With increasing pressure on the Ministry to explain how the most devout Death Eaters had escaped from Azkaban it was soon apparent to all at Hogwarts that the Hogwarts Inquisitors were trying to make something happen at Hogwarts. Though his own classes had not been interrupted by either inquisitor, Ranma knew that few of the other classes were exempt save for Charms, Herbology, Potions, and Transfiguration as the four heads of house were fully capable of teaching their subjects. The two professors that were feeling the pinch the most were Professor Burbage and Professor Trelawney were the least qualified, then again Muggle Studies and Divination were the most subjective of courses. Even as a foreigner, Ranma thought he knew more about the English no-maj community than Professor Burbage who simply summered in Muggle communities. Divinations though was different as everything could be interpreted as one sign or another and only one with the true gift of sight could make an actual did not help that the Inquisitors were interrupting both classes with constant questions as they sought to trip up the respective professors.
As a professor he sympathized with his peers, but he also knew that he had his own problems to consider. While Neville was close to completing his magic circle he was also consumed by the knowledge that his parents' attackers had been freed from Azkaban. Theodore was similarly distracted as he dealt with the mysterious disappearance of his father. Ranma was not sure how Nott Jr. would take the revelation that Ranma had orchestrated it and that he was keeping Nott Sr. captive in the Chamber of Secrets.
He was used to issues or challenges coming at him one at a time and having solved the problem by the end of the week, but for him to deal with multiple issues and have them not resolve in a week was truly frustrating. No amount of training and sparring would help the boys, a matter that complicated things even more for Ranma as that was his forte.
"You're putting too much into it," he said as he examined Neville's magic circle. "Each point of your star does not need two sources of energy – try going with just one per point. Power is nice, but it takes time to build up that much power, making your spells slower thus easier to disrupt."
"I know," the tall fifth year grumbled. "'This is Sorcery – it's far more complicated and powerful than wand magic but with twice the downside.' I know it's more advanced than the spell tags that you use Sensei, and it's much more dangerous if it goes wrong… but" faltering, the youth leaned back into his chair "I need to balance the energy."
Ranma paused. "Balance…" He glanced at his disciple, "Fire and water do not balance out – both are elements that general oppose each other and thus are disruptive to each other but do not necessarily cancel each other out; it's same with lightning and earth."
Neville looked at him, realization and understanding sinking in, "Hot and cold, dry and wet, light and dark, life and death – what else can I use?"
"That will be for you to figure out," Ranma said with a knowing smile. He had several ideas, but it was Neville's circle to complete. Still, he felt that his student was making progress, at least in that regard.
"I guess I shouldn't focus too much on making it powerful so much as making it useful," Neville said softly. "I'd been focused so much on, you know, them that I've forgotten to take into account who I really am. Good or bad, they helped make me into who I am today."
They worked in relative silence the rest of the afternoon before heading up to the Great Hall for dinner.
As expected the Great Hall was packed due to the late November squall that had blown in. The drafty old castle was not the warmest of places as the charms and enchantments did little to actually keep the castle warm. Only the common rooms and staff rooms were draft free so long as the windows were closed, and subterranean rooms had few windows but they were dank and dark. The Great Hall was the only room with enchantments to keep it at a reasonable temperature regardless of the weather.
The weather had driven even the usually aloof professors from their offices as few had chosen to venture down into Hogsmead for the weekend as was common. It also meant that the two inquisitors were present.
That Professor Trelawny was slightly inebriated did not help as she stumbled into the seat between his and Professor Snape's. It was not unusual for the other professors to switch seats, especially when the Inquisitors were present, but it did not help that the Divinations professor was being hounded by the High Inquisitor. Each of the professors knew that the only professors she avoided were the Headmaster and the DADA professor so seats by the two of them were at a premium.
Unfortunately that did not seem to be the case today as Umbridge parked herself in the seat on Ranma's other side. Not one to be intimidated so lightly, Ranma strode up to his seat knowing that many sets of eyes were turned in that direction.
Before he even reached the steps to the landing that elevated the staff table over the student tables Professor Trelawny's eyes locked on Ranma. She seemed to spasm before standing up and going rigid, her arm outstretched and pointing at him. "A rival will declare himself an enemy!" Her voice was raspy and far deeper than usual. "Death will seal a blood pact and your student's enemies will become yours!"
As quickly as it had started it was over as the Divinations professor coughed then sat down. Realizing that many eyes were upon her she lifted her hand to her lips and coughed lightly before wiping her mouth. "Excuse me but is there something on my face?"
Lavender and Parvati rushed up from the Gryffindor table in mild hysterics.
"You just made a prediction," Neville stated, his eyes wide in astonishment and alarm.
The entire school was abuzz with gossip during dinner with even a few teachers throwing him odd looks. Many had already surmised that the prophecy was not much of one as he was the Boy-Who-Lived's sensei. But which rival was it that would become his enemy and who would die? Those were the points that nagged Ranma the most.
Dumbledore shot him a cautious glance just as a strange message appeared in his bowl of rice, 'Unmentionables will arrive after dinner is over. Be in my office.' It had been written out in soy sauce in kanji so it had to be the Headmaster's doing. Not even bothering to spare the time to acknowledge the message, Ranma quickly added a raw chicken egg over the still steaming rice.
There were many eyes still on him as dinner was finished though he paid them no mind. With the speed that only he could manage, he nimbly avoided the crowd of gawkers and silently made his way up to the Headmaster's office. "Skittles." It was an American candy that he'd gotten the Headmaster hooked on. While less lively than the magical candies, there was just something about the heavily artificial treat that was addictive plus it had an odd name that few would think of as being appropriate for a password.
"Thank you gentlemen," the Headmaster's voice said, hinting that Ranma's presence was not to be announced.
Slipping into the shadows, he waited over the heads of the two Unmentionables as they departed. Once they were gone and the magical stairwell began to rise, Ranma slipped into the Headmaster's office.
"It is rare for me to have a professor up here this many times," Dumbledore said, his back to the doorway as he tended to his phoenix. The bird still did not like Ranma. "It's almost as though you have become a proxy for your ward and student."
"He gets into a lot of trouble I take it," Ranma shrugged.
"I am going to tell you something that few people know about. I am sure that you already surmised that Professor Trelawny's prophecy is about you and Harry, but I feel that I must give you some background information." Turning around, the man appeared to be showing his age for the first time in, well, ever since Ranma had known him. "Of course, this does not leave the office."
Ranma was not one for taking orders and balked at the idea of keeping secrets from his students. "I cannot promise that."
The two stared at each other in a battle of wills.
Finally, "Promise that you will not share this with your students until they are able to comprehend the magnitude of what I am about to share with you."
That sounded more reasonable, "Fine."
Sighing, Dumbledore took his seat behind his desk. "This is the third time that Professor Trelawny has been involved in creating a prophecy. The first was nearly sixteen years ago when she first applied for her position here. She comes from a long line of oracles, seers, and prophets, but the last notable member of her line was her great-grand mother. She made a prophecy that involved the man known as Lord Voldemort."
"And that prophecy was why he killed Harry's parents and tried to kill him?"
"Very astute," Dumbledore forced a smile to his face. "What most do not know is that the prophecy could have been interpreted so that it was Neville who would be the one to grow up as 'The Boy Who Lived'."
Ah, that was the big secret.
"She also made a prophecy less than two years ago," Dumbledore added. "This one was made only in Harry's presence and though he does not recall the exact wording, he has confided in me that the second prophecy foretold of one of Tom's followers setting out to rejoin his master and ultimately aiding in his return."
"You're talking about Pettigrew?"
The old mage nodded sagely, unsurprised that Harry had shared some of his past with his sensei. "And now there is this third prophecy that is likely to affect Harry once again."
With a shrug Ranma dismissed himself, turning to go without offering anything else to the conversation. He was still the Defense Against Dark Arts professor, a sensei to six extraordinary students, and he was still Ranma Saotome – that meant that whatever obstacles were put in his way he would find a way around, over, or through it if need be and right now he needed to see to his students' instruction.
The evening training was far less energetic than usual as each of the students mulled Professor Trelawney's words. "It is natural for martial artists to have rivals," he said as he carelessly avoided kick from Su. "I have at three regular rivals whom I have had over a hundred fights with, and there are others whom I've possibly irked or offended along the way as well."
He was slightly surprised by their acceptance of his words. "I guess you figured that out since Professor Trelawney"
"Actually," Ginny interjected as her punch forced Theodore to go on the defensive "you're not the easiest person to get along with."
"You're arrogant," Theodore added as he eluded Ginny and placed Neville between them.
"Disrespectful," Neville suggested as he sprang from a pole to avoid dealing with Ginny and Theodore.
"Petty," Theodore added as he caught Ginny's kick and sent her flying towards Harry so that he could focus on Neville.
"You freely toss out insults and taunts," Harry huffed as he ducked under the airborne Weasley.
Their words had little effect on their sensei as he had heard such remarks from so many others before. Still, it did make him think about his most persistent rivals. Yes, he was quick of wit and tongue, thus earning the ire of many, but most were easily defeated and deflated – but the other three seemed to have more at stake. Wait, no, they did have more at stake.
"And you can be fairly aggravating," Helen interjected.
Su nodded as she grabbed hold of a pole and spun around it. "You do tend to have a knack for making people get upset at you. It's like you use the tactics meant for fighting against everyone."
In all his years, Ranma had not thought about it that way. Yes, he was just doing what his old man had told him – use every moment to practice, even if that practice was learning to manipulate people's emotions.
"Is true," Shampoo nodded in agreement as she stomped on Su. "Every great warrior has made a name for herself and those who seek to make name for herself will seek to add your name to her list of defeated opponents. Many do not take lightly to losing and will try to regain honor lost in defeat."
While her English was improving, Shampoo still seemed to struggle finding the appropriate words for her lectures. Her fierce pride would not allow her to use a translating charm or any form of magic to aid her conversations and while some might sneer at her for such a decision, many of the patrons of the Hog's Head were willing to bash in the face of anyone who dared to voice such an opinion while they were around.
He knew that she was worried. Ryoga had vanished as per usual but Ranma was sure that the lost boy had come to an understanding with Ranma, especially since Akane had come out of the closet and left Nerima to travel the world. Kuno had his world shattered by the revelation but was busy trying to wrestle control of his family's fortune from his father. Mousse though was a loose cannon and the one rival most prone to use lethal force. True, Ranma had easily bested the nearsighted fighter during each of their encounters, but he was the one with the most access to magic and the object of his affections had married his rival.
"That's enough," Ranma stated as he leapt off of the poles and landed on the solid ground. "Physically, you've learned the basics, but now things are going to get difficult. You all have the basic forms down, but now you will be incorporating your magical affinity."
He waited for each of them to land before continuing his lecture. "There are five elements – earth, water, fire, wind, and void. Earth represents hardness, and is resistant to movement or change. Helen and Theodore, you are the most mobile of the six of you but you still endure your peers' attacks and can brush them off easily. Shampoo will help you with your element.
"Neville, you are water – fluid, flowing and formless.
"Ginny, you are fire – energetic, forceful, driven, and outgoing.
"Harry, you are wind – growing, expanding, evasive, elusive, compassionate and surprisingly wise.
"Su, you are void – creative, inventive, and being able to see things beyond your everyday experience.
"These are your primary affinities, that does not mean that you cannot also show affinities to other elements, just that that element is your most prominent and the easiest for you to channel and manipulate. I myself am primarily wind, though I am also void, fire, water, and occasionally earth. Shampoo is primarily earth but also shows flashes of each of the other elements.
"Tomorrow we will go over your individual elements with you, and then during the week we will begin to schedule individual training regiments for each of you." His methods were contrary to what his father's methods, but he was unwilling to use sink or swim tactics just to force his students to develop and master techniques. Besides, Neville had already progressed to the point of pursuing his own interests and studies, and he was close to completing his own magic circle, something that had not been done in generations. As their sensei though he was torn between the need to push them to learn life's harsh lessons in a safer environment or allowing the children to allow them to enjoy life's simple pleasures while they lasted despite the approaching war. He knew that since news of the mass breakout Neville had felt the need to push himself nearly to the point of exhaustion because the ones responsible for his parents' condition were now loose once again.
It was no surprise then that it was the tall and lanky boy who lingered behind even as the others dashed off to the dorms. "You have a question?"
"Sensei," there was a cloud of doubt over the youth's face, "I have noticed that Harry seems to be affected by the rinses the most – he is generally very energetic and happy, but before he began training with us he was angry and anything could set him off. After the rinses he seems to be more like his old self. He seems to realize this too but he doesn't say anything."
Ranma nodded, recalling how often he saw the other Gryffindor boy with wet hair. The rinses were supposed to help one calm oneself, but the Harry seemed to be relying on it too much.
"The other morning he was really happy. At first I thought it was because we'd had a good Halloween, but…."
"That was the night of the mass breakout," Ranma finished. Seeing Neville nod was all the confirmation that he needed.
"Harry is not one to talk of his problems," Shampoo chimed in. Her perceptiveness was a blessing as he lacked many of the social skills that most his age had developed though he was not sure if that was because she was a woman or if it was because he had not had a typical upbringing and had not been able to develop those social skills. He could remember being withdrawn when there were things that he needed to sort out, but that was when he needed to deal with his issues by himself. Harry now had a Sensei/pack leader as well as a pack that depended on him.
A powerful autumn storm battered Hogwarts, driving most of the students and staff indoors and away from the rain and wind. With his duties as a Prefect and as part of Gyrffindor's Quidditch team he had to endure the weather as he did his rounds and as he practiced. It was a small wonder really that he'd convinced himself to undertake this endeavor, but seeing how dedicated Harry was to his new training, Ron knew that he couldn't allow himself to fall so far behind his friend.
While he was not willing to endure the rigors of training under the newest DADA professor, Ron found something that he hoped would be just as useful. It was a long, slow play, much like the moves employed in wizard chess.
"Chance favors the prepared mind," he muttered as he waited for a flash of lightning. It was something that Percy had drilled into his head while teaching him to play chess. Though he was loathed to admit it, he knew that things were not in Harry's favor. This was but one of many unnoticed moves that hopefully would be able to turn a situation around in their favor.
A flash of lighting illuminated the empty room a moment before the thunder echoed off of the stone walls and floor. With the potion now complete, he quickly uncapped the phial. The liquid was hot – almost as though lightning had taken liquid form. As the potion went down his throat electricity raced through every cell as his body began to transform.
He seemed to shrink – no, he was shrinking. Suddenly he found himself entangled in his robes. Lacking fingers, he struggled with the remains of his clothes. Everything was alien to him – the feel of the chilly night air, the scents of the cold stone and hundreds of students and staff that had passed by the room, the electrified and humid air of the storm.
Unsure how much time passed, he suddenly realized that one scent was growing stronger. The sound of the door being opened was drowned by the rumbling thunder.
"Calm down." The voice belonged to Neville. Ron was just glad that he could still recognize voices despite the changes to his sense of hearing. Strong, firm hands helped disentangle him from his own clothes. "Your brother's out and about so keep it down."
The other boy's presence helped calm him as he adjusted to his new body. He had paws, and fur, and a tail. He was a dog!
He was a dog!
Actually, that wasn't too bad actually. Dogs were almost everywhere. Look at how Sirius got around in his cursed form. No one really thought much about dogs being around so yeah, that was useful. Plus he had a better sense of smell and hearing. Yeah, those were definitely pluses.
"You're going to need to enchant your clothes so that they aren't left around when you transform," Neville suggested.
The herbologist had been instrumental in Ron taking the path he'd taken. True, it had been Sirius' idea, but Neville had supplied him with the mandrake leaf as well as most of the other ingredients that the potion needed. Sirius provided him with the instructions but Neville had been the one who had been on hand for the past two plus months.
Being an animagus would be his wild card for when things went down. It was his way of making some progress even if he wasn't necessarily traveling along the same path as Harry. Besides, he didn't think he'd have the patience to endure the physically grueling training that Harry, Ginny, and Neville were facing every day. Plus, they all couldn't take the same approach or else they might become predictable.
Autumn gave way to winter as the end of the first term approached. The already drafty corridors became frigid as snowflakes danced in the air. It was nights like this that made him wonder if perhaps he had too many things on his plate. The evening trainings along with Quidditch practice meant that Harry was spending anywhere from three to six hours in the elements despite the fact that Gryffindor's next match was not until the end of January. Angelina's disposition had faded since their overwhelming victory over Slytherin as the prospect of playing the Hufflepuff team that would have crushed the Ravenclaws save for the fact that the later had managed to secure the snitch to keep the score from being too one sided.
Exhausted by a long practice in the fierce winds and light mist, Harry's hair was still wet when he entered the dormitory. He was far too tired to care that none of his roommates were present despite the late hour. Tossing another log into the heater before crawling into bed he shivered as the cold seeped into him.
"Harry!" There was an edge of urgency in Neville's voice as he threw open the door. "The Headmaster wants to see you."
Throwing on a robe, he followed Neville, noting that most of the Gryffindors were still awake and listening to the wireless. It was not until the two were out of the common room and standing before Professor McGonagall that he managed to shrug of his exhaustion. "Professor McGonagall." It dawned on him that all of the Gyrffindor Prefects were also gathered in the hallway.
"Potter, Longbottom," she returned, a stern look on her face, "the Headmaster wants to see the two of you immediately.
"The rest of you will need to make sure that the rest of your house is present. Jordan, Hall – watch over the common room. Weasley, Granger, Johnson, Smith – patrol the tower and make sure to escort any of your wayward housemates back to the dorms. The house elves will bring some leftover food from dinner to the common room if any of the students are hungry or thirsty. I will return once I have brought these two to the Headmaster's office."
In his four plus years at Hogwarts Harry had traversed the corridors often – during the day and at night, with crowds or without anyone around, but never had he felt such an ominous air through the castle as tonight. The first thing he noticed was that the suits of armor that were usually paired in corridors were actually patrolling the corridors ensuring that any student who had been out of their dorm was escorted back. The ghosts were noticeably missing and the figures in the paintings were huddled in conversation when they should have been sleeping.
"The High Inquisitor is coming," a painting declared. "She's in the lower corridor intent on intercepting you."
As the head of Gryffindor, Professor McGonagall knew virtually everything about Gryffindor tower and would not be stopped by anyone save the Headmaster. "Is the Junior Inquisitor with her?"
"No, he is not."
"Hmm," she muttered. "Dobby."
With a slight pop, the house elf appeared before the trio, "Mistress has summoned me?" It seemed odd for the usually energetic oddball of an elf to be so constrained, but he was standing before Professor McGonagall who was the picture of statuesque prim and properness.
"Take Potter and Longbottom to the Headmaster," she ordered him.
"Yes Mistress," the house elf said with a bow.
Turning slightly to glance at Harry, Professor McGonagall added, "The password is 'Chocolate Frog'." Orders given and passwords imparted, Professor McGonagall strode down the corridor to deal with the High Inquisitor. Before she was even three paces away the boys were gone, nearly instantaneously teleported to the griffin statue that guarded the Headmaster's office.
"Chocolate Frog," Harry said confidently.
"I really don't know why chocolate is so appealing to you," the statue remarked as it withdrew to reveal the stairs leading to the Headmaster's office. The pair quickly climbed the stairs and entered the office, allowing the statue to seal the passage.
"We will of course strengthen the wards and enchantments around Hogwarts," Dumbledore's commanding voice stated. "I think it wisest that Professor Trelawney not be aware of the danger that she is in and she is not one to come down from her tower often. Still, I will have a detail keeping an eye on her movements."
The Headmaster was not alone in his office. Professor Saotome in his true form stood before a pedestal. "Sensei," both boys said, offering the young man a polite bow before they turned to the Headmaster.
"Harry, Neville," the old wizard said, a warm but strained smile on his face. "I am sure that you are both wondering what is going on and why I have called you here while the rest of Hogwarts is being secured."
The boys' eyes glanced from each other to their sensei and then back to the Headmaster.
"There is a reason why Lord Voldemort attacked Harry all those years ago," Dumbledore stated. "And a reason why your parents were also targeted Neville."
The taller boy stiffened. Harry knew that few of his peers knew the truth about why Neville lived with his gran instead of his parents. Had he not been overly curious last year and explored the Headmaster's pensieve he too would not have known the secret that Neville still held onto.
"This is a pensieve," Dumbledore explained. "It allows the user to review memories – theirs or others. The memory that you are about to see is of when the prophecy about Voldemort was made in my presence."
Both boys walked up to the pedestal. The silvery liquid shone with an inner light revealing not a reflection, but images from Dumbledore's past memories. The Headmaster directed them to stand on opposite sides of the pensieve with himself in the middle. "All you need to do is touch your forehead to the surface. I will guide you to my memory."
A/N
I'll leave things here for now.
Dreamingfox
