#22 The Girl in the Bathroom

There was no response at first, then a chill.

Lindsey turned -- only to come face-to-transparent-face with Moaning Myrtle. She was known for being "sensitive", but seemed to be in a rather foul mood today -- and as evidenced from a few coloured liquids nearby... someone must have either been mucky about earlier or deliberately given her trouble.

'What do you want?' Myrtle asked nastily. 'Come to laugh at me, have you?'

'Lindsey Bryce,' Myrtle repeated, curiously. She scrutinised the Slytherin for a moment, then decided she seemed truthful enough.

And she wasn't laughing yet. Lindsey even said she didn't see a reason for it. How odd. Most students could easily find several things about Myrtle to laugh at.

However, considering she was looking for Myrtle, Lindsey did not go on to explain why. That was suspicious, but the ghostly girl decided to give her a chance.

'Why?' she asked, rather sharply considering offering her a chance. She was still upset about before, and didn't have the patience to be left hanging. 'What do you want? Why would anyone go looking for Mopey, Moaning Myrtle if not to make fun of her?'

Myrtle was confused as to how she could help with that, and was about to say so when suddenly she looked to the sinks. Now that Lindsey mentioned it...

'There was someone in a cloak,' she remembered. 'He tapped a mirror with his wand and said a phrase over and over.'

Myrtle thought hard, whispering to herself to make sure it was correct.

'Ambitionem et tutelam quaerimus,' she repeated. 'He said it so many times.' Myrtle rolled her eyes, huffing in annoyance as she now simply could not forget it.

In fact, she'd rather not hear it again either. So on that note, she wished Lindsey good luck then flew up and curved -- making a dive into a toilet, which splashed water all over the cubicle. 

It didn't appear to be specific. Myrtle had pointed vaguely, as if specific mirror didn't matter -- only that it was one of those. There were no further clues. She'd have to simply pick one and give it a try.

Whatever told her it wouldn't be easy had been led astray by doubt, as the task proved to be surprisingly simple.

She said the phrase and mirror's glass glowed, then returned to normal. Rather alarmingly, a huge and beautiful snake flew from the glass -- shrinking and transforming before it landed in the sink. Magic spiraled around it, sending tingles across her skin just to be near it.

It had turned into a black talisman of an S-shaped snake. Its edges were green and enchanted. It was easy to carry, and there was no doubt that this was exactly what she sought. And yet, Lindsey also felt compelled to protect it as if nothing else mattered so long as it was safe.

However, dinner was about to start. She'd have to wait for a more opportune moment to proceed, which would unfortunately mean she may have to risk curfew tonight. Something far more reliable told Lindsey that this may be her last chance otherwise.