Chapter 20 - The effect (1/2)
It was the middle of night, the cheers of people who celebrated Gryffindors victory could still be heard. Arth had come to the an empty classroom all alone, the windows showering him with gentle moonlight.
He took a deep breath before taking out the black book that had been on his mind the past weeks.
He opened the book, the silvery words glimmering softly as always against the black pages. However, when he put them under the moonlight sky, a couple of words began to light up.
-progression is withheld by the key. Intelligence is just a part
-those who wish to remain hidden. Twilight dark of secrets. the beginning. seek what you find but do not despair.
-backwards
-sutlucco, are you ready to carry the price?
Arth considered him an idiot. The Book of Night. He couldn't believe how he hadn't figured it out earlier. It was so blindingly obvious that he reckoned some of the readers were frustrated and willing to drop the book. Of course, there were some readers who still had no clue. No shame to them.
The first hint was that he had to read the book during night, the second hint was second over arching theme on the page. Hide and seek.
Those who want to be hidden.
The reason why nothing worked when he said the word Occultus was because he never had a desire to hide. The word might only activate during Night or while in the dark as well.
Arth closed his eyes and tried his best to desire becoming hidden. After he was sure that he had enough determination, Arth whispered the word.
”Occultus.”
Arth waited for something magical to happen, yet nothing seemed to change. He even checked his book to see if something in the pages had revealed itself. There was nothing.
Was it because Arth wasn't feeling the need to hide? Did he need to force himself into a situation where he needed to hide? Arth hesitated. He had no idea if was going to even work, and if he failed, he was going to get into so much trouble.
Oh well. Curiosity killed a cat. And Arth reckoned that he would be able to weasel his way out of it by acting confunded.
Arth took out his wand and waved towards the neatly stacked desks and chairs. ”I guess it's time to cause some mayhem. Wingardium Leviosa.”
/—/
Filch was in his office staring endearingly at a pair of chains when he heard a loud crash. Multiple loud obnoxious crashes.
”PEEVES! YOU'VE DONE IT THIS TIME! I'LL HAVE YOUR HIDE FOR THIS! DUMBLEDORE WON'T FORGIVE YOU THIS TIME!” Yelled Filch, grabbing his keys getting ready to barge out of the windows.
He ran through the changing stairs with his beloved cat, Mrs. Norris, following behind. He had arrived at the the fourth floor when he saw what happened.
A bunch of tables and chairs somehow managed to make their way out of a classroom and fall down the stairs. They were currently repairing their broken parts and floating back up the stairs.
”PEEVES! WHERE ARE YOU! DUMBLEDORE WILL HAVE YOU FOR THIS!”
There was a pop as a transparent ghost appeared next to Filch. ”It's filthy wilting Filchy! Filthy wilting Filchy! Are you angry?”
”GET DOWN HERE YOU BLOODY GHOST!”
”But why? I never did anything.”