Chapter 9: Another Cliche-Secret-Entrance

Words: 4,009

Recap: Knowing Professor Heckler's not-so-mysterious pursuit for the Hogwarts Lost Treasure. The small revelation of his notebook gave Severus Clue of what might be the start of a scavenger hunt.

Tonight's detention had involved us in cleaning the 7th floor. And I'm talking about the entire floor, meaning we had to mop, dust, wiped, probably even lick if we have to so we could get the whole place spotless. I knew it was going to be another long night then. James had not even uttered a single complaint like I expected, seemingly used to cleaning the absurd amount of cleaning he had to do. We didn't even need to talk before we began mopping the floor, our movement in sync without a single word or eye contact exchanged.

We were in the middle of dusting off the paintings, ignoring the constant nagging that some of the portraits kept at it on us. My throat was beginning to feel dry, and I looked at the nearest clock that told me it was 10:55. I searched through the inner pocket of my robe and pulled out a small flask, taking a small swig of the pumpkin juice.

I couldn't help but glanced at James, dusting a set of knight armor. Biting my lip in contemplation before sighing out loud enough to make him turn, and offered him a drink. James raised an eyebrow at my uncharacteristic behavior.

"Look, you and me have problems and disagreements, I'm not going to deny that. But I don't want our fight to drag on more than necessary that we can't talk without wanting to punch the other. I'm not above civilized talking and avoiding getting another detention."

"Isn't that what you do in your free time?" he sneered.

"See! That's what I'm talking about. You don't like me. I get it. But you can't even try talking to me like any other person as if you're goading trouble. I don't know about you, James, but I'm not looking forward to another bout of cleaning the castle or for worse punishment." James was silent in which I assumed he was considering my words, as a final nudge, I offered my flask once more and looking at him with a hopeful glint, "So... truce?"

He looked intensely at my face, not saying anything until he yanked the flask out of my hand without breaking eye contact. Sniffing suspiciously of it, "What this supposed to be?"

"A sleeping potion," I rolled my eyes at his suspicious act, "It's just a pumpkin juice, James."

Without another word, he took a swig of the drink.

James smiled, his parch throat feeling satisfied.

The next second, his eyes rolled back to the back of his head and slumped down to the floor, unconscious.

I looked down at his unmoving form, nudging a bit with my feet to make sure he was really out of it. Then I picked him up by the shoulder and searched for the nearest room for me to hide him, preferably a cupboard or a janitor's closet.

To my luck, I caught sight of said closet within sight that I didn't remember was there before but didn't waste time before I was pulling him toward the closer and shoved him inside along with our duster. Then I dashed down the stairs until I reached the Entrance Chamber where Lily and Sev were waiting for me. Sev had his arm crossed, his back rested on the wall in a calm posture, but I noticed his eyes were on alert. Lily was biting her nails and pacing back and forth. Her usual slick raging red hair was slightly disheveled.

"You look like you've been swarmed by pixies."

Lily jumped at my voice and turned to me, her face was obviously nervous, "Thanks, it's not every day that I'm acutely aware of breaking the rules."

"You weren't this anxious the last time we went out."

"Well, last time I was too busy worrying about Sev and how to bring him back while running around from possessed sleep-zombies."

Sev couldn't help the grin he let out, "You were worried about me?"

Lily glared at him, "That's what you focus on?" she shook her head and looked back at me, "By the way, did it work?"

"I'm here, aren't I? Got to say, Sev, it's a good thing you brought this flask." I played around the flask I had in hand that could store two types of drink with a flip of a switch near its lip. Inside was a pumpkin juice and a pumpkin juice laced with sleeping potion.

"Can't deny my old drunk dad doesn't have his uses. I didn't even realize I had even packed it. He must have accidentally put it among my baggages."

"So Sev, what exactly do you have in mind?"

He smirked and gestured us to the entrance door, Lily and me both turned and noticed the giant gold statue standing on the side. The statue was holding a model of Hogwarts on one of his wrinkly old hands, and a scroll in the other. Whoever the sculptor was a really a good one because after having a real good look, you would notice the meticulous pattern of his turban and robes that flow naturally down his body, the wrinkled flap of his skin that married his old face, and the intelligent yet curious eyes, looking like he dared anyone to challenge him.

Lily glanced confusingly between Sev and the statue, "The Architect? What about him?"

I looked confusedly for a whole different reason though, "Architect?" my tone evident how lost I was at its significance.

Sev sighed exasperatedly, "Really Percy, don't you know about The Architect? He was the one who designed the Hogwarts Castle alongside Rowena Ravenclaw. No one knows who he was, but he is marked as a genius among genius to design the most complicated building of the 10th century with secrets that stayed for centuries."

While Sev gushed at the statue like a fanboy and I couldn't help thinking of Annabeth and how she might share his sentiment, if not more so. Then the squint I had turned into a glare toward the statue, "So what you're saying is that he's the one responsible for the overly confusing moving stairs that kept tripping us?"

"That…" Sev was left with no words in response to that as he did not know what to say at that revelation. Lily followed my lead, and glared daggers to the unmoving figure. "You know, even knowing as just a statue, I respected him and all until you just made me held a grudge on him."

Sev slapped his palm to his forehead, looking on us two glaring at the statue as if that might send out our distaste for his design to the graves beyond after thinking that Moving Stairs would be a good idea for him to make.

"So, who is he?"

"As I said, he's The Architect."

"Yeah, but what's his name. Don't tell me his name is literally The Architect."

Sev scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous, who in the right mind would even name someone in their profession. Imagine someone who named themselves Master or Doctor, how ridiculous would that be?"

Imagine indeed. Now that Sev mentioned it, it's not every day you get to watch a Classic Who on TV. Better put that in my bucket list.

"No, the only reason he's called that is because he's even more mysterious than the founders. No one even got to find out who his name even was. The only prove he was even real is this statue here and his handwriting below the statue that had his signature."

I looked down, and surely there was a carved written stone below the statue. I looked closer upon it, my nifty pair of round glasses helped covered my dyslexia to read it perfectly.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Is build upon the effort of the Four Founders;

Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw

In the hopes for a better future for the wizarding world

Highlands, Scotland July 30th 993

The Architect

A.S.

A.S.

Aaron Swagger

"Oh my God!" Lily exclaimed as she realized the weight of the name she had read.

"So, do you think Professor Heckler found out his name?"

"If we believe that the notes on his book to be true, then yes."

"Okay, so we know his name now. What's that supposed to mean then?"

"I've always wondered why we don't know The Architect's name. Since there has to be a reason for someone's name to be erased from history." Severus pulled out his wand and pointed it at the statue, "and the only thing I could currently think of is this; Apertumin nomine Aaron Swagger!"

The sound of gear turning followed by a clicking sound before the golden statue shifted and made a loud creaked as it loved, Lily quickly used a silencing charm so we wouldn't wake up the whole school until it revealed an entrance. Cold wind burst through from it that sent shivers, followed by a wailing sound from the hollow dark corridor with nothing to shed light on its depths.

The three of us exchanged looks, silently confiming each other's thoughts before proceeding through the entrance as if one of the mainstream points in horror movies before everything goes wrong, but I'm still being optimistic in all this. It turned out at the end of the hallways had led us to a spiral staircase, revealing it to be from what I could tell was a tower.

"A secret entrance to an unknown tower, can't get cliche than that anymore."

"It's a millennia-old castle Percy, it'd be weirder if things weren't cliche," Sev reasoned.

We finally found the first door on sight, and we didn't need prompting to check out the inside, and I have to be honest here. I was a bit disappointed with what I find.

My imaginations came up a lot of wild conjecture, but looking at what was obviously a bedroom made me slightly deflated. A queen-size bed at the corner, the walls had gray pictures from thick dust covering it, the same could be said to the window that shed the dim light of the moon, on the other side was a desk beside a tall shelf.

"So it's a bedroom, and I was half expecting this was where Gryffindor's hidden treasure laid. I guess that would be too easy," I commented, my eyes glazing over the dust that swept the air beneath the moonlight from every stride I took.

"That begs the question of why they would need to hide an entire tower that seemed to be a room quarter."

"That's a good point," Sev shared his sentiment. His eyes were boring through the room, his gaze analyzing any minute detail of it, and his brows frown in concentration. If I didn't know any better, I would say he was trying to use some kind of X-ray vision.

His pale hands slide the desk, marking the dust surface. Not at all perturbed getting his hands dirty. Then he switched his attention to the shelves next to it that kept potted plants that had long been wilted and dry, dirty colored white plates and cups decorated the hollow space that was now filled with cobwebs.

A shrieked made us jumped and whipped our heads to find Lily skirting away from a pair of giant rats that hurried past her legs and out the room. She almost fell on her back if my reflex didn't work fast enough to hold her up. "Careful," I warned her softly next to her ear.

Lily shivered, said her thanks before shifting and looking away.

There wasn't anything much here that was notable, and Lily was all too eager to get out the rat-infested den—holding close to either me or Sev from any other unpleasant surprise that might jump out at any moment. Sev lingered at the door for a few seconds longer before moving on further up the staircase together.

Every time we came upon a door, we couldn't help but peek inside (the bedrooms seemed to be the only rooms we come across so far), each was unique in their own way. The second bedroom we come across had charged map of England and the constellation, a telescope by the balcony window, and a shelved filled with books that hit the ceiling. The third had a moderate amount of books that concerned mostly about the Dark Arts, dusted jaw filled with rotted animals or potions, along with other creepy tools on sight that you would think a supernatural fanatic would have. The last bedroom we came across at the top floor was one where weapons were used as ornaments on the wall alongside the head of various animals like a boar, deer, and lion. Then there was the series of Beast heads like a giant spider's head.

"Great, so it's a bedroom tower," I drawled.

"Don't talk silly, Percy, we haven't even checked the rest of the Tower yet, right Sev?" she glanced at Sev and paused when she watched his expression, "Severus?"

I swear I saw the very moment dawning comprehension hit him. His jaw dropped, his droopy eyes full and round, and if I ghost wasn't such a daily occurrence in Hogwarts, I would say he had just seen one. I was about to call out his name and snapped him out from whatever his mind palace cooked up, but then he whipped his head with a smile. No, that was an understatement, Sev barely smiled, most of the time he smirked so seeing him with a wide toothy grin, looking like a proper child that just got his Christmas present put the two of us in a mixed sense of awed surprise and a bit of fear anticipation. Because as much as I hate to admit it when Sev smiled, it usually invites trouble or a solution. Hopefully, this is the latter.

"I know where we are," he almost exclaimed if not realizing midway that his voice would have echoed the empty room.

"Hadn't we established it's a bedroom tower? Though the size makes it more of a bed-chamber than a room."

"Not a bedroom tower Percy. The bedroom tower. Heck, that name doesn't even signify just how historically important this whole place is. Most people would pay galleons just to get a glimpse and a proper sweep of this place."

"Okay, you've got me hook, Sev. What exactly is this place?"

Sev kept his smile in place as he properly turned to look at us both, "The Founders Tower."

I choked at my own air and gestured toward the whole room, "Wait...so this is…" Sev nodded, "And we are…" he nodded again, "Wow, I did not expect that."

"I think it's safe to say none of us did," Lily shared her mind, "Then does this mean this room belongs to-"

"From the faded color scheme, the tools left, and the letter G carved on the door, I would say it's most likely was Godric's bed-chamber."

"But being the Founder's Tower, shouldn't there be more than just bedrooms?"

"Let's find out."

And we did, climbing further up until we came upon an opening to a darker and larger hallway that turned out to be a bit of a maze. Using our wand to brighten our way as we took random turns until we stopped to check upon rooms like the Duel Room, a small library (I had to pull Sev from that one), or where Sev immediately became invested when we chanced upon the Study Room. He was determined to find any clues here.

"How are you sure there are any here?"

"Because if you noticed the lack of dust here, then you'll know it is the most recent place someone had put a foot in, so there must be something worthwhile here."

"Ho ho, aren't you a smart brat, I'm surprised you're from the house of that Snake Bastard instead of Rowena's."

The sudden voice of a stranger made us jumped, simultaneously turned with our wands up. The heightened beat of my heart slowed when the voice came not from a man...well, not exactly.

We came face to face with a portrait of a familiar man. With wild brown beard and bushy brown hair, brown gloved hand holding on to a silver sword, he was big, either from fat or muscle. I couldn't really tell from beneath his red linen robe with proud stand, his face was fierce, but his eyes showed a humorous intelligent.

Even when I hadn't seen his face numerous times in textbooks I rarely opened, I knew from my gut that I was looking at Godric Gryffindor... well, he's portrait self at least.

Lily was the first one to gasp, her hand closing to her mouth, "You're-"

"Godric Gryffindor, at your service," he said with a booming voice, and his head tucked to a bow in greeting. "Now, what's a group of whippersnapper like you three doing in my tower?"

"Yours?" Sev skeptically pointed out.

"Mine-ours-same difference. Not like there's anyone alive to live in this place. Point is, people aren't supposed to find out about this place and that Ugly Mug was already bad enough."

We all exchanged glances, knowing who is most likely to be the "Ugly Mug."

"What are you three sneaking glances about? If you have anything to say, then spit it out!" he almost spatted.

"Uuuh," his demanding tone got us all tongue-tied, but I was more confused at what to ask then being intimidated. Inwardly I was impressed that 'Godric' managed to send out a powerful aura from his words that only leaders would make when I've only been looking at a painting. "We were just wandering in this fine tower and-"

"Do I look like I'm blind? This tower hasn't been fine for 800 years, so stop wasting time and spit it out. You're embarrassing yourself."

"Fine, what do you know about the lost treasure inside Hogwarts in your hidden chamber?"

That got his muscle to tense, his demeanor froze. For a second, I thought I managed to brake him and turn him into a regular portrait. But then he dropped his silver sword and picked up a guitar from the shelf behind, strummed it a few times as he tried to turn it right and... what?

We were rendered speechless from his strange act, but even more so when he started-and I kid you not-singing.

Was he any good?

'O ye long hard-fought seekers

Come clean your waxy ears

For what you find will leave you bind

From the shed blood and fears

In four corners of Hogwarts

Hidden from your nosy nose

Keys that denies you the door

To have old secret expose'

Yeah, not so much.

'Gray-haired or youngish

No riches is ever out of reach

All you need are pair of eyes

To look up the place I stand

Heed my line, not lime

And ignore my rusty shibboleth

Let your wit guide you

Do your best or die horrible death.'

I glanced at the others to see if they were just as disturbed as I am but found that my two friends were looking at him with apparent excitement in their eyes, "Percy, do you know what this means?" Sev voiced out.

"That Gryffindor is a terrible singer?" I winced as I shake out the memory of that out of tune note from my head. I wouldn't even be surprised he was the one responsible for the horrid Hogwarts Song.

Sev rolled his eyes, "True but not the point. It means that the Lost Treasure of Gryffindor is real. Hiding somewhere inside this castle at this very moment."

I shrugged, "Doesn't change anything, I mean... the only difference is we just confirm that it's real."

Lily nudged me with her elbow, playfully, "Oh, don't be a party pooper, Percy, that's Severus's job."

"That's righ- Hey!"

Lily just smiled innocently back at him, and I laughed, "She got you there, Sevvy."

Sev punched my arm for that, it barely tickles, and he knew how annoyed how unaffected I was by it, "How many times have I told you not to call me that?"

"As many as I've said it."

"So!" Lily raised her voice to get us back on track, "Where do we go from here? Gryffindor is essentially saying his key would be where he stood, and we want to search for the three other keys in three different places of Hogwarts."

"What does he mean by that? The first key is found where 'I stand.' What does he mean where he stands? Any idea, Sev?"

"How should I know? I don't always have the answer, Percy," Sev snapped at me. There was a bit more frustration in his tone, and I raised my hand in surrender to calm him.

"Calm down, Severus. I didn't mean to push you like that."

He exhaled a sigh, and I saw his shoulder sagged, "Sorry, it's just... it's nothing. I'm probably just tired. It's already way past midnight."

Lily stood beside him and squeezed his shoulder, "Then I think we should cut this excursion short." She looked back at the painting, "Mister Gryffindor, do you have anything else that might help us in our search for your lost treasure?"

Gryffindor that had been silent only shrugged in response, "Not much I could say, that's the only thing I was supposed to say concerning my-I mean, Godric's treasure. Everything else, you'll have to figure that yourself."

Lily nodded and smiled gratefully, "Thank you. Come on, guys. I think it's time we go back."

We walked toward the door, but my legs stopped short and let the others walked past me and leave me behind without them realizing. I looked back at the room. Dust was flying, dark and damp, the smell of old books, the hollow wind whistle that made the room colder and so, so alone. My silence somehow made Godric bristled and glared, "What have I told you? If you're a true Hogwart Student, then don't hold back your own mind!" He barked out.

With that prompt, I couldn't keep it to myself, "Do you want to get out?" I finally asked.

"What?" he asked, his confusion evident.

I bit my lip, thinking my idea was a bit weird since I was sympathizing with a painting. A life-like painting yeah, but I couldn't help but ask anyway, "The tower, you don't even seem to have other paintings to talk with and being alone in this dingy old room, don't you at least want to be with the other paintings just to keep you company?"

My words seemed to genuinely surprise him from the stunned look he gave me before blowing out a peal of hard, joyful laughter, "You're obviously not a Pureblood then. They don't say something that stupid."

"Hey, no need for the insult."

"Kid, I can't get lonely because I'm not human. I may look like it, but that's because I'm only acting of what the real Godric's like. His imprint if you call it, but I don't feel anything, much less feeling lonely." 'Godric' seemed to mule over his words and chuckled, "Now that I think about it, I'm not that different to a ghost, but even they're more human than I am because they actually feel something."

"Wouldn't that mean the real Godric would have wanted to see what the future of his school is like rather than stuck alone here?"

Godric blinked for a few moments, looking stunned before bellowing another round of laughter, even louder than before. At least he didn't deny it, that's as good as a yes to me, "Cheeky little brat you are," he found himself saying.

I couldn't help but gave him a cheeky smile in return, "I try."

"Percy!" I heard Sev yelling from across the hall, "What are you waiting for?

I rushed out from the room, but not before I shot one last glanced back, "See ya around Gryffindor," I promised him.

AN: Sorry for the delay. I forgot to tell you it was nearing exam week and the one week delay became a bit longer than that.

So, the plot has finally picked up a notched. Please R&R I always await your opinion. :)