18 Promise Under the Moon (1/2)
********************************************
I have a confession to make:
There was suppose to be two chapters yesterday, but I got distracted by two sets of soft, tender pillows, which caused me to be otherwise occupied for the rest of the day. If you are a man you will understand.
So here is a really long chapter to make up for it.
*********************************************
After classes were over for the rest of the day, Harry and Ron went to go see Hagrid for afternoon tea, Hermione went back to the common room to finish the homework that had been assigned during the week, and Nova went into the library to find something to read. As he walked in he was greeted by the librarian, Ms. Pince and then went to the a corner and sat down after pulling out the nearest book and started reading. Now Nova did this often so no one found it strange to see him sitting in the same spot for hours on end, and seeing how it was still the first week the library was still relatively on the empty side. Harry and Ron had asked Nova what he was doing in there and Nova had told them reading. But what was really doing was getting himself acclimated to the world. So far in this first week Nova had gone through much of the libraries content involving the history and cultures of the different races. And even though he had the ability to speak any language, he still spent an afternoon familiar rising himself with mermish, goblin speak, dwarvish, elvish and a dozen of other languages that he found interesting.
When it came time to go to dinner, Nova got up and stretched. He put the stack of books back where they belonged and grabbed a few dozen more that had some relation to the homework that was assigned and the ones he felt would help Hermione out later. He went to the circulation desk and had Ms. Pince take care of the process before storing the books with a wave of his hand into the ring, before walking out.
As he stepped into the Great Hall, he saw some of the teachers were up on the teacher table eating, then when he walked over to Gryffindor's table, he was greeted with the sight of Harry and Ron stuffing themselves, which Nova found strange seeing how they had just came from afternoon tea and cakes. When he looked for Hermione, Nova found that she wasn't present and found that she had already eaten and had headed back.
As dinner ended, Nova stacked his empty plates in front of himself in neat stacks of ten. Which earned him a few pop eyed looks at the amount of food he consumed. When Nova walked into the common room, found Hermione sitting in a corner trying to write a paper on the basics of transfiguration that McGonagall had wanted.
”Need any help? I already finished mine.” Nova asked.
”No. I got it.” Hermione told him curtly.
”Ok. But I did bring back a few books that I think might help you out.” Nova told her while bringing out the stack of books that he had checked out.
”Your the one who checked these out?” Hermione looked up amazed and annoyed at the same time. ”I had spent ages looking for them after eating.”
Hermione then took one of the books and started to browse through them. At the same time, Harry and Ron walked in.
”What are you two doing?” Harry asked.
”Homework.” Nova replied. ”Shouldn't you be doing the same?” He looked over and saw Ron taking out a box of figurines.
”I will after a game of chess.” he replied. ”Want to play?”
”How do you play?” Nova asked.
Seeing that he was interested Ron quickly informed Nova of the rules, ”Sounds easy enough. How about a bet to make it more entertaining.”
”What kind of bet.” Ron asked cautiously.
”Lets see . . . How about if I win you and Harry immediately do your homework, and if you win, I will let you copy my homework.”
”Nova! You can't do that.” Hermione quickly said as she looked up with a disapproving frown.
”Sure he can Granger. Have you ever played before Nova?” Ron asked.
”Nope. But please don't hold back.” Nova said giving a small wink to Hermione.
”Very well, you can go first.” Ron said excitedly.
*****************
Seven minutes later
*****************
”Checkmate” Nova said calmly. He then looked at Ron, who had his mouth wide enough to swallow an owl.
”I thought you said, you never played before.” Ron said.
”I haven't. Must be beginners luck.”
”Nova play me again.” Ron said quickly.
Nova just shook his head, ”No remember the bet. You said that you and Harry would do your homework. Come find me after you done. If you need any help, I brought some books from the library that might be of some use.”
With a huff, Ron sat down, still trying to figure out how he lost.
”Granger, let me see your notes” Ron said after 5 minutes of work.
”No, remember by yourself. You should have taken better notes. But here this book should help.” Hermione said as she passed over one of the larger books in the pile.
Nova watched as Ron just turned dead eyed and slowly read through the book and tried not to laugh at Ron's plight.
Nova then got on a sofa and slowly went to sleep.
When Nova woke up, he saw that the common room was mostly empty and aside from Nova and the house elves that were cleaning. Has he stood up, Nova gave a light stretch and then looked at the clock. It was 11. So Nova went and changed his clothing to something a bit more comfortable then the robes, and headed to the Astronomy tower. As he walked through the castle this late at night, he moved along as quickly as he could to avoid any unnecessary trouble.
When he got to the tower, Nova was greeted by a beautiful sight. When Nova walked in the room, he saw a ghost that had a sinful body with hair that reached her waist. The air around her seemed like one of a scholar lost in thought as she floated around looking at the stars and moon. This was the Grey Lady.
”Beautiful. Isn't it.” Nova said as he walked up next to the ghost and stood next to her.
The Grey Lady just hovered there in silence. As Nova looked more closely at her, he could see that she had a sadness in her gaze and from what he could tell she was much older than the other ghost that occupied the castle. As he stood gazing at her the only thing he could think of was that it was a shame that a beauty such as herself could have died so young.
After a moment of silence, ”My name is . . .” Nova began to say.
”I know who you are Nova Void. There isn't a being in this castle who doesn't know you.” The Grey Lady coldly said. ”Especially after what you did to the Sorting Hat.”
Nova just nodded his head in agreement, even though nobody said anything to him, Nova could see the intrigue and fear that some people had when looking at him but Nova didn't care.
”That is actually why I am here. Well somewhat of a reason.” Nova began to say, ”I spoke with Nearly Headless Nick and he said that you might be able to help.”
The Grey Lady just continued to look at the moon, so Nova continued, ”I am looking for a room suitable for forging and crafting, one that is not easily found so I do not have to be interrupted. Can you help me?”
”I see nothing in it for me and you are not even a student of my house of Ravenclaw.” The Grey Lady said, ”So I find no reason to help you. Good bye.” And turned around to leave. As she started to float off, Nova said, ”Now wait a minute. I am in need of your assistance still.” And reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her back to him.
*******************
The Grey Lady POV
*******************