Starboy

Like any fifth-year, Hermione spent a lot of her time in the library studying for her upcoming O.W.L.s. Unlike the other fifth-years, Hermione volunteered there, too. She waved her wand and the teetering stacks of newly-returned books flew into their assigned spot on the shelves, except for a few. This wasn't unusual as damaged books had to be mended before they could return to the shelves. She chanted "Reparo" several times until all of the books looked brand new. Hermione waved her wand again and one by one, the books flew across the library onto their shelves.

One book was left.

That was weird. The book was in pristine condition until Hermione flipped through the pages. There were comments filling the margins and sections of text underlined and circled. Boy, was this going to be a pain to remove, she thought to herself. If she cast the spell wrong, all of the words could be removed, and not just the inked comments. This was a task for Madam Pince. Hermione brought the book over to her desk and explained the situation. Madam Pince carefully examined the book, looking at each page. She returned to the inside cover, where there was only one sentence written.

𝔦𝔣 𝔣𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡, 𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔯𝔟𝔬𝔶

"So, this isn't even the school's book?" Hermione asked Madam Pince.

The librarian shook her head, "No, my dear. Someone must have returned it accidentally with their library books. I suggest you figure out who Starboy is and return this book to its rightful owner."

Hermione groaned, but snatched up the book and brought it back to her dormitory with her. She sat at the small desk next to her bed and pulled out a roll of parchment and her quill and ink.

===

Draco yelled profanities as he tore apart the fifth-year Slytherin boys' dormitory, looking for something. "You didn't steal my copy of Magick Moste Evile, did you?" he asked his friend, who was sitting on the footboard of his bed.

"No, what would I need such a dark book for?" Blaise replied plainly.

Draco threw his hands up in an exasperated groan, "I had all my notes in there!"

"I'm sure it'll turn up eventually," Blaise shrugged.

"Do you think Theo might have taken it?"

Blaise scoffed, "Theo doesn't read."

===

13 March 1996

Hello Starboy,

If you haven't noticed, you misplaced your copy of Magick Moste Evile. I found it when I was helping Madam Pince in the library. You must have returned it with your library books by mistake.

If you meet me in the library on Thursday after dinner, I can give it back to you.

- Bookworm

===

If Starboy could have a pen name, Hermione needed one, too. She settled on Bookworm because, well, obvious reasons.

Hermione trudged up the spiral staircase to the top of the West Tower, where the Owlery was. She opened the door carefully and stepped into the room, allowing her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Hundreds of pairs of yellow eyes stared at her. "Do any of you know who Starboy is?" she asked the birds. An eagle owl in a dark corner of the room pecked at its cage wildly, catching Hermione's attention. She carefully unlatched the door to its cage and allowed it to land on her arm to stretch its wings. "You know Starboy?" The owl nodded its brown head. "Can you take this to him?" she asked, tying the letter around its ankle with a ribbon. The bird hooted softly and flew out the window.

===

A few minutes later, the same owl flew down the chimney into the Slytherin common room. Heads ducked as the bird flew over them. The owl landed gently on Draco's shoulder and waved its foot. He removed the ribbon and unraveled the scroll.

Draco's face lit into a bright smile and he dashed into his dormitory to write a reply. "Malfoy's got a love letter!" Blaise teased from behind him.

===

13 March 1996

Hello Bookworm,

Whoever you are, you better not read any of the notes I made in that book. Those are confidential.

I can't meet you in person. You shouldn't know who I am. You can leave the book on a table in the library and I will grab it.

- Starboy