Absit Omen RPG

Second year! It was only yesterday that Aoide was casting her first spell in his transfiguration classroom. One day she would take her NEWTs and he would feel exactly the same.

"Thank you for your kind words. These are from one in Delhi so a longer trip from London." He put his hand on hers. "Finding my bearings. I have been away. Back to Punjab in June. Then a little of everywhere." Nadine and Aoide were not here to receive a lecture on his travels. "Have you been on your travels too?" Ravindar asked Aoide this question. To make her feel included. And took her letter to study. "Transformation Through the Ages. Plenty of those in second hand. Who would be without Standard Book Grade 2? Jigger already for Professor Storm?"

Ravindar stroked the crumbs from his beard. He was breakfasting at the Leaky Cauldron. He had taken a room the previous night. Newly arrived back from his summer in the Punjab at the street school he had set up years before. He hated to leave but he was to return for a second year at Hogwarts. Hogwarts paid well and he used his money for good. Not just lovely robes. The crumbs fell onto his newspaper. It was open at a half page advert. An advert for werewolves to escape. Come to a camp in America for a week. A month. Longer. Ravindar had never seen it in the newspaper before. But he had been away in India all of the school summer holiday. Run by ELF. Who were ELF?

He was distracted by someone taking the table next to him. He recognized the young witch first. Then her mother.

"Miss Shacklebolt." Greeted Professor Singh. "Nadine!" He got to his feet to embrace her. The last of the breakfast crumbs tumbling from his robes. They had last seen each other at Balfour and Johann's wedding. Ravindar Nadine and Balfour had all been in the same year at Hogwarts. But Ravindar had been in Gryffindor of course. Now Nadine's daughter was his student.

"You look well." He said. He always said it. It was polite. "How is your summer? Is it time for school shopping?" He asked Aoide.

The tea was cold. Or maybe it just felt like it now. Professor Duerr was a polite and reserved witch. She made jokes with good friends. He enjoyed her wit then. But this conversation revealed a side he did not recognize. He had never seen her so uncomfortable. She appealed to the value of their friendship over agreement. But Ravindar knew it would always be a wedge between them now.

"Very well." Said Ravindar. "We shall discuss this further a future day." Difficult conversations should never be avoided entirely. But he was too pacifist to push now. When he was a young Gryffindor he was different. "We must pursue our personal study." A wix was always learning. Even witches with children as old as him.

"Thank you for the book."

Ravindar was silent. He was thinking deeply. Camille was upset. Sometimes space was better than words. She was scared of werewolves because she had seen what the curse could do to someone she loved.

"They do not wish to be a threat to us all." Said Ravindar. "They want us to see them as people. Not what they are one night of the lunar cycle." He did agree they were a threat to others if precautions could not be taken. "But so many are in fear of them. They do not want to say what they are. And once people know they shun them too. That is not fair."

Ravindar tapped his wand on each of the teacups. Away they flew. Steadily. Not fast enough to spill the tea. They found their drinkers. Hanging in midair. Waiting for hands to pluck them from their gravity defying feat. Professor Singh took his seat opposite to his senior. With the ladies to his left and right. They made a rough square between them.

"My subject has sent you a few." Said Ravindar. "I always remind them self transfiguration is difficult but youth and curiosity..." Ravindar gestured with both hands. Then took his teacup and saucer in both. He sat poised. "One of my third years[1] lost all her hair trying to change it a fortnight ago." He told the others. "You were so kind." He said to Emma. "She told me how embarrassed she was. She did not want to see me disappointed so did not come to me first."

1.	npc making conversation

The teacups knew when someone was coming for tea. They were delightful and clever. Ravindar smiled. But he did not predict Professor Storm would be the fourth for tea. He did not look like he was stopping for tea. Ravindar poured.

Suddenly a book thrust in his direction. He put the teapot down. Took the book from Ignan. Looked at it closer. Distracted. Turning pages. Had Storm borrowed this? He did not remember loaning it.

Camille asked him a question. He had not paid attention. Impolite of him.
"Uh... yes?" He hazarded a guess. Trusting Camille not to lead him into trouble. Glanced at the others. Checking their reaction. Camille looked amused. He put the book down. Hurriedly changed the subject.
"Tea Ignan?"

Ravindar took a breath. He held it before he let it out slowly. It was not urgent to reply. This was a difficult topic for Professor Duerr. A topic they disagreed on. It was healthy to disagree. But this was the first of note.

"Am I dangerous too?" He asked Camille. "I get to choose when I transform. By your reasoning I must be more dangerous?" Professor Singh was an animagus. A Bengal tiger. Twenty years now. He had never transformed before his friend. He did not do it for entertainment with adults. Not now.

"Such a pleasure to have you join us." Said Professor Singh. He mirrored her gesture by reaching his arms out to either side. Indicating the loop of chairs facing the fire.

He decided to stop to enjoy the company of others. He placed his package down. The brown paper crinkled. With a swirl and the grace of a dancer. Ravindar shed his outer cloak. It floated from his fingers to the hat stand. He clasped his hands together. "How do you take your tea?" He asked Emma. Then set about it.

"No. It is reasonable." Ravindar replied. "Fear is an emotional response to threats and danger. It is human. But it is different from anxiety. Anxiety occurs without any external threat. Worry of the uncontrollable or unavoidable." He spoke calmly. Thoughtfully. "As a Sikh we learn if one accepts that God, the Creator is the real provider and sustainer then there is only one valid fear. The fear of God." Ravindar touched his Kara on his wrist. "One who does not fear God shall live in fear; without the Guru, there is only pitch darkness." He lifted his tea cup. Smiled a little under his beard. "Despite their behavior. Our werewolf students are no threat to you."

Ravindar listened. He prided himself that he was a good listener. Camille spoke. Sometimes students needed prompting. Encouragement. Sometimes they did not know when to stop. Camille's late husband sounded hateful. He should not judge but he could not stop his instinct. That she was better off without him.

"Thank you for trusting me with your story." Said Ravindar. "A heavy load to say the very least Camille."  He stayed quiet. Should she wish to speak again. Let the story sink in.

"It is that hate which SAWS oppose." Said Ravindar eventually. "There was time. When young witches and wizards turned werewolf were banned from the school. Not just outcast. But ruled. Fear is powerful." He was thoughtful. "Do you fear werewolves?"

Ravindar had always known of Camille's husband but they did not speak about. He respected her privacy. Had kept their friendship professional.

In Ravindar's religion cremation followed death within hours. Deliberate mourning was forbidden. Death was God's will. The soul moves on. If God wills it then you would be reunited in God's love. Death was just a short sleep before rebirth.

"If you would like to talk about it I am listening." Ravindar spoke kindly. Poured them more tea. "You have carried your burden a long time now. You can set it down with me."

"You must come to India. You may miss Scottish weather." Said Ravindar. "The not so good." He chose.

For ten or fifteen minutes Ravindar examined the Gryffindor books. He made notes. Listened carefully to Camille. When they finished he set them down neatly. Took his tea. Allowed silence. Reflection. He noticed some students did not know how to behave when there was silence. The same went for adults too.

"About the other day." Began Ravindar. "I apologize for being short. Ms Pepper's topic of conversation did not bring the best out in me. Or perhaps all of us." Things had not been the same between them since. "I should have realized." Camille's late husband had been turned into a werewolf. He lowered his head. Expressing his respect and regret.

The staff room fire flared. A thin but not overly tall wizard stepped out. He had a long black beard. Very dark brown eyes. He wore deep red almost brown robes. Fine gold trim. Flowing. And upon his head a tight black turban. Under his arm he gripped a brown paper package tied up with string. He twirled his wand up over his head with a flourish. The soot on his robes lifted like rain reversed. It vanished as it lifted.

"Good afternoon." He spoke formally. Gave a little bow. Ever so polite. Professor Singh was the Head of Gryffindor and the transfiguration professor. He was a calm presence in the school. Which was lucky. The students were energetic.

Ravindar noticed Emma at once. They had met several times before. But he had not seen her in the staff room. All seemed calm though. No emergency.

"Emma. How are you? Are you well?" Asked Ravindar. She was often looking out for Grant and Temple. They were both in Gryffindor.

"Come in!" Called Professor Singh. "Good afternoon Camille." He smiled. Four books shelved themselves in the case. Hands free. He bowed politely. He was a slight man. Today he wore simpler robes. Shorter. Dusk blue.

"Thank you!" Exclaimed Ravindar. He pressed the book between both hands. Listened to her. "No busier than most. I appreciate your thought." He smiled behind his beard.

"Will you take tea?" A tea tray steamed on the side table. Ravindar knew how Camille took hers. He motioned for her to sit. Brought the book with him. Placed it down while he poured. Taking delight in the ceremony. Of not using magic. Serving another. He took his seat. Studied her book. "A kindness Camille. I will take great care." Treated it gently.

"Are you well today? How may I assist you?" She had asked for his help. Or at least he assumed that she did.

Ravindar passed the gravy. He was always polite. Especially to new company.

"Mine too." Said Ravindar. "And yours soon." He was almost certain. He hoped whatever the Slytherins said it was positive. They could be very negative. His own house would welcome Professor Wandsworth warmly. He would encourage it.

"You have met Professor Greyfriar?" Asked Ravindar.