In Which Jessie Has A Surprise

That evening saw George, Ronnie and Jessie enjoy one of the most sumptuous feasts George could ever remember. The long oak tables were positively loaded to breaking point, and the Great Hall was adorned with all the banners of the dormitories… the scene was resplendent with all the opulence that Hogwarts could muster!

Ronnie, while in the process of devouring his seventh chicken leg glanced over at Jessie. "So what were you up to this summer Jess?"

"Not a lot really… we went off to Austria for a few weeks and then went to visit my Gran in Accrington" Mumbled Jessie while downing yet another jar of ginger beer.

"Wish I hadn't asked!" retorted Ronnie quietly.

George looked up from his wild duck and asked "so where do the Arcane maps come from Jessie?"

Jessie sat up a little straighter, and developed a somewhat self-satisfied look on her face as she prepared to demonstrate more knowledge on the subject. Ronnie couldn't help but wonder if he should simply stay out of the conversation for fear of suffering more mocking from Jessie, who was now obliterating a custard cream desert.

" Well they were first found in the middle-east, some where near Constantinople, and were taken along the trade routes of the great gemstones until they found their way to Europe and the royal courts of wizardry. From there it gets a little hazy but they are known only to be held by the greatest of Kings."

"So why the merry hell would I be sent one... Especially via Grimwald?" exclaimed George.

"Well… that's the interesting thing" Jessie said, clearly enjoying this situation now, as she was sat quite upright with her not inconsiderable breasts thrust out in an attempt to create an air of authority. " The map was said to have travelled the Gemstone trade routes with owners who were in grave need of help and assistance. It was often the case that once the peril had passed, so would the map to another owner."

A look of concern must have glimmered across Georges face, as Jessie suddenly went very quiet with the realisation f what she had just said. Needless to say, the gravity of the moment was completely lost on Ronnie as he broke the atmosphere with "pass me another custard cream Jessie!"

Suddenly a giant gong sounded and the entire hall fell silent, this was the cue for the headmaster to stand and address the students of the entire school.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome!" Began Tiberius, a big man of considerable age whose most striking feature could have been either his long white beard or his piercing green eyes. " It is with a mixture of pleasure and trepidation that I find myself with you in my charge again for the forthcoming term. Pleasure, because I am sure you will all find a great deal of stimulation in your day to day activities, pleasure because I have the favourable opportunity to look after your well being. Yet trepidation, as a result of my next announcement." With that, a grave look crept over Tiberius' face, he took a deep breath and began. "A long time ago, men of great wisdom made perilous travels to many far lands, a number of which are no longer in existence. During one such excursion, an eminent emissary called Jean Baptiste Devillier happened upon a document, which, at the time seemed to be of little consequence. It was handed to him by one of the tribal leaders of a remote region of a trade route as part payment for a magnificent sapphire. The sapphire has long since been lost to annals of history just as, or so it was thought, had the document. However, as you might guess, it is believed that the document has since again arisen to find the light of day." Tiberius paused, then continued. "I cannot go into the exact details of the document, except to say that it is a oddity of great curiosity to who ever it comes to rest with. However it is a fickle creature which needs to be treated with a great deal of care, and considerable skill."

By now the silence in the Great Hall was absolutely piercing, so much so that when one of the new first years broke wind, it broke the atmosphere and reduced the entire Great Hall to fits of laughter for a considerable time!

Once the laughter had finally subsided, there was only very little time for Tiberius to rattle through the rest of the standard domestic messages and warnings, the vast majority of which were not taken in by anyone.

A further gong signalled the end of the nights' proceedings and with that, all the students headed off to their respective dormitories.

As Jessie entered her dormitory, she could hardly help but think about the tale that the headmaster had just told in the Great Hall, and the striking coincidences with the Arcane map. A map whose very name indicates that it is known and understood by very few!

Jessie began to shed her robes, leaving her stood in her silky underwear. As she undid her bra she sat down on the bed and was surprised to hear a crumpling noise and feel a dry texture against her bare bottom. Jessie stood up and looked at what she had just sat on, a piece of parchment which had been carefully rolled and bound with a piece of black ribbon. She threw her bra on the bed and picked up the parchment, trying to think why she would receive an official letter… of any description.

She undid the ribbon and unfurled the parchment. It was some considerable before she could comprehend what she was holding. Jessie was stood looking at the oddly familiar view of a living map of the school. Jessie recalled that it was definitely George who had picked up the map in the clearing so couldn't understand why it was now here with her. Then as a gentle breeze from the slightly ajar window played across her nipples, quietly she said the word "George" and sure enough, just as she suspected the roof of the Dunstall dormitory opened up in the map to reveal that George was having a shower. Despite her feelings of concern and confusion, Jessie couldn't help but think that maybe the map had its uses!