A/N: Sorry about any false hopes that were created earlier. My beta reader
was trying to figure out how to write italics before I could post this
chapter. I wouldn't have been able to do so myself. I'm a dunce at
computers. Also, much thanks to Jwaits for her help with the formating. So,
without further ado, here is the real chapter 5.
Being Head Girl had its perks. They didn't often outweigh the extra work and responsibilities, but at times, Hermione was grateful for the position. Her own room complete with wards, for example, was one of those perks. And she had never been happier about the privacy than now. After all, it would be a strange sight indeed if someone were to walk in while she was "pretending" to read. Her reputation for acting weird would go through the roof.
She walked into the carpeted parlor, and heaved a sigh of relief at finally reaching safe haven. No matter how much time she spent in them, the rooms always gave her some kind of comfort. They were opulent almost to extremity, but she was partial to crimson and gold. A Slytherin, on the other hand, might've had a few complaints to lodge.
She hung her robes on the knob next to the door. They were only required in the hallways and classrooms, thankfully. Although she didn't mind wearing them normally, the extra weight tended to distract her while studying.
The fireplace roared, lit by the password in case she would forget otherwise. A wave of her wand combined with a small incantation and her rooms were filled with soft classical music. Background noise often helped her concentrate on work. She'd grown accustomed to blocking it out with a part of her mind while rooming with Lavender and Parvati, and that part tended to protest if it wasn't kept occupied. Besides, a Muggle experiment had proven that listening to classical music helped improve the mind. Hermione smirked and wondered what the results would've been if the study had been on teenage girl conversations. At times, she had almost felt herself becoming stupider by the second.
Crossing the living room, she entered the bedroom. She kicked off the uniform shoes and slid her feet into the pre-warmed slippers by her bed. Then, setting the potions text deep in the back of the borrowed books shelf in case anyone should visit, she shook her head at her own stupidity. Love potions? What had she been thinking? Apparently not much, distracted as she had been by the prospect of the new book. Well, it was as good a cover as any, not as though she had needed one, it seemed. The book appeared to have a protection on it that limited who could see and feel it. That explained why Madam Pince had not noticed the shelving mistake or the fact that Hermione had taken it. The spells placed on the book must have been powerful indeed; they had also slipped through the library wards that prohibited any text from leaving the premises without being checked out.
Hermione placed the book in question on the desk beside her bed and studied it. Again, the title swam before her eyes. She hoped fervently that the writing inside was different, or she'd be unable to stand it for more than an hour. Besides, her parents wouldn't be happy if she needed corrective lenses.
Hands shaking slightly, she opened the book.
Both disappointment and elation raced through her when she saw it was ordinary inside. Yellowed parchment that was rough and unpleasant compared to the cover met her hands.
There was an inscription on the front page.
IThe Invisible Book of Invisibility: Special Edition./I
Her eyes widened a bit at that but she read on.
IThe teachers quizzed, their pupils replied.
Rote assignments were given, rote learning applied.
But old ways disappear when met by new tasks.
Knowledge isn't knowing the answer, but knowing the question to ask./I
She turned the page. It was blank.
A/N: Sorry it took me so much time to write this. I also apologize for its length; I am simply incapable of writing long chapters. Plus, cliffhangers are very tempting and easy to write, unfortunately. My terrific beta reader is on my case about it, but it's still hard for me. For all those who are impatient for me to continue, please review. I have a few ideas but like early spring flowers, they tend to bloom slowly unless helped along. Heck, I'd even take flamers.
Being Head Girl had its perks. They didn't often outweigh the extra work and responsibilities, but at times, Hermione was grateful for the position. Her own room complete with wards, for example, was one of those perks. And she had never been happier about the privacy than now. After all, it would be a strange sight indeed if someone were to walk in while she was "pretending" to read. Her reputation for acting weird would go through the roof.
She walked into the carpeted parlor, and heaved a sigh of relief at finally reaching safe haven. No matter how much time she spent in them, the rooms always gave her some kind of comfort. They were opulent almost to extremity, but she was partial to crimson and gold. A Slytherin, on the other hand, might've had a few complaints to lodge.
She hung her robes on the knob next to the door. They were only required in the hallways and classrooms, thankfully. Although she didn't mind wearing them normally, the extra weight tended to distract her while studying.
The fireplace roared, lit by the password in case she would forget otherwise. A wave of her wand combined with a small incantation and her rooms were filled with soft classical music. Background noise often helped her concentrate on work. She'd grown accustomed to blocking it out with a part of her mind while rooming with Lavender and Parvati, and that part tended to protest if it wasn't kept occupied. Besides, a Muggle experiment had proven that listening to classical music helped improve the mind. Hermione smirked and wondered what the results would've been if the study had been on teenage girl conversations. At times, she had almost felt herself becoming stupider by the second.
Crossing the living room, she entered the bedroom. She kicked off the uniform shoes and slid her feet into the pre-warmed slippers by her bed. Then, setting the potions text deep in the back of the borrowed books shelf in case anyone should visit, she shook her head at her own stupidity. Love potions? What had she been thinking? Apparently not much, distracted as she had been by the prospect of the new book. Well, it was as good a cover as any, not as though she had needed one, it seemed. The book appeared to have a protection on it that limited who could see and feel it. That explained why Madam Pince had not noticed the shelving mistake or the fact that Hermione had taken it. The spells placed on the book must have been powerful indeed; they had also slipped through the library wards that prohibited any text from leaving the premises without being checked out.
Hermione placed the book in question on the desk beside her bed and studied it. Again, the title swam before her eyes. She hoped fervently that the writing inside was different, or she'd be unable to stand it for more than an hour. Besides, her parents wouldn't be happy if she needed corrective lenses.
Hands shaking slightly, she opened the book.
Both disappointment and elation raced through her when she saw it was ordinary inside. Yellowed parchment that was rough and unpleasant compared to the cover met her hands.
There was an inscription on the front page.
IThe Invisible Book of Invisibility: Special Edition./I
Her eyes widened a bit at that but she read on.
IThe teachers quizzed, their pupils replied.
Rote assignments were given, rote learning applied.
But old ways disappear when met by new tasks.
Knowledge isn't knowing the answer, but knowing the question to ask./I
She turned the page. It was blank.
A/N: Sorry it took me so much time to write this. I also apologize for its length; I am simply incapable of writing long chapters. Plus, cliffhangers are very tempting and easy to write, unfortunately. My terrific beta reader is on my case about it, but it's still hard for me. For all those who are impatient for me to continue, please review. I have a few ideas but like early spring flowers, they tend to bloom slowly unless helped along. Heck, I'd even take flamers.