Madam Pince's expression as she stared at Herman could be roughly translated as, "Finally caught red-handed."
Herman's heart pounded twice in his chest, and a fine layer of cold sweat broke out on his back.
He then realized that this was the Restricted Section.
It was obvious that the larger numbered bookshelves were located at the very back of the library, separated by this iron gate. The books inside were not allowed to be borrowed by students; it was Restricted Section. To enter and read the books, one needed a professor's signed permission.
I should have realized this sooner. How could a book that records body modification and the ability to attach Fantastic Beasts to wizards be placed where students can easily see it?
The book Professor Malin mentioned was in the Restricted Section. Damn it, they should have said it was in the Restricted Section earlier!
With Madam Pince still in front of him, Herman, though his mind was racing, didn't stop talking either. He quickly tried to explain, keeping his tone as calm as possible. "No, no, I just accidentally bumped into the fence. I wasn't looking for forbidden books, I was looking for..."
His gaze shifted from Madam Pince's stern face and quickly swept over the nearest row of bookshelves.
A sign hangs on the side of the bookshelf that reads: Fantastic Beasts Section.
"I'm looking for some books on Fantastic Beasts," Herman casually remarked, speaking a little faster than usual, with an earnestness that suggested, "I really am here to read." "I'm planning to research the Ashwinder; Professor Quirrell mentioned it in class last time, and I thought it was quite interesting."
Madam Pince didn't speak, she just stared at him.
Those eyes narrowed slightly behind the glasses, their gaze sweeping back and forth across Herman's face twice, as if trying to discern whether Herman was telling the truth or lying.
Several seconds passed before she let out a very soft hum from her nose, it was unclear whether she believed it or not.
" The Fantastic Beasts section is up ahead." Her voice remained icy as she pointed behind her with her wand. "The snakes are in the third row, on the right."
Herman nodded quickly. "Yes, thank you, Madam."
He sidestepped Madam Pince and walked in the direction she pointed, his pace much faster than when he had come.
Madam Pince did not return to the counter, but stood there, her gaze following him from the narrow aisle between the bookshelves all the way to the snakes section.
Herman could feel that gaze glued to his back, as if he were nailed to it by something, and he couldn't shake it off no matter what he did.
He could only actually walk up to the snake-themed bookshelf and pretend to search through the rows of books.
My fingers swept over the books: "Illustrated Guide to Snakes of the British Isles," "A Brief Explanation of Parseltongue," and "Common Snake Venoms and Antidotes." Finally, I found a fairly thick encyclopedia of snakes on the bottom shelf.
Herman pulled out the book, flipped through a couple of pages, and found it full of information about the habits, distribution, and toxicity of various snakes. The illustrations were black and white line drawings, which were quite detailed.
He closed the book, held it in his hand, and turned to walk towards the counter.
As I passed Madam Pince, she was still standing there. Herman's gaze shifted from his face to the cover of the book, and he nodded slightly after confirming the title.
"Register."
Herman followed her to the counter and wrote his name and the book title in the borrowing register. His handwriting was a little messier than usual, but still legible.
Madam Pince glanced at the registration information and pushed the book in front of him.
"Closing time is approaching, I have other things to do, I'll come again tomorrow."
Herman nodded, picked up the encyclopedia of snakes, and turned to walk towards the door.
Madam Pince didn't say anything more, but Herman could hear her footsteps following him all the way to the door.
He walked out of the library, and Madam Pince closed the wooden door behind him from the inside with a crisp, soft sound.
The candlelight in the corridor was dimmer than when we arrived, and the night wind blew in through the cracks in the high windows, causing the candle flames to flicker slightly.
Herman stood at the library entrance, glancing down at the encyclopedia of snakes in his hand.
This tattered book was useless, and he had no intention of actually studying the Ashwinder, but at least Madam Pince didn't press him further, and he wasn't caught entering the Restricted Section.
The mission failed, but they escaped unscathed.
He leaned against the stone wall of the corridor for a while, going over the experience in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more his head ached.
Professor Malin set herself a big challenge: the Restricted Section.
First, there's the question of how to get in. I don't know what kind of magic is on the fence, and once I'm inside, I'll have to find the book. It'll probably take quite a while to search for it; it's not something I can just do once I'm inside.
It's somewhat difficult, mainly because I've never done it before and have no experience.
Herman looked down at the cover of the encyclopedia of snakes in his hand, and a figure suddenly appeared in his mind.
Herman closed the snake encyclopedia and stuffed it into his school uniform pocket.
It seems we still need to consult a professional.
The next morning, as Herman walked into the Great Hall, the events of the previous night were still on his mind.
He sat down at the Slytherin table, in front of him a plate of fried eggs and some sausages, but picked up his fork and then put it down again.
Madam Pince's face kept flashing through my mind, along with the image of that iron gate.
You came home quite late yesterday.
Harry's voice came from across the room. She was looking at a newspaper when she saw Herman approaching. Her gaze went over the rim of her glass and landed on Herman's face. Her expression was as indifferent as usual, but Herman felt that there was a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.
I went to the library to look up some things.
"The library." Harry put down her cup and poked at a piece of toast on her plate with her finger. "You've been going to the library quite often lately."
Herman has been spending a lot of time at the library lately, consulting materials for both his studies in magic and his accumulation of knowledge in Alchemy.
Before Herman could reply, Draco leaned in from the side.
She arrived earlier than usual today, her hair was tied up exceptionally neatly, she must have had a good night's sleep, because she looked very energetic.
"What library? What are you and Harry talking about?"
"So you secretly ate a midnight snack last night," Herman casually changed the subject.
Draco pouted, "What late-night snack? Don't talk nonsense. I have to maintain my figure. It's just that Crabbe and Goyle took some things from the kitchen and insisted on giving them to me, so I reluctantly ate a couple of bites."
Herman said skeptically, "You really think you can get them to share the food? Are you sure you didn't point a wand at them? Did you use some kind of Unforgivable Curses?"
Draco glared at Herman, probably because she had been exposed for stealing food. She was the one who told Crabbe and Goyle they could go to the kitchen to ask for food, in exchange for bringing her some.
At this moment, Harry said slowly, "Well, you've observed quite clearly, haven't you? Spying on Draco? I didn't expect you to be so perverted." She even made a disgusted face as she spoke.