Thomas, Lily, and Snape sat in a quiet corner of the library. It had been a full day since they discovered the hidden chamber beneath the Trophy Room, and now they were deep in research.
To anyone passing by, the sight might've looked like a miracle: a Gryffindor, a Ravenclaw, and a Slytherin studying together without hexes being thrown. A professor might think the Houses were finally beginning to get along. The students, however, would likely just be confused... or suspicious.
Meanwhile, Sybill and Alice were stationed at another table, arms full of books on alchemy, magical rituals, and obscure wizarding history. Despite their progress, they still hadn't found a way to access the Restricted Section—not without getting caught, at least.
Across the castle, James and Lucius had taken a more social approach. The two unlikely allies were walking the halls, subtly questioning students from second to seventh year. With carefully crafted wordplay and a good dose of charm, they managed to make it sound like they were just curious about "old secrets" or "ancient school traditions."
The sight of James Potter and Lucius Malfoy not only talking but cooperating was enough to cause widespread confusion among the student body. Even Sirius Black began to doubt his own friendship with James, watching with narrowed eyes from a distance as if trying to solve a puzzle he didn't know existed.
Professor McGonagall, meanwhile, nearly dropped the stack of parchments she was carrying. She blinked five times in rapid succession as James and Lucius strolled past her... without so much as a single insult exchanged.
Meanwhile, back with the Library group...
Thomas flipped another page with a tired sigh, muttering under his breath, "Nothing in Magical Rituals 101 either... nothing like what we saw in the chamber. No tree, no ropes, nothing even close."
He leaned back slightly in his chair, letting the book rest on his knees as he rubbed his temples.
Lily looked up from her own book—Ancient Symbols and Spellcraft—and frowned. "The branches with sticks in them… and each stick having a rope, some burned. That doesn't sound like a ritual for summoning or sealing. It's almost like... a representation?"
Snape looked up from his notes and narrowed his eyes. "Or a map. Magical circles don't always mean activation. Sometimes they're diagrams or blueprints. That tree could be symbolic—like a world tree, or..."
Thomas snapped his fingers. "Yggdrasil. The Norse tree. Or the Tree of Life from old magical theory!"
Lily's eyes widened as she whispered, "Kabbalistic magic. That would make sense—ten branches, ten sephirot, each representing a magical path or elemental channel..."
Snape raised an eyebrow. "But that would mean the circle wasn't meant to cast anything... it was meant to contain knowledge or power."
Thomas frowned again. "Or store it."
They fell into silence for a moment, the weight of that idea settling in their minds.
Lily then flipped to the next chapter in her book, scanning with sharp eyes. "Still, nothing in these entry-level texts. If we want real answers, we're going to need access to the Restricted Section."
Snape glanced around cautiously. "Even if we could sneak in, we'd need a signed note from a professor... or some very creative lying."
Thomas leaned forward again and smirked. "Then it's time to get creative."
Alice pointed at a book high on the shelf, brushing aside a cobweb as she spoke.
"So, finally checking out that book?"
Everyone turned to look.
The book's spine was thick, ancient-looking, and bound in dark brown leather. In gold, half-faded lettering, it read:
"The True Salem Account — As recorded by Watcher Elden of the Wandless Order."
The air seemed to chill just a little around it.
Lily took one cautious step back. "Again, I put that book back on the shelf for a reason. I am not becoming a horror movie victim."
Alice blinked. "And again, even though you and Thomas told me what that is... I still don't know what a horror movie is."
Snape, without looking up from his notes, muttered, "Consider yourself lucky."
Thomas let out a low chuckle as he stood up and moved toward the shelf. "Well, I do know what a horror movie is... and I still kinda want to open it."
Lily groaned. "Of course you do."
Alice reached up and took the book carefully, almost expecting it to shock her or bite her fingers. When it didn't, she exhaled and placed it gently on the table. The cover gave off a faint creaking noise—like an old door opening.
Sybill stared at it, wide-eyed. "Do you feel that? Like... buzzing in the air?"
Thomas narrowed his eyes, now serious. "Warded. Maybe lightly cursed. Or just really, really old."
Snape leaned in, curiosity winning over caution. "Or all three."
Lily folded her arms. "You do realize the moment we open that, something's going to happen, right? Like a magical whisper, a ghost, or a... Salem Witch Trial reenactment?"
Thomas grinned. "Only one way to find out."
And with that, he slowly opened the book.
Thomas reached toward the book, fingers just about to touch the cover. His Qi rippled instinctively, wild and alert—sensing something.
Without thinking, his other hand moved toward the hilt of his sword.
Just in case.
But just then—
"Hey guys! Found anything on your end?"
The sudden voice made everyone jump.
THWACK!
Instinctively, Thomas smacked the book across the library like a bludger, sending it flying over three shelves and disappearing behind a stack labeled "Magical Herbology: Dry and Dangerous Edition."
Lily clutched her chest. "Sweet Circe, James!"
Sybill winced. "That book is older than Hogwarts, and you just launched it like a Quaffle!"
James blinked, unfazed. "You're welcome for the dramatic entrance."
Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Was that really necessary, Potter?"
Thomas exhaled, slowly releasing his sword hilt. "Yes. Because you nearly got us cursed by your voice."
James smirked, walking in like he owned the place. "Oh please, what kind of book gets scared off by my voice?"
CRASH!
Something heavy fell from the general direction where the book had landed.
Everyone froze.
Alice spoke up, deadpan. "The kind that lands on a shelf marked 'Do Not Disturb, Ever.'"
Lucius stepped carefully toward the noise. "Well... this is awkward."
Snape pinched the bridge of his nose. "So we've now potentially unleashed a cursed book and alerted the librarian."
"No talking!" came a distant, angry voice from the front desk.
Madam Pince.
Everyone collectively shivered.
Lily looked at James. "Next time you want to sneak up on us, try doing it without triggering a horror movie plotline."
James shrugged. "You're just mad I interrupted your forbidden reading party."
Thomas cracked his knuckles and stood. "Let's just get the book before it decides to get us."
Snape's eyes narrowed as he heard fast, angry footsteps echoing down the marble floors.
"Or, you know... run from Madam Pince—who is coming this way," he said flatly.
Alice squealed, clutching snape like a life line. "Ah! What do we do!? How do we hide? Or run?! I'm not built for cardio!"
James grinned like he'd been waiting for this moment his entire life. "Relax. I got this!"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a crumpled napkin.
Everyone blinked.
"Seriously?" Thomas deadpanned. "You're gonna offer us tableware in our final moments?"
James ignored him, flicked his wand, and whispered, "Engorgio!"
The napkin shimmered—growing rapidly into what appeared to be a large, silvery cloak. With another flick, it doubled in size again, becoming big enough to cover all six of them.
Snape raised an unimpressed brow. "I don't think a giant picnic blanket is going to help."
Thomas reconsider the cloak, after all it was one the grester and most wanted iteam on the series, he just didn't think James will have so early
Thomas narrowed his eyes at the shimmering fabric now floating over their heads. It rippled with unnatural light, silvery and almost liquid in the dim library glow.
He leaned slightly closer, whispering with dawning realization, "That's an Invisibility Cloak… isn't it?"
James glanced at him, clearly trying to act casual, but his smug grin gave him away.
"Might be," he said with a wink. "Might not be. Let's just say my dad has connections."
Thomas frowned. "That's one of the greatest magical artifacts in history. How do you just... have one?"
"I told you," James whispered, draping the rest of the cloak around them, "my dad has very deep pockets. And a vault at Gringotts I'm not legally allowed to talk about."
Lucius stared at the cloak in awe, brushing his fingers across the fabric. "This isn't just any Invisibility Cloak. This is—"
"Quiet," Lily snapped. "Footsteps are getting louder!"
They all ducked completely under the cloak just as Madam Pince turned down their aisle, her wand glowing dangerously.
"Whoever threw that book will be scrubbing ink off the floor with a toothbrush if I catch them," she growled, eyes darting left and right like a hawk.
The group held their breath.
Alice pressed herself closer to Snape. "If we survive this, I'm never doubting weird magical napkins again."
James leaned toward Thomas with a cocky smirk. "Still think it's just tableware?"
"No," Thomas muttered, scanning the shimmer of magic above them. "I think you're casually breaking several international magical laws, but… I'm impressed."
Snape scowled. "This is ridiculous."
"Shhh!" Lily, Alice, and Sybill all hissed at once.
Madam Pince's steps paused—right beside them. Her eyes narrowed at the empty aisle. She stepped forward, just inches away from stepping on Thomas's foot.
Everyone froze.
Then—
A distant clang echoed from another part of the library.
Pince snapped her head toward the noise, muttering, "What now…" before storming off with the grace and fury of a vengeful ghost.
The silence hung heavy.
After a moment, Sybill whispered, "She's gone."
The group slowly stood up, letting the cloak fall back down. Everyone took a deep breath.
"Okay," Lily said. "I'm gonna need an explanation for that cloak later."
"You and me both," Snape muttered.
James folded it carefully and stuffed it back into his pocket as if it were a candy wrapper. "What can I say? I like to come prepared."
Thomas crossed his arms, staring at the shelf where The True Salem Account still sat—eerily waiting.
"Now that the storm's passed..." he said, eyes narrowing, "let's open the cursed book."
Lily crossed her arms, still peeking around the nearest bookshelf like Madam Pince might respawn out of thin air.
"Or, you know... maybe not now," she said flatly. "We just narrowly avoided being thrown into Library Detention, and James just casually dropped an Invisibility Cloak like it's a school supply."
Thomas opened his mouth to respond… then paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Should I tell them that cloak is one of the three Deathly Hallows?"
"Probably not now…" he decided.
Meanwhile, Lucius was staring at James with a suspicious squint, arms folded.
"How did you even get one?" he asked, voice low. "Sure, they're not illegal, but they're incredibly rare. Most don't survive more than a few decades before the magic wears off."
James gave him a self-satisfied grin and casually patted the pocket where he'd tucked the cloak. "This little beauty has been in my family for generations. It's so old, we actually forgot where it came from."
Snape's brow furrowed. "You forgot how your family came into possession of a legendary magical artifact?"
James shrugged. "Some stories get lost in the sauce."
"Sauce?" Sybill echoed blankly.
"He means they probably just never bothered to write it down," Lily translated, rubbing her temples. "Purebloods and their heirlooms… Honestly."
Thomas gave the cloak one last glance before refocusing. "Look, James and his magical napkin aside… Lily's right. We shouldn't push our luck. Let's put the book back—for now—and regroup later when we're not one noise away from death by shushing."
Alice nodded quickly. "Agreed. I'm all for ancient knowledge, but I'm not ready to get ghost-cursed and expelled in the same week."
"Wait, wait," James said, holding up his hands. "We're just leaving? After all that effort sneaking in and—"
"Yes," everyone said at once.
James pouted slightly. "Fine. But next time we're opening that book—no interruptions."
As the group began quietly sneaking out from the library, Sybill whispered, "Did anyone else notice how the book was warm when we touched it… or was that just me?"
Thomas stopped mid-step.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"…Definitely opening it next time," he muttered.
Meanwhile, in the Headmaster's office…
The warm flicker of candlelight bounced off countless strange silver instruments, most whirring or ticking softly in the background. The air smelled faintly of lemon drops and parchment.
Professor Duskbane stood before the Headmaster's desk, arms crossed, his tone somewhere between exasperation and disbelief.
"And you brought the Mirror here to Hogwarts... Are you nuts?" he said, flatly.
Dumbledore didn't flinch. In fact, he smiled, as if he'd been waiting for that exact reaction.
"I find your concern endearing, Ashford, truly," he said calmly, steepling his fingers. "But I assure you, I took every precaution. The mirror is well-guarded and hidden—"
"Hidden? You mean stuck in a random unused classroom with a dusty curtain over it?" Duskbane snapped, pacing in front of the desk. "That thing doesn't just show wishes, Albus. It feeds on them. And if any student starts poking around—"
"Then they will be gently redirected," Dumbledore said, still maddeningly serene. "The mirror is not so easily found unless one already desires to find it."
"You know what that sounds like to me?" Duskbane glared. "A terrible excuse when one of your students gets emotionally vaporized by a magic mirror!"
Dumbledore's expression shifted slightly—still calm, but now layered with a weight Duskbane recognized well.
"You know as well as I do that the Mirror of Erised is not inherently dangerous. It is a tool. Like any tool, the danger lies in how it is used."
Duskbane let out a long, frustrated breath. "I thought we agreed to lock that thing up permanently after Albania."
There was a moment of silence.
"Circumstances have changed," Dumbledore said quietly. "There are... echoes moving beneath Hogwarts. Whispers in the wards. Something ancient has stirred—and I fear the children may soon stumble upon truths they're not ready for."
"So you brought in a truth they're definitely not ready for?" Duskbane asked incredulously. "Tell me, Headmaster, what does the mirror show you these days?"
Dumbledore's eyes, usually twinkling, now looked dull—haunted for just a second.
"Something I lost... long ago," he said softly.
Duskbane was silent for a moment. Then:
"I hope you're right, Albus. Because if any of the students find out what that mirror really was built for..."
He didn't finish the sentence.
Neither of them needed him to.
McGonagall, standing beside Dumbledore, crossed her arms tightly. Her voice was firm, but there was a clear undertone of worry.
"And we're sure—very sure—that he might come to the school? To steal the Stone?"
Dumbledore looked at her gravely, the usual twinkle in his eyes gone.
"You and I both know him, Minerva. Far too well. He already attacked the Flamels at their home. Tried to take the Stone then and there. If not for our timely arrival, who knows what would have happened. But when he didn't find it..." he paused, voice grim, "he vanished."
McGonagall let out a sharp breath, brushing her robes back as she sat down with a sigh.
"And here I thought the curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position was bad enough..."
Duskbane, leaning against a nearby bookshelf with arms folded, chimed in with his usual dry sarcasm.
"Speaking of which..." he muttered. "That curse on my job is getting stronger. Slowly, yes—but very, very steadily. I'd give it... six, maybe seven years before it starts doing real damage."
McGonagall blinked at him.
"Damage? You mean more than just a yearly revolving door of professors?"
"Oh, yes," Duskbane said. "We're talking magical instability, potentially cracks in the very position's anchoring magic. If someone doesn't fix it—permanently—it could start affecting the whole Defense curriculum. Possibly the castle."
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, before murmuring,
"Then we must act before that happens. But first... the Stone must be secured. And the children must remain unaware."
McGonagall nodded.
"What about the group of six? The ones poking around that hidden chamber?"
Dumbledore's eyes closed for a brief second.
"They are... ahead of where they should be. But perhaps that is fate. We'll watch. For now, we do not interfere. Not unless we must."
Duskbane raised a brow.
"So we're just letting them uncover ancient secrets, sneak into the Restricted Section, and possibly stumble into the Mirror... for character development?"
Dumbledore smiled softly.
"No, Ashford. For the future."
To be continued
Hope people like this ch and give me power stones and enjoy