The library loft had always been one of Rajan's favourite corners of Ravenclaw Tower.

Perched above the common room and tucked between towering shelves laden with centuries of accumulated knowledge, it offered something rare within Hogwarts: quiet. Not silence—silence never truly existed in a castle filled with hundreds of students—but a softer sort of stillness. The distant crackle of the fireplace below mingled with the occasional rustle of turning pages, creating a backdrop that made concentration easier.

Which was fortunate.

Because OWLs were approaching faster than he and everyone in his year wanted to admit.

Rajan sat cross-legged in one of the loft's cushioned alcoves, surrounded by what appeared to be half the library's collection. Charms notes were stacked neatly to his left. Astronomy charts occupied a growing pile to his right. A copy of Spellman's Syllabary lay open across his lap, while several rolls of parchment covered in his meticulous handwriting threatened to slide onto the floor.

A faint crease sat between his brows as he worked through a particularly stubborn translation.

The exercise itself wasn't difficult. Not really.

It was simply the seventh version he'd attempted.

With a sigh, Rajan rubbed his eyes before reaching for the mug beside him. The tea had long since cooled, though the faintly ambrosial scent of honey still lingered above the cup. He took a sip anyway and immediately regretted it.

Cold.

Brilliant.

Just what every scholar needed.

The air within the loft stirred without wind. Not enough, certainly to disturb the carefully stacked parchments, nor the open pages of Spellman's Syllabary, but enough that one of the golden butterflies was gently coaxed to drift from its lazy orbit and settled upon the edge of the circular window before taking flight once more.

From the reflection upon the glass, another figure slowly emerged. Seemingly born from starlight itself, her pale form manifested itself with quiet grace and drifted near Rajan without the intention of disturbing him. She could not help it but observe him, however, her gaze lingering over the orderly chaos that surrounded him.


"There is diligence," she murmured, her voice soft as dust disturbed between ancient shelves, "and there is seeking perfection where understanding has already taken root."

Helena came to rest beside one of the towering shelves, fingertips passing harmlessly through the worn leather spines before her eyes settled not upon the parchment, but upon Rajan himself.

"And there are Heating Charms."

Rajan nearly jumped. The sudden appearance of a centuries-old ghost while he was eyeing his cold tea certainly caused his shoulders to tense.

"Merlin." The word escaped on a breath more startled than intended.

His gaze lifted, finding the familiar silvery figure reflected first in the window before he turned properly toward her.

After a moment, however, the surprise gave way to a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, Lady Helena. I was rather focused."

His eyes followed hers toward the scattered notes and books, realizing that his statement might have been the understatement of the century. Looking at them now, he could admit the arrangement resembled more the aftermath of an academic explosion.

At the Grey Lady's observation, Rajan glanced down at the translation occupying his attention. A faint flush coloured his cheeks.

"In my defence, the author appears determined to use three different words to mean the same thing and then changes his mind halfway through the paragraph." He lifted the parchment. "I understood the passage a while ago. I simply keep finding ways it could be more accurate."

The confession was accompanied by a small sigh. It was an old habit. One he knew perfectly well. If an answer could be improved, then surely it should be improved. And if it could be improved again—

Well. That was how one ended up rewriting a translation multiple times, chasing precision as yearningly as some students chased Quidditch victories.

"And yes," he admitted, his gaze drifting toward the neglected mug beside him, "the Heating Charm would have been the sensible solution."