Not Again//Harry Potter [2]

4

Autumn sat on a bench in front of the Hogwarts Express in King's Cross Station. She had left early from the orphanage and had at least another fifteen minutes before the train left. The blackened pages of her great-grandfather's journal were in her trunk and after thinking of anyway to reverse the spell -- Autumn didn't even know which spell it was and even if she did, it wouldn't help. She sat by herself for another three minutes before Hermione arrived, looking happier than ever.

The two waited in one of the compartments for any sight of Harry or Ron, but they weren't there. Fred and George Weasley passed their compartment, and Autumn quickly got their attention and asked, "Have either of you seen Ron or Harry?"

"Haven't seen him—" Fred started to say, but George finished his "—since the station."

"Oh, alright. Let us know if you see them," Autumn said solemnly. Had they found other friends to sit with that they liked more than them?

"Where could they be? The train's already moved!" Hermione exclaimed.

"They've probably just gotten into a different compartment," Autumn said calmly.

"Yeah, it's probably just that," Hermione said.

>>>

A few dozen minutes passed of conversation -- each one more interesting than the next. When the two spoke about charms and spells on objects and how Hermione was excited to learn about them, Autumn remembered her great grandfather's notebook.

"Hermione?" 

"Hmm?" She took a sip of pumpkin juice.

"Do you think there's a spell that can reverse this?" Autumn pulled out the blacked out pages of the journal.

"Oh my. . .  What did that?"

Autumn explained the situation with the house-elf, Dobby.

"So that's why you haven't returned my letters. Only Ron's been writing back," Hermione stated. "He's a terrible writer. Barely replies -- and when he does, it's only with a few words. And, pardon me for asking, but why is the notebook such a big deal?"

"It was my great grandfather's. Apparently he was a great wizard, until he disappeared."

"Oh, that's interesting. What was his name?"

"Norman Grey was his name. I don't know much about him, other than the fact that he created many things for wizards. Have you heard of him?"

"His name sounds familiar, but I supposed I've never actually read about him. Speaking of creating things, he made the necklace that you wore around your neck last year?"

Autumn nodded.

"Where is it?"

"I don't know where it went, but my best guess is that it's still under the school."

Hermione let out a small chuckle as they remembered the previous year. "What did the necklace do?"

"It's sort of hard to explain, but if you truly desired was to duplicate a potion or a drink, it would. But your intentions must be pure. When we were in the library, I found a section on the necklace. It's called the Jar or Mysteries, and it's classified as a dangerous object because you can't control your desires."

Hermione nodded understandingly. "What happened last year when you met Quirrell under the school? I mean what really happened -- because we both know how good Harry is at describing things."

Autumn laughed then fiddled with her hands. "It's -- erm -- a long story."

Hermione looked at the ground sadly, so Autumn spoke again.