An old dog learning new tricks
.
Hogwarts – unused class room
.
"Wingiardum Leviosa!"
Harry grimaced, his face a mask of concentration. He wanted to learn this, he really did. But using a wand for simple things like levitating and illuminating was simply weird. Why complicate matters like that? Gestures, words and wand-waving – why use such silly things when he was able to get similar effects with his will alone? Jenny, sitting in a corner with a book about the local fauna, smirked. She knew that voice of Harry's. It betrayed his impatience.
"You're saying it wrong. You have to emphasize it Wingi-Ardum Levi-Osa." Hermione explained – again. "Luna? Everything alright?" The blonde had started to look around, especially towards the dark corners of the room.
"I'm waiting for some troll to make an appearance," she explained mock-serious.
Hermione growled: "Not funny."
Michael paled as he realized what Luna was speaking about. It had been the same spell, the same sentence that had started the girl's quarrel with Ron and ended in a lonely bathroom with a troll and a broken girl.
"But it is," Luna smirked, winking towards Harry.
The boy sighed, slightly frustrated. "Why is this even necessary? Why can't I do it like this?"
While he was barely able to lift a book from the table using his wand, a single gesture – without wand or word – was enough to move the table itself around. Harry started to move his hand like he was following some unhearable melody and the table started to dance in the air. The book went flying and hit the ground with a bam, prompting Hermione to glare at the boy. With a flick of her wand she lifted it, the book practically jumping into her hand. Only Michael noticed that she didn't even use an incantation. Since Hermione's outburst towards Chang and Edgecomb two years ago, it had become easier for her to do simple magic without incantation, especially when she was annoyed or angry – like now.
"I think the wand allows you to do it faster and with a smaller amount of magic expended," the boy surprised the others with his insight. "And I presume the magic is used in a more precise way. This won't be a problem when you lift a book, but with others spells it certainly will. Finely tuned Charms and Transfigurations demand a precision that your Shamanistic spells seem to lack. Or you need to concentrate for a longer time, improving the first effect of your magic over time to get the desired result. Shamanistic Magic looks to me like it is a process like weaving a piece of fabric. Wand magic is like flicking a switch."
"Well said, Michael," Hermione praised him. Michael blushed. "Mostly, as I understood Mister Masterson, you have to learn our way of casting spells to know the differences, the benefits and drawbacks of both types of magic. Sometimes the Shamanistic approach will be more effective, sometimes not."
Harry sighed deeply. "I know… it doesn't mean I have to like it." He forced himself to smile. "But I really appreciate your effort."
Hermione shrugged. "I like to teach, and I had far worse students," she added with a smirk. "And Mister Masterson promised that he'll try to teach us a bit of your magic as well."
Harry frowned. "Don't expect too much, Hermione. Not everybody has a talent for Shamanistic magic. Neither Jenny nor my Mum were able to learn it, despite both having a sizable magical core. Your mind seems very… orderly to me." He made a cutting motion with his hand. "Orderly paths and orderly thoughts, you're trusting your intellect far more than your emotions. I fear that will stall your progress with the things Paul wants to teach you. I don't want to squash your hopes. Please try it. But don't be too disappointed if it doesn't work as well as you wish."
Hermione nodded slowly, looking a little down now. "Mister Masterson already said the same. We'll see."
"Did he already say anything about healing you?" Michael wondered loudly. He had heard the story about Luna vanishing Hermione's clothes. The brunette had glared at her sister for days after that.
Hermione shook her head. "He's still working on that. Apparently, the healing would be more effective if there was a connection between healer and patient."
Harry nodded. "When a healer really wants to help the patient, if his wish to heal him is heartfelt, the magic gets far stronger. Years ago, when I was four or five only, Jenny got hurt. I wanted to help her, badly. I had barely any idea of magic and certainly no training in the healing arts, but my magic reacted and I healed her nonetheless." Hermione's eyes widened: Healing magic, even if it sounded accidental, at such an age! She had never heard of such a thing. "If he gets to know you better his connection will grow as well. Or say, Luna learns Shamanistic healing that would be even better with the strong connection the two of you have."
"Can you see it?" Hermione wondered. "Our bond I mean."
"Not without the help of a spell," Harry responded. He pointed towards Jenny. "My sister is able to see it on her own, and I think Luna does too."
Luna nodded. "It's like a ribbon connecting us. You and Jenny have one as well, but yours is far stronger."
Hermione sighed. "I wished I could see such things as well." She put an arm around Luna's shoulders. "I trust Luna and I believe her, but it's often difficult to understand her explanations."
"It's like she's speaking another language," Harry mentioned his own feelings about his experience with Jenny. Hermione nodded. "At least I have my Awareness magic," Harry continued after a moment of silence.
"Awareness magic?" Hermione asked.
"We have other magic classes than what is taught at Hogwarts. One subject is basic magic; it's kind of a mix from your Charms, Transfiguration and DADA classes and even a bit of simple healing. A little bit of everything and not so many spells of every type as you learn around here. Apart from that we learn special branches of magic. You remember Jerry?" Luna nodded with a broad smile. She loved the cute squirrel.
"That's Summoning magic. It's about calling Spirits and Ghosts, how to deal with them and banish the dangerous ones. Watchers are the lowest form but most widespread kind we use. They're no real beings but develop their own intellect over time. Jerry is three years old and as clever a dolphin by now, a real Dolphin, not some kind of Flipper." Michael didn't get the pun, unlike Luna who had learned about Flipper and Lassie from the Grangers.
"You said Ghosts," Hermione stopped him. "You could call the ghosts of Hogwarts as well?" The idea didn't sit well with her. They were being in their own rights, controlling their own… existence.
"In a way, yes," Harry answered slowly. "I can't force them to appear, it's more like calling them. Like saying: hey mister ghost, please come over, I want to speak with you. They hear me and they may answer – or not. It's the same with the Castle Spirit."
Hermione blinked, as did Michael and Luna. "You know?" Harry asked, looking as confused now as did the others. "The Castle Spirit? Big Spirit? Covering the whole castle? You have no idea what I'm talking about, haven't you?"
"Not really." Hermione responded with a frown.
"We only know the normal ghosts, mostly the four house ghosts like Headless Nick. And there are Peeves and a couple of other ghosts," Michael explained.
"Don't you forget Myrtle," Luna added.
"Yes, Myrtle, how could I forget," Michael rolled his eyes. He blinked, suddenly thinking about something completely different.
"Everything okay, Michael?" Harry asked a little concerned.
Michael smiled weakly and a bit teary-eyed. "I just noticed how at ease I feel around all of you." This stunned the other teenagers, none of them able to find an immediate response. "Thank you all for being my friends."
Harry cleared his throat. "You're welcome."
The girls simply put their arms around the boy and hugged him.
.
"You were explaining the different branches of magic at your school." Hermione hadn't forgotten about the Castle Spirit, but stored that information away for a later time.
"Yes, Summoning is one of them. Some of the other students concentrate on magic around plants or animals. I only learned the basics of Foresting, but it's an important part of our daily life. The bench I created? That's Woodcraft. Something I wanted to continue next year."
"Harry even got his first exam in Woodcraft this summer," Jenny spoke out. "You should have seen his Wolf statue. It was a real piece of art."
"Exam?" Hermione wondered.
Harry nodded. "The Canadian school system is different. We start earlier. Mundane lessons start at the same time they do around here, only everybody gets them, irrespective of their magical talents. Even when we start magical training, usually the fall after turning nine, we continue the mundane classes." It was a relief to be allowed to speak with the girls openly. After a longer conversation with Paul, the teenagers had decided to trust Luna and Hermione with details about their home. They hadn't been sure about including Michael, but Harry had been adamant. He really meant it when he said he wanted to become the boy's friend. And he hated the idea of forcing the girls to keep secrets from Michael.
"Oh, I whish that would be the same around here," Hermione gasped, feeling deeply jealous. "You have no idea how difficult it was for Luna and I to find a way to learn at least the basic subjects like English, Math and a bit of Sciences."
"You're doing that?"
"Yes, my parents are helping us," Hermione explained. "We have to do correspondence courses and use the breaks for catching up. We're still one year behind students our age – Luna's age to be exactly, because I'm doing classes with her. We still hope that we'll be able to take our SCE the summer after we finish our NEWTs. Perhaps we'll go to school the normal way after that for the last two years. I at least want to get my Higher Grade SCE."
"That would allow you to enter a University?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "Because we officially go to a Scottish Boarding School, we have to follow the Scottish School System, not the English one where my parents live."
"That's admirable."
"Thank you. But it's hard. Not to sound haughty, but I think it's only possible because Luna an I are very good students. An average one would be awfully behind. The British Ministry of Magic simply doesn't care for mundane lessons."
"Remus said something similar," Harry nodded slowly, remembering a conversation some time ago. "Apparently, it is possible to get a falsified certificate if you want to pretend a regular school visit. But you wouldn't really learn anything."
"No, you wouldn't. And I would hate to get a certificate I didn't earn."
"It was easier for us. It's still much work, but at least it is possible. Many students stop Mundane or Magical Education after getting their Junior Grade. It's like your Mundane SCE or your Magical OWL," Jenny interjected. "Because we start earlier with magical classes, it is possible to let us have one more year for preparations. Harry, for example, finished his Mundane Junior this summer. Without this little trip to Scotland, he would have sit his Magical Junior, your OWL, next summer."
"And you would have sit your senior exam the same time," Harry growled.
"We already discussed the matter," Jenny growled back. "Do you need a reminder?" She thoughtfully glanced at her foot – the one she had kicked him with.
"I don't think that's necessary," Luna distracted the siblings, sitting down beside Jenny and linking arms with the older girl. Harry and Jenny rolled their eyes, their mood instantly improving. It was impossible to stay angry around the blonde. "Harry, you were trying to explain Awareness spells. It's one of your classes, I assume, like Summoning, Foresting and Woodcraft?"
"It is," Harry affirmed. "It allows us to enhance our usual senses or to give us a sense we usually lack – at least the most of us. With Awareness I'm able to more or less comprehend what Jenny is speaking about if she explains the impressions she gets from her sight. If you want, Hermione, I could show you."
Hermione blinked and exchanged a soft smile with her sister, before she nodded. "Yes, I would like that."
.
Same time – Hospital Wing
.
"What are the requirements to get into this class you intend to offer?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
She was interested in seeing how Shamanistic healing worked and what the differences were to her own spells. Perhaps she could learn a bit of it herself.
"Talent and interest," was Paul's simple reply.
"Nothing else?"
"Those requirements will be difficult enough to fulfil. Interest, real interest in the healing arts, the wish to help others and to ease their suffering, is not something many teenagers feel. True, some have naïve dreams about becoming a healer, but as soon as they really understand the meaning of suffering, this will stop most of them. A Shamanistic healer feels the pain, he needs to do this to be able to help. It's not like charming a piece of wood or transfiguring a mouse, it's about establishing a connection on a very animalistic level. You and the patient are one. It's simple for the basic spells, for healing a cut or treating a cold. But the more complex, dangerous and life-threatening an ailment, the more disturbing the connection. That's why most members of my tribe are able to cure simple injuries and diseases but only a very few become real healers.
"The other requirement is about talent. Usually this wouldn't be a problem, but the students at Hogwarts spent their whole life with a special mindset. They were taught to only cast a spell with a wand. Accidental magic is regarded as kind of evil or at least something you have to learn to control not to do. It's uncouth, uncivilized. This mindset will work against their innate talent. The older the student, the more difficulty they will have. It's even worse for those with orderly minds, those that learn by the book and not by heart. I expect many Ravenclaws to fall into that trap. And it won't get easier if the student is from a magical family, as the mindset had more time to settle in. I expect that perhaps a fifth of your students, mostly younger years and no more than a handful from the NEWT years, will be able to learn the basics of my healing arts. And from them again only a fifth would be able to learn more."
"I see," Madam Pomfrey was a little disappointed. She knew about the interest the announcement of the new classes had caused. Yes, many of them wouldn't want to become a healer, it was more the interest in the Shamanistic Magic itself, but still it would be a first step.
"Don't be disappointed," Paul tried to sooth her worries. "There will still be enough students to fill some classes, and perhaps you'll learn a bit of it yourself. While your decades of weaving magic with your wand will work against you, your experience and your wish to help your students will be a big help as well. We'll simply have to see and try."
"Yes," Madam Pomfrey's heart got a bit lighter. "Let us try."
.
Hogsmeade – a couple of days later
.
The week had been interesting and exhausting for Harry and his friends. He continued to accompany them to their classes, some of them like Magical Theory he had with Michael, others like Arithmancy and Ancient Runes with the girls. It was obvious that he would need some time to catch up, presumably the bulk of the school year, despite the massive support he got. Luckily, not only Hermione and Luna were assisting him, but a couple of other students as well, most prominently among them the Patil sisters. Padma had gotten quite close with her housemates, and Parvati – as Jenny watched with a hidden smirk – was ogling Michael with more than a passing interest. The former boy-who-lived was flourishing under the girls' tutelage, his new wand obviously helping him. There were still episodes of depression Michael was unable to completely avoid, but they became rarer by the week. It certainly helped that Harry dragged him along for physical fitness training.
And then there were those teachers eager to offer a helping hand. So far, they had rejected any offer from "Grandpa Albus", the headmaster's far too obvious attempts to get close to Harry creeping him out. The same had happened to Hagrid. The girls had been a bit unhappy about the rebuke, but Harry had been adamant in following his father's advice about not trusting the groundkeeper. "He is too close to the Headmaster. Remus told me that it was Hagrid who delivered me to the Dursleys. If he really was a friend of my parents, as he's always claiming, then why didn't he know about Aunt Petunia's hate of magic? Why did he ignore my parents' wishes? Even with Sirius thought of as a traitor, there were still the Longbottoms and the Bones to think about." While the headmaster – in his function as Chief Warlock – had closed off the reading of his parents' will, the Longbottoms and the Bones had known about their wish to have Harry grow up with them. It had hardly been polite to settle Harry with the muggles without asking any of those families for input. Ignoring Lily's very special preparations, he should have gone to one of those two families, and not into the "loving hands" of his aunt.
On the other hand, the help of other teachers had been willingly accepted, Filius Flitwick most of all. Remus trusted him and so did Harry. More than once the four teenagers spent the afternoon with the tiny teacher, learning and comparing magic. Filius, after nearly a century of using wand magic, would presumably never learn even the simplest Shamanistic incantation. However he was more than interested to see Harry in action and to learn as much as possible about the theory. He was especially interested in "Jerry" and how it compared to the Patronus charm. He even promised to teach them that spell at a later time. With the girls and Michael eagerly taking notes as well, their time certainly wasn't wasted. It also helped that Filius had a more than passing knowledge of other kinds of magic as well, as he had never been the type to limit his learning to wand magic only.
Another teacher spending a lot of time with them was Madam Longbottom. The official reason were remedy lessons for Harry in Herbology and Transfiguration – the latter because Professor McGonagall was a little sniffed about Harry's rebuke and pretended not to have the time to prepare Michael. The real reason was a very simple and emotional one: Alice felt more at ease around the teenagers than she had been since waking up years ago. Hermione had been her friend for years, Luna adding to this small circle one year later. Now, she was eager to get to know Harry. More than once the teenagers caught her watching Harry with teary eyes, her mind upon how life could have been without the attack of the LeStranges. Harry would have lived with her, growing up with Michael as his brother. The first time this idea really hit home with her, she had broken down in heavy tears. The boys had been shocked and a little helpless, but luckily the girls had been there; instantly moving in they had hugged their teacher like a dear aunt. What followed was an emotional afternoon with tea, a bunch of blankets and silly stories about Harry's childhood – told by a grinning Jenny and interrupted by groans and blushes from the boy in question. It had gotten better since then, and Alice was smiling more and more. This being the reason Madam Sprout and Madam Pomfrey had vehemently defended her presence even against the headmaster's wishes.
And so Harry learned more and more about Hogwarts, Britain and the way "civilized people" used magic. It was a whole new world with its own laws, history and customs and more than once he felt like an alien around the other students. In a way, the tournament was a hindrance and a relief at the same time. A hindrance, because he was unable to fully concentrate on the new stuff as he had to prepare himself for the first task; and it was a relief because the tournament regulations exempted him from assignments, tests and exams for its duration.
Hermione and Luna hadn't only supported Harry, but in return used his presence to learn something new as well. It was proof of their interest in his Shamanistic Magic that Hermione allowed her grades to slip from an average 98 percent to an unbelievable all-time low of 92. She didn't even bat an eye about it, something that shocked the other Ravenclaws to the core. While she realized that Luna had far more talent at this other kind of magic, she did her best to at least try her hand at it. Unbeknownst to her but not unnoticed by the other teenagers, the bushy-haired girl slowly changed. Eleven-year old Hermione had been a strong believer in books, laws and an organized mind. She would have struggled to learn even the basics of Shamanism, the approach being in stark contrast to her personality. This personality had first changed through her past experience and her friendship with Luna. Hermione had become more emotional and open to new ideas over the years. Now, she was taking a step further in that direction. With Harry's help and his Awareness magic, she was able to not only believe in Luna's weird stories but actually see the proof. The experience of seeing some of the things Luna had told her about in the past had made quite an impression on Hermione. More and more, she opened up, the change helping her more than she knew.
Luna had a far easier time getting involved with Shamanistic Magic. She had already learned a couple of easier spells and was besieging Paul with her wish to learn the Art of Summoning. He had declined her wish for now, but promised to give it a try when she was ready.
"Perhaps next spring," he had offered, not telling the girl that he was thinking about inviting her to Vancouver for a year.
Like Harry, she seemed to have a knack for both kinds of magic and he was willing to support this rare talent. He would have to talk to Martin about it.
.
Floe and Jenny accompanied them to Harry's first visit of Hogsmeade. Hermione was still baffled by Harry's ability to speak, really speak, with Floe. Howling and barking like two overgrown poodles, dog and boy obviously enjoyed their playful banter. Jenny had told them about Floe rescuing her best friend from abductors and how he was now allowed to even visit their school during classes. Looking at him, the dog nearly as big as a pony and weighing more than any of the teenagers, it was more than believable how Floe had routed those criminals.
"Luckily those bastards couldn't do magic," Hermione sighed.
"It wouldn't have helped them," Jenny shrugged. "He's not a normal dog but what we call a Paracritter."
"Paracritter?" Hermione wondered. She had never heard of such a thing.
"A Paracritter is an animal with a strong magical core, often accompanied by special abilities," Luna interjected. "Some researchers believe they're not fully on this plane of existence."
"So, Floe is more like a Kneazle or Thestral?"
"Kind of, yes. He has a strong magical aura, one I assume Luna is able to see." Luna nodded. "This aura deflects magic. It's not as strong as a… how do you call it? Protego? Not like that and it won't protect him fully, but weaker curses will be deflected like hitting a surface of water."
"Good to know," Hermione was relieved. "I was a bit concerned about him. There are students at Hogwarts who don't like Harry, not because of his personality but his name. Sometimes, people like those try to hurt you by attacking your pet." She looked a little distracted and sad, lost in her memories, something that didn't go unnoticed. Hermione wanted to walk on, but found herself whirled around and face to face with Jenny, a very close Jenny that scrutinized her through narrowed eyes – and very angry eyes to add.
"You're speaking out of experience," she realized.
Hermione stared to the ground and shuffled with her feet.
"What goes?" Harry had noticed them and stopped to play with Floe, much to the Shephard Dog's annoyance.
"Someone hurt … Crooks I assume." Jenny growled. "Am I right? Did someone hurt Crooks?"
The Half-Kneazle had gotten close to Harry and Jenny, even more so with Paul. Floe growled menacingly. The huge dog and the tiny cat had become close friends and he certainly understood more of the conversation than a normal dog would.
"It was last year, I got it solved," Hermione tried to placate them.
"What happened?" Harry's good mood was gone.
"Please let it rest," Hermione told them. "They already got their payback."
"I still want to know," Jenny decided after a moment of pondering the matter. "I won't do anything if you don't want to, but I want to know who is willing to hurt an animal."
Hermione shuddered at the sight of that pure fury in Jenny's eyes. She nodded slowly: "Alright, I'll tell you later."
.
"So, you're Harry's sister," Percy proffered his hand. He was the first boy her age that didn't ogle her arse since her arrival, something Jenny really appreciated. Not even Michael was immune to her "assets", but at least he tried. Perhaps it had something to do with the girl accompanying Percy. Their deep connection was obvious to Jenny. The teenagers had met the ex-student couple at the Three Broomsticks after Percy arranged a meeting with Hermione – and especially Harry.
"Jenny Howell," Jenny introduced herself and shook his hand. "And you look like a Weasley," she continued, her face telling him that she wasn't impressed by his family so far.
"Percy Weasley, and this is…"
"Penny Clearwater, Hermione and Luna mentioned the both of you." The girl relaxed a bit and even sent a smile Penny's way. Apparently the girls had told her not the worst about him.
"Hi Penny, hello Percy," Hermione and Luna approached their table and sat down after exchanging a short hug with the girl. They had left Harry and Michael outdoors with Charlie. Percy's brother apparently had something to tell them, and he wasn't happy about it. The girls would have loved to stay with them, but Charlie had demanded to speak with Harry and Michael in private. "I'm only here because Percy begged me to. This could cost me my job or at least earn me a demotion." So, they had left, anxious to hear what it was about.
"They told me something about what you did, the collection to pay for the Mandrake and such things," Jenny continued. "That's quite impressive. It's only a bit disappointing that students had to do this. It should have been the teachers' job." She was right about that, Percy admitted.
"I only organized it," Percy deflected the praise. "It wasn't my idea." The teenagers stared. Only Penny had known this so far. Percy looked around, looked thoughtful for a moment and cast a privacy spell. "Actually, it was Greg's idea."
"Greg? Gregory Goyle? But how? And since when are you on first name base with him?" Hermione wanted to know. Since Harry's arrival she had barely spoken two sentences with the boy and felt bad about it, now even more so.
"Yes, Greg Goyle. I met him in the hospital wing when you were petrified. We got into a conversation somehow and he mentioned how much you would hate to miss the lessons; that you didn't deserve it, not after… after the matter with the troll." Percy patted Hermione's hand, the girl being stunned by the news. "He felt really bad about it. He told me that he spoke with you about the troll; how he noticed your absence on that Halloween night and that you forgave him for not doing anything. Greg told me that you're friends but can't show."
"No," Hermione sighed. "It would be too dangerous for him." Her face turned angry and she clenched her small fists. "His father would beat him up … or worse." Luna put her hand on Hermione's in a soothing manner, and Hermione relaxed with a shuddering deep sigh. "At least his mother is on his side. But I don't know if it would be enough. Blasted purebloods!" She blushed a little. "Sorry, Percy."
"No harm done," Percy shocked them with his soft smile.
"Blasted purebloods!"
.
"Greg even remembered that obscure school regulation you told him about," Penny mentioned a bit later. Percy had explained it to her after she woke up. "Only because of it my parents were able to visit me. The other prefects searched the whole library for it and shoved it down Professor McGonagall's throat."
"He listened to me?" Hermione was flabbergasted. "I recited regulations from Hogwarts a History and he listened to me? And remembered it?" This was a unique and completely new experience to her. Suddenly her face darkened. "So, it wasn't Professor McGonagall who came up with this solution to allow my parents entrance and visit rights?"
"No, actually we had to be quite forceful to get her accept the possibility and go through with it in time instead of endlessly delaying it," Percy was visibly unhappy, while Hermione's opinion of the stern teacher plummeted even more.
"Greg is a good boy," Penny distracted her from her dark thoughts.
"That he is."
.
"He's in my class, you know. This Greg I mean." Hermione blinked at Jenny's statement.
"You have classes?" Percy wondered. "I thought you were…" He hesitated and looked thoughtful. "Actually, I have no idea what you are. Not a Muggle – that for sure, as you're able to see and enter Hogwarts. But what else are you?"
"A girl," Penny was helpful as always and patted her boyfriend's hand. Percy rolled his eyes.
"I'm an Adept," Jenny explained. "I'm… I believe you would call me a Squib. I have magic but I'm unable to cast a spell."
"Technically you aren't a squib," Hermione interjected, while Percy tried his best not to look uncomfortable. He had softened up a little, but two decades around Molly Weasley and her prejudices towards Squibs had left their ugly traces. "A Squib is someone with a Magical Index between 15 and 40."
"That's correct," Percy admitted. "An Index below fifteen denotes a Muggle or Mundane as you call them. And above 40 usually, but now always starts the ability to cast spells."
"Mister Filch has an Index of 28," Hermione continued. "It's too low to cast a spell, even with an individualized wand. We already tried it. However, it is high enough to use special Rune Arrays."
"You continued with your research?" Penny asked. She had discussed the matter with Hermione the year before.
"I did. Professor Babbling was very helpful; but back to the magical index. Professor Trelawney has an index of 61, high enough to cast simple spells, but too low to get admitted to Hogwarts."
"You need a 75 for that," Percy nodded. "But how do you know."
Hermione shrugged and blushed a little. "I might have used a spell to test it. I needed reference values, and Professor Trelawney and Hagrid were the most obvious and accessible testees. By the way: you can get a special dispense to enter Hogwarts if your index is at least 70. Hagrid got one of those back in 1940."
"Alright, so now we know that Mister Filch really is a Squib and – at least technically – Professor Trelawney is not. I assume Jenny is above this threshold of 40 as well."
"She is. I assume far above it actually. You're seventeen, am I correct?"
"Yes," Jenny nodded.
"So, her magical index isn't fully matured but close enough. Harry, Michael, Luna and I need a few more years for our cores to settle in. The average score for a Hogwarts NEWT student is around 100 to 110. A top student like Percy and Penny often but not always has a score around 130, sometimes even as high as 150 in rare cases."
"We got tested when we applied at the Ministry. Penny has a 141," Percy interjected. "I'm only a measly 128."
"Barely acceptable for a boyfriend of mine," Penny sighed with a big grin.
Hermione wasn't surprised. She expected having an index similar to Percy in her NEWT year, as she was above average but not a real powerhouse. "Headmaster Dumbledore supposedly is scratching at the 200. So far, I haven't measured Jenny's index, but from what I read about the Way of the Adept, you should have an index of at least 100 as well."
"She's higher," Luna stated calmly. "Far, far higher."
"You can see it?" Hermione felt jealous. She so wished to have Luna's talent. Yes, she got ridiculed because of it in the past, but still.
"I can guess the strength, yes. It's like how bright the aura burns. Your aura," she addressed Hermione "is approaching Percy's." No surprise there. "Harry's aura is stronger than Penny's already." More than one pair of eyes widened. An index of more than 140 at his age was quite impressive. "And Jenny … your aura is weaker than your Mum's and Paul's but stronger than the ones of Professor Flitwick or Professor Snape."
For a while utter silence reigned. The teenagers were more than surprised, while only Percy and Penny could really put that statement into relation. Both Professors were known as extremely competent duellists, both because of their quickness and the strength of their spells. "I don't understand," Percy said after a while. "With a magical core this strong, how is it possible that you can't cast a spell?"
"Paul explained it to me," Jenny muttered. "It's similar to being colour-blind. I'm only able to channel my magic into my body, making it stronger and quicker. I'm far better at physical fighting, because of it and it empowers my dancing and acrobatic skills as well. I understand the theory of spells, but it's like I miss the necessary nerve tracts to channel the spells."
"You must be incredible strong," Percy gushed.
"You know only the half of it," Harry grinned, earning him a playful push from his sister.
Penny looked thoughtful. She hadn't missed the statement about Michiko and Paul having even stronger cores. "And your mum is even stronger?"
"For now, yes," Harry nodded. "Both Mum and Paul strengthened their cores through rituals. It's only allowed if your core is fully stabilized, meaning you have to be 21 at least, preferably 25. In a few years, Jenny will certainly start that path as well and catch up – at least to Mum, perhaps even surpassing her. Paul is a very different case. He is a class of his own."
"Rituals? What rituals?" Percy asked darkly. He only knew a couple of very dark rituals to accomplish such a thing.
"Astral Quests," Harry explained, having no idea what thoughts were troubling Percy. "It's a mix of meditation and… inner voyage is perhaps the best description. It allows you a deeper understanding of magic and mostly of yourself. You get more in harmony with yourself. It's not like adding foreign magic but unlocking your own potential."
Percy didn't really understand but it certainly didn't sound dark in any way. Not that this would stop some of the more conservative purebloods from damning it. "Okay, I would like to hear more about that later. But back to the topic: I still don't know what kind of classes you have."
"I visit a couple of theory classes. Magical History, Astronomy, and Professor Flitwick tried to get me into a few lessons which focus on magical theory of Charms as well. But I didn't meet Greg in one of those. I'm giving a class on my own as well. Several classes actually. There was some interest in dancing and physical education, the latter among Quidditch players mostly." Michael had heard about it. Angelina had enforced the participation among her team. "And then there are my Karate classes. Its Muggleborn mostly that comes to my lessons. Actually, at the beginning Greg was the only pureblood one I know of that participates. He's quite talented." She didn't mention that he applied to her dancing class as well. Greg proved surprisingly good at dancing, not tournament-class but certainly not how she expected him to be. Especially his footwork was far more graceful than usual for someone his weight-class.
"He is?" Hermione was surprised. She knew Greg was strong and untiring, but she hadn't expected him to be quick or nimble enough for Martial Arts.
"He'll never win a tournament. He is too slow for that. But Greg is very dedicated and while his magical core isn't the strongest, he's quite good at channeling his magic into his body."
"So, he will not only be a Karateka but an Adept as well?" Harry immediately got the gist of her statement.
"Yes, he will," Jenny nodded. "At least if he continues the lessons."
"Why shouldn't he?" Hermione wondered, fearing that it was because of pureblood prejudice towards Muggle fighting.
Luna and Jenny exchanged a look. They obviously knew something that Hermione didn't. "With Greg being a fulltime student at Hogwarts he only has as much time for other activities, and it seems he has something different on his mind as well, something more important to him."
"Something different? What could be more important to him? Greg loves boxing and such things." Greg had mentioned it in every letter and it had somehow been quite relaxing to read about a matter the boy knew more about than she.
"He asked Paul to test him," Jenny calmly responded. "Greg wants to learn the art of healing. He wants to become a Bear Shaman."
.
Jenny's statement had shocked Hermione into silence. This answer she had never expected. Not only the fact that Greg would want to learn the healing arts was surprising her, but also that he was even thinking of going against his father's wishes. It was hardly a secret how Greg's father imagined his son's future. It had nothing to do with "being nice and compassionate", but more with the Dark Arts and cursing Muggleborn and Muggles. She had to speak with him. This could prove being very dangerous for him, even with his mother protecting him.
They were already on their way back to Hogwarts when Harry explained what Michael and he had learned from Charlie. "The first task will be about Dragons. Four dragon-mothers will arrive at the Forbidden Forest next week. Each of us Champions will have to draw one of them."
"You can't seriously expect a student to go against a dragon. That's work for a whole team of experienced handlers." Hermione was thoroughly distracted from her dark thoughts. This was nonsense.
"They don't want us to fight them. Each of them will have a nest with eggs. Only: one of those eggs will be a false, golden one. We need to get that egg, as it will contain a hint for the second task."
"As if this is any better; they want you to steal an egg, from the nest of a dragon-mother? Are they insane?"
Michael shrugged and shocked them with his deadpan answer. "It was Dumbledore's idea. He was at the Weasleys this summer, celebrating my birthday and such; and apparently for preliminary talks with Charlie."
Nobody knew what to say. It was hard to imagine how Michael felt about the matter. At his last birthday, he had still been the boy-who-lived and everybody wanted to celebrate him. Now, he had lost his status, his fans, and even the birthday wasn't his anymore.
"Alright," Hermione stopped their dark thoughts. "Back to Hogwarts; meeting in one hour at our usual place. We have work to do. Jenny, we'll need your input as well. And could you fetch Mister Masterson, please? I have a couple of questions for him." She was in full organizer mode now.
"About?" Harry wondered.
"Possible tactics for Harry and Michael," she replied like it should have been obvious. "How to get that blasted egg and survive. The operative word is survival." Harry smiled, thankful that she included Michael as well. The concerned boy was a bit overwhelmed. He had been horrified to learn about the first task, knowing that he had no chance in hell to finish the task against such odds, not with his limited talents. But now there was hope again. Without thinking, he stepped forward and dragged Hermione and Harry into a hug. It was the first hug ever he instigated outside his family – his former family. But right now it simply felt right and natural doing it.
"We'll find a way," Hermione told them, but mostly addressing Michael. "We'll find a way, don't you doubt it."
.
Hogwarts – Headmaster's office
.
Albus was a very unhappy headmaster. So far, Harry had rejected any offer of help from his side. The boy kept his distance, obviously Remus' influence. He couldn't even prosecute the Werewolf for his past misdeeds, because this would estrange Albus from the boy even more. On top of that, it wouldn't be easy to bring charges against Remus, not with the status of political ties between Great Britain and the USA. The American Ministry of Magic had accepted the adoption a decade ago and wouldn't be happy about British reproaches. Damned colonies!
"Any progress with Mister Potter?" He asked Minerva, ignoring that his official name was Howell now – or Howell-Evans. Ridiculous, simply ridiculous! He was Harry Potter, heir to the noble and ancient House of Potter. One day, he would have a seat in the Wizengamot, be another fighter for the light and supporter of Albus Dumbledore. He had no doubt about this, couldn't allow himself to have doubts.
"Nothing so far," Minerva grimaced. "He's keeping close to Filius and Madam Longbottom."
Another point of displeasure was the continued presence of Madam Longbottom. Harry had taken the former boy-who-lived under his wings, meaning that Madam Longbottom spent her time not only with Harry but with Michael as well. "You should have offered your help to Mister Bain." Minerva sipped her tea, not even deigning this statement an answer. Albus slammed his hand on the table, for a moment allowing him to lose his temper. "We have to separate them. We have to get Harry under control. He's spending far too much time … with the wrong people."
"With those girls," Minerva nodded, not seeing the problem with Madam Longbottom and Michael Bain. In her eyes, Alice was a "poor girl", but harmless. And Michael? In the end, Minerva was happy that someone was taking care of the boy. This way she had an excuse not to support him. His presence creeped her out. She was angry about the years of deception, and with her still supporting Albus, this only left the boy to venture her rage. "Granger and Lovegood, they have a bad influence on the boy." Granger despised her and Lovegood was a nutcracker. It wasn't healthy for the boy to have them around so much.
"Perhaps we should arrange something with Hagrid. Invite Harry for tea; show him some pictures of his parents, such things," Albus rubbed his hands. He liked the idea. Hagrid was one of his staunchest supporters, happily eating up every reason Albus offered for his past behaviour.
"He's keeping his distance to Hagrid as well," Minerva shot down the idea.
"Nonsense, everybody likes Hagrid," Albus claimed, completely ignoring reality. "Perhaps after the arrival of the dragons, Hagrid could arrange a meeting. A little forewarning is certainly appreciated."
Minerva wasn't convinced, but let it rest for now.
.
Minerva had left a while later, still miffed about "those girls". Albus however had other, more pressuring problems. More than two years had passed since he had been able to capture Tom Riddle's soul in the Mirror of Erised. For two years he had been working on the puzzle called Horcruxes. Tom had at least one of them, presumably more. So far, he wasn't one step closer to disclosure the exact number and nature of those Horcruxes. They existed; this was proven through the simple fact of Tom Riddle's soul being his prisoner. Tom was helpless and without any means to escape or influence his followers. Still, he had to solve the matter in the foreseeable future. Albus could hardly leave Tom in the mirror for his own successors to take care of it. At least, he had taken precautions in case of his own premature death: The Department of Mysteries would get the necessary information. Not that he liked the idea one bit of leaving Tom's fate to someone else.
Speaking of Horcruxes: the nature of one Horcrux at least was well known to him. It was resting in the Gryffindor boys' dorm right now, connected to the head, soul and magic of one Harry Potter. He had noticed it back then already when he examined the toddler, and it was still there. The aura of Dark Magic had been palpable. He assumed Tom had intended to create another Horcrux with the boy's death. His spell had backfired somehow, perhaps the Horcrux ritual interfering with the Death curse. The idea of Lily Evans somehow defeating Tom Riddle didn't sit well with the headmaster. In his eyes it was far more believable that even Tom could err with something as unusual and complex as the creation of another Horcrux. Perhaps it had been one Horcrux too many, the sheer amount of sheared off soul slivers too much to handle for the rest occupying his body.
Irrespective of what really happened, Albus had no doubts that there was a Horcrux in Harry's head, a Horcrux that had to be destroyed to permanently finish off Tom. Albus sighed. He felt no pleasure at the thought of killing the boy, but it would have to happen sooner or later. For now, he could be allowed to continue his life. First Albus had to find and destroy the other Horcruxes, an endeavour that could take a number of years. Then, and only then, he had to confront the boy with the mirror. On that fateful day, two souls would continue onto their next big adventure.
And he would be allowed to find his rest as well.
.
Shack of Paul and Jenny
.
Luna had left her sister to her books. Hermione had talked with the other teenagers and Paul about a couple of possible tactics to get the egg and to survive the silly task. Now, she was hugging her books, looking for something that could help Michael. It was easier and more difficult for Hermione to help her schoolmate, as he was far weaker than Harry but at least used a wand, making his talents more predictable for the girl.
Luna however had a different matter on her mind. She remembered a couple of talks she had with Jenny and Harry, how different their sibling link looked to the one Hermione and she shared. Both pairings weren't siblings by blood, so the explanation had to be a different one.
"Hello Luna," Jenny greeted her with a friendly smile and invited the younger girl into the shack she shared with Paul. Actually, he didn't use his part of the shack very often as he loved to vanish into the Forest, joining the Centaurs for some mind-boggling conversations or acting on his desire to go hunting. She waited for the day someone noticed the diminishing numbers of rampaging Acromantulas.
"Hello Jenny," Luna entered the place and sat down. "I have something I wanted to ask."
"Go on."
"Please tell me: what have I to do if I want to create a magical sibling bond."
.
A/N
Next chapter: preparations for the first task.
