Unseen Behavior (Page 62)

~~~(POV: Alexander Aevum)~~~

~~~(Location: Gryffindor Common Room, Scotland, Hogwarts)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: September 8th, 9:47 PM, 1992)~~~

~~~(Age: 13 Years)~~~

Everyone is asleep in their beds, leaving me the only one up. Usually, I'd be in bed too. However, the nightmares recently have been enough incentive to stay up after hours. They range from terrifying to vomit-inducing.

Can't help thinking that maybe I need to ask Albus what's happening. I know a lot, but not close to Albus's knowledge.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Footsteps from the staircase leading to the dorms take my attention. I'm lying on the couch, unable to be seen. The person coming down doesn't even know I'm here. They make their way to the door leading out. I poke my head out when I think their back is turned.

A small girl with red hair. There is only one girl in Gryffindor with hair like that, and it's the youngest Weasley.

She exits the common room without knowing that I saw her. I'm half tempted to follow her; Ginny doesn't seem the type to sneak off somewhere. Besides, if Ron and his brothers knew, they'd stop her.

The question is, do I have the same responsibility to Ginny as her brothers do? I'd say no, I don't. However, I'm her senior, and one could argue I have a responsibility that way.

It'd be hypocritical of me to catch up to Ginny and make her return. The amount of times I've snuck out isn't known to everyone. Stopping Ginny from something I do regularly isn't a personality trait I have.

I'm not ignorant, though. Instead of doing nothing, I stand up and reach the door. It takes me a moment, but I see Ginny turn a corner. I lightly jog to catch up, slowing down at the corner itself.

I peek around, and she's heading toward House Slytherin. I have no intention of interfering in whatever she's doing, but I should do my part to ensure she doesn't hurt herself.

Following her proves no challenge, and eventually, I watch her enter the second-floor girl's lavatory. I can't help thinking this is a little strange. I've heard stories about where she's at, and most people don't use it anymore.

I make my way up to the entrance of the room and peek inside. Ginny is standing in the middle of the room, staring at the faucets.

"Why do you need to open it..."

Her childlike and feminine voice echoes around the room, and that's when she lifts the book in her right hand. The moment my eyes see the book, I know it's evil. Not wasting a moment, I enter the lavatory and walk up behind Ginny.

She spins around at the last moment and sees me. Standing a couple of inches behind her, she quickly raises the hand with the book in it. I stop her by grabbing her wrist.

"Ginny. Are you alright?"

She looks at me with confusion and dazed eyes. As if whatever was influencing her has left. Before she gathers herself, I rip the book from her hands.

"Hey! That's mine!"

The displeasure and anger are apparent. So much so, it's almost like they aren't hers.

"Go back to the Gryffindor dorms; I won't tell anyone what happened tonight. I won't ask you where you got this, Ginny. But dark artifacts aren't conversationalist that lead to anything other than demise."

My voice is even and calm. Presenting a position of power.

She looks at me for a second, as if whatever echoing influence the book has left over her disappears. She lowers her head without a word and walks away. Leaving me alone in the lavatory.

My attention turns to the book, and I open it. Blank pages are all I find. My instincts are telling me this book is dangerous. I don't know what it is, but I think it's best this isn't in the hands of any students.

I can take it to Albus tomorrow, but for now, I need to get back to the common room. It doesn't take me long to reach the common room, and once back inside. The fire in the fireplace is now out.

No one else should know I have this book, and I don't know if Ginny might come looking for it or not. In the meantime, I think it's best to try and get some sleep.

~~~(POV: Ginny Weasley)~~~

~~~(Location: Gryffindor Boys Bedroom, Scotland, Hogwarts)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: September 9th, 1:55 AM, 1992)~~~

~~~(Age: 11 Years)~~~

No one has woken up, and I continue sneaking through the second-year boy bunks. My eyes find Alex, and the book on the nightstand next to him. I have to do what he says; I don't have a choice. It takes a moment, but I'm able to get the book back.

I'm able to sneak back out and make my way out. Heading for the door and back to the second-floor girl's lavatory. As I enter, I see the same faucets from earlier.

~~~(POV: Alexander Aevum)~~~

~~~(Location: Gryffindor Boys Bedroom, Scotland, Hogwarts)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: September 9th, 7:02 AM, 1992)~~~

~~~(Age: 13 Years)~~~

My eyes calmly open as the morning approaches. No nightmares that time, allowed me to sleep for longer than I thought I'd be able to. My happy thoughts about being able to get some actual rest are halted as I notice something is missing.

The book I took from Ginny last night is gone.

I stand up from the bed, and no one else is up yet. I make my way out of the room and get dressed in my day clothes. I immediately head for the second-floor girls' lavatory, and see there is no one here.

Either means Ginny did whatever it was she needed to do here with the book, or someone else interfered. I don't know if she's back in the dorms, I'm not someone who'll sculk about the opposite gender sleeping quarters.

That seems like enough trouble as it is.

"What are you doing in the second-floor girl's lavatory, Mr. Aevum."

The monotonous and low voice of Snape grabs my attention from behind. I spin, and he sees my concerned look.

"Well, well."

He speaks fast, as if a tiny bit amused.

"It's not every day we're graced with the look of worried, Alexander. Now are we."

Snape enjoys making students stressed and unnerved; those tactics don't work on me. However, I shouldn't waste this chance for anything.

"Does this restroom serve any purpose other than the obvious?"

My question doesn't seem to illicit a reaction from Snape; it's another story from someone behind me. The high and ghastly cries of a girl take grab my attention as I spin around.

A girl with glasses in the form of a ghost makes her way out of a toilet stall.

"It's you again. You should know, you're little friend came back with the book after you left."

This isn't good.

~~~(POV: Albus Wulfric Dumbledore)~~~

~~~(Location: Headmasters Office, Scotland, Hogwarts)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: September 9th, 8:06 AM, 1992)~~~

~~~(Age: 111 Years)~~~

Young Aevum leaves the headmaster's office, and only Severus and I remain. I take off my glasses and pinch the bridge of my nose.

"It seems that he's protecting Ms. Weasley. For what reason, I don't know. His mind is more shielded than even last year."

Severus is right about him shielding his mind. It's hard to imagine him lying to protect another. He's never done that before.

"You mentioned something about a book, Severus."

Before this meeting, he informed me that there is some sort of book involved with whatever is going on with Alex and Ginny. I don't know if it's anything serious, but judging by how much Alex protected the girl.

It's very serious.

Alex makes the mistake of thinking he's able to take on any challenge. Even when it requires the help of an adult. However, we've already set down a course of action. Instead of forcing Alex to tell us, we'll just observe him.

Along with Ginny. If anything serious that needs a staff member happens, we'll be ready.

"Yes, Myrtle, in the second-floor girl's lavatory. She said that Ginny returned with the book even after Alex took it from her."

I know Alex, and what his actions mean.

"The only reason he'd take away a book or piece of knowledge from another like Ginny Weasley is because it's dangerous."

Alex doesn't deprive others of knowledge; he helps them seek it out. He doesn't want anyone to miss out on the chance to learn. If he took away a book, and with everything else we know, it's a good sign that whatever this book is.

It's dangerous.

"Severus, keep a closer eye on Alex for the foreseeable future. Whatever he's trying to help protect Ginny from, he thinks he can do it on his own. If he can't, I need you to be ready."

Severus lowers his head after a second and moves for the exit, leaving me alone.

I have a feeling this year will be difficult.