Grief, Deceptions, and Hope for Freedom - Chapter 30 part a
I usually don't post my fic to lj, generally straight to ff.net for me, but this part of the chapter went so well, but now isn't jelling with the rest what I tried writing in my notebook. I write first to paper, and then it grows and improves as I type - but also sometimes shatters.. So some feedback on what pops into your heads would be nice.
A link to the old http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2377862/1/
C 30
The stack of trunks closest to the door was the one with the least dust & newest styles of trunks. Neville started detection spells on each trunk, making notes as he went down the stack. Harry began to look for wards on the floor around the stack. After making his way halfway around the stack Harry bopped himself on the head, "I require a list of any magic on or from each trunk, and on the stack and surrounding area. I also require a list of any physical traps or tricks, and any notification methods. Um, and contents of the trunks would be nice too, unless that would set off something…"
A list detailing the contents and curses on each trunk appeared on a large easel next to the stack.
Neville shrugged, "At least I can see if I missed anything."
According to the list, there were no harmful spells on any of the trunks or their contents, or any notification wards. The trunks were identified by owner's name on the Room's list rather than just the initials visible on the trunks. Sirius Black, Creevey, Riddle, and 3 Smiths stood out on the list - the Smiths all matched names of orphans that had possibly been very likely not to have been named Doe as their parents' names were different from their last.
"Why wouldn't Sirius Black have mentioned losing a trunk to you? Being expelled or pressured to quit would have been a big deal…"
Harry shrugged as he stared at the black dragonhide covered trunk that bore a silver medallion with SB over the lock, with silver handles on the ends and side. "Memory charms? It's not empty, so I don't think he ditched it on purpose to get a new one. And it's near the middle - when did Luke Smith leave?"
Neville consulted the list of withdrawn students. "1978."
Harry sighed, "Just have to see if there is anything written inside that will tell us. Looks like there is at least something charmed like their Map was. And it looks like expensive things and a lot of galleons, so maybe he stowed it here himself, the summer before he ran away. But you'd think he'd at least mentioned it to me or Remus…"
Neville shrugged, "Those handles are real silver. Maybe that would be enough not to mention it, or maybe he hid it somewhere else and thought someone else got it."
Harry nodded, "Just wish I could write and ask him. But from the way this all looks…" Harry sighed, "So from the top."
They carefully levitated the top trunk down, and brought it out of the Lost & Found, into the main room, along with the list the Room had made. They levitated out each item, placing them on a long white sheet that appeared, laying them from left to right starting with the upper most layers. No spells went off and no traps were sprung. The contents smelled slightly musty as if the preservation charms on the trunk were failing. When the trunk was empty, Neville used the x-ray charm Binns had taught them when they were exploring the experimental lab in the Chamber of Secrets, but despite the name the charm found what was hidden. It had been developed and well used by an American Cursebreaker by the name of Jones in early part of the century, hence the misleading name. The charm discovered papers secreted in the lining of the trunk.
oOo
A link to the old http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2377862/1/
C 30
The stack of trunks closest to the door was the one with the least dust & newest styles of trunks. Neville started detection spells on each trunk, making notes as he went down the stack. Harry began to look for wards on the floor around the stack. After making his way halfway around the stack Harry bopped himself on the head, "I require a list of any magic on or from each trunk, and on the stack and surrounding area. I also require a list of any physical traps or tricks, and any notification methods. Um, and contents of the trunks would be nice too, unless that would set off something…"
A list detailing the contents and curses on each trunk appeared on a large easel next to the stack.
Neville shrugged, "At least I can see if I missed anything."
According to the list, there were no harmful spells on any of the trunks or their contents, or any notification wards. The trunks were identified by owner's name on the Room's list rather than just the initials visible on the trunks. Sirius Black, Creevey, Riddle, and 3 Smiths stood out on the list - the Smiths all matched names of orphans that had possibly been very likely not to have been named Doe as their parents' names were different from their last.
"Why wouldn't Sirius Black have mentioned losing a trunk to you? Being expelled or pressured to quit would have been a big deal…"
Harry shrugged as he stared at the black dragonhide covered trunk that bore a silver medallion with SB over the lock, with silver handles on the ends and side. "Memory charms? It's not empty, so I don't think he ditched it on purpose to get a new one. And it's near the middle - when did Luke Smith leave?"
Neville consulted the list of withdrawn students. "1978."
Harry sighed, "Just have to see if there is anything written inside that will tell us. Looks like there is at least something charmed like their Map was. And it looks like expensive things and a lot of galleons, so maybe he stowed it here himself, the summer before he ran away. But you'd think he'd at least mentioned it to me or Remus…"
Neville shrugged, "Those handles are real silver. Maybe that would be enough not to mention it, or maybe he hid it somewhere else and thought someone else got it."
Harry nodded, "Just wish I could write and ask him. But from the way this all looks…" Harry sighed, "So from the top."
They carefully levitated the top trunk down, and brought it out of the Lost & Found, into the main room, along with the list the Room had made. They levitated out each item, placing them on a long white sheet that appeared, laying them from left to right starting with the upper most layers. No spells went off and no traps were sprung. The contents smelled slightly musty as if the preservation charms on the trunk were failing. When the trunk was empty, Neville used the x-ray charm Binns had taught them when they were exploring the experimental lab in the Chamber of Secrets, but despite the name the charm found what was hidden. It had been developed and well used by an American Cursebreaker by the name of Jones in early part of the century, hence the misleading name. The charm discovered papers secreted in the lining of the trunk.
oOo