Chapter 48: Simon – Library Investigation and Reflection
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Simon and Baz have tea with Lady Ruth, who is skeptical of Smith-Richards. She loans them her mother’s enchanted reading glasses. They drive to Watford to check The Magickal Record for information on Smith-Richards. Penny still isn’t answering texts. At Watford, they meet Headmistress Bunce, who admits she also distrusts the new Chosen Ones and has been busy cleaning up the Mage’s messes. The library has been restocked with confiscated books. Baz uses the glasses and a finding spell, which causes almost every bound volume to fly off the shelves. Amid the chaos, Simon reflects on his past at Watford—the lies, the stolen magic, and the happiness he felt there. He and Baz share a tender moment, and Simon apologizes for not figuring out his feelings sooner. They resolve to dig deeper into Smith-Richards’s origin.
Key Events
- Lady Ruth expresses doubt about Smith-Richards and mentions she can’t locate Jamie through magic.
- She lends Simon and Baz her mother’s reading glasses, enchanted to boost finding spells.
- Simon and Baz drive to Watford; Simon feels sad about the past.
- They meet Headmistress Bunce in her office; she admits she doesn’t believe Smith-Richards is a real Chosen One.
- Bunce says the Coven is split between ignoring the new COs and secretly attending their meetings.
- Baz and Simon go to the library; they discover it has been filled with previously confiscated books.
- Baz uses the reading glasses and a “Fine-tooth comb” spell, causing dozens of volumes to fall from the shelves.
- Simon and Baz share an intimate kiss; Simon apologizes for not understanding his feelings sooner.
- Baz dismisses the idea that Smith-Richards is “written” like fate, and they prepare to search the fallen books.
Character Development
- Simon Snow: Reflects on his fraudulent happiness at Watford and his inability to apologize to Penelope. He shows emotional growth by admitting he wished he’d had Baz as a friend earlier. His longing to have kissed Baz in more places reveals a deeper desire for a different past.
- Baz Pitch: Remains skeptical of Smith-Richards and protective of Simon. He uses borrowed magic (the reading glasses) carefully, but his spell triggers chaos. His dry humor and resigned acceptance of Simon’s apologies show his maturity.
- Headmistress Bunce: Continues to demonstrate her pragmatic and overwhelmed leadership. She trusts her instincts about the new COs and is candid about the Mage’s legacy of mess.
- Lady Ruth (Lady Salisbury): Provides magical aid and comic relief. Her distrust of Smith-Richards mirrors Baz’s and Bunce’s skepticism.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Skepticism vs. Belief: Every established character—Lady Ruth, Headmistress Bunce, Baz—doubt Smith-Richards’s authenticity. Bunce’s blunt “hell, no” contrasts with Simon’s lingering openness.
- Magical Objects and Cost: The reading glasses are a rare magicked item that took significant power to create. This reinforces the idea that powerful magic is exhausting and dangerous (Simon notes he would have blown holes in reality).
- History and Memory: Watford, once the Mage’s domain, now belongs to Headmistress Bunce. The Chapel’s broken stained glass and the restocked library symbolize a clearing away of lies. Simon’s memory of being “happy as a fraud” ties to the theme of stolen magic.
- Intimacy and Regret: The kissing scene in the library explores what Simon and Baz missed during their years of rivalry. Simon’s apology for breaking Baz’s nose and for not figuring out his feelings sooner highlights the cost of their shared history.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 48 deepens the mystery around Smith-Richards by showing that even powerful mages like Lady Ruth cannot locate Jamie, and that Headmistress Bunce dismisses the new Chosen Ones. It also grounds the plot in the physical space of Watford, allowing Simon to confront his past and his relationship with Baz. The rediscovery of the library—and the chaos of the finding spell—foreshadows that uncovering the truth about Smith-Richards will be messy and overwhelming. Emotionally, this chapter solidifies Simon and Baz’s bond as they acknowledge what they could have had sooner.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Simon feel guilty about his time at Watford?
Simon realizes that all the magic he used was stolen from the World of Mages, making him a “fraud and a magickal incinerator.” Yet he admits he was happy there, which compounds his guilt. He now understands that every lesson and battle was built on a lie.
2. What does Headmistress Bunce reveal about the Coven’s reaction to the new Chosen Ones?
She says the Coven is divided: half hope the new COs will “fizzle out,” and half are secretly attending their meetings. Bunce herself is too busy cleaning up the Mage’s messes to pay much attention, but she states flatly that she does not believe there are six new Chosen Ones.
3. How does the scene in the library advance the plot and character development?
The fragmented finding spell creates literal chaos, mirroring the difficulty of verifying Smith-Richards’s claims. Simon’s kiss and apology allow him to voice regret about his past animosity with Baz, deepening their relationship. Baz’s dismissal of Smith-Richards as “written” sets up a contrast between fate and choice.
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