Chapter 2
For the next few days the book consumed me. Magic that I had never dreamed of laid before me for the taking. Precious knowledge that was caged and shoved aside became known to me. Spells to change your appearance, poisons of all sorts, deadly beasts and how to control them, the book was filled with amazing magic that my mind ate hungrily. It was as if this would be the last book I would ever hold. I missed meals, forgot homework, and blew everyone off to read the book quickly. I was completely immersed in my study when Ginny slammed the door to my Head Girl dormitory. She cast a silencing and a locking charm on the door and looked at me.
Her forehead creased in worry lines and she frowned slightly. Her bright blue eyes twinkled and her cheeks were slightly flushed. She placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot lightly. I rolled my hidden eyes and continued my reading about chemical thornkooks. I was sprawled across my bed. The canopy curtains were drawn back and sunlight beamed through. Brunette curls cascaded over my shoulders and hid my face as I read. Ginny sighed and sat down on the bed beside me.
"I'm worried about you, 'Mione. This isn't like you. Your blowing off meals, you aren't doing your homework, that's just not normal for you. Is anything wrong?" she asked gently. She was over reacting. It's not like I never read a book before. Sometimes I did go a little crazy when I got into a good book, but it was all under control. It wasn't like I was performing dark magic. I was merely studying it.
"I'm fine. It's nothing. I'm just really into this book. It's amazing." I told her. I smiled warmly to her and hoped she would drop it. She was starting to bug me. Did she realize how much I could be finished reading in five minutes? She was wasting my time and I didn't appreciate it.
"That doesn't seem like the problem. What are you reading anyway?" she inquired. I exhaled sharply and glared at her.
"Here, it's a good read. Maybe Malfoy will let you borrow it after I'm done." I said handing her the book. I frowned and her eyes widened innocently.
"You got this from- from Malfoy?" she sputtered. She was genuinely surprised when I nodded. I laughed. Her innocence and disbelief was amusing. I didn't even think I was that much of a goody-goody. I handed her the book and she flipped through the first few pages.
"Hermione!" she gasped. "Hermione this is Dark Magic. You can get expelled!" she breathed horrified.
"Only if I get caught," I whispered mischievously. Her mouth hung open and that only prompted me to giggle more. "You act as if it's the end of the world Ginny. Relax. I'm not performing dark magic I'm only reading about it. It's not like that's going to hurt anyone." Ginny narrowed her eyes and looked at me suspiciously.
"Who are you? What have you done with my best friend Hermione Granger?" She hissed.
"Really, Ginny I haven't changed. It's just that school has been getting boring. I know everything. I can't learn anymore. I need something new. You wouldn't understand." I snatched the book out of her hand. "Promise me you won't tell anyone. It's not like I'm doing anything wrong. If I'm going to fight dark magic I have to understand what exactly I'll be up against. Just please, please don't tell anyone." She sighed and rubbed her temples.
"Do you promise not to do anything harmful?" she breathed nervously. Her eyes were darting everywhere as if the walls had eyes and ears.
"Yes, yes I promise," I said impatiently. I bounced excitedly on the bed and Ginny smiled timidly. Ginny had changed over the summer. It seemed as if we were switching roles. She had become quiet and reserved and I became loud and outgoing.
"Would you mind if I read it after you're done with it?" she asked. Her eyes lit up and her cheeks burned a light red. She was just as curious and excited as I was. I nodded and hugged her.
"Thanks, Ginny! I swear I won't try anything. You have my word. Just don't tell anyone and you'll be able to use the book." I was jumping on the bed again. Ginny laughed and began jumping with me.
The next day I was reading when Malfoy knocked on the door to my room.
"Come in," I yelled absentmindedly. He stepped over the threshold and smirked. I sighed and looked up from my book.
"What do you want?" I asked rudely. I wasn't in the mood to deal with him at that moment. I hardly got any sleep and I was almost finished the little book.
"I was just wondering if you had any questions about the book. I'm assuming you have a lot." He smirked and I narrowed my eyes. Again there was someone who was wasting my precious time. I sat up and looked at the page I was reading. I was on the last chapter about a spell called Ubera Olim. It was more of a ritual really. The book explained the process and materials needed but it didn't tell you what it did. I showed him the chapter.
"Hmmm, I'm not sure about what it does. That was the only spell in the entire book that Blaise and I were never allowed to try. There's only one way to find out what it does," he smirked and I threw the book at him.
"No way, I will not try that spell! Are you crazy? We could get in so much trouble! We could get locked up in Azkaban for something like this!" He was completely insane if he thought I would ever do something like that spell.
"Wow, Granger, I never thought you'd be the one to back away from a challenge. If you're scared it's ok to admit it. I won't think any less of you." He said deviously. He was toying with me I knew, but out of habit and sheer defiance I snorted.
"I am not a coward! I just think it's stupid to try a spell when we don't even know what it does. Besides, if you're allowed to do every spell in this book except for this one then it must be really bad." I rationalized. Doubt smeared his face but his smirk became even wider.
"That's all the more reason to do it then. Don't you want to know what it does? Come on. What's the most harm it could do? It's all about the learning experience, right? Well what can you learn from this book? It doesn't tell you what it does. The only way to learn is to actually do it." He was like the devil on my shoulder. Cunning and sly he seeped thoughts and ideas into my head. My mind swirled as I listened to what he said. I was conflicted. His voice was in my head saying, Do it! Come on! You know you want to! It'll be ok. A tiny voice in my head was screaming for me not to.
"But we need a third person…" I trailed doubtfully. "And we need crystal wands…"
"I know how we can get the wands Granger. You work on getting the right person for this." Malfoy smirked and left me alone to think on it. The wind outside blew ominously as November left and December began. I watched as snow began to fall outside my window, thinking about who I would be able to convince. It was a crazy scheme and a dangerous one, but the only way to satisfy my curiosity was to find out what exactly that spell did.