First it was just him and the glowing brightness up ahead and then in what felt like a flash Tiara and Airey showed up with a swarm of student's in tow. And everyone seemed disappointed that it was the book and not an actual baker. As several students along with Airey started to move towards the book Leo put up a hand to stop them as he moved to stand in front of them. "Let's not get too close to the book. We don't want anyone else to get messed with or hurt. And let's try not to scare it into vanishing when we can finally see it." Eyes trailing over the student’s to land on Penelope in his own house he said "Quick Penelope, go fetch Headmistress Truebridge and Professor Botros in the book club meeting area and tell them that we've found the book." It was entirely possible that they hadn't heard Tiara call out to them. Leo wasn’t sure how much time Abraham needed to get his runes working. But hopefully it wouldn’t take that long.

Caleb was rubbish at runes, so he decided to follow the group looking for the baked goods. NOW he could smell them, even through his stuffy nose. A snack couldn't hurt, right?

He followed the group, and it seemed that they had found the source of the baked goods in the restricted section. Huh. That was weird - had a recipe book started emitting smells or something? Weird. As he got closer, however...he noticed the fairy tale book. It was definitely the source of the smell, and boy did that smell GOOOOOOOD.

MMMMMM. Was that...gingerbread he was smelling? Hmmm, wouldn't it be fun to just read it one more time? Just to see if there were REALLY baked goods in there....

He took a step closer to the book. He was still pretty far away, not wanting to scare the book away. He could hear a few people shouting to not get closer, but what harm could it do? Really?

So Penelope was off to fetch Anastasia and Abraham, but Alexa and Airey were heading right for the thing. "Cambridge, get back here this instant." She could tell the girl what to do, but Flamsteed was another story altogether. Nothing could control him, and certainly not her. "Mr. Banner, stick close," she said, seeing him sidle towards her. Where were the Headmistress and Professor Botros, and was that runic ward finished yet?

"I'm here! I'm..." ohhhhhh she saw the book now and drastically dropped her volume, "...here." Hmm. It was that glowing thing that was seemingly drawing Flamsteed and Cambridge in....

Come to think of it, that bun-baking smell seemed to be quite fetching for coming from a book. "Now what?" the Headmistress whispered to Leo and Tiara, unable to take her eyes off that pretty book at the moment. It was just so....so....shiny!

Would Leo need to put a freeze charm Airey to stop him from approaching the book? If Airey got too close it was possible that he could get enchanted again. The last thing they wanted. In a hushed tone Leo called out "Professor Flamsteed, Airey get back here! The last thing we want is to scare the book on the run too soon." He really didn't want to use magic on a colleague, but he would if he had to. Meanwhile Tiara tried to stop Alexa and Gabriel from doing anything stupid..

As Headmistress Truebridge arrived to their little gathering of both student's and staffers around, Leo whispered back. "I guess, we need to corner the book and then catch it. Anyone got any suggestions how we do that? Is Professor Botros on his way with his runic table?"

What Mr. Kitridge was saying made sense, hence why Heather had whispering as much as possible. But what was worrying was Professor Airey and Alexa's reactions to the book. She was on the verge of doing something so completely Gryffindor and throwing herself on the damn thing just to keep something bad from happening. But, that probably wouldn't be at all helpful right now. Besides the Headmistress was here, so she'd probably know what to do.

Or not. But it seemed Mr. Kitridge did. Sneak up on it and corner it. Okay. "Maybe we should all take our shoes off so that the book doesn’t hear them on the stones and spook....?" she suggested in a hushed tone. Sure, the smell might end up being not very pleasant, but it was the best she could come up with. On the bright side, at least Professor Walton wasn't here to make her feel stupid if that wasn't a good idea. It's the small things, people.

The familiar feeling of enchantment grew stronger with each step she took toward the book. Suddenly, she was remembering just how happy that feeling was way back after she'd read the book. It didn't seem so bad now, reading it and all and the Head Girl took hardly any notice of the others who'd opted to follow her and Professor Airey. They would be happier if they did, she knew that much so it wasn't really an issue.

Professor Tanner's command hardly registered as the book seemed to get louder and the Gryffindor kept on stepping, seemingly in a trance. Contrary to what the Librarian kept stressing, the book wanted to be read. It wouldn't leave before taking her on another amazing adventure somewhere off in an enchanted place.

The book was here to...help.

Alexa paid no heed to the warning words of her fellow students, much too fixed on the book to be fussed with anything else. It was almost hers--unless Airey beat her to it.

Nope, Gabriel wasn't going to do anything stupid OR brave. He was going to stay right where he was....and watch one of his favorite professors get sucked up by an ancient text with a girly pink ribbon. Apparently.

Bleak.

"Sir...." He was glancing at his Head of House, stage whispering...and then professor Tanner. It was directed towards everyone, actually. "Do.....do you think a....um, bubble head charm would help?" To cut the sense of smell? Would that knock them out of this....trance? If it could be called a trance....

If they couldn't smell the treats, the treats would have no power over them....

Nessa hurried towards the restricted section, following Annie after Penelope had let them know that the book had been sighted. And indeed it had. She let out a little gasp as brown eyes soon found it close by. Was tat really the book? The source of all the problems and the one that had been taunting them on the second floor? Nessa stared at the beautiful, antique bindings, unable to take her eyes off of it.

Nearby she was vaguely aware of the voices of Anastasia and Leo. Were they talking about it? "Do you think.." she started quietly as she inched closer to them, still staring at the book. "That an immobilizing charm would freeze its magic long enough for us to trap it?" It might be a long shot, but she wasn't exactly an expert in fighting dark magic or cursed objects. And she still couldn't stop staring at that book. It was just so... fascinating.

Penelope had come back to the restricted section with Headmistress Truebridge and Professor Glendower. Was Professor Flamsteed closer to the book than he had been when she went to get the Headmistress? No one was going to stop him? The runes thing had better be ready soon. Professor Glendower had the idea of immobilizing the book. "I don't know if immobilizing it will work, but if we don't catch the book soon, it might get Professor Flamsteed." It would not be good if Flamsteed was possessed by the book. Again.

The astronomer had to agree with Miss Cambridge. Just one more read couldn't possibly do that much damage. Just look at how shiny and aesthetically pleasing the book was! And they clearly were not alone in their way of thinking as Mr. Adair, Miss Wright, and Mr. Newell were heading towards the book as well and threw each of them a small grin.

"Shhhhhhh..." he whispered to Miss Guidry. She just didn't know yet...but she SHOULD know. Which was why he beckoned for the Ravenclaw prefect to follow him and the others. Turning around, the astronomer nearly crashed right into Leobald who had moved to stand in front of him. An eaaaaaaasy obstacle to get around. Grinning from ear to ear, Airey simply side stepped his way around the librarian, offering the man a salute, and then kept on going. Honestly, what WAS all the fuss about. He had every intention of reading the book...which was what all books wanted, yes? To be read!

He was only somewhat aware that more people were entering the Restricted Section - and even less whatever it was Leobald was muttering to him - and thus his attention was still on the book...as were his wiggly fingers.

As more people joined the party, Jasmine became increasingly concerned about those among them who seemed unable to resist the books lure. They were getting closer, yet no one was trying to stop them. And then Professor Flamsteed shushed her. "But Professor", Jasmine whispered back. "The book can't be trusted. It only wants to possess you again."

Thankfully, Mr. Kitridge made a move to stop him, but Professor Flamsteed simply went around him. This was bad. Jasmine hoped those runes would be ready soon because otherwise, they might be down one Astronomy Professor and one Head Girl. Either that or she would be expelled for stunning them both.

Turning to the leaders, Jasmine asked, "Should we send for Professor Romanos". Was there even time for that?

They appeared in the restricted section with the runic ring with them, Botros was holding tight to one of the table's edges, and he caaaaarefully put it down along with everyone else who were helping him. He took a quick look at the runes, "It's still intact. We need to put the book inside the ring!" He urged the others, spotting the glowing thing and...

Woooow... it was intriguing. *.*

Cassie helped bring the table to the restricted section and her focus moved to Leo as she saw him and the others and then back to Abe as she set down her end of the table gently. "We don't want it fully disappearing though, so we need to be careful whatever we do." She wasn't sure they would actually be able to grab it and just set it down, plus she was worried someone else would be possessed by it's magic.

Looking around closer it seemed some were in a trance towards the book. She leaned closer to Abe, "We might want to work fast, whatever we are going to do." Airey seemed too close to it. Pulling out her wand again she was ready to do the runic chant or well try to. What was the words again?

Here he was, ready to fight...

...whoever hurt this book!

Entranced yet again, he glared at anyone disturbing the scene. The Book was too pretty, too shiny, too... he reached out as he took small steps towards it. He had to read it... but what if he forgot who he was again?.. but that was silly, The Book was here to help. Small steps... and it would be in his hands again, at last.

The first thing Lux did as she entered the Restricted Section was make sure to look at the PEOPLE in the room, not the dang BOOK. She knew that the enchantments it held could overpower her again if she let them. Fortunately the Runic Ward was intact so they could get to business.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lux spotted Professor Culloden inching forward with a strange look on his face. "Professor, don't look at the book! Nobody should look at the book!" That was how it possessed people; by drawing them in.

Good, Professor Botros was here with the runic table thing. They needed to catch this book and get it in the ring before it got Flamsteed. How were they going to get the book? The book was drawing people in with its shiny glow and the baking smell. What if it possessed someone before they caught the book? Why were there so many people in the restricted section anyway? There were very good reasons for the restricted section being, well, restricted. Some of the books in here were dangerous, and the fairy tale book was just one of the many books in here. What if there were other books in here plotting to attack them while they were distracted by the fairy tale book? What if more books escaped from the restricted section. "Shouldn't we be watching out for the other books in the restricted section? Is it safe for everyone to be in here?" It really didn't take this many people to catch one book, did it? Because there were other dangerous books in the restricted section, wouldn't it be safer if most of the people in here waited outside? If the book came from the restricted section in the first place, was it necessary to catch it?

O_______O

Zander was beyond confused. On one hand, he knew he shouldn't be migrating towards the book. But on the other, it was so intriguing. What if they were wrong about the book?

How could something so mystical looking be harmful? So Zander' just followed along with whatever Professor Flamsteed was doing. He was the one that had pulled Zander over. He had to know what to do. And that grin. Flamsteed was grinning. He was right to, the book was beautiful. So Zander just followed along a few steps behind the Astronomy Professor, eyes still on the book.

Angel had followed the Professor into the restricted section... were they all supposed to be in here without a pass? or didn't the headmistress mind for once?

Angel looked around to make sure Adi and Ben was okay and they seemed to be now though she was ready for whatever the Professors wanted her to do, she just wanted to get rid of this book if she could... it had affected her friends and she didn't like that.

That's it, Cosgrach was going to touch it. Just once. He still remembered what happened when he'd last done that, but he was more in control this time... The Book wasn't even EVIL, anyway. He was sure Abraham only wanted to put it on the table to study it. Yes! If he put it on the table, everyone could read and appreciate it. But HE wanted to be the FIRST, so he took loooong strides and firmly grabbed it. Then, without wasting any moment, he placed it inside the ring for EVERYONE to feel its warmth. He was totally keeping his position, though. He wanted to be the closest to it, and the first one to read, then find whoever enchanted them to believe The Book was evil.

Glowing brightly from its position on the floor just inside the roped off section the book sensed with growing elation how more and more humans approached it. Letting out even more smells of bakes goods it hoped to draw a human or two to come even closer.

When it was lifted up it, the book started to weave its enchanting magic around the professor human. It got very cross and disgruntled when it wasn't opened and read right away. This was not how it was supposed to be. Its irritation growing as it was placed on a table, the book started to flip the pages in rapid succession, the intensity of its glow and enchanting magic getting stronger and stronger until it started to spit out a swarm of feisty pixies.

As the pixies flew out of the book’s pages they immediately attacked the professor human with bites and claws aiming for the humans face and hands.

SPOILER!!: Professor Culloden

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarShine

That's it, Cosgrach was going to touch it. Just once. He still remembered what happened when he'd last done that, but he was more in control this time... The Book wasn't even EVIL, anyway. He was sure Abraham only wanted to put it on the table to study it. Yes! If he put it on the table, everyone could read and appreciate it. But HE wanted to be the FIRST, so he took loooong strides and firmly grabbed it. Then, without wasting any moment, he placed it inside the ring for EVERYONE to feel its warmth. He was totally keeping his position, though. He wanted to be the closest to it, and the first one to read, then find whoever enchanted them to believe The Book was evil.

What was Professor Culloden doing? That book was DANGEROUS. He needed to stay away from it. Actually, she should probably move away from the book. You never knew what a dangerous book like this one might do.

SPOILER!!: Fairy Tale Book

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fairy Tale Book of Fairy Tales

Glowing brightly from its position on the floor just inside the roped off section the book sensed with growing elation how more and more humans approached it. Letting out even more smells of bakes goods it hoped to draw a human or two to come even closer.

When it was lifted up it, the book started to weave its enchanting magic around the professor human. It got very cross and disgruntled when it wasn't opened and read right away. This was not how it was supposed to be. Its irritation growing as it was placed on a table, the book started to flip the pages in rapid succession, the intensity of its glow and enchanting magic getting stronger and stronger until it started to spit out a swarm of feisty pixies.

As the pixies flew out of the book’s pages they immediately attacked the professor human with bites and claws aiming for the humans face and hands.

Professor Culloden was being ATTACKED by pixies! They needed to do something about it and they needed to do it now. She couldn't run, not this time. There were too many people here who were being lured in by the book. Running away wouldn't help them, and it certainly wouldn't help Professor Culloden. Immobilizing the book might not work, but the pixies could be immobilized.

Penelope slipped her wand from its holster. Gripping it tightly, she pointed her wand at the pixies that were attacking Professor Culloden. The pixies were so close to the professor that it would be easy to miss the pixies and hit the professor. She had to try. After mentally reviewing the wand movement, she was ready to cast the spell. "Immobulus!"

Why wasn't he listening to her? Lux supposed that the enchantments of the book were too strong for Culloden; why he had been possessed in the past along with some of his colleagues.

Not knowing what to do, she watched him grab a hold of the book...but instead of reading it like she expected him to, he placed it in the Runic ring they had prepared. Relieved, she let out a happy sigh before noticing the pixies ATTACKING the man. Something needed to be done, so she joined the Ravenclaw girl (Penelope) in immobilizing them. "We need something to place them in before they start attacking again!' This spell only impeded them for a short amount time.

Benny had moved with Botros closer and closer to the restricted section until they were apparently close enough to where they needed to be. The professor moving to put the table down so the Gryffindor did too so the table didn't shift or tilt and nothing needed was disturbed. He was about to ask now what when talk of getting the book into the circle was mentioned. Okay so anyone else could do that...HE wasn't touching it.
But Professor Culloden was!

He opened his mouth to call the man back but others beat him to it. And then he registered someone had to do it. Might as well be a professor who had already been near it at least once. At least the man had placed the book in the ring like they needed it to be. But it soon became apparent getting enchanted by the fairy tale book wasn't the only thing they had to worry about. A swarm of blue creatures coming from it and attacking the older man.

Benny retrieved his wand from his pocket just as a young Ravenclaw cast the spell he was thinking of. "Immobulus," he echoed the girl and Lex, hoping between them they could get the troublesome creatures to behave and get away from the professor. And the rest of them for that matter.

Jasmine was worried about Professor Flamsteed being re-possessed by the book. She wasn't expecting what happened next. When Professor Culloden grabbed the book everything went crrrraaazy. At least he had placed it inside the ring, but..........

"Oh no, not again", Jasmine thought. "This can't be happening." First the chorts and now the evil book had set loose a swarm of pixies. They were attacking Professor Culloden and who knew who they'd be after next. Thank goodness Penelope and Lux had their wits about them and were trying to freeze the pixies. Quickly taking out her wand, Jasmine aimed carefully and began firing spells. "Immobulus, Immobulus, Immobulus." Jasmine tried to stop the pixies from inflicting any serious damage. At the same time, she tried not to interfere with those trying to take down the book.