Chapter 9 – Secrets of the Restricted Section
It was a sunny day that afternoon in early September, though the breeze coming through the Black Lake made the air cool and the gentle waves that could be heard lapping at the nearby Boathouse almost managed to lull Beatrice into a nice nap following her rather eventful morning and the hearty lunch she just had from the Great Hall—
“Enjoying ourselves, aren’t we?” Came the teasing tone from her companion, to which Beatrice could only hum in acknowledgement as she let her eyes close a moment too long before she could respond, “I quite like this view, Sebastian, thank you.” It reminded her of days back in the convent when she’d sneak down the cliffs to swim by the sea…
“I’m curious though…” Sebastian’s voice had her blinking past her drowsiness as she leaned back onto the gazebo’s railings, tucking her legs beneath her on the stone bench where they sat, the open book on her lap failing to hold her attention for much longer.
“About…?” She’d rested her chin on her hand in an attempt to stifle a yawn, finding amusement instead in having had observed how Sebastian scribbled away at his Charms homework, the tip of his tongue peeking out in concentration just moments ago. There was something charming about him, truly. Beatrice just didn’t know what to make of the Slytherin as this was, by far, the longest time she’d spent in the company of any boy her age. Mother Superior would have surely scolded her ear off had she seen her now, unchaperoned, no less.
“You mentioned your… Nana, being the one who raised you to be aware of Magic— does that mean she was in Ravenclaw too?” Sebastian’s question seemingly chased away any thought of rest from her sleep-addled mind as Beatrice weighed her next words.
“I— assumed she was… She— never really talked much about herself before marrying my grandfather. I actually only have this to go by…” Beatrice then slowly pulled out a simple bronze locket, the eagle intricately engraved on its face seemed to be enough evidence to her claim. She never dared to wear it before though, only kept it close to her person in fear that any of the Sisters might catch a glimpse of the enchanted moving photographs inside…
“May I?” Sebastian had asked, clearly intrigued as he held a hopeful hand out. Why not? She supposed there was no real reason now to hide any magical object in a Wizarding school, after all. In fact, the only thing she had to keep from doing right now was giggling at Sebastian’s poorly concealed attempt to try and find any similarities she shared with the only photos she had of her Nana and mother.
She remembered her Nana having a sternness to her features, while fair for her age at the time the photo was taken, was held back by her hair always kept in a tight bun. A sharp nose only accentuating what Beatrice would recall to be a mostly solemn pair of blue eyes, that looked out from the monochrome photo— no trace of a smile but just tilting her face towards the camera.
Beatrice had sometimes caught a far-away look cast upon her Nana’s face, though she was never privy to her past in the Wizarding World, she doubted the older witch was anymore aware of such a thing called Ancient Magic... Her mother however was a curious case.
A young lady, no older than Beatrice, smiled gently back from the photograph, Roséline Hayes had a calmly face which was softly framed by pale wavy locks of hair— Beatrice had nothing to go by other than this photo, but she found her mother to be quite pretty. Nana had also once remarked with a wistful smile, how her mother took mostly after her grandfather, and seeing how Beatrice didn’t seem to have inherited the fairer features from her maternal side of the family, this only cemented the fact that she might have taken more after her faceless sire, only adding to her Nana’s additional grief.
“Have you tried asking your mentor about her? They may have been contemporaries during their time at Hogwarts?” Sebastian had asked further, turning the locket over as if he’d find any more than what only the pictures offered.
“Professor Fig doesn’t recall of an Aileen who looks like my Nana. Although admittedly a first name is not much to go by if I have no idea of the maiden name she used to carry before then…” She trailed of as if in afterthought, “But enough about me, what about your parents? Was any one of them sorted into Slytherin?” Beatrice hastily chose to change the topic then, reaching for the locket in Sebastian’s hands as she carefully pocketed it.
Her companion thankfully let the matter focus on him instead, almost bashfully rubbing at the nape of his neck before he responded, “Only my uncle actually. My father was a Gryffindor and mother was a Ravenclaw, wasn’t the least bit surprised when the Sorting Hat gave us options.” He paused then, as if hesitating what to say next, “But like I said, Anne made the decision for both of us when she decided to befriend Ominis and I followed suit. I garner it’s the same for your case?”
“Likewise. Though what you said about the Sorting Hat giving you options, had it also mentioned anything about Hufflepuff?” Beatrice did wonder about the fourth house decked in vibrant yellow.
“Ah, our friends who are loyal to a fault, with patience being their virtue. The Sorting Hat may have also mentioned something along those lines to me before…” Sebastian had chuckled as if in remembrance before casting her a teasing look, “But the way I see it, ironically goes against what we’re planning later tonight…”
Beatrice awoke to the insistent chuffs from Hermes as he pulled at the strands of her hair, she had to quietly wave him away as she blearily tried to make sense of how much time had passed when she looked towards the hourglass by her roommates’ side of shelves— thankful that it was a quieter way to track time as she mostly heard Constance’s and Samantha’s soft snores of sleep.
Stroking the heart shaped down that lined Hermes’ feathered face, Beatrice gave him his treat for dutifully waking her up as she had instructed him to, before she quietly pushed open her bedside window to let the barn owl fly off into the night. Casting one last look at the journal entry she’d made about the day, Beatrice silently slipped on her school robe as she carefully made her way out of their dorm room…
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Keeping her footfalls light as she made her way up the wooden stairs and into the Common Room, Beatrice had only just passed by the armory guarding the staircase to the girls’ dorms when she’d then heard footsteps coming down from the stairs behind her. Thinking to back away further into the adjoined room by the fireplace, Beatrice held back a gasp as a hand came out to cover her mouth from behind, gently guiding her to crouch by a wooden trophy case beside the entryway curtain.
It wasn’t until the dim lighting had shown who it was did Beatrice try to even out her breathing, nodding as the other had raised a finger to his lips, motioning her to keep quiet before he’d let go of her as he stood straight and acted like he was just about to round the corner meeting the approaching footsteps, “Larson, all clear here?” Beatrice now recognized the haughty voice that spoke up first.
“Yes, and I’d also checked outside for anyone who couldn’t answer the riddle before curfew.” She saw Andrew reply lightly from her vantage point, not risking to confirm the identity of the other boy he was talking to.
“Can’t have the moonminds costing us more House points, after all.” A scoff, before the other had continued, “That gives me an excuse to use the Floo Flames then, you’re sure you aren’t coming to the Prefects’ Bath tonight? I heard some ladies were actually expecting you.” Beatrice couldn’t help but raise her brows in intrigue upon hearing the last part being said.
“I’d rather not, Fawley. Someone needs to wait for our Housemates to get back from their Astronomy class.”
“Suit yourself. Got the pick of the crop yet you’d rather be the nice lad that finishes last.” Their upperclassman left with a taunting laugh before the whoosh of the Flames had signaled Fawley’s departure.
Beatrice had watched Andrew’s tense posture slowly relax before she’d slowly straightened from her hiding spot and moved closer to him, “So… Popular with the ladies, I hear.” She’d tried for a lighter approach, but Andrew only frowned further as he shook his head, “It’s like an initiation for the new Prefects for the year actually, not quite the type of crowd I’d find myself fond of, really.”
It was his turn then to raise his brows, “But don’t think I’ll let you off the hook too easily.” Crossing his arms, Andrew now regarded her fully, “Please tell me you aren’t off to another Hidden Corridor or whatnot for the sake of another’s trivial sense of worth.”
“I see you’ve also heard about that then…” Beatrice may have caught wind as to what happened after she’d given Duncan his “proof of courage”, though the bespectacled boy had been wise enough to steer clear of her after making such comments about Blood statuses of all things.
“Turned him into a right prat, that he did— all bark and now would probably bite too. Will most likely have to intervene these days once Everett decides to snatch that damn leaf out of Hobhouse’s pillow.” Andrew rubbed at his temple, clearly looking troubled with the situation that Beatrice now felt quite remorseful, she had unwittingly caused it after all.
“I’d have to apologize Andrew, but I really need to go tonight, it’s… actually for myself this time— I promise to make it up to you in some way… Please?”
“I see, well...” He gave her a look as if in utter concentration before sighing, “Would it trouble you to grace me with your time this weekend on a trip to Hogsmeade then?”
That made her blink, she had already made plans to go there with Sebastian this weekend, so it definitely wouldn’t hurt to bring another friend along, “Of course, I’d be happy to.”
“Great! Then might I suggest using the Floo on your way out?” She watched as he gave a quick glance to the nearby grandfather clock before decisively saying, “Drop by at the one near the Divination Classroom and carefully make your way down the spiral staircase once there, it’d be a safer way to get to the Central Hall from here.”
“What—?” Before Beatrice could question how exactly Andrew would know where she was planning to meet Sebastian for the night, the blond was already quickly guiding her towards Ignatia Wildsmith’s bust, his last words of advice only intriguing her more before the Flames had engulfed her.
“And Beatrice, try to put your trust in people more, alright?
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Trust. Sebastian had really found it surprising that Professor Weasley had entrusted him with escorting his new classmate only yesterday, but then again, wasn’t it Beatrice herself that requested his company? And here he was again, having been the one she first thought of to ask in accompanying her in this curious search… He wondered what it really was she’d be looking for down there in those dusty shelves of books— most of which Sebastian himself had scoured over in his search of a possible cure for Anne’s curse.
It was obvious Beatrice was keeping something big from him— no matter how confused she was on casting that powerful blast of magic yesterday, Sebastian was sure it somehow related to why that goblin had Rookwood chasing after them in The Three Broomsticks. He’d risk assuming that Beatrice saw him as someone reliable at this point, but he needed to give her a reason to trust him with her secrets…
Sebastian thought this through silently as he just about relaxed his arms on the balustrade behind him when a flutter of robes caught his eye and there, silently making her way down towards him, was the subject of his current dilemma— the dim light silhouetting her form seemed to give her an even more enigmatic approach to which he’d felt his heart skip a beat, again. Sebastian tried to brush it off by smiling teasingly her way as he raised a finger to his lips, motioning for Beatrice to quietly come over to where he stood, “See there? That’s the door that we need to reach.” He nodded towards the Library’s left entryway, “And those annoying prefects would love nothing more than to rat on us to Scribner, so don’t let them see us— understood?”
“I can be sneaky. Let’s go.” She’d responded with such contained enthusiasm that Sebastian had to hold back a chuckle.
“Hold on now. There’s a spell you should know— the Disillusionment Charm. Good for getting places you’re not supposed to be. Cast it, and you’ll appear as little more than a trick of the light. Just as long as you keep your distance and stay quiet.”
“You mean I’ll actually be able to turn invisible?” Her eyes seemed to gleam like emeralds now as Sebastian watched her excitement form.
“Something like that. It’s not as foolproof as a cloak, but those are expensive. And spells— spells are free. Give it a try.” He wasn’t sure if this was one of the spells Fig had at least taught Beatrice over the summer, but Sebastian made sure to slowly show her the proper wand movement before he’d cast the Disillusionment on himself.
And while Sebastian wasn’t surprised at her getting it at the first cast, he had raised an eyebrow— or two— at observing how easily Beatrice even incorporated the use of Basic Cast to distract the prefects away from their respective posts. She really is good at being sneaky… He’d thought in amusement though remained quiet as a Jobberknoll following after her down the stairs leading into the Library.
It wasn’t until they entered though that Sebastian kept himself from bumping into Beatrice, “Blast. The librarian’s still here. Quick, behind the bookcase.” He’d grabbed at what he assumed to be part of her sleeve but was momentarily shocked to be met with the warmth of her hand, but he instinctively held onto her tighter as he pulled her into hiding before they’d cast off their Disillusionment.
“Damn.” Sebastian couldn’t help but curse quietly as he looked past the bookcase’s corner.
“You told me the librarian would be gone by now.” Beatrice hissed anxiously at him.
“I said ‘usually’, but it’ll still be all right. Do you see her desk behind me?” At seeing her terse nod in response, Sebastian had calmly continued instructing, “The key is in the drawer of that desk. Now, here’s what we’re going to do: I’ll create a distraction to draw her away, while you focus on getting the key. I’ll meet you outside the Restricted Section.” He’d finished, nodding over to the fenced-off area of the Library.
“Wait, why do we need a key? Isn’t there a spell for this?”
Sebastian met Beatrice’s obvious question with an almost sheepish look before answering, “Alohamora? That’s how I always used to get in, but the librarian twigged that I knew the spell and cast an Anti-Alohamora charm on the lock. So now it’s just this key.” Shrugging as he met Beatrice’s troubled look, he quickly tried to alleviate her worries, “But don’t worry. I said I’d get you in, and I always keep my word. Trust me.”
He felt her hand squeeze his back in understanding after he’d assured her, only now noticing that he’d been holding her hand all this while, “You distract; I get the key. Understood.” The way she’d gazed back into his eyes had him quickly pulling his hand away from her, hoping he’d cast his Disillusionment fast enough that she hadn’t noticed the way his face seemingly burned up. Sebastian attributed his racing heart to adrenaline as he quickly searched for a way to lure Scribner away from her desk, focusing on a chair as he quietly murmured Confringo to blow it up into smithereens.
“Is someone there? Is that you, Peeves?”
Now sure to have caught Scribner’s attention, Sebastian hastily drew away from the mess he’d made and anxiously waited for Beatrice by the locked entryway to the Restricted Section, hoping she really was as sneaky as he first observed her to be— “That wasn’t so difficult after all.” He relaxed somewhat upon glimpsing Beatrice’s shimmering silhouette cast in Disillusionment, quickly but quietly unlocking the gate, “Now, to find that book.”
Upon entering, Sebastian curiously observed as Beatrice’s silhouette quickly pilfered through a chest by the corner of the staircase after she’d murmured Revelio, only stopping her when she’d tried to reach for a book on their way down, “That one’s charmed to look more useful than it is. It’s fooled me twice. Never judge a tome by its cover, I say.”
“A tome had floated out of Scribner’s desk when I was getting the key. Thought for a moment it’d scream bloody murder when I saw my name on its page.”
“Ah, that would be the Book of Records, keeps every borrowed book in check— even the Restricted ones. Did you ask it for the title you’re looking for?”
“I actually don’t—"
Sebastian had to interrupt Beatrice as he quickly pulled her back towards him before they rounded the corner on the next floor down, “Ghost. Don’t let her see you.” He’d whispered, only then inadvertently realizing he’d grabbed her by the waist as he tried to get his mind to focus on making a distraction, but Beatrice beat him to it by casting at an armor across the room. He didn’t have time to wince at the noise that might even attract Scribner’s attention from upstairs, because Beatrice had now grabbed him by his hand and was swiftly leading them past the ghosts.
“Should be in the clear now. No need for us to be skulking about.” He’d huffed out a breath as they descended, casting off his Disillusionment before Beatrice followed suit, a dazzling flush evident on her cheeks as she smiled at him with barely contained excitement from their shared rush of adrenaline.
“So… What is it you’ve been looking for?” She’d asked in a hesitant tone as they continued their way down the stairs, seemingly not wanting to prod, but Sebastian had by now expected her to ask him that at one point. He thought on his response though, not wanting to see the usual look of sympathy being cast his way, especially from her who he felt the need to impress…
Waiting after she’d murmured a Revelio upon the section they’d just entered, Sebastian settled on giving her a vague but truthful answer, “I’m looking for a cure to help my twin sister, Anne— so that she can return to Hogwarts. Because Merlin knows everyone else has given up.” He’d waited then to see how she’d respond, dreading she’d only look back at him with pity evident in her green gaze, but instead she’d looked up from her Field Guide to cast him a look of confusion.
“Why do you think you’ll find a cure in the Restricted Section? Does the Hogwarts matron have nothing that can help Anne?” This was a start. She hadn’t dismissed his plight with baseless words of comfort, in fact, she even sounded like she’d taken his words in disbelief as she continued to search the area they were in.
“No. We’ve tried everyone from Nurse Blainey to St. Mungo’s.” He tried to explain, watching with a hint of curiosity as she’d pulled out a jangling pouch of what looked like Galleons from a chest she’d opened, “But I can research on my own. No need to concern yourself with that right now. Let’s focus on what you’re after. Which is what, precisely?” Sebastian pushed the pouch of coins back towards her as she tried to offer it to him in full.
“I’ll know it when I see it.” She’d countered just as vaguely, counting the pouch’s contents before she seemed to pocket a portion of it then insistently pushed the rest into Sebastian’s hands.
“You’re being awfully cryptic.” He’d caved, not wanting to push back but equally just as frustrated, despite having accepted the pouch of coins she’d offered.
All Sebastian could do for now was silently watch over Beatrice as she gleaned pass books, skimming through titles and tapping on the ones he’d assumed might have caught her interest— the latest causing him to raise an eyebrow, “Secrets of the Darkest Arts? I’m impressed.”
He caught himself from saying more though as he carefully eyed Beatrice’s reaction to his comment— half expecting a disapproving look from her— yet she only stared at the tome a second longer, expression unreadable, before moving away. Interesting was one thing, but now Sebastian had to wonder just how open Beatrice was to learning a few darker spells— something told him she’d need it…
Entering a door in the backmost part of the room, Sebastian kept his eyes about, he always thought this area to be just a place of storage for the whole Library, he’d doubt Beatrice would find anything worthwhile here. Though he began to second guess himself after she’d cast another Revelio upon the room, before heading towards what looked to be a chest just inconspicuously placed on a tabletop.
More miniature than the previous ones he’d seen her pilfer through, Sebastian couldn’t help the look of disbelief on his face upon seeing the wand handle Beatrice had pulled out— there illuminated by the nearby desk lamp was a handle that looked to be exactly like his own! “Would you look at that… might just as well be the original piece, don’t you think?” He’d murmured, still not quite sure himself.
“I didn’t think I would take you seriously the first time you mentioned these wand handles back in Hogsmeade, but this is my 4th find, so what are 38 more? Might as well make space for this collection, won’t you agree?” Beatrice’s lighthearted tone only left Sebastian more flabbergasted.
“I’m sorry, did you say 4th? Wherever did you find the previous ones, if I may so ask?”
“I found my 2nd one in a similar chest much like this in Professor Fig’s classroom, though the other two were given more as thanks from Cressida Blume and Zenobia Noke after I’d— well, assisted them in recovering some personal belongings of theirs…” She’d replied almost sheepishly.
Before Sebastian could ask her more about it though, he was quick to pull Beatrice behind him as a nearby hanging armor came crashing beside them. The thunderous clashing of metals was enough to make them hold their breaths as Sebastian waited to expect the worst, their shaky exhales the only thing that could be heard between them. He waited seconds before deciding to cast Reparo but was all too suddenly interrupted by a malignant entity popping through the bookshelf right across from them.
“Who have we here? Sebastian Sallow and his new little friend, out exploring where they shouldn’t be!” Came the shrill voice, mocking them by even waving a finger in front of their faces, “Naughty naughty, you’ll get caughty!”
“Peeves, don’t you—” Sebastian’s voice was merely cut off by the nasty poltergeist’s incessant yammering whilst floating away, “I’m going to tell! I’m going to tell! I’m going to tell!”
“Blasted Peeves. I’ve got to stop him, or at least get to the librarian with a good excuse for all of this.” He grumbled, pulling away from his hold on Beatrice as he was about to hunt down the annoying fiend, when he felt a firm tug on his robe sleeve.
“Wait. I— don’t want you getting into trouble for me.” She’d look at him then, a troubled expression clear on her face as she gazed up at him, seeming unsure. Did she doubt he’d be able to handle this predicament or maybe she was wary that he’ll blame this all on her?
“I have a way with the faculty when it comes to disciplinary matters. Besides— I like having friends who are in my debt.” Sebastian chose to teasingly assuage her on both accounts, “Now, go. Good luck with your search.” He offered her an encouraging smile before turning away, off on a search of his own as he couldn’t help but grumble, “Now, where has that damned poltergeist got to?”
If his memory served him well, Sebastian did hear Peeves boisterously chanting about being trapped and confined in a jar once, and while he might be tempted to do just about that to the poltergeist, Sebastian dreaded the thought that he’d ultimately get expelled from Hogwarts after the chaos it’d most likely cause. He doubted even Ominis could save his hair after that— and although he had an inkling his friend knew where Sebastian was off to again, the sightless blond had absolutely no idea that Sebastian would not be going alone tonight on another trip to the Restricted Section.
Having found it already suspicious that even the couple of screeching ghosts were now gone from their posts on his way up, Sebastian thought it wise to keep himself under his Disillusionment as he maintained a peripheral view of the Library from the upper floor. Choosing to position himself away from The Old Librarian’s portrait, Sebastian crouched by the balustrades’ edge as he mulled over the most effective Silencing Charm he could use on Peeves— he had doubts if Oscausi would work on making an incorporeal being’s mouth disappear, but perhaps a simple Silencio might work—
“Guess who’s in the Restricted Section, asking for another round of detention? Of course, it’s none other than Sebastian Sallow, but can you guess the other fellow?”
Damn. Sebastian watched with growing dread as he saw Peeves finally come out of hiding, trying to catch Scribner’s attention, though since the garishly dressed ghoul was more known for his penchant for causing mischief and mayhem, the old witch hadn’t paid Peeves much mind at first. Thinking fast, Sebastian cast at the nearest object between the Library’s shelves on the lower floor where the poltergeist was weaving through— he needed to stall Peeves there long enough to shut him up.
Swiftly but silently taking the spiral stairs down, Sebastian kept a mocking interval of casting on random objects to make it sound like Peeves was the one causing all the ruckus, while also keeping the poltergeist distracted enough away from Scribner.
“What mess are you causing again now, Peeves?!” Scribner’s shriek sounded close enough that it jolted his focus from his Disillusionment and caused Sebastian to miss casting the Silencing Charm on the poltergeist by a mere good millimeter, which only resulted with Peeves weaving around him mockingly before—
“Sneaking in the Restricted Section— again!” Scribner now shrieked from behind Sebastian as he turned to face her, “I had thought we were through with this mischief. Clearly detentions are insufficient. I’m afraid I must take this to the Headmaster.”
Sebastian felt his blood chill then, about to make her see reason, “But—”
“That being said, Peeves informs me that you didn’t come alone tonight.” Scribner interrupted him, not wanting to hear any more excuses as she set a piercing look on her weathered face, “If someone has coerced you, I would have you tell me.”
For a moment, Sebastian glared at Peeves’ gloating smile before trying to meet the Madam’s stare, though he quickly had to look down in fear that she might notice his worried expression wasn’t exactly for himself but for someone else’s safety…
“You’re a bright boy. Don’t waste this.”
He remembered Beatrice’s almost searching gaze as she looked up at him, unsure, before they’d parted ways. Sebastian just realized what had crossed her mind then, but he now knew how he was going to answer if he was planning to win Beatrice’s trust. “There was nobody else. I came alone.” He’d met Scribner’s gaze then, straightening his shoulders as his voice answered with clear certainty.
“Oh, Sebastian.” The expected look of disappointed on her face came as no surprise to Sebastian as she tutted at him, “What will your uncle say?” The mention of his uncle as Scribner walked away made dread settle in the pit of his stomach, enough to not even care as Peeves blew a raspberry to his face.
Just as he was about to follow the librarian out to be escorted by the Prefects back to his Common Room though, Sebastian spotted the telltale flutter of cobalt blue robes moving away from a lower bookcase. He was glad to know Beatrice would get out of here safe, especially is she used the Library’s Floo Flame back to her tower, Sebastian just hoped she didn’t get into more trouble after this…
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