Notes: This is a rewrite of Greatness Beyond Power. I wanted to rewrite it because my writing had been sloppy and careless. I hope that this one sounds better.
Break 1: The First Letters
Dear Mother,
I passed the Trial. I know that you know of this already, because I had not been rejected back to Dartmoor. I write this to you in good will. I have chosen my classes, and I am not asking you for permission to take them, for I already have submitted my choices to Doctor Paracelsus (who happens to be the authentic, fabled one this time), but rather to advise me and judge me on whether my decisions have been sound. Of course, I'm taking Basic Theories of Every Kind of Magic and History and Cultures of the Wizarding World as first-year requirements, though we both know that you've educated me tirelessly in those respects. I've decided to see the Charms and Transfigurations classes through until my sixth year, as well. But mother, despite your inclinations of my learning more about History and Culture, I took Arithmancy and Runes and Glyphs, in the hopes that I can also take up Warding in my later years. Runes have always fascinated me, especially the ancient ways of Glyph Inscribing that our family's libraries had lost to the Purge.
I also write to you in the hopes of enlightening me. I would like for you to send back some information regarding one of my journeymen, Calvin Balsagoth. The name has stricken me as familiar. I think he is a Royal. Do they still exist, mother? The mythical House of Bals?
Please write me back about my decisions and my inquiries. I am doing well, and settling in for the night. School starts tomorrow, for Ombra doesn't give its students idle time. I hope this letter gets to you in good will, as well.
Your Loving Daughter,
Marie
Dear Gerardo,
I did it! I passed! I must admit, I did have some trepidation with the Trial in the dome, but it didn't turn out to be so scary after all. How's father? And our brothers? Did Tiago send me the Quidditch jersey from the San Isidro Toreros that I wanted so badly?
I got the usual classes, plus Charms and Transfigurations, though I doubt I'd see them through. And I also got Battle Magic, like you and all our older brothers. I didn't want to, but Father would have my head if I wasn't prepared for war. Grandmother Guadalupe was a Seer, and she had foretold of war coming. I'd rather heed that warning and prepare myself for it, like all of you did. Also, you know that I don't want to be overshadowed by any of you, and the only other option I had left was Astronomy. I want to use our latent Divination powers for war. I know Ombra has special access to ancient teachings and books about it, and I'm hoping that my choice pays off in the future.
I also wanted to ask you about this interesting boy who turned out to be one of my journeymen. He wears the funniest glasses and has the clearest emerald eyes I've ever seen. His name is Harry Wyllt-Potter, though he says that he's just Harry Potter. Isn't that odd? Don't you think he should have an idea of who he is?
You know why I'm writing to you, brother. All of our brothers are busy with work, and father's wards still burn any owls from me. I already killed Manolete indirectly by deigning to send father one. I won't risk Rosette. She is such a beautiful owl.
With love and shared mischief,
Antonio
Father,
I write to you because you told me to. I enclosed my classes with this letter, which means that I'm studying in Ombra. I don't care if it is against your wishes. Beauxbatons is full of stuck-up snotty Purebloods. I would much rather mingle with free intellectuals than elitists with only money and politics in their bloated heads. This will be the last letter you'll receive from me this year.
Sienna
Classes:
Basic Theories of Every Kind of Magic
History and Cultures of the Wizarding World I
Charms I
Transfigurations I
Herbology I
Magizoology I
I want to be a Potioneer and a Healer someday. I hope you respect my decisions, unlike some of the others that I made.
Dear Father, Mother,
I hope that you have inferred by now that I passed the Trial, and have therefore become an official Ombran student. I would have liked to meet with you, but the school has certain policies restricting us from leaving the valley. It won't be until the holidays when I could go back to the palace.
It's very different here, and I admit that I'm not used to living in such close proximity as two of my journeymen, or walking the halls with students that I am forced to consider as equals, at least in power and intellect. But you were right, father, and I'm sorry mother—it would have been much different if I chose to go to Hogwarts. I understand now, father, why you let me go to OmbraSchool instead of Hogwarts. It would be a test of my adaptability, my prudence, my moderation, and my right as heir. I know that now. I would have to face everyone and temper, if not let go of, my prejudices and misconceptions.
I attached my chosen classes to this letter. I hope that you find them satisfactory.
I would also like it if our subjects would be so kind as to search for information regarding a certain Marie Valendia. She's one of my journeymen, and very peculiar. I have a hunch that she somehow has knowledge of us.
Along with information about her, I would also like the subjects to find information about Harry Wyllt Potter.
My Love and Regards,
Calvin
Classes:
History and Cultures of the Wizarding World I
Basic Theories of Every Kind of Magic
Transfigurations I
Charms I
Dark Arts and their Defence I
Light Arts I
Dear Grandfather,
I'm rather new to this owl writing. I find it odd yet very exciting. I'll have to read on how they work, exactly. I know you wouldn't be able to open this but I'm sure our House Elf Sassy will.
I don't think I should ask how the Manor's doing. You've told me that before I came, it had been untouched and collecting dust. Thank goodness that the wards woke Sassy from her sleep. I hope that she's taking care of the place. How different is elf magic from a wizard's anyway, that she is more efficient at it? I'll have to read on that as well. Marie, one of my journeymen, told me that Ombra has an extensive library called Dawn and Dusk, facing the east and west, respectively. All that illuminates it are windows, and the sun's rising and setting. I think I'll be spending a lot of time there.
I didn't know which classes to take, but I followed my instincts and my heart, like you told me to. Doctor Paracelsus said that I had to take History and Cultures of the Wizarding World and Basic Theories of Every Kind of Magic, which I did. I'm actually excited those classes. Of course, I'm going to read on the Wizarding World and Magic as soon as I'm allowed to, too, so that I'd understand as much of this world as possible. A year ago it never would have crossed my mind that any of these existed, and I'm rather happy that I get to stay here for a year, away from my aunt and uncle, and my cousin Dudley.
Aside from that, I thought that I should learn everything I could about both Light Arts and Dark Arts. I took those classes as well, along with Charms and Transfiguration, which I thought could be interesting.
Grandfather, I don't think that I would have such a hard time in this place. You worry too much. I'll be fine. I wish I could have spent more time in the Manor, and heard more of your stories about dad and his antics as a child, but the people here are nice, especially my adviser, Doctor Paracelsus. I'll be back during the Yule holidays, so let's both look forward to that!
I'm looking forward to school tomorrow. I'm not sure if I made friends with two students, Antonio and Sienna. I hope I did. They seem to be nice people.
Your grandson,
Harry
