[Solo] A Treatise on Wandering Sense, and the Misleading of Sight and Perception
Posted: 14 Apr 2026, 23:42
JUNE SELWYN
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Date: March 11, 2026 | Solo | Dialogue: X
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"Forgotten,” June murmured under her breath, the word thinning with repetition, “does not appear to denote interesting.”
She forcefully shut the book in front of her, aligning it neatly atop the growing stack to her left. After several months on classes on introductions to Forgotten Magic, June was now tasked with conducting her own research. All she had to do was choose a topic that interested her.
The professor had clarified many times that they would know if they chose at random, rather than something that interested them. At first, June didn't believe it, but a sixth year quickly set her straight.
“Trust me. I once wrote twelve inches on rune-binding theory and was stopped halfway through my presentation. Was given a Dreadful right on the spot. They'll know.”
June pressed her fingers briefly to her temple, exhaling through her nose. She had been given permission to use the Librarium Gerardi for this project, which was a blessing and a curse. Blessing: June now had access to a new treasure trove of books and knowledge! Curse: June had just a week to find a forgotten art that interested her in the seemingly endless rows of books. Well, it was a week. Now it was one more day.
Her eyes shifted toward the entrance, where Mercator’s catalogue stood in quiet observation, having recorded her entrance to the Librarium Gerardi, and now seemingly waiting to see which book she would take with her.
"Mercator..." June muttered under her breath. She did not know much about her house's founder and namesake (although compared to her previous house's founder and namesake, Salazar Slytherin, perhaps that was a good thing), but what she did know was that he lived an interesting life. Surely he'd have read a book on an interesting subject at least once.
She rose, leaving her stack behind without hesitation, and crossed to the stone desk. The catalogue might have been the thickest and largest book June had ever seen, records stretching back centuries.
Thankfully, Mercator was easy to find, right at the front of the catalogue. She skimmed through the titles, realizing she had already read a few of them in her search, before finally coming across something that didn't seem entirely uninteresting.
A Treatise on Wandering Sense, and the Misleading of Sight and Perception
June focused on the title of the book, bringing it to the forefront of her mind. "Accio." In a matter of seconds, a book had zipped into her hand. Magic truly was wonderful.
Heading back to her desk, to her pile of books, she set down the book with a thud, and braced herself for another potential empty search.
... Potential.
June’s breath caught. She had experienced something like that once.
She skipped forward a few chapters, skimming along until another paragraph stopped her in her tracks.
The memory came flooding back.
The finish line. Still ahead. Exactly where it should be. And yet it was getting farther away, and yet it was getting closer, and yet it wasn't moving anywhere at all.
The air. Yes, a haze, a shadow.
Her wits only coming about her as the unbearable pain set in.
And the certainty. The complete, unwavering certainty that she was headed in the right direction.
The book snapped shut in her hands as she straightened so abruptly the nearby ladder rattled faintly against its rail. Her eyes were wide with recognition.
Her breath caught as the thought fully formed. This... This was it... This is exactly what happened. The broom race her second year at Hogwarts that had been attacked or affected in a way no one could explain… This was it.
She opened the book again, more quickly this time, her fingers moving with purpose as she turned further into the text, past the descriptions she now understood and into sections she had not yet read.
This must be the root magic of the Muggle-Repelling Charm, June noted before reading on.
Grin wide, June closed the book and put it in her satchel. The stack of rejected books began to reshelve itself as June headed out, the quill now writing "A Treatise on Wandering Sense, and the Misleading of Sight and Perception" next to her name for the visit.
The question was now longer what she would study. It was how far she intended to follow it.
She forcefully shut the book in front of her, aligning it neatly atop the growing stack to her left. After several months on classes on introductions to Forgotten Magic, June was now tasked with conducting her own research. All she had to do was choose a topic that interested her.
The professor had clarified many times that they would know if they chose at random, rather than something that interested them. At first, June didn't believe it, but a sixth year quickly set her straight.
“Trust me. I once wrote twelve inches on rune-binding theory and was stopped halfway through my presentation. Was given a Dreadful right on the spot. They'll know.”
June pressed her fingers briefly to her temple, exhaling through her nose. She had been given permission to use the Librarium Gerardi for this project, which was a blessing and a curse. Blessing: June now had access to a new treasure trove of books and knowledge! Curse: June had just a week to find a forgotten art that interested her in the seemingly endless rows of books. Well, it was a week. Now it was one more day.
Her eyes shifted toward the entrance, where Mercator’s catalogue stood in quiet observation, having recorded her entrance to the Librarium Gerardi, and now seemingly waiting to see which book she would take with her.
"Mercator..." June muttered under her breath. She did not know much about her house's founder and namesake (although compared to her previous house's founder and namesake, Salazar Slytherin, perhaps that was a good thing), but what she did know was that he lived an interesting life. Surely he'd have read a book on an interesting subject at least once.
She rose, leaving her stack behind without hesitation, and crossed to the stone desk. The catalogue might have been the thickest and largest book June had ever seen, records stretching back centuries.
Thankfully, Mercator was easy to find, right at the front of the catalogue. She skimmed through the titles, realizing she had already read a few of them in her search, before finally coming across something that didn't seem entirely uninteresting.
A Treatise on Wandering Sense, and the Misleading of Sight and Perception
June focused on the title of the book, bringing it to the forefront of her mind. "Accio." In a matter of seconds, a book had zipped into her hand. Magic truly was wonderful.
Heading back to her desk, to her pile of books, she set down the book with a thud, and braced herself for another potential empty search.
It has been observed in certain workings, ill-advised or ill-contained, that a traveller upon a given path does not stray in will, but in knowing. For though his course be held with confidence, the world presented unto him is altered in subtlety, and he proceeds in error without suspicion. This phenomenon has thus come to be known as "Wandering Sense".
Though he amend his course as reason would dictate, each amendment carries him further from the true perception, for the fault lies not in his judgment, but in the ground upon which that judgment stands.
Though he amend his course as reason would dictate, each amendment carries him further from the true perception, for the fault lies not in his judgment, but in the ground upon which that judgment stands.
... Potential.
Many who pass through such influence, whether natural or no, remark no disturbance whilst within it, for all things appear in their proper place. However, some few do note a "doubling" at the edge of sight, or a faint misgiving in the air. It may also be described as a "haze" or a "shadow", depending on how the individual has been affected.
June’s breath caught. She had experienced something like that once.
She skipped forward a few chapters, skimming along until another paragraph stopped her in her tracks.
Oft times, injuries sustained under the condition are unheeded in the moment, for the mind, being assured of its own correctness, is unable to recognize the body’s pain for a long while. It has been found that one of the most consistent ways to free one misguided by Wandering Sense is, in fact, this recognition of pain.
The memory came flooding back.
The finish line. Still ahead. Exactly where it should be. And yet it was getting farther away, and yet it was getting closer, and yet it wasn't moving anywhere at all.
The air. Yes, a haze, a shadow.
Her wits only coming about her as the unbearable pain set in.
And the certainty. The complete, unwavering certainty that she was headed in the right direction.
The book snapped shut in her hands as she straightened so abruptly the nearby ladder rattled faintly against its rail. Her eyes were wide with recognition.
Her breath caught as the thought fully formed. This... This was it... This is exactly what happened. The broom race her second year at Hogwarts that had been attacked or affected in a way no one could explain… This was it.
She opened the book again, more quickly this time, her fingers moving with purpose as she turned further into the text, past the descriptions she now understood and into sections she had not yet read.
If manipulated correctly, it would easily be a dangerous tool for those versed in the dark arts, and thus it is of the utmost importance, as always, to practice and explore the unknowns with discretion.
It is not to be assumed that such workings arise solely from the environment, for there are those who have already sought them out with intent. Amongst the more discreet uses are the turning of a pursuer from his quarry or the quiet removal of a presence from a place where it is not desired. Many believe that, if harnessed correctly, Wandering Sense could be utilized to dissuade Muggle presence away from wizarding gatherings and settlements.
It is not to be assumed that such workings arise solely from the environment, for there are those who have already sought them out with intent. Amongst the more discreet uses are the turning of a pursuer from his quarry or the quiet removal of a presence from a place where it is not desired. Many believe that, if harnessed correctly, Wandering Sense could be utilized to dissuade Muggle presence away from wizarding gatherings and settlements.
This must be the root magic of the Muggle-Repelling Charm, June noted before reading on.
Some have claimed Wandering Sense has been tamed and employed to ensure missteps at moments most opportune. Upon a stair, at the edge of a height, in the midst of pursuit, wherein the subject’s own motion accomplishes what open spellcraft might betray. Such methods would be preferred where the appearance of chance is of greater value than the certainty of force, for none may defend against that which they do not perceive.
Grin wide, June closed the book and put it in her satchel. The stack of rejected books began to reshelve itself as June headed out, the quill now writing "A Treatise on Wandering Sense, and the Misleading of Sight and Perception" next to her name for the visit.
The question was now longer what she would study. It was how far she intended to follow it.