Legacy Disowned - Book 1

Chapter 8 - The Missing Pages

Maggie awoke late on Saturday morning to find Violet, already up, curling her hair with her wand in the mirror.

"Ah, she awakens," Violet teased. "You really ought to try going to bed at a reasonable hour."

"Reasonable for you, maybe," Maggie replied.

"Where have you been sneaking off to?" Violet asked.

"Here and there," Maggie replied evasively.

"More secret rendezvous with Sebastian?" Violet asked with a sly grin.

"Your imagination's gotten the best of you," Maggie smirked. "We haven't spoken since that night in the library. I've been neck-deep in other things."

Violet eyed her suspiciously, clearly unconvinced. "And who arranged for that old house elf to deliver a love letter in the dead of night then?"

"Love letter?" Maggie blinked, confused. Violet pointed with her wand at Maggie's dresser, where a small, neatly folded envelope sat waiting. Maggie snatched it up and read silently. 

"Missing pages? Find the next clue in the Bell Tower Courtyard." 

Unsigned, of course. Her heart raced—could someone know about the book? She glanced up to see Violet was still eyeing her curiously. "Not a love letter, sorry to disappoint."

"Then what is it?" Violet huffed.

"More work," Maggie replied simply, already pulling out her favourite riding pants, to Violet's scandalised gasp. "Yes, they're pants. I'm tired of dealing with skirts on a broom. No classes today, so what I wear is nobody's business." Quickly dressing and securing her 'disappear bag' to her hip, she ran a brush through her loose curls and topped them off with her black gambler hat. She tugged on her riding boots, which had been hidden under the bed.

"Good grief, you look like a cowboy, not a lady!" Violet gaped. "Aren't you worrie—"

"Not in the least, Vi," Maggie drawled, giving her a wink as she pulled on leather glovelettes and raced from the dormitory.

***

Sebastian stood just outside the Slytherin Common room, the cold stone floor sending a chill up his spine as he stared at the stairwell. Had he really just seen Darling clad in boy's clothes sprint past him and up the stairs? A wry smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Curiouser and curiouser—

For a moment, Sebastian felt the urge to go after her, but he quickly shook off the thought. He had the whole day to look for a cure for Anne; it wouldn't do to get distracted now. With a sigh, the grin slid off his face, and he headed up the other staircase towards the great hall for breakfast.

Sebastian was growing frustrated. Despite his constant efforts, he hadn't managed to find anything helpful for Anne's condition. Ominis wasn't helping either, always going on about how Anne would want him to take a break and enjoy himself. Sebastian knew Ominis meant well, but his persistence was starting to get under his skin.

As he sat down at the Slytherin table, a ginger head appeared beside him. "What do you want, Weasley?" he snapped, colder than he intended. Lack of sleep had left him grumpy.

Garreth looked taken aback but shrugged it off, smiling. "Hey, Sallow. How are you?"

"Fine." Sebastian's reply came out sharp, but he wanted Garreth to get to the point.

"Well, anyways," Garreth began hesitantly, "I've been debating saying anything to you... So, I know you're friends with Miss Darling."

"Uh-huh." Irritation stabbed at Sebastian. If this was about passing on some silly love letter--