>"Hey, what do you know about the university? Like, important people, quirks about the place, and that sort of thing?"
>She frowns. "I'm afraid I don't actually know very much about it, aside from reputation. I mean, I've passed by it many times, but rarely had ocassion to go there. But let's see..." Her antennae curl slowly, reminding you almost of someone stretching.
>"Well, the campus is open to the general public and the library as well, though I believe sections of their collection are restricted, and some of their research facilities certainly are. Every now and again you hear stories of magical mishaps, and some of the professors can apparently be a bit... eccentric, but I don't think there's anything you need to worry about as long as you stay to the public-facing areas; the standards of rigor they employ are quite well-respected."
>"The current headmistress is..." She frowns in consternation for several seconds, then shakes her head. "Her name escapes me at the moment, sorry. But I've heard she is a magician of rare skill if somewhat... dour. I'm not particularly familiar with any of the faculty, though. I do know that House Scarlet is a major financial backer and probably has some degree of influence with the administration, though their research isn't considered partisan, as far as I've ever heard. And I imagine certain parties would waste no time in making an accusation like that if there was any truth to it."
>She gives you an apologetic look. "I'm not sure I can be any more helpful than this, I'm afraid; I've never been much of an academic.