Bravery - (Sharpuary 2026)
Merlin, he should have known.
Following Fig's... student always led him to some fresh hell he expected to encounter during his days as an Auror. When he entered Hogwarts, the worst trouble he thought he would encounter were rebellious goblins or Rookwood's minions prowling in the valley. Nothing unusually threatening from his point of view.
Once again his overconfidence got the better of him. But to his defence, which wizard in their right mind would encounter an army of ancient, magical construct in some blasted cavern-temple-structure only a few weeks since school started?!
Aesop questioned the wisdom of him following this new student's exploits. Of course, it was concerning that the young lady Fig had just brought was skipping classes as early as her first week in Hogwarts. Matilda was getting concerned, so he adhered to her request to investigate the young Ravenclaw. Yet when he had finally caught to her, should he just apprehended and detained the wayward student like a sensible professor?
Whether it may be bravery or foolhardiness, he decided to accompany her to this strange quest. He was powerful enough to protect her from whatever this strange phenomenon, right?
"May I offer you my last vial of Wiggenweld in this trying time, Professor?" she asked. He could clearly hear the mirth in her voice over his shoulder.
His bad leg protested despite the levitating charm carrying most of her weight. Behind them, heavy steel footsteps echoed against the cavernous walls of that strange structure they had entered. Had it only been him, he would already made a short work of those gigantic constructs. But he would not endanger the life of a student -- no matter how insistent she was that she could fight them. He took no further arguments, hoisted her up his shoulder, and hobbled as fast as he could back to the entrance (because for some godforsaken reason, he could not apparate in that place).
Aesop glanced at the offered vial. A rush of blood almost popped a vein on his temple when he saw the liquid. "That is only half a potion, Miss Moonwater," he replied through gritted teeth, "What could you possibly expect to happen in half a vial of Wiggenweld? And why are you offering me a half -spent potion in the first place?"
Rheias grinned sheepishly. "I may have forgotten to resupply in Pippin's, sir."
His strength almost left him. "Are you telling me... that you willingly ventured into this place without any spare potions?"
"I was hoping that you did bring some, Professor Sharp."
And in that moment, his vision darkened. He could not exactly recall what transpired next, save the flashes of bright light coming out from his wand. Next thing he knew, the girl was on the floor, blue eyes glimmering in amazement. And the constructs that were chasing them were already dismantled on the floor.
"That was... awesome..." she whistled.
He took a few deep breaths and ran his fingers through his sweat-matted hair. "Fifty points from Ravenclaw. For indulging in reckless actions."
"But we aren't in Hogwarts!"
"And the moment we arrive at the gates of the school, you will serve thirty hours in detention," he continued, "You will spend your detention procuring supplies and brewing Wiggenweld potion."
The student's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Without another word, he helped her up and they walked back to the way they came from.
His bad leg still thrummed but somehow, the rush of combat dulled it into insignificance. He supressed a chuckle. Following someone like her was a disaster.... and yet if she even attempted to escape from the castle again, he would probably once again find himself following her.
