« Back
Generated:
Post last updated:
Ellie Potter and the Sorcerous Anathema
the ellie-who-lived
Permalink Mark Unread

In three and a half minutes, Ellie will be eleven years old.

It is 11:56:30 PM, 30 July 1991, and she is on the wooden floor of a creaky little cottage on some godforsaken island. She has one blanket below her, and another, only slightly less patchy, wrapped over her. The door rattles in a gust of wind, and she shivers. The floor is dusty, and it's making her eyes itch. That, and her cousin's snoring from the pullout couch, is doing an admirable job of keeping her awake. She contemplates drawing something in the dust, but can't quite decide what. Maybe that snake she met.

She'd draw it eating her cousin, if she didn't think it would choke on him.

In one minute, she will be eleven years old.

Permalink Mark Unread

In one minute - at the stroke of midnight -

The lock on the door outside clicks, softly, and the handle begins to turn.

Permalink Mark Unread

-Eh?

She pulls back into the blanket.

Permalink Mark Unread

The door opens - silently, like it hasn't been. There's a woman on the other side, her features obscure in the dark. She seems to be wearing some kind of - heavy dress, perhaps, or else a long trench coat - and there's a stick in her hand.

She gazes around the room, until her eyes land on Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Who are you," she whispers.

Permalink Mark Unread

She walks over, quietly, and kneels near Ellie. "My name is Professor Fay Reynolds," she says, also in a whisper. "I'm a representative of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." She holds out a letter, the paper thick and creamy - much like the ones that have been bedeviling the Dursleys all this time.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie snatches it out of her hands, examining it closely.

"It's... real?"

Permalink Mark Unread

The paper feels real, and the green ink - thick, uneven, like it was written with a quill - looks real. It's addressed to her, located on the Hut on the Rock, from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"Yes," the woman says, softly. "I'm a wizard. And so are you, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...What does that mean?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It means we can use magic. Though 'wizard' tends to mean one specific tradition of magic use native to the Isles."

She waves her wand off to the side, and a trail of deep red sparks flows from it.

"Practically - it means you're invited to Hogwarts, a boarding school for teaching magic."

Permalink Mark Unread

A boarding school-

"When can I leave?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Now, if you want. You don't need your guardians' permission."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. Let's go before they wake up." She shrugs off the blanket. She's still wearing her daytime clothes, several sizes too big.

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods and stands. (It's hard to tell her expression, but she looks - serious, perhaps.) "I have a boat, outside," she says, turning to lead the way out.

Permalink Mark Unread

She pauses only briefly to pick up the blanket as a makeshift raincoat before following.

Permalink Mark Unread

That turns out to be not entirely necessary - "Keep close," Professor Reynolds says, waving her wand and forming an invisible umbrella over and around them as they step outside. The wind seems to be dampened, too, and it's a bit warmer inside the bubble than it perhaps should be. The boat is much nicer than the Dursleys', not rocking at all despite the heavy waves. Professor Reynolds offers Ellie a hand to help steady her while getting in. "Try to keep your arms and all inside," she says. "The boat's pretty safe, but we'll be moving a bit fast, and you probably don't want to fall overboard."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not really, no." Ellie sits down.

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile. "I can fetch you out pretty easily, but it's better to avoid it." She sits at the prow and waves her wand - and the boat takes off, skimming over the waves, not really floating on the water so much as vaguely referencing it to fly. The bubble of clear air extends over the entire boat, and it's warmer inside than it was even with the earlier bubble.

"I suppose you probably have more questions?"

Permalink Mark Unread


"I don't think I know enough to have questions."

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums. "I can explain some of the standard spiel, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Please do."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Magic is an inborn talent. It's incredibly rare, and we don't know how or why most people have the ability. It runs in families, pretty strongly - those with a magical parent are almost always magical - but it can crop up at random, too. Nonmagical people are called muggles. Magicals have their own government, that only somewhat interfaces with the muggle government - but, mostly, we work separately and try to remain a secret. The magical government of the Isles considers all magicals born within it citizens, but not muggles - which is why we didn't need your guardians' permission. Acknowledging the parental rights of the parents of muggleborns tends to cause a bit less friction, and the children usually prefer staying on friendly terms with their family, but... The provisions for separating magical children from unsuited guardians are some of our oldest laws, and 'the child prefers it' is considered more than enough."

"Usually we send a representative to the parents of muggleborns - your case was a bit different, since your parents were both magical, and your aunt and uncle are listed as muggles in the know. However, when your letters failed to deliver, the Headmaster of Hogwarts decided to send me to see what was going on."

"Hogwarts operates nine months of the year, and you can stay there the entire time - provisions for the summer are a bit more complicated, since the Headmaster before the current one dismantled the summer residency allowances. Still, there's avenues for you to get dispensation to stay elsewhere, with a suitable magical family - it's easier if you can convince the Headmaster, but we can go over his head to the school board or the Ministry of Magic fairly easily."

"Magicals have our own towns, mostly, with a few neighborhoods hidden in major cities. The neighborhoods in London are the most notable of those, and one of them is usually where students go to get their school supplies. I'll be taking you there - there's an inn we can stay at so you can catch up on sleep."

"For money - Hogwarts tuition is free, due to generous grants from the Ministry and alumni, as well as the combined noble estates of the school's Founders. Needy families can get a stipend for school supplies, but I suspect you won't need one - you should be able to access your parents' bank accounts."

"For magic - wizardry is the art of using a wand to cast spells, pretty much. Hogwarts also teaches some elements of witchcraft, like the use of magical plants and the making of potions."

She pauses.

Permalink Mark Unread

"My parents had a bank account?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Probably multiple, though I don't know how much is in them."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't have any- account numbers or signatures or anything."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Wizarding banks can verify identity without those, and your accounts would be considered part of your inheritance."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh." She's quiet for a little bit.

"What sorts of spells are there?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums. "There's loose categories in theory, though individual spells can belong to multiple, or have disputed classifications."

"A major classification is transfiguration versus charm versus counter-spell - most spells belong to one of those three, though there's some odd edge cases."

"Transfigurations change their target's appearance or form. Conjuration spells create objects, and are considered a subclass of transfiguration."

"Charms change their target's qualities, such as behavior or capabilities."

"Counter-spells reverse the effects of other spells. They can also be charms or transfiguration, if targeted specifically at a class of spells, but most target the magic directly."

"Spells can also be classified as dark magic or light magic - though the term 'light magic' is rarely used, since spells are default assumed to be light. There's actually a technical difference, but most people use 'dark magic' to mean the legal difference, which is annoyingly a bit different. Spells that're legally considered dark arts are those whose only or primary purpose is causing harm. Only a few dark spells are actually banned in Britain, though - usually the thing that's illegal is actually attacking someone without provocation or a declared duel. Still, attacking someone with dark spells can move something from 'assault' to 'aggravated assault.'"

Permalink Mark Unread


"What's the difference between changing appearance and form? Doesn't changing behavior or capabilities usually involve doing that too? What's the technical difference between light and dark magic? What are wizard trials like?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins broadly.

"Appearance transfigurations are superficial and wear off more quickly. The majority of them are actually considered illusions - properly, only illusions should be in that class, but convincing wizards that non-illusion changes to things like color involve changing form has been an uphill battle. Form transfigurations change the actual structure of an object, and they can last longer. You can't make appearance transfigurations permanent, though even making form transfigurations permanent is an extremely advanced skill."

"You can change behavior without changing form - for instance, if you levitated an item, or froze it in place. But, yes, things like changing a person's behavior naturally involves changes in their brain - but most wizarding theorists think neuroscience is a bizarre field probably irrelevant to their own."

"The technical difference between light and dark magic is that dark magic requires sacrifices, and light magic does not. This is, you will note, almost entirely incongruous with the legal definition, except inasmuch as a sacrifice definitionally harms something. There are actually a large number of European countries where the legal definition matches the technical definition, and many outside of Europe think that particular division is stupid. Historically, dark magic was actually rooted in a different magical practice that predated the invention of wizardry - which is part of the reason for the stigma, though deep dark magic is legitimately harmful, and even mild dark magic is riskier to experiment with than light magic. Sacrifices can be of magical energy, of blood, of objects, of obligation, of memory, or of life, plus some other more obscure elements. Most dark spells you will encounter sacrifice energy, though dark rituals - which are an obscure field - have a wider variety. Also, the definition of a 'sacrifice' is debated - some theorists insist that all harmful elements of a spell are sacrifices, making the technical category of dark arts simply somewhat broader than the legal category."

"The academic definition of the dark arts is also often somewhat strange - my position is as professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, where 'dark arts' are mostly loosely defined as 'dangerous things you might encounter.' Different schools have different things under the heading of 'dark arts.'"

"Additionally, creatures and sapient beings may be considered dark, as may witchcraft - dark witchcraft is simply witchcraft harmful to humans, whereas dark creatures and beings are those the Ministry thinks are dangerous to magical humans. Which is a somewhat silly category subject pretty much solely to politics. There's no actual technical division there, though."

"And wizarding trials vary with the severity of an offense. Magical people have the right to a trial at all and to know what they're accused of, but not to legal representation, nor to a speedy trial, nor to a jury, nor any of the other myriad rights muggles have enshrined. They're rather far behind muggles, in that. Most trials are solved by a single judge, though severe or politically contentious trials can go before the legislative body of the Ministry, the Wizengamot."

Permalink Mark Unread


"Magic is strange and wizards are weird," Ellie diagnoses.

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs, at that.

"Just wait until you see their fashion sense."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't think I'm qualified to comment on fashion."

Permalink Mark Unread

Soft smile. "Wizards are often - extravagant. And, yes, weird."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hmm."

Permalink Mark Unread

The boat drives on.

"We'll be taking a magic bus to London, once we're somewhere with roads," she comments. "I imagine you're tired?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"A bit."

Permalink Mark Unread

"We'll be somewhere with beds soon."

The boat gets to shore rather quickly, at least. Professor Reynolds taps it, making it fold up, and then leads Ellie over to the road. She raises her wand -

And with a soft crack, a double decker bus appears.

"This's the Knight Bus," she says. "It can be a bit disorienting to ride, because it can slip through spaces smaller than it is, but the inside doesn't actually move around. It moves quickly, too."

She hops on, greeting the driver cheerfully (he's apparently one of her ex-students) and paying the fare for both of them. "Off to London for us," she says, "The Leaky Cauldron, preferably," receiving a nod.

Most of the seats are open.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie hesitates, waiting to see what Fay does.

Permalink Mark Unread

She sits near the front, nodding to some of the other passengers. (No one else actually talks to them, though.) Rather than traditional bus seats, most everything's arm chairs and the like, arranged around small tables. No seat belts.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie takes a seat next to her.

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile, as the Knight Bus takes off. (The view out the windows is, indeed, massively disorienting, though it doesn't alter what's inside at all - which barely feels like it's moving.)

"The Leaky Cauldron usually has rooms for rent. I figure we can spend the night, and head to the bank - and to get you more things - in the morning."

"And - if there's anything from your house that you're missing, I can go fetch that."

Permalink Mark Unread

"No, I don't- have things."

Permalink Mark Unread

Serious nod. "You'll have your own things soon enough, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

That's a nice thought. But she is actually realizing she is very tired.

Yawn.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds lets her doze.

They're pulled up outside of an anachronistically old tavern soon enough - startlingly quickly, given the distances involved. The professor steers Ellie into the inn, quietly asking the girl tending the bar for a suite with two rooms.

The room Professor Reynolds leads Ellie to is small but cozy - no signs of modern technology, here or elsewhere in the Cauldron, and the windows and furnishings look downright medieval. But the bed's soft, and the door locks.

Permalink Mark Unread

From the inside, even. Isn't that something.

Bed.

Permalink Mark Unread

She isn't disturbed at all overnight, or even in the morning - Professor Reynolds seems content to let her wake up on her own.

Permalink Mark Unread

She wakes with a start around dawn, blinks blearily-

-then tugs the curtains shut and goes back to sleep. She doesn't put a toe outside her door until midmorning.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's a note on the other side of the door - Professor Reynolds is apparently down in the actual tavern room.

Permalink Mark Unread

Probably there's food down there too. Okay. Let's go.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds is sitting in a corner booth, breakfast and tea in front of her. She waves to Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

Does that mean she's invited to join?

She goes over to take a seat.

Permalink Mark Unread

The tavern room's a bit noisy - but not the booth. External noise fades out and then cuts off as Ellie sits down.

"Good morning," Professor Reynolds says. "Do you want breakfast?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good morning. Yes please."

Permalink Mark Unread

Then she can handle ordering - and paying - for Ellie once given an idea of preferences.

"Did you sleep alright?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

"We can take today as slowly as you'd like - I'd like to take you out to a nicer meal, at some point today, to celebrate your birthday."

Permalink Mark Unread


"That would be nice."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile. "And we can figure out how you want to spend the next month, too - school doesn't start until the beginning of September, and storing everything you want in a hotel room might get awkward, since trunks that're bigger on the inside are expensive..."

Permalink Mark Unread


"I want one."

Permalink Mark Unread

Her grin widens. "Well, it can be a birthday present, if nothing else."

Permalink Mark Unread

Tentative smile.

Permalink Mark Unread

She lets breakfast mostly pass quietly.

Then - "A trip to the bank alright?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, cleaning up their meal, and leads Ellie out to the alleyway behind the Cauldron. She taps her wand on a few bricks - and they fold apart, revealing a rather colorful and busy street, full of magical people.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor Reynolds says, leading Ellie through. "It's the major commercial hub of Wizarding Britain." She nods to a stately white building in the distance. "Gringotts Bank is on the other end - where we're headed first. It's run by goblins."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Are those... magical creatures?" she asks, looking around.

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "Well, magical beings. They're intelligent, with their own culture and government. There's a lot of unease with the wizarding government - but things are mostly peaceful, now."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mostly, now?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"There's been - unrest, historically. Mostly entirely due to the Ministry being jerks. Some due to cultural misunderstandings - which both sides should have figured out how to navigate, by now."

"Goblins considered created items to belong to their creator, fundamentally, and they don't sell things - they'll only lease out items. Wizards tend to ignore the idea of a lease and say anything they paid money for belongs to them, now, even if they signed a contract to the contrary. That usually only causes minor problems, but sometimes it escalates unpleasantly."

Permalink Mark Unread

"How does that work with running a bank?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Decently, actually. Wizards mostly only bother with storing things in Gringotts' vaults - and the goblins consider anything in their vaults to be leased or entrusted to them, not to be something they can rightfully touch. Goblins have an intense honor culture... And actually know how to do math."

"They offer banking services beyond just storage - loans and the like - and I think can interface with muggle banks, but I'm less familiar with all that."

"They like muggleborns more than they like most wizards. Which is convenient - wizards in contact with muggle culture tend to use the actual banking services more, whereas most of the pureblood wizards thinks Gringotts is just a hole in the ground they can hide money in."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh."

"Do I count as a muggleborn?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Probably depends on the politics of who you're talking to. Pureblood supremacists would call you a half blood, since your father was a pureblood, and your mother was a muggleborn. And - even among non-supremacists, that's a common framing. Blood and family are considered important, in ways no one's really interested in examining. But, culturally, you're in many ways more of a muggleborn."

Permalink Mark Unread


"Did you know my parents?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes," she says. "Not exceptionally well, and your mother better than your father... I was a teacher's assistant when they were in school."

Permalink Mark Unread

 

"How did they die?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"A man calling himself Voldemort killed them both. He was a pureblood supremacist and a terrorist, and they opposed him - rather effectively."

"Voldemort died, that night. It's unclear how - I believe your mother set a trap for him. Though the commonly believed narrative is that, when he tried to kill you, his spell reflected for some mysterious reason definitely not related to a muggleborn outsmarting him, killing him instead." She sounds bitter, somewhat, voice tight.

Permalink Mark Unread

She puts a hand to her forehead, hidden behind her bangs.

Permalink Mark Unread

She pauses. "Are you alright?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She pushes her hair back, showing the lightning bolt scar to Professor Reynolds.

Permalink Mark Unread

She examines it.

"That's - likely a relic of that night, yes," she says, quietly. "Does it hurt?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"No. But it doesn't heal all the way either."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "Curse marks can be - stubborn."

"I can examine it, when we get back to the inn, if you'd like. Try to determine if there's lingering issues, or if there's still protections on you..."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods.

Permalink Mark Unread

She places a hand on Ellie's shoulder, touch soft.  "Do you still want to go to the bank?" she asks.

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Yeah. Let's keep going."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

And onwards, to Gringotts.

The bank's large and stately, guarded by short humanoids - skin leathery, eyes small for their faces, gazes sharp and keen. They don't impede the comings and goings of wizards.

Professor Reynolds leads them up to a teller, explaining that her student is here to access her vaults, but lacks her keys. The goblin at the teller needs Ellie to stand still for a magical instrument, but after that can pull up a list of vaults - "Accessible to you right now," he says, gruffly, "Is a trust fund established by James and Lily Potter. Your full vaults will become accessible on emancipation, on graduation from an accredited school of magic, or at eighteen."

"She might be emancipated soon," Professor Reynolds says. "We'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

The goblin nods, calling over a different goblin in a slightly different uniform. "Griphook will lead you to your vault," he says.

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Thank you."

Permalink Mark Unread

He huffs. "You're welcome."

And Griphook leads the way. The vaults are, apparently, deep underground, and the way to them is a mine cart. They're advised to keep their limbs inside, and then the cart takes off.

It's a bit like a roller coaster. Just without the seat belts. (There are, at least, no loops.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Why. Why is it like this. This cannot possibly be efficient.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds seems a bit amused.

Ellie's vault is guarded by a massive wall - not properly doors - with a complex, twisting design embossed on it, which Griphooks sticks a succession of keys into, before trailing one finger down the outside. The wall untwists, slithering apart, revealing -

A room full of stacks of coins - golden, silver, bronze - with a few chests along the walls.

"Ah. A rather nice fund," Professor Reynolds says.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Um."

"How does wizard money work?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Weirdly," Professor Reynolds says. (The goblin rolls his eyes.) "The gold ones are galleons, the silver are sickles, and the bronze are knuts. It's seventeen sickles to a galleon, and twenty nine knuts in a sickle, because wizards are allergic to the metric system. The coins aren't precisely made of gold, silver, or bronze - I believe the exact manufacture is alchemical, and outside of my field of expertise. Sadly, that means you can't cheat by buying coins with muggle money, selling them for the value of their precious metals, and buying more coins with muggle money..." (The goblin snorts.)

"The current exchange rate is five pounds to a galleon," Griphook says. "Though the cost of living in the wizarding world doesn't scale precisely to the muggle world. The contents of this vault work to a bit over fifty thousand galleons in coin - assets like land and investments are mostly not available to you, right now, though I believe some family keepsakes were stored here."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Are you allowed to tell me how much is in my other vaults?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes," he says. "And I can make a print out for you of all assets, as well as monthly, quarterly, or yearly reports of your investments. Currently, everything is in low risk portfolios - our standard policy for young inheritors - but while we cannot legally release your assets into your control, we can listen to your wishes about investments."

He lists a few properties - primarily agricultural land (mostly for growing potions ingredients, it sounds like), additionally noting: "Your parents' residence was destroyed on the night of their deaths. The manager of your estate chose to sell the land to the Ministry for a war memorial, as she judged the cost of repairs were beyond your means at the time. This is the source of most of the money in your trust fund."

Apparently the majority of what's in her family vaults isn't in coin at the moment, anyways. Still - it adds up to quite a bit of worth. She could theoretically live purely on the proceeds if she kept to a modest standard of living and let the goblins keep managing her investments. (This being about five thousand galleons a year at the moment, though growth is variable - if she liquidated everything, she'd have around another hundred and fifty thousand galleons at hand.)

Permalink Mark Unread

A printout would be good. And maybe quarterly reports? To start with?

She goes to investigate the chests.

Permalink Mark Unread

Of course. He'll have that ready for her soon.

(The chests: seem to contain things her parents had in storage. The ones labeled with 'Lily Potter' have books, mostly, some of them printed, some of them ancient and hand bound, many of them muggle-style journals full of notes in a neat hand, but there's also a 'Lily Potter' chest full of quilts, and a smaller one with stacks of letters, photo albums that still pictures as well as moving pictures, a jewelry case, and a set of silverware and dishes. James Potter seems to have been way less of a hoarder - he has a single small chest which seems to mostly contain sentimental items and a few pictures from his own childhood. There's a 'Potter Family' chest containing pictures, mostly, and a few diaries and letters. There's also a chest labeled 'Items Recovered from the Godric Hollow Property; Repaired Magically' with books, clothing, and a few toys.)

Permalink Mark Unread

-She should come back once she gets a trunk that can fit things.

She returns to the piles of coin. "Do I just- scoop it up to make a withdrawal?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes," says Griphook. "We can lease you a basic storage bag, however..."

"Or you can use mine, if you want," says Professor Reynolds. "At least until you can buy something."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I will borrow yours, thank you. How much do you suggest I take?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums, doing some quick calculation. "Most books are one to three galleons, and there's ten textbooks on your list... Cauldron for fifteen galleons, wand for seven... Miscellaneous supplies, around eleven to fifteen galleons... Robes are usually around five galleons... Cloaks can run you nine galleons, and miscellaneous clothing items five to ten... You'll probably want a full wardrobe, which... Probably at least three hundred, even if you're being frugal, but large purchases can be charged directly to your account, if you're doing all your shopping in one store... I'll cover your food, lodging, and a trunk. So - necessities, at least one hundred galleons and a check book, but more won't hurt, and you'll probably want a handful of sickles and knuts for change."

Permalink Mark Unread

That's a lot of coins.

"Are magical pickpockets a thing?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Attempted ones, at least. But any decent purse will be warded to curse and befuddle thieves, and I usually carry mine in an inner pocket of my robe."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, and counts out a hundred and twenty-five galleons in stacks of five, then fills in the edges with sickles and knuts.

"And do I talk to you about a checkbook?" she asks Griphook.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes," he says. "I'll provide you with one linked to your account when we return to the surface, along with your print outs."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay." She shovels the coins into the bag and stands. "I'm ready to go, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

And out they go. The mine cart is no less inefficient the second time. Griphook gives her print outs, as promised (they look to have been made with a type writer), and a small check book that shimmers oddly in the light.

Professor Reynolds leads her out of the bank, after. "I suppose a trunk should be our first stop."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. Be easier to carry the other stuff around in it."

"And I might want to come back here after everything else and take some of the- not-money things."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "That's reasonable, yeah."

Apparently most thing's that're bigger on the inside are sold at a specialty shop - a little store with a blue front, windows plastered with advertisements for different boxes and purses and trunks and wardrobes. The inside dimensions are a bit unrealistic for the storefront, and the walls are stacked with different pieces of furniture. There's a display of trunks, advertising that you can play around with each to find the perfect fit, and a little informative plaque that the interior capacity is independent of the outside design - you can order whichever ornamentation you want.

The displayed trunks are all plain. The cheaper ones have a simple minor space expansion spell on them; the slightly less cheap ones have shelves with separate space expansion spells. The nice ones, which Professor Reynolds steers her to, have different compartments which can only be switched between while the trunk's closed, which can have their own spells and shelving systems applied to them. Compartment numbers range between 'two' and 'nine', with a note that higher capacity trunks must be custom ordered. All of the trunks have featherweight spells applied, to make them easier to move, though there's a warning that you shouldn't cast shrinking charms on the ones with space expansion or multiple compartments.

(The compartmentalized trunks seem to run about fifty galleons per compartment as a base cost, not including further expansion spells, extra protective spells, or high end decoration.)

Permalink Mark Unread

She doesn't really care for any of the decorations on offer, but she is going to be more-or-less living out of this trunk, so it needs to be able to fit quite a lot of things. And protection spells. And since it will be a one-time purchase if she gets it right, it makes sense for her to pay for it out of her own vault.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds can't actually afford the nicest trunks, even as a gift - but she can cast all of the protective and expansion spells herself, and those're a huge chunk of the high end costs. (And she can haggle rather cheerfully with the proprietor of the store about the worth of even a nine compartment trunk with no frills.)

Permalink Mark Unread

That's helpful, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

That purchased - she lays the basics on, first, explaining to Ellie what she's doing as she goes. Fire protection, acid protection, water protection, protection from minor wear and tear, from stronger damage (for the trunk and contents)... Anti-theft... One that'll require a password to allow the keys to be used on the trunk... Anti-theft on the keys, themselves - just to prevent someone from taking them, making them teleport back to her keeping takes a more involved spell... A basic charm to make the magical effects of the trunk less noticeable to muggles...

"There's more I can lay, of course, but most'll take a proper ritual tonight."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you," she says.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're quite welcome, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

She picks up the handle of the trunk, testing its weight.

Permalink Mark Unread

Incredibly light - it isn't blowing in the wind, and it settles well enough, but it's trivial for her to move around.

"Next..." Professor Reynolds says. "I'd suggest wand or clothes, probably? But we could also go for books, or potion supplies, or miscellaneous supplies."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Clothes," she decides.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright."

"Madam Malkin's is the usual place for robes - but you'll probably want to get your other clothes elsewhere, especially shoes..."

This turns out to be three shops - Ellie doesn't technically need to get more than the required three school robes, but she can if she wants. The more muggle clothing selection's more limited than a large department store might have, and is - weirdly formal, in some ways, or perhaps more properly weirdly old fashioned. Vests, button up shirts, ties, Victorian-style dresses, and slacks in colorful shades are the more normal things carried; finding even just neutral colors is a bit difficult. Shoes, at least, ever come in black or brown, though there's no sneakers - just boots and dress shoes, pretty much. ("We can also hit an actual mall out in the muggle world," Professor Reynolds says with some amusement. "Gringotts does conversions to muggle currency.")

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think I would prefer that." She'll get one outfit here, though, just to have something to wear around.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Understandable. London has decent shopping, at least..."

She can change into the outfit in the store's back room after buying it.

Permalink Mark Unread

She emerges wearing a violet shirt, the sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons undone, and a green vest and slacks.

"Wand now?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Wand now," she says. "That's Ollivander's - he's a bit of a character, but harmless."

She leads them over to a dusty little shop (Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.). The inside's full of drawers, and - hums, almost, just beyond hearing.

And, in fact, there's a willowy man with large eyes lurking in the shadows, peering at his new customer. "Fay Reynolds," he says. "You still have your wand, yes? Eleven and a quarter inches, supple, made of ash, phoenix feather core. Good for charm work."

"I do," she says, amused. "I'm here for a wand for a new student - Miss Ellie Potter."

Ollivander turns to peer at her, humming.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do the length and materials a wand is made of mean things?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes," he says, "Though the full lore is rather complex. I only use three cores - dragon heartstrings, phoenix feathers, and unicorn tail hairs - but I use a wide variety of woods."

"A simple gloss - dragon heartstrings are powerful and temperamental. Phoenix feathers are independent and capable of a great variety of spells. Unicorn hairs are consistent and faithful."

"Most students do not actually wish to hear of every wood I use - though I can certainly describe any that seem well suited to you. Ash wands, like Fay's here, are fiercely loyal - they will lose their magic if taken from their first wielder. Ash prefers hearts that match its - stubborn, courageous, loyal, not easily swayed."

"Length, generally, is hard to pin point, but there's a loose correlation to the intensity of ones personality, and it can affect precision of magic. Dramatic or ambitious personalities favor longer wands, and the finest of spell work often calls for a shorter, more precise wand. Wands are generally between eight and sixteen inches - though wands over thirteen inches are rare."

"Flexible wands, generally, indicate more adaptable pairs, while rigid wands are reluctant to change."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Does each wizard only get one wand?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not at all," he says, humming. "It's unusual to have two at once - wands can get jealous of each other rather easily - but some wizards find having specialized wands helps. Jealousy can be less of a problem with brother wands - those whose core was from the same source - meaning that unicorn hair is popular for that, since unicorns tend to provide the largest number of brother cores." He squints at her. "I hardly think a unicorn hair wand would like you, though - you strike me for dragon heartstring. Perhaps phoenix feather, when you have more mastery of yourself, though some wands will be willing to grow into that."

Permalink Mark Unread

"How do you- test for that? Whether a wand fits."

Permalink Mark Unread

"With experience, you can tell if a wand is near someone it likes - though the real test would be putting one in your hand, and seeing how eagerly it makes magic for you."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh. Cool."

Permalink Mark Unread

He nods, smiling a little. "It is very cool. Now, if we may begin testing...? - Of course, it matters some if you intend to have two wands, as there would be no point introducing you to more jealous sorts..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"How much is a wand?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Seven galleons even."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Then yeah. Two."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile, again. "Let's see if we'll find two who get along with each other, then."

He introduces her to a variety of wands - beech ("These wands like wise wizards, worldly ones..."), cedar ("Never cross a wizard with a cedar wand, unless you know what you're doing... They're perceptive, and frightful adversaries..."), elm ("More wizards try for these than get them - they're prestigious, associated with sophistication and dignity..."), walnut ("Good if you want a want that will never turn from you - they care not a whit for morality, just for the brilliance of their wielders..."), others. The majority are dragon heart string - phoenix feathers, Ollivander notes, are rare. Most of them work - but a little, and they don't feel quite right in her hands, and most of them don't particularly like each other (except the walnut, which seems not to care). The yew wand, dragon string core, comes closest ("A picky wood, this - has a way of telling if its wielders are destined for greatness, and it's tied to mastery of life and death..."), humming in her hand. Ollivander looks at her, frowning a bit, thoughtful - "That one might well be suited to you," he admits, slowly. "But I think there's another I can try." A glance at Professor Reynolds. "Perhaps another two, even - though neither, I suspect, will work well with this one."

Permalink Mark Unread

"This one doesn't- quite feel right."

Permalink Mark Unread

He nods. "It and the walnut from earlier would work together, certainly, and you could win them over - but I pride myself in perfect fits."

He takes the yew wand from her, presenting her with, "Fir, phoenix feather core. Nine inches exactly - a short wand, but an immensely precise one. Not too rigid, but it won't bend easily. Prefers a strong, focused mind, and is good for transfiguration." Pause. "I often find wielders of fir wands a bit intimidating, myself." (The wand's one of the plainest in the shop, lines smooth and subtle.)

Permalink Mark Unread

She takes hold of it and gives it a wave.

Permalink Mark Unread

The air around her lights with silver and purple sparks, crackling almost, and her hair stands on end a bit. The wand feels firm in her hand, its presence determined - it's easy to move, doesn't fight her in subtle ways like the other wands did.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes."

Permalink Mark Unread

He grins, delighted. "Splendid! For the other - "

A second wand, longer, wood a rich, dark shade with a more pronounced grain swirling around it, though it has equally clean lines. "This one's black walnut, also with a phoenix feather core. Thirteen and a half inches, more supple and better for dramatic workings, I suspect - and especially good for charms. It seeks self mastery - especially wizards with good instincts and awareness. It's immensely loyal when won over, but it dislikes insincerity of any kind, and it grows finicky in the hands of someone deceiving themselves."

He offers it to her. It seems - eager, almost.

Permalink Mark Unread

She picks it up and gestures with it.

Permalink Mark Unread

It feels different from the other - it flexes better, for one, though it moves just as easily. It's lighter to the touch. It feels like it's hers, though, and she has a strange sense of every inch of it, of how it can move -

It doesn't give off sparks or electricity when waved - rather, Ollivander's desk rises smoothly into the air.

Permalink Mark Unread

"-oh, sorry." Um. She waves the wand again and tries to think gentle down.

Permalink Mark Unread

It lowers! Gently, even.

Ollivander just laughs. "No problem at all! A rather polite wand, if mischievous - and I've had to put my shop back together more than once when introducing wands to their wizards."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Will it- work with the other?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"They seem not to have had any trouble - but you can try holding them both at once, if you like, though I imagine using them both at once will take rather a lot of practice."

Permalink Mark Unread

She picks the fir wand up again.

Permalink Mark Unread

The wands each hum - then settle. There's no feeling of mild clashing like there was with earlier sets.

Ollivander makes an interested noise. "A rather curious pair..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Seems like it works."

Permalink Mark Unread

He nods. "Though they have a rather strange bit of lore to them - most phoenixes only ever give a single feather, if that, adding to the rarity of the core. However, the sources of both your cores each gave more than one feather, and the correspondences between brother wands and wielders can be rather fascinating..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh."

Permalink Mark Unread

Thin smile. "For the black walnut wand - that phoenix gave a rather stunning three feathers, all of which have now found homes. The third in you, the second in a year mate of yours, actually - Anathema Canta, ebony wand, thirteen inches, swishy. The first - in your professor, here."

Permalink Mark Unread

She turns to look at Professor Reynolds.

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles. "A strange coincidence. I haven't met Miss Canta yet, though..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I'd like to meet her, I think," she decides.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'll likely have the chance on the train to Hogwarts - or at the castle itself."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Anathema Canta. Right." She nods to herself, then turns back to the wandmaker. "Thank you for your assistance."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're quite welcome - though there's the question of your fir wand, as well... That phoenix gave two feathers, you see." Dramatic pause. "The other... Why, that wand was the one that gave you that scar."

Permalink Mark Unread


"I see."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Destinies can end up oddly intertwined with such wands..." he muses.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe it's just retroactive."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe so."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Well. Thank you also for the information."

She's ready to wrap up this transaction now.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds nudges him into not getting distracted from taking Ellie's money.

And then they can leave.

Permalink Mark Unread

Both her vest and her pants have long, thin pockets that she realizes now must be for wands. She stores the fir wand in her pants and slips the other into her vest.

That stop was kind of a lot.

"Can we get lunch?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Of course. My treat."

"Any preferences?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Something new. And tasty."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think I can manage that."

She leads them to a restaurant tucked away into a side street, with a patio outside and private booths inside. The food's all enchanted - not to move, but to sparkle, or glow, or stay in a delicate filigree form, and it doesn't change temperature over the meal. The flavors are complex, layered in ways that probably aren't possible without magic. Some of the foods referenced in the descriptions are familiar, but a lot seem to be from magic plants and animals.

Professor Reynolds seems decently well known by the staff. Her drink's a smokey shade with what sure looks like glowing embers swirling in it, though she offers to get sampler platters to share with Ellie for food.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sampler platters are good. Otherwise she'd have to come back a lot.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think their food's rather worth that, myself."

So, two different sampler platters - one covering more traditional British wizarding foods, one covering 'innovations and fusions.' (All of them fairly creative.) Some of it probably references muggle foods - still, wizards have spent most of the last few centuries diverging culturally, with their cuisine often involving different ingredients, and it shows. Wizards seem to like sweets and spices for flavor, mostly.

Permalink Mark Unread

"But there's other restaurants to try."

All of it is definitely better than Petunia's cooking.

Permalink Mark Unread

"True - not the widest variety in the world, but certainly more than one."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Better than nothing."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I suppose so."

She doesn't seem in any rush to finish the meal.

"Do you have any new questions about the wizarding world or magic?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Can you teach me a spell now that I have a wand?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes," she says. "Though there's restrictions on underage magic use outside of Hogwarts - still, the tracking spell for that isn't very smart, so it won't catch you using magic somewhere like this, and won't be in place until the summer after your first year."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What's the point of that?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's - a bit of a tangled mess, politically. Some of it's about safety, like preventing children from casting magic unsupervised. Some of it's about secrecy, like preventing children from revealing magic to muggles. Some of it's about disadvantaging muggleborns, since the restrictions are much easier to get around for those with magical families. Some of it's simply bureaucracy being incredibly stupid."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I see."

Permalink Mark Unread

"The safety concerns are legitimate - magic is an incredibly dangerous force, even if it's somewhat harder to accidentally hurt yourself than to hurt others, though there are far better ways to manage that than 'no magic outside of school.' The secrecy concerns... Given that there's international treaties about keeping the existence of magic secret, it is politically advantageous to not break those first."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Can't you just teach that attention-deflection charm first? Or do some ritual version of it?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's advanced charm work most first years can't manage, for one, though it'd probably be possible to anchor to the students themselves or something they wear - or at least their houses. Still, politicians aren't known for trusting children's judgement."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I guess I've known a few children with questionable judgement."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Certainly not yourself."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile.

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins back.

"But, digression aside - I can certainly teach you a basic spell or two. Do you have an idea of what types of things you want to learn?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Levitation?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"You do seem to have a knack for it. Alright."

Permalink Mark Unread

Yesss.

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs, a little, then walks Ellie through the basic theory, wand motion, and incantation for Wingardium Leviosa - one of the earliest spells she'll be learning in her Charms class, actually. ("Be careful about your focus, with this, since it's easy to send things flying, and overloads can set your target on fire... Usually your black walnut wand will be better for charms, but I'd actually recommend the fir, here - the extra precision will help...")

Professor Reynolds sets out a pen for Ellie to practice on.

Permalink Mark Unread

That's not slightly alarming at all, that levitation can set things on fire.

She takes out the fir wand and carefully mimics the motion, pointing at the pen. "Wingardium Leviosa."

Permalink Mark Unread

It shivers and - rises a teensy bit, wobbling, before flipping over and falling.

Professor Reynolds corrects her pronunciation a bit - her motion's pretty accurate. "This can be harder to do on purpose, ironically... There's a trick to visualization, though, and to being confident it'll work..." (She walks Ellie through some of the visualization.)

Permalink Mark Unread

It's a lot of moving parts to keep track of. Still, she almost got it already, so she can do this.

Permalink Mark Unread

It rises! Not entirely smoothly, and not very far, but it also doesn't immediately fall back down.

"Congratulations," Professor Reynolds says.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I did it!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"You did! Rather impressive, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

Soft smile. "Sadly, I can't give points to your school house - Hogwarts has four houses that compete each year to earn the most 'points,' and exceptional academic achievement is a common reason for points."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What are the houses?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw. Students are sorted into them at the start of first year, mostly based on personality."

Permalink Mark Unread

"How does that work?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"There's a magic hat that looks at students' minds. It can't report on what it finds there to others, but you can ask to not be sorted by it - usually then you're just allowed to pick a house."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Weird." is Ellie's verdict.

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile. "I thought so too."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Which house were you in?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"None - I didn't actually attend Hogwarts."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile. "My father's a muggle - and a rather stubborn one - and he found the wizard who came to talk up Hogwarts... Well, a bit suspicious. I learned wandless magic in a correspondence course with an American school for a little while, until we could figure out visas to the United States."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Regular visas or magic visas?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Regular, though there's an obscure category that's somewhat secretly for magicals and their families. The magical government - and culture - in the United States is much more integrated with muggles, and they seem to really like poaching British muggleborns. Usually after Hogwarts, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"If they don't have a bunch of dark wizards going around killing people, I can kind of see why."

Permalink Mark Unread

"They have their problems - everywhere does - but, yes, currently they have far less of a dark terrorist problem."

Permalink Mark Unread

She finishes her Butterbeer.

"Books next?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Sure."

She pays and leads the way. "The main wizarding book store is Flourish and Blotts - there's a specialty shop down in Knockturn Alley, and a used bookstore in Hogsmeade, but here's basically the only place to get textbooks." The storefront's green, narrow but tall like many in Diagon Alley - but the inside's expansive, at least three floors of crowded floor to ceiling bookshelves full of rustling books. There's an assortment of shoppers - the store's a bit too big to be really crowded, though. The textbooks are all for sale in a central display (for first years: A History of Magic; Wyrd & Wicce: Historic Magic of the British Isles; Magical Theory; The Standard Book of Spells Grade 1; A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration; One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi; Magical Drafts and Potions; Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Sixtieth Anniversary Edition; Duel or Defense: A Primer on the Norms and Laws of Combat; Arm Yourself: An Illustrated Guide to Effective Self Defense).

There are also signs indicating where other genres are - fiction, wizardry, witchcraft, ritual, creatures, special topics in magic, history, languages and cultures, self help, arts... As well as a notice that the store can special order books and owl them to you.

Permalink Mark Unread

This is a nice store. She gets all the required books, and spends about seventeen of her twenty extra galleons on more books. Mostly fiction and miscellaneous cultural things that have appealing covers, but she does get one book on food magic.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds, sadly, isn't very up on the latest trends in young adult and children's fiction... Still, she can recommend some older classics if Ellie wants help sorting. (She mostly occupies herself buying a few books for her own use, though - seem to be mostly newer history and magic theory books, with one dense tome on archaeological investigations into ancient curses that she picks up at the counter.)

(Magical children's books seem to be mostly mysteries or historic action adventure - lots of medieval knights riding dragons - but there's some 'portal into a different world with different magic' books, and an apparently popular series about time travel. They're a lot cheaper than the textbooks, too, usually around ten sickles.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Then Ellie can get a good mix of those plus some of the older ones.

Permalink Mark Unread

They fit rather nicely into her trunk. Definitely with room for a bigger library eventually, though.

"A good haul," Professor Reynolds comments, shrinking her own purchases and tucking them into her purse. "I think, for what else... Potion supplies, miscellaneous supplies, muggle clothing... A pet, if you want one."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I've never had a pet."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Animals bred as familiars - an assistant to a magic user - are usually far more self sufficient than most muggle pets... But they're not required."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Is there any, um, advantage to having one?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums. "Several, though they vary with species... Nearly all of them provide companionship, of course. Owls can carry your mail - though Hogwarts has owls for general student use, too. Cats - especially ones crossed with kneazles - are intelligent and good at sussing out suspicious people... A full kneazle is a potentially fierce guardian, though they have to be registered - I have one, and it's not too arduous a process, but it's a bit of a legal headache if your kneazle attacks someone. Smarter familiars - kneazles, jays, some snakes - can be a good mirror for your thoughts. And some claim familiars help them with magical focus - something I hear a bit more often from witches than wizards, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Maybe later," she decides. "When things are- settled, more."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "A responsible attitude."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mm." She consults her shopping list. "What sorts of supplies do you need for potions?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"A cauldron, some phials, and scales - you'll be using them your whole school career, hopefully. You can also buy kits of common potions ingredients, but the school has everything needed for what's taught in class in stock."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Is experimenting with potions dangerous?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Fairly - I'm less familiar with it, though, than with spells or rituals. But potions can explode or turn highly acidic pretty easily if you're not cautious."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

"There's ways you can mitigate the risk - but a lot of it's experience, or having someone with experience spotting you."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So the same as other kinds of magic."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Pretty much."

Permalink Mark Unread

Onwards to Potions class supplies. She refrains from purchasing any ingredients.

Permalink Mark Unread

It goes pretty quickly and easily, then - as does miscellaneous supplies from the shop next door. (Quills, parchment, a ruler...)

Permalink Mark Unread

More boring than the other stops, but presumably still just as necessary.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Most people dislike having to use the school surplus."

"Writing with quills is, by the way, somewhat different from pens - and very different from pencils. As is writing on parchment... And your professors vary in what they require for assignments - I don't particularly care, and students have turned in essays written in gel pen or on a typewriter before. One student had a habit of writing in lemon juice. But several of the older fashioned professors require all homework be written with a quill, in a specific sort of black ink, on parchment... All of the longer term professors let students take notes however they like - though the History position goes through professors rather quickly, and some of them have odd preferences."

"But, well - when we duck out to get you some muggle clothes, you might want to also pick up some writing supplies and blank notebooks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"All right."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'll have an Orientation class that'll cover using quills - among other things."

Permalink Mark Unread

"How to deal with outdated technology-slash-magic 101?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Small laugh. "Pretty much. A big part is how to use the library... Which hasn't updated to the Dewey decimal system. Or a searchable index."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Oh no."

Permalink Mark Unread

"A rather horrid problem."

Permalink Mark Unread

"But for magic books, I will struggle through."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Intrepid of you."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile.

"But I think we can handle muggle shopping tomorrow. For now - what do you say we return to the Leaky Cauldron? I can help you with your spell work some before dinner, if you'd like, or I can go ahead and see about getting your living arrangements more properly sorted for the next month..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Living arrangements, probably..."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "It might not get sorted tonight - but we can keep staying in the Cauldron until it is."

Permalink Mark Unread


"Thank you."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're welcome."

And: back to the Cauldron. Professor Reynolds explains who they'll have to contact on the way - mostly one of the Ministry officials in the Department of Law Enforcement, as well as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. "Dumbledore is - a bit of a meddler," she says. "It'll be simpler to get things squared away with the Ministry first, and then inform Dumbledore of what we've decided, only bringing him in if the Ministry thinks you should stay at Hogwarts until the start of term..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"If he's the headmaster and doesn't like this, couldn't he make things difficult at school?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not easily - his involvement with the actual students and even professors is fairly minimal, and changes to that have to go through the school board, which has enough contentious politics they mostly get nothing done. The majority of policy decisions are delegated to the Deputy Headmistress, right now - she's the one who sent me to check in on you. The Headmaster makes hiring decisions and budgeting decisions for the school as a whole - and he would be the one who'd have to approve a summer residency program, but he's refused to do that for decades, even in answer to cases far more severe than yours. The most likely way he'd try to intervene would be forcing you back to your family over summer breaks - which he can't legally do if the Ministry's already made a decision about your guardianship."

"He could exert soft pressure on some professors, admittedly, to change how we treat students, but - he's not vindictive. Just very, very blindly convinced that blood is more important than anything else."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie makes a face.

Permalink Mark Unread

"He has good intentions. Which does sometimes end up with him very efficiently paving the road to Hell."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Should pay more attention to where he's going," she mutters.

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, tightly. "Humans are often blind to where they're going, and an obsession with blood family is a common failing of wizarding culture. But the people currently in the Ministry's child protective services in many ways push in the opposite direction - and unlike muggle social services, they actually have any funding."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"The Ministry offices should still be open, so I'll use the floo to contact Child Protective Services directly, rather than a letter - the floo is a sort of magical network of fireplaces, allowing transit and communication through them."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Should I be there?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"They'll likely want to talk to you at some point, yes, though I suspect they'd ask us to actually come in for any interviews."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. I'll be reading."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "I'll come get you if something changes."

And back to the Cauldron. Professor Reynolds heads up to the bar, asking to use their floo.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie heads upstairs and pulls some books out of her trunk, settling down to read.

Permalink Mark Unread

And Professor Reynolds comes up thirty minutes later.

"We have an appointment tomorrow morning," she says. "The visitor's entrance is in London proper, so we can do some shopping afterwards if you want."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure."

Permalink Mark Unread

"The appointment's at ten thirty. Do you want me to wake you at a specific time?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"An hour before we have to leave?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. Can do."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Do you want me to answer more questions, or help you with your spell work, more tonight?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Spell work? I have more books to read before I have questions, I think."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright."

"It'll probably help to focus on Wingardium Leviosa a bit - it's a well understood spell, and a good example of the working parts of most charms..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Right." She gets the fir wand out.

Permalink Mark Unread

And Professor Reynolds runs her through all the details of the charm - and how that ties into wider magical theory, and the similarities with related charms... She also helps Ellie develop mental models of what she wants to happen, and challenges Ellie to come up with creative uses of the charm for different scenarios. (Some of which weave in education about other fields - 'if you know a troll is weakest to concussion, but resistant to fire and magic...')

Permalink Mark Unread

Drop a rock on it, maybe. Or... could you use it to throw something? Levitating sideways at speed.

Permalink Mark Unread

Both, yes, though usually 'dropping' gets you better acceleration - mostly because speed and control trade off, and the standard Wingardium Leviosa is optimized for control. Still, you can tweak how you're using spells, even on the fly - in many ways, the wand motion and incantation are simply tools for focus.

Permalink Mark Unread

How far can you tweak it before it becomes a different spell?

Permalink Mark Unread

"That varies with the spell, honestly - and with which classification system you're using. Charms usually have finer distinctions between spells than transfiguration, which can be more freeform. But if you made a version of Wingardium Leviosa that shoots items like a cannon, and you gave it a different incantation and motion to help you remember the different focus - that's by most standards a different enough spell."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I see."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's a bit arbitrary, at times."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Well, magic."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're starting to get the theme, I see."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's a bit hard to avoid."

Permalink Mark Unread

"True."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Is it weird? Magic. Doesn't make logical sense? Magic. Looks like magic? Magic."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs.

"I dread what will happen should we ever introduce magic and the scientific method," she teases.

Permalink Mark Unread

"One of them would probably explode."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I've never exploded a concept before."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Science is all about breaking new ground."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Going where no one has gone before."

Permalink Mark Unread

"And then making things explode."

Permalink Mark Unread

"A feature of a startling number of scientific fields."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's what makes it fun."

Permalink Mark Unread

"A good argument for introducing science classes to Hogwarts..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe you can distract the Headmaster with that proposal."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Especially if I get a few extra signatures on it."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

Permalink Mark Unread

And: more magic! Though eventually Professor Reynolds does leave Ellie to her books. (She has some suggestions on readings related to what they've covered here, if Ellie wants to dive into it more.)

Permalink Mark Unread

She might not get to it tonight, even as fast as she reads, but it's good to have the references anyway.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'll be covering most of it in class soon enough, anyways."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It doesn't hurt to be prepared."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not at all. The first few weeks are often the hardest for new students, too... It's good to get ahead on that."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

She yawns, a bit.

"I'll see you in the morning, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good night, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Goodnight, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie stays up a while longer reading, but eventually turns in for the night.

Permalink Mark Unread

And as promised, Professor Reynolds knocks on her door at nine thirty in the morning.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hnmmgh," she answers blearily.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Wake up, sleepy head," she calls. "We have that appointment in an hour."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mmmrrghhhokaaaay."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll knock again in fifteen minutes - in case you fall back asleep."

Permalink Mark Unread

"'m up. 'M up."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. I'll have breakfast ready when you come down, then."

Permalink Mark Unread


About half an hour later, Ellie joins her downstairs, washed and dressed.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good morning," she says. There's a plate - food looking fresh - and a drink across the table from her. It looks like she's already gotten fairly far into her own breakfast.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Morning." Ellie sits and begins eating.

Permalink Mark Unread

She explains some of the process of using the visitor's entrance - there's a phone box that acts as the entrance if you dial in the right pass code and then tell the secretary your business.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sneaky. What's our business?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"An appointment with the Department of Child Protective Services."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Very official-sounding."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It is a government building."

Permalink Mark Unread

"A secret, magical one."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Perhaps they got infected with a small amount of sense."

Permalink Mark Unread

"One never knows, I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods.

And they can finish up breakfast and head over to the Ministry (with Professor Reynolds explaining some of its function - and answering questions - on the way.)

Permalink Mark Unread

How many departments are there? Are they elected? How does the wizarding world run elections?

Permalink Mark Unread

The Minister of Magic is elected, but everyone else is appointed. All wizards registered as citizens of the British Ministry can vote in elections - you have to travel to the Ministry building to vote, and there's magic in place to prevent cheating, and to make sure people aren't being magically influenced to vote a certain way.

There's seven major departments - most of them answer in some way to the Department of Law Enforcement, though, and the departments all have sub-departments within them, and there's a few minor departments. Those major departments are Law Enforcement, Accidents and Catastrophes, Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, International Cooperation, Transportation, Games and Sports, and Mysteries. Child Protective Services is part of Law Enforcement. They also work with the Department of Education, which is its own thing - sharing a level of the building with Games and Sports.

Permalink Mark Unread

Is the Department of Mysteries like, detectives?

Permalink Mark Unread

It's a research facility, actually, into the deeper mysteries of magic - though their investigations are mostly classified.

Permalink Mark Unread

Not very scientific of them.

Permalink Mark Unread

Not at all. The advancement of magic research is unfortunately rather slow...

Permalink Mark Unread

So either it's a really hard problem or the people currently working on it aren't doing a good job.

Permalink Mark Unread

A bit of both, most likely.

Permalink Mark Unread

Right.

Permalink Mark Unread

Onward, to the Ministry.

The phone booth is in a very run down part of town - but dialing the pass code works. They each get silver badges with their name and purpose, and then the phone booth apparently doubles as an elevator, lowering them into the Ministry.

The atrium is large and a bit busy. There's little origami birds flitting through the air. There's a fountain in the middle, portraying two wizards (one male, one female) surrounded by magical creatures looking up to them. Professor Reynolds leads Ellie to another elevator, taking them down one level to the Department of Law Enforcement, where apparently Child Protective Services is tucked into a back office.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie follows along. The place looks nice enough, at least.

Permalink Mark Unread

Through the door - there's a girl in her late teens with bubblegum pink hair at the secretary desk, scribbling notes on parchment. She perks up when they come through the door.

"Professor Reynolds!" the girl says, glancing at Ellie. "Here for the ten thirty?"

"Yes," Professor Reynolds says, smiling. "Can you check us in?" The girl nods, tapping a little piece of paper with her wand - making it fold itself up and then fly into a doorway behind her - and the professor continues with, "I'm glad to see you got that internship, Miss Tonks."

The girl - Tonks - grins back. "Yeah. It's been pretty much just paperwork, though. No excitement."

Professor Reynolds hums. "That'll come soon enough." A pause, and: "Do you know how long we'll be waiting?"

Tonks shrugs. "Varies, kinda, but probably not more than five or ten minutes - you guys're a bit early, but we're not busy right now... Got the routine home visits finished a couple days ago, and we're mostly through the paperwork from that." She looks over to Ellie again. "Oh - hello. I'm Auror in training Tonks. Are you heading for your first year at Hogwarts?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes. I'm Ellie Potter. Nice to meet you."

Permalink Mark Unread

" - Like James and Lily Potter?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

Tonks looks like she's about to say something, but Professor Reynolds gives her a sharp glance. Tonks closes her mouth, then, more meekly: "They're kinda famous. So that's cool. ...Uh. Do you have a house you're hoping to get into?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not yet. I only heard about the houses yesterday."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I was Hufflepuff. Best house, if you ask me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Noted."

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds smiles at them.

And, soon enough, they're called back.

Permalink Mark Unread

Here goes nothing.

Permalink Mark Unread

The woman in the office beyond is perhaps in her late thirties, wearing simple dark blue robes. She stands when the two enter, holding out her hand to Ellie first to shake, and introducing herself as, "Auror Dinah Beck, at your service young lady."

Permalink Mark Unread

She takes it.

"Ellie Potter. Pleased to meet you."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, shaking Professor Reynolds' hand next. Then: "I was informed you left your muggle guardians with Professor Reynolds' assistance. Is that correct?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'd like to talk to you alone for a bit, then," she says. "Perhaps Professor Reynolds can wait outside with Miss Tonks?"

The Professor nods. "I won't go far in case you need me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"All right."

Permalink Mark Unread

Auror Beck sits down, gesturing Ellie to a chair across from her as the door closes behind Professor Reynolds. "Feel free to make yourself comfortable, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

She takes a seat.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Can you give me the names of your guardians?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Petunia and Vernon Dursley."

Permalink Mark Unread

She scribbles something. "Thank you. Can you tell me what happened when you left them?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"They had run away from the house to try to get away from the Hogwarts letters. We had gone to a vacation shack on an island. Professor Reynolds came in the middle of the night and gave the letter right to me. We left without waking them up."

Permalink Mark Unread

Scribble. "Did you leave willingly?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you wish to return to them, at any point?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"No."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you have other family you wish to stay with?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"As far as I know, all my other family is dead."

Permalink Mark Unread

She glances at a piece of paper. "James Potter had no siblings, and your paternal grandparents died shortly before your birth, it appears. Your father did have some distant cousins - but far enough that custody does not automatically go to them."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't really want to go to them."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "At your age, you do need to live with a responsible adult whenever you're not in school, and you need to have a guardian for certain legal matters, but that guardian doesn't need to be related to you by blood."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So what are the options?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"We can try to place you. We don't actually have a centralized child placement system - cases of complete displacement with no preferred carer are exceptionally rare. We'd most likely approach friends of your parents, first, especially ones with children around your age already, to see if they would take you. You'd be able to talk to them before anything was finalized, and you could reject them as guardians. If none of your family's friends are interested or able, we'd move on to well considered members of the community - usually not to an open case, though, especially given how high profile your name is."

"We can find temporary accommodation for you until it's time for you to attend Hogwarts - that would mostly just delay the guardianship question, though, but it would give you more time to think, and perhaps make friends your age that you could stay with."

"You can also name an adult you wish to be your guardian. It'd be subject to their and our approval - they must have a clean record with children, have a steady income, and be a citizen in good standing - but that's actually the most common outcome of cases like this."

Permalink Mark Unread


"I think I'd like temporary accomodations, and consider more."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "We don't exactly have group homes... But you can stay with a member of our department or a Hogwarts professor, or in the Leaky Cauldron - subject to daily check ins."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you have a preference among those, right now?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Could I stay with Professor Reynolds?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"If she agrees, yes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That would be my first choice."

Permalink Mark Unread

"We can go ask her right now, then, if you'd like."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

Auror Beck gets up and heads to the door. Professor Reynolds is hanging out talking to Tonks, but she looks up and heads in.

"Need me for something?" she asks.

Permalink Mark Unread

Deep breath.

"Could- I stay with you? Just- temporarily."

Permalink Mark Unread

She considers, then nods. "Yes, if you want."

Permalink Mark Unread

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins back. To Auror Beck, "Is there anything else, Dinah?"

The auror nods. "Just some paperwork - and we'll be doing weekly check ins..." Small smile. "Perhaps something to give Miss Tonks a chance to stop vibrating around my office. But it'll mostly be a formality."

Professor Reynolds nods. "Alright." She waves one of the chairs on the side of the room over, sitting to fill out the paperwork (not much, really, and there's more of it for her than for Ellie).

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie diligently fills her forms out.

Permalink Mark Unread

And then, after making an appointment (Saturday the tenth) for a department member to come check on them, they're free to go.

Permalink Mark Unread

Relatively painless.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you want to do any more shopping, now?" she asks. "We can also hit Gringotts again..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Gringotts first? I forgot to get some money changed..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile. "Alright." And off to Gringotts - she needs to access her vault to withdraw galleons to exchange for muggle cash, since she doesn't have a muggle bank account...

Permalink Mark Unread

She wanted to get some of the other things into her trunk anyway, books and journals and pictures.

Permalink Mark Unread

"That makes sense."

Everything fits just fine, of course. (Most of the pictures are of the Potter family; still, there's some of Lily, including a few muggle style pictures of her family, and quite a few of baby Ellie. Playing with toys, drooling on a big black dog ("Ellie and Padfoot", in the chest of things recovered from her old house), smiling at something off camera...)

Permalink Mark Unread

She doesn't spend too much time shifting things in. It's- odd, to have this stuff, old unknown memories. She's not sure how she feels about it. Maybe she'll figure it out when she sorts through it in detail.

For now it goes in the trunk, and after she grabs the money to be changed they can leave again.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's approaching lunchtime, if Ellie wants to eat out before heading into muggle London for clothes...

Permalink Mark Unread

That would be nice.

Permalink Mark Unread

To another new restaurant, then - this one's less creative, more traditional wizarding foods... It still has things Ellie hasn't had before, though, like pumpkin juice.

Permalink Mark Unread

Whatever possessed them to juice a pumpkin? Strange. Reasonably tasty, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't actually know the history of that one... But it's the kind of traditional that every place has their own recipe and spice mix."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll keep that in mind."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods.

And, after: there's some places to buy muggle clothes nearby enough (Professor Reynolds can make any packages less of an effort to carry, if Ellie wants to leave her trunk in her room at the Leaky Cauldron?).

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh, good idea.

Permalink Mark Unread

You get used to working around magic, eventually...

(Hopefully shopping won't take too long, at least.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Clothes that fit and aren't too eye-searing. She's not that picky beyond that.

Permalink Mark Unread

Minimal pickiness is good for speed, at least, especially since Ellie can just get multiple colors from the same brand of most things.

(Technically there's no uniform for what you wear under your Hogwarts robe, which is only required during class. However, button ups and slacks stand out a bit less - most wizards, even muggle borns, don't make a habit of wearing graphic t-shirts and jeans.)

Permalink Mark Unread

That's fine by her.

Permalink Mark Unread

After, as they're putting Ellie's purchases away in her trunk: "Do you want to head to my apartment now?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"If that's okay...?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It is."

"I live in muggle London, actually, so we can take the metro - but I do have an active floo connection if you want to go straight there."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Whichever you prefer."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Floo's easier to use to get around... And it's good for you to know how to use it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Floo, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "Going through can be a bit awkward - especially the first time. I'd prefer if you go through first, so I can tell if something goes wrong, and also I'd prefer to be the one carrying your trunk..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. What do I do?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She explains the process - you need a fireplace hooked up to the network, for one, and then to grab a handful of floo powder (usually stored near the fireplace) and throw it into an active fire. It'll turn green, at which point you wait for the ash to settle, then call out your destination (making sure to speak clearly) and step into the fire. It'll feel like you're spinning, for a bit, and then you'll be in your target fireplace and can step out.

Fireplaces receive one or more unique identifiers when they're hooked up, though a few fireplaces are hooked to a central node with a single designation - if you floo to the Ministry of Magic, you'll be let out into a randomly selected fireplace from among those not being used in their atrium. Some destinations have gates on them such that only authorized source fireplaces or users can access them. It's easier to give a specific fireplace a bypass than to give a specific user a bypass, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Seems simple enough."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "It usually is. But people do ever sometimes get sent to the wrong destination - usually when the language parser can't understand their accent, or they misspeak... And if you think you misspoke, you should ask someone to nullify the floo connection for you, rather than trying to correct yourself."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

And a last pass to collect their things, then down to the Cauldron's main room, where Professor Reynolds thanks the proprietor for the stay, tips, and then pays to use the inn's floo (mostly a small formality to cover the floo powder).

The inn keeps a fire blazing, so all Ellie needs to do is throw in some powder. "My floo's address is 'Fay Reynolds flat.'"

Permalink Mark Unread

Pinch of powder, wait for the dust to settle, "Fay Reynolds flat," clearly enunciated.

Permalink Mark Unread

The fire turns green with no problems. "Looks good," Professor Reynolds says.

Permalink Mark Unread

Into the flames, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

She spins! It's a bit dizzying, actually, and then she jerks to a stop -

In another room entirely. It looks pretty simple, white walls, a bit long, windows on one side of the room with light blue curtains pulled over them. The decorations would all look normal to muggle eyes, albeit more than a bit eclectic - indicative of an artist, maybe, or someone prone to traveling to very foreign countries and bringing back souvenirs. Cozy armchairs with fluffy pillows and blankets draped over them, an assortment of artwork on the walls, little side tables with mosaic tops, a small dining set on the other side of the room - two chairs flanking a circular table, with two more chairs pulled into the corners. Lots of tiger art, including a toy tiger sitting in one of the dining room chairs. There's also a framed set of armed forces service medals on one wall.

Permalink Mark Unread

She stumbles out of the fireplace to make room for the professor to follow.

...Nice place. Tasteful.

Permalink Mark Unread

And Professor Reynolds follows her through after a few beats. She's a lot steadier on her feet coming out. "Come through okay?" she asks.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Uh, mostly?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Dizzy? Or is it something else?" She pulls the trunk through, setting it down, then waves her wand to extinguish the fire.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Just a bit dizzy."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That should fade in a few minutes, but let me know if it doesn't or if it gets worse, okay?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"It might be a good idea to sit down for a bit, though," she says, gesturing to one of the chairs.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah, sitting is good. She sits.

Permalink Mark Unread

She gets Ellie a cup of water.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you." Sip. "...I like your decorations."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're welcome. And thank you, too. I've been working at collecting them for a bit..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"The tiger is cute."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins. "Her name's Dagger. One of my dad's friends got that for me after I growled at her. It turned out to be very appropriate, since wizards can learn to turn into an animal, and my form ended up being a tiger."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Cool."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Very! Not often useful... But it's a lot of fun."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I wanna learn how to turn into an animal."

Permalink Mark Unread

"The animagus is advanced transfiguration - usually it'd be something you could do in your sixth year or later. Most who manage spend a few years after Hogwarts on further study, though, before trying. But there've certainly been students who've pulled it off sooner."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It'll be a goal to work for."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "Hopefully a good motive for studying."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Magic by itself is good enough, I think."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's an amazing thing, isn't it?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins, broadly. "On my first trip to a magical bookstore I bought a whole stack of theory books... All way above my reading level, of course."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee hee.

Permalink Mark Unread

Softer smile.

"Speaking of books... Currently, the loft's set up as a library - but I can convert it to a bedroom for you pretty easily. I also have a space expanded tent - it's pretty small, as those go, which means it contains an entire bedroom - that I can set up in here or in the loft..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I wouldn't want to break up your library..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't mind... But the tent's more private and has higher ceilings."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Tent, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Any preferences on what room I set it up in?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I guess the loft?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. I'll go do that now, then? It should only take a few minutes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. Do you- need help?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I can manage the basic set up myself, though I'll leave interior decorating to you."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

So she ducks upstairs to go handle that, floating Ellie's trunk behind her.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie finishes her water then hops up to take a closer look at some of Professor Reynolds' stuff. Like those medals.

Permalink Mark Unread

The medals seem to stretch back to at least the early 1800s - most of them, especially the more recent, are for some 'Reynolds' or another. They're all recognizably muggle. Professor Reynolds seems to have had ancestors in most of Britain's more recognizable wars for the past century and a half, including one at some point that got a Victoria Cross. The most recent campaign medal is for the Korean war, with an oak leaf device, for 'Malcolm Reynolds.'

Permalink Mark Unread

Huh. Cool.

Permalink Mark Unread

Most of the rest of the decorations are less serious, and probably less tied to family history - though there's a few antique items, and some old photos on one shelf of miscellaneous people.

As promised, Professor Reynolds comes back down about fifteen minutes later.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie looks up. "Hey."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hello."

"I set your trunk down just inside your tent."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you."

"I was, um, looking at your stuff." She waves vaguely at the walls. "Are those- your family's?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "All through my dad - and mostly continuing back through his father, though there's one from his mother's grandfather. Dad's are all from the second world war and Korean war; he left the military after Korea."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It looks like they were good people."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good soldiers, at least, which isn't always the same - but the stories that got passed down were mostly good, yes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Did you, um, know any of them?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I knew my great grandfather - and my dad - but my grandfather died in the first world war."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm sorry."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, slightly. "Thank you."

"I keep the medals up as - a reminder, mostly. War destroyed several generations of my family. I'm not quite the pacifist my great grandfather became after his service... But valorous isn't always good."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sigh.

"C'mon, let me show you the kitchen and all... And we can go grocery shopping soon, if there's specific foods you like."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

The flat's apparently in three rough layers - the floo room taking up the full width, facing the street, then the stairs and kitchen, then the bathroom and Professor Reynold's room. They're on the third floor - stairs go up to the loft, or down to the street (past the family in the first two floors, who Ellie might sometimes see in the stairwell). The professor mentions a good sized park in walking distance.

The kitchen's small, though Professor Reynolds has expanded the inside of the cabinets so there's actually any pantry space. No washer or dryer - she does her laundry by magic.

Permalink Mark Unread

Magic! Both saving space and adding more.

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's pretty convenient. Makes being a pack rat in a city apartment much more feasible, honestly."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I bet."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Anything you want to do for the rest of today?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe practice magic more? And some more reading."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure. Do you want to learn a new spell? Right now you're mostly to the point you just need to keep practicing the levitation charm, which you can do alone - maybe as breaks between chapters."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's less my specialty, but it might help you to start on the basics of transfiguration." Small smile. "Especially as is foundational to the Animagus transformation."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

Transfiguration! This is a lot more free form, and a lot more reliant on extremely accurate visualization. It's easiest to go between two things you can make a conceptual, mental link between - but that obviously varies by person. (Professor Reynolds does note than many textbooks are written to a normalized audience, assuming links that're culturally obvious to wizards - meaning muggle-raised students might struggle more with those specific exercises. Common links are 'puns,' 'function,' 'materials,' 'appearance'...)

The conceptual link with the Animagus transformation is one state of the self to another state of the self, as the Animagus form is thought to represent a wizard's soul. It often helps, there, if you don't visualize the biological details too much...

Permalink Mark Unread

Biology is too gooey.

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile. "One of the problems is that if you don't visualize it, magic will handle it for you - but trying to do the detail work yourself can make room for error."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So a little bit of knowledge is more dangerous than knowing nothing or everything."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Exactly so. Though you can usually focus away from areas your knowledge is incomplete."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You might want to take up meditation... I found it helped me a lot with the mindsets needed for magic."

Permalink Mark Unread

"How do I do that?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She walks Ellie through the basics - counting breaths, centering yourself... (Magic's influenced pretty strongly by emotion, as well as visualization - and meditation's good for awareness and control of both.)

Permalink Mark Unread

She'll add it to her practice schedule.

Permalink Mark Unread

"It does add up to quite a lot, doesn't it?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good thing I've got some free time before school starts."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "You're using it well, so far."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'll probably find yourself less busy than you suspect at Hogwarts, too... There's ten classes, and each is limited to two hours a week of class time, and two hours a week of out of class work and studying - and while that adds up dramatically, that time's measured for the average student."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So that's... forty hours a week, plus no commuting time..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Other than walking to class... Which, given the size of Hogwarts, can get you lost pretty easily."

Permalink Mark Unread

"How big is it? Or- wait, bigger on the inside?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm not sure anyone's ever managed a map. There's fifteen floors total - the ground floor, seven above that, and seven below. And... I believe twenty five towers, though some experts think there's secret towers. Plus the stairs and even halls can rearrange themselves. I've heard claims one of the towers is charmed to have no top if you start climbing it from the inside - though we don't have classes there."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's seems... inconvenient for a school."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It was designed as a fort as well as a school, originally - the school could repel and confuse even those who'd breached its walls, while letting defenders move about. That hasn't come up in centuries... But the school's reportedly gotten more quirky over time."

"Still, it tends not to make students late - I think it's more playful than malicious - but many first years do find the gaps between their classes a bit eaten up."

"If you're lost, though - the route from the Great Hall, where students have meals, to the dormitories is always consistent, and Hogwarts has a tendency to help students return to the Great Hall. The routes to the classrooms from the Great Hall aren't quite as consistent as those to the dorms, but are more consistent than from elsewhere."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Is it... alive?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's debatable. Many people feel like it might be, and it certainly sometimes acts intelligent... But old magic items have a way of developing quirks, and it's unclear to what extent they're developing intelligence if not made with it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That seems- kind of important to know."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I have the sense it is, but - it either can't or hasn't felt the need to communicate more directly..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Magic, I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Magic!" Smile.

Permalink Mark Unread

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs a bit.

"I have some prep to do for school... Alright if I leave you to your books?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll be in the library, still, if you need me."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

And up the stairs to the loft.

Permalink Mark Unread

And back to practicing.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds makes dinner soon after, staying down with a notebook, a pen, and several books (three of them recognizable as copies of Ellie's textbooks, albeit significantly more thumbed through). She seems content to supervise in silence, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie doesn't have any specific questions yet, so that's fine.

Permalink Mark Unread

Eventually, Professor Reynolds says goodnight (possibly a good bit before Ellie's inclined to sleep) and retreats to her room.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie decamps to her tent shortly thereafter.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's set up in an empty space in the middle of the loft (which is, indeed, quite full of books). It's not very big from the outside, so it doesn't take up a ton of floor space. The inside though is much more spacious - it's only one room, but it's bigger than most bedrooms, with a soft looking queen bed in one corner, a bedside table with an art deco lamp, several places to sit, a wardrobe and dresser, and a good number of empty book shelves. There's windows, too, with curtains pulled back - currently showing an exceptionally realistic view of a beach at night. There's some dials by one of the windows with notes stuck beside them explaining which one to turn to change the scene, which one to turn to allow in matching sounds or a suitable breeze... And light switches by the tent's exit.

Permalink Mark Unread

Fancy. Why do wizards even bother having real houses?

Ellie closes the window and heads for bed. She'll unpack tomorrow.

Permalink Mark Unread

Nobody wakes her before she's inclined to get up on her own.

Permalink Mark Unread

She could get used to this. Probably she shouldn't actually because school will be starting in a month but still. It's nice.

She moves some clothing from her trunk into the wardrobe and some of the books she's planning on reading soon onto the shelves before emerging to face the day.

Permalink Mark Unread

There is a somewhat large and exceptionally fluffy cat in the loft, sitting on their haunches and glaring at her tent.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Uh. Good morning?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mrrrrrr." They squint at Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Right. I'm going to walk past you now, please don't attack me."

Permalink Mark Unread

They tilt their head... And huff then mrrr. Perhaps agreeably?

Permalink Mark Unread

Here goes nothing.

Permalink Mark Unread

They don't attack her!

They do, however, turn and follow her as she goes down the stairs.

Permalink Mark Unread

Just a little bit creepy.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds is in the kitchen, leaning against a counter and sipping at tea. "Good morning, Miss Potter," she says. "How'd you sleep?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Very well, thank you, Professor."

"I think I met your cat."

Permalink Mark Unread

She glances over, sighing when the cat comes into view down the steps. "Sorry about them. Scarlet is, despite their grouchiness, harmless. ...To students, at least."

Permalink Mark Unread

Offended meow.

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's good to know."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile. "Their name's Scarlet Be Thy Coat. They'll probably warm up to you a bit over time."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Interesting name."

Permalink Mark Unread

Laugh. "It took me about four days to come up with that. Partially because they kept making annoyed noises about everything else I tried..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Seems like they're good at annoyed noises."

Permalink Mark Unread

"An important feline skill."

"Do you want breakfast, by the way?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"That would be nice, yes."

Permalink Mark Unread

She cooks breakfast, then, for both of them.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's no problem."

Permalink Mark Unread

Fooood.

"Do you want me to- take a turn cooking?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums, thinking. "I don't need the help, right now, but if you enjoy cooking or want to learn spells for it then I don't mind letting you handle some of the meals."

"I'm not going to require you to do chores, though - beyond a request you tidy up after yourself when in common areas, and that you don't leave food or dirty dishes lying around your room."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod nod. "Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're a guest, right now. You should get to relax."

Permalink Mark Unread

This makes her happy.

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles. "Is there anything particular you'd like to do today?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not in particular? Just keep reading and practicing."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "I'm available if you want help."

"I'd like to get out of the apartment at some point today, though - we can eat out, or walk down to the park, or something else..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

"In general I'd like that to be every day, unless something comes up. Get a bit of sunshine and exercise."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'll probably have to remind me."

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles. "I can do that."

Permalink Mark Unread

Shy smile.

Permalink Mark Unread

And onward with their day.

Professor Reynolds remains available for questions as promised, otherwise working on what's probably lesson plans or on her own reading. (She seems to read muggle works, as well as magical ones). Her library's open to Ellie, of course, so Ellie's immensely unlikely to run out of things to read any time in the next... Oh, decade, even if she manages two books a week.

The same pattern continues, eventually settling into a nice routine - Professor Reynolds teaches Ellie a few more spells before term starts, mostly utility charms she might find useful at Hogwarts. (Repairing small breaks in items, cleaning different materials, creating a timed alarm, telling the time...)

She's fairly insistent about spending time outside every day - though she doesn't mind if that time outside involves sitting in the park reading a book, and she takes Ellie to a few magical restaurants over the month (especially if the weather's poor).

As term approaches - "There's a magically hidden platform at King's Cross, called Nine and Three Quarters," she explains. "Most students take the Hogwarts Express from there - even ones who live closer to Hogwarts, since it's a tradition. We can floo straight to the platform rather than going the muggle way."

"I won't be on the train, since I have a teacher's meeting to attend at Hogwarts, but I'll see you off."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'd like that."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins back.

Professor Reynolds does help Ellie make sure she's packed everything the night before - "Though if you realize you've forgotten something, I can get back here pretty easily," - and then she wakes Ellie up in plenty of time (up to her whether she wants to put her uniform on ahead of time or slip the robe on as the train gets closer to Hogwarts), and they can floo to Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

They're a little bit early, so it's not too horrendously crowded yet - still, there's dozens of students and their families here already. Professor Reynolds helps Ellie get her trunk onto the train, then says, "Are you good to take it from here?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes Professor. You can go have your meeting now."

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile. "You're a good kid. I'll see you at Hogwarts."

Permalink Mark Unread

"See you."

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles and heads off - presumably toward the little courtyard with the platform's floo connections.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie takes a look around the platform. For somewhere to sit, or anything interesting-looking.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's some benches and some small shops. There's also a lot of people, with more arriving before the ones already here can finish their goodbyes, promising a bit of a coming crowd.

Permalink Mark Unread

She gets a little snack and claims a bench before it gets too terribly crowded.

Permalink Mark Unread

Many of the students board, reducing the crowds, but the majority of Hogwarts' three hundred students seem determined to get on the train shortly before departure time - there's a lot of wizarding families, most of them with only one child, two at most. Ellie sees Tonks in the crowd at one point, accompanied by a kid about her age, before the crowd swallows them. 

There's still a pretty large press when a whistle blows and the conductor starts calling for the people still lingering to get on board.

Permalink Mark Unread

Time to go. She stands, brushing off her robes, and makes her way up to the train.

Permalink Mark Unread

She has to wait a bit to squeeze through, but she can get on. There's still students in the halls looking for compartments - all of the ones in this car already have students, and it sounds like a lot are full.

Permalink Mark Unread

She'll keep looking for an empty one.

Permalink Mark Unread

Not in the next car she checks... Or the one after that... In fact, none of the cars seem to have an empty compartment, and the compartments are getting more crowded as everyone else finds somewhere to sit. Almost all of them have more than two students.

Permalink Mark Unread

Then she'll stop at the next one with space.

Permalink Mark Unread

Here's one! Containing a single student, actually, by her unadorned uniform probably a first year. She's humming to herself, swinging her legs, and reading a book.

Permalink Mark Unread

Knock knock.

"Mind if I join you?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not at all!" she says, looking up and grinning. 

Permalink Mark Unread

She enters and takes a seat opposite the other girl.

Permalink Mark Unread

Her book's title is now visible as Curses and Counter-Curses. She lowers it a bit though, smiling at Ellie. "First year too?" she asks.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. My name's Ellie."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm Anathema!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Anathema... Canta?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Why do you know my name?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"The wandmaker mentioned you," she says, taking out her black walnut wand.

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Huh. Didn't know he gossiped."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Our wands are paired, apparently."

Permalink Mark Unread

She pauses for a couple moments, then: "Oh. He did say my wand had a brother with one of our professors..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Apparently the phoenix gave three feathers, which is quite rare."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh." Shrug. "I dunno much about wand lore stuff."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Me neither. It takes a long time to get anywhere useful with it and there's a bunch of other stuff I'd like to learn."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins. "Yeah! Magic is so cool."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What's your favorite thing?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"That I can do or that I've heard about?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"That you're trying or wanting to learn, I guess!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Probably an Animagus transfiguration?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's turning into an animal?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Cool!"

"I really wanna learn the patronus."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What's that?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's a charm for driving away dementors, which're sadness monsters that eat souls. The patronus is, like, happiness magic. It makes a protector for you that dementors are scared of - usually an animal shape that kinda has stuff to do with what you love or what makes you happy or what protects you..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I don't like the idea of dementors. At all."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Doesn't sound nice."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. They're supposed to be only around Azkaban, the wizard prison... But the Ministry doesn't always control them well."

"...Or that's what the book said."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Which book?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"The History of Magic one. It didn't super say that the Ministry has poor control, but there were some cases where they totally did."

Permalink Mark Unread

"If the book's on the curriculum I don't think it would be allowed to say that."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs. "Probably not."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Professor Reynolds said that 'A History of Magic' is biased and out of date, but there's not a lot of others that cover the same breadth and those are all worse."

Permalink Mark Unread

She sighs. "It's annoying that books can be dumb too."

Permalink Mark Unread

"They are written by people."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle. "That'd be a problem, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"And I wouldn't trust a magic book to write itself."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It'd probably say all sorts of weird things."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Magic things tend to be very strange," she agrees. "In my brief experience."

Permalink Mark Unread

Shrug. "I haven't seen much either... But Diagon Alley was really weird."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Seriously."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs. "Are you muggleborn too, then?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Technically no? It's a bit complicated..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh. Why?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"My parents were killed when I was about a year old. I was sent to live with my aunt and uncle, who are muggles."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh. I'm sorry."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't really remember my parents. You can be sorry about the aunt and uncle; they're awful people. But it turns out emancipation is a lot easier when you're a wizard trying to get emancipated from muggles."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, fidgeting. "Wizard CPS is a lot nicer than the muggle one I think, too..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

She shuffles a bit in her seat, twisting her fingers in slightly odd ways.

Somewhat hesitantly: "They were pretty nice to me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's good."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, starting to fidget with the edges of her book and biting her lip.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hm?

Permalink Mark Unread

She opens her mouth... (The train begins to move, finally...)

And she changes the subject.

"So. Uh. I heard Hogwarts has Houses kids get sorted into?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. Four; Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "Any you're excited about?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mmm... maybe Ravenclaw? I was gonna let the hat decide."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "Ravenclaw sounds nice. I mostly don't wanna be in Slytherin, though..." A weird, conflicted look passes over her face.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Fair."

Permalink Mark Unread

She shrugs and swings her legs a bit. "I'm mostly excited about classes, though. Learning magic's gonna be fun."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Have you tried any spells yet?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah!" she says, grinning again. "The Knockback Jinx, and the Fire Making Spell, and the Unlocking Spell, and the Wand Lightning Spell..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Cool. I can do the Hover Charm, the Repair Charm, the Alarm Clock Spell..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"We've got a good base between the two of us, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sounds like it. Professor Reynolds said I should wait for the school year to start for the traditional combat spells. She didn't want me practicing in her apartment for some reason."

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles. "I had the CPS lady, Tonks... She likes playing tag with jinxes. You were staying with a professor? That's cool..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh, I met her. Yeah, the muggles didn't want to give me my letter, so Professor Reynolds eventually came to deliver it in person. She took me to Diagon Alley and set up a meeting with CPS and agreed to let me stay until school started."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh. Mine just came to me, and I figured out how to get to the ministry myself..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That sounds tough."

Permalink Mark Unread

Shrug. "Yeah. But luckily my letter was all the ID I needed, too..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What were you doing before?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Before I got my letter?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

Shuffle.

"...I was homeless."

Permalink Mark Unread


"I'm sorry."

Permalink Mark Unread

Shrug. "Was better than before that."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

She huffs, a bit. "But that's sad stuff. Magic's better."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

"Can you show me the Unlocking Spell?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah! My trunk's got a lock, so we can practice on that."

"The incantation's alohamora, and this's the wand motion," she demonstrates. "And I just think really hard about how much I want it to be unlocked..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie switches to her fir wand and starts practicing the motion.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You've got two wands?" Anathema asks, watching her.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mm. This one's better for control and precision..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh. I only had one that liked me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Felt like we had to go through half the store to find these two."

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles. "Maybe pickiness is a sign of good taste."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Must be."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

And: practicing magic! Anathema's not as good a teacher as Professor Reynolds, of course, but she's still really enthusiastic about the spell, and she's clearly done some reading.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie has also done some reading, and she is starting to get a feel for how one goes about learning a new spell in general.

Permalink Mark Unread

Having spell buddies is fun. And they can occupy themselves with this for an awful lot of the train ride.

Also - "You're good at magic," Anathema says at one early point, when Ellie gets the lock to undo for the first time (albeit not very smoothly, subtly, or quietly). 

Permalink Mark Unread

"Ha! -Thanks. I'm trying to be."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins. "You should teach me a spell next."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. Which one?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums. "Maybe... The Hover Charm?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. The incantation is wingardium leviosa and the motion is like this..."

Permalink Mark Unread

She's quite a bit less cautious about levitation than Ellie - more prone to sending things rocketing into the ceiling than to only shakily managing to lift them. Still, she gets a basic grasp on the spell about as fast as Ellie first had, beaming the entire time.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good job. I cast this spell by accident when I met this one," she pats the black walnut wand.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks!" She giggles. "Mine made tiny little fireworks!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Did you set anything on fire?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Nah. The wand guy cast a spell so it didn't." She's possibly pouting a little.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I made his desk fly."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle. "It's amazing he doesn't have everything nailed down..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think that would just add a bunch of pointy little projectiles to the mix."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hm... Maybe." She hums. "So're your wands good for different stuff?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. Black walnut for flash and charms, fir for precision and transfiguration."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Cool! Wand guy said mine's good for combat and transfiguration."

"Do your wands have names?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"...No?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"They should," she says, with all the sage airs an eleven year old can muster. "Any tool that'll do great things should have a name."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Like what?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Well I dunno what you'd want to name your wands... But I could come up with something, I bet."

"There's lots of famous swords - like Excalibur - and there's famous wands... Death's Wand and the slat na ríghe... And there's rauðskinna, that's a book... And pair dadeni is a cauldron." She thinks. "There's bunches more but I don't remember all of them..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe I'll call them Left and Right."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's lame. They should have cool names - though probably not in English, 'cause English is lame - that mean things like 'peace' or 'shining' or 'victory' or 'power' or 'wish.'"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't really know other languages."

Permalink Mark Unread

She thinks for a bit. "I bet the school library has dictionaries."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Probably does."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So if we had a meaning we could probably find a nice sounding word for it..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Right..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Is there stuff you wanna do with your wands?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Dunno. Make new things, find out more stuff, I guess?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums, sticking her tongue out a bit as she thinks, then: "Invention and discovery both mean finding stuff out - like, creating things to find out versus finding out stuff that's already there... And they actually sound neat even in English."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's kind of neat. Hmm..." She taps the fir wand. "Invention." Black walnut. "Discovery."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins. "Now I need a name for my wand..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What kinds of things do you want to do?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Serious hum. "I... Wanna be myself. Always. Not what anyone else says I should be. And I wanna find stuff out, and have people I love and can take care of, and change the stupid ways things are done..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hmm. Tricky."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe it should reference Discovery's name, too, since our wands are brothers..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Curiosity? Intrepid?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh, I like those both a lot..." She hums. "Intrepid, I think."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Nice."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle. "They'll become the most famous wands ever, I bet."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Definitely."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs, bouncing and wiggling a bit. "I like you! We should be friends at Hogwarts, too. Learn all the things. Together!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sounds good to me."

Permalink Mark Unread

Wiggle!

And then there's a whistle, and then an apparently sourceless voice telling everyone that they'll be arriving at Hogsmeade Station in fifteen minutes, and students should be wearing their uniforms before debarking. Baggage, including familiars, should be left on the train.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Guess we're just about there."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. We don't gotta get changed... Still, I should at least make sure my trunk's locked..." She does so.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie checks hers as well after tucking her wands away again.

Permalink Mark Unread

She stows her wand last, then stretches. "Figure we should try to get to the door early, or wait for the crowds to go down and leave last?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Door. Trying to shove onto the train was a pain."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Fair."

Off to get first in line, then!

(This doesn't seem to have occurred to anyone else, actually, so they really are first. And magical trains don't jerk around like muggle ones, so it's safe to be standing by the door.)

And, as the train comes around one final bend...

Hogwarts comes into view. It's a massive castle, grand, its architecture strange in subtle ways - nothing's quite floating, but a lot of its turrets are mildly implausible. It's similar stylistically, maybe, to some older Scottish castles, but... There's a lot more innovation. A high stone wall with towers - circular at the edges, square in the middle of stretches - rings the castle at a distance. It's getting dark already, so a lot of the details are hard to make out - though that does mean they can see little globes of light bobbing merrily around the castle's heights. There's some outbuildings, too, but none of them are as big or impressive as the main castle.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Wow. Big place."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I know! Looks way too big for just a couple hundred students..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It was a fort too, when it was built."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So might've been meant for the surrounding towns and stuff, too..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. I think Hogsmeade's the only one left."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. And I think there was lots more war back then, too... And everyone all involved in each other's stuff, muggles and wizards and witches and magical beings and everyone."

Permalink Mark Unread

"And now everything's a secret."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "Yeah..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Though with portable cameras and such, maybe that'll change."

Permalink Mark Unread

She shrugs.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie goes back to watching the castle.

Permalink Mark Unread

The train inches to a stop - as a few other students enter the hallway - and pauses for a few moments, before the doors open.

Anathema jumps out, clattering down the steps and looking around with fascination. (Also moving out of the way of the door a bit.)

There's a couple of paths from here - one to a bridge over the tracks, a bit down, away from Hogwarts. One to up the slope what's probably the main gate, rows of carriages pulled by what're probably horses (it's hard to see details in the dim light, though their outlines are a bit... Odd...) waiting for students. One down the slope, to another, smaller gate. There's a soft sound of waves lapping at stone - whatever body of water's causing that isn't visible from here, though. Hogwarts' wall pulls fairly close to the train station, though there's still a good few dozen meters between them and it.

There's a large, burly man holding a lantern over by the path to the lower gate, calling, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"

Permalink Mark Unread

Sounds like that's where they should be.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema definitely seems willing to skip over, standing by the tall man (the way she walks is a bit strange, a sort of rolling bounce) and practically vibrating in place.

The other students filter out of the train, the older ones heading over toward the carriages - lots of chatter, some people telling the confused second years where to go - and the first years make their ways over to them. There's maybe three, four dozen students their year all told, gathered around, some staring at the castle in wonder, some staring at the giant man, some scowling...

"You'll all be taking the boats in," the giant man says. "Tradition, that is, so's you can enter separately from everyone else and be Sorted." (There's a small murmuring.) "Well, this way, then." He leads them all down the slope, unlocking the gate - it takes a bit of time, and involves tapping an umbrella on the lock, then waiting for a strange shimmering barrier to race across the bars, before the gate swings open on its own - and heading down to the water, where over a dozen boats are anchored to a boardwalk. "No more'n four to a boat," he says. "They'll steer themselves, though, and they're a steady sort - just sit down an' they'll handle the rest."

Anathema brushes her hand against Ellie's and glances over at her. "That one looks nice," she says, pointing to one at the end that does in fact look a bit less weathered than the others.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. Let's go for it."

Permalink Mark Unread

And in! Much like Professor Reynolds' boat, it doesn't rock or sink when they climb in.

Two other first years end up joining them - a boy and a girl, the boy looking well groomed and subtly wealthy and not looking at all perturbed by this whole thing, the girl with a pile of frizzy hair, staring in awe still at the castle.

The students get sorted pretty quickly - the giant man gets his own boat - and then they're off, gliding smoothly across the lake.

Permalink Mark Unread

Fun.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hogwarts approaches, looming ever larger, its lights reflected in the water as the last of the daylight fades from the night sky.

Anathema stares, fidgeting - they go under a low overhang, into the rock (the giant man has to duck) and to a large landing, stairs leading up to a grand door - the giant man (Hagrid, apparently) hands them off to an elderly woman (Professor McGonagall) who gives them a short speech about Hogwarts, then leads them into a receiving room. "It won't be long now," she says. "You'll all be sorted - one by one, alphabetically - in front of the Great Hall. Your Houses will be your family while you're here."

Anathema leans into Ellie until the doors open, revealing a massive hall full of students - the ceiling reflecting the sky outside - and a hat on a stool at the end of a long walkway between two of the dining tables. The professors are all sitting at a fifth table, perpendicular to the students and on a raised platform.

...And then a fold in the Hat turns into a mouth, and it begins to sing.

Anathema makes a bit of a face at the song.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's not exactly high-quality music.

Ellie essays a small wave at Professor Reynolds.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds smiles over in her direction, waving back (just as slightly).

Permalink Mark Unread

And the Hat finishes its song, and Professor McGonagall begins calling students up to be Sorted.

Most of them go rather quickly.

Then 'Anathema Canta' is called up, sits under the Hat...

And fidgets, but otherwise nothing happens.

After the first minute, there's mutters of 'a hat stall, just our luck' from the older students, and a bit of groaning, and apparently someone over in Gryffindor taking bets on how long this hat stall will take to be sorted.

(Quite a complicated mind, aren't you?)

(Well, you're in it now, I guess.)

(You're a tricky sort... Ambitious. Cunning. Intelligent. Curious. Loyal. Hardworking. Courageous. Gallant. Willing to lie, willing to think outside your frame of reference, willing to stand by your friends, willing to fight...)

(Huh.)

(I've rarely met a student who would grow into themselves in any House, Miss Canta. You could be great - you could shake the world to its foundations. You could know all things - you could strive ever onward. You could forge friendships that would last the ages - you could never falter. You could be mighty - you could stand for what you believe in.)

(Why can't I do all of those?)

(I believe you could, Miss Canta, but I'm still required to put you in only one House.)

(I dunno too strongly, I guess, except I don't want Slytherin.)

(So you can be different? So you can say 'I defined myself'? You could do that in Slytherin as well, you know. Change the entire meaning of that noble House. You'd have allies in that.)

(I guess? That seems... I dunno. I'd like to start on my own feet, first.)

(You're already doing that, Miss Canta.)

She shrugs. (The House system is dumb, anyways.)

The Hat chuckles in her mind. (You aren't the first with that opinion. You won't be the last. But tell me, what do you think, of which House you might cleave to first?)

...

(I guess,) Anathema muses, after a good few minutes of back and forth. (Houses are supposed to be your family, right? An actual decent family.)

(That is the tradition, yes.)

(I want to be in Ellie's House.)

(You do realize I haven't Sorted her yet, Miss Canta.)

(Well, can you see what she's like in my mind?)

(Yes, but that isn't the same as seeing into hers. I have mild divination, as well, but - I can't make an actual decision until I talk to the student.)

(Guess you'll just have to declare you Sorted me wrong and move me if you guess wrong about where she'll go, then.) Anathema's thoughts about that are cheerful. It'd be a funny sort of nonsense.

The Hat laughs again. (I suppose I will. Then, for now...)

"Better be RAVENCLAW."

There's an enthusiastic cheer from the crowd. Even from the other three Houses, since they can finally move on.

Permalink Mark Unread

Cool. Maybe she'll try for Ravenclaw as well.

Permalink Mark Unread

The line moves along much quicker after that, until Professor McGonagall calls, "Ellie Potter!"

(There's a good bit of murmuring from the crowd. Mostly a few people repeating her name.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Yep that's her name, don't wear it out.

She walks to the hat and puts it on, doing her best to ignore the crowd.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Another interesting mind," the Hat says, whispering just for her. "Though not quite as tricky as your friend."

Permalink Mark Unread

(You mean Anathema?)

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes. A spirited girl. She wanted to be in the same House as you - but, well, we could only guess at where you might end up."

Permalink Mark Unread

(I could go to Ravenclaw.)

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes; it's a good fit. Though Slytherin will suit, too - that House calls a bit more strongly to you, alone. It could forge you into something greater than any before you."

Permalink Mark Unread

(What do you mean by that?)

Permalink Mark Unread

"The future is rarely clear, Miss Potter, but I put students where they will best grow into themselves, as best I can. Someone like you - if your ambition was stoked, the world will be speaking your name three thousand years from now." It chuckles. "Though I can't say with what tone, nor what would come of you on that path."

"Of course, there are paths other Houses could lead you down. Knowledge. Certainty. Strength."

Permalink Mark Unread

(I think...)

(I'd like to go to the same House as Anathema.)

Permalink Mark Unread

"Very well."

Out loud: "Better be RAVENCLAW."

(The table's cheers are rather loud.)

Permalink Mark Unread

She doffs the hat and strides over to sit next to Anathema.

Permalink Mark Unread

Who - has a very weird, almost stunned look on her face.

Only briefly, though.

She grins at Ellie when Ellie comes to sit by her. "Glad you're here."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hey." Smile.

Permalink Mark Unread

Grin! "Probably for the best; the Hat would've had to resort me if you went elsewhere..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Would it actually?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It said it would."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh."

"Maybe I should've gone somewhere else just to see it do that. Bet that'd make people stare at you instead of me."

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles. "I'd take that. But Ravenclaw's pretty good."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Ask again in a year, I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I bet we can change if we really wanna."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe."

Permalink Mark Unread

(The Sorting seems to be drawing to a close off in the background.)

She shrugs. "The Hat seemed really sure I'd do well wherever, anyways."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I guess you've got that going for you, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins and bumps her shoulder against Ellie's. "We'd both be the best, wherever we ended up."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Definitely."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs, wiggling her shoulders a bit. (In the background, Dumbledore makes a speech - the third floor corridor and Forbidden Forest are off limits, and some joke items are now banned - and then leads the school in the 'school song' which apparently has no set tune - Anathema basically ignores him.)

And then, Dumbledore claps - and the tables all fill with food.

Anathema, who had completely ignored the lunch trolley lady on the train in favor of magic practice, makes a delighted noise.

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh excellent. Hopefully every meal is like this.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema picks a lot of fruits (she seems to really like 'fruits stuffed with spices' and 'breads stuffed with fruit cobbler'); she's not really making a point of a 'balanced diet' or anything like that. There's a lot of traditional wizarding foods from across the United Kingdom on offer.

"I wonder when classes are gonna start..." Anathema says.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie goes for as wide a variety as possible.

"Tomorrow, I think?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's really soon... But yeah tomorrow's Monday, so it makes sense," she says.

One of the older students glances over. "They usually don't start the day after everyone arrives, especially since first years still need to pick an elective and most years have Orientation some first," he says, evenly. "Probably Professor Flitwick - our Head of House - will let us know, though. Usually he and the prefects hand out schedules at the feast."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

He nods. "No problem." (The Ravenclaws seem to be less inclined to stare at Ellie than the other Houses, actually, no one's really bothering them.)

Anathema hums. "So maybe we'll have a few days to get settled in, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Seems like."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That'll be nice... Maybe they'll also give us a map."

Permalink Mark Unread

"The castle likes to change its floorplan, as I understand it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe a magic changing map."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Might work..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Might be complicated, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Probably there's wards and things you'd have to work around or integrate with."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hm. Yeah. I think Hogwarts is Unplottable, so that might also mess with it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mm."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nom nom nom.

And a bit later a prefect walks by with a thin stack of papers, handing them out to each first year. "These're your schedules," she says. "It's late, so Professor Flitwick's going to wait until tomorrow morning to go over them with you all."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're welcome." And she moves on down the table.

Permalink Mark Unread

What's the schedule have to say for itself, hmm?

Permalink Mark Unread

Their school day is divided into three blocks! Each block is two hours long. The first one is from nine in the morning to eleven. The second is from one to three. The third is from four to six. They only have classes Monday through Friday. Only ten of the fifteen blocks (spread out so there's two a day) are taken up overall.

Monday, the second of September, they have no classes. On Tuesday and Thursday they have Orientation (single House) in the first block. They have no other classes until the week of September the ninth, though, at which point their classes settle into what they'll be on non-holiday weeks. The week of Monday, September the twenty third is a holiday (marked as "Mabon (Autumn Equinox)", as is the week of Monday, October the twenty eighth (marked as "Samhain"). The last day of the school year is Friday, December the thirteenth (with a note that school restarts Monday, December the thirtieth, after the Yule break).

Monday:

-History of Magic, Block 1 (with Gryffindor)

-Elective, Block 3 (please inform your Head of House of your choice by Wednesday, September Fourth)

Tuesday:

-Charms, Block 2 (with Hufflepuff)

-Defense Against the Dark Arts, Block 3 (with Slytherin)

Wednesday:

-Orientation, Block 2 (with Gryffindor)

-Transfiguration, Block 3 (with Hufflepuff)

Thursday:

-Herbology, Block 1 (with Gryffindor)

-Composition, Block 3 (with Slytherin)

Friday:

-Potions, Block 1 (with Hufflepuff)

-Flying, Block 2 (with Slytherin)

 

The first year electives are:

-Art

-Drama

-Literature

-Music

Permalink Mark Unread

"Which elective do you think you'll take?" she asks Anathema.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Dunno! They all sound fun..." She hums. "Art sounds the most fun, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Could be, yeah. I think they'll talk about them in Orientation, too."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. And maybe Professor Flitwick will go over them tomorrow."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

She yawns, a bit. 

The welcoming feast seems to be drawing to a bit of a close - and, soon after their schedules get handed out, the prefects come by to say that they're showing the first years to their dorms. (The older students can stay at the feast a bit longer, though a couple of them are peeling away already.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh good, they won't have to find their way themselves.

Permalink Mark Unread

The Ravenclaw dorms appear to be in one of the highest towers (appropriately named Ravenclaw Tower). There are a lot of stairs on the way, though at least none of them are more than one story at a time, and the prefect leading them has them stop to rest occasionally on the way. The halls at least have a lot of convenient (and comfortable) benches.

The dorm entrance is on the seventh floor, guarded by a statue of a woman with an eagle on her arm. The prefect addresses her, saying, "My lady, the new first years would like to request entrance to your Tower."

The statue's mouth opens, though her expression doesn't change. "Scholars are always welcome here," she says, voice crisp and light. "If these students seek my knowledge, let them answer me this: I am the king of scales. I alone hand down the law, and my voice strikes fear wherever I walk. Defy me, and I will consume you. Who am I?"

The prefect hums, then, somewhat sadly: "...She usually wants new students to answer their first riddle as a group, so I can't help you guys."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...That doesn't make any sense. The first half is Justice, but justice doesn't 'consume' people or strike fear. And anyway I don't seek your knowledge, I seek my bed."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema giggles. "I think it's a basilisk. They're the king of snakes."

"No, it's a dragon who's declared itself king," another student argues. "It's got scales, and it eats people who say 'hey maybe dragons shouldn't be kings.' Basilisks don't have voices, but dragons roar." ("Dragons can't be kings, they aren't smart." "That's why everyone keeps defying it, duh.")

"It's a T. rex you dummies," one girl snaps. "King lizard. And dinosaurs are the feared lizards... And they eat people! But Potter's right, I wanna sleep." ("Weren't there no people in the Jurassic?" "Shush.")

-"I mean, some people've thought justice can consume people - doesn't like that one Egyptian goddess lady feed criminals' hearts to a crocodile?" ("Wicked." - That would be Anathema.)

--"People get eaten in Azkaban, so like real justice actually does kinda consume people." ("Wait what?" "Well, their souls, same difference." "No, seriously, what - ")

"It's a law that says people can't go to their beds or read books. Shouldn't libraries be open? Why's there a closed door."

"It's a trick."

The statue smiles - and steps aside, revealing an unlocked door. "You have all reasoned well," she says. "Feel free to continue your debates, of course."

Permalink Mark Unread

What, so it wasn't actually looking for an answer? Maybe if she were less tired she'd feel differently about it, but Ellie doesn't like people playing games with her. Even if they're statues.

Permalink Mark Unread

The prefect opens the door, leading them in.The Ravenclaw common room is large, decorated in blues and bronzes, lined with bookshelves.

"There's always a question to get in, though it's not all riddles - she customizes to students as she gets to know them. Though she does really like riddles. ...Also if you're ever stuck on a riddle, 'some kind of dinosaur' has been a solid guess lately. A first year read her a book about dinosaurs last year, and she's been obsessed ever since. And I think she'll sometimes let students bargain? If you think you can tell her something she doesn't know yet. And she usually accepts 'I need to look that up,' though she'll pout if you don't come tell her the answer afterward." Yawn.

"Anyways - first year dorms are just up the stairs," he gestures to some stairs at the back, which actually extend both up and down. "First floor. Boys on the right, girls on the left, your luggage is by an assigned bed in the dorm according to what's on your paperwork, but just talk to a prefect or Professor Flitwick if you wanna switch. You don't have to ask to switch beds within a dorm. Professor Flitwick said he'll talk to you all after lunch tomorrow, but you should get an older student - preferably a prefect - to show you how to get back to the Great Hall for the first couple of meals. Prefects have a 'P' badge."

Permalink Mark Unread

Up the stairs and to the left.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema skips up the stairs behind her, followed by the other girls in their year. Ellie's bed is on the far end from the door, next to Anathema's, her trunk sitting at the base. The beds are all four poster, with heavy looking blue drapes and quilts in a patchwork of blue and bronze. The curtains over the windows (also blue and bronze) are currently pulled closed.

Anathema takes a flying leap into her bed, bouncing and giggling a bit, then wiggles under the covers.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie inspects her bed a little more calmly before climbing on.

Permalink Mark Unread

Most of the other girls pull their drapes, while Anathema leans out of her bed (crawling out from under her covers) to fetch a book from her trunk (and then pulls the drapes).

Everyone seems to be going to bed.

Permalink Mark Unread

Time for sleeeeeep. She pulls her curtains shut.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sleep! The curtains are amazingly effective at blocking noise and light, apparently, she doesn't even get shone on - or hear her roommates getting up - the next morning.

Permalink Mark Unread

Good thing she set an alarm.

Permalink Mark Unread

She still seems to be one of the last ones up.

Anathema's down in the common room, reading a book.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Morning."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Morning!" Anathema says, cheerily, closing her book (after slipping a blue ribbon into it to mark her place). "Wanna go get breakfast?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Sounds good, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

She finds a fourth year willing to show them the way, and then onward to food!

Permalink Mark Unread

After breakfast, Ellie wants to explore a little bit.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sounds fun. Inside?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Up or down, first?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Up?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. Let's go wander, then!"

Permalink Mark Unread

Off into the castle!

Permalink Mark Unread

There are:

Moving, talking portraits, that can offer directions!

Lots of statues and tapestries! (Which mostly don't move.)

Lots of empty rooms, though most do have art on the walls!

Maze like tunnels!

Moving staircases, which sometimes mean they can't backtrack!

A set of rooms dedicated to music on the third floor!

A locked door, also on the third floor! (With a "students not permitted" warning over it.)

A large lounge on the fifth floor, with stained glass windows depicting dragons!

A library, consisting of four rooms of bookshelves (and eight small study rooms branching off of it) on the second floor! And there's also a few locked doors leading out of it, all with signs saying "RESTRICTED" and then a category for why it's restricted (Fragile! Delicate! Special Precautions! Dark! Dangerous!). It's really small by Muggle public library standards, but all the books are on magic.

Permalink Mark Unread

Excellent places all.

They'll definitely have to mark the location of the library, that seems important.

Permalink Mark Unread

Absolutely! The dragon lounge also looks fun to hang out in.

Permalink Mark Unread

All in all, a successful expedition.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah!"

Anathema's hungry for lunch, now, and after that's the talk from Flitwick...

Permalink Mark Unread

Then the next step is finding their way back to the Great Hall. Possible with assistance from some paintings...

Permalink Mark Unread

Luckily (most of) the paintings are rather exceptionally helpful. Still, they get to lunch a bit after noon - though lunch stays served throughout the day.

"I wonder if there's any way to ask for particular things..." Anathema muses.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Dunno. Probably have to find whoever does the cooking."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe we can go looking for them tomorrow."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Or later today, depending on how long this takes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. Hopefully won't be super long."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hopefully."

Permalink Mark Unread

Back to Ravenclaw Tower, then?

Permalink Mark Unread

That's the place to be.

Permalink Mark Unread

The statue is still guarding the door. "Do you wish to pass into my domain?" she asks.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Tell me, then: what do you most wish to learn?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"The Animagus transformation."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Everything," Anathema says, cheekily.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good answers."

And the statue moves out of their way.

Permalink Mark Unread

"That is a good answer; I should have gone with that," Ellie says as they enter.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Then I would've had to come up with something else," Anathema teases.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Then it's all for the best, huh?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"You could say that."

She glances around - there's some first years gathering, probably waiting for Professor Flitwick. Still, the common room has a lot of couches and such, so they can find somewhere open to sit.

Permalink Mark Unread

And maybe crack open a book, if they're waiting.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sounds good to Anathema!

Professor Flitwick does eventually arrive - after the last of the first years have settled in. He's an exceptionally short man (shorter, even, than the first years), wrinkly, with flyaway wisps of white hair. He's wearing a Victorian tailcoat over a pinstripe shirt, rather than typical wizarding robes. He glances around at them all, clapping his hands, and says, "Excellent! I'm Professor Flitwick, as you may have guessed, the Head of House of Ravenclaw. Now, if you would all gather around..."

Fortunately Anathema and Ellie don't have to move; they're already sitting by the open space he's settled in.

"Welcome to Ravenclaw House, and to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" Professor Flitwick says, smiling. "I teach Charms here - a class I hope you're all as excited about as I am. Now, I don't want to keep you all too long, but I'd like to explain your classes, as well as things like clubs and electives."

"First things - clubs are on the weekends, primarily, meeting once a week, except some sports which get special permission to have training days more often. Quidditch is the main one of these - that being the United Kingdom's only native wizarding sport of international renown. It's exceptionally popular here, and we often take Quidditch matches between the official House teams rather seriously." He chuckles. "Now, over the next week, the established clubs will be posting advertisements on the bulletin boards outside the Great Hall, and on Saturday there'll be a little fair down on the lawn. Not every club participates, of course, but most students like a chance to show off and sway other students over to their group. There's quite a large number of clubs, one for nearly every interest - sports, exercise, book clubs, modern languages, religious groups, chess and other games..."

"Now," he continues, "As of the last few years, students are required to join at least one physical exercise club." Several students groan. "It doesn't need to be a large time commitment - I believe there's some that only meet half an hour every week - but the school board likes to hear that their children are staying in shape. You don't need to pick right away - the first meetings will be held next weekend, but the deadline's not until the week after Mabon."

"For your electives - you first years only have one slot, sadly, and it must be a personal enrichment elective. Art is just that - a study of the history of magical artistic endeavors, and education on how to produce your own wondrous works. Drama is the study of theater, including reading and acting out plays - and learning a bit of the behind the scenes work, of course. Literature will have you reading classic works of fiction from around the magical world. Music at this level mostly focuses on familiarizing students with basic instruments and reading musical notation, but you'll get an introduction to magical traditions, too. None of these classes require textbooks this year - everything will be provided for you. Electives will be a mixture of all the Houses, depending on who takes what."

"Second through seventh years get four elective slots. They have a wider variety to pick from, but they do have to pick before summer holidays."

He pauses. "Does anyone have questions, before I move on?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"What are the electives for the older years?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"They're in four categories - older years pick one from each, though you can also apply for special permission to take more. Generally by sitting in with the younger years, since electives in a year's category are usually in the same time slot."

"The first category is personal enrichment, which is the same group you all are taking, though with more advanced studies. Art, Drama, Literature, and Music."

"The second category is magical studies. Most years that means Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Astronomy, Divination, and Care of Magical Creatures. Some years we'll get guest professors with other specialties, though, and that's always exciting."

"The third category is ancient languages and cultures. Currently, that's Old English, Ancient Egyptian, Latin, and Ancient Greek."

"The fourth category is cultural studies. Those are Muggle Studies, Cultures of the World, Comparative Religions, and Government and Law. Government and Law covers the United Kingdom's magical communities, though sixth and seventh years can do special topics in foreign governments. Both Cultures of the World and Comparative Religions focus on magical communities."

"Some of these are easier to switch among than others, since they do generally build on prior years. Still, all of them allow you to test in if you join in a higher year, and all of them allow you to start with a lower year. However, we do recommend keeping with the same electives throughout your Hogwarts career."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

He goes on to explain their three non-core required classes - Flying is actually only one semester, they'll have that block free after the Yule holidays, and anyone who joins a flight related club can be excused after only a few basic lessons. Orientation will help them learn about Hogwarts, such as how to find and use the school library and hospital wing. It'll also teach them about the magical world, including things like laws relevant to them. It'll teach magical safety - probably fairly early - including wand safety and what to do if someone is injured. Composition will help them learn how to write with quills and how to write essays. If any students are having trouble with reading or with recognizing words in their textbooks, the teacher's assistant who teaches Composition is the established tutor for that.

They have six core classes, which mostly will be referencing each other as relevant, working through modules together.

Each class meets for only two hours a week, and can't assign more than two hours of homework for the average student. Flying, Orientation, and Composition usually don't assign homework. Tutoring is available for all classes, usually by teacher's assistants.

Permalink Mark Unread

Mostly things she already heard about from Professor Reynolds.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Flitwick doesn't keep them very long, dismissing them soon enough to 'go have fun.' (He does tell them where their Orientation classroom will be - and that a Prefect will lead them there on the first two days.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie does have one question before she goes to have fun.

"Professor, who cooks the meals?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"The house elves do," he explains. "They also help keep the castle tidy."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Where are they?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"The first floor of the dungeons - under the Great Hall, roughly."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

He smiles. "You're quite welcome, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

That's all the questions she had.

Permalink Mark Unread

He heads off, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

"So house elves," she says to Anathema.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not too surprised it's house elves... They work for wizards a lot."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Read about them, but haven't met one. Want to go looking?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure!"

Permalink Mark Unread

They can start at the Great Hall. Give them some practice getting there too.

Permalink Mark Unread

Seems fair.

There's stairs down pretty near the Great Hall, and they're able to backtrack without much effort - and the kitchen is audible, a hum of activity and voices, even from a few turns away.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sounds like we're close."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah." Onward!

The Hogwarts kitchens are apparently rather large - and occupied entirely by very short people with grey or brown skin, sometimes with mossy crackles over them. Their eyes are exceptionally large for their faces - which aren't human shaped at all, more of a sideways oval or diamond - in shades of silver or amber or green, and they all have long thin ears and long bony fingers. They're mostly wearing what looks like tea towels folded into a tunic with the Hogwarts symbol emblazoned on it. There's not much activity right now - it's still two hours until dinner, though some food preparations seem to be starting. One - much smaller than the others, head a bit larger - is sitting near the entrance, apparently keeping an eye on the hallway while practicing cracking nuts. They look up when Ellie and Anathema round the corner and then stand, chirping, "Students!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hello."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hello!" Anathema says. "We were looking for the kitchens!"

The house elf bobs their head cheerfully. "This is them, miss students!" they say. "Are you wanting snacks - ?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"We were wondering if you did requests?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Of course, of course! We can bring food to other places, or at other times, or here, or do any sort of special food! And if you have a strict diet or any restrictions or allergies, we can tell where you're sitting in the Great Hall and put only your food in front of you - though the Madam in the Hospital Wing can help get allergies less bad."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh. That's very, um, helpful. How do you tell where we're sitting from down here?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Pause. "Magic?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Okay, fair enough.

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Are the miss students wanting requests now?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Anathema?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums then asks for a drink - which is easy enough, in a thermos with a secure lid.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie would like a cookie, please.

Permalink Mark Unread

She can have one! (There's quite a lot of varieties - some normal for muggles, some weird wizarding ones, but the house elves can also do 'a random flavor.')

Permalink Mark Unread

Random!

Permalink Mark Unread

That gets her a soft, smooth cookie. It has a faint chocolate and cinnamon flavor, slightly sweet and almost milky, with licorice bits.

Permalink Mark Unread

Tasty.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema gets one for herself, and then - what does Ellie feel like doing next?

Permalink Mark Unread

Library? See what titles they have.

Permalink Mark Unread

Oooo, that sounds excellent.

To the library!

They have: copies of all the textbooks, further reading on all classes (including electives), classic fiction, an archive of magazines and newspapers, and... Actually not much else, though the 'further reading' section is fairly substantial, especially for the core classes.

Permalink Mark Unread

Better than nothing.

Ellie grabs one of the books cited in their transfiguration textbook for later.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema pauses around the cultural studies books.

Then grabs a dictionary and grammar on Ancient Egyptian, and a history book about Egyptian magical communities, and then skims through the Defense and Charms books until she finds something about emotion-based magic, including the Patronus.

Permalink Mark Unread

Thence to checkout?

Permalink Mark Unread

Sounds good to her.

She doesn't always really like reading around strangers - maybe after dinner they can go back to the dragon lounge, read until bedtime?

Permalink Mark Unread

Sure.

Permalink Mark Unread

Heeee.

It's a rather nice way to spend the next few hours. Anathema reads quietly, at least, deeply engaged in her books.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie is focused just as much, just the rustle of turning pages and the soft scratches of notetaking.

Permalink Mark Unread

She's smiling when it's time for bed, and she offers Ellie a soft "Good night."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good night."

Permalink Mark Unread

The next few days aren't strenuous at all. The first two days of Orientation introduce them to magical safety (something Professor Reynolds has already taught Ellie), how to find the library, how to find the medical wing, how to find the professors' offices, and how to find all their classrooms. They're also given a literacy test, which all the Ravenclaws do well on.

Ellie and Anathema's first class is History of Magic, held on the fourth floor, at nine in the morning sharp. It's taught by one Professor Quirrell, apparently, who the upper years describe as 'nervous.' They'll be sharing the classroom with Gryffindor House, as well as their fellow first year Ravenclaws.

Permalink Mark Unread

Exciting.

Ellie makes sure she's up in plenty of time to have breakfast, and brings both wizarding and muggle writing supplies.

Permalink Mark Unread

The History classroom smells, faintly, of incense. There's a smoky quality to the light nearest the ceiling. It's enough to give Ellie a slow headache, concentrated at the front of her forehead. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor have twenty students even between them (eleven Ravenclaw, nine Gryffindor), and mostly settle into seats based on House. The Gryffindor students, notably, don't seem to actually have much in the way of muggle writing supplies, unlike the Ravenclaws - only one boy and one girl, each sitting a bit separately from the others, have a notebook on their desks.

Professor Quirrel hardly fills the front of the room - he seems small. Shrunken in, and dwarfed by even the paltry bookshelves around him. He keeps his desk between himself and his students as he starts the lesson - he has a noticeable stutter -

"Good morning, students, and welcome to the History of Magic. As this is your first year, I will mostly be giving an overview of British magic throughout the ages. We will begin with the earliest days we have evidence for, and move forward from there. You are allowed to take notes however you like, but essays must be written on parchment, with quill, in black ink."

Permalink Mark Unread

That's a little weird but she can foresee the incense being a yearlong problem.

Permalink Mark Unread

He goes over the curriculum, mostly, then in the second hour starts in on the earliest magic in the British Isles. "We don't have many surviving accounts from that time," he says. "Primarily oral tradition, and what we can guess from the remaining workings - and our ancestors worked amazing magic. They didn't have wands as we know them - while some Gaelic magical lineages made use of sacred branches, the wand proper was invented in Greece, and came to Britain with the Roman invaders. Rather, magic was focused around astrology and sacrifice..."

He details some of the early rituals - "Deemed Dark, nowadays, as if that is a reasonable brush to paint an entire culture with," - and mentions some of the workings that still remain active. (There was no full concept of a national identity yet, but the early protections against Roman invasion were used as the foundation for strengthening the protective magics over the entire British Isles. Several protections on barrows also remain constant - primarily keeping the restless dead within, and the living from disturbing their sleep.) He speaks with light admiration, mostly, of their ingenuity in sacrificial magic - but doesn't get too far in before the last fifteen minutes, when he pivots to giving homework assignments.

"No essays this first week," he says, "Though I'll give you a short one over Mabon on today's topic, which we'll continue next week. Your reading assignments are the first chapter of Wyrd and Wicce, as well as the section of A History of Magic's first chapter labeled 'Prehistoric Northern Europe.' If you wish to do further reading, the library has a copy I believe of Runes Before Writing by Edyth Glenn, which has a section for Northern Europe, including the Nordic countries and the British Isles. There is also Blood and Ash by Aodh Mag Raith, though some of the comparisons to the - admittedly much better documented - sacrificial traditions of the Mediterranean are more than a bit of a reach, in my humble opinion."

Permalink Mark Unread

That was actually pretty interesting once he got going. Definitely a different slant than the texts; she's already read the assigned excerpts.

Permalink Mark Unread

Art, at four in the afternoon, is less intrinsically fascinating, though they do learn an overview about materials used in magical art - though they'll be getting their legs under them with nonmagical materials, first. Charms - after lunch the next day - is less fascinating than either, given Ellie already learned everything Flitwick's teaching today over the summer. She can rack up a few points for Ravenclaw's House Cup by answering questions, though.

An hour after Charms lets out is her first proper class with Professor Reynolds, Defense Against the Dark Arts (alongside Slytherin House).

Permalink Mark Unread

She's been looking forward to this.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds is standing in the front of the room, leaning back against her desk, as all twenty two students file in. Scarlet Be Thy Coat is asleep on the desk in a cardboard box slightly too small for them. The divisions between the Ravenclaws and Slytherins are a bit starker than between the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors - though one Slytherin girl crosses the gap to sit with Ellie's classmates Lisa and Mandy (both muggleborn) and glare back at some of the girls from her own House.

The Defense classroom is pretty large but not cavernously so, fitting their crowd well. There's a large white board on the front (a feature of none of their other classes; apparently no one else believes in putting up notes for students), and some shelves with copies of the textbooks (across all seven years) and a few other Defense-related books. The room's light and airy, decorated with pictures - muggle style - and artwork of people fighting in both magical and muggle traditions, as well as some prominent muggle-style posters on anatomy, stretches, and body mechanics.

"Good afternoon, class. I'm Professor Fay Reynolds," she says, once everyone's found their seat and the clock's ticked to four. "I'll be teaching you all self defense throughout your stay in Hogwarts - officially, Defense Against the Dark Arts, though I believe proper self defense extends farther than that."

"Now... I'd actually like to get to know all of you, rather than have you all sit here listening to me ramble on. I think it'd be helpful for us all to introduce ourselves. I'd at least like everyone to include your name, if you have any previous experience with self defense or martial arts, what you'd like to see me teach, and a fun fact about yourself. Would anyone like to go first...?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie raises her hand.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

"My name is Ellie Potter. I don't have any previous experience with self defense. I'd like to see non-standard uses of standard spells. Voldemort died in close proximity to me when I was a baby."

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile. "Well, the second is what I'm here for, and the third is certainly doable. Thank you for going first, Miss Potter."

She asks for further volunteers.

Permalink Mark Unread

Getting Anathema, next.

"Hi! I'm Anathema Canta. I know some spells that're good for defense, like the Knockback Jinx, and how to hit someone with them. I wanna learn self defense from magical creatures like Dementors. I stayed with an Auror in training over the summer, and she's the one who taught me jinxes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Very good. We won't cover many specifics about magical creatures this year, other than some very common ones, and Dementors specifically aren't until fifth year - but I can certainly teach you some foundations for those later modules."

She solicits further volunteers, going around the room until the twenty other students have all introduced themselves. Most students seem to want to learn 'cool spells' or 'how to jinx someone.'

"Alright," she says at the end. "It seems we have a pretty high interest in spell based defense this section. Now - classes will be half lecture or discussion, half practical at first, and in future years I'll sometimes move a lot of the lecture content to readings on your own time. We won't be starting on spells right away, though. I want you all to learn the basics of martial arts - how to stretch before exercise, how to wind down after, how to minimize injury, and how to take a fall, to start with. Our first module is in that vein going to be on the philosophy of defense - and the legality, both within this school and in the magical United Kingdom as a whole."

"Lectures and discussions will be in this room, but the main room we'll be using for practicals is across the hall."

"Any questions, before we begin?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Not from Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

She spends the next little bit on discussing Hogwarts' rules about duels and other fights between students - you need a Professor's supervision, either in class or in a related club. Hogwarts, like the Ministry of Magic, does have a concept of self defense, but the bounds of that are pretty strict, and it's common for both parties to a fight to get in some amount of trouble.

She also discusses spell safety, a bit more in depth than their Orientation class, explaining the why of it all - many offensive spells are similar, and if you don't keep a clear head, you can easily overload or alter a spell, risking harming yourself, your opponent (more than you intended to), and any bystanders. (She gives examples of cases she's seen, not flinching away from how some of these are rather gruesome.) Offensive spells are also often aimed over a greater distance than other spells, usually at a moving target, and if you miss your spell could end up harming bystanders (common in school fights) or could damage your environment somehow. (She knows someone who set his house on fire while Aurors were trying to arrest him. The Aurors got him out, but he had some pretty bad burns.)

Because of that, you should avoid using spells you are not intimately familiar with in a fight, unless you have absolutely no other choice. Avoid seriously harmful spells if bystanders are around, sticking to effectively harmless spells if there's an outright crowd. (Many spells are designed for harmlessly subduing your opponent - they have risks, like all spells do, but those are lower.) Keep your environment in mind - don't try to set your opponent on fire in a wooden house.

And as promised half the class actually ends up dedicated to stretching, basic exercises, and some practice catching themselves in a fall. Most of the Slytherins grumble about this.

Professor Reynolds mostly just seems amused. And, after assigning the week's homework - a chapter in Duel or Defense, and one in Arm Yourself - she says, "This Saturday, since most clubs won't be meeting yet, Professor Flitwick and I will be putting on a dueling demonstration for students. First years are required to attend, unless you get permission otherwise - we'll be working through some of the basics I want you all to know." And a small smile. "And, yes, there will be cool spells used creatively."

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh, that sounds exciting. She's definitely going to that.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds, unlike their other professors so far, actually explains how to contact her outside of class hours - her office is in the same hall as the classrooms, as is her TA's office and a Defense-focused study room. Both she and her TA are available for answering questions (about anything, she stresses, related to her class or not), offering help with homework, and offering tutoring - "Or," Professor Reynolds says with a smile, "If you simply want to come pet Scarlet here." She rubs the kneazle's ears a bit. (She also tells them where her rooms are - again, nearby - in case they need her in an emergency after hours, "I won't get you in trouble for being out after curfew or even breaking other rules - I'd rather you come get help," and explains how to call on the house elves and how to use the portraits to send messages.)

Her TA's office hours are broader, since he doesn't teach classes like she does. Hers are mostly in the evening on week days, with some longer ones Saturday and Sunday.

She also won't be assigning essays just yet, "Though expect a short answer quiz on the readings next week," but when she does, she doesn't have any limits on what they can write on or with. "If you have trouble with handwriting, there are actually typewriters in a study room near the library - sadly, the current configuration of the wards messes with electronics, so we can't have proper computers here."

Permalink Mark Unread

Not that Ellie knows how to type, but that's still kinda neat.

Permalink Mark Unread

She dismisses them right on time.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie lingers a bit packing up her things, waiting for most of the people to leave.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema pauses when she notices Ellie not leaving - though all their other classmates file out.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds stays in the classroom, too - tidying up some things a bit idly.

"Are you settling in okay, Miss Potter?" she asks.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes, thank you Professor." She walks over to Scarlet to see if they're friendlier now she's not camping in their territory.

Permalink Mark Unread

They look up, mrrping and tilting their head.

They in fact seem to be friendlier, though they had warmed up a good bit by the time Ellie had left for class.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema walks up too.

Permalink Mark Unread

And Scarlet gets up out of their box, coming over to the edge of the desk to meow demandingly at them.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Scarlet, this is Anathema. Anathema, this is Scarlet Be Thy Coat. They're very fluffy."

Permalink Mark Unread

Pet!

Permalink Mark Unread

Purr!!!

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee!

Permalink Mark Unread

Mmmm yes this is acceptable. Good humans.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm looking forward to Saturday."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Me too."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I am too, actually," Professor Reynolds says. "Professor Flitwick used to be a professional duelist, so it's a good way to stretch ourselves."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Is professional dueling like fencing?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's similar in principle, yes, though fencing is often more specialized and formalized."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So dueling is more like an actual fight than that?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes, though how much so varies between countries with the tradition - British dueling is on the more formal end."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"We won't technically be dueling," she says, "Though we'll have rules of engagement set up ahead of time."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What will you technically be doing?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"A demonstration fight, which is a bit more of a performance, though less so than stage fighting. We're planning to do eight short fights, actually - the first seven for the skill level we expect each year to have on graduating, and the eighth going all out."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Cool."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's fun. Professor Flitwick's the only one crazy enough to do the whole thing with me."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie giggles.

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile.

"I'd glad you're doing well so far."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. Things are working out."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I meant what I said about being available for my students, and I enjoy talking with you - if there's ever anything on your mind, or you want help with research, or just to chat..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Shy smile. "Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"And you too, Miss Canta," she directs to Ellie's friend.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure."

Permalink Mark Unread

Laugh.

"I do believe it's dinner time now, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So it is. We'll be off, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you mind if I walk down with you?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema shakes her head.

Permalink Mark Unread

So Professor Reynolds heads down to the Great Hall with them, chatting lightly - clearly trying to draw Anathema out some, too - on the way, mostly about Hogwarts and the magical world. She splits off when they actually get to the hall, of course, heading up to the professors' table.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie and Anathema can find seats at the Ravenclaw table.

Permalink Mark Unread

The next few days go decently. Their teachers vary a bit in quality - and Composition seems to assume a lower literacy level than the muggleborn Ravenclaws all have, so it's fairly boring and easy - but they're overall pretty good. Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration professor, even shows off the Animagus transformation (she's a tabby cat, with markings resembling glasses around her face), though she notes it's a more advanced transfiguration than most wizards ever manage.

Nine in the morning on Friday means Potions with Hufflepuff House, under Professor Snape. Potions is down on the second level of the dungeons, in a large room. It seems to be ventilated somehow, though Ellie can't feel the air moving, because it isn't too stuffy or damp, but it is chilly. There's a black board at the front of the room and a large desk, and the students' tables are arrayed on broad steps descending from the door down to the front of the room. There's fifteen tables - more than they need - with three to a row, each with a cauldron set down into it and two chairs. The blackboard says only 'two to a table.' (Doable, given their even numbers - eleven each of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.)

Professor Snape isn't in the room yet, it looks like.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Want to work together?" she asks Anathema.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah! You're good at this stuff." (That Anathema's been having trouble getting along with other students goes unsaid, a bit - they seem to find her weird, especially the other muggleborns.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile. (It's the other students' loss, so whatever.)

They can get a table in the rough middle of the room.

Permalink Mark Unread

And, at nine on the dot, Professor Snape sweeps into the room from a barely visible side door, black robes billowing around him. He stops in front of his desk, glaring up at his students. "Put away your wands," he snaps.

"There will be no foolish wand waving here, and little even in your NEWT years - should a single one of you make it that far. Many students refuse to believe this is magic, because of that - but witchcraft is an older and more powerful tradition than mere wizardry. I doubt most of you will understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death - if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

Permalink Mark Unread

He clearly has a chip on his shoulder. Doesn't seem to enjoy his job, either.

Permalink Mark Unread

He calls roll, after that - pausing on Ellie's name. "Ah, yes. Ellie Potter. Our new... Celebrity."

Both Houses go still and quiet, clearly uncomfortable.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema scowls.

Permalink Mark Unread

And a grudge against her in particular.

"Present. Sir." Her face is very still, tone perfectly even.

Permalink Mark Unread

He goes through the rest of the names with no further comment. Still, his gaze is heavy, unpleasant, with no warmth in his dark eyes or stern expression.

Then, in the long silence after role call, which has many of the Ravenclaws shuffling in their seats, he suddenly snaps, "Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

(It's in her Potions textbook - in the first fifth meant for first years, even, though pretty near the back of that.)

Permalink Mark Unread

"Draught of Living Death. A sleeping potion. Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

Scowl. "And where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"The infirmary. Sir."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane, Potter?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Whether one follows the Christian or the Greek tradition. Sir."

Permalink Mark Unread

"One point from Ravenclaw House for cheek."

Permalink Mark Unread

Someone sitting very close to Ellie might notice her hands are clenched to the edge of her seat, white-knuckled.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema does. She's shaking, actually, eyes narrow, and her voice is hardly steady when she starts talking - "Cheek? She's right!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"One point from Ravenclaw House for backtalk, Miss Canta."

Permalink Mark Unread

She goes white. "You," she says, voice shaking - deep breath - "You don't get to bully her - "

(There's muttering, around the classroom.)

Permalink Mark Unread

"I am the Professor," he says, voice even. "And you will find in this room that my word is law. Three points from Ravenclaw House, Miss Canta, for further backtalk."

Permalink Mark Unread

She stands, suddenly, her chair clattering back -

"Nice words from a bloody DEATH EATER - "

Permalink Mark Unread

His expression freezes.

"Twenty points from Ravenclaw House, Miss Canta. You are dismissed from this classroom."

Permalink Mark Unread

It's really unclear how much she's crying because she's frustrated or angry or what -

"I don't want to be in your stupid class anyways!"

She snatches her bag, turning to run out the door.

Permalink Mark Unread


Ellie is breathing very carefully. Her hands are still hidden below the desk.

Permalink Mark Unread

And one of the Ravenclaw boys stands up - a muggleborn like Anathema, the one who keeps arguing with Ravenclaw's statue about freedom of information instead of ever answering any questions, Oliver Rivers - and says, "You have no right to treat students like that. That's wrong and should be illegal." And, at the 'five points from Ravenclaw House,' he turns, grabbing his bag and leaving behind Anathema.

And one of the Hufflepuff girls stands up, too - Sophie Roper, probably, though she hasn't talked to Ellie or Anathema ever - "I'm not taking a class with you." She glances around. "None of us should. I dunno if he's actually a Death Eater but he's a jerk - "

Her table mate stands too - the rest of Hufflepuff class follows nearly in sync, and Ravenclaw a few beats behind them, and Snape apparently can't take points off from their Houses fast enough -

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie stands and exits with the crowd.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema's in the hallway still, crying. Oliver and Sophie are standing nearest her, Oliver sort of awkwardly patting her back.

Permalink Mark Unread

The door closes behind the last of them.

No one seems to know what exactly to do or say, right now, but they're all lingering.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie walks over to Anathema and takes her hand.

"We're going to go see Professor Reynolds," she announces.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's nods, some of them more certain than others.

From Sophie Roper: "We should all go together. So it's a bigger complaint. And we shouldn't ever go back to that class even if they try to take away points - my da's a union man, you gotta stick together for strikes to work."

From one of the Hufflepuff boys, more hesitantly: "I mean, he was out of line, but we don't really know he's a Death Eater..."

From another Hufflepuff girl, voice like steel, "He is. No one's supposed to know, 'cause all the Death Eater trials were closed, and a bunch of them were exonerated and those ones' names didn't get published anywhere. But my aunt's head of Law Enforcement, and she warned me he'd - had some really strong evidence against him. But that the Ministry cleared him so no one could legally do anything."

There's uneasy glances. From Mandy - a Ravenclaw - "Our Houses are, like, half muggleborn, aren't they? Lavender - she's in Gryffindor - said he was basically decent to them except for yelling at Longbottom, but their section only had three muggleborns... And - I dunno much about that yet, but didn't Death Eaters kill muggleborns?"

From Lisa, more quietly: "There's only one muggleborn in Slytherin this year - Morag. She said he hasn't been mean to her face, but all but two of her housemates are picking on her, and he won't do anything..."

"We," says Sophie, voice intense, "Are getting him fired."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema leans against Ellie, trying to scrub at her face a bit.

Permalink Mark Unread

Off to the Defense Professor. She doesn't much care if the others follow along.

Ellie's steps and grip on Anathema's hand are both very firm.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds is in her Defense lecture room - door closed, a sign noting class is in session affixed to it.

Permalink Mark Unread

She knocks.

Permalink Mark Unread

The door opens. Professor Reynolds appears to be teaching a class of Gryffindor and Slytherin fourth years. She pauses, though, looking over with her brow furrowed at the gathered first years.

"What's wrong?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm sorry for interrupting, Professor. I was wondering if you could help me with the proper procedure for filing a complaint about one of the staff members at the school."

Ellie looks a lot like she did the first time Professor Reynolds met her, on the floor of the hut.

Permalink Mark Unread

Her expression goes severe. "Of course."

She turns to her class. "I'm sorry about the disruption, class, but Miss Amy will be taking over your instruction today," she says. "Scarlet, can you get her - ?" The kneazle mrrs, voice low and intense, and hops down from the desk, heading through a side door.

And Professor Reynolds comes out into the hallway, shutting the door behind her as her students start muttering. Deep breath, and - "Alright. Do you guys want somewhere to sit down, so we can talk about what happened?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's a lounge nearby, pretty close to her suite, big enough for all twenty two students - Scarlet seems to have been using it as a cat toy room.

She makes sure everyone's comfortable, then sits.

"Alright. I need to know who you're filing the complaint against, first, and why."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Professor Snape." She lays out events in chronological order, neglecting the color commentary.

Permalink Mark Unread

She seems - stunned, actually, by the accusation from two separate students that Snape is a Death Eater.

"That - isn't something we were ever informed of," she says, voice thin and distant.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema opens her mouth, closes it - "One of the Slytherins told me," she says, awkwardly, hesitantly. "Lots of them've got Death Eater parents, so."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I believe you," Professor Reynolds says, steadying her voice. "And regardless of his past, his behavior today and to all his students is inexcusable." Deep breath.

And then she casts a quick spell, causing a few numbers to float in front of her. "I'll do everything in my power to help you with your complaint, but first..."

"Ten points to your Houses for each of you, for standing up for one other. Another five points to Hufflepuff for Sophie Roper, for rallying your classmates. Ten to Oliver Rivers, for being the first to follow Anathema. Five to Ellie Potter, for thinking to bring this to my attention."

Softly, looking at Anathema, "And fifty points to Ravenclaw for Anathema Canta, for not letting injustice stand."

It's easily more than twice back what Snape took away. There's a few relieved sighs from the other students - they mostly don't really buy into the House Cup stuff yet, but they get that everyone else takes it super seriously.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie squeezes Anathema's hand gently.

"Thank you for helping, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema hiccups and squeezes back. "Thanks," she says, softer.

Permalink Mark Unread

She gives them a soft smile back. "Helping students is my job," she says.

"Now...The first step is taking this to Headmaster Dumbledore. For that, a single spokesperson - which Miss Potter has done very well at - is best, though he'll likely ask everyone else for corroboration."

"But... Headmaster Dumbledore hasn't taken all complaints seriously before, sad to say. It might be best to start thinking about a written complaint, with one coherent main story and supporting notes and signatures from all of you. It'll be strengthened if first years from the other two classes add corroborating complaints, and if you can get support from the upper years and anyone who has family on the school board. That should be submitted to the school board - I'll help you make copies, so you can send it to each member."

"That's a more formal action - and more drastic, some would say." She takes a deep breath. "The school board will likely want proof of the Death Eater accusation, or at least credible witnesses..."

The Hufflepuff who'd backed up Anathema bites her lip. "My aunt wasn't even supposed to tell me, and I don't want her in trouble..." She glances at Anathema. "But I'll put it under my signature, if Anathema's source doesn't wanna put theirs."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema shifts uncomfortably.

Permalink Mark Unread

"If they're in Slytherin, they won't want to. Professor Snape will still be their Head of House at the time the complaint is submitted."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe we can try talking to them..." one of the Ravenclaws (Terry) says, a bit hesitantly. "But yeah. Though Ravenclaw lets anyone in. We can just steal them. And then he won't be their Head of House anymore."

"Hufflepuff takes all the rest," Sophie says. "We'll steal them too."

Anathema snort giggles a bit. "I dunno that'll be enough..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I might be able to set up a method for anonymous comments, if there's students who fear reprisal."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That may help."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "I'd hope so." Sigh. "Do you all feel up to talking to Professor Dumbledore right now?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I do."

Permalink Mark Unread

There's murmurs of assent from all the students present.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds nods, standing. "Alright. I'll lead the way, then, and I'll introduce the complaint to Headmaster Dumbledore."

Permalink Mark Unread

Off they go again.

Permalink Mark Unread

The Headmaster's office is a bit of a trek. It's guarded by the statue of a gargoyle, who leaps out of the way when Professor Reynolds gives the password - apparently a type of candy - and then up some moving stairs. The office itself is big and full of paintings and statues and books and a bunch of weird odds and ends, and the Headmaster himself is sitting at a desk covered in paper, with a large bird, feathers in brilliant shimmering reds and oranges and golds, on a perch next to him.

"Fay!" he says. "I must say, this is quite the surprise - and with it seems all of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff's first years. What ever could be the matter?"

Professor Reynolds takes a deep breath, and: "Albus. We are here to submit a complaint against Professor Severus Snape for inappropriate, biased, and cruel behavior to students under his care. Additionally, accusations have surfaced that he was one of Voldemort's Death Eaters before being exonerated. We would like an opportunity to settle this informally, before taking it to the school board - or higher."

His expression goes grave. "That is quite a serious set of accusations, Fay," he says. "I would like to hear the story from the students themselves, please."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie steps forward to repeat the story. (Incidentally placing herself between Dumbledore and Anathema.)

Permalink Mark Unread

He listens silently. And then: "Miss Canta, can you share your source - "

"No, because you might get them in trouble," she says, speaking quickly, her voice shaking a bit, "And they might not want anyone to know. But it doesn't matter who told me, 'cause it's true."

He sighs, but before he can say anything else -

Permalink Mark Unread

"You were at all the trials, Albus," Professor Reynolds snaps, "You know the truth of the accusations as well as anyone."

He regards her, expression unreadable, then inclines his head. "Professor Severus Snape was indeed accused at the time," he says, gently, "But I found the evidence exonerating him rather convincing. I do not believe he is a threat to students."

"Does," Professor Reynolds takes a deep breath, "Does he have a bloody Dark Mark - "

Headmaster Dumbledore replies, voice still pitched to be soothing, "You know as well as I do that the Mark was placed even on those who were controlled or coerced, Fay."

Professor Reynolds' expression is incandescently furious. "You..." Deep breath. "I won't detract from this complaint," she says, voice tight, "By delving into this particular disagreement at this time. The complaint submitted, taken on its own, regardless of anything that did or did not happen prior to nine this morning, represents unprofessional and inexcusable behavior on behalf of anyone representing this institution, let alone instructing its children."

Headmaster Dumbledore folds his hands in front of himself, calmly. Almost serenely. "Prior behavior is rather illustrative, however, when considering anything that might be done about a complaint, and Professor Snape has a rather exemplary record. Furthermore, he has the right to explain his side of events to me. I will speak to him this evening, after the last of his classes." He turns to look at the other students. "Do any of you have anything to add - ?"

The others all nod, adding at the very least, "Ellie's not lying" or "Anathema never lies, even if she did something wrong." (That last from Lisa, one of their dorm mates.)

Professor Reynolds watches through all this, expression stony.

Headmaster Dumbledore nods through their recounting, then: "Well, this is quite a mess," he says. "I promise I'll see that it's all straightened out. Why don't you all go and get some sunshine though?" He chuckles. "You seem to have a surprise free period, after all, and this is quite a lot to be worrying about."

Permalink Mark Unread

"If I might add one more comment before we go, Headmaster?"

Permalink Mark Unread

He inclines his head a bit, eyes twinkling. "Yes, Miss Potter?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Regardless of your further actions this morning, I have no intention of attending any class taught by Professor Snape for the remainder of my time at this institution. Sir."

Permalink Mark Unread

There's a chorus of agreements from the other students.

Headmaster Dumbledore just sighs. "It might be best to table that discussion until I have decided on my further actions," he says. "But I will take that under advisement." He pauses. "Thank you all for bringing this to my attention. I do find it's better for problems to see the light early, rather than be allowed to fester."

Permalink Mark Unread

This problem has already been allowed to fester for ten years, she doesn't say.

Time to leave.

Permalink Mark Unread

Everyone leaves with her.

Once they're in the hallway - away from the gargoyle, even - Professor Reynolds says, voice still tight, "I do believe it's time to start working on that formal complaint." She takes a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut.

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Though it'll be lunchtime, soon, and I believe you all have more classes today..." Professor Reynolds says.

"We've got Flying at one," Lisa says. "With the Slytherins."

And from one of the Hufflepuff boys: "We don't have Herbology until four. But whoever actually writes the complaint should be whoever has the best handwriting with a quill, I reckon, and mine's really good, so I can work on writing everything out really neatly until then. And I think it should be one of us to write it, too, not Professor Reynolds."

Permalink Mark Unread

Sounds like a good idea to her.

Permalink Mark Unread

The students agree pretty quickly they probably don't need more than two or three students from each class to write the letter anyways - they all agree on what happened, and they trust the five who end up volunteering to be fair. Professor Reynolds offers to help them with wording and with citing rules about professors' conduct. The rest of the students disperse, muttering among themselves.

Professor Reynolds squeezes Ellie's shoulder before she leaves. "You did well today," she says, softly. "You and Anathema both." Sigh. "I'm very sorry it came to this."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

"Thanks for helping."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you for letting me help."

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile.

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles back.

"Why don't you two go relax before your Flying class? I can handle everything from here."

It sounds a lot more sincere coming from her than from Dumbledore.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

Another squeeze.

And then she's off to help the other students with their letter draft.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Want to go find the dragon room?" she asks Anathema.

Permalink Mark Unread

She bites her lip. "Yeah," she says, softly. (She still seems upset, though it's shading more into 'twitchy' or 'uncomfortable,' as she keeps shuffling from foot to foot, tapping her fingers restlessly against each other.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Okay, dragon room.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema will lean against Ellie on one of the couches if Ellie lets her.

She seems subdued, still, biting her lip a lot.

Permalink Mark Unread


"Are you okay?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Lean.

She seems to be struggling with her words, and she doesn't answer right away. Not for a little while, actually.

Then: "...Lisa said I never lie. She - believed that."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I was lying about where I heard Snape's a Death Eater. So I can't, like, produce another student who'll swear to it. And Susan's aunt might get in trouble if Susan ends up being the witness to that."

"And... I lie about lots of stuff." She curls in on herself a bit. Quietly: "I don't think I like lying."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie tilts her head against Anathema's. "You're not very good at it."

Permalink Mark Unread

Soft unhappy noise. "I don't - want people to know that I'm lying, though or - what the truth is - not everyone - "

Permalink Mark Unread

"You don't have to tell. If you don't want to."

Permalink Mark Unread

She presses her face into Ellie's shoulder.

"You're - a really good friend."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're the best person I've met here. -Best person our age."

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles a bit. "Who's my competition?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Professor Reynolds."

Permalink Mark Unread

Another giggle. "I guess she's the best competitor I could get."

Permalink Mark Unread

"She's very good."

Permalink Mark Unread

Lean. "Yeah."

"...I think I'd be okay with being truthful with you? And - I think lying to you bothers me most. I don't like deceiving anyone because lies are - itchy - but you're good so lying to you's extra itchy. And... Some of the things about truth stuff are - safety, kinda? And... Maybe I'd be fine with Professor Reynolds knowing them, once I know her better?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

Snuggle. She - seems to be struggling, a bit, then:

"...I'm not muggleborn."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I kind of guessed that."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I'm a really bad liar, aren't I."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Nnnnot the best?"

Permalink Mark Unread

...She giggles. A bit hysterically, but.

"I've been trying to read books about muggles so I can pretend better but they're all kinda confusing."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Most wizards don't have a very clear picture of what muggles are actually like."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I've been noticing!" Soft laugh.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I could give you tips, maybe?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'd like that. Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"No problem."

Permalink Mark Unread

Snuggle. "Passing as muggleborn is - a thing that worries me a lot. 'Cause... Tonks said CPS won't return me, right? But that's cause they're twisting a rule that says they can't interfere with - mostly just rich pureblood - internal family affairs. So they wouldn't remove me if I - got caught again." She pauses. "And... I was living with my aunt, and she didn't want me in the first place, and I think most of her friends all kinda forgot she even ended up with me which she preferred... So I don't think she'll come looking ever or that anyone but her will know I'm missing. But if someone here knows, and they tell their parents, and their parents go to her like 'I heard your niece is pretending to be a homeless mudblood, how embarrassing,' she'd force me back to avoid that - scandal, kinda."

Curl. "And even if no one ever tells her, there's - stuff that's kinda scary with... People maybe knowing about my family."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie frowns.

"That's terrible."

Permalink Mark Unread

She presses her face into Ellie's shoulder. "Is."

"I..."

"I wasn't with her 'cause my parents are dead. They aren't."

She shuffles.

"...They're in Azkaban."

Permalink Mark Unread


"Oh."

Permalink Mark Unread

Huff.

"They were Death Eaters. 's why I know Snape's one. 'Cause my aunt wasn't involved enough to get convicted even though her husband was, but she like knew everyone and she'd talk about them."

Permalink Mark Unread


"I see."

Permalink Mark Unread

Mm.

She sighs. "I - you wouldn't know any of the names."

"But mom was Bellatrix Lestrange. She was - Voldemort's favorite. Aunt used to claim that if she wanted to get rid of me she could just make up anything and everyone'd believe her and I'd be thrown in Azkaban, 'cause everyone knows my mom's crazy and blood will out."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's stupid." Sigh. "But it's a wizard kind of stupid."

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles, a bit helplessly.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I bet Professor Reynolds would still help you. If you told her."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Maybe? And - you know her better than me."

"But..."

"Maybe not yet? Just - I guess if it becomes relevant..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I won't tell her."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks." Hug. "You're really good."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hug.

"Want to go get lunch?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. Food sounds really good right now."

Permalink Mark Unread

Then to food!

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema seems to have bounced back pretty much entirely by the time they reach the Great Hall.

It's really early, still - the earliest lunch is served - so there's not a lot of other people around. Which means no one to really care if Anathema puts her feet up on the bench.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie certainly doesn't.

Permalink Mark Unread

Good.

They still have time to study before Flying, even after lunch - maybe they can study Potions a bit, actually, since they might have to teach themselves for a little while...

Permalink Mark Unread

As much as they can, anyway. Ellie read the book, but a lot of it is just practice actually chopping and pounding and mixing stuff up.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hm... Yeah. Well, if Snape's still a problem next week they can ask the school medi-witch or one of the upper years or Professor Reynolds, maybe...

Permalink Mark Unread

They'll see if it comes to that.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah.

In mean time: books, and then flying!

Permalink Mark Unread

Exciting.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's some tension with the Slytherins, but not much, and mostly from the Ravenclaws - Mandy seems to have pulled the Slytherin muggleborn aside before class started to have a quick whispered conversation with her -

Anathema, it turns out, adores flying, completely ignoring the Professor telling her to slow down please, Miss Canta (though the Professor doesn't seem too pressed about this).

Ellie won't have any trouble controlling her broom, either, unlike a lot of their classmates.

Permalink Mark Unread

Flying is a lot of fun. She doesn't even really need a teacher, everything just seems instinctive.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema swoops close to her -

And taps her on the shoulder.

"Tag! You're it!"

Permalink Mark Unread

-Oh, it's on.

Anathema gets a second and a half to get away before Ellie comes rocketing after her.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema flies away cackling at the top of her lungs.

Neither of their brooms are very good, but Anathema's is a bit less bad and has a speed edge - but she's reluctant to go too far from their exasperated Professor (or she's invented some kind of boundary rule, it's hard to tell with her) - so Ellie can shave off distance when she tries to turn.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie is very good at judging precisely how much speed she needs to lose to make a given turn, and after a round and a half of the loosely-defined 'playing field', executes a spinning maneuver that lets her reach out a hand and smack Anathema on the shoulderblade.

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs - and pivots to chase Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie gets very fancy with her twists to keep Anathema off her back.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema has the power of speed and recklessness on her side, which more than makes up for being clumsy on turns. She whips into a turn a few minutes after Ellie tagged her, drifts, and then barrels into Ellie - just barely avoiding actually destabilizing her.

She gets a tag in, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

Oof.

Well, if they're playing dirty...

Permalink Mark Unread

Then they can get up to quite a few stunts before their Professor's calling them down - class is nearly over, apparently.

Permalink Mark Unread

Aw.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You two might want to join a flight club," their Professor says, clearly amused. "Perhaps even the Quidditch team, next year."

Anathema giggles. (They'd both done far better than their classmates, admittedly.)

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll take that under advisement."

Permalink Mark Unread

"If we've gotta do an exercise club anyways, flight might not be too bad," Anathema says, cheerfully, returning her broom to the Professor.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

Laugh.

"C'mon, I'm really hungry now..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Dinner!

Permalink Mark Unread

Food!

There seems to be a bit more gossip than normal, but not a dramatic amount - and Anathema tends to finish meals quickly, anyways.

The main thing she's thinking of really is wanting to see the dueling demonstration tomorrow... Hopefully everything else won't mess with that.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hopefully. It would suck if that got canceled.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah. Though maybe they'd just push it back...

Permalink Mark Unread

That wouldn't be as bad.

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods.

"...I kinda feel like avoiding most people until tomorrow..." she says.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Back to the dorm?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sounds good, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

Then together they can head for Ravenclaw Tower.

Permalink Mark Unread

Their room is pretty much deserted until closer to bedtime, even if the common room is full of activity.

Anathema curls up in bed reading, only closing the curtains when their roommates start coming up.

Anathema's up early again the next morning - not as much as usual, though, and she waits in her bed for Ellie to wake up instead of down in the common room.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie wakes up a bit later than she would for a school day, but with approximately the same lack of grace.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's okay. Anathema knows not to be too energetically obnoxious before Ellie's had her tea. (And she's even convinced one of the house elves to bring them that tea every morning.)

Permalink Mark Unread

She's a good friend.

Permalink Mark Unread

Heee! Well, so's Ellie, so there.

Still though - they should probably go get actual food at some point...

Permalink Mark Unread

Once Ellie feels sufficiently fortified against the rigors of opening her eyes all the way, yes.

Permalink Mark Unread

A very tough battle, that. Still, Anathema will wait graciously for her to gird herself.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hup!

Okay, here they go.

Permalink Mark Unread

Down to breakfast!

There...

Seems to be a bit of a commotion on the way, actually.

A knot of first years - mostly, at least - arguing. The main fight seems to be between one of the Slytherins and a Hufflepuff, though it hasn't escalated past raised voices and flushed faces yet.

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh boy.

What is the topic of contention?

Permalink Mark Unread

- Seems to be about Potions class yesterday morning, actually. The Slytherin girl's upset they're trying to get her Head of House in trouble over 'stupid lies,' maybe? It's hard to tell between all the people shouting over each other. The Hufflepuff's Sophie, though - the one who's been taking over a lot of the organizing for the formal complaint - and she's got her heels dug in pretty far.

Permalink Mark Unread

Slytherin girl can suck it up and deal with Snape being a Death Eater.

Ellie will try to not get involved as they skirt around.

Permalink Mark Unread

Except she apparently notices them!

Or, well, mostly notices Anathema.

She turns away from Sophie, earning a frustrated huff, and says, angrily, "You two are the ones who started that mess, aren't you?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie steps between her and Anathema.

"No."

Permalink Mark Unread

She scowls. It'd probably be vaguely menacing, if her face didn't still have a lot of baby fat and if it wasn't scrunched up kinda like a wailing toddler.

"Professor Snape isn't a Death Eater," she says, stomping her foot. "He's not. You should take that back!"

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie's angry face is a lot more menacing. Turns out a month isn't a lot of time to put fat on.

"Why don't you go tell that to Professor Dumbledore instead of throwing a tantrum in the middle of the hallway. Some of us would like the opportunity to eat breakfast this morning."

Permalink Mark Unread

Now her face is going to blotchy! "You can't just make stuff up, no one would've told you that 'cause it's not true." To Anathema: "You said a Slytherin told you, right? Well why won't you say who?"

"'Cause it's no one's business, and I don't want them in trouble!" Anathema snaps back, shuffling a bit.

"It is if people are lying! And almost no Slytherins followed that maniac in the first place, so there's no way Professor Snape did!" the girl almost shouts. "And now everyone's saying we're all bad too!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh, shut up, Parkinson," a girl says - another Slytherin their age, pushing through the slowly accumulating crowd.

The girl - Parkinson - spins to her. "Shut up? You've heard what they're saying about Professor Snape!" she snaps. "Not that I'd suspect someone like you to care, Malfoy."

Malfoy hums, getting into an open space and stopping. She doesn't look very angry, or concerned. More vaguely disdainful. "Someone like me? Really? That's the best you can do?"

Parkinson huffs. "Your dad's a murderer," she says, sharply. "You're the sort of bad apple everyone's always complaining about!"

Malfoy smirks a bit. "No one'd ever think you'd be a Death Eater, Parkinson, if that's your worry." Parkinson's eyes narrow as Malfoy tilts her head, then - "We all know you'd be licking their boots."

That gets her an exceptionally enraged noise out of Parkinson. "My family's loyal to the Ministry," Parkinson shouts, "Not like you traitors."

"And Snape's one of those traitors," Malfoy says, sounding bored. "I could hear you shouting about it two halls away. You think he's nice to you, and he never stops you picking on the mudbloods, so clearly he can't really be a Death Eater." She rolls her eyes. "I'm the one who told Anathema, if you must know."

There's murmurs, from the crowd, and Parkinson seems shocked.

Malfoy shrugs, continuing. "Daddy dearest nearly got exonerated, you know. His money's good, even if his morals aren't worth shit. But poor him, his wife decided to testify..." She makes a dismissive gesture. "Got him shipped off to Azkaban, and a lot of his buddies, too. Pity it didn't work with all of them, but Blacks have a long memory - and mom made sure I know who's a rat and who isn't. And Snape? Well... You've heard it. Maybe you should ask him to show you his forearm sometime, hm?"

Parkinson makes a distressed noise. She seems to have folded in on herself. Malfoy just regards her, gaze cold, before continuing, "Now get out of everyone's way. I want to actually eat before today's demonstration." She starts forward - and Parkinson steps aside, clearing the path.

Malfoy, though, glances over her shoulder at Ellie and Anathema before walking all the way. "Well?" she asks. "Let's go get breakfast."

Permalink Mark Unread

...Huh. All right.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema follows, at a loss of what else to do.

At least they get away from everyone else pretty quickly.

And - "Uh. Why did you say you'd told me - ?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I really can't stand Parkinson. Or Snape." She shrugs. "And the social reputation I'm starting with is - well, my mom ratted her husband the Death Eater out to the Ministry. She clearly was in their circles, even if she didn't get the Mark. Her sister's in the deepest level of Azkaban right alongside her cousin, her other sister's a blood traitor..." Dismissive gesture. "So, change the narrative. And your nonexistent source was the easiest lever I could've asked for, especially since it's not like mom can get in trouble for telling me - there's no law against gossiping about the trials, just a rule Ministry officials are sworn to secrecy."

Permalink Mark Unread

That just makes all this a different kind of confusing.

"...Uh huh."

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles, slowly and a bit lazily. "I'm Serpens Malfoy, by the way."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Ellie Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Anathema Canta."

Permalink Mark Unread

Her smile's maybe a bit more genuine. "It's my pleasure." They turn a corner, revealing the open doors of the Great Hall. "Well, I'll be seeing you two around."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Are you going to sign the complaint?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Of course. Just let me know when and what to sign. I'll talk to some of the other Slytherins with complains about Snape, too."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie gives her the name of the Hufflepuff boy who's collating things.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll be in touch."

And she's off, over to the Slytherin table.

Permalink Mark Unread

"That was convenient."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

"She's - weird."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't trust her."

Permalink Mark Unread

She bites her lip. "Me either."

Permalink Mark Unread

"We'll see if she actually signs." But for now, breakfast.

Permalink Mark Unread

Breakfast!

The gossip at least seems mostly focused on the demonstration today, for now - though the complaint against Snape is creeping in on the edges a good bit.

Still, they can eat quickly and then head to the demonstration hall - apparently a large sort of arena down in the dungeons, which usually just gets used by the Drama classes for some plays, with stepped levels of seats going down to an oval platform in the center so everyone has a good view. They're early - lots of people aren't here yet, including the professors - and the place is big enough to hold about twice Hogwarts' current student population comfortably. Still, that means they can get good seats and have time to read before things really begin.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ugh, dungeons again. Hopefully today will be better than yesterday.

Permalink Mark Unread

It seems that everyone showing up's more excited about the demonstration than chattering about Snape, at least. Their entire year arrives, of course - but so do the majority of the upper years, even a good chunk of sixth and seventh years. Mostly Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, among the older students, but all the Houses and all the years are really well represented. There's a sort of excited hum that stills a bit when Professors Reynolds and Flitwick walk in together, Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall a bit behind them. Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall go to sit in one of the seats nearest the platform. Professor Reynolds offers Flitwick a hand up onto the platform, which he chuckles at, and then Professor Flitwick goes to the middle, pointing his wand briefly at his throat.

"I'm excited to see such a turn out today!" he says, cheerfully, his voice carrying perfectly throughout the room. "Now, the older students will likely know how this goes - but, for those of you who've never come to Hogwarts before, or who need a refresher - Professor Reynolds and I are going to be demonstrating practical defense against another wizard for you all. This won't be a formal duel, but rather a spar. We do still have rules - we must stay within the bounds of this here platform. We may not cast harmful spells that risk reaching our audience, though there are protective wards between us and the spectators. If our opponent surrenders, or if serious injury occurs, we must stop immediately. We must not restrict Madam Pomfrey from acting if injury does occur. If Professor McGonagall calls the fight early, we must stop. We may not cast spells that would risk killing or permanently disabling our opponent. We may not use spells or magical talents outside of those agreed upon for each bout prior to this fight." He smiles, and nods to Professor Reynolds.

She steps up, pointing her wand at her throat as well. "For this spar, we'll have eight bouts. The first seven will proceed through the spells and skills that a typical graduate of each year would have. So, for our first bout, we cannot use anything you won't learn in your first year of Hogwarts. For our second, we're restrained to spells from your first and second years. They don't need to be Defense spells - simply ones learned in any classroom. Further, we're sticking solely to wizardry for these seven - no witchcraft, no sorcery, no swords, no," she pauses, and, with an air like she's quoting someone, "'whatever that horrendous brawl you Americans call a wandless magic system is.'" There's chuckles from the crowd. She smiles. "For the eighth, it'll be no holds barred as far as magic knowledge goes - we can use any trick we've picked up anywhere in our lives."

Professor Flitwick takes over: "We'll be doing them in sets of four, with a break halfway through for a light lunch," he says. Then: "We'll observe some dueling formalities, though - namely, we'll be beginning on opposite sides of the oval, starting on Professor McGonagall's cue."

And he lowers his wand, nodding to Professor McGonagall and then grinning at Professor Reynolds. She grins back.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie also is grinning. This sounds like it's going to be fun!

Permalink Mark Unread

Their Professors - and the rest of the school - certainly seem to agree. Professor McGonagall gives the signal to start with some good natured cheer once Professors Reynolds and Flitwick are facing each other. The two call out their spells - the words carried clearly to the audience still - and move relatively slowly, especially in tracing out wand motions. (A speed that's about, really, what seems to be typical for the new second years.) Still, they're clever, and both weave together their spells well - Professor Reynolds seems to take a special delight in transfiguring the stone under Flitwick into slick mud, pushing the attack with a Knockback Jinx when his feet begin to slide and sink - he uses a basic counter-jinx, though, forcing it to redirect into the ground, before levitating his shoes to pull himself up and out fast enough he's able to drop the levitating charm - landing on his feet on stone - to counter another of Professor Reynold's jinxes.

The 'first year' fight seems mostly to be a mix of silliness (apparently you can use the unlocking charm to untie shoelaces - which Professor Flitwick solves by transmuting his shoes, but not before tripping a bit), creativity, and good fun - first year spells aren't exactly very impressive. Professor Reynolds seems to be pushing or surprising Professor Flitwick for most of it - almost certainly has him on his back feet - until he gets Professor Reynolds to circle so her back's to the patch of mud she made earlier... Which his spell, nominally aimed at her, hits, forcing it to expand rapidly - down apparently, too, because the ground crumbles out from under Professor Reynolds. Professor Flitwick immediately starts levitating a paving stone this knocked loose, sending it careening at her head - she knocks it off course, but she's thoroughly off balance, giving him the opening he needs to levitate an edge of her robes, knocking her down into the mud.

Professor McGonagall calls the match, to laughter and cheers from the crowd (Ravenclaw seeming a lot more enthusiastic about Professor Flitwick's win), and Professor Reynolds climbs to her feet, laughing. She waves off Madam Pomfrey - "Nothing's injured but my pride, Poppy," - and then helps reset the arena.

Permalink Mark Unread

Interesting use of the environment.

Permalink Mark Unread

The mud also gets cleaned out of Professor Reynolds' robes before the 'second year' bout.

This one's at a faster pace, wand motions smoother - and with more spells directly targeted at their opponents, too, though also more counter-spells and shields. There's also a wider range of transfigurations - Professor Reynolds turns quite a few paving stones into crabs and other things, sometimes right under Professor Flitwick's feet. Still, they're both creative and both aware of their environment (a bit more than they were showing off in the prior bout, actually), and the match takes slightly longer than the first. Professor Reynolds wins with a swarm of stone crabs that pile onto Professor Flitwick faster than he can levitate or blast them away.

Third year's bout escalates similarly. The spells are getting less simple, now, too - less blasts of energy or direct telekinesis or transmutations. Professor Flitwick gets Professor Reynolds with a charm that makes her start giggling uncontrollably, making her spell work a bit sloppier and distracting her until she can counter-spell it, and she gets him with a spell that turns his buttons into birds. She gets her second win in after filling the arena with flashing multicolored lights and loud pops, disorienting Professor Flitwick enough she can knock him right out of the arena. (Madam Pomfrey insists on checking on him before letting the fourth bout start, even if he's 'just winded.')

They escalate again for fourth. It seems to be more a proper fight, now, less two people with wands goofing around - though there's still a lot of creativity. Professor Reynolds barely missed Professor Flitwick with a spell that blows a hole in the ground, sending chunks of stone flying - which he takes to banishing and summoning repeatedly, filling the air with rapidly zooming paving stones which occupy most of Professor Reynolds' attention. She gets a few spells back at him - manages to make him break out in hives, to fill the air with bees - but he gets in a spell that makes her legs start trying to dance. She isn't able to get off a counter before a stone hits her in the arm with a loud crack - and Professor McGonagall calls the match for Professor Flitwick while Madam Pomfrey sighs and jumps up to the now calm platform.

Still, Professor Reynolds is laughing, even as she lets Madam Pomfrey check her arm and start casting bone mending spells at it. "Good fight, Filius," she calls, "And I do believe that's our first four done."

"Good fight to you as well, Fay," he responds, chuckling.

Permalink Mark Unread

The next round is probably going to be really impressive. Either that or really short.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's a break, first - the house elves can bring people lunch, if they don't actually want to go to the Hall (which most don't seem to). The two duelists don't eat much - mostly just a small, light meal, focusing more on getting some drink into themselves.

And then the fights resume with the 'fifth year' bout. This one gets them into notably powerful spells, more and more clearly focused on actual proper combat. Their movements are quick, intense, and neither's laughing, now (though Professor Reynolds has a light smile on her lips). They're actually jumping around somewhat less - the spells are coming faster, in clusters that make simply moving less of a good bet, and Professor Reynolds especially is making good use of counter spells. The spells that hit the ground - rather than being dismissed out of existence - cause the stone to explode or catch on fire, sometimes forcing the duelists to move a bit. (Each time, the relative advantage shifts.) Still, it's over relatively quickly - Professor Flitwick actually gets Professor Reynolds with a second year spell, ripping her wand from her hand. She laughs and concedes.

The sixth year bout - they stop calling out spell names entirely, the majority of the fight proceeding in an eerie silence punctuated only by the shuffle of their feet, the occasional dull impact. Professor Reynolds transfigures a series of stones into a long snake with scales like diamond, whip fast - Professor Flitwick shatters it into crystal shards, and with a wave of his wand they all fly unerringly at Professor Reynolds, who conjures a shimmering barrier over herself. The fight ends with an explosion under Flitwick's feet, sending him flying - he recovers, turning his fall into a roll, but Professor Reynolds hits him again - with the Knockback Jinx, cast far more quickly and smoothly than before, her wand flicking out like a snake's tongue - and he falls out of the arena.

There's a pause while Madam Pomfrey checks him for injury, healing a few bruises and some ringing ears, and then the seventh year bout can begin.

This one has both duelists moving fast, protecting themselves with quick flicks of their wands - forming shields or simply deflecting spells somewhat more violent than the usual condensed ray. Most of their spells snap like lightning, many actually showing the ability to turn and seek their target, making dodging nearly meaningless. Neither Professor is smiling, their gazes intensely on each other, spells exchanged in silence under the repetitive boom of the spells. Professor Flitwick responds to one explosion of stone and dust by flying up and hovering - briefly, still, but for longer and under far more control than he had when levitating his shoes - and Professor Reynolds surrounds him with fireworks. He makes the stones under her feet buckle and ripple; she turns them into vicious things of teeth and claws that surge for him. They seem nearly evenly matched, here, their mastery of these spells equal - until by sheer luck Professor Reynolds gets through a gap in Professor Flitwick's guard, forcing his wand arm to fall limp. He switches his wand nearly seamlessly to his other hand - but he's on his back foot, now, and Professor Reynolds overwhelms him with a barrage of spells over the next minute. He falls, limbs locked together, and the matched is called.

The eighth -

Before the eighth, Professor McGonagall calmly taps a few stones, creating a faint shimmer in the air between the entranced spectators and the duelists. And then it can begin.

These spells have almost nothing in common with what they've exchanged before - Professor Flitwick sends blasts of lightning from his wand, Professor Reynolds swirls between tiger and human form, one of Professor Flitwick's concussive spells is deflected and transforms into an explosion as Professor Reynolds knocks it aside -

Professor Reynolds is back to laughing as she trades spells with her colleague, in the moments she has enough air to breathe. She's clearly not using a wand for all of her magic, summoning barriers and even casting counter-spells in tiger form or simultaneous to the offensive spells she's sending streaming at Professor Flitwick. He apparently lacks the same talent, giving her a distinct edge - but he's good, his spells powerful, each offense coming faster than hers can.

And then Professor Reynolds spins out of tiger form after one leaping dodge, raises her wand high -

And fire streams from it, taking the form of large birds, great cats, snarling wolves - rushing to fill the arena -

("She's bloody mad - " one seventh year shouts, voice strangled, a few seats behind Anathema and Ellie.)

Professor Flitwick gestures, creating a ring of black flame around himself that surges to hold off Professor Reynolds' fire animals. And then he responds, sending blasts of darkness and smoke racing through the flames - destroying many - and apparently trying to find Professor Reynolds herself, who seems to need to keep her wand connected to the fire.

Barely visible to the onlookers - surely not visible to Professor Flitwick, with all the smoke and dust in the way - several of the wolves dive down into the stone, melting it...

And moments later burst from under Professor Flitwick's feet -

He jumps, and Professor Reynolds yanks her wand back, and all the flame winks out, leaving the arena still.

There's a few moments of stunned silence as Professor Flitwick lands - deftly avoiding the holes in the floor - and dismisses his own black fire.

He chuckles, though, holding a hand to his heart. "I think you won that," he says, voice slightly cheerful despite its shaking. "Though perhaps next time a bit less of a heart attack with the Fiendfyre?"

She laughs. "Well, you surprised me with Devil's Protection, so I had to improvise," she teases.

Permalink Mark Unread

Wow.

Permalink Mark Unread

Her fellow students seem to agree, going by the delayed cheers. Both Professors wait out the excitement (especially since Madam Pomfrey is definitely fretting over them both), before Professor Reynolds addresses the group, "I hope this has been at least a bit illuminating, as well as fun - we'll go over our respective sides more in depth in your classes next week, don't worry, but I'd like to say, first..."

"Those were extremely dangerous spells, and you two are the most reckless pair of fools - " Madam Pomfrey snaps, interrupting her, startling a loud laugh out of Professor Reynolds.

"That," she says, cheerfully, "Is a good point - the spells we demonstrated in our last bout can be and usually are exceptionally deadly... To yourself, your opponent, and everyone around you." She grins at Madam Pomfrey. "But as shown, there are wizards who know them, and they might not always be as friendly as us, especially to Aurors." Pause.

"Though the point I wanted to make first - you will advance a lot, over your Hogwarts career. You will learn new spells, and more than that, you will learn new ways of using spells. However... Learning doesn't stop on graduation, from Hogwarts or even one of the many international institutes of higher education. Professor Flitwick surprised me with a spell I'd never seen used before, though I've heard of it - and I'd surprised him with a spell I'd never revealed I was practicing, though I've been working on it for close to a decade now." She pauses. "Hopefully we'll still be allowed to hold these inside by the time our first years are ready to graduate..."

There's some scattered laughter. Professor Reynolds grins up at them all. "Well, that's the end of the bouts - five to three in my favor, if I was counting right," she says, with a cheeky grin at Professor Flitwick, who huffs and rolls his eyes. "Thank you all for coming," she says, voice softer. "I hope the rest of your weekend is as fun as today has been - though ideally with fewer explosions. All of us will be keeping our usual office hours tomorrow, of course." And she and Professor Flitwick bow briefly to the students, which seems to be a signal for people to stand and begin moving to the entrance.

The Professors set about fixing the now many scars in the ground, apparently intending to linger for quite some time.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie will let the crowd clear out before getting up herself.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema lingers with her, giggling. "That was amazing."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It was really cool."

Permalink Mark Unread

"We're gonna have to study so hard until we're even cooler."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Definitely."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs, delighted.

"Wanna go congratulate Professor Reynolds on winning, then?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, glancing at the emptying auditorium. "Looks clear, now. C'mon." And she stands, offering Ellie a hand up.

Permalink Mark Unread

She takes it.

Permalink Mark Unread

And down to where the Professors are rearranging stone like putty.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds looks up when they approach, smiling warmly. "Miss Potter, Miss Canta," she says. "Did you enjoy the show?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Very much, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm glad."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Congratulations on your win."

Permalink Mark Unread

Grin. "Thank you, Miss Potter." Her smile softens a bit. "Though the spar's as fun as the win, sometimes. More so, even."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It looked that way."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs, a little, waving her wand to smooth out another section of blasted stone. "I've possibly been accused of being an adrenaline junkie a few times before," she teases.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I would never."

Permalink Mark Unread

Soft smile. "I don't mind being told the truth, especially from those I care about." Her lips quirk. "Even if it's sometimes given teasingly."

Permalink Mark Unread

...Does that mean Professor Reynolds cares about her?

She smiles.

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles back, humming and continuing to work on repairing the platform.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Well, um. See you later, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll see you later, Miss Potter. My door's open, too, if you want to come by before class Tuesday..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

And off, still smiling.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema follows her out with a "Bye Professor!"

She's humming as they leave, also happy. "I think this semester's looking up..." she says, cheerfully.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yep."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I bet once we kick Snape out it'll all just be smooth sailing. All the other Professors are pretty nice, so can't really see anything else coming up."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Out of everyone we've met so far, anyway."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I dunno the other electives professors matter as much right now. We won't have any of them until second year."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Wouldn't it be better to get all of the trouble out of the way in the beginning?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe! Beginning of the year's a good time 'cause we've got less homework... But if we had to get a whole bunch of professors kicked out all at once we might be too busy to have fun."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I guess we can save some for next year."

Permalink Mark Unread

"We'll just have to be careful which ones we hit. Can't go getting Professor Reynolds in trouble."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Perish the thought."

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles. "I wanna go read all our spell books now, figure out what as many of those spells were as we can..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good idea. We can write down what we remember first."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah!"

They need to go to their dorm to get everything first, of course, but then the dragon room's the perfect place to flop and chatter and study, after - the lower year spells are easier to find, of course, and their Standard Book of Spells actually only covers first year, but the transfiguration and charms books are both good through fifth year...

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie's copies end up with a lot of bookmarks sticking out at all angles.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema ends up noting down page numbers in her notebook, too - she's building up a bit of a table of contents of interesting things.

Permalink Mark Unread

So much magic to learn!

Permalink Mark Unread

She knows - it'll definitely take them longer than just Hogwarts. They'll be learning forever!

Permalink Mark Unread

There are worse fates.

Permalink Mark Unread

Like having nothing to learn.

Permalink Mark Unread

Horrifying.

Permalink Mark Unread

It'd be so terrible!

Permalink Mark Unread

Good thing they live in this world and not that one, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

Very! They'd have to invent a way to get between worlds to somewhere with things to discover, otherwise!

Permalink Mark Unread

Probably a bit harder to get the trick of than Apparition.

Permalink Mark Unread

It'd be easier if they already knew everything, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

Guess so.

Permalink Mark Unread

She likes their world best, though. Less effort to find things to learn.

Permalink Mark Unread

It is pretty good here.

Permalink Mark Unread

Though the people are the best part.

Permalink Mark Unread

Certain ones, yes.

Permalink Mark Unread

Have to be selective about your company.

Permalink Mark Unread

Indeed, indeed.

Permalink Mark Unread

Something they're managing, at least.

Permalink Mark Unread

They are, at that.

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles, then surprises herself with a yawn.

Permalink Mark Unread

Time for bed?

Permalink Mark Unread

Sigh. Probably.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's always tomorrow.

Permalink Mark Unread

One advantage of time.

Permalink Mark Unread

Off to bed.

Permalink Mark Unread

Off to bed! Fortunately, there's nothing special happening tomorrow...

Permalink Mark Unread

For a change.

Permalink Mark Unread

The school's still gossiping furiously about the Snape issue, of course, but less of it's directed at them (except for one Hufflepuff informing them, sounding utterly baffled, that some Slytherins are signing on). 

Anathema's in the mood to explore the grounds some, actually - she likes sunshine.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sure, sounds fun.

Permalink Mark Unread

She does bring a bag with two books in case they find somewhere to sit and read, and then off they go!

There's a large open green space around the castle itself, including down to the lake on the other side from the train station - which seems to be a popular hang out spot. The Quidditch Pitch is on a flatter area overlooking the lake. But there's also a really big, dark forest sort of folded into a much smaller bit of land inside the sweeping walls (with 'Dangerous - Keep Out' signs in a perimeter around it), and smaller, lighter patches of trees and hedges and bushes, and stacked stone walls and cottages and outbuildings - one of the cottages down near the Forbidden Forest is occupied, but a lot seem to have been unused for a really long time.

There's extensive gardens and greenhouses around the Herbology classroom (and a cottage by there as well, which has been transformed into a classroom for less hands-on lectures). There's a few meditation mazes tucked away here or there, and some flat areas with signs they've been used for rituals in the past.

You could fit a village or even a small medieval city inside the walls easily, and there's signs there used to be inner sets of walls at some past point.

Some of the gardens and cottages have paper signs fixed to the entryway with some variant on 'claimed by this or those students' and then years. Lots of the claims seem to have expired, and lots are unclaimed.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe we should claim a cottage."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah! Lots of these are really neat."

Permalink Mark Unread

"A home-away-from-dorm."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle. "The Dragon Room's really nice, too... But I like having a lot of secret little spaces."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Backups." Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

Heh. "The cottages will be really nice in spring, too..." Sigh. "Wish we could live here in summers."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That used to be allowed, for people who didn't have anywhere else to go."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Why isn't it allowed anymore?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Dunno. Headmaster just hasn't approved any, I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Ugh." She scuffs her shoe on the ground.

Permalink Mark Unread

Pretty much, yeah.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sigh.

They probably won't be able to pick a favorite cottage today - and should maybe learn a charm for sticking signs to stuff first - but it's nice to look between them. Maybe they can even ask the house elves for a picnic lunch sometime if they wanna avoid the Great Hall...

Still: class tomorrow, which means going to bed at a vaguely decent hour.

Permalink Mark Unread

Back to the grind.

Permalink Mark Unread

The next morning, Dumbledore announces that he is sensitive to student concerns, and Professor Snape will not be returning to Hogwarts next year - but he will serve out this year as Hogwarts' Potions Master, to give the school administration time to find and orient a new hire. Any classes that collectively feel uncomfortable being taught by Professor Snape may say so, and Dumbledore will arrange for the Potions Assistant or himself to teach that class.

There's some muttering - it sounds like the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs nearest Ellie are unsure 'at the end of this year' is soon enough.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie is not unsure about this. She is sure that it is not.

She is willing to express this opinion, if asked.

Permalink Mark Unread

That seems to firm up her fellows' opinions (especially given Anathema chimes in on Ellie's side) that they should still push forward, get him removed sooner.

Permalink Mark Unread

Good.

Permalink Mark Unread

Shortly after breakfast is History of Magic again - the room just as headache-inducing as last time, though Ellie seems to be the most sensitive by far. Professor Quirrel gives them a short answer quiz on the readings - only five questions, starting straightforward and landing at 'challenging' by the end.

This class he talks about pre-Roman conflicts between magical, muggle, and magical being communities. (Some magical beings apparently have records - or even first hand memories - dating nearly to the first human settlements in the Isles, though Professor Quirrel is highly dismissive of their reliability. The ancients, he says, did not much care for historical rigor, and what has survived to the modern day often describes events decades or centuries prior that the author had heard about second hand or had collated from someone else's set of second hand accounts. Even those few restless dead who still exist from that period are not truly reliable witnesses - ghosts remain obsessed with the events around their deaths, struggling to form coherent long term memories afterwards, and barrow wights and their ilk have poor memories all around.)

Conflict, the way he tells it, was frequent and intense. Magical humans and muggles were nearly entirely interwoven, with magicals almost always acting as community leaders. The numerous tribes varied between raids and sincere attempts to wipe each other out - often destroying entire teaching lineages. This did, however, drive quite a bit of innovation in ritual and place magic, which is to this day often superior for defense. This became more noticeable as magical humans began to form their own techniques, rather than relying solely on the underdeveloped traditions they had learned from the non-humans around them.

Trade, of course, continued with the mainland, even prior to the arrival of the Romans - one of the more culturally impactful changes in this time is the arrival of shapeshifting traditions from mainland Europe, though it took a few centuries to catch on properly.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Professor," Ellie asks, "is this related to the modern Animagus transformation?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"An insightful question, Miss Potter," he says, with all the delight of a career academic being asked about a pet subject. "It's difficult to be sure, but it seems two separate shapeshifting techniques actually made their way over - one Nordic, one recently Germanic, though that one had perhaps yet more foreign roots. The British-Nordic tradition eventually died out except in the form of shapeshifting curses - one descendant of which would eventually create werewolves, though that's a bit of a digression. The British-Germanic tradition, however, survived. It developed two main branches - that of the Irish Druids, and that of the British Hedge-Witches. The druidic tradition was always a secretive one, and sadly their shapeshifting tradition was among those they lost in one of their teaching lineage disruptions - but the witchcraft tradition remained strong, spreading easily. An early medieval coven actually required initiates learn to change shape before they could be considered full adults - a line often drawn between eleven and fifteen, in those times."

"The witchcraft tradition, of course, met wizardry, as those magicals who practiced in the Roman tradition slowly came to an accord with the older British magicals. The founding of Hogwarts provided the true catalyst for the melding of the two, however, for our esteemed Founders were determined to teach both. Salazar Slytherin was the most famous witch of his age - the only one of the Founders able to change shape - and one of his students, Amice Becca, modified the witch transformation with elements of self-transfiguration, creating what was very nearly our modern Animagus technique - modulo a few tweaks down the centuries."

"There had been existing wizarding shapeshifting traditions, of course - but all of them were immensely difficult to master, requiring a new spell with a new risk of error on each change. The witchcraft traditions had been far easier to learn, but Lady Amice believed that they had a clear drawback - it was rather easy to reveal a witch in animal form and to trap them in one form or another. The Animagus ritual had none of these problems. It was still incredibly difficult to learn, especially for those not educated in both witchcraft and wizardry, but an Animagus cannot be prevented from transforming directly, though you may trap them in an environment hostile to one of their forms, and once you complete the Animagus ritual, you retain the ability throughout your life, regardless of whether you have a wand on you. And, for centuries, Animagi could not be revealed or forced to change - the Animagus Revelation spell was only invented in the nineteenth century, and the Animagus Reversal spell, which can return an Animagus to their human form, was invented shortly after the turn of the twentieth."

"Of course, nowadays the witchcraft traditions largely lack the drawbacks they used to have, as widespread knowledge of witchcraft outside of Potions and Herbology has waned. Those old traditions are mostly a concern of dusty old men like myself."

He pauses.

"I rather rambled there, didn't I?" he says, a bit sheepish.

Permalink Mark Unread

"It was interesting, Professor. Thank you."

Permalink Mark Unread

The majority of her classmates (except a few Gryffindors) seem to agree, so Professor Quirrel smiles, and continues on with his earlier lecture.

They have another reading assignment - only one half of a chapter, this time, in Wyrd & Wicce - and then he explains the papers they will be writing over the next year - a total of four, two in each semester. The first will be presented to their classmates the week before Samhain break, and it will be on a topic of their choice within the scope of pre-Roman and Roman British Isles magical history. He wants them to choose an argument, and to do their best to prove it to the class, using their textbooks as well as sources from the library. If any of them want to find a topic or argument now, he can review that, but it isn't necessary.

In preparation, however, he'd like them to write an essay this week - no fewer than three hundred words, no more than five hundred (which they have learned a spell to measure in their Composition class already) - answering one of several questions he has prepared about the material from the last two weeks. He wants them to back up their answer with at least two citations from the textbooks, giving the page number and which textbook they found their point in. Direct quotes, facts, and paraphrases should all be cited.

There's groans from the Gryffindor side of the room as Professor Quirrel waves his wand, causing papers with the question lists to float to each student.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie will maybe pick her topic when the headache goes away.

Permalink Mark Unread

It recedes pretty quickly after they leave the classroom, at least.

"Are you okay?" Anathema asks, before it finishes fading.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah, it's just- that incense gives me a headache."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh." She frowns, a bit. "It distracts me lots, but I don't like any scents, really, and Lisa said she finds it homey... Maybe Madam Pomfrey has stuff for headaches or smell problems, though, that sounds like something you can fix with a potion."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. I'll ask after breakfast tomorrow, I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, scrunching up her forehead a bit. "Yeah, we don't have a morning class, so that's probably a good time..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What do you think you're going to write about?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She glances at their list. "Hm... This week, the question about human sacrifice looks fun... Dunno yet for the big paper. I'll have to skim through the book."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I might do the one about wards."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods.

"...Do you mind helping me a bit? I've never written an essay before, and all those tests and practice writings in Composition last week were hard..."

(Which seems to be common among the pure bloods - the tests were boringly easy for Ellie and apparently for the other muggle-raised students in her House, but two of the Slytherins apparently can't read at all, and most of the rest were struggling.)

Permalink Mark Unread

"Of course."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks," she says, grinning.

Permalink Mark Unread

"What else are school friends for?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle. "I'll have to figure out a way to help you back, though. Can't have you doing all the work."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You can help me with Charms, once we get to stuff I haven't seen already. You pick that up quicker than I do."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sounds like a deal."

Permalink Mark Unread

She offers a hand. "Shake on it."

Permalink Mark Unread

She takes Ellie's hand and shakes it, grinning.

Permalink Mark Unread

"The bargain is struck. So let it be."

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

Permalink Mark Unread

"We don't have Art until four, and it's nice out... Wanna go get a picnic lunch?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good idea."

Permalink Mark Unread

And off, to charm food out of house elves!

The rest of the week goes pretty well - it rains a few days, keeping them from exploring the grounds properly, but the dragon room is really cozy in the rain apparently. Defense sees them learning a 'tag' spell that turns their opponent a random color, a general purpose counter-spell for mild but lasting effects (Finite Incantatum), with the practical section splitting them into two teams with the goal of tagging everyone on the opposing team (the room's somehow acquired some playsets they can hide behind and inside of, tagged people have to lie down and can't cast spells, but their teammates can un-tag them if they can dismiss the color change).

The formal complaint against Snape gets sent off on Thursday, after everyone's checked it over and signed.

Friday morning, Potions is being taught by the Potions Assistant, a harried-looking woman of maybe twenty. She's a lot more pleasant than Snape, though, for all she has the air of somebody whose workload just unexpectedly tripled, and she's very helpful with explaining Potions safety and running them through making a simple potion that'll change the color of anything that touches it for seventy two hours, with an explanation of optional ingredients to alter the color and a short explanation of what each ingredient is doing and why the steps are the way they are. ("He'd wanted you guys making a boil cure, but I haven't the faintest why, since that's dangerous if you mess up... Most of the mistakes you can make with this will, like, give items polka dots or make them sticky.") She checks their potions for toxicity after, asks anyone who messed up to explain why they messed up, lets them keep samples of their potions, and gives everyone top marks for the day. ("Like, you guys know the material now. Even if you made a mistake, well, that's how we learn.") (Anathema promptly starts dipping her hair in her bloody red potion then sprinkling drops above the dip-line, giggling.) Their homework assignment is "I really hate this textbook, maybe you guys could go ask Madam Pince to make you copies of the mechanics theory and basic ingredient qualities chapters in Potions for Dummies? And answer the practice questions in those. I know the name's not, like, flattering, but the library's got I think three copies, and it's really good."

Friday early afternoon is Flying, with the Slytherins, who've been increasingly grouchy over the course of the week - though most of that energy's gone into internal fractures so far.

Permalink Mark Unread

Slytherins can keep their grouch to themselves. Flying class was fun last week and Ellie is going to have fun this week.

Permalink Mark Unread

That intention works! ...For a little bit. And then one of the Slytherins apparently gets in an argument and then a chase with one of the Ravenclaws (despite the coach yelling at them to stop), which leads to him falling off his broom and breaking something. Madam Hooch sighs, tells them all to land and not take off until she's back, and goes to escort him to the Hospital Wing, leaving behind a knot of uneasy first years.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sigh. Idiots. This is why they can't have nice things.

Permalink Mark Unread

There seems to be general agreement about that. Anathema starts gossiping with Lisa and Mandy a bit, laughing some.

A bit after Madam Hooch leaves, though - one of the Slytherin boys, a lanky kid and the tallest in their year, comes over to Anathema's knot of friends - apparently objecting to them 'laughing at Crabbe' - and when Anathema tells him to shove off, he shoves her, then grabs a fidget toy she has hanging off her bag, breaking the string and darting away.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hey! Give that back!"

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema howls, lunging for him, but he darts out of her way, hopping onto his broom and rising quickly into the air. Anathema's hand goes to her wand, her expression furious, and she glances over at where she'd left her broom lying.

He hovers out of their reach. "Yeah?" he demands, "You gonna make me?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie sticks out her hand and her broomstick flies eagerly into it. She swings a leg over as she hops up and into the air, heading for the thief.

Permalink Mark Unread

He flies away from her, scowling - rising more and more into the air.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie pursues.

Permalink Mark Unread

He gets up pretty high - then glances down, looks unsure - tosses Anathema's toy up in the air and hits it with a spell, sending it rocketing toward the castle before diving for the ground.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie crouches low over her broom and zooms after the spinner. Or- after is the wrong word, really, because she's not aiming for where it was or where it is, but where it's going to be by the time she catches up.

Permalink Mark Unread

She catches it just before it would have hit a window.

Permalink Mark Unread

She does a fancy spin to kill the last of her momentum before she crashes through the window herself, then sets off back toward Anathema.

Permalink Mark Unread

The Slytherin she'd been chasing's on the ground, a bit away from Anathema - and it looks like Professor Flitwick saw what happened and is heading out the nearest door toward the group.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ah. That... may be a problem.

She lands and give Anathema the spinner back.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema takes it, biting her lip, and murmuring, "Thanks."

Professor Flitwick hurries over. "Ah! Miss Potter!" he calls. "Where is Madam Hooch - ?"

"She left with Crabbe, Professor, after he broke something. She told us not to fly without her," one of the Slytherins says.

"Except that jerk stole something from me," Anathema says, in a rush, pointing. "Ellie was just getting it back, Professor, she shouldn't get in trouble - "

"Ah, quite the excitement," Professor Flitwick says, faltering a little. "Well, Miss Potter?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I was just trying to get Anathema's spinner back, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mister Nott, are they telling the truth that you stole from Miss Canta?" he asks, then.

The Slytherin shakes his head, but most of the Ravenclaws - and several of the Slytherins - say some variant on "Yes," and Lisa helpfully adds, "He shoved Canta, too, Professor."

Professor Flitwick sighs. "That was inappropriate, young man - and rather risky, for the both of you. Miss Potter, you should have gotten a professor or assistant, rather than breaking the rules. Ten points from Slytherin for stealing, shoving a classmate, and disobeying Madam Hooch, and three points from Ravenclaw for disobeying Madam Hooch, and I expect you both to behave better in the future."

Nott grumbles, but reluctantly nods when Professor Flitwick gives him a hard stare.

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Yes, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

He nods. "Now, I don't have a class right now, so I'll stay with you all until Madam Hooch gets back - which I do believe should be shortly - just so nothing else happens."

Permalink Mark Unread

Not the worst possible outcome.

Permalink Mark Unread

Madam Hooch does indeed return within a few minutes. Professor Flitwick explains what happened to her, making her lips go thin, but assures her he's already taken points away - "Though of course it would be entirely appropriate to remind them of safety procedures."

She sighs and thanks him, which he waves off.

Then, Professor Flitwick turns to Ellie. "Now, Miss Potter - do you mind coming to my office after your class today? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Permalink Mark Unread

Uh-oh.

"All right."

Permalink Mark Unread

He nods cheerfully, before turning to leave.

The class resumes, a bit more subdued after Madam Hooch's lecture.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yyyyep.

Permalink Mark Unread

After class: "Want me to head up with you?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Might be better if I go alone."

Permalink Mark Unread

Slow nod. "Okay, if you say so..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll be fine. Promise."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. I'll probably get dinner from the house elves then head to the dragon room..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll meet you there if you save some for me."

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles. "I will! Promise!"

Permalink Mark Unread

Off to Flitwick's office, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

He's there! It's a homey place, full of books and papers and overstuffed armchairs. There's a Ravenclaw girl - sixth year, maybe - there ahead of her, talking to Professor Flitwick.

"Come in, Miss Potter!" he says, smiling. "Please make yourself comfortable."

Permalink Mark Unread

Oookay. She takes a seat.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Now, I understand you haven't chosen a physical education club yet?" he asks.

Permalink Mark Unread

"No, Professor. Not yet."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Well, you demonstrated quite remarkable skill during Flying class today, I should say - especially for only your second time on a broom - and I was speaking to Miss Hayes, here, about how Ravenclaw has an opening this year on their Quidditch team..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Um."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think you'd be a rather excellent addition - we'd waive the usual restrictions against first years playing, of course, that's mostly to give you all time to settle in and learn to fly properly, and you wouldn't have to continue taking your Flying class while you were on the team."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You... want me to join the Quidditch team?"?

Permalink Mark Unread

"Why, yes. You'd be quite the credit to the team, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

Blink blink.

"Uh." This is not at all where she thought this conversation would be going.

Permalink Mark Unread

Jovial smile. "It'd be quite helpful to you, too - a well rounded schedule is important to success, of course, in just about everything, and team sports present an excellent opportunity to stretch the body and the social mind."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Right..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"And I don't believe it's too onerous a time commitment at all..." he says.

"It's ten hours a week, but you wouldn't have Flying I guess, so really only adding eight hours to your week," says Hayes, leaning back and looking at Ellie. "An hour in the evening every weekday, two hours on Saturday, three hours on Sunday. We're not actually allowed to have any kind of team training or meetings outside of that, I guess since there used to be issues with Captains pressuring players to spend so much time on sports they fell behind on schoolwork. And no team meetings during school holidays."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hayes pauses, then, "And next week's Mabon, so there'd be just this Saturday and Sunday, and then nothing until Monday after this coming one."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod. "Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Cool. We're meeting down at the Quidditch Pitch at three tomorrow and noon Sunday. Though I'll wanna give you my own tryout, not just take Professor Flitwick's word," this she directs half to the Professor.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm Sam Hayes, by the way. Ravenclaw Quidditch captain."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Nice to meet you."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Nice to meet you too."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll... see you tomorrow, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Cool." She stands, thanks them both, and heads out.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie nods farewell to Professor Flitwick and makes her way to the dragon room in a bit of a daze.

Permalink Mark Unread

Where Anathema's apparently just finished setting their food from the kitchens.

"Hey Ellie! That was fast..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think I just joined the Quidditch team."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...On purpose?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Kind of? Professor Flitwick seemed really sure I should and the captain was there..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh."

"I've never played Quidditch before."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Me neither. The first practice is tomorrow."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Think it's okay if I come watch?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Probably? I don't think it's really secret."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll come sit in the bleachers or something, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That'd make me feel better."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll cheer you on, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle.

"Do you still have to do Flying, then?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"No, I get exempted."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Lucky," she says. "Maybe I should try out for Quidditch, too."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'd have to ask if they'll make an exception for you too; normally you can't join until second year."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Aw... Well, I can try."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Worst they can do is say no."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

So about that dinner...

Permalink Mark Unread

Still hot! And delicious.

Permalink Mark Unread

Excellent.

Permalink Mark Unread

It is a rather good dinner.

Sadly, three in the afternoon Saturday - Ellie's Quidditch tryout - slides around rather soon.

Anathema's still up for accompanying her.

Permalink Mark Unread

Here goes nothing.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's six Ravenclaws - including Sam Hayes - there already, all older than her. Sam waves when Ellie approaches.

Permalink Mark Unread

Six... Quidditch team is seven? So that'd be the vacancy, with no backups. Guess that's why Flitwick was so eager.

"Hello."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hey," Sam says. "Glad you could make it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. Here I am."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Who's your friend?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Anathema Canta. Anathema, Sam Hayes, captain."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hey!" Anathema says, brightly. "I'm here to cheer Ellie on. Though I wouldn't mind trying out too?"

Sam considers her. "First year?" she asks.

Anathema nods. "Yeah. But I'm good at flying, just like Ellie."

The captain hums. "Well, we have the practice broom, and we're still down a reserve, which is a miserable way to run a season. Professor Flitwick probably won't clear two first years, but, sure, you can try out."

Anathema grins. "Cool!"

Sam shrugs. "Okay, so, what do you know about Quidditch?" That she mostly directs at Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Two teams, seven players each. Three Chasers, two Beaters, one Keeper, one Seeker. Chasers try to put the quaffle through the hoops, keeper tries to guard them. Beaters herd the bludgers at the opposing team and away from their own. Seeker tries to catch the Snitch."

She did a bit of research.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sam smiles. "Very good. There's also a reservist, who can step in for any position if someone's sick or injured - including during the game - but most game guides don't really mention them."

"The position you're trying out for is Seeker. Seekers are important 'cause the game ends or goes into overtime when the Snitch is caught - basic idea is, Chasers get the quaffle through the hoop, that's ten points. Earning points with the Chasers can be a bit slow if the opposing team's on their game, because the quaffle's reset to the center after each score. Catching the Snitch gets the team who caught it thirty points - and, if the catcher's team ends up ahead with those thirty points, the game ends. If the catcher's team is still behind or tied even with those thirty points, then we go into overtime, and a point goal gets set at the highest current score plus thirty, and game ends when a team hits that."

"The Snitch is a tiny little golden ball that flies quickly and erratically, released five minutes before the start of the game. But it stays within the pitch - and so should you, both because going out of bounds gets our team a penalty and because only the pitch itself has an anti-fall charm. You'll be trying out with a practice Snitch, which can go as slow or fast as I want it to, and with a sports broom." She gestures to the one of the brooms that's hovering unattended. "School doesn't allow players to bring their own brooms, so all practices and games are played on school brooms set aside for official Quidditch matches."

Permalink Mark Unread

"All right."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "We won't have you trying out with bludgers, and I want you to make a few loops on the sports broom before I release the Snitch. Sound good?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure." She heads to the broom.

Permalink Mark Unread

It looks a lot newer and in better condition than the school brooms they use for class. It leaps pretty eagerly into her hand. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Ooh. She likes this.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Go ahead and take it for a spin," Sam says. "I'll let you know when I've released the Snitch."

Permalink Mark Unread

She mounts up and takes off, getting a feel for acceleration and turning radius.

Permalink Mark Unread

The turn radius is pretty tight, even at speed - which she can get up really high, and what would've gotten her a sluggish acceleration out of the class broom sends this one rocketing forward. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Very nice, very nice. She climbs and descends, hovers and loops, takes a lap or two.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sam lets her get used to the broom for a bit before calling out,  "I released the Snitch!"

Permalink Mark Unread

Time for Snitch hunting.

If Ellie were a small golden ball with wings, where would she fly...?

Permalink Mark Unread

It's a little bit hard to spot the Snitch - it being awful small and not particularly high contrast against the ground - but if she looks for movement rather than necessarily a 'small golden ball,' she can spot something zipping around near one end of the pitch.

Permalink Mark Unread

She approaches from above.

Permalink Mark Unread

It tries to zip away from her! It's not moving nearly as smoothly as something thrown would be - zigging and zagging and bouncing up and down and changing paths at a whim.

Permalink Mark Unread

Tricky... What she wants to do is kind of herd it in a direction that traps it, cuts off its possible escapes. And if she can maybe find a bit of a pattern to its zigs and zags that'd help too.

Permalink Mark Unread

Finding a pattern is really hard, but the fact it can't go outside of the pitch or into the area right around the hoops makes it relatively easy to pin in the corner where the quaffle zone meets the pitch boundary. Also, she's actually faster than it, especially since it keeps zig zagging and trying to dart off even while being chased.

Permalink Mark Unread

With a final burst, she reaches out to snatch it.

Permalink Mark Unread

Her hand closes around it. It jitters briefly, then settles. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Success! Back to the captain.

Permalink Mark Unread

Who's watching with interest. A few of Ellie's potential teammates call out congratulations, and the captain calls out once Ellie lands, "Good show! Most Seekers just chase it directly. Herding it - that's what you were doing, right? Anyways, that was clever."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It can juke better than I can, so I figured I'd try to get into a situation where that mattered less."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, grinning. "As I said, clever."

"You'll want to be subtle about what you're doing in an actual match so the other team doesn't ruin it for you, but that goes for every strategy and mostly comes with practice."

"Anyways - I'd say you have the position, at least provisionally so. Main thing that'd cause you to lose it would be pretty much just not being a team player, though, or never showing up to practices without an excuse."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"We can get you started on practice while I run your friend through her paces if you'd like - it'll take a bit longer for her, reserves need to be minimally competent at every position."

Permalink Mark Unread

"All right. What do we start with?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Isaac and Margot," she gestures to two of the other Ravenclaws, "Can help you learn to dodge bludgers. We don't use the metal ones anymore, so these just feel like getting hit with a pillow - but in a game they'll make your broom sink and ground you for two minutes, which can suck, so don't get hit. The practice ones just change color and beep loudly if they hit someone."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay." She nods at the two named.

Permalink Mark Unread

They wave, picking up their brooms as Sam turns to ask one of the Chasers if Anathema can borrow his broom. 

"Hey," says presumably Isaac. "That was some nice flying."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"No problem," he shrugs. "So, bludgers - they're pretty fast, but left alone they just float around the pitch and are pretty easy to avoid. Beaters can hit them," he raises his bat, "Which sets them on a straight path for a little bit, which's usually when you're at risk of getting hit. They can't go out of bounds, like all the balls, and they'll bounce if they hit the edge - smart beaters can use that to set up some pretty unexpected shots."

"Which isn't a concern in school games," Margot interrupts. "That's more of a thing in the really competitive professional leagues."

Isaac turns to her. "Hey!" he says, mock offended. "I totally got Diggory with that last year."

Margot rolls her eyes. "With a lucky shot 'cause he wasn't paying any attention."

He shrugs. "Well, Bray - that's my rival, one of the Hufflepuff Beaters, and Diggory's their Seeker," he directs toward Ellie, "Anyways, she swore revenge, and she's a total nut about training - we can't take the school equipment out if it isn't the official training or game time, but nothing's stopping us from practicing our swing or joining Flight Club or flying at home, and she's got one of her parents' fields set up for pick up Quidditch. So she'll probably try that at least once."

"Oh, she's the nut," Margot mutters. A bit louder, to Ellie, "Anyways, we'll be playing it easy today. Might show you some flying tricks if we have time, though you can pick up more of that with Flight Club if you're really nuts. And if you can stand Isaac and his girlfriend trying to one up each other." (Isaac makes a noise like an offended cat.)

Permalink Mark Unread

"So you hit bludgers at me and I try to dodge?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Pretty much, yeah," Margot says.

Permalink Mark Unread

"All right." Here we go, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

They start her out pretty easy, as promised - not knocking the bludger as hard as they can, hitting her mostly from angles she can at least see in her peripheral vision. Still, the bludger's a zoomy bastard.

Permalink Mark Unread

She can tell this is going to be annoying to deal with in a real game.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's a bit less of a problem in the actual game, Issac explains at one point, because the two teams' Beaters are interfering with each other, and also there's a lot more targets - Chasers are pretty popular for that, especially if they've got the Quaffle. Still, yeah, avoiding bludgers is a major part of training.

Permalink Mark Unread

Well, that's helpful.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah.

Speaking of helpful, does she want to learn to do a spin? Helps if the bludger's coming for your head...

Permalink Mark Unread

Yes.

Permalink Mark Unread

The Beaters both grin.

Trick flying time! Some of these are probably really dangerous if you're not over an anti-fall charm, but, hey, might as well take advantage of it.

Permalink Mark Unread

Definitely.

Permalink Mark Unread

The two hours of practice pass unfairly fast, though Ellie definitely gets put through her paces.

Permalink Mark Unread

This might turn out to be fun.

Permalink Mark Unread

Her teammates certainly agree.

Anathema seems to have had fun, too - the captain likes her style, apparently, and thinks she's decent enough at most of the positions they can train her up, but Sam's still unsure if Flitwick will clear her. "I didn't do nearly as well with the Seeker stuff as you, though," she says. "Sam says I'm more cut out to be a Chaser or Beater..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"See what he says, I guess. Otherwise you could probably make it next year."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah, probably. That feels so far away, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I bet you could still come to practices."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Watching you fly's fun, if nothing else. And yeah maybe they'll let me practice some even if I'm not in games."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile.

"Dinner?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. I'm getting pretty hungry..."

Permalink Mark Unread

To dinner, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

Dinner!

They don't get word by Sunday's practice if Professor Flitwick has cleared Anathema for Quidditch or not, but captain Sam brings along an extra broom for Anathema anyways and has her help with Ellie's bludger training by defending Ellie while she chases the Snitch (which doubles as her own Beater training) (apparently one of the Chasers is also new this year - Damian Lee, second year - so Sam's focusing a lot on drilling him, too, and is less available for Seeker training than she'd usually be). Sam also makes reading recommendations for them, mostly on Quidditch's rules, fouls, penalties, and the like - "Don't bother with strategy guides," she advises them. "They're all a load of dung."

The next week is Mabon week - which means an entire seven days free of classes or sports practice. Mabon itself is on Monday, September the twenty third - the main celebration begins at sunrise right after seven in the morning, but there's stuff ongoing most of the day, if Ellie's interested. (The main thing that affects all the students is that the default Great Hall food and decorations are themed for the holiday - spice cakes and mulled cider, baked apples, roasted squash, hearty breads...).

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie is not super interested in the holiday qua holiday, but the food variety is nice and so is the free time. She needs to get further ahead than she thought she did, with the Quidditch practice taking up extra time.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema's actually super interested in the holiday - though she's trying to pretend that's because it's strange and new, and not because it's a big part of her own culture she's never properly gotten to participate in. She's been making a few more friends than just Ellie over the last week (though none of them are as good as Ellie), so she's fine if Ellie wants to sit out some or even all of the holiday stuff...

Permalink Mark Unread

She'll participate in some holiday stuff. A reasonable quantity of holiday stuff. A few hours' worth.

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs, delighted, and leans against Ellie briefly. "I won't bother waking you for all the morning ceremonies and stuff, and that's really the most time consuming... But you could make a wreath with me, maybe? I think the older students are doing all the early harvest dollies, there's not that many sorts of fields here... And there's divination games, those might not take too long and they sound fun. And at sunset some of us are walking into the near bit of the Forest to tell the old stories - Professor McGonagall's taking us, so it'll be safe - but that's probably the thing that'll take the longest, we're gonna stay up really late I bet..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Wreathes and stories, how about?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She beams. "Okay! Those sound like the best parts, anyways." Giggle. "And if we both make wreaths we can trade them - getting a wreath from someone makes the luck better."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Better luck is good."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. They're supposed to help the hearth and help bring good and bountiful harvests - so I'm gonna hang mine on my headboard, so my thoughts are bountiful."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think you already have pretty bountiful thoughts."

Permalink Mark Unread

She giggles. "Doesn't hurt to have more."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Guess not."

Permalink Mark Unread

Happy flop. "I'll see you tomorrow at lunch I guess? There's a group that's mostly our age doing wreaths after, but I'll be in other stuff most of the morning..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Tomorrow lunch," she nods.

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins.

She's not very good at going to bed early, but she knows the alarm spell by now so it's okay - and with the bed curtains closed it won't wake up her roommates. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie spends the morning studying in their room, and joins Anathema for lunch.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema's definitely chipper, and seems to have made a new friend since yesterday - still, she breaks off when Ellie arrives, sitting with and smiling at her.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hello."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hey. Sleep well?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Pretty well, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good!"

"I've been having a lot of fun so far today. Doing holidays is nice."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm happy for you."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks."

"You're a really good friend, you know."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm trying."

Permalink Mark Unread

Heeee.

She kicks her legs a bit, eating and humming happily.

Permalink Mark Unread

And after lunch, wreathes?

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah!!!

There's a pretty broad range of effort you can put in, and the upper year helping their group actually teaches them a sticking charm - "Should keep the decorations on for a few months, even if you don't put a lot of oomph into it." Almost all of the other students in their group are people they at least vaguely know, too.

Anathema tries to modulate the one she's making for Ellie to Ellie's tastes, and even mostly succeeds. She has a pretty good artistic eye under all the gaudy taste, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie tries to get at least a little bit of all available decorations onto Anathema's.

Permalink Mark Unread

Excellent! (Giggle.)

Permalink Mark Unread

So she likes it?

Permalink Mark Unread

She loves it.

Permalink Mark Unread

Excellent!

Permalink Mark Unread

Heeee!

The craft project goes pretty quickly at least - Anathema's wreath doesn't actually have many decorations other than some ribbons tied around the plant stems she's braiding together - grains and autumn flowers and herbs, mostly. They learn a preservation charm, and a small ritual for luck and hope (the upper year is unsure whether it's formally magic, but, well, intent matters a lot even if you're not properly shaping things). Anathema mutters something inaudible to her wreath, too, at the end, then hands it - almost shyly - to Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie hands hers over as well. The bell at the top jingles.

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's perfect."

Permalink Mark Unread

Permalink Mark Unread

!!! <3

Permalink Mark Unread

"This was fun!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah!" Bounce.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Want to go hang them up now?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, grinning.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie puts hers above her little study table.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema hangs hers in the middle of her headboard - it goes rather nicely, actually, the headboard is simple enough it doesn't get too overwhelmed.

She also keeps glancing at Ellie's study table and grinning.

Permalink Mark Unread

"It looks nice."

Permalink Mark Unread

Wiggle. "Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema hums. "Think I'm gonna skip everything else until the sunset walk?" she says, after a moment. "Just hang out with you until then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. I was gonna work on Transfiguration."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile. "I might lay down or read a bit..." She shrugs, a bit awkwardly. "Dunno. Today sounded really fun and it is, but it's ended up being a lot, too... Hanging out with you's never overwhelming, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"All right."

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles, flopping on her bed.

Permalink Mark Unread

And back to work for Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema dozes for a bit, then reads - ends up getting dinner from the kitchen - and then is back to bouncing energetically as sunset is approaching. 

Permalink Mark Unread

"Time to go?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think so, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"All right." She packs away her books and stands up.

Permalink Mark Unread

Down to the gathering point outside, then. There's already a small knot of students around Professor McGonagall.

Permalink Mark Unread

This is a popular activity, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

Fairly. Still, Anathema sticks to the edge of the group with Ellie as the sun begins to set properly and they begin their walk across the grounds.

They don't go too deep, as promised - the Forest isn't even really spooky, yet - but there's a good sized clearing shortly in, where they can still see the stars through the trees, with log benches and rock seats. Professor McGonagall lights a fire as the students settle around.

Anathema, of course, sits beside Ellie. She doesn't seem very inclined to speak up, as first the professor and then assorted students start sharing traditional stories - sometimes with a bit of embellishment, by people's expressions - they associate with the autumn equinox, of deities and heroes, times long past and relatively recent, magic and myth. Anathema seems pensive about a lot of it.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie doesn't really have any stories to share either; she's never paid much attention to seasonal events like equinoxes.

Permalink Mark Unread

People do start peeling off after a little bit, in small groups led by upper years (Professor McGonagall doesn't want any younger students wandering off on their own) - Anathema's been having a low key sort of fun, but she does glance at Ellie to check if she's getting tired or bored.

Permalink Mark Unread

She's willing to stay if Anathema wants to.

Permalink Mark Unread

Lean. "Maybe another hour?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Fine by me."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins and goes back to listening.

And, about an hour later, she stands to slip away with one of the groups - slightly bigger, though it seems a good number intend to stay until midnight at least.

Permalink Mark Unread

No thanks, it's bedtime.

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle.

Back to the castle, then - curfew's been suspended for tonight, of course, but Anathema's tired, too, and heads back to the dorm.

"Thanks for going with me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It was kinda fun to hear all those stories."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah! It was - really nice." Smile. "Lots of them were actually pretty different from what I grew up with..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I hadn't ever heard any of them. Muggles don't really celebrate this stuff."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh. I knew muggle holidays were different, but didn't know it wasn't at all..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Christmas is the really big one."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh. Yule's kinda important? But..." She shrugs. "I haven't done a lot of group holidays and stuff of course, but my impression was the winter ones are mostly ones you spend with your family quietly, not... Big celebrations? Though the equinoxes and solstices mostly are lower key... Samhain and Beltane are the huge ones for us, even people who don't really celebrate anything celebrate those."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah, Christmas is like that."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh."

"Religions are weird."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

Shrug.

Bedtime?

Permalink Mark Unread

Zzz.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's nothing to do except study and play and relax for the next week, at least, until classes start up again Monday. Anathema spends a lot of it reading about spells and spell theory, ends up branching out some into some cool stuff they're not really centrally studying but that the school library has books on anyways - like rituals. Still, that's less definitely very cool than fight spells.

Permalink Mark Unread

You just need to put more work in up front, but rituals are still pretty cool.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah. There's a lot of big unique stuff they can do if you're good.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Quirrell probably knows a lot about it.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah, it sounds like he does from the way he talks...

Permalink Mark Unread

They could stop by his office hours sometime, maybe.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah. Maybe he can at least give reading recommendations.

Permalink Mark Unread

Something to do next week.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah.

There's so much to look forward to...

Permalink Mark Unread

No rest for the moderately curious.

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle.

Hogwarts has been pretty good about satisfying so far, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

They're not cats, after all.

Permalink Mark Unread

Being a cat would be fun, though...

Permalink Mark Unread

Probably, yeah.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe my animagus form will be a kitty."

Permalink Mark Unread

"A big fluffy one, like Scarlet."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes. With very sharp claws!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Those are critical, of course."

Permalink Mark Unread

Bounce. "What do you want to be?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"A dragon."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh, that'd be super cool."

Permalink Mark Unread

"But if not a dragon, something that can fly, at least."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe a bird of prey."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe we should look at a book of dragons. See if any call to you."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good idea!"

Permalink Mark Unread

Heee. 

To the library! 

Permalink Mark Unread

Library!

After investigation, Ellie determines that the Hebridean Black and the Antipodean Opaleye are the prettiest dragons.

Permalink Mark Unread

They are! The Chinese Fireball is supposed to be really smart, too, but the Opaleye is just so pretty... And if you're an Animagus, you're gonna be human smart anyways, so you might as well go for aesthetics.

Permalink Mark Unread

Exactly.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'd be a super extra pretty dragon, too."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Because of my natural flair and charm?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Exactly. And your abundant grace."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs. "I bet Professor Reynolds or McGonagall know stuff about how to figure out your Animagus shape..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you want to go ask now?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure."

Permalink Mark Unread

And off to ask Professor Reynolds about Animagi.

Permalink Mark Unread

She's not in her office, but they can ask the portraits where she is and get directed to a small lounge - really more of a nook - she's apparently claimed to curl up with a book, Scarlet sprawled over her lap.

"Good afternoon," she says, smiling.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hello Professor. Have you got time to talk?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I do right now. What can I help you with?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"We were wondering about the Animagus transformation. How do you tell what animal you're going to be?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums. "That's usually held to be impossible, at least to be sure. People do ever manage to guess - usually if they already feel an extreme affinity for one animal - and people don't become animals they'd feel revulsion at becoming."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Did you have any idea what yours would be?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums. "I've always felt a deep affinity with cats - sometimes other animals, but always predators, and always circling back to feeling as if I am, in some sense, feline. I felt most drawn to - and fascinated by - big cats... Though I didn't get to see them very often. I found it - really distressing, even just to look at them in the sort of zoos we had when I was a kid. I found it upsetting when other animals were being held in too small enclosures, but... I didn't see myself in them."

"I assumed I'd probably be a cat - and if not that, a bird - and was right, there."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema hums. "I haven't been to a zoo... But yeah. Cats feel me-ish."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Modern zoos are a lot nicer than they were thirty or forty years ago, at least."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's good. Animals should live in nice places."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, firmly. To Ellie, "Do you have any animals that you feel really connected to?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I dunno about connection really, but dragons are really cool."

Permalink Mark Unread

"They are. Sadly, I don't know of any case of an animagus form being a magical animal..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Aw."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Some people have managed to effectively bootstrap - it's impossible to use wands in your animal form, but you can use many other magical techniques. Some magical creatures are definitively descended from common animals that developed magic, spontaneously or through exposure - and people whose animagus form is the base animal can eventually develop the abilities and even the form of any derived magical creature."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's really cool."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile. "It really is. We're not sure where dragons came from, though - they're old as a group, and very few wizards are interested in paleontology - so it's unclear if that'd be possible for becoming a dragon..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Maybe they're magical dinosaurs."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That," she says, "Would be cool." She pauses, clearly thinking. "And animagus forms can be of extinct animals..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So it's possible..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'd say so, though I wouldn't hang my hopes on any one outcome."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Right. But it's still fun to think about."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Very much so. And wandless magic is a broad, fascinating field."

Permalink Mark Unread

"How does it work?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It varies pretty widely with tradition - your Potions and Herbology classes represent one field of wandless magic, for instance, whereas casting wizarding spells without a wand is another, rituals of the British Isles are a third, Ogham textual magic is a fourth, innate talents like metamorphagi are a fifth, broomstick flight is a sixth... Just of ones represented natively within our own Isles."

"I learned the Standard American Chant style initially, and expanded that knowledge in secondary school. That particular style is intensely rooted in European traditions of wandless magic, but has evolved in its own direction and picked up influences from many other sources, especially from the huge variety of Native American and African diaspora traditions... And some plain creativity from muggleborns."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What's that like?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Chants work on magical words, predominantly - wanded magic does often includes incantations, though incantations are secondary to the wand and can more easily be omitted. Incantations provide specificity - important when you're first learning, and your wandwork might not be precise - as well as focus and deliberation. They're almost always short and sometimes only tangentially tied to the spell's effect. An incantation is a name of a spell, as much as anything, which is why a lot of spell incantations aren't actually in grammatically valid Latin - they don't need to be."

"Chants are different. By default, a chant is a long, rhythmic description of what you want to happen. Many are designed to be repeated, and many chant traditions are innately rooted in the idea of group practice. There's well defined chants, which beginners should stick to, but it's much easier to innovate once you get a feel. Chants usually aren't the sort of things we'd actually say when talking - they're a lot more like poetry, with different traditions often representing different poetic norms. Standard American practice emphasizes sung chants, in English, with distinct meters and often rhymes. It encourages but does not require group practice, and also encourages the incorporation of symbol and movement - such as specific clothing, dances, ritual baths before major workings, the use of candles, and the like."

"Talented practitioners can use shorter chants for the same effect, and it's actually possible to omit speaking entirely, though it's hard to perform without any movement or use of symbolism - a chant is a communication, so you could use sign language without much difficulty, but it's not a meditative tradition - there must be an attempt to project meaning outward."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's... a lot different from what we do here."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It is! Which is part of why it's so interesting."

"I also know some meditative traditions, too, and those are different in yet another direction."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"It might be interesting, sometime, to set up a club for chant or meditative magic..." She runs her hand through her hair, sighing. "Maybe if I can get Headmaster Dumbledore to hire another TA..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe next year."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Something to dream about, at least."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yep."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile.

"How's your break been, by the way?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good. I've been getting ahead on reading and stuff, since I joined the Quidditch team. And we made wreathes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I've been having lots of fun, too. I tried to join the Quidditch team too, as a reserve, but I dunno if Professor Flitwick will approve me yet..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"All excellent."

"Are you enjoying Quidditch, then?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Flying's fun. We've only had one practice so far."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I dunno I'd be trying out if Ellie wasn't on the team? But it's not a bad game, and I like flying, and the team people are nice..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile. "It's good you're enjoying it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Regular exercise, at least."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I've heard that's supposed to be good for you. Especially when growing."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So you keep saying."

Permalink Mark Unread

Laugh. "Perhaps if I remind my students often enough they'll believe me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"And if wishes were fishes, the kitchen elves would be out of work."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Which would be horribly tragic."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

She settles back a bit, rubbing Scarlet's ears when the kneazle mrrs sleepily. "Was there anything else?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not really, no."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema shakes her head.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. I don't mind company if you two want to hang out, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay." Ellie has some study materials in her bag.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema does too, though she also spends some time trying to lure Scarlet over to her lap...

Permalink Mark Unread

Not to much success.

Permalink Mark Unread

Best to let sleeping kneazles lie.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema pouts.

Still, the evening passes rather peacefully.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah, it's nice.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds wishes them a good night once the sun begins setting, and thanks them for the conversation earlier.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good night, Professor. See you in class."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll see you then."

Permalink Mark Unread

It's getting to be dinner time, too.

Permalink Mark Unread

Down to food, then!

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds admits to having gotten distracted and heads down to dinner with them (after apologizing to a grumpy Scarlet for depriving them of their pillow).

Permalink Mark Unread

Poor sad kitty. But food is important.

Permalink Mark Unread

Fine.

Scarlet follows them down so grouchily though.

Permalink Mark Unread

Alas for them.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hmm... Perhaps Ellie and Anathema can make this up with ear scritches? 

Permalink Mark Unread

As long as they're not having anything saucy for dinner.

Permalink Mark Unread

Fortunately, dinner is kneazle-petting friendly! Very excellent. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Most efficient.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema loads up her plate with things she can eat one handed, so Scarlet doesn't suffer an unfortunate disruption in pats.

Still... Eventually they should probably head in a general bedwards direction...

Permalink Mark Unread

Farewell, Scarlet.

Permalink Mark Unread

They sigh, give Ellie one last headbutt, then jump down to head off into the corridors.

Permalink Mark Unread

And off to their own tower for Ellie and Anathema.

Permalink Mark Unread

The next few weeks of school pass well, and Anathema's accepted as the Ravenclaw Quidditch reserve after continued recruitment attempts fail to find any older students eager for the position, though the first fully official Quidditch game of the season - Gryffindor versus Slytherin - isn't until the middle of November. Ravenclaw's first match (against Hufflepuff) won't actually be until January - the second match of the year, but apparently most of them are spread out over second semester.

Classes remain rather easy for both girls, but their professors and the TAs are fairly universally amenable to recommending more challenging side projects or reading. Dumbledore caves rather quickly to complaints about keeping Snape through the end of the year, announcing he'll be stepping down at the beginning of the Samhain holiday. (Samhain is, as promised, a massive holiday, with events spilling out all week. It's dedicated to remembering and honoring the dead, mostly, with some traditions treating it as the new year.)

The Potions Master who replaces him requests that everyone attend at least one class with her. She's a fairly old woman with laugh lines carved deeply into her face and a propensity for cheerfulness, who introduces herself as "Professor Alethea McGonagall - though for the sake of disambiguation you all may use my maiden name, Cleary. I likely won't stay until next year, as I'm currently taking leave from my work at Minerva dear's request, though perhaps fortune will bring strange tides." She sets up heatless lights all around the potions classroom, gives them all new Potions textbooks ("Your old one isn't exceptionally terrible, but I do think it works better as a reference manual once you have already learned the craft, but before you have mastered it."), and overall establishes a cheery atmosphere. She strongly encourages the students to question her, and actually allows their class to vote on which potion they'll start on the next week.

Professor Quirrel moves into the Roman period of Britain, and actually offers Ellie and Anathema a research project - one he believes is more at their level.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie likes the new Potions Master much more than the old. Professor Cleary actually wants to be teaching.

She gets the hang of balancing school work around Quidditch practice and the extracurricular reading she wants to do, some at professorial recommendation, some not. Her notepaper mockup of a day planner is helpful in this regard, and she resolves to buy a real one the next time muggle shops are available to her.

And even though she still gets a headache from being around Professor Quirrell too much, even outside of his classroom, she's interested to know what kind of research he has in mind.

Permalink Mark Unread

"My generalist knowledge base is fairly broad," he says, "If you want to branch outside of what we're covering in your current classes - either into another time period, or into another region, though I'll admit I know the most about the British Isles, and the second most about mainland Europe as a whole, and that my true specialties are in the Founders period and the pre-Roman period."

"The sort of project I think you two would benefit most from is a deeper rather than parallel investigation, though - wizards are rarely antiquarians, sadly, so there's an exceptional amount of history that no one's investigated in suitable depth, or that if they have investigated, they have not compiled for the edification of people outside their narrow field. You could contribute rather greatly to the field just by reading and summarizing articles - and learn more than a bit of interesting things yourself, of course, especially if you want to stray into experimental archaeology based on your findings. There's some very interesting work being done on magic from the Founder's era being done there, actually - we have enough evidence to say what results many of the lost workings from that time should produce, and to say what magical technologies we think they may have had access to... But the actual details are currently obscured to our sight. An experimental project there could involve trying to recreate plausible workings and seeing if any match what evidence we have."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Experimental archaeology, huh..." she says consideringly.

Permalink Mark Unread

"That sounds kinda fun. Like learning spells and inventing them. At the same time."

Permalink Mark Unread

He laughs. "That's one way to portray it, yes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you have any good resources to start with on the Founders' Era, Professor?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"A few, yes..." He makes a few book recommendations from the library, "And once you feel like you have an overview, I have quite a few articles that dive into actual evidence, as well as copies of primary sources and translations of them into modern English."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That'll be quite helpful, thank you."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll start putting those together, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks Professor!" Anathema says. "C'mon, Ellie, let's go check out those books..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Off they go.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's interesting stuff - Anathema thinks working in a research project's probably worth it... And experimenting with stuff the Founders could do sounds so cool.

One of the books describes some of the lost workings, in fact, from minor - old witchcraft-based medical treatments that they probably have better versions of now but that are still of historical and possibly medical interest - to moderate - such as the shapeshifting technique Slytherin used, which has since been lost - to major - including basically everything about Hogwarts and its actual construction. No one even knows all of the protections and workings laid upon Hogwarts, let alone how they were done. (A few things did survive - the current spell to make buildings unplottable is probably related to Hogwarts' version, and making parts of a building move around is still possible, though not with the same responsiveness or complexity Hogwarts exhibits. They also still have anti-apparition wards, though modern ones aren't as thorough as the ones on Hogwarts and cannot be made permanent. Still, they don't know how the space warping around the Forbidden Forest is anchored, how the castle is able to respond dynamically to the people in it, and how the castle's myriad defenses work.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Slytherin's shapeshifting could be a good project- challenging, potentially achievable, also might help with Animagus studies.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah! Also it sounds like they know more about the process than, like, mystery Hogwarts protective enchantments.

Permalink Mark Unread

So they'll start there.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah. They can reverse engineer Hogwarts next year. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Gotta build up to something.

Permalink Mark Unread

And have places to keep reaching. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Yes!

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle.

Does mean they need to focus really hard on this, though, to get started...

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie can make schedule adjustments.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah. Their normal homework is going pretty fast, at least, especially since a lot of it is just readings...

Permalink Mark Unread

And they can cut back on advanced work elsewhere, if they have to. This looks like it'd be more interesting.

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods.

They'll have time over the summer to get caught up, too...

Permalink Mark Unread

There is that.

Permalink Mark Unread

Next thing is probably letting Professor Quirrel know what they've picked. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Yes, best to get that done with.

Permalink Mark Unread

He doesn't have everything ready for them - it'll take a bit for him to acquire the articles he doesn't keep here - but he can certainly supply them with readings on Founders-era witchcraft, descriptions of known shapeshifting witches from around that time, and details of what workings they do know about - none of them directly related, but some similar enough.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's a place to start, at least.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sadly sometimes all they have with history.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hopefully this goes a little better than that.

Permalink Mark Unread

Of course.

They can come to him any time they have questions, as well.

Permalink Mark Unread

Thanks, Professor.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're both quite welcome."

Permalink Mark Unread

They had best be off to make a start, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

Of course.

Permalink Mark Unread

To the dragon room! To read!

Permalink Mark Unread

Excellent.

Permalink Mark Unread

According to these articles, a significant amount of magic in the Founder's Era was Dark - either by the 'sacrificial magic' definition or the 'really harmful' definition. Especially non-wizarding magic; Dark witchcraft is generally fairly easy and powerful, which was a major driver of the sheer deadliness of the wars of that time - the Roman wizards never successfully drove out the witches despite superior numbers and education, and Hogwarts was as much a peace attempt as anything. Lots of the workings that have survived include minor through major sacrifices - they actually still have many of the old potions recipes, since Hufflepuff actually preserved her notes (unlike Slytherin, Hogwarts' other witch), mostly not used because 'human blood' is no longer a socially acceptable ingredient. (One article focused on piecing together the early history of magical education notes that the way Hogwarts primarily teaches potions and herbology - a narrow albeit admittedly often foundational part of witchcraft - is likely because those were Hufflepuff's specialties, and Slytherin took his expertise in other fields with him when he left the project.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Kind of a pity he left, then.

...Where'd he go?

Permalink Mark Unread

This article seems to assume you already know the story, but -

"Nobody knows," is what Anathema says. "He just. Kinda vanished? The story is he got into an argument or a fight or something with Gryffindor or all the other Founders, stormed out, and no one ever saw him again for sure. Apparently not even his daughters..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That is really weird."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah! It's one of the big mysteries."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I can see why."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe when we run out of all the other mysteries, we can solve that."

Permalink Mark Unread

"We might find clues along the way. Seems the sort of thing that ought to leave a trail..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah!!!"

"We'll want to space it out a bit after all of our other amazing inventions, though. Give the newspapers some breathing room."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Nothing says we have to make it public right away..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Exactly. Have fun with the secret for a bit, first."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Find his secret stash of knowledge that he hid with his dying breath and take the best bits for ourselves."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Ooo, yeah. And then we can leak out the historically interesting bits as we invent better versions for ourselves."

Permalink Mark Unread

"The best plan."

Permalink Mark Unread

"A perfect balance between hoarding secrets and spreading knowledge."

Permalink Mark Unread

"The best of both worlds."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee. "For the best girls."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's us."

Permalink Mark Unread

Best Ellie.

Anathema giggles a bit, wiggling as she settles into the couch more with her latest article.

Permalink Mark Unread

A fine way to spend the evening.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah.

They'll probably get all the way through the background reading by the winter break, even!

Permalink Mark Unread

If they're diligent about it.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema is nothing but diligent about reading.

Permalink Mark Unread

Then probably they get quite a bit done, working together.

Permalink Mark Unread

They certainly can.

"I'm gonna stay at Hogwarts over break," Anathema says one day as the winter holidays slide ever closer.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Me too." It's not like she really has anywhere else to go.

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums. "Do you celebrate that muggle holiday - uh, Christmas?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Never really had a chance to. My aunt and uncle preferred to ignore me as much as possible."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Aw..."

"Do you want to?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Shrug.

Permalink Mark Unread

She shifts a bit. "You've been really good about my holidays... If there's even like a part of muggle holiday stuff you wanna do I'm good with that?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Well... Christmas presents might be fun."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. Just any present?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Basically. But you wrap it up in pretty paper before you give it, and if you're a parent you put it out in the middle of the night and pretend it's from Santa Claus."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle. "Santa Claus?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"He's old and fat and has a big white beard. Lives at the North Pole and uses a sleigh and flying reindeer to visit every house on Christmas Eve to slide down your chimney and leave presents."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That sounds really silly. I don't think there's any time-turners that'd let you visit all those houses."

Permalink Mark Unread

"The people who believe in this are mostly children who don't think hard enough about how many people exist in the world."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, giggling. "Yeah. Wizard kids probably don't know how many muggles there are, either..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I strongly doubt it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"So presents wrapped in pretty paper it is, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins, flopping back. "Are you gonna get me presents, too?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maaaaybe."

Permalink Mark Unread

She just grins at Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

"What sort of thing might you want, if were to get you something?"

Permalink Mark Unread

...Wow that is such a hard question.

"Uh."

She scrunches up her face.

"I have books..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie giggles. "Got it."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hum. "But... I dunno. I have a lot of books?" Shrug. "I guess the kind of books I don't have, like muggle books? Or..." Thinking. "I... There's nice stuff a lot of the especially muggleborn girls have that I don't? Like... Hair stuff, or weird skirts, or jewelry... All the stuff that's pretty cool and shiny." More thinking. "Also I kinda miss some of my old toys... I haven't had them in forever, my aunt got rid of them, but I really liked having like stuffed animals..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"What kinds of things do you want? Other than books."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hmm... something wizard-y? A thing magical people would get."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I can do something magical, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile.

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle.

Though now she has to plot what exactly to get Ellie...

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie faces a similar dilemma.

So she goes to talk to Professor Reynolds. (Without Anathema.)

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes, Miss Potter?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hello Professor. This isn't a school-related question, strictly speaking. I want to get Anathema a Christmas present, but I'm not sure how to go about that from here."

Permalink Mark Unread

"For something from a wizarding shop, you can get a catalogue and then make an order by owl post. One of the professors can also escort you outside of Hogwarts, to either magical or muggle shopping centers. You could also make her something - the Art classroom's supplies are free for student use."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I was thinking of getting her some hair clips and barrettes- shiny but non-magical. And a stuffed animal, if I could find a good one. Would you be willing to take me on a trip?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Of course. I'm vaguely familiar with where to look for jewelry and toy stores in London, too."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you. When would be convenient?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hm... During the actual break would be best, preferably before the worst of the Christmas crowds - Monday the sixteenth, perhaps?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I shall keep my schedule clear."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. We can stop into Gringotts for a money exchange on the way out, too, if you'd like."

Permalink Mark Unread

She does a quick calculation of how much she has left in her purse. "...That'd be good, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think most shops open by ten, and we'll have to walk to the train station to use their floo. Still, leaving a bit early or late is alright with me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"After breakfast, then? Nine-thirty?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "That works for me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay. I'll see you then."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie has some end of semester projects to finish, and midterms to take, and friendly acquaintances to wish well before they head home for the winter holiday all in a rush on a cold Saturday morning in the middle of December...

And then she and Anathema have their room - and indeed much of Ravenclaw Tower - all to themselves. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Finally, room to stretch.

Permalink Mark Unread

Way fewer people inclined to ask her to be quiet and settle down if she's bouncing everywhere! No one else having books out on loan!

It's really nice, actually.

Permalink Mark Unread

It is.

"Professor Reynolds is taking me out on the sixteenth," she mentions. "I expect we'll be back by dinner."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay," she says, thinking a bit. "I should maybe ask her to take me shopping, too..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Break's a good time for it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. It is."

Pause.

"Problem is I don't really have money... But, like, I kinda do? But it's all in my mom's vaults..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Are you allowed to get in them?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"...The goblins could probably prove who I am? And they don't, like, talk to wizards about stuff ever."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I bet Professor Reynolds would wait outside or something, if you asked."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Maybe. Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Or I could lend you some money, until you can get in by yourself."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks, but I don't think you're supposed to buy presents for people with their money. I can ask Professor Reynolds..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Shoulder bump.

Permalink Mark Unread

Grin.

"Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"No problem."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hum.

Of course, Monday's pretty soon after the end of the semester - Anathema arranges for Professor Reynolds to take her in the day after.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie's looking forward to the trip. She's in the Great Hall at nine-thirty on the appointed day.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds meets her there, dressed in muggle clothes. "Ready to go, Miss Potter?" she asks.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright."

Down to Hogsmeade Station, then, from there to floo to the Leaky Cauldron - and she assumes Gringotts will be their first stop?

Permalink Mark Unread

Yes. Ellie needs to withdraw and change a bit of money.

Permalink Mark Unread

The lines aren't too bad, so by the time they're done with that - and back to the Leaky Cauldron - the assorted muggle shops should be mostly opening. London's pretty big, and her apartment and the Leaky Cauldron are just about on opposite sides - and of course Professor Reynolds is more familiar with what's near her apartment and can actually get them to assorted department stores or shopping malls directly via Apparition, rather than via wandering around and hoping they find something...

Permalink Mark Unread

Sounds good.

Permalink Mark Unread

She casts the Disillusionment Charm and a muffling spell over the both of them, explaining both to Ellie as she does so - they'll mostly prevent muggles from seeing them appear or hearing any suspicious noises from the Apparition. And then, with a bit of warning, she moves them to a usually clear space across London - nearby a good sized shopping mall, in fact. Apparition feels rather unpleasantly like being squeezed or pressed down on, all over her body, and her ears pop a bit when it clears.

Permalink Mark Unread

A bit oof, but overall a convenient way to travel.

Permalink Mark Unread

Both true.

She removes both charms slowly, so as to make their entrance into observable reality more subtle.

And then: onward to the shops. There's a department store, here, and clothing shops for kids, and a toy store...

Permalink Mark Unread

She'll start at the department store, see what they have in the intersection of 'shiny' and 'hairclip'.

Permalink Mark Unread

A good bit! There's pricier, more subdued designs meant for women - generally not much in the way of bedazzling, mostly plain metal with interesting designs. There's cheaper, more tacky designs meant for girls - rhinestone butterflies, colorful sparkly metal ones (though in a plain shape), some shiny plastic balls... Most of the girls' barrettes are cloth bows or flowers, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

She'll go for a selection of the rhinestone ones, butterflies and cats and birds.

Permalink Mark Unread

She can find all of those with enough digging.

Permalink Mark Unread

Excellent. And can she request a box to put them in, suitable for wrapping?

Permalink Mark Unread

The store certainly has those, nice shiny white boxes in a few different sizes. The cashier smiles at Ellie, asking if she's getting something for a friend. 

Permalink Mark Unread

She is, yes. It is to be a Christmas present.

Permalink Mark Unread

That's very sweet. (Smile.) They also sell wrapping paper, if she'd like to take a look.

Permalink Mark Unread

No thank you, she has other plans for that.

Permalink Mark Unread

Alright. Have a happy Christmas!

Permalink Mark Unread

And the same to you.

Next she'd like to take a look at the toy store.

Permalink Mark Unread

The toy store contains a lot of stuff with electronics that might not work in Hogwarts (a singing mermaid doll, an RC airplane, toy instruments, handheld games, the Super NES game console...), but there's also lower tech options - cloth dolls, fashion dolls, play sets, water pistols, plastic dinosaurs... And stuffed animals, ranging from 'entirely unrealistic' (a blue tiger with very weird proportions, an orange velociraptor, a pink and blue cat, a purple dragon, a glittery reindeer) to character toys (Mickey Mouse, 101 Dalmations, Winnie the Pooh) to actually sort of realistic toys (mostly teddy bears, dogs or wolves, a few big cats...).

Permalink Mark Unread

After a brief perusal of the electronics (impractical for now), she focuses in on the stuffed animals.

After some thought, she selects the dragon, the pink and blue cat, and a tiger. (She tries to shuffle the last of these like it's not terribly important.)

Permalink Mark Unread

The cashier here asks if she wants a box or gift bag for these.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Separate boxes, please."

Permalink Mark Unread

Alright!

Permalink Mark Unread

Great.

And with that, her shopping seems pretty much done.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'd like to get something for Anathema, too," Professor Reynolds says, "If you don't mind staying out a bit longer."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not at all."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright."

She ends up heading into one of the children's clothing stores, smiling at the array of painfully bright clothes. "Does this look like something she'll like?" she asks, pulling out a turquoise jacket with pink and glittery gold stripes.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Well. It is shiny."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs. "It looks warm - and better for running around in outside than robes, too..." She ends up getting that, then - "Do you want to get lunch out?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure."

Permalink Mark Unread

They can find somewhere nice, then, before heading back to the school.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's nice to go out with Professor Reynolds.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's been a pleasant outing for her, too.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

Permalink Mark Unread

"How are you thinking of wrapping the gifts?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Use the Art supplies to decorate some paper."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That sounds like a lovely idea."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's what I thought."

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile. "Let me know if you want any help, alright?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll see you later, then, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

"See you, Professor."

Ellie's off to deposit her gifts in her trunk before heading to create store wrapping paper.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's Anathema's turn the next day - she leaves fairly early, too, and returns later than Ellie had (very clearly hiding something). Once she finishes definitely hiding stuff in her trunk, she comes to flop in the common room, looking pensive.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie politely makes no attempt to see what Anathema brings back.

Permalink Mark Unread

Very kind of her.

"...Professor Reynolds is nice," Anathema says, after a few moments. "You were right."

Permalink Mark Unread

"She is, and I often am."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle. "The rightest."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

Permalink Mark Unread

Grin.

"I'm actually really looking forward to Christmas now..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It should be fun."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread


Once Ellie has the presents wrapped, she takes the box containing the stuffed tiger and seeks out the house elves.

Permalink Mark Unread

They're easiest to find in the kitchen, that being where the ones who've specialized in cooking fairly consistently have someone or another hanging out nearby. 

The kitchen is a lot less busy during winter break, though, but there's still two house elves in it, one perched on a counter and reading a book, another apparently cataloging ingredients. They look up when Ellie enters, and the reading one says, "Hello! Can I be helping you?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hello. I was wondering if you could see this delivered to the rooms of Professor Reynolds early in the morning of the twenty-fifth."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Of course," she says, cheerfully. "Is it being a present?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes, it is."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Then I'll see it be delivered very secretly, so it'll be a surprise."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're being welcome, miss student!" She hops down to take the gift from Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

She hands it over and returns to the dorm.

Permalink Mark Unread

Christmas morning arrives cold and clear, a layer of frost over the windows and crusting the snow that fell earlier in the month. The school isn't doing anything today - the Yule feast and bonfire was a few days before on the winter solstice. Still, there's a small pile of presents at the floor at the foot of her bed when she gets up. 

Anathema is already up, reading in her bed and sneaking frequent glances at her own small pile. 

Permalink Mark Unread

"G'morning," she yawns.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good morning!!!" she chirps. "I put my presents on your pile already..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie rolls out of bed to fetch Anathema's.

Permalink Mark Unread

She bounces in bed a bit. "Do we open them right away?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Unless you want to wait until after breakfast."

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums. "I'm really excited, but we can wait if you want?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Now's good."

Permalink Mark Unread

Bounce!!! She gets down from bed to sit next to the pile on the floor.

"I'm gonna open your gifts first!"

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee. "Okay. I'll start with the ones on top."

Permalink Mark Unread

She picks out the most colorful of Ellie's gifts, undoing the paper very very carefully.

(The one on top of Ellie's pile is a small box, a bit smaller than palm sized, wrapped in a dark paper with subtle moving waves and a big sparkly purple bow and a tag saying 'To Ellie, From Anathema'.)

Permalink Mark Unread

She pulls the ribbon undone and cracks open the paper with a finger.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's... A jewelry box! Bearing the logo of a place she glimpsed in Diagon Alley.

(Anathema is currently hugging the pink and blue cat stuffed animal.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh, that's fancy. What's inside?

Permalink Mark Unread

A necklace, it looks like - one half of a heart, fairly elegant and simple, with a silver frame and a mirrored surface with 'Best' etched on it.

And then the mirror part flashes, showing a very small and lightly distorted view of... Skin, maybe? And Anathema's voice whispers from it, "Hi!"

The effect's slightly spoiled by how she's sitting across from Ellie, whispering into her palm and grinning.

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's so cool!"

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs, letting go of her half of the necklace, and Ellie's returns to a normal mirror. "Yeah! It's a two way mirror." She scootches closer. "There's a little bit on the top - see?" She points to a little ornamentation. "You press down on that to make them connect." She shows Ellie hers, which is the matching other half of the heart and says 'Friends.' "They're small so they're not super good at picking sounds up, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Still though. Thanks!"

Permalink Mark Unread

Heee. "I'm glad you like it!"

Permalink Mark Unread

What's next?

Permalink Mark Unread

Seems to be another present from Anathema - a deck of tarot cards with moving paintings and a little explanatory booklet that these can be used for divination, but that unlike most methods they won't advise you about your future with much accuracy. Rather, they'll point to trends and themes in your life, but are strongest when used as a tool for introspection. Also there's a bunch of popular card games involving them. Anathema's packed it with a thin book on introductory tarot. (That seems to be the last gift from Anathema, at least that's really easily evident.)

Anathema opens her jewelry and promptly fills her hair with sparklies, laughing.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You like them?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah! They're great."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I was definitely selecting for sparkliness."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle. "It's almost like you've met me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe a bit."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs and pulls the last of Ellie's three gifts over, quickly unearthing (and hugging) the dragon, before glancing over the small pile of everything else. "I wonder who else gave us things?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I know Professor Reynolds at least got something for you." Are there any tags on the other things?

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema goes sorting for that - it's the biggest of her packages, so she settles on it quickly. (Anathema's other presents are tagged from 'Tonks', 'The Elves', and 'Lisa'. 'The Elves' and 'Lisa' both seem to have sent something to Ellie, too, with Ellie's other two packages from 'Professor Reynolds' and... The last one doesn't have a tag, actually, and is a flexible thin square in very plain paper.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Weird. "We'll have to get something for Lisa too next year..." she comments, opening that one. She'll save the unnamed present for last.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema makes an excited noise about her jacket, pulling it on - "Yeah, and I need to get something for Professor Reynolds..."

Lisa's present turns out to be a fairly generic Christmas card on top of a cookie tin containing gingerbread snow men.

Permalink Mark Unread

About what she expected. And the other two?

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds sent her a magic teapot and tea cup, that can sense what kind of tea's been put in it and brew a perfect cup, and that will never run out of water. The house elves possibly coordinated with her - they've sent Ellie a big pack of assorted fancy teas.

(Anathema seems to have gotten also gingerbread from Lisa, and a variety of cookies from the elves, and is rapidly moving on to Tonks' package.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Aw. That's really thoughtful. She sets some to brewing, and tackles the last package.

Permalink Mark Unread

It's... Fabric. Silvery and translucent - Ellie can see through it when she holds it up, but only kind of. It seems to strip colors from the world while leaving outlines intact. Shaking it out reveals it's a cloak. The fabric's really smooth, with no apparent weave at all, and it has a sort of soft slipperiness.

Permalink Mark Unread

Huh. It's probably... some kind of magic cloak?

Permalink Mark Unread

There's a bit of folded up parchment under the cloak.

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh a note. What's it say?

Permalink Mark Unread

Your father left this in my possession before he died. It's time it was returned to you. Use it well.

A very Merry Christmas to you.

The handwriting is entirely unfamiliar, neat and loopy, and it isn't signed.

Permalink Mark Unread

That's not a little suspicious at all.

"Have you ever seen anything like this?" she asks Anathema, showing her the garment.

Permalink Mark Unread

She squints, lowering the book Tonks and her dad got her to her lap. "Probably an invisibility cloak," she says after a couple moments. "Or another kind of magic cloak that wants to look like one, I guess. I think it looks a lot nicer than invisibility cloaks usually are? But even the less nice ones are really rare."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh. Says it belonged to my dad."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Huh. I thought they mostly tend to fade pretty quickly? It looks new." Shrug. "Might be remembering wrong, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I'll ask Professor Reynolds about it," she decides, folding the cloak up.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You don't want to try it on?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe if the sender had attached their name."

Permalink Mark Unread

She thinks. "Yeah, I guess it could be cursed. Though I dunno harmful stuff can get into Hogwarts..." Shrug.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

Bounce. "Let's go find Professor Reynolds, then?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"She'll probably be at breakfast."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. I'm hungry now, too..."

Permalink Mark Unread

Then it's off to breakfast. Ellie tucks the cloak into her pouch.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's few enough students or staff staying over the winter break that they're all eating at a single table. Professor Reynolds has space open around her, and she waves to Ellie and Anathema when they enter, smiling.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good morning, Professor. Happy Christmas."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good morning and happy Christmas, Miss Potter, Miss Canta."

"And thank you for the gift, Miss Potter."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're welcome."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you for the jacket!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're welcome, Miss Canta. I'd hoped it was your style."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs. "Yeah, it is."

Permalink Mark Unread

"The teapot is really nice."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you." Soft smile. "It seemed like something you'd get use out of."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Definitely will."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema sits across from Professor Reynolds and starts piling food on her plate. "Oh, also Ellie got a mystery present. We think it's maybe an invisibility cloak, but whoever sent it didn't attach their name..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She opens the pouch below the table to show Professor Reynolds the folded cloak within. "Here."

Permalink Mark Unread

She examines it, reaching out to run her fingers over it briefly and then sticking a hand within the folds - rendering her hand invisible. "It does look and work like an invisibility cloak... But - the cheaper ones are made out of enchanted normal cloaks, which don't have this sheen... Cloaks made out of demiguise hair are significantly rougher than this..." She frowns, pinching a bit between her fingers and rubbing it. "This isn't tebo leather or even treated lethifold skin... The strands are too long for hidebehind hair... It's much too soft for an alchemical thread, and it doesn't have a potion residue... There's some conditionally invisible plants, but they're not fibrous enough to really make cloth out of... If you managed at all, it'd be more like an invisible papyrus than an invisible cloak."

A deeper, more pensive frown, and: "I - think this might be made of thestral hair, actually, which would be... Bizarre, to say the least, but I suppose there's nothing stopping you if you befriend a herd and can actually keep track of the hairs."

"I don't think it's cursed, though I'd have to run some tests to be sure - do you have any idea why it was sent to you?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"There was a note. Said it belonged to my father."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Well, a thestral hair cloak would certainly qualify as a family heirloom. Do you have the note?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Um, yeah. Here."

Permalink Mark Unread

She reads it. "...This is Headmaster Dumbledore's handwriting." She sighs. "He was friends with your parents and often worked closely with them, so I'm not too surprised he'd have something like this - I can ask him about it, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...No, I think that's okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anyway: breakfast!

Permalink Mark Unread

Breakfast!

Professor Reynolds chats lightly with them during it (which often involves listening to Anathema chatter about this or that book she's read). She sometimes looks a little pensive, especially when hearing about their advanced readings and research projects.

Permalink Mark Unread

Does she have an opinion about those?

Permalink Mark Unread

The Transfiguration and Charms readings are closer to her specialty... She's unfortunately not much more than a hobby historian - still, she would caution them that all sources have bias, to varying extents, especially for their history projects... Still, experimental archaeology does sound exciting.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah, it does. But they've got a lot of evidence to sift through before they get to that. Got to try and sort out what biases are where.

Permalink Mark Unread

She has a few recommendations for how to do that.

Permalink Mark Unread

That'd be helpful.

Permalink Mark Unread

One thing is looking into the authors - sadly sometimes difficult, biographical research isn't very centralized, but you can sometimes at least get possible motives or political alignments out of that...

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"You two are doing very well."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

Heee.

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles and turns back to her breakfast.

Permalink Mark Unread

A successful Christmas morning.

Permalink Mark Unread

Definitely!

They still have a few days before the other students return and a bit after that before classes start back up - does Ellie want to test out her new cloak at all?

Permalink Mark Unread

Test it how?

Permalink Mark Unread

They could explore more! While hiding. Even after hours, maybe... Getting into the restricted sections in the library might be a bit harder, but that's also an option...

Permalink Mark Unread

Will it cover the both of them?

Permalink Mark Unread

It looks pretty big... Only way to know for sure is to test, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

All right, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

Turns out it covers both of them well enough they actually need to lift up some of the fabric so it doesn't drag on the floor... It makes the world look a bit weird, sort of washed out, but they can see just fine through it.

Testing with one of them under it and the other outside also reveals it is, indeed, an invisibility cloak.

Permalink Mark Unread

Cool.

Well then. An expedition may be in order.

Permalink Mark Unread

Definitely!

There's a lot of parts of the castle they haven't explored yet, too...

Permalink Mark Unread

Fertile ground.

Permalink Mark Unread

Onward, then!

There is, indeed, a lot of castle, and on the second night of wandering (Anathema seems to find breaking curfew disproportionately hilarious), they find a room with windows overlooking the lake, containing nothing but a single tall mirror standing in the middle. It looks old, with complicated scroll work decorating its golden frame. And... There's an inscription, etched deep into the top arch - Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.

"Weird," Anathema whispers, sounding delighted.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Looks important."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's probably magic. We should look in it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'd prefer if we knew what it did..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Guess we could look it up in the library or something? But magic mirrors just show stuff. Sometimes they talk to you? But they can't, like, hurt you I don't think?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Well... All right." Because it's after hours that's got her feeling adventurous.

Permalink Mark Unread

Heee.

She ducks out from under the invisibility cloak.

Pause.

"Might be smart to go one at a time? In case it is a secret evil mirror."

Permalink Mark Unread

"If it's evil I'll come wrap you back up," she says invisibly.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thanks."

She goes to stand in front of it, standing on tip toe then squinting then glancing in Ellie's direction. "You're not in front of the mirror too, right?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"No." She steps behind it, just to make sure.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh. I just see me and you, standing next to each other. You're smiling and wearing the same clothes... And I just look like me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's weird."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. I feel normal, though. Don't think it's doing anything to me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"My turn?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure."

She steps aside, well out of view of the mirror's surface.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie doffs the cloak and passes it over, walking into the mirror's field of view herself.

Permalink Mark Unread

And she stops and stares.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Is something wrong?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I see... myself and you and Professor Reynolds. We have a house... and we're all Animagi..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe it's a divination mirror? And it was just being really lazy with guessing my future."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Maybe..." Ellie still seems entranced by it.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Is it a cool house?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's... comfortable."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Huh."

She darts around, trying to peer to see if she can glimpse Ellie's future.

"...Aw, now it's just showing normal me and you. This is a really lazy mirror..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mm."

Permalink Mark Unread

"How old are we in your vision?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Teenagers, I think?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"So pretty soon. Neat."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It's a cool find... Bet it's really useful if you're good at divination. Though divination's supposedly not very useful itself."

Permalink Mark Unread

Absent nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"...You okay? You seem kinda. I dunno. Distracted?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"-Hm?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"...You're distracted."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Guess I am."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you think it's a thing the mirror's doing?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Um." She blinks. "Maybe?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Probably we shouldn't keep poking it, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I guess..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...C'mon, let's keep exploring."

She takes Ellie's hand.

Permalink Mark Unread

She allows herself to be tugged away.

Permalink Mark Unread

She keeps an eye on Ellie as they keep wandering the castle until they finally get tired enough to sleep.

Permalink Mark Unread

She doesn't show any continued ill effect.

Permalink Mark Unread

Good.

Anathema spends the next day reading, mostly.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie takes a break from ongoing projects to research magic mirrors.

Permalink Mark Unread

There's not a lot of serious scholarship. They're mostly viewed as curiosities or divination tools. They're poor for viewing the future or past, generally, working mostly to see elements of the present (though that isn't an absolute). Two way communication mirrors are the most common type of 'practical' enchanted mirror. The second most common is a broad category of beautification mirrors - really sophisticated ones can keep track of your wardrobe and what beauty spells you know or potions you have, and can either make suggestions or just let you preview different things.

Magic mirrors were really popular as entertainment at parties in the nineteenth century, and a lot of the field's innovation happened then. Some of the more impressive mirrors from the nineteenth century could reportedly show paths to things, or connect viewers to an actual place they could reach through the glass. One German wizard managed to make linked mirrors you could travel between, though her method proved utterly unrealistic to copy. Most mirrors just distorted the viewer's appearance in humorous ways, though. 

Cursed magic mirrors do exist, but effective curses are actually really hard there, since most cursed items require contact to activate. Every known example of an actually cursed mirror was hand held. A witch was once sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss for trying to make a mirror that would kill her enemies even if they just looked at it, but she didn't actually succeed. 

(All mirrors do actually have mild magical properties, one book probably meant for younger children cheerfully explains. They won't show some magical creatures, but will show others that're normally invisible. And, of course, a mirror is rather useful if you're a hero fighting a Medusa or basilisk.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Are there any... famous mirrors?

Permalink Mark Unread

There's a couple! Most seem to have gotten famous because of who used them - scrying mirrors, chiefly, especially of the famous European mirrors. One mirror from Japan gives those who glance into it great wisdom. One in China showed a person's true self - not just stripping away disguises like Thief's Downfall does, but reflecting their very soul (its current fate is unknown). There's a famous mirror in Mesoamerica that lets you speak to the dead (this is one of the dangerous ones). There was an Ancient Greek mirror that could diagnose disease.

Permalink Mark Unread

None of those seem quite right for the one they saw. The writing was with English letters, even if the words were nonsense so it's probably European... Oh well.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema seems content to ignore it going forward.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie kind of wants to figure out what that inscription meant, at least.

Maybe she'll ask Professor Reynolds about it during one of their chats.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds is pretty available over winter break, fortunately.

Permalink Mark Unread

Has she ever heard of a magic mirror with this inscription?

Permalink Mark Unread

She hums. "I don't think so, and I don't recognize the language at all..." She writes it out, looking over it for a few minutes. "I think it might actually be modern English, just written backwards and rearranged - 'I show not your face but your heart's desire.'"

Permalink Mark Unread

"-Oh. That makes sense."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Based on, um, what we saw."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Ah. Yeah, I can see how seeing your heart's desire reflected could be - odd." Hum. "I suspect it'd be useful as an introspection tool, but... Not something to obsess over."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

Smile. "Was what it showed surprising?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"A bit, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Um. Not really?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright." She changes the subject to Ellie's studies.

Permalink Mark Unread

Those are otherwise going fairly well.

Permalink Mark Unread

Excellent. 

Permalink Mark Unread

It rather is, yes.

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles, letting the conversation meander into assorted topics - though of course Ellie's second semester will be starting soon...

Permalink Mark Unread

Indeed it will. Any last minute tips?

Permalink Mark Unread

Not really; Ellie is already quite ahead with good study habits. 

Permalink Mark Unread

...She probably needs to start thinking about the summer...

Permalink Mark Unread

"You can stay with me again, if you want."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That would be nice."

"But I'm not sure what Anathema's going to do."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I might be able to take her too? If she doesn't want to stay with Tonks or Tonks' family..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That'd be cool. I'll talk to her, I guess?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright."

Permalink Mark Unread

After a little more small talk, the meeting wraps up.

Ellie goes to find Anathema.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hey Ellie!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hey. Professor Reynolds cracked the mirror mystery."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Really? What's it do?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"The inscription is reversed English words and says 'I show not your face but your heart's desire'."

Permalink Mark Unread

Laugh. "Clever. So it just shows us what we want to see?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Apparently!"

Permalink Mark Unread

"So your biggest desire is living with me and Professor Reynolds?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Kinda..." she's maybe blushing a bit.

Permalink Mark Unread

Heee. 

"Aw. Well, mine's apparently standing next to you..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah, um speaking of which," this isn't an awkward transition at all, "what do you think you'll do for the summer?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She shrugs. "Haven't really thought about it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Professor Reynolds said I could stay with her again and you could too if you wanted."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh. Huh. And you want me to stay with you too?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think that would be nice."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'll get your wish pretty soon, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"And you too."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Pretty sure I've already got it."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Suppose so."

Permalink Mark Unread

Heee. "I'll let Professor Reynolds know I wanna stay with you guys, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Great."

Permalink Mark Unread

School restarts without any real hiccups. Professor Quirrel begins working more closely with Ellie and Anathema once they catch up on their reading. He's familiar enough with some witchcraft from the era to provide a few jumping off points - though he cautions them these workings are often considered 'dark' in modern times, despite often being arguably not even vaguely morally ambiguous. After all, providing some of your own blood for a working is hardly harming another. (Most of the rituals he knows about require sacrifice of the self, of 'offerings' such as incense, or of animals - human sacrifice was no longer used by the Founders' time.)

Permalink Mark Unread

That all seems... mostly okay.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema's a bit iffier on animal sacrifice, though Professor Quirrel points out it was usually livestock animals being sacrificed - and they were often eaten afterwards, anyways. (Of course, Professor Quirrel says, there are a lot of rituals that don't go that far.)

Permalink Mark Unread

And some that go farther, of course?

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile. "Well, yes, of course."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Right."

Permalink Mark Unread

It's interesting academically, naturally - is that something Ellie wants to learn more about?

Permalink Mark Unread

Maybe for future study.

Permalink Mark Unread

Alright.

Permalink Mark Unread

The pieces fall into place rather well - the ritual doesn't require more than a trivial sacrifice, they think, or at least not the one that looks likely for a first attempt (Professor Quirrel cautions them they may have to spend a while tweaking it). Just a drop of blood from each girl, smeared on a set of runes about transformation and rebirth that Professor Quirrel helps them research.

The incantation they reconstruct from a fragment of a journal is kinda long and also in Old English - translating the entire thing's really difficult, but it's pronounceable, and it does seem to be something about inviting the archetype or spirit of an animal to come and be before you, so you may become it. There's a lot to do, to the point they're both having significant trouble remembering all the steps - at which point Professor Quirrel hums and says he has some (old, somewhat finicky and also very choosy) magical items that can improve recall. Two circlets, both made of silver and fairly plain. One seems braided, with a blue gem set to rest over Ellie's forehead, and an inscription in Old English twining along it. The other's a bit more ornate, with carvings of birds and cats, with a deep red gem over the forehead. The ruby one doesn't seem to work for Ellie at all, but helps Anathema a lot, while the sapphire works rather exceptionally well for them both.

Anathema pours over some astrology charts, tentatively picking a waxing half moon as an auspicious night. Professor Quirrel writes them notes allowing them to be out past curfew, and then, with a few mental rehearsals and preparations, they can begin.

Professor Quirrel notes he'll be observing, in case something goes wrong, but he won't be involved in the ritual itself.

Permalink Mark Unread

Always important to have proper supervision for these kinds of things. Or so she's been told. (Ellie appreciates her circlet a lot. Maybe a bit ornate for everyday use, and wearing it too long gives her a bit of a headache, but still.)

Permalink Mark Unread

(Maybe they can talk Professor Quirrel into letting them borrow the circlets more often...)

Permalink Mark Unread

After they see how this goes.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah.

Anathema feels ready (and very eager).

Permalink Mark Unread

So is Ellie. The culmination of months of work is at hand.

Permalink Mark Unread

The rush of power as they begin is heady, building throughout their long chant. The air around them shifts, making colors strange - reddish, mostly, though Quirrel's eyes seem to flash an odd gold. Something feels like it's expanding in their chests, shifting, their thoughts becoming focused yet oddly dream-like. 

The penultimate step is marking the runes with their blood, then the final invitation - 

Anathema's grinning as she slides her ritual knife shallowly into her thumb, before dragging her blood across her own runes.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie is very slightly more hesitant as she does the same. Something feels... off.

Permalink Mark Unread

Perhaps that was a reasonable instinct.

As they chant the final words, something goes very off. For one: something wet and thick runs down Ellie's face, bubbling up from her forehead - 

She doesn't have time to react before her head starts screaming with pain, her circlet a burning circle around her head - but not scalding her, like it's distant, held off - the pain is focused on her forehead, a deep explosion under the surface, writhing through her mind - 

The lights go out, maybe, though it's hard to tell because Ellie's vision won't focus - 

A dark shadow, long and twisting, rushes for Anathema.

Permalink Mark Unread

Who's scrambling to her feet, wand drawn - 

But she doesn't get it up properly before the shadow hits her, flowing into her rippling skin - 

Permalink Mark Unread

Aaaaaahhhh it hurts it hurts-

No no not Anathema need to stop need to save her-

She fumbles for a wand, tracking bloody smears across her robes.

Permalink Mark Unread

Discovery - Anathema's wand's brother, black walnut for charms and self mastery and honesty and loyalty - leaps eager and angry into her hand even though it'd been hidden deep in her robes - 

Permalink Mark Unread

And Anathema steadies herself, smirking - it's her face, an expression she'd make, but - 

Her eyes are gold, and she doesn't look like she's sharing the joke with Ellie.

"Well, seems only one took..."

Permalink Mark Unread

She levels Discovery at the golden-eyed imposter. "Get- nnn- out."

Permalink Mark Unread

She laughs, idly twirling Anathema's wand. "After all the trouble I went to, setting this up? Why, never."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Expelliarmus!"

Permalink Mark Unread

She waves her wand, idly - Ellie's spell doesn't connect - 

Instead, a golden beam appears connecting the two wands. An odd, warm feeling wraps around Ellie, making her feel buoyed almost.

The not Anathema tilts her head, still smiling. "Fascinating. You two even have brother wands, don't you?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Get. Out!" She wraps up her anger in the warmth and pushes it at the imposter.

Permalink Mark Unread

A large pulse ripples down the connection between their wands, light bursting in streamers and ripples outward, some flying through the walls and ceiling and floor. That - forces her to take a step back, actually. She doesn't seem shaken, but she seems warier, now.

"Something of your mother in you after all..."

Permalink Mark Unread

And there's a soft pop, almost like a flicker in the air pressure - 

Permalink Mark Unread

The impostor drops Anathema's wand, destroying the golden bond. She throws a hand toward Ellie - her mind's going dark, the air closing in around her - 

Permalink Mark Unread

And three house elves appear between the two - 

Professor Reynolds in their midst, still in her sleepwear, but her wand held steady before her.

Permalink Mark Unread

The not Anathema groans rather dramatically, Anathema's wand jumping back into her hand - even before that, the air fills with waves of force, slowing down everyone.

Permalink Mark Unread

A house elf starts forcing himself over to Ellie, pupils blown wide, skin pale, limbs quivering.

Professor Reynolds points her wand at the impostor - 

And, steadily, "Expecto Patronum."

A large bird, a nearly solid bluish white, form surrounded by mist, flows rapidly from her wand and at the impostor.

Permalink Mark Unread

The not Anathema has an expression of surprise for a brief moment, like someone who didn't know that spell could do that - 

And then the bird hits her chest, pouring through her - light filling her skin, forcing the dark shadow to recoil out.

There's a sound, almost like screaming - 

And the shadow flows through the wall, fleeing.

Permalink Mark Unread

Her follow up spells aren't fast enough to catch it.

Time returns to its normal rate.

The house elf grabs Ellie, the world spins - and they're in the Hospital Wing, surrounded by other elves at all the exits, Madam Pomfrey pale faced and clearly also just woken up - 

The nurse takes a deep breath and then reaches out, physically ripping the circlet from Ellie's head and throwing it aside as it begins to smoke. A house elf dives for it, vanishing with it, and Madam Pomfrey catches Ellie, lowering her to a bed - 

Just as Professor Reynolds, Anathema, and the other two elves appear. Anathema appears to be unconscious, and the nurse turns to Anathema, snapping out orders at house elves to fetch her this potion, that assistant - 

Ellie's scar's pain fades, in receding waves, taking her consciousness with it just as more house elves arrive with what appears to be a full paramedic team.

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh good, Professor Reynolds has things well in hand. That was very stressful for a bit.

She's just going to pass out now.

Permalink Mark Unread

She wakes up some time later. There's sun coming in through the windows, and the hum of activity is much, much lower. The Hospital Wing is downright quiet, actually, and she's properly in a bed and under some sheets and blankets. She's not in any pain.

Permalink Mark Unread

That's good.

...Anathema?

Permalink Mark Unread

On the bed next to Ellie. She seems to be asleep - probably not unconscious, she's sprawled with her blankets all twisted around her like she usually does when actually sleeping.

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh good. She's probably okay to drowse for a while longer, then.

Permalink Mark Unread

A man in healer's robes - not one she recognizes - comes over once her drowsiness has receded some. "How are you feeling?" he asks, voice soft.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Better."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you remember what happened?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Professor Quirrell. We were doing an experiment and he tried to possess Anathema. There were... house elves, and Professor Reynolds chased him out."

Permalink Mark Unread

He nods. "That matches our understanding. Do you feel confused, disoriented, or have a headache?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She shakes her head. "No."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. You and your friend both seem to be doing remarkably well - she woke up briefly earlier and was alert and oriented, though we think she's likely to sleep a lot for a short while. You might also find yourself exhausted and sleepy, but that should fade with time."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Do you need anything from me?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not right now."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. I'll let you rest, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

She slumps back down, still feeling a bit lethargic.

Permalink Mark Unread

She's left to rest for a little bit - and then the door opens, and there's a low sound of discussion.

One of the voices seems to be Professor Reynolds'.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie perks up a bit.

Permalink Mark Unread

She comes over to Ellie's bedside after a minute. "Hey," she says. "Are you doing okay?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

"Thanks. For coming."

Permalink Mark Unread

She takes Ellie's hand, squeezing it. "I couldn't not. I'm just glad I was alerted in time."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

Squeeze. "I'm sorry it came to that. We - I - should've realized something was wrong sooner."

Permalink Mark Unread

Weak laugh. "Always look for biases, right?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile. "Yeah. But also - Quirrel was being possessed, too. We think the spirit was jumping bodies because Quirrel's was giving out. We scan new hires for possession, and Quirrel passed at the time... But we absolutely should be checking our staff more often than that." Deep breath. "We'll do better, going forward."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

It's kind of weird, to hear Professor Reynolds be talking like it's her fault. Ellie was half expecting a scolding.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Nothing that happened was your fault," she says, softly.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Doesn't feel like it," she mutters.

Permalink Mark Unread

Squeeze. "It's easy to blame yourself. To see everywhere you could've done better, been smarter..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Easy doesn't mean wrong."

Permalink Mark Unread

She pauses, clearly thinking deeply.

And: "Blame is a strange thing, here... It's my duty, as your professor, to protect my students. It's all our duties. And if I am to be your guardian... That means guarding you, as my ward, as someone I care for. But I didn't set out to harm you - I simply failed you. That spirit did set out to harm you, weaving a lie so complex I might've fallen for it, even if I was at its center."

"But... Being vulnerable is terrifying. Even if it's not your fault, even if no blame can be handed out - the thought that you couldn't have ever done better is scary." Squeeze. "There are things you can do to reduce vulnerability in the future. Things we all can do."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I was terrified when the house elves alerted me. I never want you hurt." Deep breath.

Permalink Mark Unread

Squeeze.

"Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, rubbing at her eyes briefly and then laughs, a bit dryly. "I've... Gotten a bit off topic from some of the things I was planning on telling you."

Permalink Mark Unread

"What did you want to say?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She pauses to gather her thoughts, and - "As best as we can tell working non-invasively, your mind seems free from foreign influence. However, the circlet on you - we think it had mind control properties of its own. The house elf who took it away was supposed to put it in a special storage for dangerous artifacts, until they can be safely reviewed - but, as best we can tell, it mind controlled her, forcing her to teleport outside of Hogwarts. We found her body, eventually, but... Not the circlet, and it's resisting divination."

"There's... Concern, still, that it might be affecting you more subtly than we can tell with basic scans." Breath. "I... Don't know how to evaluate the risk, there."

Permalink Mark Unread

"-It gave me a headache to wear it too long. And I got the same sort of headache being around Professor Quirrell."

Permalink Mark Unread

Softly: "I'm - not sure if that's indicative, one way or another."

"It's possible to - rule out mental influence, as best as anyone can, but - the process is invasive, mentally, and would involve having your mind very thoroughly read."

Permalink Mark Unread

"By who?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'd have a bit of a choice - St. Mungo's has trained medi-wizards, for cases like this, or we could ask an international expert to come by, if you want to be very sure they're - a stranger, and very sure they're skilled enough. Also - wizarding Britain's patient privacy laws aren't the best, but some other countries have rather rigorous ones."

"I have the required certification as well, and... If there's things in your mind you want to stay private, I'm willing to be Obliviated of anything I saw after I make my report."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I think I'd prefer it was you."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "It's not something I can set up immediately - I need an Auror here to take my statement, if nothing else, and it might be convenient to check both you and Anathema in the same session, if Anathema also wants to be checked by me."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Something to look forward to, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

Squeeze. "I'll try to arrange it as soon as possible. Today, or tomorrow morning."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I can get that started, so I'll be right back. Is there anything you'd like me to get for you?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"A book would be nice."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. I'll try for one you haven't read before."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Thank you, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're welcome, Miss Potter. I'll be right back."

She stands, says a few things to the medi-witch, and then heads out.

Permalink Mark Unread

Shortly thereafter - before Professor Reynolds returns - Anathema begins to stir. More than a bit grouchily, but.

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh good. Ellie turns a bit to face her.

Permalink Mark Unread

Mmmmrph.

"...Ellie?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hey."

Permalink Mark Unread

She shifts a bit, groaning some.

"You okay?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Seem to be."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Good."

"I think my head's funny still."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm sorry."

Permalink Mark Unread

Mrm. "They said it'd probably go away soon but that was earlier," she grouches. "I want it away now."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Aw."

Permalink Mark Unread

Mmmm.

The medi-witch comes over, running Anathema through the same checks as Ellie. She seems to be doing well in his opinion, but he does reiterate it may be a few days before she's feeling all the way better.

She sighs, slumping.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Professor Reynolds came by," she says after the mediwitch leaves.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Oh?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Said that we, um, should be checked for lingering mental influence. By having our minds read. Offered to do it."

Permalink Mark Unread

She mumbles.

She doesn't look - or sound - very happy about that.

Permalink Mark Unread

"She also said she'd agree to be Obliviated, after."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...I don't want - that person - in my head. At all. So... I guess that's okay. If. If she doesn't remember anything she sees."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I don't want him in your head either."

Permalink Mark Unread

"And she'll make sure you're okay, too?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. She went to set things up."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "Okay."

"Guess it's better if it's over with soon..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"That's what I said."

Permalink Mark Unread

Small smile. "'Cause you're smart."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yep."

Permalink Mark Unread

Mmmph.

"...I - remember you fighting him. Trying to force him out. Even though - even though he was stronger than us."

"Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Wasn't gonna- gonna leave you."

Permalink Mark Unread

Unhappy noise.

"I - "

"Maybe you should've."

"He was - he was thinking, is the circlet just being slow, overwriting her, because he'd never tried to do that before, or is something preventing it, and should he try to speed it up or just kill you - he was playing with you while he thought about that, and I was so so scared you'd be gone, and - you can break possession but you can't break death."

Permalink Mark Unread

 

"I don't think I can do that."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hrrrmmm.

"Then I guess we both gotta get really powerful. 'Cause you're not allowed to get yourself killed protecting me."

Permalink Mark Unread

Firm nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

She settles back, seeming a bit worn down.

Permalink Mark Unread

And Professor Reynolds enters soon enough, bringing several books which she sets on the side table between the two girls. She smiles, softly, at Anathema. "Good morning, Miss Canta. Are you feeling better?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Scarlet darts in behind her before the door can close, sprinting past the medi-witch and leaping into Ellie's lap with a worried 'mrr'.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm okay," Anathema says. "Ellie told me about - checking our heads."

"I'm - alright with you doing that. If you don't - don't remember stuff after."

Permalink Mark Unread

She rests a hand on Anathema's shoulder. "Of course." To them both: "One of the Aurors on this case is available within the next two hours," she says, "If that isn't too soon."

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie pets Scarlet. "That works."

Permalink Mark Unread

If they purr loudly enough maybe that will fix everything.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema nods, quietly.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. I can sit with you both until he makes his way over, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

Purring warm kitty does help some.

Permalink Mark Unread

Good. Cat medicine is best medicine. (Headbutt.)

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

She grabs a book.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema does too.

It's a good way to pass the time.

Permalink Mark Unread

And, before too long, there's a knock on the Hospital Wing door. The medi-witch opens it, revealing a tall black man in sombre pants and a top cut very similar to traditional robes, but with less spare fabric, and the logo of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement on his breast. Professor Reynolds stands to greet him, and he introduces himself to Ellie and Anathema as, "Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt. I've been the lead on this case."

Professor Reynolds invites him over, saying, "Thank you for coming so quickly, Auror Shaklebolt."

He nods. "This is important." And, looking over to Ellie and Anathema - "Miss Potter and Miss Canta, correct?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yes."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. I'm Anathema Canta."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance," he says, evenly, "Though I regret the circumstances around it."

"Now, the current idea is that Professor Reynolds here will scan you each in turn using Legilimency to seek out any lingering mental influence. This will be a thorough scan, rather than a glance. Legilimency is an invasive form of mind reading, potentially usable for mental alteration in the hands of a skilled practitioner. I will be observing, and I have a somewhat high chance of noticing if Professor Reynolds steps outside of the bounds of this agreement, but this is not without risk. Professor Reynolds has offered to be Obliviated after making her statement to preserve your privacy. That is a skill I have, though we have no way of trivially verifying to the two of you that I performed the Obliviation as described and that she did not attempt to conceal her memories or subvert the spell. Still, if you believe there has been malpractice, during the Legilimency, during the report, or during the Obliviation, you have the full right to bring a complaint to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement or before the Wizengamot if you believe the DMLE's response is insufficient."

"Professor Reynolds will perform Legilimency and make a statement on each of you in turn. We will pause for two minutes before beginning each scan, so that the Obliviation has some spare room. You will have the opportunity to confirm whether you want her to be Obliviated after the scan, in case you change your mind. You can withdraw consent to the Legilimency at any time prior to or during the scan, but be aware that without a scan of this depth, it will be difficult to declare either of you cleared of mental influence. You cannot withdraw legal consent to the report once the Legilimency has been performed."

"Do you understand and agree to this process?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Professor Reynolds is only going to report the presence or absence of mental influence?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"If there's any clues about the spirit's identity or how the circlet worked, I would also like preemptive permission to report those, but I don't need to report what the context for those clues is. I will not report on anything else."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'm all right with that."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema bites her lip. Then: "Yeah, I'm alright with - the scan and the reporting clues."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. Thank you." She turns more toward Ellie. "Is it alright if I scan you first, Miss Potter?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

Auror Shaklebolt raises his wand, causing glowing numbers to float in the air. They start counting down from two minutes, which Professor Reynolds spends quietly, holding Ellie's hand.

Then the timer hits zero, begins counting up, and Professor Reynolds looks into Ellie's eyes.

It's - a polite sort of mind reading, actually. Gentle and painless. Ellie can tell pretty clearly what parts of her mind Professor Reynolds is looking at - all of them, of course, every memory and stored thought, everything Ellie's thinking and feeling, but in an order, starting with the possession itself and spiraling out into the natural mental connections from there. Professor Reynolds is clearly taking her time examining the memories for - something.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Quirrell and History class and other classes and extracurricular work and the library and exploring Hogwarts and Anathema and Professor Reynolds and her apartment and the Dursleys and leaving the Dursleys and staying with Professor Reynolds and studying magic and playing Quidditch and the other people she's met here-

It all seems to be just Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds withdraws after a little bit. 

She writes something down on parchment and says, "I, Fay Reynolds, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, registered Legilimens certified with the American Board of Forensic Magic, affirm that upon thoroughly scanning the patient, I can find no evidence of mental influence, past or current, and that I can find no evidence of Occlumency or memory modification that might have been used to hide such influence, stretching back to the natural onset of childhood amnesia." A few more notes. "The unknown circlet did not make enough contact to leave a lasting mental impression." She taps her wand on the page. "I have produced an image of it here. The effects it had were temporary memory enhancement and headache, focused on the front of the forehead, when inert. It caused severe pain everywhere it touched when active. It appears to have interacted with an echo of dark magic previously documented on the patient, due to being under the effect of a curse prior. This interaction caused additional pain and bleeding from where the curse in question had struck when the circlet activated. The unknown spirit appeared well versed in wizardry as well as wandless and nonverbal magic, which I believe was still within the wizardry tradition. The unknown spirit possibly had golden irises as a sign of active, flaring possession. The unknown spirit indicated briefly some familiarity with the patient's mother. There is no indication of the nature of the circlet beyond this, nor of the unknown spirit's identity."

"That is the extent of my report."

Auror Shaklebolt nods and then turns to Ellie. "Miss Potter," he says, "Do you wish for me to go ahead with the Obliviation?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She chews her lip for a moment, then nods.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright," he says, then casts at Professor Reynolds, saying clearly, "Obliviate."

She freezes a bit, blinking rapidly.

Auror Shaklebolt lowers his wand and tells her, "You have been obliviated of the last nine minutes. Do you understand?"

She nods, rubbing at her forehead. "Yes. I don't think there were any side effects."

He hums, then raises his wand, casting something silently - and then makes a statement affirming the Obliviation occurred, why, when, of whom, that consent was given, and that the Obliviation was flagged with his identity, the time and date, and the reason, to be obvious to any skilled Legilimens later reviewing the subject's mind.

Professor Reynolds affirms what he's said, after, and he lowers his wand. "Thank you both," he says, then walks over and picks up the paper Professor Reynolds has been writing on. "The report transcript is accurate to my knowledge, with the addition of a magically generated image of the unknown circlet." He hands it to her for review, and she reads rapidly.

Then, another two minute countdown, while Auror Shaklebolt confirms with Anathema that she still wishes to go through with the scan.

And Professor Reynolds sits at Anathema's bedside, looks into her eyes - and stills.

This particular scan seems to last longer than Ellie's did.

Permalink Mark Unread

Well. That kind of makes sense, given what happened to her that didn't happen to Ellie and her history. But she'll trust the both of them.

Permalink Mark Unread

She doesn't start reporting right away on withdrawing, marking down the start of the transcript, but holding her hand against her forehead, frowning.

"Is there a problem, Professor Reynolds?" Auror Shaklebolt asks.

She shakes her head. "No. There's just a lot of information to organize."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema bites her lip, looking uneasy.

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds takes a deep breath, and -

"I, Fay Reynolds, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, registered Legilimens certified with the American Board of Forensic Magic, affirm that upon thoroughly scanning the patient, I can find no evidence of current, ongoing mental influence, and that I can find no evidence of Occlumency or memory modification that might have been used to hide such influence, stretching back to the natural onset of childhood amnesia." Pause. "There was evidence of past mental influence in the form of possession, as reported by the patient. I can find no evidence that the possessor make any direct modifications to the patient's mind, and the patient's memories reveal no attempts at verbal manipulation. The possessor's control of the body was absolute, which the patient experienced as watching the body act under another's will. The patient was aware of at least some of the possessor's thoughts, though I cannot confirm whether the possessor was using Occlumency at the time to hide or change their apparent thoughts."

A longer pause.

"The possessor did not identify themselves by name. However, they gave several fairly definitive clues to their identity, assuming that those clues were not intentionally manufactured. They had clear memories of the attack on Godric's Hollow that occurred on October Thirty First, Nineteen Eighty One, which arose as they considered a difficulty they were having with laying a spell on another. They referred to a known and convicted Death Eater as 'my most loyal servant,' likely in response to a thought by the patient. The cadence of their thoughts matched my personal experiences of a specific wizard's speech patterns. The way they used their magic matched my experiences of that same wizard, as well. I would like to enter into the record a professional observation that thought cadence and magic usage patterns are difficult to mimic, even by immensely skilled Occlumens, making deception in this matter unlikely."

"As such, my professional conclusion is that the spirit's most likely identity is that of Lord Voldemort, the leader of the Death Eater movement."

Auror Shaklebolt has gone very still, mouth thin. Professor Reynolds presses her hand to her forehead, thinking -

"The spirit did not directly reveal much of what happened in the time between Voldemort's disembodiment and the possession, nor of the spirit's plans for the future. The spirit indicated that they had been possessing the late Professor Quirrel since the beginning of the school year. The spirit's thoughts about the unknown circlet indicated faith in its powers, but did not indicate the nature, exact powers, or origin of the circlet. The spirit believed that the circlet would erase its victim's personality, replacing them with a copy of the spirit. The victim's memories would be sectioned off, the spirit's memories - possibly only up to a certain point - placed centrally within the mind. The spirit had never before used the circlet to this purpose, though, and they observed that it was not functioning as originally intended. The spirit was unsure whether that was because of a miscalculation on their part, or if ritual protections laid on the victim were interfering."

"The spirit indicated confidence that they could not be prevented from obtaining their goals. I am uncertain if these 'goals' refer to the short term or the long term."

She frowns, more, then, almost reluctantly:

"I need more time to sort out everything I observed. I understand and accept that this means that the Obliviation I have agreed to, for the sake of the patient's privacy, will cover a more significant time than initially believed, possibly amounting to several days. I do not intend to record or relay anything I observed within the patient's mind not relevant to the case, and I am willing to take a magically binding oath affirming this, as well as affirming the truth of what I have relayed."

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema squirms a bit, hugging herself, throughout Professor Reynolds' report, and -

"I - I withdraw my request for Professor Reynolds to be Obliviated," she says, voice small. "And... She doesn't need to swear an oath about not telling people stuff."

Auror Shaklebolt looks over at her, expression soft. "Duly noted, Miss Canta," he says. "However, after the completion of her report, you will have another opportunity to change your mind - though, due to the risks involved with Obliviation that does not extend to the present moment, that will be your last opportunity to request Obliviation."

Anathema nods, jerkily.

Permalink Mark Unread

Oh no.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll keep your confidence regardless, Miss Canta."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods, slowly. "Thanks."

"...I wanna be left alone with Ellie now. Please."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright. We'll make sure you two have privacy."

She turns to Ellie, a bit. "Do you need anything before we go, Miss Potter?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She shakes her head.

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods.

She and Auror Shaklebolt both leave - and the medi-witch lets them know he'll be in the Hospital Wing's office, and that he'll hear if they shout or if a status alarm goes off, but that he'll leave them to their privacy, too.

Permalink Mark Unread

Right.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema slides out of her bed, shaky, and sits on the edge of Ellie's, almost stumbling.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hug?

Permalink Mark Unread

Hug!

(Fortunately the bed's big enough for the both of them; still, Anathema ends up a bit sprawled over Ellie as she wiggles more stably into the bed.)

Permalink Mark Unread

That's all right.

Permalink Mark Unread

She just snuggles Ellie for a while, face pressed into her shoulder.

"...I'm scared."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Of what?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Awkward shift.

"Voldemort, I guess? And. People knowing stuff. And you getting hurt."

Permalink Mark Unread

Heavy sigh.

"Yeah. It's a lot."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Want stuff to just be fun again..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Mm."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Don't wanna just learn magic to be safe..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think... we shouldn't let him take that away from us."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

"Yeah."

"It's... If we're just scared all the time, that's - not much better than him winning."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"We should go do something fun, as soon as they let us out of here."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Could go flying."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

"Gonna have to make up any practices we missed."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hope this counts as an excused absence."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle. "Captain Hayes might make us do some extra drills, though."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Bleh, drills."

Permalink Mark Unread

Heee. "Maybe we'll avoid her for a little longer so we can get some fun flying in first."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sounds like a plan."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

"You're really great, you know."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're pretty good too."

Permalink Mark Unread

She smiles, pressing her face into Ellie's shoulder.

"Now we just gotta get them to let us out of here..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hope we don't have to wait until Professor Reynolds finishes her report."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah... She did clear us medically, though. Dunno they need us for anything else here..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Could ask, I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

"Maybe not right now? But - in a little bit. Maybe next meal or something."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure." Snugs.

Permalink Mark Unread

Cuddle.

Eventually it is, however, time to eat. The medi-witch knocks on the door before emerging, and the house elves bring up food for them. Anathema talks to the medi-witch a bit, and he says Madam Pomfrey - who'll be taking over from next shift on - wants them to stay for observation until tomorrow morning, but they can get up and move around the room as much as they like, and then they'll be free to return to their dorm.

It's Thursday, right now - Madam Pomfrey would rather they not attend Friday's classes, and their professors are getting together all the make up work they need for the week of classes they've missed.

Permalink Mark Unread

Friday's only Potions, so that's fine. They can use the day off anyway.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah.

Anathema does eventually get up to stretch and walk around and then returns to her own bed, curling up with a book.

Madam Pomfrey declares them clear to go the next morning. She does advise them to take things easy for a day or two, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie will defer to Anathema on when they should go flying, then, since she seemed to get the worst of it.

Permalink Mark Unread

...There's a really big part of Anathema that wants to go flying right away, but also she's still a bit shaky...

She thinks maybe they can go out to that cottage they found, though, off on the grounds, and spend the afternoon reading. That'd be - fun.

Permalink Mark Unread

Sounds good to Ellie.

Permalink Mark Unread

Also allows them to avoid the gossip and worried roommates - Anathema decides to get their meals straight from the kitchens, and it takes a bit of awkwardness for their roommates to stop asking what happened.

Permalink Mark Unread

Hopefully with time, people will forget.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah.

Still, they can go flying Saturday - they're excused from Quidditch practice, too, though Anathema thinks she wouldn't mind at least watching. If the rest of the team won't be weird like everyone else is being weird.

Permalink Mark Unread

They can try. Ellie would like to join...

Permalink Mark Unread

It'd be nice to go back to normal.

Permalink Mark Unread

Such as it is. Flying around on brooms and all.

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle.

The best kind of normal.

Permalink Mark Unread

So it is.

Quidditch?

Permalink Mark Unread

Definitely.

Their team asks if they're okay, but doesn't push when Anathema indicates they're fine and don't want to talk about it. Captain Hayes says they don't need to make up the missed hours or anything - the last game in the season isn't even theirs, so Ravenclaw's team is basically just having the team members Captain Hayes is eyeing to replace her when she graduates next year practice captaining - and she encourages them to tap out if they're feeling off.

Still - they can fly with the rest of the team.

Permalink Mark Unread

This is just about what she needed.

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema seems to feel the same way.

(That afternoon Auror Shaklebolt approaches Anathema privately, though she relays the conversation to Ellie - apparently Professor Reynolds has finished her report. Anathema's still not having her Obliviated.)

(Anathema kind of wants to go see Professor Reynolds...)

Permalink Mark Unread

Does she want Ellie to go with her?

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'd like that, yeah, if you want."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah. It'd be good to see her."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Let's go after dinner, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"All right."

Permalink Mark Unread

Professor Reynolds is in her rooms after dinner. She opens the door for them when they knock, smiling a bit.

"Would you two like to come in?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Please. Hello, Professor."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hello Miss Potter, Miss Canta." She goes to sit down across from the couch Ellie usually ends up on. "Are you two doing alright, still?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Getting there. It'd be better if- people would stop staring."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "That's... Always tough, yeah. Summer's soon enough this should fade before the gossip gets really entrenched - especially with next weekend's Quidditch game, and finals starting after that."

"I'm sorry you two are having this - extra difficulty, though."

She pauses, and: "If you want... You don't have to take the Hogwarts Express back, in case there's gossip there."

Permalink Mark Unread

"...Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I... Think I'd like to avoid that, yeah, if it isn't obvious we are?"

"Do - you still wanna have both of us with you over the summer?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Of course, Miss Canta, if both of you are still willing to stay with me."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I am, yeah."

"So you - don't mind that. I've been lying? About. My name and stuff."

Permalink Mark Unread

"As far as I'm concerned, your real name is Anathema Canta. For your past - it's yours to reveal or conceal as you wish, and you've acted reasonably in protecting yourself." She leans forward a bit. "Now that I'm aware, I can protect you from your previous guardian, if it comes to that. But you were never required to tell me."

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "Thanks."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You're quite welcome."

"Speaking of guardianship... My current apartment is unfortunately only one bedroom - I can keep adding on to that with an expanding tent, of course. But I think it'd be a better option to go ahead and move somewhere with more room, especially if you two want to make the guardianship arrangement more permanent."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You'd do that?"

Permalink Mark Unread

She nods. "I would."

Permalink Mark Unread

This makes Ellie happy.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I wouldn't mind things being more permanent, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

She grins.

"I can start looking, then - do either of you have opinions about places to live?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not Surrey."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think that'll be rather easy."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I just want somewhere with a library. And either places to run around or a floo so I can go places to run around."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Certainly."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Near a park would be good."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll see what I can do."

"Do you two want to be involved in picking between places?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Sure."

Permalink Mark Unread

"A bit, yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I'll let you both know when I have some candidates narrowed down, then."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

She lets the conversation drift on from there, into lighter topics.

Permalink Mark Unread

Lighter topics are good.

Eventually they should get to bed so they can catch up on classwork the next day.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah. They were already ahead, but that's no excuse for lapsing.

Exams are pretty soon, too - it's kinda unreal.

Permalink Mark Unread

The year really seems to have flown by.

Permalink Mark Unread

They've been busy. 

Permalink Mark Unread

They really have.

Permalink Mark Unread

They can rest and have fun over the summer.

Permalink Mark Unread

Indeed they can.

Permalink Mark Unread

Exams come first, though they're fortunately pretty easy for both girls.

Permalink Mark Unread

Even with their unscheduled vacation.

Ellie determinedly does not think of her erstwhile plans to cheat at studying with the diadem.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah. Supposedly stuff'll get harder in the later years, though.

Permalink Mark Unread

Guess they'll have to schedule their mayhem more carefully?

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle.

Probably, yeah.

Permalink Mark Unread

Something to work on.

Permalink Mark Unread

Definitely!

Permalink Mark Unread

With exams done, they'll have time.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah.

There's a bit of time between exams finishing and school letting out - they should go see if Professor Reynolds has decided where they're gonna be living yet...

Permalink Mark Unread

Yes, that's important to see to.

Permalink Mark Unread

To her rooms, then. 

Permalink Mark Unread

Knock knock.

Permalink Mark Unread

"Come in."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Hello Professor. How's the search going?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"Fairly well..." She walks over to a desk, getting out some papers and setting them on her coffee table. "I actually found a house for sell in Hogsmeade, though there's also plenty in muggle areas... My price range has us leaning more rural, but being away from people does give us more leeway with using magic outside."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Won't we have the Trace this summer?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"It only catches wand use, not broomsticks or witchcraft or other wandless systems."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Point."

Permalink Mark Unread

Giggle.

"Can't you confound it, anyways?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"I, a law-abiding citizen, certainly would never put up wards whose sole purpose was keeping the Ministry off my back."

It's really hard to tell if she's being sarcastic.

Permalink Mark Unread

"What if the wards were to keep us safe...?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"The main point of any of them, of course."

Permalink Mark Unread

Nod nod.

Permalink Mark Unread

"More seriously... I do want to train you two fairly intensively in self defense this summer, both physically and mentally."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Okay."

Permalink Mark Unread

"First, though... Any house opinions?" She pushes the papers across the table. 

Permalink Mark Unread

She takes a look.

Permalink Mark Unread

The one in Hogsmeade has a moving photograph in black and white (which mostly just shows trees rustling in some wind)  and a still one in color. It's the biggest of the ones listed, on the outskirts of the village - it has four bedrooms and a really big lot. Professor Reynolds has noted - 'Very small town. Inconvenient to get to muggle places. No electricity. Quiet in the summer. Mostly older people, very insular, few muggleborns. Very affordable. No limit on broom flying. Close to Hogwarts.'

The other three are all in muggle areas. Two have three bedrooms. One of those is suburban, on a smaller lot, but in walking distance of a train and a park - but they'd have to floo elsewhereto fly. The other is rural. They'd have to floo, fly, or Apparate to get anywhere, but they won't have to worry about neighbors much. One has four bedrooms. It's on the outskirts of a small muggle town (about ten times the size of Hogsmeade), so they can walk to a few places as well as a train station, but they're still pretty far from major amenities. Professor Reynolds would have to figure out selective notice-me-not wards for them to fly on the property.

Permalink Mark Unread

Ellie slightly favors the three-bedroom rural one, or the four-bedroom. Floo's pretty easy to use.

Permalink Mark Unread

Yeah. Anathema's pretty sure she'd rather not Hogsmeade.

Four bedrooms means they could have a library room rather than just like putting all the bookshelves in the living room, right?

Permalink Mark Unread

Unless Scarlet wants to stake a claim.

Permalink Mark Unread

"I think they can make do with their own box."

Permalink Mark Unread

"You never know. They've got a big personality."

Permalink Mark Unread

"They do that. Of course, they also refuse to use any furniture bought for them - and they seem to think the best bed is a human."

Permalink Mark Unread

Hee.

"So we can probably get away without setting aside a room for them."

Permalink Mark Unread

"They'd move into one of ours if we tried, I think."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Doubtless."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I can also turn a dining room into a library, so we don't need a full extra bedroom - but the four bedroom house is larger, if that matters."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Not so much to me?"

Permalink Mark Unread

Anathema shrugs. "Don't think it matters to me, either, but I think I'd like being nearish some people? But also not having to be careful about flying around the house might be nice... Though I guess we could just floo to a field someone's got set up..."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Yeah."

Permalink Mark Unread

"It sounds like we're leaning the four bedroom, then?"

Permalink Mark Unread

"If you're okay with that."

Permalink Mark Unread

"I am."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Then the four-bedroom, I guess."

Permalink Mark Unread

"Alright."

Permalink Mark Unread

This summer should be fun.