The Book in the Library PV Scarlett Aden Closed

@Alina Rosier

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Oh crap.

Scarlett Aden hurried to the library with this thought in her mind, robes flying behind her as she slung a large empty tote bag over her shoulder, with the crest of Gryffindor painted in a shock of colour right in the middle. That afternoon, the redhead had stretched back on a sofa in her common room - rather like a lanky cat - ready to have a few hours of relaxation, planning pranks, watching others in the room and feeling pleased that she was free of responsibility for once. Then she realised something. The news was like a truck slamming into her stomach, a knife sliding through her in one slick move.

She hadn't done any homework.

The girl may have been over-reacting, but she was just so excited to finally have some free time for once, when nothing was attacking her, when there were no brawls to fight, lakes to fall in and people to hex. It didn't sound like her at all, this person 'enjoying' the ordinary days. Wasn't Scarlett brave, and thrill-seeking? Didn't she like adventures and danger and other death-defying escapades? Well yes, but sometimes...it was a bit too much.

With the incoming prospect of homework on her mind, Scarlett slipped into the library heading for the Charms section first. Scarlett had always liked Charms, and she was good at it as well. It would be a good omen for the homework session of doom to come, if she were to collect some Charms textbooks first.

The girl ran her slender finger over the honestly quite dusty titles. 101 Hexes and Jinxes You Need To Know, Charm Your Cheese, The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1, The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 2 -

Wait. Hang on. That wasn't a textbook.

Scarlett's finger stopped on a smooth leather book, with no title. She felt curious. Yet the girl hesitated for a moment. Should she open it? Possibly invade someone's privacy? But no - her curiosity was too strong - she was a moth drawn to a flame and the flame was this random book. The young lion selected the volume and began to read.

***

Once Scarlett had finished the small passage, she didn't know what to feel. Her brain moved almost by instinct as she reached for her quill inside the tote bag and began to write back.

I like your poetry style. It seems so...flowery, like that old English poet William Wordsworth. Why were you writing a poem anyway? Sorry, I'm not trying to intrude, I was just...curious. I'm way too curious. Sorry again. And when the world gets too lonely...it sounded like you were rather sad. So I'll tell you this: when the world gets too lonely, take a break and a breath. A big break. Do something you love to distract you. Who knows, maybe even write back here, if you're going to check this thing again. Then try to organise your life, fix it and mend it step by step. I'm not the best of advisors, but I hope it helps. It would be great if you could write back!

Red

Once Scarlett had put the book back and was studying for Potions over an ancient book, she thought back on what she had said. Merlin she was terrible with writing. Terrible with advice. Why on earth had she done that? The girl was impulsive. But maybe this was too much. And Red, seriously? Why had she felt the need to give herself a codename?

With a sigh, Scarlett pushed all thoughts and worries back from her head and tried to focus.

When the world gets too lonely...

Slowly climbing out of her Summer downfall, Alina was getting back to old routines with school and old friends and even making some new ones. Still, she found herself spending more time alone than she ever had before and it made her think back to the journal within the shelves of the Library.

She remembered what she wrote last time and knew she still had nothing to go on to continue her venture in loneliness but maybe this time she could add a sketch of some wildflowers she saw over by the Lake. just something to fill the time and perhaps help fill the void.

Once back in the Library, she found the book in the same place she had left it and flipped it open a couple of pages only to find something unexpected. - Someone else had written upon the pages! Her eyes skimmed over the passage, a little embarrassed at first that someone saw the words she had put down but then smiled slightly to see that they attempted to find a solution for her. Then, in saying that it would be great that she wrote back she wondered if this would be like the Quill Pal Assignment. She never had much luck with those, but had always wanted one.

Red. Red? Who was Red? She thought about how there were some with such unique names there at Hogwarts - Eris, Ginevra, Eri, Thora, Dymphna, Griseldis, Flash, Lamik...but nothing remotely close to Red came to mind. Maybe it was reference to their favorite color, or a Gryffindor, or maybe hair color - as Hogwarts was full of redheads. All Alina knew for certain was it was quite a mystery, as it was that Red didn't choose to identify themselves in the first place. Then again, neither had she in her first entry.

She began her next:

No intrusion. I suppose when one decides to write something down, it now becomes more real for the writer but also risks being seen by others. We write so that it can be read but I didn't expect anyone to find this among the shelves! Hello, Red. Thank you for your response.

Have you ever had to take a break and find something that distracts you from something going on within your personal life? While I too am no great advisor, maybe we can try our best to grant the other advise and at the very least - a listening ear.

When the world gets too lonely... Maybe you write down your thoughts and you find an unexpected voice listening. Thank you for listening to me and I look forward to your reply. Know that I'm listening, too.


She thought of a sort of nickname for herself. What would that be without being obvious? Well, she was a Hufflepuff and in her Second Year but that didn't seem to help. She had brunette hair like soooooo many others, but that wasn't very descriptive. She had been born on Valentine's Day but that didn't carry a good nickname with it... She had a twin but she no longer attended Hogwarts and she didn't want to dwell on the negative here as this was a device to turn negatives into positives. She liked art, reading, crocheting, exploring, and going on adventures, and was obsessed with lemon drops and lemon anything really. Was that too obvious? Anyone that knew her knew that she carried them with her everywhere she went. No, she was overthinking this. Initials would work just fine and she signed her entry AER before placing it back upon the shelf.

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@Alina Rosier

Once again, Scarlett found herself at the library. After the disastrous attempt to study with the Marshal guy, who seemed to flirt with every girl he met, Scarlett had decided that a bit of extra Transfiguration reading wouldn't hurt. As well as this, she had heard there was a new librarian. A redhead, like her. Scarlett would have to pay a visit soon, even if reading wasn't exactly her thing.

Scarlett had decided that full-out study equipment would not be used this time - last time, the girl had stuffed three bags worth of snacks, quills, ink and books, which had been discarded once she had been distracted by the events of the Study Room. Today, her plan was simple. Merely grab a few books, sit down, take notes and go.

Scarlett entered the library and breathed in the old, rustic scent. This place radiated 'Lucia Fox'. She wondered if her friend had been here many times before. It seemed likely. The library looked old, but the books on the shelves emitted an ancient wisdom, as if anything and everything could be found in their pages, any history in their chapters, any scandalous affairs inside their dusty covers. Scarlett wandered over to the Transfiguration section, adjacent to the Charms area. She cast her mind back to the book she had found some time ago, right after the Standard Book of Spells: Grade 2. She wondered if...

Ah. It was still there.

Curious, Scarlett opened to the page she had written in and was shocked to find that...someone else had written in the book?

The handwriting was the same. The style of writing was the same as well. It evidently seemed to be the same person writing, rather like a diary only Scarlett could read. Like a secret messaging thing. A, what was it called in the Muggle world, pen pal. Her dark-brown eyes flicked over the pretty cursive. Writing, writing, writing...AER. What was that? An acronym? A acronym for what?

Someone's name.

The answer hit her like a sledgehammer as the girl made a mental note to find out who AER was - then stopped. Paused. Pondered. Did she really need to know? Wouldn't that ruin the atmosphere? What if she was writing to an enemy of hers without realising it? But she had no rivals with those initials. Frowning and befuddled, Scarlett started to write back.

True - hello there AER.

Actually, I haven't really had anything major, which sounds odd. There's nothing that has particularly affected me - obviously there may be a few minor issues, but now that I think about it, my life is rather smooth! Thank you for opening my eyes to this fact. As well as that, the offer sounds great. Conversing in this book. A helping hand, a listening ear. How about we check this book, every Tuesday or so? Don't ask - the day randomly popped into my mind.

If you need someone to listen and endure as you vent, I can be here. The book could be moved somewhere more private if you wish, but I don't think anyone is going to find it here.

Best wishes,

Red

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She didn't know what she should write next upon seeing the entry. She was glad that Red hadn't experienced too much hardship but then wouldn't she just look like someone who had no control over their life if she went on to talk about all that she was feeling right now?

Alina sat with the book opened for far too long. Part of her thought maybe Red would see her there in the library and see her identity. She didn't want that. Alina liked to appear to always be put together and confident, the leader, the heroine of the story...not the damsel in distress.

Red,
Maybe its best to just not focus on your fears, on your worries, on your darkness. Maybe in doing so you let it consume you. Maybe its best to just let it rest and just hope that everything can work itself out in some shape or form.

Because maybe its just being dramatic, or maybe its just worry for no reason. Maybe its best to just let the pages be uncovered, rather than be filled with nonsense.

Any book deserves more than that, even this book included.

Do you have any hobbies? Maybe you could write poetry within these pages or sketch out some art to fill it.

I find myself lacking inspiration for much these days.

AER

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@Alina Rosier

Next Tuesday, Scarlett actually remembered to visit the library. It was intriguing, the book. She had no idea who the other writer was, but they seemed like a good person, if not rather formal. They had suffered hardships and appeared to be rather poetic. That was nice, conversing in a more mature manner. Compared to her old friends, this other person was like a goddess of...adultery? Maturity probably worked better. Scarlett slipped down to the library, walked to the Charms section, selected the book and opened it.

She sat with the book, quill in hand, musing over AER's previous words. Dipping the quill in ink, she began to write.

AER,

That advice is rather splendid. Deep as well. Thank you for that - perhaps you could act on it as well? I hope life is progressing and getting better for you...but I've seen friends and family fall too deep into the pit of depression, their negativity consuming them. Don't go in the pit. It's a dark place.

Hm, I've never been good at poetry, nor art. Maybe next time? What do you suggest I draw, or write about? Personally, I don't have many defining hobbies. I'm rather dull, but I do play Quidditch. What about you?

Stay positive and best wishes,

Red

Scarlett decided not to mention the fact that she loved to prank people. This person might not approve of that, and then she could break a steadily-growing relationship. She closed the book, slotted it in its space and exited the library.

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Alina didn't know what to write back but it didn't really matter. It was nice to have this ongoing conversation with this someone through the book even if she didn't know who it was. Plus, it didn't seem as if this person expected anything remarkable on the pages, just a conversation just the same.

Red,

Quidditch is such a remarkable sport! I often go to some of the professional games, especially of Puddlemere United! We have season tickets in the box office. I couldn't even imagine how difficult it is to play though! Get me on a broom and I can barely levitate off the ground, let alone pick up height or speed. Broomstick handling and riding isn't my forte, no way.

Which is crazy because I can ride in a muggle helicopter without any troubles or climb to the high branches of a tall tree. What it is that makes me scared of being on a broomstick is beyond me. I've tried to work through it since Flying is a required class but it's still proven troublesome.

Excited for the upcoming holidays? What are your plans? I'm still debating on whether it best to stay at Hogwarts or to go home. Last year we headed home, so I don't know what it's like here at the castle during that time. Any advice?

AER