STUDY TABLE
The common room is full of similar looking study tables, but there’s something about this one that causes you pause. Studying hasn’t always been your strong suit, as you’ve found traditional study methods to be more than a little repressive. A fancy looking writing quill has been broken into two and lies useless on the table next to some parchment, as well as a deck of wizard’s cards.
“Ahem.”
You hear a cough and turn to find an older student eyeing you suspiciously while crossing her arms. She must be a 5th-year, and is wearing a brooch with the symbol of House Erudia.
You pick up the two pieces of the writing quill and notice that it appears as if it were snapped in half on purpose. As you inspect the broken utensil, you notice the engraving on the side:
“ENCHANTISCRIPT”
This is an autoquill! Rather, it was an autoquill. They’re not much good once they’ve been snapped in two. Someone adept at repairing charms might be able to fix it, but you never found simple spells like that interesting enough to learn.
You place the broken pieces back onto the table.
You pick up the deck of Wizards Cards. You’re not sure what the point is of collecting these, but the art looks cool. If you take some time, you can arrange the cards however you wish and flip through them at your leisure.
You sort the cards in alphabetical order.
You take a moment to shuffle the cards.
You decide to talk to the serious looking student who’s been eyeing you with suspicion. She rolls her eyes as you approach, crossing her arms in dismay.
“It’s called a study table. Witches and wizards with any academic sensibility use it to hone their skills and improve their craft, a practice commonly known as studying. Have you tried it?”
The student sighs heavily, uncrosses her arms, and changes her stare to that of a resigned understanding.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. This whole situation is just… highly unexpected, and very stressful. My name’s Lyra, Lyra Gray, of House Erudia. It’s a pleasure to meet you, ah… what’s your name?”
She extends a warm handshake and forces a slight smile.
“Your first year here? Not exactly what you had in mind for a welcome, I take it. I was just on my way here to get a headstart on some of my advanced coursework for the semester. Some teachers hurried past me, and I knew something must have happened. I’ve heard the rumors of Lysandra, of course, but I didn’t think she would strike so quickly! Though, I wonder why it was only a sleeping spell, and not something more… final? Poor Oliver, all the weight of the wizarding world on his young shoulders, I’m sure he never asked for any of it. You know, the prophecy about him defeating the dark witch upon her return? Don’t you know anything?”
Lyra furrows her brow, once again eyeing you with suspicion.
“Well, if you’re not going to help, please at the very least don’t interfere with my investigation. As it happens, I’m keeping a watchful eye on that Minister of Magic Education fellow, Roderick Dunhampton. I know the headmaster invited him for the opening ceremony, but don’t you find it odd that he actually bothered to show up? With a maniac on the loose, and a dark witch threatening the school, I’d expect a politician like him to be in hiding.”
You pick up the two pieces of the writing quill and notice that it appears as if it were snapped in half on purpose. As you inspect the broken utensil, you notice the engraving on the side:
“ENCHANTISCRIPT”
This is an autoquill! Rather, it was an autoquill. They’re not much good once they’ve been snapped in two. Someone adept at repairing charms might be able to fix it, but you never found simple spells like that interesting enough to learn.
You place the broken pieces back onto the table.
You sort the cards in alphabetical order.
You take a moment to shuffle the cards.
You decide to talk to the serious looking student who’s been eyeing you with suspicion. She rolls her eyes as you approach, crossing her arms in dismay.
“It’s called a study table. Witches and wizards with any academic sensibility use it to hone their skills and improve their craft, a practice commonly known as studying. Have you tried it?”
The student sighs heavily, uncrosses her arms, and changes her stare to that of a resigned understanding.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. This whole situation is just… highly unexpected, and very stressful. My name’s Lyra, Lyra Gray, of House Erudia. It’s a pleasure to meet you, ah… what’s your name?”
She extends a warm handshake and forces a slight smile.
“Your first year here? Not exactly what you had in mind for a welcome, I take it. I was just on my way here to get a headstart on some of my advanced coursework for the semester. Some teachers hurried past me, and I knew something must have happened. I’ve heard the rumors of Lysandra, of course, but I didn’t think she would strike so quickly! Though, I wonder why it was only a sleeping spell, and not something more… final? Poor Oliver, all the weight of the wizarding world on his young shoulders, I’m sure he never asked for any of it. You know, the prophecy about him defeating the dark witch upon her return? Don’t you know anything?”
Lyra furrows her brow, once again eyeing you with suspicion.
“Well, if you’re not going to help, please at the very least don’t interfere with my investigation. As it happens, I’m keeping a watchful eye on that Minister of Magic Education fellow, Roderick Dunhampton. I know the headmaster invited him for the opening ceremony, but don’t you find it odd that he actually bothered to show up? With a maniac on the loose, and a dark witch threatening the school, I’d expect a politician like him to be in hiding.”