Violet Summer: The Philosopher's Stone

Chapter 8: A Weasley and a Rothley

 The Hogwarts library buzzed with activity that evening. Every seat and corner were occupied as students busily prepared for classes and anticipated the upcoming Halloween festivities at Hogwarts.

In a far corner of the library, Toni and Ron sat at a small, worn-out table they managed to secure amidst the chaos. The stack of books beside them grew so high that it drew suspicious glances from other students. However, Toni remained oblivious, her attention absorbed in ancient history books on magical artifacts and legends. Ron, holding a book on Hogwarts history, appeared less focused. Research wasn't exactly his forte, but with Hermione absent, Toni had limited options for assistance in their quest.

After closing the book she had been engrossed in, Toni slammed it shut and massaged her temples. She had learned much about Merlin and various beliefs surrounding his past, but nothing seemed to hint at an object hidden beneath a three-headed dog. The knowledge swirled in her mind, already fading into a distant memory. Leaning back with a sigh of defeat, she glanced at Ron, only to find him completely absorbed in his own book.

"Have you found anything?" she asked hopefully. Ron hardly glanced up from his book.

"Mmm?" He looked up, momentarily distracted. "Oh! No, nothing related to something hidden in Hogwarts."

Toni gawked at him. "Ron! We have to find something! Harry is counting on us! Come on now-"

"Do you know anything about Hogwarts between the years 1890 and 1892?" Ron interrupted, his curiosity piqued. The mention of those years sent a shiver down Toni's spine. She was familiar with them, and it stirred a nervous anticipation within her.

"N-No," she lied, her voice unsteady. Ron scratched his head, puzzled.

"Odd. You had an ancestor during that time, Lucius Rothley. A few Weasleys are mentioned too. Dumbledore was there in 1892... I didn't realize how old he was," Ron shared, his eyes returning to the book. "There's mention of a goblin rebellion, and apparently, a single student named Maive Blackfyre put an end to it. She joined Hogwarts as a fifth-year and-"

"Ron, we have plenty of time to delve into the past, but right now, we need to focus on what that dog may be guarding. This book is useless, so let's get back to what we came here for," Toni interjected abruptly, snatching another unread book from the pile. Ron gave her an odd look, surprised by her sudden outburst.

"Alright then, no need to get angry. I just thought maybe you'd want to learn more about your family history," Ron retorted, sneering as he rolled his eyes and closed his book. Toni found it impossible to concentrate on any further reading. She nibbled her lip, leaning back again, locking eyes with Ron.

"Fine. I know about those years. I know about that ancestor too," Toni confessed. Ron looked up, eager for more information. "I don't like to talk about it because it's the very history that led the Rothleys to abuse their knowledge of dark magic."

"I'm not following..." Ron admitted, perplexed.

"Lucius Rothley was one of the brightest wizards in our bloodline. He was highly respected and popular among his fellow students and the faculty at Hogwarts," Toni began, taking a deep breath. Ron listened intently, sensing the weight behind Toni's words. "He had great potential, and some believed he could have become Headmaster or even the Minister of Magic if he wished. But everything changed when Maive Blackfyre arrived at Hogwarts in 1890."

"Was she a bad witch?" Ron inquired, trying to grasp the significance.

Toni shook her head. "No, not at all... Well, it depends on who you ask. My father speaks highly of her, but my grandfather... not so much. It's hard to know the truth, but what I do know for certain is that Lucius sacrificed his life for her. He gave his life in exchange for a friend, not just her but all his friends."