A moment of silence for the passing of Stan Lee. May his legendary Cameos in heaven be great. He is not alone though. Richard Harris has long since passed, as has Alan Rickman. All great individuals from Marvel's epic comics to Harry Potter.
MAGIC was considered the youngest government based magical group worldwide. It was the the most progressive though in it's acceptance of a multitude of magical growths and applications.
Something Dr. Cracknel appreciated and simultaneously was annoyed with. On the one hand, magical remedies were perhaps the easiest to come by in the Americas, on the other hand, the acknowledgment of mixed magics proved to be not only difficult in teaching, but disastrous for many young students.
He was a firm believer that children needed to learn their magic at a young age, but also that they needed to be absolutely focused in one unless it could effect their health.
It was under this idea he had turned down many students. No threat or money would waver his conviction.
So when he was approached after one of his classes by two men, both lacking in any magic and a young girl who seemed to be a witch, given her holding of her wand, he readied himself for an argument. It couldn't have been a Druid. Had to be a witch.
"Excuse me," the mousier man called out. Dr. Cracknel held a bored expression.
"If you're looking for the front desk just turn around and take a right. I'm sure you'll be able to find it," he stated dryly. The girl looked ready to speak but was cut off by the more confident male.
"You're Doctor Cracknel?"
The man oozed confidence. God dammit. They were always pains in the ass.
"Well that's what I've been told since I got my Doctorate."
"So you are the guy-"
"Up-ah-ah! I'm going to stop you right there. Let me guess, you two are taking care of your little princess here and found out she was a special little magical girl and you want her to learn everything now right?"
"Actually, it was my idea," the girl stated as the the mousy man sputtered.
"And I am not seeing Tony."
"Ah Bruce. I thought what we had was special."
"Tony," the man sighed.
"Don't really care. Point is she's a witch right?"
"Why yes. I was accepted to-"
"Again, don't really care," he interrupted, "You are clearly more a witch than anything else. So why are you here?"
"To learn of course."
"Listen kid, I get fifty to sixty kids a year who request me personally to help them learn their dominate magic. Why should I teach you when you're still learning your own witchcraft?"
"I was the top of my class," she begins excitedly, "I've worked on the spells and they have all proven simple. And since I've learned I could perform Voodoo-"
"Stop. Just stop right there," Dr. Cracknel growled, "Voodoo isn't a magic. It's slang. If you couldn't have even been bothered to learn-"
"Hold off. She's just a kid," the mousy one defended.
"A supposedly intelligent child asking to learn something they don't even know what it's called."
"Then what is it called?" the girl responded equally curious and haughtily. Dr. Cracknel glared at the girl.
"It is called mAyA," he responded irritably adding the needed stress on the vowels. "Voodoo is slang for the perceived use of it. If you came here thinking you were going to learn how to make voodoo dolls and other enchantments like you see in movies child, you have another thing coming."
"Then teach me what it does," she half begged.
"I have more pressing matters than to teach a girl with a fleeting curiosity. Good day."
"Hold on a minute," the braver man- Tony was it?- interrupted.
"How about a second. Times up. Good. Day."
With that, Doctor Cracknel turned heel and left the trio behind. He didn't have time for such individuals. The last thing he expected was a hand to grab his shoulder.
"Bit rude to leave before the conversation before it's over."
"I believe I was clear I was done with the discussion."
"You're really going to turn away an eager kid who actually wants to learn?"
"Does she? Or does she just want to show off? Show she's better because she has more than others?"
"Why don't you take her on and find out?"
"I have neither the resources nor time for her."
"How much would it take to cover your resources then?" Tony asked in a snarky tone.
"Are you trying to buy me off? You arrogant tosser! You can't bribe me. You want magical advice for the kid? Tell her to focus on what she has and be grateful for it."
And with a flick of his wrist, a small drops of a potion fell to the floor creating a thick wall of blue smoke and disappeared into another room. Good riddance.
"You've come far the protection spell Ron. Are you ready for your next set?"
"Set? I thought you were doing it one spell at a time. Not that I- um, mind or anything."
"You were busy with your overseas education. It's best to work on more while you are here and I can more readily assist you should anything go wrong."
"Like if I get hurt?"
"Exactly. Magical ailments tend to be harder to treat than normal injuries. Usually."
"Makes sense. So what are we learning?"
"You'll be learning a simple retrieval spell and its' counterpart."
"Like grabbing and pushing?" Ron asked sounding confused.
"Exactly. Put your gloves on and recite the first spell, praeripio."
Ron slid on the Agromantula silk gloves and muttered the word.
"I'd like you to try it on this newspaper," Strange stated as he placed the plastic wrapped papers on the table before them. "Speak with conviction, hold out your hand in front of you, a bit outstretched towards it as it is your first time. And hand away from your face."
"Praeripio," he called out. Unlike with the jar where little seemed to happen, the paper shot out quickly, hitting his hand and dropping to the floor before he could grasp it.
"Ow."
"We'll need to work on that."
Fresh virtual cake for anyone who can figure out Dr. Cracknel. His identity or connection that is...
It would also show Strange's lack of truly in depth working of the various magic considering how late he entered the magical game himself.
Mystic arts: hint it's not in Stan Lees Marvelous Universe
God dammit would you stop trying to give spoilers.