Fate’s Playbook (Part 2) [Rhysln]

[Rhysln Anderson]

Nuka looked over, hearing him approaching. She gave him a once-over, something she'd started doing in the past month or so after seeing the visible difference between the Rhysln that attacked Nautica and the Rhysln that was the Auror-in-training. Seeing no clear differences, she still eyed him suspiciously because what was he doing, "You're either up really late, professor, or really early," she said in a cool tone, "Is there something you need out here?" She raised a brow at him.

Rhysln realized from that silence what lay before them and paled. "You have a copy too?" she hissed at him, then swore under her breath, muttering that Hogwarts was a death trap at this point. She was going to have a serious conversation with her mother about getting Nautica to move to Beauxbaton or something. She realized she'd given something away in that little outburst before adding, "Nautica and Laguna found a mirror in the woods. With you there, I'm assuming you know which mirror I'm talking about," she muttered in a clipped tone, careful not to talk any louder than was necessary, "It's no wonder the muggles fear magic. Look at the messes we keep making with it," she muttered before looking around for a way to move towards the boathouse.

This might have been the distraction that kept Nuka from realizing something was happening, though glancing back over, she realized Nuka was eyeing where they were out of the corner of her eye before she looked back to the Nigel in front of her. Rhysln waited until they started talking again before she slowly and quietly moved towards the next set of bushes, gently moving any leaves out of the way so she wouldn't step on them and make a noise, but trying not to make their movement too obvious either. She just wanted to get close enough to see down to the lake.

[Nigel Dextera]

“The latter, actually,” Nigel’s reflection admitted with a sheepish grin that was indistinguishable from the original’s. “I woke up and couldn’t fall back asleep, so I might as well get some fresh air.” While his insomnia wasn’t something he talked about often, it was no secret either. Anyone who had been up and about during the wee hours might have heard him working in his office, maintaining the Hogwarts armillary sphere in the Transfiguration courtyard, or tinkering with one of his pet projects in the Room of Requirement. The reflection glanced around him, seemingly taking in the sight of the starlit castle and school grounds. “I hope I’m not interrupting or causing you any inconvenience, and I do apologise in advance if I did.”

Even before the clarification, Rhysln’s words revealed to Nigel that she too was aware of the mirror’s existence. Nigel squeezed his eyes shut and bit his lip. The rest of the revelation was news to him. Chilling as it was to hear, he took in those words without flinching. “How much do you know about the mirror?” His tone was even and measured. There was a tinge of bitterness, but no accusation – the only person at fault here was himself, for failing to safeguard the mirror properly, for hesitating and not undoing the mistake made years ago in time before things spiralled out of control. “When and where did the students find it? How many reflections are you aware of? And what of the mirror now?”

[Rhysln Anderson]

Nuka hummed in thought, having seen him wandering before, it just seemed strange since she hadn't really encountered him out here before. She didn't take her eyes fully off of him as she answered him, "I'm just being... cognizant," her eyes did flick to the forest for a second before back to him, "It seems things keep happening in the corner of our eyes. I prefer being proactive rather than reactive. That also includes treating almost anyone with suspicion, no offense. Hogwarts doesn't have a good history with polyjuice, after all."

"I will answer those questions once we answer the one we came here for, but I know of at least four, mine included," Rhysln muttered, glancing back towards the other two, then towards the woods, "I suppose yours makes five. And I'm fairly certain Nuka knows about at least mine," she added, "If yours is here, at this exact moment, I wonder if he's involved in the boggart. Is that something that makes sense?" she asked as she moved a bit closer, reaching the railing at the edge of the garden. She slowly started to stand just enough to see over the rail to look down, just able to see the dock, though she gave a small huff of annoyance. It was too dark to see this far away, "We have to get closer unless either of you can see in the dark."

[Nigel Dextera]

‘Nigel’ turned his gaze briefly to where Nuka was looking, and spotted nothing suspicious. “A fair point,” he conceded, and assumed a stance with his legs shoulder-width apart, hands out to the sides, facing the Auror straight on. “No offence taken. It’s not often that I leave the castle during these hours, and I would not be surprised if my presence here raises a few eyebrows. Please feel free to dispel any doubts you may have about my identity, if you’d like.”

How ironic. Someone questions my identity the one time I don’t change my appearance. Although ‘Graeme’ is technically a disguise.

But then again, he had made no effort to alter his appearance to match that of his real counterpart. The only difference was his lack of the scars on his arms and back, which the real Nigel had taken pains to cover up and never spoken of.

“I know that not everyone is happy with the security arrangements at Hogwarts, but if there is aught we can do to help, you need but ask.” He kept his tone casual, just enough for the offer to sound sincere without putting any pressure on Nuka. “And do send my regards to Louis when he arrives later in the morning. He’s worked hard to become an Auror, but alas I fear I would be quite occupied for much of today.”

Rhysln’s words were not at all what the real Nigel had hoped to hear. The two students who had rediscovered the missing mirror weren’t the only ones whose reflections were on the loose. And the fact that Nuka was aware of at least one reflection… the whole situation was way more complicated than he had thought a mere minute ago.

“It’s probable,” Nigel replied. “I have yet to conclusively ascertain my reflection’s true aims, nor properly understand his actions thus far. But he seems to make a point at picking at old scabs and reopening wounds. Metaphorically. The student who found the cupboard, Kyle Winters – his boggart was associated with an incident on the 8th of July, 2001, a date significant enough for my reflection to commit firmly to memory. And that isn’t the only date, I’m afraid. He has identified more targets, though he may not have played his hand yet.”

Beside them, Louis was taking all of this in silently. Missing the context of the mirror, he didn’t understand more than half of it, but nodded along as he inferred enough to somewhat fill the massive gaps.

“Let’s move,” Nigel agreed. “The stealth charms are Unspeakable-grade, and should help us remain undetected if we’re careful.”