.:~*~:.
Earlier that semester..
"What are we doing back here again, L?" Deidre sighed following close behind her friend. They had obtained a pass issued from one of Lilithe's teachers for an advanced book for extra study. In the restricted section. Merlin only knows how Deidre was pulled into the whole ordeal and even more curious was why she as allowed back in the row of books at all.
"We're here," She stopped at a bookcase and began scanning spines. "Because I'm supposed to find a book that'll help me get some extra credit in D.A.D.A., on the origins of the unforgivable curses."
"Oh. Is that all." Deidre’s look of sarcasm went unnoticed by Lilithe. Since her friend was enthralled in her book searching, Deidre wandered close by, idly scanning the spines of the books. Nothing seemed particularly interesting. Although she did have a fleeting interest on 'Hexes and Curses of the 10th century'.
Ten minutes she wandered back and forth along a single bookshelf before she plopped herself down aside where L stood, nose still in the bookcase. She didn't sit there long though, as a discolored book caught her attention. It stuck out because it was slightly brighter, but smaller with the taller ones surrounding it. She crawled over, making sure she didn't distract her friend. Gently, she pulled the average sized book from the line of thick dusty ones. She flipped it over to it's cover and ran her hand over it, wiping a thick layer of dust off. She blinked many a time before jumping to her feet and prodded at her friends shoulder, trying everything in her power to keep her mouth shut and not squealing in glee.
"What Deidra?" Lilithe turned briskly to D, tone clearly defining her irritation. “What’s that?" She looked to the book. "You have to be more careful D, there’re some dangerous books here. If you open the wrong one, you could get us in big trouble." Her gaze finally registered the look on her friend's face of suppressed excitement. Her stern look changed to one of confusion mixed with curiosity.
"look at the cover!" Deidre squeaked, thrusting the book at her. "Tell me that doesn't look familiar, and that you don't know what it is."
"What.." She inquired, but took the book. She gazed at it for a second or two. "It's an old book. I can't read the title, it's in Chinese or something or other."
Deidra couldn't believe her friend's blonde-ness. She stared at her friend, trying to decide whether or not to simply and calmly remind her what it was or to knock her best friend upside the head. She figured the former would be safest.
"Let me give you a hint as to what I think it is. Does "Suzaku" ring any bells?"
Once again, she was answered with blinks of confusion. She sighed, and made to grab the book but jumped back as it finally dawned on Lilithe. She withdrew the book back to her and stared at it.
"The Universe of the Four Gods? Are you sure? What would it be doing in the Wiz-"
Deidre laughed. "That much could be obvious. The real question is, why is it in existence at all? Unless it's not what we think."
Lilithe opened the book cover and Deidre stared slightly terrified at it. "Lilithe. Don't. Turn. The page. Just in case." She laughed nervously, quickly adding the last part. Lilithe nodded abut stared at the first page." D-chan.. look.."
She turned the book around to face Deidre. On the page was a drawing of a man and two women in the background. Not unsimiliar to what had been in their muggle bought books and animation. Or rather Deidre and Cassandra's muggle books. Being in a family of pureblood prats didn't do much for Lilithe's admiration for muggles. But her beloved brother helped with such things.
Lilithe slammed the book, "This, we're taking. I don't care if it's a library book, I'm sure they won't miss it much." and promptly slid the book into her book bag. It was relatively small, able to pass as a light reading book.
"Anyway, I think I've got all I need. Let's go to supper now. We'll talk about it later."
Deidre followed without a word, but a smile still plastered her face.
.:~*~:.
The next morning Deidre rose groggily from her bed. She remembered the plans to meet in the Room of Requirement in only a few hours. After taking a shower and getting dressed, she made way down to the Hufflepuff common room. Several students were already up, including the 6th year Triwizard tournament candidate, Cedric Diggory. She wandered unnoticeably toward his group of friends as she headed toward the portrait entrance.
"So Cedric, have you figured out the clue yet? The next trial is only a few days away." One fifth year Hufflepuff girl purred.
"Yep. Well actually, I think I do. I'm pretty sure of it, but you'll all have to find out next week. Can't risk anyone finding it out if they haven't figured it out already, right?"
This earned some whines and protests, some of the younger students begging for an answer. Deidre rolled her eyes and continued out of the portrait with only her wand and book safely hidden in her robe's sleeve.
~^~
