Chapter 26: A True Gryffindor

August 28, 2007

Several days passed, and Bella found herself studying harder than ever. Wizarding History stretched back further back than she'd ever imagined. Fortunately, Madam Pince, the librarian, was incredibly helpful, suggesting only the most concise tomes to start out, and soon she was confident enough to at least pass the O.W.L.s if she had to.

There had been so many wars between feuding species or amongst wizards she'd read about, and it was especially astonishing to see how closed off the magical world had become after the International Statute of Secrecy passed in the seventeenth century.

Textbooks weren't exactly clear concerning the cause of the Statute's passing. Tensions had been growing with muggles, but couldn't a team of Obliviators have taken care of that? A few of the books Bella read had suggested that a small sect of wizards and witches had actually brought about the Wizarding World's need to hide, but she couldn't find anything else.

She approached Madam Pince the following morning, returning the books she had finished.

"You look troubled, Miss Swan."

"I was just trying to find some books from the medieval and early modern era, but almost all of them are missing."

"I'm terribly sorry, Miss Swan. Very few copies of those books exist, and the only copies available to Hogwarts are locked away in Professor Binns' study."

"Can't someone just unlock it?"

The librarian pursed her lips. "The last five staff members who made an attempt to break into the deceased professor's study each ended up at St. Mungo's for several weeks, but be my guest."

Bella frowned and rushed to Professor Binns' room. Per usual, he was floating by the window, staring at the mountainous terrain.

"Why can't anyone get in your study?" She folded her arms and glared at the ghost.

"Ah, Miss Swain, a pleasure to see you, I'm sure."

"Why. can't. anyone. get. into. your. study?" she repeated.

"Of course, of course. Many try and many fail, Miss Swain."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It is hopeless, I'm afraid. In my days I found myself the target of many a cruel prank. No matter, of course, but the books – the books had to be protected." He floated down eyeing her steadily. "It was old magic, tied to the school. I enchanted the room so no one apart from myself could enter it."

Bella's mouth fell open. "Isn't there some kind of loophole?" She was becoming quite skilled at them after all.

"As I said, the magic is tied to the school itself. The study originally belonged to Godric Gryffindor himself. It is possible, perhaps, that a descendant or close relation could open it. The enchantment is much like the one used by Merlin with the sword in the stone. Only those who attempt to tamper with its magic will find themselves at odds. Any others may freely try."

"Thank you, Professor." Bella exited his room, feeling stumped. How could she find someone related to Godric Gryffindor?

"There you are, Bella." She peered up to see Neville, holding a picnic basket with an adorable smile. "I thought you might be hungry."

Part of her wanted to go to the fourth floor immediately, just to see what was so special about the study, but time with Neville was growing fewer and farther in between, and when it came down to it, there was really no contest.

Godric Gryffindor and his descendants could wait.

She was just polishing off her pumpkin juice on the soft picnic blanket when Professor Binns' study came creeping back into her thoughts.

"Hey Neville, does Hogwarts keep some kind of Wizarding Genealogy?"

He shook his head hesitantly. "I'm not sure. Have you talked to Madam Pince?"

Bella drummed her fingers against her knee. "Not about that specifically. It's just...there's a bunch of books locked away in Professor Binns' study, but no one can get in unless they're related to Godric Gryffindor – or unless they're Professor Binns."

"So you're actually liking working with Binns?" he eyed her incredulously.

"I mean, he's not the most engaging guy—"

"—you mean he's a dreadful bore."

Bella smacked him lightly. "The history is fascinating, regardless of the instructor. I've read through every textbook I can get my hands on, but some of the old and ancient stuff is missing from the library."

"Merlin, you sound like Hermione," Neville grinned. "I bet it would drive her mad if you found those books. You'd know more about Wizarding History than any witch or wizard at Hogwarts for sure."

"Yeah, well that's not going to happen. With my luck there probably aren't any Gryffindor descendants left."

"Well, let's go have a look then." He waved his wand, packing up their lunch, and he walked her back into the castle. "Is it on the first floor?"

"Fourth, actually."

"I don't mind the walk," he smirked. "I feel like I haven't seen you in days."

It was almost true, she realized. Between her studies and Neville's lesson preparations, she was lucky if they caught each other at mealtimes. "Maybe we can spend some time together before classes start. How's your Herbology stuff coming?"

"I'm almost done preparing lessons, but the plants always need looking after, and now with duelling—"

"Dueling?" she exclaimed. "They teach that in school?"

"Not always," he shrugged. "But Hannah convinced Professor McGonagall that 'my skills shouldn't go to waste', so I'm the new instructor." He rolled his eyes as they made their way up the stairs.

Hannah...why was Bella not surprised. "You must be pretty great at it if they asked you to teach."

Color filled his cheeks. "Mind you, I used to be dreadful. I suppose the war changed that. Harry taught a lot of us in the beginning."

"In Dumbledore's Army, I remember reading about that."

He nodded. "Well, after the war I trained with the Aurors, and it just became instinctual after a while. Apparently I was really good. The Department threw a right fit when I handed in my resignation," He paused with a far-off look in his eyes. "—but catching criminals day after day...that was never the life for me."

"Are you going to be okay teaching dueling?"

He actually laughed. "These kids aren't Death Eaters, Bella. It'll be fine. It just means less time to spend the way I'd like." His eyes ran over her longingly, causing her to blush deeply.

"H-hey, quality over quantity," she finally managed.

"Don't be daft, Bella. Every second with you is quality."

Her cheeks grew hotter as she led him down a small corridor on the fourth floor. There wasn't much past the History of Magic classroom, but down at the end they spied a intricately adorned – albeit dusty – door.

"Are you having a go at me?" Neville stared at the door for several seconds.

"What?" She had no clue why he suddenly appeared so...uncertain.

"This is Professor Binns' study?"

"Well, yeah."

"The one no one can get into?"

"Yes." She was getting slightly frustrated. "What's wrong?"

He turned the knob, and the door swung open easily, allowing several years of dust to come billowing out.

"I've been in here before."

...

Well, Bella didn't see that one coming.

The study must have had an undetectable extension charm placed on it, because they spied rows upon rows of bookshelves in the dim light.

Bella breathed in awe as she drew open one of the draperies. "There must be...a thousand books here."

Neville used his wand to siphon away most of the dust. "I wasn't exactly focused on the books when I found this place the first time. I was a first year then, and Draco Malfoy and his goons were trying to practice a curse on me. I ran in here and just sort of camped out until they left."

"Well, you know what this means, don't you? You're a descendant of Gryffindor!"

"I suppose." Neville scratched the back of his head, looking around. "I mean, I'd have to be one according to Binns, but no one in the family ever mentioned it before. You think we'd have it on our coat of arms and hanging in the entryway."

"They must not know about it then," Bella shrugged. It wasn't like she knew her family history or anything.

"But that's the sort of thing a Pureblood family would know. Something feels off."

"Then I'll look into it. If Hogwarts doesn't have the records I'll send an owl to Hermione."

"I could do it just as easily."

"Don't be so stubborn; I'm trying to help. Besides, it's probably something complicated like an illegitimate child or a distant, unknown relative."

"Perhaps." He grinned softly and wrapped his arms around her waist, and nearly a full minute passed before he spoke again. "...Bella?"

"Hm?" she hummed, enjoying the warmth of his embrace.

"Do you think...would you want to meet my parents?"

Oh. She recalled the stories of what had happened to his parents and how reverently Neville spoke of them. It would be a major step in their relationship for her to be a part of such a personal part of Neville's life, but she was ready. Swallowing, she pulled back with increasing amounts of moisture crinkling in the corners her eyes.

"I'd like that."

Did you notice that even when they're talking Neville uses British spelling and Bella uses American? Lol, I didn't know how else to write 'dueling'...

Not sure how I felt about this chapter. It had a lot of exposition, but I hope you guys found it satisfactory. Thanks for reading! -V