Seeing the headmaster round the corner, (Patreon)
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Burnside galloped toward him while shouting “Good evenin, suh! Mighty pleased to make yo acquainta- EEEEE!” She tried to bow and curtsy while still running, which sent her careening head-over-heels past Hoardblemish and down a nearby stairwell. “Goodness-OUCH-Gracious-OOF-Mercy-EEK-Sakes-YOWCH-Ah-ACK-Declare-”
“Oh dear," Xavier muttered as he observed Burnside's descent. "Those stairs go all the way to the basement. We should go check on her.”
“Not to worry, old chap,” I guffawed breezily. “That lass is as tough as nails. Tougher even. She’ll be fine.”
“She is pretty resilient…” Rebecca admitted, rubbing her chin in a serious manner.
Headmaster Hoardblemish looked at us for a few seconds, then seemed to suddenly jolt out of his reverie. “OH! The reason I came to get you all! Classes are finished for the day. Night classes won't begin for another few hours. We can continue the tour!”
As we followed Xavier across the common room, I noticed the sullen fox Burnside had been talking to earlier slowly backing around a corner, while steadily glaring at me with a baleful expression. Shortly after there was a loud crash and gekkering, with another voice yelling some pretty spicy invective.
“What was that about?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about him," Xavier sighed. "He’s just socially awkward.”
“Oh! Is he a gifted savant?” Rebecca asked, with a wistful look toward the corner where the tod had vanished.
“Not at all," Xavier retorted. "Mr. Mortimer Vulpstein is one of our worst students. He's failing all of his classes and I've made it quite clear that if he doesn't show some improvement this semester, I shall have no choice but to expel him. He's lately taken to carrying a wand around and affecting a so-called 'mystical gaze' which he thinks will bend others to his will. Needless to say, it does not work. He's also started calling himself 'Vulpimort' as if having a sinister-sounding name will somehow make him a wizard. That young tod would be more suited to a career as a shoe salesman, or perhaps a stage illusionist - not a genuine magician. I assure you, Mr. Young, most of our students are not like him. So, about the rest of the tour?”
“Mr. Hoardblemish," I interjected before he could drag us off to show us the classrooms, "I am very impressed with what you have accomplished here, but there is a pressing matter about which I wish to speak with you. May we retire to your office?”
“Ah yes…" Xavier sighed ruefully. "You had mentioned Europe… I was hoping to put that off for a while longer.”
Burnside limped up to us, entangled in a broken chair. “I’m okay,” she explained with a bright smile.
"Now now, Mr. Calaveras," Thomson softly scolded her skull while stifling a chuckle. "It isn't nice to laugh at the misfortunes of others. Even if they are hilarious."
“Splendid!" I declared, rubbing my hands. "Burnside, Rebecca, Thomson, why don’t the three of you mingle while I conduct business with our gracious host. Don't stray too far!”