MJs Hogwarts Journal Chapter 35

Saturday 18^th January

Writing about lessons will have to wait. This is far more exciting:

Okay, so to start off with this morning, I wasn’t overly impressed. I woke up kind of late again. I tend to do this on Saturdays. It’s like lack of sleep from Thursday night, because of having to be up at midnight for Astronomy catches up with me. It wasn’t too late though. It was only quarter-past-nine. But it still meant that I had to hurry up if I wanted to grab something to eat. None of my friends were about in the Common Room, so I decided to take a slow walk towards the Great Hall. Passing the wall of paintings, I said, “Hello,” and, “Good morning,” to several of my favourites before my stomach grumbled.

I just got to the Great Hall in time. There were a few pieces of toast left as well as a teapot full of hot chocolate. I hugged my jumper around myself as I joined Blaise, Goyle and Blondie, who were discussing which of the spells (that they knew) they should try on Potter and his friends. Goyle voted for the water spell that Jed had almost tried on him, while Blaise wanted to go all out and use Petrificus Totalus – a spell that binds someone’s arms and legs together and make you too stiff to even move. I thought that was a little harsh. “What about the Curse of the Bogies hex that Quirrell taught us?” I suggested. “You aren’t likely to get into as much trouble, if any, if you use that. It’d be funny too.”

“Interesting,” replied Blondie with a hum. “I like the way you think, MJ.” Wow, was that a compliment… from Blondie? Not that I care or anything. Okay maybe a little.

After I finished my breakfast, I hugged my warm hot chocolate mug for a while and waited around of a bit to see if Jed was going to appear. Seeing as Jed wasn’t with the boys in the Great Hall, I did contemplate that perhaps Jed was still in bed. It was only quarter-to-ten. He did seem rather tired yesterday. He’d be mad that he missed breakfast, but it would be best to let him sleep – he’d be really grumpy if I made someone wake him. However, I got bored of waiting around and decided to go and find Josie. I didn’t see her in the Great Hall either, but the chances are that she got up early and was already in the library studying.

On my way towards the library, I passed by the paintings again. One of the pictures is of two men in suits of armour, standing either side of a very faint-looking doorway. The man on the left bowed to me, saying, “Salutations, Lady M.” Curtsying I giggled at him.

“Morning Sir Knight,” I said back. This is just a silly little thing that we do – I’m sure he does it to all the girls. I’ve never seen it happen, but he’s the flirtiest painting to ever try and have a conversation with. The guard on the right of the painting doesn’t seem to approve of him – he rarely ever speaks, only when he’s telling the other off for some of the things that he says. The left suit of armour is rather, how should I word it… forward with his feelings.

“Hey MJ,” came a voice from behind. I jumped, turning around. Smiling I saw Pansy, Scarlett and Priscilla standing in front of me.

“What are you doing?” asked Scarlett. I felt my cheeks turn pink.

“I was on my way to the library,” I told them.

“Looking for the ginger lump?” asked Pansy. I glared at her. This was the second time that I’d caught Pansy referring to Josie this way. What was her problem? My breathing grew heavy. Clenching my fists, I felt myself reaching towards my back pocket for my wand. “She was heading to the library with Jed,” said Pansy as she raised her eyebrows.

“We’ve all gotta cheat off someone,” Scarlett added. “Might as well make it a Ravenclaw,” she began to cackle.

I left the girls to cackle and stormed off towards the library. I like them, I really do, but sometimes… ooow they just go too far. I was inches away from hexing boils all over Pretty Pansy’s face. And as for Scarlett, Jed would never cheat. He may joke about it sometimes, but I know, hand on heart, that Jed would never, ever actually do it.

Breathing in and out, I tried to calm my temper. Reaching the library, I thought that my anger had lifted, that is until I spotted them. Sat at our regular table in the library, Jed was leaning over a textbook with Josie sat on the edge of the table. A mirror image of last time. Perched on the corner of the table, Josie sat with her feet up on the edge of the chair. Twirling a finger through her hair, she gazed down at the book. She couldn’t possibly be reading it. To her it was upside-down. Jed lent back in his chair, with his legs outstretched under the table. ‘He’s rolled his sleeves up,’ I noticed as I watched from the edge of a bookcase. Josie swivelled around to face him more. I could only see the back of her head now. Nothing more. I rolled my eyes. It was now or never.

Coming out from hiding, I approached them. Lolling his head to one side, Jed’s eyes were closed. Josie pointed a finger out and dragged it across the table’s surface. Bringing her finger up towards her, she appeared to be examining the dirt. “Hi guys,” I said as I crept around from behind Josie. They both looked up at me with forced smiles.

“Hey MJ,” Jed mumbled as he opened his eyes, pushing himself up in his chair. He ran a hand through his hair, as he rolled his shoulders back.

“Hi,” muttered Josie. “You can sit there,” she said, jerking her head towards the chair beside her as she crossed her legs on the desk.

Dropping into the chair, I shuffled it a little closer to Jed, so that I could see them both clearly at the same time. As I sat beside them, Jed stared ahead at the edge of the desk. His thumbs fiddled with the frayed cuff on his right sleeve. I stared at him a while. He never broke eye contact with the table. Josie sat fiddling with the aglet on her shoelace. She scratched her thumb nail against it, before jabbing it against the wooded table. “Are you two alright?” I asked. Whatever I had felt seeing them together seemed to fade as I noticed their glum faces.

“We’re fine,” Jed grumbled, still staring at the table’s edge. Josie said nothing.

“Then what’s wrong?” I asked them.

“We’ve given up,” he said simply with a shrug. I frowned at him before looking up at Josie. She shrugged at me.

“What’s the point?” she muttered.

“The point in what…?”

“In anything,” she sighed. “We’ve wasted so much time in here looking for some stupid book about this stupid key and for what?” she sighed again. “Stupid nothing.” Her arm flopped at her side and banged against the table. “I bet we’ve read every single book in this stupid library by now.” Okay, major over exaggeration here. (Things you notice about your friends when they’re angry: Josie seems to be the sort of girl to over dramatize in negative situations.) At least she didn’t say that the world was over. Sliding her legs off the edge of the table, Josie jumped up. “Stupid key,” she muttered. (She also likes using the word stupid… a lot.)

“Cheer up José,” I said, turning towards her. I tried to get her to look at me, but she wouldn’t. “We can keep looking.”

“There’s no point,” Jed sighed. “MJ, José is right. We’ve wasted enough time on this stupid fantasy.” I see Jed was going to go overboard on the word ‘stupid’ now too. “You’d need to know someone who knows everythin’ about this school. Who’s ‘eard all the secrets. Could hop about unnoticed ‘n’ go from place t’ place to even have a smidge of a chance of them recognising the key.” Pushing himself out of the chair, he ran a hand through his hair again as he sighed. “And even then, they probably wouldn’t have a clue. Not to mention the detentions that we’d risk in asking.” Staring at me with his hands outstretched in front of himself, he exclaimed, “You can’t just walk up to Dumbledore an’ say, “Hey, we’ve found some key. We wanna check out what it unlocks – oh and please don’t give us detention, we’re just curious.” It’s not gonna happen.” Jed grabbed the strap of his backpack and tugged it off the chair. “Come on José,” he muttered. “I can’t stand being in here anymore.”

“Me either,” she mumbled.

Still thinking about Jed’s little speech, cogs began turning in my brain. As they turned to leave a smile crept across my face and my eyes widened. “Guys!” I called out to them. Jed and Josie looked back at me. “I think I know someone who can help…”

*

Leading Jed and Josie out of the library, I stayed silent the whole time. They both kept asking me questions: Who are you talking about? Where are we going? Why aren’t you answering us? In due course, in due course.

Walking down one of the corridors, that I do every morning, my smile grew wider. Stopping in the middle of the hallway, I turned towards Jed and Josie and sang, “We’re here.” Josie’s eyes widened. You would think that I’d asked her if there was a dragon growing out of my head and she was concerned for my wellbeing. Jed, on the other hand, frowned at me as though I told him I was going to marry Professor Snape. Holding a hand to my stomach, I don’t know how I didn’t laugh. “Jed, Josie, I’d like you to meet Mister Marrufo,” I told them, as I twisted myself around holding my hands out towards one of the portraits on the wall. This painting was of the wealthily dressed man that had interrupted Ivy’s conversation with one of the other paintings on our first day. Sat upon a throne-like chair, Mr. Marrufo’s posture was that of a proud and posh, Tudor England-ish period man.

“Melanie, dear,” beamed Mr. Marrufo. “Are these friends of yours?”

“Sure are,” I smiled at him. “Mister Marrufo, I’d like you to meet Jed…” Holding two fingers to his right eyebrow, Jed saluted him. “And Josie.”

Josie muttered a, “Hi,” whilst forcing a smile.

“Hmmm… a Ravenclaw…” he said with a loud hum.

Ignoring his pondering comment about Josie, I told him, “We need your help.”

“Ask away Melanie… ask away… I’m always here to help out a fellow Slytherin,” he smiled at me and rolled his right wrist forward, in a sort a gesture for me to continue. The golden bangles on his arms jangled.

“It’s a secret,” I warned him. “So, you have to promise not to tell.”

“A secret?” screeched one of the men from the grand dining table painting below.

“Slytherins keeping secrets! Slytherins keeping secret!” chanted another man from the same picture.

“Pipe down the lot of you,” boomed Mr. Marrufo. “Or I’ll set the dogs on you.” The men in the painting below began mumbling to each other. “Continue, Miss Melanie,” said Marrufo with a warm smile. “If any of them squeak it’ll be the Bloody Baron they’ll have to speak to.” All of the other paintings fell silent. They appeared to go back to whatever it was they were doing, but we all knew that they were listening.

“Okay, we need you to tell us if you recognise something for us,” I said. Biting my bottom lip, I turned to Josie and whispered, “Show him.” She stared at me for a while, before looking over at Jed. He nodded at her. Turning towards the painting, Josie’s fingers trembled as she raised them to her neckline. Coiling a finger under her blouse (which I loved by the way – it matches her black and white star scarf), Josie pulled out the key.

“To trust a Ravenclaw…” Marrufo muttered.

“She’s my best friend,” I sighed at him. “I trust her…” Looking up at him, I tried my hardest to give him puppy-dog, wide eyes.

“Alright, alright,” he sighed. “But only because you’re one of my favourites.” His comment made my cheeks tingle, even though I’m sure that he probably said that to any Slytherin.

Resting the key against the back of her hand, Josie angled it towards the portrait. “Hmm, it looks familiar, but I can’t say I know for sure,” he told us. The three of us sighed in unison. As her shoulders drooped, Josie slid the key back inside her blouse. Jed shrugged at me.

“Least ya tried, MJ,” he muttered, poking the right corner of his mouth up a little. Josie turned towards the direction of the Great Hall.

“Arrh-oh-arrh, that’s what you want,” said Marrufo. Josie stopped and turned back towards us.

“What?” Jed asked. Mr. Marrufo’s eyes shot from left to right and back again.

“Arrh-oh-arrh,” he said again, this time in a slightly more hushed tone. “That’s what you need.”

“What’s arrh-oh-arrh?” I asked.

“Doesn’t exist,” scoffed one of the men from the painting below.

“Shouldn’t a told ‘em that,” someone sang out from another painting.

“Shut up!” Marrufo snapped at the other paintings. “I can’t tell you,” he said to us, pinching his lips together. Just as Jed was about to object, Mr. Marrufo continued, “I could get into trouble,” he said quickly. “Terrible trouble. You need a book. A restricted book. In the library. ‘Secrets and Flaws’ by Edward Helsing – he was a Ravenclaw,” he added with a small smile in Josie’s direction. “Find it. Read it. Tell no one.”

“But what good will that do?” I asked.

“We can’t get a book out the restricted section?” Jed hissed. “We’ll get detention. Or worse.”

Jed was right. Why couldn’t Mr. Marrufo just tell us what he knew? Surely it would be a lot easier and involve less rule breaking than sneaking into the restricted section of the library. It’s restricted for a reason. And I really don’t want to face detention in the Forbidden Forest in the middle of the night. How many detentions would it be for sneaking into the restricted section? A couple of days? A couple of weeks? No. I defiantly couldn’t handle that.

“Edward Helsing, remember Edward Helsing,” Marrufo repeated. “And arrh-oh-arrh. Look that up. You’ll be surprised.” Before I got the chance to reply, Mr. Marrufo told us, “I’ve said too much already. Please go. Before someone jeopardises your position.” And with that he leapt out of his portrait and into the one below. I noticed that he’s taken his golden cane with him and began basing the men in the painting below in the heads with it.

Our new problem seemed tougher than the last. Being able to sneak into the restricted part of the library seemed even more difficult that trying to find out what the key was in the first place. I knew that the restricted section was a small part of the library, fenced off with a wall and glass door. All of the books in there were for teachers only. Even Seventh-Years and Prefects weren’t allowed in there.

Walking a little further along the corridor (we didn’t want to witness the fight going on in the paintings), Jed groaned as he leant against a banister. “What do we do now?” he asked, as he dropped down against the step.

“I dunno,” I mumbled, shoving my hands inside the front pouch on my hoodie. Wandering over to Jed, I leant against the wall and slid down it to sit beside him. Staring at the ground, Josie’s shoes appeared in front of me. “Sorry José,” I muttered, looking up at her.

“Why?” she asked. “We’ve just found out the best news yet,” she said with wide eyes. “The key does lead somewhere! We just need to look it up in another book… and we already know which one: ‘Secrets and Flaws’ by Edward Helsing.”

“José,” I sighed at her. “Didn’t you hear? It’s in the restricted section,” I whispered. “We can’t.”

“We can’t,” Josie said with a smile. “We just need a sneaky plan… and I know just the person that can help.” Jed and I looked at each other shocked, before turning to Josie. “Come on,” she said with a smile, cupping her hand towards herself. Curious, Jed and I got up and followed her.

Like when I was excited to introduce Jed and Josie Mr. Marrufo, and wouldn’t let on to where we were going, Josie did the same. Taking us down the corridor, she ignored mine and Jed’s pestering. Standing in the doorway to the Great Hall, Josie folded her arms. A smug grin swept across her face as she looked from Blondie’s group (still sat at the Slytherin table, goofing around) and back to me and Jed. “What?” asked Jed with a shrug.

“Who else do you ask for help with a sneaky plan than the sneaky Draco Malfoy?” she told us with the brightest grin I have ever seen her smile.

“Are you mad?” Jed exclaimed. “We can’t ask Malfoy!” Lowering his voice, he told her, “He’ll get us detention.”

“He won’t,” Josie said as her grin widened. “Not if you stick to my plan.” All I can say is: Wow! Who is this girl and what has she done with Josie?

“Alright Jed,” said Josie. “I need you to wind Draco up. Act all smug and bet him that he wouldn’t sneak into the restricted section of the library and get the book we need.”

“He’d never fall for it,” Jed objected.

“MJ and I will distract the librarian, Madam Pince. Just make him think that it’s a challenge. Draco never backs down from a challenge, especially not in front of his friends.” I have to admit, Josie was spot on. Blondie was one for proving he was better than everyone else – always so smug and cocky. “Call him chicken if you have to,” she added.

“What if he asks why Jed wants the book?” I asked. It was just like Blondie to be suspicious.

“Tell him you want it,” she said to Jed simply. Jed frowned at her – we both knew that Blondie wouldn’t buy that. “Fine,” she sighed. “Tell him I want it, or his precious little Posey Pants wants it. I don’t care what excuse you give. We just need that book and Draco’s a sucker for proving himself.”

I have never loved Josie more. Gosh I could have squeezed the life out of her. Wherever she got this sudden burst of energy from I’ll never know, but it was brilliant. And Blondie did love proving himself. Gosh that girl is smart.

Hovering in the doorway, Josie and I observed, as Jed made his move. Blondie and his buddies all turned to face Jed as he started up a conversation. They laughed and Blondie, folded his arms across his chest with a smirk plastered across his face. Blaise pointed a finger at Jed. Their smiles dropped. Jed ran a hand across the back of his neck. “Uh-oh,” I murmured. Josie left my side. I gasped, seeing her skip over to Jed and the boys. I ran after her.

“Why d’you want some dumb book anyways?” Crabbe asked.

“He doesn’t,” Josie said appearing at Jed’s left, hugging his arm. “I do… and I was hoping someone smart, brave and daring would be willing to find it for me.” Facing Blondie, she pouted. Josie’s performance was golden. I loved it. Absolutely loved it. He smirked. Throwing his head back, Malfoy stood up. Josie let go of Jed’s arm.

“Fine,” he grinned. “I’ll do it. I guess Jed, here, wasn’t up for sneaking into the restricted section. Too scared a breaking rules, huh, Jed?” Blondie tapped Jed on the shoulder. “Don’t worry Josie,” Blondie said to her. “A real man’ll get it for you.” He winked at her. Josie’s cheeks turned pink as she broke into a huge smile – probably trying hard not to laugh at Blondie, I know I was. A real man? If that wasn’t trying show off, then I don’t know what is.

As the four of us made our way towards the library, Josie revealed her book swiping plan to us. “I’ll distract Madam Pince,” Josie told us. Jed opened his mouth to object. “It’s fine,” Josie told him. “She trusts me. Jed, you and MJ stand guard. Make sure no one comes anywhere near the restricted section – it’s almost lunch, so you should be okay,” she told us. I nodded at her. Jed did too, but a little reluctantly. “Now Draco,” she said turning to him with a smile. “I need you to look for a book by Helsing – Edward Helsing. It’s called ‘Secrets and Flaws’. Do you think you can remember that?”

“Piece a cake,” he smirked.

“Good,” she smiled back.

“But,” he said as we turned down the next corridor. “What are you going to do with it once you get it? You can’t exactly read it in broad daylight,” he warned her. “Someone’ll see.”

“Don’t worry about me, Draco… I have a plan,” she told him. “It’s fine.” Whatever it was, she kept it a secret from us.

We walked on the rest of the way in silence. I’m guessing each of us was thinking about our part in Josie’s plan – at least that’s what I was doing. As we neared the library’s entrance, Jed turned on Blondie. “You’d better not tell, Malfoy,” Jed snarled at him. “Or I’ll get Vince to come after you.” This was something I hadn’t thought of. Just because Blondie had proved that he could sneak into the restricted section and get the book, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t tell on us for having it, did it? I clawed my nails into my palms as I looked from Jed to Blondie.

“He won’t tell,” Josie said to Jed. “Will you, Draco? Because…” she smiled. “If you do, it will only be a matter of seconds before someone asks, “And how did she get that book?” and all the fingers come pointing back to you.” That grin on her face – genius. Pure genius. Hey, even Blondie was impressed.

“Well played, Josie,” Blondie smirked. “Well played. And don’t worry… your little secret’s safe with me.” He winked at her. Josie’s cheeks turned pink.

Goodness, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say Josie had been put under some kind of spell. It was so out of character. And Blondie was playing up to it. It’s like she was a better Pansy than Pansy. Less whiny, more… well everything.

Once inside, Josie spotted the librarian and her plan was put into action. Jed ran off to inspect the area surrounding the restricted section, while I glanced around to see how many students were nearby. The fewer, the better. As I returned from my radar scan, I caught Josie whispering to Blondie, “Remember Draco… Edward Helsing, ‘Secrets and Flaws’.”

“I got it,” he whispered back, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t you worry.” As they smiled at each other, Jed appeared from behind one of the bookcases.

“Coast’s clear,” he told us. “You ready?”

The next few minutes were a blur. It honestly felt like fifteen or twenty minutes, when in reality it wasn’t even five. My palms have never been so sweaty. Josie ran over to Madam Pince and began what appeared to be another act. She looked so distressed and worried, almost on the verge of tears. The librarian rubbed a hand on her back and led her away to another side of the library. I didn’t see them for a while; I was too busy keeping an eye on other the students studying. There were three older Gryffindor students and a small table full of Hufflepuffs in the far corner. No one made life difficult – thankfully. The Ravenclaw Seeker did pop inside. I didn’t want her to recognise me, so I darted behind a bookcase.

“Psst… MJ,” I heard Jed call. I looked left, then right. He wasn’t there. “MJ!” he hissed again. Spinning all of the way around, I spotted Jed and Blondie peering out from the end of a bookcase. “Where’s Josie?”

“I don’t know?” I whispered back. “She went that way with the librarian,” I said pointing to my far right. Just then, Josie popped into view. She and Madam Pince came out from an aisle of books. “Josie,” I whispered waving over to her. She twitched her head in my direction. Turning back to the librarian, Josie said something, before pointing towards the Ravenclaw Seeker. As soon as Madam Pince was engaged with the other girl, Josie sped-walked over towards us.

The four of us hide down an aisle, out of sight from the librarian. “I’ve got the book,” said Blondie with a grin, as he held it out towards her.

“Jed, bag,” Josie said, holding her hand out towards Jed. Sliding his backpack off his shoulders he handed it to her. Taking Jed’s bag, Josie unzipped it, took the book from Blondie and dropped it inside. Zipping the bag up, Josie looked around at us as we stared at her. “What?” she exclaimed in a whisper. “We can’t read it here. If Madam Pince finds us with it, we’re dead.” Josie handed Jed back his bag and he slipped it back over his shoulders. “Thanks Draco,” Josie said, as she peered around the end of the bookcase to see where the librarian was. Draco held his hands out towards her (what was he expecting a hug well done – and from Josie?) as she turned back around. Ignoring him, Josie turned to me and Jed and said, “We’d better go.” As the three of us began to stroll through the library as if nothing happened, Josie whispered a, “Thank you,” again to Blondie.

*

Speeding out from the library, Josie remained quiet as she led us outside and all of the way to Hagrid’s hut. Knocking on the door, Josie finally answered us: “We need somewhere secret to read it,” she exclaimed. “We couldn’t just read it in the library, or in the Great Hall now, could we?”

“It would look less suspicious,” Jed muttered.

“If you act like you belong, nothing is suspicious,” Josie told him as Hagrid opened up the door.

“Hey kids,” Hagrid smiled. “What brings you here?”

“Reading,” Josie replied, as he invited us in.

Sitting down at Hagrid’s table, Jed dropped his backpack on the surface and pulled out the book. Josie made sure she flung the front cover open before Hagrid got the chance to see what we were looking at. Grabbing a chair, I dragged it over to Josie’s side. I frowned as she fanned through the pages. “Slow down there José,” Hagrid laughed. “You not tellin’ me yer got super-fast readin’ powers now, are yer?”

“No,” Josie laughed. “I’m just flicking to the index.” And glancing at the pages along the way. Getting to the end of the book, Josie placed her finger at the top of the index and dragged it down.

“What are ya lookin’ for exactly?” asked Jed.

“Aarh-oh-aarh,” Josie replied, without letting her eyes leave their place. “Ee, ee, ee, eff, eff, gee-aye, gee-ee…” she muttered to herself.

“What does that even mean?” Jed asked frowning at her.

“Oohw,” I smiled with a sigh. “I get it now. They’re letters, as in R.O.R – they must stand for something.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Josie said, as she began muttering what letter she was on again. Why she didn’t just jump to the ‘R’ section straight away, I’ll never know.

Clearing his throat behind us, Hagrid scratched his beard and loomed over Josie. “Whatcha guys readin’?” he asked. “Some sorta puzzle? Has Flitwick been playing those abbreviation riddles again – I’ve told ‘im, only Muggle-borns c’n understand ‘em.”

“Rane, razor, read…” Josie muttered, ignoring Hagrid completely. Hearing all of the ‘r’ words that Josie reeled off, I must say, I got more and more excited. My heartbeat thumped at every word. “Reality, recreation, red, redeem, reduce, require, rhythmical, Ribbonworm, riddle, roast, rodent, rogue, roll, room-” Josie squealed. Me, Jed and Hagrid all jumped.

“What in the blinkin’ blazes,” Hagrid muttered.

“I’ve found it!” she squeaked. “Aarh-oh-aarh – Room of Requirement.”

“Room of what?” muttered Hagrid. “Now what sorta nonsense are you kids lookin’ up? Is this Filch pullin’ yer leg again?”

While Hagrid mumbled away in the background and put the kettle on for tea, Josie skimmed back through the book to find the Room of Requirement page. “Page three, five, eight, the Room of Requirement,” Josie read. “The Room of Requirement, also referred to as the Come and Go Room, is a secret room within the Hogwarts Castle.” Josie gasped as she turned to me and then Jed. My arms went tingly, which quickly spread to my back and legs. I could see Josie’s eyes sparkle as she read on. “It only reveals its true presence to a person in great need of it. Although there is a disagreement to the room’s existence, many past students and staff have claimed that they have come to find this room, once upon a time. The room is said to transform itself into whatever the witch or wizard requires at that moment, whether that be a bed to sleep in or a toilet to go to. It is also said to hold the location to the legendary Room of Hidden Things. This room, however, is just as mythical as the Room of Requirement itself. Breaking down the stories told over the centuries, there are three things that ring true within them all. The first is that the person requiring the room must walk past it three times, deep in thought of what they need, and the room will make itself known to them. The second is that the room is likely to be located within the highest floor of the castle and the third is that try as they might, no one has ever found the room again.”

“Whoa,” Jed whispered once Josie had finished reading. Whoa was not strong enough. Even if the key that Josie found doesn’t turn out to lead anywhere, we still managed to discover that there is such a thing as a secret, hidden room in the school. Even though the instructions were pretty vague, it did tell us that the entrance was on one of the higher floors of the castle. That must be the sixth or seventh floor, logic tells me.

“What a loada codswallop,” said Hagrid, as he dropped down in the empty chair opposite Josie. He placed a tray of mugs down on the table and grabbed one for himself. As he took a slurp, Jed and I grabbed out for a mug too. “If I ever ‘eard more rubbish, it’d be comin’ outta Professor Trelawney’s mouth. Where’d you even get that anyway?” Hagrid asked, eyeing the book.

“Library,” Josie said, shooting her eyes at him for the first time since we sat down. She swallowed, as her cheeks reddened slightly.

“What’s this?” Jed asked as he pointed to a drawing in the bottom right hand corner of the page. The picture showed a plain wall with two suits of armour. They appeared to be guarding something, but nothing stood between them. “I bet it’s there,” Jed said pointing at the place between the two guards. “It’s obvious. We’ve just gotta find out where.” I stared at the page for a while. Something seemed so familiar about that drawing, yet I’d obviously never seen it before. Squinting, my temples pulsed as I gazed. The drumming inside of me grew louder. My index finger on my right hand twitched as I dug my hands into my mug. I bit down hard on my back teeth staring at the image all the while. My stomach swirled.

“I’ve got it!” I blurted out. “I knew I’d seen this picture before.” Josie’s head spun towards me so fast, I was scared it had flung off her neck.

“Really?” she whispered. “You promise?” Smiling, I nodded.

“It’s another paining,” I told her. Josie lowered her eyes to the table as she sank back in her seat. “This one isn’t as bad,” I told her. Reaching out to her, I placed a hand on hers. At my touch, she dragged her hand away. “This guy’s nice,” I told her. “Well he’s a bit of a flirt,” I said with a frown. “But he’s there. He’s right there,” I said jabbing my finger at the suit of armour on the left of the picture.

“Then let’s go,” said Jed with a smile, as he pushed himself up from the chair. Looking up at him, I smiled.

“Yer leaving?” Hagrid frown. “Already?”

“Sorry Hagrid,” Jed apologised, “But duty calls.”

I did feel kind of bad that we left Hagrid’s so quickly – we kind of used him for his room. But everything was piecing itself together so quickly; I think Jed felt the same as me: if we didn’t act fast, the whole thing could just collapse, and it would be like we never found anything at all. It was like we were running off an adrenaline of mystery and we didn’t want it to stop.

*

Upon leaving Hagrid’s, Jed had shoved the book back into his backpack and we left before Hagrid could ask us any more questions. Now that we knew what we were looking for, and we didn’t have much more use for the book, we agreed that it was better to get rid of it than be caught – well after we managed to convince Josie that she could never read the entire thing before Madam Pince realised that it was missing. Before heading to the corridor of paintings, we stopped off at the library. Josie told me and Jed to hang back near the entrance while she wondered up and down the aisles a few times. Once she had located the librarian, she got us to join her. Jed passed her the book and Josie called Madam Pince over. Seeing that it was Josie, the librarian was over in a jiffy. “Madam Pince,” Josie called. “My friends and I were looking for ‘Hogwarts a History’ when we found this,” she said holding out the book. “Is it the only copy? I wandered if-” Before Josie could finish the librarian gasped, snatching the book out of her hands.

“Where did you find this?” she asked, her eyes popping out of her head.

“Oh, it was at the back of the general reading section,” Josie said innocently. “Do you want me to show you?”

“No, no. You’re fine dear,” said the librarian shaking her head. “I’d better keep hold of this one though.” Hooking the book under her arm, Madam Pince tried to hide it from our view. Josie’s shoulders drooped as she sighed.

“You mean I can’t take it,” Josie sobbed.

“Afraid not,” said the librarian. Just then, Jed’s stomach growled.

“Come on José, you can pick another book later,” Jed told her. “I’m hungry, let’s get goin’.”

“Okay,” Josie sighed. “See you later Madam Pince.”

Leaving the library Jed gave Josie a high-five. I flung my arms around her. “You were amazing!” I gasped. “How do you do it?” Going pink, Josie shrugged.

“First Malfoy now the librarian, you’re turning into quite the sneaky actress,” said Jed. Josie’s blush brightened.

“Come on, you two,” I said, throwing a hand over my shoulder. “We’ve got another painting to visit.”

*

Returning to the corridor of paintings, I made sure that we snuck around Mr. Marrufo’s portrait – I don’t think any of us could quite deal with the interrogation that we might have faced, well I don’t think Josie could have; she had already stood up to Blondie and Madam Pince, I’m not sure that she could handle one more. Sliding up alongside one of my favourite paintings to talk to, I couldn’t help but smile. “Good afternoon, Sir Knight,” I said with a curtsey.

“Arrh, Lady M, what a pleasure to see you again,” he smiled back. “And I see you’ve brought some company.”

“Yes,” I said holding out my hand to my friends. “This is Jed… and Josie…” Jed held two fingers to his forehead and saluted, whilst Josie copied me in a curtsey. I waited for the knight’s approving nod before continuing. “We need to ask you a favour… Would you be able to tell us where abouts in the school you are, please?”

“Certainly. Seventh floor, west wing. You can’t miss us really. We’re right once you get to the top of the stairs – why?” he asked me. “Are you coming to pay me a visit?” he winked.

“Maybe…” I replied in the same playful tone as him.

“Seriously MJ,” Jed sighed at me. “You’re flirting with a painting.”

“I am not!” I protested as I shot a glare towards him. I was just trying to be as cool as Josie was earlier around Blondie. He never said anything to her.  

“My, my, my, looky who we have here,” boomed an ever-familiar voice from down the hall. Josie, Jed and I spun around to see Blondie, Trevor, Crabbe and Goyle striding towards us.

‘Speak of the devil,’ I thought.

“Well, did you have fun with your little book?” Blondie asked with a sly grin. That was it – he was waiting to pounce. I always said we could never trust Malfoy. I always knew he was up to something. That was it. We were dead.

“What book?” replied Josie, her expression plain and unreadable.

“You know…” the smile dropped from his face. When Josie didn’t reply, he stepped towards her. My eyes widened, as he got closer. I gripped Jed’s arm, hoping for him to intervene, but he didn’t. With their faces barely a hairline apart, Blondie said to Josie, “The restricted one,” through gritted teeth, staring into her eyes. His eyebrows rose for a split second. I swallowed, pinching Jed’s arm.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Josie told him with a shrug, staring directly into his eyes. Malfoy took a step back and rolled his shoulders. “No one ever goes near the restricted section. All the books should be accounted for – just ask Madam Pince, she’ll tell you.” Taking a step towards him, Josie added, “Unless you’re hiding something, Draco?” As she grinned at him, Malfoy’s face reddened. Josie spun around, flicking her hair in his face and walked away from him. Jed’s eyebrows bounced up a split second, as the two of us smiled at each other.

“Sorry Malfoy,” Jed said with a shrug. “I think the stress is going to your head, mate.” He tapped a finger to Blondie’s forehead, before the two of us ran after Josie.

Turning the corner, once we were out of earshot of Malfoy and his mob, I turned to Josie “Oh my gosh,” I squeaked. “You just stood up to Malfoy.”

“You were awesome!” Jed exclaimed. “Heck, if you weren’t my best friend, I’d kiss you.”

“Please don’t,” Josie squirmed, holding her hands up in front of her.

“Where did this… this… this come from?” Jed asked, looking her up and down. She was still the same Josie, in appearance at least.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “What ever happened to the quiet, shy girl who was too scared to even make eye contact with us on the train, let alone say anything?”

“I wasn’t that quiet,” Josie mumbled, staring down at her shoes.

“Yeah you were,” Jed laughed. “Where in Merlin’s name did this other you come from?” Jed asked. “And does she have a sister?”

“Shut up,” Josie blushed as she pushed him playfully. “I guess where I come from you can’t get about without picking up on a little sneaky behaviour every now and then,” she told us.

“A little sneaky? Sassy pants is more like it,” I blurted out. Josie’s cheeks turned redder.

*

Goodness, we really did a lot today. We found out that a book exists to do with the key that Josie found, Josie tricked Blondie into finding it, we learnt about the secret Room of Requirement, we found out its location and Josie outsmarted Blondie, again. This seriously has to be the most amazing day ever.

Oh, and I almost forgot to write about what happened during dinner. Jed and I sat on the side of the Slytherin table that backed onto the Ravenclaw one and Josie sat directly behind us, so that the three of us could still talk over dinner – I don’t know why we don’t do this all the time, but we did today. Anyway, whilst we were eating, Pansy made her way around to us and stood between the two tables. Grabbing a hand on Josie’s shoulder, Pansy spun her around. “I heard what you did to Dracypoo,” said Pansy. Jed and I turned towards them. Uh-oh. This really was the last thing we needed. Pansy and Josie hate each other – only Merlin knows why. They’re both my friends, they just don’t get along.

“What?” Josie asked with a smirk, trying not to laugh.

“You know what I mean,” Pansy scowled. “You stay away from him, or else – you hear me?”

“Yeah,” Josie sniggered. “I hear you, but I don’t know who Dracypoo is.” Pansy growled at her before storming off. We burst into giggles. Score: three points to Josie, zero to Blondie and his girlfriend. To me, that is the best news all day.

- Josie -