E then F then G. My finger skims along the letters until it comes across the M section. The library categories it's books by subject then alphabetizes the authors by their last name. Its collections are extensive and surely the largest in size I have ever seen. I came here today to do some extra background reading on the Magic of Defensive Spells and its Origins; A comprehensive list of spells dated before 1885. Despite it being a book on defensive spells it is currently located in the History section. A section not often visited, most students tend to avoid this section. Even those who enjoy History tend to lose interest in the subject after a few years of listening to Professor Binns drawing on.
Macumber, Mammanor, and ooh finally Marcus for Whitby Marcus the author of the book I've been searching for. His first two books are on the shelf and yet to my surprise, there is a space missing presumably where the book I'm looking for is intended to be located. Before beginning my search for this apparently elusive book, I spoke to Madam Pince and she assured me that the book was not taken out by either student or staff. And yet it is not here. The book is a rare selection with only 17 left in existence after the author tragically killed several wizards and his books were no longer printed in fact most of them were destroyed in the great fire 1943.
Now, where is that missing book? Obviously, a student must have it despite how rare it is for that to occur. Since the book itself is not relevant for any classwork nor would any student wish to read more than is necessary especially a History book. As well as the undeniable fact that it was a Friday late afternoon. Most students would rather be enjoying the last remains of the autumn weather before it turns to winter instead of being inside the library.
And yet I'm clearly mistaken as I take notice of a female student sitting nearly a dozen rows away with numerous books and scroll littering the desk. As I approach closer I happen to note that it is Hermione Granger. One of my third-year students. She seems to be highly intelligent, always handing in outstanding work and always knowing the answers in class. Even answers far above what is expected of her age group. It shouldn't be that much of a surprise to see her here. I do seem to recall Minerva stating she is a bookworm.
"Hello, Hermione do you mind if I have a seat?"
"Of course not professor," she said while looking up at me from her book. "What brings you here today?"
"I came to do a little background reading from this rare book I found referenced but I seem to have stumbled upon a bit of a problem."
"What kind of problem sir?" she asked intrigued.
"It seems to have banished" However you might be of assistance. You wouldn't happen to have with you Magic of Defensive Spells and its Origins-"
"By Whitby Marcus" Hermione finished as she began to dig underneath several large tomes. Then at once revealing an old washed-out white binding glittering with gold letters stating the appropriate title. "Here you go, sir. I didn't mean to delay your endeavour. I was simply referencing it for an essay." she said passing the book across the table to me.
"Ohh no problem at all my dear, I'm not one to get in the way of a reader and their book." a smile upon my face at her enthusiasm. "Might I ask what class you would need this book for?"
With a sheepish slowly creeping up on her face she said: "for yours, it was helping me with the last essay you assigned."
"How in the world did you end up at that conclusion from the last essay I assigned which is to summarize the difference between water grindylows and mermaids and the defensive spells used against them both?" Curious now to what she had to say.
"While I was researching the Confractus Tenaci spell for the grindylows, I saw that it was derived from another spell. So I discovered that the idea was inspired by the Tardius Manu Confractus curse and I wanted to explore the history of how the components were changed from the curse into the spell and why it was changed" I couldn't help but be impressed by her thoroughness and related to her on a subconscious level especially when she said, "I have a tendency to overdo it." A statement I relate to indefinitely.
We continued to discuss the origins of several spells and I couldn't help but test her knowledge of History on various subjects starting with the History of Latin based spells that derived from Greek interpretations to the topic of the History of laws of magical creatures. Safe to say my missing book laid unopened as I gained more knowledge then what I first sought out for.