The Library
The library doors swung open under Hermione touch , as if they were generally used to her presence , and the sight that peeled away before Celia’s eyes stole her breath away .
The library at Malfoy Manor had been Celia’s small place of solitude , apart from the place she had practised sparring by herself with swords . The library at home had been enough to satisfy her as a child , but she felt as though the Hogwarts library could be enough to fill any academic with joy for a lifetime .
Books evidently lined the shelves , though some looked to be thousands or even tens of thousand years old , the tomes that lined the dark mahogany shelves were in a variety of worn hues of scarlet , emerald and a navy so blue it looked to Celia like the distant shores of the ocean . Tables were lined with matching chairs , lamps giving off a comforting late-evening ember even in the late morning .
“ It’s beautiful isn’t it ,” Hermione smiled from ear to ear ,” I always drag Harry and Ron in here but they never appreciate it enough , for my liking anyway .”
“ This is amazing .” Was all Celia said breathlessly , she had never seen a place like this before , this grand and rich in academia . She felt like an empty vehicle , the scriptures on the walls acting like fuel to power the thoughts in her brain -
“ Now ,” Hermione said , cutting off Celia thoughts , “ We need your charms book “
They began to search the shelves , and it didn’t take Hermione long to find the book they were looking for . The bushy-haired girl headed over to the librarian , Madame Pinces’ desk , the stern old lady offering a small smile to Hermione as she headed over .
Celia didn’t have to do a lot of working out to figure Hermione was probably in here . All the time .
Her eye caught the family bloodline section , each of the sacred 28 having their own sacred books along with other lesser-known families . She peered at them all , taking in the wizarding family names from letters a-z as quick as she could .
Hermione returned , “ Is there something you’re particularly looking for ? “
“ You sound just like a Librarian ,” Celia replied , Hermione chuckled ,” But yeah I am actually . I’ve not been here long and I’m already having people coming up to me , you know asking about my last name . I don’t want people making up like bad rumours about me or anything because I don’t know what my surname is - I don’t want people to think I have anything to hide . So I thought I’d try and find out who my parents are .”
“ Interesting , “ Hermione put a finger to her chin ,” there are so many families in the wizarding world , so I have to admit the task might be challenging . But I am definitely willing to help you with that . “
“ Thank you .” Celia was stunned , slightly taken aback . She definitely needed to have words with Draco about why he hated this girl so much .
“ I’d say take this book out .” Hermione recommended , going to the larger shelves closer to the floor and picking up the largest tome Celia has ever seen .
“ Merlin , that’s huge .”
Hermione smirked but remained silent , Celia playfully rolled her eyes , “ Not like that , I just mean how much information does one even need ?”
“ It’s a book of all the current wizarding families in the world , it gets updated every year . And it just so happens this is the newest edition .” Hermione’s eyes were sparkling as she handed the book over to Celia , or rather threw it with her forearms to dispel the weight from her own shoulders .
“ Go and hand it to Madame Pince ,” Hermione recommended ,” You’re lucky , you’ll be the first person to take it out this year which means you’ll be the first person to get your name stamped on it .”
Celia laughed inwardly at Hermiones excitement before taking the book over to the librarian . She could feel a sort of dreaded excitement in her stomach about the thought of maybe finding out who her family were , an even worse dread filling her bones at the thought she would never find out at all .
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Celia was walking towards the Gryffindor tower to put the weighty book in her dorm room during the schools break time . Hermione had left the library early , mentioning her , Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were planning on getting a good spot in the courtyard on this sunny September morning . She also mentioned that Celia was welcome to join them at anytime , which gave Celia a warm feeling she had never really felt before -
“ Watch where you’re - Oh shit , sorry Celia .” It was Draco who had slammed into her , the huge book collapsing to the stone floor in a large huff .
They both knelt down to retrieve the book at the same time , their hands touching as he handed it back to Celia easily .
His smile faded slightly when he saw her gryffindor tie and her robes , “ I don’t know what to say .”
“ Don’t say anything then ,” Celia replied , “ I cant control what house I was gonna make , and the hat said I was so close to Slytherin “
“ It’s just a shame really ,” Draco snarled ,” I always thought if there ever was a chance you were here we could’ve done this together .”
“ Draco you are so dramatic .” Celia sighed ,” It’s not like we can’t be friends .”
“ I have a reputation to uphold .”
“ Don’t just so easily discard me like that … I’m like your sister ! “
They both went quiet very fast . Draco whispered , Celia could barely hear it , “Don’t say that .”
“ You don’t want me to be with your family ? “ Celia raised her voice slightly . People walking by to get to different places at the break time were beginning to watch .
“ It’s not that , you don’t get it .”
“ No Draco , I don’t get it . You’ve known me for fourteen years then just decide that because I’m now a gryffindor you don’t want to talk to me anymore ? “
“ It’s complicated .”
“ We’ll I’ll make it really easy for you then ,” Celia was trying to disguise the hurt in her voice , “ Don’t talk to me .“
She watched Malfoy clench his jaw , his cyan eyes blazed in the early morning sunlight that drifted through the arched windows into the corridor .
“ I cant believe I went to the hospital wing to see you last night .” He raised his voice higher , more confidently now ,” You’re going to be just like them now , I thought you were smarter than that .” he remarked before he stormed off towards the Slytherin dungeons .