A Dreadful Kind of Curiosity
As it turned out, Adelaide had not been exaggerating when she explained the amount of work they would be set for Fifth Year - with no respite over the weekend. Odelia was working on a Charms essay, sitting with the usual group of girls in the library. Except today Samantha Dale had joined them.
“How’s that essay going, Odelia,” she whispered across the table.
Odelia kept writing. “Fine I suppose.”
“I’m writing the same one, you know.”
She paused mid-sentence, but still didn’t look up. Next to her, Lenora stood up to go and return a book. “That must be because we were set the same homework, Samantha.”
The Ravenclaw continued lightly. “Oh no, I only meant that if you didn’t have time to write your own you would be welcome to copy some of mine. Seeing as you got in trouble with Professor Sharp yesterday, and all.”
What are you playing at, Samantha?
Adelaide looked up, worried. “You got in trouble?” At this, Evangeline looked up too.
Odelia turned to her friend, dismissing the other girls. “Not at all - he wouldn’t do that. You see, he’s a family friend. All that happened was he kept me back after class and we talked.”
“Oh well that’s fine then,” said Adelaide, and they smiled at each other. Samantha smiled too, but the inquisitive look never left her eye.
This doesn’t concern you, SAMANTHA.
Feeling quite unsettled, Odelia returned to her essay.
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So what would be a surer way to have Professor Sharp keep me back after class again - hand in an exceptional piece of homework, or mess it up to an outstanding degree?
It was these kinds of thoughts which occupied Odelia’s mind as she made her way to the ground floor of the library to fetch a set of ingredient lists. What she had told Adelaide, and of course Samantha who was listening in, about the Professor had not been a lie. He was at her house, and so clearly knew her family well. And she felt strongly that he knew her too - though how exactly she did not know.
The book was on the top shelf and she had to strain to reach it. As it fell into her hands, the cover opened and out slipped a small scrap of parchment. Odelia knelt to pick it up and unfolded it.
Meet me in Lower Hogsfield as soon as possible. I would like to talk with you about Rookwood and Harlow, and it might be best to do so outside of the castle.
Natty
How had Natty managed that? It was very impressive - for that reason, if for no other, Odelia felt almost compelled to go. This struck her as all rather clandestine. Sitting back with her legs tucked underneath her, she took out her Field Guide and lay the map out on the floor. There was a clever little enchantment on the heavy book which allowed it to be shrunk down to the size of one of those muggle matchboxes. Lower Hogsfield… There! Just south of the castle. She hurried back to bid Adelaide and the others a hasty farewell, went to her dorm to drop off the books and change out of the school robe, then made her way to the Clock Tower Courtyard.
It was long past dinner and the sun was already beginning to set as Odelia walked across the long wooden bridge which led out of Hogwarts. A breeze ruffled through the folds of her cloak and she was glad of her grey beret which kept the chill off her ears. The path down the side of the hill was steep and winding, she passed a stone hut with a pumpkin patch and a few chickens clucking around. It led along the shore for a while, the last rays of sunlight playing across the lake, then to a gate where Natty stood waiting for her. She was similarly dressed for their covert outing, except her cloak was ochre rather than a dark blue.
“It is good to see you, my friend,” she called as Odelia drew near.
“Hello, Natty. How are you?”
“I am well, thank you.” She pushed open the gate and they wandered through the hamlet. “I was there - and saw what happened with Rookwood and Harlow at the Three Broomsticks. I have been worried about you.”
Odelia smiled politely, but inside was hoping that this was not the reason Natty had called her down here. “I’m alright at the moment.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, why were they looking for you?”
“I’ve never met Rookwood or Harlow. Perhaps they mistook me for another student.”
“Hmm. A bit odd - the two of them pursuing a Hogwarts student so intently.”
She waved at a man behind a stall with some vials of potions of display. Clearly Natty was on good terms with the locals. They turned to the left and began to walk back down the shoreline.
“But whatever the reason, you were clearly in danger. For now, it is safe to say that Rookwood and Harlow are a threat to both of us - to all of us. Which is why I wanted to speak to you. I realised something that day in Hogsmeade. You displayed such courage fighting that troll. And Sirona wasn’t intimidated one bit by Rookwood and Harlow. Both of you have inspired me to take a stand of my own.”
Odelia was confused - this appeared to be quite a tenuous link. “What sort of stand?”
“Men like Rookwood and Harlow are the reason my mother and I left Matabeleland. I am not going to sit by and watch them destroy my new home.”
She shrugged. Natty was clearly a very determined individual so any attempt to dissuade her would most likely prove futile. “Good. Rookwood and Harlow are a dangerous pair.”
Perhaps you could use some of that determination?
“And you should know that Rookwood is in league with Ranrok.”
Natty clapped her hands together in realisation. “I had heard they were seen in Hogsmeade together! All the more reason they must be stopped. Rumour has it that Theophilus Harlow runs Rookwood’s day-to-day operations. Taking him down would cripple Rookwood’s entire enterprise.”
“That may be true, but shouldn’t someone like Officer Singer handle someone like Harlow?”
A curious expression passed over Natty’s face. She was evidently trying to work through a problem in her head, and her next words were carefully considered. “I spoke with her. She was polite enough, but perhaps understandably would not discuss details with a student. I overheard some of Rookwood’s lot talking about a massive poaching operation that Harlow is planning. I was thinking that we could investigate a bit. Try to get the evidence that Officer Singer needs.”
“Alright. But how?”
“I am going to watch and listen. Find out precisely what Harlow is up to. I shall reach out when I know more.”
They had reached the end of a little jetty which stuck out into the lake. Natty sat down at the edge, dangling her feet above the water. Odelia joined her.
“You certainly sound like you know what you’re doing.”
The Gryffindor inclined her head with a knowledgeable air. “I have read too many muggle ‘detective novels’. My mother used to get them for me during our first year here, so that I could keep myself company.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t quite sure what to say. “Do you - do you have a favourite author?”
“Oh yes! A man called ‘Arthur Conan Doyle’. Have you ever heard of him?” Odelia shook her head, and Natty continued. “He has created the most amazing characters. The detective is called ‘Sherlock Holmes’, he is a genius! And he has a friend - ‘Dr John Watson’. Together they have solved two murders so far. I very much hope he writes more stories in the future.”
Odelia kicked her legs, splashing the water with her toe. “Does ‘John Watson’ help much?”
“Oh yes! Holmes couldn’t do it without him.” The girls grinned at each other.
“So what’s the first book about?”
And Natty told her the story of the enigmatic inhabitant of 221B Baker Street as the sun lowered down to the horizon. Finally, she yawned. “You know, Odelia, I am quite tired. Perhaps we ought to return to school.”
She considered this for a moment, “It’s okay, you go ahead. I might stay for a while.” As Natty got up and left, patting her softly on the shoulder, it occurred to Odelia that this was the first time for many weeks that she was not being watched by someone or another. The stars were out now, and their reflection on the lake was disturbed by the ripples made by her feet. She walked back along the rotting wooden planks then jumped onto the sand and wandered further away from Hogwarts. The shore curved around a bay and up the headland, and it was from there that Odelia now heard raised voices. She crept closer.
“She must have come this way. Think!”
In the dim light Odelia saw two young men, smartly dressed with masks covering the lower halves of their faces, wands held in front of them. They were facing an older woman who from her rugged appearance was clearly the owner of the tent set up on the beach.
“I’ve no idea who it is you think I might’ve seen. I’ve been busy with my research. I do not have time to -”
“Victor Rookwood don’t give a Doxy’s nip ‘bout your time.”
Rookwood?
Odelia walked over and stood at the entrance to the tent. The thugs started, switching their aim to focus on her.
“Oi! Speak o’ the devil,” one of them sneered. “Mr Rookwood would like a word with you.”
The woman grabbed Odelia, pushing her roughly back. “A student? You can’t be ser -”
“Enough outta you.” One of them sent a bolt of red light at her feet.
Odelia took her wand out of her sleeve. “Leave her alone.”
The men leered, moving closer. They brandished their wands, but before they could cast Odelia was knocked to the ground and the witch began a ferocious duel. “Stupefy!”
Spells flew over Odelia as she scrabbled around in the mud - she had dropped her wand somewhere at the impact. “Protego!” A shield was raised around her, but the fight continued.
Where is my wand!
She felt its familiar hold under her hand.
There.
And with not a moment to spare - the shield above her shattered. Where was its caster? She sprang to her feet and ran out into the clearing. Only one attacker was still standing, lightning crackling at the end of his wand.
“Levioso!” He was yanked into the air and she blasted him until he fell into the water.
Just like you did in Crossed Wands.
Odelia looked around. The shore was absolutely still, all that moved was the long grass swaying in the breeze.
It's too still.
Turning slowly on the spot, she strained to catch sight of anyone, anything. But there was no one there.
Oh yes there is.
Where?
“I’m over heeeere!!”
Thick black smoke poured into the clearing, suffocating her. It stung her eyes and blocked up her throat. Purple flashes crackled all around as figures began to apparate into the clearing.
The cackle of a harsh voice rose above the smoke. “I’ll watch the light go out of yer eyes.”
One of them advanced towards her. She jabbed her wand - stunning them.
“I’m not going anywhere with you!”
But there were too many. Far too many for her to fight on her own.
So what’s the point in trying?
Odelia lowered her wand. Sneering from behind their masks, they stepped in closer.
A flash of yellow light split through the darkness at the edge of the water. “You’ll take this student over my dead body!”
The older witch blasted her way into the circle, moving to stand beside Odelia, who raised her wand again with a renewed determination.
“Cowards - going after a child!”
The two of them now ready and united, the attackers didn’t stand a chance. It was clear that her ally was an exceptionally skilled duellist.
Odelia snarled as she blasted the sorceress who had taunted her against a rock. “Tell Rookwood to find me himself!” With that, the smoke lifted - starlight filling the clearing once more.
“What on earth just happened?” The woman’s indignant voice rang through the air. “I’ve never been accosted in such a manner. And so close to Hogwarts!”
“I’m sorry for causing this,” Odelia called back. The air was no longer thick, but she still felt as though not enough of it was entering her lungs - a fish out of water. She sank to her knees in the mud.
“Never mind that now, are you alright?”
A firm hand grasped her shoulder but it was too late - she fell out of the real world and into the darkness below.
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“Come along girl!” Phineas Nigellus Black glared at her as he strode through the long, narrow corridors of a dark house, dragging her along - his hand was keeping a firm grasp on her arm. She glared right back.
They entered a room. Misapinoa Black stood there, waiting for them. Odelia was tossed forward for her inspection.
“Do you remember me?”
Odelia said nothing.
“I asked you a question.”
“Et je n’veux pas répondre!” she spat.
“Enough.” A slap cracked across the side of her face, leaving spots in her vision. She refused to blink them out. “Enough of this French nonsense. I should have brought you all back a long time ago.”
A pause. Something was shifting. Then as Odelia watched, her grandmother was lit by a blue light from within, the high bones of her skull becoming visible. She imploded - black remains floating down through the air. And so did everything else that Odelia lay her gaze on, until she was alone in a box with the floor coated by the debris of her destruction.