The Start of Something Wicked

[Alkander Avaskadiras]

The sun itself had barely risen and the courtyard had the subdued quiet of dawn and was illuminated in shimmering shades of bronze gleam. The soft chirp of a robin and the plopping sound of the fountain's water were the only gentle sounds that were adding to the tranquility, yet a first year there was not interested in enjoying this serenity.

He had woken up early that morning, couple hours before most castle's residents did. It was the only time that he could find the courtyard empty without risking getting a detention. The fountain at the center of the courtyard was a real work of art made of stone. But Alkander was convinced there's more than meets the eye. The statues of a lion, a raven, a snake and a badger at each corner were spouting water into the rectangular basin. The boy dipped a hand into the refreshingly-cool water and frowned looked at the mascots' statues.

If there was a secret there, he was determined to uncover it sooner or later. But sooner was much preferred. Later the courtyard was going to have too many prying eyes for him to investigate at his ease, let alone that he could draw the attention of a member of the staff or a prefect. It was now or never. Alkander climbed on the basin's rim and started inspecting the statues. He pulled the snake's forked tongue and lion's ears, he pressed the badger's nose and the raven's beak in hope of a secret lever.

 

[Oliver Foy]

The young Hufflepuff yawned and gently rubbed at his eyes, having woken too early for his liking. It was unusual for him to be up this early, but Oliver couldn't simply return to bed. This was a golden opportunity to enjoy the castle and its grounds without numerous other students wandering about. The sun was still young in the sky as the boy made his way out into the courtyard. It was dreamily quiet, just the soft trickling of the fountain and a bird sweetly chirping audible other than his footsteps.

Oliver smiled and stretched his arms up over his head before his eyes snapped towards the fountain. Upon further inspection, he saw he wasn't the only one out this early, and his eyebrows rose as he watched the other boy. He'd climbed on top the fountain's rim and had a hand stretched beneath the water, obviously searching for something. "Hey, dude. Looking for something?" Oliver asked, trying to begin a friendly conversation and curious on what was actually happening.

 

[Alkander Avaskadiras]

While examining the raven statue, Alkander pulled downwards the lower mandible and the beak opened to his surprise. A small, leather scroll tube rolled down and plopped into into the basin. With eyes sparking with excitement, Alkander submerged his hand in the water to grab the little tube with no hesitation. When he took it in his hands, the only thing he managed to notice was that it was sealed. A voice behind him alerted him and quickly shoved it in his pockets before turning around to see the stranger.

"Oh, hey." He greeted back, forcing a smile through his astonishment. It was another guy, around his age. Alkander didn't know what he had witnessed but he didn't let himself act suspiciously. "Oh nothing. I dropped my sneakoscope while balancing on the basin's edge." He replied, thinking fast. Slightly relieved, he pulled out of his pocket his favorite sneakoscope which had a miniature snitch as a marble within. It was a gift from his father when he told him that he wanted to become an auror when he would grow up and Alkander carried it with him all the time. "Nice, isn't it?" He said as he pocketed his sneakoscope and looked around at the peaceful courtyard, showered in the golden colors of sunrise. "It's the perfect time to be around here." He added and looked back at the boy. "I'm Alkander." He introduced himself while in the back of his mind, the thought of the mysterious scroll tube he had just discovered, was itching him relentlessly.