Professor Maxwell

**Professor Maxwell** is a main character in *The Bureau of Magical Things*. He is portrayed by Christopher Sommers.

## Summary

He is halfling: half-human and half-elf. He is also a bookstore owner and teacher of magic for the DMI. He trains his students to master their magic powers. Maxwell loves books and has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things magic.

## Biography

In anticipation of a new month of school, Maxwell had Ladder fetch "Boyle's Beastiary", the third volume of "The Encyclopedia of Incantations and Spells", and "Little Book of Teacher's Jokes". He found Imogen had arrived at the library uncharacteristically early for class, claiming that she was there to clean up for him. His four students assembled, Maxwell reminded them of the test due next Wednesday and the appropriate textbook, the "The Theory and Practice of Conjuring". Demonstrating pyrokinesis using a toy ducky, the Professor advised his students to be prepared. After class, Maxwell tended to the shop where he met Peter, exchanging a first edition "Return of the Time Nemesis" for a pastry. Whilst doing business, the two heard a noise which Maxwell explained away as "bad wiring" before returning to the library and finding Imogen and Lily, who claimed to be experimenting on a conjuring spell. ("A Magical Mishap")

At the shop, Maxwell was introduced by Imogen and Lily to Kyra Glen, a human who could perform magic. Learning that Lily failed in an attempt to mind wipe Kyra, an act which Maxwell found to be reckless for Lily's level, the Professor took her to the library and asked Kyra if her parents were magical, which she replied in the negative. Maxwell soon learned that Imogen had "borrowed" "The Theory and Practice of Conjuring", with a "serious misuse" of magic ensuing as Imogen resisted Lily's attempt to retrieve it, leading to Kyra being knocked out when she touched the book which, her being unable to see the magical beings then, appeared to be in mid-air. Though Maxwell recommended that Kyra stay at the library until the situation be figured out, she used magic to leave on her own accord. ("Magic in the Air")

Wishing for Kyra to master jumping as soon as possible, Maxwell saw that Imogen instructed her in it. At the book store, Maxwell was informed by Imogen that Sir Zoltan's armour was on the loose and that the DMI asked for everyone to go out searching. Maxwell saw Imogen off as proceeded to lock up the store, but not before Peter arrived to pick up "Return of the Time Nemesis #6: Taking out the Trashman", one of Maxwell's favourites. Soon after, the armour broke into the book store. Knowing what it had come for, Maxwell told the armour that it could not have it and warned it to go back to the Museum of Magic lest he resort to magical violence. However, Maxwell found himself overpowered by the armour, which proceeded to the library. The girls soon arrived, with Imogen and Ruksy entrusting Lily to look after the Professor as they pursued the armour. Whispering in Kyra's ear, Maxwell told her to get the sword, which was found in "The Book of Finbar". Ultimately, Kyra intuitively resolved the situation by taking the sword out of the book and returning it to the armour. Maxwell, however, had actually meant for Kyra to take it out of the library. ("A Knight to Remember")

Maxwell looked for books that covered Tri-lings, but could not find anything. At the time, Maxwell challenged his students to animate an elephant from a book, with only Darra being the last to go. Maxwell rebuked Kyra for her late arrival to class before tending to a customer at the book store. ("Fairy for a Day")

After Kyra used the new power of remote magic to contact the library from the beach she and Darra had gottten trapped on, Maxwell asked her if she noticed any peculiar objects in the beach shack, though she reported none. Maxwell noted that he was unaware of anyone using such magic prior to her, but intended to check. He advised Kyra to not poke her nose into places she did not understand, as she would look unsightly without one. ("On the Beach")

## Personality

He is decisive, authoritative, reasonable, intelligent, and protective. He cares greatly for his students and wants them to reach their full potential. He engages his students with his wit and his cheeky, dry sense of humor.

## Powers and Abilities

* **Teletransportation**
* **Telekinesis**
* **Invisibility**
* **Shapeshifting**: Learned to do this in End of the Road: Part 2.
* **Pyrokinesis**

Maxwell as Jared

## Trivia

* According to Jonathan M. Shiff, Maxwell's vacation spot is the New York Society Library.
* Had Giselle not died, Maxwell very likely would have been the father of a tri-ling.

## Appearances

* *The Bureau of Magical Things*
	+ Season 1
		- A Magical Mishap
		- Magic in the Air
		- Gone to the Dogs
		- A Knight to Remember
		- The Test
		- Fairy for a Day
		- Shortcut
		- On the Beach
		- Uncharted Waters
		- Aisle 13
		- Forces of Attraction
		- The Eye of Horus
		- Judgment Day
		- Prize Day
		- Accused
		- On the Case
		- End of the Road: Part 1
		- End of the Road: Part 2
	+ Season 2

**Appearances: 18/20**

## References

1. ↑ https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2019/11-27-the-bureau-of-magical-things-season-2?utm\_source=social&utm\_medium=twitter&utm\_campaign=2019-11-27-the-bureau-of-magical-things-season-2
2. ↑ [1]
3. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/By0Nq7sgNNG/