The history of the stone
POV Sebastian
I woke up after my usual nightmares, proventing me from sleeping properly.
Whenever it happened, it would take me some time to remember where and when I was.
But this time, I remembered vividly yersterday’s events.
A girl was killed in our school by he faceless monster.
I wondered how its victims died, I mean more precicely. Did he suck up their vital energy ? Did the victims die of a heart attack because I know I would.
I was thinking the monster has no face, and the victims have no face. Somehow it steals their faces. It has killed too many and will keep killing more if it isn’t stopped. But how do we do that ? We know too little yet. All this was just furstationg me more.
So I got out of bed, got dressed and headed to the living room to see what the situation was. Most of the girls were gone. They had given access to their doorms so they could get dressed probably. I went looking for Ominis andValerian, but couldn’t find them. I found Samuel instead.
We sat together at breakfast. There were many students, but the room was so quiet. They were still in shock. Samuel didn’t say much either.
Headmistress Radagor entered the room and demanded for our atention.
« I hope you were able to get a bit of sleep despite yesterday’s events. The team of auror taking care of that case has arrived. The auror Miss Parkes has asked to talk to all the students. So after breakfast, I would like you to wake up your fellow classmates that are still speeling and ask them to get ready. I would like you to all remain in the library until your testimony has been heard, then you will be free to go. And you should know that new mesures will apply for the muggle-borns very soon. We shall talk about it later. Thank you for your attention » she narrated.
Samuel and I looked at eachother ptobably thinking the same thing, that hell just open its gates on us.
« How many muggle-borns attend the school ? Do you know ? » asked Samuel.
« I don’t know. Not many I should think. I only know one » I replied thinking about Valerian.
The reason I said not many is because there were very few muggle-born aurors. It was just a fact. I’m not quite sure why. Maybe pure-bloods have more experience with magic, at least a longer experience as magic is revealed to muggle-borns only later in life.
Suddenly owls were flying in. Mail was here. I was eager to see this morning’s paper. I wondered if they would talk about our school ?
An owl dropped my newspaper on my plate. I grabbed it and opened it as I read the front page. Yep, we were today’s top news.
Samuel asked me to read the article out loud so he could also hear the news.
« The faceless monster stikes again. This time a muggle-born was killed at the famous school for future aurors the Naunington school. The students heard a girl scream and a loud roar they said. They rushed to the poor students bedroom finding her on the floor faceless. The aurors who were posted there just days before are taking care of the situation. Students and teachers are in shock. Students will be interrogated this morning as we are still hoping to find a witness.
27 muggle-borns have now been killed around the world, all in the same way, faceless. The ministry is concerned about this situation and a wizard summit has been organised to discuss this disturbing situation and what new safety mesures could be applied to protect muggle-borns and stop the faceless monster.
The summit will take place in Paris tomorrow and will include ministers from all around the world. Our minister Faris Spavin will participate in this debate.
Many muggle-borns have decided to return to the muggle-world hoping they’d be safer there, concealed from magic. But the minister urges the citizens to not return to the muggle world as they could expose magic if they find bodies with no faces. The Minister reminds that muggles can be dangerous. We have conducted a survey to see if muggle-borns feel safer in the wizard world or in the muggle-world and 60 % think they’d be safer in the muggle world. They blame the Ministry for taking so long to act and say they are disciminating them as they aren’t pure bloods. We have interviewed Mrs. Hopkins from Liverpool about the situation. She says she and her family can’t sleep as fear have taken over their lives. She has asked her neighbours who are pure-bloods to shelter them hoping the faceless monster wouldn’t attack a pure blood’s home, but they refused and slammed the door in their face. She is now desperate to protect her 12 year old daughter who is a muggle-born witch. More similar stories have been heard these past few days. The tension is growing between muggle-borns and pure bloods. We have asked different pure-blood families that wished to remain anonymous why they refuse to help muggle-borns. Some said it’s because they fear the faceless monster would attack them for helping muggle-borns, others say it’s natural selection. The stronger survive, the weaker die. Muggle-borns are unworthy of carrying a wand and now they are being punished for it. »
« What a load of crap ! » exclaimed a girl.
Apparently everyone had listened to me reading the article.
« Why ? There’s a reason THEY are the ones dying and not us. We are pure. They are not » said another bot.
« You’re joking ! Blood is just blood. And why does the wand chooses people like us then ? » said a girl from third year.
She must be a muggle-born.
The boy was speechless. That was actually a very good question.
« That’s because they are weak wands, just like you. You should return to your horrid muggle world along with your breed. You don’t belong there. You just tarnish pure bloods» said the boy harshly.
« Get off your high horses you imbecile » said another girl defending the muggle-born.
« How dare you you filthy mudblood ! » he shouted angrily.
He took out his wand pointing it at the girls. They echoed his action swiftly. And then their respecive friends each pulled out their wands.
This was getting out of hand ! I had to do something. So I stood up.
« Hey ! All of you ! Stop this now and put your wands away ! You know what ? You’re just pawns on a chessboard that the ministry is playing. That’s exactly what they want, for us to turn on one and other. Remember what the Headmistress said, we need to remain strong together, united. Everyone is afraid but if we give in to fear and panic, then we are as good as doomed, all of us ! Not just the muggle-borns ! » I narrated with conviction.
Everyone was looking at me, then looked at eachother in mistrust not sure what to do, then they all lowered they wands reluctantly.
« That was a nice speech M.Sallow » said Professor Radagor.
She startled me as I jumped.
« I shall have no more fighting if you wish to become an auror ! or else, you’ll be expelled » she said with a severe voice.
I could see everyone take their seats again quickly or leave the room quietly.
« I’m afraid this is just the begining » I told frankly.
« Why do you think that ? » she replied.
Professor Radagor always asked questions she already knew the answers to. It was her way of pushing us deeper into reflexion.
« Just a feeling » I answered.
I couldn’t tell her about the order.
« If you’ll excuse me, I need to wake up my friends » I said politely.
« Of course » she said moving to the side to let me through.
As I went up stairs, I thought how this situation was getting more and more tense. I knew many pure bloods thought like these moron boys. If the ministry didn’t find a way to help muggle-borns, anger and mistrust would just grow and this could end up in a civil wizard war. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
I had arrived in front of Ominis’ bedroom door.
I knocked on it several times before he opened the door. Clearly he had just woken up.
« Sebastian, what is it ? » he said still half asleep.
« Hey. The Headmistress wants us all up and ready to remain in the library all day. The team of aurors are here to investigate and interrogate. And guess who’s doing the interrogation ? » I hinted.
« Miss Parkes ? » he replied.
« Bingo. You should wake up Valerian too. I’ll wait for you in the library » I instructed.
« Ok. I’ll see you there. Thanks » he responded closing the door.
I knew it would take some time for them to get ready, so I headed to the library finding Samuel and Edmund there. We all sat on one of the sofas and discussed the only topic everyone was discussing, the faceless monster.
I saw Miss Parkes calling names she had on a list to follow her into another room.
Later, Ominis and Valerian arrived. They were holding hands. They sat with us and I told them all about what was in the newspaper and what happened afterwards.
« I guess it was expected » said Valerian.
Then I heard Miss Parkes call my name. So I came forth.
« Hello Miss.Parkes » I greeted.
« Hi. Are you ok ? » she asked.
Of course we were more familiar with her now as we were helping her case.
« Yeah. Do you think you could interrogate us three together ? It would save you some time » I demanded winking at her.
« Of course » she replied calmly.
She then called over Ominis and Valerian. We followed her into another quieter room.
We sat down on the chairs in front of a desk as she sat behind it.
She asked us what we saw, or felt, she asked us to confirm other student’s version and confirm they whereabouts at the tile of death.
« I heard another student talk about the monster. I believe he saw it, or had a glimpse of it anyway. Did you interrogate him ? » I demanded.
« Yes, I did. And he confirms your description of the monster you gave me a while back » indicated Miss Parkes.
« Did he see how the monsters takes away the faces ? » urged Ominis.
« Unfortunately not. This is what I’m trying to find out. It could be useful to know how the monster proceeds. You should know that the forensic pathologist revealed that the victims all died of suffocation » she detailed.
« What ? You mean it strangled them ? » asked Valerian fearfully.
« No. There are no marks around their necks, nor anywhere else on their body. But think about it, the monster takes the parts of their face away, including their mouth and nose, so how could hey breathe ? » implied Miss Parkes.
« Oh my god that’s horrifying ! » exclaimed Valerian agitated.
She looked terrified, and for good reason.
Ominis pulled her closer to him gently.
Ominis was awfully silent strangely. He was probably thinking of the thousands of ways he could prevent that from happening to Valerian.
I could just imagin the terror the victims must have felt before dying. First they saw that horrid faceless monster, then they were blinded and couldn’t breathe, desperately trying to catch their breath completely panicked until they would die of suffocation. It was truly dreadful. Then I couldn’t help but think about this happening to Valerian, and rage was building inside of me. There was no way we would let this happen. I won’t let her die. I will make sure she can walk down the aisle and marry Ominis.
« I’m counting on you two to look after Miss.Matthews. The numbers of dead muggle-borns just keeps rising » warned Miss Parkes.
« We will » I replied determined.
Though I felt bad answering as it should have been Ominis. He was her fiancé.
« Wait a minute, I was thinking about the conversation we had with Madame De Montmorecy. She said that the resurection stone might be what controls the faceless monster » reminded Ominis.
« Yes, we need to find the resurection stone quickly if it is true » she affirmed.
« Yes, but of all the places the monster attacked, why here ? There’s not that many muggle-borns. What’s so special about here ? Do you have all the locations of where the monster attacked ? » inquired Ominis.
Ominis was on to something.
« I do » replied Miss Parkes.
She then summoned a map with her wand on the desk and turned it around so we could see it.
There was then an akward silence.
« Could you read it to me please ? » demanded Ominis politely.
He was gracefully remind her that he was blind. This usually happened with people who were not accustomed to it.
« Oh yes, of course ! I’m sorry ! » she said embarassed.
She turned the map around so she could read it.
« So it attacked mostly in France and England » she started.
« Could you tell me where and who were the victims in England ? » demanded Ominis.
« Sure. A little girl was killed by the name of Elisabeth Williams in Bristol. A man of 78 called Robert Taylor who lived in Northhampton, a teenager whose name was Walter Brown in Exeter, there’s a boy called Thomas Hughes who died nor far from London center and ... » she stated.
« Wait ! » shouted Ominis interrupting her.
Miss Parkes looked surprised.
« Hughes ! It was Isla Black’s son ! She married a muggle and changed her name to her husband’s, M.Hughes » he declared.
« Wait, you mean the same Isla Black we visited weeks ago ?! » I exclaimed in disbelief.
« I’m afraid so. Her son would have been a muggle-born as she is a witch and her husband a muggle. Poor boy. And her poor mother. She must be devastated ! » said Ominis sadly.
« We didn’t get that information ! » exclaimed Miss Parkes astound.
« That’s because she cut all relations with her family as she was the walking shame of the House of Black » explained Ominis emotionally.
« It’s so sad » added Valerian.
« What does that prove though ? » I remarked.
« It could help us find which member of the order has the stone. So up to know, we could suspect a member of the Black family to carry the stone with them » Ominis suggested.
« I wouldn’t put it past Headmaster Black » I commented.
« Yes, Phineas Nigellus Black. He could be a member of the order in deed trying to cover up the order’s mischief by hiding the paintings » opined Miss Parkes.
« What I’m trying to point out is that they get to decide who the monster kills, so they might be personnal vandettas too, so I’ll ask again, why here ? Who would the order want dead in this school ? » he hinted.
« I don’t know. You ? But you’re a pure blood so it doesn’t make sence. So it could only be one of the girls I saw earlier or Valerian …. » I said as I stopped myself.
Of course ! Valerian !
I could see Valerian’s face also light up to the revelation.
« There were after me, not Miss Bennet ! » she said horrified.
Ominis didn’t looked pleased at all though. He looked enraged.
« These bastards. I’m going to kill my family ! I won’t let them have her ! EVER !» shouted Ominis furiously.
I had never seen Ominis so angry. He actually scared me as he was always so quiet and kind of fragile emotionally.
« I know you’re angry. And you have every right to be. That’s why we are working together, to stop them and the order. And once I put them in Azkaban, they won’t be able to hurt her anymore » said Miss Parkes with conviction and calm.
« And when will that be ? Tomorrow ? In a month ? In years ?! The longer it takes the more Valerian is in danger ! » he replied freaking out.
I could see him panting intensly.
I know he was freaking out because deep down he didn’t know if he could protect Valerian if the faceless monster showed up. There might be nothing he could do despite him being strong.
He was now moving his body back and forth as he was trying to breathe. He was having another panick attack. They were more frequent these days. No wonder with all the stress and worries he’s going through.
Valerian knew he was having a crisis and hugged him from her chair so he would relax a bit. Her arms were now around his chest and her head resting on his shoulder as Ominis grabbed her hand and squeezed it, also laying his head on hers.
« Look I won’t give you that bullshit speech about how we’re going to protect the muggle-borns and that she will be safe. Because I’d just lie to you. But we are progressing thanks to you guys. But we can’t just arrest your father, the Minister’s right hand and your brother only based on suspicions. If I did they’d only be released in a few hours. They are just too powerful. We need proof. Besides, it will only prove that we are on to them. And then we can kiss any chance of saving muggle-borns goodbye. So I need you to be patient. I know it’s hard. I know people are dying. But we’ve got to stay strong. Now, can you three do that for me ? » stated Miss Parkes.
We all nodded our heads in approval.
« Good. Now based on what you’ve just told me, it would mean that either they are taking turns keeping the resurection stone, or one person is keeping it close and the other members of the order simply give him a name. If you want to be useful, why don’t you find out more about the stone, we need to know its history, what it looks like. Maybe you could find a historian and get some help ? » suggested Miss Parkes.
This was clever of her, giving us a mission to disctract us from our fears and make us feel like we are actually doing something to help.
« Keep me posted alright ? » she concluded.
« We will. Thank you » I said.
« By the way, I’m too busy now dealing with this new addition to the case. Do you think you could both go to the … police for me and make an inquiery for the Riddle name ? » demanded Miss Parkes to Ominis and Valerian.
« Of course. We’ll take care of that » replied Valerian calmly.
« Thank you » she ranswered.
Valerian and Ominis rose up to say goodbye to her. I could see Ominis was even more worried now.
We then left the room and were now by the main entrance of the library.
« Are you ok Ominis » asked Valerian worried about him.
He turned around and pulled her by her waist close to him, his face close to hers. He then looked in my direction.
« Could you give us a moment please ? » he demanded.
His voice was full of anxiety. I thought I should let Valerian handle him.
« Yeah. You know what ? I’ll ask Edmund and Cassandra if they know any legendary historians » I informed.
So I left them to it as I approched Cassandra. Edmund was the next person to be interrogated so she was alone. She was playing with her nails nervously.
« Hey Cassandra, you alright after … everything that happened ? » I asked.
« Well, I guess I’m as well as the others, kind of thaumatised by all of it » she admited.
« I’ m sorry » I said compationately.
« You seem to be handling it well » she remarked.
Yeah, no wonder. I’ve seen and done terrible things in my life, so I guess I could rebound more easily to trauma or bad things.
« I’ve seen a lot in my young life »I said frankly.
« Oh, I’m sorry » she replied kindly.
« Don’t be. I only have myself to blame » I responded downcast.
« Anyway, I was hoping you could help me with something, but if now’s not a good time, we could talk later » I suggested.
« No, it’s fine. What can I do for you ? » she demanded nicely.
« Well, I was wondering if you could recommend any historians ? We need to understand the origins of a very ancient and mythical object » I explained.
« Mythical ? Then you must talk to Nora Treadwell. She’s a historian and an archaeologist. She studied the Trials of Merlin » affirmed Cassandra.
« Oh yeah. I think I’ve met her once not far from Hogwarts. Do you know where I can find her ? » I demanded.
« She’s always moving around, but her wife lives in Scotland, on the isle of Arran. Maybe you could ask her » suggested Cassandra.
« Awsome. Thanks. I need to find Ominis and Valerian. Will you be alright ? » I demanded concerned.
« Yeah, Edmund barely saw anything so he sould be back soon » she replied.
« Are you sure ? » I insisted.
« Yes. Now go. I’m sure you’ve got a million things to do as usual » she asserted.
« Ok. I’ll see you around then » I replied.
I then stood up and went looking for Ominis and Valerian, they were not where I had left them. I came out of the school’s library when I saw them both there all over eachother against a wall kissing fervently.
I just rolled my eyes and interrupted them.
« Hey guys, having fun ? » I teased.
They immediately stopped kissing, both of them blushing.
I could have said anything else really but teasing them was just too tempting.
« Oh ! … So … euh … have you found anything ? » asked Ominis embarassed.
« That I did. We must find the historian Nora Treadwell. Her hourse is in Scotland on the isle of Arran » I told.
« Then we should waist no further time and pay her a visit» insisted Ominis.
« Ominis, you’re forgetting we must also go to the muggle world to enquire some information about Tom Riddle » reminded Valerian.
« You’re right » he replied.
« So what do we do ? » I demanded.
Ominis was thinking.
« The stone controls the faceless monster. So we need to make this our priority » decreeted Ominis.
« Ok. Then let’s get going then » I suggested.
« Wait how are we going to get there ? » demanded Valerian.
« Let’s use the portkey in Feltcroft to take us there » I proposed.
And so we all held hands, apparated to our house, then walked to the portkey that transported us onto the isle.
When we apparated there, it was cold, rainy and windy. So we summoned warmer and waterproof clothes.
We were in a tiny village, with barely a few houses. They were all white with blue shutters and doors.
We knocked on a first door, asking if they knew where the Treadwells lived. They affirmed they lived at the top of the hill.
So we walked there. It was so windy the waves were crushing the rocks and were as high as the hill itself. Ominis was helping Valerian walk as we couldn’t see a thing with all this pouring rain.
The three of us were soaking wet already despite our waterproof clothes.
When we had walked up the hill, we could see a modest house. But unlike the other houses, this one was covered by some sort of spell that protected it from the rain, like a bubble. And not only that, it was sunny inside. How intriguing.
We entered the bubble, and suddenly it stopped raining over our heads. Inside the bubble was nice and warm.
We were greeted by an old lady who just came out her house.
« Welcome visitors » she said warmly.
« Eh, thanks » I just replied a bit startled.
« Oh, you’re all wet. Let’s get you dried up ! » the old lady saif before taking out her wand and casting a spell on the three of us. There was suddenly a powerful wave of hot air and we were in the middle of it. I had to close my eyes as the wind was too strong. When I opened them again, I was dry.
« Thank you Mrs. Treadwell ? » said Valerian gently.
« That would be me. But there’s two of us, so am I really the one you are looking for ? » she said playfully as she laughed.
She seemed like a joyful old lady. She had grey hair up in a bun, and wore thin rectangle glasses. She looked like the perfect grandma that would bake cakes for her grandchildren.
« We are looking for the historian Nora Treadwell » asked Ominis softly.
« I see. Well you’re in luck, she is in today. Follow me » she replied smiling.
So we all followed her inside. She took us through her house.
There were so many paintings and artefacts in every corner. The ceiling was low but the rooms were wide, too wide for the size of this house. I see. The house was charmed to be larger on the inside than it appeared to be on the outside. They used the Undetectable Extention charm. Clever.
We found her in the huge library. It was a wonderful place. There were shelves upon shelves of books and a huge tree planted in the middle. The glass roof let the sun shine bright and reflected on every wall. It was such a warm and wonderful place.
« Dear, we have visitors » said the old lady.
« Have we indeed ? » she replied stopping her activity and stood up to look at us.
Mrs Treadwell still had some of her ginger hair left that was faiding into her white hair. She wore round glasses and had a round face. She was quite a small lady.
« Hello Mrs Treadwell » I said.
« Do I know you ? You look familiar » stated Mrs Treadwell.
« We’ve met briefly before » I explained. « This is Valerian Matthews and Ominis Gaunt » I introduced.
« Ah, nice to meet you all. I never thought a Gaunt would visit me one day. What an interesting lineage you come from ! » said Mrs Treadwell enthousiastically.
Ominis just smiled at her.
« Why don’t you come and sit ? » she said pointing to the table a little further.
We all took a seat around the metal table.
Her wife prepared us some tea and was pouring into the cups.
« So, why have you come today young ones ? » she demanded.
« This might be strange, but we are here to ask you about the history of the resurection stone » declared Ominis.
« The resurection stone is a mith » said the ohistorian.
« Maybe, but so were the Trials of Merlin. Yet you have uncovered the truth about them » I remarked.
« Touche » she replied.
« Well I’m sure you are aware of the fable. It was the second Hallow created by death himself » she started.
« We are yes » Ominis assured.
« It was bestowed upon Cadmus Peverell. I’m surprised you of all people don’t know that ! » she exclaimed looking at Ominis.
Ominis didn’t realise she was talking to him as he was blind.
« Ominis, she’s talking to you » I said to help him.
« Me ? Why ? » asked Ominis confused.
« Well you’re a Gaunt are you not ? » uttered the archaeologist.
« Yes, so ? » asked Ominis still confused.
« So, he was your ancestor » exclaimed Mrs Treadwell.
« What ? Really ? I thought the Peverell Brothers were just a myth » I said sincerely.
« Correction, the three Hallows are supposed to be a myth, not the brothers » she said abruptly.
« If I remember well there is the resurection stone, a cloak and a wand » reminded Valerian.
« Well, that’s one way to summerize it. There are three deathly Hallows, the resurection stone, the elder wand and the invisibility cloak to be more precise. And did you know that whoever reunited the three Hallows would become the master of death ? » said the historian passionately.
« Well, how reassuring ! » I said sarcastically.
Is that what the order was up to ? Trying to reunite the deathly hallows ? Maybe for their precious future dark lord.
« So what did my ancestor do with the stone then ? » asked Ominis.
« The stone was one of the two Hallows known to have been passed down from generation to generation since Cadmus’ time » said the historian as if it were obvious.
I could see Ominis thinking.
« Wait a minute, that means … that the stone would be a family heirloom ? » rephrased Valerian.
Mrs Treadwell was nodding her head insistantly.
« Well the Gaunts don’t have many family heirlooms. Isn’t that right Ominis ? » I remarked.
« In deed. There’s the slytherin locket and the Gaunt ring » specified Ominis.
« And we found the locket at your aunt’s house in the cursed box. And Valerian, you recognised that box. There was a ring inside, the one you were compelled to get for your assaliants. And Ominis you said the ring wasn’t a well known family heirloom, that only Gaunt knew about it, that was supposed to be passed down to your brother, but disappeared before he got the chance to wear it. That’s why we thought a Gaunt was the only possible explanation to how they knew about the ring and retreaved it from your aunt’s house, thus a Gaunt responsible for … using Valerian » I said trying to be compassionate.
« It’s ok. Ominis told me he suspected his brother was the one responsible » she said her voice a bit downcast.
I could see him take her hand looking angry.
« Let’s rewind for a second, so the resurection stone is a family heirloom. That leaves the locket or the ring » I reminded.
« The ring would make more sense. It must be the stone on it ! » exclaimed Valerian.
« Yes ! So Marvolo’s the one controling the faceless monster with it ! That son of a …. » I was about to insult him but remembered ladies were present. « He is the one that stole the ring years ago from my aunt using Valerian. He was supposed to inherit it. It makes sense » he said bitterly.
« Maybe that’s why your aunt stole it ! Maybe she knew what your father and brother were up to, and to prevent it from happening, from creating the faceless monster, so she placed it in a cursed box ! » I blurted.
« That sounds a lot like her yes » he agreed.
« But I was blinded years ago. Did it really take them all this time to figure out how to create the monster ? » asked Valerian puzzled.
« Apparently » I assumed.
« Valerian, could you remind me of the inscription on the box please ? » he said as he kissed her hand.
« If the ring you desire, then a sacrifice I require. Three is what I desire and death shall be no more » she said cheerlessly.
« Well we know the sacrifice has been made. Why three though ? » I demanded.
« The spiritual meaning of the number three is about creation, manifestation, abudance. It’s a divine number that encourages you to create something new in your life from the psiritual relm » explained the historian.
We had almost forgotten Mrs Treadwell was there.
« Well, creation of the faceless monster from the spiritual world, check. The manifestation as a murdurer check. Killing in abudance check. I guess it fits the description » I said honnestly.
« I think the message on the box was left as instuctions, not representation. If we follow your logic Sebastian, the 3 representation have been checked of your list, so death should be no more. Yet it keeps happening » opined Valerian.
She was right. And I thought I was on to something. Damn !
« Could we rephrase that sentence, death shall be no more ? » asked Ominis.
« Well, it probably means that death will stop happening » I assumed.
« I think it could have another meaning. It could mean that what was once dead will be dead no more. That what was once dead will be alive basically » Valerian stated.
« That would make sence. Madame de Montarcey said they needed a corpse to make the potion, the offering of the flesh she called it. Sebastian, you said the faceless monster was half spirit, half real. So what was once dead, thus the corpse will be alive again thus the spirit in the corpse » resumed Ominis.
« Yeah, so the resurection stone resurects dead bodies » I rephrased.
« No, it resurects spirits, not bodies. They need the potion for that. Otherwise they wouldn’t have bothered with it. And a spirit can’t harm physically a living being » explained Valerian.
« She is right. Cadmus used the stone to attempt to bring back the love of his life, but he mearly brought back the shade of her, he felt as though a veil was seperation them. He realised there were limits to the stone and killed himself to be with his loved one » narrated Mrs Treadwell.
« Ok. But that doesn’t explain the number three then » I remarked.
We all remained silent until Mrs Treadwell spoke up.
« I don’t understand all of your story, but if I can give you a piece of avide from an archaeologist, you need to see the object to study it, to understand it » she declared.
« So you’re suggesting we should get the ring » I noted.
The historian nodded.
« Perfect. Any brilliant ideas on how to do that without sentencing us to death ? » I asked with humour. It helped me evacuate the exess of information in my brain.
« Sebastian’s right. Getting that ring off Marvolo’s gonna be a lot harder than we think » continued Ominis.
« Well that’s a problem we can discuss with Miss Parkes » she said cleverly.
« Good idea. Thank you for your time Mrs Treadwell, it has been very… inlightening » said Ominis truthfully.
We all thanked her properly, grabbed our dry coats and apparated out of the house into the living room at school.
It was now the evening. And obscurity was there earlier with every passing day as we were approching December.
We were hoping Miss Parkes was sill there in the library. But she wasn’t.
So we apparened to Feltcroft to use the mirror to call her. She then appeared into our house.
We told them about our latest discovery.
« Getting the ring off your brother is going to be hard. First we need to make sure he is wearing that ring. Could you verify that for me M.Gaunt ? » she asked.
He didn’t answer but looked resentful.
« How are we to do that without him suspecting us ? If we just go to the ministry he’ll know something’s up » I inquired.
« Don’t you go home sometimes ? » demanded Miss Parkes to Ominis calmly.
« No. Besides, he doesn’t live at home anymore. He’s got his own family believe it or not » he said bitterly.
« So when do you see him ? » she asked.
« Only for family parties that absolutely require my presence » he admitted.
« Then I guess we’ve found a way » stated Miss Parkes.
« I can’t organise a party. My parents will think something’s wrong with me. If I have to go, it has to be reluctantly, and trust me, it will be » he insisted.
« So we create an event worthy of the name, one that could gather the most important members of the order. If Corvus Lestrange, the Headmaster Black of Hogwarts, the Malfoys could all be there, maybe it could give me some time to place my spies in the crypt, and maybe even find some evidence ! » she said enthousiastically.
I could hear Ominis sigh in discontent. He was not thrilled by the idea. And I can understand why.
« I… I’m not sure how to achieve that » said Ominis hesitantly.
I know him. And so he knew exactly what had to be done to reunite everyone. But what was he thinking about ?
« I’m sure you’ll find something » she said kindly.
Ominis looked down and looked unhappy.
« I’d best be off. It turns out I’ll be able to accompagny you after all Miss Matthews to the … police. Can we meet tomorrow afternoon ? » demanded Miss Parkes.
« Yes. I’ll meet you at Feltcroft with Ominis » she replied.
« Great. Thank you all for your help. I promise it’ll be worth it » she said nicely.
We all smiled at her as she left.
« I don’t know about you, but all this exess of information is giving me a headache. Why don’t we go back to school for diner and then head to bed ? » I suggested.
« Agreed » consented Valerian.
« Yeah » he replied.
He looked downcast.
« I know you’re worried about Valerian, but let’s hear what the Ministry’s brilliant plan is to help the Muggle-borns after tomorrow’s summit. Who knows, they might actually come up with a good idea » I told him ironically.
Valerian was rubbing his shoulder gently as she smiled at him. He gave her a quick kiss on her lips and took his hand.
« Let’s go » he said.
We had dinner with our friends. Then I went to bed as I was exhausted.