Dark Wizard Collector: A Hogwarts Fanfiction

Chapter 61

Readying myself for the day, I regained confidence and purpose in my mission to help the professor of Ancient Runes find Voldemort, but also deliver Alduin to Voldemort. If I were to carry this out without flaw, I needed to become the actress. I needed to become Maera Zeria. With a wave of my hand, I made the engagement ring disappear from my hand. I quelled all other sentiments and headed down to breakfast.

Taking a seat next to Professor Alduin, I greeted him coyly before eating my morning meal and making small talk with professors Busterforth and Slughorn. For the students that received Sunday detentions, I decided to be merciful and hold detention outside near Hagrid's hut where we watched him bumble about in his garden. The students chuckled silently when I conjured a small hydra to cause some trouble for the game keeper. "Miss Zeria, could you get the hydra to set the grass on fire?" Sirius Black pleaded and I looked over to see him and James Potter wearing pouty faces to coax me to do as they wished.

"I shall, but only to entertain myself; not because you asked." I smiled and the children who sat on the grassy hill roared with laughter as Hagrid jumped in fright from the fire that burst around his hut.

"Oi! Miss Zeria, t'ain't very kind of yeh!" The big man growled when he noticed that I was pranking him.

"Wotcher!" I laughed and waved my wand to undo the damage I had done to his garden and the little hydra disappeared in a cloud of smoke. "Come along, students." I chimed and rose from sitting on the ground with the rule breakers. "You lot collect your books and meet me in the library in fifteen minutes. Potter, Black, don't make me give you a detention of cleaning the dungeons."

After warning the two biggest troublemakers, I made my way to the library where I found Julia, Quirinus Quirrell, and a couple other Ravenclaw students pouring over books.

"Miss Zeria!" Julia's chubby face beamed before she was reprimanded by the harsh voice of the librarian to keep silent. The little girl flagged me down with a wave of her hand and I approached the studious group. "Could you give us a hand?"

"Of course; what troubles you?"

"Professor Alduin has given us a rather difficult text to translate. Even Quirinus is having trouble with it and he scored perfectly on his Ancient Runes' O.W.L. when he took the class." Julia huffed, handing me a scroll of druid runes and I instantly translated it. "Whoa." The little girl's hazel eyes widened in awe, "How did you do that?"

"Hours of studying." I smiled and handed the scroll back to the little Ravenclaw. "Quirrell," I nodded at the light haired boy sitting next to Julia and rose to find an empty table where I could hold my detention study session.

"Miss Riddle," A smooth baritone caused me to start in fright and I found Professor Alduin's hazel eyes stare over the edge of a book at me. Cautiously, I advanced toward the Auror who reclined in a chair at the end of an aisle between bookshelves.

"Yes, Sir." I replied and watched his eyes examine me as if he was analyzing a foreign creature. "What may I do for you?"

Thoughtfully, the man lowered his book and beckoned me closer. "I was wondering the same thing, and I believe this book inspired me." Slightly tilting the book so that I could read its title, the man smiled and I forced myself to remain stoic as I read, Mistress Evelyn's Erotic Tortures.

Again, I repeated my question and added, "I have Hogwarts work to do." Turning, I was caught by a harsh grip and shoved against the bookshelf where Alduin replaced the book.

"Not anymore, dearie."

Holding my arm behind my back, Alduin forced me from the library, but at the door I bumped into the small group of students that had not yet completed their detention. James and Sirius exchanged troubled glances as they saw me wince and Professor Alduin holding me from behind. "Detention is canceled." I gulped and forced a comforting smile to the students before Alduin pressed me forward.

"Miss Zeria!" Sirius called and I glanced over my shoulder at the little, black-haired rogue. "You're the best."

A smirk reached my face and I shot back at the child. "No, I am just doing my job." Hopefully, Sirius caught the calm in my voice so he would not try to follow after Alduin and me.

"Stop chatting," The man hissed into my ear and released my arm.