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Chapter 9 by Zingiber Zingiber

Who is to be your fourth roommate?

Housemistress Beeblossom's son Bombus

"Pull your hood back, dear," Bertha Beeblossom says. "Time to shine."

Your new tablemate pulls back the hood of a gold-bordered brown House robe, revealing an unruly mop of golden hair lit by the slanting morning light of House Beavertail's common room.

He looks at the Housemistress, blinking. "It's so early," he complains.

The Housemistress nods mildly. "On this side of the sea, yes," she says. "Bombus, would you introduce yourself to your new suitemates?"

He takes a breath and lets it out. "Good morning. I'm Buzz. Housemistress is my mum," he says. "Oh hi Guillaume."

"Master Beeblossom," the black-spectacled Prefect says. "I'm pleased that you've arrived. You look happy."

M. D'Onofrio's soul-sight, from behind his smoked glasses, was mostly feelings..

A young man with the same eyes as the Housemistress. A firmer version of the same jaw. You slide a fingertip over your glasses and look closely with their aid. Believably Mistress Beeblossom's son, by his look. Not that Glamour couldn't have reshaped things, but you don't see any obvious signs, and the Housemistress doesn't object. And he doesn't look unhappy to be here, as far as you can tell. He's carrying a copy of one of the magical exercise books which you subscribed, a matched link to the miniature spellbook concealed inside your robes. Perhaps it would be wise to learn how and why he's here. Though maybe he'll just tell you.

Florio gives your new suitemate a vague look and nods. "Morning," he squeaks out, almost inaudibly.

Lupa stares, then thinks better of it. "Hey," she says. "I'm Lupa."

Fluvia blinks. "Oh, good morning then," she says. "Fluvia Locksley. Wind and water conjurations."

"Good morning, Buzz," you say. No sense making yourself part of the problem. "I'm Tess. Just over from House Minerval. Still some breakfast left. Florio, did you want to serve him up a bun? Fluvia, you're by the tea?"

And then you sit back. No sense making yourself Mother when this was really the Housemistress' tea party. Better Fluvia should pour.

But there's no hope for vanishing into the furniture. Housemistress Beeblossom requests that you help her son get oriented to Boarbristle Academy and to House Beavertail by going through the exercises in your book.

You're lost in the Housemistress' smile.

"Yes," you say, without any second thoughts. "Yes, I'll help Buzz get up to speed."

"Splendid, Tess," the Housemistress says.

That smile again. You keep your gaze elevated, avoiding that tempting valley under her collarbone. But that puts you straight in the line for her smile.

"Yes, splendid," you say.

What had Sandevin said about her? Something wonderful, no doubt.

"Thanks, Tess," Buzz says. "And thanks Mum."

"Apply yourself," the Housemistress tells him. "After all..."

Buzz says. "Yes, Mum. And yes, Housemistress."

"That's what I wanted to hear," Bertha Beeblossom tells him. "Well then, I will take my leave. I've told Miss Hemstitch to take care of any other arrangements."

In a swish and flutter of skirts, the Housemistress rises, turns, and departs, her silvery mop of hair and her broad buttocks bouncing as she goes.

Leaving the rest to you.

Eeeeek.


You have 1 XP.

Traits: Ambition -1, Bravery +0, Cunning +1, Diligence +2.
Talented Transformer: +1 to Move rolls including casting a Transformation spell.
Unpurged Minerval: Tess can use MIND MELD or STAMINA as House Sex Moves.

You carry a miniature spellbook matching the study books you scribed for the use of first-year scholars. You can use the CAST A SPELL move to use MIND MELD to spy on and learn about other House Beavertail scholars studying the other copies of the book you scribed.

Bombus Beeblossom has a copy, though you'll probably be studying right along with him, and while he's studying, you'll likely be too engaged with being a tutor to spy on him. Indeed, his mum the Housemistress might take it ill if you used the Similarity and Contagion links between your books to do so.

Take a GOAL (-2 vs. Diligence) from Housemistress Beeblossom: Get Buzz settled in as a Beavertail scholar to the Housemistress' satisfaction, likely including helping him study and practice the spells in the book you scribed.

You might explore a bit since you've seen little of Beavertail in the daytime because of your House Service, or you might talk with Buzz or your other suitemates, or wander the halls looking to eavesdrop. Or visit the Librarian perhaps and ask her about books on mills and clockworks for Fluvia?

But perhaps helping Buzz settle in might be your best first order of business.

What's your next Move?

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