Infamous. (for Kerridon)

[cruzdevera]

Opening the cover a long list of names in alphabetical order appeared in bright gold scrawling handwriting. The names continued for over thirty pages. Where to start. Where to start. Cruz mumbled to himself, looking at the little description of what each wizard was infamous for next to the name.

Almost as soon as he opened the book he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He wasn’t sure if it was what he was about to read or someone was watching him… Just as he expected a disembodied voice interrupted his train of thought. Cruz slowly raised his eyes to the boy, “Just browsing,” he said slowly, shutting the book and raising it into the boys’ hands.

Cruz lifted himself up from his current position and began to search the books for another title with a name more interesting than the latter. Realizing the boy was trying to get his attention once again, Cruz tried to contain the annoyed face that he felt beginning to appear, “Well, if I didn’t know before, you have informed me,” he said with a little smirk, not taking his eyes off the books in front of him. The boy still seemed to be going strong with what seemed to be a conversation when Cruz finally took his eyes off the book.

“Cruz DeVera,” he said, turning to the boy with an outstretched hand. “Transferred here from Durmstrang about a week ago. And you are?”

[Kerridon Paradox]

Kerridon nodded as the Gyffindor handed the book to him. "Thank you, I appreciate it." He did indeed - it would save him a trip to Knockturn Alley. Although he could probably explain himself to D'rorah or another who knew about his research, it was still not the best place to be seen, and maintain a reputation as a perfectionist Ravenclaw with not much if anything to do with the dark side of magic.

“Well, if I didn’t know before, you have informed me.”

That one sentence, combined with the small smirk that came with it, completed Kerridon's assesment of the boy. Arrogant. A Gryffindor. Zane was right - they really did just ignore danger to gain their apparent brave instincts.

"If the Librarian spots you in this section without a signed note from a teacher, it will lessen any chance you have of being officially allowed access. I am Kerridon Paradox, 6th year Ravenclaw. Welcome to Hogwarts Mr DeVera."

[cruzdevera]

“It’s a pleasure,” he said with a brief nod. The Ravenclaw boy continued a lengthy reason why Cruz shouldn’t be in the current position he was in. Cruz began with a shrug, “I’m guessing this is a restricted section, of course,” he rolled his eyes, letting out a sigh. “All the interesting would be in this section, wouldn’t they?”

Cruz had taken the opportunity to glance at some of the books upon coming into the library. They were all research type books with long names, but nothing interesting between the two leather bound covers. They were the type of monotonous books a teacher would make you write a research paper on after you bewitched her chair to move out from under her every time she sat. A far off smile crossed Cruz’s face at the thought, but he shook it away, back to the present.

“I suppose you have a note,” Cruz said, with interest, “I’d probably only be able to obtain one for a type of research project of some sort, right?” The cover was a fading red with Deadly Beasts And Where To Find Them. The book was definitely not as interesting as the other one he had picked up, but he had supposed he could make do.

“What do you need that book for anyway?” Cruz caught himself being rude and corrected himself, “I mean if you’re not browsing what you’re looking for must be pretty important,” he said with an apologetic smile, crossing to the velvet rope and unclasping it to let the other boy through.

[Kerridon Paradox]

A smile played on Kerridon's lips at Cruz's comment on all the "interesting" books being in the restricted section. Personally, he agreed, but he wasn't going to admit that anytime soon.

"I'm sure there are plenty of equally fascinating tomes in the normal library, which are slightly smaller in size and with less graphic illustrations," he replied, lightly hinting. He did not like having his research space invaded by an ignorant transfer student when he could be engrossed in the book in his hands right now.

“I suppose you have a note. I’d probably only be able to obtain one for a type of research project of some sort, right?”

"A research project does help, but if you prove yourself to be a meticulous student with a particular interest in certain, darker areas of magic, or, to be more precise, defence against these dark arts, then you may find it is simpler to get an unlimited access note, which is what I and several other students have."

"I would advise you to put that book back where you found it," Kerridon said as the Gryffindor led the way to the velvet rope, gesturing at the faded red title in Cruz's hands. "There are spells to prevent students from removing books from the library without permission, even more so when it comes to those books in the Restricted Section."

Kerridon reluctantly went through as Cruz stood back for him, as he knew that it would be seen as rude to simply leave half way through a conversation. He tucked 'Notorious Wizards' into his bag and shut the straps so no one else could get to it - he'd loan it out when he left the library.

“What do you need that book for anyway? I mean if you’re not browsing what you’re looking for must be pretty important.”

"It supposedly contains some details on a certain dark wizard who attempted to create the opposite of the spell I am currently trying to create, which I thought might be useful in my research to find a way to get past the problems I have encountered. It is not important as such, but hopefully will become an important discovery if I succeed."

[cruzdevera]

"I'm sure there are plenty of equally fascinating tomes in the normal library, which are slightly smaller in size and with less graphic illustrations."

Cruz raised an eyebrow at the boy’s comment, but decided that he would leave it alone for the time being. “I’ve gotten over the smaller sized books years ago, when I was three,” he gave a slight laugh. The boy was really starting to bother him and his kindness was slowly fading.

"A research project does help, but if you prove yourself to be a meticulous student with a particular interest in certain, darker areas of magic, or, to be more precise, defence against these dark arts, then you may find it is simpler to get an unlimited access note, which is what I and several other students have."

Between the babble, Cruz let out a little yawn. And after Kerridon’s brag, he made sure to comment; “I’ll keep that in mind.” The boy was obviously too full of himself and hadn’t had anyone tell him so in a very long while.

"I would advise you to put that book back where you found it.”

Cruz was a little surprised at the boys’ gal, but made sure not to show it on his face. “I’ll make sure to do that when I’m done reading it.” He had forgotten the book was even in his hands in the first place and really had no interest in it at all. But with this little guy telling him what to do, he couldn’t help but get a little brash.

"There are spells to prevent students from removing books from the library without permission, even more so when it comes to those books in the Restricted Section."

“Really,” Cruz said, becoming bored with the boy, “Well, I’m not planning to take it out of the library. But for thanks for that little tidbit of information.” Wanting to drop the rope on the boy as he went under, Cruz contained his anger and remained holding it up as the boy went through. "Are you sure you're not the librarian? Because I'm sure she would be able to tell me all this, when I checked the book out myself," he added, feeling himself begin to lose control.

"It supposedly contains some details…”

The boy went off on another tangent, which caused Cruz to finally roll his eyes, “Has anyone ever told you that you are the most pompous person they have ever met?” he asked, in a manner where it was just like any normal question. “Well let me be the first to tell you.” Tired of the boy Cruz set down at the nearest table and began browsing his less interesting book.

[Kerridon Paradox]

As he spoke Kerridon could feel Cruz's attention waning, which annoyed him more than a little. If you engaged in conversation, you were supposed to listen to what the other was saying.

"Are you sure you're not the librarian? Because I'm sure she would be able to tell me all this, when I checked the book out myself."

"Then she will ask for a note for permission to be in the Restricted Section, since that is where that book is from. When you are unable to produce one you are likely to get a detention, which is not a good start at Hogwarts," he explained cooly, irritated with the Gryffindor. The older boy seemed determined to either ignore him or defy his advice, and frankly Kerridon was getting tired of it.

“Has anyone ever told you that you are the most pompous person they have ever met? Well let me be the first to tell you.”

Kerridon was silent for a few moments before answering. “I have been informed by others that they do not like my manner,” he replied quietly, his voice underlain with menace. “But I do not view it necessary to alter how I speak or act to please others. Good day, Mister DeVera.”

Unhooking the velvet rope he re-entered the Restricted Section, his mind by a curious coincidence now residing on the matter of a secure place in the castle or grounds to continue his research experiments. He seemed to have plenty of people to choose from now - Mister Maravon, Miss Keele, Mister Bellefleur and now Mister DeVera. All had annoyed him in one way or another and he could think of no better way to put them to use than as guinea pigs for his experiments. Sitting down at his table, Kerridon took 'Notorious Wizards' out of his bag. Flicking through, he found the page he needed and started reading, all thoughts of the new Gryffindor put aside for the moment.