Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter universe.
All bragging rights go to the writing Goddess and extraordinaire J.K Rowling.
I bow down to you J.K. You are my hero. When I grow up, I want to be like you.
Chapter 24: The Power of the Varias
It was chaos.
I had a to do list so long I was reciting it in my dreams.
I was studying in every spare moment I got. I read my Care of Magical Creatures notes during breakfast and whilst getting ready. Recited defensive and disarming spells whilst in the shower and in the ladies room. Went through Charms with the girls at lunch. Read Transfiguration revision during study periods. And talked my way through potions while I was with AV… And I completely neglected Divination. It was a rubbish subject anyway.
And if living and breathing studying wasn't enough, I was also practicing mental shields and duelling with Snape every afternoon and then went straight to AV afterwards to train some more. After training with Charlie and AV, I would go home sit on my bed and write essays non-stop until midnight.
It was doing my head in, and I knew if I kept up with this crazy routine for much longer I would crash and have a complete melt down and that was the last thing I needed. I had end of year exams to do, Occulmency shields to perfect and balls of flame to dodge.
Man, I loved my life…. NOT!
I was starting to get black bags under my eyes which made me look like the biggest racoon. All I needed was to start rummaging through garbage. I was like a robot; I would talk only when asked direct questions and then would only talk about school.
I had become my worst nightmare; an unfeeling, unchanging machine.
It was fucking scary.
Two good things did come, however, out of this time of chaos; one, a new talent became obvious and two I managed to learn how to cast a corporeal patronus.
The first good thing came about 1 week before my first exam when I was with AV and it happened purely by accident. AV was thrilled about it all naturally, going off on a huge rant about how perfect it was that I was finally accepting and furthering my talents. Charlie was there and had stared open mouthed at me for the rest of the session and for two whole days afterwards.
As usual, it was a fire dodging lesson. I was tired, grumpy and just wanted to go back to my room and sleep until Thursday. I kept getting singed and burned and had one too many close calls. I had stopped holding up one hand, trying to catch my breath and winced as I swiped at the layer of sweat on my forehead.
"Please Alexandru I'm tired, can't I just rest for a little bit?" I pleaded weakly, and groaned when he glared at me and shook his head. "This is what I'm trying to teach you Draga! Endurance! We keep going." He declared, and raised his wand cast off an Incendio. I grunted and just managed to dodge it. "Ileana" Alexandru groaned, placing his head in his hands. "Try harder! You're not focusing." He ordered, seeming just as tired as I was.
I gritted my teeth, feeling a spike of anger. "I'm trying. I've been working non-stop for the past month. If I'm not here training, I'm trying to prefect Occulmency or studying. I haven't rested in so long. I'm so darn tired!" I yowled, feeling slightly lazy but unable to care. AV sighed and rubbed his temples. "I know Printesa, I know. But you've got to keep going. Only two more weeks of this then you may rest." He urged, his eyes beseeching me to push harder. I groaned. "That's so long away!" I moaned raking my fingers through my hair to try and get it out of my eyes.
"Persistence pays off in the end Ileana. Just a little more then we will talk more on dragons yes?" Alexandru bargained, expression hopeful. I closed my eyes defeated and sighed. "Fine" I conceded, and then yelped as he began throwing balls of fire at me rapidly, no room for rest. I felt like a dancer, dancing a complicated sequence in a very staccato and static way.
On one of my dodges, I stumbled, almost falling into the fire of the next ball aimed at me. I screeched and put my arms over my face, trying to shield it from the burning heat which I could feel licking at my arms. But no stinging burn came. Nothing. All I could feel was the heat, wrapped around me like a safety blanket. Hesitantly, I opened my arms and my eyes and stared in wonder at the sight that greeted me.
It was like a pillar of fire surrounding me; a moving, whirling column of fire which covered me from head to foot. I could see out, but from the amazed thoughts I was getting from AV, he couldn't see in at all. What the hell was going on here? Curious, I stood up straight and watched as the flame adjusted itself, following my change of position with one of its own.
Cocking one eyebrow I raised my arms, and watched as the flames adjusted again, moving with my arms and making it look like it was a wonky looking cross of fire. Smirking, I began to wave my arms about, watching as the flames followed my arms perfectly, like they were my shadow. I let loose a hysterical sort of laugh.
Dropping my arms by my side I concentrated, and pulled the fire close to my body, so close it was like I was wearing a body suit. Then, concentrating again, I made the fire disappear. "WOAH!" I exclaimed amazed, looking at a stunned AV. "What was that?" I asked no one in particular. AV took a few awed steps forward.
"Sweet Merlin." He muttered his accent unbelievably strong. He shakily reached out and grasped my arm. "How-" He began but English failed abruptly him. He tried again and I appreciated his efforts of speaking English, even when I could speak fluent Romanian. "How did you do that Printesa?" Alexandru asked flabbergasted.
"I don't know." I admitted truthfully, as lost for answers as he was. Frowning I remembered my odd skill of producing little fire balls on my palm. "Perhaps," I said, trying to rationalise this out as I went, "Perhaps I have discovered an extension on one of the powers I already had." I said, and it sounded quite truthful. AV frowned. "Extension?" he parroted confused, then it hit him. "Can you produce fire, wandlessly Draga?" he asked earnestly, his ancient eyes alight.
I nodded. "Little balls of fire which I can throw or use to light fires. I use it all the time in potions when I'm too lazy to bring out my wand." I admitted. AV gasped and then took my hand, turning it palm up. "Show me." He asked softly and I nodded, wriggling my fingers. Sure enough, a ball of flame burst into being on my palm, much brighter than I had seen it before.
AV stared at it with wide eyes. Gently removing my hand from his I circled my hand around the flame, holding it like a baseball. Throwing it hard, I sent it in a spinning pitch towards a rose bush at the edge of the meadow. It caught ablaze and before it bounced over to the next bushes, I raised my hand and patted the air, and sure enough, the blaze went out instantly. I heard Charlie gasp. "Woah." He said amazed, from his place at the wrought iron chairs. His eyes were so wide I thought they would bug out of his head. I gave him a soft smile.
"I can breathe fire too." I admitted, looking back at AV. He didn't say anything, just gave me this look. He gestured for me to show him. Tilting my head back, facing the sky, I blew, and a burst of flame erupted from my lips and sent a shot of black smoke towards the sky, tangling with the fire in a slow dance to the heavens. "Dude that is so sick!" little Charlie crowed, now so excited he was standing on the chair and bouncing.
I looked back at AV, watching him assess me with all knowing eyes. "Ileana, I never asked you before, but I feel it prudent to now. Your wand, where did you purchase it?" he asked, taking a few steps forwards and leaning in close, like we were discussing secret plans of treason. "Olivander's, at Diagon Alley in London." I explained, not sure of where he was going with this. AV's eyes twinkled. "And your wand is?" he asked, leaving the questioned open ended.
"Holly, with a core of Dragon Heartstring." I replied still confused, and then I remembered something. "It was also apparently the wand of one of our Ancestors. Alina Varias." I said, eagerly hoping he knew of her. He smiled and nodded like he had expected this. "May I?" He asked, holding out his hands expectantly.
Nodding more to myself than him I reached into my pocket and brought out my wand, placing it on his gloved hands. He held my wand up and studied it, nodding and muttering to himself. Finally, he placed it back in my hand, satisfied with what he had found. "Yes, it all makes sense now." He said quietly, and then looked pensively out into the forest.
"How much do you know about Alina?" He asked me, never taking his eyes off the forest. "Nothing." I admitted, slightly put out. "I tried to research her here at school, but couldn't find her anywhere. All I know is the little that Olivander told me. He said she was a Keeper." I said, hesitantly hoping he would let me know more about her.
AV made a sound of mock outrage. "A keeper? No dearest, she wasn't just a Keeper; she was one of the greatest Keepers the tribe has ever seen. She had powers above and beyond all those before her, nothing we've seen the likes of for generations! But you." He said, whirling around and pinning me to the ground with a fierce stare.
"You Draga have exhibited some of her powers. Quite a few actually. And we don't even know the full extent of what you are capable of yet! She could wield fire too. She could talk to dragons like you could. It is also rumoured that she could see what was to come; a seer if you will. Her word was law. Tribal laws set in place that I am bound to enact to this day. Every country or race has a great King or Queen. One that is remembered for their great deeds for ages to pass. The Jews had King David. The Muslims, Muhammad. The English, King Arthur or more recently Queen Elizabeth the first and Queen Victoria. For us, it is Alina. She has become an inspiration; an ideal ruler for Keepers to aspire to be. But like all great leaders, their deaths are tragedies, and Alina could have had a Shakespearean play written about her final years. She was taken from us much too soon." Alexandru ranted, his face growing sad with ageless grief at the end.
I stood still, taking it all in. The famous Alina died young? Did I really possess some of her powers? So many questions were buzzing through my head, whirring at a million miles an hour. Suddenly I was snapped out of my thoughts by AV's exclamation. "Oh would you look at that! How time flies! Well, I am afraid it's the end of our time together today. I shall see you both tomorrow, nice and sharp." Alexandru said promptly and fielded both Charlie and I off before we could ask him one question.
Alexandru avoided all attempts of me asking questions about Alina for weeks afterwards.
My next new talent became apparent a few days before my Defence practical exam. I was with Snape, and we had traded in the mind control for something more practical. He was helping me revise my spell repertoire for the test and insulting me horribly when I did something he deemed wrong. He was incessantly picky, and I could do nothing right by the man.
"Now." Snape declared at one point in the lesson. "As a part of your exam, you will be asked to produce a corporeal patronus. I assume you missed that lesson when the theories of the charm were being discussed." Snape snapped, immediately condescending. I nodded. I had no clue how to cast it, and any help I could get I would take gladly.
Snape nodded back curtly. It was like this now, no talking unless required. Ever since that incident at the beginning of the month with 'the Trench Episode' as I had dubbed it, things had been… tense. At best.
"Now watch carefully" Snape barked and slowly went through the wand movements but didn't cast the charm. I nodded. Seemed simple enough… so far. After I had repeated the wand movements and had them to his satisfaction, he spoke again. "Now the incantation is Expecto Patronum. Say it." He barked. I nodded. "Expecto Patronum." I said, but it sounded wrong even to me.
Snape growled and rolled his eyes. "You're pronouncing it wrong Idiot girl. Eks-pek-toh pa-troh-nam." He said slowly, as if spelling it out for a toddler. I ignored the urge to roll my eyes and tried it again. "Expecto Patronum" I said, copying the constants he used. "Finally." Snape muttered, and I assumed form that I had gotten it right.
"Now, before you cast the charm, you must think of a powerful happy memory. The strongest you can think of. The stronger the memory, the greater the chance of a successful patronus." Snape drawled, sounding almost bored as he paced back and forth across the length of the room. I nodded and closed my eyes, trying to think of one strong happy memory that stood out. I struggled. I had many happy memories, and couldn't decide which would be the strongest. My childhood and teenage years provided a multitude of ones to pick from.
"Found one?" Asked Snape, sounding impatient. I opened one eye and left the other one closed. "Still trying to decide which one to choose." I replied calmly. Snape made an odd sort of sound in the back of his throat which I took as a sound of dark amusement and exasperation. I took a flying leap of faith and concentrated on one memory in particular, one that seemed to be the right one.
"Expecto Patronum." I said firmly, opening my eyes and doing the practiced wand movements. A shaky blue light emerged from the tip of my wand, and then fizzled out almost instantly. I was disappointed but refused to be deterred. I tried, again and again, each time receiving the same frustrating results. Snape never said a word the entire time, just watched as I grew more and more frustrated.
After about an hour of failed attempts I flopped down on the cold floor, rested my elbows on my knees and buried my face in my hands. "This is not working." I moaned pitifully into my hands. I just couldn't understand it. What was I doing wrong? I was pronouncing it right, making the wand movements correctly. Was I missing something? Was there some universal piece of almighty wisdom you were required to know?
There was the shuffling of shoes across the floor, like the owner was shifting their position. I knew that he had plopped himself into the chair behind his desk. He let loose a large, bored sigh. "It's not working because you are using an insufficient memory; it's not happy enough. Choose another. I am sure there is a standout memory which comes to mind." He drawled, his voice cross between bored and annoyed.
I looked up and met his cool obsidian eyes. I thought on it, trying to come up with a happier memory then the one I was using before. One came to me, struck me down like a bolt of lightning and I cursed myself internally for not thinking of it earlier. He saw the light click over my head and leant back with an anticipatory sneer on his face. I scrambled to my feet, adjusted my school sweater and closed my eyes, watching the memory play out yet again.
Opening my eyes I sucked in a deep breath and spoke the incantation. "Expecto Patronum." I said confidently, my wand flicking through the air. A bright blue stream of light erupted from my wand and my grin widened as in front of me, a ball of light began to mould itself into a shape. Large floppy ears, a little fluffy tail and powerful hind legs appeared.
It was a rabbit.
The rabbit hopped a few places, trying to figure out why it had been summoned. It turned back to look at me and wriggled its nose a few times then started when it heard an almost hysterical laugh burst from my throat. "No way!" I giggled, watching as the rabbit began to hop around the room after being coaxed by a movement in my wand.
I ended the spell after a while and turned to face Snape. "Thanks for your help professor." I said sincerely, realising I had never actually thanked him beforehand. Snape was shocked into wide-silence, completely unprepared for the thanks. Finally, when he managed to snap from his shocked stupor he managed a mumbled "You're welcome."
He all but threw me out not long after with a final parting barked order to study.
My last exam out of all of the scheduled two hours of hell, was Care of Magical Creatures. I was so excited to be almost finished and at the threshold of freedom that I wasn't as angsty about early morning revision as I was with the ones previous (bar Divination of course). I blame this lack of foresight entirely on the situation I found myself in when I got to the only essay in the exam.
The previous short answer and multiple choice questions didn't prove much of a problem; my cramming had prepared me enough for them. My undoing seemed to be in that essay. In my extensive revision of each subject, I had to rely on my textbooks to inform me what I had missed content wise in the beginning of the year. It seemed I had forgotten to check what the first unit of content was in Care of Magical Creatures.
So, naturally, when I saw the question, I panicked.
I actually swore aloud when I read the question and got a ferocious glare off Professor Kettleburn who was supervising the exam in one of the larger unused classrooms near the Great Hall. I gave him an apologetic grimace and then sucked in a couple of shaky breaths and re-read the question.
Evaluate the significance and/or the impact that one group/tribe/species of people have had in the natural realm; what contribution has this group made to Wizarding society?
Fuck me dead and paint me purple.
What sort of question was that? That was way too broad. You could talk about anything! Where were the specifics?
I re-read the question again in hopes of illumination. Forcibly calming myself down, I broke down the question to see if that would help. Okay, I thought to myself, 'significance and/or the impact'. Well clearly they're looking to see if I can identify both. It's a classification test. They want to see how I think and problem solve.
Well significance is about the group's importance. It could be about individual customs or defining features depending on what group I choose.
And Impact… That's the more obvious one; what have they actually done?
Okay, now… group/tribe/species… wait… that doesn't make sense… how can there be a species of people? Unless he doesn't literally mean people… Like wasn't he talking the other day about the High Elves who petitioned the Ministry for the eternal protection over that river in Ireland? Gee… this is the tricky bit. I could bluff my way through most of it, I just don't know enough about one group to write a bloody essay on them…
Wait… HANG ON A SECOND!
An idea suddenly hit me like a wrecking ball. I didn't have to know about a local tribe! The question never specified what geographical area the group had to come from, neither did it specify that the group actually had to be still functioning and thriving. Oh this was too good! I began to wonder if AV had known all along about this exam question and had purposely sent me that tome a few weeks ago, which I had read.
Putting pen to paper, I began to write like a demon, my quill flying across the lined parchment so fast it never left the parchment for longer than necessary. I never paused to re-read, so the bloody thing was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors. I wrote so much I filled the 6 foot parchment and then half-way filled another. By the time the Professor yelled "Quills down!" I threw my quill down with triumph and looked proudly at the slightly messy handwriting with a mad grin on my face.
I walked away from that exam hoping for the best and praying my fluke would prove to be fruitful… or something like that.
SPOV-Severus' Point of View
Severus stalked down the corridors, watching in carefully concealed amusement and triumph as students and Professors alike quickly ducked out of his way, making a clear path for him as he floated towards his destination; tea with the headmaster.
Oh joy. He could just picture the sordid affair now.
The old coot would probably spend half his time trying to force muggle sweets and candy down his throat, one quarter reminding him of his purpose and destiny and the other quarter ask him about the progression of a certain Hufflepuff menace that swallowed his afternoons with her insulting opinions and laziness.
Oh how he detested having 'tea' with the headmaster.
Reaching the statue of the Gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office much too soon, he winced as he said this week's newest password. "Sugar pops" he spat, trying to get the offensive, much too cheerful word out of his mouth as soon as he could. The gargoyle moved and the spiralling staircase to the Headmaster's office was quickly revealed.
Quickly ascending the stairs, Severus decided he would try and get this whole affair over as quickly as possible, that way he may retire to his chambers sooner rather than later. He had several complicated potions left to finish that were simmering, almost ready for the next stage. Without bothering to knock, he flung open the door and stalked into the office, plopping himself un-gracefully into one of the chairs sitting before the headmaster's desk.
Dumbledore looked up from a stack of papers, a look of pleasant surprise written all over his face like he hadn't expected this meeting to occur let alone called it. "Ah! Severus! Good to see you this fine evening! Lemon drop?" Dumbledore greeted cheerfully, waving a hand towards a golden bowl full of the bright yellow candies.
Severus barely supressed the urge to curl his lip and spit at them. Instead he raised his chin haughtily, almost daring the old man to make him do what he absolutely refused to. "You wished to see me Albus? I doubt this meeting is merely for a social call." Severus asked, his voice bland and dry. If Dumbledore was offended by his curt words he didn't show it, merely folded his hands calmly over his papers. Dumbledore had spent far too much time in Severus' company to be affronted by his cool and constantly changing dispositions.
"Very well then my boy, I'll get to the crux of it." Dumbledore said, his upfront acceptance of Severus' unspoken wishes a shock to Severus. Severus couldn't help but wonder if something terrible had happened; what could be so important that forced the wise old wizard to abandon his customs? Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled merrily which made Severus think it couldn't possibly be as bad as he believed.
"You know it is often customary for some of the Professors to send me outstanding responses in exams or those which I may find interesting. I was given this morning a very interesting essay from Professor Kettleburn who was utterly confounded by its content. The way the student expressed herself was far beyond anyone of her level and was something that should have, by all rights come from a university student. All her teachers have reported similar levels of vocabulary and style in her other essays, but this one is by far the best." Dumbledore said sunnily, bringing two scrolls of parchment from a pile to his left and holding them in his wrinkled hands.
Severus was baffled. "Forgive me Albus, but I don't see how this has to do with me." Severus admitted, slightly frustrated he was called up to read one of the slobbering children's essays. Dumbledore chuckled, "Why, it has everything to do with you my boy! The essay belongs to Miss MacKay. I thought you would be interested to see just how well Miss MacKay has done. Without your tutoring, Miss MacKay would not have flourished like this. "Congratulations are in order Severus." Dumbledore said merrily, reaching over and giving his employee a hearty clap on the shoulder.
Severus was still for a second. MacKay? Flourishing? Now this he had to see. "May I?" Severus asked curious, gesturing to the scrolls of unfurled parchment. Dumbledore nodded, a wide grin on his face as he eagerly handed them over. Arranging them neatly in his hands, Severus looked at a familiar hand, the title of the essay slightly shocking but further intriguing him. Before he could read further, Dumbledore spoke.
"The students were asked to write a question on the impact and contribution of a particular group or tribe of people to the natural realm." Dumbledore informed his staff member.
The Varias Clan; the forgotten Dragon Keepers of the Balkans.
By Ileana MacKay
When posed the name 'Varias,' most Witches and Wizards would be unable to inform you of information pertaining any significance or truth, or would not, perhaps, be able to tell you anything at all about this illusive tribe. This is the sad reality which befalls the Wizarding world today. This ancient and noble tribe of Dragon whisperers seems to have vanished from the public mind as quickly as the descendants of the Varias Tribe have disappeared from existence….
Severus read on, and ignoring several glaring spelling mistakes and Comma misplacements, the essay, he was forced to admit, was actually quite good. She cited various Wizarding Historians numerous times, produced dates and figures and went into great depth on various exporting figures and Dragon protection laws that the Varias clan had been able to instigate over the years. He was amazed to find how interesting this forgotten tribe was.
Of course she spent more time answering the question then revealing the histories, but the histories and traditions she did mention fascinated him. Severus knew, instinctively, that Ileana was probably one of the only ones in the world who knew this information and was curious to find out where she had cited all this information from.
He had researched the Varias clan extensively after finding out he would be taking on a student whom had direct lineage to the revered but unknown clan and had found out next to nothing on them. Not even outsourced books from his family's extensive library held any more information and he had soon given up the search frustrated and unsated. But here was nine feet of parchment with only a glimpse into the illusive tribe and it contained information that most historians would sell their souls for and it was all from the mind of a 17 year old young woman.
Severus was struck quiet for a long time after reading the essay and was unable to form any words to say to the headmaster. When finally he looked up, he met the amused eyes of Dumbledore, who was looking at him with that frustrating, all knowing smile all over his face. "I had no idea-" Severus began, but trailed off weekly. Dumbledore's smile widened.
"I'd wager not my boy. But she is maturing more than I could have hoped. You are good for her; you challenge her to do more and be more. Had I put her under the care of another, she would have wilted and never risen to her full potential. I am sure her patriarch; Alexandru Varias is very thankful for all you've done. You're helping him mould her into the future Dragon Keeper that the very few Varias descendants need." Dumbledore said, giving him a look of pride.
Severus frowned. Alexandru Varias? Severus opened his mouth to ask, but Dumbledore knew what he was going to ask and beat him to the chase. "Alexandru Varias is the elderly Dragon Keeper, the last of a line of nobles and the only survivor of the Balkans Masacre of 2006. He is a very distant relation to Ileana. His brother was supposed to marry her Grandmother, but her grandmother eloped to marry another man in the tribe. Ileana refers to him as her uncle to spare everyone the labour of explaining the connection. He's been training Ileana for a while now, and will go into much further and intensive training with her once the summer starts. The poor dear has spent the past couple of months juggling school work, her training with you and her training with the Dragon Keeper and trying to stay sane." Dumbledore explained then shook his head amazed and continued with a chuckle. "I have no idea how she has managed to keep her head above the water."
Severus felt slightly guilty, worrying slightly that perhaps he'd been pushing the girl a bit too hard where she was already wearing herself thin. The guilt was quick to disappear. She had known what she was signing up for at the beginning. He had told her from the start he wouldn't go easy on her. He had kept his promises and had expected nothing less than the best.
There was however, one question that had been plaguing Severus for a while now, and he felt compelled at this time to ask it; he may not have gotten an answer at another time, and while the Headmaster was being open and forthcoming with knowledge, he supposed he best take advantage of it.
"So Ileana will take over the position when the time comes; she will be the next Dragon Keeper?" Severus asked, tone severe. Dumbledore grew serious as well, the twinkle gone. "Yes. She has no choice. She is the last eligible person in her line. If something were to happen to both Ileana and Alexandru, the tribe would have no more direct blood ties to living witches and wizards. The only remaining people who could claim to be Varias descendants are muggles; magic-less and knowledge-less. It would be the greatest tragedy, to lose such skill and strong prowess. Let us hope for our sake that Ileana is around for a great deal more time and lives long enough to produce heirs."
It struck Severus then, the severity of the situation and why Dumbledore was going to so much trouble to train Ileana MacKay in the ways of defence. He was trying to preserve one of the last members of a dying race. The once bountiful tribe now only had hopes in its last Dragon Princess.
For her own sakes as well as theirs, Ileana MacKay had to be protected.
A/N: Another long chapter! PHEW! I think I should warn you that most of the future chapters will be around this length or perhaps slightly longer as I have a lot of content to get through that's quite wordy. There is one chapter that is coming on the horizon that promises to be a massive chapter! I'm already daunted by it.
Well, I'm going to go now and leave you alone to reivew (major hint here)