Lesson 5: Quiz

Professor Montgomery Vance nervously straightened the stack of papers on the desk in front of him. It was time for the first quiz, but that wasn’t what made him jittery. No. It was time to admit it, even if only to himself. “You’re worried about Bubastis,” he acknowledged. His words broke the silence of the empty classroom and seemed to make his fears all the more real.

“Bubastis, Egypt, Sir?”

Gummy looked up, surprised to hear a voice other than his own. It was Amy Timko, the young witch who had questioned the value of learning history in the very first class. “Ah, Amy, no need to stand by the door. Come in. Come in. I’m afraid I’m a little distracted today. The time must have gotten away from me,” the professor said with a smile.

“Oh, no, sir. I’m a bit early. I didn’t mean to bother you, but why are you worried about Bubastis?” Amy asked in a concerned voice. “Does it have anything to do with Bastet’s fortress? Have more Hexbreakers been hurt?”

“Unfortunately, yes. There’s been another incident. An extremely competent witch I know has been retrogressed back to infancy. She is literally a baby again. Apparently they’re going to send her to Inverness to be raised by her granddaughter.” Gummy shuddered.

Amy looked shocked by the news. “Those aren’t normal hexes, are they, Professor Gummy? There really is something bad in there. I thought you were just joking with us that lesson -- telling us a spooky story.”

It was Gummy’s turn to look surprised. “Well, it is pretty spooky, but just because something's spooky, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.” Just then, other students began filing into the classroom and taking their seats. Soon enough, everyone was in their places and ready to go.

“Today’s your first quiz. It’s open book, so use your textbooks. You’ve all done very well on your homework, so I expect you’ll breeze through this. But do take your time. Careless mistakes cost points, as I myself know only too well.”

With a flick of the professor’s wand, quiz papers flew off his desk and distributed themselves to all the students. “No cheating, please. Dreadful consequences await those who try.”