Chapter 42: Going home

Phoenix looked out the window of the Hogwarts Express, thinking about what she had seen yesterday. She never told Hermione, Harry or Ron, didn't feel the need for it. Hermione, her and many Hogwarts students were on their way home for the holidays. She continued to look out the window, Hermione across from her, reading a book. She let out a heavy sigh, making Hermione look up from her page.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.

"What makes you think something is wrong?" Phoenix snapped.

"Well, when one sighs as heavy as you did, something has to be wrong. Plus, you haven't said a word since we left Hogwarts."

"You have said nothing either."

"You look like you have something on your mind. I didn't want to bother. Anyway, I got into this book." Hermione held up her book then sat it down. "So, what is bothering you?"

Phoenix thought for a moment. 'Should I really tell her? Maybe she would think I am just thinking what I want to think because I don't like Professor Quirrell.'

"Something odd happened in the library. Remember when I was in the restricted section?"

Hermione nodded her head to continue giving her a scold look at the same time. She did not approve of Phoenix sneaking in the restricted section.

"Well, I ran across this book." Phoenix walked to the door, looking outside in the hall to make sure no one was within earshot. She didn't want everyone to hear. Then, closing the door behind her, she went back to her set. Hermione looked at her, confused. 'What could be so important that she had to close the door? Did she find something on Nicolas Flamel?'

"This book was almost like The Book of Shadows in size and shape. The leather was brown, the edges were black, and there was an odd demonic symbol on the front."

"What kind of symbol?"

"Well, there was an upside down pentagram with a skull."

"Hmmm, I don't know it. What did you read when you looked through it?"

"I didn't."

"You didn't look through it?"

"I couldn't."

"You got caught, didn't you? You made yourself visible and forgot where you were, didn't you?"

"What? No, I didn't get caught. The book wouldn't let me look at it. Every time I went to touch it, it would fly away. It would glow a crimson red and fly away from me. I tried it several times. It even made me visible. Then Professor Quirrell came. Don't worry I turned back invisible." Phoenix said, seeing the cautious look on Hermione's face. "The book didn't fly away from him, which made me even more confident about him."

"More confident about what?"

"That he is behind everything. I think the book has a protection spell. It protects itself from good. So, anyone who is evil can touch it. This just confirms that Professor Quirrell is evil."

"We're not on that again, are we?"

"It makes perfect sense. If I am good and cannot touch the book, and he can… he must be evil."

"Is the protection spell kind of like what is on The Book of Shadows?"

"Yes...why? Wait, how do you know about its protection spell? I never told you, and I don't think we mention it in the book."

"Well, when I took it to the library, Pansy and her friends were there. They tried to grab it, and the book moved away from them."

"Pansy knows about the book!"

"Umm…. have you checked the BOS about this book?" Hermione asked quickly changing the subject, which did not go unnoticed by Phoenix.

"Yeah, the only thing I can find that fits the description is some book called The Grimoire."

"So, is that not the right book?"

"Well, it says, and it looks like Aunt Piper's writing, that Uncle Leo orbed it under the West Andes. So, it couldn't be it. There is no way."

"Have you checked the other book?"

"I got the same thing. Well, minus the Uncle Leo part."

"Maybe it is not The Grimoire and you are overreacting. You never did like Professor Quirrell. The book could have flown away from you because it has something to do with the dark arts, and you were not opening it right. You just jumped to conclusions to justify your own thoughts towards him."

"Explain the red glow then."

Hermione shrugged. "Maybe it was your imagination?"

"I know what I saw, Hermione. Quirrell was there, and the book did not react. I have a feeling someone found The Grimoire and placed it here at Hogwarts because they did not want the Charmed Ones on their tale."

"Maybe, but we need more evidence to support it."

Phoenix clenched her jaw and went back to her window. She didn't need evidence. She had her feelings. But what she did need was a reason why that book was at Hogwarts. Should she tell her mother?

'I probably shouldn't. I need to know more before I tell mom. When I get back from the holidays, I am going to keep a close eye on Professor Quirrell. The way he looked in the library. It was almost like someone was putting him in a hypnotic trance or something. He didn't look right. I never have seen him take off his turban. But that wouldn't really matter, would it? It would not differ from wearing the same ball cap over and over.'

Phoenix continued with her thoughts while Hermione went back to her book Cali, sitting next to her. Phoenix was looking forward to going home. She missed everyone, even her annoying little brother, Magic School, and the life of unexpected demon attacks, but mostly her friends. She was glad she met and became friends with Hermione, Ron and Harry, but they were not the same as her friends back at home.

"We are here." Hermione said closing her book and putting it in her trunk.

Phoenix didn't know how much time went by until she felt the train slowing down to a complete stop.

"Remember what we discussed."

"Yeah, yeah, I will ask mom, the Aunts, and the Uncles if they have heard anything about Nicolas Flamel and check the library at Magic School. You will ask your parents. We talked about this enough, Hermione." Phoenix replayed, sitting there waiting for the crowd to die down.

The two gathered their trunks, Cali, and headed off the train. The two moved out of the way from the crowd and away from the door.

"Oh look! There is my mum! See you after the holidays, Phoenix." Hermione said, giving her one last wave goodbye.

Phoenix grabbed her trunk and Cali's cage and walked a little further out of the way. 'Did they forget me? I bet there was a demon attack. Maybe that is why I don't see them.' She glanced at the crowd one last time before giving up and orbing home. Before she could, someone behind her placed a hand over her eyes and another over her mouth.

"Shhh." The person said.