Returning to School and Telling Our Tale

Remus encountered us as we walked up to the front steps.

"Where were you?" he cried, relief and a hint of crossness showing on his face. "Professor Dumbledore had us looking everywhere!"

I smiled at him. "Sorry. We got lost."

For a minute his face softened. "I'm glad you're back. Now," he said, more business-like, "I've got to bring you two to Dumbledore, in his office. He'll call off the search."

"Who does he have on search for us? Are the rest of the students locked up in their houses?"

"Professor Dumbledore has half the teachers and anyone remotely close to you searching. Yes, the rest of the students are in their houses. Come on."

Devi and I followed Remus up to the stone gargoyles that lead to Dumbledore's office.

"Billywigs," he said to the gargoyles, who then sprang aside and let us continue on our way up the revolving staircase.

As we entered Dumbledore's circular office, I spotted Minerva McGonagall standing in front of Dumbledore's desk, talking very fast in a low voice.

"And we don't know where they went. So far there's been no word from any of the searchers, and –"

Dumbledore raised his hand to stop her. "Here they are, Minerva. And I'm sure that Sanya and Devi will have a wonderful explanation for their absence." His eyes twinkled at us.

Devi smiled at Dumbledore and said cheekily, "Of course we do! Would you like to hear it now, or later?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Now. Thank you, Remus, for bringing the girls here." He seemed to know that Remus didn't see us until the front steps. "I'll talk to you both later."

Both Remus and Professor McGonagall left silently.

Smiling, Dumbledore turned to us and conjured two comfortable chairs out of thin air.

"Sit down, please." We sat. "We have been very worried. It's been over twenty-four hours since you were last seen, and you, Devi, were supposed to leave for Salem. May I hear your tale?"

"Professor, I believe Devi is a better story-teller than I am. Would you mind if she told it and not me?" I asked him, shooting a glance at Devi.

Dumbledore nodded, and so Devi began our story with the picnic. "Since I was leaving Hogwarts in a few hours, and I have really enjoyed staying here, I wanted to ..." Devi looked embarrassed. "Well, I wanted to say good-bye to Hogwarts. It almost has a personality of its own, you know."

Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "I do know. I've been at Hogwarts for many years, and it still sometimes surprises me."

Devi smiled and continued. "So we were doing that, and we stumbled on a trap-door. Not only did some of us stumble," she added, glaring at me, "but also sat on it."

I rolled my eyes and gestured for her to continue.

"So when we got the door open, I naturally wanted to go into it. Sanya said we shouldn't, and she lowered her wand to the opening, and a strange shining blue light appeared over the hole."

Dumbledore nodded, thinking.

"I had no clue what this strange thing was, but Sani here thought it was a shield. I knew that Sani is mad, so I decided to jump in anyway, saying that Sani could cushion me, and if she didn't, I would.

"So I jumped, and I heard Sanya say the Cushioning Charm, and then she shouted to me that she couldn't cushion me. I tried to do it, and managed, but I was too close to the ground by that time. Even with the Cushion, I hit the ground at a horrible rate and broke my leg."

Here Dumbledore frowned. "You broke your leg? You seemed fine when you walked in here."

"That's because Sanya had just performed the Water Cast. Here, I'll show you." Devi stood up and walked over to Dumbledore, rolling up one of her pant legs as she went. "This is Sanya's version." She pressed her thumb to the thin layer of water. It gave way only slightly, suddenly reminding me of blubber.

Dumbledore pressed the tip of one of his long fingers to the cast. It was impossible to read the expression on his face.

"Sanya, if you would, please get rid of this and put up the normal one?"

I consented, and with a flick of my wand (and a muttered finite incantatem) I got rid of the Water Cast. Devi gritted her teeth as I said, "Utilis aqua carpo sano," and gestured the healing circle followed by the water swirl.

A slightly different cast appeared. Dumbledore pressed his finger to this one too, and looked up at me. "How did you do this?" It was a gentle, calm voice.

I ended the current cast and put up my better version before answering. "On my first try, I added the and gestures for warmth and solidity on impulse. That one was pretty good, but it wore off really quickly. I experimented with other gestures, and ended up using these. The symbols for water, healing, warmth, solidity, perseverance, and consistency."

"We'll have to inform Madam Pomfrey of this," he said, smiling. "She'll want to know."

"But she can heal the broken bones in a blink!" I protested. "Does she really need to know?" I fell silent, realizing how selfish and strange that sounded.

"She'll like to know." Dumbledore said firmly before turning again to Devi. "Devi, if you would continue your story."

She did so, willingly. "So, while I was in agony, Sanya came down, Cushioning herself. We walked for miles, often having to stop so Sani could redo the Cast before I passed out in pain," Devi made a pitiful face, "and there was absolutely no food!" She pasted an agast look on her face, "before falling asleep in the tunnel. It was eight o'clock when we woke up, thanks to my watch." She winced and I glared. "Sanya had chocolate bars in her pockets, which we ate on the march. That was the first food I had had since one the day before. And then . . ." Devi trailed off, glancing at me. She didn't want to tell Dumbledore about the Library, but didn't know what do say.

I nodded, trying to let her know that I was going to tell Dumbledore about the Library. He deserved to know, and I had a feeling that he could tell we were holding something from him.

"We found a door," I picked up where Devi left off, shrugging my shoulders at Devi. "And there was a handle free of rust, wrought in the Hogwarts crest, and a immensely rusted bolt. After getting the bolt to move, I entered first. The room was old, dusty, and as cold as the tunnel. Devi started sneezing, because she has allergies, and so I sent her back. Then I stepped on a darker piece of the rug, and a kind of restoring spell was triggered. The room was lit up, it became warmer, and all the dust disappeared. The rug was the crest of Hogwarts, and the room was a library." After giving this piece of information, I watched Dumbledore for his reaction.

And there was none. Absolutely no reaction, if you don't count the raising of his eyebrows. I couldn't really tell if that was a reaction to my tale, or just because he wanted to raise his eyebrows. I think he does that sometimes.

Anyway, I continued. "I went over to a door off the Gryffindor section of the crest. In it was a much smaller room, another library, with the books bound in red and gold. The rug was a golden lion in a red field. And, on a table in the center of the room, were a few papers, all signed with the signature of . . ." I gestured to Devi to continue. It was more suspenseful that way.

"Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founders of this school," Devi said with a smug smile on her face. "And, when we looking in all the other little side chambers, we found papers with the founders' signatures on them. Sani thinks, and I agree, that we have found the Founders' Library."

The silence was thick. My and Devi's eyes were fixed on Dumbledore, and his on us.

"The Founders' Library?" he finally inquired.

I nodded. There was no room for sarcasm or jokes at this moment.

"I think you know how important this news is. But still, I must tell you some things related to the Library. Firstly, close to no one has ever heard of it, for it is not mentioned in Hogwarts, A History, or any of the other leading historical books about Hogwarts. I don't think they know of it. I have searched time and time again, when I was younger, and did not find it. You have, by pure accident."

I half raised my hand, as if I was in a class. "Um, Professor? Why did the founders need a library of their own, if they had the school one?"

Dumbledore smiled. "That's a good question, Sanya. It is said that dangerous books are in there, along with personal favorites and diaries. There is supposed to be a section in Helga Hufflepuff's own library for romance novels."

Devi cut in, grinning. "We saw those!"

"Also," I tried to steer the conversation back to the original topic, now that my question was answered, "we found an object of significant importance. A map, which I decided to call the Founders' Map. It showed the whole of Hogwarts, and, once activated, the people."

"Ah, yes, the Founders' Map." Dumbledore had a slightly preoccupied expression on his face, but soon discarded it. "It is, as you probably suspected, the only complete map of Hogwarts. You might realize that Hogwarts can change its contents, rooms, size, and even its outer shape. This map changes with it."

He stood up. "In all rights, I should punish you. You have been out of grounds, and have broken around seven other school rules. But considering the circumstances, I will forgive you." The Headmaster's eyes twinkled. "Devi, I have arranged for you to go back to Salem tomorrow. I had a feeling you would show up soon.

"Now, if you don't mind, I think it is time for both of you to go to bed. It was a long and busy day, I'm sure."

Devi and I stood, but first I wanted to ask Dumbledore a few questions. "Professor, may I ask you a question?"

"Another one, yes." The twinkle in his eyes grew.

"Well, I was thinking . . ." Suddenly I noticed Devi, who was still standing next to me. "Oh, Devi, you probably shouldn't hear this. Do you mind, Professor?" I had already told Devi everything, but sometimes you have to follow protocol.

"I'm sure she knows everything you know about the situation, Sanya." Dumbledore was understanding, as always.

"Thanks. Anyway, for some reason, this thought popped into my mind. If Voldemort is really out to get me, shouldn't I be learning Occlumency? And maybe, later on, Legilimency? It would be useful, even if it takes ages to learn."

I don't think that was what Dumbledore expected. Even so, he didn't show any signs of surprise. "Very well. I will take your suggestion into consideration. If you do learn it, I am the only teacher available."

I nodded. "I understand. And I think your suggestion of bed is a wonderful one. Devi, come on, let's go to bed."

"Good night," he said gently. "And, if you don't mind, I would enjoy it if you could show me the Library. I could, of course, go on my own, but I feel it would be better if you, Sanya, showed me around."

I nodded, and we left a contemplating wizard to his work, and went down to meet the worried and relieved masses.

',',',',',',',',',

After all the other girls had gone to sleep, I apologized to Devi for spilling about the Founders' Library and Map.

"Don't worry. You were right. He probably knew that we had found it." She sighed. "Anyway, I do hope you get to learn Occlumency. I would love to, but there's no point. Good night, Sani."

Devi immediately rolled over and soon started snoring lightly. It took me a much longer time to fall asleep.