Chap. 22: New Questions

It didn't matter that Snape wouldn't tell him that he was suspicious of Quirrell. Vladimir had really only wanted to know to make sure that it wasn't just him. And he was quite sure of that now. But it'd have been nice if Snape had told him why he was suspicious, even though it could have been the same for one of the reasons Vladimir was suspicious.

Here were Vladimir's reasons:

1) His dark looks, so contrast to the timid teacher's personality.

2) The waves of pain that Vladimir had when receiving the dark looks.

3) The dark aura that surrounded him.

4) That voice Vladimir had heard come from the man when he'd been astral projecting.

And his stuttering act just seemed too… fake, the more Vladimir saw it. Especially with those contrasting dark looks.

Vladimir sighed, looking up at the ceiling. He'd gone back to the infirmary, and Madam Pomfree insisted that he stay the night because when he'd returned, he'd been pale and looked about to faint, which Vladimir had to admit, he did feel rather clammy. Perhaps going to see Snape, while his reasons were important, wasn't the best thing to do right after he'd woken up from whatever it was that had caused him to pass out in the first place.

In any case, he didn't regret having gone. He'd at least confirmed what he'd seen was real. And that was the most important thing.

But it had also raised one other question, one that he'd not been of the mind to think about after leaving Snape's office. After having rested a good few hours, and waking up at around 3:00 in the morning, Vladimir had the sudden, begging question:

Why was Quirrell in the restricted section?

True, Snape was there too, but Vladimir had reason to believe that Snape had followed Quirrell, and not the other way around. And also true, given the fact that he was a teacher, he did have the permission to go there without being questioned. But something was just bugging Vladimir about him being there.

Looking around, making sure Madam Pomfree wasn't around, he scooted out of bed. He'd have to be careful about this. He was too weak to use a portal to go long distance, so he'd have to actually sneak around anyone that might be out right now.

He was glad he'd at least gotten enough rest to not feel dizzy when he stood. Carefully, he made his way to the door of the infirmary, and after checking to make sure no one was around, padded down the hallway to the next corridor.

Each time he came to a new corridor, he'd check to make sure he was clear, and would even send Crimson off to check the next one- in the off chance that someone might turn into the one he was.

And you never knew when Peeve would show up, though he seemed rather fearful of Crimson, so Vladimir didn't worry too much about that.

Without any problems, short of feeling jumpy any time one of the paintings let off a rather load snore, they were at the library. The door was close, but unlocked. Vladimir still didn't want to tempt it, as opening the door would undoubtedly creek.

So, he used a portal. He may not be able to manage it for long distance, but just putting a portal on each side of the door was fine. Walking though, he looked around to make sure the librarian wasn't around. Nice as the woman was toward him, she'd be cross if she knew what he was doing. Just being out after bedtime hours would earn him a crack on the head from a book's spine. If she found out he was sneaking into the restricted section, it was no telling what she would do.

The coast clear, he made his way to the gate that lead to the restricted section. Repeating what he'd done to get into the library, he used his portals. Once past the gate, he found that he was immediately surrounded by a very… dark presence. It wasn't something that was all that alarming. It was the restricted section, containing books that were cursed and held dark curses, and just plain dark magic. It was why first years weren't given permission, because they just would learn this kind of think their first year.

And really, it actually felt a bit more like home to him. In the Hellsing Library, the majority of the magic books were of dark magic. He'd read many of them- some even having to have the permission of his mother- and so wasn't as put off by the darkness here. It did make him want to pull one from the shelf, though.

Shaking his head, he decided he was risking enough Gryffindor points as it was.

Walking forward, he found the place where he saw Snape and Quirrell last night. He looked around in the books in this section but didn't find anything to do with a stone. Giving up on that section, he found a whole section devoted to powerful stones for the dark arts. Still, he found nothing that was at all useful- as all of them either looked too weak for the intensity in that voice, or there were some that were rather powerful, but there were many of them, and none the same, so if it was one of these stones, he hadn't a clue which it could be.

Leaving that section, he was about to go to another section when he spotted a door. It was in the area that Snape and Quirrell had been. He'd not noticed it due to the dark, but now some sunlight was showing on a corner of it. Curious, and not knowing what else to do, he decided to check it out.

It looked like it was hardly ever used, dust having settled all over it. Except for on the handle. It looked like someone had disturbed that recently.

His curiosity raising further, he portaled through the door and found himself in a nearly empty room, with one object standing in the center.

Walking over, he found it was a mirror.

{What's a mirror doing in a room in the restricted section…?} Vladimir asked, not really Crimson, but since she was the only one there, he reverted to parsaltongue anyway.

{Well, what other reason than that it's extremely magical.} Crimson replied, peering at. She gave the air a taste.

Vladimir looked at it, at the frame, so beautifully crafted and shining. He saw something written in another language, one that he wasn't familiar with.

Then something in the mirror caught his eye. Looking, he saw himself, but it was what was behind him that confused him.

Looking behind himself, he found the room still empty, only him, Crimson, and the mirror. Looking back, he took in the people behind him. There was his mother and father, Integra and Alucard, and on his other side, there were two strangers, but they looked familiar.

After looking at the strangers for a bit, he realized that they weren't strangers, just people he'd not seen since he was but an infant.

He resembled the man much more than the woman, except for the eyes, but he was sure that the two where Lily and James Potter. They were smiling at Integra and Alucard, their faces showing relief and maybe even thankfulness.

Vladimir didn't know how he knew, but he just did; they were thankful for what the Hellsing family had done for their son. They were glad that Vladimir had been taken in by them.

Vladimir turned away, feeling the threat of tears.

Anyway, he was in here for a reason, not to look at a mirror. Looking around, he saw that the dust in the room had indeed by messed with. Aside from where he stepped, he saw another trail that led to the mirror. But unlike Vladimir's, who's were clear footprints, this trail was one single thick line, as if fabric had dragged on the floor there. And he wouldn't doubt it if that fabric had been the hem of Quirrell's robs.

So there might be something about this mirror that was important to Quirrell. But what could it be? He was looking for a stone, not a mirror. And there was no stone in the frame of the mirror. Perhaps the mirror was made out of part of some special stone? Possible, but Vladimir doubted that was it.

Before he could think further though, something flew past the window, bringing Vladimir's attention to the fact that the sun was already raising. He'd have to get back to the infirmary. If he was gone when Madam Pomfree woke, he'd be in for it.

Deciding there wasn't much helping it, he portaled all the way back to his cot in the infirmary. It of course weakened him, but at least he'd have a logical excuse for his illness.

And anyway, it was one more day where he didn't have to be in DADA, and he was rather enjoying that part of being ill.

But he would have to ask Hermione to bring him his class work. He didn't want to fall behind.

AN: Bit of a short chap. ik, but I figured that was a good stopping point.

So I managed to get the mirror in there, I'd actually kinda forgotten about that until I actually had a dream about it after having written that last chap. lol

Anyway, I'm hoping to get Vladimir out of the infirmary, if he'll only allow himself to actually rest. Really, he's so stubborn; I don't know why he insists on doing all that stuff. But it's not like I can control him… :3

Anyway, R&R, and I'll try working on the next chap. soon.

Bye! ^_^