new rules [archie]

[IVY BURKE]

Late August 2027

The scent of summer swirled around Ivy as she trudged up the path from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts. She hadn't trodden this path in over a year, having feared for her life too much to stay in Britain. She'd made the decision to escape to Brazil, to miss the immediate fallout of betraying her brother. Hazel, the remarkable woman that she was, had somehow gotten the pair of them in a room together and the world hadn't imploded. Ivy had stuck by her values, and Asher had done the same. The only thing left for the two of them to do was go their separate ways.

Ivy knew that this impasse left Hazel in a precarious position. But she and her sister had always been close. Even if Hazel seemed to value the family name more than the legacy of witches and wizards. For now, Ivy was having a break from what felt like an ongoing battle. It was time for her to return to the scene of the crime, so to speak.

Having missed the summer term, Ivy had been re-offered her position as professor of Magical Theory at the new Lufkin Institute for Higher Education on the former Hogwarts grounds beginning in the autumn term. She'd expected massive changes to the structure of what had been her home for a handful of years. But the school remained vaguely the same - there were just far more buildings. It was still designed in the medieval style, echoing the magnificent castle that had once graced the lot with sweeping grounds. The castle itself was a watered down version, and she had been told that housed the students of McGonagall's Academy. A tall, ivy laden, stoneworked building drew her eye, and she recognised it as her new building. It may have not been Hogwarts castle, but it was still magnificent in that it was the cradle of learning.

Ivy made quick work of the steps, following the map she'd memorised with her welcome packet. Two left turns, a right, and a winding staircase later, she found herself at her destination. She tapped gently at the door and it creaked open, revealing her quarry hunched over his desk, deep in thought. "I heard you took over for me this term. I wanted to thank you in person," said Ivy, unable to contain the grin that stretched across her lips.

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

if i could turn the page

in time, then i'd rearrange
just a day or two

August 2027
IVY BURKE

Archie leaned forward in his chair, carefully looking at a series of glyphs representing numbers. It was all preparation for one of the classes he was teaching. In fact, he quite enjoyed this new educational structure. While teaching Arithmancy to aspiring Aurors and Cursebreakers who absolutely would not be there otherwise had always brought him a sense of purpose. But now, he could expand into other subjects, especially regarding his previous careers. While a brush with death had convinced him Cursebreaking was not the job for him—he still missed parts of it. Figuring out the puzzles and unlocking the secrets.

The museum had brought him similar tasks, though, without the danger. Over the summer, he prepared the material for his Traps and Hidden Dangers course, teaching the rambunctious trainees how to avoid falling into a dark pit or quicksand. While he would have loved to teach it, he had taken over Magical Theory for Ivy. She had left after the Hogwarts fire, and they had exchanged a few short letters but hadn’t spoken much after that. His door opened, and he gave Ivy a friendly grin. Removing his glasses, he stood. ”I’d heard you were returning to us.” Walking his desk he approached his friend.

”I think the students will be thrilled they don’t have to deal with me anymore.” Not that he struggled to teach the course, but Ivy had been a popular professor. Much like her sister Hazel in how they discussed magical subjects and captured their attention. Alchemy was far more interesting when something caught fire or blew up. Archie glanced off to a side table where he usually had tea, but he had forgotten to grab more in the village. There was whiskey there, though mostly ceremonially posed. He’d never been one to drink, his father had been a drunk—but there were still days when he needed to take his mind off what he’d seen last year. ”How are you?” He asked, tea could wait.

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[IVY BURKE]

It was heartwarmingly familiar, seeing Archie hunched over his desk, deep in thought. He'd been the head of Ravenclaw house, the house with which Ivy felt most aligned, and his posture said no less. He'd always been clever and intuitive, things she had admired about her friend in the years they'd spent teaching together. In the year since she'd last set foot on British soil, Ivy and Archie had exchanged but a few letters. Ivy had been afraid of Asher tracking her. And of any sort of fallout Elaine's followers would have in mind. Ivy thought it would be well known in those tight circles who had ultimately betrayed who.

Blinking, Ivy shuttered away those gathering dark thoughts and watched as Ivy approached her. "I could never stay away long," she replied. She looked around. "It's very different though, isn't it?" she added after a moment. She'd given up so much for this school - her family, her reputation, and even almost her life. The scars along her arm and side were evidence of that. Archie was wearing glasses now. Had he always, or was that just another memory lost with time? Ivy searching his face hungrily, recommitting him to memory. But she didn't move closer, or step away from him.

"Oh, don't put yourself down like that. I'm sure you were a wonderful substitute," said Ivy wryly, a smirk stretching across her lips. "I am..." Ivy started, then stopped herself. In the time she'd been away, that was the only question she had asked herself. How was she? Broken. Healing. Strong. Weak. Everything in between. "Surviving," she ultimately settled on. "And yourself? And how is your sister? I haven't had the chance to visit her bakery, though I remember her pastries were to die for," said Ivy softly.

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

if i could turn the page

in time, then i'd rearrange
just a day or two

August 2027
IVY BURKE

Archie looked around his office as well. He was still getting accustomed to it all. Gone were the small offices the Professors had crammed all their belongings into in some forgotten corner of a corridor. This was a proper office in the sense that it wasn’t so claustrophobic. Archie hadn’t seen any of the other Professor’s offices now that he thought about it. The former Head of Ravenclaw’s office had been as small as the rest of theirs in the Castle. The whole Head of House thing still felt new to Archie. Since summer term only encompassed the LIFE students, he hadn’t had to do much in terms of those duties yet.

”Takes a bit to adjust to the new layout.” Archie shrugged—wondering how many of his colleagues had walked around while reading at the same time, their feet taking them to a destination that no longer existed. But he’d adjusted quickly, probably because he’d spent that much time walking around. Archie always had that drive toward exploration, but he’d mistaken that for the adventurous kind until he realized it wasn’t so. And Archie knew he wasn’t disliked by the students or even feared, for that matter. They didn’t look at him the same way they looked at Blaise (nor did he want them to). But he smiled at the compliment, nonetheless. ”It frees up my schedule for another class I’ve wanted to teach.”

Teaching other courses had been the exciting part of this change. He had so many ideas, but only a handful could stand the test of a curriculum being built around them. But his eyes changed with her response. Nothing about what they had all experienced had been easy. Archie had to find the reflexes he’d built as a Cursebreaker but long put to rest to help where he could in the Castle, followed by the eerie calm of the aftermath. There was no resting when he needed to figure out where all the students had gone. But Ivy’s brother had been in the Paper, and there were still questions on his involvement and release, but none that Archie was willing to ask out loud.

”I suppose that’s all we can do sometimes.” One day at a time, or so they say. But surviving was the least they could do until one found the energy to do more. ”She’s well. Business has picked up a bit, or so she’s told me.” Archie grinned softly. While his family was quite large on paper, truthfully, it contained just a few other people. And they ran a successful bakery. ”A new coffee shop—an American one opened nearby which is quite popular.”

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[IVY BURKE]

Ivy inclined her head slightly in response. "Well, I am glad that things have worked out for both of us then," she replied evenly, never taking her eyes off Archie. She asked about Nova, his sister whom Ivy did not know particularly well, nor cared to get to know. Ivy much preferred her solitude and theorising to be done in private. Archie was simply an exception to the rule. He was always sure to provide ideas for her to springboard off.

Ivy advised that she was surviving, and Archie replied that sometimes, all they could do was survive. Ivy was surely a key example of that. Against all odds, she'd risen in the ranks of the wizarding world, establishing herself as an expert in her field while working to enhance the future of wizardkind. Could she have done any of that if she hadn't survived the trials of her youth? If she hadn't perservered and become her true self? No, she didn't think so.

"Oh, Spellbucks, isn't it?" asked Ivy, wrinkling her nose in distaste. "They're going to put our small businesses out. I wish we could just... stick to the normal. If it isn't broke, don't fix it, as they say," said Ivy, taking a few steps forward to lean a hip against Archie's desk. "Have you had the coffee from there yet? Or sticking to your usual suspects?" asked Ivy, a long, thin finger trailing along the grain of the wood.

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

if i could turn the page

in time, then i'd rearrange
just a day or two

August 2027
IVY BURKE

Ivy had a brilliant mind. Archie supposed it was one of the reasons they’d grown close over the years. Unsurprisingly, not many other Professors were interested in discussing mathematics or the magical properties of numbers and how they related to other magical disciplines. Then again, some equated Magical Theory with the same excitement as the History of Magic. It was not for everyone, so it felt natural to gravitate to others with similar interests, even among the adults who taught the next generation. But Archie had always found it easy to speak to people. It felt natural. Although his stepmother had shattered what he’d considered a positive when she told him he had all of his father’s charm. And she’d spoken it as a fact rather than ironically.

It made him very self-aware of his interactions. All those years vying for his father’s attention, but the last thing Archie wanted was to transform into such a man. He wondered what they might look like if ever facing down a boggart. In any case, his mind returned to the woman before him. After months without hearing from her, the last correspondence confirmed she was alive and well after disappearing after that terrible day. A much younger Archie might have felt embittered by these actions, but he wasn’t that very young and angry man anymore, or at least he tried to be. Everybody had reasons for what they did, some more selfish than others.

”Yes, Spellbucks.” It was a decent place, not that Archie drank coffee very often. With a shrug, he dismissed the idea of Spellbucks. ”I’m not much one for coffee, actually.” He far preferred tea. Much as he preferred a beer to whiskey if he decided to drink at all. ”My Aunt said it was just Blishwick’s latest venture in the village, but he’s going door to door for the shops to sell the brand as well.” Archie figured one day Horizont Alley would be renamed in Blishwick’s honor or perhaps a small village like Hogsmeade. Although he hoped not. These small places and shops were special in their own way. To take over in such a way felt wrong.

Archie paused a quick moment. ”I am glad to see you’re alright.” Another pause. ”I’m sure Hazel is glad you’re back as well.” He wanted to see how she was fairing with her family. Archie knew more than most how delicate these connections could be, but he stopped himself from mentioning her brother. The handful that had remained behind working at the Ministry to set up this new institution had a bit of a front-row seat to the Ministry chaos, but without many more details than what the Prophet had.

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[IVY BURKE]

Ivy made a noncommittal noise at Archie's response. Why had she even brought up the coffee chain? It's existence in general had no bearing on her life. It simply functioned to sell itself, as all of Blishwick's ventures did. The man had an acute sense of business acumen, but Ivy didn't find herself awed by it. Anyone, man, woman, witch, wizard, or muggle could sell things and make money. But it took a special type to hone their magical prowess into a work of art, into understanding their gifts. Ivy knew that she respected the latter much more, even after everything.

With a shrug, Ivy responded. "We're alright." There was a sort of tension between them, one that Ivy had never really noticed before. It had always been easy with Archie, which was why they had become friends. Or something like that. Archie appreciated her mind, and Ivy his curiosity. "I'm glad you didn't leave the school," she admitted at last. "I understand being part of the rebuilding efforts may have... rekindled the sense of adventure in you. To do bigger and better things," said Ivy, watching Archie as she spoke. "But to pass on your knowledge... I am glad you're here." She had wanted to say something else, something more poignant, but the silence settled upon the pair once more.

Ivy grimaced at the mention of her sister. She wasn't so sure. They'd fallen out right before Ivy had gone into hiding, and had spoken on relatively few occasions since her return. Hazel was more forgiving than Asher naturally, but a Burke was as stubborn as an ox. "I'm not so sure. She's not very happy with me, at the moment. Though it's better, since before..." said Ivy vaguely. "She didn't think I should have left. Or sold out my brother."

octavian archimedes vector jr.

[octavian archimedes vector jr.]

if i could turn the page

in time, then i'd rearrange
just a day or two

August 2027
IVY BURKE

Small talk. As an act it was easy enough, Archie felt as though he’d been trained young to easily flow with any conversation. But in this moment it merely felt awkward. This wasn’t them. But he knew better than anyone how much can be lost with time and how much needed rebuilding. It was exhausting at some point all the same. Archie even wondered if he should have not mentioned Hazel. He knew Ivy well enough—or had that this vague response was unlike her when it came to family. Not that he could blame her with all they’d gone through. When her brother was set free, Archie was just as shocked as anyone else.

Those thoughts he kept to himself. If anyone could relate to difficult family dynamics it was the eldest Vector. The past year or so revealed to Archie what really mattered to him. The fear in his chest over his students trapped and paralyzed in the Castle and wondering if his younger brothers and sisters were safe. And as he’d walked up and down The Three Broomsticks and the ash covered paths of Hogsmeade, which names would be left unchecked on his list. And at that point he didn’t know where Ivy had gone to either, she’d merely disappeared. She was a good friend, someone who appreciated his insight and his company and he wouldn’t lie and say he hadn’t missed her presence.

Archie shrugged. ”I don’t know about adventure.” He grinned, staring off at another part of the room for a moment. ”I don’t miss the danger.” Cursebreaking on paper and in theory was fascinating and thrilling but he hadn’t liked nearly dying a handful of times a month. It wasn’t always about skill or knowledge, a fair bit of luck was involved and that wasn’t something he wished to chance. ”I’ve got my work cut out for me.” He admitted. The new curriculum plus the his duties as a Head of House had made him a busy man.

Family was never an easy subject, he found. With anyone. Let alone under such public circumstances. Archie paused and considered his words. It was easy to relate but also easy to overstep in these situations. ”Ivy…” He began, uncrossing his arms and place his palms on the edge of the desk he leaned on. ”I don’t know your brother, or your family.” Hazel was a friend and colleague, but they’d hardly bonded in the same way. Again he paused as he looked away, his jaw clenching for a moment. ”I know we both saw the same thing, but I also saw what happened after. I couldn’t check every student’s name off the list but it could have been far worse.” It was not something he liked to recall. Archie had accounted for all the Ravenclaw students he could find while the other heads of houses did the same as well as other available professors. They’d all reached some form of the same painful conclusion. ”You did the right thing. I’m sure she sees that. I think people are only ever upset at the price.” People usually did the right thing given the chance but only if they were willing to pay whatever price it demanded.

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