The Raven's Call

Crucio

Sunday, June 4th, 1995 

While waiting for the third task, all we've been doing is classes, classes and more classes. Study and Tests and Exams. I just want a day off! I think back to Christmas, the paper that was left on me. The paper with a drawn location in Hogwarts. I'm a little concerned, but curiosity is getting the better of me. I snatch the paper and head out, bumping into Alex on the staircase along the way. 

"Hey."
I say, walking past him, he trots along beside me. 

"What's that?"
He asks. 

"Treasure hunt, wanna come?"
I ask. 

"Damn right, I do!"
He responds. I laugh softly as I show him the drawing.

 "Looks like the dungeons or something, right?"
I ask him, as he looks it over. He nods as we make our way down the staircase, headed for said dungeons. 

Once we get there, we see Asteria walking around, seemingly on a mission of her own. 

"Astra!"
I call out as we head towards her. 

"Blimey!"
She jumps.
"You scared me."

Alex and I chuckle softly.
 "Sorry, Wolfie."
I respond sincerely. 

"What are you guys doing down here?"
She asks.

"We're on a mission, what about you?"
Alex responds. 

"Same, actually."
She replies, pausing for a moment to think.
"I'm looking for an old Malfoy family artefact, hidden in Salazar Slytherin's Scriptorium, though I'm not quite sure where it is. All I know is that the entrance is somewhere in the dungeons." 

I raise my brow at this information.
"Maybe this'll help."
I say, handing her the paper. 

"Maybe. Where did you get this?"
She asks, taking it as she begins looking it over. 

"I dunno, found it on me Christmas morning. No idea where the hell it came from."
I say with a shrug. I take a look around for a moment, noticing something familiar, just around the corner.
"There's a brazier here, just like in the drawing. And look!"
I say, walking down the hall a bit more.
"There's two more. Maybe these braziers can grant us access to the scriptorium?"
I suggest, looking towards the others.

"Should we light one each?"
Asteria asks, I nod and pull out my wand.
We all aim at separate braziers and light them together.

"Incendio!"
"Incendio!"
"Confringo!"

Asteria and I turn towards Alex, both having blank looks on our faces. Of course, Alex had to be extra. Then we hear a door slide open, leading down a dark, narrow staircase. I sigh softly, casting Lumos on my wand as I lead them down.

"Dark, ominous corridors. My favourite."
I say sarcastically. As we enter the next room, my ears are filled with ancient whisperings, instantly giving me a headache.
"Ah.."
I mumble, covering my ears.
"That voice.. is ancient.. sinister."
I say with a frown.