Harry Potter and the Mystic Force

Harry Potter and the Mystic Force

By Michael Weyer

Freshman Orientation

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"You could have warned us it was going to be so drafty," Vida remarked as the Rangers and the disguised Harry walked down the hallways of Hogwarts. She adjusted her cloak. "Would have packed warmer clothes if you had."

"Sorry," Harry said. "We always wear cloaks anyway, sort of blocks it out." He did his best not to make it too obvious he was leading the Rangers around, knowing he was supposed to be as much a stranger to Hogwarts as they were. He resisted once more the urge to rub his face and make sure the illusion was in place still, concentrating on keeping it going.

"So we got potions first?" Xander asked. "Huh, we usually don't use that."

"We have to follow the schedule," Madison said. She looked to Harry. "How is Snape as a teacher?"

Harry let out a long sigh. "You know how he was when we met?" The others nodded. "That's his warm and fuzzy side." The others all grimaced.

Chip noticed a trio of students walking by, giving them quick glances, then looking away as they picked up the pace. "Anyone else get the feeling we're not exactly welcome here?"

"You're outsiders," Harry said calmly. "Muggles with powers they don't truly understand." He sighed. "The fact you made it clear you backed me up doesn't help matters."

"Still, what I wouldn't give for a friendly face," Xander muttered.

"Hello, all!" Neville said as he came up to them with a big smile. "Mind if I tag along?"

"What I wouldn't give for a million dollars!" Xander called out.

"Thanks…Neville, was it?" Harry said, trying to push down his own smile.

Neville nodded. "No problem at all. I know how it feels to be on the outs with people around here. I'm sorry you're not getting a proper Hogwarts welcome."

"Ah, it's okay," Vida said. "We're used to unpleasant welcomes."

Neville nodded. "Hope you managed to avoid Herimone. From what I hear, she's still trying to figure out how you could all apperate into Hogwarts. She's the only person I know of who stakes out the library on the first day."

Harry resisted a comment at that while Vida looked toward Neville. "Hey, I was curious about something. I was looking for an outlet to plug my iPod into for a recharge, couldn't find one in our room. You know where one is?"

Neville stared at her as if she'd just spoken in Martian. "A…what pod?" He frowned. "Is that a plant?"

Vida rubbed her forehead. "This is a weird, weird place."

"I take exception to that," a ghostly figure in ancient dress said just before vanishing into a wall. Neville and Harry just shrugged it off while the Rangers stared at each other in bewilderment.

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The small area that teachers of Hogwarts used for brief breaks wasn't like a normal faculty lounge. Then again, Hogwarts was hardly a normal school so that made sense. A large fountain structure was at the center with flowing magical liquid and a set of tables about. Udonna found it easy to find a seat, sipping at her tea as she looked over a large volume before her.

"Something interesting?" Udonna looked up to see Minerva McGonagall gazing down at her. Her hat was off but she was still the epitome of cool professionalism in her elaborate robe. Her eyes resembled those of the cat she often transformed into as she looked the other woman over.

"Simply research," Udonna replied as she looked over the volume. "I have been aware of this realm of the magical world for some time but never had the chance to study it in full."

Minerva nodded as she sat across from her. "And what have you found so far?"

Udonna made a light smile. "I really don't believe it's my place…"

"Please," Minerva said. "We're both teachers, of a sort, we should be able to discuss things in a frank manner."

"Very well," Udonna said, straightening in her chair. "I do believe that you may be holding these children back a bit."

Minerva's face did not chance one iota. "Really?"

Udonna nodded. "The power they have is great and I more than understand your need to train them properly with it." She sipped her tea. "However, I do believe you may be holding them back from reaching their true potential. That can be very difficult given your…troubles with one Lord Voldemort."

Minerva winced at the casual mention of his name. "These are only children, Miss Udonna. They are not ready for battle with the dark forces."

Udonna raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be a judgment about the Rangers?"

Minerva pursed her lips. "I have heard them talking about their…exploits. And we can clearly feel the power they posses, power that, to be utterly frank, is disturbing in the hands of anyone, let alone children. Children are innocents, you should know."

She was more than a little startled when Udonna openly laughed. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend, really. But you obviously do not have experience with the teenagers of the muggle world. Believe me, Ms. McGonagall, they are far more adult than you anticipate. Indeed, their youth is a key reason they remain victorious against the dark powers. Powers which are far darker and greater than your Lord Voldemort."

Again, Minerva winced at the mention of the name before speaking. "That's as may be. But I do hope they can show some…decorum while they are here."

Udonna smiled back. "I assure you, madam, I have already informed them they have to be on their best behavior."

"So they'll listen to you."

"I'll be shocked if they do. As I said, muggles are a unique breed."

That statement did little to improve Minerva's mood.

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"Let me ask one simple question," Harry said through gritted teeth as the Rangers filed out of the classroom. "Did you actually intend to be such a fool or does it just come naturally to you?"

"It was a legitimate question!" Xander said. "I don't know why he made such a fuss about it!"

Madison pursed her lips. "Xander, the next time a teacher asks how much oil should be added to a potion, you do not say just use whatever amount is in their hair at the time."

"Come on, you saw it!" Xander protested. "It was a bloody oil tanker on there!"

"We're guests here, Xander," Madison said calmly. "We have to be as calm and cordial as we can. We have to maintain a sense of decorum. We have to not do anything that can upset the people here. We have to…"

"Stop using the words have to?" Chip asked.

Vida smirked. "Sis, I know you're among your own kind with the intellectual set but you can't expect us to just instantly conform here."

"But we have to at least try," Madison pressed. "It's not enough for us to be guests, we're supposed to be learning as well."

"She has a point," Nick stated. "Besides, attract too much attention and it can be bad for Harry here."

"Keep my real name down," Harry hissed. "You don't know who could be listening in around here."

"Sorry," Nick said abashed. "Come on, Daggeron is about to start his defense class."

"Starting it outside is a change," Harry said. "Don't get me wrong, it's better than Umbridge's idiotic books but still…"

Chip chuckled. "Somehow, I don't think Daggeron has book studies in mind."

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Indeed, there wasn't a book in sight as Daggeron led the students to one of the courtyards at Hogwats' center. He faced them calmly, his lamp tucked under one arm as he spoke up. "The dark arts. There is no greater threat you shall face than those who practice the dark magics. Be aware there is no such thing as simply 'trying' the dark arts. The darkness has a taint that will infect those who use it, even in the slightest. Try it once and it will get a grip on you that will be almost impossible to get rid of. I know what I speak of. A man I trusted, a man I called a friend and almost a brother turned against me, against all he stood for. He is now a creature of darkness that wants nothing more than to serve evil."

"We know how that is," Ron spat with a harsh expression and Harry did his best not to openly stiffen.

"Perhaps," Daggeron said. "I simply want to warn you that while the dark arts are powerful, they are not unbeatable. However, simply meeting them head on, magic to magic, is often not enough."

Herimone raised a hand and Daggeron nodded to her. "Ah, isn't physical combat with magic more dangerous than simple magic attacks?"

"That is correct," Daggeron said and Herimone smiled in satisfaction. "You do have to keep yourself in top shape and…" He paused as he saw Herimone looking at him as if waiting for something. "Was there something else, Miss…Granger?"

"Ah…just….aren't you going to give our House ten points for that?"

Daggeron looked at her before shaking his head. "No." Not giving her a chance to react, he went on. "I do think it's quite important you learn more of self-defense as it pertains to magic. With Voldemort and his followers on the loose, that's even more important now."

"Ah, no offense, Daggeron," Xander piped up. "But we've seen a lot worse than this Voldemort, remember?"

"Could you stop doing that?" Susan Bones hissed at him. "You shouldn't say his name!"

The Rangers looked at each other, then at her. "Why not?" Vida asked. "It's just a name. I mean, you're gonna fight the guy, you might as well be able to say his name."

"Names have power," Herimone said.

"Yes," Daggeron agreed. "But in this case, not naming him simply increases his power. To be frank, I simply cannot understand it. This man is…a man. Powerful, yes but not so much that mentioning his name can bring him down on you. To not identify him as just a man, that is giving him power, young lady."

"But he…You-Know-Who," Katie Bell said. "If we say his name…"

"What?" Daggeron asks. "Do you even know?"

"Voldemort," Vida said, causing everyone to jump. She smiled and said it again. "Voldemort."

"Voldemort," Nick chimed in.

"Voldey, Voldt!" Xander added.

"Stop it!" Katie Bell called out, clapping hands to her ears.

"Shouldn't that be ten points off from them?" Draco Malfoy asked.

"No," Daggeron stated. "I do believe the point has been made however. So we'd best get on with our lesson. I need a volunteer."

There was a long pause before Malfoy pushed his way up, an arrogant smirk on his face and his wand in his hand. "Excellent," Daggeron stated as he backed up, placing the lamp down on the ground. "Attempt your best strike spell."

Malfoy's smirk grew as he pulled his wand up and then back. He opened his mouth as he began to thrust it forward…

Daggeron's hand grabbed his wrist and yanked it away hard. Malfoy let out a cry as his wand went flying and he flipped over, landing in a heap on the ground. Daggeron calmly placed a foot on Malfoy's chest as he held the young man's arm, everyone staring at him in shock. Well, almost everyone as Harry couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Daggeron looked to the group with a calm air. "Your first lesson. It doesn't matter how good your spell work may be, it won't help when you have no wand." He let go of Malfoy, who rolled about, wincing as he held his arm. "Now then. Who's next?"

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"He did what?" Dumbledore said, positive he hadn't heard correctly.

"He had his class doing laps around the courtyard!" Minerva snapped. "That after he had them doing some…I don't know, fighting for him!"

"He didn't actually hurt anyone," Snape was quick to point out from his chair near Dumbledore's desk. "Believe me, would be almost preferable to have a brat or two out of the way for a bit."

"Severus," Dumbledore grumbled as he sat back in his chair. "I knew his methods would be unorthodox but not like this."

"It's not just that," Minerva sighed. "They also aren't going by the point system. I've seen students making comments both good and bad but he will neither reward nor take away. It's almost as if he doesn't believe in it."

"He probably doesn't," Snape said. "Let's not forget, he's a warrior, really, not a teacher."

Dumbledore brushed at his beard. "It is only the first day. We should give him some time to conform to our ways."

"It'd best be soon," Minerva said. "With the Ministry still in an uproar, we need to present as good an image as possible."

"I would think the Ministry would be more concerned about Voldemort," Snape groused. "Here I thought things would change with Umbridge gone."

"It is a difficult time," Dumbledore admitted. "But I am confident we will survive it."

"I hope that's not the royal 'we' you're using, Albus," Snape dryly said.

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"Nice of them to let us out for a bit," Vida said as the Rangers followed Harry down Diagon Alley. As usual, the cramped street was full of shoppers and other passerbys making their way past various carts hawking their magical wares. The Rangers seemed to accept it well and almost seemed excited about the area.

"We have to be back soon," Harry said. "But I thought I'd at least let you see the place. I need a new wand anyway."

"What's the matter with your old one?" Madison asked with a frown.

"It's mine," Harry pointed out. "I mean, Harry Potter's. I use it openly, well…" His eyes tracked over and stopped at a storefront. "That…couldn't be." A smile appearing on his face, he headed over toward it.

The Rangers frowned at one another as they followed, glancing up at the sign over the door: Weasley's World of Wonders.

The bell over the door rang as Harry entered, the Rangers following behind him. At their entrance, two figures turned around and the Rangers couldn't help but start as they saw the identical faces with matching sweater and slacks and mops of red hair. "Well, hello there!" the one on the left said. "Welcome to…"

"Weasley's World…" the other chimed in.

"Of Wonders!" They said together.

"Honestly, are you two not tired of that yet?" Ginny said with a smile from the other end of the store. She moved away from the barrels of various joke items and smiled. "Hello again. Meet my twin brothers, George and Fred."

"Hello," the two said, giving no indication of which was which.

"This…is your shop?" Harry said, trying to make it sound an innocent question.

"Indeed it is!" the one on the left said. "Thanks to a generous donation from a friend…"

"Brother mine and myself have set up this lovely shop!" the other stated. "And you must be…"

"The famous Rangers we've heard of."

Nick leaned in to whisper to Harry. "They always do that?"

Harry gave the slightest of nods as he looked around. "Looks nice. This…friend of yours must have been a good one."

"The best," the twins chimed in. "Deserved a much better deal than the one he got," the one on the left (Harry was almost sure it was Fred) said.

"Not that the rest of our family appreciates it," George said, his smile dropping. "Except for Ginny here, they all jump on the 'let's hate Harry' bandwagon."

"Whereas we," Fred went on. "Remember how he once saved our sister's life which makes him a right sort in our book."

"I'm sure he appreciates the support," Nick said, glancing at Harry quickly. "So what kind of items do you sell here?"

"Well, we've got some very nice fireworks here," George said, moving to a shelf nearby. "And some snake eggs."

"Ooooh, you mean, crack them open and fake snakes come out?" Chip asked.

"No, real snakes," George said, confused that Chip would think of fakes.

Vida rolled her eyes. "Great, like we didn't have to worry about him before…"

A loud explosion erupted from outside, shattering one of the shop windows. Ginny let out a scream as she leaped back and George and Fred were also jarred by it. The Rangers were much more alert, immediately racing outside, Harry close behind them. They were almost run over by people running away, screaming as smoke poured down from the opposite end of the street.

"What's going on?" Nick asked one man but he just ignored him and pressed on. Turning, Nick saw a familiar face. "Neville! Neville!"

The young man paused near them, out of breath. "Run!" he called out. "They're…they're…"

A blast of energy exploded overhead as the Rangers looked over to the street. The crowd was managing to part, showing a group of figures stomping down the walkway. Behind them were the bodies of various people, still, many with cuts upon them, others showing signs of magical attacks. Most of the attacking group was clad in dark robes with skull-like masks while others were hunched and mummy-like figures with long scythes. Leading them was a tall figure in purple armor with a large silver shield, his sword brandished before him.

"Is that…?" Harry gasped.

"Koragg?!" Vida blurted. "What the hell is he doing here with a bunch of Hidiacs?!"

"And Deatheaters," Neville blurted. "They just came out of nowhere and started causing havoc!"

"Har…Jason, get to safety!" Nick called out. "Come on, guys!" The Rangers began to race to meet the attackers while Harry grabbed Neville's arm and dragged him to the nearby shop.

Koragg saw the Rangers approaching and raised his sword. "So…you are here then. I had thought this a simple raid but it appears I shall gain much more!"

"I don't know how you got here, metal-head," Nick called out. "But we're sending you back!"

"This time, I am not alone!" Koragg said, pointing his sword at the Rangers. "Get them!" On cue, the Deatheaters raised their wands to let out a shower of green blasts the Rangers barely managed to dodge.

Harry and Neville glanced onto the street as the Rangers faced the charging Hidiacs. "What are those things?" Neville asked.

"Major trouble," Harry said. "We better get…Look out!" He yanked Neville back as a blast of purple energy fired out from Koragg. It struck the side of the building nearby, sending an explosion of magical energy, the shockwave of which knocked the Weasleys back.

Harry groaned as he got back to his feet, brushing at his coat and reaching to make sure his glasses were okay. "Everyone all right?" He looked up to see Neville, Ginny and the twins staring at him in shock. "What?" he asked, adjusting his glasses. "What are you…"

It suddenly hit him that he was adjusting his glasses. Which meant they were showing. Which meant…

"Harry?" Ginny whispered as she saw his true face revealed, the illusion blown away by the magical blast and Harry Potter swallowing in nervousness as the battle raged outside.

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Sorry about the long delay, hopefully not as long before next chapter.