Forbidden Request

Chapter Eighteen: Trials And Tribulations

After spending some time with Poppy in the common room, I suddenly remembered my task—Professor Fig needed to see the pages and the map I had found. A sense of urgency washed over me, making my chest tighten.

"I've got to go," I said abruptly, standing up from the cushy armchair. Poppy gave me a curious look, but I couldn't explain—not yet. "I need to see Professor Fig."

"Alright, don't get into any more trouble," Poppy teased, her eyes twinkling with humor.

I forced a smile, my mind already on the map and what it might mean. Bidding her a quick goodbye, I gathered the book and the missing pages, tucking them under my arm, and hurried out of the common room.

The stone corridors of Hogwarts seemed quieter now, with the day winding down, but my footsteps echoed with purpose. I needed answers, and I had a feeling Professor Fig would help me piece together whatever mystery lay ahead.

As I reached the door to Professor Fig's office, the corridors were bathed in the fading light of the evening, the lanterns flickering to life as curfew approached. My heart raced a little faster than usual—I wasn't quite sure why. I knocked softly, then pushed the door open.

I froze mid-step.

Inside, Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black was already there, deep in conversation with Professor Fig. Black's presence was never comforting; his sharp features and disdainful air made every room feel colder. His black robes swirled as he turned to look at me, his expression immediately shifting to irritation.

"And what, exactly, do you think you're doing here at this hour?" he asked, his voice laced with disdain.

"I... I'm here to see Professor Fig," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite Black's withering glare, his eyes, as well as Fig's, flick to my bruised cheek.

Fig, seated at his desk, glanced between us before giving me a quick nod. "It's alright, Headmaster. Miss Atlow and I had business to discuss."

Black scoffed. "Business? With a student? So late in the evening? You're lucky it's not past curfew yet, Atlow. Be sure to make this brief. I don't want to hear of students roaming the halls at night under my watch."

I held my breath as Black finally turned toward the door, his heavy footsteps echoing through the room. With one final sneer in my direction, he exited, leaving a palpable tension behind.

Professor Fig let out a small sigh and gestured for me to sit. "What did you find, Miss Atlow?"

I pulled out the book and the missing pages from my bag, setting them carefully on his desk. "I found these... in the Forbidden Forest. But there's more—there's a map, leading to somewhere below the school."

His eyes widened slightly, leaning closer as he examined the pages. "This... this is extraordinary," he murmured. "We'll need to proceed carefully from here."

After showing Professor Fig the map, his eyes gleamed with interest. He studied the markings and notes, murmuring to himself as he pieced together the puzzle. "This map... it's unlike anything I've seen before," he said, tracing the lines with his finger. "It appears to lead somewhere deep below the school. The path isn't marked on any of the known schematics of Hogwarts. But if this is tied to ancient magic, as I suspect, it might not follow the usual rules."

I leaned in closer, my curiosity burning. "Do you think it's safe?"

Fig sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Safe? I'm not certain. But it's necessary. If this map truly leads to something as significant as I believe, we need to explore it."

Without much hesitation, Professor Fig gathered his things and motioned for me to follow. Together, we ventured through the corridors of Hogwarts, heading deeper into the castle. The evening air was cooler now, the stone walls casting long shadows as the lanterns flickered. We moved quietly, not wanting to draw attention to ourselves as the hour edged closer to curfew.