Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Forty-Eight

Allison's Point of View. 

Once I had stepped through the portrait hole and back into the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry and Hermione immediately looked up from where they were sitting near the fire.

"Well?" Hermione asked the second she spotted the grimoire tucked beneath my arm. "What did Dumbledore say?"

Harry closed the book he had been pretending to read and leaned forward slightly, waiting for my answer.

I walked over and dropped into the armchair opposite them, setting the ancient book carefully on my lap.

"He confirmed it belonged to the Riveriona Vixen Coven," I explained. "Apparently, they were an incredibly powerful coven, but nobody knows what happened to them."

Hermione frowned thoughtfully. "And the book chose you?" Harry asked quietly. I nodded. "Dumbledore said anyone else who opens it only sees blank pages unless I allow them to read it."

Harry's eyebrows lifted in surprise while Hermione looked fascinated. "That's incredible," she breathed. "He also told me not to tell anyone about the book unless I completely trust them," I added, running my fingers absently over the worn leather cover.

Hermione nodded immediately in understanding. "So basically us, the Weasleys, and the Cullens."

"Pretty much." The three of us fell into thoughtful silence for a moment before Hermione suddenly straightened.

"We're going to the library tomorrow." I blinked at her. "Hermione," I sigh. "No," she interrupted firmly. "If this coven was powerful enough for Dumbledore to look worried, then there has to be information somewhere."

I exchanged an amused glance with Harry. "She's already made up her mind," Harry muttered. "I heard that," Hermione replied sharply. I laughed softly.

"Fine. We'll research the mysterious ancient witch coven." Hermione smiled victoriously. Not long after that, Harry reluctantly went upstairs to grab his homework after complaining that sitting there doing nothing while Hermione and I studied was "painfully boring."

So the rest of the evening passed quietly. Hermione worked through the Arithmancy notes while I attempted to finish an essay for Transfiguration. 

Harry mostly spent his time grumbling dramatically over his homework while occasionally getting distracted and staring into the fire.

By dinner, all three of us were exhausted. After the meal, I headed down to where the Cullens were staying within the castle grounds.

The moment I arrived, Esme immediately pulled me into a hug. "You should have told us about the book sooner," she said softly while brushing some hair behind my ear.

"I know," I admitted sheepishly. The evening quickly turned into me explaining everything. How I had found the grimoire hidden in the library, what Dumbledore had revealed about it, and the strange connection it apparently had to me.

Carlisle listened carefully the entire time, occasionally exchanging thoughtful looks with Jasper. Eventually, the conversation shifted toward my vampire abilities and when we would finally start testing them properly.

"You've already shown signs of enhanced speed," Jasper pointed out calmly. "Your strength and control are what we need to monitor next." I nodded nervously.

The idea both excited and terrified me. Before long, curfew began creeping closer. Carlisle walked me back through the corridors until we reached the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Get some sleep," he told me gently. "I will." He smiled before turning and disappearing back down the corridor.

Once inside Gryffindor Tower again, I found Harry near the fire reading through a book. "I'll meet you at midnight," I told him quietly. "For Sirius."