From Fantasy to Reality
Chapter IX: Time Moves On
Time passed, and the girls went to Diagon Alley again. The majority of adults, along with the boys, were left at Grimmauld Place. The girls' task? Get Hermione new clothes. However, the bushy haired girl had plans of her own as well.
Using some of the considerable amount of cash left to her by the not-deceased Sirius Black, she bought a rather…interesting trunk. It had three compartments. One, which was large enough to contain roughly everything she's ever had in her entire life. Another, which lead down into a nice little kitchen slash dining room like area. And a third…which lead into a bedroom slash study area. However…the third room…was spelled, rather powerfully, to have a different timeframe than the others, let alone the rest of the world.
This room's speed moved at a day per hour. Meaning every hour spent on the outside world, was a day in the room…
But that wasn't the only thing she did.
During her movments of objects from the Black Library to her trunk, she encountered a book on Advanced Runes. Her first thought was to give it to Harry…when she skimmed through it, and saw something that made her eyes widen.
Within the book was a step-by-step guide…to creating your own personal power enhancement runes. These runes would be placed on the person's skin itself, and they would have varying effects, based on the person's personality, skills, and wishes. She summoned the girls to her study, and slammed the book down on the table in front of them.
"Alright. We all know of my obvious feelings for Harry. And we all know that Voldemort is still after him. We also know that anyone who attempts, let alone HOLDS a relationship with him will be targeted by Voldemort."
"That's not a problem for Luna…or even Bea…"
"Yes, but it's a problem for me. I'm weak."
"Hermione…there's no need to put yourself down."
The bookworm laughed.
"I'm not, it's true. Compared to most I'm weak magically. Oh sure I've got brains, but they can only go so far in a fight. I've got enough magical stamina to cast a few powerful spells, but as soon as I do, I'm spent. Knowing a bunch of powerful attacks or defenses is useless unless you have the power to repeatedly use them."
Her company stayed silent at this.
"Luna and Bea can handle their own, Luna from her own weird alignment of powers, and Bea from her past as one of Voldemort's top followers. As it stands, they have a better chance of being with Harry than I will…because I refuse to be a 'damsel in distress.'"
Her company laughed at this. Ginny inquired.
"So what do you plan to do?"
Hermione opened the book.
"Right here…are step-by-step instructions on creating and maintaining your own personal power runes. I plan on putting these on my body…"
"Hermione that's dangerous! If you mess even one up-
"I know…which is why I'd like to ask you all to help."
Luna stared at her for a moment.
"There's something else."
"Well…yes. As a back-up…I'm studying the potentials of fusing Alchemy with Rune mastery."
"What would that do?"
"Well, we all know Alchemy at its base is just an advanced form of Potion Making. You take a series of ingredients, and fuse them in the proper way to make something new."
"Like the Philosopher's Stone."
"Exactly. However, it takes far too long to do in battle…"
"So you're proposing we find a way to mix the two…so you can use a rune to gather or summon objects…and then another to quickly fuse them into something…"
"Exactly."
"Well…we've got the rest of the summer…and this room…so why not?!"
"Alright, let's get started then!"
And start they did. For the remaining days leading to their arrival at Hogwarts, the girls studied, analyzed, and activated. They painted nearly Hermione's entire body in black symbols. Loops, streams, spirals, all sorts of random and unusual looking marks covered her body. When they were finished, it required one last thing, an offering of some of her magic.
"Well…here goes nothing…"
She closed her eyes and felt out to her core. During the course of the time spent learning, Luna had taught the others how to sense their own cores. Doing so would make them familiar with their magic, and would teach them how to make it flow freely. This, would allow them to cast more, and stronger spells before they tired, along with having better results.
Hermione pushed some of her magic to the small of her back, where the Core Rune was placed. The black mark flared gold, and all the lines, spirals and loops on her body seemed to do the same, and then become sucked into it. The small dot grew, and changed form. It now resembled a large spiral shape, with squiggly looking lines streaming off of it.
"Y'know…it kinda looks like the Sun."
The girls inquired Beatrice what she meant.
"Well…look at it. A child's drawing of the sun would be a big circle, and a bunch of squiggly lines. On her back is a big spiral with a bunch of squiggly lines. It's the Sun."
Hermione pulled on her clothes. "I guess so. Thinking of it that way…it does kinda look like the Sun."
"So how do you feel?"
She closed her eyes. "My god! It's like a supernova in there!"
"Hmm…so your power HAS increased. The Rune will regulate it until your body grows used to it."
"We'd better pack; we go back to Hogwarts tomorrow."
"Thank you…all of you."
"Don't mention it. It's our pleasure."
The girls moved to leave, when Luna stopped.
"With that new well of power in you…all you need now is some physical training…and you could quite possibly be a match for at least Beatrice now…if not Me."
Hermione's mouth dropped open in surprise. Luna giggled and then left.
"Well then Miss Lovegood…if its training I need…its training I'll get…"
Hogwarts Castle...
"Finally…back home…"
"Too true mate…too true."
The group took their respective seats in the Great Hall. The sorting went through, with a smaller group than previously seen before.
"Hey…Harry…who's that?"
Ron pointed to a young man sitting at the Head Table. Long black hair flowed down to the base of his neck, as deep brown eyes stared at the world with an almost bored look. The dark skinned man caught Harry's eye, and nodded in respect.
Harry nodded back unconsciously. "Whoever he is…he didn't react like everyone else."
"What'dya mean?"
"Mostly everyone I've encountered looked at my scar as soon as they recognized me. Our eyes just locked…and he didn't look up once."
"Interesting…"
"Shh! Dumbledore's talking!"
The old man stood to give his usual speech. Nothing of interest was spoken…until he breached the topic of the mysterious person.
"As you may have noticed, we have an unfamiliar face among the teachers. I am most pleased to announce that we will be having a new class, Dueling, this year, taught by mister Zero Shinzaki."
The man raised his hand and flicked it in a semblance of a wave, nodding.
"As for Defense Against the Dark Arts…it will be taught by…well, none other than myself."
The entire school cheered.
"Yes yes…thank you all."
Dumbledore as Defense Teacher? This will be interesting…
"And now…prefects lead the first years to your dorm rooms! I wish you all a good night."
The group headed to the Tower, after Harry gave Luna a good night kiss, when they encountered the new Teacher.
(Play Final Fantasy VII AC: For the Reunion)
"So you're Harry Potter."
Harry stood his ground. "Indeed I am Professor."
"Do you have a moment?"
"Err…"
He looked at his friends.
"Your friends can come along as well…" Here he raised his voice. "Along with your girlfriend too."
Harry whirled around to see Luna slink out of the shadows like a panther.
Sorry Harry, I sensed him approaching you and didn't know what he was intending…
Wait what? You don't know what his intentions are? But…you're…
I know…he's very well guarded. It's like staring into a void.
"It won't take very long. I'd just like to speak with you is all."
Harry nodded.
"Fine then, lead the way."
Oh he led alright. Zero lead straight to the Room of Requirement, something that surprised everyone.
They entered, and took their seats.
"I'll get straight to the point. Your Headmaster wanted me to ask if you were planning on continuing that little Defense Club of yours."
The group stared at each other, confused as to what they should respond with. The light brown skinned man held up a hand.
"You'll soon understand that regardless of reputation, I rarely do favors for people unless I had plans of doing something along those lines anyway. He just ended up giving me an excuse to ask you early."
"Well…I don't know…it would really depend…"
The man smirked. "Depend on my skills as a teacher huh? Don't worry, I'm not offended. In fact I'm impressed."
"Really?"
"Yes…few your age…hell few ANY age decide to truly wait to see someone's skills before they decide on a course of action. Well, the reason I asked is because of the new class I was teaching. One without that much homework. The way I see it you're already at a bloody freaking boarding school, what's the point of giving the students homework…when they aren't GOING home for a long time?"
Before he could control himself, Ron exclaimed. "YES! FINALLY a teacher with a proper head on his shoulders!"
The man smiled and continued. "Indeed. Honestly, the way I see it is a teacher should assign a paper or two every week, maybe a few pages or chapters to study once in a while, and just rely on tests and participation in classes for grades. I mean honestly, if the student truly wants a good grade, they'll do more studying on their own half the time. Large homework assignments are too troublesome, not only does it annoy the living crap out of the students, but it makes far too much paperwork for the teachers as well."
Ron just continued to smile brightly, while the others grinned and shook their heads in disdain.
"Ahh, but I'm getting off track. I actually wanted to ask you, Mister Potter, if you'd be my assistant in the Dueling Class."
Harry looked surprised. "Me? Why me?"
"Well…I'm sorry to say, but…you ARE the Boy-Who-Lived. Though I believe that title is far better earned now that you've faced and held off the 'Dark Lord' Voldemort a few times. Something that many cannot claim. I offer you my sincere condolences on the loss of your family, both maternal, and foster."
Completely shocked, Harry could do little more than nod, and speak his thanks.
"Right then, the Headmaster has also asked me to have Miss Black as my teaching assistant. Something about it being imperative that she be near Mister Potter…but not being able to be classified as a student for some reason…"
The group shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Shinzaki's eyes darkened…and a sphere of pure black energy appeared in his left hand.
"Bloody old coot…I knew he was keeping something from me…"
The appearance of such a powerful force made the group lean back.
Harry…there's something off about this teacher.
Really…I didn't notice, what with the glowing ball of darkness in his hand.
The teacher clenched his fist, and the ball disintegrated.
"Sorry about that you lot…it just really irks me when people give me an assignment and don't even tell me the complete details. I'm gonna have to have a talk with the old man about this."
Hermione, ever the student, raised her hand. Shinzaki blinked a few times and pointed.
"Yes?"
Hermione realized what she was doing, and blushed slightly, but pressed on.
"Umm…would you mind explaining how you did that?"
"What this?" He summoned another ball of dark energy.
"Yes!"
"Years of training, study, and near death experiences. I have it on good authority that your friend Harry can do something similar, am I correct?"
A shocked look on his face, Harry nodded, and summoned a blue-white crackling sphere. The teacher's eyes widened.
"Oh fuck off! I've been trying to make one of those for months!"
Harry blinked.
"Bloody hell…well then, it just goes to show you are the one that's gonna take that snake fucker out aren't you? Bloody fucking hell…"
"Uhh…what are you talking about?"
"What your friend is holding in his hand is the advanced form of what I'm holding. Where mine can launch and strike, his can launch strike, and expand to cover more ground. It's very useful as a surprise attack. I've been trying to get to that level for a while now. I'm sure I'm close, but I've not yet cracked the puzzle."
"Oh…yeah, it has been useful."
"Indeed, I'm sure before this year is over, the whole school will know of your abilities…"
That put them on guard. "Relax, I'm not telling anyone. It's just…well…knowing you can do this now, eventually I'm gonna find some way to pull it out of you. Assistant or not, I CAN call you up to the front, and make a demonstration of wand less magic…"
"Damn…got you there mate."
"Right then…I've gotten the information I needed. You all go on to your common rooms now…I'm going to go have a chat with the Headmaster about a few things…and I'll see you in class."
The group left…but after that they didn't see the man's eyes turn red.
"So…two have access to that power…one is borderline…and another…interesting…placing those on herself…I wonder…if she'll find the true potential of Alchemy…"
Dream...
Hermione stood naked in the center of a black void. The runes she placed on her body were active and flashing gold. Suddenly, four bright lights appeared around her. To her left was red…to her right blue, in front of her was purple, and behind was yellow. She looked at them all, wondering what was happening…when they began rotating around her. The lights blurred into a glowing multi-colored ring, which then contracted and slammed into her.
She woke with a start. The backs of her hands were glowing. The glow faded…and she wondered what it all meant.
I hope I haven't done something I'm not supposed to…
Days Later...
"Welcome all of you, to the first but unofficial meeting of the Dueling Class. I am Zero Shinzaki, and I will be one of your multiple instructors. Today…is a demonstration of the true potential that lies within many, if not all of you. My lovely assistant Beatrice will not be joining me up here today…since today's activity is of something she has little experience with, but I assure you, later on, you'll be seeing plenty of her."
The Class started without a hitch. Shinzaki's natural charisma, combined with the mystery of him, and his potential, captivated his audience.
"As you can see, I'm holding a sword. Now, it's not a TRUE blade, for mine is secured in my quarters, but a practice one. It can still cause some bruises, and knock you unconscious if you're hit in the right location, but other than that, nothing too damaging. I've asked your Professor Snape to join me in this session, seeing as he is a proclaimed sword master."
Here, Snape sneered at the audience.
"Today we will be having a mock duel, and showing you the more…advanced abilities of swordplay." He turned to Snape. "Rules are no Spells, and first to submit loses. Are these acceptable?"
"Indeed."
"Very well, Miss Black, if you would be so kind."
"Fighters ready? Begin!"
And all hell broke loose.
Snape readied his blade, only to be shocked as Shinzaki smirked at him, and vanished.
Gasps were heard all around, as the Golden Trio, along with Luna and Ginny's eyes narrowed.
There was a quick blur, and Snape moved his blade to his left, barely blocking the strike Shinzaki sent at him. He quickly spun around to block another, and twisted to barely block another. However, he was suddenly struck on his left arm, and then on his right leg, within milliseconds of each other. He found his arm flying up as his weapon was knocked out of his hands, and the wind knocked out of him from a kick to his midsection from Shinzaki. When he recovered, he was on his back, with Shinzaki's blade to his throat.
"And you're dead."
The whole Hall was silent.
"How…"
Shinzaki stepped away, letting the Potion's master pick himself up. He then spoke to the hall.
"What just happened there, was an extremely advanced fighting technique called Shunpo, also known as Flash Step. It combines the user's natural speed with their magic or life energy if you're a muggle, to propel themselves at extremely high speeds. At its slowest, it looks like a blur, at its fastest, the only indication that someone's used it is when the vanish, and any sudden gusts of wind…but even those are unreliable, because you move at such speeds that the wind is always a few seconds after the pass."
"You cheated!"
"How so?"
"You said No Magic!"
"No Professor Snape, I stated no spells. I never said that magic was not allowed."
"They're exactly the same!"
"No, they're not. Magic is the force that exists within all wizards. Spells are the byproduct of forming magic by fusion of will, incantation, and belief, to create a specified effect."
This sunk in for the students, and for many of the Ravenclaws, their eyes widened in understanding.
"Spells can be restricted, policed, even controlled or stopped. Magic is far more difficult to do so. One can use their inner magic to add to their strength, their speed, even their knowledge and understanding. You can stimulate self-healing, or even slow your heart rate. Spells require one to expel a certain amount of magic to cause an effect. They are easier or more difficult depending on the person, and the power they have behind it."
"Fine then…let us try this one more time…with no magic."
The smirk on Shinzaki's face widened. "Very well." He began bouncing on the tips of his toes, shifting from one foot to another.
"What the devil are you doing?"
"Getting ready."
Beatrice snapped out of her shock and raised her wand.
"Fighters ready? Begin!"
Shinzaki continued bouncing.
"Are you going to dance all day or are you going to fight?"
"Impatient aren't we? Very well…if it's a fight you want…"
He smirked…and vanished again.
This time however, small clouds of dust appeared randomly around Snape. Again, a blur appeared as he barely blocked a strike. Another set of dust clouds, and he blocked another one. This went on for a few minutes until Shinzaki went for an overhead strike, which Snape blocked, again barely. For a few moments, Zero's body was clearly seen by everyone, before he vanished again, and a torrent of dust surrounded Snape.
Suddenly, Snape was kicked into the air where numerous blurs assaulted him, before he was slammed back to the ground, Zero appearing above him, blade at his throat again.
"And again you're dead."
"You…"
"Cheated? Nope." He backed off, and spoke to the crowd.
"That was another advanced move. However it's even more difficult to pull of than the Flash Step. This is called the Shukuchi. It uses pure speed, and insane footwork to confuse your opponent. That wasn't even the complete form of it."
Snape slowly got up.
"Well then, I think I've overloaded everyone's brains enough. Go on, get out of here and rest. Think about this stuff guys, and next time, on the Official first meeting, I'll be teaching you something quite useful. It's a surprise though!"
"Come on guys…Hogsmade weekend tomorrow…"
Hogsmade…a place…where a lot would happen.
THIS CHAPTER IS SHIT. There I said it. I hate it. It sucks. My thoughts would NOT STAY STRAIGHT. Yes I brought in an OC, but he's not gonna be shown too much. Mostly for theory and the like. I can't do Hogwarts chapters for shit.
Bonus points for those who can figure out where I'm going with the Hermione thing. Even if you only figure one thing out, you'll still get praise. Cant respond to everyone so I'll just answer any questions…this thing is popular…dammit that puts even more pressure on me…oh well…at least next chapter will have some asskicking to make up for it…
Alorkin: We all have those moments. Luna doesn't exactly have a link with Sirius, but she has a link with Harry, who has a weak but present link with Sirius. It's kinda like a familial link. Luna can sense magical presenses, and occasionally get images of future events. When Sirius returned, his return, combined with the unorthodox way he did it, sent a pulse along the River of Time, which she is rather sensitive to. She felt his return through that, and her link to Harry. Hermione will have a VERY active and very FUN role in the next chapter…I'm actually having fun writing her the way I like.
GinnyLover14: Ehh, I'm not that big a fan of Hermione. She lied for the two of them because she was desprate for friends, and they just saved her life. Honestly she could have told the truth, and the same result would have happened. Really, it made her seem like she was being overconfident, which she wasn't. In honesty, if you look at it from a different angle, it shows she wanted to puff her self up more, make herself seem more important than she really was, especially after she bawled her eyes out after what Ron said. Now, if she said that a slytherin insulted her, and she was rather distressed about it, and the troll came along and they saved her, THAT would be lying for them. Seeing as she was in that situation because Ron was a prat. Honestly she's loyal because he and Ron are her only real friends. Ginny's a friend but not as close. She clings to those two because they were her FIRST friends, and, like Harry, she doesn't want to lose them, though she's come close many times. Canon her is WAY too bossy for her own good, and too full of herself, and to blindingly trusting of teachers and authority figures. Tis why I wished Rowling would take her down a peg or two, just to show she's not as awesome as she believes she is…though with Luna around, that kinda levels the playing field.
MiFo71: Beatrice will gain a connection like that with Harry later on, Hermione…might not…but knowing her, she'll find a way.
Dragen Ranger: Just gonna be Harry, Luna, Hermione and Bella.
Shawn Pickett: Oh it will be a Harry, Luna, Beatrice…only Hermione will be thrown in for fun.
Alright…damn there's a lot of you…I cant answer everyone at once here…so I'll start using the Review Reply thingamabob more often. But for questions I'll answer in the chapters as well, since most of those are pretty important information.
Hoo boy…Alchemy, Explosions, and Hermione's new powers in the next chapter. Hermione fans, this one…I think you'll like.