ENCOUNTER Miss Caldwell the librarian and simply tell the truth. (Roll 2d6+BRAVERY)

⚂⚁ 3, 2 + 2 = 7. Success. On a 7-9, you have to convince them: Franziska will need to do something in-character to convince the librarian or CAST A SPELL on her (which might get her punished harshly) to get her to come help James.

"Listen you mad b-" you catch yourself before you call her anything too insulting. "...madam! A horrible specter just attacked me and a Beavertail first year who was helping me study! That is n- isn't why I am so sweaty, oh no, that was from the running you see, I was frightened, and..." you suddenly feel hot blood rising in your cheeks and forehead once again, "...and why was there no warning that this library had a ghost in it?! And such a vicious one! That thing tried to kill me, and James - oh James! He might still be in danger! You HAVE to follow me!"

The librarian's lip twitches. She is very annoyed and sits there with obstinate determination. But her eyes flick down the hallway you just came from and she momentarily looks nervous. Moving as if she had all the time in the world, the older woman stands up from her seat and shuffles over to you. "I am holding you personally responsible for any disturbance to the main desk while I'm up listening to your stories. Show me where this 'attack' occured."

You pull her along by the hand and blink in confusion. "I cannot believe... madam!! Did you not hear the massive disturbance of books and ladders falling on us like rain or the spells we cast to defend ourselves?!" She sighs huffily. "I don't know what you're talking about."

When you get back to the hall where you were attacked, you hear an angry harumph from the woman behind you. "Nnnh..! So, you mean to tell me that all of this terrible mess is YOUR doing, young miss? You had best come from a wealthy family and have lots of time for detention. What WERE you doing here with this other student anyway? James? Hmph. It was a boy, was it?" She straightens her glasses. "And what is that you spilled on yourself there?"

"It-" you blush. "Wait! The trapdoor - it was right over there, but I think it closed!" you dash over and get down on your knees for the second time this morning, brushing away dust and trying to find a seam. You knock on the floor, trying to find a hollow spot - and soon, you do. "JAMES!" you shout. "CAN YOU HEAR ME?"

The librarian gives a mortified gasp behind you and shushes you viciously, giving you a quick slap to the side of the head. "Quiet, girl!! Are you daft? There is no one else here!" You try to pry the trapdoor open with your hands but it won't budge. "M-madam libarian! Please, come here and help me pull this hatch open! James is still down there! By any chance, do you have a set of keys for this library? I think I feel a keyhole here..." Her eyes widen in shock and she twitches her nose. "Are you asking me to help you tear up the floors of my library, young lady? You'll march yourself back to the desk right now so I can write you a disciplinary slip!"

Franziska's options:

• CAST A SPELL to CHARM Miss Caldwell into helping you, hoping she has a key. (2d6+CUNNING, severe punishment for failure)
• Dispense with euphemisms and tell Caldwell all the sloppy details of you and James, betting that she'll believe you weren't lying (will make you need to GET OUT OF TROUBLE).
• CAST A SPELL to pull or break open the trapdoor directly. Roll +CUNNING (+2) to FETCH James through the trapdoor.
• Use your physical strength (Custom Move). Roll BRAVERY-1 (+1) to pry open the trapdoor. On a success (7+), reveal James. On a Miss or a 7-9, take a CONSEQUENCE, GET OUT OF TROUBLE (Miss Caldwell), or GET OUT OF DANGER (the spectre) again.