Chapter 14: Shadows and Secrets

The following day dawned with a sense of unease hanging over Hogwarts. Despite their victory in the Room of Hidden Things, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was brewing—something they hadn't yet uncovered. Malfoy might have lost a battle, but Harry knew the war was far from over.

Sitting at breakfast in the Great Hall, Harry absentmindedly pushed his food around his plate while Hermione flipped through one of the recovered tomes. Ron sat beside them, keeping an eye on Ginny, who was laughing with her friends at the Gryffindor table. Meanwhile, Daphne lingered at the edge of the Slytherin table, keeping her usual aloof composure as she watched Malfoy from afar.

"He's too calm," she murmured as she slid into the seat next to Harry. "After last night, I expected more… fury. But he's just sitting there, as if nothing happened."

Harry glanced toward Malfoy, who sat with Blaise and Pansy, his expression carefully neutral. "He's planning something. We need to find out what."

Hermione tapped her quill against the parchment she was writing on. "We need to dig deeper into Slytherin's past. This ritual wasn't just some random dark magic. It's connected to Hogwarts itself. If we can figure out why they're so fixated on the bloodline, we might be able to predict their next move."

Daphne sighed, her gaze sharp. "There's one place we haven't looked yet—the Founder's Archives in the Restricted Section."

Ron groaned. "Oh great, more breaking into the library."

Hermione shot him a look. "If you have a better idea, Ronald, I'd love to hear it."

Ron sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But if we get caught again, McGonagall's going to have our heads."

Harry nodded, his voice low. "We'll go tonight. In the meantime, Daphne, see if you can get anything else out of Zabini. If they're shifting plans, he might know something."

Daphne smirked. "Consider it done."

Later That Night – The Restricted Section

The castle was cloaked in darkness as Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Daphne made their way to the library under the cover of the Invisibility Cloak. The eerie silence of the school at night always made Harry's nerves prick, but tonight felt even more ominous.

"Careful," Hermione whispered as they slipped past a patrolling Filch, his lantern swinging wildly.

Reaching the Restricted Section, Hermione murmured "Alohomora," and the iron gate swung open silently. The four of them stepped inside, wands casting a dim glow over the dust-covered tomes.

"The Founder's Archives should be toward the back," Hermione whispered.

They moved through the rows of ancient books, the smell of parchment and ink thick in the air. Hermione scanned the shelves with expert precision before stopping at a large, ornate book with emerald-green binding.

"Here it is," she breathed, carefully pulling it from the shelf. The title read: The Legacy of Hogwarts: The Founders' Secrets.

Daphne crossed her arms. "I'm guessing this wasn't exactly on the reading list for History of Magic?"

Hermione ignored her and flipped through the pages. "Here—Salazar Slytherin." She pointed to an elaborate illustration of the founder, his stern face surrounded by intricate designs of snakes and ancient symbols.

Harry read over her shoulder. "'The Blood of the Founders… a sacred link that binds Hogwarts' magic to those of true lineage.'"

Hermione's eyes widened. "Harry, I think I know what they're after. They're trying to tap into the source of Hogwarts' magic—the Founders' legacy itself. They need a descendant to act as a conduit."

Ron paled. "You mean they're trying to take control of Hogwarts?"

Daphne narrowed her eyes. "Not just control. If they succeed, they could reshape its very magic to suit their needs—bend it to pureblood ideals, eradicate anyone they see as unworthy."

Harry's fists clenched. "We can't let that happen."

Hermione nodded, flipping through more pages. "It says here that Slytherin's heirloom—a relic tied to his magic—was hidden deep within the castle, in a place where only a true heir could find it."

Daphne tapped her chin. "If Malfoy thinks he can find it, that means they must have a lead on where it's hidden."

Ron groaned. "Great. Another treasure hunt."

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the library.

"What do we have here?"

The four of them spun around, wands raised, only to find themselves face to face with Theodore Nott, standing smugly in the shadows.

Daphne stepped forward, her voice cold. "What do you want, Nott?"

He smirked, his gaze flicking to the open book in Hermione's hands. "Curiosity killed the cat, you know."

Harry stepped in front of Hermione, his wand aimed. "And satisfaction brought it back. What are you doing here, Nott?"

Nott twirled his wand lazily. "Let's just say I have an interest in ancient magic. But more importantly… Malfoy knows you lot are snooping around. He's not too happy about it."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "Malfoy's never happy."

Nott chuckled. "True. But you should really be more careful. Dark magic tends to have… unintended consequences."

Hermione whispered urgently, "We have to leave."

Harry nodded, but before they could move, Nott raised his wand. "Not so fast, Potter. Hand over the book."

Harry's grip tightened. "Not happening."

Daphne smirked. "You really think you can take all of us, Nott?"

Nott's smirk faded slightly, but before he could react, Hermione flicked her wand. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Nott stiffened and fell to the floor with a loud thud.

Ron blinked. "Well, that was easy."

Hermione huffed. "Let's get out of here before someone else shows up!"

They quickly returned the book and slipped out of the library under the cover of the Invisibility Cloak, hearts pounding as they made their way back to Gryffindor Tower.

Back in the Common Room

Once safely inside, Harry dropped onto the couch, running a hand through his hair. "We're getting close. Too close."

Hermione placed the book on the table, her expression serious. "They're looking for Slytherin's relic. If they find it before we do… we might not be able to stop them."

Daphne sat down, crossing her legs. "So, what's our next move, Potter?"

Harry's gaze hardened. "We find that relic first."

Ron groaned, flopping onto a chair. "Brilliant. Another adventure that could get us killed."

Harry offered a grim smile. "Wouldn't be Hogwarts without it."

Daphne chuckled. "You Gryffindors really are insane."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let's focus. We have one clue: the relic is hidden in a place only a true heir could find. We need to think like Slytherin."

Harry exhaled. "Then we start with the Chamber of Secrets."

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Daphne smirked. "This should be fun."

End of Chapter 14.

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