Hogwarts: Library
1996: Second Day, Sixth Year
POV: Draco Malfoy
"Madame Pince, I'm especially interested in researching Salazar Slytherin and his descendants. Would you mind pointing me to a history book that outlines the great wizarding family trees?" I query, trying for an eager student voice, hoping she might reward me with the slow point of her bony finger.
"As a matter of fact, Mr. Malfoy, I do mind."
My mouth hangs open as I watch the black-robed spinster turn and stride away from me. Annoyed, I march over to a most uncomfortable, wooden ladder-backed chair hidden in a corner among the shelves. I slouch into it, wracking my brain for the proper library location of a book like the one I just requested. It was just like Pince to use this as a learning experience!
A few minutes later, I hear a feminine voice ask an interesting question. I strain to hear the conversation.
"Madame Pince, I was wondering if you might have a book that lists the names of all wizarding families, preferably those that list and trace the family trees of those with names beginning with 'M' or maybe even "S'?
I watch the irritable librarian, who unerringly resembles a scary bird of prey, stare at the bushy-haired witch for a moment. Pince shakes her head as if to clear it.
"Yes, we do."
The way she answers seems to keep Granger from continuing. I peer around the corner, watching the know-it-all Gryffindor shift uncomfortably.
"Oh!... Well, might you tell me where I can find it?" she finally splutters.
"It's where it's always been, Miss Granger," the uncomfortably thin woman says matter-of-factly, adjusting her glasses, dismissively returning to her quill and parchment.
Nice to know the old witch doesn't discriminate!
I watch Granger huff irritably and move through the library as though she owns it. I shrug, figuring that if there is one person who knows where the book might be, it would be her. I stealthily follow the Mudblood into the stacks filled with references.
References! I should have thought of that!
I mentally slap myself and my fear-muddled brain.
I stop on the other side of the bookshelf Granger's standing in front of and pretend to reach out for a tome in front of me. I watch the unconscious habit she has of running her own finger against the spine of each book as she reads the titles.
"Adding stalking to your long list of crimes, Malfoy?" I catch her brown-eyes glaring at me over the tops of the books from the other side of the open shelf.
I send her my signature smirk, my gaze trained on the ancient-looking book she now holds in her hand.
Minutes later...
Dumbledore's Office
"Madame Pince, delightful surprise," Professor Dumbledore greets his head librarian, offering her some sherbet lemons.
He had a few extra on hand today. Harry seemed to like eating them after overly long Pensieve gazing. Unfortunately, the day's lesson brought young Potter more understanding of Tom Riddle's past and his connection to the Gaunt family. Dumbledore sighs, trying to wipe away the memory of Harry's wide green eyes take in the knowledge of Tom's grisly past, and the worst secrets of pureblood families.
The headmaster slowly turns his attention to his newest visitor.
He nods as Mdm. Pince declines the sweet with an upheld hand. She wastes no time and launches directly into providing Dumbledore with the information he'd requested years ago.
"Albus, you asked me once to inform you if there was ever a student who requested a book about wizarding family names, particularly those of Slytherin, or beginning with 'S'."
"Yes, I recall, Irma," he answers slowly, worry lines forming on his craggy forehead. "And who was this student who asked?"
"There were two, Albus. Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Draco Malfoy. Miss Granger also asked for 'M's' but that wasn't what you asked me to look out for," she stops, placing a hand on her hip. "What is most disconcerting is that they asked for the book within minutes of each other. After nearly six years of that book sitting unmolested in its rightful place in the library, suddenly it garners this much interest? It is too much of a coincidence!"
"Yes."
"Are you going to tell me why?" the librarian asks, irritated.
"No." Dumbledore replies, absently stroking his long beard, "Only that it must be time, Irma. It must be time."
At the following sound of silence, the well-meaning librarian sniffs, turns, and sweeps her way out of the office.
Dumbledore sat down heavily in the chair at his desk, extracting a key on a chain around his neck. He fumbles with his desk for a moment and with a satisfying click, is able to pull open a hidden drawer. The wooden box inside levitates, requiring his ordered finger touch in a certain sequence to unlatch what looks like an intricate Chinese puzzle box. After several layers of puzzle-play, the box is open, hanging in mid-air to reveal his prize. His face is clouded as he gazes at the glowing white orb now in his grasp.
He smiles, vastly pleased to hear that the Malfoy boy was the one to have asked about the library book. At last the old professor is able to surmise the missing puzzle pieces of the prophecy, the very one he tore apart so long ago.
Author's note: Sorry this one was so short... I'm trying to get Draco and Hermione into each chapter. Incidentally, I love the fact that even though it's her story, I've managed to thoroughly confuse Violent Pixi *insert evil laugh here*.