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Thrice she walked along a wall in an empty corridor, everyone being at breakfast in the Great Hall. She figured since she had gotten up relatively early she'd go ahead and wait for her friends. She wasn't a big breakfast eater. With each stride past the wall she thought, 'We need a place to meet... where no one will bother us..'
Upon the third pace around, she looked at the wall and was relieved to find a door. She cautiously opened it, and peeked in. Inside was a bed, a couple over stuffed armchairs, a couch and a few things here and there to give the room a more cozy feeling. Lanterns and torch holders lined the walls.
Satisfied, she slipped in.
Deidre flopped herself down from over the side of the couch. Once comfortable, she withdrew her hidden oddity and held it up in the lamp-light.
She couldn't wait to open it. She'd have to of course, but the suspense of seeing what lay inside was nearly unbearable. The question was still there though, would anything happen? She hoped so. To be a part of her muggle-inspired fantasy! To find out she was a witch, and perhaps enter her favorite story of all time? It was... almost too much. Almost.
Deidre sat up, shaking her head. 'Can't open the book,' she thought. 'Don't know what'd happen... Should wait for L and Cass.' Tossing the book aside on the couch, she stood and walked around the averaged-sized room. Not too small, but not big either.
But... what if it -did- take them? She looked back at the book sprawled on the couch. Uh-oh, it was open. But then again, it usually had to be read. If it took them... would it take all three? What would happen? Would they play a part in the storyline? If they made it in... would it be because a God allowed them? So many questions, so little answers.
She paced the room. Her friends should be there soon. She wasn't that early! She scooped up the book and hopped into one of the fluffy armchairs that sat across the room. She turned the book so the cover faced her and brought her wand to the book.
'Transitis'
The charm caused the lettering on the book to rearrange and change to what could be read- English. A simple spell she learned while flipping through one of her texts. It came in handy when she was owled newly imported muggle manga. Why spend extra money on horridly translated books, while you could do it yourself more accurately, and with a wave of a wand?
"The Universe of the Four Gods, Japanese translation by Einosuke Okuda." She read aloud, before giggling. "And English translation by Deidre Virus." She flipped open the cover. As long as she didn't turn the first page, she'd be safe. But for now...
'Transitis' She repeated, with a touch of the wand to the first page, the characters slowly formed into English scripture before her eyes.
Just then, the door creaked open. At first she was startled, since she knew the Room of Requirement only opened to what the user needed; though her fright diminished, remembering that she was to meet her friends. In they came, filing behind Lilithe. She only expected two people to enter, but three had followed behind her.
"Deidre, you're here early." Cassy, the reddish-brunette called to her. She was the Gryffindor of their mismatched little group.
Deidre smiled. "Yeah, amazing isn' it? I'm up before noon!"
She watched silently but happily then, as Lilithe sat on the arm of the chair she was sunk in. She leaned down to give her a quick hug. The other three girls took to the couch.
"So, what's this about a different-dimensioned book?"
Crystal, a girl of short brown hair and with horn rimmed glasses asked. She was a Slytherin. She was also their friend, although Deidre was surprised Lilithe included her in on the meeting. The other two guests were familiar with their fascination with Muggle anime, but not so much themselves. Deidre looked up to Lilithe.
"Well, y'see-"
"Are you sure it's even the book you think it is? What's if it's just another dodgy book? You did get it out of the restricted section, you know. Maybe it just looks like it." Another third year Asian girl interrupted. She was their Ravenclaw friend.
"Oh but we're almost sure of it!"
"Yeah, look." Deidre held up the book, so the writing on the cover was visible to all the girls.
"Hey... it was in Chinese before, wasn't it? Why's it in English?" L inquired.
"Simple translating charm. I've used it on all my manga you've read. I thought it might help, seeing as none of us know Chinese..."
All gazes went to the Ravenclaw, who puffed. "I'm Korean! And I don't even know much!"
They all laughed.
"Anyway... We're almost sure it's the actual Universe of the Four Gods..."
"Or Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho!" D exclaimed.
"Right... For one thing it says so right there, and the first page's picture is the same as in the manga." Deidre nodded absentmindedly. Lilithe put her hand atop the Hufflepuff's head. "Since D found the book in the first place I figure we outta let 'er read first."
"Really?" D asked happily, "I was nearly going crazy, being alone with the book..."
Settling into the chair again, Deidre eagerly opened the book. All the girls leaned closer. Cassy had moved to sit on the other arm of the chair and she began to read.
"This is the story of a girl who gathered the seven stars of Suzaku. She gained omnipotent power and made every wish come true. The story itself is an incantation-" Sheenah shifted, but said nothing. "Whoever finishes reading it shall receive this power. As soon as the page is turned, the story will become the truth and begin..."
Deidre made to turn the page.
Then, it happened.
Cassy sneezed.
It could have been the dust that still lingered on the book for all they know, but a chain of events soon followed. The sneeze caused Cassy to jerk, effectively losing her balance and falling on Deidra. The action simultaneously brought Lilithe down on top of them, having been knocked by a flailing arm. The two girls on the couch jumped up to try to see if they could assist, but all they could to is stand there, out of the way of flailing limbs and curse-spitting mouths. Angry cries erupted from the trio and they fell from the chair. Deidre was squashed under her best friends, trapping the book under her own weight.
"Get... OFF!" She cried. Deidre tore the book from under her, it having been painful having it press into her ribs and tried to shove the two bodies off of her. When she tore the book out from under her, a resounding 'Riiiip' was only barely heard, but the flash of light that immediately followed was impossible to miss.
Time stood still when the flood of light erupted from the book. The struggling ceased as everyone froze in shock. The light quickly engulfed the room, but to Deidre it happened all in slow motion. The book had been directly under her nose and she was first to be blinded.
The first thing she realized was that all movements ceased. Everyone fell silent, from the two on top of her to the two standing across the room. Instead of still feeling the added weight of her friends, she was feeling steadily lighter. But still, she couldn't find the relief to breathe. Perhaps she wouldn't have been so horrified under normal circumstances, but with the terror she discerned from her friends, she couldn't help feel that way.
At an almost agonizingly slow pace, the bright light ebbed away, and Deidre with it. With panicked thoughts, she only barely registered that the scenery before her was disappearing. She didn't have long to think it over however, because her mind starting to blank out on its own.
The last thing she saw was Lilithe, fists clenched with an expression that of fury.
.:~*~:.
