"Learn how?"

"I can try teaching. I don't know if I'm good at that, but I'm good at watching."

"Thanks. I appreciate it. I'm not stellar at anything yet -- only been to Transfiguration and Defense -- but when I find out what I'm good at I can return the favor."

"You'll find something. Everyone has something that they're best at. Practice Transfiguration, you'll be the best in our year in no time." 

"Wow, I really appreciate that! Thanks!"

They've gotten to the Grand Hall by now. 

Who's ready to eat?

Everyone, looks like. Students gather, laughing and making merry. 

"Do you mind if I sit with my house?" 

"Ha, you don't have to ask me for permission," she giggles. "Go ahead! And you're really nice, thanks for helping me."

Naomi goes to sit with her housemates.

Meanwhile, at the Slytherin table, someone is getting into a heated argument. "But wands are essential for our culture! You wouldn't be a proper wizard or witch without a wand, you wouldn't be able to do the same kind of magic ..."

Josh really didn't mean to start a fight.

(He did, just a little. No need to admit that, very unsubtle, no cunning at all.) 

He was just explaining why he doesn't like to carry his wand, and another student had some sort of allergic reaction to sense.

"Of course not! Goblins and house elves use completely different kinds of magic, and they don't need wands. Think of what true wizard magic is, without the accessories." 

"They use their magic and we use ours. What's the big deal if they don't need wands? Goblins are always trying to get wizard wands, anyway."

"Of course they are, because wands are everywhere! You need a wand for identification, to get this and that- a goblin with a wand has the same rights as a wizard, if no one catches on!" 

"See, this is why we need to bring back blood identification, that way we can keep out the goblins and, you know. Those people."

"Peter! Merlin, are you an idiot, don't say that where the other houses can hear --"

"Are you saying they don't need wands, either?" 

"I'm saying that if you don't think a wand makes a wizard then we need some way to identify real wizards."

"We can just do who has the strongest magic! Or who has the best sense of style! Or who won their house the most points!" 

"No, I meant in general, and there are plenty of decent wizards who don't go to Hogwarts --"

"So," said the boy who had spoken up earlier. "What kind of magic can you do without a wand, anyway?"

"Plenty of stuff. Charms are kind of hard without a wand, too fiddly. But Transfiguration doesn't really need a wand to work right, and a lot of Defense is easier without a wand. If you don't use a wand, I guess you can't make potions, but who needs that anyway?"

"A lot of Defense spells are Charms. Are you never going to learn the stunning spell? Or the Disarming Charm, or the Patronus Charm ..."

"Do all of those need wands? Have you tried? Maybe not the Patronus Charm, then, but most people don't learn that."

"Well I'm going to learn it, and anyway they'll all be easier with a wand."

Josh feels a tap on his shoulder. Wonder who that could be. 

"Heya! When were were going to go to the library?"

"Was there a plan? I'm bad at those. Maybe Chris is already there, did I tell him a time?"

He glances at the Ravenclaw table.

Chris is sitting quietly, playing with his food.

"Chris! Get over here, we're going to the library."