#22 Dinner

Jaxen tuned out the chatter that echoed around him, a monotonous buzzing reminiscent of bees in a hive. Droning on about the latest newsworthy story. Half the school was still talking about the Azkaban story from that morning, but now Jax could barely stand to waste energy upon dwelling on it.

He had so many other things on his mind. Things that were relevant to him. Classes had officially come to a close and his exams would soon be upon him. As if that wasn't enough to deal with, the day had also thrown several curveballs his way. Jax had anticipated his final potions lesson to sail by uneventfully, but the measure of his success in the classroom had dealt him a rather confusing blow.

Jax thought he might see his dad. That was what he'd hoped for upon learning that the potion would enable them to recall a long-forgotten memory. He had not expected to see his uncle, he could not even remember spending any time with his father's brother- though he had been quite young when he had died, and it made sense that any snatches of memory he had would cling to his father's presence more-so than a man he barely knew.

He had long been suspicious of his uncle, and the mystery surrounding his father's death. The way he'd shied away from Conrad that time after visiting his father's lab, it had convinced him that he was someone to be wary of. However, in this particular memory he was rather paternal... Comforting him in an unfamiliar place and including him in his nightly activity, even though children could often be a hindrance.

Jax had wondered where his parents were, although mention of his grandma had helped to put his mind at ease. A familiar presence, one who made him feel safe and emanated love.

His uncle had been studying something, a spell? A potion? Both, if he recalled correctly. The potion his father had been using did not have permanent effects, which is what Conrad had been hoping to achieve. Jax did not know what effects they were aiming for or why, but he could tell now that it had been important.

Perhaps he could go to Reena and discuss what he'd seen with her, she had a knack for figuring out such puzzles- sometimes he wondered if she might've belonged in Ravenclaw, in another life.

Gathering his things, Jax left the Great Hall and headed for Ravenclaw tower. He hoped that he might still find a quiet spot in which to focus on his reading.