The Silent Library

The next day I woke up for classes and groaned as I got out of bed. Dodging those giants blows had taken a toll on every inch of my body. I threw on my uniform and brushed my hair. I made my way down to the common area.

"Ah, how my favourite new year 10 student?" Fabian asked.

"I'm the only new student in that year," I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, I said favourite," he shrugged.

I laughed.

"What classes do you have today?" He asked.

"Um potions, magical history, charms and then a free period," I replied.

"I have potions too, let me escort you then," he said.

"I'd like that," I grinned.

Fabian motioned for me to climb the common area stairs.

"How are you feeling after yesterday?" He asked.

"Incredibly sore," I paused. "Could you imagine being an officer like that woman was?"

Fabian shook his head. "This handsome face would be all beaten up constantly."

"We wouldn't want that," I said, immediately regretting my words. He was probably beginning to think I was a bumbling idiot.

We began go snake our way through the corridors. Fabian made small talk, while I either giggled idiotically, or got distracted by another strange thing in the school. My favourite thing so far was a caged book that a student had enchanted. I approached it examine it."I wouldn't do that if I were you," Fabian said. The moment I turned my head to give him a questioning look, the book charged at me, hitting the cage with a clatter.

I jumped back.

"I warned you," Fabian laughed.

I chuckled, slightly embarrased. Then, we continued on our route.We finally arrived at the potions classroom.

"Here we are. After you," Fabian gestured for me to enter.

"Asteria Halliwell, I presume," said who I guessed to be Professor Sparkes. He was standing right by the door, watching us enter.

We sat at a bench at the back of the classroom. A red headed boy sat there, reading over his notes. He must've sensed me staring.

"You're the new year 10 student, aren't you? I'm Arthur Griffiths", he said.

"Griffiths? As in Professor Griffiths?" I asked.

"Yes, she's my aunt. It can be quite annoying having a relative work here," he said.

Professor Sparkes cleared his throat and it echoed through the room.

"Okay, students today we will be making a health tonic. Follow the instructions precisely. I don't want any explosions today, it's your first class of the year."

I began to read through the instructions. I didn't have a single ingredient.

"Miss Halliwell. I understand you lost most of your school supplies. For this lesson, you can borrow some of my ingredients, but in the future, you'll be expected to grow or purchase them", he said.

Professor Sparkes handed me a key.

I signed. Only potion recipes were on my list. Now I'd have to go to the village again.

"This is for my office. You'll need ae lightblossom flower and fittle leaves. They should be on the shelves in alphabetical order," he said.

I nodded, writing it on my notebook. Professor Sparkes walked back to the front of the class. I began reading up on what the ingredients were. Lightblossom appeared to be a plant that was a mix between a sunflower and a daffodil. A fittle leave was from a sickly looking tree. How exactly these would produce a health tonic was beyond me. I stood up, about to make my way to Professor Sparkes office.

"Pssst. Asteria. Do you think you could snag me a triffle feather? I'm working on something awesome," Arthur asked.

Fabian and I exchanged glances.

"What exactly?" I raised a brow.

"Oh, something quite entertaining for all of us," he replied.

I considered whether it would be a good idea for a moment. But this was the new me. I didn't want to be seen as someone boring by my peers.

"What the heck?" I shrugged. "Sure."

I unlocked the door to Professor Sparkes office. It looked like your typical teachers study, except there were labelled potion ingredients neatly arranged on the shelves. I searched for each one, ensuring I nabbed a triffle feather for Arthur.

I returned Professor Sparkes key, then sat back at my desk.

"Thank you, you're amazing. You'll love it," Arthur said

"Looks like you might be joining me in detention after all", Fabian nudged me.

I shrugged, "oh well."

I began making my potions. The health tonic required me to first mix in the lightblossom flower into a water base, then stir clockwise five times. Next, I had to crush the fittle leaves and add it in on the second stir, while stirring the potion six times.

"It's certainly not straight forward", I said to myself.

"Potions is probably the hardest class," Fabian said.

I signed. My anxiety was already through the roof. What if I wasn't good enough to be there?

I slowly rose my hand for Professor Sparkes to come and check my work. He stood there observing its properties.

"Very good Miss Halliwell," he said.

I felt a rush of pride come over me. I had made my first potion.

Class went by rather quickly after that. I felt myself engrossed in potion making. It was an art form and I found it fascinating.

Towards the end of the class Arthur finally showed what he was working on. He mixed his fittle feather in a purple viscous concoction. Fireworks then erupted from his cauldron, sending sparks around the room. It was quite beautiful. Although, as impressive as it was, Professor Sparkes was far from impressed.

"That will be detention after school for you Mr Griffiths", he said.

Not long after that, the bell for the end of class tolled and students made their exit.

"Not you, Miss Halliwell", Professor Sparkes voice echoed through the room.

"See you in detention, I guess," Fabian with a smirk.

I approached Professor Sparkes nervously.

"Good work today Miss Halliwell, you did well."

"Thank you, sir," I said, proudly.

"However, I know Mr Griffiths didn't obtain that triffle feather on his own. Did you fetch it for him from my study?" He asked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about sir," I said innocently.

He eyed me for a second.

"Very well. I'd like you to not let your focus drift. You do have potential. However, you still have a lot to catch up on."

I nodded.

"You're dismissed," he said.

I turned and left.

Classes were rather quiet for the rest of the day. They came and went in a blur as new information was thrown at me constantly. When it was time for the free period, I went to meet Professor Hermes to hear of his news from the ministry. I entered his office, it was large compared to Professor Sparkes. As I scanned the room, I could see historical artifacts sprawled throughout the room. Some were incredibly old and others appeared relatively new.

"Thank Merlin you're alright. I heard about the giant in Mistfield," he said as he caught sight of me.

Professor Hermes sat at his desk in the middle of the room. I filled the Professor in on everything that happened.

"That is quite extraordinary. Anyway, I'm sure you have questions about what happened while I was at the congregation. I updated them on everything. More importantly, that cylinder we obtained, after fiddling around with it, I discovered an inscription. After reading it aloud, the combination revealed itself to me. Inside the cylinder was a map."

He sprawled the map out on his desk. It was a map of the school. I eyed the map. A glow swirled in an area within the library.

"Alas, I can not find where it leads," Professor Hermes said.

"It seems to lead to the library, in an area I haven't seen before. There's a swirl of blue light just above it," I said, pointing to the location.

"Interesting. Why can you see what others can't?" He mumbled, deep in thought.

I didn't know if I should tell him was Tobias said. Professor Hermes would have thought I was foolish.

"What is this area?" I asked changing the subject.

"It's the hidden archive and it's completely off limits to students. It will be a challenge to access too. The door only appears at midnight when the library is completely silent."

"Okay, shall we go tonight?" I asked.

"Yes, it would be best to-," he was interrupted.

Headmaster Crowley walked through the door.

"Ah Hermes, my office in five minutes," he spat.

"Sorry sir, I was just about to-"

"I don't care what you were just about to do. My office in five minutes," Crowley said as he turned and left.

"I think this will have to wait," Professor Hermes said to me exasperated.

I nodded, however; I wasn't about to let that stop me. My curiosity was getting the better of me and I knew just who to help to me break in.

———————

"Ohhhh, Fabian," I said, as soon as I caught sight of him. He sat a book in the common area.

He looked up at me.

"I have a proposition for you."

"What is it?" He asked.

"Will you sneak me into the hidden archive tonight?" I asked as sweetly as possible.

"Hmmmm I wouldn't want to get in trouble," he said.

I pouted.

"Oh fine."

"Yes!" I said.

"Why do you need to go in there?"

I glanced around the room. The common area was full of students and he was reading right in the middle of it.

"Not here," I said and motioned for him to follow me.

I dragged Fabian into my dorm. It was empty.

"Asteria, I'm not allowed in here," he said.

"Since when did you care about the rules?" I teased.

He didn't laugh, just looked at the floor awkwardly.

I shook my head. "Doesn't matter. Professor Hermes and I found a map at in that cylinder and it leads to the hidden archive," I said.

"You can't be serious."

"Deadly serious, Professor Hermes said not tell a soul about it," I laughed nervously, only just realising how much trust I place in Fabian.

"Understood. Your secret is safe with me. As for sneaking into the library, I know exactly what to do. We just need to make sure we don't run into any of the guards," he said.

"Guards?"

He nodded, "the school has fairies that roam the halls at night. Small ones. Along with poltergeists."

"Fairies? Why?"

Fabian watched me with a strange look on his face, "what do you mean? They are the part of the inferior species that do the scut work."

An alarm rang in my brain, "you mean like slaves?"

"Well, fairies are paid, far less than the average worker. Elves are sworn to a life of servitude from birth."

"But slavery was abolished in England years ago," I said. My mind was racing. I thought the magical world was supposed to be better.

"Asteria, are you-"

"Never mind, so tonight in the common area around 11:30pm, yes?" I interrupted. I had almost told him my secret.

He nodded. With that I made my exit before he could question me further.

———————

Around 11:30pm, after an hour of pretending to sleep, I snuck down once I was sure everyone else in my room was asleep.

There I saw Fabian lounging on a couch situated in front of a fireplace.

As I approached, he stood up.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yes", I confirmed, knowing I was about to break one of the first school rules in the handbook.

Fabian led me outside the common area and to the stair well situated in front of the library.

"Okay, I borrowed some invisibility potions from Atticus. They only last a couple of minutes. Just enough time for us to get into the library and plan our next steps," he explained to me.

I nodded. Fabian handed me a clear vial with a clear potion. He cheers it then gulped it down and I followed suit. It went down easily, and tasted like water. I watched as Fabian disappeared.

"That is so cool!" I exclaimed.

Fabian laughed, "let's go."

I descended the staircase, and walked through the library doors. The air smelled like books. The potion wore off for Fabian seconds before mine. As soon as I caught sight of him tucked behind a shelf to my left, I ran over to him moments before I reappeared.

"Shit! The librarian is still here. We need the key in her desk," he whispered.

I glanced over at the small woman by her desk, then turned to Fabian. I opened my mouth to speak before quickly realising how close we were. My heart began to race.

"Asteria!"

"Sorry, yes," I nodded.

"Okay, meet me over there. I'll make a distraction, and you grab the key. Make sure the fairies don't see you," he said pointing to the far end of the library.

Fabian snuck off. I waited for any kind of distraction that would avert the librarians attention. A loud bang occurred at the opposite end of the library. I tiptoed over to her desk, opened the first drawer and rummaged for a key. A fairy or two flew above past in front of me. I barely managed to duck in time. They were so small, I could hardly see them.

'Uh huh!' I thought, I had found it.

I snuck out from behind the desk, before she returned, and made my way to the gates of the gates Fabian had pointed to. I narrowly avoided a few more fairies that patrolled. When I got there, I felt relief as I saw him. Part of me was scared he would get caught.

"Got it," I handed him the key.

"Perfect", he said.

We wandered through another section of the library. There was significantly less security down there.

"Why is there so much security here?" I asked him.

"This school is the only mage school in the country, and houses all types of rare tomes and artifacts. It's just a precaution. But you already knew that, didn't you?" He asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Of course….. wait, is that why you're always sneaking in here?" I asked him.

"Well, my sister is incredibly ill and I want to find her a cure. I'm hoping these tomes have something."

I stopped for a second, the more I learned about Fabian, the more my heart broke for him. He presented himself as carefree, always looking for some kind of mischief, but in reality he was lost and just trying to find a solution.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing," I shook my head. "I hope you can find something."

"Thanks," he smiled.After a couple more minutes we came across a dead end. I scanned the room, looking for any signs of a door.

"It will show itself in a couple more minutes. But we have to be silent for the door to appear," Fabian said, looking at his watch.

I nodded.

"So, Asteria. How come you started your magical education so late?" He asked.

I thought for a moment, searching for some kind of lie.

"I….my parents were scholars. We travelled the world a lot, and-" Fabian hushed me as his watched struck 12.Just as described, a door appeared. Fabian nodded for me to open it. I turned the knob, swung it open. It appeared to enter into a basement of some sort with artifacts scattered everywhere. I entered the room.

"My my, what do we have here?" A voice came from behind Fabian. I quickly turned to see its source, but the door simply vanished. I was left in a dark room, alone.

"Shit!" I said.

I continued forward, navigating through the clutter. At the end of the room lay a large cauldron with a familar liquid in it. I signed, realising once again, I would have to drop my blood into it. Luckily there was a small sharp shattered piece of mirror to my right.

"I'm getting really fed up with this," I frowned.I winced as I dragged the shard of glass across my skin. Blood dripped down my arm and into the solution. It did the same thing as it did last time, and glowed blue. The liquid rose up and swirled around me. The light overwhelmed my senses. I was blinded for a moment. When my sight was restored, I realised I was no longer in the library. I scanned my surroundings. The room before me was made of a grey marble and blue trimmings. It was small, and completely empty. I stepped forward, searching for some distinguishing feature in the room. It couldn't just be empty.

As if reading my mind, the room made it's move. A guardian rose from the floor. I felt myself begin to panic. It was the same as those in the ruin. A tall armoured figure yielding a large sword. I withdrew my wand. I didn't for it to make a move, instead I attacked, blasting it repeatedly. Nothing seemed to work, it just kept coming at me. I felt a warmth in my body rise. The feeling was similar to when I defeated the giant. A power surged through me, and without a word, a blue beam of light escaped my wand. The guardian disintegrated at its touch. I stood there a moment, confused.

The room made its next move. A projection appeared as whatever was providing the room its light dimmed. A small girl ran past me giggling. Blue specks of light rose around her. I moved through the projection, watching. A group of four wizards stood in front of a field wands high. The once barren land before them turned a vibrant green, as the girl and many others watched on. They had healed their fields from drought. The lush greenery faded to show the little girl, now a young lady attending her first year at the school.

"Welcome to your first year at Selonia's Academy of the Mystical Arts. It's quite extraordinary to start your education in year 10. But not to worry, we are confident we can catch you up to your peers," a Professor said.

I frowned. Was this student like me? and if so, what happened to them? Why wasn't I told about them.

The room wasn't finished. In it's centre, a book floated up and remained there, waiting for me to reach out and take it. I picked up the book, as I did, a blue glow once again overwhelmed my vision and I was back where I started.

"Shit, Fabian!" I said.

I ran over to where the door was. It had reappeared. I flung it open and went to find Fabian.

———————

As I approached the main area of the library, I hid behind one of the shelves. There was Fabian being chewed out by the librarian. Small faries hovered around her, hands on their hips.

"Sneaking into the hidden archive again!" The librarian said.

Fabian tried to speak but was cut off.

"I thought we had enough of this nonsense. Clearly detention isn't enough. I'm afraid I must take this to the Headmaster," she said.

"But…" he said.

"That being said. I was told that you weren't alone tonight. I don't want to think what mischief you were getting up to. If someone coerced you, I'd have you tell me."

I watched helplessly. Part of me wanted to barge in there and help Fabian. But another part knew no good would come of it if I got caught.

"You're a bright boy. Don't get yourself into trouble for the sake of others," she said.

I stiffened. Was he about to sell me out?

"There was nobody else," Fabian said.

"Oh Fabian. What would your parents say?"

He frowned.

The librarian dragged him off. I smiled a little, he had taken the fall for me.

I stealthly returned to our common area and waited.

Fifteen minutes turned into half an hour. I couldn't sleep with it on my conscience, especially if the librarian had taken him to the headmaster. I paced back and forth, anxiously waiting, until Fabian waltzed down the common room stairs.

"Oh, thank heavens!"

"I knew you'd be waiting. Worried?" He winked.

"Of course I am. I heard everything she said."

"She took me to Headmaster Crowley and he gave me a final warning", he said.

"What? I'm so sorry!" I said, my heart dropping a little.

My face must've shown my concern, because Fabian quickly said, "relax, I'm kidding. She just gave me more detention. I'm fine."

His mouth curved into a smile.

I punched his arm.

"You're so annoying," I laughed.

"Ow," he whimpered.

We stared for at each other for a moment. I felt myself not wanting to say goodnight. I wondered if he didn't want to leave either.

"Oh! Did you get what you needed?"

I nodded, "Yes, some sort of book."

I showed him the cover.

"Interesting. Need help looking over it?" he asked.

"I'd like that,"I smiled.

We sat down by the fire, examined the book. It was heavy and seemed incredibly old. I rested it on my knee and opened it.