them looking slightly flustered.
“These first year’s better learn some manners before I ever serve one of them again,” was the first thing Aurora Velvetblossom said when they reached her.
*
Period four was very boring for the prefects, they merely had to show the first year’s around to their classroom’s, which in itself was very tedious, as the manor was quite large and at times some of the first year’s complained about there not being any shortcuts, at which point Godric decided it was time to show them where all the tapestries were, and how to use them. By the time the session was over, Godric, Aurora Velvetblossom, Alex, and Elouise had taken them all back to Emerindyl Lake where they were dismissed.
Dilemma had wormed his way out of the final class of the day, ending up helping clean after the barbeque with Lucy, whom actually sounded pleased at the help. The four of them wandered off for the green grass beside the lake, which had now lost the recently cut smell. They crashed upon the grass and sat together talking, knowing Lucy and Dilemma wouldn’t bother catching them up before dinner. Other Emerindyl’s, having finished their classes, and looking a lot less refreshed then they had the previous night, walked slowly through the grassy fields towards the cabins surrounding the lakes, where they once more greeted the Prefects before dumping their things off in their cabins and going visiting to their Emerindyl friends. Some had even gone swimming.
“We’ll have to have a party to celebrate the new term before summer ends,” Alex announced as he looked longingly at the people swimming, Godric knew Alex would give anything to join them and was confused as to why he was holding back, though moments later when Rea joined them, Godric understood completely, “Are you still going to Blood Lust this Saturday, Rick?” Alex looked up at him, as did Elouise, Rea and Aurora Velvetblossom.
“You’re actually going to their self-promoting ‘party’?” Aurora Velvetblossom obviously knew about Lucius and Kalika’s plans to celebrate their captaincy.
“You were invited as well?” Godric looked over at her hopefully. He didn’t mind going with Ale, but he knew he’d need someone else their to keep Alex under control.
“No, I wasn’t, but if I were I would not attend, give Kalika the chance to give the subtle hint that she got one over on me again,”
“I’m with Aurora, as if anyone would want to go and watch those two rub it in that they’ve become the new student leaders, they’ll make out they’ve been crowned monarchs of the country or something,” Rea piped up, Godric looked at her as he saw the rest of the eyes in their small circle shoot upon her, “No offence to your parents, Godric. I couldn’t bare seeing Lucius’ face so smug and full of himself…” Rea’s voice faded though she continued grumbling something darkly, Godric could not hear.
“Well I told Lucius I’d be there, and besides, would any of you like to think of Lucius gloating because I didn’t show up, no doubt he’ll sign it up as me being a sore loser or something, and I refuse to give him that triumphant feeling,” Godric raised his eyebrows as he spoke he cared no more for Lucius then he did Lady Ameraid, Lucius was the kind of child-aristocrat that Godric had been putting up with his entire life, and he had never liked them, and Lucius was no exception.
“Yeah well I think I’d rather not if it’s all the same to you guys, but the house party sounds good,” Aurora Velvetblossom told them, smiling at the mention of the house party, “Invite the Saphricorn’s, you think? Encourage inter-house relations,”
“What about the Ameraid’s?” Alex looked up; he had also been there the year of Lady Ameraid’s attack, as he had been in Godric’s grade at the time. He still did not trust Lady Ameraid, though he told Godric many times that it would be fruitless to hold it against the students. And had befriended quite a few of them, pointing out that just as there had been plenty of Ameraid Tebo’s back in their first year, there had also been plenty of Saphricorn and Emerindyl Tebo’s.
“I suppose we could tell everyone they can invite any friends from the other houses, that way the invite is not open, it’s just to Emerindyl friends,” Aurora Velvetblossom suggested.
“I suppose,” Godric answered, knowing this was a good idea though not being able to help but feel it was also possibly very stupid, “Get the word out this week, I’ll get a pass for fireworks from dad,”
“Well,” Alex said as he stretched and stood, “Still an hour ‘til dinner, I’m going for a swim,”
“I’ll join you,” Rea stood as well, and soon Godric found himself being swept up by Elouise and Aurora Velvetblossom as the Emerindyl Lake was soon thriving with swimming Emerindyl’s.

If it was possible, the Golden Hall that night was thoroughly louder then it had been during the sorting, Godric had no doubt the first year’s, whom had seemed to find a big brother figure in Dilemma, were contributing a lot more to the noise then the previous night, though this night, unlike the previous, was less then entertaining. Possibly because he knew Madame Tweed would be sweeping down upon him at the conclusion of dinner to take him to the office he could only describe as completely sterile. There, he understood, she would try her hardest to persuade Godric that he had seen something that would incriminate Lucius in his murder trial.
Lucius, it appeared, had finally been told of the suit being taken against him, and that Godric was being questioned, as every time Godric looked across to the head of the Ruberagon table, where Lucius always sat, he saw Lucius staring straight back at him. He thought for a moment about sending Lucius a reassuring smile, but knew it would most likely just come off as a jeer, and therefore he simply looked back towards Aurora Velvetblossom whom was seated opposite him and continued to eat his dinner.
When the hall had quietened down enough for some of the Professor’s to begin leaving, Godric looked up to see Madame Tweed swooping down off the teacher’s stage towards where he was sitting, he shot Elouise and Alex anxious looks, he’d told them before dinner what he was supposed to do that evening, Alex strangely enough had not been called for questioning and found it all to be ‘fishy’ though Elouise told Godric he should just do as asked, Godric decided Elouise was right, though he could not help but feel that whatever he had to say to Madame Tweed would not be used in anyway to benefit Lucius.
Godric also noticed as Madame Tweed approached, that Rea was looking up at him, she seemed to know what was going on as well, and it hit Godric, at last, how obvious it was that Rea would know about the case against Lucius..
“Mr Emerindyl, follow me,” Madame Tweed was very short with him and stood by his chair with her arms folded to her chest, she looked tall, until Godric stood and towered over her.
“‘Night,” he said to the others before walking in front of Madame Tweed towards the double door’s suppressing the feeling inside him, which told him to be a smart ass and march like he was being forced out of the Golden Hall by a Nazi officer.
Once they got out of the Golden Hall, Godric did not kid himself to pretend he did not know where Madame Tweed’s office was, she had taken the office, which once was called the Headmaster’s office, General ConDoin’s ha used it for the brief semester he had spent as Headmaster of Koalingo. People used to mistake it as Headmaster Emerindyl’s as it was almost identical, and it was right next door to Lord Emerindyl’s.
Now of course, it looked nothing like Lord Emerindyl’s, it was no longer even on a split-level, but now quite dingy compared to Lord Emerindyl’s, something you’d expect of the office of a muggle lawyer. The carpet was grey and so short you could not leave a footprint upon it. The two chairs in front of the large black-kitchen-counter-contact desk, with its shining silver legs, matched the desk perfectly. They were made of black plastic, and would be more comfortable if they were dusted with itching powder, they were squared off at the edges so perfectly like the desk, and did not show any sign of curve in them.
There was a permanent inkwell to the top right hand corner of the rectangle of glass, which covered the table, big enough for two or three pieces of foot-long parchment. There was another of these glass rectangles on the front side of the desk, though there was no inkwell, but a muggle biro, chained with a small silver beaded chain, to the top corner of the glass rectangle. To the left hand side of Madame Tweed’s end, there was a long thick panel of glass with holes in it, which currently held the tips of quill’s, which poked upwards in no particular friendly colour, there was one red, one blue, and one black, Godric knew these to be ink-colour changing quills, no matter what ink used with them, when written, the ink would be the colour of the feather on that quill.
“Sit,” she said simply walking around him after securing the door and crossing the room. She sat serenely on the chair behind her desk, interlocking her fingers on the glass panel in front of her before she did, what Godric could only assume to bee her best attempt at a sweet and friendly smile, she was not, however very good at this, it looked unnatural, and in case was scarier then if she was scowling.
Godric sat down, sitting forward on the chair slightly so the ‘posture protective backing’ of the chair did not actually touch him, at this he smiled back at her.
“Ok, now, I will ask you some questions, and you will answer them to the best of your knowledge, and do not fear saying anything that may incriminate Mr Sinister, you needn’t fear him, Godric, if he does threaten you, just come and see me,” her smile continued
Godric sat there staring at her, unable to believe what she’d just said, he was furthermore curious as to why she seemed to think Godric would need to fear Lucius.
“You believe the School Captain would threaten me for speaking with you?” Godric found his mouth moving and his voice coming out, though he sat aghast, he had not wished to speak these words, though he was definitely thinking them, “Wasn’t it you who placed Lucius Sinister in that position? You don’t seem terribly ready to trust him,” he went on, still baffled as to why these words, the very words he thought but did not wish to speak were floating from his mouth. He also saw a shimmer of a smiling face on the wall behind Madame Tweed’s desk, and tried to compose himself as he realised his mother had become part of the wall and was smiling down at him over Madame Tweed’s strictly tidy hair. Madame Tweed however had not noticed.
“My reason’s for appointing Mr Sinister to School Captain are not your concern, Mr Emerindyl, and whether or not I have trust in Mr Sinister is irrelevant to the fact at hand, he committed murder and as is the law of the Ministry, he will be punished justly,” she snapped back kind of on the verge of ripping his head off and polite composure.
“Peculiar how you seem to have already made your mind up about Lucius, I thought the Ministry was about justice and fair trial,” Godric let slip again, this time he stepped on his right foot hard with his left foot, and again he saw a grin from the wall behind him.
If it were possible, Godric was sure Madame Tweed was growling with a red face, though physically she looked perfectly composed though he did get the feeling if he let slip one more remark like that she’d whip her wand out and curse him out of her office.
“The night in question Mr Emerindyl is January the twenty-second, as I understand it you were witness to a murder of a muggle by Lucius Sinister?” Madame Tweed started without retort for Godric’s last remark.
“Nope,” Godric said sitting back in his chair and folding his arms, this time he meant to do it.
“I beg your pardon?” Madame Tweed spoke looking at him with venom.
“No,” Godric repeated, “I did not witness Lucius Sinister murder a muggle on the twenty-second of January or on any other day for that matter,”
Madame Tweed was quiet for a short time, Godric could hear the cogs turning in her head as she seemed t be thinking of a reword to her question, “Then perhaps you would like to tell me what you did witness on the evening of the twenty-second of January at the time of death of muggle; Daniel Fines,”
“Certainly,” Godric smiled politely and launched into a very long-winded and detailed explanation of everything he saw, down to the amount of sticks he was carrying for the campfire, the wall grinned several more times as Madame Tweed interrupted with a snap about Godric not having to worry about the breed of bull ants on the ground, or the amount of stars in the sky, or the mosquito’s he’d squashed during the time it took him to walk back to the camp with Daniel, Bethany and what turned out to be a Babzicizj. At the mention of the Babzicizj, Madame Tweed cleared her throat and Godric fell silent for a moment watching her intently.
“Ah yes, the excuse… you are aware, of course that these Babzicizj are invisible,” Madame Tweed spoke in a way that made it sound like she didn’t believe in the Babzicizj being present at all.
“It was there,” Godric spoke defensively, understanding what the angle of the ministry now was, to undermine the fact that there was even an evil creature present, which would of course make it seem as if Lucius had committed murder in cold blood, “I saw it,”
“Oh, is that right? Was this before or after Mr Sinister began to attack this muggle?” she went on, Godric delved into his memory to think about it some more, realising he had not seen it before the attack, not even after the attack, he’d only seen it when Rob performed whatever charm it was to make the creature visible, and this he was worried about telling Madame Tweed, he knew what it would end up sounding like, “After,” he said simply stamping on his foot once more, knowing he had lost his cool and it was evident that he was hiding something.
Madame Tweed’s perfectly sculptured eyebrows raised slightly, “And this was after the-“ she cleared her throat, “And I quote ‘Red beam shot from ‘Rob’s’ hand and the Babzicizj became illuminated’ that is what you wrote on your statement to the Auror’s,” she spoke holding up a piece of paper she had lying on the desk in front of her that Godric had not noticed until now, “It was the truth was it not? And you do of course mean Rubeus Ruberagon the second?”
“Yes,” Godric said in answer to all of her questions, to which she smiled with such triumph that Godric knew she might as well end the interview there and then, they had sufficient evidence to make out that there was no Babzicizj and that Rob had just conjured up an apparition of a Babzicizj to cover up for Lucius.
*