Chapter #9 - Browsing Permission

Tom and Lena kept their eyes out for Professor de Nuit for the next few days, but it seemed like she was nowhere in the castle. When Lena asked one of the other professors about it, she learned that her head of house had gone home for Christmas to see her family but that she would be back right after New Year's Day. While they waited, they finished their homework they had been assigned over the holiday and, once that was done, Lena taught Tom how to play Wizard Chess, since she was the best player out of his friends who had stayed, though it still took him a while to get the hang of playing. They had also formulated what they were going to tell her was the reason they wanted permission to go into the Restricted Section as they sat across the chess board from each other. In a way they had decided that a half-truth would do the trick.

Their spending so much time together, especially at the Slytherin table, got many sniggers from the other Slytherins, particularly the girls. It seemed that the Slytherins did not only have tension between their house and Gryffindor, but also a bit with the Ravenclaw too. Tom also knew that it had something to do with the fact that he was really a halfblood and she was a pureblood, which would have gotten sniggers if it had been *any* girl. But Tom knew that most of the Slytherin girls did not want anything to do with him, except to tease his. But he also knew that even if they *did* like him, they would never be as helpful to him as he knew Lena would be.

It was after dinner, two nights after the start of the new year, when Professor de Nuit came into the Great Hall and walked to the Teacher's Table where there were still a few professors sitting and talking. She went up to the headmaster and said a few things to him then turned and left the Great Hall, without being stopped by Tom and Lena. They had decided to not ask her as soon as she got back so she would not think they were specifically targeting her for permission to get into the Restricted Section.

"Well, she's back," Tom said, watching the red-headed teacher leave the Great Hall.

"We can ask her in a few days." Lena looked back to the board and examined it, deciding what her move would be since it was her turn. "Queen to E7."

The piece moved and took out the Knight, which had been two moves away from a "check." She looked up at Tom, knowing he was running low on options. He looked over the board and saw his bishop in the right position to take out the rook, which would give him the perfect attack.

"Bishop to C2." The bishop moved and took the castle. "Check."

"I see that." She knew she had no pieces that could defend her king now, she had not even seen that possible attack, of course the bishops always seemed to be the pieces she lost to when she *did* lose. She knocked over her king with a sigh. "I have no move to counter your check. It's actually checkmate."

Tom smiled at his victory, one of his few over the past week. He pulled out his wand and said the spell Lena had taught him to repair his pieces then put all the porcelain pieces in their special spots on the underside of the board and folded it in half on its hinges. He then looked up at Lena who had her chin propped up on her hands. He thought she looked rather cute that way.

"You've gotten good."

"I know, but we've been playing several games everyday for about a week."

"You've still gotten good in that little of time."

"I had a good teacher," he said with a smile.

"Well, I'll be off to the library to get that book we were talking about."

"Okay. I'll see you at breakfast?"

"Alright."

"And we planned to ask de Nuit, what was it, two days after she got back?"

"Yes." She stood from where she had been sitting at the Slytherin table. "Have a good night, Tom."

"You too."

***

Over the next two days, they went about setting up the final stage of their plan. When the time finally came, they were talking over breakfast at the Slytherin table when Professor de Nuit actually came up to them. They were somewhat surprised by her approaching them but knew it was a lot better than going up to her. This was it!

"I have not seen two students so utterly absorbed in a debate or discussion, whichever it might be, in quite some time." She smiled at them, though she was looking more at her own student. "What is it that you two are talking about?"

"We've been trying to find out all we can about the founders and their history and what they did and everything," Tom began.

"But we're having trouble filling in some holes that we've discovered," Lena continued.

"We've been fighting over some of the things that we have found because they're conflicting histories."

"Ah, I see. Well, that was so long ago and they didn't keep as good of records back then as we do now."

"Yes, so we've discovered," Lena said, looking down.

"Have you checked the library thoroughly?"

"We've looked in nearly every section." Tom was hoping to use a pity plea on her. "But we've hardly found anything even though we've looked really hard."

"I see."

"Um, Professor," Lena seemed was acting like the idea suddenly struck her, "is there anyway we could go into the Restricted Section to look for more information?"

"You need to know what book you're after, browsing..."

"But other students have been back there," Tom blurted out.

"Typically," she continued, "browsing permission isn't given to anyone who isn't at least a fifth year, and even then usually only prefects are granted permission."

"Please, Professor. We're really interested in finding out. It seems the only alternative we have left." Tom gave a desperate look. "We promise to follow any rules that Madam Beech has if you say we can."

Professor de Nuit looked at them for a moment, wondering if they might be up to something, but she felt it could not hurt to at least go ask the librarian if it was alright with her. She really did not want to stand in the way of learning, though. It just was *not* in her nature. "Let's go discuss this with Madam Beech and then the two of us will decide if it's alright."

Tom and Lena smiled as they followed the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher to the library. Madam Beech knew they had been looking for things that dealt with the founders already and she also seemed to like the two of them some, but that might be just because Tom seemed to have the ability to charm her to get her to help them. This might just work out for them.

"Laurel," the professor said to the librarian, "I have a question to ask you."

"Go ahead, Aradia," Madam Beech said, looking up at the three of them.

"These two students are researching the founders and they want permission to go browse the Restricted Section since the regular library doesn't seem to have any good sources."

The librarian looked at the two students, remembering them quite well since they had asked her for help a few times. "I see. You *have* explained to them that first years aren't allowed to browse, correct?"

"Yes, I have, though, the search for knowledge should not be hampered by their year in school. Is there anyway we could go around the rule and allow them access?"

Madam Beech pursed her lips in thought, gazing up at the ceiling. After a moment, she looked back at them. "I believe that they could be allowed to browse, *if* they promise *not* to take any books from the Restricted Section *and* if they *only* use it on the weekends."

"I do think that that sounds reasonable." Professor de Nuit looked at the two first years. "Well, what do you two think?"

"I think it's reasonable as well," Lena said, looking at Tom for his opinion.

"So do I."

"Very well." The Defense against the Dark Arts professor smiled at them then turned to the librarian. "Will they still need a written permission note?"

"No, these two are very memorable. I think I'll remember that I agreed to let them do some browsing."

"May we start now, since it *is* still a holiday," Tom asked.

"I don't see why not, Mr. Riddle." Madam Beech smiled. "Go right ahead. But remember, you need to ask me to get down any of the books you want to look at since they require spells to open, one of our safeguards against anyone stealing them."

"Yes, Madam Beech."

***

To my reviewers -

All reviewers - *huggles*

Liv - I always try really hard to make my stories flow naturally...if they don't seem like something I could actually see happening in real life (the conversations, the poses, the actions, etc.), then I change it...and the progression of Tom's evilness is as I would see it if it were actually happening...I'm glad you still think he's getting eviler...that means a lot to me...it really does...

Sabrina Black Snapeish - sorry nothing really happened...there's not much that's going to really be happening for a while...at least...I don't think there's anything of *major* importance happening in the next chapter or two...well...*thinks*...except that...*grins evilly*...oh...and be nice to Sevvie...

Lady Lestrange - so...are you *the* Lady Lestrange? You know, the one mentioned in the fourth book? If so, what first name do you go by? Anyway...I'm glad you're enjoying it...and don't worry...the Lestranges will get their Dark Marks soon...well, maybe not *that* soon...*counts how many chapters till then* *nods*...yeah...it'll be a while...oh...and you have great stories...though I'll have to wait till I have more time to read your longer stories...

Le Bonbon de Sensuous Severus - you only get a huggle so...*huggle*...and there's a good reason that your e-mail is EMPTY...I've got writer's block...so :-P...and as far ahead as you've read, I think you can wait a little longer...if you can't, well tough! You're not getting them any sooner by whining...thanks for getting Rivan to read my story BTW...

RivanKnight - I think I'm going to have a fight over Sevvie in my reviews if this keeps up...^_^...but I'm glad you like the story thus far...and don't worry, you'll get more...I promise...

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*Dances around*...I love reviews...I love reviews...*giggles insanely*...