The Simple House of Duffrey

(41) The Founder's Curse

Everything after Sam's disappearance and safe return had been settled shortly the next day. All except for a certain library key now burning a guilty hole in my pocket. I had been right there, alone even, with the headmaster but hadn't even asked about it. It made me feel like an awful cheat with a sign on my forehead. This of course ran opposite to my current growing fandom as a prefect. Not only did I keep to my daily duties I also had a knack for solving odd problems and questions the students posed. I had also noticed that muggleborn students, even boys were more likely to talk to me than Frederick. It was probably because his demeanor was rather unapproachable.

Transfiguration was no help as midterms loomed closer. Today's lesson involved keys, specifically magicking an object to match a keyhole. Most of the class I gathered had an idea of how to use this skill besides opening something which had a lost piece. Prof. Rathilvy reminded the class many times that it was only a replacement for a physical key and could not fool other enchantments or charms.

Speaking of Charms, Stephen had suddenly become interested in the security around the underground cave. This was due in part to Sam's bouncing into the forest. A jinx which lasted so long was bound to be strong and accompanied by other spells. So, after he got up the courage to approach, it became a sort of research project for him too. This time after the door lock had been defeated he remarked that there was also no strange repulsion for him. He had felt a sinking feeling when trying to come near it before.

It also wasn't long before he discovered the archway below. Instead of being angry I hadn't mentioned it, he instead focused on drawing copies of all the artwork. I sat with him a few times on my day off and watched him. Rather as a history fan I should have thought to copy them myself, especially since it pertained to my family. It made me think of the rubbings I had done of the names buried above us. I had placed a few as distant cousins and great uncles, but no one close had been among the names.

"Do you see this part here?" he said resting on the stone floor next to me. His sketchpad had already finished the left half of the mural. The section he was working on now referred to Helga and her children.

"That's Elbert Jervais Smith, her grandson" I said taking a strong guess. The theme's surrounding how he was pictured matched up best with what I knew of his life. It also explained the fact that many of his family were buried nearby.

"Then do you know who this woman is? She's with him in the next few panels, but the art is different" he said. Noticeably, she was drawn with emphasis on size and her hair as fanning out like live fire.

"Wouldn't that be his wife, Marianna Gryffindor?" I responded pointing to one of the near panels. In the image he was down on one knee placing something on her hand. It wasn't however a ring. It looked more like a bracelet of some sort.

"So that's what that was" he said sarcastically looking over his shoulder at me. Put it to Stephen for rubbing in the fact that I had found the sort of engagement photo, set in stone. "How do you know all this anyway?"

"Well it's not exact since I'm missing a few names but it's in my family tree." I said with not much other intent behind it.

"Does that mean they are your grandparents?" rather than excited he was developing a worried face.

"I couldn't know for sure how many Greats but, yes" I said in a quick answer. If I'd had the paper with me I could have shown him.

"Then that makes you a descendant of two founders" he said now setting aside his paper and giving me a hand. He pulled me up playfully dropping his sketch with a 'whoops' and deciding now was a good time to cling onto me. "I've had enough trouble being related to one of them. Imagine if there was something dire or dangerous that you got from all of them".