The Headmaster’s office, where Celeste and Cleo now found themselves, was both imposing and enchanting. 

Its vast space was lined with towering bookcases, brimming with ancient tomes and scrolls that seemed to whisper forgotten secrets. 

Stained-glass windows depicting four distinct countries bathed the room in a kaleidoscope of light, the shifting hues giving the space an ethereal feel. 

The air smelled faintly of leather and parchment, but the oppressive silence was what truly made Celeste squirm.

She shifted nervously, rocking from one foot to the other, her head hung low in anticipation of reprimand. Cleo sat by her side, her ears flicking in agitation. 

Across the desk stood Headmaster Kayn Helion, a figure who radiated authority. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, his slicked-back black hair reflecting the faint glimmers of light from the windows. 

The most striking feature about him, however, was his eye patch—beautifully decorated, yet ominous, covering one of his icy blue eyes.

Helion didn’t speak. He didn’t even look at them. 

His gaze was fixed out the window behind his desk, his expression as still as a statue. 

Celeste couldn’t take the tension anymore and opened her mouth to speak, but a sound made her pause—the unmistakable flapping of wings.

"Ah, you've finally returned, Corvus," Helion said, his lips curling into a faint smile as a crow, nearly four feet tall, alighted outside the window. Its feathers glistened with an unnatural sheen, and its sharp, intelligent eyes scanned the room.

Helion moved aside and opened the window, allowing the massive bird to hop inside. It cawed sharply, a sound that sent shivers down Cleo’s spine, and settled on a perch beside the desk. 

With a satisfied nod, Helion closed the window and turned to finally regard his wayward student and her familiar.

"So," he began, his voice calm but tinged with disappointment, "not only did you let your familiar run rampant through the school, but it jumped into the lake when we explicitly warned the entire student body to avoid the lake until the Vargulf could be found and neutralized, is that correct?"

Celeste flinched as the Headmaster’s icy gaze bore into her. She nodded hesitantly, her hands wringing together in a desperate attempt to soothe her nerves.

The Headmaster let out a sigh through his nostrils before he spoke. “Let’s not drag this out then and get on to your punishment for breaking the rules,” Headmaster Helion said, his voice cold but controlled. 

His piercing icy blue eye fixed on Celeste, making her shift uncomfortably under his gaze. 

The eyepatch covering his left eye didn’t diminish the intensity of his presence—it only enhanced it, a stark reminder of his authority.

Helion leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he continued. “Professor Notham has been requesting an assistant to clean the unicorn pens. A week should suffice, yes?”

Celeste stifled a groan, her shoulders slumping. “Yes, Headmaster Helion…” she muttered. Beside her, Cleo let out a soft whine, her tail tucked between her legs.

Helion’s gaze flicked toward Cleo. For a moment, a trace of something softer crossed his face before it was gone, replaced by his usual impassive expression. 

“Keep her out of trouble next time, Miss Rathmore. I wouldn’t want either of you to end up harmed in any way.”

“Yes, sir,” Celeste replied, her tone subdued.

“Good. You may go now,” Helion said, reaching into his desk drawer, already dismissing them.

The two left quietly, the heavy oak door clicking shut behind them.

---

The bell signaling the end of classes echoed through the halls as Celeste and Cleo walked side by side. 

Celeste’s shoulders drooped, and she muttered under her breath, “Cleaning unicorn pens for a week? I’ll never get that smell out of my clothes.”

Cleo, sensing her frustration, gave her a small, hopeful bark, her ears perked up slightly.

“Oh no, don’t even try acting all cute,” Celeste said, narrowing her eyes at her canine companion. “This is your fault, you know. Running into the lake like that… What were you even thinking?”

Cleo’s ears drooped, and she let out a low, apologetic whine. Before Celeste could scold her further, familiar voices called out.

“Celeste! Cleo!”

Lily and Ophelia came into view. Lily’s short brown hair framed her round face, her bright sky blue eyes filled with curiosity and concern. 

Beside her, Ophelia walked with quiet grace, with Siren coiled loosely around her neck.

“I’m glad you found her,” Lily said, glancing at Cleo. “But…what’s wrong?”

“She ran into the lake and almost got eaten by the Vargulf,” Celeste explained, glaring at Cleo, who gave a sheepish wag of her tail. 

“The Headmaster found out, and now I have to help Professor Notham clean the unicorn pens for a whole week.”

“Oh, that’s awful,” Lily said sympathetically. 

She crouched down, running her hand gently over Cleo’s head. “That must’ve been scary for you. I’m glad you’re okay, Cleo.”

Cleo leaned into Lily’s touch, her eyes fluttering closed as she wagged her tail more enthusiastically.

“It was probably his familiar, Corvus, who told him,” Ophelia said thoughtfully, stroking her snake familiar, Siren, who flicked its tongue in the air. “I’ve heard nothing escapes Corvus’s watchful eye.”

Celeste groaned and hung her head. Lily and Ophelia each frowned before patting her back in a show of solidarity.

“Come on, cheer up!” Lily said with a grin. “We’re about to head to your favorite class!”

“Potion making?” Celeste asked, her tone lifting slightly.

“Potion making,” Lily confirmed, her grin widening.

---

The classroom was filled with the earthy scent of herbs, the sharp tang of spices, and the faint mustiness of parchment. Cleo sneezed, her nose twitching from the overwhelming smells, and she quickly sought refuge beneath Celeste’s desk.

The rhythmic clicking of heels silenced the chatter in the room. All heads turned toward the entrance as Professor Decato strode in.

She was striking in her crimson pantsuit, glittering red heels, and a handmade black scarf draped elegantly around her shoulders. Her wavy black hair framed her face, and her red lips curved into a warm, professional smile that lit up the room.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” she greeted, her voice smooth and melodic.

“Good afternoon, Professor Decato,” the class replied, though the boys’ voices were noticeably louder. A small pink axolotl emerged from her scarf, climbing onto her shoulder and waving a tiny limb in greeting.

“Ah, Selkie says hello too,” Decato said, placing the creature gently on her desk. 

“Now, today we’ll be brewing a Diminution Potion. Open your books to page 87, and let’s begin!”

Celeste’s frustration began to melt away as she opened her book, the promise of a new potion sparking her interest. Beneath the desk, Cleo rested her head on her paws, her golden eyes watching the classroom curiously.

For now, the punishment could wait.

To be continued...