Whispers Of Hogwarts

𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

"Girls, good news. I got that job I was talking about a few days ago."
"Really? That's awesome. Congratulations, Mum." I appeased her.
"Yeah, congrats." Charlotte dully followed my comment.
"Yeah, but the only problem is it's in London. And the timings are from 11 AM to 7 PM. So I'll have to leave early, but don't worry, Charlotte, I'll be able to drop you off at school."
"Okay." Charlotte remarked.

We talked about some more things other than Hogwarts or magic in that case, due to the presence of Charlotte. Mum told me it took her quite some time to console her, so it'd be best not to bring up the subject matter in front of her again.

After dinner just before I retired to bed, Mum came into my room.
"Hey, honey! How did the rest of your shopping go?" She sat on the corner of the bed.
"Oh, nice. I made a friend."
She looked happy. "That's awesome! Who?"
"Harry Potter."

She looked stunned for a second.
"Har-Harry Potter?"
"Yes... do you know him?"

Silence.

"My dear, at this point probably all of wizardkind knows about Harry Potter. He is the only known wizard to have survived the killing curse and banished The Dark Lord. No one knows how. Good grief! I had been friends with Lily when she was in her 3rd year and I was in my 6th. She sacrificed her life for her son. I've heard some rumours he was taken in by Lily's abusive sister and her family when he was a baby. Poor boy."

I've never heard Mum even talk about the Harry Potter books, like the literal ones written by J.K Rowling. How did she even know all this?

"How do you know all of this?"
"There's a newspaper for the wizarding folks called the Daily Prophet. I'm subscribed to it. Not to mention the rumours surrounding Harry."

I'm still doubting whether this is a dream or not.

I admire her ability to hide such big things from me for 14 years now without arousing even a little bit of suspicion. Even till today, I've never been able to spot The Daily Prophet ever in this house.

Mum continued,  "What did Harry look like? They say he has a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead."
"Oh um, I haven't seen it."
"Okay well, what did he say to you?"
"Mum, I think I'm just going to go to sleep."
She sighed, "Okay... Alright."

With that Mum turned off the lights and made her way out.

3 days passed by in the blink of an eye. I had also bought the book of Spells for 1st years to make myself grasp the most basic spells, alongside Mum's help. She was so happy when I demonstrated the Levitation Charm, she nearly screamed. Finally, it was the day before I departed for Hogwarts.

It was quite late in the night. I couldn't fall asleep for some reason (probably my enthusiasm). I got out of bed and decided to take one of my spell books and wand and practice magic. The library would be a good place to study.

Our library was not that big but a bit medium-sized room which consisted of about 5 or 6 bookshelves lined together and another set of bookshelves lined parallel to the other. There was a table at the corner of the library where one could sit and read.

Just as I set my book on the table, my attention was drawn to a big gap in one of the shelves. Oh no. I immediately rushed over to it. MY HARRY POTTER BOOKS! THEY'RE GONE! I searched the bookshelf and turned the entire library upside down but could find no trace of it. I always kept them in that same place after I was done reading. All the 7 books, vanished into thin air.

Quite oddly, there was a thick book in place where my favourite series once stood. I hadn't noticed it before. I took the book in my hands. Damn, it was heavy.

𝕎𝕀𝕋ℂℍℂℝ𝔸𝔽𝕋:  𝐴 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑺𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒄𝒉  𝑜𝑓 
🅳🅰🆁🅺  🅼🅰🅶🅸🅲

I was astonished at the title itself. 'Dark Magic'? Could this belong to my mother? But why would she engage in the Dark Arts? She wouldn't even hurt a fly.

Then, could this belong to Charlotte? But why? Is she going to learn magic all by herself? And that too the Dark Arts? Was she determined to become Voldemort 2.0? So many questions but no answers...

I debated whether it would be a good idea to show this to Mum. But again, if she owned this, she might try to justify its presence or lie. The same can go with Charlotte too.

I took out my phone and clicked a picture of it.

I couldn't concentrate on my studies. The words 'Dark Magic' seemed to have been engraved in my mind. My eyes automatically kept being averted in the direction of this book. I felt so confused.

Suddenly, I heard a creak of the library door. I nearly jumped out of my skin but was relieved to see it was only Mum.

"Charlize? What are you doing here?" She came forward. "Go to sleep. We have to leave early tomorrow."

"I just--I couldn't sleep..." I replied. "Just give me 30 more minutes, Mum."
"30 more minutes?! It's 1:10 AM! You're already aware how far London is from Surrey, you have to get up early tomorrow."
"We'll just use Floo Powder, Mum. The one Hagrid gave us?" I tried to calm her down.
"It's finished. Charlotte used it all up travelling to school."
"Fine. Just give me 15 more minutes then."
"10. I'll be back at 1:20 sharp."
With that, she stormed out.

Her expression seemed to display offence. I rarely used to come to the library to study my normal muggle lessons, so it must have surprised her to see me sneak in such late at night to study.

But what if she was offended that I might find that book? It might have convinced her to hide it here since I rarely visit the library, even when I do I take the books and read in the garden.

Maybe I'm interpreting the whole situation wrong. It could be she missed magic or that she was genuinely interested in what the Dark Arts can do. Maybe she was just trying to expand her knowledge.

If this book belonged to Charlotte, I wonder from where she got it.

I couldn't plant my focus on studying anymore. My mind seemed to be bombarded with questions that had no answers.

Just when I was about to return to my room, I heard some talking from Charlotte's room. Eavesdropping wasn't always a good idea, but I couldn't help it. I looked through a corner of the slightly open door.

"Mum, just--I don't get it." Charlotte's voice emerged.
I heard Mum sigh.

"For the last time, Charlotte! Not everyone gets accepted! Please, can we talk about something else now?"
Charlotte scoffed.
"At least tell me, how she got accepted. That, I hope you ought to know?"

She was standing close to the door.

"There is this magical book and pen. They write down the names of magical children and they get their acceptance letters when they turn 11. Happy?"
"And why didn't Charlize get her letter in time?"
"That's the mystery. That's what caught everyone's attention."
"How are you supposed to know if you're magical?"
Mum was getting impatient, "It's important to understand that everyone is different. Charlotte, stop blaming me for everything. It's time to go to bed now, as we have to wake up early tomorrow. You need to calm down, there's no reason for you to be so upset. Remember that she's own sister, and the least you can do, is be happy for her."

I immediately hid nearby while she left the room. Due to the silence, I heard Charlotte mumble something. But I went straight to bed.