The Missing Words
Part 2 of Nooks and Crannies
Link to previous thread
Mention: @Bella Light
Aster and Bella headed down the corridor in the direction of the library, which was just a couple flights of stairs below, chatting as they walked. Bella was bubbly and fun to be around, and Aster enjoyed talking with her.
"I definitely enjoy puzzles. My Mum subscribes to Witch Weekly, and she always let me work on the quizzes and puzzles after she finished reading the articles. I haven't ever had the chance to solve a real mystery before!" Aster couldn't help but skip a few paces out of excitement.
"What else have you found at Hogwarts? I just found the oddest painting, but I don't think it was a mystery... more of a memory."
The girls continued to discuss their previous discoveries as they made their way down a flight of stairs, around a corner, and through a set of doors. All too soon, however, the doors of the library came into view.
Aster always felt awestruck when she walked into Hogwarts' massive library. She had never seen so many books in one place! The tall windows illuminated rows and rows of dark wooden shelves, each housing dozens of tomes. Some of the volumes were ancient and worn, bearing the evidence of the studies of generations of students, while some were much newer, with shiny covers and crisp pages that made a satisfying sound when turned. Books zipped through the air, arranging themselves on their respective shelves, while students of all houses sat hunched over the desks, studying in silence. The occasional whisper, often followed by a Shhh! from a neighbor, broke the silence.
Aster clutched the mysterious parchment in her hand, double-checking the symbol, before looking to Bella and whispering, "I think I'd rather not talk to the librarian unless we get really stuck. It would be so much more exciting to solve the mystery ourselves! Besides, as you said, I'm not entirely certain we're supposed to be doing this, but if we don't ask then we can always plead ignorance."
Aster suddenly looked a little abashed; she had never been a troublemaker, but the excitement of a mystery had her feeling shockingly rebellious. She glanced guiltily at Bella, then back at the parchment, before continuting in an undertone.
"I can see a quill and a wand in the symbol, but I'm not sure about the squiggly lines. Maybe we can check in books about spells that have to do with secrets or hiding things? Perhaps we'll see something familiar?"
Aster set off down the rows of books, checking the categories that were posted on each shelf. The shelves labelled Broom Cleaning Strategies, History of the Wizengamot, and Cleaning Potions all seemed unlikely to be helpful, but Aster pulled three titles from Magical Espionage and two more from The Art of Vanishment before heading for a table in the corner, next to a particularly intimidating suit of armor, to begin her research. She settled into one of the chairs, opened "Spies and Spellwork," and began to scan the table of contents.
Link to previous thread
Mention: @Bella Light
Aster and Bella headed down the corridor in the direction of the library, which was just a couple flights of stairs below, chatting as they walked. Bella was bubbly and fun to be around, and Aster enjoyed talking with her.
"I definitely enjoy puzzles. My Mum subscribes to Witch Weekly, and she always let me work on the quizzes and puzzles after she finished reading the articles. I haven't ever had the chance to solve a real mystery before!" Aster couldn't help but skip a few paces out of excitement.
"What else have you found at Hogwarts? I just found the oddest painting, but I don't think it was a mystery... more of a memory."
The girls continued to discuss their previous discoveries as they made their way down a flight of stairs, around a corner, and through a set of doors. All too soon, however, the doors of the library came into view.
Aster always felt awestruck when she walked into Hogwarts' massive library. She had never seen so many books in one place! The tall windows illuminated rows and rows of dark wooden shelves, each housing dozens of tomes. Some of the volumes were ancient and worn, bearing the evidence of the studies of generations of students, while some were much newer, with shiny covers and crisp pages that made a satisfying sound when turned. Books zipped through the air, arranging themselves on their respective shelves, while students of all houses sat hunched over the desks, studying in silence. The occasional whisper, often followed by a Shhh! from a neighbor, broke the silence.
Aster clutched the mysterious parchment in her hand, double-checking the symbol, before looking to Bella and whispering, "I think I'd rather not talk to the librarian unless we get really stuck. It would be so much more exciting to solve the mystery ourselves! Besides, as you said, I'm not entirely certain we're supposed to be doing this, but if we don't ask then we can always plead ignorance."
Aster suddenly looked a little abashed; she had never been a troublemaker, but the excitement of a mystery had her feeling shockingly rebellious. She glanced guiltily at Bella, then back at the parchment, before continuting in an undertone.
"I can see a quill and a wand in the symbol, but I'm not sure about the squiggly lines. Maybe we can check in books about spells that have to do with secrets or hiding things? Perhaps we'll see something familiar?"
Aster set off down the rows of books, checking the categories that were posted on each shelf. The shelves labelled Broom Cleaning Strategies, History of the Wizengamot, and Cleaning Potions all seemed unlikely to be helpful, but Aster pulled three titles from Magical Espionage and two more from The Art of Vanishment before heading for a table in the corner, next to a particularly intimidating suit of armor, to begin her research. She settled into one of the chairs, opened "Spies and Spellwork," and began to scan the table of contents.