After classes the next day I received a rather cryptic letter about the missing pages, heading to the Clock Tower courtyard, looking around the fountain I found a message in one of the statues mouths.
"Scrope? Isn't that Headmaster Black's house elf?" I asked after reading it, tucking it away I started walking across the bridge as I heard footsteps behind me.
"Katherine," I heard Theo's voice, I stopped walking and turned to him, "Were you heading somewhere?"
"No, is there something I can help you with?" I asked looking to him with a raised eyebrow.
"I was actually wondering if you'd come with me to the Three Broomsticks later?" he asked looking from the ground to meet my eyes,
"I told you I'm not looking for a relationship," I said crossing my arms glaring at him.
"If you'd like to continue attending at Hogwarts, I suggest you changed your mind." he smirked moving closer to me as I backed away feeling the wooden beam of the bridge against my back.
"What do you mean?" I asked, he leaned closer until I felt his breath on my ear,
"I'll go to Black and have you and your siblings expelled for using the Dark Arts," he spoke softly as I looked to him in shock. "So, what's it going to be dear?"
"I'll see you later," I clenched my fists tightly glaring at him through angry tears,
"Good choice," he smirked leaning in cupping my face as I felt his lips press into my cheek, "I'll see you later, Katherine."
I watched him walk away wiping my cheek with my robe glaring at him before wiping my tears, continuing across the bridge I wanted to scream. 'That bastard, I can't believe I tried to be nice to him, I hate him!' I thought before searching for the next note, ending up at the edge of the Black lake.
"What's all this about Scrope? Your notes mentioned the book I found in the Restricted Section." I asked looking to him with a raised eyebrow,
"Scrope can tell you more in exchange for your help, but no one - especially the Headmaster - can know." he said, I thought about it for a moment.
"I'd be happy to help, just as long as I don't get into any trouble and you can shed light on the book." I smiled,
"Scrope is grateful." he said before telling me about Apollonia's Grotto, where the missing pages might be and mentioning the treasured Black family ring that he wanted me to get.
Making my way towards where he'd pointed out the grotto after handing me a piece of toast, I heard a growling and rattling sounds turning to see the dugbog to my left dodging just at the last second. 'Dugbogs, why did it have to be dugbogs?' I groaned in annoyance.
I fought my way through the five dugbogs that were in my path, I rubbed my arm to find I'd gotten scratched by one when they pounced on me. Pulling out a wiggenweld potion, drinking it down before jumping into the lake and swimming into the small cave beneath the school to find a mosaic of a squid.
Placing the toast on the pedestal caused a doorway to open up, I walked into the room looking around to find Apollonia's journal sitting on the desk. All of a sudden a head poked through the wall, "Could it be? A visitor?" A ghost came through the wall carrying their head before placing it on his body and trying to bow.
I smiled as his head rolled off and he caught it putting it back in place, "The name's Richard Jackdaw, I was a student just like you about a century ago. How in the world did you find this place?"
"A house-elf named Scrope sent me, said I might find a Black family ring here." I explained, "You wouldn't happen to know where I could find it or some pages perhaps?"
"Sorry to say, I sold the ring a long time ago, poor Scrope, still holds a candle for Apollonia I reckon." he said shaking his head, "There were some pages I pilfered from Peeves, they had a secret map on them,"
"I really need those pages if you still have them." I told him,
"They're not here, I followed the map - to what I can only describe as an enchanted cave of some kind and - you see what happened next." he made a swishing noise and tilting his head off of his neck. "Here's an idea - why don't you meet me at the edge of the Forbidden Forest and I'll show you where to find the pages?"
I heard him mention the place, "If it's the only way I can get those pages, I guess I'll meet you at the forest." I frowned, 'Hopefully I don't get in trouble for this.'
Letting Scrope know about the ring before heading back to my dorm room, I decided to take a hot bath, then remembering that I was supposed to meet Theo.
"Damn it, I didn't want to smell nice for the bastard." I cursed under my breath before drying off and dressing in clean school robes.
Walking into Hogsmeade I trudged the whole way to the Three Broomsticks, seeing Sirona I smiled at her before meeting eyes with him at a two person table. Sitting down my smile dropped and I glared at him, "Awe, don't look at me with such hatred in your eyes, do try to smile at me won't you." he smirked.
"I'd rather bite my tongue." I scowled at him,
"All it'd take is one conversation, your family would be done." Theo said as I looked to the table starting to realize how serious he was.
"What do you want from me?" I asked looking him in the eyes,
"So, you're finally going to cooperate." he leaned back with a triumphant smirk taking a swig of his butterbeer. "I want you to be mine, no more talking to other guys and you can't tell anyone about our situation."
"I hate you," I fought back tears,
"If you want me to keep your family's secret, I suggest you change your tone." he gave me a serious look, I bit my lip and nodding.
"Whatever you want, but I'm still allowed to have guy friends or I won't be so willing." I crossed my arms leaning back in my chair glaring at the table,
"Perhaps, I'd be okay with that, however, you are not allowed to be around or talk to Sallow." Theo stated before taking another sip.
"I don't like him like that." I looked him in the eyes,
"I'm not stupid, I saw the way you've looked at him since your first-year." he said sitting his cup down before meeting my eyes.
I took in a sharp breath, "You're not to be around Sebastian at all." he stated firmly, I nodded looking at the table, "Now that's settled! Let's take a walk around Hogsmeade before curfew,"
We walked outside, he held out his arm for me to hold on to as I reluctantly placed my arm on his trying to put on a believable smile while we walked around. Seeing other people from school I tried not to look at them, but I knew they saw me and knew who I was.
After we returned, he stopped when we reached the bottom of the Grand Staircase turning to me in the eyes smirking, "Goodnight, my dear," he said leaning down to kiss my cheek, leaning in my ear, "Remember what we talked about."
I glared in his direction tears falling down my face feeling disgusted by everything, again wiping my face with my sleeve before walking towards the common room.
I walked straight through to my dorm room and throwing myself in bed, "Why is it that you're the center of all this negative attention?" Imelda's voice caught me off guard.
"What do you mean?" I asked sitting up in my bed looking at her confused,
"First your sister, now everyone's talking about you dating Theo," she raised an eyebrow at me, "I've heard from a few people saying they saw the two of you walking around Hogsmeade."
"He asked me out earlier," I explained, she shook her head at me,
"Is he blackmailing you too?" Imelda said sarcastically as I looked down trying to fight back the tears, "No way! That bastard did not!"
"He has information that could expel me and my siblings, if I refused to go out with him." I said as tears fell down my face. "You can't let him find out you know."
She walked over to me holding me by my shoulders, "I promise, I'll find dirt on him to use against him and then you won't have to worry about that bastard ever again."
"Thanks Imelda!" I smiled, "I'm going to head to bed." I got up to change.
I waited for everyone to be asleep before slipping on non-school clothing and robe, pulling my hood over my head. Grabbing a face mask before sneaking out of the castle, making my way to the Forbidden Forrest to find Richard, I heard a crackling noise behind me.
I felt someone push me against a tree while covering my mouth, I watched them look around before turning to me and fulling down their own mask, calming down at the sight of Sebastian's face in the dim light.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing out here at this hour?" he whispered removing his hand from my mouth and taking a step back,
I pulled down my own face mask, "I should be asking you that, why are you following me?" I crossed my arms.
"I asked you first, besides this isn't the best place for either of us to get caught." he looked around again as a precaution,
"It's about what I found in the Restricted Section, I'll be fine on my own, you should head back," I said looking away from him thinking about what Theo said.
"I don't think it'd be right for me to leave you out here on your own, are you sure you don't want my help?" he asked raising an eyebrow,
"I'll be fine Sebastian, trust me, I can handle it." I smiled trying to reassure him.
"I was surprised to hear about you and Theo dating after you told me you weren't looking for a relationship," I felt my mouth run dry at his bitter tone,
"This isn't the place," I said looking around.
"Yeah, well it doesn't make it any easier hearing about the two of you in Hogsmeade." he said looking to the ground, 'Is he jealous?' I thought looking to him surprised.
"I need to take care of this before morning, I'm sorry, but I need to do this on my own." I tried to step away as he grabbed my wrist,
"Please be safe," I met his eyes, "Promise me."
"I promise," I nodded, he let go and I walked into the forest.
Finding the cave Richard told me how to find, I was ambushed by Ranrok's loyalists, making quick work of them I made my way through the cave. Building the bridge to cross, finding his skeleton I picked up the pages off his body before walking forward to be stopped by more statues.
Finally making my way through the statues to the other side of the room to find a swirling pool of ancient magic, I noticed another path through the archway. The room started to flood as a magic barrier protected her from the water, none of the water going through the other set of doors as I walked through.
I stood amazed at the grand room before me looking to the four tall paintings as they changed gaining backgrounds, I recognized him from the Pensieves at Gringotts.
"Can it be?" Professor Rackham looked to me surprised, "Has someone finally found our Map Chamber?"
"It's you, you're Professor Rackham, I recognize you from the Pensieves." I said looking up at him,
"I am indeed, I must confess that I am surprised to see someone so young standing before me," he stated gesturing toward me.
"I'm the same age that you and Isidora Morganach were when you started at Hogwarts."
"You've paid attention, and, might I presume, you share our - ability?"
"Yes, I can also see traces of ancient magic, although I'm not quite sure why I only begun to see them at the start of this year. I've been at Hogwarts since my first-year, sir."
"It may be your age, or that you have never stumbled upon it before, nonetheless you have likely realized by now, our ability gives us a unique relationship with all forms of magic." he stated as I nodded, "We can access expressions of magic that few others can. Opportunities will arise that allow you to sharpen this rare talent. Do not squander them."
"I won't, Professor. Thank you."
"We have much to discuss, but first - a map found in a certain book led you here. Place the book on the pedestal."
"I don't have book with me, sir."
"Hmm. That is unfortunate, I'm afraid we must pause our conversation until you return with the book."
"Very well, I'll return with the book."
"Good, we shall speak again once the book is in place." he nodded, I turned to walk back to see stairs leading up to a door, following the stairs all the way to find myself in the dungeons.
"I wonder when Professor Fig will be back from his trip," I thought aloud before using the disillusionment charm to sneak back to the common room.
Luckily no one had woken up yet and it was still early in the morning, I laid down in my bed getting comfortable as someone loudly yawned.
Covering my ears I laid there falling fast asleep, I felt someone shaking me awake as I opened my eyes to see Imelda looking at me worried.
"Gosh, I was beginning to think nothing would wake you." she frowned at me, I stared at her rubbing my eyes yawning before getting out of bed to get dressed,
"How long were you trying to wake me?" I asked turning to her,
"The last hour, you would not budge!" she groaned, "You're the heaviest sleeper I know!"
"Sorry, I didn't sleep well last night," I rubbed the back of my neck smiling at her.
