Chapter 124: Power Must Be Pursued
The corridors had that end-of-holiday looseness to them. Young witches and wizards shuffled along with slack footsteps, sweet wrappers piled half-opened in the corners of common rooms, and even the green glow filtering up from the Black Lake looked lazy.
Regulus was the first back to the dormitory. Cuthbert and Alex were taking the train and wouldn't arrive until evening.
Hermes wasn't in the room. No telling where he'd gone.
Regulus freshened up briefly and headed straight for the library.
Madam Pince was perched on a ladder, dusting the topmost shelf with a feather duster that sent fine motes drifting through the light.
He made his way to the Ancient Runes section and pulled out Detailed Explanation of Defensive Magic Associated with Nordic Runes.
The page edges had begun to curl. When he cracked it open, a yellowed borrowing card slipped out. The last entry was dated 1962.
He read all morning. The Great Hall was sparse at lunch. He ate, then continued through the afternoon.
By dusk the candles had been lit, and the long tables were filling up. Cuthbert and Alex squeezed through the main doors, rain still darkening the shoulders of their robes.