The Keeper's Snake // Sebastian Sallow

Rumors

Fiona woke up on Saturday morning at 8:00. She was exhausted. On top of going to bed late, she also had to fight magical statues underneath the library. Spending time so close to Sebastian also had her heart racing. The only plan she had for the day was to meet up with some Gryffindors at the Three Broomsticks. She figured she could kill time reading the book she found the night before.

She headed to a secluded area in the library and opened the book. She noticed some pages missing. She also saw a bunch of writing she didn't understand, ancient runes perhaps? There was also that symbol she saw at the Gringotts vault. She decided to close the book after ten minutes of trying to decipher it. She would have to wait for Fig.

After eating lunch, she still had time to kill. She decided she should take walk by the black lake.  While on her walk, she received an owl from Mr. Ollivander, asking her to stop by his shop to help him with something.

Sean said the group of Gryffindors planned to meet up around 19:00, so she reckoned she could visit Ollivander an hour before he closed his shop. She sent an owl to Sean asking him to head to Hogsmeade with her at 16:00. She wanted to do some shopping and get alone time with her brother before they were in a group setting.

Sean met her in front of the Ravenclaw common room at 16:00, and they decided to take the Floo network to Hogsmeade. They first headed to Tomes and Scrolls. They both needed some new parchment and ink. Tucked away in the corner of the shop, Fiona found a box with two pieces of parchment. The price was 20 Galleons. What was so special about this parchment to demand such a price? She turned to the shop owner, box in hand, and asked him,

"Excuse me sir, could you please tell what is different about these pieces of parchment? How could they cost 20 Galleons?"

"Ah it seems you've found a product often over looked by my customers. You see these two parchments are enchanted. What you write on one appears on the other. The message clears with the simple wave of the wand. I only keep two of these sets in stock."

Fiona was amazed. Direct communication without waiting for owls! How ingenious! She decided to buy a set. Sean saw what she was doing and followed suit. After they left the shop, he turned to her.

"And whom are you planning to give your parchment to? A secret boyfriend?" One eye brow was raised in an accusatory manor, but his tone was full of humor.

"Might I ask you the same question big brother? I've heard whispers of a budding relationship between a fifth year Ravenclaw and a seventh year Gryffindor." Fiona retorted. Her eyebrow was now raised too.

The siblings stared each other down for another ten seconds before they decided to drop the topic and head to their next location. Fiona smiled to herself at the thought of big brother getting all nervous talking about the girl he likes. She wasn't sure who the fifth year Ravenclaw was, but she suspected Constance Dagworth. She was also Irish and an absolutely lovely person.

Their next stop was to Honey Dukes. Fiona hadn't been there yet, and Sean wanted to show her a particular brand of biscuits that were not available in Ireland. Fiona tried a sample, and her taste buds exploded in pleasure. She promptly bought two boxes. She also bought a box of fudge from an Irish brand. She was happy to have a bit of home with her.

Sean tried to discretely by a box of chocolates in the shape of a heart, for Constance no doubt. Fiona saw what he was doing, but decided to let him have his secret. She assumed she might see his parchment's pair in her room in the near future.

The two were having fun joking around and seeing what Hogsmeade had to offer, when the time came to visit Ollivander's. Fiona and Sean entered the shop, and Ollivander explained something about a man named Jackdaw, who stole a wand from his family. He believed the owlery was the key finding the wand, and he wanted Fiona to investigate. She agreed and asked him one question before she left with Sean.