10:57
Ministry Munchies cafe

Polly Esther Ligeia Canterbury was no stranger to periodic visits to the Ministry. 'Uncle Griffon' had once been Head of the RCMC, before returning to work with the Yeti task force in Tibet. She'd tried her hand at a Mysteries primer and a longer period interning at Spirit Division before she had graduated. And since working at St. Mungo's, the occasional forensic consulting. Although she tended to avoid too many Ministry appearances lately after years of safety protocol changes overseen by different Minister administrations.

Receipt #7XT5:
- One (1) snowy feathered griffon vulture answering to 'Buzzard'

- Eight (8) oz bag of assorted eyeballs (attr. snacks for above vulture)

- One (1) ebony shafted black lace parasol w/crossbow functionality

- Four (4) Screeching Shaft bolts, ammunition unloaded from above parasol

- Two (2) desiccated Snargaluff vine specimens (yet still twitching)

- One (1) card 'Razor Sharp' (indeed razor sharp) from a Terr-Oh! deck

- One (1) evil looking cursed plague doctor mask (healer's license for ownership certified)

- One (1) shrunken head that insulted the security officer for why the checkpoint screening was taking so long

She had quite the itemized receipt to return to the security desk for her effects when she made her exit. No singular item was a red flag on its own. Combined, however, warranted concerns from the trainee guard who almost thought Polly Esther Ligeia Canterbury was a wanted criminal turning herself in to MLE. You wouldn't see her pasty skin in a Foe Glass although plenty of Dark detectors gave early alarms whenever the fully kitted healer and taxidermy enthusiast was in the vicinity.

Polly Esther Ligeia Canterbury also didn't use her full name when she could help it, although the visitor's badges today were not shortening for initials, sadly. So her reason of Meeting Auror Aurora Hawkins for lunch was in tiny font on the bottom of the badge, too small for her to read. Yet the setback did not sour her mood in the slightest, as Ligeia was on a mission beyond that of her typical healer duties. Popstar Allura Bythesea's retreat from public performances[1] 'for her health' was a lot more dire behind the scenes than her management had insisted when refunding tickets to her tour. Samuel Chávez had been the first[2] to notice the signs of her ensorcellment before Allura's lengthy recovery. Ligeia was assigned to the team administering her medicines, and, as of Bythesea's hospital discharge, also hostess[3] given she had no place to go due to the condition in which she had been found.

A manner of intrigue Ligeia had read about rather than lived. Discretion, she felt, was key in keeping Allura's whereabouts secret so the popstar could sort out the traumatic realization of how her life now differed. Which is why, through her contacts, she sought a casual meeting with Aurora Hawkins to see what she could make of the matter.

The security check had made Ligeia uncharacteristically late for the planned meeting of a quarter to Eleven. Fashionably[4] late as she was, introducing a little more color than her signature monochrome into her wardrobe. The albinistic aristocratic witch soon found the auror's table.

"Dear Ms. Hawkins, forgive my dilatory arrival," she curtsied before sitting. "I had completely forgotten I was carrying my weaponized parasol when I entered, and the delay at the security desk proliferated from there."

1.	Beyond the Front Page (Daily Prophet) - 5 Apr 2018 clipping
2.	Breathing Underwater - 20 Feb 2018
3.	Moving Up in the Ward - 16 Apr 2018
4.	Dress referenced from 42 Lolita website, green striped variant

Aurora made a note to herself, yet another thing to work on before she got to Hogwarts and settled in. Punctuality. Not something she'd particularly valued outside academic and work obligations. She often showed up to an investigation whenever the whim struck her, only coaxed into specific times by more impatient colleagues. And then there was the opposite. A meeting, an interview to cover potentially sensitive information with an informant or concerned citizen; These generally did not come with timed obligations when Aurora scheduled them herself, if she even did. But the Ministry had its security, its protocols, and even stuck behind a desk, she was still expected to compose herself as an Auror would. And Ligeia had always been pleasant enough, if not outright... intriguing. A compromise then, allowing Aurora a break for coffee and a loose time table, and, in exchange, she would do what she could to help in an official capacity.

So when she looked up to check the time, coming up for air from her second, real drink from the Munchies coffee cup tucked in her hands as if it were a precious magical artifact, it occurred to her a moment later that she was being silly. The agreed upon time had come, went, but it was a formality, as far as she was concerned, one easily forgotten with little meaning. Ligeia would arrive and things would continue as planned, regardless of that pesky 4th dimension that some wixes spent entire careers obsessing over.

And, as if Aurora were some diviner, her thoughts made manifest, there appeared the witch herself. Difficult to miss on even her most casual days, from what Aurora knew of her, P.E. Ligeia Canterbury certainly knew how to make herself known, even in an atrium full of wixes and all manner of other magical Beings and sorts. As she approached, Aurora stood, polished brown shoes flattening on the floor, topped neatly by the hem of her three-piece suit pants, jacket undone, tie a soft shade of blue to contrast the suit's darker, more professional shade.[1] Even waving an inviting hand accompanying a courteous smile, the other jealously guarded her coffee cup that rose and fell with her.

"Think nothing of it, Ligeia! Neither here nor there. I have nothing but time these days." Down she went, only after the snow-white woman had settled herself, coffee following closely. Only once she'd smoothed the lapel of her jacket with her free hand and settled it flat on the table near a pad with enchanted pen hovering neatly next to it did she continue.

"Why does it not surprise me? Perhaps I really am due some administrative leave if I shrug at the prospect of weaponized parasols. Or simply watched one too many muggle spy flicks. But, you wouldn't come to me about something so trivial as licensing that, now would you?" Her head canted, the bun on her head barely shifting with the motion, eyes studying Ligeia's pale features not suspiciously, but closely all the same. There was, after all, the promise of mystery, something to solve, help this woman with. That was when she saw the badge, her smile stretching from warm to mischievous.

"Polly Esther. I had my guesses, you know. Out of respect, never dug for confirmation though." She shook her head though, erased all pretense of teasing in favor of a more professional demeanor as her posture straightened and she carefully found her wand to tap the pen, the implement floating into position, dictation ready. "I do hope it's alright if I record this conversation? If personal information should risk putting another in danger, simply tell me and I will have it classified as such."

There she was, being official, a proper Auror. In their brief correspondence she had neglected to tell Ligeia too many details. Administrative leave after her accident, sure, that was difficult to hide after she'd been on record at St. Mungo's recovering. Even had the cane propped neatly against the table next to her to prove it. But the job at Hogwarts, leaving in June? Aurora might have left those details out. For now.

1.	Suave and stylish, courtesy Amazon, Navy variation: Voila

The last of her non-dangerous items, like glasses and coin-purse unclipped from her parasol, were being packed into a smaller bag. The flurry of activity making Ligeia less graceful than she cared to be.

"Things must be quiet for you, compared to St. Mungo's lately." Ligeia had not heard the full extent of Aurora's reassignment. The injury, almost trivially from hospital intake forms, but she knew nothing of the auror's plans to teach at Hogwarts. "Oh, I have it licensed. Normally I'll keep my almond shafted parasol with me. I can cast a few spells thru it when my wand is attached, the wood was wand quality you see." Spy films, for whatever cinematic wizardry the muggles had these days, sounded interesting but not a pressing matter. "I've had the combative ebony parasol since graduation, during my grand world tour. It helped Mediwizard Gibbon in a pinch during that business with the ghoul haunting St. Mungo's."[1]

"No, it's cotton with a lining of fleece," she said, mistaken for a moment that Aurora indicated her dress. A feel along her badge revealed more words than she anticipated. Her slight grimace pronounced via her quaking eyes from nystagmus.

"Oh yes, that's Papa Argyle's affection. It crops up periodically in the family tree: Polka Dot, Polly Esther, there's a Velvet and Cashmere somewhere. Uncle Corduroy had about thirty seasons with Puddlemere United and I don't think half his teammates suspected his middle name was Denim." If Uncle Griffon had been born a girl he might have gotten stuck with Chiffon.

Ligeia smoothed out her dress, pausing a moment when Aurora mentioned getting this on record. "I'd caution how public what I'll tell you should be at this time, Ms. Hawkins, but the proper thing would be to get in on record. What vittles are offered these days?" She glanced at the Munchies menu, likely no Klatchian Brew in this building. "I usually take meals made at home during my shifts."

But to the crux of the matter: "Do you happen to be a fan of music, Ms. Hawkins? Such as the singer Allura Bythesea."

1.	Ghouls Just Wanna Eat Some - 5 April 2018

"Mm, after my little hiatus at the hospital, they have been, yes." She agreed, nod as curt as her words. The pen at this point, of course, was not taking notes, but Aurora was probably doing so mentally at least, seemingly amused with the description of Ligeia's... arsenal of choice. "Maybe I should take notes from you, get something hidden in my cane, hm? Though, if all goes well, shouldn't need it for too great a length of time."

The answer over Ligeia's name got a smile all its own, lopsided and warm, but she didn't press when the woman seemed displeased. Sure, the Auror enjoyed a good prod or a tease, but almost never at another's expense unless that person did not have her respect. And those that didn't generally found out very quickly. "Clever. Cute, even. Surely amusing for any investigator looking into your family history at the very least." It was left at that though, Aurora accepting Ligeia's readjustment as a visual cue that things were to get back on track.

"Vittles is one word for them. Unimaginative coffee is usually as far as I dare venture. Pastries, scones, some beverages they pass as coffee and tea, all of it high in sugar; something that passes as English breakfast for all those busy wixes that can barely dress themselves out of bed before taking the floo in to a shift, hm? Would you like something before we begin?" Aurora found herself smirking softly at the proposition of a home prepped meal, but hid any other response behind another generous sip of coffee.

"Mm. Music?" Her love of fashion was something at least a few closer to her knew. But other arts or creative endeavours? She supposed her years spent at places like The Closet did come with a certain familiarity with a wide variety of musicians and their songs, long as they could be danced to, set the proper tone. "I know of Ms. Bythesea, yes. Are we back on track, or should I not begin recording quite yet?"

"Wand sheaths inside canes are making a comeback," Ligeia offered. Seen frequently by various alumni of Slytherin house, for example, and even Papa Argyle had several although he'd been in Gryffindor. Some had very ostentatious grips on their wands to obscure that detail even further. "Mother used to chastise us with the least favored parts of our name. Still, Esther is easier to drop into reprimands than Polka."

Such as when Dot brought home questionable suitors with even more questionable elixirs, or when 12-year-old Ligeia assembled a functional guillotine in the kitchen. Imagine the time saved chopping veg! And hands could be reattached if you were quick enough.

"I suppose we should start the record after my coffee arrives," she said, ordering a dark roast[1] with a blackcurrant scone. The teas brewed on St. Mungo's upper floors were lovely, although when Ligeia ordered snacks she leaned toward indulgences, rather than just nutrition. Given the rich, gourmet meals she was familiar with since her youth and world tour, the basics offered at the Ministry sounded unappealing.

“In the realm of popular music Miss Bythesea was making quite the, ahem, allure for her performances,” Ligeia continued, spoken with the air of a witch addressing a subject well outside her wheelhouse. Names were funny things, given Allura’s profession and that of Ms Hawkins, an Aurora who became an auror. Ligeia supposed if she had ever seriously considered dressmaking Papa Argyle could have been two for two on his daughters form Hannah Darrion.

1.	Funnily enough, both Ligeia and Drea's FCs, Nastya Kumarova and Sarah Rae Vargas respectively, are major coffee snobs compared to recent threads I have with them.

"A challenge in and of itself for multi-child parents, so I'm told. Can barely remember a single name in fits of anger. My mother preferred the silent treatment though, sure you know the one. Just... a look and a tiny, disappointed sigh. Still...  I think Polly suits you as well, so does leave Esther the odd one out, hm?" Seemingly the picture of contentment as long as coffee was within reach, Aurora offered a polite smile as they awaited Ligeia's order.

Besides, it was the healer that had requested her professional time, not the reverse, and any excuse to escape paperwork for real auror work was a blessing as far as Aurora was concerned. If there was any hint of impatience in the blonde, it was the sort Ligeia might appreciate, one of an impending mystery and tantalizing clues being given to begin to unravel it.

Without skipping a beat, sipping at her coffee, the pen began to flow over paper as Ligeia started on about Miss Bythesea again. Not every word, mind, but notes for the time being; Name, her recent cancellations that Aurora had at least glanced in headlines. This left dashes with open space, space that demanded filling. The auror nodded, beginning her questioning as casually as could be. "Popular, successful. But recently cancelled her remaining tour dates, is that right? You'll illuminate the circumstances behind such for me, I trust?"

"I usually listened to the tone within sighs," Ligeia said, as her vision because of her albinism was less than stellar. "Even Esther is fine on its own, provided it didn't follow Polly. Although Dear mother Hannah would say it with a pronounced hiss, as if adding the letter H."

Beyond the small talk, Ligeia wasn't sure how much further she could drag things out. Aurora's quill prepped her notes, as Ligeia ran things back in her thoughts. Patient confidentiality was important, and so too was helping a patient who had endured the sorts of abuses Allura Bythesea had endured. They'd already enacted protocols to treat Allura under a false identity, so Ligeia wasn't aware of prior specifics made with the confidential matters of Allura's recovery. But after everything that could be done had occurred within St. Mungo's walls, there was still a latent danger for Bythesea now that she was back in the world.

"An illumination as simple as a blue-bell flame, I hope," Ligeia replied. Her subtle indication of a flame that would provide light, yet not burn down everything shown in its illumination. Her order passed by on a tray and she left a generous tip.

Still, the beckoning quill of the inquisitive auror demanded Ligeia's testimony. The healer took a bite of her blackcurrant scone. A foul! Dry and slightly sweet with shriveled currants, lacking a muchness that Ligeia desired over the grim tidings she had to convey. If only she could manifest the taste of bitter almonds, the aconite tinge of monkshood, or another slightly toxic taste to best fit the mood. At least the coffee was suitably black.

Ligeia swallowed the morsel, ready to begin. "Allura Bythesea arrived for treatment at St. Mungo's back in February. A severe case of malnutrition and dehydration, we were told, exhaustion from the first phase of her tour. It was on the 20th when Healer Chávez, Spell Damage, first noticed the full extent of her condition. He's really solid on protocol, they happen to be close in age as I recall." A tidbit Ligeia only partially remembered, she was older than them at Hogwarts. "Allura was scared, and just coming out of a fugue enough to impart with Chávez that she was subjected to suggestive potions and the Imperius curse over the preceding year."

"I will refrain from commenting on mothers and hissing noises, just in case my own mother somehow hears me from across the city." She'd offer one final little smile as they awaited Ligeia's order.

The commentary on a blue-bell flame was received without distraction though, a nod from the Auror. Whether her smile was meant to accompany that or the healer's reaction to her scone was another matter, wide and amused. "I wouldn't wish most of the food here on Azkaban's worst residents. Coffee is suitably strong to wash that away though, yes? Almost as good as an Obliviator and twice as caffeinated."

And as easily as she had drifted between professional and teasing, Aurora did it again as Ligeia expanded on the subject of their talk, answered her questions in earnest. She'd nod, eyes drifting between the witch across from her and the pad just to double check that the magic was still doing its thing. "The 20th of February, correct? For the record. Revelations of control are quite serious, Ligeia, especially if the Imperius curse was allegedly used to such an extent."

She found herself frowning then, briefly, but the disappointment itself was not directed at her interviewee. Not primarily, anyhow. Instead, she continued, assuming reasoning to justify such a course would come up sooner rather than later.

"What happened in the intervening time, if I may ask? Were authorities notified at all? Do you have any suspects, discovered in the mean time or given up by her own testimony? And Miss Bythesea, she remains at St. Mungo's under treatment? How is her health?" Back to patient, calm, her coffee raising for another, generous sip as her blue-grey eyes watched Ligeia.

Ligeia confirmed the date. “We take such allegations very seriously as well at the hospital,” she continued. “Some signs of mental discord are noticeable, although many are insidious to recognize. I admit I’m not privy to the results of Bythesea’s Imperius evaluation, that’s on file with Spell Damage.”

She daintily picked another morsel from the scone but it crumbled in an instant. How disappointing. “I was assigned to her care team to brew her medicines as we tested for signs of suggestion inducing potions in her system. There were faint signatures of what looked like a Smarmy’s Unction but that’s a very archaic recipe.” Ligeia rubbed the flakey powder that was once scone from her fingertips. “Oh, P.E. Ligeia Canterbury, stationed on the Potion & Plant Poisonings floor at St. Mungo’s. I should have said that earlier. Trained starting in August 2014, appointed in December 2017.”

She continued after a sip of coffee. “Bythesea’s safety was paramount, although her recovery was slow given the malnourishment. Unfortunately it was also an unusual season for the hospital, the ghoul haunting complicated matters.”[1]

Hence Ligeia’s increased use of her combative parasol about town. “Protocol was to treat Bythesea under an alias. When she was cognizant enough from her fugue states she alleged her manager was behind it. I never met the man but legal gave him the runaround the few times he stopped by. From MagPop Ltd, I’ve never heard of them.[2] They should have alerted authorities.”

Ligeia was aiming to stay objective, although to answer Aurora’s last questions brought, perhaps, the most unexpected twist for an auror to hear. Especially with the eccentric history of the family. “She’s stabilized, physically healthier but understandably paranoid. I’m putting her up in a guest room at the Canterbury Estate. It’s my sister’s but she rarely visits.”

1.	The Over My Dead Body plot chapter
2.	Gris named the company but the rest is open

With a practiced flow, two fingers plucked the floating page before her and flipped it back as the information really poured in now, all sorts of juicy little details. Whatever system it was in was anyone's guess, but most aurors had their own methodologies, ways of organizing such things.

"Well, I'll still be in London until June the 1st, perhaps a chance to visit and see what's in that evaluation. Smarmy's... so something newer? Derivative, perhaps? In your expert opinion, while I have you, Miss Canterbury." The swap to a formal name seemed in practice, as if this interview were entirely in such a capacity, being recorded. Of course the notes and any investigation that followed were meant for another... unless...

She waited patiently though, allowing the details of Miss Bythesea's treatment and stay, especially her present condition and whereabouts to be recorded first. "Good on your legal team, if this person was the prime suspect. Still... MagPop Ltd. Another visit to make... And staying with you and yours? As long as it is of her own cognizance, I suppose."

Aurora paused then, gently pushing the floating pen and pad down to rest on the table, indicating an end to recording for the time being. Hands folding neatly on the table, she leaned forward, regarding her guest. "Can I be frank with you, Ligeia? Given a choice between administrative leave and perhaps a clerk's desk, and keeping busy elsewhere, I made the latter choice. Come June, I'm relocating to Scotland, taking on a professorship at Hogwarts. And, while I planned to pass this information on to a fellow auror, someone I trust, I will admit you have me intrigued. But I would not want to ruin such an investigation by going off-book, so I'd like to formally offer my services as a private investigator on this case, if you'd have me. I would not even expect compensation. But, if you have reservations, then feel free to decline and I will make this delivery to the proper desk on Level Two, I promise."

So there it was, all out on the table. Ligeia might know of Aurora's style though, bold, independent, challenge-oriented. It was perfectly in character for her to want to take such a thing for herself, not for the glory (that was just a bonus), but to have solved a mystery, worked it out and fulfilled her duty all on her own. But all that aside, she seemed patient in addressing Ligeia, presenting the option, but trying not to seem... eager. Eyes remained on the pale visage before her all the same, awaiting a response.

Fret not, is what Ligeia should have thought to herself as the interview was underway. Ever since her blunder with Healer-in-Charge of Poisonings, Mr. Hollingbury, when she failed to submit her research proposal involving Liquorice Sharp Leechsetting, the albino witch had been preemptive on confronting the questionable elements of the dark leaning magics she researched. And similar pastimes, such was warning Level 2 of her “murder” in advance during the date of her Class Reunion. The inventory of her confiscated effects had slightly thrown Ligeia off her game, expecting concerned looks from the auror.

Yet Ms Hawkins remained non-judgemental, taking in the relevant information of the testimony. “A modern recipe compared to Gregory the Smarmy’s medieval potions. It isn’t as if his recipe was printed on his Chocolate Frog card, or the plinth of his statue at Hogwarts next that marshy area of the fifth floor.” Apparently where previous Ravenclaw head Prof Flitwick memorialized the first Weasleys’ Wheezes portable swamp, but that was irrelevant. “Smarmy befriended many in court in is day as the potions made the drinker believe the brewer was their friend. Bythesea’s system had trace amount of Quick Thistle to unlock the magical potential of False Morels. Which can be toxic if not prepared correctly, but altogether fast acting for the proposed use.”

Ligeia nodded when Hawkins asked if Allura was staying with her of her own cognizance. “She has, her biggest concern was what would become of her once she could no longer be treated at St. Mungo’s. She’s lost touch with her family. And her wand wasn’t recovered, perhaps seized by her manager.”

Hearing Aurora’s suggestion given the nature of her career shift was quite the surprise. “Oh, a professorship! How splendid for you. I suppose it’s a subject within your expertise, such as Defense?” Ligeia was quite bemused by the idea as she stirred some powdered scone into her coffee. “And you think you’ll still have the time for moonlighting as a private eye, Miss Hawkins? I wonder which of us has the worst triple shift.” Ligeia was also familiar with balancing freelance consulting with her hospital shifts and cultural patronages, plus now helping Allura put her life back together.

“Which would you think is better?” Ligeia asked. “I’m sure MLE is swamped with cases, for all the resources the Ministry has. I can’t help but wonder if some aspect of the bureaucracy might give those that seek Allura harm a clue to her whereabouts.”

Pen floating again, a few notes scribbled themselves in, reminders of where the line of questions went once her proposal was dealt with, one way or the other. The blonde could only smile at Ligeia's guess, giving her head a gentle nod. "How did you guess? I am nothing if not predictable in some circumstances, I suppose."

Then, it was on to answering questions of her own, fully expected though. And she seemed almost happy to answer them, the chance to talk about herself not relished, but like getting a surprise dessert. One simply didn't squander such an opportunity. "I do, yes. No doubt your shifts can be... exciting for you, Ligeia, but what's a poor urban witch to do when she runs out of exams to mark, essays to grade? I will also be Head of Slytherin House, but even that rowdy bunch of ambitious snakes can only keep me so busy, hm? Saw quite a bit of it up close in my own time, especially as Prefect and Head Girl. Sure you know my type."

She'd actually chuckle a bit at that, the coffee warming more than her stomach it seemed. "Give me a time turner and I'll be giddy for the extra chance to be productive in any given day! I really don't slow down; a boon for my superiors, bane of my relationships if my former partners are to be believed." There was a cheeky smile then, her form settling once more. The last of Ligeia's questions would get a more professional answer, the auror switching right back again.

"You may be right, Ligeia. About case loads and bureaucracy alike. Certainly if she wishes more attention on this issue, a private investigation from an active Professor will still yield faster results than the MLE might, I'd wager. We could pre-arrange meetings, the two of us, keep Miss Bythesea's location discrete, and work forward on the case from there. What do you think?"

Giving a curt nod, she prepped a fresh page of the pad and got the pen itself ready. "Regardless, before I forget to ask, how competent a wix would you say it would take to brew such a potion for Miss Bythesea? And are the ingredients particularly rare in any circumstance? Or might I find them on any potion maker's shelf?"

They took a tangent from Ligeia's testimony to reflect on the changes of Aurora's career. "It seems quite suitable for a position. Papa Argyle spoke well of you. He otherwise pays little attention to aurors that came after his time, maybe a few standouts a decade." The taste of the coffee was now...flaky. Mind, Ligeia had tried stirring her powdered scone inside, but how did these ministry employees survive on such rubbish?

"I was only appointed for one year during my time in Ravenclaw. The bathroom and extra lab space were quite nice. I'm sure you'll do well, Ms. Hawkins, on being productive now that you have to oversee the productivity of students. They might rarely give you free time." Ligeia didn't have the Slytherin hallmark ambition. It was her curiosity that led her into various extensions of her favorite fields. Making in altruistic in where a diagnosis or discovery would help someone improve, hence becoming Allura's post-hospital benefactor with nary a thought.

Circling back to the pressing topic: "Such arrangements would be for the best, I'd think. There's another healer I reached out to for follow ups with Bythesea's health, so it's not just my judgement. After your transfer a place in Hogsmeade might be best, such as the Hog's Head?" A persistent trait of Ligeia's was picking the worst possible location from what others might say 'failed the vibe check,' via her romantic outlook. The majority of her shopping was along Knockturn Alley rather than Diagon, for instance.

Ligeia continued. "At first blush, the talent to adapt an uncommon medieval era potion would indicate someone with quite the aptitude for potions. Perhaps sitting N.E.W.T.s," she did sound out every letter, "no lower than an 'E' I'd assume on their fifth year exams. Assuming the mystery wix went to Hogwarts, of course."

"I've got a partial recipe worked out,"[1] she smoothed out a miniature scroll with her fingers, her fingernails painted black. "It's different to a love potion although a few ingredients are similar. It's less about the infatuation with the subject, more the suggestibility. I believe a few of these ingredients require licenses to sell, because they can weaken mental fortitude."

1.	The grand literary tradition of 'we can fill this in later'

"That means a lot to me to hear, Ligeia. Hopefully I can bring that same success and energy with me to the halls of junior academia, hm? Hogwarts was... utterly formative on a young Aurora, even more so than I might give it credit for. I hope to do the same for a new generation of aspiring wixes." She smiled, warmly even, but there was a certain pause there, eyes slipping as if deciding on omitting some things. At any rate, a conversation that could go deeper later in a more personal meeting, if they wished.

A fresh smirk led out of her little reverie, directed at the witch across from her. "I did it for three years. Merlin knows the satisfaction I took in doing my duties, and some of my fellow students made it their life's mission to test me, but... much the same as this upcoming term, I look forward to the extra challenge."

But the shift back to the topic at hand was as fluid and expected as one could expect, pen swishing, the auror nodding. "Hog's Head, I like it. Seedier sorts, less student traffic. Adds to my aura of danger and mystery if my students see me coming and going any how, the sort of rumors I can revel in."

When Ligeia moved on to the potion itself, Aurora seemed to pay extra special attention, close and attentive. Her eyes flowed over the scroll, Ligeia's fingernails getting only a glance and a little, approving nod as eyes briefly acknowledged the pale witch. "All good things to hear. Uncommon potion, even more uncommon ingredients, some with possible licensure required, and suggestive of an uncommonly skilled potion crafter... Do you mind if I take these notes down? I shall endeavor to ask the potion's professor once the term begins, as well as inquire within places such as Diagon and Knockturn before I fully relocate this summer."

With that, she found her eyes drifting to the notepad, reviewing some of the neat little notes she'd taken, even bulleted like some sort of magical powerpoint presentation. "You've given me some good clues to work from, Ligeia. Suspects, the potion, the words of the victim and others... Anything else you can think of? Do you think it would do me well to interview Miss Bythesea myself? With her consent, of course."

"You'll certainly have your own stories for the next generation," Ligeia mused on Aurora's genuine passion for teaching. Her final years were quite unusual, in the sense of all the turmoil during the Tournament about werewolf outings. Along with curious sort of not-curse that had everyone wondering if all the teaching posts but Defense and Astronomy had received a jinx after some semesters of rapidly shifting staff.

"With your investigative skill to fit with now Headmaster Storm's, likely less casualties in the form of student maimings, murders, or kidnappings. Rumor has it they stopped counting after 9 in one year."[1] The healer tired of her coffee, perhaps she'd seek out a midday cocktail before returning home.

"If it would help I could dress even more conspicuously," Ligeia offered, also taken with the idea of clandestine meetings. She was memorable enough as it was, an albinistic healer with archaic fashion sense, black lace parasols, and a vulture that wouldn't be confiscated at such a venue. "I'd sometimes order meat pies from the Hog's Head for my vulture, Buzzard, even for tea down the street at Puddifoot's. Suitable variety of carrion, although he left the crusts alone."

She rolled the recipe back up. "That's a copy for you, I'm keeping continued research into the mystery brew on Floor Three, certainly not at home in the present arrangement." A slightly longer pause as she contemplated Aurora's last question. "I'll have to ask if Bythesea is open to be interviewed. She's been slow to trust anyone too far removed from her generation. It's not a question of your age, Ms. Hawkins, but..." Ligeia trailed off with a graceful but meaningless gesture, unable to find the right words.

1.	I randomly came across a quote from Niobe's Knox Greyfriar I found amusing, when glancing through threads from my years away: Casualties to a Minimum - 1 Oct 2011. Although that's the term after Ligeia graduates, and I don't think the number reflects the events of the Mischief Unmanaged plot.