Chapter 4

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Demon's Providence

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Helltanz's notes: This starts from the last chapter and covers the weighing of the wands, so not much action Still rewrite is in progress I've changed some things I thought needed to be changed.

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Chapter begin

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He took his time looking over the assembled, "Well then I suppose that's all of us." Li murmured with his hand and his robes' wide sleeve still partially obscuring his face, but no one paid any mind to this.

St. Jacques seemed to find Hogwarts's champion a joke. "Oh my Ion embarrassing the English will not be so difficult if this is the best they can muster." The champion of Hogwarts began to fume at the insult from the young Frenchman. "Oh dear are you going to through a temper tantrum, boy?" questioned the Frenchman adding the last bit as an afterthought.

Dumbledore entered, not looking too happy at the present situation. For all that he did to encourage the 'boy who lived' this could also bode ill for international cooperation given the temper the young Potter had inherited and right now Michael looked furious at the lack of respect.

"Perhaps Hogwarts would like a second champion, to even the odds?" jibed Karkaroff. It probably was a move he would catch flack for from his political masters considering they wanted this tournament to go off without a hitch.

A voice cut into the conversation. "It's no one fault but Potter's," One of the English teacher's stated "he always insists on getting his way." Snape commented, "Its just a family trait,"

Li, remembering Michael's actions in the great hall that morning, didn't think the man was exaggerating, though at the same time he didn't consider the disparagement such a prudent move either.

"Now Michael please sit down." Dumbledore began, "Mr. Li you as well."

The green eyed teen turned slightly, "I am content to stand thank you," He responded inclining his shoulder and head slightly forward in a bow, "please by all means begin." Li commented politely
Dumbledore nodded and smiled, for someone his age manners were always a refreshing change from the younger generation, "Ah yes of course." He responded as he prepared to start.

"Well this is convenient." Moody stated, though that was all that he was able to say before he was cut off by the first teacher from Hogwarts to speak up on the subject.

The potions master scowled "Oh dear not more of your paranoid delusions," The man exclaimed, "its obvious Moody that Potter put his name in." Snape groaned in annoyance, especially since Michael had strutted right up to the Goblet to do it.

"Yes but all the seventh years put their names in, too I made sure of it, and I'm sure you saw to the Slytherins as well didn't you Snape." The man remarked, "much better candidates," He paused to assure Potter he meant no offense, which surprisingly mollified the boy, "somebody was making sure Potter got the position, after all it would be awfully easy for Potter to have an accident in this."
One of the English members spoke up interrupting Moody's deposition, "Well err… shall we crack on?" a rather nervous Bagman stated. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"

Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie at this statement, "Indeed." He agreed before he paused. "Instructions. Yes… the first task…"

'Well something is bothering him, thats clear enough' The teen mused, 'he is head of the international department is it possible his department works similar to ours?' wondered Li who admittedly was not completely familiar with the English magical 'spooks'.

"The first task is designed to test your daring," he told the assembled champions. "so we are not going to be telling you what it is."

Li frowned being kept from information was annoying and he might have taken other steps if not for the fact he had 'accidentally' stumbled upon the information on the tasks concerning the tournament. China intended to make a strong showing and of course like those assembled here intended to strengthen, hopefully, international relations with the other participants.

"Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard" Crouch stated trailing off again, "… very important…" He remarked trailing off again.

Bagman butted into the man's speech, "The first task will take place on November the twenty fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges, who you know be responsible for judging the champions' efforts." He announced with far much glee for Li's tastes, "The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their basic magical implements. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end of year tests."

Li couldn't hold back a snort, well that was distasteful in the extreme not that it mattered all that much for him, but it was the principle of the matter. Tests were key for preparations for actual meaningful tests right?

"I think that's all, is it, Albus?

Dumbledore nodded and spoke up, "I do believe so," the old man remarked before glancing at Crouch. "Are you sure you wouldn't want to stay. Hogwarts has many a room to spare Barty it would be no trouble at all," He offered,

"No," He commented a bit forcefully, "Dumbledore I must get back to the ministry. It is very busy very difficult at the moment… I have left young Weatherby in charge very enthusiastic… a little overenthusiastic, truth be told."

The rest was friendly banter nothing gleamed from just invitation to drink or remain and invitation to stay.

Li turned and headed out followed by the rest of the Asiatic delegation after politely declining the invitation. He turned dropping his arm back to his side and made all possible haste to distance himself from the Russian pureblood, the moment he got into the hall his fellows joined him.

"This is what you wanted Li," Ai questioned, "You wanted her and Marik won't be able to interfere in the tournament itself, its just bad luck Isabelle will also be there, but you can make do with it, yes?"

Jiang, beside him, face set into a frown, "Will it be a problem though? Yayoi is skilled, as is Isabelle, and no doubt the Europeans too,"
"Are you questioning my focus on this?"

The nearly a man looked offended, "I have known you since we we're boys Li, I know you. I know the way you act..." he let the statement hang in the air as moments passed, "I'm not questioning your dedication but they aren't to be taken lightly, and this isn't something to get caught up in. Marik could still try and interfere out of principle."

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The sorcerer stared at the rising sun as it rose over the lake, it had been a week since the champions had been chosen. Li sat on the pearl rim, and played his flute the water rose in pillars and spiraled up into helixes. As the melody changed so did the shapes the water took.

"Li you coming," She questioned, "and you didn't have to stop." Yayoi huffed as Li removed the flute from his lips.

A trademark frown crossed his face, "It is not possible to speak clearly while playing a flute, unless you expect me to spell out my response with the water." He responded in a tone traced with annoyance.

"Don't give me that." Yayoi shifted her satchel over her shoulder, "So are you coming to classes, or are just going to sit here and read."

The sitting and reading was as far as he was concerned vastly preferable, "Have fun." He responded. His objective was clear win and assist as needed in the relevant political functions.

Yayoi growled. "Fine... I'm sure... I'm sure we'll get to something really cool and you... you're going to miss it and I'll laugh."

"Of course you will," He remarked dismissively, "enjoy yourself." Li urged after all he had things of which he needed to do. The Middle Kingdom was in a state of growth the Dragon was ascending yet threats from within were far more potent than outside forces as recent events had proved. Then again they already knew this, growth was the first step, and the middle kingdom would grow, and as always there would eventually be a war before the mandate of heaven was claimed by the next emperor.

Yayoi headed off and the black haired teen mused further upon the situation. In any event for the time being he was stuck here.

Li leaned back China's magical population had always produced exceptional wizards and sorcerers. This history dated back well to the ages of before the 'Common Era'. The fanciful tales were just the 'masquerade', the statute of secrecy, being broken in days before it was even established. The Middle Kingdom's dynastic period following the rule of the sage kings, beginning almost two thousand years before the so called common era, was nearly twice as long as the vaunted western world's own 'common era' history.

Before the dynastic era China had been ruled by five extremely powerful sage kings, the first 'Emperors' each of these had been extremely powerful magic users far out China's highest sorcerers.

Huangdi, it was the title of the Emperor combining the words for sovereign and god king, the one person who carried the Mandate of Heaven, and was the one who ruled over the Middle Kingdom. It was a position that remained unfilled, at least for the time being times were changing and the prophecy had begun.

The asetics's efforts had yielded great results and as fate decreed the dragon would be the right hand, as the western expression went, of the next emperor. It was thus the Emperor would rise in the struggles of the forging of a new dynasty and all the lands blessed to be under heaven would be united again under the Mandate of Heaven.

The Court, the body which ruled China in the Emperor's absence, was filled with honor bound conservatives, who adhered strictly to the old way. This monopoly existed because of the strict policing of the body, those who were considered deviant from the old way or disloyal to the emperor ended up dead. The Court was the magical government and the muggle government was of course the existing PRC government who would continue to run nonmagical things until the Emperor returned. The Chinese court had seen what had happened in Russia during their political civil war, and while the court had gone through periods of weakness and internal fighting it had kept some element of control.

Li stood both governments worked closely together after all their objectives were compatible to an extent. This path would lead eventually to bloodshed, this was inevitable. This tournament was merely however a tool to facilitate relations with the other nations of the world.

Yayoi was the only one really making an effort to go to class every day, some of the Chinese delegation was going but today the majority of them were still here. Cheng settled onto a small wall, "You always did like these exercises, I know... he... played the flute," He took care not to actually say the monk's name, the old teacher Li had fought to the death, "Its goods, its good Li, a good way to honor the dead. We did what was necessary."
"You followed my orders Cheng, you are guilty of nothing." Li responded, but yes it was necessary. For good or worse it had been a necessary task.

A nod, solemn and slow, was his response, "Then was big brother, Jiang is right. Marik could try something he despises you in such a way it consumes him. He is filled with it, he might try something unpleasant, and as you said he is not to be taken lightly." Cheng knew from his own experience Marik wasn't to be taken lightly, but it was respect he referred to Li's warning over his own experience, "I would not doubt him to try something. He's right about the others still, they were chosen for a reason."

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Li sipped his tea, if it could be called that it was bitter tasting as Li thought tea should be, the drink was more a potion Re'em blood and leaves being the most well known ingredients. The tea's recipe was known to two people and two alone, Li and Saki. The latter regularly brewed Li's creation, the beverage was quite popular at gatherings, when ever one could convince the pale sorcerer to host an event, the tea also served another purpose for Li himself it...

"LI!" Yayoi suddenly found herself held up by the throat.

The dragon turned, "Saki she's not really a threat." Not really, not unless Yayoi changed, Yayoi hated hurting people. Li stated, annoyance perhaps but not a threat for now at least, indicating for the brown haired girl to set the mystic down.

"Yes master."

Yayoi's cheery attitude returned almost immediately in any event, "We need to go apparently we need to go to the weighing of the wands ceremony." Li arced an eyebrow at the proclamation, wand weighing didn't make a lot of sense. "They assume that you use a wand Li, and I know you have one, I've seen them, so don't give me that look, and I've seen you use it, and..." Li stood. "Wait aren't you going to get them-" Yayoi went silent as two reddish brown shafts emerged from Li's wide mouthed sleeves. "Right." She commented before rolling her eyes. "Stupid big mouth, and," The girl trailed off.

He said nothing as the wooden implements returned to his sleeves, Eastern Schools of magic preferred to rely on more direct applications of magic as opposed to transfiguration, which cut down extensively on the need for wands except for large scale magic. Wands in Chinese magic were mainly used for rituals and transfiguration while Charms were typically done with other items. It was this difference in philosophy that was the reason Chinese magic relied on martial arts. As a result other cultures in Asia had learned and adopted similar traditions. Still the European preference for transfiguration was dangerous, and their black magics were just as deadly as any in the east.

Japan's mystics had long ago taken Chinese Charms and brought them to a whole new level far beyond what most Chinese Court Wizards could hope to achieve without many many further years of study.

The two arrived in a fairly small, a seemingly seldom used, classroom. The desks had been pushed to the back of the room leaving a large space in the middle. In this space were a collection of chairs each covered with velvet. Each was probably for the judges he supposed.

Bagman was currently occupied talking rapidly to some woman in magenta robes.

Li, and the other champions stood silent with the exception of Ion and Viktor. Those two were the only ones talking, and as it stood they were conversing with each other over something concerning someone named Stella. The name range no bells at all, so he could discern little about the discussion.

Dumbledore cleared his throat drawing everyone's attention for the most part. "May I introduce Mr. Olivander." The Headmaster of Hogwarts took his seat. "He will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the tournament."

"Madam Ivanoff could we have you go first." The Russian pureblood turned over her wand. "Ash eleven inches, a dragon talon…" At this pronouncement from the wand maker Li's face contorted into an scowl. "…though not from one I recognize." The old grey haired wizard looked intrigued, but finally nodded surveying the tool, "Oh yes a remarkably powerful wand I would imagine the dragon was quite powerful. Now lets see." Olivander flicked the wand calling forth a fine mist of perfume, looking most impressed he almost reluctantly returned the wand.

The French champion went next presenting a longer wand than the Russian champion's. As far as France went with regards to magical specialty charms was the general consensus, though Marseille had a rather bad reputation for dark arts, and picking up traditions from other parts of the Mediterreanean.

"And an oak wand, yes this is a particular fine piece of wood for wand making" The old man murmured brushing experienced fingers across the polished surface of the shaft, "Monsieur St. Jacques very nice fourteen thirteen fifteentenths. Stag horn core." Olivander flicked the wand creating an image of the French flag. "yes, yes I do say perfect shape. Certainly goes well with the Oak a fine mesh of power and speed for dueling,"

The Greek champion was next.

Olivander examined the wand, rolling it along his gnarled fingers "Cypress thirteen inches dead on," He paused bringing the wand up to his face examining the wand closely, "Dragon's fang willingly given, a rare find indeed, but you are a Helidae." Olivander smiled jovially conjuring a small knight before returning it. "Yes you'll do well with this to be sure."

Greeks typically favored elemental manipulation, generally wind and water, and communing with nature limiting the need for a wand in theory, however they also tended to specialize in transfiguration to the point of extremes.

Ishizu handed her own wand over. Egypt still maintained, and didn't share well at all with outsiders, ritual magic from the days of the Pharaohs, but were especially adept at summoning creatures or the elements. "Fig tree, oh dear me," He murmured frowning as he examined the wand closely brows knit, "I'm afraid you will have to help me with core? I can't seem to place it, its eluding me for sure"

"Anubite fang." Li answered speaking up rather suddenly jarring the others to stare. Now it was Isabelle's turn to scowl.

The Egyptian champion nodded, "Li is correct." Olivander inspected the wand and made sure it was working properly before returning it.

Yayoi stepped forward and turned over her own wand.

"Ah yes Ginkgo," He remarked, "from Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine shrine I believe good material had the joy of crafting one a few years ago, and judging from the feel a feather of some kind is the core." The wand maker seemed curious.

"Tengu feather." Supplied Yayoi cheerfully.

"Really? Oh my that is most interesting, I thought those any wand with Tengu feather core tended to be rather temperamental." The wand maker muttered the last bit more to himself, and not mentioning anything at all about Veela. "I will have to look into that most interesting today has been, thank you so much for inviting me Albus" The Headmaster smiled, and assured him it had not been a problem.

The Hogwarts champion was up next, the junior handed over the wand glaring at his French counterpart.

"One of mine," He remarked in recognition, "Holly phoenix feather," The old wand maker remarked, "I do remember it well, it seems to have grown on you I take it, lots of use?" inquired Olivander somewhat tiredly smiling at the wand as he held it up. "Now on to you at last Mr. Li sorry about the wait simply fabulous all of them, I'm sure your wand will be splendid, and a most fascinating demonstration of eastern traditions, I have heard very interesting things from my friend in Hong Kong about the making of Chinese wands for..."

Li produced two wands both identical reddish brown shafts.

"He can't have two wands." Potter objected.

"Oh do shut up you annoying little brat." Snapped Isabelle

Li sighed, and Han Qin stepped forward producing his own pair of wands. Chinese upper ranking magic users, sorcerers most typically, used two wands for the purpose of overly complex rituals. In the west though two wands were generally used for more expedient tasks. Here in England two wands were generally used, and well known, for fighting, and as far as that went was rare in this day and age, and frowned upon as well.

Olivander looked impressed examining the wood, wand makers were well versed in their trade and were generally a bit more familiar on foreign magic than other wizards in their home countries would otherwise be. "Custom I would imagine? Yes certainly would have to be if your studying for the protection wardings and such, " He muttered rhetorically, "Just looking at the craftsmanship its magnificent. It most certainly took time to get these attuned and made for channeling ward magic properly. Cryptomeria fortunei, the wand wood right?"

"Yes." Li acknowledged.

"Splendid, and the cores."

He paused, "From a Dragon and Jiang Shi interwoven to from a fused core." The fused core was for the most part a tricky part of wand making and involved two, or more as in the case of certain wizards, items being used as the core. This system produced a much more powerful wand, which was much more useful with regards to higher power spells and of course rituals which involved channeling lots of power. The higher power capacity however had its drawbacks of course, with more traditional wands there was far less resistance and control needed in simpler designs.

"My goodness," Ollivander murmured, "I can imagine why one in your culture would need a fused core for power, but I'm surprised these are stable with that powerful of a core though it does explain the wood. Yes I imagine in a decade or so you'll be a wonderful ward builder, " The wand maker trailed off, pausing for a moment before continuing on. "They are brother wands I would hazard to guess. Still its most curious. The dragon it provided both your core and Miss Ivanoff did it?"

He nodded, the cores and indeed the wood were all from the same source, indeed the same source dragon was the same as Isabelle's wand. "Yes." He responded,

"What the devil does that even mean," He snapped, "What the Hell is a bloody sodding Fused core?" demanded the English champion.

"It's a core with whose ingredients are from two different beings of different species." Explained the wand maker, ignoring the younger wizards vulgar outburst, "For example wrapping a hair of a Re'em around, a heart string of Troll, and fusing the two ingredients forms a binary core, which is of exceptional combat capability. Why I remember Albus's Uncle went off to India with one of those that my own father made for Algernon, you know back during." He trailed off realizing he'd started to reminisce, "That is to say there very purpose made," He explained, "Making such wands is generally much more time consuming than single core wands, but they are far better at precisely handling and properly channeling high amounts of magical energy. It takes a great deal of practice to get used to them, Algernon regretted didn't"

"Yes my Uncle took years to get used to that wand, made all the harder by constantly switching back to his old one," Albus remarked fondly as he remembered, "Still he came home all there and in one piece so thats the good news. My cousin still has the wand, in fact his grandson will be attending Hogwarts next year." He announced.

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Chapter Conclusion

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Helltanz's notes: I've been dropping some hints. Still I think this chapter is better for the rewrites and some of the changes, the two core system will be elaborated on, specifically the difference in applications between east and west, particularly when Qin uses his own wands later on.

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