Minerva strode through the stacks in search of a book. Nothing lit the castle this evening besides the silvery moon rays bouncing off the snow. It was Christmas break and all but an unfortunate few were miles away, leaving the castle hushed and peaceful. Minerva felt so free in her Christmas spirit that she hadn’t even bothered to plait her hair when she left her chambers this evening. It hung loose, a mane of auburn streaked with silvery gray. Under the twinkling moonlight, it gave the impression of a softly smoldering flame.
Humming some carol she heard that day, she let her fingers drift absently over the spine of each dusty tomb. She picked up the book she sought and paused to look out the window onto the idyllic scene below.
“Good evening Minerva,” a voice said from behind her. Minerva started and spun around to see Rolanda Hooch standing before her.
“Oh, Rolanda, you started me. I was sure I’d be the only one roaming the library at this hour,” she said embarrassed at having whipped around as if to face a ghoul.
“Terribly sorry to have given you a fright,” Hooch said strolling closer. “I heard the noise and thought it must be a student out of bed.” Hooch’s eyes twinkled at Minerva as if she had indeed found her out past curfew and up to no good.
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