A/N: I don't own the rights, etc, etc.
Lisa had already seemingly pulled down every book from the shelf when I arrived in the library. "Surely, we don't need all of these." I stated flatly.
"Well, probably not. But you can never be too careful."
One glance at the titles told me she had overkilled it on the research. "Have you ever heard the expression, 'Work smarter, not harder'?"
"Now you're thinking properly. Sure you weren't supposed to be in Slytherin?" Theodore Knott and Kendrick Smythe sauntered up to our table.
"Reasonably certain, yes. What are you boys doing?"
"We got tired of hearing all of the moping in Slytherin common room. Don't get me wrong, I'm upset that we lost, but get over it already. We'll beat them next game." Theodore stated with annoyance.
"Not to mention Draco keeps spewing, 'My father will hear about this! They can't have a first-year seeker, it's against the rules! When my father...' Honestly, it's annoying." Kendrick finished.
"So you decided to catch a break and head to the library of all places? I thought this was our domain." I couldn't understand why anyone besides Ravenclaws and Hermione Granger would head to the library. Then again, Madam Pince wanted it silent at all times, so maybe it wasn't such a bad idea.
Lisa rounded a bookshelf, her arms laden with more books. Her mouth fell open into an "O" of surprise before changing into a scowl. "What do you want?" She asked, disdain dripping from every word.
"I really don't think she likes me." Kendrick stated, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"It's nothing personal. She doesn't like any Slytherin."
"What did we ever do to you?" Theodore asked with confusion.
"Let me think. Your house has put out more evil witches and wizards than can be counted, you rely on your reputation to get what you want, you pick on those you deem inferior to yourselves, and you hate muggle-borns. What's to like?" Lisa's voice was icy. I had never seen her look so furious. She was always so easy going, times when she was truly upset or passionate about something always took me by surprise.
"Oh, I see. So the great Ravenclaw, supposedly unbiased because you're more machine than human, has made the decision that all Slytherins are the same. Some fair mind you are." Theodore hissed.
Lisa's cheeks flushed, though I couldn't discern whether it was due to embarrassment or anger, more than likely it was both. "It's general rule-"
"How about you get to know Kendrick and me before you dole out judgements? Truth be told, we came here because we heard a lot of commotion. When we saw you pillaging the bookshelves, we thought we could maybe help you."
"We don't need your help." Lisa muttered under her breath. I gave her a disapproving look and she caved. "Fine. But I don't know why you think you know this library so much better than we do."
"It's not a matter of knowing the library. What subject are you trying to research?" Kendrick asked. I had noticed before how he and Theodore essentially kept to themselves. The other Slytherins were rather fond of them, but I never really saw them speaking to anyone besides each other.
"Thievery and general mischief." I teased. Kendrick and Theodore both smirked while Lisa pursed her lips with disapproval.
"Why would you be interested in that?" I noticed that Theodore's dark eyes lit up at the subject.
"Classified." I had wanted to say something was classified my entire life. Who didn't love a good spy? "However, we are looking for anything involving stealth, invisibility, or being undetectable. Know where to start?"
"Yeah. The Restricted Section."
Lisa rolled her eyes. "How are we supposed to get in there? You need a note from a teacher."
"So? We get a note from a teacher." I replied. From the corner of my eye, I saw Kendrick and Theodore exchange grins.
"You were right. She is cool." Theodore whispered.
"What teacher in their right mind is going to give a first year permission to get into the restricted section?"
"Why don't you let us take care of that?" Theodore asked happily.
"And let you get into the section and get the book we need? No way."
"Aw, come on, Turpin. Loosen up a bit. It's going to be great. We'll meet you back here tomorrow. Say eleven?"
"Works for me." Kendrick and Theodore waved, to which I waved back. Lisa stood with her arms across her chest, looking quite irked. The next moment, she had taken off, following them out of the library.
"Oi! Knott!" I heard her shout.
I began the arduous process of replacing the books. That girl had a knack for picking the heaviest in the bunch. When she reappeared, her manner was even more perturbed. "Figures."
"What does?"
"Bloody aries..."
A snort erupted from my throat and I pretended that a sudden coughing fit had taken me. "I'm sorry, did you just chase down Theodore Knott to find out what his zodiac sign was?"
"I needed to know if he was trustworthy."
"And his birthday will tell you that?"
The sarcasm in my voice made her glower at me. "I know you think it's rubbish, but I think it's fascinating. Not only that, but it tends to be rather accurate."
"You know, I was reading one of your 'astrology source books' the other day, and we aren't supposed to get along. That's what it says anyway."
"Well, it's not an exact art. To be accurate, I would need to do your birth chart. Speaking of which, what time were you born?"
"No." I replied with humor. "For someone so intelligent, you sure do put a lot of stock in cheap tricks. Do you believe everything a fortune cookie tells you too?"
When I re-entered the dormitory, Merlin was waiting for me on my bed. "What's this I hear of you and Miss Turpin staging a break in?"
"Excuse me? We're doing no such thing."
"All of the castle's animals know about it. So come on, out with it!"
"We are NOT planning a break in. We're just doing some research."
"On breaking and entering?"
"Well, not so many words..."
"Whatever you're planning, needs to stop. I don't like it, Scarlett."
Sighing, I flopped down next to him. "It's for the good of the school. There could be lives at stake. We need to know what's happening."
"So your solution is to become a thief?"
"We're not going to take anything. That would leave traces. We're just...running a covert operation for intel."
"Been reading 'Spies Throughout History' again?"
"Maybe. But that's beside the point. Someone is planning something, someone with power, and we're the only ones onto them."
"Then you should inform the proper authorities."
"Please! No one would believe us! We need empirical proof! Evidence to back up our claim."
"I fail to see how you can have evidence if you don't take anything."
"You know that I've been practicing subtle spells and enchantments. That and potions are the only things I'm good at. I'm going to duplicate whatever we find and take the copy with me. We should eventually have enough proof to take it to Professor Flitwick."
"I still don't like it. However, I can see your opinion is not to be swayed on this matter." He sighed then. "In which case, I believe you should look for a book which contains the recipe for 'Stealth of Shadows'."
"Stealth of Shadows? That would be in the Restricted Section?"
"More than likely. You didn't hear it from me." With a flick of his tail, he leapt from the bed and exited the room.
Right, I need to find Theodore. With that in mind, I exited the dormitory and made my way to the Great Hall. An orange tabby stood in my path, eyeing me with orange eyes.
"I don't suppose you've seen Theodore Knott?" I knew it was crazy to think that I could communicate with all cats, but it was worth a shot.
"Ah, yes. The witch who can speak with us. Merlin told us about you. He's in the Transfiguration Courtyard with that friend of his." The cat replied, its voice full of annoyance.
"Um, thanks." I awkwardly walked around the cat and changed my route to the courtyard. In the distance, I could see him and Kendrick sitting on a bench, a chessboard resting between the two of them.
"Well, if it isn't the Yank! What do you need?" Theodore asked mischievously.
"I need a book that has the recipe for Stealth of Shadows. It's a potion."
"I'll see what I can do. On one condition."
Uh oh. This is why you don't do business with Slytherins...A voice echoed in my mind. "What would that be?"
"We get to come with you."
My mouth fell open. Surely, he was joking. When I noted his look of pleasure, I realized he was entirely serious. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"I think it's brilliant."
"I'm with him. We help you, you let us tag along. I think it's fair." Kendrick stated.
"I'll just get that book myself, then." I turned to leave when Theodore shouted,
"What professor is going to give you permission for something like that? You're a Ravenclaw, you could use the excuse that you're pursuing knowledge, I suppose. Still, it will be suspicious."
Crap. He was right. "I see your point. But what makes you so confident you'll succeed?"
A smirk crept onto his and Kendrick's faces. "We both...know people."
I found myself rolling my eyes. "Oh, brother. You're that one inmate, aren't you? In all those prison movies, there's always one guy who has access to the outside. He's got guards in his pocket and is the go to person for when you need something. There's always a price but he can always get what you need. And it's you, isn't it?"
"Both of us, actually. Kendrick's the brains behind it, I'm the voice. We've got a rather wonderful partnership, don't we?"
Kendrick nodded with bemusement. "And that's why you're so popular with your fellow Slytherins. Even though you're first years, you've got connections. I'm not even going to ask how that's possible. Fine. You get to come along. But if either of you screw it up, I'll have your heads."
"Shake on it?" Theodore extended his hand. I noted the smug satisfaction on both of their faces and grimaced. I grasped my hand in his and had a feeling I had just made a deal with the devil.