Aria felt as though she was stuck in some sort of twilight zone. The book she had found in the library had deeply disturbed her and according to rumours this wasn't the first time a book had mysteriously appeared in someone's presence. Still, the book was a secret Aria kept to herself. She was still new here and didn't want to give anyone incentive to stop being friends with her. Plus out of sight out of mind. As long as Aria kept the leather book at the bottom of her trunk under her bed, it didn't really exist… right?
One benefit to being desperate to distract herself from the fact that she was most likely being watched or followed was that she learnt people were a great distraction. Aria became considerably close to the people around her. This of course included Malfoy and although their casual meetings were both few and fleeting, they were heart-warming none the less. Their friendship forged over the bond of loathing homework the two would meet in the library, providing Draco could shake off his Hench men for long enough.
'Hermione… why are you crying?' Aria quizzed, trying fast to make her legs keep up with Hermione's brisk pace as she rubbed her eyes raw, speed walking back to their common room.
'It's that prick Draco isn't it. Calling her names as usual.' Ron said with a face set in pure hatred, softening a little as he looks into Hermione's red rimmed eyes. A sudden burst of courage overcame Aria, skidding to a halt Aria chews on her bottom lip for a moment. 'Aria, what's wrong' Ron asks confused at her abrupt halt.
'You go ahead.' Aria says hurriedly, already turning around, zooming down the hall causing passing students to stop and state at the indistinguishable blur. Out of breathe Aria skips down the stair case almost colliding with several students at the same time. But Aria was a women on a mission and her path of trajectory was in clear sight. She was going to talk to Draco. Talk to him and ask him to stop, if their new found friendship meant anything to him he would at least ease up somewhat and not make her close friends cry at the least.
Aria very rarely lurked in the dungeons and only dared enter its depth for potions related queries however there was a first time for everything and as Aria stumbled about the hollow hallways in mostly ignorance she felt alone. It didn't help that the only other people down there were Slytherin house members and they didn't look all too pleased to have her lurking around in their territory. One student going as far as to ram into her on purpose as he passed her by little shit she thought.
She didn't let that derail her from her mission though. She trudged forward a look of sheer determination plastered on her face. As she entered deeper and deeper into the dungeons Aria felt a gnawing at the back of her head. A pit formed in the bottom of her stomach and the hairs on her arms stood up. Everything felt so wrong. At the end of the hall was a single doorway. It's ancient looking frame dusty and old, untouched and unused. And although every moral fibre in her being screamed turn around she couldn't, she simply couldn't. As she approached the door Aria moved her arm forward to pull the door open she noticed her hand were shaking uncontrollably. Still she continued to test fate.
Inside the room was empty. A classroom set up yes but every inch of the class was covered in dust, a thick smog of unclean air filtered out. Aria had learnt of this classroom. A student had died in here a long time ago. That is why this room remained untouched. Taking one step forward Aria was surprised how cold she felt once she passed the threshold. She shivered against her will. Rubbing her hand on her arms trying to regain some warmth. Stepping into the centre of the classroom Aria approached the central desk. Upon the desk lay a small box. This box however was not coved in a thick layer of grime and dust. It was ancient yes but it had been well taken care of. It lacquered lid sleek to the touch. Thumbing the lid Aria opens the box to view the context. Inside the box was encased in a bedding of dark silver silk of which laid a ring. Without touching the ring Ari could read the insignia 'Bravery courses though our blood and bones'. The words meant nothing to her and Aria proceeded to touch the ring. As she made contact with the ring however a shrill scream rang in Aria's ears, like a kettle screeching at its boiling point. A rush of wind flew out of the box and a shadow with the face of a disfigured man came rushing out. It swopped a circle before it turned its attention on her, coming towards her fast Aria screamed, covering her ears from the screeching noise willing everything to just stop.
And it did.