Chapter 3
Narrelle was relieved when the weekend started. She, Evelyn, Alianora, Heather, Ellouise and Olive went down the marble stairs to the front gates. There the stagecoaches were back and waiting. They piled into one and sat chatting excitedly as they began to trundle off to Hogsmead. Narrelle and Ellouise had been overjoyed when their Ancient Runes teacher, Madame Morganna West, had announced that they would have no lessons on Saturday the 7th, as it was the first trip of the year. The classroom had filled with despairing calls of her name when she had also announced that this would only be for one weekend and that lessons would resume after that. It wasn't often that a teacher was called by their first name by students, but Morganna West preferred it. She seemed to think it had a better ring to it when combined with Madame. "But Madame Morganna, that's not fair," the whole class had chanted.
Ellouise and Narrelle had recovered from this blow quickly and were determined to make the most of the weekend they had.
The coaches jolted to a standstill at the edge of the town. The students piled out and spread out down the small streets. Everyone was chatting and giggling loudly and the atmosphere was light. Narrelle spotted Tom and his friends by The Three Broomsticks but decided to join them later.
Ellouise stopped and pulled Narrelle back from the others. "We have to make a plan," She said in a whisper so as not to be over heard.
"What? A plan for what?" Narrelle whispered back.
"So we can come here next weekend, silly. We have to I mean come on do you really want to miss out on all of this." She gestured at the many shops and streets.
Narrelle shook her head. She didn't want to miss out but she also didn't see how they were going to get away with it. There were teachers here too after all.
"Look all we need is a distraction in class, say you're ill and need taking to the hospital wing and that you need me to come too or something."
"Why do I have to be the one who's ill? And what's made me ill? Madame Morganna's not stupid."
"Ok then I know, We have potions last thing on Friday all we have to do is get our potion wrong and drink it. Then we'll ill for real, Madame Hern will cure us but we pretend we're still ill. Then we sneak off to Hogsmead."
Narrelle didn't like the sound of this, "Right and how do we get here? Walk? And what if we get caught? Surely the teachers will know we're supposed to be in lessons?" She looked around her. The others were disappearing into Honedukes and Narrelle wished she were with them.
"No, don't be stupid, we fly of course. There aren't many muggle villages in this area otherwise they'd keep running into Hogwarts wouldn't they? So it's got to be safe, and, if we get caught, Professor Lynch will understand. We won't get punished, you know we won't."
Narrelle bit her lip in thought, it might just work, so much could go wrong but Ellouise was right they wouldn't get into much trouble. Lynch was always a little more lenient with his own students than with those from other houses. The worst that would happen would be points taken and possibly detention, but they wouldn't get suspended or expelled.
"I don't like the sound of making ourselves ill though," she said at last. "So much can go wrong in potions, we don't want to kill ourselves."
"Oh for heavens sake don't be so pathetic, besides we're doing revision at the moment. We're not going to miss anything important."
An idea struck Narrelle: what if they made themselves invisible? Then they wouldn't need to fly; they could just hitch a ride on the back of one of the coaches. "I know what to do, just leave it to me. This will work, I swear, and we won't get caught!" She said excitedly. Narrelle moved towards Ellouise and whispered in her ear. Ellouise smiled.
"That's brilliant," she said in a high pitched voice, "come on, let's join the others." They hurried off into the crowd; neither of them noticed Tom Riddle standing nearby or the look of admiration on his face. Narrelle is a clever witch, he thought to himself, if she can pull that off then she's worthy of my attention. He smiled and walked in the opposite direction, to where Algernon was waiting.
Narrelle stepped into the three broomsticks having been dragged into every shop in the town by her friends. Spotting Ella and Val at a corner table she made her way through the crowd. Slumping onto an empty seat she nodded to each of them.
"Where are the boys", she questioned glancing over to the bar.
"We have no idea, they gave us the slip almost as soon as we got here", Valetta smiled as she replied. "They're probably around somewhere plotting or something, you know how they are".
Narrelle smiled but felt disappointed that she couldn't show Tom all the things she'd bought. "What's that you're drinking?" Narrelle peered at the clear liquid in their glasses.
"Hush Nell, don't draw attention to us!" Ella said quickly. "It's Vodka."
"Vodka!" Narrelle whispered in surprise, "But isn't that alcoholic?"
"Yes silly, now hush and try a bit" Valetta giggled and slid the glass towards her.
"How did you get it?" Taking the glass she sipped and almost spat it out again as it burned her mouth and throat as she swallowed. "Yuck" She coughed as the other two collapsed into giggles again. "Have you been drinking that all day?"
"Not all day" Elladora hiccuped. Leaning across the table she pulled Narrelle close, draping an arm over her shoulders, and made her look over at the bar, "You see the young bar man there? He served us! He didn't even ask questions!"
Narrelle took the glass again and this time found it easier to drink. "It doesn't taste too good does it?"
"No not really but you hardly notice once you've " Elladora paused and hiccuped again "Had a few sips" She finished.
Narrelle laughed and took a bigger mouthful. "You two really amaze me. I could never get away with this sort of thing."
"It's easy really, just bat you're eye lids and look pretty. Go on, you have a go, we need re-fills." Valetta nudged her and passed her a galleon, "Go on you can do it. Just make sure you get served by the young one".
Feeling rather tipsy an hour later Narrelle wobbled out onto the street and found herself bumping into a Slytherin boy.
"Hello," she slurred.
"Narrelle!" Dominus Everton exclaimed in surprise, "How have you been? I haven't seen you since the start of term".
"I know, I'm sorry I've been really really busy." She giggled and lent against him.
"I think you should sit down," he pulled her over to a bench and she plopped down beside him.
"Narrelle are you ok?"
"Yes, never better," She giggled.
"Where's Tom?" He asked glancing around, remembering they're last encounter. "You two are always glued to the hip out of classes."
"You know, I have no idea." She frowned, where was Tom?
Tom had met up with Algernon and Folgrum outside Honeydukes. It hadn't been hard to slip past the busy shopkeepers and down into the cellar. It took them all of sixty seconds to get down into the secret passage and a further ten minutes to tare along and back up to Hogwarts.
Algernon peeked out from behind the statue and beckoned for the others to follow. Tom led them to the second floor and stopped outside the girl's bathroom.
"Right you know what to do. Stay here and keep guard, remember as soon as you hear me return to the bathroom I'll call out and you must put on these," he handed each of them a black strip of fabric. They nodded at him and he pushed open the door. Quickly checking there was no one around he darted over to the sinks. Everyone should either be in the common rooms about now or in Hogsmead. Still he had to work fast. This had to be it. He had searched for this, the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, for the last five years and he was sure he was the one to open it. The witch in Knockturn Alley had said so and the book on family trees also matched up. He was the heir to Slytherin and only he could continue his work. Grindelwald maybe doing a fine job of annihilating mudbloods and muggles alike in Germany but what lay within the Chamber would prove by far more shocking and devastating than even he could accomplish. Attacking the so-called innocent and young from within the one place their families thought them safe!
"Open" he muttered staring fixedly at the tap on the middle sink, but words did not come from his mouth, instead a gentle hissing began. His heart beat faster and he jumped back a step as the white ceramic basin seemed to melt and twist before his eyes. Moments later it expanded like a giant mouth into a circular dark hole in the wall.
"Yes" He laughed, his voice becoming human again. "Yes, this is it". Before going any further he performed a quick spell aimed at his eyes. Shaking his head and blinking to stop the stinging he rested his hand against the sink next to the void and peered inside. The tunnel was almost high enough to stand up in. Taking a deep breath he edged his way inside, reaching inside his robes for his wand. The walls were damp and cold and the air tasted of decay, he realised too late that it had began to slope down and his feet slid from under him as he plummeted through the darkness.
Landing with a thud that knocked the breath from him he sat in the filth that was littered all around. "There has got to be an easier way," he wheezed to himself. Pulling himself to his feet he lit his wand "Lumos."
With the dim light it provided he could make out the walls of what appeared to be a network of larger tunnels leading from the one he had entered by. It was so dark however that he could not see the roof, walking forward with a hand outstretched in front of him, he headed for the one directly opposite.
His excitement mounted as he darted forward and made his way along, slipping occasionally in the small stream of dirty water. It was not long before he reached a set of cracked stairs leading down to an arched doorway. Around the edge snakes had been carved each eating the tail of the one in front to make a continuous line.
Tom grinned to himself, he was close he could feel it. He trotted down the steps and through into a chamber larger than the Great Hall! The sculptures that felt small in comparison to the impressive chamber were in fact larger than any of those found elsewhere in Hogwarts. Salazar Slytherin had included an astounding amount of detail. Tom's footsteps echoed as he slowed to a shuffling walk. He stood spellbound for several moments soaking up the atmosphere. This was perfect. He had been hoping for something like this, something on such a massive and intimidating scale. His glee swelled and he could not suppress a laugh as he virtually ran to far end to the colossus sculpture of Salazar himself carved straight into the chamber wall.
"Come forth under my command great basilisk for I am you're new master and have been sent to set you free once again," he hissed confidently, glad he had thought to practice before. He raised his hands and waited patently as Salazar's mouth open wide and a great serpent slithered out. It glared at Tom so small beneath its towered head as it raised its self and opened its mouth wide to show two sets of long pearly fangs.
"Who are you" It hissed drawing out the syllables and extending the words so they were only just distinguishable. Tom had no difficulty in understanding. With the hisses that only he and a select few could understand came a strong feeling of hatred and disgust at being addressed by such a small being.
"I am Lord Voldemort and you will obey me," Tom hissed loudly as though he was shouting.
"Why should I obey you? You can not even look at me," it hissed back slightly amused.
Tom bit his lip and prayed his spell would hold. He snapped his head up, opened his eyes wide trying not to blink so as to show the whites and stared straight into the yellow eyes of the serpent.
Seeming rather taken aback the basilisk slowly lowered its self to ground level and gave signs of submission.
"Kill, blood". It hissed so low that Tom almost missed its words. He smiled wide at the basilisk, relief flooding every bone in his body, before walking right up to it.
"Yes, kill is what you shall do, but only those I allow you to. I choose whom, when and where," he ordered as he climbed carefully onto its back it rose again and headed out of the chamber and towards the girl's bathroom. Both of them shared the emotion of elation and anticipation.
After the sun began to set, the students reluctantly returned to the coaches. The trip home seemed to take much longer than the one there. Everyone was tired but hardly anyone was hungry. Honeydukes had had to restock its shelves of Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Pepper Imps and many other delicious treats at least three times. Narrelle still had a few Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans left and offered them to her friends. They all shook their heads. Everyone else had eaten all they could. Now their bags were full of sweets and gifts, of books and tricks instead of money and no one felt like talking. They had all shopped till they dropped.
Having sobered up after Dominus had mentioned Tom she had thanked him for taking care of her and gone in search of him. Instead she had found Evelyn and the others and had had to return to the coaches with them.
As Narrelle climbed the stairs in the Great Hall she suddenly remembered she had not handed in her Herbology Homework. It was already three days late and she had promised to give it in before she left for Hogsmead.
"I'll catch you up" She told the others as she hurried back down the stairs and along the cold stone corridor to Professor Bloomsberry's Office.
She skidded round a corner and collided with something low on the floor. It yelped as she flew over the top of it and landed hard.
"Oouuch," she screamed as she felt her wrist sprain as it twisted. The thing she had fallen over was growling at her and coming closer.
"Walter no," said a deep voice from behind Narrelle. Struggling to her feet Narrelle looked up into the eyes of a large Hufflepuff boy. He walked past her and scooped what seemed to be a medium sized scruffy grey and black dog into his arms "Sorry 'bout that" He said stroking the creature behind the ears. It sat comfortably in his large arms.
"Hagrid what do you think your doing, dogs aren't allowed at school," Narrelle said crossly holding her injured wrist.
"He's no' a dog" He said gruffly before striding past Narrelle. Rubeus Hagrid was a third year and people suspected he was half-giant due to his size.
Narrelle gaped at him realizing what the creature was. "Werewolves are not pets Hagrid, not even the cubs. They're wild and vicious" She called after him "I'm going to tell on you, that thing could have bitten me and what do you do? Stroke it as if it's a tame dog. You're crazy". She was shouting now. How could he? That thing could have ruined her life. If she'd been bitten she could have died.
She picked up her bag and ran back the way she had come. Her homework could wait, first she was going to see Professor Lynch.
Narrelle skidded down the corridor leading to the dungeons. She did not get far however as the sight in front of her made her stop dead. One hundred yards ahead lay a body. Narrelle stood gasping for breath, shocked at what she saw. She stepped closer trying to recognize the person. It was Donald who had sat near her on the day of her history test. He appeared to be frozen. She looked around trying to spot the person who had done this but there was no one.
"I shall find help," She said more to herself than to the boy for she was uncertain as to whether he was dead. Stepping round the boy she hurried down the steps towards Lynch's office.
"Sir, Sir" She said as she burst through the door, "Sir I have found someone, I think he might be dead Sir"
Lynch stood up from behind his desk. He moved round it in one swift movement. "Where?" He said coldly.
Narrelle pointed and beckoned for him to follow. She scrambled back up the stairs to the hall where she had left the boy. Hoping he would not be there still, she stopped and gestured to Lynch to move ahead for himself. She followed, silently hoping. She opened her eyes and met disappointment. He was still there, her prayers had not been answered.
"Miss Taylor, you are to fetch Professor Dippit immediately," he looked up from where he was crouched, "Don't stare girl, go."
Narrelle fled towards the headmaster's office. She reached a statue of an ugly gargoyle and stopped. "Pure gold" She muttered. The statue appeared to jump out of the way revealing a door. Entering quickly she headed up the stairs before her and ran down the short passage towards the great oak doors and knocked lightly.
"Enter," came the pompous voice of Armando Dippit from behind the door.
Gingerly Narrelle pushed open the door. Inside she saw the Professor sitting behind his large desk. The room was almost bare except for the moving pictures of previous headmasters on the circular walls. "Sir, sorry to disturb you but there's been an attack".
Just as Professor Lynch had, Professor Dippit rose and was at Narrelle's side in an instant "Show me where" He said in a commanding voice that shook slightly.
By now most of the school had heard of the attack and a large crowd was gathering around the body.
"Move a side everyone" Professor Dippit commanded. He pushed past the students to the side of the boy. His eyes widened in what Narrelle suspected was fear. He looked at Lynch who was looking grimmer than usual. "Find out what you can." He muttered quietly, trying not to include the whole school. He magicked the boy on to a stretcher and floated him up to the hospital wing.
"Prefects" Lynch barked making Narrelle jump. The whispering crowd became silent. Narrelle saw Tom step forward along with two others from each house. "Take your houses back to their Common Rooms, this is not entertainment". Narrelle moved towards Tom to follow him back but Lynch stopped her. He held her arm lightly. "You are to come with me Miss Taylor".
Narrelle glanced back at Tom who was watching them; she gave him a pleading look. Tom turned to Algernon who stood beside him and spoke to him. She knew Elladora wouldn't be happy if Tom left her on her own to take the Slytherins back but at that moment she didn't care. She needed Tom with her for support. She knew why she was being led away; she was a suspect after all.
Lynch heard Tom's foot steps on the stairs as he and Narrelle reached the bottom. "Mr Riddle," Tom gritted his teeth at the use of his muggle surname. "I asked you to return our house to the dormitories" He said a touch of annoyance showing in his tone.
"You did Sir but Narrelle should have someone with her. She needs some support," Tom said stopping on the last stair.
Lynch gave a sigh, the fight had gone out of him. Narrelle looked at him in surprise.
"Alright," he said and continued down the passageway to his office.
Tom smiled at Narrelle and followed him in. They both sat as did Lynch. He lent forward, his elbows resting on his desk, his hands linked under his chin.
"Miss Taylor I have to ask you a few questions. Where were you going? You should have gone down to the dormitories with the rest of your housemates when you returned from Hogsmead, Why didn't you?"
Narrelle couldn't look into those piercing eyes. "I…I," she began. Tom gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. She looked up suddenly, until then she had completely forgotten that she had run into Hagrid. "I was going to Professor Bloomsberry's office Sir," she said confident now She had an alibi.
"Her office is in the other direction Miss Taylor how did you come across the body?"
"It wasn't me Sir," She said looking him straight in the eye. She wasn't sure whether to mention Hagrid now. It seemed rather petty in comparison to what had happened to the Ravenclaw boy.
"We can't be sure of that Miss Taylor. Did anyone see you?"
She swallowed. She had to tell, Hagrid was the only one who had seen her, and he was the only one who knew she was innocent. "Hagrid saw me," She said quietly.
"Good, that helps your case but why did you turn round and come back this way? Why didn't you reach Professor Bloomsberry's office?" He was leaning across the desk further now as though expecting her to whisper her answer.
She sat up straight she knew she had to tell "I fell over a werewolf cub Sir". Lynch sat bolt up right he had not expected that. Nor had Tom. He was looking at her strangely as though she had possibly gone mad. "Hagrid had a werewolf cub and it could have bitten me so I was on my way back to see you about it when I came across the body".
Lynch's eyes were wide "HE HAD WHAT?" he bellowed. "I'LL HAVE HIM EXPELLED FOR THIS".
Narrelle glanced at Tom, now it was her turn to be surprised. She thought he would be concerned but he was in fact smiling.
"Sir," he said "Hagrid has always been known to bring danger to students, could it have been him who attacked the boy? After all we both know what he is".
Narrelle stared at him open mouthed he had gone too far this time, Hagrid was a little unorthodox yes but he was not violent.
Lynch smiled at Tom "Yes," he said. "Yes that does make sense. You may go," he gestured at Narrelle to leave. "I'm glad you had nothing to do with it Miss Taylor". Narrelle moved from her chair, as did Tom. "You stay Tom, I would like to talk with you further". Tom lowered himself back into his chair as Narrelle left.
Slowly she wandered back to the Slytherin Common Room. She had a nasty feeling that Hagrid was going to get the blame for this attack. "They have no proof." She told herself "All he'll get is a warning. Serve him right too, he did almost kill me after all" Her step lightened she had reasoned with herself and was now convinced she had done the best thing. She muttered the password and ducked through he narrow entrance. She was bombarded with questions the moment she set foot in the dim room.
"What happened?"
"Did you see who did it?"
"Did you do it?
"Was he dead?
Narrelle looked around her, she was surrounded by eager faces desperate to know what she knew.
"I don't know anything more than you lot do" She said irritated suddenly "I didn't do it and I don't know who did, I don't know if he's dead and no I didn't see anyone do anything I just found him. Now please let me go to sleep, it's getting late and I have loads of work to do tomorrow. She pushed her way through the crowd. The rest of her friends followed her down. They continued to ask her questions while she changed for bed.
"Come on you can tell us!" Alianora said.
"Exactly we're your friends Narrelle, you can trust us," continued Ellouise.
"There's nothing more to tell" She said and silently added. "That's just it though, can I trust you?" She needed to talk to Evelyn alone, she knew she could trust her.
For the next few days students went around in packs, no one wanted to be on their own. Narrelle thought this to be rather melodramatic. She was almost certain that no more attacks would occur, no one knew what had happened to the boy so there was a chance he wasn't attacked at all. She was sure though that the teachers knew exactly what had happened and weren't letting on to the students. Narrelle found this rather stupid. If there had been an attack, surely they should be told. "Probably down to Dippit," she thought to herself as she walked up the many stairs to her Divination room. "He wouldn't want to panic anyone but still, we have the right to know what's happening in our own school".
One thing had kept spirits relatively high though. The first Quidditch match of the season was due to take place two weeks from today. Narrelle loved to watch Quidditch. There was no way she would ever take part but the game itself was fascinating and exciting. This match was important, as it was Slytherin verses Hufflepuff. Narrelle was confident that this year they would win the cup for the third year in a row. Their team had been practicing three times a week since the term had started according to Osaris Simons. Osaris was a beater and in her sixth year at Hogwarts. She and the six other players made a forceful team.
Narrelle climbed up the ladder into her classroom and found that she was the last one there. As she expected the only seat available was with Myrtle.
"Now today you are going to start advanced palmistry," Professor Opal began. "For most of you this will be very difficult but I have faith in you all. Read the chapter on palmistry and then test what you've learnt with your partners."
Narrelle groaned. Turning to page thirty-four of her textbook she pretended to read. The last thing she wanted to do was hold and stare at Myrtle's hands.
"Narrelle I'd like to talk to you downstairs, you are excused from the task. Myrtle will you please join with Alice and Elizabeth." Opal gestured over to table in the far corner where two girls were sat engrossed in their books.
Narrelle climbed down after professor Opal to where she now stood waiting for her at the bottom.
"Now Narrelle I think you are an excellent student. You are doing remarkably well, far better than any other student I have ever worked with" Narrelle starred at her open mouthed she was not expecting praise. "I have been wondering for a while now if I could give you extra tutoring. I completely understand if you have no free time for this but I really think you're different. I think you have something special". She paused waiting for a response from the bewildered Narrelle.
"I'm not special Professor Opal, I'm really not. I'm just good at this subject." She babbled. Right now she didn't want the complication of Professor Opal finding out that she was possibly a seer. She looked into the young disappointed eyes of Eva Opal and sighed, "What exactly would be the point of having extra lessons Miss? What more would I learn from them? Surely all we need to know is what you teach us in our normal lessons."
"Yes all that you need to know for your OWLs at the end of the year but there's a lot more that I could teach you that goes beyond just this year. I could teach you everything I know, not just what's necessary."
Narrelle thought about this. She loved this subject more than any of the others and she did want these extra lessons but she had a nagging feeling that she would be discovered as a seer and it was not what she wanted. She glanced at her teacher. Professor Opal was looking at her intently watching her face for any sign of what she might be thinking. Narrelle smiled, "I can trust Opal with everything, I know I can," she thought to herself. What harm could it do to learn more? Besides if she was a seer or had the inner eye, wouldn't it be better to know how to control it? "Ok Professor, I'd like that".
Professor Opal looked as though she was going to swoop down and hug Narrelle but she restrained herself. Instead she beamed at Narrelle, "Good, when do you want to start?"
"Well Miss I'm going to have to drop another subject first but I could have the lessons on Sundays after Christmas if that's alright with you?"
She paused before answering hurriedly, "Yes, yes of course that's fine. Right, back upstairs with you you're missing your lesson," she ushered Narrelle up the ladder and followed.
Once the lesson had finished Narrelle charged down the stairs and headed straight for the common room. Evelyn had a free period just now and Narrelle wanted to catch her before she left for her next lesson. She burst into the room and ran huffing and puffing over to where Evelyn sat looking perplexed over her Transfiguration homework. "Have to talk to you right now" She gasped. She pulled Evelyn out of her chair and led her up to her room.
"So do you reckon Tom's up to something?" Evelyn asked after Narrelle had told her about the first attack and the meeting in Lynch's office.
"Don't be ridiculous," She said, "Tom wouldn't be involved with a thing like that, I think he was just trying to find someone to put the blame on. Hagrid was the logical answer, even if I'm sure he didn't do it," she stated defiantly the familiar fiery spark back in her eyes.
Evelyn sighed. "Narrelle will always defend Riddle," she thought. "Even if she knows he's in the wrong". She changed the subject quickly. "Well ok, what about this whole extra lesson's thing? Do you think Opal knows something about you?"
"I'm not sure. She hasn't offered to give extra lessons to anyone else and it did feel like she knew something."
"That's really great but how are you going to fit them in? I mean you've only just dropped Muggle Studies! Surely this is just going to take its place" Evelyn frowned, she didn't want Narrelle to take on too much.
"Well I had thought of dropping Care of Magical Creatures as well, I mean, I like the subject and I'm ok at it but don't you think this is going to be so much better for me?" The fire in her eyes was stronger than ever and to Evelyn they looked so bright that they could have been glowing.
"Well I suppose so," she smiled. "Its good to see you this excited over something, finally you have some ambition". She glanced at her watch, "Oh no! I'm late for Charms now and I still haven't finished my homework," she moaned jumping from the bed she had been sat on and turning to Narrelle as she reached the door. "Haven't you got Transfiguration now?"
Narrelle jumped up too; "Yes, oh my, Dumbledore's going to kill me if I'm late again." She tore past Evelyn and flew out the door into the corridor. "See you at dinner," she called back as they ran in opposite directions to their lessons.
The rest of the day dragged by. In her Dark Arts class Professor Crabstone had taken even more points from Slytherin for her continued lateness and, another five, Narrelle thought this just a little unfair for not paying attention. Narrelle couldn't take her mind off what Opal had said to her, "I think you have something special". For the first time she wanted to have another experience like her déjà vu. She wanted to be a seer after all. Evelyn was right, it would be excellent to tell the future. Even if it was occasionally a burden, the good things out weighed the bad easily. She was special. Or so she hoped. She had never been called 'special', not even by her parents, 'clever', yes, but never special. Her parents loved her but they never showed it. She was hardly ever hugged let alone kissed and had been left up to her own devices. Playing in a large house was not much fun unless you had someone to play with. Not even if you got to play in the best tree houses with a cooker, bed, toilet, sink and all the other household items or the fastest toy brooms which hovered above the ground. None of it had been much fun. What Narrelle had craved more than anything was a friend her own age and now she not only had them, but she was special as well?
One thing she had kept in mind was her plan to get Ellouise and herself out of their Ancient Runes class.
As soon as the feast had finished, she collected some forms from her room and headed to the library. She found an empty table away from the few students there and opened her textbook for potions. Inside she had hidden the forms she needed to get into the restricted section. First she took out a piece of parchment with Lynch's signature on it. He had signed it to say it was alright for her to take lessons on Saturdays. Picking up her quill she began to copy the signature over and over onto a spare bit of parchment. When she was satisfied she had it down to a fine art she threw the spare bit into the fire and took out another form. This one was to allow her permission to take out a book from the restricted section. Carefully she copied Lynch's signature onto the form and left it to dry. Then she slid it under her textbook and began to do her homework. She had timed this perfectly. No sooner had she finished the first line of her essay on shrinking potions that Madame Frink came over to see what she was doing.
"Need any help dear?" She said in a friendly voice. Narrelle liked Madame Frink but the lie slipped easily from her tongue. She did not look up from her work as she spoke.
"Actually Madame Frink I really think that if I could look at a book from the restricted section I would get an A this time." She slid out the form to show the librarian. "Professor Lynch signed my form Madame, she gave a glance at Madame Frink who was smiling as always.
"Of course dear, do you know which book you need?"
"Yes, thank you. Is it ok if I get it now?" Madame Frink nodded as she pulled a large set of keys from out of her robes. She selected a small silver one and slipped it in the lock, she slid back the metal bar that prevented the tall metal gate from opening.
"There you are dear, don't forget to come and get me if you need a better look. There's no problem with unlocking them." She left the door open for Narrelle to pass her before closing it behind her.
"Oh and dear, just give me a whisper when you want to be let out". Narrelle nodded and headed towards the back row of shelves as Madame Frink went back to her desk.
Narrelle reached the isle she wanted and began running her finger along the dusty spines. Tilting her head she read the titles searching for the one she needed. "Where are you?" She whispered to herself. "You've got to be here somewhere". She was about to start on the next shelf when a particularly dusty book caught her eye. It was so dusty that she couldn't make out what it said on the spine. Pulling it from the shelf she rested it in her arms while its chains clinked at her side. Lynch had told everyone in their first year that the books were not only locked to the shelves to stop students walking away with them but to stop them disappearing or in some cases walking or scuttling about. She had heard many rumors about what books could do to people if they were misused or just opened. Some people said that the books could curse you or suck you in. Some said books could burn your eyes out or make you see in black and white for the rest of your life. Narrelle frowned to herself "It's just a book," she told herself.
Narrelle blew a thick layer of dust from its surface to reveal dull green leather underneath. Carefully she rubbed the remaining dust and grime away with her sleeve and read the title out loud.
'Blending In by Blodwin Blackthorn'. Narrelle smiled to herself, this was it, now all she had to do was get Madame Frink to lend the book to her. That would be the hard part. Books from the restricted section where not allowed to be checked out. Narrelle found this to be a stupid rule and hoped that by the time she left Hogwarts this would change and students would be granted permission. She had been meaning to talk to Professor Dippit about it all last year but never found the time to do so.
She let the book hang on its chain and walked to the end of the isle where she was going to call Madame Frink to help her get the book down when she doubled up in pain. Her head felt as though it was going to explode and a burning sensation had started behind her eyes. Gasping she fell to her knees, her head in her hands. "But I didn't open it," she thought to herself, "I didn't".
"Miss Taylor, Miss Taylor are you Ok?" Madame Frink called anxiously as she fumbled with her keys. She rushed through the gate and to Narrelle's side.
"My head," she whispered as she felt hot tears spring to her eyes.
"It's alright dear I'll get you to the hospital wing."
"Miss…" Narrelle paused while she fought the pain back. An idea had come to her "… could you bring the book with you? I'm sure Madame Hern wouldn't mind if I studied in bed."
"Of course love, wait one moment," she hurried over to the books and unlocked the green book. Narrelle looked up, the pain was already starting to recede. "No it mustn't," she thought, "not until I'm in the hospital wing". Thinking quickly Narrelle groaned, "I think its getting worse Miss" She let her eyes roll back slightly as she toppled herself onto her side and closed them, praying Madame Frink would not see through her act.
"Goodness Gracious, Miss Taylor? Narrelle? Can you hear me?" She shook Narrelle gently patting her hand as she called her name. "Child?" She shouted down the isle to a girl standing at the gates looking concerned, discarding any regard for silence. "Don't just stand there go and get help this instant." Turning back to Narrelle, Madame Frink slipped her hand under her and lifted her from the floor.
Frances Frink was not a witch. She had no magic in her at all and neither had any of her family. She had not known of magic when she had been growing up and if she had not run away from home when she was nineteen she would never have known Hogwarts existed.
Francis had hated her home life in London, she had hated her mother and father who spent all the money they had on drink and cigarettes and so she left at the first opportunity she got. She had walked the streets for three days before she became to exhausted to continue. She barely remembered slumping against the wall of a run down old pub, or being pulled inside by a young man in a waiter's uniform. The man had looked after her, that she knew. He had given her a room for free and had healed the fever and cough she had caught. Tom Porter had been there for her when she thought she had no one to turn to. The Leaky Cauldron had become her home and her prison.
Tom had tried to keep her from leaving her room. He had explained that she could not be seen or the landlord would make her go and that he could not bear to loose her now he had found her. Tom had caught her sneaking down the stairs once and had been forced to tell her the truth. She was in a world that she never thought existed. He had told her everything about the wizarding community, about Hogwarts, Hogsmead, Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron itself.
Frances smiled to herself as she carried Narrelle to her desk, she had loved Tom from the moment she met him and remembered how she believed all that he told her. She remembered being brought to the Ministry of Magic and almost being turned back to the streets. She had been told that she could not stay because she was a muggle and she had no right to be in their world but Tom had stuck up for her. He got her a job at Hogwarts with the help of Albus Dumbledore, who also believed that as long as she respected their way of life, she had every right to stay. It was decided that as long as Frances vowed never to return to London or the muggle world, she could stay.
All that had happened fifty years before and now Frances Frink was sixty-nine. She and Tom were still together but had never married. She had met Tom when he was thirty years old although he had looked roughly the same age as her. She knew he would live a lot longer than she would and felt it unfair to tie him to someone who would leave him alone for years after her own death.
Breathing hard she lowered Narrelle on to the wooden surface and waited for one of the teachers to arrive. There was no way that she could carry Narrelle all the way to the hospital wing. She looked down at Narrelle and stroked her silky brown hair. She wished that she and Tom could have had children of their own but she had been unable to conceive. These were her children now and she hoped that help would get there soon. She wished more than ever that she was a witch and that she could help Narrelle.
The green book was next to Narrelle where Frances had put it down. Sliding her glasses further up her nose she picked it up she read its cover 'Blending In'. "How odd," she thought to herself. "What does she want with a book to do with invisibility?"