The Restricted Book - #5

Grace felt like one of the hackers from a movie her father's brother had taken her to see. Even if this was magic and not related to computers at all. I'm in she nearly chuckled before she decided that it probably wasn't the best idea to laugh for no reason at Madam Pince. Now she had to answer a different question.

"Um..." Grace looked around, expecting to see Gerald turning a corner. She thought that Gerald would be arriving soon, and didn't see the harm in getting her own solo glance at what the book had to offer. "I think he'll be here soon. With his own permission." she added. No sneaking there. "So do I just go into the restricted section and look at the book?" She tilted her head a little, unfamiliar with that particular section of the library, and the library as a whole.

Grace grinned, looking at the seemingly simple gate that led to the Restricted Section. She did as she was told, though, and waited where Madam Pince had pointed. She wondered what other things were in the Restricted Section that she wasn't allowed to touch. Probably really scary things, like one of those horror movies her Muggle cousins watched, where the book ate your face off or killed you.

They were really old, was her first thought. Old enough that Grace felt like she shouldn't be breathing on them. That was neat, if she could hold her breath for longer than 30 seconds. She tried instead to breathe softer. "Woah..." she said as a 6th year walked by. What was in a book that would mean it would be so bloody? That was both cool and terrifying. Grace couldn't wait to be a NEWT student.

Luckily, Gerald hadn't tried to just enter the Restricted Section before being allowed it by the librarian. Her search for the book Grace had already requested was put on hold as Madam Pince headed to her desk when she knew Gerald was there. How she knew was anyone's guess.

'Stay,' she reminded Grace first, though.

Madam Pince carefully inspected Gerald's note, until she saw who'd signed it. Professor Hathmore's signature was evidently held at higher regard than Professor Archerose's. She indicated for Gerald to follow her, then for him to stand with Grace. She made sure to give the boy a horrified look to seeing all the dirt and cobwebs though - she quickly cast a general cleaning charm over him. It was amazing he'd made it that far before she'd done so.

'Wait here,' she told him, giving both the first years a stern look. Pince then resumed her search for the requested book.

After a while, she finally returned to where Grace and Gerald stood - though she didn't have anything with her.  Pince sternly ushered the students out of the Restricted Section, and shut the gave behind them. She headed to her desk, then proceeded to explain.

'The book is already on loan. Being old as it is, it's the only copy,' she said. 'It's an extended loan – you might have better luck speaking to the student who has it. That'll be 5th year Slytherin, Lucas Mardling.'

And with that, Madam Pince kept their notes and headed towards a bookshelf - to scold a 2nd year girl for being too rough with one of the books.