Chapter 10: Twin trouble.
"Atsuko Kagari! Not you again!" Finnelan yelled as she saw Akko laying down, coughing and covered in soot, in the middle of what looked like a war zone, but really was just the laundry. Laying next to Akko were Amanda, Constanze and Sucy, but the professor's rage seemed to be focused on the Japanese student. As always.
"I-I… I just…" Akko stammered as she searched her brain for something to say. Truth to be told, she had been wanting to spend some time alone with Diana outside the stupid laundry, but she knew that her friend, being all responsible and such, wouldn't want to ditch their punishment in order to escape and do something more fun, like flying around the school and practice cool magic tricks. So, of course, she'd asked a couple of favors and promised Sucy to let her test her new potion on her, and tried to wash all the sheets with magic before Diana arrived. Unfortunately, her perfect plan had gone downhill when she accidentally messed with one of Constanze's machines, which reacted badly to the potion Sucy was trying to use to clean the sheets, which combined with Amanda's magic had just caused a big explosion.
Of course, she couldn't say any of that without admitting she had been trying to get out of her punishment, so she opted to try and do something to calm down the cold fury emanating from the teacher's eyes.
"I-I can fix it!" She said, getting out her wand. "Just look, okay?" She just hoped she'd remember the spell her favorite professor had told her the other day. Granted, she'd never tried it before, but… it couldn't be that difficult, right? She'd improved so much already. "Yera Retoure!"
And as it always happened when Akko was involved, no magic spell was casted; her wand remained as lifeless and useless as ever. No matter how many times she chanted the spell or how much she moved her hand, no magic was produced.
"H-hey, Akko, calm down." Amanda tried to interfere, placing a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder when she noticed she was only managing to upset Finnelan even further.
"If you keep shaking your wand like that you'll end up stabbing yourself." Sucy agreed, looking very unconcerned by the possible consequences of her friend's recklessness, but even Amanda knew she was just looking out for Akko in her own way.
"Shut up, I know I can do it!" Akko stubbornly insisted, shaking Amanda's hand off her shoulder. "Yera Retoure!"
"Miss Kagari, stop! I believe I've seen enough!" Finnelan said in an authoritarian manner and a threatening glare that of course was ignored by Akko.
"Yera Retoure! Yera Retoure! Ye…!"
"Yera Retoure." Instantly, everything that had been broken or otherwise damaged by the explosion returned its original state, like nothing had ever happened in the first place. And the savior in question was revealed to be (unsurprisingly) none other than Diana Cavendish; the prodigy witch herself.
Akko felt elated for a moment, naturally glad to see her friend… but that was quickly replaced by despair at being outclassed again. It was just like the old times, when Diana humiliated her at every opportunity, even if that wasn't her intention. Still, she couldn't help feeling a bit betrayed, especially when Diana was looking at her with a stern gaze that could rival Finnelan's.
"What's going on here?" The prodigy asked, furrowing her eyebrows as she took in the appearance of her four classmates.
"That's what I would like to know." Finnelan said, alternating her glare between the troublemakers. "Will any of you care to explain to me how you destroyed the laundry room, and what all of you were doing here in the first place?"
"Ah… you see…" Amanda started, when the other three kept quiet. "It's a funny story." She sweated as she tried to come up with something and came out dry. "We were just passing by, and then there was suddenly a big explosion and… yeah. Crazy, right? Hehe." Yeah, making excuses wasn't exactly her strong suit; she usually didn't have to because she rarely got caught.
"I was looking for mushrooms." Sucy tried, but even in her usually expressionless face there could be seen a small hesitation that undoubtedly told she was lying.
"Akko did it." Standbot said, even though Constanze shoot it a worried glance. She really shouldn't have given him that much autonomy.
"I knew it!" The older witch snarled. "Miss Kagari, I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt after you helped Diana restore magic to the world, but this kind of behavior has to stop." What did she mean she helped Diana revive magic? Please, Diana helped her! Wasn't she going to say anything?
"Magic is dangerous, and has to be used with great care and responsibility, something you apparently can't understand." Akko was about to open her mouth to give her a piece of her mind, but the professor noticed and quickly kept talking. "You have no respect for your elders, you don't think before acting and you have the infuriating habit of using magic for selfish ends! I'm afraid you're not fit to be a witch."
"That is not true!" Akko protested. "I'm more of a witch than you. If it wasn't for me magic wouldn't have been restored! Diana, tell her." She turned to look at her friend, looking for support from the only person she knew Finnelan would listen to, but Diana just looked to the side, avoiding her gaze as something akin to sadness overtook her features.
Akko couldn't believe it! The one person she thought would support her no matter what was turning her back on her. Did their friendship really mean so little? Or was she just afraid of losing Finnelan's approval? What a coward!
And before the tears burning inside her eyes had a chance to spill, Akko ran away, uncaring about the voices calling her to come back. She ran to the only place where she knew she'd find comfort and support.
Ursula was sitting at her desk debating on whether she should call Croix or wait and call her later, hoping she wouldn't interrupt her in the middle of another crazy experiment. But knowing Croix she probably spent all day and night working without end, so waiting for her to take a break was most likely futile. However, if she called her at the same hour as the previous day maybe she would be free, right? So perhaps she should wait. Then again, if Finnelan suddenly called her to assist her with some task or another she wouldn't have time, and she didn't want to break her promise and keep Croix waiting. Uhm. Decisions, decisions…
Just as she was about to dial Croix's number, she heard hurried steps coming up the stairs followed by a loud thud as none other than Akko barged in. She wasn't surprised by her entrance in the slightest, but the hour was unusual, as she was supposed to be doing her punishment. Then, when she took a moment to appreciate her appearance, she noticed her shoulders were shaking as she cried. Instantly, she got up and went to her, worried she was injured or something like that.
"Akko? What happened? Are you o…?" Her sentence was cut off as the teenager pretty much threw herself at her arms and continued crying as she hugged her.
"Akko?" The professor asked again as she hesitantly brought her arms around the girl and tried to soothe her with soft caresses. "What happened?"
"Sensei." The teenager pretty much whined against her shoulder before telling her everything between sobs and whimpers. At one point they moved to the sofa in order to be more comfortable, but the professor listened attentively to everything her student said. At first she thought that Akko's reaction was exaggerated considering the teachers admonished her constantly, but she quickly remembered herself at that age when even the tiniest inconvenience that happens at the worst possible moment felt like a complete catastrophe. So she decided not to interrupt Akko nor dismiss her feelings, and instead try to understand why she had such an intense reaction to what had happened.
"… And then Diana just stood there!" She ranted angrily for like the third time. "She didn't say a word, she didn't defend me! Like she freaking agreed with Finnelan! I mean, what? I thought we were friends!"
So far, Akko seemed to have the strongest feelings about that particular part of the story, which Ursula really didn't find surprising. What she did find surprising was that Akko didn't realize the reason Diana did that. But then again, she could be rather dense when it came to reading her own feelings, much less other people's.
"Well, I may not know Diana as much as you do." Ursula started, using what she hoped was a soothing tone. "But for what I've seen, I've always had the impression she was raised to never question authority. Didn't you say she had a hostile relationship with her "evil" aunt?"
"Yeah…" Akko furrowed her eyebrows, apparently considering her professor's words before dismissing them quickly with a shake of her head. "But she still stood up against her… kind of. She tried to become the head of the family!"
"Only because her family's legacy was in danger and the traditions allowed her to become head on that specific date." Ursula reasoned. "Otherwise I doubt she would have done anything. Call me crazy, but Diana doesn't strike me as the type to go against her elders."
Akko opened her mouth to protest, but then closed it again, not finding a good rebuttal. Instead, she pouted and spoke with a dejected voice.
"I still wished she would have stood up for me, or something."
"People won't always do what we want from them, or even what we expect." The professor answered patiently. "We all have our on stories, our own traumas and experiences that make us who we are and make us act in ways that sometimes aren't the most logical or ethical."
"So you're saying…" Akko sighed. "That I should try to put myself in Diana's shoes and understand why she acted as she did?" Ursula nodded, happy that her student had understood her so easily, and Akko sighed once again. "Alright, I guess I can do that." Then another thought entered her head. "I'll never understand Finnelan though; she's just pure evil."
"I used to believe that too." Ursula chuckled. "But believe it or not, she has her own story that makes her who she is." Akko watched as her eyes turned slightly sad for a second, and distant, like she was reminiscing about something, which sparked Akko's curiosity.
"I sense there's a story behind that sentence." Akko commented, already getting herself comfortable on her seat.
"Ah… well, yes, but I really don't know if I should share it with you." Ursula hesitated. After all, even if it was primarily a story about her school days, it also would reveal something about Finnelan's private life, which really wasn't her place to disclose.
"Oh, come on! Then how do you expect me to see her as anything but a vengeful monster?" The Japanese witch whined, pouting as adorably as ever. "Come oooonnn." She insisted when Ursula deviated her gaze in a poor attempt to avoid giving in. "I promise I won't say anything! And besides, hearing one of your stories would lift up my spirits right now."
"Fine." Ursula ultimately agreed, deciding it was a harmless enough story, and would hopefully help Akko deal with what was happening to her, so she sighed and debated where she should start. "Alright, this might sound weird, but today I'm gonna tell you the story of how I met two of my closest friends."
This day, like most days lately, I stayed up late at the Astronomy Tower helping Croix prepare the healing potion. It was the sixth time we did it, but I still got it wrong, only this time I don't even know why. I just know it ended up being purple when it should have been green. But oh well, I hope we'll have more luck in the future. Thankfully Croix is being very patient with me as usual.
I yawn as I walk down the dark corridor alone, feeling rather lonely. Usually Croix walks me to my room, but today she was tired and decided to sleep on her couch at her secret lab. And I get it, she not only has to do all her homework and study to be on top of each class, but she's also trying to cure her arm and help me catch up with my classmates. It must be so exhausting! She practically collapsed as soon as I said goodnight.
Still, I wish she was here. What if Finnelan finds me? I bet Croix would be able to come up with some sort of excuse.
Just as I'm thinking about that, I see a light coming down the corridor towards me, no doubt belonging to a professor. My blood instantly freezes and my heart drops to the pit of my stomach. I look around, desperately searching for a escape route, and I'm about to bolt back from where I came from when a hand presses over my mouth and someone drags me into a dark room. I try to get off their grip, but they're as strong as two people, so my attempts are rather futile. They keep me pressed against the door until we hear the steps outside recede, indicating the teacher is gone. Then, and only then, they release me, but before I can bolt out the room and cry for help, a bright ball of teal light appears in front of me, illuminating…
"Enid? Anaid?" I instantly recognize my mischievous classmates, even though they're a bit transparent and only their heads are truly visible, indicating they have an invisibility spell active but it's starting to wear off.
They're from the yellow and pink teams respectively, since the academy wisely decided that keeping them separated was better for the well being of everyone in the school. One of them wears her long dark brown hair on a braid, and the other one keeps it loose, which is the only way to distinguish them aside from the color of their sashes. They're also about the same size as me, but their complexion is even thinner somehow, their skin is of a beautiful tan color though, and their dark eyes sparkle with mischief at all times. All in all, they're an interesting duo, but one I'd rather avoid if I want to stay out of trouble.
They both shush me when I say their names a little too loudly for their liking.
"What are you doing here?" I scream-whisper.
"We could ask the exact same thing, you know?" The one from the pink team (Anaid?) answers.
"Not that it's all that surprising." Her twin shrugs. "I mean if there's another troublemaker in this school that rivals our reputation, it's Chariot."
"I'm not a troublemaker!" I immediately protest, only to receive two equal deadpan looks. "At least not on purpose!"
"Pity." Enid says. "You have a natural talent."
"Yeah, you sure you don't want to give it a try? You're already here." Anaid ads.
"Thanks, but I'd rather go to bed before Finnelan catches me and punishes me again." I turn around, ready to open the door and go back to my room, when their voices stop me.
"And what if we told you, we know of a way to blackmail Finnelan so that she never bothers us again?"
"Blackmail is wrong." I say, more to myself than to them. Come on, Chariot, don't fall for it! This surely won't end well.
"Well, isn't it also wrong that she constantly treats you badly?" One of them counters. I don't know which because I still have my back turned to them. "Remember the other day when she called you to the front to read some lunar runes and then chastised you in front of the class when you couldn't? She could have chosen anyone else, but she picked you; she always does."
"She knows you struggle more than the rest of us, and wants everyone to notice." The other twin agrees. "It's rather evident that she wishes to see you expelled."
Even though a part of me agrees wholeheartedly with their words, I still know I shouldn't listen to the most mischievous witches in the school. I really don't need to get in any more trouble. Even if taking revenge on Finnelan actually sounds good… wait, no, stop it Chariot! Stop it!
"I'm gonna go now. You two go cause havoc without me." I answer, but I'm about to reach for the doorknob, when a voice stops me once again.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"Yeah, you don't want to activate the security system, believe me."
"Huh?" Security system? I thought the only rooms in school to have it were Holbrooke and Finnelan's offices… wait.
I get out my wand and cast a simple illumination spell, adding light to the one already emanating from one of the twins' wands and the moonlight coming from the window. I'm not sure how I didn't notice before! But that desk and those shelves are truly unmistakable, especially since I've been here more times than I would want to admit. This is Finnelan's office! Oh no, I'm gonna be in so much trouble!
"You're so mean! Why did you drag me into this?" I scowl at the mischievous girls.
"You mean you'd rather have gotten caught wandering after curfew?" Enid raises an eyebrow.
"We saved you." Her twin agrees. "The least you can do is say thank you."
Okay. They do have a point. But now that I think about it…
"Fine, thank you, whatever. But how did you get in here without activating the security system?"
"We just…" Anaid smirks, trailing off as she looks at her sister, who shares the same expression.
"… used the key." Enid finishes, as she reaches into her pocket and extracts the shiny object that is a big golden key, dangling it in front of my face.
"Give me that!" I demand, reaching out to take it since I know it's my only hope of getting out of here undetected, but Enid immediately raises her arm, placing it out of my reach and laughing when I reach up to try and snatch it off her fingers. Then, after seeing me struggle for a few seconds in clear amusement, she throws it towards her twin, who swiftly catches it and puts it inside her bra. And now I can't grab it without looking like a pervert. Great.
"Don't worry, we'll give it to you." Anaid says reassuringly.
"But you'll have to help us search for what we're looking for." Enid adds, still wearing that odious smirk on her face.
"Which is?" I ask cautiously.
"Something we can use against Finnelan the next time she's mean to us." She shrugs.
"Like an embarrassing picture or an incriminating letter." Anaid clarifies.
"If you do it, you won't only get the key, and will be able to get out of here undetected."
"We'll also share the benefits with you, meaning…"
"…Finnelan won't bother you again."
"Deal?" They both finish, completing each other's phrases, as they extend their hands for me to shake.
Realizing I probably don't have an option anyways and that if I were to do something rash I could end up alerting the teachers I'm here and getting myself expelled, and knowing if I go along with their mischievous antics this could actually end up in a positive outcome (if I'm lucky), I end up sighing as I shake their hands, using both of my hands at the same time.
"Deal." I agree reluctantly.
"Great!" Anaid smiles.
"Let's get to work then!" Instantly, they both release me and go off to search around the room using their wands as light sources, and with a sigh I resign myself to do the same.
I first start searching at the desk, since Enid and Anaid are looking at the bookshelves that are on opposite walls, but I find nothing inside the drawers between the papers she keeps there; it's all school-related, and the most personal things in there are pretty boring; just a handkerchief and some pills for the migraine. Huh, I wonder if Lukić knows she'd rather use modern medicine than one of her potions. I don't blame Finnelan though; I wouldn't drink anything brewed by Lukić.
Since my search is futile, I resort to going to see if there's something on the shelf that's right to the desk, but that also yields no results; not even when I push and pull every book on the shelf to search for some kind of hidden mechanism that reveals a secret compartment or something.
But I don't find anything, so I decide to go check on Anaid, who is searching on the bookshelf next to me, but as I pass the section of wooden wall that separates both shelves, I notice something strange. There are ornaments carved on the wall representing five wand handles forming a semicircle above the symbol of Luna Nova, under which there are two crossed brooms over a drawer handle without drawer, and some sort of staff positioned horizontally at the bottom.
What's weird is that the wand handles lack the actual body of the wand (the thing that actually casts the magic), but in the middle of them there's a small point of light that seems to shine brighter the closer I get my wand towards it. Curious, I decide to touch that spot with the ball of magic that's at the point of my wand, and I'm rather surprised when I see the Luna Nova symbol illuminating. I proceed to touch it as well, and the spot where the brooms intersect makes a clicking sound as it pushes itself slightly inside the wall, and I decide to use my finger to push it even further, which makes a point made of green light materialize above the drawer handle and then move forming a small rectangle around it… the drawer! I quickly pull the handle and, sure enough, the drawer detaches itself from the wall allowing me to peer inside. And what I see is…
"Hey! Did you find something?" I'm startled by a loud voice pretty close to my right ear, and I end up jumping in fright with my heart racing like I just ran a marathon.
"Don't do that!" I scowl at Enid, the culprit.
"What did you find?" A second voice scares me out of my skin before I turn my glare at the direction of the other twin, who is standing on my right side.
"You two are going to give me a heart attack!" I yell, only to be immediately shushed by the twins, and yeah, I don't want to get caught, but my nerves are already on edge without their help, so I think they could be more considerate. Still, I return my gaze towards the drawer, curious as to what could possibly be so important for Finnelan to put it under a magical lock puzzle.
"Do you think those are the answers to the exams?" Anaid asks, peering at the stack of papers inside. I just hum in acknowledgement, but I really don't think that's the case; they're folded into small rectangles, some envelope-sized, and other larger or smaller, and their textures are different.
Curious, I take one and unfold it. It's a picture of two girls dressed in the Luna Nova Uniform, one appearing to be older than the other one and smiling proudly at her, while the younger one has a cheerful and excited expression.
"Do you think she keeps pictures of her students?" Anaid says.
"Creepy." Her sister shudders.
"I don't know. This photo looks pretty old." Sure, it's magic, so it doesn't deteriorate, but it was taken on black and white, and there are lines forming a cross where it was folded.
Needing to solve the mystery, I put the picture back inside the drawer and take another paper out. This time, when I unfold it, I find a letter addressed to Finnelan, but the sender used her first name.
Dear Anne:
You haven't written in so long. How are you? I've been fine. I know you still don't approve of me running away to explore the world instead of pursuing further education, but this is my dream and it makes me happy, so I hope you don't hate me for it. I've learned so much during the past few months! There are so many different ways of being a witch. Did you know that in some countries they still hunt us? It's like they're stuck in the middle ages! But in others we're very respected, especially in places mostly untouched by technology. So, yeah, it's been amazing. I promise I will be careful and write as much as I possibly can. See you on Christmas!
Love, Bertha.
"Look at the date!" Enid says, pointing at the top of the envelope.
"1971. How old." Anaid nods.
"Do you think it's from Finnelan's daughter?" Enid asks.
"No, it'd be weird if her daughter called her Anne." I shake my head. "Plus, I don't think Finnelan has a daughter in the first place."
"And if she did, she'd have ran away as soon as she learned to walk." Anaid giggles and we join in. That's so true. No one would want Finnelan to be their mother with how strict she is. But then, who is this Bertha?
I keep searching on the stack of papers, mostly letters from the same person, as well as a couple of pictures. I have to say, even if she's not her daughter, I can still see the family resemblance, though she's far more expressive and relaxed. A sibling, maybe?
After a while, at the bottom of the drawer, I find a piece of newspaper. The headline reads "English tourist burned alive when locals find out she's a witch."
My blood instantly runs cold, but I keep reading anyways; it's not very long after all, and a picture of none other than Bertha occupies most of the space.
Bertha Finnelan of 22 years had been visiting the rural parts of the country of Karashgad, which has a reputation for being one of the few countries where using magic is still considered a serious crime, usually punishable by death. Although the medieval practices have been largely replaced by more human methods, like the electric chair, the locals resorted to take matters into their own hands when they saw the English woman use her magic to prevent a rock slide.
This authorities confirmed that…
I close my eyes as I fold the piece of paper. I've read enough.
Slowly, I put it back where it was, feeling like the worst piece of shit in existence. Why did we have to invade Finnelan's privacy? Why did I have to participate in this stupid prank and find the secret lock? Now my heart hurts for my professor, knowing she once had someone she loved, and who was killed by a mob of ignorant and angry people, like so many more witches have. I feel ill. This isn't something we should have found, and I'd definitely never use it against Finnelan.
"Come on Chariot, let's go." Anaid says in a quiet tone as she places a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah… there's nothing here." Enid agrees, sounding a bit strangled.
"Let's go." I nod, and reach forward to return the drawer to its original place. As luck would have it, however, in that very moment the door swings open and the lights turn on. The three of us jump in surprise as we turn around, only to see none other than Finnelan herself staring at us with a mix of surprise and anger.
Her eyes move lower, the drawer still being held in my hands, and I sweat cold when I realize we screwed up big time and she's undoubtedly going to punish us, or get us expelled. With good reason this time.
"Miss du Nord." She scowls. "Why am I not surprised to find you trespassing at such late hours along with the Anfley twins?"
"I-I… we…" As I look down to the small drawer full of her personal belongings, I realize we have no excuse and the best we can do is ask for forgiveness. "We're sorry." I say, stepping towards the professor and extending the drawer towards her for her to take. She does so rather harshly and keeps looking at me with an enraged expression. "We didn't mean to… we only wanted to come up with a small prank, or something, not…" I trail off. What can I even call what we did?
"Chariot, please, we dragged you into it!" Enid steps in to defend me.
"Yeah, if someone has to be blamed here, it's us." Her twin agrees, startling me greatly. I didn't expect them to be the type to assume the consequences of their actions.
"B-but girls…" I start, but I'm interrupted by Finnelan's voice.
"Stop! Now go to your rooms. I expect to see you for detention tomorrow after classes." The three of us nod, terrified under Finnelan's stern gaze. "Go."
Quickly, we hurry away, relived that she let us go so easily, but as I'm about to close the door, I see Finnelan sitting down at her desk and looking down at the drawer with a saddened gaze… only for her to look up when she realizes I'm staring and giving me such a glare that I end up instantly closing the door, my heart thumping.
Well, Finnelan is still as scary as always, if not more so. But, I can't help also thinking… seeing what I saw in there makes her seem less like a monster and more like a human, with her own story to tell. I can barely imagine how she might have felt when she read that newspaper. Gosh, it must have been horrible.
"Chariot?" Anaid's voice startles me.
"Are you going to just keep staring at that door for the rest of the night?" Her sister teases, but her voice lack the usual carefree energy, and her smile doesn't reach her eyes.
"I-I… right. Let's go." I nod stiffly and start following them to the dorms, only sparing one last glance at Finnelan's door.
A/N: Yeah, sorry, no Charoix this time, but maybe next chapter :)
I hope you enjoyed it nontheless and that you let me know your thoughts with a review. I'd really appreciate it. As always, thanks for reading, and thanks to all of you who have favorited/followed/review so far, I really appreciate the support as it motivates me to keep writing.
Thanks to my beta reader moonwatcher13.
PS: If you're wondering, the twins are based off two characters that appear briefly when the fountain of Polaris shows Akko some fragments from Chariot's past. Since they are by her side on two of those memories, I just assumed they were her friends. Google them, if you want, or you can also go to my Tumblr blog, Tania Hylian, since I'll probably be posting the screencaptures I used to create them.
