Professor Montgomery “Gummy” Vance looked into a pair of large, bulbous eyes filled with fear. “It’s going to be perfectly fine, Floppy,” Professor Vance said soothingly. “You have the midterm exam papers. The students aren’t expecting a lecture. All you need to do is hand them the exam papers, watch to make sure no one cheats, and then gather them up again as the students turn the finished exam sheets in.” Floppy the house elf finally blinked and the trembling of her hands decreased significantly.
“But what do I say if they ask why I am giving them the test rather than you?” she asked in a very serious tone.
“The truth, of course,” Gummy replied with a smile. The smile suddenly faded and he thoughtfully added, “Well, not the whole truth. They don’t know about the Sheta Sesh, of course. I’ve implied that the war between Horus and Seth is long over.”
The house elf who had been with Gummy for decades gave him a questioning look. “It wasn’t a lie!” he exclaimed. “Horus and Seth are both long dead. I simply failed to mention that Thoth gathered up the cleverest of Horus’ soldiers and created the Sheta Sesh.”
The house elf continued to look at him with the same patient expression she had worn when he had done something wrong as a child. “And yes, Floppy, I also failed to mention that the worst of Seth’s troops developed into the A’nen. But it’s all very hush-hush as you are well aware. These kids don’t need to know that the A’nen is still attempting to bring back the days when wizards were seen as gods. The Sheta Sesh secretly keeps them in check – always has, always will. No, there is no need for my students to know about either organization.”
Floppy looked at her master dubiously and wondered, If the Sheta Sesh can manage the A’nen so easily, then why did they send for your help less than six months after you quit? And why have so many Sheta Sesh died trying to fight off the A’nen and get into Bastet’s Fortress first? But she said none of that aloud. Her darling Gummy would admit the truth to himself soon enough. Even as a child, Montgomery Vance had always fought off the unpleasant truths for a while before making himself accept them. Floppy sighed and said, “Of course. Be careful in Bubastis. I’ll take care of the exams.”
Later that week, she found herself standing before a room full of Hogwarts graduate students. “Hello, I’m Floppy. Professor Vance asked me administer today’s exam.” She began to walk along the rows, handing a single sheet of parchment to each student. “The midterm exams aren’t difficult, so if get right to it, you can be off enjoying Winter Break in no time.” Hoping that if she left them no time to do so,they would not ask questions, Floppy continued quickly, “There you go. Everyone has a exam sheet. The clock starts now.”
Amy Timko raised her hand and began speaking, “But where is—“
“Shh, dear,” Floppy said gently, “no talking now. We’re in the middle of an exam. Don’t worry about your professor. I’m sure he’ll be fine. And the chances are good he’ll even come back with all his limbs. He nearly always does.”
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