Ren made his way down to Rubeus's Hut, an hour before his class was to start. The Giant man was friendly the night before, and he was new to teaching so he could probably use some company today as well, with some coffee he made after fighting with the House Elves- which was a shock at first. As he was about to knock on the old wood door, he sensed a presence around the side of the Hut. Ren walked around and saw Rubeus looking over some papers with big writing on it. "Ah, Professor." He called out, making the large man look up.
"Oh, Ren! Sorry didn't see ya there. I was lookin' over my lesson plan for today. I'm not sure what I should do." Behind his massive beard, he could see the man's face turn red. "I'm… not exactly confident, ya know? I never finished my schoolin'. Not sure if I should be a teacher, let alone a professor."
"Nonsense," Ren stated after a moment. "Rubeus, you were chosen for this job because Albus trusts you. If he didn't, he wouldn't have made you a Professor."
"And that's just it!" Rubeus sounded choked up. "I don't wanna let him down. He's putting his faith in me!" His voice broke, and the big man started crying. Ren felt a sudden wave of anguish was over him, watching the man sob. There had to be something he could do to help this man. He eventually had an idea.
"Rubeus. Let me look over this lesson plan with you. I'll make sure that this first lesson goes off without a hitch. Here, drink this." He handed the thermos of Coffee over to him. "Try this blend out for me." Before Rubeus could even respond, Ren took the plans from him and replaced it with his thermos. Ren looked through the papers, gaining an understanding of Rubeus's dilemma. "Ah, so you're trying to decide what creature you want to start with. So you have the safe option of Bowtruckle or the risky option of the Hippogriff."
"Y-yeah, I know that most of the students are young and everything, but I want them excited to learn about these creatures. And with Buckbeak, I'm sure I could really surprise them, and get them riled up!"
Ren chuckled. "Then it sounds like you already know your answer, Professor Hagrid. I take it that Buckbeak is the name of the Hippogriff?"
"Oh, he's a sweet fella. As long as you show him proper respect, he'll treat ya right." Rubeus sounded much more excited about teaching now, and that made Ren feel relieved.
"Drink up, friend. It'll give you the boosts you'll need to teach. You have about, forty-five minutes left, so time to mentally prepare. I'll actually be guarding this class today, so you don't have to worry about me. I might even learn something myself." Rubeus smiled at him, before taking his papers back and starting to prepare himself for the day.
Draco Malfoy was not having the best of times. His first day of class and he has to start with that Oaf Hagrid and those bloody Gryffindors. Which meant Potter, Weasley, and the Mudblood. The only plus side is this powerful pureblood came from nowhere the other day riding on a Unicorn. That only proved that his father was right all these years. He would never tell anyone, especially not as a Slytherin, that he was beginning to doubt the blood purity thing. Especially with how many half-bloods were above him and other purebloods in school alone. Draco came out of his thoughts when he heard Pansy gasp quietly. "What is it?" Then he took notice of what caused it. The Pureblood, what was his name, Ren? was standing behind the buffoon that was supposed to be teaching the class. Oh, maybe Draco could impress him, and get him to be his own tutor! Father would be amazed at how quickly Draco would be able to grow with someone as strong as the only person to ever ride a unicorn. Even the legends of Merlin never involved him being able to tame a unicorn!
Draco noticed that Ren never focused on any individual student, constantly glancing around. Dumbledore did hire him on as a Guard so it would make sense that he would be on the lookout for trouble. Maybe he wasn't as senile as everyone thought.
"Now, who'd like to go first?" He heard the Oaf ask. Draco wasn't paying attention, to busy wrapped up in his own thoughts. He noticed that the large bird-like creature was now staring down at all of the students. He, along with the rest of the class, took a step back. All except, for Potter. Idiot. "Ah, Harry, good show. Alright, come on up-" Draco tuned him out again. He found something interesting. Ren, the Pureblood Guard, was glaring at the students. Not just the Gryffindors, but the Slytherins too. What had they done? "Alrigh', off with ya!" The sudden shout got his attention again, as he turned and saw Potter now holding on tightly on top of the beast, screaming as it took off in flight. Most of the students, both houses alike ran to get a better look to see if Scarhead would fall off. Draco decided he would be better off leaning against the tree. It wasn't his business if Potter fell off. One less bloody Gryffindor to worry about. It had taken three minutes for Potter and the beast to get back, landing safely in the clearing. The Oaf then threw a dead weasel as a treat for the beast. He was tempted to make a joke to Weasley about his family, but it would be far too easy. Besides, Ren might not appreciate the childish taunts. "So, who'd like ta go next?"
"How hard could it be," He called out, causing the students in front of him to part a way for him. "If Potter can do it, it can't be too hard." He sauntered to the beast, with his hand raised, and the beast reared up and slammed one of its taloned feet down at him. Almost too quickly for him to notice, he was shoved and fell on his back. In front of him was the Guard. Stoically holding the beast's claws back with an arm, he looked back at Draco.
"Foolish Boy!" The Pureblood did not stagger from the weight of the Beast being shoved against him, as another leg tried to claw him. He simply held up his other arm, and Draco watched as he somehow did not cry out in pain. There was no magic shield rippling around where the beast hit, and somehow he did not budge. Ren had taken the hit with nothing protecting him and he wasn't even fazed. Draco faintly heard Hagrid calling the beast away, only noticing because the beast moved away from the Guard. "Did you not listen? Did you even think?" His aura was fierce and cold as he turned around. His voice did not change in tone, and he seemed to be indifferent to the whole matter while scolding him. "Of course not. Let's just disobey the Professor shall we?" They both heard a snicker behind him. "Don't get me started on you either, boy in Gryffindor. Some house of the brave you are. When asked for Volunteers, not a single one of you stepped up. Pathetic." For some reason, even though he was snapping at Finnegan, the Mudblood Granger looked more ashamed. That caused some laughter from the Slytherins, who quieted immediately upon his gaze turning unto them. "Or you either. House of Ambition and Cunning? What Salazar says, if he looked upon your house now? About the sheer amount of Prejudice and Belittling going on behind others backs because of something as meaningless as blood. Not to mention that half of you weren't listening." His hand gave a spark and suddenly was enveloped in lightning. "If you aren't Ambitious enough to learn everything you can to save your life, why even bother living?" Draco's eyes widened, as the Pureblood's now electrified arm pointed at Draco. "Magic is very, very Dangerous. Even magic that you don't think is important. Tell me, any of you, why should I allow this boy to continue to endanger himself and others around him." There was silence, no one, not even the Oaf, had bothered to say anything to save him. Draco had embarrassed himself, his family, his house, even the great Salazar Slytherin. Now this powerful, pure-blooded guard, on par with Merlin himself obviously, even the tales of Dumbledore in the war didn't come near in power like wandlessly and wordlessly manifest lightning, was going to get rid of him. Why wouldn't he? It's his job to guard the students. And by not listening, Draco endangered himself and possibly others.
"Stop it!" and suddenly, the Mudblood was standing in front of Draco, arms spread to cover his body with her own. "He learned his lesson, so you don't have to threaten him anymore!" Was… was she trying to save him? "R-right, Malfoy?" He felt arms behind him pull him up and saw Potter and Greengrass there next to him, helping Draco stand. Normally, Draco would have shoved them away, but his brain overrode his pride.
"I... I'm sorry, Professor Hagrid." His image didn't matter anymore, his father's teachings didn't matter anymore. What does, in the face of overwhelming power? Directed at you because of your own failings. It was time for Draco to take a look at himself. He turned to the Oa- the Professor, who was standing off to the side, still holding the beast in a calming manner. "I'm sorry for not listening to you and disrespecting you as a Professor. I'll gladly take whatever punishment you have to give." Draco as nicely as he could, removed both Potter and Greengrass's hands, and pushed the Mudbl- Granger aside. He could feel that his back was going to be sore from the force of landing, especially as he bowed to the bigger man and the beast.
There was silence except for the sounds of the three other students moving away from him. He heard other sounds of moving and was just about to stop bowing when he felt some air push against his hair. "Don't move Malfoy." That was Potter. What was happening? "Buckbeak might take more offense if you move." Buckbeak? Is that the beast's name? He felt another brush of air, which must now be it's breathing. For its size, it was surprisingly quiet. Buckbeak huffed, and suddenly, he was no longer near the animal. He glanced up and saw the animal retreat to stand by the professor.
"Well, it seems Buckbeak forgives ya, so I might as well too." Professor Hagrid smiled, Draco thought, it was hard to tell with the massive beard. "Five points from Slytherin for disrespectful behavior." That's… that's all? "And, 10 points to Slytherin for Ms. Greengrass stepping up to help a student in need." There were murmurs from the house of Salazar, at the sudden point gain. Draco was taken aback too. The only time points were gained to Slytherin was because of correct answers. Never for… camaraderie, before. "Twenty points to Gryffindor, for Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger for helping a student in need." There was some light applause from the red house. "Now, let us resume class. Any other volunteers?" Granger stepped forward again, and this time he watched as she slowly approached Buckbeak. She stopped a distance away and bowed. The Animal strode over to the girl and bowed to her. "Good job Hermione!" The Professor boomed, and the class clapped, with all the tension in the area disappearing with that bow. "Alright, Buckbeak is getting restless, so the class is almost over. Your homework is to tell me ya favorite magical creature, and why. It could be something like you think it looks pretty or some fact you know about it. Half a page at most. Dismissed."
"Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Potter, Ms. Greengrass, and Ms. Granger. Stay behind." The Guard ordered. The rest of the class went back to the castle. Draco felt a shiver go up against his bruised back. He knew just a few points off was too easy.
Ren swiped a hand across his mask, feigning slight exhaustion to switch from Yoshitsune to Unicorn. He felt bad for threatening the kid, but sometimes points had to be made the hard way. From what little magic he read in the books Albus left in his room, there was a curse for torturing people, and even a potion to force people to fall in love. Magic was dangerous. This Hippogriff of Hagrid's could have killed or maimed the Malfoy boy, or even him if did not have Yoshitsune nullify the physical blow. He might be better off having Yoshitsune on standby, in case anything else happens in this magical creature class.
"Don't scare them too bad, alrigh'?" Rubeus said in passing, taking Buckbeak with him. Ren simply nodded to the man. Hermione was giving him apprehensive looks, Greengrass was stoically waiting, Malfoy looked resigned, and Potter gave him the feeling that he didn't know how to feel.
"Mr. Malfoy." The boy suddenly stood straighter, with a hint of the pride that he showed when he sauntered to Buckbeak the first time. "Why are you here? At Hogwarts, I mean." He looked taken aback by the question.
"B-Because Hogwarts is the Premier Magical school in England."
"So your here for the Prestige of graduating?"
"Yes. I have to make my family proud."
"And how are you doing with that so far?" He did his absolute best to not sound condescending at all. He was genuinely curious. Was today just an off day? Were standards here that different? The boy was silent, before looking down. "I see. Ms. Greengrass." The girl's expression did not differ. That was a shame, he kinda wanted to take her by surprise. "Tell me. Why did you help him up?"
"It would be remiss of me as a Slytherin to let a potential asset be lost so early." Ah, so not a friend. Just planning for the future, should Malfoy wisen up.
"Mr. Potter." Both he and the Malfoy boy tensed up. Some tension between them. "Why did you help him up? He's not in your house. From what I've heard through the grapevine, Gryffindors and Slytherins don't particularly get along well."
The boy still seemed apprehensive. "Because it wasn't right. He may be a git, but he doesn't deserve to be-"
"-Saved?" Ren interrupted, to get the boy thinking. He seemed to have a strong moral compass. "Should I have not taken that blow from Buckbeak, Malfoy would have lost an arm at best, his life at worst."
"But you shouldn't have threatened to kill him!"
"Did he learn his lesson?" Ren stated not once raising his voice in return. Potter opened his mouth only for Ren to speak first. "Did he not apologize to the people he wronged, then to actually pay attention to the class?"
"Well…"
"Was the method of teaching this lesson harsh? Most certainly. Do I regret aiming my power towards someone defenseless against me? Slightly. The Positives far outweigh the negatives. I'll paint myself as the bad guy as long as it keeps you, students, safe. That's why you're here. To be students. Not Slytherins, Not Gryffindors, Not Purebloods, Not Muggleborns. You are here to learn. And if you are not learning, you are not being a student. In this wondrous world around, we can always learn something. Mr. Potter, what do you want to do with your life? After school? After Hogwarts?"
He took very little time thinking about it. "An Auror, sir."
What's an Auror? "Okay, and do you know what skills Aurors need to learn?"
"Um…" No then.
"If you don't know, then go learn it, Mr. Potter. Go be a student. Ms. Greengrass? What about you?"
"I will most likely become part of the Wizengamot."
The what? "Is that what you want, Ms. Greengrass? Or is that what is expected of you?" He barely noticed, by her eyes slightly widened. "Go learn what you want to do. Go be a student." Ren turned to the Malfoy child. "Mr. Malfoy?"
The boy was looking down, and he could see his ears turn red. Oh no. "be happy." He was barely able to ear, even with his enhanced sensing abilities. The others looked on curiously, waiting for his answer.
He walked to the boy and placed a gentle hand on his head. He leaned down a gently whispered to him. "Learn how to be happy, Mr. Malfoy." He stood upright again and sent a low powered Diarahan to heal the boys back.
"Ms. Granger. You not only protected the boy, but you stood in the face of certain death. Why?" He turned to look at his student and matched her gaze.
"Because if I don't, who will?" She must have been thinking a lot in the past hour and a half to change her ideals so quickly. He smiled.
"Excellent." He took a step back from the four of them and activated his Third Eye. Harry- the Fo-Death, Malfoy- the Tower, and Greengrass- the Hierophant all with the small glow of potential Persona users. "All four of you, have immense potential. After a time, you will no longer be students, but teachers instead. Maybe not in the professional sense, such as Rubeus and Severus, but in a more personal sense, such as me right now. I am no professor, just a simple guard. But that does not mean that I do not have any knowledge to give you. I expect before the end of either my tenure here or yours, you will teach me something. You're all dismissed. If you are in any trouble for being late because of me, please tell your professors that it was my fault and to talk to me about it. Mr. Malfoy, not a single one of these classmates called themselves your friends. You may want to take a look at the ones you have, and reevaluate them, and find out why they didn't come to your aid." With that, he walked away from the four.
"Mr. Amamiya!" He turned to see that Harry called for him, having taken a few steps forward. "You didn't ask Hermione. About what she wanted to be." Ren gazed at Hermione, noticing that she looked a little hurt that he didn't.
"Unfortunately," he started, a pang of pity touching his heart. "Ms. Granger has already made her choice. She knows what she has to learn. The only problem is that later on her wants might change. And if they do, ruin will await us all." He saw her expression change to one of melancholy and understanding. The other three students all had looks of confusion as he turned away again. He technically still had a job to do, and a Professor to talk with.
Hermione sighed, taking in her secret teacher's words as he walked away. This was the third time today she was told that this Universe relied on her success. "What was that about?" Harry asked her.
"It's a long story Harry, I'll have to tell you later. Come on, we're gonna be late to class." She smiled at him to try and assure him everything was alright and turned to leave.
"Wait, Granger," Malfoy called out. Hermione had taken one step, only to have to stop and look at the boy behind him. "I… I'm sorry. For calling you a Mudblood." She heard Greengrass gasp lightly, which was good to hear that others didn't partake in the prejudice. She was more shocked by the apology itself, however. "I… I was raised to believe that blood purity mattered. But only one pureblood, Daphne, bothered to save me. And a Mu-" He cut himself off, looking frustrated at himself. "And a muggleborn was the one to step between me and danger. Not a pureblood. So… I'm not good at this. Sorry." He bowed once again.
Hermione was at a loss of words. "Uh… just, don't do it anymore? And I'll forgive you." She tried to say confidently but ended up floundering. She glanced over to Harry for some kind of sign, but he just shrugged.
Malfoy stood up straight and looked her dead in the eyes. "It might not mean much to you, but you have my word that I won't use it anymore. To you, or others."
Greengrass took a step forward. "We really must be going now. I'd rather us not be late to our first potions class of the year." Hermione paled.
Harry spoke up again, as she turned and stalked away. "Bloody Hell."
AN:/ I've gotten a few pms and a review or two about how basically broken Ren is. (This is not meant to call out reviewers or the people who PM'd me. This is just explaining.) The reason for this is because he DID win the fight against Yaldabaoth. Assuming you leveled up the listed Personas all the way, Unicorn's magical healing abilities are phenomenal. And as Yoshitsune, you have massive strength and nullify physical attacks (like shown with Buckbeak) And with Satanael, Ren's True Self he would be the default mask on, which is why Hermione reacts in the previous chapter to a sudden change in pressure. She's in the presence of an Awakened Persona. It's also why the Satanael summoning was so intense, with no build up. It's who he is. He has slain a False God. He, who gave humanity Free Will, would absolutely despise being trapped in a Mask. No other of Ren's Personas will act that way. It's also to show Hermione what she WILL BE CAPABLE of.
This story may act in certain ways that don't match the way you feel certain characters act. Why does Ren throw subtlety out the window to practically ambush Hermione? Because Erebus is growing stronger as time goes on. Erebus threatened all of humanity previously, with Minato becoming the seal to prevent Erebus from reaching Nyx. In this different universe, there is NO seal. The only Wild Card in this universe is Hermione. Until another one comes along, she's the ONLY hope for this universe as it stands. Both Ren and Dumbledore know this. Albus cares for his students and the Greater Good. If he has to throw a single persons comfort to the wind to prevent the Universe's end, he will. Hermione is going to have to change from the bookworm she is into something greater. That will naturally cause shifts in her friends, Harry and Ron, and her future social links, with Draco as an example. A tiny difference, can make all the difference in the world.
Is Ren actually Satanael reincarnated? That's a good question. One that will be answered in time.
The social links that Hermione is going to have (That I'm comfortable in announcing at this time) will be as follows.
Fool: Harry
Tower: Draco
Moon: Luna
But Spes, I hear you type isn't the Fool Arcana supposed to be with the story? Yes. It usually is supposed to be with the story. However, as you have probably noticed, Hermione is a Wild Card as a Priestess. So the Priestess social link will be progressed with the story, not the Fool.
Does anyone have a guess about what Hermione's Initial Persona is going to be? I'd be interested in hearing your guesses.
Remember, the main Character of this story is Hermione. Other characters, such as Ren and Draco, will have chapters from their Point Of View (POV). Right now it's mostly Ren, as he is an experienced Persona User. The reason why he's the focus of many parts is because of that, and he's new to Hogwarts. People are gonna wanna learn about him. Or they might make their own assumptions about him(I.E. Draco). Just like whenever there's someone new at the Faculty Table at Hogwarts, their the talk of the school.
Ren is going to be the Guide to Hermione, just like the Twins are his, and Margaret was Yu's. She doesn't have a Velvet Guide, because she can't enter the Velvet Room yet. Hermione will get a Persona before she enters the Velvet Room. Once Hermione awakens, she will have more pov focused moments.
The only question left is:
In what circumstances will she awaken?
Spes Aeterna
