So sorry for the wait this chapter! I got out of the mood and school got crazy, so I only had half a chapter written. This weekend I cracked down on it and finally got to finishing. It's not the best it could be, but this is pretty much a filler chap, explaining the lexicon and all that.
Rise of the Alchemists belongs to pinktwirlz at and NovaMagma at deviantart. Do not steal or I will eat your livers.
Harry Potter names and characters belong to JK Rowling. If I was JK Rowling, would I really be writing fanfiction?
The thrill of Hogwarts was still as alive as ever, but no one was disappointed when the weekend came around. The first years took the time to relax in the common room, or enjoy the leftover sun from the summer break. This wasn't without irritation from the fifth, sixth, and seventh years however; all of their teachers were not shy about their workload. Most of them would be catching up over the weekend on their homework
Albus, still weak from his time in the hospital wing, spent most of his Saturday in the common room playing gobstones with Scorpius. The Slytherin common room was built underneath the Black Lake, giving the walls a green tinge. This was supported by the emerald colored lights and furniture. The room seemed to be modeled after an underwater shipwreck. It had leather sofas with fancy buttons, skulls lining the walls, and cupboards made of dark wood. It was a grand and cold looking place, though the fire kept the room uncharacteristically warm. The walls were also decorated with tapestries of the adventures of Merlin and other famous Slytherins. There were moving portraits of said adventurers who loved to engage in a sporting word game if given the chance, or even help students with their homework. Albus was starting to like the place (after all, how many other houses could get advice from Merlin on their history of magic homework?)
When gobstones started to get boring, Scorpius would drag Albus around the school to go "exploring." The halls of Hogwarts were full of mystery, history, and grandeur. It seemed to draw Scorpius in as a beacon. Had Albus not been a natural navigator, they could have lost themselves for hours in the grand castle.
After a good two hours of roaming the school, talking to moving portraits, and discovering hidden pathways, even Albus started to admit defeat. There was only so much he could take in at one time, and his "mind map" was starting to unravel.
Scorpius was having similar problems. As much as he tried, he couldn't remember every name of the portraits, or the unique spells cast on each particular suit of armor, or the deathdays of all the ghosts. It drove him to near insanity.
After a good deal of thought, Albus finally came up with a solution. As Scorpius admired the goblets and faded plaques in the Trophy Room, Albus suggested something that would shape their Hogwarts experience forever.
"Let's make an encyclopedia."
Scorpius just turned, and stared.
"Think about it," Albus said. "Every ghost we meet, every portrait we talk to, we write down. We organize them by section and location. And every bewitched object we talk to, we write down. Every passageway we find, we make a map. We might not learn all of Hogwarts' secrets, but we'd come close."
Scorpius stared for a few more seconds, before breaking out into a hopeful smile.
"Albus, I could kiss you." He beamed.
Thus began the Hogwarts Encyclopedia, or die Roxfort Lexikon as they called it (using a mixture of German and Hungarian to make it sound more impressive.)
The Roxfort Lexikon, as of the next Sunday afternoon, was not so much an encyclopedia as a collection of parchments with notes scrawled in varying colors of ink. The duo started small, with their common room. They jotted down notes on the furniture, the walls, even the giant squid that swam past the window sometimes. For the sake of you, the reader, I shall provide the final finished page for you here.
Die Roxfort Lexikon - Page I
The Slytherin Dungeon (aka the Slytherin Common Room)
The Slytherin common room, as of date of publication, is a dark, green room that exists underneath the lake. The furniture and decor features emerald colors and the serpentine emblem of the Slytherin House. The walls are decorated with tapestries showing the adventures of famous Slytherins of history.
Noteworthy facts:
- The password changes every fortnight.
-No one of other houses has been known to (publicly) enter for over seven centuries.
-Contrary to popular belief, the Slytherin dungeon does NOT house the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.
List of Portraits and otherwise bewitched objects:
-Portrait of Merlin: He sports a long beard, and a starry purple hat. He will help you with homework should you ask nicely enough. Be careful not to insult him, for he never forgets a grudge.
-Portrait of Henrietta Wemmings: She wears a long, blue cloak and has a very pointed nose. She will sing all nineteen verses of Born with the Snidgets if you can answer her riddles, which are notoriously difficult. She has a new riddle every day.
-Portrait of Arsenius Jigger: Thin with short, black hair, the author of many potions and DADA texts enjoys nothing more than reading the daily prophet (if anyone is willing to hold it up to his face) and helping students finish the crossword.
-Portrait of Regulus Moonshine: Not often seen, as he disappears into other portraits more often than staying in his own. When he is seen, he is often fraternizing with other portrait women. He has long, blond hair and a golden jacket.
-The Infamous Screaming Book of Yorkshire: It sits on one of the desks, as it has been for many years. No one knows what's inside, because if anyone attempts to move or open it, it lets out a deafening shriek until closed and put back in its spot.
-The Unidentified Toad: Possibly a ghost, the toad noise has been around for as long as anyone can remember. Every 13 minutes and 40 seconds, it croaks once. No source has been yet found.
As simple as it seems, it took two full hours to finish the notes and organize the page. But it left the duo feeling very proud of their days work.
Monday the next day started with classes as usual. There were still whispers chasing Albus through the halls as word spread about the incident on his broomstick, but for the most part Albus was able to ignore them.
Time during classes was split between documenting the classrooms' many quirks for the Lexicon, and actually taking notes. There was an established rule created that day, a rule which was the first of many. Albus started a list, writing the first rule down.
Rules of die Roxfort Lexicon:
1. No living person, unless the said person is of historical significance to the school, shall be documented in the lexicon for purposes of time management. (Historical significance being past headmasters and headmistresses, individuals given a commemoration in the trophy room, individuals who break school records, individuals who have taken part in active roles towards the protection of the school's destruction.) This rule may be bypassed at the authors discretion.
It was a rather lengthy entry, but an effective one nonetheless. The rule was essentially created so they could justify not writing down every student in the school as a new entry. They did have to be careful however; giving themselves bypass ability meant they might go overboard with who they did want to include. Thus, another sentence was added to the rule.
In order for a bypass to occur, the vote must be unanimous.
One thing Scorpius and Al could agree on; Hagrid deserved to be in it.
Seeing as Albus had missed his tea date with Hagrid while he was holed up in the hospital wing, Hagrid had presented the opportunity to come after dinner on Monday for some tea and cakes. Albus had accepted, mentioning he would bring a friend along, (though not mentioning Scorpius specifically. He didn't want to scare the half giant with the Malfoy name.)
The two made their way down to Hagrid's hut that evening. Scorpius and Albus had stuffed their pockets with parchment and quills, hoping to find a way to tactfully take notes on the gamekeeper and his hut.
Albus rapped on the door, his heart pounding slightly. He had grown up with Hagrid visiting his home on the holidays, as his father and Hagrid were very good friends. This being said, Albus didn't know much about the man personally. And as such, he didn't know how Hagrid would react to his house placement or his choice in company. Hagrid had said nothing of the matter previously to the young Potter boy.
Scorpius cast Al a concerned look just as Hagrid opened the door. It was hard to tell his mood through the great gray beard, but his eyes were warm and welcoming.
"S'bout time yeh came ter see me. Broomstick accidents an' all tha' though, guess couldn't be helped. Come on in, I'll make yeh and yer friend some tea."
Albus smiled gratefully, and the two made their way into Hagrid's cozy little home.
It was a small, circular hut that was cluttered to the brim with various pieces of junk and knick-nacks. There was a bright fireplace that warmed and lit the area, along with a few torch lamps and a whistling kettle.
Scorpius marveled at the sight. He had grown up in the very prestigious and noble Malfoy Manor. There was never a speck of dust anywhere to be seen in his home, and the halls had a permanent odor of cleaning solution. This cabin had all sorts of raw and musky aromas to entice him, and the certain organized discord was something to marvel at.
"It's nice to see you, Hagrid." Al started. "It's been a while."
Hagrid chuckled as he poured the three of them tea. "Well I saw yeh at the sortin', di'nt I? Though there wasn' much time fer conversation there I guess." His gaze shifted towards the marveling blond. "I don' think we've been introduced. Names' Hagrid, Rubeus Hagrid." He offered his overlarge hand for Scorpius to shake.
"Scorpius Malfoy. Friend of Al's." He struggled to hold on to his hand as Hagrid vigorously shook it.
"Shoulda known, yeh look just like a Malfoy. Like Weasleys you lot are." His voice remained jovial, though it seemed slightly forced, and he didn't meet Scorpius's eyes.
"Scorpius is a friend of mine. I'm sure we'll all get along." He passed on the silent question to Hagrid, 'Is it okay I've brought a Malfoy along?'
Hagrid waved his hand as he presented them with tea. He silently responded. 'I don't mind.'
"So, Slytherin huh." Hagrid mentioned as he sank back into his own chair, steaming cup of tea in his hand. Albus stiffened all over again, imagining the worst. "Who'dve thought."
Scorpius came to the rescue, saving Albus the need to answer. "I thought the same thing about the house, truthfully. All the pure blood nonsense and all that." He sipped his tea. "But it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be." He glanced at Al, prompting him to continue. Al nodded slightly.
"It's really a fascinating house. The people are really nice, and the history of it all is mind blowing. Still," He added. "It's a very proud place. Sometimes intimidating."
Hagrid seemed lost in thought. "I guess it depends on yer perspective. I've never had good experiences with Slytherins before, so I can't tell yeh I'm not biased." He chuckles. "Times are changin' I guess."
"What house were you in, Hagrid?" Scorpius asked curiously.
"Oh?" Hagrid looked flattered that someone was interested in himself. "I was a Gryffindor meself. And proud of it."
"I should have known. I've heard many stories of you. You seem very brave." Scorpius continued. He seemed to enjoy flattering the gamekeeper, and Hagrid certainly couldn't say he disliked it either.
At least he's making sure to be on Hagrid's good side. Albus thought to himself.
It took a while for Hagrid to adjust to a Malfoy drinking tea in his hut, but it didn't take long for him to warm up to the boy. Albus in turn also relaxed. Even if he didn't know Hagrid very well, if he had earned Hagrid's acceptance his parents would be less likely to protest against anything Al was doing.
They left Hagrid's house with good spirits, having a feeling of accomplishing something during their time there. Albus had gained the acceptance of his family friend. For Scorpius, it was the first door opened to the wizarding world. A door that lead beyond his provincial life at Malfoy Manor.
It was exciting.
"This is boring!" Scorpius declared.
The blond eleven year old let his forehead fall on to the textbook in front of him, the veins in his eyes almost pulsing with red.
"How is it possible," He said, "To take such a fascinating subject and screw it all around like this! I don't get it!"
"That's Binns for you." Albus shrugged, leaning back towards his own book, attempting to complete the essay that had been assigned.
With the second week of school began their first real wave of homework. Charms and Transfiguration weren't too bad, since their curriculums only required spell casting at that point (and the teachers didn't want them practicing outside of class until they had at least learned the basics.) But Potions and History of Magic both had essays assigned, Professor Longbottom wanted a haiku on why the venomous tentacula was more dangerous than a rattlesnake, and Defense Against the Dark Arts required they research the tickling charm before next class.
Scorpius had never been so unhappy. A subject with so much potential...degraded to this?
"I'm starting a petition." Scorpius decided.
"What are you gonna petition for?" Albus asked, his interest piqued.
"I want to advocate for a new History of Magic teacher."
Albus stared at him. "But where would Binns go? The dude's a ghost, he exists to teach us."
"I don't care." Scorpius said. His mind was made. "I don't care if we can't kick him out, but the teachers need to realize how terrible he is. Think of all the historians that could be and never will because of him..."
Albus personally did not think the number was high enough to be of consequence to anybody, but Scorpius had made up his mind.
So began project number two of the duo: The Petition of Binn's Removal.
Die Roxfort Lexicon - Page 2
Rubeus Hagrid
The most famous in the line of Hogwarts Gamekeepers, the keepers of the keys and the grounds at Hogwarts. Originally in Gryffindor house, Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts due to false charges that he later cleared. Has a soft spot for "monsters" and other strange creatures that many do not find to be completely safe. Hagrid participated in the great Battle of Hogwarts in 1998, aiding in the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named alongside Harry Potter himself. He is 89 years old as of date of publication.
Sorry this was somewhat short, but you can hopefully be expecting more soon (to anyone who actually is reading this XD) If you do read, please leave a review, tell me what I can improve on. Helps motivate me to write more :)
And so sorry for no Rose this time around. One of you asked me to put more of her in, and you will be seeing Rose, don't worry. But for the purpose of this story Rose, being in a different house and all, won't be hanging around the duo as much as Hermione did the previous generation. She has her own friends that she is with mostly. But there will be plenty of her! Don't worry ;) She's very important to my plot. (which will pick up soon, I promise)