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 3: Augury Academy
While Sofia, Cedric, and Butterford were resting on a sofa together, chatting amongst themselves, Chrysta contacted the headmaster of Augury Academy, explaining the details of each undercover participant, agreeing to the terms of the school as well. When she sealed off the magical communication, she gathered the trio together to talk.
"Okay, I had a long chat with Headmaster Brion, and he has some details we need to abide by," the crystal fairy said as the three friends stood before her. "You'll be housed in the same dorm room the whole time you're undercover."
"Oh, fun," Butterford quipped somewhat sarcastically as he eyed his friends. "Look, I know you two love each other, but please refrain from being too affectionate as long as we are all in the same room. Okay?"
"We'll keep it to a minimum," Cedric obliged as Sofia giggled.
Chrysta folded her arms as she yawned a bit, clearly tired from all the extra work put on her while her friends were still on their honeymoon. "All right, listen. Another thing I was told to let you guys know is, other than in cases where it's necessary and in the dorm, don't linger in the same room together for more than a few minutes. You want to minimize suspicion. It's hard to tell who's behind the disappearance of all those people, so it's best if you guys keep an eye out and stay on your guard." She looked down at a piece of parchment with some notes, reaching for it, her dark eyes roving over her own handwriting. "Now, here's how this will work. Jas, we're going to send you to the school first. You're set to be the new librarian, so you'll need to check in with a woman named Madame Welsh. She'll have your credentials and will show you to your office."
"Ooh, I get an office?" Butterford asked with a smile. "I hope it has a nice view."
"With lots of books lining the wall," Sofia added with a nod.
"I see you two have your priorities straight," Cedric joked, laughing.
"Sofia, we'll send you next," Chrysta told her. "You'll go a few hours later, so that Jas has time to get settled and so we don't raise any suspicions with everyone showing up at once. You'll check in at the front office, and they'll lead you to a dummy dorm."
The princess frowned. "What is a dummy dorm?"
"It's a fake room for appearance's sake," her friend responded. "You'll hang out there until one of the headmaster's helpers comes to get you. Then, when everyone is at the school and you visit Headmaster Brion, he'll give you access to your real room."
"And what about me?" the sorcerer wondered. "When do I go?"
"About an hour after Sofia. You, like Jas, will go to Madame Welsh and check in as a new professor. She will give you your schedule and access to your classroom so you can get a feel for the environment." She looked around at the faces of the trio before her, smiling tiredly. "Any questions?"
"Will we be able to communicate with you during this mission?" Sofia asked, cradling her Enchantlet as she did.
"Of course. Every evening before you go to bed, contact me, and we'll discuss how things are going. If it gets to be too much for any reason… I'm sure I can find others to help. Let me know and we'll pull you guys immediately."
Cedric exchanged glances with the other two before looking back at his once rival. "Chrysta, you have enough on your plate. We're strong enough to handle this. I'll protect Sofia and Jas with everything I have."
Of course, Sofia smiled, but Butterford also reacted rather positively. Given their recent rocky experiences, even though they'd cleared the air, it was nice to hear his friend speak so compassionately about him as well as Sofia.
Chrysta nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, Cedric. I know you'll all do a great job. But seriously, if you think it's too much or too dangerous, let me know. We'll handle it somehow."
They followed through with the plan almost immediately after that, each one transformed when they began their journey to the school. Butterford was transferred first, signing in with ease and finding his new library and adjacent office for the week. While the office wasn't quite as large as he was hoping, and the "view" was merely a large tree outside the window, he figured it would be an interesting change of pace. After all, he was told he could decorate or reorganize anything he wanted. Since he had to wait several hours for Sofia and Cedric to arrive, and before they could all go to the headmaster's office, he figured he'd make the most of his time.
Sofia arrived a few hours later, checking in as she was told. To her, the school was so big, but it also had a strangely eerie feeling about it. While beautiful on the outside and inside, there was a coldness to it—like it kept a secret it wouldn't share. Of course, given the nature of the mission, she knew what that secret was… She received her textbooks and schedule and was led to her dummy dorm, where she stayed resting on the simple bed she was afforded until the last of the trio could arrive.
Another hour later, Cedric arrived, following the same path Butterford had. His room was 122 on the first floor of the large academy, and he was to teach alchemy and magical history, much like his predecessor Gregor Smithe (one of the missing staff members) had. Armed with his staff badge and a few educator texts, he was led to the big empty classroom, which was in desperate need of cleaning and rearranging. When he was alone, Cedric used his wand to quickly tidy and clean the place, the walls a deep gray with subtle accent colors peaking through, like magical bursts almost, and he lined the left side of the room with an elegant bookcase. The desks were properly adjusted for all students, in neat rows, while his desk was cleaned and repaired to perfection, the rolling chair a nice touch.
About half an hour after Cedric arrived, he and the other two were summoned to the headmaster's office, but they were led down what appeared to be a private pathway to get there (supposedly so no one else would see them, for obvious reasons). When they arrived in the office, the helper left, the trio standing before a rather anxious-looking leader.
"S-So good of you all to come," Headmaster Brion murmured, not quite looking at them as he shuffled some papers on his desk and then fumbled through a few things in one of the drawers. "Chrysta assured me that you were three of the best candidates for this mission, and I quite trust her instincts." He was an older man, probably around 70 years of age, and seemed quite nervous. His worn grayish-blue eyes hid behind a pair of small spectacles, and his short white hair was disheveled and splayed about his head. He finally located what he was looking for—a small, corked bottle—and withdrew it from the desk, uncorking it and downing its contents. When the friends stared at him in confusion, he merely smiled apologetically. "It's a calming potion I had made. Settles the nerves. Goodness knows, I've much to be nervous about."
"Headmaster Brion," Sofia began, her voice a strange sound to her as it was also altered during her transformation, "we're here to help." She shook her head a bit to try to get used to the different tone. "Just tell us what we need to know."
"Danger is all around us," the old man told them seriously, pushing the bottle aside and shoving his hands into his hair. "Our academy is facing legal percussions with so many missing people. I'm scared we'll fall into a massive debt or close for good. Not to mention, my own granddaughter attends this school, and I'm afraid she might be the next to disappear." He looked up as he heard a creaking door opening near the back of the office, his startled features immediately settling. "Olga, dear, you are here early." He gestured toward the trio. "Um, everyone, I'd like you to meet my wife: Madame Olga."
Madame Olga was an older woman, possibly the same age as her husband. She wore leopard print on her rather expensive-looking outfit, and her left arm was encased in a sling for some reason, though no one mentioned it. She smiled gently at her husband, her expression sincere as she kissed him on the cheek. "I just wanted to check on you, Brion. I dropped off your supper to Elise so she can pass it to you later. I'll see you at home this evening." She nodded toward the trio. "Nice to meet you, and…thank you for your service." With that, she turned and left.
"Headmaster," Cedric spoke, his own voice a foreign sound as it sounded a bit deeper than he was used to. He held a writing pad and pen, jotting down notes as needed. "We are at your command. We—"
"Do not tell me anything personal," the older man insisted. "I know you are undercover and protected by the Law of the Protectors, and that is for the best. Keep your personal identity to yourselves, because it will keep you three and myself all protected. The less that is known on my end, the better. As I said, Chrysta highly recommended you all, so I know you will do your best for our academy. And I truly appreciate it. I just need help solving this strange mystery, because I cannot lose anyone else. I dearly need to find my missing staff and students."
"That's what we plan to do," Butterford added kindly. "Any way we can help, we will."
Headmaster Brion sighed and nodded. "Thank you… Here." He handed a briefcase to Cedric, who took it from him. "This has the information on the missing staff and students. Everything you need to know should be in these documents. I'll show you to your private dorm. And young lady," he said, nodding at Sofia, "I'll have your things transferred in confidence."
"Thank you, Headmaster Brion."
It took a bit of stealth and maneuvering, but the trio was finally led to their secret quarters behind the main halls. The room was a medium-sized one, with two queen beds separated by a spacious bedside table with a simple oil lamp and picture of the academy. The room was painted a deep blue hue, and the carpet was plush and white. A sofa and desk with a wooden chair were lined along the side wall, while a large armoire was stationed next to a vanity, both across from the beds. A private lavatory was connected, including a clawfoot tub with access to fresh hot or cold water (magically, of course).
After unpacking and closing the curtains on the window over the desk, the three friends shed their disguises with the Redeo ad me spell, returning to their normal selves.
Sofia pushed Cedric onto their bed, sitting on his lap, and throwing her arms around his neck. She kissed him once before whispering, "Glad to see my husband again…" She then kissed him deeper before breaking the kiss and giggling. "Though I did like those glasses on you."
"And I found your purple leather ensemble rather fetching," he returned, chuckling as he placed a simple kiss to her lips.
"Are you two going to be like this the whole week?" Butterford asked with a sigh, though he did smile afterward. "Maybe I should find my own room."
"We'll tone it down," Sofia assured him, though she did kiss Cedric one more time before sitting on the bed next to him.
"I'm going to review some of the notes I took, and then I think we should take a look at the case files," Cedric told them as Sofia moved over to the other bed, sitting in front of Butterford, whom she asked to braid her hair (and he obliged).
"Let's get started then," Butterford agreed as he brushed through his friend's hair with his fingers before sorting it into three sections, the typical weaving process soon beginning. "Who's the first case, Cedric?"
The sorcerer withdrew a file, opening it, and responded, "Your counterpart, Jas: Noxie Layes."
To be continued…
Next Chapter: Case By Case