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I shake my head. "I was too busy making sure my kitten was okay." And isn't that the story of my life now?
"Understandable. Very much so. Anyway, that wasn't what I wanted to talk about. I haven't seen a talent like yours in many years."
"I don't have very strong magic," I counter. "My friend Daphne..."
"Ah, yes. I know Miss Chambers. That's her twin brother waiting outside, if I'm not mistaken?"
My mouth goes dry, but I nod anyway.
"She's a very bright young woman, talented too, but not with the raw power I've seen from you today." He seems very pleased with his discovery of me, but I'm not sure why.
"I think you've gotten the wrong impression, sir. My magic has been wonky since I arrived here. It's gotten worse in the past month or so with all the kittens..."
"Ah, yes. The kittens. Do you know how hard it is to conjure living things?" He readjusts his glasses as he speaks, a gesture I've seen Daphne do hundreds of times.
"No." Though I have to wonder how hard it really is when I've been creating kittens without intending to.
"It's an incredibly rare talent. And not one that many people throughout history have had. You may not be able to control the kittens appearing, but the mere fact you can do it suggests that you have a lot of magical potential inside you." He nods as if that explains everything, when actually, it explains nothing at all. Especially not what he's doing with the book he felt the need to get.
"I think there's been some sort of mistake." Though even as I'm saying it, I have to wonder if that's true. I can make kittens. And they're all alive and doing well. That does say something, though I'm not entirely sure what.
"If there has been, then it isn't of my making." He pushes the book towards me. "I think the author of this book would want you to have it."
I frown. "Why?"
"You'll realise when you work it out."
"That's unnecessarily cryptic," I mutter.
The professor chuckles. "Maybe so, but I believe that some knowledge has to be earned and not just given."
"Thank you." I'm at a loss for what else to say. Instead, I set Romeo down on the desk and pick up the book, sliding it into my bag. I'll look at it properly when I get back to my room. Some things need to be done with more privacy than I have here.
"He's a beautiful kitten," the professor observes, leaning forward and stroking Romeo under the chin. The kitten purrs, loving the attention.
"They all are," I admit.
"I'm glad. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go prepare for my class." He nods in my direction, no doubt some sign of respect.
"Thank you. For telling me all this, and for the book," I blurt out quickly. It's the most anyone's ever been able to tell me about what's going on with me, even if it turns out to be nothing.
"You're welcome, Miss Black. See you next week." He doesn't wait for me to reply and disappears back into his office.
Alright then. I guess that's that. I scoop Romeo back up, noting how calm he is about being carried. That makes a nice change from Rhubarb or Felix, who are more likely to try climbing me than letting me carry them.
I turn towards the door and where Ryan is waiting, suddenly feeling butterflies in my stomach. That really shouldn't be the case. I've just spent the past hour with Ryan, it isn't as if anything weirder can happen.
"You okay?" he asks the moment I step through the door.
I nod. "Fine."
"You look confused."
A short, bitter laugh escapes me. "This is just how I look now. Conjuring kittens and failing magic have that effect."
"Your magic isn't failing," he points out.
"Of course it is," I counter quickly.
