Chapter 54: Restricted Section

'No....no....not gonna help at all....what is a magical cake? Interesting, but no....'

'These books don't seem like they will help me. I want something that pushes the boundary on what is safe and sane. Recipe for magical cake won't help me.'

I move to the next shelf in hopes of finally finding something. I even skipped lunch for this…..

"What are you doing?" Asks a voice from behind me.

I turn around to find Hermione.

"Trying to find some interesting spells to learn."

"Like what exactly. I have watching you for over an hour now. All you do is pick up a book, look at a couple pages, then put it back."

"Something a bit dange- risky. Something that gives a thrill when accomplished."

"You were going to say dangerous weren't you." She narrows her eyes at me.

'... Should I tell her?.... It would be proved within a second if just tell her. All my doubts, all questions, answered. Just tell her.'

"What are you spacing out for?"

"...….Nothing. Nothing at all."

'No, I can't. If even the slightest possibility exists, I can't do it.'

"Then tell me, why are you looking for dangerous spells? You know you shouldn't try them out without a professor's guidance. They can hurt you. Or do you want to hurt somebody else? Don't do it, if you hurt someone you will face detention, or maybe you will be expelled. You can't get expelled when you have jus-"

"Stop! Stop there. Take a deep breath. Now, I am not looking to hurt anybody with the spells. You can say I just want the thrill of doing a hard spell successfully."

"Hmmm I get that it feels nice to accomplish something hard, but you can get hurt. You can still do it by asking a professor to teach you."

"Yeah, I can do that."

'Better to just agree for now.'

"Good. And if you truly want hard ones, then I guess the restricted section would have them. Though I have asked and you need a teacher's permission for that."

"…Hermione, you are a genius."

'How did I not think of that?'

"I am?.. Of course, I am. Nice to see you finally realize it. Okay, now I have to go or else I will be late for class. Though I guess you wouldn't understand how that works."

"See you later."

As soon as she leaves, I make a beeline for the restricted section.

'I will surely find something th-'

"Mr. Patil"

"God damn it.!"

"Yes Professor." I ask with a smile on your face.

"Where do you think you are going?"

"To that area over there. I need a book from one of the shelves there."

"Oh really, which one? Tell me and I can get it for you."

"Haha, no need for that Professor. I will get it myself."

"Okay, I just hope that shelf isn't in the restricted section."

'How does she know?'

"Hehehe, I mean, are books really meant to be restricted and stuff? Shouldn't knowledge be allowed to spread freely, especially in a place meant for education? Restricting access to books is certainly not a good practice."

"Mr. Patil, the books in the restricted section require a Professor's permission slip to be viewed. If you have one, then I can get it for you. Otherwise, you are not allowed to enter there."

"Okay. Then can I get a permission slip Professor?" I ask with my best puppy dog eyes.

"No."

"At least think! You just replied straight away."

"Because I am not going to give you a permission slip, nor will any other teacher. The books in there are way above what first-years can practice. Even if you try to read it, it will be like looking at random words that don't make sense. They are of no use to you right now."

"But I just want t-…. Fine. I will not go in there. You are right Professor, those books are way above my level. I'll just stick to beginner charms for now." I say that and get away from there.

'Time for a night heist.'

****************************

*Creak*

I look back to see if anyone is woken by the noise of the door. At this point, I am kind getting used to sneaking out without alerting anybody.

I quietly slip out and make my way to the library. And this time, I don't have to break any doors to enter since the door isn't even locked. A simple push and I am in.

'Though I guess nobody is going to break curfew and risk detention to look at books.'

I make my way over to the back where the restricted section is.

'I just hope there isn't any barrier stuff here.'

I reach out my hand first to test the waters, and when it safely passes the boundary without and resistance, I step in.

The place suddenly feels a bit colder, as if the temperature dropped a few degrees.

'The restricted section is actually quite big. I expected a shelf or two but there are quite a lot here.'

After taking a moment, I quickly approach the nearest shelf and start my search.

'Dark Arts for the Vile...… Make Them Scream in Misery...….. How to Brew Immortality.... Time, Beware of Changing it...… Necrotic Weavings: The Art of Life and Death Manipulation'

'Okay, they sound awesome. But none of these books are what I am looking for. They all are for harming others, I want something to harm 'myself'.'

I continue my search, going through one book after other. While being careful not to touch ones that seem booby trapped, like the monster book.

Most of these titles make even me get goosebumps. There IS a reason it is restricted section.

'Flesh Alchemy: The Philosopher's Other Stone...….. Mastering Parsel Enchantments..... The Forsaken Runes...…. Secrets of Vitality, Blood and Flesh...'

'No, these are al- wait a second.'

I pick up the last book again and read through it.

The book details a way to pour magic into your blood and muscles, in an attempt to strengthen it. It seems to be a very volatile magic, with any disturbance making the veins burst and resulting in muscles rupturing.

'This might be the one. Let me see, does not need any other complex knowledge, no need for any expensive or rare materials, no need to wait for some moon phase, and can be deathly if done wrong.'

'This might really be it. I can feel it.'

I quickly take the book and make my way back, careful not to wake anybody up.

'Tomorrow is a big day.'

///////////////////////////////////////////

A/N: Bit late, so there will another chapter. I ended up getting in the flow and wrote it a big longer.