Dueling for Salem

JP and Asia told their friends all about their Christmases over breakfast, where all of the students were showing off new pieces of jewelry, since the staff had made sure to enforce the dress code.

The first bell rang, sending everyone to class. JP and Asia trotted off to Defensive Magic, where JP twitched in her seat until Non-Magic Studies. "Welcome back," Professor Armistead said. "This semester, we'll learn about the purposes and methods of television, starting with its creation and working through the present day. Today is a note-taking day, so let's learn the history of television."

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Myra stirred the potion while Professor Nelson walked around the classroom. "Remember, this memory potion is a useful one to have on hand for everyday life."

Abby and Beatrice measured ingredients without talking. Apparently, their floors had been up most of the night playing with their new Christmas games. An Exploding Snap match had ended with two girls losing their eyebrows. "How was Christmas?" Myra asked.

"Good," Jackson said. "It was nice to have a break. But this is our last semester. Can you believe it?"

"No, I can't."

"I had an interview," Beatrice said. "With the Department of International Magical Relations."

"How was it?"

"Good. I think I might actually get it."

"Congratulations."

"What are you going to do Jackson?"

"Be a healer, I think."

"Myra?"

Myra pretended not to hear and flagged Professor Nelson to check their potion. "Myra, you got a perfect on your last written exam. Why is this potion yellow?" Myra blushed. She had never been good with anything hands-on.

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Jared felt better about teaching by the end of the day. Abby had flirted with him, but he had told her to sit back down and take notes. He spent the evening with Constance, since no one had to grade papers yet. "How was it?" he asked when they had a moment alone.

"Fine. They still think Non-Magic Studies means that I teach wizards and witches how to hate Muggles. I didn't even try to correct them. And my dad talks constantly about being the Secretary. He hasn't actually done anything yet, but he has plans."

"Like what?"

"Well, for one, silencing your mother. You should tell her to be careful."

"What did he say?"

Constance looked down and only answered in a whisper. "He thinks she's a Muggle-lover who won't stop until our entire world is exposed and destroyed."

Jared nodded.

"Jared, I want you to know that I think what she's doing is great. She's just trying to help people. And I think that she was right to marry a non-magical man, and that you're right for dating one."

"You've been waiting to say that."

"Yes, I have."

"Thank you."

Clytemnestra Strauss walked through the living room, still in dress robes from her day of classes. With her hair piled atop her head, she looked like a statue. "Good evening," she said. "I'm sorry to bother you, but have you seen Aurelius since dinner?"

"No."

She sat beside them. "I need to speak with him, and he has been completely absent."

"What is it?"

"We have to deal with curriculum again. The Non-Magic Studies increase is up for review, and after the exposure, people are more reluctant to approve it. Aurelius has never been quiet about his disapproval for Athena McFarland's program, so he may want to veto her policy just because it came from her. I'm sorry, Jared."

"That's fine."

"And Aurelius seems to be in a league with Octavius Armistead, who is not secretive in his distaste for Muggles...non-magic peoples. I'm sorry, Constance."

"It seems you're the only one here without a parent involved in the school's future."

Clytemnestra nodded. "This is all too involved. There are too many personal feelings involved. No one is thinking only of the school."

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"In conclusion, I ask you to remember that the Non-Magical Placement Program is a way for our people to reach out to all people of the world. Our shared humanity obligates us to show concern for all peoples, magic and non-magic alike. Therefore, I urge you, despite the recent troubles that we have encountered, to vote to maintain Non-Magical Placement."

Octavius Armistead lead the council in a forced round of applause. "If Undersecretary McFarland would please remove herself from the chamber, we will begin the voting process."

Thea left the council to their deliberation, passing Aurelius Exeter on the way out. He had become over-involved in the Department's affairs, and Thea wondered who was really running the school. She had hired Clytemnestra Strauss five years ago and was confident in her abilities, but wanted Aurelius out of her sight and in control of Salem. Aurelius smirked, and she removed herself to the hallway to pace and wait for the decision.

Clive had fallen asleep by the time Thea arrived back at home. "Clive," she whispered in the dark of their bedroom. "Clive."

"What?" He stirred slightly, leaving his eyes closed. "They're taking everything away. The council voted against me."

Clive sat up. "How could they do that?"

"I don't know. After the incident, they're afraid we'll all be in danger."

"That's terrible."

"That's not all. Armistead called of the investigation of Constantine's death. He told the papers that Ed poisoned himself."

"Did he?"

"I really don't think so. This is starting to get suspicious."