Chapter 33 - Pondering (2/2)
Rowan purses her lips, before hesitatingly replies, ”I am wondering how an ordinary wizard without a teaching position gain access to children of pureblood families would if he wasn't in their year or in another year at the time of their stay at Hogwarts?”
Professor Flitwick sagely nods his head and says, ”Well, if I were to suppose, it would make sense if it was someone of their year or within their stay at Hogwarts. But are you saying, that it is a student not present while their time at Hogwarts? Hmm, that is indeed a tricky situation.
Normally, I would say that a figure like Professor Slughorn would be a likely candidate. But, Professor Slughorn would never violate the oath of a professor and introduce a graduate student to a present student in attendance at Hogwarts until said student graduated.”
”That makes sense,” Rowan mused to herself. But that didn't quite work with the idea that some of the Death Eaters were indoctrinated while attending Hogwarts. And Professor Slughorn had on one more than occasion betrayed his own morals for a clever student. The best example is Riddle's questions on the Horcruxes and Slughorn being stupid enough to answer them in the first place.
”Of course, you could also be looking at someone in higher circles who took a liking to said individual and extended themselves to make the introductions,” Professor Flitwick suggested. Which only served to coincide with one of Rowan's personal theories on a possible puppeteer influencing future generations. But that still didn't solve the question about how said puppeteer would have access to Tom Riddle as he was an orphan.
One logical explanation is that in some manner said puppeteer would have to have been a student at Hogwarts. Either being a student in the same year as Tom Riddle or older with the unlikely possibility of being younger. But then again, it could also be a now-retired professor or an acquaintance of Professor Slughorn. Honestly, nothing could be ruled out for now.
”Thanks, Professor Flitwick,” Rowan said. ”I'm not sure how to go about solving this tricky puzzle quite yet, but it's nice to have someone listen to one's thoughts.”
”Always a pleasure, Miss Prince,” Professor Flitwick said as Rowan gratefully smiles back at him. ”But Miss Prince, should you ever been in trouble, please don't hesitate to call.”
”I will, Professor,” Rowan truthfully replied over her shoulder, before heading out in thought. Not paying attention, Rowan suddenly slams into someone and roughly falls back against the cold stone wall. ”Blimey, watch where you're going,” Rowan snapped.
”Sorry, Rowan,” Mary MacDonald anxiously said as she scrambled to gather her things from the floor.
Feeling guilty, Rowan quickly knelt onto the cold stone floor to help Mary gather her things off from the floor. ”Sorry, it was my fault, really, I wasn't paying attention as I should have,” Rowan apologetically said as Mary smiles in acceptance of her apology.
Making small talk, Rowan remarked, ”Mary, aren't you supposed to be in Transfiguration?”
”I know, but I accidentally left one of my books in the girl's dorm and had to go back to get it,” Mary sighed in resignation as she stood back onto her feet.
Rowan brushes the dust of her pants as she stands up. ”Alright, well, we better hurry up or we're going to be really late to class.”
”Thanks for your help,” Mary gratefully said, before running down the hall.
Mary sighs and heads to the Dark Arts classroom when she suddenly sniffs cat hair. ”Ah, crap,” Rowan muttered to herself knowing that would be in trouble if she was caught by Mrs. Norris. Sprinting down the corridor, Rowan prays that she doesn't crash into anyone else. From behind her, the faint figure of a cat with dust-colored fur, bulging yellow lamp like eyes can be seen as it's scrawny figure hurriedly paced down the hallway.
Out of breath and slightly sweating, Rowan gasped as she pulls around the corner and hurries inside the Dark Arts classroom. Professor Strives doesn't even notice Rowan is late as he continues to read in a monotone voice the present chapter. The other students dully gaze at Rowan as she slides into the seat Severus saved for her. ”What took you so long?” Severus whispered under his breath.
”Our conversation ran a bit longer than I thought,” Rowan muttered back.
”Next time don't be late!” Severus warningly whispered.
”That's what I have you for,” Rowan shamelessly whispered back. Severus rolls his eyes and makes a rude gesture back at Rowan in reply. Rowan doesn't react as she may have deserved that just a tiny bit. By the end of the classroom period, Rowan had already finished her homework as the cogs in her mind begin to churn.