Obliviate

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Even though Tom was satisfied with his discovery of a Horcrux, he insisted they continue to visit the Restricted Section to learn as much as possible about what they weren't being taught in school. Maeve, of course, agreed wholeheartedly.

She held her wand up, illuminating the spines of books in the restricted section. Many of them didn't have titles or authors even. They were visiting during their normal Prefect duty hour, and tonight Abraxas and Mulciber were covering for them.

She heard Tom remove something from the shelf and went to peek over what he was reading.

"Have you noticed how many of these dark places, these experiences, happened in Albania?" Maeve asked Tom.

Tom nodded. "I have."

"It piques my interest."

The pair continued pulling books and reading for close to an hour. Maeve spent most of that time nose deep in a poorly handwritten book on memory charms. Most of it was hard to decipher, as it was also written in French.

"How many detentions do you reckon Abraxas has given out so far?" Asked Maeve.

"Probably not enough. Come look at this," said Tom. "An army of Inferius. Do you know that word?"

"The Latin would roughly translate to 'underneath' or 'below,'" said Maeve. "What's it referencing?"

"It's not very specific."

"Oh no," said Maeve. Her face dropped, and she grabbed his arm.

They heard the distinct sound of a door opening just a few shelves over, followed by the rapid clicking of heels on the floor.

Tom placed the book back swiftly, but there was no time to escape.

"Lumos," said a high-pitched voice Maeve hated. Madam Florence stepped towards them, her mouth in a thin line.

"How unbelievably unacceptable. Two Prefects in The Restricted Section. You both should know better."

"Ma-"

Florence cut Tom off quickly. "I have no time for excuses this late, Mr. Riddle, as disappointed as I am to see you of all people here. To the Headmaster's office, both of you."

Tom didn't look her way, but she could see his wheels turning.

The walk to Headmaster Dippet's office was silent, save for Florence muttering under her breath about naughty children and the rhythmic click of her kitten heels. Maeve felt they suited Florence as they were incredibly tacky. Maeve remembered her father once told her Madam Florence and himself butt heads quite frequently.

"Thimble," said Florence to the oversized Gargoyle on the second floor, who jumped aside immediately upon retrieving the password and revealed a moving spiral staircase.

"Up you go," said Florence.

Maeve and Tom obeyed. Once at the top, Florence rapped on the door sharply.

"Enter!" Called the muffled voice of Headmaster Dippet.

They entered the Headmaster's office to see Dippet seated behind his desk, with Profesor Dumbledore at his side.

"Good evening, June," said Dippet. "Miss Sinclair, Mister Riddle, shouldn't you be on Prefect duty?"

Madam Florence stepped forward. "Indeed they should be. I found them in The Restricted Section of the Library, Armando."

There was an awkward silence. Dippet looked back and forth between Tom and Maeve; his brows pulled together.

"Whatever for?" Asked Dippet, laughing nervously.