Young Writers Society

Sherlock opened one of the two large finely crafted oak doors that lead into the Grand Library of Cambroxzen. The library was huge, the size of it still captivated Sherlock, just like it did when he first stepped foot into it thirteen years ago. The Grand Library occupied three of the eight floors of medieval castle it was in. There were tables and bookshelves made of fine oak as far as the eye could see. The bookshelves contained a plethora of books covering various different subject matters, from charms to potion brewing to transmutation and to care for magical plants. The afternoon sunlight floated in to the grand library through the many large windows it had.

As soon as Sherlock entered the Grand Library, he made his way to the front desk which was located on the left side of the Grand Library’s entrance. Since classes were still on for the day, the library was devoid of students. The front desk had only one person working at it, librarian Jocasta Hollingsworth-who was a friend of Sherlock from their days of going to Cambroxzen together. Jocasta had a slim figure and was a bit on the shorter side, her long dark brown hair was tied into a high ponytail.

“Nice outfit you’re wearing today Sherlock,” complemented a smiling Jocasta on Sherlock’s choice of clothes for the day, which was a dark brown wool sport coat worn over a light brown coloured sweater along with a pair of black pants.

Sherlock smiled in return. “Thanks for the complement, Jocasta,” thanked Sherlock.

“So what can I do for you Sherlock?” asked Jocasta who still had a smile on her face from behind the main desk. “Need me to extend the loan period for Magical Artefacts of Asia and Howard Cartright: Unearthing Tukhathazun ?

“No need for that Jocasta,” replied Sherlock as he shook his head. “I actually need the key to restricted section.”

Jocasta’s blue eyes widened slightly. “The restricted section? What do you need to get from down there?” queried the curious young librarian.

“I need to do some research on Cambroxzen’s early history and on its grounds,” answered Sherlock giving no more information than that.

Jocasta took out her golden-toned wand and proceeded to place it next to a drawer on the main desk. “Fientes,” chanted Jocasta. Her wand let out a faint yellow spark, unlocking the lock of the drawer in which the key to the restricted area was kept in. Jocasta pulled open the drawer and proceeded to take out a gold key that was intricately made, which she subsequently handed over to Sherlock.

“Thanks Jocasta,” said Sherlock with a smile as he kept the key in his inner coat’s pocket. “Have a good day.”

“You too Sherlock,” replied Jocasta with a warm smile from behind the large oak main desk. “Hope you can find what you’re looking for down there.”

“Me too,” remarked Sherlock. Sherlock left the main desk of the Grand Library and took a right to where the door to the restricted section was located at. Sherlock walked pass a row of large oak bookshelves which flanked him on both sides before reaching his destination. As soon as Sherlock reached the door that led to restricted section, he reached into his coat’s inner pocket and took out the gold key that would give him access to the lower level. Sherlock put the key into the keyhole and proceeded to turn the key, opening the old oak door.

Sherlock closed the door behind him before walking down a spiral staircase that was lit by torches that was attached to the sides of the spiral stairwell, torches which were enchanted to be automatically lit when someone opened the door. Sherlock walked down the spiral staircase carefully before reaching another door at the base of the stairwell which he opened using the key he was given.

The restricted section of the library unlike the two main levels of the Grand Library had few windows. Sunlight crept through them, but it was not enough to illuminate the entire level of the restricted section, necessitating the use of ornately made lamps which hung from the ceiling. The air in the restricted section was also stale and slightly dusty. Like the two main levels of the Grand Library, there were rows and rows of books, covering various different subjects which the younger students were not suppose to learn until their later years, or at all. There were also a few study desk that the academic staff and older students with permission could use to carry out their research. Sherlock was walking over to the map room where they kept the ancient maps of Cambroxzen and its grounds when he bumped into a fellow staff member, Charles Warrington.

“Hello Sherlock,” greeted Charles with a warm and friendly tone. “What are you doing down here?” asked Charles with a typical British accent. Charles was in his late forties , he was lanky and had dark brown hair that was thinning at the front.

“Mister Warrington, fancy meeting you down here, out of all places. I’m just down here to do some research on Cambroxzen’s grounds,” answered Sherlock to his former Martial Magic and Protection Against Black Magic lecturer.

“Now what did I tell you about calling me Mister Warrington in a non-formal setting?” asked Charles as he placed a friendly hand on Sherlock’s shoulder.

“Not to do it,” replied Sherlock with a smile

“Exactly,” answered Charles with a smile on his face.

“So what are you doing down here Charles?” queried Charles’ former student.

“I came to borrow some books,” answered Charles, “these two books to be precise.” Charles took out two books from his black leather sling bag and showed them to Sherlock. Sherlock looked at the title of the books. One was titled Darkest Creatures of the East and the other was Vile Curses from the East.

“What do you need these books for?” asked Sherlock as he gave the two books back to his former lecturer.

“For my fourth year Protection Against Black Magic class. I’m going to teach them about the dark threats that lurks throughout the Asian continent.”

“Sounds like its going to be an interesting class,” opined Sherlock. “If you need any sources on Dark Wizards of Witches of Asia, I could loan you my copy of Atrocious Wizards and Witches of Asia.”

“That’s a generous offer Sherlock, I’ll probably take you up on your offer. Sherlock, since you’re here, could I ask a favour from you?” asked Charles as he put back the two books he borrowed into his bag.

“Sure thing Charles. Ask away.”

“How would you like to help me with a dueling tutorial I have to give the first year students?” asked Charles. “If I remember correctly, you were quite the dueler in your school days.”

Sherlock was flattered by his former lecturer’s comment on his dueling skill. “I would love to help you. When is it ?”

Charles clasped his hands together, clearly delighted. “Excellent. It’s this Friday night at 8.30 in the dueling practice hall. Anyways I should be going, and I’ve kept you long enough from what you have to do. See you this Friday night Sherlock.” Charles wished his former student goodbye and a good day before making his way to the door that led out of the restricted section of the Grand Library.

Once Charles had left, Sherlock continued towards the map room which was located on the right corner of the restricted section. As soon as Sherlock entered the room, he immediately began taking out the maps carefully from the old oak drawers that they were stored in and placed it on a large desk located at the center of the room. Sherlock proceeded to take a seat and began going through the maps using a revealing charm to try and reveal anything hidden on the map. After going through a pile a maps, some stretching back all the way to the 17th century, to the time Cambroxzen was created on an artificial island of the coast of Britain with the magic of its four founders, Sherlock was all about ready to give up and call it a day. Maybe it is all just a myth and the gem is not buried here, mused Sherlock.

“Sherlock, how’s the research coming along?” came a friendly recognizable female voice from behind Sherlock. Sherlock nearly jumped out of his chair upon hearing his name being called. He turned around to see Shauna standing behind him, eager to hear what the young lecturer had to say.

“Shauna, you scared me,” said Sherlock as he placed his right hand over his fast beating heart.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” apologized Shauna as she sat down next to Sherlock. “So found anything yet?” asked Shauna.

Sherlock let out a sigh of defeat as he shook his head. “No, I haven’t found anything yet. I’ll probably do one more before calling it a day.” Sherlock looked at the pile of maps that he had not inspected yet and decided to choose an old looking map which sides were slightly tattered and torn.

“Interesting, this map does not have any sort of initials on who made it,” said Sherlock to Shauna who was also looking at the map. The map that Sherlock had chose to inspect last was old, it was missing most points of interest that even 18th century Cambroxzen already had. Sherlock took out his chestnut wand and used the revealing charm on the map by tapping on it. A whitish ripple emanated from the center of the map where Sherlock’s wand made contact with the map. The ripple spread all across the map and soon revealed a red dot, a red dot which hovered over the Enchanted Forest which was located west on the island Cambroxzen was situated on.

“That might be something right there. We should check it out.” said Shauna with a hint of excitement in her voice as she pointed to the red dot on the map.

“We should definitely check it out,” said Sherlock, supporting Shauna. “How about this weekend?”

“Deal,” said Shauna with a look of excitement on her face.