- o -
Scouting Maneuvers"All Student Organisations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded. An Organisation, Society, Team, Group, or Club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students. Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge). No Student Organisation, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor. Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an Organisation, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled."
- Educational Decree Twenty-Four, from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 17
- o -
1995, September 13th, Wednesday, in a Wizarding World...
"Legilimens."
Snape did not shout his incantation in an attempt to browbeat Harry into submission. It was an insidious whisper akin to an assassin's blade sliding quietly in between one's ribs.
Harry tried to blank his mind to fend off the mental probe. Repression of emotions. A very difficult task for the young wizard as his personality simply had qualities unsuited for Occlumency.
Constant Vigilance!
In a way, that was the best advice for Harry at this stage of his training. Telling him he had to clear his mind and control his thoughts without explaining how did absolutely nothing to enhance his mental defenses. But Moody had pointed out that "Constant Vigilance" meant being careful. That was something Harry understood. While being careful with one's emotions was not the same as emptying one's mind, it did encourage control of one's mental state. At least that was progress in the right direction.
- Harry woke up refreshed in the morning - Clearing one's mind beforehand really helped with sleeping - In fact, he hadn't felt this refreshed in-
When Harry ejected Snape from his mind, there was no sound of discomfort from the professor. Harry immediately rubbed his temples in an instinctive attempt to soothe the headache. To his surprise, there was little pain. He took a deep breath.
"Not good enough," Snape declared. "Over these four lessons, you have… progressed in evicting me from your mind quickly. A sign that you at least learned something from Mad Eye."
Harry bit back a retort regarding the capabilities of certain teachers. Control of emotions.
"However," the professor continued, "at the moment, you lose all awareness of your surroundings as you do so. A truly successful occlumens would not allow entry at all."
A frown of confusion marred Harry's face before he quickly wiped it away in an attempt to curb any sort of feelings. "Mad Eye said that the Occlumency shields would develop naturally as someone attacks them."
Snape narrowed his eyes.
"Sir," the young Gryffindor added.
Satisfied at the deferential term of address, Snape continued, "That is not inaccurate, but only a part of the process. A necessary one, yes, but the strength of the shields is diminished without a disciplined mind." He put away his wand. "That shall be all for this evening."
"Yes, sir," Harry replied, finally allowing his frustration to spill into his speech. He turned to leave.
- o -
1995, September 14th, Thursday, in a Wizarding World…
The arrow missed the small target by four inches.
The two immediately successive arrows missed by a wider margin.
About three hundred feet away, Sakura meditatively focused on the arrows as she slowly lowered her arms to her hips. She stood on a bamboo mat to protect her split-toed socks from grass and dirt. Outfitted in a kyudo training uniform, Sakura was practicing her archery within the Forbidden Forest at a location Rider had scouted for her. The moon was almost full and managed to penetrate the trees enough to slightly illuminate the target.
"Your breathing is off when you release. This problem becomes more magnified with each arrow."
"Yes, Senpai," Sakura replied obediently in Japanese. With her right hand, she pulled three arrows from the quiver on her back and held them in one hand. In well-practiced motions, she nocked one of the arrows with the shaft on the left side of the bow.
It was archery. But not kyudo.
When she had first watched Shirou nock an arrow in such a fashion, she had immediately questioned him about it. After some explanation involving inheriting Archer's Western-influenced style, Sakura had requested to learn this method of shooting. This had surprised almost everyone including Shirou himself. Only Taiga had seemed to understand without needing any explanation. After all, Sakura had joined the kyudo club mainly to spend more time with Shirou. If her Senpai decided to change his archery style, then naturally Sakura would follow for the same reasons as she had during their time in school.
She had vowed to always follow him.
Her life held no meaning without Emiya Shirou.
Clearing her mind of these thoughts, Sakura assumed control of her breathing and began the process of firing three arrows in quick succession. There existed several methods of speed-shooting, and this one involved holding the remaining shafts in her draw hand.
Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. Again, she missed the target, but unlike her last attempt the successive arrows only strayed minimally beyond the first one. After focusing and lowering her arms, she heard Shirou say, "That is enough for tonight."
"Yes, Senpai," she said again with the same deference as before. The two began gathering or dismissing their equipment, and Sakura put on a pair of geta. As the edge of the practice area, they turned to face it and bowed as if leaving a dojo.
"Are you worried about Umbridge?" Shirou asked as they headed back to the castle.
Sakura nodded, understanding that Shirou had asked in context of the requested archery practice. Even if the evaluations the previous Monday were just "tests", the fact remained that Umbridge had expected humiliation and injuries to be the result. After all, she had deliberately gathered an audience to witness the events; therefore, she had assumed to have emerged successful in her power play.
"I am worried Rin is planning to exact retribution," Shirou said.
"You and Saber came out ahead on Monday, so I don't think she will do anything for now."
"Are we talking about the same Rin? Because the Rin I know would not pass on an opportunity to make a preemptive strike."
Sakura smiled slightly at the comment. "I believe it is more that Umbridge will not quit, so we may as well bear another shot or two before retaliating. This would at least give us the moral high ground."
Shirou nodded in understanding; Rin would take into account such details. Dismissing thoughts of politics, he changed the topic. "Do you know what Rider would like for dinner tonight?"
"I think she will be fine with anything." Her Servant of course skipped the communal meals. Instead, the three magi rotated in cooking for Rider. "I think she will be returning later than normal, though."
"Oh? More reading in the library?"
"No. She seems to have made a friend out of Luna Lovegood."
- o -
"Why did I think this was a good idea?" Harry lamented in an overly dramatic fashion.
"Maybe because everyone is doing it, even the professors?" Ginny replied with a smile. It was the evening right after quidditch practice, and the two of them were seated at a table in their Common Room. Surrounded by papers and books detailing Elder Futhark, they had just begun working together on the Ancient Runes homework.
Harry snorted. "Personally, I blame Hermione."
"This was her idea?"
"Well… no," he admitted. "But she said this would be easy."
"This class is easy," Ginny said. After all, the assignments were intended for third years.
"That's because you're not in your OWL year. I don't have time for anything."
"Isn't Ron even busier than you since he's a prefect?"
"... Yeah," Harry reluctantly conceded. In fact, both Ron and Hermione were at a prefect meeting at the moment. He had been seeing them less often these last two weeks compared to the year previous due to the increased number of patrols and whatnot.
"Harry?" Ginny asked almost in a whisper, leaning in slightly.
At the tone shift, he looked up.
The redhead glanced around. "Are you really going to teach us defense?"
He mentally sighed. The idea had bounced around his head many times in the past few days. And of course Ginny would get involved. "That's what Ron and Hermione want."
"Will you teach it there?"
"In the Chamber of Secrets, yeah, Hermione thinks-" Harry cut himself off as he realized the obvious. A few seconds of silence passed as he tried to frame his thoughts. "I guess that's a good reason not to do this."
"No, it's okay!" Ginny said suddenly. Calming herself, she resumed her whispers. "You don't have to stop it because of me."
Harry did not know what to say. Eventually, he settled on, "Are you sure?"
The young witch nodded.
"Could you help me, then?"
"Help?" Ginny asked in confusion.
"Do you remember how, uh, you went up and down the pipe?" Harry asked in honest curiosity. It was one of the logistical questions he could not answer on his own. He doubted Fawkes would appreciate being treated as a cab service.
- o -
1995, September 15th, Friday, in a Wizarding World...
5th Period.
Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Opening Defensive Magical Theory to chapter two, Dumbledore prepared for another forty-five minutes of boredom. The first week of Umbridge's installment as High Inquisitor had ruffled a few feathers amongst his staff, but otherwise most of the damage had been mitigated by his own presence. As for the discussion of blood-purity raised on Monday in Formalcraft, the off-worlders had made no more mention on the issues related to that topic. True, the extra credit assignment on improving magical lineages was due in two weeks, but that bridge would be crossed when reached.
All in all, he was quite happy at the week's relatively uneventful progression after the exciting events on Monday. Just another half-day and the week would wrap up quietly.
- o -
"Mr. Emiya," Umbridge addressed. "Would you be so kind as to answer a few questions?"
Like everyone else in the classroom, Harry perked up at the change of pattern. He noticed that even Dumbledore was watching the High Inquisitor intently.
Before Emiya could respond, Umbridge continued on presumptuously. "Why did you insist on using muggle fighting in the evaluation Monday?"
"Well," the magus began, "that is my preferred style of fighting."
"Really? You prefer muggle dueling over wizard dueling?"
Emiya took a moment before replying. "By wizard dueling, do you mean launching spells at each other and telekinetically controlling objects?"
Umbridge nodded.
"Oh, well, I can't do that. Or at least, not as well as you can. I mean animating a suit of armor was quite impressive."
"You…" Umbridge responded haltingly, blind-sided at the answer's bluntness to her question. Harry was surprised as well. "Pardon?"
"I'm a horrible magus," Emiya admitted unabashedly. "So I can't throw spells around like that."
After a moment, Umbridge visibly recovered as evidenced by the creepy smile blossoming on her face. Even the students, most of whom had no experience with politics, could determine that the High Inquisitor found obvious delight in this discovery. She opened her mouth to say-
"That was nonetheless impressive dueling, Mr. Emiya," Dumbledore smoothly interjected.
-nothing as her teeth audibly clicked shut. Harry raised his book to hide his grin. It was nice to see the headmaster keep things under control.
"Hem, hem." Wiping the frown away, Umbridge recovered her composure. "Well, in any case, we do not teach muggle fighting here at Hogwarts. Such techniques are beneath a proper wizard and witch. After all, the wand is much superior to any muggle weapon."
"Is that so?" Emiya seemed to regard the High Inquisitor with a more focus. "Are you implying then that magical shields in this world are capable of stopping high-caliber bullets?"
"... What?" the High Inquisitor asked in confusion.
"Powerful guns," the magus clarified.
"Guns? As in firearms?" Umbridge immediately donned a dismissive expression. "I hardly believe the metal wands muggles use to kill each other are at all impressive."
Harry was unable to suppress his snort of amusement. Fortunately, several other students also made similar noises so the professor was unable to determine if he in particular was laughing at her. Hermione kept quiet and instead raised her hand.
"I think we have a better understanding of Professor Umbridge's viewpoints now," Tohsaka added to the exchange. Much like every other muggle-born and a few half-bloods in the class, Harry noted the amusement in her voice. He watched as Hermione lowered her hand hesitatingly given that Tohsaka had essentially ended the conversation.
"What's wrong?" Harry whispered to his friend.
Instead of responding verbally, Hermione wrote her reply on a scrap of parchment. Why doesn't Prof. T. correct Prof. U.?
Harry followed suit and scribbled his response. Does it matter?
Hermione's response took longer to write.
- o -
"Honestly, it would really help out considering how ignorant wizards and witches are towards muggles."
Ron nodded halfheartedly as Hermione continued ranting. The two walked down the hallway on their evening patrol, well after dinner. He had made small talk by asking if she really believed that these visitors were from another dimension. One thing had led to another, and suddenly the one-sided conversation drifted to the current topic.
"We only have one professor making an effort to educate students about the muggle world. But now we have another that not only understands that world but also uses muggle concepts in her spellcasting."
Listening to Hermione rant was not exactly the most pleasant of experiences, but it definitely had a silver lining: he could stare at her under the pretense of paying attention. After the Yule Ball last year, he had begun to do this more often.
"It's a perfect opportunity to educate the pure-bloods and half-bloods. But she doesn't bother for some reason."
It was a wonderful silver lining.
"What do you think Ron?" Hermione asked in a manner that thoroughly expected his agreement.
His mind stalled for a second. "Uh… maybe she doesn't think it's her responsibility? I mean, she's already teaching two classes, right? So she must be really busy."
The young witch sighed in obvious discontent at the response.
- o -
1995, September 16th, Saturday, in a Wizarding World...
The thestral swerved around a small tree in its flight path. Applying some pressure with her legs and hands, Rider silently communicated her intent to the beast. It landed almost vertically on another, larger tree trunk with its reptilian claws giving it a small amount of purchase. Before it could come to a complete stop, it leapt off of the tree and continued its flight.
Flying straight was easy. Engaging in aerial parkour in the Forbidden Forest was much more satisfying.
Seated behind her and gripping her waist tightly was Luna Lovegood. Rider could sense the blonde's elevated heart rate and increase in breathing. While one might mistake those signs for fear, the occasional cheering and yelling definitely indicated excitement.
Rider did not bother flinching at the arrow which sailed over her head.
A warning shot: it was an intentional miss. She maneuvered her mount to hop off two different trees to bleed off momentum before landing on the ground. She kept their backs against a large tree trunk.
"Are we done?" Luna asked, not having sensed the arrow.
"Centaurs," Rider replied mildly.
The rumbling of hooves came from their left. About four dozen centaurs appeared amongst the gaps between the trees, surrounding them. Most had bows and arrows though some had spears. The Servant felt Luna's arms tighten around her waist. Fear, this time.
"Halt, trespassers!" The one who shouted moved forward with his bow trained on them. He was physically larger than the rest. "Who are you?"
Rider's reply came after a few seconds of silence. "I'm just a simple rider." She sensed a bit of agitation from the centaurs despite their overwhelming numbers. After all, the species had better senses than humans and thus could perceive something unusual about the Servant. The fact she had ridden a thestral with a blindfold only gave her a more mysterious presence.
"We do not take kindly to trespassers."
"Clearly."
Another centaur, this one with wild hair, moved forward. "You think this is amusing?"
Rider kept her expression devoid of emotion, and her focus remained on the first one. "I think we will just take our leave now."
"You cannot just enter and leave our territory as you please!" Wild Hair snapped, raising his bow and arrow. When she ignored him and prodded the thestral to move, he fired his arrow. However, he did not expect the blindfolded woman to catch it in midflight while still ignoring him. Many of the centaurs also started at the sight. "How… no, it matters not. You cannot protect yourself and your companion against all of us."
Halting her mount, Rider slowly turned and blind-focused on Wild Hair. "Harm her and I will strangle you with the entrails of your progeny."
Her soft-spoken threat carried throughout the area alongside the huge spike of killing intent suddenly sweeping out from her. All the centaurs present were experienced warriors and felt the palpable bloodlust. They shifted warily at this unnatural feeling, and even Luna stiffened at the tension in the air.
"We do not attack foals, Bane," a new voice interjected.
Wild Hair, presumably Bane, replied immediately, "I doubt she belongs to the woman, Ronan."
The first speaker said, "Nevertheless, the slaughter of foals is a terrible crime - we do not touch the innocent." His words had an air of command about them.
"If that is your decision, Magorian, then fine. We shall allow the foal to leave unharmed," Bane spat. "But what of the woman?"
At their decision to spare Luna, Rider lowered her killing intent. She decided that for all their posturing the centaurs did deserve recognition for their mental fortitude. Not all beings could remain calm whilst in the presence of a Servant emanating such bloodlust. "Equivalent exchange."
Bane turned to her and frowned in confusion. "What?"
"I trespassed. You attacked. I shall consider that equivalent exchange."
The black centaur sneered. "Human negotiation? You think-"
"She is not human," Magorian interrupted, causing everyone to pause. His nostrils flared. "Trespasser. You reek of blood. What are you?"
Rider declined to answer.
"One of the Outsiders," Ronan declared suddenly. "Neptune's light flickered and waned months ago. The Outsiders will interfere with the times ahead." Whispers undetectable to human ears flittered amongst the other centaurs, but nonetheless Rider easily heard them.
Magorian rode forward a few steps. "Begone, trespasser. Do not tread upon our territory again."
- o -
"§Open§," Harry hissed in Parseltongue.
Standing within Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, he waited patiently for the sink and wall to open. He glanced over to his side and watched as Ginny took deep breaths to calm herself. Unfortunately, this backfired somewhat due to the stench that wafted from the opening.
"Ugh," the young witch moaned after a cough. "I forgot about that part."
"Ventus," Harry incanted, causing a wind to pick up and blow the stench back into the pipe. Of course, when his spell finished the smell returned immediately. Giving up on such a fruitless endeavor, he placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "Are you alright?"
The young witch in question immediately froze at the body contact. Deliberately not looking at Harry's hand, she said, "Y-yes, I'm fine." Gathering herself, she raised her wand next and made a pincer-like pattern. "Incendio."
The slime in the pipe lit on fire. Silver flames raced down the path made by the slick substance. While waiting for the fire to reach the other end of the pipe, Ginny brought out a small pouch containing Floo powder nicked from the Gryffindor Common Room.
"How do you know when the entire pipe is lit?" Harry asked as he removed his hand.
"The silver fire becomes red."
He nodded in understanding. He had been quite surprised that there was a Floo connection between the top and base of the pipe leading to the Chamber of Secrets. Ginny had told him the unimaginative names of the locations: "Up" and "Down" in Parseltongue. She of course had no idea what the words meant originally, but she had been able to somewhat enunciate the words a dozen times until Harry could correctly guess what they actually were.
When Arthur Weasley had installed a fireplace in Harry's home in Surrey, the older wizard had mentioned he had to get permission from the Ministry. Since the Chamber of Secrets had been kept hidden for a thousand years, Harry concluded these Floo locations were outside the Ministry network. There was probably quite a bit of magical intricacy involved here, but Harry honestly cared little about it aside from the fact he hated traveling through fireplaces.
Eventually, the fire did indeed turn from silver to red. "Are you ready?" Harry asked.
"I think so," Ginny answered unconvincingly. She tossed the Floo powder into the flames. "§Down§," she hissed.
- o -
1995, September 19th, Tuesday, in a Wizarding World…
1st Period.
Double Charms.
"Wingardium Leviosa."
Having demonstrated the ability to cast the Silencing Charm before anyone else, Hermione was once again assigned to tutor the off-worlders while the rest of the students caught up with her. She watched as the feather was levitated a few inches with a gesture of an Azoth dagger. "Congratulations, Professor!" Finally, after two weeks Tohsaka successfully cast the Levitation Charm.
"Actually," the magus replied, "this is not the same spell as yours."
"It's not?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"It is a comparable spell from our world. I simply used 'wingardium leviosa' as the incantation to hypnotize myself," Tohsaka explained. She made a gesture to lower the feather and then placed her Azoth dagger on the table. "It took about a week to do so, and as expected it is much less effective than my preferred incantation," she said. "Hochheben."
The feather levitated again. This time it reached a height of three feet. Tohsaka gestured with a twirl of her finger, and the feather spun upon varying axes. It was definitely not Wingardium Leviosa since one cannot rotate an object with that spell. Also, it was not lost upon Hermione that the incantation had been in German and that the professor had performed the spell wandlessly.
"Alright, I think it's time for a little variety today," Tohsaka suddenly stated. She stood up and walked a few steps away. "Now, just to be safe, Miss Granger, do you know how to perform the counterspell to the Silencing Charm?"
"Yes."
"In that case, please cast the Silencing Charm on me."
Hermione hesitated at the strange request. "Pardon?"
"Please cast the Silencing Charm on me. I wish to test something." The professor held her arms loosely at her side, clearly waiting.
The young witch looked at the off-worlders around her. Emiya, Saber, and Matou all nodded encouragingly. Hermione stood up from her seat. With a jabbing motion of her wand, she incanted, "Silencio."
Tohsaka began talking, but as expected no sound came out. The professor then went back to the table and jotted down some notes. Hermione watched as the magus systematically tested and noted the effects of humming, whistling, burping, snapping her fingers, and clapping. Amazingly enough, the latter two actually produced sound despite the Silencing Charm.
More importantly, Hermione noticed the difference in how Tohsaka approached learning magic compared to herself. As a student, she took notes from the professors' lectures as well as from the books she read. In contrast, Tohsaka approached learning from an observation-and-test standpoint. Hermione had read about the scientific method as well as historical anecdotes of scientists within her muggle textbooks. However, this was the first time actually seeing someone approach magic as a scientific exploration. Sure, it was just a handful notes, but the mindset was different as night and day.
This approach honestly never occurred to her before.
She watched as Tohsaka took a Conjured whistle from Emiya; no sound came out when it was used. After placing down her muggle pen and whistle, the magus picked up her Azoth dagger. It suddenly glowed white, but nothing else happened. Frowning at the Mystic Code, Tohsaka placed it back on the table and then reached into her pocket to pull out her wand, Kaleidostick Ruby.
"Foreign prana matrix detected!" the wand announced. "Analyzing… complete. Commencing purge in three… two… one… Purge successful." A soft white glow outlined Tohsaka for a brief moment.
"Well, that was impressive," Tohsaka stated aloud.
"Wow! You silently countered the Charm," Hermione exclaimed.
"No, I didn't. Ruby did," the magus clarified. "The impressive part was that your spell managed to overcome my innate magic resistance."
"Magic resistance?" She knew beings like giants and werewolves had magic resistance, but never humans.
"I'll explain in a bit." After releasing her wand which floated away, the older woman continued, "Can you cast the Silencing Charm again?"
Delighted to be part of an experiment, Hermione felt this might be the beginning of a great birthday for her. She jabbed her wand again. "Silencio!"
Tohsaka opened her mouth. "Testing, test- ah, it worked."
"What… how… ?" Hermione asked in surprise. Did she mess up somehow?
"Prevention is easier than curing in this case," the magus replied. "I can consciously resist it so long as it is not fully actualized."
"Professor Tohsaka," Flitwick interrupted. Hermione turned and saw that not only had the Charms professor approached them but the entire room was watching them as well.
"I apologize for disturbing your class, Professor Flitwick," the magus said immediately with a small bow.
"No need… but what just happened? Was Miss Granger's spell incorrectly cast?"
"I do not believe so. Foreign prana is naturally rejected by a person with healthy Magic Circuits. While this spell is strong enough to overcome such passive resistance, it can be defended against by actively circulating prana."
Flitwick furrowed his eyebrows. "And you did so wandlessly?"
Tohsaka gestured kindly with her hand. "By all means, please try casting the spell on me."
- o -
Lunch.
"Minerva!" Filius shouted excitedly.
Dumbledore watched as his energetic Charms professor obtained the attention of not only Minerva but also of many others in the Great Hall.
"Yes, Filius?" the witch responded with a little trepidation.
Flitwick opened both his hands which were empty. "Please cast the Silencing Charm on me, if you would."
The headmaster exchanged glances with his deputy headmistress. He shrugged to indicate it was her decision.
"Very well." She pulled her wand out. "Silencio."
Filius opened his mouth. "Testing- amazing, it worked!"
"What… how… ?"
What followed was series of questions, tests, explanations, and repeated tests in the middle of lunch. As Filius divulged what he learned from Tohsaka to the rest of the staff, Dumbledore's mind went into a less bright direction. Was this how Tom was capable of shrugging off certain spells? His ability to do so had added to his image of an invincible dark lord.
- o -
1995, September 30th, Saturday, in a Wizarding World...
After a month into the school year, Harry had finally adjusted to his busy schedule and actually possessed enough free time for all of his extracurricular activities. This included things such as clandestinely communicating with a felon, violating his friends' minds, quidditch, and making preparations to teach violent methodologies to impressionable teenagers.
The last was the focus of today's excursion to Hogsmeade and the reason he entered the Hog's Head. The sunny weather outside immediately disappeared due to the interior's rather dark ambience. After seeing the dinginess, he had to wonder why Hermione chose this particular location.
"Yo, Hermione," Ron whispered. "Why did you choose this place? It looks awful."
"Well, I wanted something off the road so we won't be overheard."
"Yeah, but why this one?" Ron insisted. Harry felt the question was legitimate considering the shady characters staring at them.
"I just picked it because Hagrid went here. Remember first year when he had that card game that got him the dragon egg?"
Ron thought for a moment. "You mean the one where Hagrid told You-Know-Who how to get past Fluffy?"
Hermione nodded before realization came over her. "Oh wait, this is a bad idea."
Yes. Yes, it was. Going to a tavern that Voldemort had frequented in the past was definitely a bad idea.
"But it's too late," Hermione continued with a worried frown. "We already told everyone to meet here."
"Let's see if they have a private room," Harry stated as he strode towards the bartender who looked remarkably like Albus Dumbledore.
- o -
Draco walked up the stairs towards a private meeting room within an out-of-the-way pub as instructed by a letter he had received two days earlier. After reaching the door, he knocked politely.
"Come in."
Opening the door and walking in, he saw his mother seated at a table. When he closed the door behind him, Narcissa Malfoy stood and waved her wand in a pattern similar to an incomplete capital 'P'. "Colloportus." She then turned to her son. "Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Remember to be respectful," she cautioned. At her son's nod, she grasped his arm. With a crack, they Disapparated from the room.
- o -
"There are a number of students congregating at a particular tavern," Rider informed her Master telepathically.
"Anyone of interest?" Sakura replied.
"Harry Potter. Luna Lovegood. Gryffindors, some Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. No Slytherins."
Sakura considered this. While she highly suspected that Harry Potter's remedial Potion lessons were a cover for something else, she had refrained from asking Rider to look into it since it was in her nature to allow others to do as they please. However, the young wizard was now potentially involving other students in his hidden agenda. After a few seconds of thought, she came to a compromise.
"Do as you wish." She knew that her Servant would observe, but Sakura wanted Rider to have the freedom to do as she desired.
"Very well, Master."
Despite the fact this was not her first time in the village, Sakura found herself continually amazed at the complete difference in culture regarding wizards and witches here versus the magi of her home dimension. Shops selling magical candies created by someone clearly uninterested in conserving prana. Non-humans walking about freely instead of strapped to a dissection table or contained in a jar full of preservation liquid.
Glancing to her left, she noticed her partner in chaperoning the students today had lagged a bit in their walk along the street. Sakura slowed to a stop and waited patiently in the shade of a building.
Dolores Umbridge eventually caught up.
"Professor Matou…" the High Inquisitor began. "It has been a month since you have been at Hogwarts, hasn't it?"
"Actually, we moved in at the beginning of August," Sakura lightly corrected.
"Well, in that case, what are your impressions of this establishment? How does it compare with academic institutions of your homeland?"
While not a scheming magus in the Clock Tower, Sakura was not unintelligent. She assumed that this was her "evaluation" given that Saber and Shirou had already undergone theirs already. Whether it was planned on Umbridge's part or merely an opportunity taken due to being paired up did not matter. And if things went awry, she was certain she could hold her own while Rider came to her assistance if need be.
"Enrollment into the Mage Association is for individuals that are usually older than Hogwarts' students."
"Is that so? Then how are the younger wizards and witches educated?"
"For the most part, they are home-schooled in magic."
Umbridge paused in thought for a few seconds. "And what of muggle-born?"
"Generally speaking, there are few muggle-born magi introduced to the supernatural world."
"So, established bloodlines keep the magical world to themselves?"
"Of course."
"Is there a particular reason why?"
Sakura caught herself before she gave an odd look at the witch. She then began explaining an extremely core concept of Mysteries: their finite nature.
- o -
Fear can change a man. A proud man can be reduced to a cowering one due to overwhelming terror.
For a boy on the cusp of manhood, Draco was no exception.
When his mother Apparated the two of them to their manor, his emotions encompassed excitement, enthusiasm, and only a small amount of nervousness. He was to finally meet with the Dark Lord, the one who would bring greatness to those worthy of leading the wizarding world. The mudbloods would be put in their place. With his father as the Dark Lord's right hand man, Draco expected without a doubt that the Malfoy family would be treated well. As they should be.
That notion died an immediate and sudden death upon seeing Vol-... Volde-…. no, he could not even think of the name properly as the red eyes bore into him.
"Son," Narcissa Malfoy hissed quietly.
The whisper managed to penetrate the haze of fear enough to help Draco realize his mistake. Like his mother had just done, he immediately dropped to his knees and moved forward to kiss the hem of the Dark Lord's robes. Slowly backing away, he awaited for instructions.
The Dark Lord sat on Lucius's favored chair in the study of their manor. Without looking up, the young Slytherin knew he was being scrutinized, his worthiness judged. "Rise."
Draco obeyed.
"He takes after his father." The observation was directed at Narcissa who had also risen.
"That he does."
He could feel the red eyes again focusing on him, and he very deliberately refrained from redirecting his gaze off the floor. The normally familiar study felt like a throne room of another nation. How can one's own home have a foreign quality to it?
"Come here, young Draco."
Draco obeyed.
"I could not help but notice that your letters seemed to be a bit lacking in details regarding these supposed dimensional travelers."
A sudden pressure surrounded and stifled Draco. His heart raced in fear at the possibility of disappointing the Dark Lord. "I-I wrote about everything I could."
"Is that so?" The voice had a hint of amusement. "Look at me."
Draco obeyed.
"Legilimens."
- o -
Rider had eavesdropped on the meeting with little trouble. Only Luna had seen her, but aside from a small wave of a hand there had been no other indication that would clue in the other students to the Servant's presence. Rider had hoped to learn more regarding this supposed Dark Lord, but for the most part Harry Potter had been brief with the details. Though the bit where everyone reacted to the word "Voldemort" had been quite entertaining. The discussion had eventually led to the naming of the training group.
"Yeah, the DA's good," said Ginny, "Only let's make it stand for Dumbledore's Army because that's the Ministry's worst fear, isn't it?"
While most of the students murmured with a general air of approval, Harry shook his head after a moment of thought. "No, Cho's suggestion of Defense Association is better. We can't let Professor Dumbledore be involved in this. He's already risking a bit by protecting us from Umbridge in the classes; she'll be able to get back at him if he's linked to this."
Several of the students were somewhat taken aback by the reasoning. Ron asked, "Mate, when did you start thinking like a Slytherin?"
A glance was exchanged discreetly between Harry and Cho that only Rider, Hermione, and Ginny noticed. "I've been warned a couple of times that discretion is important this year," he answered evasively. "Anyways, that's it for today. We'll contact you through the coins when we have our first meeting."
As the students began filing out the door of the room, Rider moved to Luna's side. The blonde said, "Exciting, isn't it?"
Rider made a quiet grunt. At the very least, she would finally see more examples of wizard combat. Still in her astral form, she whispered, "Where is your necklace?"
"Oh, I think some nargles took it." This statement and the one previous were spoken aloud to seemingly no one particular, and the few that heard her turned away from the dotty blonde.
Aside from the three who organized this meeting and Luna, the last of the students moved to exit the room. The attractive Asian witch named Cho seemed to linger, but her redhead friend clearly wanted the two to leave. Instead of putting up a fuss, she acquiesced to her friend's unspoken demand.
"Is it me, or does Cho seem different than last year? Like, quieter?" Ron asked. Indeed, the witch in question had been mostly silent and subdued the entire time aside from the suggestion of the group's name.
"Of course, she is," Hermione quickly answered. "She just learned a month ago the whole truth about Cedric. Which also means she knows like we do that V-Voldemort is really back. I think it is a good thing that she is taking this seriously."
"I was just wondering." Ron turned towards Harry. "You going to ask her to the Yule Ball again this year?"
"What?" Harry balked at the unexpected question. "The Yule Ball… I forgot about that. I suppose I don't have to go this year. Was abysmal last time."
"I don't know about asking Cho," Hermione said. "Is it too soon?"
"Well, the Ball is at Christmas, so maybe wait a bit before asking?" Ron suggested.
Rider decided that spending more time in the presence of teenage drama would rot her brain cells and left the Hog's Head.
- o -
For the most part, the chaperone duties that morning had gone smoothly for Sakura. She had no problems answering the questions as most of them revolved around magi culture in general instead of her own private life. For some reason, Umbridge seemed delighted when she learned about certain facts.
"So you claim that as more and more muggle-borns are taught magic there is less and less magic for everyone to use."
"Without getting too technical, that is more or less correct."
As noon arrived, Sakura prepared to part ways as their duties encompassed only the morning hours. She mentally debated her lunch plans. Eating at Hogwarts would be more economical, but she also knew that Rider would immediately follow her back. Sakura wanted her incredibly dutiful Servant to enjoy the opportunity to be out of the castle.
"Professor Matou, I have been asked to pass along to you an invitation for a lunch meeting," Umbridge said.
"A lunch meeting?"
"Yes. I would like to introduce you to the father of one of your students, a member of one of the more established pure-blood families." The witch handed over an invitation.
Sakura politely hid any reaction to the rudeness and patronization inherent within Umbridge's invitation. She had no qualms against the concept of an introduction through an intermediary. However, to spring the invitation at the last moment was a breach of etiquette; such thoughtlessness implied that Sakura would automatically accept. Very presumptuous. Moreover, Umbridge carried herself in a way that indicated she was doing Sakura a favor through this introduction into "high society".
Really, making contacts with aristocrats was more Rin's thing than her own. Unfortunately, her older sister had planned to spend this lunch grading the extra credit assignment about improving magical bloodlines; the two-week assignments had been handed in the day before. Sakura did have a small amount of experience interacting with magi higher up the food chain in the Clock Tower, but those were exceptions and had little to do with actual politics.
"I myself would like to join you," Umbridge continued. "Alas, I have an important meeting with the Minister of Magic that I cannot miss, so I must take my leave quite early on. Such is the trouble of working for the betterment of wizarding society."
Refraining from sighing, Sakura telepathized, "Rider, are you busy?"
- o -
His collapse on the floor did not really register to Draco. Instead, all he felt was the release from mental violation. The pain and mental fumbling kept him down and incoherent for some time. When he finally came to, he found himself laying on the floor with his head on his mother's lap. Draco apparently had not been moved from his position next to the now empty chair. Looking up, he saw the Dark Lord standing next to a bookshelf with an open book in his hand.
"Ah, he is awake. Finally." The last word held no small amount of disappointment. "You coddle the boy too much, Narcissa." The tome snapped shut. With a negligent gesture of his hand, the book floated back to its proper spot in the bookshelf.
"My Lord," Narcissa pleaded.
Ignoring the witch, Voldemort gestured to Lucius's chair. "Now then, young Draco, have a seat."
Slowly and somewhat dizzily, the young wizard stood up from his prone position. He warily sat down as indicated.
"I see I have to clarify your mission since there seems to be a small misunderstanding."
The Dark Lord approached as he spoke, the image looming into Draco's vision. The latter scrunched back well before the former reached the chair.
"If all I wanted to know were the contents of the class curriculum, I could easily attain that by… questioning a student. You understand, yes?"
Draco barely managed a nod in the face of such forceful presence.
"So obviously your mission is not to simply regurgitate what I can easily acquire with little effort myself."
The Dark Lord kept his voice pleasant, but nonetheless the two Malfoys dared not breathe.
"Ah, but you are just a child, I suppose. Let it be known that I am not without some mercy. So I shall allow you to try again."
- o -
Pheasant. Rabbit. Venison. The three meats were listed as the main ingredients of the special of the day.
The meats were minced into a mixture combined with sausage to provide body. The aroma of a well-balanced blend of spices including rosemary, thyme, garlic, tarragon, and mace permeated the mixture, and white wine and juniper berries were also added to great effect. Next, the meat was placed inside a fresh pie crust in a loaf pan. After baking, a sauce made from reduced stock was poured into a hole on top of the pie, and the entire creation was chilled overnight. When served, the pie was cut vertically into cross sections and tastefully arranged on a plate with a small garnish of pickled vegetables in a mustard sauce.
These were the images in Sakura's mind when she tasted the second bite of the game meat pie in front of her. After swallowing, she took a conservative sip of light red wine.
"I hope you find the meal to your liking," Lucius Malfoy asked smoothly as he cut into his own dish. The two were alone as Umbridge had already made introductions and left quickly afterwards to her own meeting.
"It is quite delicious," she answered honestly. "Thank you."
"You are quite welcome." It was very brief and subtle, but Lucius's gaze wandered slightly.
"He's checking you out," Rider telepathized amusedly.
"No, I just look different," Sakura replied. She knew that her choice of clothing ran against what witches normally wore. Instead of a robe, she wore an unbuttoned long coat that revealed her long-sleeve turtleneck blouse underneath. "It's not like I'm wearing anything revealing."
"Just thin and form-fitting."
She resisted the urge to button up.
"How do you find teaching at Hogwarts?" Lucius inquired casually.
"It is very different from my world."
"Oh? What was your education like?"
The pickled vegetables accompanied the main course very well. The acidity reset the taste buds to prevent a diminishing effect of the umami from the game meat pie. It was similar to how Zouken had allowed Sakura to both befriend Shirou and attend the kyudo club. Small, fleeting glimpses of hope had made the falls into despair and suffering that much more impactful during the worm sessions.
"I was homeschooled," she said, repeating some words from earlier. "And unlike a school, magi education in preteen years is generally one-on-one."
"Is it like an apprenticeship?"
"Yes."
Lucius swirled the wine in his glass. "I had heard from my son that it is possible for a… magus to pass their magic onto his or her child. The term is a Magic Crest, I believe."
Sakura nodded.
"As a pure-blood who desires success for his son, I am quite interested in hearing about this magic. Draco had told me of what was said in the classroom, but I would be interested in a more in-depth explanation."
She hesitated. Something was not right. The invitation handed to her from Umbridge had Sakura's name written on there. Why would they specifically invite her when Rin would have been the natural choice? No one in this universe knew of the existence of the Matou Crest. So why come to her for questioning?
Something definitely was not right.
"To be truthful, Rin would be a better person to speak with regarding Magic Crests," Sakura replied.
"Oh? I was under the impression only Mr. Emiya lacked one."
"I was wrong," Rider telepathized. "He was not checking you out. He was evaluating you."
So, he was gathering information about them. That would be the simplest explanation, but then magi politics always had several levels of complexity. What else was he aiming for? Unfortunately Sakura lacked the experience in gleaning such subtleties.
"My father chose not to pass his Crest onto me," she misdirected.
"Ah, I apologize for my presumption," Lucius said with a perfect amount of politeness.
- o -
Stepping out of a pawn shop, Harry fastened the bag carrying a sizeable amount of Floo powder. Apparently none of the more popular establishments in the village sold it since any adult who was low on powder could Floo directly to Diagon Alley to buy it. In the end, he had to barter with the pawn shop owner and paid for the powder with a fifty percent markup. Three sickles a scoop instead of two like it normally was for the past century.
The street had much less foot traffic than the other parts of Hogsmeade due to this particular neighborhood's somewhat shady reputation. It was because of this that Harry chose the pawn shop.
A flash of blonde hair caught his eye.
Turning to look, he saw Draco Malfoy leaving a tavern. He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Was Draco up to something?
Two seconds later, Draco saw Harry and immediately frowned. They stared at each other for a few seconds before someone exited behind Draco.
- o -
"Draco, is something wrong?"
Not willing to back down, Draco answered his mother while maintaining the staredown. "Nothing, Mother. Just Harry Potter."
Narcissa turned and looked. When she had done so, Harry switched to look at her for a moment before he turned to walk away. Draco snorted with satisfaction at having won the staring contest.
Yeah, I thought so.
"Let's go, Mother," Draco said. He had more important things to worry about than the stupid Gryffindor.
- o -
Having been spotted, there was no real way to trail the pair of Malfoys. True, they may not be doing anything suspicious, but Lucius Malfoy was a Death Eater at the graveyard, and Draco was all about following in his father's footsteps. However, Harry had no idea where they were going next, and-
"Hello, Harry," a male voice said from behind him.
He spun in surprise to see an exceptionally ugly man with a bulbous nose, a wart the size of London, and crooked teeth.
"Should you really be out alone? This isn't a safe neighborhood," the man said.
"Do I know you?" Harry asked. Was this some Boy-Who-Lived fan?
The man raised one side of his lips into something that resembled both a smile and a grimace. After snorting, his nose changed shape and became a pig's snout.
"Tonks?"
The metamorphmagus raised a finger to her lips. She said in a whisper, "Aren't you number one on You-Know-Who's Wanted List? Why are you alone? You should at least be with friends."
That… was a very good point. "Hermione went back early to work on her Potions essay, and Ron followed her hoping to mooch off her homework. I didn't want to get in their way."
Tonks snorted. "In their way? Are they finally getting together?"
Harry shrugged and changed the topic. "Did you see Malfoy? He came out of there with his mother. Think they are up to something?"
"No idea. Maybe they're just having lunch. Students do occasionally meet with their on Hogsmeade weekends, you know."
He tried and failed to imagine his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon coming to this magical village. It would have been somewhat humorous if not for the fact that they had been kissed by a Dementor. "Look, can you follow them?"
"Follow them? No can do, Harry," Tonks answered definitively. "My job is to protect you, and seeing as how you tend to wander, I'm going to be a fuddy duddy and not let you out of my sight."
Damn.
- o -
The fork easily pierced into the dessert of peaches flambéed in whiskey served over sweet crêpes. Sakura savored the delicious taste enhanced by the liqueur and flames. Perhaps she had underestimated British cooking.
In contrast, Rider lamented the wasted whiskey.
As she sipped her tea, Sakura peered over her cup. Earlier, she had inquired on the neutral topic of whether or not he had other children. The topic of family had eventually led to Lucius showcasing the Malfoy lineage and how his family ranked amongst other pure-bloods. He had assumed that Sakura would be impressed and interested in such things, and she was polite enough not to point out how wrong that assumption was on so many levels.
"So your bloodline is strong, even amongst pure-bloods?" she summarized for confirmation.
"Quite so. We have every reason to be proud to bear the Malfoy name."
"We are actually very curious about that."
"I am not surprised. It has been brought to my knowledge that you magi understand the importance of blood." The smile on his face held no small amount of satisfaction.
"Actually, I was referring specifically to strength."
The wizard paused for a moment. "I am afraid I will need some clarification."
"How do you measure magical strength? We have been unable to find any literature regarding that in this dimension."
Some confusion showed on Lucius's expression. "The more pure your blood is, the stronger your bloodline is. I was to understand this was an established and accepted concept in your classroom."
"Not quite." Sakura smiled gently but said nothing more.
In the momentary silence, Lucius redirected the questioning. "How does one measure magical strength in your dimension, then?"
Having shared a meal with him, Sakura had a better grasp of Malfoy and understood this was his attempt to fish for information. She inhaled steadily to suppress her urge to sigh. "I don't want to get into another discussion about magic today."
"Then don't answer him. Magi are secretive last I recall."
"That discussion would actually take a rather large amount of time."
"Ah, I understand," Lucius said.
As she had hoped, he was able to read between the lines and backed off.
"Do you have any other plans to educate students beyond Formalcraft and Runic Magic?" he inquired after sipping some more wine.
Realization dawned upon her. "He knows about the apprenticeship," Sakura telepathized. Someone amongst the Hogwarts staff must have informed him, and now he was steering the conversation in that direction.
"This is why he invited you," Rider concluded. "He is looking for a backdoor entry for his son."
"I hate politics." Sakura mentally sighed.
- o -
Sitting at the window seat in a café with a male but less attention-grabbing Tonks, Harry nursed his tea and scone. He had a good view of a fancy restaurant across the street. Tonks had mentioned her mother stated that Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy frequented that establishment, and Harry made the decision to stake it out.
That was thirty minutes ago.
From the perspective of a rational adult, this was a shot in the dark since he had no evidence the Malfoys would go there. But Harry was also the type of person to use Polyjuice to enter the Slytherin dormitories to question Draco based on only a hunch and a large helping of animosity.
Tonks herself had no issue with this as her job was to watch over him; enjoying free tea and a few pastries sounded like an easy time. "Thanks for the treat!"
"No problem." It did not cost much considering he still had his half of the Triwizard winnings with him at Hogwarts.
"So what do you need all that Floo powder for?"
"Er, you saw me go in there?"
Her reply was a flat look.
"… It's a project I'm sort of working on."
"Riiiiight."
A sudden thought struck Harry. "Wait a minute, you're an auror."
"Yes, and Hermione is a girl," Tonks deadpanned.
"No, that's not-... Wait, you know about that?"
"We girls do talk with each other, you know." She said this in a husky, sexy feminine voice which sounded incredibly jarring given her current form was a male.
Shudder.
Harry decided to ignore that little point. "Anyways, can you help us?"
Sitting up straight with a clear interest, Tonks asked, "Ooh, so you will let me in on this super secret project?"
"Well, it's sort of just what we were doing over the summer with dueling practice. But could you tell us what spells we could learn to get better? You know, stuff that aurors actually use?"
The witch deflated. "Can't really do that. Some of those spells are dangerous if you don't learn them properly. You need a proper instructor there to spot you. There's a reason why they aren't taught at Hogwarts."
"Is there anything that you can tell us? The safe and useful ones?"
Tonks mused for a bit. "There are a few I can think of…"
Harry pulled out parchment and a quill. "You mind writing them down?"
"Sure," she said as she took the proffered items. "But only if you tell me what the Floo powder is for."
That caused him to hesitate. This year, Harry was quite familiar with keeping secrets. The prophecy. Amelia Bones's involvement. Private memories of Ron and Hermione. Saber with the Sorting Hat. The existence of the DA was now added to this list. The difference between the last one and the others was that he and his friends were completely responsible for it and could get into a lot of trouble.
But Tonks was an auror, and a kernel of an idea was forming in his mind. Somewhat selfish, yes, but not too unreasonable. It coalesced into something more coherent as he explained the plans about the DA. By the time he had finished, Tonks had a contemplative face on her.
"You know Snuffles will kill you if you don't involve him," she pointed out. "Especially this latter part that you're asking me about."
"Isn't it dangerous for him to be out?"
"Yeah, but I think he needs that right now. Besides, we'll be careful. Constant Vig-" Tonks stopped herself off as she looked outside.
Harry followed her gaze and saw Lucius Malfoy and Sakura Matou leaving the restaurant together. He frowned. What could they be up to?
- o -
Later that evening, the four female off-worlders sat around the dining table of their living quarters while Shirou cooked Rider's dinner. Sakura had just finished recounting her lunch experience.
"Why does the name Lucius Malfoy sound familiar?" Rin asked aloud. "Besides being the father of the Malfoy student."
"He was quoted in the Daily Prophet," Saber answered.
"When?"
"When Umbridge was made High Inquisitor. He supported that action."
"Oh right," Rin said. "That was weeks ago. I am surprised you remember that."
"I am attempting to better understand the common people. Reading news publications is a simple means in that direction." Saber put down her cup of tea. "So Umbridge and Malfoy are allies. It behooves us to take this seriously."
"Yes," Rin agreed. She leaned back in her seat. "Either they have common beliefs, or they are banding together against a common enemy: Dumbledore."
"They both believe in blood purity," Sakura pointed out. "So it may be the former. And the idea of making a Crest is consistent with their beliefs."
"I don't think that's why he chose to speak with you," Rin disagreed. "They have no reason to believe that such a Mystery is possible. We've been isolated in Hogwarts so everything he heard about a Magic Crest is secondhand. And if he did want actual details, he would have made a lunch meeting with me instead."
Sakura thought over the encounter as she sipped some tea. "So it was just small talk?"
"Small talk is part of the game," Rin said. "But you said yourself he was more after the apprenticeship."
"That was my impression."
"Is that it, then?" Rin asked aloud to herself. "He wanted a favor and in exchange offered to introduce us to high society or something?"
"It could be as simple as that," Saber mused.
"No," Rider declared. "Have you heard the rumors about yourselves?"
"About our inability to cast spells? I think we have proven we can use magic," Rin said offhandedly.
"No, it's worse than you think. The novelty of your foreign magic has worn off. At this point they can learn your magic, but you cannot learn theirs."
"We can brew potions," Rin countered. It was similar to Formalcraft.
"Nobody cares about that," Rider replied.
… That was also similar to Formalcraft. Rin frowned. She would have to do something about this.
"I see your implications, Rider," Saber interjected. "An apprenticeship would not be a position of prestige if Rin and Sakura are deemed inferior to wizards and witches. Someone like Lucius Malfoy would not go to so much trouble for his son if we have an unfavorable reputation."
"So his actions are inconsistent?" Sakura asked.
"Seemingly so." Saber thought for a moment. "I would state that there is more to his attempt, probably to ingratiate himself to us. The obvious reason is to simply scout the enemy, if you will. After all we were introduced to this society through Dumbledore so it would be natural for Dumbledore's enemies to associate us together."
"And a less obvious reason?"
"Too many," Rin answered. "We would need more information first."
Shirou walked out of the kitchen area bearing three plates which he placed in front of Rider.
"Thank you," Rider said politely.
"You're welcome." Shirou took off his apron before sitting down. "What's going on?"
"Some wealthy father of a student is trying to throw his weight around. We're trying to figure out why," Rin summarized. "For now we'll just wait and see. I'm not going to settle for a lesser apprentice just because his father promises favors in the future."
"... Oh. Okay, then." Sensing the discussion was over, Shirou nodded and changed the subject. "So… have any of you located the castle kitchens yet?"
- o -
With his eyes closed, Voldemort meditated on what he saw within Draco's mind.
Heaven's Feel.
Restoration of a Materialized soul with no negative consequences.
After ten minutes, he opened his eyes. With a crack, he Disapparated and appeared miles away in the Gaunt Shack in Little Hangleton. After disabling the protections he had placed upon it all those years ago, he retrieved the ring containing a severed piece of his soul and vanished once again.
- o -
Under the new moon, the ancient witch began the last set of incantations. Copious amounts of magic flowed around the rock formations of Stonehenge as she performed the ritual.
At last, after an hour of non-stop casting, the witch finished and lowered her wand. Three down. Nine to go.
- o -
1995, October 2nd, Monday, in a Wizarding World...
"I can't believe it. How did she know?" Hermione whispered in shock. In her hand was the Daily Prophet which announced in its headlines Educational Decree Twenty-Four. This particular decree disbanded any groups of three or more; clearly Umbridge found out about their little get-together at Hog's Head.
"We even kept our meeting in a private room," Ron said as he cut up a breakfast sausage patty with excessive force. "I guess someone saw a bunch of students and reported it to Umbridge."
Harry noticed glances directed towards him from various members of the relatively newly minted DA spread throughout the Great Hall.
"Oh, wait, what about our class teams?" Hermione suddenly stated. "I'll need to apply to have our Formalcraft and Runic Magic teams allowed."
Ron turned to her in confusion. "How did you go from 'I can't believe it' to 'I need to do this for classes' so fast?"
"Well, I have my priorities," the young witch claimed defensively.
- o -
1995, October 4th, Wednesday, in a Wizarding World…
8th Period.
Formalcraft.
After looking at the clock which read "Assign homework now", Rin held up a stack of parchment. "I have the extra credit assignments here."
Everyone looked up from their magic circles.
"I noticed a varying degree of quality amongst the papers. Some simply gave a checklist. Others wrote in essay format. Some of you submitted work as a team whereas others did so individually. Almost no one cited their sources."
Some murmuring flittered about the class.
"These are not criticisms," Rin clarified. "If there is any blame at all, it would lie with me. I had not been clear with the requirements of the assignment. For this, I apologize."
She paused for a moment to gauge the mood, paying special attention to Umbridge and Dumbledore. Everyone seemed fine with what she said so far.
"So I will be explaining the particulars of the assignment. If you feel that your paper is sufficient after hearing the requirements, then you are free to hand it in again with no extra work. The deadline will be extended to Friday, November 3rd which is about a month from now. Since this is extra credit, it is an individual effort. I have no issues if you work together on your research, but each person will submit an individual paper. Lastly and most importantly, your paper should have proper citations and a bibliography."
Some of the students looked daunted at the amount of work. A sixth year Ravenclaw raised her hand. When called upon, she asked, "Is this supposed to be an academic paper? Like a dissertation?"
"No," Rin answered. "One month is not enough time to write an academic paper, and furthermore you are not expected to do so considering you have so many other classes. I will not hold your papers up to the same standards as an academic publishing journal."
This seemed to appease many of them though some were still hesitant.
She continued, "That being said, citations and bibliographies are essential parts of a secondary school research paper. You should think of this as practice for more rigorous work that some of you may participate in if you decide to delve into academia."
A Slytherin raised his hand. "What if we do not plan to enter academia?"
"Then do not do the assignment. It is extra credit and completely optional." Rin said nonchalantly. "If you do not have any experience with citations or the like, feel free to ask myself or your other professors. It is not as hard as it sounds, and I will be taking your year into account when grading." She made eye contact with various staff members. "Of course, I shall be holding the professors to a higher degree of professionalism."
This homework was not arbitrary. Rin planned on using the papers and their respective bibliographies to jump-start her own research into this world's methodologies of multi-generational power enhancement. In other words, she was delegating the initial research to others and planned to reap the benefits afterwards.
"For example, one common answer I saw for improving bloodlines was for a lineage to only marry pure-bloods. This needs both a more in-depth explanation as well as sources. How does a lineage get stronger? What sources are you using that claim this?"
"That is just common sense," Umbridge stated without raising her hand. "Why would we need to cite what is commonly known?"
Rin knew this was a controversial point and expected McGonagall's severe frown that was sent to the High Inquisitor. "How are you measuring strength? Are descendants born with more Magic Circuits? Higher quality Circuits? Is the prana throughput higher?"
Umbridge opened her mouth, but Rin kept speaking.
"Is there a chart or graph that plots the growth of magic for a pure-blood family versus a family that marries muggles, squibs, or muggle-borns? What quantifiable criteria are you using to gauge magical strength?"
"It just is," Umbridge declared harshly.
Rin had expected a brutish response like that, so she had prepared a countermeasure. She turned to the Transfiguration teacher. "Professor McGonagall, have you published any papers in an academic journal?"
The severe expression did not soften, but the witch answered clearly without complaint. "Yes, I have."
"Would Professor Umbridge's claims hold under academic scrutiny?"
After breathing in deeply, she answered, "No."
"What-" Umbridge began, but McGonagall cut her off.
"You are correct, Professor Tohsaka, that one's claims must be backed by proper research. Wizarding institutions have been doing so for centuries." The elder witch's tone brooked no argument.
"I am certain," Dumbledore suddenly interjected, "that Professor Umbridge will produce a satisfactory paper for this assignment."
"I… what?" Umbridge asked in confusion at having the headmaster's unexpected support.
"You have published in academic journals before, have you not, Dolores?" Dumbledore queried. Before the High Inquisitor could respond, he continued on. "Oh, of course you have. Why am I even asking? The Ministry of Magic would not send a mediocre professor to Hogwarts after all."
Umbridge hesitated.
"So I have no doubt that you will be able to write a paper that will be of magnificent depth and insight. I look forward to comparing it with my own as well as those of other professors here to see what areas upon which we could improve." He turned to the Charms teacher. "Filius, when did you last publish an article?"
"Five years ago," Flitwick answered. "Hopefully I am not out of practice."
Dumbledore turned back to Umbridge. "You have my full confidence in your abilities, Dolores."
- o -
1995, October 6th, Friday, in a Wizarding World...
5th Period.
Defense Against the Dark Arts.
As Hermione entered through the open doorway of the Defense classroom, she debated what to do this period. Practice prana circulation? Unlike Professor Flitwick who learned Professor Tohsaka's technique within that particular Charms class two and a half weeks ago, she and her friends lacked any form of similar success despite many attempts since then. Perhaps she could continue trying during DADA? It was a form of defense against spells, and though she was nowhere near ready to try it wandlessly yet she could easily grip her wand underneath her desk.
After taking her seat, Hermione heard a rattling, rocking sound. Looking up, she saw a wooden closet shaking visibly at the left side of the lecture area against the wall. It partially obstructed a window to the outside.
"A Boggart?" Harry asked aloud rhetorically from her side.
"I think so," Hermione answered.
Another rattling sound caught their attention; against the front wall of the room lay a closed chest on the floor, also shaking occasionally. Presumably it was another Boggart. Hermione had ambivalent feelings about this. They had learned to deal with Boggarts two years ago so a review would be somewhat tedious. On the other hand, this would still be more interesting than the blatantly awful book they had been reading the past three weeks.
"Today we shall be focusing a bit more on the practical side of things," Umbridge addressed the class after everyone settled in.
Several hands went up. Upon being called, Lavender Brown said, "But we already learned about Boggarts in third year."
"Yes, well, this is a review to ensure you all learned the topic properly," the professor replied with a smile. "You had a questionable Defense professor that year, after all."
"Professor Remus was a great professor!" Dean Thomas exclaimed.
"Please raise your hand and wait to be called upon before speaking, Mr. Thomas," Umbridge admonished as she walked to the closet against the left wall. "Now then, before we begin our review, I would like to give our… guests a chance to confront one."
Hermione turned to the professors sitting at a table at the front but to the right side. It was on the opposite side of the room in relation to the wardrobe, and in fact the four off-worlders and Professor Dumbledore sat there facing the closet.
"Confront… a Boggart?" Tohsaka queried.
"Yes. Do such creatures exist in your dimension?" Umbridge asked sweetly.
"I have not heard of such a creature," the younger professor replied. She turned to her companions and saw them shake their heads as well.
"I am certain you will have little difficulty duplicating the spells that our students are capable of casting."
Hermione caught the mockery embedded in that statement. Watching Professor Tohsaka slightly raise her eyebrow, the young witch was fairly certain the guest teacher also noticed the underlying ridicule. As the challenged individual made her way onto the lecture area, Hermione realized this lesson had nothing to do with reviewing old material. Instead, Umbridge was retaliating in response to Wednesday's discussion in Formalcraft. The fact that the High Inquisitor did not explain a Boggart's ability supported Hermione's theory. And since a Boggart should pose no danger since even a third year can handle one, Umbridge could get away with sending a "harmless" creature at Professor Tohsaka.
"There is fine," Umbridge gestured to a position on the floor of the lecture area some distance away from the wardrobe. "Now then, without further ado… Alohomora."
The wardrobe door made an unlocking sound.
The DADA professor immediately moved away and stood in the student area to get a better overall view. The door to the wardrobe creaked open slowly. Ambient light from the windows shone from behind the closet, making the interior more difficult to see into.
A bare, slim leg devoid of footwear stepped out slowly. The leg had red etchings covering it- wait, was that blood?! Hermione peered to get a better look, but she was unsure. Black ribbons lined with red followed the feminine leg.
Mr. Emiya and Saber suddenly stood up.
More and more of the Boggart came out. The black ribbons acted as an odd dress of sorts for the individual, floating and undulating in a strange manner. When the Boggart fully stepped out of the wardrobe, the ambience of the room changed completely.
Sinister. Malevolent.
Powerful.
The Boggart had apparently assumed the form of the younger sister of Professor Matou. She had a very similar though more youthful visage, pale white hair and red eyes. Fear paralyzed Hermione though she knew not why. Only a Dementor had generated such feelings in her before except this time there was no sense of hopelessness. Instead, she had a strong impression of danger. She suddenly felt her own Boggart of Professor McGonagall failing her to be somewhat frivolous.
Wait.
At the Leaky Cauldron over the summer, Professor Matou had mentioned her hair had changed color due to a magical phenomenon. Was her hair originally white? The resemblance was so close that Hermione was more inclined to believe it was a younger version of Matou rather than a sibling. However, why would she be Professor Tohsaka's greatest fear?
"Nee-san," the Boggart said. Hermione had no idea what that meant. The Boggart then continued to speak in that foreign language. East Asian of some sort? In all honesty, Hermione was unable to concentrate on identifying the language due to the disturbing ambience in the room. After a few sentences from the Boggart, Professor Tohsaka finally made a movement. She glanced back at Professor Matou for a few seconds before facing forward again.
"Ruby."
The magus spoke in a cold voice devoid of emotion, and her expression matched the tone of her command. Hermione had enough empathy to realize that this Boggart had assumed the shape of something private and that Tohsaka was very much upset at the moment.
The white winged Mystic Code flew out of an inner pocket of the teacher's red coat. It extended its red handle, becoming longer than two feet.
"Not going to use Gandr?" Ruby's casual tone seemed very out of place within the ominous atmosphere.
"Too messy," Tohsaka answered as she gripped the wand. "Prism Trance Minor." A bright light burst from the professor like a camera flash. When everyone regained their eyesight, they saw that Tohsaka somehow changed her hairstyle. Two black bows now adorned her suddenly more voluminous hair. She pointed her wand at the Boggart with a fully extended arm. Though no incantation was stated, a vertically-oriented six foot wide magic circle of white light appeared centered at the wand tip. Hermione could not see it clearly, but it definitely contained a six-sided star inside the inner concentric circle along with text that may or may not be Elder Futhark.
Next, two more magic circles appeared in front of the first, each separated by a few inches. Then they started rotating. Three seconds later, not nearly enough time for Hermione to really register all of what she was seeing, the spell was cast.
"Evanesco." Tohsaka incanted.
*BOOM*
An intense explosion caused a reverberation in everyone's chests when a six-foot wide beam of white light suddenly appeared between the magic circles and the wall behind the closet. The sheer amount of magic set everyone on edge because only a dead person would be unable to perceive it. A second later, the beam began petering out slowly. It was only by observing this lessening of magical outpouring that Hermione realized the beam actually traveled from point A to point B. It had moved so quickly that her brain interpreted the beam as simply appearing all at once.
As the torrent of magic disappeared, Hermione finally noticed that the Boggart was completely gone aside from a few bits of black ribbons floating down to the ground. Likewise, the wardrobe had suffered a similar fate, and she noted that the small bits and pieces of wood could not possibly make up for its original mass. The wall behind the closet had a crater with a spider web of cracks.
"Achievement unlocked!" Ruby announced with a fanfare of music and a shower of confetti. "Vanishing Spell acquired!"
- o -
"The wall withstood the blast," Tohsaka stated with a bit of surprise.
"Amazing, the blast damaged the wall," Dumbledore said simultaneously.
The two looked at each other and traded an unreadable look. Before Harry could ponder it any further, Umbridge exclaimed in outrage and protested at what just happened. "That was not the Vanishing Spell!"
Harry had a sense of deja vu. It took him a moment to recall a similar exclamation during the Runic Magic demonstration by the same woman. He would have found this amusing except that he too was quite amazed by what he had just witnessed.
"What are you talking about? We totally Vanished the creature," Ruby replied.
Umbridge made some strangling sounds while gesturing haltingly at the minor remains of the boggart.
"Well, most of it," Ruby amended. The wand then contorted itself to face Tohsaka. "Really, Master, that was sloppy of you. One would think someone with your experience in wanton destruction would be a bit more thorough."
"Sloppy?" Tohsaka deadpanned.
"Clearly someone is getting careless in her old age."
"Excuse me," Umbridge cut in loudly. "Would you please explain what just happened?"
Tohsaka moved her attention away from the Mystic Code in her hand. "I utilized my wand."
"... What?"
"Concentration. Wand movement. Incantation." The words were enunciated calmly and carefully. "I was under the impression that is how you cast magic in this world. Is it so surprising that I can do the same?"
"You… wand… but…"
While Harry was not floundering, he too was guilty of underestimating Tohsaka. If she possessed that much capability with wandless magic, it only made sense that her magic with a wand was that much stronger. In hindsight, that was an obvious notion, but it was another thing to witness direct evidence of such power.
"An oversimplification, Professor Tohsaka," Dumbledore commented. "Though it is quite understandable why one might view it that way."
"Hem, hem," Umbridge interrupted. "If we can get back on track? Professor Tohsaka, I am sorry to say that is not the proper method one should use to deal with a boggart. What you did was entirely too dangerous and excessively violent for students to learn."
"Oh? In that case, I await an explanation on the proper method," the magus said loftily. "You may proceed."
The High Inquisitor bristled at the somewhat snooty tone but nonetheless complied in giving a quick summary of the boggart and the Riddikulus Charm.
After the explanation, Tohsaka gestured to the chest on the ground. "May we assume this is another Boggart?"
"Yes," the witch answered. "I had located two and so decided to conduct the class in a more efficient manner by dividing up the students between both. Of course, that is no longer possible."
"Then in that case, perhaps you can provide a demonstration of this Riddikulus charm, Professor Umbridge," Tohsaka said. "Please present to us the Ministry-approved method of dealing with such a creature."
The witch hesitated; after all, she would not want anyone to see her greatest fear. "Very well. I'm certain the students' review of the lesson shall be educational," Umbridge stated. "Mr. Potter, if you would come up and demonstrate how to handle a Boggart?"
He had not expected that and thus paused in surprise. With a flash of insight, Harry realized she wanted to know his greatest fear. Regaining his bearings, he walked to the front of the room and tried to recall if his Boggart-Dementor was common knowledge or not. Remus had prevented him from confronting it during class two years ago. Did Hermione or Ron tell others about his private lessons with the Patronus Charm? Malfoy taunted him with Dementor costumes during one quidditch match, but that was due to what happened in a previous match against the Hufflepuffs. Well, whatever. Finding out Harry's fear of Dementors meant little in the grand scheme of things. He faced them before and knew he could do so again.
"Are we ready, Mr. Potter?" Umbridge asked in fake politeness. At Harry's nod, she incanted, "Alohomora." The lid to the chest opened.
Harry waited patiently for the Boggart-Dementor to come out.
Instead, Voldemort rose from within and stepped out into the classroom.
For the second time in that class period, a malicious and dangerous aura permeated the air. Aside from Dumbledore and himself, no one else had any memory of the thin, pale figure of the Dark Lord, but Harry Potter was always an oft talked about subject. One need not strain one's mental faculties to deduce the identity of this clearly villainous figure. Some gasped at the realization whereas others were paralyzed in fear.
"You have been taught how to duel, Harry Potter?" the Boggart-Voldemort asked softly.
Unaware of the frozen nature of the audience, Harry had a sudden flashback to the graveyard. His body shuddered at the memory of virtual searing knives piercing his body. That remembrance combined with the unexpected form of the Boggart caused him to hesitate.
"We bow to each other, Harry," the creature continued with a slight incline of his head. "Come, the niceties must be observed… Dumbledore would like you to show manners… bow to death, Harry…"
The young wizard tightened the grip of his wand.
"I said, bow-"
"Riddikulus!"
The Boggart turned and swayed to the side sinuously, allowing the invisible spell to presumably pass him by. "Tut, tut. To show such disrespect to the Dark Lord…"
Mind racing, Harry planned his next move.
"Truly you deserve no better end than what I gave your father… Avada Kedavra!" A jet of green light flew from the Boggart's wand.
"Accio podium!" Whether it was luck or the adrenaline factor, Harry successfully defended himself with the makeshift shield. The green light splashed harmlessly against it. "Depulso podium!"
The Boggart-Voldemort sidestepped the flying wooden object and raised its wand-
"Riddikulus!"
-whereupon its wand turned into a revolver. The creature raised the gun to its temple.
*Bang*
- o -
Voldemort sneezed.
Though with the altered changes to his nose, it came out more like a violent yawn than anything else. After recovering, he continued studying the moving photos of Nurmengard.
- o -
Blood and brains were splattered on the floor. The report of the gunshot had finished echoing in the ensuing silent classroom, but nonetheless everyone still heard the sound in their ears.
Umbridge recovered first. "What was that, Potter?!" The exclamation broke the stillness of the room, and immediately thereafter murmurs rose from the students.
"Perhaps I can shed some light upon this," Dumbledore interjected. He stood up and addressed the High Inquisitor solemnly, the action naturally silencing everyone else.
"That was a gun."
"..."
"..."
"... What?"
"A gun. Firearms? I believe you stated it is a metal wand that muggles use to kill each other. As you can see, it can be quite effect-"
"I'm not talking about that!" Umbridge snapped. She turned onto Harry. "You, Mr. Potter. I shall not have you spreading your lies anymore. Bewitching the Boggart to become a You-Know-Who is not appropriate behavior for a young wizard. That shall be thirty points from Gryffindor and detention with me for tonight and next week."
Before Harry could protest, Dumbledore calmly responded, "Your unwillingness to believe in the truth does not preclude others from doing so."
The High Inquisitor took several deep breaths as her expression conveyed a growing indignation.
- o -
1995, October 8th, Sunday, in a Wizarding World...
Naturally, some fallout resulted from the DADA class the previous Friday. The rumor mill of course got a hold of what had occurred. Oddly enough, for the most part the rumors were correct mainly due to the fact that the events were unbelievable in the first place. However, the interpretation of the events divided the gossipers into two groups. The larger group by far still believed in the Ministry and Umbridge. Someone had pointed out that it would have been possible for Harry Potter to use the Riddikulus spell to make the Boggart take the form of the Dark Lord. As a result, the young Gryffindor still had the reputation of an attention-seeking liar.
On the other hand, the other group which believed Harry and Dumbledore was something of a godsend because prior to that Friday it was quite small. After that class, some doubt was shed upon the Ministry's stance. Not much, but more than before.
But what all the gossipers agreed upon were the actions of the off-worlders.
The confrontation had been derailed when Professor Tohsaka interrupted the argument between Dumbledore and Umbridge. "So the proper method is to kill the Boggart? I fail to see what I did wrong in comparison to Mr. Potter's demonstration."
There had been a bit of confusion until everyone slowly realized that the dimensional traveler was much more interested in the magic involved in handling a Boggart than the whole Dark-Lord-has-returned issue. Then things got really weird when Tohsaka had subsequently asked if Boggarts were sentient, had legal rights, or otherwise were a species protected from invasive study techniques. Oh, and do you mind if we keep the extra one?
The disparaging whispers about their inability to cast spells had dropped significantly after that lesson as the recounting of Tohsaka's confrontation with the Boggart had more or less been faithfully regaled.
A sharp whistle rang through the air, interrupting Harry's musings. As one, the Gryffindor quidditch team looked at their captain, Angelina Johnson. "Alright, that's enough for today. The Ravenclaws will be here soon."
Harry coasted down towards the exit of the quidditch pitch and waited for Ron. His friend approached while wiping the sweat off of his face and neck.
"Is it always this brutal?" Ron asked.
"Was a little worse with Oliver in charge," Harry replied with a grin. "What's wrong? Can't handle the pressure?"
"Ha, ha, you're a riot."
Whatever Harry was going to say was lost as he noticed the Ravenclaw team walking onto the pitch with their brooms. He caught the eye of their Seeker who returned the look with a small smile. Harry awkwardly raised his hand a few inches, but after a half second he brought it down and merely responded to Cho's smile with one of his own. The moment passed and the Ravenclaws walked past the Gryffindors.
"The Yule Ball, huh?" Harry murmured to himself.
- o -
At the knock on his office door, Dumbledore set aside his paperwork and stood to greet his expected guest. He was admittedly unsure how this forthcoming conversation would proceed.
As Rin Tohsaka walked into his office proper with Ruby hovering over her shoulder, her gaze suddenly snapped to a point to the side and behind Dumbledore. A common enough occurrence for individuals who meet phoenix for the first time. Last time she had visited, the bird had been elsewhere.
"Ah, allow me to introduce my familiar, Fawkes. On the off-chance you have never seen one before, he is a phoenix."
Tohsaka did not move from where she stopped, still examining Fawkes intently.
At the silence, Dumbledore continued, "Do you have phoenixes in your dimension?"
"Not anymore," the magus responded. "This phantasmal beast is your familiar?"
"I suspect Fawkes may be offended at being referred to as a beast." The headmaster noted that Tohsaka still had not relaxed despite participating in a conversation. "However, if I were to hazard a conjecture, I would infer that the phrase 'phantasmal beast' is a specific term?"
Tohsaka nodded but nonetheless kept her gaze on the phoenix. "It can resurrect itself as the legends say?"
Silently, Ruby extended its handle.
'Yes, though I would prefer it if you do not test that theory at the moment."
"Awww…" Ruby lamented as it retracted its handle.
"Ruby, behave," Tohsaka instructed. "We do not pick fights with phantasmal beasts."
Had he not been examining her so closely, Dumbledore would have missed the slight shudder in her body. He must admit to being impressed. While most visitors displayed awe at the phoenix, very few demonstrated the wariness that such creatures deserved.
"So, this is how you look," another voice interjected. All three turned towards the source.
"It's the gender ambiguous Sorting Hat!" Ruby exclaimed as it whizzed over to the bookshelf the hat rested upon.
"Says the oblong-shaped wand with a female voice," the Sorting Hat grumbled.
Dumbledore could not help himself; he did a double-take at the statement. Never in his one hundred plus years did he ever expect to hear the revered artifact speak in such a fashion.
"So how come we never see you?" Ruby asked while rubbing its circle with one of its feather-like fingers. "The headmaster doesn't let you out often?"
The Sorting Hat turned towards Dumbledore and gave him what could only be interpreted as a piercing stare. "I cannot contest the accuracy of that statement."
"Ahem," the wizard coughed. "Well, while we allow the two to become better acquainted, shall we begin our meeting?" he suggested to his guest as he gestured to a comfortable chair in front of his desk.
"Certainly," Tohsaka replied. She took one last look at Fawkes before seating herself. "What is it you wish to discuss?"
While the Sorting Hat and Ruby spoke to each other quietly, Dumbledore took a moment to gather himself for this conversation. "I found your interpretation of the Vanishing Spell to be quite original."
(You performed such an ostentatious spell to both intimidate Umbridge as well as quell the rumors of your inability to cast spells.)
Tohsaka smiled knowingly. "Why thank you."
(Yes. Yes, I did.)
With the unspoken topic of conversation firmly established, Dumbledore continued, "Do you plan on learning our magic with such an approach from now on?"
"I must admit the inspiration came when confronting the Boggart. Who can say if there will be other similar moments of inspiration?"
"While I have no issue with pursuing alternative paths to learning magic, I must ask that you take into account the potential collateral damage to the castle."
"I shall keep that in mind."
The two looked at each other, neither willing to break the stare. There was no antagonism but instead a mutual respect for a fellow capable individual. Sensing that his unspoken warning was sent across clearly and acknowledged sincerely, Dumbledore broke the stare with a smile.
"Would you be willing to answer a few questions about magi culture?"
Tohsaka kept quiet for a few seconds. It was not an uncomfortable hesitation due to one's uncertainty, but more of one coming to a decision. Finally, she said, "The path of magic is to walk alongside death."
Neither of them said anything. Unlike most people, Dumbledore did not respond with a "What?" or something of the sort. He merely contemplated what he had just heard and balanced that with what he knew of the off-worlders. Memories came to mind. Saber fighting a troll. The usage of the phrase "negative consequences". Emiya plunging daggers into solid stone. Matou healing a ghost.
He had a hunch. He needed more information to be sure, but he felt that perhaps he saw the meaning of that phrase. So he probed by quoting his recently deceased colleague, Adalbert Waffling, who postulated the Fundamental Laws of Magic. "Tamper with the deepest mysteries - the source of life, the essence of self - only if prepared for consequences of the most extreme and dangerous kind."
Tohsaka smiled.
- o -
1995, October 12th, Thursday, in a Wizarding World…
Strangely enough, the growing headache Harry now possessed was not due to Myrtle's giggling. Instead, it stemmed from the five Hufflepuffs who refused to take the Floo down to the Chamber of Secrets.
"How are we going to get back up?" Hannah Abbot asked.
"We will help you at the base of the pipe," Ginny answered.
"Well, how do we know we can trust you?" Zacharias Smith demanded. "Why don't you tell us the names of the destinations then?"
"Sure. To go down, say §Down§. To go up, say §Up§," Ginny explained.
Everyone flinched at the harsh hissing. "Say that again?"
"Down: §Down§. Up: §Up§."
"How are we supposed to say that?" Zacharias complained.
"You're the one who wanted to speak Parseltongue!"
"So this is what a girl's bathroom looks like," Ernie Macmillan said in wonder, oblivious to the tension in the room. "It smells different."
"Is it safe down there?" Hannah asked, ignoring Ernie.
"Yes, it is. The basilisk is dead," Ginny said as she rolled her eyes. "Has been dead for years. You may remember Dumbledore mentioning that three years ago?"
"I don't know. Maybe it had children? It was a thousand years old, right?" Hannah turned to Harry. "Did you check if it was male or female?"
Harry gave her a flat look at the ridiculous inquiry. "Are you a muggle-born?"
"... No."
"Then don't worry, the child basilisks won't hurt you."
"Wait, what? There are more?" Justin Finch-Fletchley, one-time basilisk victim, demanded as Hannah nearly hyperventilated.
"Of course not," Harry deadpanned. "Do you really think I would choose the Chamber of Secrets if it was unsafe? Ginny and I checked it out already, and I paid a house-elf to make it usable."
"Wait, you paid a house-elf?" Zacharias inquired. "I'm not sure I can trust an elf that you have to pay to work for you."
Before Harry could respond, the door to the bathroom opened. A moment of suspense filled everyone until Hermione Granger stepped through, leading a contingent of Gryffindors into the bathroom. It was getting difficult to find a place to stand as everyone's personal space was getting encroached upon.
"So this is what a girl's bathroom looks like," Dean Thomas said in wonder, oblivious to the tension in the room. "It smells different."
"I know, right?" Ernie replied in male solidarity.
"Whoa, you turned it into a Floo?" Ron asked as he approached the flames.
"No, that was already there," Harry answered. "Guess Salazar Slytherin didn't like sliding down a pipe of slime."
"Wait, that's impossible," Hermione pointed out, drawing the attention of everyone.
"Yeah, I agree," Ron said. "Slytherins are really slimy."
After a moment of collective internal groaning, George Weasley facepalmed. "That was horrible."
Fred followed with, "I hereby banish you from the family."
"Honestly, Ron, do be more mature," Hermione said with a sigh. "The Floo powder wasn't invented until the thirteenth century by Ignatia Wildsmith. That's two or three centuries after the construction of Hogwarts." Several individuals rolled their eyes at the young witch's lecturing.
Harry shrugged. "Well, then obviously the Floo here was installed by Voldemort."
Gasps. Shouts. One person fell through the door of a bathroom stall. Myrtle flushed herself down a toilet.
"Wait, we have to use a Floo made by You-Know-Who?" Hannah exclaimed.
"Yeah, that's not happening," Zacharias stated.
"Cool!" Dennis Creevey said. "Will we see the basilisk?"
"Hey, ladies, can I, like, use the toilet here?" Lee Jordan asked. "Because I didn't go before we left and-"
"Quiet, everyone! Do you want to get caught?" Harry harshly whispered. With everyone silent, he took charge. "Ginny will activate the Floo for each person. Ron, go down first."
Ron nodded as he approached the fireplace. He had been down there before and was quite happy not to have gunk all over his clothes this time. Ginny stated the destination and Ron stepped through with no hesitation.
"See? It's safe to use. It's not like Ginny would send her brother to somewhere unsafe," Harry explained reasonably.
"You don't know Ginny very well, do you?" Fred asked.
Ginny attempted to look innocent when everyone turned to look at her. She fooled no one, including herself.
Sigh. "Dead basilisk. Down there. Want to check it out or not?" Harry asked rhetorically.
The twins immediately walked to the Floo. "Bon voyage!" they chorused.
Much to the relief of Harry and Ginny, the students started queueing up. The Ravenclaws arrived soon after that, and eventually everyone arrived at the other end of the pipe. Some snickered when Harry stumbled out of the fire, but most of the students had a subdued manner about them due to the oppressiveness of the corridor.
"Alright, this way," Harry said unnecessarily. After all, the corridor only went in one direction. He led the group down despite the fact he really would rather be walking side-by-side with Cho.
"So have you been down here before?" Luna asked Hermione.
"No, not yet. Harry and Ginny worked on preparing it. I've been busy with prefect duties and studying for my OWL tests." Hermione glanced down. "Luna, why aren't you wearing any shoes?"
"Oh, I think the nargles took them as well," the blonde responded.
"As well?"
While most of the others ignored the exchange, it did break the silence which caused the other students to start chatting amongst themselves.
A few minutes passed before Ron looked about in confusion. "Shouldn't we have seen the molted skin at some point?"
"No, Dobby took care of it," Harry answered.
When they reached the opening of the actual Chamber, Harry simply walked right through without sparing the basilisk corpse a glance. Dobby had cleaned it up and preserved it; the corpse was frozen in a coiled position with its head in a striking pose fifteen feet in the air and its fangs bared.
Harry turned around and addressed the group. "I was thinking, the first thing we should do is Expelliarmus, you know, the Disarming Charm. I know it's pretty basic but I've found it really useful-" He cut himself off when he realized nobody except for Ginny was paying attention as they were all staring at the basilisk. "Guys?"
"You beat that thing? Alone?" George said in awe, summarizing the thoughts of nearly everyone there.
"Not really. Fawkes - that is, Dumbledore's phoenix - blinded it first. Anyway, if we can pair up-"
"That thing paralyzed me?" Justin Finch-Fletchley asked aloud.
"Uh, yeah… you looked at it. And it looked at you," Harry replied with some confusion. If Justin made indirect eye contact when he was paralyzed then this should not be his first time seeing it. Then he remembered Myrtle's story when she suffered her fate and realized there was not enough time for a victim to assimilate the situation.
"So it lived here for a thousand years?" Padma Patil queried.
"Here and whatever space is behind that statue of Slytherin. The mouth opens if you say the password." He glanced over to the statue. He then noticed something he missed last time he was here. "Wait, why is the mouth closed?"
"It closes automatically," Ginny answered.
"Oh, okay."
"Can you open it?" Colin Creevey asked excitedly.
Confusion marred Harry's face. Why would that be something to be excited about? Sighing, he indulged the demand. "§Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four.§" As expected, the mouth opened with very little fanfare, but the movement nonetheless acquired everyone's attention. Capitalizing on the silence, he said, "Moving on, can everyone please pair up to practice the Disarming Charm?"
- o -
The Disarming Charm applied the concept of "disarming" upon a person.
Though not a magus, Rider knew enough regarding thaumaturgy to derive this conclusion based on Harry Potter's lecture to the Defense Association and the subsequent practice. However, she did not know what would happen if the target was facing a direction other than the caster. Would the object still fly toward the caster? Or would it eject straight away from the victim's body on an axis defined by the arm and the body's center of mass? How about the body itself?
… Clearly she had been spending too much time with Rin.
Given the level of magic she sensed from the flying spells, Rider judged the prana circulation defense Rin had demonstrated a few weeks previous would defend against this Charm for the magi. Speaking of which, a few of the professors had figured out the technique upon explanation - some more quickly than others. However, none of the students had succeeded yet so far.
Rider's attention kept returning to Cho Chang to admire her innocent beauty. The Servant internally acknowledged this was a tad bit creepy, but it was not as if she was going to act on any impulses. Besides, Zeus has gone after even younger maidens back in the day, and… okay, maybe resorting to comparing herself to Zeus was not a good sign of things.
"Expellimellius!" the Asian witch shouted an incorrect incantation and caused her friend's sleeve to catch on fire.
All in all, it was quite an enlightening evening. Despite his horrible accent, Harry Potter spoke the language of snakes. The castle had a secret chamber with an unimaginative name that was located under the lake. And there was a dead basilisk in there that radiated impressive magic. Certainly not as strong as her Pegasus, but the creature must have lived for at least several centuries before its death to achieve such potency. The students' claim that it lived for a millennium seemed reasonable. Even more interesting was the basilisk's death at the hands of Harry Potter. That boy seemed to be full of surprises.
But what garnered most of Rider's attention was the fact that Luna was missing her shoes.
- o -
1995, October 14th, Saturday, in a Wizarding World…
Righting himself after his stumble from the Apparition, Harry looked around the familiar cave. A breeze gently lapped against his skin. Instinctively, he glanced towards the cave entrance and saw the leaves of the trees moving in the wind. It was great weather for a Hogsmeade weekend. Tonks had side-Apparated him from a discrete location in the village proper.
"Harry, long time no see!" Sirius greeted. Beside him, Remus offered a tired smile.
"We just saw you last night on the mirror," Harry replied. "Are you alright, Remus?"
"I'm fine. Tomorrow is a full moon."
Oh. Right.
"Will you be bringing Ron and Hermione next?" Remus asked Tonks, changing the subject.
"Nope. They aren't coming in the morning."
"Oh? I cannot imagine Hermione turning down a chance to learn."
Tonks shrugged and turned to Harry who in turn chose his words carefully. He had been working on his friends' Occlumency training which meant that he had been somewhat reading their minds for the past month and a half. His Legilimency was far from the level of someone like Snape, but at the same time Ron and Hermione had low Occlumency skill. As a result Harry knew their feelings, but it would be a betrayal to reveal that to anyone, even to the other person.
It also made him an outside observer. An intimate one, true, but nonetheless an observer to something that did not concern him. He was unsure how to feel about that because the three always did things together.
"I'm going to teach her anyway. She and Ron have plans in Hogsmeade, but they said they'd join us for a picnic lunch," Harry explained. "Are you sure this is safe, Sirius? We could do this at Grimmauld Place."
"Nah, we can't," Sirius replied. "Snape's reading your mind, right? You can get in trouble if you leave Hogsmeade. Here, you're not breaking any rules, so even if that git sees this, he can't report you for any wrongdoing." He then looked at Harry with an angry expression. "You hear that, Snivellus! Nothing you can do about it!" He relaxed his expression. "Show him that memory if he starts searching for this."
"Uh… sure," Harry said slowly.
"Now then, let's get started, shall we?" Tonks said as she pulled out her wand. "Anything in particular you want to learn, or should I show you some Auror tricks?"
"Yeah, actually. Do you know the Expulso spell?"
Remus frowned. "That's a Dark spell."
"I know. We learned about it in History of Magic. I just want to know what it can do. After that, I'm up for anything."
- o -
1995, October 19th, Thursday, in a Wizarding World…
By the second DA meeting, they had fleshed out a somewhat cumbersome yet necessary solution for everyone to leave Moaning Myrtle's bathroom without rousing suspicion. Harry would stay in the bathroom with the Marauder's Map. When the nearby hallways were clear, he would make a fire call through the Floo to the base of the pipe. Down there, Ginny would help small groups of members come up, and they would leave the bathroom together. Grouping them in such a fashion made it less suspicious if any of the staff came across them.
Watching Hermione, Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones, and Luna Lovegood on the map, he waited until they left the first floor entirely. Being on the same team for Formalcraft and Runic Magic gave them a plausible excuse to be together. They had paused when the Fat Friar approached them, and after a few minutes they finally separated. Harry then once again checked the area around the bathroom.
He blinked at the map. There was a name in the bathroom with him.
Medusa
Harry snapped his wand out but saw no one. He double-checked the map again and the area he was facing. Still no one. Disillusioned? He did not know the spell to reveal someone invisible. However, there were obvious indirect ways to do so.
"Aguamenti," he incanted. He sprayed the area where this Medusa person should be, but the water showed nothing. He frowned and thought about this carefully. The last time someone's name showed up unknowingly, it was Pettigrew.
"Animagus Revelio." Nothing.
"Accio invisibility cloak." He made sure to picture one in this bathroom and not the one in his dorm room.
He looked at the puddles on the floor and saw no footprints. He then looked up and repeated the three spells at the ceiling. Also fruitless.
After a few seconds of debate, he incanted, "Incendio." By focusing magic in the tip of the wand before fully releasing the spell, he was able to modify its normal effect of setting something on fire. In this case, he turned his wand into a small-scale and weak flamethrower and sprayed it around. Still nothing. He looked down on at the map again.
Medusa was moving. Moreover, she was moving through walls. Was she some sort of Transfigured insect or vermin that traveled through the cracks in walls? The map did not reveal the names of animals, just people and ghosts.
Wait, ghosts can move through walls.
Can ghosts become invisible?
- o -
The heavy rain splattered against the window sill, but the Imperturbable Charm against the open window kept all of the precipitation out of the headmaster's office. Sitting at his desk, Dumbledore wrote steadily on his parchment; he was completing his Formalcraft assignment. Who would have thought this year that he would actually be doing homework of all things?
After putting the finishing touches on his work, Dumbledore placed the quill on his desk and stood to stretch his back. Glancing at the clock which read "Past Time to Sleep", he could only concur with that assessment. He turned to take a last glance at the silver whirring and clicking instruments before he-
Wait.
He looked out the window into the night and confirmed that sheets of water were indeed cascading down from the skies. His collection of instruments had a variety of functions, some charmed, some capable of minor divination. One indicated a presence in an outdoor location. While that in itself was not too unusual as students occasionally gathered at that place, given the current time and weather the situation warranted investigation. Especially in light of Tom's return.
- o -
Despite the sound of rainwater falling all around her, Saber sensed the presence leaving the bridge that connected the castle to the Sundial Garden. She stood drenched amongst the boulders seemingly unprotected from the elements. She had hoped to be here alone without the knowledge of her friends. Hence, she chose to visit this location on a night with such weather. But apparently Albus Dumbledore played his role of an old, seemingly all-knowing wizard quite well.
"Repello Agua."
Her instincts as well as her fluency in Latin told her the spell contained no intent to harm, so she allowed it to pass through her Magic Resistance. As expected from the incantation, the sheets of water suddenly stopped just short of actually striking her, rolling off an invisible barrier around her body. She waited patiently for the headmaster to reach her side. When he did so, he furthermore made a complicated wand movement that resulted in her clothing heating up. Steam rose from her hair and clothing as they began spontaneously drying. She softly inhaled the warm moisture.
"You have my appreciation for your courtesy," Saber said with a slight incline of her head.
"You are quite welcome, Saber," Dumbledore responded kindly as he replaced his oak wand.
The two stood in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.
"I would ask why you are here," the headmaster began, "but I gather such a charade would not be appreciated."
Saber remained silent, eyes upon the slab of stone in front of her that reached up to her knees.
"As you and your companions have most likely gathered, the Sundial Garden is connected into the network of magic that flows throughout Hogwarts and the leyline below. These stones serve as a detection system for intruders since this bridge connects directly to the castle."
The Servant kept her visage devoid of any reaction to this information.
Dumbledore smiled ruefully. "This was designed by the Founders. There is something to be said with regards to hiding in plain sight. Clearly this tactic failed in the case of your magi companions. I must say, they have the most peculiar of talents to have found the significance in these stones. No one else during my long tenure here noticed their importance whatsoever. Though I must wonder at your reasoning for being here alone now and in this weather."
Saber finally turned to the wizard and gazed into his eyes, searching for something. Eventually, she carefully made her reply. "Your hypothesis for my presence here is incorrect."
"Oh?"
"Perhaps, in time, you will learn why."
After a few seconds of silence passed, Dumbledore chuckled. "Really, Miss Saber, I thought you knew better."
The blonde tilted her head in slight confusion.
"It is the prerogative of the elderly to dispense vague and ominous advice to the young. You seem to have reversed our roles."
She was unable to suppress a small smile. "I can attest to the fact that I have received enough vague advice from an elderly wizard to last a lifetime."
Dumbledore turned to walk back to the castle. "Would you care to join me for a cup of cocoa? Despite the lateness of the evening, I suddenly have the craving for something warm."
"You have my thanks for the invitation," Saber said sincerely as she nodded.
The two then walked away from the slab of stone that once housed the Caliburn of this dimension.
- o -
Lying on his bed, Harry scanned the Marauder's Map trying to find Medusa again. After she had left (he assumed it was a female given Greek mythology), he had resumed guiding the rest of the DA out of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Ron and Hermione had an after-curfew prefect patrol, so Harry had decided to look into this mystery himself.
Scanning the entire map for a single name was difficult due to the sheer number of names. Harry began his search in the hallways and classrooms since those areas were sparse at this time of night; most of the students were in the common rooms. After ten minutes of searching, he found something else.
Near the headmaster's office was Albus Dumbledore.
And walking next to him was someone named Arturia Pendragon.
- o -
Disclaimer: Fate/stay night and other elements of the Nasuverse are owned by TYPE-MOON. Harry Potter and related elements are owned by J. K. Rowling.
Game Meat Pie recipe: http www greatbritishchefs com recipes raised-game-meat-pie-recipe
Pêches Louis: http beyondwonderful com recipes desserts fruit peaches-louis-flaming-dessert-recipe
Special thanx to Dignity and WhatWindDoes for idea bouncing, and ThirdFang and Datenshi Aoi for beta read.
