[175] The Cost of Secrets

Ron endured two more pecks and returned to Hall's side tearfully. "Hall..."

Hall patted his head. "We went through a lot to find you."

Harry and Hermione nodded frantically. Climbing towers. Talking to ghosts. Using their brains.

Ron's anger burst like a bubble. He hugged Hall excitedly. "I knew you were my best brother!" If it had been Fred or George, they'd be lucky not to be forgotten for days.

Ron's angry gaze shifted to Draco, who stood with his arms crossed, chin raised like a peacock. Ron quickly looked away. He didn't want to argue with Hall because of Malfoy.

"Why is the library empty?"

They pieced together what Ron had done. Because no one was around, he'd wanted to burn a book to see what would happen.

Now even Hall thought the pecking was justified.

"This isn't the library — this is Rowena Ravenclaw's personal library."

"Ravenclaw has her own library? Then why can't Gryffindor have a Quidditch practice yard?"

Everyone looked at him like he was an idiot.

"Wait — the Ravenclaw I'm thinking of?" Ron's face went pale.

"There aren't many people at Hogwarts who use Ravenclaw as a surname anymore."

Ron's body stiffened. He'd tried to burn a founder's books? He was incredibly brave. He felt Hall shouldn't have come — if he'd been trapped because of Ron...

Hall patted his head. "You're already here. Were you really going to read all these books to escape?"

Ron glanced at the towering bookshelves. "No, no, no!" He hugged Hall tightly. Terrifying. Why did such a terrible thing exist?

"Having access to so many rare books is wonderful!"

"You can have that blessing!" Ron pouted.

Hall tapped each of them on the head. "Quiet."

Ron covered his head. "I'm the older brother..." His voice trailed off under everyone's stares.

Hall turned to the Grey Lady. "I'm sorry you had to witness a farce."

She pursed her lips, amusement flickering in her melancholy eyes. "You and your brother — same height, same red hair, same face. Completely different personalities."

Stolen story; please report.

The five children reunited. The stage returned to the Grey Lady.

She took her first step into her mother's room.

The bronze eagle came alive again. Every feather unfurled. Its stone eyes shone brightly. It circled the room repeatedly — following a pattern.

A painting appeared on the previously blank wall.

The woman in the portrait had a pale, gentle face. Her gaze met Helena's.

"Welcome home, Helena."

"Mother!" The Grey Lady's tears fell again, more fiercely than before.

The woman in the portrait — Rowena Ravenclaw — smiled, her gaze fixed kindly on her daughter. "I cannot infuse more magic into this portrait as I am about to die, so my existence is limited. I sealed this place. I will only appear again when you return. I don't regret this."

"Mother lowered her hands, murmured."

"Superior wisdom is the greatest treasure of mankind."

Hermione almost jumped. Rowena Ravenclaw's famous quote!

"And you, my daughter — you are the treasure of my life."

The portrait began to slowly dissipate. Just as Rowena had said — she only wanted to see her daughter come home.

Ron clung to Hall's shoulder, eyes red. Hall turned. Complete rout. Even Draco's eyes were red.

"What's there to cry about?" Hall slapped them one by one.

"If my mum were here..." Harry sniffled.

"I don't want to argue with Mum either." Draco muttered.

Hall slapped Draco's head harder. Why would you say that in front of the Grey Lady?

Hermione pursed her lips. Hall glanced at her. He remembered — in the future he knew, Hermione used Obliviation to erase her parents' memories.

Not on his watch. Not for a noseless Dark Lord.

"Should we go? Lady Helena might need some time."

The Grey Lady heard them. She waved, and the group found themselves back in the Hogwarts library.

Before they could breathe — a blonde girl sat opposite them, smiling.

"Were you sent here by goblins?" Luna asked, her voice ethereal.

Harry made a pained face. "I don't know how, but I'm certain she's a Ravenclaw."

"A first-year." Draco judged. "Should we threaten her — "

"You despicable Malfoy!"

Hall slapped them both. "Shut up."

He looked at Luna. Pale face. Elusive demeanor. Radish-shaped earrings. Luna Lovegood.

Ron clutched Hall's sleeve. "She saw us appear — "

Hall slapped him too. "Don't force your brain if it's not working."

Hermione stepped forward. "I'm Hermione Granger, second-year Gryffindor."

"I know you — Gryffindor's know-it-all." Luna smiled enigmatically. "Luna Lovegood. Your name comes up in the Ravenclaw common room. But most of the time, people talk about him — Hall Weasley. An unexpected Weasley."

Hall raised an eyebrow. An unexpected Weasley. Like Sirius Black's "unexpected Black."

"I hope you haven't said anything bad about me?"

"They talk about how you became Professor Snape's assistant in your first year. How you became a Hogwarts champion in your second year and won." Luna winked. "Your story is interesting."

Ron spread his arms wide, shielding Hall like a mother hen. "Hall, you're too naive!"

Hall let him have his moment.

Harry pushed his glasses up. "What was that about goblins sending us here?"

Luna seemed pleased to explain. "There's a kind of creature that lives in the forests of Albania. They have magical powers — they can teleport people wherever they want."

Draco, Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances.

"Sounds... interesting?" Hermione tried.

Luna toyed with her hair. "Most people can't see them. But there are always lucky ones. Like you."

Hall studied her. "Why the Albanian forest? Where have you seen this before?"

Luna's eyes lit up. "When I was eight, I went on holiday there with my father. I saw beautiful little fairies. I couldn't get a picture. When I went back, they were gone." She sighed. "Most people don't believe me."

"Were you teleported by one of these creatures?"

Luna eagerly began to explain — but Madam Pince's voice cut through.

"NOW! IMMEDIATELY! GET OUT — "