Chapter 49 Summary: Library Research and Catacombs Intimacy
⚠️ 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
Narrated by Baz, Chapter 49 opens with him and Simon in the Watford library, researching Smith Smith-Richards. Using Lady Salisbury’s reading glasses, Baz easily locates Smith’s birth announcement in The Magickal Record. The notice states that Smith was born during a solar eclipse and named after his paternal grandfather. Simon notes that Smith looks good for thirty.
They then find Smith’s parents’ death announcement: Jemima Smith and Hugh Richards died in a car accident when Smith was one year old. His godfather is listed as Evander Feverfew of Mexico City. Further searches reveal that Smith’s parents were ordinary magicians with no notable achievements. Feverfew has a minor background in Watford’s Dramatic Society and a cousin on the Coven, but little else stands out. After two hours, Baz concludes that there are no skeletons in Smith’s closet—the story he told them appears true.
Baz then asks Simon to accompany him to the Catacombs to visit his mother’s tomb. Simon agrees, and they enter the hidden crypt behind the White Chapel altar. Inside, Simon becomes playful, pushing Baz against a stone wall and kissing his neck. Baz protests that it is hallowed ground, but Simon continues. Simon proposes they retrace all their old fighting spots and make out in each one. Baz reflects that this is everything he fantasized about in fifth year. Despite Simon’s impulsiveness and emotional struggles, Baz does not want to lose control there. He gently eases Simon back and guides him deeper into the crypt.
Key Events
- Baz and Simon confirm Smith’s birth (under an eclipse) and his parents’ death (car accident) using The Magickal Record.
- They discover that Smith’s godfather is Evander Feverfew, a magician with minor public records.
- The research yields no surprises or hidden secrets; Smith’s account is verified.
- Baz takes Simon to the Catacombs to see his mother’s tomb.
- Inside the crypt, Simon initiates passionate kissing, suggesting they repeat the act in every place they used to fight.
- Baz struggles with the intimacy on hallowed ground but ultimately enjoys the moment, though he holds back from going too far.
- Simon expresses regret for not taking advantage of having Baz in his room during their school days.
Character Development
Baz: This chapter deepens Baz’s emotional arc. He is willing to verify Smith’s background methodically, but his primary motivation is personal: visiting his mother’s tomb. His tenderness with Simon in the Catacombs shows how his desires have evolved from fantasy to reality. He acknowledges Simon’s brokenness (“more fucked up than I could have imagined”) but still cherishes the intimacy. His restraint demonstrates maturity and care.
Simon: Simon is affectionate, impulsive, and playful. His suggestion to kiss in all their old combat spots reveals a desire to reclaim past violence with present tenderness. His comment about being a “twat” for not acting on their earlier proximity shows self-awareness and regret. He is fully present in the moment, despite the somber setting.
Relationship dynamic: The scene illustrates how Baz and Simon have transitioned from adversaries to lovers. Their physical intimacy on hallowed ground symbolizes the merging of sacred (Baz’s mother’s tomb) and profane (their passion). Simon’s humor lightens Baz’s grief, and Baz’s guidance grounds Simon’s impulsivity.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Sacred vs. Profane Love: The Catacombs—a place of death and mourning—become a space for passionate kissing. Baz calls it “hallowed ground,” yet Simon refuses to see their act as unhallowing. This juxtaposition suggests that love can transcend and transform even the most somber spaces.
Memory and Nostalgia: Baz recalls his fifth-year fantasies of Simon manhandling him. Simon wants to revisit all their old fighting spots, turning past conflict into romantic memory. The chapter emphasizes how shared history can be reinterpreted through a new emotional lens.
Verifying Truth: The library research mirrors the larger plot of seeking reliable information about the “saviour” candidates. Baz’s methodical approach contrasts with Simon’s impatience, but together they confirm Smith’s background without uncovering scandal. This reinforces the theme that truth can be mundane.
Hidden Spaces: The secret entrance to the crypt, the library stacks, and the tower room all represent hidden places where the pair can be themselves. These spaces were once used for fights, now for intimacy.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 49 marks a turning point in Baz and Simon’s relationship. The library scene ties up loose ends regarding Smith’s backstory, removing suspicion and allowing the plot to move forward. More importantly, the Catacombs scene is a significant emotional milestone: the first time the couple chooses to be physically intimate in a place filled with personal significance (Baz’s mother’s grave). It acknowledges their past as enemies and transforms it into something tender. The chapter balances plot progression (confirming Smith’s identity) with character-driven romance, showing how far both characters have come.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Baz initially want to research Smith’s family? What do they find?
Baz wants to verify that Smith is not hiding anything significant. They find Smith’s birth announcement (born during a solar eclipse) and his parents’ death notice (car accident when Smith was one, custody given to godfather Evander Feverfew). The research confirms Smith’s claims without revealing any hidden secrets.
2. How does the setting of the Catacombs contribute to the chapter’s emotional tone?
The Catacombs are a burial place for Baz’s ancestors and the site of his mother’s tomb. The darkness, cold stone, and hallowed ground create a somber, sacred atmosphere. Simon’s playful kissing contrasts with this, mixing grief with joy, reverence with desire. The setting underscores Baz’s conflicting feelings—honoring his mother while embracing his relationship with Simon.
3. What does Simon mean by “retrace our old steps, and do this all of the places we used to fight”?
Simon suggests that they revisit all the locations where they used to physically fight as enemies and replace those memories with intimate acts. This reflects a desire to consciously transform their adversarial history into a romantic one, reclaiming spaces that were once charged with violence and animosity.