A Queen Will Rise

Chapter Twenty Two- Questions In The Library

Calliope woke up with an extremely sore neck. She had fell asleep on an arm chair inside her trunk. It was the Yule holidays and she had said goodbye to Theo and went to have a long bath before settling g down to read a book.

The previous months passed with nothing more exciting than classed and Callie rather enjoyed her trouble free time. It appeared that Slytherin house had learned their lesson.

Carrow, though, had surprised her. He could have ignored her entire existence but instead he was with her almost as much as Theodore.

At least once a week he would join the two in the library. Sometimes he would do his homework and other times he would discuss runes with Callie.

Calliope accepted the help because she was curious to see what he wanted but so far all that he'd done was work.

Callie stretched and went to shower. She was very happy to have time to herself. If she could, she would spend all of her time in her trunk. Unfortunately this wasn't allowed and Calliope had to, at the very least, eat lunch with everyone who had stayed in the castle.

Dumbledore decided to remove the four house tables and replace it for a circular table that would seat students and staff. Not many chose to stay for Yule.

Calliope chose to sit next to Quirrell. For some reason, the man's magic was comforting. She had the feeling that he used just as many masks as she did.

She finished her lunch rather quickly and headed to the library. Due to the library being empty, Callie could explore the books to her hearts content. Besides the restricted section but oh well. She'd make do with what she has.

Calliope chose a table in the furthest corner from the door. She quickly established a routine and she was happy for the minimal human contact she had.

"Calliope..."

She lifted her head up and looked towards where the voice came from.

"Professor," she said

"I called you twice and you didn't notice" the professor raised his eyebrow in a way that suggested he wanted to know why she didn't hear him.

"Oh, sorry Sir, I was completely absorbed in my reading"

Quirrell pulled out his wand and conjured an arm chair that was similar to the one Callie was in.

"Magical Forms of Defense Volume ii, I never thought I'd see the day when a first year reads that book, let alone understands it. Is there a reason you're in here instead of playing in the snow?"

"I'm not a very social person sir" she didn't know why but she felt like masks weren't necessarily needed around this man.

"Oh, is that so? From what I've seen, Nott is basically your shadow and Carrow seems to enjoy your presence as well."

She knew that Snape watched her but Quirrell Observations had gone unnoticed. She didn't quite understand why he would watch her.

"I had no idea you payed such attention to me Professor. Tell me sir, did you go to Hogwarts?"

"Yes" Quirrell answered even if he was slightly confused as to how that question was relevant to his.

"And which house were you in Sir?"

Quirrell took a few seconds to answer and Callie was expecting him to say Ravenclaw but he actually caught her by surprise.

"Slytherin"

"Then you must now how things in Slytherin work Sir; Alliances, Power, Masks, Appearances. Those are the basics that run the house. Theodore father is in Azkaban because he wouldn't deny his involvement with the Dark Lord. That kind of loyalty is admirable but his family also suffered. They lost half of everything they owned and all their 'friends' turned their backs on them. After all, they spent thousands to avoid prison. So they teach their children who to hate, leaving young Theo with nobody. Don't you think it's natural for him to become close with someone in a similar situation?"