The next couple of days went on as it did today. Reading one poem from my Cerapter book. Slowly debunking each one. The first poem I read I came to the conclusion the first stanza, is basically about an unrecognizable good yet evil event, of chaos,. While the second stanza is about the Alicorn being unable to express empathy, and dropping darkness once again, not evil darkness, but merely a manifestation of the kind of harshness. In other words, things have become so violent and decadent that the Alicons only solution is to deploy it's version of an all-purpose cleanser. A bit of a rough interpretation, but it's all I got from it, till I could find something else.
While also reading the slim book, I also practicing my wandless magic, to no avail. It was becoming more frustrating then anything, the most I've done was make the lights flicker. Now sitting in the great hall, I had gotten here early as usual, but I wasn't alone for long, I ended up sitting with my seem to be my usual neighbors, Malfoy and his pair of pigs. As well as Lilly Moon, she hasn't said much, she's just sat with me, through charms and meals, a decent person from what I gathered. Quiet, dependable, and intelligent in her own way, not someone who would hinder my education... At least not yet.
I sat there looking down at the paper before me, more like glaring at it I'm sure. Still, unable to write a letter to my parents, that they would like. I was brought out of my self pity by squawks, looking upward, I saw owls flying in. Dropping mail off to students, Malfoy had gotten a bunch of sweets from his parents, Lilly had gotten a letter from hers. I then saw the two recognizable ravens, flew in my direction, dropping a letter, while the other bird I assumed dropped one for Ava.
The letter now in my hand was my main focus. Getting up quickly I walked out of the great halls, grabbing my bag and letter, feeling the small Capone grasping my shirt tightly, caught off guard by my swift movements. I made my way to the library, more for the peace and quiet. Taking a seat at a table in the back of the room I gulped some air and opened the note.
My Little Rose,
Why have you not written us yet? Your mother and I are awaiting the details of your sorting into Ravenclaw. Write us soon.
Warmest regards,
Rowan Ravenclaw
Folding the paper up I stuffed it into my pocket, wanting to forget it, and pulled out the mind magic book, my quill and a random piece of parchment. I stared at the wand, trying to get it to move around, without a wand.
No results. Letting out a groan of annoyance. I got up from my seat, and proceeded to look through the bookshelves, hoping to find another book to aid me.
A cough from the other side of the books caught my attention, moving a few books out of the way, I saw Hermione, her nose also in a book.
"Anything good?" I whispered the question, causing her to jump slightly.
Looking up at me, she gave a slight glare, "Amber, you don't scare people like that!" Her whisper was harsh, she then walked around the book shelf joining me on my side, "what are you looking for?" She ask softly, her tone changing, seemingly forgetting to be scared.
I gave a shrugging looking at the other end of the book isle, to a chained of area, "I presume what I'm looking for is in the forbidden section." I muttered lightly, coming to the realization that it was true.
Hermione let out a slight giggle, causing me to look back at her, with a brow raised, "I think I can help you, when you get a chance find Professor Flitwick, tell him you'd like some heavier material to read, and don't tell him I sent you."
I couldn't help but smile wildly at her, "I think I'll go look for him now, before class starts, thank you Hermione, you're amazing!" I whispered, hugging her quickly, then shoving my belongings into my bag, I left the library, hunting down the head of Ravenclaw.
I can to a stop, realizing I hadn't the faintest idea where to find the Professor, quickly I thought of something, and I turned my heel and headed for the dungeons. Walking quickly, as my stomach began to tighten at my thought, my next action.
Coming to a stop when I arrived to the potions classroom, I opened the door, giving it a knock as I did. The door fully open, I didn't see anyone in the room. Next, turning on my heel once again, I walked down the dungeons, till I came face to face with the dark colored door of Professor Snapes office. Gulping down my fear, I knocked on the door, firmly.
The door then swung open, the tall bat standing before me, with his usual distant and emotionless expression, " , what do you need at this hour?" He questioned.
"I'd like to be able to search the restricted section of the library" I replied simply, opening the door wider he motioned for me to come into his little bag cave. Taking a few steps in, I took notice of the dimly-lit room, the walls were all shelved with various jars filled with different ingredients I suspected. One wall had a fireplace, that was lit, the only thing that kept the gloomy office lit.
In the middle of the room was what I presumed to be his desk, with a pair of chairs in front of it. Walking over to the chairs I leaned against the arm of one, not really wanting to take a seat.
"Why do you wish to go into that section of the library ?" The man questioned, leaving the door open as he took a seat on the opposite side of the desk. He seemed to be eyeing me, as if he suspected I were up to no good.
I thought carefully before I spoke, "as I am looking to study, independently in my free time, I believe if I were able to enter that section, I'd have a better idea of what I wish to study." I went on, "Knowing I won't be able to learn a few topics yet, do to it being my first year. I want to be able to learn far advance types of magic in my free time." I made sure to leave out the details of what I wanted to learn.
"What are you wanting to learn?" the bat questioned, a brow raised.
"Various subjects, I'll likely start with alchemy, and a few classes that won't be taught till my third year" I informed him, then going on mostly to myself, "probably look into advance potions, charms and-" I then shook my head, realizing that I said it all aloud, "of course one topic at a time, starting with alchemy, as I said" I clarified for both Snape and myself. Leaving out legitimacy, as well as both nonverbal and wandless magic.
After what felt like an hour he then spoke up, as if he finished processing every little word, "Alright, but if you're going to have to agree to a few terms, more maybe added, if I feel more are needed. As well as you must accept, without arguing, if I command you to stop, you do so."
Biting my lip I nodded, already figuring there would be rules, "of course, the first set of terms?" I questioned, already agreeing fully.
"First term, before you get to try the independent study, you'll let Professor Dumbledore know, seeking his approval of your independent studying. Once you do that I'll have more terms you must agree to. After you agree to them, then, and only then will I give you written consent to go into the restricted section." Without notice someone walked into the room.
"Tell me about what?" The old soft tone, caused the attentions of both Snape and I to look at the door, seeing not only Dumbledore himself, but also, Professor McGonagall. "Well?"
I quickly answered the old man' "I wish to use my independent time to study advance material that, topics that may branch off into the restricted section of the library" once I stopped taking Professor McGonagall spoke.
"Topics such as?" She questioned, her tone hinting, that she wasn't going to agree to this. Thankfully, it was her permission I was seeking.
I answered her question anyway, alchemy to start off with, than I'll go from there" I paused before I went on, "of course I will run the topics past Professor Snape, I'll do the same with my other Professors, including you both. As well as if I need to prove I'm not abusing the privilege of using the restricted section, I'll have books approved by each of you, if needed"
Professor McGonagall looked up at Dumbledore, as she scoffed at the notions, "its barely been a week let alone a month."
I raised a brow, "I feel I can learn more, alongside the main curriculum, if I fall behind in my main studies, I will likely stop my independent studies, and focus on my marks." I then looked to Dumbledore, "I'm proceeding with my independent studies, with or without approval, I want to learn more, and I will, this is me asking for permission, to do what I'm going to do, without having to become a common pest that breaks the rules. "
The old man was quiet. Then Snape coughed, giving his two cents, "sir, I approve of her proceeding, as long as she follows the terms set by yourself and I, along with her doing essays and showing what she has learned on her own. More rules will be added as we see fit."
I felt a warmth inside, the same warmth I got whenever my father, or mother praised me when I was younger.
Finally, Dumbledore spoke up, "I wish to put you through my own test, it will take the most of the morning. " he then looked past me at Snape, or so I presumed, "of course, she'll miss her morning classes, if you would pardon her for the morning?" Snape must've nodded, as Dumbledore then motioned for me to follow him. I quickly followed him out the door, past McGonagall.
Walking out of the dungeons we passed a group of students, that we're going into the potions class, "Amber! Where you going?" Hermione asked stepping from the group. Giving her a look of we would talk later, she seemed to understand as she gave a nod. I continued to follow the tall man, ignoring the few gazes I got from students. The whispers of people guessing what was going on.
Soon we came to a stop, in front of an ugly stone gargoyle. Looking around the hall, as if not wanting to be noticed, by anyone, the professor then whispered, "butterscotch" what? I raised a brow at the name, as the gargoyle began to move, spinning and going upwards, leaving steps behind it. What kind of password is, butterscotch? Dumbledore walked up the stairs calmly, as I followed behind.
We then entered the large, beautiful circular room, full of a number of curious silver instruments. The walls were covered in portraits, the people they were of were all snoozing quietly. In the middle of the room was an enormous desk, with claw like legs, and sitting behind it, on a tall shelf sat the shabby, worn sorting hat. The was also a perch, with a gorgeous red bird sitting on it.
The old man pulled out his wand, I didn't hear what he said, but whatever he said, caused a desk, that of a students, a chair and a parchment along with a quill and ink to appear.
"Sit , I'll be putting you to a small test, let's see what you know shall we?" He ordered, quickly, without objection I took the seat setting my bag down, Capone sat on the desk, only to be picked up by Dumbledore, "You'll have to stay with me small one." He whispered to Capone, calming the startled sugar glider. "Alright, young Ravenclaw, you're to sit there and write about things that are fun for you, that isn't found in a book." He said looking to me.
I was caught off guard, I was ready to answer advance questions on charms, potions and my other classes. "What?" I questioned, confused about this task.
"Write about what you do for fun. Hobbies, sports and so on" he explained.
I shook my head, "but reading is my hobby, learning is my sport" I muttered, not understand what this had to do with getting to the restricted section, "Sir, what does this have to do with my independent study?"
"A bit actually, you'll require something to do one your breaks. We can even sit for a few moments with me spouting ideas, of hobbies, students here play quidditch, hangout with one another and some even just run around doing who knows what-"
I let out a snorted at the idea, "my parents wouldn't approve of such childish things, such as ice skating and quidditch. They put a stop too any sport when our brother died. That same day, any chance of us just going outside to play with others our age died with him." I took a breath, looking at the old man, feeling a powerful emotion I knew bubbling in me, not grief or even sad, but irritation. This pointless task, I let out a huff of air, taking a moment to calm down.
He then spoke up, his voice calm, "do you wish to talk about it? His deaths impact on you? Or your desire to get approval from your parents?"
I shook my head closing my eyes, as I calmly spoke, "there is nothing to talk about, he's dead, we all die. Nothing to talk about. What's dead is dead." Finally my hands stopped shaking as I went on, "as for my parents, they are none of your concern"
After what must've been hours, the man spoke up, "Alright, I'll think about giving you access to the restricted section. You'll have an answer come December." I looked up from the desk, relief flooding through me, but the relief didn't last long as frustration started to surge within me Why do I need to wait? This will not due. The man walked closely, holding his arm out for me to take.
I stared at the out stretched arm, then shook my head, "But sir, why till December?"
"As McGonagall stated, it's just the start of the year, I suggest taking the time to get used to the term," He replied simply, as he walked past me Capone jumped to me. I than grabbed my bag and followed Dumbledore out of his office.
Once at the bottom of his stairs he turned to me, "You've been excused from your morning classes, by both Snap and I. Are you sure you don't want a bit of an early lunch, or brunch in your case." He went on, "I recall you hardly ate at breakfast, spent the time looking at a parchment, I presume thinking of what to write to your parents?"
I blinked a few times, has he been watching me? I nodded, "I'm fine, I think I'll go sit in the library, or my room" Turning the direction to the library, I walked away quickly, not wanting to continue this awkward conversation. As I walked the empty halls, I stewed in my thoughts.
What the bloody hell was that all about? Fun? Wanting to talk about my eldest brother, my parents, what the hell did any of that have to do with getting into the restricted section? It's not like I need permission, I can just morph into them. I stopped at that thought, mentally punching myself, Why didn't I think of that sooner? I then made a turn, hunting down the closest bathroom.
A Note from the Author; Gasp! What will happen next?! Stay tuned! ^.^
