We do not own any of the characters in this story.
Harry Potter and the Unbreakable Circle Chapter 10: The MatomariThose who witnessed Krum's death were quite shaken. Hermione and McGonagall both wept. Tonks paced back and forth. "After all the precautions, I can't believe this happened."
The following day, classes were cancelled and students' movements were restricted. They were all informed of the events that had taken place the night before. Colin was a bit of a celebrity, giving his first hand account to anyone who would listen. Ron was recovering in Madame Pomfrey's. "I wasn't trying to kill him, just stop him," he said repeatedly to Harry.
"Krum's death wasn't your doing. Voldemort must have put a curse on him. If you fail, you die." Harry shook his head.
Tears started flowing down Hermione's cheeks. She had not left Ron's side since he was brought to the infirmary. "Can we please talk about something else?"
The short silence that followed was broken as Harry asked, "How long are you going to be here?"
"Pomfrey said at least another day. I feel pretty good, except every bone in my body hurts."
"Mum will be up shortly." Ginny walked in. "She's in McGonagall's office. Dad has already gone back to the ministry. Probably wants to get a head start bragging about his son who defeated the great dark wizard Krum." Hermione shot a cross look at her. It wasn't wasted. "What?"
"Don't joke about this." Tears were still rolling down her face.
"I don't believe you! He tried to kidnap you, he could have killed Ron, he was working for Voldemort!" Ginny's temper was showing.
"You didn't watch him die! It was horrible!" Hermione couldn't say any more.
"Ladies, ladies please." Ron raised his arms. "I'm the hero here, remember. Could we pay a little attention to me?" That broke most of the tension.
After his mother's tear-stained, hug-filled visit Ron seemed stronger. The large box filled with baked goods hadn't hurt, either.
The next few days passed quietly. An owl came for Harry. It was from Aberforth. Heard about Krum. How is the count?
He wished he had a better reply than Still the same.
One morning at breakfast, McGonagall announced a change in the schedule. Everyone was to report back to the Great Hall for a daylong Defense Against the Dark Arts workshop. No other details were given.
"So what do you think this is all about?" asked Ron, who was still walking a little gingerly. He was enjoying his hero status, so his friend wondered if the limp was, in part, for effect. When they re-entered the hall, the tables were gone and most of the students were milling about.
"Everyone, please listen." McGonagall had walked to the center of the room. "Today we have been given an unprecedented opportunity. I hope you will all take full advantage of this. Our guest instructor for today has come all the way from Japan. This is the first time this lesson has been taught outside of that country. Please welcome Professor Himitsu Chikara." A polite applause followed. Hermione seemed the only one truly excited.
Into the room walked a small woman carrying a satchel on her back. She looked to be about fifty. Her hair was graying and she stood no taller than five feet. She stepped to the middle of the room and bowed her head. She gestured for all the students to gather in front of her. "As you have just heard, my name is Himitsu Chikara. You may address me as Chikara-sensei. I have been allowed to come here because of the growing danger you face. In my country we also have Death Eaters. They are called Shinigami. The order I belong to, Matomari, have sworn to protect others fro the evil of the Shinigami. This struggle goes back many centuries."
She paused a moment. The accent made her slightly difficult to understand, but for such a diminutive person her voice seemed to fill the hall. "Today I will begin to teach you how to produce a Tate No Shizen. It is a type of shield to help protect you from danger." She removed her backpack. It was filled with sticks. "Please make two lines."
The students fanned out and formed the lines. Chikara slowly walked down the lines handing a small branch to each student. "What I am giving you now is a Koeda. More specifically a Mahou No Koeda. A very special type of branch taken from the Sakaki tree."
One of the students grumbled, "I'll never remember all those words."
Without missing a beat she continued. "There is only one word that you will need to remember. I will teach you that soon. As I was saying, the branches are taken from the Sakaki tree. It is a tree of very great energy. All Matomari believe we achieve our greatest power when we are harmonious with nature. This tree is a symbol of that harmony. It has been used as the center post in great temples. Before we remove any of it's branches we ask permission and promise it will only be used for protection."
Ron leaned over to Hermione and whispered, "Great, we get an instructor who talks to trees." She shot him a disapproving look. Chikara turned in his direction and smiled. "There are many ways to communicate with nature and many ways to use its power. Using a branch this way has ancient origins." Hermione's hand shot into the air. "Yes, miss…?"
"Granger. I've read that in all cultures the earliest wands were branches taken from sacred trees. Here in England our Druid ancestors gathered them from Tulipwood and other trees. I've also read legends of wizards so powerful they could focus their power through almost anything."
"Very good, and very true, Miss Granger. Those who came before us in both our cultures saw all things as alive. Not just plants and animals, but al of nature has a spirit. A Ki as we call it. If you can connect with this Ki you can cause you energies to flow together."
She continued handing out the branches, stopping in front of Pansy Parkinson who stood there looking bored. Turning back to address everyone she said, "It is interesting to note that dark wizards are never able to master a Tate No Shizen no matter how powerful they are. In making their choices in life, they seem to have separated themselves from nature." She placed a branch in Pansy's hand then finished giving out the rest. "Now, I believe we are ready to make our first try."
She pulled a branch from inside her robe and rolled it in her hand. "First, let your hand become comfortable with your Maho No Koeda…your branch. Feel its texture on your skin. See how it responds as you move the muscles of your hand."
Most of the students did not seem all that interested. Harry had his mind on other things. He couldn't see how all this would help. Neville, on the other hand, thought it quite interesting. He was fascinated as the grain of the wood seemed to melt into his fingers.
"Now it is time to teach you the one word you will need to know to summon a Tate No Shizen. Listen carefully. Mamoru. Please repeat this."
An indistinct rumble rose from the students. Chikara spoke the word a few more times and had them repeat it. Soon most of them were pronouncing it properly. "Now it is time for our first try. Please extend your arm. Point your Koeda directly in front of you. Feel the energy flow through you. Please remember that 'Mamoru' is a request, not a command. Begin."
The students all raised their arms. Neville closed his eyes. He felt as if the branch was part of his hand. A strange warmth rose through him as he spoke "Mamoru." As he opened his eyes he didn't know what he was seeing. Something that looked like a large soap bubble being blown by a breeze was coming out of the tip of his branch and extending back behind him. As he lowered his branch the bubble disappeared. He became acutely aware that everyone was staring at him. Chikara was standing directly in front of him with a look of disbelief on her face, which quickly changed into a smile.
"Was… was that alright Chikara-sensei?"
She took a step closer to him and bowed her head. "This is the only time I have ever witnessed a beginner produce a full Tate No Shizen on the first try. What is your name?"
Still a bit stunned he answered, "Longbottom…Neville."
"Well, Longbottom Neville, would you be willing to share with us how you accomplished this?" Chikara softly gestured for him to step forward, ignoring the students who chuckled as she said his name.
Turning his customary shade of red, Neville bowed. "My name…the Neville comes first." After taking a deep breath he looked around the room. "All I did was imagine that I was a tree and my…Koeda…was part of me. Then I imagined my roots going down through the floor into the ground underneath the school. When I said 'Mamoru' I felt a warmth come up through me and out the branch." He stopped talking because he realized he had nothing else to say.
A low rumble of sound started coming from the other students. Some laughing, most were just commenting to their friends. Chikara held up a hand for quiet. "You would all do well do listen to Mr. …Longbottom. In one try he has focused on the essence of what I came here to teach you." She stepped back in front of Neville and bowed her head. He bowed back. "Everyone please, continue to practice."
The students went back
to work. Neville had no trouble repeating his feat. He looked over at
Harry who gave him a big smile and a thumbs up. Luna, who stood next
to him, stared in awe. Some of the others started to have a measure
of success. None of the
Slytherins managed anything more than a
tiny pop from the end of their branch.
Chikara worked her way around the room. She reached Hermione, who was getting frustrated by her lack of success. "Miss Granger, you need to relax. This is not a spell that comes from you. It is energy that flows through you. If you are angry or tense, it will be blocked."
She continued on to Harry who had managed an umbrella-sized shield. "Chikarasensai, I have a question. We have already learned shielding charms with our wands. How will this branch…Koeda, help us?"
"That is a very good question." Addressing the class, "Everyone, please listen. There are some major differences between a Tate No Shizen and a shield charm. First, a shield produced with a wand will be as strong as the wizard who produces it. If you battle a much stronger wizard, it will not last long. The strength of the shields you are learning to produce now depends on how connected you are with nature. Even a novice wizard may be protected from a powerful one if that connection is strong. Second, If you produce a shield with a koeda, your wand is still free to cast spells. Observe." She quickly made a Tate No Shizen and shot through it causing miniature fireworks to explode over their heads. "It is easy to see how this could give you an advantage over an opponent. We will practice this later.
As the class continued, everyone but the Slytherins produced a usable shield. Finally Pansy stormed out followed by the others. Neville was soon able to manipulate him shield. He could change its shape or spread it to cover another person. Finally they tried casting spells through their shields. Everyone seemed quite pleased with themselves as Chikara asked them to gather. "You have all done well. You have taken the first step on a new road. I must return to my order now. Please continue to practice." Looking at Neville, "I'm sure Mr. Longbottom will be happy to assist you." She bowed and the students bowed back then broke out into a round of vigorous applause.
Before she left Harry pulled Chikara aside. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you and Aberforth become friends?"
Choosing her words carefully she answered. "I'm not sure I would use the word friend. We became acquainted when his brother asked me to secure his release. He was being held for trying to procure certain potion ingredients that are forbidden to be taken out of my country."
"I see." He was not surprised. "Then why did you come here?"
She smiled. "It was a good cause, and… he can have a certain persuasive charm." She bowed once more and took her leave.
That night, Harry was about to fall asleep when he heard Hermione's voice, "I've been so stupid."
He sat up quickly. "Hermione, what are you doing in the boys' dormitory?"
"I can't believe I didn't see this before. Here, Harry. One of them has to be here at Hogwarts."