Arc 3: Enraptured Revelation
Chapter 3: Heroes They Are, To Remain Hidden

I knew she couldn't see or hear me but I instinctively began to call out for her. Any sort of sound I could muster from my voicebox spluttered out feebly. Frustrated at her failure, my mother continued to leave the ruins with the bangle attached to her wrist. Slowly, everything began to fade away until I found myself sitting up in bed once more.

The piece Patricia had given me lay flat in my palm. It still looked and physically felt the same as it had done previously, but there was something different about it. There was a kind of magical essence emanating from it that felt almost ancient. It felt familiar but just as foreign. And then I realised it... this was the feeling I had when Calamity spoke to me. What kind of ancient magic was this?

I hastily lept from the bed and ran downstairs, not caring that I was still in my nightwear. As usual, Severus sat in his armchair reading a book in his grip with an element of coolness.

"Severus! Severus!" I cried out and came to an almost thudding halt in front of him. This must have become normal behaviour for me as he did not look up from his book to begin with.

"Mm?" he hummed as he turned the page.

"It's- it's my-" I could barely speak with all of the thoughts circling my mind and all threatening to burst.

He closed his book and looked up to meet my eyes. When he noticed my distress, he began to go into Caring Boyfriend Mode but was still loyal to his usual personality.

"Breathe and calm down. You will run yourself out if you keep trying to speak a thousand words in one go." he advised and I began to collect myself.

"The piece Patricia gave me yesterday... it showed me a vision of my mother..." I explained the details of what happened and he listened intently. When I finished the story, he let out an acknowledgement of understanding.

"And do you believe it to have been a real vision?" he asked unsurely. He was right to have doubts after our experiences with the Hound and Ruberion but this one felt so separated from everything they did. The link of Calamity only felt like a fragment of shared history and not their intentions.

"I think so. Do you remember what Ludo told us?" Severus flinched a little when I mentioned his name. "The Amulet of Ylgind... The vision happened when I asked it what Fudge was hiding. What if this is a part of it?"

"The only way of knowing is to do research." he began and walked over to grab a jacket.

"You're going to get up to go just like that?" I asked rather surprised. He was dumping everything he was doing on the off-chance that this was something relevant.

"It is important to you so I shall help. I would not do it if you felt indifferent about it." he said rather bluntly though I knew it was his way of saying he cared about me. "Go on, get changed." He motioned to me still being in my nightwear.

"Right!" I said a bit embarrassed that I had been standing around in little more than a short dress. Summer days are hot so can you blame me?

I went back upstairs and looked through my clothes. I couldn't stop thinking about what my mother had been wearing. She looked so confident and free wearing it. After a while of pondering and fumbling, I had put together a cohesive outfit. It was less formal than my normal attire but it was light and easy to move in. I couldn't help but think I looked just like her in a strange sense.

[Artwork by Mari Ohalloween#8391]

I promptly went downstairs and Severus's face when he saw me had me chuckle. His mind was spiralling out of control with thoughts none of which he could articulate.

"You could say I look nice." I teased.

"You do." he choked out.

"I'll get more out of you later. There's one place I want to check out." I said as we prepared to apparate away.

With a snap, we apparated right into the centre of Hogsmeade. Now being in an entirely different part of the United Kingdom, the sky was painted a bright blue and the sun shone with all of its rays hitting the Earth below. It was significantly warmer than in Spinner's End and I felt more relieved every moment I had chosen lighter attire. Severus, on the other hand, was trying his best to hide his overheating but he would never admit he was mistaken for it.

We began to walk through the High Street until we arrived outside a store that was recognisable from the last time I went in during the Christmas present fiasco. Just as before, the bookstore was empty when I poked my head in which gave the appearance that it didn't make much money. Severus and I went inside and a small bell rang out. A youthful boy came out from the back and stood by the counter.

"Oh, a customer?" he said with mild astonishment. "What can I get you?"

"I was wondering if you have anything about the Amulet of Ylgind?" I asked respectfully but I didn't hold my breath for much of an outcome.

He leant on the counter for a moment as he was deep in thought. "Aren't you the one Grandpa gave that book away to?" he asked curiously.

"I suppose so." I replied. "He said it was out of his personal collection."

The boy went into the back room for a while. I looked at Severus with mild suspicion that he wasn't going to come back but just as we were beginning to consider leaving, he came back with a sizable tome.

"He left this to you." the boy said as he blew off the dust from the cover.

"Left?"

"You didn't hear? Considering he wanted you to have something, I would have thought you knew. He passed away a few months ago. Now I run the place." the boy explained solemnly. Severus and I gave our mutual respects before the boy handed the book over.

The book itself was somewhat hefty to hold but the actual interior was relatively small. The title had since been washed away to an undecipherable standard over the tests of time. Carefully, I placed it on the table and opened the front page. Many of the words had also faded away.

"I don't understand, why did he leave me this?" I asked.

"The old man was always saying he knew what was a puzzle and what wasn't. Perhaps he knew you'd come back looking for one. Even if it isn't related to that Amulet or whatever it was you said, it would do good of you to humour him."

I nodded at him and continued to read through. At least, I tried to but the missing words made it feel like some broken English and it didn't help it was barely legible. After turning once more, I came to a page that was oddly well-preserved compared to the others. The words flowed perfectly as if imprinted with new ink.

The Goddess's Worship

In our kingdom, there is a woman known to all as Ylgind. By right of the divine, she was blessed with unlimited knowledge. If asked any question, she will know the answer. Whether it be the past, present, or future, she knows. Many men took her as a goddess and she rose to that status as she began to develop her worshippers. What should we plant this season to maximise the harvest? Is this man guilty of his crimes? Is it right to build this development? All fair questions she answered with earnest.

But as her worshippers grew, so did the greed in men's hearts. Will my wife know if I have an affair? Do I start a war and succeed? How do I tax the poor without revolt? She became disgusted with their tainted insistence. One day, she decided no more. Never again shall she bestow her knowledge on the world.

There was only one pure enough to be entrusted. Ylgind sought out her most loyal worshipper and bestowed her with a gift: the Amulet of Ylgind. While the goddess of knowledge speaks no more, the Amulet holds her ability. In truth, it could not be further from the truth to call it an Amulet, for it took the form of a bangle with six triangular slots. The worshipper would be tasked to spread the pieces across the land and keep the bangle close. Only those who retrieve the Amulet and its pieces to make it whole shall receive the power of Ylgind.

I took the piece out of my pocket and looked down at it. It had to be what the story was referring to. If I gathered all six pieces then I could know what Fudge was hiding... and it must be related to my mother. I continued to read...

I, the worshipper in the story, continue on My Lady's tale. The following page is the world's only method of obtaining Her power.

The next page left me puzzled. On it was a riddle.

For the one you hold, keep it close. More secrets will be unveiled the further you fall through chilling waters.

Some knowledge must be protected from innocent eyes amongst the freedom of information. The inexperienced may dredge into what they fear.

You shall find where you wish to find truth in the place you knew not your true ambitions, for they were blinded by a veil of mist.

To the place deep below the caverns, through the fool's waters and iron rails, what depths do the creatures of greed delve?

And for those who find their hearts, what is it that truth craves? May it be agony or euphoria. Only one most valued can discover their willingness.

In a place not so far from home, encased in rubble and forgotten memories, an ancient civilisation remains with its forbidden treasure to its chest. Her sacrifice is sacred.

Bring together the six and the truth will be bestowed upon the bearer.

"I... have no idea what any of this means." I admitted flatly. Severus looked over and began to read it himself.

"This riddle is awfully personalised to you. It is almost as if it was written with the knowledge you were coming." he said.

"I mean... if the worshipper was the one who wrote this... she may have used the Amulet to know I would be coming." I read through the riddle again but nothing clicked.

The boy continued to lean on the counter and looked at the clock. "Not to be that guy, but it's lunchtime and I'm starving." he said with a mild huff.

"Oh, sorry. Thanks for your help." I said and Severus and I hurriedly left. In the corner of my eye, I swear I saw the boy dig under the counter and pull out a gigantic footlong sandwich.

As we exited, the village was noticeably more busy than before. People of all ages were walking all in the same direction. I looked at Severus with a look of "what the heck?" and he had no idea either. We walked along with them and began to overhear some of what they were saying.

"I can't believe he's here! I've wanted to see him for so long..." one teenage girl swooned as she carried a few books to her chest.

"And he's releasing his new book too! We're so lucky." her friend agreed.

"Come now, you lot!" a mother yelled over the crowd. "If you want Mr. Lockhart to sign your books then you need to catch up!"

"But Mum, you're the only one who likes-"

"I won't have that tone from you." she snapped back and continued to hurry on ahead.

Lockhart? As in...

"Gilderoy Lockhart?" I said somewhat excitedly.

Severus momentarily stopped walking as he processed the information. He didn't like this one bit.

"We have to go, don't we?" I asked rhetorically and began to proceed in a light jog.

"Unfortunately." Severus sighed knowing he couldn't change my mind once I had my mind set on something.

The crowd began to lead inside The Three Broomsticks. With some difficulty, Severus and I barely managed to get inside and into the middle of the sea of people. At the back, I could see the dashing blond hair and smartly dressed suit of Lockhart with a mountain of books on a nearby table.

"My, what an incredible turnout!" he announced with his arms out wide with pride. "I am humbled you would all come here for the release of my newest book: Marauding with Monsters!"

Everyone erupted into cheers and applause. Naturally, I followed through but Severus slowly clapped only from societal pressure.

"Now, if you'd all like to form an orderly line..." and as he was speaking, he looked up and our eyes met. "My goodness, if it isn't the famous Miss Juniper!" Everyone turned to look at me.

"Come here, come here. Make way, everyone!" he commanded and a straight path to him became available.

Kill me.

"I really must thank you for approving the license for my new book range. It was very thoughtful of you to do it so quickly." he praised with a dapper smile.

"Oh... I did do that, didn't I...?" I muttered as I began to remember he paid an extortionate amount of money to have it be directly sent to my desk at the Ministry instead of the appropriate licensing office.

"Yes, yes! Here, as a token of my thanks," He began to rummage through the pile of books and ended up taking the top one in the end. "I will give you a signed edition of my newest book for free!" His voice sounded so entitled for praise that it felt desperate. I could feel the daggers of his admirers shooting into my stomach.

"Uh, that's great, thanks." I said awkwardly. So this is what they mean by don't meet your heroes... You realise they're a bunch of snobs... and anyway, why was he so prideful over a book that was fictional?

Lockhart's eyes drifted over to the other book I was holding. He snatched it out of my hand and began to read through the page that held the riddle.

"An author yourself are you? No? A fellow puzzle lover! A kindred spirit, I do love it." he gleed.

"Can you give that back please?" I asked with thin patience but not riotous enough to start a fight. Severus looked on hopelessly for he was still trapped in the crowd.

"This bit here," He pointed his finger to the second passage and showed it to me. "It reminds me of the library at Hogwarts. The library where my books will be available in the upcoming term!" A significant portion of the younger fans yelped in excitement. In his moment of distraction, I took the book from him, let out a small "Okay, thanks, bye." and ran towards Severus. I grabbed his hand and pulled him outside.

"I warned you." he said disappointed.

"Yeah... I didn't expect him to be that... presumptuous, you know?"

"He was like that when I was at Hogwarts. Always fishing for attention from everyone he encountered. Clearly, he never changed one bit. Still, I am sorry." he submitted.

I kept thinking back to what he said. The library...

"Some knowledge must be protected from innocent eyes amongst the freedom of information... Lockhart's right, it does sound awfully similar to the restricted section of the library, doesn't it? The library provides access to information but the younger years can't read any of the texts in the restricted section until they're older." I marked as I reread the passage.

"Hogwarts is closed, Cassandra. We cannot get in. The Thestrals are not prepared and one cannot apparate onto the school grounds."

I smirked as I immediately came up with a plan.

"That didn't stop Ruberion."