Chapter Twenty-Seven: The After Effects of Lauren's Magic Awakening

All Souls Dorm, 2009

Lauren leaned against the cool stone wall of All Souls Dorm, her breath coming in heavy gasps as she tried to process the whirlwind of emotions and sensations that had just engulfed her. The air felt electric, charged with the remnants of her magic awakening. She could still feel the pulse of Ashmole 785 resonating within her, a book that had changed everything in an instant.

The dim light of the dorm room flickered, casting shadows that danced along the walls, mirroring the chaos inside her mind. Memories of the ancient text rushed through her thoughts, each page filled with secrets and power that she had never imagined possible. The weight of her newfound abilities pressed down on her, exhilarating yet terrifying.

As she steadied herself, Lauren closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Then Lauren's phone rang, jolting her from the depths of her contemplation. The sound echoed in the small room, slicing through the heavy atmosphere like a knife. Her heart raced as she reached for the device, the bright screen illuminating her face in the otherwise dim light. It was a message from her grandfather, asking her if she could call him.

Taking a deep breath, Lauren tapped the screen to dial his number, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness as she waited for him to pick up.

Then her grandfather answered the phone. "Hello, Lauren," his familiar voice came through, warm and reassuring. She felt a wave of relief wash over her. "I was hoping to hear from you," he continued, his tone gentle yet filled with a hint of concern.

"Hi, Grandpa," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I got your message. Is everything okay?"

There was a brief pause, and she could almost hear him thinking, weighing his words carefully. "I wanted to check in on you. I know things have been tough lately."

Lauren nodded, even though he couldn't see her. She appreciated his thoughtfulness more than he knew. "Yeah, it's been a lot," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Just remember, I'm always here for you," he said, his voice steady and comforting. "You can talk to me about anything."

Lauren took a deep breath, feeling a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. "I appreciate that, thank you, Grandpa," she replied, her heart warmed by his support.

"You're welcome," he said, his voice filled with love and reassurance.

"Grandpa, can I ask you something?" Lauren ventured to ask, her tone shifting slightly as she gathered her thoughts.

"Of course, my dear. You can ask me anything," he encouraged over the phone, his voice filled with warmth.

Taking another deep breath, Lauren felt a surge of courage as she prepared to share what had been weighing on her mind.

Taking another deep breath, she felt a surge of courage. "Are you... a witch?"

There was a brief pause on the other end, and Lauren's heart raced as she awaited his response.

After a moment, her grandfather answered, "Yes, I am a witch—technically a warlock." His voice held a mix of pride and playfulness, easing the tension that had built up in Lauren's chest.

"Really?" she asked, her eyebrows raised.

Taking another deep breath, Lauren felt a surge of courage as she prepared to share what had been weighing on her mind. "What does that mean?" she inquired, eager to understand more about this unexpected revelation.

Her grandfather laughed softly. "It means I have a connection to the old ways, a knowledge of magic, and practice magic that has been passed down through generations."

Intrigued, Lauren leaned in closer to the phone, her imagination racing. "What kind of magic?"

"Ah, that's a story for another time," he replied, his voice teasing.

"Why do you ask?" her grandfather inquired, a hint of curiosity in his tone. Lauren paused, contemplating the weight of his words.

Lauren then says, "Something happened to me today." She took a deep breath, feeling the excitement bubbling inside her.

"I found an old book at the Bodleian Library for a homework assignment. It looked ancient, with a leather cover and worn pages."

Then Raymond's interest was piqued. "Did you open it?" he asked, a note of urgency in his voice.

"Yes! Inside, there were strange symbols and illustrations," Lauren continued, her eyes wide with wonder.

Raymond leaned in closer, captivated by her story. "What kind of symbols?" he pressed, eager to learn more.

Lauren's excitement only grew as she recalled the intricate designs. "They were like nothing I've ever seen before—some looked like hieroglyphs, while others resembled ancient runes. It felt like I had stumbled upon a secret. Then I felt a strange wave of power."

Raymond's curiosity intensified. "What kind of power did you feel?" he asked, intrigued.

"It felt like the magic was calling out to me."

"That sounds remarkable," her grandfather replied, a smile in his voice.

"Perhaps it's a sign that you're meant to explore the magic that runs through our family."

Lauren's heart raced at the thought. "Do you think it could be connected to magic, you know?"

"Anything is possible," he said, his tone mysterious.

Raymond took a deep breath, his expression turning serious over the phone. "Lauren, I need you to promise me something."

"What is it?" she asked, her eyebrows raised.

"Promise me you'll be careful," he said, his voice steady but filled with concern. "Stay safe, no matter where your explorations take you."

Lauren felt a lump form in her throat as she absorbed his words. "I promise, Grandpa," she replied, her heart swelling with love for him. "I'll always be cautious."

"Good," he said, a hint of relief in his tone. "Remember, magic can be unpredictable, just like life."

Lauren nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "Okay, Grandpa," she said softly, her voice reassuring. "I'll keep that in mind." She could tell the worry was etched in his voice, and she wanted to ease his concerns. "I'll make sure to stay safe," she added, affirming her promise.

As he prepared to hang up the phone, her grandfather smiled gently and said, "I have to go, sweetheart. I love you."

"I love you too, Grandpa," she replied, her heart swelling with affection. After ending the call, Lauren stared out the window, contemplating the unpredictable twists life could take and vowing to cherish every moment.