enchantement - SOULBOUND I̲̅ || SS/HG ✔️

40. Invisibility cloak

The fear of discovering the truth taunted Hermione as she walked, hidden, under the invisibility cloak. After months of being sheltered inside this weakening body, believing her soul must have hindered some of the pain she'd endured during the war within the constitution of her younger body, the young Gryffindor could fell her heart racing as they crossed the last intersection towards the restricted section.

The last time she had ventured into its darkness was right before the war. She knew she needed to get stronger, enhance her knowledge of dark spells and forbidden charms. Each corner, shelf and section had not been left unacknowledged by the knowledge-seeking witch, who studied any subject regarding hexes and jinxes, yet, as her steps grew closer to the hidden entry door, Hermione's chest drummed dangerously. Her whole body responded to her sudden anguish by stopping in its track, her left hand shivering while cold sweat dripped from her forehead. The memory of one specific section appeared before her panicked eyes, one simple arch separating her from its secret books. However, Hermione had not been able to venture inside, a small voice whispering to her to stay away, to run and never return. She had been frightened, and every night, as she sat not far from it - a new book in her hands - her eyes and mind were focused on that mysterious section, calling for her like the snake of Eden inciting Eve to take a bite into the forbidden fruit. She managed to resist it, yet as they were now strolling down the various sections, Hermione could feel her whole body pivot towards it. She was so enchanted by the calling of the darkness that she could not hear Harry repeated questioning and arm tugging. Her body was moving while her mind had numbed - her surrounding faded.

As her body stopped under the arch, she could feel a gust of air propelling her inside, followed by the sound of a wooden door shutting itself behind them. Turning around, gradually taking over her body again, Hermione sought for the sound that had ripped her off her latency. She could still see the other sections from where she stood, yet as she reached the arch, an invisible wall separated her from outside. Placing a hand on the unexpected shield, Hermione could feel the powerful magic prickle from under her fingers.

"Where is this place?" Asked Harry in fright as he removed the cloak and folded it. "Can you feel it?"

Little did he know that not only she could feel it, but her magic was the one creating this overwhelming sense of eeriness. Frowning, unable to grasp how it was possible for her to have created such a powerful defence from the inside, Hermione scratched the root of her hair while looking around.

"Before Hogwarts was taken over Voldemort's death eaters, I regularly came here at night to study. I had seen this section, yet something was keeping me away from it. I was scared whenever I saw it. Whenever I read books, I felt like someone was watching me, studying me, calling for me."

"And now we are standing right where you felt these eyes coming from?" Shivered the young wizard, battling between hexing his friend for pushing him inside or run away an never return. "What has gotten over you 'Mione? We all know the restricted section is forbidden for a reason. It shelters the darkest of magic!"

"I honestly don't know Harry," her voice was quivering as she felt those same eyes in the back of her head. "Have you ever known when someone was smiling without you necessarily looking at them. Like they are standing right behind you yet you can depict their facial expression?"

Noticing the fear in her amber eyes, Harry rubbed her back comfortingly "this place is sinister. Let me check the name of this section we might have a clue on where we are." Looking around, he flicked his wand and a light bulb shone through its tip. Waving it, he followed the light inside the section. "What the hell" he gasped, remarking how long the rows of books were. As it had been dark around them, and the two wizards hadn't noticed how endless this section was.

Hermione followed close to him while the feeling of someone following her persisted behind her. Amazed by the rows of books appearing in front of her, she discreetly nudged Harry, whispering to his ear "this is probably a bad idea, it looks like we are inside some sort of maze,"

"You're right, but there must be a reason that you've felt some kind link to this section. Let's follow my light, it will show us were we are." Responded the chosen one, trying to convince himself along the way that he wasn't terrified of the unknown magic that surrounded them. He had never seen something of this sort before, not even in the labyrinth during the tri-wizard tournament. This was different, and both could feel it.

The light led them to an oak door, with a silver handle. Looking behind him, Harry flinched when he noticed that there was an unknown shadow reflected on the floor behind Hermione. Instantly, he opened the door and pushed her inside, closing the door after them as fast as he could, fearing someone - a dangerous soul or wizard - had followed them in the restricted section. Snape had said that he will join the two after he had a talk with Slughorn, and both knew he was probably going to take longer than a mere thirty minutes. Someone else had followed them, someone else had traced their steps and lingered behind his muggle-born friend. He was scared for his life and hers, and simply took her hand and walked her into the unknown room, looking around.

He noticed she froze, her eyes widened in marvel as her mouth stood agape, taking in her surroundings. Reflecting her, he looked around only to gasp at the beauty of the room they had set foot in. It was circular, rows of books covering the walls while in the center, a small fire surrounded by stones shone radiantly. Hermione stood amazed, the golden stars on the enchanted wall flickered under the charmed moon light. She could see the morning star shining brighter than any other stars, inviting them in.

Together, they stepped closer to the center, small stairs leading them to the fire. "What is this place?" Gulped Hermione, the fire reflecting within her eyes, giving it a claret shine.

Harry noticed something in the far end, an inhabited frame. "Wait here," he said, walking closer towards it. Squinting his eyes to see the ingraving, he rose an eyebrow in confusion. "Reficul, that sounds strange, is it Latin?"

Searching for an answer in her memories and knowledge of Latin, Hermione shook her head, unable to understand what these words stood for. " I have no idea, it's neither Greek or Latin, maybe..."

Her voice trailed of in silence. Harry could see her fidget nervously. "Maybe?"

Looking up at him, her own eyes watering at the discovery of the meaning of the ingraving, Hermione murmured, "read it backwards," was all she said, finally understanding what could have been the uninvited presence waiting for her in the nighttime.

Harry turned around and analysed the writing, "l-u-c-i-f-e-r." He spelled out, before realization stroke him, "Lucifer" he repeated clearly, his voice breaking as fear now crawled within his blood, his body hair standing up straight as he thought of the shadow that awaited them at the entrance door.

"We need to get out of here!" The Chosen One half-yelled half-pleaded as he ran to his friend and grabbed her hand.

"Why isn't the damn door opening?" He cried, his hand gripping the handle and shaking it for dear life. "Someone, help us!"