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Book 1 - James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing

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The head elf grinned at his fellows, who smiled back a bit disconcertingly. “We’re elves,” he said<br />

simply. “Now <strong>of</strong>f with yous, <strong>and</strong> let’s hope we don’t see you again.”<br />

The corridors leading out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> washrooms were, not surprisingly, small <strong>and</strong> short, with half-sized<br />

steps that forced <strong>James</strong>, Zane, <strong>and</strong> Ralph to mince carefully as <strong>the</strong>y climbed <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

“I don’t know whe<strong>the</strong>r to congratulate you or kick you,” Ralph said to Zane. “You almost got us<br />

caught by Corsica <strong>and</strong> Goyle.”<br />

“But I did get into <strong>the</strong> Sly<strong>the</strong>rin girls’ sleeping quarters,” Zane pointed out with a grin. “How many<br />

people can say that?”<br />

“Or would want to?” <strong>James</strong> added.<br />

“Be nice or I won’t tell you what I found.”<br />

“It better be good,” said Ralph.<br />

“It’s not,” Zane sighed. “The girls’ quarters have big wooden wardrobes alongside each bed. Only<br />

one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m was open, but I got a peek inside. Let’s just say I’m not wondering where Tabitha keeps her<br />

broom anymore.”<br />

They reached a larger door at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> a flight <strong>of</strong> miniscule stairs. <strong>James</strong> pushed it open, thankful<br />

to be out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> heat <strong>and</strong> noise <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> washrooms. “What do you mean?”<br />

“Well, <strong>the</strong>y’re magical wardrobes, <strong>of</strong> course, although <strong>the</strong>y don’t lead to any fairy wonderl<strong>and</strong>s. The<br />

one I looked into looked like a combination vanity <strong>and</strong> walk-in closet. Seemed like a boutique had exploded<br />

in <strong>the</strong>re, to tell you <strong>the</strong> truth. One <strong>of</strong> those really fro<strong>of</strong>y ones, but with a gothic-vampire flair to it. There<br />

was a bottle <strong>of</strong> vanishing cream on <strong>the</strong> vanity, <strong>and</strong> from <strong>the</strong> looks <strong>of</strong> it, I don’t think <strong>the</strong> vanishing part was a<br />

metaphor.”<br />

“All <strong>the</strong> girls have a wardrobe like that?” Ralph asked.<br />

“Sure looked like it.”<br />

<strong>James</strong> frowned. “Our chances <strong>of</strong> getting into <strong>the</strong> Sly<strong>the</strong>rin girls’ quarters again are pretty much zero.<br />

And even if we could, how would we even know which wardrobe was Corsica’s, much less even get it open?”<br />

“I told you this was going to be right impossible,” Ralph reminded <strong>James</strong>.<br />

“Smelled like my gr<strong>and</strong>ma’s dresser in <strong>the</strong>re, too,” Zane said.<br />

“Will you let <strong>of</strong>f with <strong>the</strong> details?” <strong>James</strong> exclaimed. “This is serious. We still don’t know where <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Hall</strong> <strong>of</strong> Elder’s <strong>Crossing</strong> is or when Jackson <strong>and</strong> Delacroix are planning to bring <strong>the</strong> elements toge<strong>the</strong>r. For<br />

all we know, it could be tonight.”<br />

268

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