A/N: I noticed I made an error in the last chapter. Instead of Hermione, I put "Hm". Please forgive my mistake. Also, I'm terribly sorry there was such a long wait for this chapter. I had writer's block for this story and so filled the time by starting other stories. Ahem, Ahem, please check out my bio, they're all on that page...
Chapter Fifteen
In the weeks following the Quidditch match, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lina worked non-stop in the library. They searched everywhere, but Nicholas Flamel seemed impossible to find. "I know I've seen his name before, I just can't remember where!" said Harry. "Don't beat yourself up, mate." Ron said. "Hey, why don't we go for a walk? Breathing in all this dust can't be good." He eyed the dusty tomes. Hermione gave him a dirty look. He gave her one right back, and it soon became a staring contest. "Ok, guys, I think we do need to take a break." Seeing Hermione about to give her a dirty look as well, Lina added, "Yes, books are healthy, but we've been at it for--" Lina glanced at her watch- "six hours!"
They all replaced the books they'd been searching through, and went out to walk around the lake. A frost had set in afew nights before, and winter was well under way. "A few more weeks till Christmas," remarked Ron. "I love Christmas me self. I mean, presents, food, gifts, meals, what else could you want?" "Not too much else," agreed Lina. She laughed. "What?" asked Hermione. "I just thought that, because time is different in Zell, it's still the human month September." "Really?" asked Hermione fascinated. "I think I read something about that in a book once..." As Hermione talked, Lina winked at Harry and Ron.
Christmas was soon upon them, and Hermione was going home for the holidays. "Why haven't you two packed?" she motioned towards Lina and Ron. "Because Mum and Dad are going to visit Charlie in Romania," said Ron. He moved a piece on his wizard's chessboard. It smashed Harry's king. "Checkmate!" said Ron. "I never even saw that coming!" bemoaned Harry. "That's barbaric. But why aren't you going home?" Hermione asked. "Because my mother is all set to have a ball in my honor. I hate those things. So I'm staying here." She watched as Ron set up the pieces for another game.
"Well, since you're staying here, you can search the library for Nicholas Flamel." "But we've looked everywhere!" Ron said. "Not in the Restricted Section," replied Hermione. She wheeled her trunk out to the Entrance Hall to wait for the train. "We've had a bad influence on her," remarked Harry grimly. Lina laughed as Ron killed Harry's queen and said, "Check."
Christmas day, Lina woke earlier than usual. She cut her weaponry time in half, and entered the boy's dormitories. She jumped up and down on Harry's and then Ron's bed, saying, "It's Christmas! Wake up or I'll steal your presents," which really got them up. "I've got presents?" Harry asked incredulously. "Of course you do! Don't be ridiculous." Lina bounded downstairs with such energy that Ron made a face at her back. "I saw that! I'm fey, remember?" said Lina before tearing open presents. She, Ron and Harry exchanged gifts, and Lina found that she'd gotten a new dagger from her brothers, and a new attachment for her Com. It would allow her to send it commands from a distance. She strapped it on her wrist next to her watch. She also had received from her mother a lace handkerchief, which she tucked inside her robes.
"Who would send you a cloak?" Ron asked, causing Lina to turn around. "Try it on, Harry," she said. Harry covered himself with it, and suddenly—"That's and invisibility cloak!" Ron exclaimed. Harry's body had disappeared.
"They're really rare. Who'd send you one?" "I don't know," said Harry honestly. There was a note, but no name. It just says, 'your father left this in my care, but it's time it was returned to you. Use it well'. What does that mean?"
"It means we've found a way to get into the Restricted Section of the library," said Lina.