| Details for Magnus Opus |
| Summary: | Magnus goes to the library for research on becoming a writer. But is that really his plan? |
| Date: | 13 November 1937 |
| Location: | Wizarding Library |
| Related: | Any where Magnus is being sneaky. |
| Characters |
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Wizarding Library London
Tue Nov 13, 1937 ((Tue Oct 30 23:38:24 2012)) (D,4 NW - N)
It is a fall day. The weather is cool and overcast.
The Wizarding area of the Library is of course for wizards only and is hidden from muggle sight. Every imaginable book a wizard could want can be found here, or most likely acquired upon request. During the day many wizards mill about at the shelves or are seated at the available tables in the circular space in the center of the surrounding shelves that ladders and stairwells wind about for stories above the floor. A dome of iron and glass high above the stacks at the top of the tower of knowledge allows the day light in. Some windows can be found scattered amongst the shelves.
It's a fall afternoon, and the weather outside is gloomy - but at least it isn't raining. A tall, gaunt figure passes by several of the windows offering a view of the street outside, his peacoat flapping in the breeze as he heads towards the library's entrance. A few moments later, he appears, walking past the magical barrier that prevents Muggles from noticing this section of the building. He takes a few seconds to pull off his gloves and tuck them in his pocket, his pale eyes scanning the area in search of an attendant as he does.
There are several assistants puttering around doing odd jobs, but Annie is usually the quickest to notice new arrivals and offer help. And she's even quicker when the new arrival is a friend. Putting down a book she was checking in at the front desk, the young witch skirts around the counter, making her way toward Magnus. There's a cheerful smile on her face, and when she nears she speaks up, loud enough to be heard but still library volume. "Ambassador Troy, I'm glad t' see yeh. Can I help yeh with anything this afternoon?"
When Annie approaches, Magnus offers her a smile and then bows slightly from his waist. "Ah - Miss Taylor, it's good to see you. I do need some help locating a couple of books, but I believe I owe you my personal thanks for looking after Rhyeline while she's recovering. She speaks very highly of you and Mr. Moody." His smile grows noticeably warmer, and he reaches into his pocket to take out a small scrap of paper.
Annie doesn't correct the wizard on the use of her surname. She's not particularly picky at this point about who calls her what, knowing that some understand, some don't, and some just don't know her status has gone through something of a change. Her smile warms when Rhyeline is mentioned. "I was so surprised t' find she'd been working for yeh all that time. When we wrote, she never gave much detail, and I never felt it right t' press her. I'm so happy t' have her with us, I just wish I'd have known sooner." Clearly there is a great deal of affection between Annie and her school chum. Her brows lift as the paper comes out. "I will certainly help yeh t' the best of my abilities." The offer comes with light humor.
"I owe you an apology, then. Unfortunately, I had no idea you two were close friends - or I would have informed you about her condition before now," Magnus responds, his tone apologetic. He frowns, then unfolds the paper and holds it up, though he isn't reading it yet. "But I'm very glad she's staying with someone she can trust." He finally glances down at the paper, and his expression grows less somber. "Ah… yes. I'm currently doing some research for a novel I plan on writing - though I'd ask you not to let anyone know I'm engaging in these sorts of idle pursuits." The ambassador chuckles and holds the slip forward; on it are written three titles. 'The Art of the Thriller: How to Write a Murder-Mystery', 'The Crime Novelist's Handbook', and 'A History of Political Espionage in Germany and Switzerland'.
"There's absolutely no way yeh could have known, Ambassador Troy," Annie says gently. "No apology is necessary at all." Her face sobers a touch, a pensive look in her eyes for a moment, "When I think that I could have lost her." She shakes her head, dispelling the thought, "But we didn't, an she's on the mend now." Ever the optimist, there is no question to Annie that, despite any doubts the healers still have, she and her best friend will grow old together. As the wizard confides his desire to write, she brightens again at once. "I think yeh'd make a wonderful writer, Ambassador. Yeh speak so nicely. Yer secret is safe with me, don't give it a thought." Yes, Annie is, actually, a veritable vault of secrets, none ever passing her lips. She reaches for the paper, brows furrowing in thought.
Magnus nods slowly, his lips thinning out a little. "From what the healers have told me, the only reason she survived the curse was because she was so much younger than I - her body was better equipped to fight it. Still, I can't help but feel it should have been me…" He frowns again, then shakes his head as if to brush the thought aside. "At any rate, I care deeply for Rhyeline. I hope you'll let me know how she's adjusting to life in London, Miss Taylor." He glances towards the rows of books, and motions in the direction of a line of shelves. "Would you mind if I browsed around a bit while you locate those?"
The man's concern for her friend is touching, and Annie reaches absently to lay her hand on his arm for a moment, after she takes the paper. "Of course I'll let yeh know, Ambassador." Her hand lifts and she regards the paper before looking up with a nod to his words. "Yes, please do browse some, an' I'll be back in two ticks." She turns with a flair of her robe, and steps off to the front desk. Her wand comes out for a quick locating charm, and as the spell is cast a green light pulses from her wand. It spirals through the air, and once the target is found, the light turns blue. It's easily seen from the front desk, and the charm is cast two more times, for the additional books. Giving the Ambassador a few minutes to look around, she goes to get them on foot instead of summoning them, and in due time she's back, approaching the man with all three volumes that he wanted.
The young woman's hand on his arm is glanced at without askance; Magnus merely looks back up and smiles at her in response. "I'd appreciate that very much. Thank you." When she makes her way off to fetch the books for him, he casually strolls between a row of books and begins browsing. When he doesn't see what he's looking for, he checks the label on the end of the shelves and moves to the next, hurrying just a bit. Ah - here. The man looks around once, his pale eyes flicking over to where Annie is finishing up, and then back in front of him. He sets a single digit on a book titled 'Mastering Legilimency' and begins to edge it from the shelf, but when he hears Annie returning, drops his hand and walks back out of the aisle to offer her a genial smile.
Annie is grinning as she returns. "Sorry it took me a bit longer than I thought. I had to separate one of the books from a dragon book that got mis-shelved. Thankfully, it wasn't a fire breathing book. That could have been unfortunate for the one yeh need." She offers the wizard the three books, with his note sticking out the top of the top volume. "I've taken care of seein' they're checked out all proper, so yeh don't have t' wait longer. Is there anything else yeh need, Ambassador Troy?"
"No trouble, Miss Taylor. I'm quite thankful you took the time to retrieve a book that won't attempt to incinerate me." Magnus grins and accepts the tomes from the librarian, then gives another one of the small, cordial bows he had upon their initial meeting. "I believe this will do. Thank you for your help - and thank you again for taking care of Rhyeline." The ambassador smiles one last time, and then turns to make his way out of the library.