Hermione Finds the Book
Chapter 1 - Hermione finds a book
Hermione walked through the dull hallways without purpose. All of her friends were busy at the quidditch pitch watching Gryffindor and Slytherin in the cup final. Hermione had decided earlier on in the week that she wouldn’t be going to the game. Ron would be with his new girlfriend Lavender and she had no interest in being near them, even if it meant not supporting Harry and the other Gryffindors. A sharp pain shot through her heart as she thought of Ron and Lavender, and she had a sudden urge to vomit. She continued to walk the halls before deciding that she would visit her favourite place in the castle; the library.
Hermione walked between the shelves piled high with books, picking up a small selection as she went. Madam Pince,the librarian was sitting at her desk stamping returns when she noticed Hermione looking at a book in the restricted section.
“Do you have a permission slip Miss Granger?” She said in her high-pitch nasally voice.
“No professor, I was just having a look for some personal reading materials and that one caught my eye.” Hermione pointed at a large, black leather bound book with gold leaf wiriting.
From her studies in Ancient Runes she could just about translate the title as ‘A History of Magic and all things Spellbinding’. She wasnt quite sure why that particular book would be in the restricted section, but she daren’t complain about the organisational choices of the fearsome Madam Pince.
“What interests you in that particular book?” Madam Pince questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“Just looking to improve my knowledge of all things magic, Professor” Hermione said smiling sadly.
“I am well aware of your magical abilities and keen intellect, Miss Granger, so, as it’s you I will let you have a look without a permission slip!” Madam Pince gave a wry smile at her words and Hermione wasn’t sure why.
Nevertheless, she accepted the offer and walked through the wrought iron gate to the restricted section. Madam Pince nodded in Hermione’s direction and went back to her desk before moving off into the depths of the bookshelves.
Hermione walked slowly in the direction of the leather bound book, noticing that some of the others were chained to the shelf as if they could break free of their own volition. As she lifted down the book she was looking for she noted just how heavy it was. Hermione headed over to the small oak desk that sat in the centre of the restricted section, but before she sat the book down, a much smaller leather bound book fell to the floor with a thud.
She heaved the original book onto the desk before crouching down to pick the fallen book off the floor. It was much smaller and lighter than the other and had thick parchment pages that looked as old as she was. She sat down at the desk and looked closer at the book. There was no title, just the faded word ‘notes’ embossed on the front, and there was no name or initials on the inside, just the handwritten title ‘Hogwarts Promiscuous Adventures - handle with care.’