Hide & Seek

Chapter 7 - Fortune

Chapter 7
FORTUNE

fortune
(n.) chance or luck as an external, arbitrary force affecting human affairs

IT had been approximately 3 weeks since the lavatory incident, and Gemma still hadn't gotten any closer to fixing the ruined photograph.

She'd tried every possible spell she could think of, and had scoured the expansive library for any other information that may have been of some use. Her excuses to Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been getting weaker and weaker, and she was starting to get the feeling that her friends were beginning to suspect her of something.

Considering they had almost all of their classes together, she couldn't claim she had excess homework, and since Hermione never passed up on a study session that was no escape either.

Gemma had crafted an odd, poorly constructed tale about a Transfiguration report she was writing for Professor McGonagall to potentially get her detention sentence shortened.

Even if Gemma wrote a bestselling novel about the subject, she doubted she'd be able to convince McGonagall to let her off easy.

Still, the trio had reluctantly bought her story, and Gemma had thus spent the majority of her free time tucked away in a far corner of the library. It was half-past six, and Gemma surely had already missed dinner, yet her eyes stayed glued to the page she was reading.

The ability to decipher magical code is perhaps one of the most useful tools a young witch or wizard could have. In this edition, we cover the many ways one may go about solving even the most difficult of ciphers...

Gemma slammed the cover of the book closed in frustration, placing her forehead against the worn leather. It seemed as if there was not a single book in the entirety of castle that would be able to help her. Her brain felt as though it was engulfed in fog, and the pitiful glow of the lamp nearby wasn't helping.

Gemma had of course considered telling her friends about the photo, but with its inky smears and no explanation for why it felt so important she had it, she'd sound like a complete and utter fool. Especially after she'd brought up her memory-like dream to Hermione, who'd assured her that's all it was.

In terms of her ongoing punishment, Gemma had only had one more detention since Peeves' prank, and it had consisted solely of the sound of wet mops and sloshing water.

Draco and her hadn't spoken a single word the whole hour.

Attempting to clean the mess without magic had proved to be futile, and Madam Bixhorn ended up having a small band of house-elves take care of the whole ordeal anyway.

Gemma only hoped their next detention wasn't anywhere near a faucet.

In more enthralling news, October was around the corner and Gemma almost wished that Halloween would hurry up. That way the start of the Triwizard Tournament would serve as a bit of a distraction.

As the day of the foreign schools arrival had been drawing nearer, she could sense a shift of sorts at Hogwarts. There seemed to be a nervous and excited energy buzzing just below the surface.

Rumors were flying back and forth about who was entering, and bets were being placed on who was going to win. Gemma had heard a group of sixth year girls prattling on about how they heard Cedric Diggory was going to enter and how they were sure he'd win if picked.

Whilst she never paid much mind to gossip, Gemma couldn't help but agree with them. The boy was talented on and off the Quidditch pitch, and if she closed her eyes Gemma could almost picture him holding the cup above his head.