At the top of the steps stood a heavy oak door. It had no keyhole, only a silver relief of the Black family crest.
Sirius pressed his palm against the crest. It glowed faintly and gave a soft click, then the door slowly swung inward.
"Welcome to the Black family's vault," Sirius said with a sarcastic wave. "Or the library of a madhouse.
"Take a look around. I'll wait upstairs—the air down here brings back too many unpleasant memories."
He turned and climbed the stairs without waiting for Will's reply. His footsteps faded, then vanished into the darkness.
Will stood alone at the entrance to the Book Repository. He took a deep breath and went in.
At first glance, he thought he had entered a cavern swallowed by books.
The space was larger than he had imagined—at least two-thirds the size of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. The ceiling rose so high it nearly vanished into darkness, though the many crystal orbs kept the room from being engulfed by it.
The shelves were not arranged in neat rows. They stood in chaotic clusters.
Some were exquisite ebony inlaid with silver patterns; others were rough stone shelves cut straight into the walls. Still others were twisted metal structures resembling the skeletons of living creatures.
There were more books than Will could imagine in a family library.
They rose from floor to ceiling, filling almost every available space. Some stood in neat rows, their gilt titles glinting in the dim light.
Others were piled into precarious towers. Still others were chained to specially made shelves, their covers pulsing with an ominous glow.
Will stepped into the sea of books, his heart surging with excitement.
The air was cold and dry. The black marble floor had largely been kept in excellent condition, but