Shadows at Augury Academy
Summary: An enchanted school called Augury Academy is shrouded by an ominous mystery: professors and students vanish without a trace, casting a shadow over the once-harmonious halls. Cedric, Sofia, and Butterford are summoned to go undercover at the school, where they unravel a web of secrets, puzzles, and missing people. As they delve deeper into the mystical academy's secrets, the trio must guard their true identities while unearthing the truth behind the disappearances, lest they become the next targets to vanish in plain sight. (Takes place 6 years after my Season 5)
Disclaimer: I only own Jas Butterford, Serena and Charlie (mentioned), and the other OCs as well as Augury Academy. MarionetteJ2X owns Nana and Tanya (mentioned).
Chapter 4: Case By Case
"Before we get started with Noxie, let's take a look at the actual list of people," Cedric suggested as he sorted through all the files. "According to the general outline, these are the people missing: Professors Gregor Smithe, Helga Jiles, and Wilstead Owens; Staff Members - Librarian Noxie Layes and Academic Counselor Dr. Rosanna 'Roz' Quills; and students Linux Rivers, Everly Higgens, Dajon Diaz, Marney Plumes, Zebediah Pederson, and Kilgore 'Georgie' Biggs."
"Eleven people," Jas murmured softly as he continued braiding Sofia's hair, his head shaking as he tried to fathom the situation. "I know we knew that, but still… Eleven people went missing, and no one has any clue how or why. I feel bad for their families…"
"We'll find them, Jas," Sofia told her friend as she folded her arms into her lap. "We just need more information, and we can save them and get them back to their families."
"Agreed." Cedric lifted the first file and opened the folder. "We'll begin with Noxie Layes. It says in her file she was the first one to go missing. She is a 27-year-old librarian at the academy, described as being a meticulous, knowledgeable, reserved, and observant person. According to those who know her best, 'Noxie is a dedicated librarian who takes pride in maintaining the academy's vast collection of books and scrolls. She is highly organized and detail-oriented, with an encyclopedic knowledge of literature and history. Despite her reserved demeanor, she is always willing to help students in their research, and she is well-respected by both students and staff for her expertise and professionalism.' And the end notes say she was last seen cataloging new acquisitions in the library's archives, but she vanished sometime late in the evening many weeks ago, leaving behind a stack of unfinished tasks."
"I actually found those when I was working in her office earlier," Butterford informed them as he tied off Sofia's braid and draped it over her shoulder. He shuffled backwards and leaned up against his pillows, smiling as Sofia turned and moved over next to him, leaning against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her as she settled down. "I noticed that her handwriting seemed neat at first, but it became a bit erratic and messy not long after. And about fifty pages were unsigned after that, if I counted right."
Cedric used his wand to lift Noxie's photo into the air, magically 'pinning' it in place. Noxie had the appearance of a woman, but she actually had rather large ears like a mouse. It occurred to the trio then that she must have been a hybrid human, which was mysteriously missing from her file. Her hair was short and curled around her head in loose tendrils, some swooping beneath her ears. Her brown eyes were framed by rectangular glasses, and her outfit suggested a more reserved person, as they gathered from her file. She wore brown shoes and trousers and a long-sleeved white shirt with a pink vest buttoned over it, complete with a maroon bowtie around her neck.
"She looks so sweet," Sofia mentioned as she observed the picture. "I hope we can find her and the others."
"Me too," Butterford concurred. "While I like her library, I don't think I'm cut out to be a real librarian…" He glanced at Cedric, who was sorting through the files. "Who's next, Cedric?"
"A student: Dajon Diaz." He magically pinned his picture into the air next to Noxie's. Dajon was a dark-skinned young boy with curly black hair bespattered across his head. His dark eyes were filled with mirth, matching his kind smile. He wore a traditional dark robe with white lining, black pants, and black shoes. "Dajon is 16 years old and described as a laid-back and friendly student. He's rather sociable, enjoys meeting people, and is one of the smartest students in school. Allegedly, he's also the grandson of one of the former headmasters."
"Now that's interesting," Sofia pointed out.
"Mm-hmm. He was dating another student who's also missing: Linux Rivers. He was last seen leaving a friend's home around 5:00 PM several weeks ago, but his parents reported him missing that evening when he didn't return."
Butterford frowned in thought as he gently rubbed Sofia's arm. "Cedric, did it say anything about the former headmaster? I mean, I know it didn't say how long ago Dajon's grandfather was in charge, but did his file have any comments or anything from his grandfather? Or his parents?"
Cedric shook his head as he flipped through the student's file. "No, not that I can see. Most of the rest of his records are just grades, work samples, and such. No affidavits or anything like that."
"Weird," the princess mumbled. "You'd think they'd get some sort of interview or report with his family. Unless it was in there and someone removed it."
"Well, let's just stick with what we know right now and investigate your theory later, my love." Cedric set Dajon's file aside and pulled out another student file. "Next, we have Kilgore 'Georgie' Biggs.'" The image of the boy floated next to Dajon's. Georgie was a larger boy with fluffy brown short hair, kind blue eyes, and a dimpled smile. He wore a traditional white robe with khaki pants and shiny black shoes. "Georgie is 13 years old and described as enthusiastic, imaginative, and optimistic. One of his professors wrote this about him: 'Georgie possesses an insatiable curiosity about the world around him and is always eager to learn new things. He has a vivid imagination and often gets lost in daydreams of fantastical adventures. Despite any challenges he faces, he maintains a positive outlook on life.' He has a connection to a few other students called Marney and Zebediah, both of whom are also missing, and he considers them role models and friends."
"Aw," Sofia murmured, sighing. "And he's so young too."
"I know. And he was last seen exploring the hidden passages in the school during a game of hide-and-seek with his friends, but he disappeared in the middle of the game."
Butterford hummed calmly, though he was obviously conflicted. "Compared with the others, this Georgie was just a little kid. Poor baby."
The sorcerer moved through the next folder, retrieving the next photo. He magically levitated it next to Georgie's. The professor was fair skinned with a thin frame, her thick brown hair piled on top of her head in a fancy bun, with a few tendrils curling around her cheeks and ears. Large circular glasses rested on her nose, behind which her kind dark hazel eyes lay. She wore a long robe-like black dress with her black flats peeping under the fabric. Around her neck, she wore a jade necklace. "The next missing person is the psychology professor Helga Jiles. She's 43 years old, and she is a considerate educator who works hard and sympathizes with her students. She apparently is known for getting to work early and leaving late in the evening; she's on the leadership team." He flipped the page. "Oh, she's divorced from a man who tried to embezzle her money."
"I mean…" Sofia shrugged, waving one of her hands. "I can't blame her."
"She's also close friends with Professor Gregor Smithe and Dr. Roz, the counselor, two more missing people. And she disappeared about 7:00 PM when she left her classroom."
"Who's the next person, Cedric?" his wife wondered.
"Dr. Rosanna 'Roz' Quills." He pulled out her photo and tossed it up with the others, using his wand to keep it in place. She had a friendly face with a few smile lines, hazel-green eyes, and short wispy hair in shades of blue, pink, and purple, all held back by a headband. Her robe was as colorful as her hair, with all shades of the rainbow. The sleeves were large and practically drowned her hands, falling down to her knees. "Dr. Roz is 39 and the Academic Counselor here at the academy. She's considered compassionate, trustworthy, supportive, and insightful. Her staff recognition writeup says, 'Dr. Roz is a trusted advisor and mentor to the students of the academy, offering guidance and support in both academic and personal matters. She is known for her empathetic nature and ability to see the potential in every student. Her diplomatic skills make her adept at resolving conflicts and fostering a sense of community.' Her students apparently adore her, and her fellow staff members appreciate her for her advice and wisdom. Last anyone saw her, she was meeting with a troubled student before disappearing under mysterious circumstances shortly afterward."
The trio continued sifting through the files, one by one. Next was Linux Rivers, another student at the academy. Her blonde hair fanned out around her shoulders, and her blue eyes were filled with a silent wisdom that was unusual for her age. Her fair features were highlighted by her mildly rosy cheeks. She wore a long white robe-dress, lining along the collar piped in gold thread. She was 15 years old, a straight-A student, and considered calm, creative, hardworking, and detail oriented. She was considered the top student in her grade level, and though she was only at the academy because of a scholarship, she had proven herself to be very intelligent and competitive though not at all cruel. Prior to her disappearance, she was dating Dajon, another missing student. She was last seen at an off-campus library studying for an exam, but she never left after its closure at 8:00 PM.
Next on the list was 16-year-old Zebediah Pederson, who was described as a fearless, charismatic, adventurous, and sometimes mischievous young man, often leading his tight-knit group of friends on daring escapades. Zebediah looked a little younger than he was, save for a few sharper features around his nose and jawline. His hair was short on the sides but wavy on top, the chocolate brown color naturally highlighted by the sun due to his outside adventures. He possessed dark green eyes, and his ears were slightly larger than other students', which were subject to teasing when he was younger. Now older, he owned it. He wore a white shirt with a maroon and dark purple robe, dark trousers, and matching shoes. He was known for his daring nature and love of exploration, always pushing boundaries and seeking out adventures when he could find them. Despite the wild streak he possessed, he had a magnetic personality that drew others to him. He was planning a secret expedition into the nearby enchanted forest before he disappeared.
Forty-nine-year-old Gregor Smithe, the alchemy and magic history professor whom Cedric replaced, was taken next. Colleagues described him as outgoing, fun, ambitious, passionate, and inspiring. "He breathes his content and infuses it into his students," read his Professor of the Year portfolio a few years ago. He also was said to love a good glass of wine on occasion, and he had a wife and a daughter, the latter of whom was also a professor but at a different school. He was a fellow employee with no distinct connections to the other professors, though he was well-liked. He was seen leaving a saloon around 1:00 AM when he was on a trip with his wife, but his spouse was at the inn sleeping, and her husband never returned. Gregor had a shocking head of red hair that curled down his back, matching his brownish-red eyes. He had a full beard and mustache, and he preferred a dark plum-colored robe over his work clothing most days (much like Cedric). A strange quirk of his was his possession of a tiny spoon, which he claimed was good luck. The day of his disappearance, the spoon was found outside the saloon, bent backwards and nearly broken in half.
Number nine missing was a 15-year-old student named Marney Plumes. The artistic introvert was said to be sensitive and observant, and her appearance was every bit as mysterious as she was. Marney had short black hair with a fringe that spilled over her eyebrows, her eyes much the same shade. She wore a fitted black dress over a simple white underlayer shirt, the outfit tied tightly around her small frame. She wore a dragonfly necklace around her neck and open-toed black shoes on her feet. Marney was considered a talented artist, often expressing herself through drawings and paintings. She tended to keep to herself but was rather receptive and empathetic toward others. She had a passion for nature, often incorporating natural elements into her artwork. She was said to be good friends with Everly Higgens, another student who'd disappeared after her, and she didn't mind lending a supportive ear to her friends. Marney was last seen sketching in the academy's garden during a free period, but she never returned to class.
As mentioned earlier, Everly Higgens, aged 14, was another missing student. Everly possessed a rather distinct appearance with her light purple hair tied up in a high ponytail and spilling down her small form like a waterfall. Her dark blue eyes seemed to hide an unspoken truth about her, though her personality masked it well. Unlike her best friend Marney, she preferred lighter colors, her white and pink dress hugging her form and her sandaled feet always decorated with cute designs. Everly was considered by most people to be flighty, dreamy, and often unaware of her own surroundings, though she was rather nice. She lived with her grandmother and little brother Caleb; her parents had disappeared when she was two years old and were never seen again. While her grades weren't as high as other students', she was well liked by most professors. She was last seen by her grandmother walking to school on a Tuesday morning. She never arrived.
The most recent disappearance was Professor Wilstead Owens, aged 68. He was a mathematics professor who was described as serious and firm but fair. Professor Owens had professionally styled silver hair and a matching mustache, aquamarine eyes, and large-rimmed glasses. He was always dressed immaculately, his dark gray robe resembling that of a business suit. He always wore a long green tie with his white dress shirt, hidden beneath the robes. Like most other professors, his slacks were dark, as were his shoes. Before his disappearance, Professor Owens had only missed two days of teaching during his entire 40-year career. He was known to be a disciplinarian in the hallways to ensure students were on track, and he spent much time on the weekends working with veterans. An interesting note was that he was cousin to Headmaster Brion, according to his file, though the headmaster hadn't mentioned it. He was seen last week leaving the academy at 4:00 PM, but he didn't report to work the following day.
"That…was a lot of information," Butterford laughed as he looked over at Sofia, who seemed to be growing sleepy. Her eyes were nearly closed, though she kept shaking her head to wake herself up. He continued gently caressing her arm though, as it seemed to calm her. "Maybe we should look over the information again tomorrow and see about making some connections. It's obvious that some are good friends, and the whole cousin thing with the headmaster was unexpected."
"I know," Cedric agreed, frowning as he magically returned the files and photos to their location. "I wonder why he neglected to mention that."
Sofia yawned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Maybe he was just stressed and forgot to mention it. But he did say his granddaughter goes here too, right? With him being concerned about her becoming another victim he might have overlooked that detail about his cousin." She stood up and stretched, sighing. "But I agree with Jas. Let's look over all this stuff again tomorrow and get some sleep." She smiled as Cedric magically changed into his pajamas before pushing back the covers, moving over to allow her some space. She mimicked his motions and changed into some light purple pajama pants and a matching shirt, her hair still neatly braided and tied with a purple ribbon now. She climbed into bed next to her husband, snuggling up to him as she peered over at Butterford, who had moved under his own covers. "You okay over there, Jas?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry." He reached over to the oil lamp. "Is it okay if I douse this?" Seeing the other two nod, he did so, plunging them into darkness, save for the sliver of moonlight that filtered in through a very small line in the drawn curtains. "Good night, guys."
"Night, Jas," Sofia returned.
"Sleep well," Cedric called, settling in rather nicely with Sofia pulled into his arms.
An hour later, Cedric and Sofia were evidently sleeping well, given their steady breathing across the room. Butterford, on the other hand, wasn't quite as lucky. The room was somewhat drafty, considering their location in a more secluded part of the academy, and while he had layers of blankets over him, it couldn't replace the warmth he often had when sleeping next to Muscles.
Part of him sort of regretted agreeing to go on this weeklong adventure, as he didn't realize how homesick he would feel. He'd only just thought of how he missed Lauren, though she was on her own adventure herself, but now he kind of wished Muscles had come along with them. Even for moral support or…something. He was turned toward the window, shivering a bit, though he was trying so hard to keep as quiet as he could. A single tear escaped his eye, and he reached up to wipe it away, the warm track on his cheek quickly turning cold.
He felt a strange warmth surrounding him a few moments later, which was rather unexpected. Turning around, he looked up, seeing Sofia smiling at him through the sliver of moonlight still shining in their room. "Sofia?"
"You seemed cold," she whispered, settling another blanket over him. This one, though, had been magically warmed for good measure. "Do you want some company for a little while? I've been told I give good hugs."
He laughed quietly, smiling. "You don't have to do that, Sofia. I'm fine. Just…not used to sleeping alone these days, you know?"
"I know. Here." She passed him a stuffed bear that was wearing a purple robe similar to Cedric's, giggling as he took it and blinked up at her curiously. "It's Charlie's. It somehow made its way into our luggage. He used to sleep with it when he was younger, but I think he's moved on to another toy or is trying solo sleeping now. Just depends on the night with him. I know it's not Muscles, but…" She shrugged, smiling gently. "Maybe it'll help?"
"Thanks, Sofia…" He tucked the bear onto his pillow next to him before looking up at her. "You better get some sleep. I will take one of those hugs, though."
Sofia beamed as she sat down on the bed, warmly enveloping him in one of her famous hugs. "Is that better?"
"Much," he acknowledged, sighing happily after she gently released him. "Thanks, Sofia. I feel better and warmer now."
"Good." She kissed his cheek before moving back to her bed, covering up with her own blankets. "Get some rest, okay?"
"I'll definitely try. Thank you." Butterford waited until she had settled down before reaching up for the stuffed bear, wrapping it in his arms and under the layers of newly warmed blankets. Finally feeling tiredness washing over him, he gave in to his exhaustion and, lulled by the warmth and the feeling of something soft in his embrace, he finally fell asleep.
To be continued…
Next Chapter: Jigsaw
